Blind As a Bat [1st book complete]

Back to the Beginning

Cian P.O.V

Pritcher and I kept finding ourselves going back to her. The other families chosen were good, especially since most would make him an only child; more likely to get the attention he deserved and probably craved. But Mrs. Leugen was just too good with Ashe, and we all knew it. The parents we had dared to meet Ashe weren't as receptive when they saw the real thing, and didn't seem comfortable talking to someone in a coma for hours on end while other people behind a two-way flipping mirror watched their every move. So, while the other families just kind of petered out, partially our own fault on that, Mrs. Leugen became a daily visitor while having no idea that she was the only one that still visited him after all this time.

"...And Sammy had tried so so hard to make the eggs that your father and I could only eat the undercooked and shell-infested eggs with smiles as he watched," Mrs. Leugen started laughing at her own tale, wiping at an eye as she calmed herself. I watched her look down and gasp, "Oh sweetie, is that smile for me? Thank you!"

She leaned down and kissed his forehead, rubbing his head and through his hair, "I wish they'd let me wash your hair, I don't think they do a very good job, lovey. Too bad you aren't awake yet to get all these wires off of you, or I would insist." She giggled.

We had been noticing Ashe beginning to slowly react to his surroundings, but every time we made a fuss over it, he would... The only word I could use was 'regress'. Instead, it was best to keep close yet quiet and unintrusive watch.

She squeezed his hand, "Oh lovey, look at the time. It's getting close to time for me to pick up those little troublemakers of ours. I'll have to go, but I'll come back tomorrow with a new story, okay?"

"Nnnnnn," the small sound is broadcast through the sound speakers attached to the cannula, making me jump up from my chair and lean closer to the glass.

"Oh, sweetie, I know you don't want me to leave, but I will be back," She replied, sadly. "I can feel you holding and squeezing my hand. I know you're there, but you just need more time, and I will be there for you when you're ready."

Her voice was quiet, but it echoed through the speakers as she leaned close to hug the boy and kiss him on the forehead again, "Tomorrow," She told him once more before departing.

Jay P.O.V

We had stepped away from the group as much as possible to give the disguise of privacy, though we didn't doubt that they could still hear us, "I trust you, Jay, and I really need your help with this," David pleaded.

"David, what was in that contract? Why can't we just go to your father with this?"

"I can't show you, Jay. I really can't," He looked me in the eyes, willing me to accept this; begging me to let it go. "I need you. Please, help me."

I stepped forward, hands on his upper arms as I placed my forehead on his shoulder. Taking a few calming breaths while David gave me the time I needed, regardless of company, I finally returned his stare, "Okay."

David released a big breath, most of the tension leaving his body when he knew he wouldn't be alone in this, "We'll make a contract deal, but Jay won't be signing any of it, and if I or Jay don't like something or think something is unfair, we will be given the right to rectify it so it is more fair."

"Those terms are simple enough, but I doubt that you will have much to disagree with," The hooded man slid another contract onto the desk. We looked at it for a few moments before walking over to the seats.

David picked it up first, asking for a writing utensil before sitting back to read it. He made a few notes in it before handing it to me. I took my time, underlining specific parts and considering the wording to make sure there weren't any items that allowed them more power than we would be willing to give. Luckily, the man was right, there really wasn't much to the documents; it was only three pages long, though the writing was fairly small and the paper was larger than the usual eight by eleven. The paper felt thick and expensive, though I couldn't say why it mattered to me.