Page 71 of The Pact
“I heard Grandma talking to Grandpa about something bad happening.”
I will not tell this little boy over the phone that his parents have died.
“We’ll talk when I get there,” I say. “But I need you to do something for me first.”
“Okay.”
“I need you to stay with your sister. Keep her close, and help your Grandma.”
“Okay, I will.”
“Thank you, Rem. You’re a good big brother.”
“I know, but you should tell Rhyan that too,” he says with a huff.
He has no idea that his world has just split open.
“I’m coming,” I say again, more steady. “You hear me?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you put your grandma back on the phone?”
Evelyn comes back on crying softly. “Wyatt, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m coming for them,” I say firmly.
Presley’s hand stills on my back.
“Of course,” Evelyn says. “But, Wyatt, they’re safe here. You don’t have to come tonight.”
Presley stands, moving toward the hallway with her phone in her hand.
“Do they have everything they need?” I ask.
“I … what?” she asks, confused.
“The kids,” I say. “What do they need to have packed?”
Evelyn sniffs. “I can pack their bags.”
“Thank you. Pack anything important. Remy’s hockey gear. Rhyan’s stuffed animals.”
“She has the dragon,” Evelyn says, crying harder.
“The green one or the purple one?”
A pause.
“The … the purple one.”
“Okay, she needs the green one too, so I’ll go by the house and get it.”
Presley stands behind me, leaning over the couch, her hands on my shoulders.
“And Remy has his blue hoodie?” I ask. “The one with the shark?”
“I’ll make sure to pack it,” Evelyn whispers.
