Hellbent Hero by Naomi Porter

31

Tara

MY HEART RACED as I eyed the white envelope Brad had given me yesterday. I’d totally forgotten about it after Hero entered my classroom. It was the first thing I noticed on my desk when I arrived at school this morning.

My heart had been in my throat since.

It wasn’t a letter from Brad. Or a drawing. I recognized the chicken-scratch handwriting on the envelope. I’d been too afraid to read it because I knew it was from him. I just knew…

The wizard, aka my dad, somehow gave it to Brad. Jesus, that meant he’d been at the school. In my small, safe space.

“Brad, could you come here, please?” There were only three minutes left until the bell rang. I needed to find out where he got this envelope from.

He bounded over, ready to leave for the day with his jacket and backpack on—and a huge grin. “Yeah?”

I returned a strained smile, trying to not look as if I was about to lose my shit. I’d spent most of the day fighting to hold it together for my kids and myself.

I pointed to the reason for my current panic. “Can you tell me where you got this from?”

His blue eyes went wide. “You haven’t opened it?”

“No. Where did you get it from? Was it a man?” I searched his innocent face for answers. “A tall man with long hair.”

He shook his head. “No. A girl. Why didn’t you open it?”

Phew, a girl. Maybe I didn’t recognize the handwriting.

“I will open it, sweetie. But first, tell me what the girl looked like. Was she a mom? Or a teenager? An elderly woman? What did she look like?”

He teared up. “I promised you’d open it so she’d give me a kitten.”

A kitten? My blood turned cold, throat constricting. This was most definitely my dad’s handy work—a master manipulator.

“What about a kitten?” Luna flashed in my head. He knew about my baby. My heart raced as I worked to not fall apart in front of this confused second-grader staring at me like I just stole his kitten.

“She said if you read the letter, you’d go to the meeting place. Then I’d get a baby kitten as a reward for doing a good job after school today.”

I jumped to my feet. “She’s coming to school today? Do you know her name? What does she look like? Please, Brad, think hard.”

The first crocodile tear fell. “You didn’t read it. Now I’m not going to get my kitten.” The second tear skirted down his cheek.

I clutched my chest. Sure as hell, I was about to have a full-on panic attack. My face felt hot, but my hands were icy cold. I swallowed excess saliva, sniffed back snot trying to run out of my nose.

Ever so calmly, I said, “What does the girl look like, Brad? It’s not safe to talk to strangers, sweetie. We talked about this in class. I need to know who she is.”

He stared at me, blue eyes scanning my face as he fidgeted with his fingers. “She’s… she’s not a stranger.” His gaze moved to the top of my head. “She looks like you.”

“Me,” I croaked.

He bobbed his head. “Mhm. She’s your sister.”

The bell rang.

My class erupted into their typical jubilee and excitement as Brad darted back to his desk.

I froze in place, turning his words over in my head. Sister? I didn’t have a sister. But he said she looked like me. How? My red hair? Brown eyes? Red puffy lips? How did she look like me?

My knees nearly gave out as I dropped into my chair. I turned toward Brad’s desk to call him back, but he was already gone.

Terror speared down my spine.

I should’ve chased after Brad to make sure the lady didn’t harm him. Or my dad. Head him off before he told another teacher or the principal that I scared him. That I was acting weird.

Because fuck, I was acting like a crazy person. Cemented in place, hands shaking, chest heaving like the woman in a horror movie preparing to die. She knew her time was up. Knew the psycho in her nightmares had been real all along and was coming for her. She didn’t know where to run.Where to hide. Who to ask for help.

Rocking in my chair, I eyed the envelope, faintly acknowledging the shouts of goodbye from my students.

What in the hell kind of game was my dad playing?

How did he find me? How long had he been in my town?

I replayed Brad’s words in my head again. “She said if you read the letter, you’ll come to the meeting place.”

But I didn’t read the letter. I didn’t go to the meeting place. Who was I to meet? What did they want? Was my dad behind all of this insanity?

I zoned out for a spell, horrified at what this all might mean.

Read the goddamned letter, Tara!

I raised my hand to pick it up just as my phone rang on my desk. “Ah!” I slapped my hand over my mouth, forgetting I was alone in an empty room.

Relief washed over me when I saw Hero’s name.

Quickly I grabbed it. “Hero! Is it you? You’re alive!” I answered without preamble.

“I told you I was coming back to you, Roja. Are you okay?”

Be strong. Don’t break.

Hearing his comforting, raspy voice made me weak. “No… I’m not,” I told him honestly. “Are you on your way home?” Please, please, please be on your way home.Be home now! Storm would arrive to pick up Madeline and me at three thirty. It wasn’t the same, though. I wanted my Hero.

“Sort of. Tell me what’s wrong. Are you crying?”

I wiped my cheek. “A little.”

“Roja, what’s going on?” His harsh tone made my muscles lock up and my heart stop. “We’re at the airport. Should be home by supper.”

My heart plummeted. “Supper?” I screeched, staring at the letter. Doom settled in my stomach.

Nowhere to run.

Nowhere to hide.

No Hero.

“Stop dodging the question, dammit!”

“Don’t yell at me,” I cried. He’d want to know about Brad, the kitten, and someone posing as my sister. The very thought churned my stomach. I eyed the letter. Telling him over the phone didn’t seem right, but neither did keeping it from him.

“Roja, what the fuck’s going on?”

Should I tell him?

Not tell him?

“Tara!”

Why was I warring with myself over this? Because I was terrified of the wizard.

I need to run.

Need to hide.

I need Hero.

“Goddammit, talk to me!”

Tell him! You want a healthy, meaningful relationship. Open communication is required in a healthy relationship.

“Are you there? Tara!”

Tell him!

Fine! I’ll do it!

“I think my dad sent me a letter and has a woman posing as my sister,” I blurted the words out as fast as I could before I chickened out.

“What? You think?” he yelled. “He sent a letter to your house?”

I winced, removing the device for a couple of seconds, unsure if he’d continue to yell.

When I thought it was safe, I replied, “No. Brad gave me the letter yesterday before you arrived at school to pick me up. I’d forgotten about it. I just have this feeling it’s from him, y’know?”

“Are you still at the school?” There was rustling and background activity on his end. I wasn’t sure what was going on. I focused on his voice, thick with worry. It put me on edge.

“Yes. Madeline should be here to get me soon.”

“What does the letter say?” He sounded on the verge of coming unhinged. It spoke volumes about how much he cared about me. Any other time, under different circumstances, I’d rejoice in it.

“I haven’t opened it yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m afraid.”

“Roja, listen to me, baby. Go to Madeline’s classroom now.”

I scratched the area on my stomach where I’d burned myself. It was healed, mostly. Strangely it started to itch. “He’s not going to do anything in public.”

“Get your shit and go to Madeline’s!”

I cringed at his forceful tone, but I couldn’t fault him for wanting to protect me.

“Fine, I’m going now.” I quickly gathered my things into my tote, including the letter, then grabbed my coat.

Run.

“Good. I didn’t mean to yell at you. We’re boarding the plane. I’m coming, baby.”

Hide.

“I know, big guy. I know…” I killed the lights, opened the door, and screamed.

“Hero!”