Chasing Ashes

XXII

LIGHTNING LIGHTS UP the sky around me. My eyes move up to look out my window, looking around for Ryder or one of the boys, but I see nothing. I sigh before turning around in my spot and walking out the door. My house is quiet, dark, and dour. Some Halloween decorations my mother put out sit on our fireplaces mantel, big grinning jack-o-lanterns all smiling at me. I move around more before grabbing out a box of cereal. I look at it before hissing and throwing it back into the cupboard. I hate Raisin Bran. Why the hell do we have Raisin Bran? I move away from my counter and downstairs.

    My feet pad across the carpeted steps, bringing me closer to the laundry room. The dryer sounds next to me as well as the heater kicking up, heating up our house.

    I move around the dusty basement before walking into my mother's scrapbooking room. I walk in, grab a picture and look it over. We smile in it, all of us holding each other with Brody as a baby in my parent's arms. I grin at it, a warmth slithering over my heart.

    I set it down before hearing a thump. I turn and start running up the stairs. The rain on my windows thuds incessantly as I race up toward Brody's room. I burst into his room, shocked to see him already awake and holding his knees to his chest. I also see my parents, cowering beside him. I turn to look at what they are staring at with big, non-blinking eyes before shouting.    

    "Gabriel!" I shout before running toward him. Only before I can reach him, thunder claps and I am suddenly thrown away. I wake up gasping, wiping my face with the backside of my hand. Rain still pats my window while thunder outside occasionally strikes. I sit in my bed for a moment before a shocking realization forms in my stomach.

Ryder. Tonight is his night.

    It's been about three days since I told Ryder that Gabriel came into my house, and in those three days, the boys have done everything in their power to protect my family. I normally spy one of them across the street with a hood on and make sure to send them a friendly wave. They always send me goofy smiles back. I just have to make sure my parents don't get suspicious of the people seemingly stalking them. How do I explain a killer angel is after me and their 'stalkers' are my demon friends?

    Not only has it been three days, but also there is about three more days until I get word from Lucas about what God said. I hope its good. I thought about praying, but then I remembered where those prayers would go. I just have to hope God still has some good in him.

    I suck in a breath before tugging on a dark blue raincoat and some old shoes. I slip on some leggings before I walk down the hall. I peek into Brody's room, seeing him sound asleep with Misha. Misha perks up when I open the door, but his tail just wags once before he goes back to sleep. I then turn to my parent's room. I tiptoe toward it, turning the handle gently. I peek in as well, sighing as I see my mother hug my dad, his rumpled hair looking like Elvis's after sex. I smile before backtracking and padding down the stairs. I turn and grab one of my dad's older jackets and open the back door gently. I hope Misha doesn't wake everyone up. With a glance behind me, I spot an umbrella almost coincidently hanging on the hooks next to our back door. I grab it and shut the door before running toward the woods.