The Sound of Their Presence

Chapter Seventeen: Together

Shane's POV

    Cheyenne lands in my arms before I have time to register her presence. I embrace her, gladly, ingoring the fact that she must be freezing, in her complete lack of clothes. I smile into her lengthy blond locks.

    When Cheyenne looks into my eyes, and I lean my face down, closer to hers, Matilda clears her throat.

    "Remove your shirt, Shane." When I just raise my eyebrows at the woman wearing my jacket, she continues. "I have your jacket, and the forest, especially with so many hunters, is no place for a pair of ladies to walk around bare." She gives me an eyeroll. I do not understand Matilda. She has been so polite, but as soon as her daughter appeared, she seemed to despise me.

   Once I remove my last remaining top layer, I am told to turn away, and I immediately oblige. After putting on my shirt, Cheyenne turns around. The two women pull each other close for a moment, murmering words of comfort. I leave them be, until they turn to speak with me again.

    "You were right to be suspicous of Lilith, in that boy's murder," Matilda says. Apparently they were not just whispering soothing words during their long hug.

    "How do you know?"

    "What boy are you talking about?" I ask, interrupting them. "I am lost."

    I am rewarded a glare from each, which is accompanied by an identical scowl from both Cheyenne, and Matilda. 

    Of course, Cheyenne is the one to come to my rescue. "Some kid stole Lilith's convertible during the mall trip. She went and some how got it back. I didn't ask how, and she wouldn't have answered. Another day, I was watching the news at your house. A picture of the boy who stole the car was on the news. He was missing at the time. Now, police are looking for his murderer. The thing that really made me suspicious of Lilith was the fact that she would turn off the television everytime information would come up about him."

    My mother a murderer? Now that I think of it, she has been one for years. Another victim on her list wouldn't make a difference to her. Cheyenne and her mother continue to talk for several minutes while I am lost in thought. Then I hear Matilda's aful words.

    "Shane's parents kept your father and I captive. Us and many others."

   A woman screams behind me, like a viking giving her battle cry. I whirl around to see-

    Lilith?

   Great. 

    My father comes forward and covers Matilda's mouth with one of his hands. With the other, he pins her arms behind her back, and drags her away. Lilith pins Cheyenne. Having caught her by surprise, Cheyenne's struggles are feeble. 

    A very large man I do not recognize has me down easily, as I am highly distracted by the only person on this God forsaken planet is dragged before my eyes. Then there is a blunt force against my temple, and the world goes black.