Later that night, the family gathered in the living room. Casey held Wyatt close as he detailed what happened with the intruder. While retelling it, Wyatt clung to him, burying his face against his sweatshirt. He hadn't left Casey's side since the police left.

"Maybe that detective was right. We ought to get out of town," Mr. Lockhart suggested.

"Where will we go?" Casey asked. "I mean, you and Lani might be able to stay with our grandparents, but they won't take me in. And I don't want Wyatt going somewhere he's not welcome. They'll blame me for getting us into this mess."

"We're not turning to them for help." Lani rested a consoling hand on his back. "I wouldn't wanna stay with them either."

"Lani's right. Not only that, but I doubt they'd even take us in," Mr Lockhart pointed out. "You saw how they acted toward us at your mother's funeral. They're still upset about everything that happened in court and with your ex."

"Then where could we go? There's nowhere else." Casey shook his head. "The cops can't protect us forever. They've barely got any leads."

"I don't know." Lani bit her lower lip, slouching in her seat. "I wish we had more family out of state we could visit. Maybe we could stay at a hotel for a while? Just until things cool down and the detectives figure out who's pulling the strings here."

"Maybe that's a good idea. I dunno. We'll figure something out," Mr. Lockhart assured them. "We always do, don't we?"

"They're after me. Each attack has been geared toward me." Casey stroked Wyatt's back, sighing. "Maybe I should lay low with August for a while? Until things settle down. I don't know who Wyatt would be safer with me. Me or you guys."

"We don't know for sure that they're only after you. Remember those photos they sent me?" Mr. Lockhart reminded him.

"That's a good point. You think they'll try to get Lani next?" Casey asked as concern ghosted his face. "Or Wyatt?"

"Well, Lani is the only one we know for sure hasn't been personally targeted. They might've had her photo..." Mr. Lockhart trailed off, gazing over at his daughter. "You haven't noticed anyone weird following you lately, have you?"

"Guess they're saving the best for last," Lani joked. "But no, I haven't seen anyone like that. Do you think it would be safer for us to split up or stay together? I could stay with Audrey for a bit if Casey goes to August's."

"That leaves Dad all alone here," Casey pointed out. "And I don't want him by himself here. I think we should stay together. We can keep each other safe. Splitting up probably isn't the best choice right now. We gotta work together. Right?"

"Casey's right. We need to stick together," Mr. Lockhart agreed.

"How long do you think they'll keep the police escort this time?" Lani asked, sparing a glance out the window. A police cruiser parked across the street, with an officer on duty who had their personal phone numbers to call in case something happened or someone tried to break in again.

"Hopefully, longer than the last time." Mr. Lockhart groaned, raking a hand through his hair. "I'm just glad the police got here when they did. I thought making sure you guys weren't alone at the bakery was a priority, but now I'm scared for y'all to be here at the house by yourselves."

Casey looked down at Wyatt in his arms, struggling to push the guilt from his mind. Not only had he dealt with losing his grandma, but he'd witnessed an invasion that had to scare the hell out of him. Casey would talk more with him later in their room, just to see how he was coping with everything.

"Maybe you could bring Wyatt down to the bakery with you?" Lani suggested. "Just bring him some things to keep entertained. We can all keep our shifts the same."

"I don't know about that. I feel like it would be difficult to watch him and work," Casey replied. "We'll figure something out. It's getting late, and honestly, I'm still a bit rattled up to think about solutions right now."

"Yeah, I get it." Lani folded her arms across her chest. "I can't believe this is really happening. These must be the people who got to mom. And now they're after us."

"I won't let anything happen to you kids," Mr. Lockhart said. "I can promise you that. These guys will have to go through me before they dare to hurt any of you."

While his words were strong, his voice didn't carry the same weight. His worry lines creased on his forehead, and the way he kept glancing back at the broken window they'd boarded up, only made Casey realize just how terrified he had to be.

Casey loved his father, but he didn't have the same bravery and skills with a gun as their mother had. Even so, Casey knew his dad would do everything he could to protect them. But would it be enough to keep them alive?

🧁

Back in their shared bedroom, Casey sat Wyatt down and let him vent about what happened. He expected him to cry or admit to being frightened, but instead, he just clung to him quietly. His son's soft whimpers broke his heart. But there wasn't much he could do but assure him he'd never let anyone bad hurt him.

Despite how tiredness hung heavy on Casey's eyelids, he couldn't sleep. Even Wyatt stirred in his bed, restless. Sparing a glance at his phone, Casey sighed. Already four in the morning. Unable to sleep, Casey rolled out of bed and made his way into the kitchen. Wyatt followed close behind him, clutching his stuffed bear close to his chest.

"You want a night snack too, buddy?" Casey asked him.

Wyatt nodded.

