A lot of good these will do me without the vials, he silently chastised.
With a heavy sigh, Evan closed the case and shoved it deep into the front pocket of his jeans. He looked at his pillow longingly but forced himself to do one last thing before lying down.
He returned to the living room to wake Theo so he could go sleep more restfully in his bed.
“Dr. Andrews?” Evan shook his shoulder gently for the second time trying to rouse him from a deep sleep. This time, Theo snorted then opened his eyes wide enough to squint up at Evan for a moment before sleep backed off and allowed recognition to rise to the surface.
“Evan?” He looked around the room. “Where’s your mother?”
“I already helped her to bed, sir. It’s pretty late. You’ll probably want to join her.”
Theo stood on stiff legs and immediately put his arm around Evan’s shoulder. “It’s good to have you home, Ev.” His guy embrace was completely unexpected. Evan regretted standing stiff and unresponsive until it was too late and the doctor had stepped away.
“Did you apologize to your mother for acting like an ass?” Theo asked matter-of-factly.
“Yes, sir.” Evan lowered his eyes.
“Good. I imagine Margo was thrilled to see you, Son.” He spoke over his shoulder as he shuffled toward the hallway, his joints popping in defiance.
“I think she was.” Evan nodded subtly. “I’m pretty sure the other kids won’t be quite as welcoming.”
Theo stopped shuffling and turned back to look at Evan thoughtfully. “You know the best thing about family, Evan? We are at our strongest when we are together. The other kids know that. I would venture to bet our Meg knows that, too…somewhere deep down. So, no, don’t expect to be welcomed home, Ev, ’cause as far as we’re concerned, you never left.” He smiled a tight-lipped smile then nodded once before turning away with a wave over his head.
Evan stood in amazement at his words.
“G’night, Son.” Theo added before turning to his room where the love of his life lay sleeping.
Theo stopped to use the restroom before washing up and walking around to his side of the bed. His foot hit something heavy. Sleepily, he reached down to retrieve what he already knew to be the Winter Family’s photo album. By the soft light of the street lamp spilling into the room, he opened the book and landed right at the photo of Evan and his mother hamming it up for the camera.
Theo sighed heavily, placed the photo album on his bedside table and moved back to the edge of the bed. He knelt with only the cushion of his thin pajama pants to buffer his knees from the hard tile floor. In the silence of the night, he prayed for his family.
8 No Rest for the Weary
Back in the living room, Evan was still standing in the same spot, rubbing the stubble on his chin deep in thought when Alik stepped quietly into the room wearing pajama bottoms, a white T-shirt and sneakers with no socks.
“Do you hear that?” he whispered to Evan.
Creed was right behind Alik. He’d yanked on a pair of worn blue jeans over his boxers. “I hear it,” he growled. He’d taken an extra moment to slip on unlaced boots and grab his bedside firearm of choice. The black Glock glistened even in the dim light of the Winters’ humble home.
Cole walked in behind Creed, rubbing his face trying to wake up. “Is this a drill or for real?” he whispered.
Evan looked over at the three boys and squinted through exhausted eyes. He forced himself to listen.
He heard nothing—no noise at all.
Not a cricket or bird.
Not a car or motorcycle.
Nothing.
“Shit, this is bad—” he started to whisper, eyes widening with a fresh rush of adrenaline despite his physical fatigue.
Farrow and Sloan bound from their room. Both girls had thrown on some clothes and were trying to quietly shove their feet into shoes.
Alik glanced at Creed armed and nodded as he walked on stealth feet to the gun cabinet. No more words were exchanged. Every metahuman stepped forward and geared up. They’d discussed this before, and right about now, they were glad they’d devised an emergency escape plan.
They were no fools. Their lives had been one attack after another. Just because they were supposed to be in hiding didn’t mean they couldn’t be found.