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Chapter 1 Cuffed

It was around 7 PM when the Klaxon sirens went off on West Park Avenue.

They weren't the obnoxious ear-splitting variety, it wasn't wartime; no bombs were going to fall from the sky. They were subtle, almost pleasant, there was no need for a loud shrieking alert anyway; about a second after they sounded, everyone's smartphone chimed in unison, which was a little weird when you were at home with your family but downright bizarre when 50 or so devices rang the reminder at Cheryl and Steve Johnston's house party.

That was it, 7:08 PM, the sun was still up but the party was over. 7:08 PM was early enough for people to set their affairs in order and retire to the safety of their homes, but not enough time to enjoy one another's company, or at the very least say a proper goodbye.

Eve Harris tried to get a good farewell in, but it would prove to be difficult with her hands so full, figuratively and literally; she collected Seth, her sleeping infant, from the Johnstons guest room in her right arm and a half dozen baby bags in her left. Cheryl, the self-absorbed gossip, hadn't offered her a helping hand and Eve, the warrior mom, wouldn't bring herself to ask. By the time she was actually prepared to depart, she was the last guest left in the house, well, her and Seth, and Richard of course; if she could just get him to shut up and drive her home, but her husband was pulling a fresh beer out of the cooler when she had finally tracked him down, his 8th by her count.

"Richard," she whined as he popped the cap off the Miller, "seriously?"

"What?" he slurred slightly, oblivious to the situation.

"The alarm, it went off like 20 minutes ago."

"Oh, yeah..." he said before taking a swig.

"So..." she waited for him to connect the dots, "we have to go."

"But I just opened, this." He whined, she rolled her eyes, "I can't take it with me," he trailed off for a moment, "I can't leave it here. Unless you want Stevie to catch my cooties." He chuckled as he playfully punched their host on his shoulder, a harmless gesture to a corn-fed, good ole boy like Richard, but the bookish Steve Johnston looked like he was about to crumple from the impact. He chuckled nervously in reciprocation and held off for as long as he could before rubbing his arm.

"Rich..."

"Alright, alright," he moaned, "I'll chug it."

"No don't—" It was too late. Eve sighed and turned to Cheryl, who was beaming the most awkward smile back at her. She thanked her for the lovely evening while keeping an eye over her shoulder to make sure Richard wasn't reaching for the cooler again. Cheryl walked her to the landing and finally offered to take one bag as she helped open the steel-reinforced front door, then she discreetly closed it behind them before the boys had caught up. Eve knew it was too good to be true, once the latch had clicked, Cheryl's expression changed ever so slightly as she leaned in to whisper, "Hey, are you going to be... Okay?"

Eve hesitated for a while before nodding, "Yeah, it's... it's OK."

"Has he signed the papers?"

"Oh no, Cher, there aren't like any papers to sign... I mean not right now. I mean I don't know, that's not what I want."

"Are you sure Evie?" Cheryl started, "Trust me in my experience—"

The front door opened behind them "Heyooo!" Richard exclaimed, "What, did you 2 forget about us? we're trying to get out too," He giggled.

"Oh, silly me," Cheryl laughed. She was cut off by a big bear hug from Richard.