Normally, Casey would've tried to enforce bedtime better, but after the horrific day they'd had, he didn't mind. He couldn't blame Wyatt for not falling asleep easily either. Who could after that?

While Casey fixed some pancakes on the stove, he checked his phone for new messages from August. He hadn't responded after he explained what happened. But a sudden phone call from him almost made Casey drop the phone right into the pan of batter.

"Casey? What the hell happened? Are you okay?" August's concerned voice flooded his ear.

"Yeah, nobody was hurt. I'd been alone at the house with Wyatt. The cops arrived just in time cuz the guy broke in through the window," Casey explained.

They patched the window haphazardly with tape and plastic wrap to keep the cold out. Even so, a chilling draft crept under Casey's clothes, making him shiver.

"Shit. I'm sorry I wasn't there. I got sent out to deliver some stuff out toward the country and didn't have service," August explained. "I'm on my way to your house now."

"We've got a police escort," Casey replied. "Let me just tell him that you'll be coming."

Casey stepped over to the window, squinting as he gazed out toward the police cruiser parked down by their mailbox. Did the guy fall asleep? With the way his head tilted back, Casey only assumed he'd dozed off and groaned. Wonderful work from New Syracuse PD.

"You might not need to worry. Looks like the guy they sent fell asleep." Casey sighed. "Maybe we really should just get out of town for a while. Might be safer for all of us."

"Jeez, that's terrible. Just hang on, I'll be there as soon as I can."

While August drove into town, Casey fixed their pancakes and set the table. He hung up so he could eat but kept a close eye on new text messages from August. Every so often, Casey spared a glance out the kitchen window while he drizzled his pancakes in maple syrup. Uneasiness blossomed in his chest with each passing second as he ate.

As Casey washed their plates, another call came from August. He hit the green button, pressing it closely to his ear. "Hey, are you almost here?"

"Are your doors locked?" August asked. "There's no other way someone could get in, aside from that broken window, right?

"Huh? I don't think so. Why? What's going on?"

August paused a moment before saying, "That cop out here isn't sleeping. He's dead. Bullet to the head. That's why he's slumped over."

"Oh God." Casey clamped a hand over his mouth, stepping toward the window to peek out. He spotted August's truck in their drive, but not him. "Are you somewhere safe out there? Be careful out there."

"I know, don't worry about me. Be concerned about yourself and your family. This has to be a gang hit. To go as far as killing a police escort means real shit's about to go down. You all need to get outta of that house now," August warned.

"Yeah, we will. Don't worry," Casey told him, gently scooping Wyatt up in his arms after handing him his phone. "Here. You keep talking to August, okay? We're gonna wake Lani and Papa up to go on a ride." Casey explained while hurrying down the hallway. He reached his father's room first, not even bothering to knock. "Dad, we gotta leave. Now." Casey set Wyatt down for a moment, rummaging through his dad's closet for the gun safe. He retrieved the gun he'd used before and grabbed the other one out.

Mr. Lockhart sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Huh? What's going on?"

"The police escort outside is no longer alive," Casey told him, keeping his voice lowered. "August is here, outside. He's gonna help us get outta here. We need to get to the police station then leave town."

"Shit." Mr. Lockhart sprung from his bed, accepting the gun Casey handed him. "I'll get Lani. You should be careful."

Casey nodded. "I will. We're heading outside now. August's waiting for us. We'll take my car."

Casey didn't bother packing any clothes, but instead, worried first about getting them to safety. Instead of entering the garage, he used his keyring to unlock the garage door from the outside so August could scout it out first. Make sure nobody lingered inside, waiting to murder them. When August gave him the all clear, he hurried out there with Wyatt and got him into his carseat.

August came over, helping him out. "I'm sorry about all this."

"Don't be. It's not your fault." Casey glanced back at the door as Lani and his father came out. "But I realize now that it's not safe here. We can't live here without someone trying to hurt us. Killing that officer was a warning."

"I'll drive behind you guys. Make sure nobody trails you," August replied. "Cuz this might be exactly what they want you to do. Drive somewhere remote so they can force you off the road."

"I know. We'll be safe, I hope. I have a favor to ask, if you don't mind," Casey told him.

"Of course. Anything," August replied.

"Take care of our new puppy, please. He's got everything he needs here, but we can't bring him with us. Hotels won't allow it and it'll be hard being on the road with him and Wyatt. He's in our living room."

"Yeah, I can do that. I'm sure my grandma won't mind him staying with us a bit," August told him. "Let me go grab him and I'll get him situated in my truck. My dog always loves going out on rides."

"Thank you. For everything." Casey wrapped his arms around August tightly, wishing he didn't need to let him go."

August kissed his forehead. "Once I get the puppy, you guys head out. I'll follow you out to the town line, then leave when I know you're safe and not being tailed."

