Chapter 9 - The plan

Whoever that was, he just tried to kill us

But...why? How?

See the stoves and all the lit hen rags lying around? propane stoves produce carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is basically a scientific killer. it's a gas that's colorless and odorless

why was there smoke then?

I guess that he was hoping the kitchen rags would catch on fire- which would then swallow the place up. And if it had failed and they hadn't caught on fire, eventually the gas would've killed us in our sleep

My eyes widen in shock

That's so scary. if we hadn't heard the noise, we might have been dead right now

Warren's nod is sombre

We aren't safe here anymore

But where can we go, is there another safe house set up?

No. I might be able to get in touch with a few of my old contacts, but it could take a few days

we don't have that long. That may could come back! And he might have accomplices!

I know. Now that he knows we saw him, he might get bolder

He glances in my direction suddenly hesitant

Eli arrived here last night....that can't be a coincidence. Someone must've followed him

I think you're right. He probably wasn't as careful as he thought he was

Right

Well, having that in mind...Should we tell Eli?

No. if he knows, he might accidentally tip them off. We can't tell him where we're going until we know it's safe. I don't want to do anything that'll put you at risk

okay, so we just leave Without saying anything?!

it'll give us the head start we need. is there anywhere you know of that Eli would never think to check?

I can't think of anywhere, honestly. I don't go out much without him

How about somewhere he'd think you'd never willingly go?

I pause to think about what he said

Somewhere Eli would never think I'd willingly go?

Well... as much as I hate saying this, there IS one place. But I don't want to go there

Warren's eyes light up and he looks at me expectantly

I haven't spoken to them since my wedding with Eli. I doubt they'd let us stay after the way things ended

who are "they"?

My parents

One hour later...

Despite how warm and relaxing my shower was, it did nothing to quell the nerves stirring in my stomach

I haven't seen my parents in years. I wonder if they even want to see me

I shake my head and try not to think of the past

I need to pick out an outfit. Since I haven't seen them in so long, I want to make a good impression on them. They're rich, upper-class people, and they'll expect me to look presentable

I wore a red elegant jumpsuit

This should work perfectly. Funny...it's been a while since I wore something like this. Time to find Warren

I take my suitcase into the living room, and I find Warren already waiting for me

Are we going?

There's one thing left to do before we leave

And that is?

We have to thrash the place

I give him a confused look

Why would we thrash your cabin?

We can leave anything behind that could be traced back to you. it also has to look like no one's been staying here for a while

You're right. I hadn't even thought of that. So where do we start?

I'm going to take care of the kitchen, and you can decide what room you want to do. Just.....

He looks at me and scratches the back of his neck

.

Please don't destroy anything too valuable, okay? This is still my house after all

So, no breaking the TV then?

not

What about the window?

Do that, and I'm leaving you here

Boo, you're no fun

Warren scoffs

I'm letting up thrash my cabin, of course, I'm fun

I roll my eyes and laugh as he stalks into the kitchen without another word

Hmmm.....what should I destroy first?

I immediately home in on the lamps stationed around the room

Time to break some lamps

I pick up the first one, contemplating what to do with it

Hopefully, I don't put a hole in the wall

winding up, I throw the lamp against the far wall, and it shatters against it with a resounding crash. I suck in a breath

That was So cool!

A distant laugh makes me room my eyes, and I decide to ignore Warren. I continue with the lamps until all four of them have been sufficiently smashed

What should I destroy next?

As I stand there surveying the room, Watten appears from the kitchen and surveys the damage

impressive, Kiara

Thank you

You know... I've never been too fond of that couch. How about you give me a reason to buy a new one?

Are you sure?

Definitely. Give me a second

Warren pops back into the kitchen and comes five seconds later with a large knife. He hands it to me

Have fun

Oh, I will

I take the knife and plunge it into the sofa cushion. The knife sinks in so smoothly that it hits the couch frame, and when I drag it to the right, a loud ripping sound fills the cabin. I dust off a couple of feathers that flew up from the cushion as Warren surreys the damage

You can do better than that

Excuse me?

Warren shrugs, and I raise an eyebrow

Are you sure you want to say something to a woman holding a dangerous weapon?

it's a butter knife

Emphasis on the word "knife"!

He chuckles

Please, you're no threat to me

Calling him on his bluff, I raise the knife again and start to stab the couch repeatedly with a quick slashing movement. The fabric easily rips and tears underneath my assault. I hop to the left stab a cushion, and then spin around to the right to jump on the couch and plunge the knife down. feathers fly around my face whenever I rib the cushion, and when I'm finally satisfied, I kick the couch and it briefly slides across the hardwood floor. By the time the couch had been sufficiently destroyed to my satisfaction, I looked up to find Warren staring at me

What? impressed by ninja skills?

I huff a feather away from my mouth as it lands on my lips and then brush a few more out of my hair. I glance at Warren again, and he looks like he's fighting off a smile. Clearing my throat, I give him my best no-nonsense voice

Well? Still, think I'm not a threat?

I cockily twirl the knife in the air, pleasantly surprised it doesn't clatter to the floor. Warren's intense gaze is locked on mine, and he's still silent

Nothing to say, huh? it's okay to admit that I've scared you into silence. I wouldn't be surprised honestly

That was one of the cutest things I've ever seen

Even the strongest of men would've cowered when-

I blink

What did you say? Cute?!

