The Defender (The Elkavians Book 1) Read online

  “How are you feeling today, Alexis?” asked Marianne calmly.

  Alexis pondered. She would try to choose her words as carefully as possible. “Anxious.” She wanted to say she was okay, but no one could possibly be okay after everything she had been through.

  “Why?”

  “Well, my attacker is still out there; the sheriff is quite skeptical about what happened and I’m afraid people at school will call me a lunatic, and all the bullying they do will be intensified by the authority’s lack of trust in my story.” She was not pleased, but that was the best answer she could give to that question, mainly because it seemed quite obvious why someone would feel anxious after being attacked especially when the offender’s whereabouts was unknown.

  “I understand. I’m sorry you feel this way, Al. Can you tell me what happened in the clearing? Why were you there?”

  “School is a living hell.” Alexis regretted her choice of words as soon as they came out of her mouth. “I mean, I like studying, and I love seeing Mia every day, but I’m not exactly popular among the other students. They pick on me a lot. Today was not any different; the minute I set foot in the classroom, I heard things I didn’t want to hear, so I left. I wanted to be alone. I always go to the clearing when I need some time to myself.” Tears came to Alexis’s eyes. She thought about her father. When he died, she spent most of her days at the clearing where no one could see her suffer. Marianne knew that. She was the one who told Alexis’s to have some time alone to manage her feelings. “I lay down on the grass and observed the gray clouds in the sky. That’s when I heard his voice. He said that he had found me.” Tears started rolling down her face. She began to sob. Marianne gave her some tissues. “Thanks.”

  “Did he use those exact words, Al? Did he say: I found you?”

  “Yes.” Alexis looked Marianne in the eye.

  “What happened next?”

  “He grabbed my feet and started dragging me into the woods. I screamed for help…” Alexis looked down and closed her eyes. She could still feel the despair of thinking no one would come for her, the fear of imminent death. “I shouted fire. He smiled making fun of my attempt to get someone to help me. That was when the man with the sword appeared. I didn’t see him at first. I just saw the other man’s head rolling on the grass. It took me a second to understand what had happened. Then he said my name.” Alexis took a deep breath. “He said my name.” There was an awkward moment of silence. Marianne didn’t want to interrupt Alexis’s stream of consciousness. She patiently waited. “I got up and ran back to my car. I didn’t look back. When I got in the car, I checked the rearview mirror to see if he had followed me, but he hadn’t.”

  “Why wouldn’t he, you think?” she asked incisively.

  “I reckon he didn’t want to hurt me,” she looked down then back at Marianne. “I believe he was there to save me.” She was relieved to finally say those words. It felt good to share her thoughts with someone.

  “Al, I’ve known you since you were born. Your mother and I are friends. I know your character, and because of that, I’m obviously inclined to believe you,” seeing an ounce of disappointment in Alexis’s eyes, Marianne hurried to correct herself, “Let me rephrase that. I believe you, but we have to work with all possibilities here. As you are a very intelligent and sensitive girl, I want you to question yourself whether these events really happened or they are the fruit of vivid imagination which by no means is the same as being insane. You might have, for instance, fallen asleep while looking at the sky and you may not have noticed it. It could have been a dream.”

  “It was real, Marianne,” said Alexis firmly. “I’ll do what you’re asking me though. I’ve got nothing to lose.” Even though she wanted to ask if they were done, she didn’t want Marianne to find her too eager to leave, so she waited. She continued looking at Marianne, hands and feet still. She didn’t want her body language to give her away.

  “Okay. I’ll see you next week.” Marianne smiled at Alexis. She didn’t want to push her too far. She believed Alexis needed some time to think.

  Alexis left the room and went to her mother who seemed to be extremely nervous. “How was it?” Anna asked.

  “Not here, mother. Can we go?” Alexis begged. She wanted to be alone again, preferably hidden under her bedsheets.

  “Sure,” said Anna promptly. It would be good for both of them to leave the police station and return to the coziness of their home.

