OLD VERSION: Amendable (Book 3 in the Original SOCIETY Series) ✔

❦Sixteen❦

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"Cousin Kale! S--Slow down! I have little feets!" 

The panic I was in let me register half of what my cousin was saying to me. I just kept feeling my heart pounding in my chest and it was hard to breathe. My eyes kept glancing everywhere as my shoes hit against the pavement in my run. 

"Cousin Kale!" 

I slowed my steps, turning to look down at the six-year-old panting heavily and his little face all scrunched up in trying to keep up with me. He'd been stumbling the whole way from the way he almost tripped over his sneakers. 

Bending, I scooped Maddox into my arms and continued running. It was a little more difficult with the child in my arms but it allowed me to not have to slow down as much. 

Maddox's arm around the back of my neck held tighter as he asked, "Where are we going!?"

I shook my head, huffing out, "Not now, Maddie! I'll tell you later!" 

"But why!?"

"Maddie! Please! Cousin Kale can't think straight right now!" 

My little cousin pouted but fell silent as I'd asked. 

A few townspeople walking around gave me odd looks, some jumping out of the way from me almost barreling into them. From the way it probably looked I was a bit manic... but could you blame me!?

Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself to pick up the pace. I looked to the side for any on-coming cars before sprinting across the street to turn the corner that led towards the neighborhoods. It was quieter in this part of the town other than the few kids playing out on their lawns in the sprinklers. 

My eyes landed on the pathway leading towards Aunt Penny's house, but it wasn't her house I was going to. Yet. First I needed to take the back roads into the woods. 

I was passing by the house just as Maddox cried, "Cousin Kale! There's my daddy!" while I felt him pointing behind me. 

With my focus on my own destination, I ignored my cousin... as well as Dennison shouting for me. Who knew I'd be able to ignore Dennison of all people?

"Kale! Kale, God dammit, where are you taking my son!?"

Not now, Dennison!

The pavement under my shoes disappeared, fading into the dirt road I was so familiar with. I heard Maddox cough, piping up that I was leaving dirt clouds behind us. I didn't answer, just kept staring straight ahead. 

I was now running down the narrow dirt path, my breathing escalating as my heartbeat was pounding wildly in my eardrums. Once near the middle of the long road, I could see the worn out wooden sign with its post standing crookedly out of the dirt. I could read the fading lettering of 'Cemetery. This Way' and picked up my pace. 

After turning down the woods' path leading to the cemetery, I came to the open space where the lonely resting place was. The black gate surrounding its perimeter was slanted and looked ready to fall off, but added to the overall gloomy look to the cemetery. 

Swallowing, I slowed my steps, stopping at the entrance to the short gate. 

"Cousin Kale...?" Maddox whispered. 

I slightly turned my head to him, keeping my gaze on the far end of the cemetery. 

"What, Bud?" 

"Are you okay?"

I didn't answer. Because I wasn't sure if I was.

I lowered Maddox to his feet, asking him to stay put as I walked over to the tiny wooden shed that was just as ready to fall apart as the gate. It was where all the tools were kept to keep maintenance for the cemetery.