She didn’t seem to notice or care. She just rested her head into my neck, her breath tickling my skin, and I nearly died inside.
I took a shaky step, then asked if she was okay.
She nodded and I ignored the fact that her lips brushed against my neck as she did so.
“Here goes nothing,” I said to myself. I got a better grip of her in my hands, then opened the door to the hall. There was a dim nightlight down the hall near her parents’ room, but everything else was dark. I could tell from the way she was tensing up that she couldn’t wait to get rid of this house of horrors.
I walked as smoothly and as quietly as I could with her in my arms, making my way down the hall and the stairs. So far so good. We needed luck on our side tonight and had to get out of the house without anyone seeing us. I didn’t even know where Maximus was, but it wouldn’t have surprised me if he was sleeping on the living room couch like the traitorous freeloader that he was.
Step by step, we made it to the hardwood floors. The front door was so close.
But we weren’t alone.
A dark figure approached us until the light from upstairs illuminated her eyes.
Ada. Still fully clothed, like she’d been waiting for us.
“What are you doing with her?” she hissed.
“I’m taking her. This is part of the plan.”
“Taking her where? You never told me the plan.”
“You guys, shut up!” Perry whispered harshly. “You’ll wake Maximus.”
She jerked her head in the direction of the living room.
So I was right. I went on, lowering my voice even more. “I can’t tell you the plan. When your parents find out what I’ve done—”
“They’ll call the fuzz!” she shot in.
“Exactly. And you’ll be grilled until you tell them the truth.”
“I can keep a secret.”
“No she can’t,” Perry whispered to me. I felt a surge of warmth at her sudden camaraderie and had to hide my smile.
“See, Perry knows. Just trust me, Ada. You called me here for a reason, didn’t you? I’m saving your sister the only way I know how.”
“And how is that?”
The million dollar question.
“She needs an exorcist.”
Exorcist. The word seemed to bounce off the walls as the two of them chewed it over in disbelief.
“An exorcist?” Ada repeated.
“Yes,” I said with a sigh. “You know. You’ve seen the film.”
“Actually, I haven’t.”
Are you kidding me? What was wrong with this girl? “Well, you should. It’s very good.”
“Guys,” Perry whispered again. “Maximus!”
“Please, Ada,” I begged her, ready to go into grovel mode. “Just let us go. You know I’ll do anything for Perry. She’s safer with me than with anyone else.”
“My dad will call the cops the minute you’re gone,” she said, but I could tell she was relenting. “They’ll come after you. For, like, kidnapping or something.”
“I know.” It was worth it.
Ada folded her arms and stuck her leg out in front of her. “Then I’m going with you.”
Yeah, so I can get two kidnapping charges. “No. This is nasty business, Little Fifteen.”
“I don’t care. There wouldn’t even be a dumb plan if it wasn’t for me. I’m going with you. She’s my sister and you need someone to watch over her while you drive. And if you don’t take me with you, I’m just going to march over to your little ginger friend over there and—”
“Fine. You can come. But we’re going now. Right now. Before it’s too late.”
She beamed at us in victory then crept quietly to the front door and opened it. With Perry safely in my arms, I ran out into the rain and dark. My feet splashed in the puddles beneath.
As I held her, I whispered into her ear, “I’m just around the corner, a few more seconds.”
Ada quietly closed the door behind us, and within seconds she was at our side as we approached the Highlander. She opened the back doors and I gently placed Perry on the seat. Ada hopped in on the other side, choosing to keep Perry company. And maybe keep her in her seat.
I got behind the wheel and eyed them both in the rearview mirror.
“Last chance to get out and live a normal life,” I said.
“Are you kidding? I gave that up for Lent,” Ada answered, rolling her eyes to the heavens. Perry managed a small smile, and together we sped off down the road to Idaho. One step closer to safety. One step closer to getting Perry back.