Free Harbinger (The Bleeding Worlds) by Justus R. Stone

in their relationship. Gwynn had started to have more nights without nightmares than with. The kid had good grades; she had a steady job with decent benefits. They had a comfort zone. Now, that security slipped away. Her sister, her parents, they had all gone without warning. That taught her life does change in a matter of moments. She couldn’t shake the dread that one of those moments had come again.
    §
    Gwynn hadn’t slept.
    Down the hall, Jaimie’s alarm clock sounded with an angry squawk. He threw on some pants and an old T–shirt and headed downstairs for something to eat.
    From the kitchen table, Gwynn could trace Jaimie’s progress in getting ready for work. A few stumbling thumps after the alarm were her getting up. The pipes creaking with a sudden burst of water from the washroom. Then a constant hissing meant a shower. More thumps, their pace hurried from before, were her moving to the closet. He waited for the sound of her bare feet slapping against the wooden stairs. He smiled to himself. She moved with the grace of a peg–legged pirate.
    “There’s a bowl of cereal here for you and some toast with jam.” Gwynn said.
    “Thanks.” Jaimie stuffed the toast in her mouth and went to the powder room where she would fuss with her hair for a few more minutes.
    She returned to the table and sat down, finishing the toast and working on the cereal.
    “Are you sure you’re okay going with the Murrays?” She asked.
    “I’ll be fine.”
    Her eyes said she doubted him. “I left some money on the front hall table for you. It should be enough to buy some food and get a cab home. Don’t make the Murrays feel like they need to worry about you. They’ve got enough on their hands.”
    Gwynn groaned. “I know Jaimie.”
    Jaimie smiled. “Sorry, sorry. I didn’t sleep too well.” After a brief appraisal of him she said, “Doesn’t look like you did either. I hope you don’t fall asleep on the poor girl.”
    Jaimie would normally say something like that as a joke. This sounded humorless and biting.
    “I won’t.” Gwynn snipped
    Jaimie held her hands up in surrender. “I know, I know, that came out too harsh. I seem to be channeling my inner overbearing mother today.”
    “And after I made you breakfast.”
    Jaimie leaned back in her chair and rubbed at her temples.
    “You’re right, I should relax. Things have just been so…strained. I’m just afraid everything’s falling apart.”
    “Jaimie, I punched some asshole who deserved it. If it hadn’t been in the school no one would care.”
    “Maybe. But that’s the thing. Since when do you punch assholes, whether they deserve it or not?”
    “Well, it’s not like I’ve been blown up before.”
    Even Gwynn winced at the growing annoyance in his voice. What was happening to him? When did his fuse get so short? Jaimie’s face showed she got the message.
    “Okay, I’ll leave it alone. Just keep me in the loop. You’ve got my work number?”
    “Yeah.”
    She got up from the table and kissed him on the forehead. “Love you Gwynn. Sorry I’m getting all overprotective. Don’t want my favorite guy to get hurt, that’s all.”
    Gwynn checked himself before answering. She loved him. That would be a lousy reason to attack her.
    “I know. But geez Jaimie, sometimes I think you forget I’m almost eighteen.”
    “Maybe I do. Almost a man. You’re right. I need to remember that. Have a good day Gwynn. I hope everything goes well.”
    “Me too. Have a good day at work.”
    “I will. Oh, and Gwynn?”
    “What?”
    Jaimie winked at him. “Thanks for the breakfast.”
    Gwynn couldn’t help it, he laughed. “You’re welcome.”
    With Jaimie gone, Gwynn dashed up the stairs for a shower and proper clothes.
    He had just come back downstairs when the doorbell rang.
    “Good morning Mr. Murray.” Gwynn said. Mr. Murray seemed dressed for a business meeting.
    “Good morning Gwynn. Are you ready to go?”
    “Yes sir.”
    They drove to the hospital in