Epilogue

Epilogue (Wattpad)

I blinked as I came back to the present: 15th of November. I relaxed my tense shoulders against the tree trunk and I patted Dash’s head. I took a deep breath to erase the picture on my mind.

It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. But as I looked up to the perfect blue sky and at my anklet I can’t help but smile. 

He would be turning 20 now, I realized. I regret nothing – not a single bullet shot, not a single tear that fell and even the scarring words. It was all worth it to last a lifetime. Even the pain. Xavia and my family helped me a lot and my grandfather had been a blessing. But sometimes, an uncontrollable feeling of sadness grips me and I could do nothing but succumb to it. Surrender to it. 

I’m still in love with him, you see. I really don’t think I can have anyone else as I remembered lighting snow globes, Bella Notté, Monopoly cookies and all those kisses in between. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I have a different view on that. It makes you better. It just has to. My intuition skills never left me, by the way. And I can feel it now – I have a feeling that when my time comes, Sky and I will have each other again. Longer this time.

Chapter 42: The bullet shot

Chapter 42: The bullet shot (Wattpad)

No more sounds and voices were heard from them. But after the shattering silence, Imah laughed. It was nothing like the warm, comfortable sound that I used to hear and it made my blood curdle. It made me see red. She speaking, “It’s a wonder actually –the fact that they had no idea I was putting a tracking device on the dog since the first time I met Cavanagh. You people are so blind.”

“You betrayed us.”

“That I did. It’s a pity you haven’t realized that sooner. Not very good with guns,” she scoffed, “I’m better than you at that. Look at you now, no weapon, no anything. Once I got acting, you gave me your trust immediately. You are so stupid. Ryne didn’t even realize why ushered her to get closer to Sky. Ice knew this would happen – ”

“She’s dead. And you’ll be with her soon enough – ”

The next thing we heard was scuffling and the sound of metal hitting – something. Then I’m sure, so sure, it was a body that could be head falling to the floor. The instant we heard the footsteps, Sky got ready to battle as he clicked his gun and I followed suit. When her silhouette can be discerned from the black drape and her hand swept it to her side, Sky fired.

“Fuck!”

She drew cover automatically and retaliated – multiple times. There were splinters of floorboards and wood flying everywhere. Sky threw the table nearest us to its side and used it as a makeshift shield. It faced the source of the bullet shots and we did our best to keep our head low, the thick oak wood protecting us from dangerous injuries. 

I looked at the gun in my hands. I took a deep breath. Just fire, don’t think. Thinking is what makes you fall dead on your feet. I adjusted my position and pulled the trigger. Quickly, I pulled myself back before a bullet can graze my arm and I avoided the pieces of wood falling from the ceiling. I breathed in hard, and then felt Sky’s hand gripping my arm.

“She’s not alone. I know it. There are others with her behind that partition.” he said that as best as he could under all the noise around us, blanketing us. It was deafening. 

“What do we do?” I asked with my eyes wide. He shifted closer to me and got out his phone and stuffed it in my hands. “We call for help too. Now.” He started firing again and my breath drew in realization. I started rummaging through the contacts with my both hands shaking, still holding the gun. I pressed call and placed it in my ear immediately. 

It picked up.

“Hello?”

“Grandpa? It’s me! We need – ”

“On our way.”

The call ended and I turned to Sky. I gestured yes and started shooting. I love my grandpa. The never-ending stream of gunshots still rained upon us between seconds. Minutes. It could’ve been years but all we needed to hear was the grenade explosion to recognize their arrival.

The floor shook and my ears hurt. I closed my eyes shut for a few seconds, unbelievably disoriented. This is fucking insane. I heard men shouting then, giving orders and bullets were being fired again, but this time, it was aimed at the opposite direction; not at us.

“Ryne.” Familiar hands shook my shoulders, I opened my eyes and my gaze landed on Sky. And the two people beside him.

They were crouching on the floor as well, keeping their heads low to avoid damages from the commotion and they held their firearms out. “Ryne, my dear.” The older of the men put his hand on my shoulder, his brown eyes darkening. “Act now, talk later. We have to get out now.”

Sky was right. He must’ve been handsome once and he looked as if he just had a hard-fought battle. His grey hair was in a buzz cut and he looked ready to kill someone.

I nodded soundlessly in response. The younger, handsome guy turned to me then but he didn’t say anything. He came closer to me and pecked me on the cheek.

“Hi, sis. We have to get going.” Mark said urgently.

George Cavanagh spoke to the three of us after my brother had his greeting. “My men are few. If we go now we can all – ”

He was cut off from completing what he was saying when something caught flame, and the endless piles of woods are already burning and releasing chocking smoke into the room. It crept up quickly, catching everything it can and turning it into black ash. It was hot already but the bullets never ceased. 

“Let’s cover Ryne, and get the fuck out of here.” he finished, coughing.

What?! No! 

“I don’t need to be covered – ”

“Not now Ryne.” said Mark. They started taking positions around me and I saw – 

“Fuck it, Sky. Why are you covering out front? Are you fucking insane? You’ll get shot – ”

A pillar gave in and crashed to the floor, almost shattering our eardrums and the fire rose higher and roared louder. The heat was intensifying. The experienced leader now said, “Go.” The four of us stood up, we sped through the entire space of the room, shooting at visible enemies and avoiding the shots they fired. The fire made it hard for us to see and the smoke made us cough violently. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. We were halfway across the other side – the exit – when it happened.

Underneath the sounds and disturbing visions, I saw a mane of blonde hair. I had no trouble figuring out who that person is.

She was holding a gun, which seemed to be gleaming in the light of the fierce fire and it was pointing straight at me. Before anything else registered, the bullet shot she fired seemed to drown out all the other things.

The bullet shot that changed my life.

That ruined my life.

My world turned blank and all the other things in the world became impotent as Sky fell down to his knees and unto his side. Blood was already seeping through his shirt and his breathing was ragged, even as he pulled the table down and used it as a cover. And nothing made sense.

