Noah's Adventure - 24. Aftershock

We were back at Black Hawk headquarters before it really sank in.

I found Dom, Dame, Shane, Shawn, and Shiloh sprawled in the lounge, deep in conversation. With Little B still clinging to me like a koala, I crossed the room and sank into one of the oversized chairs.

“Congrats on getting the case dismissed,” Shawn said with a genuine smile.

“Thanks,” I replied. “I just wish everything was… done.”

“You mean the bounty,” Dom said.

I nodded. “Grandma says it’ll be dealt with. I just don’t know how long soon actually is.”

“Soon,” Little B mumbled into my chest.

We all froze.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dom asked.

Little B didn’t answer. He just tucked himself closer and went still again.

Ever since everything went down, he’d been like this—quiet, exhausted, stripped of whatever abilities he’d had. He clung to me, slept, and every now and then dropped a comment that felt way too knowing for an eight-year-old.

The day dragged on. Grandma said we’d be heading home soon. At some point, Uncle Matt took Little B with him, saying they needed to talk.

I tried not to worry.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Shiloh asked, dropping beside me on the couch.

“My mom,” I admitted. “I just want this to be over. Part of me wonders if I should just give her something. A small amount. Maybe she’d stop.”

Shiloh immediately took my hand. “Don’t. She’ll come back for more. And every time, she’ll threaten you.”

I sighed. He was right.

“Dude, turn on the TV,” Dom called from the doorway. “They lost contact with a plane.”

He flipped on the news.

“At this time, authorities are still determining how many people were on board,” the reporter said. “The aircraft—a Cessna Citation—was reportedly owned by Senator William Keller of Virginia. Sources say the plane departed San Diego and was headed east. We’ve reached out to the Senator’s office for comment but have not yet received a response.”

My stomach dropped.

I didn’t need anyone to say it out loud.

“You don’t look so good,” Shiloh whispered.

“I think…” My throat closed. “I think my family was on that plane.”

“Would that be so bad?” Dom asked carefully.

I stared at the TV. “I’d rather not answer that.”

He nodded. “Fair.”

Jets had been scrambled. No updates followed. But deep down, I knew.

That night, sleep didn’t come easily.

When it finally did, it brought nightmares—years of my mother’s voice, her anger, her manipulation looping over and over. I’d wanted to spend the summer in my dad’s old room, hiding from the world. Somehow, everything had exploded instead.

The only bright spot was Shiloh.

That thought made me smile—right before I started crying.

My door creaked open.

“Can’t sleep?” Grandpa asked gently.

I shook my head and broke down before I could say anything else.

He sat on the bed and pulled me into his chest, rubbing my back in slow, steady circles. “Just let it out, sweet boy. I’ve got you.”

Grandma appeared a moment later and sat beside us.

“Nightmares,” Grandpa murmured.

“Noah,” Grandma said softly, brushing my hair back. “We love you so much. We will always protect you.”

They held me there for a long time—until my breathing evened out again.

“Try to sleep,” Grandma whispered.

I rolled over after they left, staring into the dark.

A moment later, the mattress dipped.

Arms wrapped around me.

I didn’t see anyone—but I felt safe.

I slept.

The next morning, Grandma didn’t waste time.

“The plane crashed yesterday,” she said quietly over breakfast. “No survivors. Your mother, grandfather, stepfather, uncle, and their lawyer were on board.”

I swallowed hard. “The Senator?”

“He wasn’t on the plane,” Grandma said. “He loaned it to them. He held a press conference this morning. The NTSB is already investigating.”

I nodded, numb.

I also couldn’t stop wondering who—or what—had held me the night before.

Once Grandma cleared us to go home, we moved quickly.

I decided to take Shiloh out—just the two of us.

Grandma insisted I not use my truck. She handed me the keys to the Camry I’d learned to drive in and reminded me to be careful. I knew security would be nearby anyway.

We drove in silence at first.

“Where are we headed?” Shiloh finally asked.

“A state park,” I said cryptically.

Cunningham Falls.

We didn’t swim—just hiked. The humidity was brutal, and halfway through we ditched our shirts. Shiloh wasn’t ripped, but he was strong and defined, and I had to actively remind myself to breathe.

When we reached the falls, he just stared.

People were everywhere, splashing in the water despite the warning signs.

I spotted our two security guys nearby—shirts off, tiny shorts, both absolutely unfair-looking. Shiloh glanced over and froze.

“Dang,” he whispered.

“Yeah,” I agreed.

We sat at the top of the falls holding hands, pretending the world was normal.

We talked about life and conspired that the security detail guys are a couple.

Eventually, the heat won. We took the shorter trail back and blasted the AC once we hit the car.

I reached for Shiloh’s hand as we merged onto the highway.

Then—

Impact.

The car lurched violently forward as we were slammed from behind, thrown into the Jersey barrier. Airbags exploded. Smoke filled the cabin.

I heard metal screaming.

A door was pried open.

Shiloh was pulled out first.

Seconds later—maybe minutes—someone yanked my door open and dragged me free.

“Where’s Shiloh?” I shouted, panic tearing through me as I spun in circles.

No answer.

And that was when I knew—
Whatever peace I’d been given…
Was already over.