  III

  The smell of pancakes awakened Alexis. She looked out the window. It was a bright sunny day. She went downstairs and saw her mom in the kitchen.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead!” she said smiling.

  “What time is it, mom?” Alexis was sure she had slept too much.

  “Around 10,” she answered tranquilly.

  “Mom!” Alexis couldn’t hide her surprise. “I missed school.” Her mother never let her miss school. Not to be unfair, she had allowed Alexis stay home for two days when her father died.

  “I know. You can miss school for a day. I thought we could watch a movie and spend some time together,” said Anna enthusiastically. Things were already too hard for her daughter. She wanted to bring Alexis some joy and help her relax for a while.

  “Are you sick?” asked Alexis in a jolly way. She loved the fact that in the face of adversity her mother always tried to soften things adding a massive dose of good humor to their days.

  “Ha ha ha, funny. I’ll choose the movie,” Anna beamed.

  “Oh, no. I’d rather go to school.” Alexis watched Anna raise her eyebrows challenging her to get her things and go to class. “Just kidding, but I’ll choose,” she said emphatically.

  “What about a Tim Burton movie?”

  “Now you’re speaking my language.” Alexis put a pancake in her plate and started eating it. “This is delicious, mom.”

  “I’m a great cook, I know. What about Corpse Bride?”

  Alexis stopped eating and started laughing. “Mom, I’m not quite sure I should watch a movie about a walking corpse.”

  “Why? Have you ever seen one?” Anna smiled. She knew Alexis wouldn’t mind watching the movie. It would be nice for them to do something to take their minds off everything that was going on. Alexis was lighter than usual. Anna could tell she had had a good night’s sleep. They had some pancakes and orange juice before going to the living room. They snuggled on the couch and watched the movie without talking to each other, simply enjoying each other’s company. When the film ended, they went back to the kitchen to eat something. They were both starving. Alexis was glad that she was able to relax for a couple of hours. They were talking and laughing when the phone rang.

  “Hello,” Anna answered. After very few seconds, her facial expression completely changed, worrying Alexis. “Can’t you tell me now? Do we really have to go there?” She quickly looked at Alexis. Anna had a bad feeling. She hung up. She could tell Alexis was tense. “We have to go to the police station.”

  “Why?” asked Alexis confused. “Did they find something?” Her heart was beating fast. It would be great news if they had found the corpse or if they had any idea of whom the second man was.

  “No. Your test is ready,” said Anna, uncomfortable with that news.

  “Already?” asked Alexis incredulously. Anna just nodded. “Couldn’t they tell you the result on the phone?”

  Anna shook her head. “Is there anything you would like to tell me, Al?” Having to ask that question hurt Anna more than it hurt Alexis to have to hear it.

  Alexis slightly shook her head and went to her bedroom. There was no way her test would be positive. They were probably overreacting. Maybe the sheriff wanted to apologize for being a prick. Alexis walked by the window on her way to her bathroom. The feeling that someone was watching her from the woods froze her blood. Her hands started shaking. She slowly walked backward to the window. She saw no one, but the sensation didn’t go away. The more time she spent searching the woods for someone, the strong
er was the certainty that she was being observed.

  “Are you ready?” asked Anna tensely. Her fake good mood was gone.

  Alexis jumped. “Oh, my God! You scared me.”

  “Is everything okay?” Anna was worried. Alexis was paper white as if she had seen a ghost.

  “Yes. I was lost in my thoughts, that’s all. Let’s go?” Alexis got a coat and left her room. She didn’t want to worry her mother. Besides that, if she said that she was under the impression that someone was watching her, Anna wouldn’t let her leave the house never again, and she hoped she would be able to go to school the next day. She believed the man wouldn’t come to her if there were other people around. She needed some time alone.

  When they got to the station, Martin was expecting them. The look on his face was not a good one. Alexis didn’t want to seem nervous, but she was extremely anxious.

  “Hi, Anna. Alexis. Sheriff Morgan wants to see you both,” said Martin sounding worried.

