The Aegis of Noah Hart

13-The Burning Man

When Katie arrives at the Hart residence, she can't help but notice the garage door folded in on itself, as if an explosive went off inside the house. The door seems barely attached to the building at all.

What happened here?

As she parks the pickup behind a green Subaru in the driveway, a chill comes over her. Her body shaking she holds her shoulders for a moment before turning off the engine. With a sigh she grabs the cupcakes and heads for the front door.

Knock knock knock!

Katie can hear the garbled chatter of men coming from inside the house then suddenly, silence. Though she can't see through the white wooden door, the side lights beside it reveal a nice living room with warm colored chairs and a rounding sofa. The girl notices someone come from another room to the left, possibly a kitchen.

When the door opens at last, she is greeted not by Noah but instead a shorter blonde boy. Dressed in a brown shirt and blue jeans, he has a very kind smile.

"Hello there!"

"Hi! I go to school with Noah Hart. My name is Katie Knone."

"The Katie Knone? WOW!"

The boy takes a moment to look her over then stops himself. Katie has gotten used to people overreacting to hearing her name. The Knones are for some people in Franklin a form of celebrity. Though she typically dislikes being "hyped up," Katie also hates it when people try to make something of her name as it sounds like the word "known." 

The boy smiles nervously and shakes his head.

"Um, sorry...You said you go to WB with Noah, right?"

She nods.

"I'm Phillip Godwin, Noah's friend, but just call me Phil."

"Hi, Phil! Nice to meet you! I heard at school that Mrs. Hart passed away and-and-I brought these cupcakes for Noah."

"That's very kind of you! I-WOW! These look amazing-HEY DAVID-"

He pulls the door back to yell into the house.

"-COME CHECK OUT THESE CUPCAKES NOAH'S FRIEND FROM SCHOOL BROUGHT!"

Katie can't help but feel a little nervous as she waits for Noah's father to round the door. Looking through the tiny stacked panes of glass next to the door, the young student gasps when she sees a tall, red headed man approach the door. When he firsts looks in her direction, she can see redness in his eyes and concern in his brow, but he smiles making the features seemingly fade away.

When Mr. Hart steps onto the porch by Phil, Katie notices his brown eyes and lips are just like Noah's though he does appear older in the face, some wrinkles on his forehead. His chin scruffier. Leaner in build, the bubblegum pink shirt and dark blue slacks and tie compliment his appearance very well.

"H-hello!"

"Hello miss! I'm David Hart, Noah's father."

"Katie-"

"-KNONE, right?"

"Y-yes?"

He's not going to say it is he? Knone as in known? Ugh, please don't!

David stares at her quite intently for a moment without a word. At first she's relieved, though the girl can tell for some reason her presence makes the father nervous. 

"You are a pretty young lady. So nice of you to stop by..."

"Oh! Thank you."

Pretty? Why is he acting so funny? Do they not see many girls here or something? Katie! His wife just died. I should let it go.