Free BirthRight by Sydney Addae Page A

appeared
offended.
    “I don’t want to stay in a place with just
you either,” Tyrone snapped.
    “Can we all stay at the hotel?”
    Tyrese hated to kill the hopeful tone in her
voice. But he wanted her alive, to have a chance at happiness
later. He was banking on that being a real possibility after the
Patron realizes they aren’t a threat.
    “I can’t. Sorry, Mom,” Tyrone said with just
the right amount of sadness.
    “Oh well,” his mom said with obvious false
cheer. “I suppose I can put down my apprehension over this
decision, just this once. But I’ve gotta tell you, I don’t feel
good about this move. Not at all.” She eyed Tyrone. “Would you like
to get a second opinion? You don’t have to do this if you don’t
want to.”
    It was a good thing she had no idea they
were smack dab in the middle of a shifter hospital; and from what
Tyrese had smelled, she and his aunt were the only human. The man
who controlled all these people made a mockery of his mom’s claim.
They had to do this and they didn’t want to.
     
     
     

Chapter 8
     
    The three bedroom condo was on the second
floor, situated near the wooded area of a large complex. It suited
their needs. Each bedroom had its own bath, and the large kitchen
was stocked with all types of meats and veggies. Once they arrived,
after unpacking, Jasmine had slept for twenty hours straight.
    Tyrese had been dismissed from the military
due to the strange bond with his brother and it looked as though
Tyrone would receive a similar dismissal. She should’ve been happy,
but their combined sadness permeated their temporary living
quarters and stopped her from saying anything glib.
    The first five days flew by. Both boys left
in the morning to do whatever they did in therapy while she stayed
at the house, alone and depressed over her life. All of that came
to a screeching halt on the sixth day.
    She decided to go for a walk. Taking her
phone, MP3 player and headphones, she walked down the path that
started near their condo building. Within minutes, the fresh air
and the beauty of the flowers and nature eased her frustration
about her stunted life.
    When her legs began to ache, she sat on the
grass near the path to rest. The sky was clear and the warmth of
the sun caressed her cheek. She was tempted to lie down and take a
rest. But the thought of bugs crawling over her nixed that idea.
After a few minutes, there was a sound somewhere behind her. She
stilled, ready to run if necessary. Palming her cell phone, she
listened more intently. The noise sounded more like a moan this
time.
    She leaned forward and strained her neck to
hear better.
    “Owww,” the sound came again, clearer this
time. It sounded like a child, a wounded child.
    Heart pounding, she jumped up and quickly
searched through the bushes. “Hello!” She called to let the child
know she was on her way to him or her.
    The moan came again, louder.
    Jasmine took off running, doing her best to
keep the leaves and branches from hitting her face. A few moments
later she came upon the most incredible sight. A young boy lay on
the ground with some type of animal skin blanket covering the lower
part of his body. His pupils were dilated and his body shook as
though he was freezing, although sweat dripped from his body. The
sight triggered an old memory, but as soon as she thought about it,
it fled.
    “Ooooo,” the child moaned again.
    Without thinking, Jasmine sat, took his
head, placed it in her lap and stroked him. “It’s going to be okay,
sweetie. Just calm down and tell me who I should call to come get
you.”
    The child shook so hard, his lower body
contorted and then spasmed. She continued whispering soothing words
and stroking his head.
    “Should I call 911?” She asked, more to
herself than him. When he continued shaking, she dialed Tyrese.
    “Mom?” He sounded out of breath.
    “Rese?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Listen, I went for a walk and found this
young boy lying in the forest. I’m not sure