I ran to him but felt iron grips stopping me and pulling me away from him. I struggled as I never had in my life.

“Get off me! We have to go back – we have to – ”

I felt myself being put down on the floor hard and we used the table as a shield again. We were almost to the exit – just mere meters – but I won’t go out. I can’t. I clicked my gun furiously and started standing up but they held me down, and wrestled the gun out of my hands.

“NO! Get back! I have to go back – ”

“You won’t make it – ”

“I can! I can get him! I can – just let me fucking go – ”

“You can’t do anything, Ryne.”

No. That’s not true. Not true. I searched with my eyes through the smoke and I – I found him.

He’s there. Still on the floor, but now he’s sitting up with his back on the table he’s using for defense and he was looking at me.

His chin was dripping with blood and his hand was covering his chest and as he pulled it away, it was smeared with blood as well. Blood. He looked at me like never before but his breaths were becoming shallower, his eyes getting blanker. I never noticed it, but anguished sobs tore at me and unstoppable tears were streaming on my face. I unconsciously struggled, but deep down I knew. I knew. But I don’t want to believe. 

The fire behind him crept closer. Closer and closer, but he reached out for me.

No.

“Sky.”

No.

 My heart. I can feel it dying. I feel it. His hand fell to the floor right then and his eyelids fluttered. I saw him take his last breath and I remembered. I remembered.

“Have you ever thought of Britain?”

Whoa. Where did that come from? I faced him, saw that he was still paying attention to the road and then I replied, “Sometimes. Why?”

He never took his eyes off the road as he said, “I’d like to take you there someday.”

His green eyes lost their light and he closed his eyes.

Chapter 39: The call

Chapter 39: The call (Wattpad)

Part I: 

He drove away like the hounds of hell itself were after us. His tensed muscles only relaxed when we were completely away from the goddamned place – the landscapes outside were now different from earlier even in the dark night. I looked at the clock on the dashboard. 6:30pm.

I heard him stop the engine right in the middle of the road. And before I could even react, he turned to me and reached out his hand I violently shook it off with my shoulder, no looking at him. 

“Don’t touch me.”

“I need to uncuff you – ”

“Why don’t you just start acting like a real kidnapper this time?”

“I – I won’t do that. You don’t have to be – ”

“Just shut the fuck up and do what you’re supposed to do.”

He sighed and I sensed that he wanted to say more but nonetheless, he started the engine again and started driving. I twisted my wrists, trying to stretch them through the cuffs. Even Dash seemed to notice that something’s wrong.

I shook my head. I didn’t even know who I really am these past 17 years. Seventeen years. All these things I’ve been doing had been false, fake, a façade. A lie. My eyebrows pinched together and tears gathered in my eyes. Sky looked at me, his eyes tortured.

“Ryne, I – ”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” 

His voice choked as he answered back, “I was afraid that you’d hate me and – ”

“And you kept that from me?”

He spun the car and positioned it haphazardly, parking it in a hurry and he didn’t make the trouble of turning off the engine this time.

“What did you expect me to do? If you were in my position – ”

“I would fucking tell the truth the second I’ve handcuffed you – ”

“You weren’t supposed to know!”

“But not doing it later? After all these days that you – ”

“It wasn’t easy!”

“I never said anything about it being easy! If only you told me, it would save us a lot of lies and misery and – ”

“I fell in love with you before I could do anything, okay?”

He pounded the steering wheel in frustration, his tendons exposing. “And by then I just knew this would happen; you hating me – ”

“What do you want me to feel?” I raged at him, finally facing him and looking at his torn and tortured features. “Do you want me to be happy because this happened?”

He tore his hair out, breathing in and said right back, “I want you to understand!”

“I understand completely – ”

“No, you don’t! You have no idea what I’ve been going through! After Sam was killed – ”

“That’s what you always say! Sam! Even when you’re sleeping, you just have to – ”

“I’m trying to explain to you! Why don’t – ”

“And then you tell me that you love me? You see her, not me – ”

“You’re the only one I see!”

“No! You – you don’t – ” I paused, catching my breath. “I don’t know what to do, okay? I don’t even know what to feel. So please, just – ” I sighed, my voice shaking. “Just leave me along right now.”

He breathed in and looked away. He didn’t say yes, he didn’t nod, but he stayed silent, granting my wish in an instant. Then he relaxed his head, “Let’s just find a place to stay for the night.” And he slowly started driving again, seeming not in a hurry. I stared blankly on the outside view. 

I want out.


           Wednesday, 7am

I had no idea when I started falling asleep inside the car. But now I started blinking my eyes open and breathed in. The air felt different. And for some reason I found myself lying on a bed. With different clothes on. I sighed a little, not bothering anymore and slowly getting used to it. Aside from that, I now had bandages on my body and some Band-Aids on me, as well. I found and put on my glasses automatically and scanned the area. There was no sofa.

He was there. In a sitting position with his back on the wall. He also had bandages on him and a Band-Aid on the cut below his lower lip. And he was deeply in sleep. I looked at him and bit my lip.

What am I supposed to do?

Now that the events of last night had come and gone, I gave the gist of it to register in my brain in a more welcoming manner.

So my mother is Danae.

Not Leia.

I’m quite surprised, but I actually wondered what she looked like. And I had the feeling that somehow, it was from her where I got my chocolate brown eyes. I just…know. 

And my father id Ryan. Ryan Cavanagh. Our names are so much alike. I remember on my childhood days, when my classmates teased me because of my almost-male name. But the fact that it’s a combination of Danae and Ryan gave me a different feeling.

I just haven’t figured out what feeling that is yet.

My heart throbbed as I remembered the parents I’ve grown up with. They’re the ones who really formed me and nothing, nothing, can ever take that back. But when my mind wandered back to the names from yesterday who seemed to be in my generation – Alexa, Colleen, Mark and Trisha – I felt slightly apprehensive. What do they look like? Do they act like me? My lips were pursed as I thought of Mark. I’ve always wanted a big brother. And Trisha.

She died.

