Redeeming (13 page)

He shook his head for a moment.
“There may be a way but…” he began before his voice trailed off.

“May be a way for what? What are you talking about?”

Owen looked at her. “There may be a way for you to have the child and live but I’ve only heard whispers of it. Even so, there’s no guarantee it will work and you, the child, or both of you could die.”

“I don’t understand,” she began as she rubbed her eyes. “If there was some way to do it, why didn’t Jett’s mom…”

“Those were different circumstances altogether. In the end, she decided against it…” Owen interrupted.

“Well, what is it?” S
he sniffed. “What do I have to do? I’ll try anything. I want this child.”

Owen rubbed his palms together and nodded.
“We will need the help of the clan. It is the only way.”

“The clan?” S
he began. “You mean Fesser’s Grove?”

“Yes.”

“But I thought it was too dangerous. That I shouldn’t go…”

“That’s right,” he replied. “You shouldn’t. This will have to be sorted out once we’ve dealt with Kane.”

“But…” she replied with a nervous hitch in her voice. “What if something happens? To you? Or Jett? I can’t just sit around here and wait to be rescued.”

“Wel
l, you won’t be going with us… if that’s what you are driving at.” Owen replied. “Jett should have made that clear to you already.”

Daniella shook her head.
“He did. But, I feel like I should be there, especially now…”

“No.” Owen said without hesitation. “And you’ve got that wrong. You shouldn’t go. It was a bad idea before I discovered your secret and now it’s insane to even mention it.”

She felt the beginnings of tears once more in her eyes. Owen noticed it as well. He scooted close, put his arm around her, and pulled her close to him.

“You have to trust me, Daniella.” He said. “You know I’ve got your and Jett’s best interests at heart.”

“I know.” She said. “I’m just… scared.”

“That’s understandable.” He began. “It’s a world you don’t know anything about. Hell, before I left the clan, the thought of living in the human world as one of them was terrifying.”

She leaned away from him. “Really?”

“Yes, indeed.” He replied. “And early on, it was tough. But eventually, it got easier. What I want is for you to be able to experience the clan with Jett. That’s his world just like this one is yours.”

“I’d like that.” She said. “I want it more than anything.”

“And it’ll happen…” he interrupted. “But, for now, you have to stay patient and let us do what
we must. Promise me you’ll do that for old Owen.”

A soft smile came to her face.
“I promise.”

“Good,” he began. “Now, this old man needs some shuteye. I’d suggest you do the same. Lay with Jett and comfort him. That is the very best way I know for you to help.”

Although the idea still didn’t sit well with her, Daniella decided any further discussion would lead back to the same place. For now, she thought it best to do as he asked. A few moments later, they both stood from the couch and hugged one another.

“Well, good night…”she said.

“’Night,” he replied. “I know this ain’t easy for you but you’re doing the right thing.”

She nodded, walked down the hall and into her bedroom. By the time she slipped between the sheets, Jett was fast asleep. She curled up next to him and pulled him close. With any luck, it wouldn
’t be the last time.

***

Unable to eat even a single bite for breakfast, Daniella arrived at work the next morning a bundle of nerves. She felt helpless and angry at the same time. Even though Jett and Owen were probably right that she’d only get in the way, or possibly much worse, if she went to Fesser’s Grove, indignation grew within her.

S
he had just as much at-risk as either one of them. Above all, she hated the notion of anyone telling her what to do. Add to that the fact they would leave that night and it was a recipe for a crappy start to the day.

As she pulled into the parking lot, Daniella realized this theme of lack of control was the norm for her now. Very little went off without a hitch any longer. The lone exception was the juvenile diabetes fundraiser. By all accounts, it was a real success. At least that
’s what she thought when she left the party. With so many people congratulating her on a job well done, she had at least some hope that she was off the radar of her boss, Kim, for now anyway.

Daniella arrived at her desk a few minutes later and as she did, she noticed a note taped to her chair.

“Daniella, please come see me as soon as you get in today. ~Kim.”

She peeled the note from the chair and looked around. She thought
that perhaps Victoria or Candi saw Kim drop by with it. Maybe she said something to them about why she wanted to see Daniella. At last, Victoria rounded the corner.

“Hey…” Daniella called out. “Victoria… Come here.”

