Page 7

Danica

Present Day

T he next few days pass by in a blur. Going between my work at the Sports Center and my other daily routines, I sink into the monotony, relying on the consistent pattern that I have painstakingly built since moving to Seattle. The beauty of having such consistency is that at times like this, when my mind is spiraling down a dark rabbit hole of painful memories and future worries. I can just sink into the routine, the daily grind a comfort to my aching heart and anxious thoughts.

I haven’t been able to get Bash’s words out of my head. He wants me to come to the game, and I know, really, it is the least I can do to support him. Sebastian Adamare (aka Bash) and his twin sibling Finnley, are just as much older brothers to me as Caleb; never mind the fact that we aren’t related by blood. I learned the hard way my senior year of high school, and in the aftermath of all that followed, that family is not those who you are born with, it’s the people that you choose. More importantly, it’s the people who choose you in return. The people that you put first, that make you a priority in their own lives. Those are the bonds that tie you together. And Bash has been here for me in all my darkest moments. The least I can do is give him this small request, even if it pains me to do so.

I mean, it’s not like we don’t see one another. During the summer, he often flies out to stay over for weeks at a time, before having to fly back to Edmonton for off-season training. But with his brother Finn, along with myself, both residing in the Seattle, it makes more sense for him to come out this way to visit during his downtime, rather than trying to coordinate both of us flying to Canada to see him .

As for my brother, Caleb? Well, these days he is deep in the trenches of our family’s corporation. After years of cleaning up the mess left behind by our parents, Caleb has finally come out on the other side, stronger and more successful than ever. Unfortunately, that also means busier than ever. We don’t get to see each other in person very often, but he does make it a point to check in on me almost every day via text or video chat, which I appreciate.

With a heavy sigh, I glance at the clock on my dingy wall of my run-down apartment. I need to clear my head, and thankfully it’s not too late in the day to go for a run. Rising from the couch, moving over to the window, and checking outside. Gray and overcast. Not a surprise for this time of year in Seattle. No rain yet, but that could change at any given minute. Turning on my heel, I make my way to the front door, quickly putting on my tennis shoes and jacket. Once adjusted, I grab my fanny pack and quickly clip it on, before unzipping to check the contents. I pull out my headphones and place them in my ears then reach once more into the pack.

No hesitation as I fall into my normal habit, pulling out the small gun, checking to ensure the safety is on and that it is loaded correctly before placing it once again in the pack and securing it in its rightful place. Next, I ensure that the small vape pen is nestled at the bottom. I'm not a smoker, but Finn left a small tracker in it, wanting it to be unobtrusive should I ever be in another tight situation. I never leave home without either anymore. After everything that has happened since high school it is a necessary step in ensuring my safety that I am unwilling to compromise on.

Quickly pressing the button on my smart watch, music comes to life in one ear while my other remains silent. I use two pairs of headphones, one synced to the music while the other remains disconnected. It gives the appearance that I have music on and that I may even be distracted, but I try never to let my guard down. One last furtive glance around the room shows that I haven’t missed anything. Turning to exit the room, I place my hand to the scanner that is completely out of place in my old run-down apartment as I set the sophisticated alarm system and lock the door on my way out.