It would’ve been wonderful to have a little sibling – I’ve never experienced having one in my life.

I was stirred from my daydreaming when out of the corner of my eye, Sky started waking up. He rubbed his sleep-filled eyes and stretched himself awake, eyes landing one me instantly. He didn’t say anything, he just stood up. Then he said without coming near me, “I didn’t think you’d like it if I slept…yeah.” He bit his lip and continued speaking, “There’s already everything if you need it. If you don’t want to ask me, just look for it.”

He didn’t wait for my reply but started walking towards the door and shutting the door behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I sighed and dropped back to the bed. This feeling of entrapment is killing me.

I got out of the bed and stepped lightly on my feet, glancing around to find the bags. It was a slight shock when I saw the old, tattered ones at the floor at the foot of the bed. I walked briskly towards it and zipped it open, expecting the old set of things I always bring with me when we transfer hotels.

The first items that greeted me as my backpack was opened, was the snow globe. Surprisingly, the beautiful castle was still intact in the middle of the globe and the snow was still flowing up and down. And then there was the four-lettered name in sky blue writing.

I’m such a whiny drama queen.

I squat on the floor, almost laughing to myself. Laughing at your worst problems is easier than mourning about them. I shook the globe and watched as the snow fluffed around the castle. In some ways, it’s better being inside that miniature kingdom.

The bedroom door suddenly opened and there was Sky, standing a few steps away from me, fully-clothed,

Where was he going?

He walked towards me and held out a folder. “I have a copy of everything from the briefcase.” I took it from him as he continued speaking. “You can take a look at it – you might want to before I take you to them.”

Wait. “You’re taking me to them? Like, today?” He shook his head in response. “No. But within these three days, I will.” I stood up and asked him hesitantly, “Where are you going?” his voice was steady as he answered, “He might want to replace me for someone else.” 

Replace?

“What do you mean ‘replace’?” I asked in an almost demanding voice. He shrugged lifelessly. “Replace – substitute.” What? “Why?”

Then his green eyes were fixed on me instantly. “You know why. I told you in the first place.” I blinked, puzzled. He did? My eyebrows drew in confusion, so he elaborated. “That day after what happened in the car.” My eyes widened in realization, then I had a flashback –

We were sitting on the sofa during the blackout.

“You don’t understand.” He said, shaking his head slightly. “And by the way,” he looked up into my eyes. “Mr. Mafia told me not to fall in love you.” He smiled gently. “But to hell with it.”

I came back to the present as he asked me, “You remember, don’t you?” 

I nodded soundlessly. “And that one day, too. When you said you’d prefer your head being attached to your neck?” 

“That was a figure of speech, but yes. He did mean that.” No. He can’t mean that. “So you’re going now?” he raised an eyebrow at the question, “Do you want me to?”

“No – no, I just – ” I responded hastily but I was stopped by the look on his eyes. It was a look of total surrender. I was just about to ask him what it is when he spoke up. “After you read the file, you can call him if you want. Your grandfather.” 

“I can call him?” I asked in a disbelieving voice, my mouth almost gaping open. Sky smiled slightly in endearment. “Yes, you can.” he answered, still smiling. “Just tell me, I’ll be outside if you want to stay here – ”

“Stay here? I – ”

“Yes?”

I stared at those emeralds, which were both hoping and dreading for an answer and I almost stepped forward, but I held my ground. I answered, “Yes, I’ll just stay.”

He nodded once and walked out of the door for the second time.


           Part II:

Do you know that awkward moment when you feel like someone has been viewing your life since you were fucking born? When they know every single thing about you that you even forgot yourself. 

I feel like it when I read the file, now after taking a quick bath and with Dash dozing outside, leaving me alone with my thoughts. They know every detail of my life! They even know how many moles I have on my head and, oh right. My head is completely covered by my hair, so I have no idea how many there are.

It says here five. Like, how the fuck did they know that?

And the other pages contain my childhood years – actually, it’s one page per year and there were pictures. That’s the worst part. And they even know what my favourite things are.

And that’s just intrusive.

This is ridiculous. They have got to be kidding me.

There are even names of my friends – and the fake ones, too – and I was surprised to find out that Carsh had one page, complete with a picture of him and the details, as well. The Terminator had a page dedicated to her, too. Now the Terminator, I know almost everything there is to know about her. My eyes were drawn to the image of Carsh. As I read his page, my fingers skimmed downwards and then I read the last information. 

With Mia Lorette. 

I scowled as I read it twice. I can’t believe he just found another one like I was nothing. If he really loved me, he wouldn’t do that, right? If I really meant something to him, he wouldn’t just run off to find another one, wouldn’t he? His angelic face was staring back at me in the photo, his clear blue eyes smiling. I remembered once when I first saw him eye to eye, I fell or that azure colour. But when he talked to me, we just clicked.

Where’s the fucking click now?

I threw away the paper in frustration. If I held it for one more second, I might actually crumple it. And right then, I remembered that Sky gave a picture of Carsh three days ago. I sighed, annoyed.

I’ll get rid of it later.

After I finished reading every single thing about me to date, I flipped the page and when I did, I was surprised to find out a woman’s face on the next page. She has elegant features like royalty. And her eyes. She has chocolate brown eyes.

My mother.

I sat up straighter. Name – Danae. And her nickname is Dani. I smiled a little bit and proceeded reading. She loved books, too. And on the picture, she has black hair. So that means I must’ve got my hair colour from my father. She engages in sports, too. That’s the only thing we haven’t got in common, I think. Everything else I’ve inherited from her. Except the looks, of course – she’s much too beautiful. Even better than Xavia. And I didn’t get my temper from her either.

She has a horrible temper. From what I gathered from reading about her, her husband Ryan seemed to take the blunt of her fury on a bad day. But surprisingly, he handled it well. I bet he was the only one who can calm him down. Why else would they marry?

Feeling energized, I turned to the next. Oh, God. It’s like I’m looking at the male version of me. He’s a lot older than 17, but all the same. Wow.

Ryan Cavanagh.

