Searching Lucas

I opened my eyes to the knock on the RV. It wasn't until Nate sat upright that I realized someone was outside. The three of us were now wide awake, startled by decisions as the light tap continued.

Jess leaned onto Nate's ear. "Should we answer?"

The air mattress felt suddenly flat underneath my weight as we stayed there with bated breath. Jess and Nate had undecipherable faces as they looked back and forth from each other.

There was another knock, followed by the sound of a male voice. "Anyone home? We know you're in there."

"He didn't sound like law enforcement," Jess muttered.

Nate swiftly crawled underneath the bed and reached for an aluminum baseball bat. "Cops or not, they're not going anywhere." Nate carefully tiptoed down the corridor. Jess held her breath. She finally moved towards me and placed her index finger on her lips. Jess inched herself sideways, watching Nate open the door slowly—presumably after he checked behind the Persian blinds—probably inventing a possible escape route for a worst-case scenario.

But Nate was not crying for help, and there was no sound of a struggle. There was soft chatter and some laughs between—neither came from Nate.

Jess finally decided to slide on a flannel shirt and investigate. "Stay there," She warned me with a side glance before checking up on Nate.

But Jess should know better. She should have known me as someone who has never allowed discretion to phase me. Curiosity has never killed a cat, but it might as well have saved Jess's life.

I moved carefully down the hall as the conversation rolled more formally this time. It was Jess who spoke. "...we were just about to leave. Again, I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Jess and Nate had their backs turned, making it impossible to see with whom they were talking.

I made it past them towards the passenger's window and lifted the blinders discreetly. A couple in their mid-fifties with the whitest skin I have ever seen stood dressed head-to-toe in cardigans and white shirts with jeans. Both had blue eyes, greyish-blonde hair, and nearly tinted teeth, which the wife showed in an unconvincing grin. She also spoke by her husband's shoulder, giving an idea of their roles in marriage.

"I've noticed you have a kid with you," The wife had said with hands cupped together—again, with such a contentment that couldn't have fooled anyone. "It would be an honor if you all accepted our invitation to our home for a nice dinner. It is not too far from here."

"I'm honored—" I could hear Nate speaking. "—but we have to be on our way. Thanks again for the offer."

"We have four children who'd love to see your kid. What's his name?" The husband said in a friendly manner.

"Royce," Nate said sternly.

"What a lovely name!" The wife exclaimed. "Can we meet him? It's been a while since we've had visitors."

"I need to speak to my girlfriend. Can you excuse us for a second?"

The husband nodded. "Take your time,"

When Nate closed the door shut, their faces morphed into what Jess called before "a resting bitch face." But their expressions were anything but bitchy. They were straight-up sour, like melting wax candles.

Nate and Jess moved near the dining table. By then, Jess noticed me eavesdropping but didn't scold me. The aluminum bat rested behind the door frame, unused.

"I don't trust these people," Jess said.

Nate agreed with Jess with a slight nod, looking to where the couple still stood. "You think they know who you are?"

Jess shook her head. "No. They knew we were here yesterday. They would have called the cops by then."

"Maybe they wanted to make sure it's you."

"Yeah, except they genuinely look like they have no idea who we are."

"Well, they're not fooling anyone. Certainly not me," Nate stared at Jess fondly and took a sharp breath. "You've seen the news, Jess. If we keep pulling at each gas station for food and fuel, it'll be a matter of time before some surveillance camera catches my RV's nameplate. At this point, I'm sure the cops know that you are with me. We're risking ourselves enough as it is, Jess."

"The more of a good reason to get out of here."

Nate moved past me and opened the blinder with two fingers, the sun shining onto his face, presumably at the couple, who were probably still there, waiting for an answer. "Sure, we could bail." He closed the blinder. "Or we could score a free meal. It's your call, Jess."

Half of the provisions Nate kept in the cabinet were in cans—peaches, green beans, peanut butter. It's not like we were deficient since we had enough. Jess thought otherwise: relying on the good nature of these Samaritans and leaving tonight with a full stomach.

Jess stood next to Nate, watching the elderly couple, and sighed. "They're not going to leave, are they?" Jess glances at Nate. "Nate?"

"I know." He rested a hand on Jess's shoulder. "If I see something strange, we make an excuse and get out." Nate then looked at me. "I'll protect you both, I promise."

Jess couldn't help but feel guilty for leaving me alone. She'd done it before. And she'll be damned if she did it again. Little me couldn't comprehend that I couldn't go on life holding my only sister's hand forever. There will be a day when she'll have to release the grip, letting me into the world with the knowledge she'd shared, hoping I'd apply it smartly.

Even though Jess was dying, her wish to protect me kept her spirit alive. Nate wanted to do the same, though he still had years of vitality ahead. I looked up to both of them—if only Jess knew how much they mattered to me.

I reach out to Jess. "Are we going to be OK?"

Jess quickly hugged me. "Yes, Lucas. We're going to be OK." She then lifted her gaze. "One strange thing..." Jess warned Nate. "...and we leave."