Sheltered

Chapter 56

11:52 p.m.
Savanna gazes at the glowing green letters.

"Lucas?"

He calls back to her from the couch.
"What's up, Sav?"

She sighs. "I don't know what to do."

The rusty springs on the couch squeak.
His voice is getting closer. "Talk to me."

As Luke sits on the edge of the twin sized bed, Savanna rolls over to face him.
"Do you really think he'd hurt me?"

After a few moments of silence, she sits up with her legs crossed, leaning in toward Luke.
"Tell me the truth."

"I don't know." He sighs after another moment had passed.
He awaits a response, but Savanna doesn't say a word. Luke slides under the blanket, facing her.

"I'm gonna keep you safe. I promise."

"You can't promise that."

He sighs as Savanna crosses her arms.
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

"Why should I trust that?" Sav chuckles.

"Because." Lucas silently thanks the Lord that it's too dark for Sav to see him blushing.
"Because I'm a trustworthy person, Sav."

"Okay, sure." She lies down, facing away from him. "C'mere." She pats the sheets beside her and Ammo jumps onto the bed, licking her face.
"Stop that." She laughs. "Lie down."

Ammo lies between her and Lucas, panting.

"Stop touching my hand." Savanna snaps.

"I'm petting him, that was an accident."

"Yeah, okay."

Luke chuckles. "What's your issue?"

"What's my issue?" Savanna sits bolt upright.
"My issue is that my family is dead, my friends apparently wanna kill me, I'm homeless, I have no money, and I'm putting all my trust into a stranger."
She buries her face in her knees, sighing.

Lucas calls Ammo off the bed and takes his place next to Savanna.
"I'm sorry. I'm gonna get you to Ian and we'll have everything figured out. I know he won't hurt you if you're with me."

"Promise?" She holds out her pinky finger childishly.

Luke hesitates. "Yeah, Sav." He hooks his finger around hers. "Promise."
She lies flat on the bed, deep in thought.

A few moments later, Luke hears her deep, sleeping breaths. Sav rolls into him in her sleep, placing her palm on his chest.

He sighs, resting his hand on her's.
"I promise."