So this is my dad. I was practically cloned from him. But the similarities stopped right there. In personality, he is nothing like me. He is outgoing, always jolly, active in sports and stranger-friendly. A complete smile is now on my face as I turned another page. Mark Cavanagh. He is attractive in a strange way. There’s something about his face that just draws people. Then I scanned the information and found the perfect word.

Charisma.

My older brother is a charismatic guy who draws women effortlessly. That’s just what I summed up from the article. Then a sudden chord struck me. Struck me hard. I remembered Xavia and her reaction on that day in the car when she and Imah went away.

So this is the guy Xavia had a thing with. God help them.

And then there was Trisha. In the image, she’s just about 5 years old. I skipped the other brief details about her and read the one I’m looking for.

Death – 2nd of March (classified year)

Then I read the cause. They’ve been ambushed in their vacation house. Mark being the eldest one had to take care of the family business and was not included in the murder.

And then there’s me.

In a weird way, I feel like I fit in.

I heard a knock on the door and Sky poked his head in, he’s on the phone and he seemed distracted. I instinctively got off the bed and shot him a quizzical look as he walked towards me, speaking to the person on the other line.

“Yes, sir. Here she is.”

Sky handed me his cellular phone – a different one – and as I held out my hand to put it in my ear, he mouthed, your grandfather.

My eyes widened almost instantly and my heart rate increased considerably. I put the phone on my ear, hearing the sounds from the other location. I held my breath, keeping my head together. I said hesitantly, “Hello?”

“Ryne?”

The second I heard his voice, something clicked. I responded, still unsure. “Yes, it’s me. Uhm, Grandpa?”

I heard his hearty chuckle and even Sky smiled. “Yes, you can call me that. So how are you, my dear?” as he talked to me, Sky put his hands on my shoulders and steered me towards the bed, both of us sitting down.

“I’m fine.”

“How’s La Brea treating you?” I looked at the person in question. “We get along well, actually.”

“Too well, I fear.” I barely took to notice that his accent is a strange mix of American and Russian as we talked about Sky. Speaking of, Sky arched an eyebrow as the both of us continued speaking. “Uhm, it’s really very complicated to talk about that right now. We – ” 

“I told him not to tell you. I’m sorry for that, my child. You must understand that I had to do everything in my power to keep you safe.” 

“I understand.”

“So you know everything?” For some reason, his voice didn’t sound annoyed or irritated. He even sounded welcoming, open-minded. “Yes. Sky let me read the file.” I could tell that he knew I would find out.

“I knew this would happen at one point. Nothing but the truth comes out, eh?” I laughed lightly. “Yes. I suppose.”

“I take it that you’ve read about your parent and siblings already?”

“And myself, yes.” He laughed at my response. “You’ve got my son’s sense of humour. Well, that’s a relief.” he paused talking and I heard muffled voices at the other end of the line, then he spoke to me again. “Ryne, my dear, I’m a little tied up here. I’ll call you later again and we’ll do a hell of a catching up, okay?” I hesitated before answering back – there is something I really want to ask from him. More like a favour. “Uhm, Grandpa? If it’s not much to ask, can I have a favour?”

“Anything at all! Go ahead, darling. You can abuse me around for all the 17 years of my absence.” I laughed nervously. You’re the granddaughter of a Mafia king, Ryne. You can do this, you’re awesome. 

“Can – can Sky stay?”

Sky looked like he’d been electrocuted and the person on the other line paused in surprise. “I’m sorry?”

“Can he stay?”

There was another pause, shorter this time.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea – ”

“Please?” I begged shamelessly, looking into Sky’s eyes as he held my hand and he kissed it, his gaze never leaving mine and the shell-shocked look still on his face. 

“Ryne, my dear, I’m going to ask you a question and I want to answer honestly.” I bit my lip. “I think I know what it is, but it’s better if you say it word by word.” I added hastily, “I think.”

“Do you love him?”

I gave a strangled laugh as I looked at his face.

            “I do.”

Chapter 38: Second time

Chapter 38: Second time (Wattpad)

They say the truth sets you free.

But they’re wrong.

So wrong.

Ice clapped her hands once. “Now, I think everyone’s on the same page. So what do we do with the both of you now?”

I stayed silent. I don’t want to think. I don’t even know what to think. My lungs seem to be suffocating as I stared at nothing trying to set my mind straight. I just want to get away from here. I have to. Tears were still unconsciously falling from my eyes. I refused to look at Sky. I just want to open my eyes and out that everything was just a dream. I’d do anything for that to happen.

Ice continued speaking. “I really want to kill La Brea right now. You’ve caused enough trouble, and not to mention that you look like you don’t care if you live or die.” He didn’t respond, hollowed eyes staring right past her. “Brighten up, Sky! You don’t have to carry the burden anymore! I can’t imagine how painful that must be for you but frankly, I don’t see why you’re so affected by it.

No response.

“I’ll just have a monologue then. Fine. Considering you only have a few more minutes to live, you should at least spill everything you know – the location, Sky. I still need it.” She sighed when Sky said nothing. “I’m losing my patience here. It could be cleaner if you just tell me – you’ll die either way, so no pressure. I obviously can’t kill Ryne; she’s too valuable – ”

“Go to hell.” Sky suddenly stirred to life a little. “Don’t you dare touch her.”

Ice smiled. “Wrong move.” Then she strode over to me, pulling me by the hair. I struggled to no avail and then she stood still. “Do you know how much bullets a human body can take without dying? It’s a surprising number actually – ”

“No – ”

She pressed the wounds on my wrists and I felt excruciating pain. I heard Sky say as I howled in pain. “Stop it! Hurt me, not her – ”

 “Just tell me where they are and you don’t – ” she never finished the sentence as the warehouse metal doors shot open and bullets were everywhere. Everything was a blur. I felt Ice’s body jerk behind me and she let go, almost felling to the ground from the stomach shot she had. She immediately poised her gun as chaos erupted when her men joined the fray. But she didn’t point it at me.

Sky.

