“But the bad woman is dead.”
I don’t tell him that it is Trent I worry about.
“I am your mother. It is my job to keep you safe.”
“I miss Trent.”
As I prepare to read a story, the door swings open.
My heart stops for a second, until I see who’s standing in the doorway. Then it begins to triple-beat.
He’s wearing clean clothes and an apologetic smile.
For too many seconds, my wicked, unruly eyes stare at his tapered waist and how his shirt fits snugly around it, dipping into the recesses of his muscles.
I scold myself, then fix him with a daggered gaze, hoping I don’t melt.
He holds a piece of paper with the words, “I’m sorry,” written in perfect Korean.
I frown.
He turns it over and I see that he’s written something else, though it lacks…finesse. “Talk later; move now.”
I look out the window at the growing dusk. He should know that it is too late. The dead are more active at night.
He lifts Duri, who is elated to see him. Then, with his other arm, he scoops up Hyun.
I grab him, clawing at his bicep.
“It’s-o-k,” he says soothingly.
I point to the window.
“It’s-o-k,” he says again.
He turns and begins to leave. Dumbfounded, I grab my bag and sword and follow.
I’m angry as hell, but there’s little I can do about it. Trent is easily three times my weight, and if I make too much noise, once we’re outside, I could draw the dead.
I follow him through the hall, down the stairs, and out of the building, growing angrier with each step.
He’s quiet as a cat as we walk down the street. I momentarily panic when I realize there’s nothing covering the boys’ eyes, but looking around, I see the streets have been cleaned. Trent must have spent the last few hours planning this.
I follow him, sticking to the shadows, constantly looking around for anything that could pose a threat.
After two blocks, he opens a door and gestures for me to enter. Once we’re all in, he closes and locks the door behind us.
We climb several flights of stairs, exiting into an apartment. It looks completely untouched by the world of the dead. Even the electricity works.
Trent takes the boys into a room, and I see that it’s decorated with colorful Christmas lights.
The boys squeal with joy as they rush around, looking at the books and toys that are neatly placed on shelves.
My guard falls. I want to be angry with Trent, but that now seems impossible.
Since coming into our lives, he’s given so much of himself. He’s been patient, kind, doting, even. He’s given me something I’ve never had. Something I never want to live without.
I squat so that I’m at a level with Duri. “I need you to keep the door closed for a little bit, okay?”