Victoria stopped in her tracks and turned in Daniella’s direction. “Hmm?” She said as she raised her eyebrows and walked towards Daniella.

As she neared, Daniella held up the note.

“Did you see Kim leave this here?” She asked.

“Yeah, I was making copies when she came by.”

“What did she say to you… anything?”

“No,” Victoria began. She lifted her finger to her chin in reconsideration. “Well, she did say ‘good morning’…”

Daniella rolled her eyes. “I mean about the note.” She replied as she waved it in Victoria’s direction.

“No,” Victoria replied as she took it from Daniella’s hand. She looked at it for a moment and said, “So, she wants to see you. So what?”

“I know…” Daniella replied. “I just thought that maybe she hinted or… oh never mind.”

In a huff, Daniella took the note back from her, slung her purse over her
shoulder, and headed down the hall to see Kim.

“Hey…
” Victoria said as Daniella raced by her. “What’s the matter with you?”

“Nothing…” Daniella replied as she walked away.

A few minutes later, she arrived at the entrance to Kim’s office. Her receptionist wasn’t anywhere around. Undaunted, she clutched the note and headed for Kim’s desk. As she approached the doorway, she knocked on the doorjamb and peered around the corner. As she did, Kim looked up from her paperwork.

“Hello Daniella,” she began. “Come in.”

Daniella didn’t like the tone of her voice. Not one little bit. Deftly, she folded the note and slipped it into her purse.

“You wanted to see me, Kim?” Daniella asked as she made her way across the office.

“Yes, have a seat.”

After Daniella sat, Kim began.
“Sorry I missed you before you left last night. Candi tells me you weren’t feeling very well. It’s nothing serious I hope.”

Daniella shook her head.
“No, I’m fine. I was really tired.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.” Kim said as she smiled.

“Thank you.” Daniella replied.

“And I wanted to congratulate you once again for the job you did with the fundraiser. I couldn’t be happier with your performance here at work over the past couple of weeks.”

“Thanks, Kim,” Daniella said. “That means a lot coming from you.”

“I’m glad because as pleased as I am, there is an issue which is troubling me.”

“Oh?” Daniella replied as she placed her hands on the arms of the chair. “What’s the matter? Is it something with my work?”

“No,” Kim said as she sat forward in her chair. “Not exactly.”

As a confused look came over Daniella’s face, Kim got up from her chair, rounded her desk, and closed the door to her office.

“Daniella…” she began as she walked back towards her chair. “It’s about the man who showed up to see you last night at the fundraiser. Jett, was it?”

Daniella swallowed hard. “Yes.”

Kim slid in the chair and rolled it towards her desk.
“When I met him, I had the vague sense I knew him but I didn’t recall from where until late last night.”

“Oh…” Daniella said as she dropped her hands to her lap.

“Daniella, let me just start by saying your personal life is your own business,” she began. “But, I need you to be honest with me about something.”

“Okay, anything…” Daniella replied.

“Has he been accused in this crime yet?” Kim asked. “Do they intend to prosecute him for it?”

“I don’t know.” Daniella said. “It’s possible. That’s all I really know at this point.”

Kim cleared her throat. “I see.”

“I don’t understand,” Daniella began. “Have I done something wrong?”

“No,” Kim replied. “Not yet at least.”

“What do you mean?”

“We have policies in place here, Daniella.” Kim replied. “The bottom line is that if he does wind up being charged in this crime, you’ll need to break things off with him or I am afraid we can no longer keep you here.”

“What?” Daniella replied as she sat forward in her chair. “Why?”

Kim reached across her desk and grabbed a large binder. She opened it and then spun it around on her desk.

“Here…” she said. “Come see for yourself.”

Daniella got up from her seat and leaned over Kim’s desk. As she did, Kim pointed to the section in the employee handbook that stated they could terminate an employee if a relationship with someone convicted of, or under prosecution for, a felony surfaced.

As Daniella finished reading, Kim said,
“Do you understand what this means, Daniella?”

“Yes, I think so.”

Kim gestured for Daniella to return to her seat. As she did, Kim closed the book and folder her hands together on top of it.

