Free Tracker by Adrianne Lemke Page A

ever mentioned having a grandparent living with them, but it was possible that they had simply inherited the stuff and were unwilling to part with it for sentimental reasons.
    My musing was interrupted when I heard Hannah moving around upstairs. I wondered if I’d be able to convince her to drive me to my alley to show the kids that I was okay. It was good that Dan had told them, but they distrusted him and would be happier if they could see me for themselves. I also wanted to see Sam to make sure he was okay after Mason’s goons had grabbed him.
    My headache had subsided after getting some sleep, and I felt more clear-headed than I had since I’d woken up in the hospital. I groaned as I rose from the bed and stretched, reaching for the clothes I had next to the bed. Despite what Hannah may have thought, I’d definitely been knocked around worse than this before. Granted I’d never been shot, but I had concussions worse than this with no hospital visit to make sure I was okay. But if I had my way, she’d never know about any of that. After getting dressed, I went upstairs to talk to Hannah.
    I squinted against the harsh glare of the sun as I walked into the kitchen from the basement stairs. It sent a spike of pain through my skull, but it subsided as I turned away from the window. The brightness dimmed and I realized that Hannah had seen my pain and closed the blinds on the window.
    “Thanks,” I mumbled as I shuffled toward the table in the dining room. Hannah and Alice had always been nice, but this was the first time I’d spent more time than to have a meal at their house. I was feeling a little awkward about taking over their space.
    “No problem,” she said. “Do you want some juice?” Without waiting for my reply, she opened the stainless-steel refrigerator and took out some apple juice. She poured a cup and grabbed some pills from the counter and set them in front of me on the table. “Take these,” she instructed.
    “You’re kinda pushy in the morning, aren’t you?” I asked with a slight smile. “What are these?”
    “Antibiotics,” she answered. “You were kinda out of it last night and skipped a dose, so take these and don’t argue,” she said strictly, but with the barest curve of a smile on her lips.
    “Yes, ma’am.” I saluted her and took the pills with no further argument. After I had swallowed them I said, “I need to go outside for a minute and check on the kids.” Alice and Hannah’s house was not too far from the alley where the kids would be so I would be able to feel them moving around.
    “All right.” Hannah had to agree. She knew I wasn’t asking permission, only letting her know where I’d be. “Go out the door next to the one leading to the basement, there’s a garden out there where you should be able to focus energy to see where the kids are.”
    “Okay. I’ll be back in a couple minutes,” I told her as I rose from the table.
    The garden was small, but well maintained. There was a row of daffodils around the four sides and in the middle were neat rows of different vegetables. I found a small patch of plain soil and knelt, digging my hand into the soft earth and sending a tendril of power in the direction of the alley. I can’t explain exactly how it works, but I was soon feeling the footsteps of Paul, Jeff, and Ginny. I also felt Alice heading toward them. Sam and Erin were either somewhere else, or they were simply standing still. Paul was pacing obsessively and Jeff was heading toward Alice.
    I figured I could ask Alice later how the kids were dealing with everything, so I pulled my consciousness back and rose, brushing dirt off my hands as I walked back into the house.
    “How are the kids?” Hannah asked as she looked up from washing some dishes. “Oh, there’s some cereal in the cupboard next to the fridge. Help yourself if you’re feeling up to eating.”
    “Thanks. The three kids that I was able to check on were with your sister in the alley.