I narrow my eyes at him

There was nothing cute about it. It was menacing and impressive. My skills are unmatched, and you'd do well to remember that

He coughs and hides a smirk

of course

I feel like you're not taking this seriously

I just agree with you

But it was a sarcastic agreement. Are you saying that wasn't skilful and magnificent to watch?

I never said such a thing

But you -

He raises his hand to cup my cheek, and I instantly stop talking. He leans closer, so close that our lips are only an inch apart. I feel his warm breath mixing with my own, and hear his heartbeat through his shirt. I start going in for a kiss....but then he moves away and shows me a feather he just plucked out of my hair.

I guess you sure a little bit dangerous

I can't help but blush, so he gives me a seductive smile

Shall we go, ma'am?

He takes my suitcase in one hand and my hand in the other, and we leave the cabin... Something about being on the back of Warren's motorcycle makes me feel freer than I ever have before in my life The rush of wind against my skin, Warren's body pressed tightly against mine....With my arms wrapped around him, I feel so peaceful. Warren is always so at ease with his bike. He gives off an air of confidence and poise that shows he knows exactly what he's doing. I never would've pegged Warren as a motorcycle rider, but anytime he's with his bike, it seems like he's absolutely in his element. As we speed away towards my parent's house, I realize that this is exactly what I need as I brace myself for the storm. I look at the house where I spent my childhood, and I freeze

I can't do it

Kiara

No, you don't understand! They hate me. They told me not to come back. This was such a horrible idea

I go on to grab the helmet off the motorcycle seat, but Warren's arms wrap around my waist. He pulls me back against his chest and I'm powerless to resist

What's going on? You seemed fine when we left. What happened between you and them, Kiara?

He rests his chin on my head, and after a second, I lean back into him

I've never seen you so worked up like this. If I'd known it would make you this upset, I would have found us a different shelter

We...had a pretty bad fight

You know you can talk to me about anything, right?

The thing is...I haven't spoken to my parents in five years, Warren. Five years! No phone calls, no Christmas cards, absolutely nothing. They don't want anything to do with me

I doubt that's true. Anyone who wouldn't want you would have to be out of their damn mind

I roll my eyes and laugh

There's that beautiful smile

stop it

stop making you smile? Never

We grin at each other, but then my smile fades

I just don't think I can do it. I've made a horrible mistake, and I don't think they could ever forgive me

I'd never judge you. Tell me what happened, Kiara. please

I know you mean well...but I don't want to revisit the past. it's top painful. I'm sorry

Don't be. I shouldn't have asked you to share something so personal

of course, you can ask me. I just need some time

I get it

He glances at my parent's house

You should go ring the doorbell

But-

I'm going to be right behind you the entire time. it'll be okay, Kiara

I take a deep breath and follow him toward the house. All of my previous insecurities resurface, and my palms are sweating despite the bitter cold

What if they don't answer? What if they ask me to leave? what if they call the police?

Don't overthink it

When we reach the door, I can feel my hands visibly shaking. Warren grabs them and spins me around to face him

No matter what happens, this changes nothing. You were able to live without them for five years, and you can do it again. And casting you aside like that parents should never turn their backs on their child, regardless of the circumstance

But-

No

He cuts me off with a wave of his hand

if anything; they should be the ones begging for your forgiveness

What? Why would they do that when it was all my fault?

Because a parent's love should be unconditional. Even if you were thrown in jail for murder, they should still love you because that's a parent's job, Kaira. They might not like the choices you make, but they have no right to judge you and cut you out of their life

That's a bit extreme, don't you think?

it's not. My mother always made sure I understood that, even though she didn't agree with everything I did, she would always be there to support me, so have a little faith. if you turned out this good, then clearly they did something right at least

I give him a grateful smile

okay

okay?

Your silly little motivational speech got to me, okay? I'll do it

He squeezes my hand

I'm right here if you need me

I know

I turn to face the door again and take a steadying breath

Here we go

Reaching out, I push the doorbell and heat the loud, booming ring echo throughout the house. A few moments later, I hear the sound of footsteps pounding down the stairs until they stop in front of the door. I press my lips together and watch with fear as Melania Harington pries open the door and gasp in shock

Kiara is that you?!

A hand covers her mouth, and she grabs the door to keep her balance

Hey, mom?

My voice is just a whisper, but she hears me all the same. Blackened, mascara tears pour down her cheeks. A second later, her thin arms are around me, and she's pulling me harshly into her small frame

You're alive?! We thought you were dead?!

"Honey, who's at the door?"

Richard!

My father rushes down the stairs and stumbles at the bottom when he catches sight of me in my mother's embrace

My little girl...You're here!

I stand there stunned as my father ushers us into the house and don't miss the sceptical look he shoots at Warren

He's with me

After the initial shock, my father regains his composure

Kaira, we saw the news.... why do they think you're dead?

I shake my head

it's such a long story. Thank you... for not turning us away

We...we never should have done that

My mom sobs even harder at my words, and the grief on my father's ageing face is startling

We're so sorry

We love you so much. We -

Suddenly, the front door is flung open behind us, followed by a loud crash. I spin around and Warren does the same, drawing his gun in the process. Scattered bags of groceries liter the floor, but that's not what makes my heart pound with uncertainty

Kiara?

it's the sight of my best friend, Hannah, standing in the doorway