She sighed and said,
“Daniella, look… I am happy with how things turned out for the fundraiser. But, when I think back to the weeks leading up to it, I cannot help but recall how stressed out you were over it. But it wasn’t the work at all, was it? It was Jett all along…”

Daniella placed her hands in her lap once more and looked downward. She shrugged.
“I don’t know. I’m not sure what you want me to say. I’ll admit I was distracted but…”

“Daniella, you remind me of myself when I was younger.” Kim interrupted. “I think you have all the potential in the world to be exceptional at what you do but…”

Daniella looked up at her. “But…?” She asked.

“I need to ask you a personal question…” she said.

“Okay.” Daniella replied.

“Are you in love with this man?”

Daniella fidgeted for a moment, swallowed hard and looked Kim in the eye.

“Yes, I am. Very much…”

“Hmm,” Kim replied as she bit her lip and nodded her head. “I thought so. Does he love you as well?”

“Yes.”

“Do you believe he’s guilty of what he’s been accused of doing?”

“No, not at all…” Daniella replied. “Really, there’s so much going on right now. I can’t get into it but believe me when I say that the police gave him a chance to clear his name and he’s working on it.”

Kim raised her eyebrows. “Well, that’s good news I suppose.”

Daniella smiled.
“I hope so. Kim, I understand the position you’re in but technically, nothing is happening with the case right now. Trust me that if anything was it would be all over the news. If, heaven forbid, any of that did happen…”

“Yes?” Kim replied.

“Well, let’s just say my choices at that point would be very clear.”

“And what would you decide should that come to pass, Daniella?”

“Honestly?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I don’t know. I really don’t know…”

“Believe it or not, I understand. I do.” Kim said. “But if you choose him after any indictments have been handed down, realize you’ve made my decision as well. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes.” Daniella replied.

“Alright then, well now that
we know where we stand, I will assume you will be honest with me if things change in the case?”

“Absolutely.” Daniella replied. “So, does that mean I still have a job?”

“For now, yes.” Kim nodded. “Keep your choices in mind, Daniella. When it comes to your place here, there’s only one that’s correct.”

***

On the drive home from work, Daniella’s mind felt like mush. Soon Jett and Owen would leave for Fesser’s Grove and there wasn’t anything she could do about it. And while Kim’s warning from earlier in the day should have made her decision easy, it didn’t.

She arrived home and headed up the stairs to her apartment. As she walked inside, she noticed a couple of backpacks on the floor nearby. She heard them talking in the second bedroom where Owen slept the night before. Gently, she closed the door and tip toed over to the backpacks. Daniella wasn
’t even sure what she was looking for except perhaps for some clue about their final destination.

She placed her purse on the kitchen counter, glanced once over her right shoulder and knelt down to the nearest backpack. She examined the pockets and fl
aps for any hints but it appeared as though they sealed them tight.

“Damn…” she whispered as she tugged one of the zippers. “If I could just…” she muttered.

“Uhh, what do you think you’re doing?” Jett’s voice called out from behind.

Daniella swallowed and turned around. Jett and Owen stood about ten feet away and looked down at her with suspicion in their eyes.

“Oh… I… um,” Daniella began. “I dropped my keys on the ground… behind these backpacks. I was just looking for them.”

“Mmm, hmm…” Jett nodded as he walked over towar
ds her. “You mean these keys?” He said as he lifted them up off the kitchen counter and jingled them in his hand.

A sheepish grin came over Daniella
’s face as she shrugged.

“That’s what I thought…” Jett began. “Okay, come on. Up…” he said as she snapped his fingers in her direction.

“What?” She said as she stood.

“You know what.” He replied.

“I don’t understand…” Daniella said. “Are you leaving right now?”

“Soon…” Owen replied as he walked by her.

“But I thought…” she began. “When?”

Jett glanced at Owen and shrugged.
“Within the hour?”

Owen nodded as he stuffed what appeared to be a large knife into his backpack.

“An hour?” Daniella replied.

“What’s wrong?” Jett asked as he stepped close to her. “It’s time to go. You knew we were.”

“I know,” she said as she glanced at the backpacks. “I guess I just wasn’t ready…”

Jett kissed her on the cheek and hugged her.
“Within the hour…” he said.

A wave of anxiety swept over Daniella. All of a sudden, it was real. He was leaving, without her. She didn
’t know what to do but she knew she had to do something.

