Escaping Evil Through Time

Chapter 34: The Weight of Secrets

Kali knew something was wrong.

Not the normal kind of wrong.

Not missing-Malaki wrong.

Not Missi-is-still-in-a-coma wrong.

Something else.

Something new.

She could see it every time Julien walked into a room.

Every time Cole exchanged a look with him.

Every time a conversation stopped when she entered.

They were hiding something.

And she was getting tired of it.

The twins had finally fallen asleep.

Mica rested peacefully in his crib.

For a moment, Kali stood there watching him.

Six months old.

Six months since her life had split in half.

One son at home.

One son missing.

The thought never got easier.

A knock sounded at the door.

Cole stepped inside.

"Thought I'd find you here."

Kali smiled weakly.

"Where else would I be?"

Cole looked toward the crib.

Mica stirred but didn't wake.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Finally Kali broke the silence.

"What's going on?"

Cole sighed.

"Kali—"

"Don't."

Her voice was quiet.

Too quiet.

The dangerous kind.

"I know something happened."

She folded her arms.

"Julien won't look me in the eye."

A pause.

"Ryan knows."

Another pause.

"Nathan knows."

Cole looked away.

Which told her everything.

"You all know."

Silence.

Kali's stomach dropped.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Before Cole could answer—

His phone rang.

Both of them looked down.

The caller ID flashed across the screen.

JULIEN.

Cole answered immediately.

"What happened?"

Whatever Julien said caused every bit of color to drain from his face.

Kali stood.

"What happened?"

Cole ended the call.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Like he was trying to decide how much to say.

Finally he looked at her.

And for the first time—

Kali saw fear.

Real fear.

"Elias found something."

The room went still.

"What kind of something?"

Cole swallowed.

"A reason."

"A reason for what?"

A long silence followed.

Then—

"A reason they want Malaki."

Kali felt the floor drop out beneath her.

"What are you talking about?"

Cole closed his eyes.

Because there was no easy way to say it.

No gentle way.

No safe way.

"Your son may be more powerful than anyone realized."

The words hung in the air.

Heavy.

Impossible.

Terrifying.

Across town—

Far from the Evans house—

A black SUV pulled into a dark parking lot.

Three figures stepped out.

One handed another a file.

The photograph attached showed a six-month-old baby.

Malaki.

The figure smiled.

"Target confirmed."

The hunt had officially begun.