My feet was carrying me to her direction and right before she pulled the trigger, I ran straight towards her and her aim was thrown off, the bullet hitting one of her men.

“Bitch! You – ”

A bullet whizzed past my ear and it hit her straight in the chest and she fell abruptly to the ground, like a marionette with its strings cut off. I can’t breathe and my body was still aching and all I saw was the gun in her dead hand and the next thing I remember was grabbing it. I stood up and took cover behind the pile of sacks.

Who should I get away from?

I clicked the gun in my hand and raised it to aim but I felt a hand covering my mouth. I kicked and struggled and I blindly aimed my gun behind my head and without thinking, I pulled the trigger.

His limp arms fell to his sides and he crumpled to the floor, dead. One of Ice’s people. I stepped over the body and backed away from the scene unfolding in front of me – an open almost-war image and total disarray. I whipped my head around and started running away, further inside the warehouse where hopefully, there are no people waiting for me. I passed through numerous building materials and construction necessities. And then suddenly, there were two string arms holding my upper arms.

Two familiar hands.

“Let go of me!”

“I need to protect you – ”

“I’ve had enough of your protecting, Sky. Just – ” he cuffed my wrists and I screamed in frustration. “Xav and the others are taking care of it, we need to go – ”

“I hate you all! And we’re not going anywhere – ” then he covered my mouth with a handkerchief in his hand and started dragging me away. Fuck this! I tried to hold on to something with my feet but in vain. This is the second time I’ve been kidnapped by this person and I don’t want it.

Sky accidentally pressed my wounds and I shrieked painfully, muffled by the cloth on my mouth.

“Oh, God.” Abruptly, he released the hindrance to my mouth and pushed me behind a pile of crates, stacked high and wide enough not to be seen by anyone watching. Gunshots and grenade explosions can still be heard from here, shaking the ground slightly.

“Uncuff me – ”

“Stay still and don’t move.” he pressed my front torso against the boxes and I heard him tearing off a piece of cloth from his shirt and he started bandaging my wounds. I violently moved my shoulders. “I don’t need your fucking help – ”

“Your wrists – ”

“Get away from me!”

He fell silent after that, slightly pausing the bandaging but quickly resumed doing so, without any sound or indication that something happened. I exhaled slowly. This is hopeless.

Once the bleeding was stopped and my wound was temporarily secure, he pushed me forward once again, pulling his gun out and perusing the nearby surroundings before stepping further. I pursed my lips and didn’t even bother to speak. I was afraid I’d start crying when I do and that can’t happen.

In no time, we were already outside, just as the sun was setting. Sky led me to a Porsche but I stopped in my tracks halfway. I called out, “Dash?” 

Barking instantly sounded from behind the car and I sped towards it, almost dragging Sky. Then there he was, tied to the rear view mirror, unharmed. Without words being said, Sky immediately freed Dash and opened the backseat and ushered my dog in, never letting go of his grip on me. Then he faced me and opened the shotgun seat.

“In.” he said emotionlessly.

When I did not move a muscle, he pushed me into the seat and didn’t even bother to uncuff my wrists, As he closed the door, I breathed in hard, closing my eyes. I put my knees up to myself and I lay with my head there, hands still bound on my back. I hate this.

After a few seconds, he opened the other side of the car and settled in, starting the engine in an instant. He didn’t speak.

            And I can’t see any point in saying something as well.

Chapter 37: Ever wonder

Chapter 37: Ever wonder (Wattpad)

Part I:

-

It was the middle of the night. Everything was quiet. They lightly stepped on their toes. Everything had come to plan up to this point. Everything must go to plan. The door to the bedroom opened without so much as a sound and he saw them.

Sleeping.

On the bedside table was a snow globe. And it was glowing. He considered stealing it away, for the sake of amusement and to induce more unsettledness for Cavanagh but stopped when he saw the name inside the lighting globe. 

She’ll be looking for it the next morning, no doubt. 

The person rejected the idea in his head, looked at the couple of people sleeping soundly and almost laughed at their stupidity. Ice had been so right about the two of them. Then the person turned to Sky.

This one’s the problem.

He slowly got out his drugged handkerchief and stepped closer. They’ll be able to get rid of him at last.

The person covered Sky’s airways and saw his eyes opened instantly, like he’d been electrocuted. He started struggling and reaching out for Ryne, but the person held his limbs back. Their struggle came to the point where they were wrestling quietly on the floor, but the drug was talking effect; Sky was weakening. Slowly. But he was still persistently reaching out for Ryne. The person craned his neck to look at the girl. She was still sleeping. That’s good.

Really good.

Now, La Brea was really knocked out, his eyes closing and his head dropped to the side.

Just perfect.

-

I had the most wonderful dream ever. I dreamt about Britain. About happily ever after. I tossed on the bed, smiling and opened one eye slowly. I barely got enough sleep but whatever. When I looked at my side though, I frowned.

No Sky.

My lips parted in surprise and I sat up slowly. I looked around the room then. Nothing. Don’t panic.

I whistled quickly and was intensely relieved to hear the four familiar paws making its way to the bedroom door. Dash clambered up to the bed and frolicked on the sheets. He was barking like crazy.

“Calm down, boy. What is wrong with you?”

He still barked and circled around the side of the bed. The side of the bed where Sky usually slept – on the left. My eyes widened as Dash abruptly jumped off the bed and raced to the living room. I ran after him and found him clawing at the door.

The door with the password.

My heart was racing as I pursed my lips, which were parted in surprise. I whistled to Dash again and went back to the bedroom. The curtains were drawn and so I got out my beetle necklace to check the time. 1:20pm. He must’ve left a note or something, I thought. He must have. Sky would be like that. Dash followed me on my heels and I almost cried with relief when I saw a blue folded paper on the low table. I almost flew to it and instantly opened it – 

Ryne,

I’m sorry, I’m not there yet. I promise to get back as fast as I could – Imah called me, saying there’s something she needed to tell. Important. Just stay there, okay? I love you.