“I, um, have to use the bathroom.” She said.

“Okay,” Jett replied as he returned his focus to preparation for the trip.

As Daniella walked down the hall, she racked her brain.
“Think, think…” she muttered.

A few seconds later
she entered the bathroom, closed the lid on the toilet, sat down, and dialed Tricia’s number.

“Hello?” Tricia answered.

“Hey,” Daniella said in a hushed voice.

“Hey…” Tricia replied. “Why are you whispering?”

“Hang on a second.” Daniella brought the phone down to her chest and paused to see if Owen or Jett were within earshot. She didn’t hear anything so she raised the phone back up to her mouth.

“Okay, I’m back.” She said.

“Alright, what’s going on?” Tricia said. “Why are you acting so weird?”

“It’s nothing… I d
on’t want them to hear me.”

“Who?”

“Jett and Owen.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Just listen for a second, will you?”

“Okay, okay…”

“They are getting ready to go to Fesser’s Grove.”

“Yeah, you knew they would be.”

“I know but…”

“But… what?”

“I need your help.”

“My help?” Tricia replied with a hint of concern in her tone. “With
what
?”

“T
hey are going without me and well…” Daniella began. Her voice trailed off as she thought she heard one of them walk down the hall in her direction. Tricia exhaled in frustration into the receiver as Daniella paused for a moment to be sure. Convinced it was safe, she picked up where she left off.

“I want to follow them there.” She blurted out.

“Daniella, are you out of your mind?” Tricia said in total disbelief. “What in the world makes you think that’s a good idea? You’re pregnant for God’s sake!”

“I know but I can’t j
ust stay here and do nothing!” She said in a loud whisper.

“Uh, so
, what you are going to go there and get mixed up in whatever that insanity is all about?” Tricia said. “Do you have any idea how incredibly dangerous, not to mention stupid, this idea is?”

“I know… I know!” Daniella replied. “That’s why I need you to…”

“No! No way!” Tricia interrupted. “Don’t say it or even
think
it. There is no chance,
zero
, I am getting myself mixed up in this. Look, you already put me in a terrible spot by asking me to keep your pregnancy a secret. You aren’t thinking straight, Daniella…”

Daniella
’s stomach was in knots and for a change, it wasn’t because of the child inside of her. Her nerve endings were raw, exhaustion crashed into her. Her thinking, planning, or whatever Tricia wanted to call it might be flawed, but she simply couldn’t just let him go.

“
Never mind…” Daniella said with a sudden calm in her tone. “I’ll figure something out. I gotta go.”

“No!” Tricia exclaimed. “Don’t you dare say something like that and just hang up. Don’t you dare…”

“Well, what should I say, Tricia?” Daniella replied. “You just told me you didn’t want to help me so whatever, that’s fine.”

“Bullshit. Don’t try and turn this around on me.” Tricia warned.

“I’m not but… I
am
going.” Daniella said. “That’s all there is to it.”

Tricia exhaled into the receiver.
“Ugh, man, I swear…” she began. “Just wait a second, wouldya?”

“Wait for what?” Daniella replied. “There’s no time for that. They are getting ready to leave any minute.”

“Jesus, Daniella…” Tricia groaned. “Wait until the last possible second why don’t ya?”

“Well…” Daniella said. “It wasn’t like I was planning to do it.”

Tricia sighed. “Alright, well… Oh God I’m such an idiot for even saying this but… what is your plan?”

“Hmm…” Daniella grumbled into the phone. Last second espionage oper
ations really weren’t her strong suit. Somehow she and Tricia would have to follow them to Fesser’s Grove in Tricia’s vehicle and then on foot from there. That was all she had so far.

“That’s it?” Tricia deadpanned. “Follow them in my car and then chase them on foot?”

“Yeah,” Daniella sighed. “I know.”

“Do you know the first thing about this place or these shifter things?”

“No.”

“Oh my God, Daniella…” Tricia said. “Listen to yourself. This is insanity. I mean, what if they catch us or something? What then?”

Daniella sighed. The idea crossed her mind of course. She didn’t have an answer. Her silence spoke loud enough for Tricia.

“Well?” Tricia demanded.

“Look, I don’t know alright.” Daniella replied. “I’m making this up as I go…”

Just then, Jett knocked at the door.
“Daniella?” He said. “Can I come in? I need to grab something.”

