Badlands by Hunter Bijou

Author:Hunter, Bijou [Hunter, Bijou]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cult, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Romance
Amazon: B0839HHR3Z
Goodreads: 50239044
Publisher: Bijou Hunter
Published: 2020-01-12T08:00:00+00:00

KAI

Though I’ve never had a child, I was old enough when Neri was born to understand how to care for one. And I’m very knowledgeable in the art of soothing someone suffering a meltdown. My sister often got agitated over small problems. Mainly, she lost things and then descended into hysteria over her inability to find them. It’s why she’s so organized now.

Both of my parents were prone to meltdowns. Papa would remain on his surfboard for too long, riding the waves and searching for something to calm his stormy heart. Mama often fell into unexplained crying fits. She wandered the house, seeking unknown relief.

Neri learned to calm herself, but my parents still have trouble soothing their pain. They need someone to help them when they’re lost in a dark place. The smallest effort is usually all they require—singing a song, holding their hand, giving them a hug, distracting them with a TV show or movie.

I know immediately upon finding the screaming Anika and frazzled Sunny that they aren’t upset about anything specific. Their new situation leaves them unable to center themselves. People like them—and my parents—don’t handle “new” well. They need an anchor to keep them sane.

I volunteer to be their anchor.

Anika tenses in my arms, staring at me as if I’m an alien. I recall the same look from my mother when I sang, “Wannabe,” to her for the first time. She’d been hiding in a closet, and there was her son sounding like a hound dog howling at the moon. My song worked, though, and she came out and danced with me.

At first, Anika gives me the same “what’s wrong with you?” look. But just like with Mama, the child succumbs to my charms. Her screaming ends, and her tears dry. Soon, she’s fighting a smile while I hum to her.

Neri proves her big heart by comforting a woman she clearly doesn’t trust. I know my sister wants to protect me, but she can’t watch Sunny suffer without offering comfort.

Soon, both new members of our family are calm and cuddled on the bed.

“I need fresh air,” I announce. “Let’s look around this place and enjoy the cool afternoon air.”

Sunny doesn’t want to leave this room. I see on her face how she fears what’s outside the door. Anika probably prefers her spot in her mother’s lap. Neri, though, gets agitated when she’s inside for too long.

“We’ll be at this safe house for a few days. We might as well see what it has to offer.”

I extend my hand to Sunny, who takes it for the same reason my mom took it when she was lost.

Anika’s blue sandals make flopping noises against the rough wood floors as we walk through the dark hallways. We arrive back in the family room, which is rustic, to say the least. The floor and walls seem to be made out of the same reused wood. The stone fireplace looks slapped together by a drunkard.

I don’t know where Cobain or the dog are located, but I hear music playing somewhere in the house.

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