Page 103 of This Blood That Binds Us

“What? So, she’s known this entire time?” Zach said.

“I called 911 that day in the forest when you guys found me. I never thought I’d see her again and then I found out the next day that she went to BFU. It was like fate. I don’t know! I apologized, and after talking, she didn’t want to press charges or anything. Then she got mugged, and it just progressed from there...”

“Aaron, what the hell were you thinking!?” Luke sounded more disappointed than angry.

Zach was on the verge of blowing a gasket.

“If you’re taken to jail, theywillfind us and our location immediately. You could have gotten us all killed.”

Presley stayed silent but went to stand beside me for moral support.

“I know! Okay, I know. I was just so happy that I didn’t kill her, and I wanted her to know she was safe...I messed up. A lot, apparently.” I sighed, pulling my head into my hands again. The ringing was ever present. “And, uh... you’re about to get a lot more mad at me...”

Zach was giving his death stare. “There’s more?”

“Kimberly’s mugger was a vampire...and that vampire is named William. He almost attacked me and Kim on our hiking trip, and I couldn’t say anything because he told me if I said anything about it...that he’d kill her.”

“I fucking knew it.” Zach snarled and threw his hands up.

“Okay, Aaron’s giving me a run for my money for the most reckless brother award, and I don’t like it,” Presley said.

“That could be where she is. Maybe he took her.” Luke perked up.

“Wait, he’s here?” I tried to think back on the day, but I couldn’t reach it. I could make out little moments. Small moments with Kimberly, mostly, but they were all a blur.

Luke nodded. “Yes, he followed her here. You really don't remember?

Aaron shook his head.

“What else do you know about him?”

“He’s smart, and I think he’s got some kind of plan. He’s had a lot of opportunities to take Kimberly and me, and hasn’t...We figured it out at the formal, and before we could say anything, he did some kind of mind trick and made us forget. When Kimberly was attacked, I was afraid you guys would just want to leave, and I didn’t know if he was after her, and I didn’t want to leave her without any help. I’m sorry...I’m such a burden.”

“Do you really think that little of me? We wouldn’t have left her to deal with a vampire on her own. I’m sorry you felt you had to do this all by yourself...I know we haven’t exactly inspired trust.” Luke grabbed my shoulder. “But now. Please. No more secrets. Okay? Zach, want to add?”

“You’re an asshole, and you almost got us all killed,” Zach spat.

Luke eyed him, waiting for him to say more. “Five-words-or-less apology.”

Zach groaned, holding up five fingers on one hand and counting. “I. Don’t. Think. You’re. A”—he held up his middle finger on the other hand, counting six—“burden.”

Surprisingly, it was one of the best apologies.

Luke cracked his knuckles. “All right, let’s assume that William took Kimberly. Zach and I will go back through the camp and check for any sign of her. I’ll be calling hospitals and feeling out the police stations to see if she has appeared anywhere in town. Pres, you stay with Aaron, and you guys circle around to the front of the park and search for clues. Watch for William and, if you see him, do not approach. Call us.”

“So, you don’t think he’s a part of...The Family?” Presley was pacing back and forth between tree trunks.

Zach shook his head. “No, we’d know. This guy sounds like a loner. Which is unusual. He’s been playing the long game. Definitely not The Family’s MO.”

I turned swiftly at the sound of laughter ringing through the trees. I blinked, trying to peer farther into the dark, but a fog set in. It couldn’t be real.

“Did you guys hear that?Sounds like someone laughing.”

My brothers all stopped talking to look at me.

“Buddy, there isn’t anyone laughing out here...” Presley sheepishly smiled.

“He’s hallucinating,” Zach said.