Creature of Unknown Origin

45

The tension in my body melted. I sniffed, not quite understanding what was in the air but

f inding it to be a pleasant scent against the stuffy air of the cabin. “I promise,” I answered earnestly,

“I promise I’ll do my best not to put myself in harm’s way if I can help it.”

Spencer nodded, accepting my promise even though his lips were turned down, his face

serious. He let his hand fall from my arm and faced the pair of wallflowers that had slowly begun

to peel away from the shadows . “We’ll be back soon. Take care of each other, and Delia? Make

sure Howie doesn’t blow the place up.”

“Hey! That was ONE time!” Howie defended himself with a whine and puffed his chest

out.

“You got it, chief.” Delia follow ed us out of the cabin, chittering about how we better “be

safe” and “careful” and how we’d “better come home”.

Before I had a chance to climb into the truck, Delia pounced on me and wrapped me in a

fierce hug. I gulped down air. My lungs constricted as she squeezed even harder, if that were at all

possible. “You take care of him . Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid when you find that

bitch.”

“Promise,” I breathed, squeezing her back as hard as I dared to.

Delia pulled away, and I sucked down air with a shaky smile. She didn’t stick around to

see us off as I climbed into the truck beside Spencer, with a lead weight in the pit of my stomach.

“Everything okay? You sure you want to come with me?” He started while taking my hand

in his. He brushed his thumb along my knuckles . “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

I met his eyes determinedly. “Let’s go find Dr. Richards.”