Once they hit the road, Casey couldn't stop dreading the worse would come. Mr. Lockhart drove while Casey sat in the backseat with his son, assuring him they were just going on a late night trip. Hoping to not traumatize him anymore than he already had.

🧁

Out in the countryside of Crittendale County, sunlight peeked out from the horizon. Wyatt snored softly in his carseat while Casey watched the scenery bypass them in a blur. They left New Syracuse behind, but Casey couldn't help wondering what that meant for them. Maybe they should move away and relocate.

Mr. Lockhart yawned before saying, "Once in town, we'll settle down at a hotel. I know a place we can stay."

"Sounds good," Lani replied. "I already sent a message out to our employees from your phone about us not opening Mad Batter today. Will keep them updated on what our plans are."

"Thanks, honey."

"I'm not sure we'll be opening for a while then." Casey propped his arm against the door, resting his head down. "This won't just blow over. They want us dead."

"Casey, don't say that," Lani snapped.

"No, your brother's right. That gang ain't messing around," Mr. Lockhart replied. "They want our family dead. If they got your mother... Then I know damn well they could easily get any of us. She was the strongest and bravest person I knew." He gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles whitening.

"We can't hide forever," Casey told him.

"What do we do then?" Lani asked.

"If we go back home, we're just asking for them to kill us," Casey replied.

"For now, I guess we'll stay away from New Syracuse and try to plan our next moves," Mr. Lockhart told them. "Your mother would've known what to do... If only..." He shook his head. "Sorry, I'm just rattled up. I don't know what to do. I thought the police would protect us better."

"It's okay, Dad. We understand, you're doing your best. Nothing could've prepared you for this," Casey told him. "Mom would've had faith in the police too."

After contacting Detective Bailey, Casey assured him that they'd decided to leave town for their safety. When he pried about where they were going, Casey simply left it as "out of New Syracuse" and hung up before he could be questioned further. Police had to be swarming their home by now and Casey couldn't imagine the gossip that must've traveled through town.

Casey was still reeling from the fact that someone broke into their home then killed the officer they posted outside, down the street. It had him reconsidering everything. While he could never abandon his family, he realized he also needed to do what was best for Wyatt.

Crittendale was only a few hours away from New Syracuse, but the atmosphere changed drastically. No graffiti coated the buildings downtown, nor did gangs run rampant through the streets, claiming their territory. Casey had only been there a few times in his life, but he wondered if it might be a good place to relocate with his son.

While Casey had hoped to save up a little more money before moving out of his parents' home, he realized it might be time to move out earlier. Sometimes, things didn't always go as planned.

Once they got settled into their hotel room, Casey checked the news for New Syracuse, wondering if there had been anymore reports of gang violence. Right away, he found a piece about the officer who got stabbed in front of their home. Casey was relieved that they didn't mention what house they'd been watching or who the gang was targeting.

As Casey read further, he uncovered another article about vandalism toward their bakery. Messages from Xavier came up as well, detailing the damage with photos he'd taken from outside. Hateful, homophobic slurs painted their bakery's exterior and he noticed someone had shattered out one of the windows.

They'd made it personal. They wanted Casey and his family to know they wanted them dead.

"Did you see it?" Casey asked, swallowing the lump in his throat as he gazed over at his dad.

"Yeah, I did. It's all over Facebook." Mr. Lockhart shook his head. "I can't believe they'd really go that far... I wish I'd never gotten involved. Maybe things would be different if I'd just gone to the police in the first place."

"You can't blame yourself. You couldn't have known. We've been over this already," Casey told him. "I don't know what we'll do now, but at least we're safe for the moment."

"You're right. I'm grateful enough for that."

"We'll get through this, Dad. I dunno how yet, but we always have. Heck, I had no idea what I'd do when Veronica got pregnant." Casey glanced over at his sleeping son, a small smile touching his lips. "Then when she caused that accident... And her trial..." Casey sighed.

"I know, I understand. I wish things would be easier. I hate how tough it's been on you and Wyatt. Can't imagine how he must feel," Mr. Lockhart said. "You're a good father, you know that? I'm not even sure I could've done as well as you have raising him."

"Well, I learned from the best." Casey grinned. "And I couldn't have raised him without your help, and Mom's and Lani's."

"It means a lot to hear that." Mr. Lockhart smiled.

"I just wish things would get better." Casey sighed. "Will this ever end? Will we have to live our lives in fear, always looking over our shoulder, thinking someone's coming after us?"

"I don't know, Casey. I hope not."

Casey had wished his father had the answers. As a kid, he'd always known everything and Casey looked up to him for that. He realized now just how tiring and scary being an adult and father really was.

No matter what, he'd do whatever he could to protect his family.