I nearly paced a hole into the floor waiting for my baby sister to come home. I swear she was in so much trouble. She knew better than to attack people like that! I had sincerely hoped I taught her better than that! Who did she think she was? Our parents?
That thought stopped me dead in my tracks. I sighed heavily and shook my head, ashamed of the thought. I refused to let Edith become a monster like them. The imprint they left on her – on the both of us – was more than enough motivation. They made us what we were and broke poor Edith's mind in the process. Had I not fled with her, then I would be the same way.
The slamming of the front door broke my concentration and I looked up to see my sister in the doorway. Immediately, I pulled her into a tight hug.
"What were you thinking?" I hissed, pulling back to look at her.
"Sorry, brother." She croaked. "Hungry. Scared. Bad Edie." She lowered her gaze.
I led her to a chair next to the fire and covered her lap with a blanket. "You can't disconnect with me like that anymore." I did my best to stay stern with her. "You had me worried sick."
"Sorry, brother." She repeated. "Pretty books. So many pretty books."
I couldn't help it. I smirked at my little sister as I took the chair next to her. "Yes, you did always like to read."
She smiled at me before hanging her head. "Edie hurt pretty lady." I could hear the shame in her voice.
"Yes, you did, Edie." My gaze stayed locked on the fire, knowing she couldn't face my eyes. "You need to be more careful. You know that there's too much at risk for us."
My sister just nodded her head and there we sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. This was mostly because I was waging war with myself. I wanted to ask, but I didn't. I knew asking would lead to trouble, but, at the same time, I didn't care.
"What did you see?" I finally ventured. Very rarely did I urge Edith to use her gift, and I had never felt more selfish in my life, but I needed to know.
Edith studied the fire intently as she informed me. "Strong. Good heart. Sweet. Smart like brother, but –" She stopped, and I saw tears forming in her eyes.
"What is it, Edie?" I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Alone. Sad." She looked up at me and I almost thought I saw more tears swimming in her eyes. "Orphan."
That was a word my sister and I knew all too well. To know that she was like us. It broke my heart. Though, in a way, I found it comforting to know that she could relate to me. Well, to us.
"Does brother like pretty lady?"
I looked at my little sister in shock, but she wore an impish grin.
"I-I don't even know her that well, Edie." I didn't mean to stutter.
"No matter. She got you. Got inside brother's brain." Edith stood to her feet and put her hand on my shoulder. "Find pretty lady. Maybe she be new friend."
"I'm fine, Edie. I have you, don't I?"
Edith shook her head. "Brother need new friend." With that, she traipsed out of the room.
Day turned to night again and, against whatever better judgment I had left, I went back to the bookstore. I leaned against the lamppost and surveyed the parking lot. It was a bit on the quiet side for a Friday night, but store traffic was the least of my worries.
I surveyed the parking lot, but I didn't see her or her car. I was more disheartened at that fact that I thought I would be. I swear, I would have been embarrassed had I not been alone. I recognized two of her coworkers, who were smoking near a dumpster. I ventured a bit closer, hoping to gain something of use.
"Poor Tammy," The woman remarked, blowing smoke into the wind. "I've never seen her so worried."
"Syl's been like a daughter to her. I can see why." The man, who I remembered as Shane, leaned against the brick wall.
"How is she doing, by the way?"
"She's okay. Was asking us whether we saw some guy in the parking lot that night." He took a long drag from his cigarette. "Apparently, she thought she saw someone, but it could've been her hallucinating from the blood loss."
"Yeah, I heard she lost a lot." The woman shuddered.
"It was like something out of a damn horror movie!" Shane chuckled. This guy had a twisted sense of humor. "Anyway, she's kind of obsessed over it. She's sure he was real but can't really prove it. I didn't see anyone though." He paused for another drag. "Neither did anyone else."
I had heard what I needed. She was eager to find me as well, so I didn't feel terribly desperate anymore. Sadly, she was not here. I let out a defeated sigh and thought to leave, inwardly kicking myself for not arriving sooner.
"Fancy meeting you here." A familiar voice floated to my ears behind me. I turned and there she was, looking up at me with the same shock that I wore on my face.