“Shit…” she whispered into the receiver. She turned towards the bedroom door. “Um, just a second, I’ll be right out.”

“Okay…” Jett began. “Everything alright in there?”

“Yes, I’ll be right out.” She said. She placed her hand over the phone and waited until he was out of earshot. “Sorry… I’m back.”

“Daniella, we can’t do this all alone. It’s too risky.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we need to at least tell someone else what we’re doing.”

“Like who?”

“I dunno…” Tricia began. “What about Billy?”

“No,” Daniella replied. “Billy will just do whatever he can to talk me out of it.”

“How do you know that?” Tricia asked. “Listen, if you want me to help you, you are going to give a little here. Otherwise, forget it. I’m not about to put either of us in danger without some kind of plan or something.”

Daniella considered her limited options for a moment.

“Okay, fine. You win…” Daniella whispered. “But, I can’t call him. Not with them here. Can you do it?”

“I guess…” Tricia said.

“Thank you so much, I owe you big time.”

“Yeah, you sure do.” Tricia said. “I don’t see any way you’ll ever be able to repay me actually. For the record, I still think this is a terrible idea by the way.”

“I know. You’re probably right.” Daniella said. “Now get in your car and get over here as fast as you can. I don’t know how much time we have until they leave. I’ll stall for time but hurry.”

“Okay…” Tricia replied as she hung up.

***

“Do you think they suspected anything?” Tricia asked.

Daniella chewed her lower lip. “I don’t think so. I hope not…”

For the past thirty minutes, the women trailed behind Jett and Owen
in Tricia’s car as they neared the outskirts of Fesser
’s
Grove.

“Stop… Stop!” Daniella yelled.

“Well, I can’t just yet…” Tricia said as she looked in her rearview mirror. “Let me find a place to pull over.”

“Hurry!” Daniella exclaimed.

“Okay, okay…”

A few moments later, Tricia pulled her car over and parked behind an abandoned service station. Up ahead, the women watched as Jett and Owen stopped their vehicle in the parking lot of a trailhead and got out. They walked around to the rear of the car, opened the trunk, and removed their supplies.

“What are they doing?” Tricia asked.

Daniella shrugged. “I don’t know…”

Jett closed the trunk and for several minutes they stood and talked to one another. On occasion, one of them would gesture towards the nearby woods as if posing an idea or suggestion. At last, they shook hands and outfitted themselves with their gear.

“What’s going on?” Tricia said. “Are they leaving? What’s happening?”

“I can’t tell…” Daniella replied. She squinted in their direction as her voice trailed off.

“They’re splitting up!” Tricia yelled.

Sure enough, Jett and Owen set off in opposite directions into the thick cover of the trees. Owen disappeared close to where they
’d parked while Jett crossed the road and vanished a few moments later.

“Daniella!” Tricia shrieked as she turned to look at her. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.” Daniella shrugged. “I guess just drive over there.”

“What?” Tricia said as she gestured towards the men. “They’ll spot us if we do that.”

“No, they won’t…” Daniella said. “They aren’t expecting us, or anyone for that matter. Look, if you are scared or whatever just drop me off. I’ll go by myself.”

“No,” Tricia said as she started her car. “Jesus… I know this is going to end badly, I just know it.”

Tricia’s car rolled to a stop about twenty yards or so from where Jett and Owen parked minutes earlier. She turned off the ignition and looked at Daniella.

“Now what?”

Daniella racked her brain for any hint of a plan. Unable to come up with anything substantial, she blurted out, “Come on, we’ll follow Owen. If we run across the road, we might get spotted.”

“Oh man,” Tricia moaned as she removed the key from the ignition. “Lead the way, I’ll follow you…”

The women exited the car and as they did, Tricia absentmindedly slammed the car door.

“Trriiiccccuuuhhh…” Daniella whispered under breath. She raised her index finger to her lips and widened her eyes.

Tricia shrugged.

But sound traveled out here, especially at night. And right now, the two of them were about as stealthy as a pair of Clydesdale horses in a bubble wrap factory. Daniella shook her head and exhaled as they made their way in the direction of Owen
’s last sighting. With only the dim light of a half-moon overhead, they started down the first trail they came upon.