Chapter 59
ALICIA
"Why are there so many guards? It's like we can't move an inch without one popping up to ask you where you're going." Clarissa laments as we step through the gate.
I can sense the annoyance coating her words. Heck - I'm annoyed as well.
Wrong! I'm livid.
But I get it. Ash is trying to keep me safe. That's fine, that doesn't mean I have to like it. I mean, I'm thankful and all that he cares, but I feel smothered.
I'm still ruminating on this as we finally step through the gate when a cab stops directly in front of me. I thank my stars as I flag it down and enter. Clarissa looks behind her, and I wonder what she's thinking, and then it hits me. She's waiting for Night eyes, or someone else, to come barging out and stop us.
Unfortunately for her, that does not happen as she gets inside, her movements slow and sluggish. She situates herself in the front seat, and I think it's just as well because this way I will be left in peace with my thoughts.
The cab drives fast, and buildings wheeze past, people as well, going about their various duties.
The only thing echoing in my mind is that life is unfair, because irrespective of your pain or whatever you're going through, people will still go about their businesses. Life won't remain on hold just because you're going through something life-altering.
And me. . .
I never thought I'd have to go through the loss of my whole family so early on in life. It's not just fair.
Tears fill my eyes and cloud my vision, and I feel like ending it all, but only one thing keeps me grounded, making me focused. . .
Revenge.
It's not until we're getting close to the road that leads to the cemetery that I realize I never told the driver where I was going in the first place. Goose pimples break out all over my body as I stare at him. He's wearing dark shades and a face cap pulled low over his face.
I don't beat around the bush, I get right out to it. "I never gave you an address. How did you know where to bring me to?"
The man doesn't turn, doesn't even act like someone is speaking to him, and Clarissa, she's knocked out cold. She slept right through the twenty minutes journey. I had often joked with her that she could get kidnapped because of her penchant for sleeping inside moving vehicles.
Right now, this is not a joke, and I'm not smiling.
My alarm senses are blaring that something is off about this man. He continues to drive onto the dirt road that leads to the cemetery until he stops at the gate and turns to look at me.
He removes the sunglasses from his face as well as the face cap, then cocks his head to the side. For one precious moment, the breath inside of me seizes as I'm left staring dumbly at him. "Ash?"
"If you want me to be." He replies in a clipped accent.
His hair is dark brown, exactly like Ash's one, his nose is long and defined, and even a dimple pops up on one corner of his cheek. He's a split image of Ash, except for his eyes. They're cold, ice cold. As they land on me, I suppress a shiver.
"Now, here's how we're going to do things." He splays his hands like he's a politician trying to cajole his followers when Clarissa stirs. "Ah! It's nice of you to wake at the opportune time because I do not like repeating myself."
His eyes harden further, and Clarissa turns to look at me with a spaced-out look. "What is he talking about?"
He smiles. But it doesn't reach his eyes. "This!" He whips out a gun and points it at her. "Now, get out of the car slowly, and don't make any sudden movements."
Something must be wrong with me, because instead of feeling fearful, a surge of adrenaline flows through my body as excitement pumps, fast, through my veins. "And if we don't?"
I jut my chin and do my best impression of haughty watching as a flash of surprise crowds his eyes. It quickly fades and that cold gaze replaces it once more. "Does it look like you're in a position to do otherwise?"
"I could scream." I fold my arms against my chest and regard him. From the corner of my eyes, I notice Clarissa's eyes widening.
What he does next will forever remain in my mind. He grabs Clarissa by the neck and holds the gun to her head. "Your friend is going to get a bullet lodged inside her pretty head so you better get the fuck out now and start walking."
I cut Clarissa a look and sure enough, she's freaking out. Her eyes are watering and her bottom lip is trembling. I try to convey a message to her with my eyes, to let her know nothing bad will happen to her as long as I've got breath in me.
For her sake, I nod and scramble out and walk in front, intermittently turning around to look at him. I expect him to release Clarissa, but this man is smarter than I thought. He holds on even tighter to her neck to the point she's bending her head at an odd angle.
That's gotta hurt.
Sure enough, she confirms this when she lets out a whimper.
Things are not going the way I expect.
I've got to do something about it.
"Please!" I put up a hand and turn to face the madman. "Let go of her neck and I'll do whatever you want."
His eyes glimmer with an unknown emotion. "Tempting offer, but no deal, now shut up and keep walking."
I look at Clarissa and nod at her, hoping she can see my silent plea. She's in this mess because of me, so I have to do something to get her out of it. This madman isn't going to let her, or even me, go. I know that now.
I also know he's the one who killed Tanya.
I look around in hopes that I can catch the eye of someone, anyone, as I walk toward the gate of the cemetery. "Stop right there!"
I stop but don't turn around.
"Turn around slowly." The madman demands.
Perhaps, it's the adrenaline still flowing through my body at an alarming rate because as I turn around, I slip and fall. I hate the fact that I'm lightweight because of all the days I've gone without food. Right now, it's telling on me as stars dance in front of my eyes. I steady myself by sinking my hands in the earth and a bright, but risky idea, comes to me.
"Get up now, or she gets it!" The madman belts out. His voice has become more ominous.
I nod jerkily and pitch forward so that my hair covers my face.
"Now!"
I nod jerkily once more and quickly gather a chunk of sand in both my hands. With quick lightning, I throw it at his face, but he expects it and dodges it. This makes his hand slip from Clarissa's neck. That's my perfect opportunity. "Ruuuuun, Clar!"
Her mouth opens in an o, and then she takes off.
The madman realizes his mistake and his eyes glimmer dangerously. "YOU BITCH!"
That's when I see my life flashing before me as he aims the gun at me.
I close my eyes and say a prayer.