Chapter 111

Chapter 110: Grace: Being Watched I pull my phone from my pocket, hands shaking slightly as I find Lyre’s number. It rings once, twice, three times. My heart sinks with each unanswered tone. What if she doesn’t pick up? What if something’s happened to her? What if- “Grace?” Lyre’s voice fills my ear, sounding slightly breathless. “I was just thinking about you.” Relief floods through me. “Lyre, thank the Goddess. We have a problem.” “When don’t we?” she says, but the sarcasm sounds strained. “What’s happening?” “We’re at the camper, but the kids can’t get in. There’s skind of… barrier keeping them out.” “Oh, that.” Lyre sounds utterly untroubled. “Access ward. Safety feature. Got tired of jackasses breaking in whenever I park somewhere remote. It’ll disengage once you hitch it to the truck. Don’t worry about it.” “Don’t worry-” I bite back the rest of my sentence, too aware of little ears. “Fine. Thanks.” “You good otherwise?” she asks, suddenly sharper.
I hesitate, not wanting to voice the creeping dread slithering up my spine. “Yeah. We’re fine.” “Hmm.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “Call if you need anything else. I mean it.” I hang up and turn to the kids. “Slight change of plans. The door won’t open until we hook the camper to the truck.” “But I need to pee!” Jer wails.
“Go in the trees,” Sara says, pointing.
“I’m not peeing in the trees! There could be bears!” “There are definitely bears,” Ron says, deadpan.
Jer’s eyes widen in horror.
“Enough,” Caine’s voice cuts through the bickering. The kids fall silent immediately. Even Bun stares at him with her huge, solemn eyes. “Everyone back in the truck. Lock the doors. I’ll help Grace prepare the camper.” “I think you should all stay in the truck,” I say quietly. “Even you.” Caine’s eyes narrow. “You can’t do this alone.” “I’ve seen Lyre do it. It’s not that complicated.” “Then I’ll help make it faster.” I shake my head. “Ever pack up an RV before?” “No.” “Then you’ll be in the way. Stay with the kids. I’ll do it.” He nods once before striding back to the truck. I exhale shakily, relieved to have space to work without his looming presence adding to my anxiety.
Alone, I move faster. Inside, everything loose gets shoved into nearby cabinets. Certain pieces of furniture are moved together to keep them from moving around with any bouncing movement of the trailer. Anything questionable goes on Lyre’s bed in the front.
Then it’s making sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink.
A quick press of a button dumps the black tank. Lyre likes to rinse it out a few times, but my shoulders keep prickling, so I forego the extra step. The gray tanks are next. A little water and sblack tank treatment and they’re all ready to go.
Slides go in, and the camper’s ready-on the inside, anyway.
Outside, it goes quicker. Disconnect the water hose and electric. Stow away the gross sewer hoses. Use about half a bottle of sanitizer, even though I used gloves. Pull strange triangular blocks from the wheels, which are supposed to keep them from moving. Once it’s ready, I rap on Caine’s window and have him back up so we can hitch the trailer.
All in all, I think it takes about forty-five minutes. I’m sure Jer’s about ready to burst, and I’m only about half certain I did everything right.
My breath comes in shallow puffs, the feeling of being watched intensifying with each passing minute.
I stop, scanning the trees again. Nothing moves except leaves stirring in the breeze.
“You’re being paranoid,” I whisper to myself.
Swallowing hard, I hit the button to retract the slides. The mechanical whirr seems obscenely loud in the quietness of the forest. Sweat trickles down my back despite the cool air.
Caine’s taken Jer to the campground bathroom, and I’m about to burst with anxiety. Thankfully, the sheer terror over what ifs somehow meanders down the idea of horrible disasters, and horrible disasters remindsto turn off the propane tanks.
That would have been dangerous.
Done. Everything Lyre showedis now complete. Maybe. Hopefully.
If I break her trailer, I really hope she doesn’t make get too mad, but other than that little fear? A tiny spark of pride flares.
I did it all. By myself.
The trailer’s now ready to go, Still, I don’t linger to savor the feeling. Instead, I sprint back toward the truck, suddenly desperate not to be alone for another second.
Just as my fingers brush the door handle, something moves in the trees behind me-a flash of shadow, a rustle too deliberate to be wind.
I freeze, whirling around, my heart in my throat.
Nothing. Just sun-dappled foliage and the gentle sway of pine boughs.
“Wind,” I whisper. “Just the wind.” But I know better.
I yank the truck door open and scramble inside, slamming it shut behind me.
“Something wrong?” Ron asks, way too observant.
“No. Just wind.” Locking the doors, I huddle a little further into my seat. Caine and Jer should be back soon. “We ready for our adventure?” “Adventure?” Sara asks in confusion. “I thought we were running away.” “We’re not running away,” I say, forcing brightness into my voice. “We’re just being overly cautious. Like a fire drill, you know? Better safe than sorry.” Sara’s eyes narrow, skepticism etched across her small face. “Then why did you tell us to pack everything we own?” My stomach knots. “Because we might be gone for a few days. It’s an adventure while we wait for Owen to cback.” “An adventure,” she repeats flatly.

I nod with more conviction than I feel. “Exactly. We’ll find a nice campsite. You guys can explore, and we can do smores at night.” I’m laying it on too thick, but I can’t seem to stop. “It’ll be fun. Promise.”
Ron catches my gaze in the rearview mirror. His dark eyes cut through my bullshit like a knife through butter. He knows, of course he knows. The slight tilt of his head, the tightening of his jaw-he’s not callingout, but he’s not buying it either. I look away first, unable to hold his stare any longer. Shcrawls up my neck.
“But what about Owen?” Sara persists. “How will he find us?” “He’s with Lyre, and Lyre told us about this camping spot. Don’t worry.” Bun gurgles from her spot between them, sprouting delicate rabbit ears. They keep twitching. She must be picking up on my anxiety.

“It’s okay, Bun,” I reach back to stroke her cheek. The rabbit ears recede replaced by normal Xumar ones.
N “Everything’s fine. Maybe we’ll even stop by a store and get you a proper carseat. Would that be fun?” “Fuh,” she chirps.
Another lie. Nothing is fine. I have no idea what I’m doing or where we’re going. I just know we can’t stay here.