Always,

Sky

I stared at the letter. I bit my lip as I folded it back. I love you. This is really unexpected. I hoped that when I wake up, it would be his face I see and it would be his face I see and it would just be like last night, only better. I stood up and looked around the vast room. Now what am I supposed to do? I rolled my eyes and went back to the bedroom, ignoring my still-racing heart. I’ll just take a bath and get ready. All the while, I was trying to shake off the feeling that this is the first time that Sky disappointed me. 

Part II:

It’s been fucking long. I already did everything at my disposal – eat, drink, watch tv, read, play even. And he’s still not back. In my desperation, I even tried the code on the door for millions of times but you know what happened. I didn’t succeed whatsoever.  I picked up the note and started pacing. Again.

I promise to get back as fast as I could.

I gritted my teeth. Something’s not right. When he says he’ll do something, he does it in a blink of an eye. I sat down on the floor in defeat, touching my anklet. This is the first time I’ve felt like a real prisoner. What the bloody hell is he doing? I glanced around the hotel room, which is a complete mess.

I tried out the briefcase again but failed – it’s on the sofa beside the restless Dash.

Dash never became restless.

The contents of the other drawers were strewn around the open space. I rubbed my arms and jumped violently when I heard the fast, consecutive beeping. I stood up, as if electrocuted. 

It wasn’t the door.

I breathed hard, spinning around the room. I know that sound. I know it. My uncle had me listen to it countless times. It’s coming from the sofa. Somewhere on the sofa.

“Off, Dash.”

As soon as Dash got off, I scanned the pillows, throwing them away one by one. The couch was almost bare when I threw the last of the pillows, I scowled. Nothing. Then I pushed the couch until it was against the wall and I saw the blinking red light on the floor, as if it fell there. I picked it up, the still-beeping object.

Sky’s comm device.

No. Fuck this. He’s wearing it all the time, I know it. I pressed the little button with a shaking finger and then inserted it in my ear.

“H-hello?”

“Ryne? Is that you? Why the fuck are you – ”

“Xavia?”

“Get out of there now.”

“What? I can’t! The door – ”

“The pass is 777, now get – ”

“Where’s Sky?”

I can’t just leave! I can’t! I spun around the room, disoriented. I heard Xavia say, “No time! Go out now!”

 

Then on the door I heard beeping. I spun, facing the door and before the second beep, I ran away. “Ryne?! Get a gun under the mattress from the bedroom – ”

I heard the door being kicked open and they rained bullets around the room. My heart rate accelerated as I called out, “Dash!”

He came thundering towards me, unharmed. I continued running to the bedroom and flung the mattress aside. Absolute fuck.

Guns. Armalites. Bullets. Bombs. 

I grabbed a revolver and turned around, but the instant that I did, my vision was blocked by a fist sent to my direction. I was knocked down to the floor, my jaw throbbing. From the floor, I saw the shoes of five people. All armed.

“Ryne?! Can you hear me?”

I summoned strength from my leg and swung it around, knocking the guy who punched me earlier on the floor. I got up as fast as I could and aimed the gun, but someone grabbed me by the hair from behind and nudged a gun at my side.

“She’s a feisty one.”

The voice sounds familiar. She sounds like the woman last Tuesday. Oh, God. Please no. 

“Not unlike you, Sash.” the guy on the floor said. He was already getting up and he slapped the gun away from my hand, leaving me defenseless. I tried to control my breathing, looking at the other people. I heard Xavia through my ear, her voice full of fear.

“Ryne?! Talk to me if – ”

She never finished what she said as the guy pried the device off my ear violently and threw it on the floor.

He stepped on it.

I exhaled. I knew something was wrong. The woman chuckled in my ear. “La Brea taught her.” she scoffed. “I can’t even stand to say his name.” they all chuckled amusedly and then Dash barked at them, growling and baring his teeth. One guy turned to me, “Shut him up.” The same woman holding me laughed before I could respond something to the man.

“Permanently?” she asked, aiming the gun at my dog. No. “Fuck off.” I struggled from her vice-like grip and she almost ripped my hair off from my scalp.

“You know what? I’ve waited for a long time for this moment. Just a little more honey, okay? And I’ll keep your precious little dog – it’s always good to have a trophy – ”

“Let me go!”

She pushed me forward. “Walk. You,” she turned to one of the guys, “take care of the dog.”

“Dash!” I tried to manuever away from the woman but she stood her ground. “I won’t kill the animal, okay? Just shut the fuck up.”

“Hey, Sash.” the guy tossed her a handkerchief. “Oh, this will make it easier.” The next thing I knew was she was holding the cloth to my nose and mouth and passing out.


           Part III:

“…been more than a week.”

“Week? You imbeciles…”

I groaned as I felt myself bound – my hands and feet. I shook my bangs away from my eyes and at the same times, making sense of my surroundings. 

Car.

We’re inside a car.

“She’s awake.” The guy I fought with earlier was on my right. I shot him the dirtiest look I could muster and turned to my other side.

Grey eyes.

“I think you know who I am.” She said with the same Russian tint in her voice. I stared at her face and my soul crumbled. I swallowed hard and I asked in what I hoped was a steady voice. “Where are you taking me?” she smiled. “It wouldn’t be a surprise anymore if I told you, would it?” the driver of the car spoke in a low voice, “Almost there.” I looked out into the window and saw nothing but green. Green fields. I looked down and stifled a sigh. I looked back at the woman, my gaze straightforward. 

“Where’s Sky?”

She laughed out loud. :I’ve been waiting for you to ask me that.” I felt anger bubbling up inside me right then.

 

“Where is he?”

“You’ll find out. I must say, I make an impressive little note, don’t I?” I struggled against the ropes and attempted to kick her. “Fuck you. You don’t – ” the guy behind me covered my mouth his hand. I bit him.

“Ah, fuck!” he pulled my hair and I can’t help whimpering. “Look at what you did!” I didn’t bother responding to him and twisted away from his grip. I breathed hard. This is not happening. It isn’t. A little sob almost escaped me when I thought of Sky. Where is he? I bit my lip hard, so hard I thought it might bleed. He will come. He will. The car stopped in front of what looked like and abandoned building and the man dragged me out. Once I as outside, I scanned the never-ending fields, looking for signs of other life.

