Broken Wings

Chapter Thirteen

When the two men leave we set about put our stuff away. I never got to look for any clothes for them, but I can do that tomorrow.

"I finished eating and watering the garden. Can I have some chips please." Michael says.

"Of course dear go on."

"Thank you.",He smiles and hugs me. I haven't been hugged in ages. I hug him back and smile.

"Are you ok?" Lucy ask.

"Of course. Why?"

"You haven't said much. Not since the guys left."

She's right. There's something about the one that I can't put my finger on. I have a feeling that the rudeness is just a way of coping.

"Well. There's really nothing to say is there." She smiles at me.

"You like him."

"No. I don't. He's rude."

"That's it? That's all you have is he's rude?" She nods her head." Yeah you like him. Hey from a sixteen year old point of view he's gorgeous. So why not."

"Lucy stop playing match maker. Anyway it'll never work."

"Why not? I saw the way he looked at you."

"Your imagination is running wild. Now hush."

Michael comes running over. "Hey can we please go to the beach? Please?"

"I don't see why not. We're done here right?"

"Yeah." He says nodding his head quickly.

"Then let's go."

"Yay." He runs to Lucy. "Come one were going to the beach."

"I think we should stay here. At least for the night."

I know today's events were bothering her.

"Come on just a quick trip. Twenty minutes tops." I say brushing her hair out of her eyes.

"Ok. But we have to be quick." She looks down at her brother.

"Ok. I promise."

We head out to the beach. Michael in the middle of us and holding both of our hands.

It's a three block walk, so we get there quickly. As soon as we see the sand Michael takes off running. Lucy following.

I sit on the sand watching them play.

They took off their sneakers and have their feet in the water.

"Don't get to wet. It'll be to cold on the way home."

"Ok." Michael yells. Lucy nods her head.

"A few more minutes ok."

After a few more minutes they get out and dry off.

"That was fun. But cold." Lucy says smiling. She Doesn't do much of that.

"We'll come back. I promise."

We walk back to the church. Micheal runs ahead when we get closer. We were only gone about forty five minutes. But something doesn't feel right.

All of the sudden I hear a car. I try to hurry the kids inside.

"Stop!!!!" I turn to see the Jeep come to a sudden stop and the two men from earlier jump out.

"What are you....." The one with the green eyes clamps his hand over my mouth.

"Shh. Just get in the Jeep. Please." He whispers in my ear. The other one is going up the steps to the church. I nod my head. Looking in his eyes I see something is not right. I see fear.

I quickly walk to the Jeep tugging the kids with me. I look back quickly to see what their doing. They have their guns out and I can see the tension. They both look back at me and nod.

Then I hear it. Men's voice's from in the church. Oh God we almost walked in to an ambush. But how did they know. Unless... No couldn't be.

"What's going on?" Lucy ask.

"I'm not sure."

"Hey. Is that yours?" Accent. The tall one. Harry I think.

"It is now. We watched the people leave earlier. We're just waiting for them to get back."

"What makes you think they're coming back?"

"Oh, they'll be back and I'll be waiting. I want a piece of that!"

"She belongs to me." That's the second time he claimed me. If he wasn't saving my life I'd be pissed.

"Not willing to share?"

"Nope."

"To bad." Then a shot.

The blast was loud and the scream was blood curdling. I just didn't know who. Then a bunch of yelling and more gun fire. Then I saw the flames.

"No. Oh God no. My home." It came out barely a whisper. Then silence.

We Waited for a few minutes, just watching and listening. Then the doors open and they come out. Thank God. I breathe a sigh of relief and Lucy raises her eyebrows.

They come over to us. Harry's lip is bleeding. And he has a cut over his right eye. James nose is bleeding.

"Is there anything in there you can't replace?" Harry ask wiping his lip with his sleeve.

"Who were they?" My voice is shaky.

"I didn't ask. Now is there anything you need from that building?"

"My Bible!" He raises his eyebrow then gets in the Jeep.  "Wait please...I can't leave it."

"We'll get you another one!!" He yells and as we pull away I look back. My old church. My home since this all started is burning to the ground.