Squeak

Reinforcement

Jezebel

Everything ached—my neck, back, shoulders, wrists, fingers, along with everything below the waist. I'd been hunched over the keyboard for over 48 hours, barely leaving to use the restroom or sleep. Erik or Izabel delivered my meals, and fussed until I scarfed down every bite. Erik had threatened to shut off the WIFI until I reminded him how counterproductive that'd be.

Sleep evaded me. I'd pass out at the desk and pop back up once the nightmares kicked in. In my vision, the night of the shooting and Izabel's near abduction played out differently. Elliot had succumbed to his wounds and Izabel was taken from us, never to be seen or heard from again.

The unknown was the scariest part. There was no way of knowing what they'd do to her. I imagined they'd slowly poison her big, beautiful mind, and fill her generous heart with malice and hatred until she was too far gone.

Outwardly, Jacob had always been kind and doting towards Izabel, but I never trusted the large smile on his face when he'd greet her, or the bear hugs he'd give, spinning her around and telling her how much he missed her. He was laying a trap for her—playing the long game until it was the perfect time to strike. No one was safe from Jacob King—not even his own flesh and blood.

I glanced up momentarily when the door slowly creaked open. I played a quick guessing game, wondering who'd be on the other side. I wanted to say I was dismayed when Elliot barged in—I'd been expecting a visit from Erik or Izabel—but I was happy to see he was up and moving about. He adjusted his sling and sauntered towards an armchair. He winced when he plopped down and massaged his shoulder.

I paused while waiting for him to say something.

"I have a question," he said finally.

"Of course you do."

"How certain are you that Frankie and Erik didn't engage in homoerotic activities together while they were incarcerated?"

I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to the screen. Thanksgiving had arrived and Frankie and Adrian were permitted to leave hiding to join us for a day of thanks.

"I didn't think your overinflated ego would allow you to be jealous."

"Jealous?" he squawked. "That's preposterous!"

"Is it?" I challenged, thankful for the comedic relief.

"It is. When was the last time you had more than two hours of sleep because you're clearly sleep deprived?" I shrugged lazily. "You need to take a break," he said climbing to his feet. "Off to bed you go."

I shook my head.

"I can't. I'm almost there. I can feel it in my bones."

"Whatever you're feeling will still be there three hours from now. Let's go," he said, approaching me.

"Leave me alone, Elliot. Shouldn't you be helping in the kitchen?"

He huffed in discontent.

"Would you believe me if I said that little twerp kicked me out the kitchen?"

"That depends. Which little twerp kicked you out?" I mumbled as I examined a newspaper article.

"Franklin. He insisted that there were too many bodies in the kitchen, and someone had to go. Mind you, he said this rather pointedly and stared me down while saying it. I offered Adrian to leave as tribute, but Franklin asserted that Adrian was more useful in the kitchen since he had two functional arms." I smiled. "I'll show him two functional arms," he growled.

"Leave Franklin alone."

"He's trying to drive a wedge between me and Erik. It's Franklin who's jealous of me!"