There wasn’t. 

Three of the guys pulled the heavy metal doors open and Sasha Hale went in first, then the same man dragged me along. 

Inside was a warehouse. Stripped of everything and the leftover, useless materials were stacked on the back. There was only one light in the middle of the room as they closed the doors. The windows provided poor source of setting sunlight but I can still see it.

See them.

There were more than a dozen of them and I felt fear enfold me like a blanket. And then I saw Sky.

He was unconscious, with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth to the hard ground. I struggled with my captor to get closer to him though we were yards apart.

“Sky?!”

He didn’t respond. He didn’t wake up. And I can’t even see his face – his head was hanging loosely, like he was sleeping. Once we were with the others, the man untied my feet and I kicked him hard in the stomach and ran to him. 

The man whim I left fumed. “Fuck! When I get my hands around your neck – ” 

“Leave her alone. She’s too important. Unfortunately.” Sasha’s eyes burned as she said those words. I didn’t even hear them as I sprinted towards Sky, my heart pounding in my chest. He was tied to the pillar and the ropes were completely around him. I felt my breathing drew in sharply as I watched his face. 

He was covered in blood.

No. No, no. “Sky? Can you hear me?” I touched his face with my tied hands and shook him a little bit. He did not respond, panic rose up to my throat and I shook him harder. “Fuck you. Wake up.” I felt a hand a hand on my shoulder steering me away from him. “He’s alive. Barely, I hope.” 

I swung around and punched the unfamiliar face. Another person grabbed me from behind and lifted my feet off the ground. I screamed in rage, “I will fucking kill you!”

“Not very likely.” It was another woman’s voice and she entered the fray. I sighed miserably. I know her as well.

“Recognize me, don’t you, Ryne?”

Her grey eyes looked at me from head to toe and she talked to her sister. “It’s my turn now, Sash.” she just chuckled in response and walked away. The person set me down and I automatically came back to Sky, spreading my arms around him and facing them.

Ice MacArran cocked her blonde hair to the side as she watched me. Then she clicked her gun. “We’ve been watching the two of you, you know. It was really fascinating.”

I glared at her. No one invades my personal life. “What do you want?”

She raised an eyebrow. “What I want? I don’t want anything from you. I need something from you.” I sighed deeply. “Please. I don’t know what you want. Just let Sky go.” I now felt tears gathering in my eyes, much to my frustration. “I’ll do anything.”

She grinned. “I know you will.” She turned to the other dozen people and just motioned with her gun and they left, only five remained and stayed behind. She faced me again. “It’s better if he’s awake, don’t you agree?”

As she said those words, one man started walking towards me and Sky. A fist seemed to close around my heart as he approached. “Don’t touch – ”

He flung me across the room as if he heard nothing and punched Sky on the face really hard. I landed on the ground facedown and was disoriented. That knocked the wind out of me. I blinked several times and found the buff figure of the guy beating Sky, who was now groaning and attempting to avoid the man’s fists.

“No!” I got up hastily and started running but two other men grabbed me on each side, preventing me from even moving. Ice just watched the scene like this happens every fucking day.

“Stop!” I struggled as best as I could but my vision was blurred as tears entered my eyes again. My head snapped up as I heard Sky groan loudly.

“Sky?”

I held my breath as he slightly raised his head to look at me. He seemed confused. “Ryne?” he asked in a slurred, hoarse voice. I pursed my lips and called out. “It’s me.” then another batch of tears streamed down my cheek. And then Sky looked at Ice and anger seemed to fill him with sudden energy.

“You said you won’t hurt her – ”

“I didn’t. Not yet.”

He trashed himself against the ropes in an attempt to break loose. “No! You – ” 

“Look,” she said, brushing hair away from her face. “All I need is the location. Just the location. La Brea. Don’t make this harder for you – ”

“Let her go!”

I panted, trying to get away from my captors with my exhausted muscles. Out. I looked at Sky. We need to get out. I looked around the warehouse for something that might be used to our advantage.

Ice smiled hugely. “I have a better idea.” She turned to the buff guy who beat Sky up. “Untie La Brea.” The man hesitated and instantly, she turned ice-cold. “Do it!” he promptly went over to the pillar an cut off the rope with a pocket knife and in the second that Sky regained the use of his limbs, he attacked.

He kicked him in the stomach and the guy flipped over from the sheer force of it. Ice chuckled smugly. “One.”

Sky punched the guy again when the guy attempted to stand up, with droplets of water splatting on the floor. “Two.” Ice continued counting.

Why was she counting?

Sky turned to Ice as well while his enemy was still knocked flat, confusion being the cause and as he did, his competitor stood up slowly. I instantly shouted,

“Watch out!”

Sky turned in time to avoid the hit and set the man sprawling on the floor with a hit from his elbow. Ice pursed her lips – from excitement. “Three.” Sky lost all strings of patience he owned and shouted,

“Why are you counting?!”

She didn’t respond but turned to both of the men who held me. She just smiled and one man le go and the other faced me. He kicked me in the stomach, which sent me sprawling on the hard ground. I coughed blood. My back and front sides hurt. I distantly heard Ice say, “One.”

God. I felt tears flowing from my eyes. God, no. 

The man picked me up and punched my jaw. “Two.” More blood came out and he let my limp body fall back to the ground. Then I heard Sky roar, “No! Leave her alone! I will kill you – ”

The same man kicked me, and I now lay completely flat on the ground. “Three.” I can’t breathe properly. It hurt to breathe. Sky continued struggling. “Let go of me! I will kill all of you – ” I heard Ice’s little laugh. “I told you earlier that I’ve been watching you.” As she continued talking, both of the guys pulled me to my feet again and I didn’t bother supporting my own weight. She said, “Ryne doesn’t have to suffer. Just tell me the location and I’ll let her live. That’s all you want isn’t it? Her alive?” She stalked closer to him and he gave her a look of purest loathing when she was close enough. He said,

“You’re lying. You want her dead.”

