Kindred (25 page)

SIXTY-FOUR

Hannah

The service was small. Not too many people knew Jeremiah Mason, and even fewer cared about his passing. Jason insisted on going to the service, and Alice and I went with him for support. His arm was in a sling as he stood over the grave of the man who’d saved his life twice, and threatened it on multiple occasions. I couldn’t even imagine what was going through his mind as he stood in silent vigil.

The threat had passed. Alice said that after whatever Jason had done to Ivan in that park, the gangster had put out the warning to his people to stay away from the Earthshaker if they wanted to survive. Jason could finally be safe, if everyone followed their boss’s directions. Sam was at Dan’s today, but in the week since Kindred had died, he’d been back with us, almost always attached to his brother in some way.

Seeing him injured again had been hard on all of us, but especially on Sam. He’d cried when he saw Jason’s arm in a sling, and Jason had to comfort him. It was only a small wound in comparison to those in his past, and it would heal quickly.

Jason silently walked away from the cemetery, Alice and I following. When we reached the car he spoke for the first time all afternoon. “I’m leaving,” he said.

“Where will you go?” my sister spoke before I could.

“I don’t know yet. I won’t be going right now, but I am leaving. Sam and I will go somewhere nobody knows about me, so I can finish school and get a good job.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. I had already resolved to support his decision, but I wanted him to be sure it was what he wanted.

To my dismay, he nodded. “I’ve thought about it since Kindred reappeared after six months. And when Mason’s men came after me. I need to be somewhere quiet. I don’t know where to go yet. All I know is I need open spaces, and anonymity.”

He sighed and his voice took on a wistful, uncertain tone. “I’ll come back, eventually, and I’ll keep in touch. I can’t abandon those kids, even if they do have Dan and June now.”

I nodded in understanding. “We’re always here for you, Jason. You know that, right?”

“Of course,” he said with a smile. “You’re my girl, Hannah. I won’t abandon you either. I just…”

“Need some time,” I finished. Smiling at him and giving him a hug and quick kiss on the cheek. I had to fight the urge to grab on and not let go, in order to say, “Take whatever time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

Acknowledgments:

I would like to thank everyone who has helped get Kindred ready and published. Thanks to Amber Rose, my most loyal and patient reader. To my brother, Josh, thank you for taking some time to help point out some mistakes in the timing of some events in the story line, and to my parents for encouraging me in my writing and publishing. And finally thanks to everyone who reads this novel.

Let me know what you think! If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review. Reviews help more people see the book.

You can also visit me at:
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where you can also find Earthshaker short stories and character information, along with updates on future installments of the Earthshaker Series, and all of my other projects. Or visit me at my Facebook page
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AdrianneLemke