“I would never,” Orin says as he sets the cat down. “You got pretty lucky with this cat, you know that? Most cats would be terrified being hauled around, facing vampires, and being mauled, hugged, and sobbed on for hours.”
Rylee frowns. “Why were you sobbing on him, Orin? That’s not very mature.”
“Ah, right. That was me. I forgot,” he says. “Ender, take the room next door.”
“Thanks. Rylee, I’m going to get a shower.”
“Take a shower in my bathroom. Please? Please? Please? And then you’ll just stay forever in my room.”
“I’ll take a shower in there but I’m not sleeping in here. I want to actually sleep and not get repeatedly kicked all night long.”
“Don’t leave.”
“I’m not. It’s a simple shower.”
“Promise?”
“I promise,” I say.
Once I’ve fetched clothes that Orin has acquired for us, I head into the bathroom and shower. It feels amazing, so amazing that I’m not quite sure I have the energy to get out. I could probably stay here for the night if it meant I didn’t have to move. But before long, there are little hands pounding against the door.
“En! En, you’ve been in there for at least a year,” Rylee says. “Orin already got a litter box set up and food and toys for Fluffybottom. And Mads already took a shower and is backandread to me. ENDDEEERRR.”
“I’m coming,” I call out and shut the water off. I dress and walk back into her room where she’s all smiles when she sees me. Why she even needed me when it looks like Mads was in here entertaining her, I don’t know.
“It’s past your bedtime,” I say.
“Only because you took the longest shower of your life.”
“I know,” I respond as I drag Rylee to her bed. I tuck her in and climb in next to her before looking at Mads. “You headed to bed?”
“Yeah. Finn was letting me borrow his phone to read her a book. You want it?”
“Thanks,” I say as I take it from him.
“Good night, little one. Good night, Ender.”
“Night.”
I watch him go, and even after the door shuts behind him, I stare at the spot he’d been standing for far too long.
Rylee pokes me. “Are you going to read or stare at the door?”
“Probably just stare at the door.”
“It’s not that interesting.”
I look down at the book that’s open on Finn’s phone and start to read. She quiets down immediately, telling me that she really is tired. I can’t blame her; it sounds like she didn’t get the best sleep while I was gone if she was busy crying over my disappearance. I read longer than I usually do, and when I look up, I realize she’s fallen asleep at some point.
I set the phone down and reach out to pull her covers up, glad the room seems pretty soundproof so the noise of the others in the house won’t wake her, meaning maybe there’s a chance I’ll get a decent night’s sleep.
I don’t know why I took this child. I knew that her mother was taking horrible care of her. I knew Watson was watching her. I knew he wanted her. I knew so much, but I also knew so little about why I did it.
Was it because she reminded me so much of my niece who I couldn’t save?
Or was it because she made me feel like less of a monster?
“Good night,” I say softly. I reach out and trail my finger over the cat who immediately starts purring. He’s snuggled against her, loving every moment of affection he’s been given. Was he loved once before being thrown out into the world and now wants to appreciate every second of it?
