Free Call of the Raven by Shawn Reilly Page B

for emphasis, “my mom left me when I was a kid and I don’t
need another one.” He turned away then and opened his bedroom door.
When he went to shut it she put her body in the way. “Kennedy,
don’t do this now. Whatever your reasons are, your place is to
worry about Ari. I’ve got other things to deal with and the last
thing I want is to have to explain my behavior to you.”
    “Fine,” she said hurt. “I won’t bother you
again.”
    “Keni.” He used the name Grant had given her
and instantaneously her green eyes watered. He ran a hand along her
arm. “Look, I’m just an idiot that on occasion gets mad enough at
the world that I feel I need to vent, so just let me be. I’m sorry
that I upset you but right now let’s just concentrate on finding
Ari. Now, go away so I can change.”
    Removing his tee-shirt he walked across the
room and in the reflection of the mirror, he saw Kennedy’s features
twist into sympathy. She always got that way whenever she witnessed
the damage his father left behind. The D in science had gotten him
a Louisville Slugger across his right shoulder. After several
surgeries to repair the shattered bones, the scars were still
visible.
    He had been recovering in the pediatric wing
of Saint Francis Hospital watching the lights on the rides at the
county fair several miles away, when he heard someone enter his
room. But it wasn’t just anyone; it was Grant Lake, the Keeper of
the Union.
    They had moved from Nashville Indiana to the
city of Beech Grove, located just minutes from downtown
Indianapolis, but it wasn’t until years later that Nixon had
learned through Asher, that Grant had actually banned his dad from
the Union, and that’s why they had moved.
    Either way, that night as Grant stood over
his bed telling him not to be afraid, and that no one would ever
hurt him again, Nixon had hope. For the first time in his life, he
felt wanted but that went short lived when Grant was killed six
months later, and he quickly learned that his successor Asher
didn’t share the same sentiment.
    Asher had never even gotten around to sealing
his adoption papers.
    “I’m gonna drop my pants now Kennedy so you
really should go.”
    Nixon pulled jeans off the hanger and out of
the corner of his eye, he noticed her wipe a tear from her right
cheek as she backed out the door. Only when she was gone, did he
realize that he had forgotten to explain to her about the urine
smell, but he guessed that didn’t matter. Dropping his pants to the
floor he heard a clunk and remembered the badge that Kennedy had
found.
    Taking it out of his pocket he crossed the
room so that he could inspect it in the light of the lamp next to
his bed. The same odd sensation returned as he examined the emblem
once more. At first he couldn’t make it out, but after closer study
he recognized the head and body of the Raven. Two small red stones
were set for the eyes.
    Nixon sat up straight.
    He had seen it before and now he remembered
where.
    “ You won’t feel anything. The memory
cleansing is a painless procedure.”
    “ Will it make me forget him?”
    “ No, I’m afraid not, for some things are
best left alone.”
    “ Then what good will it do if I still
remember the pain?”
    “ You will remember the pain because it
will only serve to protect you, just as I will.”
    Something ran down Nixon’s cheeks. He was
crying without even realizing it. The thought was embarrassing so
he quickly wiped the tears away.
    Nixon didn’t cry, not anymore.
    He didn’t want to be caught blubbering like
some baby but he couldn’t help it. The memories came and he
couldn’t stop them from coming. He was standing on railroad tracks
and the five o’clock memory express was bearing down on him, and he
was powerless to stop it. Opening the drawer on the nightstand,
Nixon dropped the badge inside and got dressed.
    Asher was waiting.

Chapter Six
     
    Rebirthing
     
     
    Asher quietly stood , eyes taking in
the pitiful sight before him.