  Alexis and Anna entered the sheriff’s office. He forced a smile. “Could you please close the door, Alexis?” he asked politely. “Have a seat, please.” They both sat on the chairs in front of his desk. “We all know you went through a lot last year, Alexis. You two have.” He kindly looked at Anna. He couldn’t imagine how hard it must have been for both of them to lose Scott so suddenly. It was certainly not easy to raise a kid without any help. “I want you to know, Alexis, that you can count on us. Marianne is a great professional and I’m sure she will help you.”

  “Morgan, the result, please,” hissed Anna. She had had enough of his hypocrisy. When Scott died, he was one of the very few people they knew who offered no help at all. Nothing. He had not even said he was sorry for their loss.

  “Positive for cannabis,” he said bluntly.

  “You’re kidding me, right?” asked Alexis perplexedly. “I have never smoked pot in my life.” She was nearly shouting. That was outrageous. Not even once in her life had she done anything illegal. Anna placed her hand on Alexis’s arm and softly tapped it.

  “Is there any chance that this is a false positive, Morgan?” Anna tried to conceal her anger by speaking gently.

  “Not really, Anna.” The fact that Anna seemed to believe that he was enjoying that situation bothered him. He had no clue from where she had gotten the idea that he disliked them.

  “What now?” asked Anna curiously.

  “I would like Alexis to talk to Marianne three times a week and do some volunteer work to keep herself busy.”

  Morgan saw Alexis close her hands in anger. She was about to say something when Anna stood up. “Can she choose the volunteer work or do you want to assign something?”

  “She can choose. I want to know it by Friday, so we can get someone to keep an eye on her.”

  There were a thousand things and swear words Anna wanted to say to Morgan, that condescending prick, but they were not in the position to protest. “We will let you know.” Anna held Alexis’s hand and they left without talking to anyone else. When they got into the car, Anna rushed to speak before Alexis. “No, I don’t think you’re lying. No, I don’t think you did drugs. Yes, I believe your test was adulterated, not by the police. Morgan may have many flaws, but dishonesty is not one of them.”

  Alexis didn’t expect her mother to behave like that. She thought she would get tons of questions, besides being grounded for life yet Anna seemed to be as furious as she was. She was grateful for having such a great mom. “Let’s go home. I’m starving.”

  Anna raised her eyebrows. Hunger was not something she was feeling at that moment. She couldn’t even think about food. She started the car and drove home. When they arrived, Alexis opened the freezer, got a pizza, and put it in the oven. She wished it were instantaneously ready. She could probably eat ten of those. The more she thought about her test result, the more sense it made for her. She looked at Anna. She was still mad. “Mom,” said Alexis sweetly. “We should have seen this coming. I mean, the guy got rid of a corpse, of blood on the grass, and vanished. Of course, he doesn’t want anyone to believe me. The positive result just confirms everyone’s theory that everything I said never really happened. If the result were negative, he would have to rely on Marianne’s opinion, and no one knows what could come from that. Maybe we would be able to get people to believe me.” She got closer to Anna. “The most important thing for me, mom, is that you believe me.”

  “Of course, Al. How could I not? We have always been friends and I know you are not a liar.” She caressed Alexis’s hair. “What I’m really worried about is your safety. If he managed to do everything you just said, what guarantee do we have that he won’t show up again? That he won’t come after you?” She felt tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath. She shouldn’t have said any of that. Alexis didn’t need to be reminded of the things they should be concerned about. “I’m sorry, Al.”

  “It’s okay, mom. Pizza is ready! Come on, let’s eat. Being worried to death on an empty stomach won’t do us any good,” said Alexis smiling. She hated to see her mom suffer. She didn’t deserve any of it. Alexis knew that even though Anna didn’t say anything, she was still mourning for Alexis’s father. And now that. If only Alexis understood why the man saved her, then she could try to provide her mother some comfort. She got a slice and took a bite.

  “What kind of volunteer work do you have in mind?” asked Anna also getting a slice.

  “I thought of going to Adam’s. I could help cleaning or doing some personal services like sorting mail. I don’t know. Whatever he thinks I can be of assistance.”

