Ch7

Cain---

My plans to figure out what's going on have been more in gear than when I was first interested!

Those men were trackers. At first, I didn't realize they were trackers. They were obvious about being king's men but I assumed they were soldiers.

Leaning back in the passenger seat. "Hmm,"

I've grown closer to my little bug but I can't protect her by myself... She needs more training.

Glancing towards the back of the car, where Max's mouth is wide open.

She's too relaxed. It was obvious they were after her and she could only 'slice' a hand.

Max's ability to sleep anywhere is a talent of its own.

Max was lucky they weren't strong enough to kill an adult vampire, but a hand isn't enough to survive.

Since Max is in between two worlds, human and vampire, it will encourage others to test their abilities on her.

She needs to be ready but I'll have to find a way to do that without her mom knowing. She keeps slowing down training with fear Max might kill someone.

Shifting my glance to Maria now, who looks worn out from the driving but won't let anyone else drive.

Rolling my eyes, I lean back in my seat, thinking about possible ways to secretly teach Max good kicks.

"Maria,"

"What now?"

"I have an old friend who owes me in Maine."

"You want us to drive all the way to Maine?" Maria starts to whisper, "Shemper King writes about killing people… In Maine."

"Uh... Miss mom, everyone dies, and you can just say you've never been to Maine, no one's judging."

"Don't push it... We can go but if it turns out to be a bust we're leaving you behind."

"We both have the same goal, keeping Max safe. Trust me," I say with a friendly smile.

Maria——

After the near-death experience and Cain saving us, he informed me of an old friend of his who owes him a favor.

But... My only problem is that his friend lives in Maine. Maybe it'll be a great hiding spot for Max… maybe, but the king was really close to catching Max.

I don't know what to do… maybe, it might be time to actually start asking for help.

Max is still young and I can't keep her safe forever.

Resting my hands over my face.

I just wish I could trade spots with her! She still hasn't experienced being a normal girl and now Cain wants to teach her about the vampire's side, while the king chases after her.

I'm at a loss, I was hoping after a couple more years, the king would forget

about us and maybe get a more willing participant.

Sighing as I turn over in bed.

We stopped in Kansas to get some rest, Cain once again leaves in the middle of the night and shows up in the morning.

But this particular night, I couldn't get any sleep. We were literally attacked while I was sleeping, I can't trust that when I fall asleep we'll be safe.

Propping myself up, I look over to my right, where Max is sleeping peacefully. Her soft snores melt my heart, I reach out and delicately brush Max's hair out of her sleeping face.

"Mom?" Max rubs her eyes open.

"Oh. Sorry, did I wake you?" I whisper. She's always been a light sleeper. I try laying back down to help soothe Max back to sleep.

"No, but are you okay? Do you want me to get Cain?" Max says, now wide awake.

Mouth wide open, "What!?" I gasp. When did she trust him so much to assume we needed him?

Is it even okay to let her trust him? I mean, we just met the guy… am I not good enough…? She doesn't need to trust strangers.

Without notice, a figure appears from the corner of the room, appearing as a silhouette in the dark.

"You called?" The silhouette whispers.

"What the HELL?!" I scream, throwing a pillow towards the shadow.

"Miss mom..."

"Cain?!" I say, squinting to see, "Why would you be lurking in the shadows?"

Before he answers, I interrupt him.

"Don't you usually disappear at night? What are you doing here?"

Cain sits in a nearby chair and folds his arms.

"He's on watch duty," Max gets up and walks over to the sink. "Today is..."

"Ah!" Cain cuts her off.

Max continues getting a glass of water from the sink.

"Today is an important need to protect you all," Cain says, sitting at the edge of his seat.

"And why is that?" I say, getting out of bed to inspect Cain, "There is nothing different from today than any other day even if you are on 'duty'," I say, air quotes.

Looking at him from above gives me more confidence, "You can't do it outside? Instead of in the corner of the room, no?"

Cain stands up, with a confused look on his face. "I didn't realize you don't mind if I freeze or get eaten by a wild animal," Cain brushes off fake tears.

"You are a wild animal!" The second that came out, I knew I messed up.

Max turns to stare at the wall pretending to not hear.

"That's not what I mean," I try to clear my throat, turning my body towards Max.

"It may not be but it still shows the dislike of vampires," Cain inches close to my ears, whispering.

He gives a good look at Max before back at me, "It reflects, whether you like it or not," Cain straightens up before walking out of the room in silence.

"Max..." My focus is still on Max, I try to reach out to her.

"Mom, can I go hang out with Cain?" Max says, still not looking in my direction.

"If that's what you want. Please stick close to him and don't wander off." I say quietly, sitting down. Once Max walks out I'm left with my shame.

I really hope Max doesn't think I don't like her. She's different from the other vampires, I raised her differently.

Sure, so is Cain but I don't trust him…

Stretching myself across the bed, "Vampires are cruel and dangerous," I whisper to myself.

Kevin --

"Kai, how are we doing for supplies?"

"Blood packs, two months worth"

After Kevin and Kai discovered the bodies, Kevin didn't put that bit of information in his report.

'Reporting every two weeks is already annoying.'

Their next stop is Kansas, where the rest of the team is.

Amir reported back, Theo's arrival.

Not feeling as confident as when they first started, Kevin now feels an even bigger responsibility, with having two less in the team.