The Children and the Blood by Skye Malone, Megan Joel Peterson Read Free Book Online Page A

and nearly get himself killed! And you have the gall to tell me it’s fine. Are you tired of this life? Would you prefer we dropped you back on the streets? Because it could happen.”
    “Now hold on, you’re not going to do that,” Robert interjected hurriedly. “We’ve taken care of this so far. You need us.”
    Vaughn chuckled. “ Need you?” he drawled, almost too softly for Cole to hear.
    “I-I mean…” Robert began, real fear in his voice.
    “You will keep him here,” Vaughn continued. “You will have him behaved, responsive, agreeable and happy or so help me, I will personally kill you both. Understand?”
    Silence met his words, and a moment later, Cole heard the front door shut.
    The couch squeaked as one of them sat down.
    “Is he–” Melissa started.
    “Getting in the car,” Robert said. “Talking on his cell. Not leaving.”
    A muffled sob followed the statement. The noise jarred Cole from his shock. Face crumpling in confusion, he stood immobile for a heartbeat, and then carefully walked downstairs.
    “What’s going on?”
    The couple jumped as though he’d set off a bomb.
    Robert recovered first. “What the hell is he doing awake?” he demanded of Melissa furiously.
    “I–” she sputtered and then regrouped. “Cole, why are you not in bed?” she said, her tone lost somewhere between her usual acid and the saccharin of moments before. “I told you to drink your cocoa and go to bed like a good boy.”
    He stared at her, wondering fleetingly how she’d ever been under the impression he’d actually do that. “What was Vaughn talking about?” he asked cautiously, stepping farther into the living room.
    Melissa looked to Robert with a tinge of desperation. Dropping his hand from the blinds, Robert stalked across the room and then snagged Cole’s arm, propelling him toward the stairs.
    “You heard your mother. Get back up there and get in bed now.”
    Ripping his arm from Robert’s grasp, Cole scoffed. “And what? Forget this ever happened? What the hell is going on here?”
    He stared at them both. “Who are you people?”
    Robert glanced at Melissa, and she nodded. Carefully, she rose to her feet, her expression becoming conciliatory. “Cole, honey, we know you’re under a lot of pressure. The truck, graduation, the fact your parents can’t be there. But you’ve been saying things that don’t make sense for a while now, darling. Seeing things that aren’t there. We’re worried about you.”
    She walked towards him, her hands making pacifying gestures. “I don’t know what you think is happening here, but everything’s fine, sweetheart. Just take it easy.”
    Eyes wide, Cole backed away, while Robert made noises of agreement and moved to circle him. Trying to keep both her and Robert in view, Cole turned, and suddenly saw something swing toward him.
    With a shout, he ducked and the bookend swept over his head. Off balance, Robert caught himself on the banister as Cole stumbled back. Melissa lunged, struggling to pin his arms, while Robert hefted the bookend once again.
    Shoving Melissa off him, Cole backpedalled toward the door. His eyes raked the room, searching for a phone, a weapon, anything to alert someone and keep those two away at the same time. The couple glanced at each other, and then separated, trying to herd him toward the corner.
    “We just want what’s best for you, Cole,” Robert said, his reasonable tone belied by the look in his eyes.
    Cole’s gaze landed on the keys on the console table. In one motion, he snagged them and spun for the door. Ripping it open, he dashed outside as Robert bolted after him.
    “Neighbors!” Melissa shrieked.
    Mashing the key fob frantically, Cole grabbed at the door handle as the locks popped up. Gasping, he tumbled into the driver’s seat and then yanked the door closed, locking it again hastily. Rushing up to the car, Robert hauled on the handle.
    “Open the door, Cole!”
    The engine kicked over easily. Robert