Chapter 38

An entire week had come and gone uneventfully, and I was starting to think that Nathan had simply lost interest in me and this state he had travelled to, probably used to the richness of New York and not the seclusion such a small town offered. Kieran had been amazingly perfect throughout the entire week, although he hadn't slept in my bed or my bedroom for that matter since that Monday before, and I wondered the reason for that exactly. Maybe it was because he finally met the person who had caused me so much pain and it caused him to think differently about me, or maybe it was because he was starting to realize how deep my feelings for him were growing and continued to grow by the minute that we were together and didn't want to play around anymore as if he were just flirting around the topic of us being together. I wanted more from him, and I knew that technically we were dating, but it would just be nice to be asked out on a date without the crippling fear or anxiety that the thought of Nathan always brought with it. I got my wish that day, however strange in nature it was. "I have a surprise for you," Kieran had said as he walked up to me after my last class and we strode together to his car. I gazed up into his sea green eyes and awaited patiently as he explained what said surprise was. His steps fell in line with mine and his hand slowly snaked around my own and soon he was swinging our hands dramatically as we walked. "There's a little family gathering that I'll be hosting at my house while my dad and soon to be stepmom is out along with Jake and I want you to come!" I looked at him questioningly with one eyebrow raised as the corners of my mouth turned up.  The prospect of being alone with Kieran at his house while not only his dad and Jake were gone was just too much not to smile about. "Uh-huh.  And just how exactly are you having a 'little family gathering' without your family there?" That was when his mega watt smile turned on and I almost swooned in the parking lot, but it was by the grace of the warm, strong hand that was firmly enclasped in mine that I didn't fully croak out on the pavement. "My grandparents on my mother's side are coming into town to visit and my dad never liked them just like they never liked my dad.  They wanted to come visit me so I told them a time when I knew they would all be out of town.  The point is, I'm having them over and I want you to meet them.  You're one of the most important things in my life right now, Caroline, and I want to prove that to you." It felt like the breath was knocked out of me with his words, but the green of his eyes and the night of his hair brought me back to reality. "Wow.  That sounds amazing Kieran, thank you!  I can't wait!" "Perfect!  Now come on, we're getting ice cream like I said we would every day after school from now on." I just laughed at him because what else was I going to do? "Are you trying to fatten me up?" I asked him as I spotted a note on the passenger window. I was suddenly grateful that Kieran had chosen that day to become distracted with a phone call as we reached his car so he didn't try to open my door like he did for me most days.  It seemed like this note was something that I needed to keep to myself until I read all of its contents over and over again.  By myself. I stuffed the blood red note in my bag before Kieran could see and hopped in the seat, wondering just how far I'd go to protect the wonderful man sitting beside me. *** Later that night after all the ice cream, homework and laughter from Kieran that I could take, he went home to change and then would come to my house to sleep on the couch as directed by my father after he found out where Kieran had slept that first night that we'd learned about the danger that I was in. I hesitantly went to my bag to pull out the note, making sure my window was locked and that the curtains were drawn.  If Kieran asked I would say that I was changing and didn't want him creeping on me like a peeping tom. The truth of the reality was all too real to handle. I locked the bedroom door and gazed at the note in my hand.  It was relatively small in size, but that didn't stop it from making my heart race in agonizing terror for what could be inside. It was sealed with a  small circular piece of tape and it looked professionally sealed.  There was no writing or addressing of any kind on the front or back, so I took my fingernail underneath the tape and decided to bite the proverbial bullet. Pieces of the note card tore away as I peeled off the plastic tape and the louder the sound that it made, the more I cringed.  The sounds of me opening the note echoed off the glaringly silent walls of my room and I felt tears prick at my throat.  Why I felt the need to cry, I had no idea, but it felt like this note was something completely different. Something that would change the game, and me, forever. I finally broke inside and found myself staring at a picture of me smiling up at Kieran inside the card.  I was wearing a cute white sweater dress and boots and Kieran was wearing a deep blue button up and his nice khaki pants.  It was from the day before, I remembered because I had gotten a lot of compliments on my hair and outfit.  I didn't know why, but I felt the need to dress up and look pretty lately. Maybe it was because I was preparing myself for my final days.  I didn't want everyone's last thoughts of me to be me walking around in dirty sweats and nasty hair. I gulped hard as I read the beautifully scripted calligraphy placed neatly beneath the words.  He had certainly gone to a lot of trouble to make it so elegant yet so terrifyingly evil at the same time. "Such a beautiful couple.  Wouldn't it be a shame if someone hit the brakes on it? Either cut the chord, or I will.  You can find me by the sea where the Cat Fish are fried.  Come alone, or this will be the last picture you two will ever take."