Page 93 of Mason's Run

“It was supposed to be a community forum. At least, that’s what Lizzie was told,” he said. “She would never have sent me there if she’d known. I just… Lee, I can’t talk about it…” He said, shaking his head as his voice trailed off. The remainder of the drive was in silence.

We made it back to my house in record time. I was just glad there were no cops on Route 8. Apparently, there wasn’t that big of a need for police on a Wednesday night. Who knew?

We pulled into the driveway of my house. I put the Jeep in park, and reached for the door, but Mason started talking again, his face was white as a ghost under the garage light.

“Please, Lee,” he said, his voice breaking. “No more questions tonight. I just… I need to make some phone calls. I need a shower, and some sleep,” he said. “I’m… I’m exhausted.”

He looked it. He had dark circles under his eyes. The laughing, joyous Mason of just a few hours ago was gone, replaced by a ghost.

“Phone calls?” I asked.

“Yeah, I just…I need…need to make sure everyone’s…okay.” He said, ducking his eyes away from mine.

I thought back to Kaine’s need to make sure everyone was still there each night after a nightmare, and I figured it might be a similar need.

“Can I help?” I asked.

He paused, then nodded.

“Can you… can you call your family? Make sure they’re all okay? Tell them…please tell them to be careful tonight. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to them.”

“How about I text them all?” I asked. “We’ve got the family chat. We’ll get you inside, you get cleaned up and I’ll check in with them.”

I helped Mason out of the Jeep and took him inside. His movements were slow and stiff, and a horrible thought occurred to me.

“Mason… Did… did they… Did they hurt you? Touch you?” I asked, fury percolating in my brain at the idea. The mere thought of it made me so angry, I could barely see straight.

Mason just shook his head and some of the rage faded from me, but then he refused to look me in the eye. God, I hoped he wasn’t lying to me.

I intended to help him get cleaned up, but he grabbed his clean clothes and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him with finality before I could even offer my help. I could appreciate his need for some privacy after tonight, but the rejection still stung.

I made the bed as I waited for him to get out of the shower, then remembered my promise to check in with my family. We had a group chat set up for when we were trying to coordinate family events, so it didn’t take long.

ME: Hey guys, can I get a roll call?

MAM D: Kyra and I are here.

BISHOP: Here.

KAINE: What?

SONNY&HICKS: Twin and I are Ah-firmative.

WEAVER: Going on duty shortly, bro. What’s up?

ME: Not sure. Mason had a run in with some religious assholestonight, and he’s worried about everyone and wanted me to check in to make sure you were all okay.

BISHOP: Assholes!

KAINE: Fuckers.

MAMA K: Language, Kaine!

KAINE: Sorry, Mom. Goddamned Motherfucking sonsofbitches.

MAMA D: lol

WEAVER: Ooooh! “Mason” huh? Is that the hottie?