  “That would be great, Al. I’m sure Adam will have something for you. He is always looking for volunteers.” Adam was a dear friend and Anna trusted him to make sure Alexis was safe when she was helping him.

  “It’ll be good for me too. It will help me take my focus out of myself and concentrate on other people’s needs instead.” Alexis gazed pensively at the glass in front of her. A part of her was excited to be able to go to places alone. Deep inside her, she trusted she would see the man again, his dark hair and blue eyes. He had the darker hair she had ever seen. “I’m exhausted, mom. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll try to take a nap.”

  “Sure, Al. Get some rest,” said Anna kissing Alexis’s forehead.

  Alexis finished her pizza and went to her bedroom. She looked out the window. Whoever had been there earlier was not there anymore. She lay down in bed and closed her eyes. Certainly, school should be the least of her concerns, but she couldn’t help wondering how much she would be bullied for allegedly having invented a crazy story to the police because she was high. Margaret would love that. She was probably at home that very same moment imagining all the great things she could tell Alexis. It could be worse. They all could be right. She could have been stoned and delusional.

  She tossed and turned for several minutes until reluctantly accepting that she wouldn’t be able to get any sleep. She checked her phone. It was almost 5 p.m. Maybe she would be able to meet Adam that day. It would be nice to start doing some volunteer work the following day. Alexis got up, brushed her teeth, and went downstairs. Her mother was watching TV.

  “Hey, mom. I cannot fall asleep, so I thought I could talk to Adam today,” she said with some enthusiasm.

  “That’s great, Al. Let me brush my teeth,” said Anna turning the TV off. She was pleased to see that Alexis refused to let everything that had happened bring her down. She was a fighter and Anna admired her for that.

  “I can go by myself, mom. It’s ok,” Alexis doubted her mom would let her go anywhere alone, but it was worth the shot.

  “I’m going with you,” she said seriously. “Just give me a minute.”

  Alexis thought that one more attempt to convince her mother to let her go by herself wouldn’t hurt, so she insisted, “Sure, but you know you cannot follow me everywhere. You gotta go to work and I have things to do like school, psychologist, volunteer work. I’m going to be alone, mom.”

  �
��I know. Not today though,” said Anna firmly. Even though she knew Alexis was right and that she wouldn’t be able to be with her 24/7, there was no way she would leave Alexis alone that day.

  Alexis watched Anna leave the room and go upstairs. She knew that would happen. Quite predictable. Anna would be utterly paranoid about her safety. Anna would probably ask Mia to spend the days with Alexis which they would both hate for different reasons. Mia because she would fear being attacked which was understandable. And Alexis because she wanted to be alone for her own sake.

  It didn’t take Anna long to get ready. “Let’s go, girl!”

  “Girl? Seriously mom?” Alexis asked jokingly.

  “What? I can change that. Let’s go, boy!” said Anna giggling. She was trying her best to break the tension. She wished Scott was there to help her and comfort them both.

  When they got to Adam’s, the place was closed. “I guess he’s not here,” said Anna feeling frustrated. She knew how important it was for Alexis to confirm with him that she could be useful.

  “I’ll ring the doorbell. Perhaps he’s still there,” said Alexis leaving the car. She deeply wanted to take her mind off everything that was going on and she was sure the volunteer work would help her with that. She rang the doorbell and waited. A jolly Adam opened the door.

  “Al! How’s it going?” he asked enthusiastically.

  “I don’t know how to answer that question, but you sure are doing great. I can tell,” said Alexis smiling. She was truly happy he had answered the door and she had to control herself not give him a big hug.

  “I am even better now that I see your mom is here.” He opened his arms to Anna. “My old friend, how are you doing?” She hesitated. “Oh, you don’t know how to answer that question either.” He got serious. “Which one of you is going to tell me what’s going on?”

  “Well, I’m impressed that word hasn’t been spread yet.” Adam seemed even more intrigued. “I was attacked by a man at the park,” said Alexis, feeling more relaxed than the previous time she had to say those words.