She shrugged. “Okay. So I want her dead. That doesn’t make your situation easier.” he lunged at her but she didn’t even flinch or step back. The enormous guy pulled Sky back. Ice crossed her arms. “Now, Sky. I’ve got all day, but sadly, you don’t.” he ignored her, looking directly at her eyes. She nodded. “Your choice.” She backed up and the guy holding Sky immediately resumed punching and beating him.

He didn’t fight back.

“No! Get away from him!” I struggled fruitlessly, blinded by what I was seeing. Sky was on the floor, breathing rapidly and the man grabbed him by his shirt and punched his face.

“No! Sky, fight back!”

He didn’t. He lay still on the floor, his chest heaving. I sobbed brokenly and Ice tutted. “He won’t fight back, Ryne. He’s afraid that I would start counting again.” 

I watched with horror. “No! Damn you!” She didn’t seem to hear me but surveyed Sky. She talked to the big man. “La Brea won’t talk. But at least,” she looked at me, “we have leverage.” She smiled and held out her hand. “Knife.”

Sky shouted. “No! No, no, NO!” Ice tossed the knife to the man on my side and he caught it, facing me. I breathed rapidly, weakly trying to break loose from the other guy from behind me. The man in front grabbed my wrist and started sinking the blade slowly into my skin.

I tried to pry it away, but his grip was tight. I can’t breathe properly and when he heard no reaction from me, he sank the blade hard. I screamed violently, and I pushed and kicked to get away. I heard Sky, “No! Fuck you – ” I screamed loudly again as he cut another wound beneath the previous one. 

“Get your hands off her! I will kill you, I swear to God – ”

“She wouldn’t be like this if you just tell me, La Brea.” Ice said.

I sobbed tiredly. I can’t. I can’t do this anymore. I cried my heart out as the pain on my entire body seemed to intensify a hundredfold. Sky said helplessly, “But – but I can’t. You – ” the blade cut through me again and I screamed for the third time. I saw Sky’s face crumple in pain and his eyes looked shattered. I whispered to no one in particular, “Stop. Can’t. Please stop.” Sky cried out brokenly, there were tears on his eyes and some were falling on the ground. “Just let her go and I’ll tell you anything, everything you want. I’m begging you, please.”

She glared pitilessly. “I let her go, I lose leverage. Do I look like a fool to you? I know you. You won’t speak a word. I gave you a choice and now you leave me with none.” She readied her gun and approached me, pulling me with her by the arm. I tried to ignore the defeated part of me that keeps on saying that we might as well die here. Blood from my wrist dripped to the ground as Ice led me to the center of the room, a gun poised at my head. 

“No! I’ll do anything – ”

“Have you ever wondered, Ryne,” she said, drowning out the sound of Sky’s voice. “Have you ever wondered why your parents died at that car crash five years ago, yet you weren’t sure it was them?”

Time stood still.

No. That’s not possible. Nobody knew that. Not a soul.

“I don’t know – ”

“When you looked in their coffins and hesitated? Questioned the identity of your own – ”

“Shut up!”

I gave a struggle but she overpowered me easily. Sky called out, voice panicked, “Don’t listen to her, Ryne. Don’t – ” Ice’s grey eyes glinted. “Oh, that’s right. You’re afraid of her knowing, aren’t you, Sky? Afraid that you’d lose her?”

I breathed in sharply. “Know what? What is she talking about Sky? You – what are you – ” Ice’s laugh filled the open space. “Oh, Ryne. There’s so much you still don’t know – ”

“She’s playing with you! Don’t listen – ”

“If Sky really loved you, she continued, as if there was no interference, “he would tell you the truth, right? But have you ever questioned why he chose to hurt you with it instead?”

“No! I would never hurt you. I love you!”

“Have you ever wondered about the reason why we call you Cavanagh?”

“Shut the fuck up!”

“Or your parents? Can you tell me their names?”

I breathed fast, as though I’m in a race. Tears flowed freely through my face as I recalled those painful memories. I replied, voice barely above a whisper, “My parents are John and Leia Evers.”

“How about Ryan and Danae? What about those names, Ryne?” my temple throbbed. “I don’t recognize those names – ”

“You don’t? What a shame. How about – ”

Sky shouted, “You monster! Damn you! I will fucking kill you and – ” he was cut off because the enormous man taped his mouth from behind, and now he can’t utter a single word. “Much better.” Ice turned to me. “Now, Ryne. I’ll ask you again – are those names familiar?” I looked at Sky, struggling to get off and his emerald eyes were full of heeding warning and mixed emotions. Ice pressed the gun to the side of my head, demanding an answer. 

“I don’t know those people.” I replied, eyes closed. 

“Have you ever wanted a big brother, Ryne?”

“I don’t have – ”

“Have you ever heard of the name Mark? Mark Noel?”

“Who are these people?!” I raged at her. “Why are you asking me this? You don’t – ”

“How about a little sister?” she continued, ignoring each of my questions. “A sister named Trisha. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

I sobbed. “I don’t know. What do you want from me? I – I don’t know what you’re talking about, okay? Who are – ”

“Last one, Ryne. Alexa. Do you know her? It would be wonderful to have her as a cousin, as well as Colleen – ”

“What the fuck are you talking about? I don’t know these people – ”

“You want a familiar name? You asked for it.” she chuckled mirthfully. “Maybe it’s just me, but I think you’ve already forgotten everything about him. I doubt you can even remember his name right now.” She said, glancing in Sky’s direction. “Did you even wonder how Crash was doing, Ryne? Or did you forget? You did, didn’t you? Of course, I don’t blame you – with La Brea around, it’s hard to focus right?” 

I closed my eyes, trying to shut her voice off. I can’t take this anymore. I can’t. Distinctly, I heard the tape being removed from Sky and I heard him,

“Ryne, I…” he seemed at loss for words. 

“Wait, you two!” Ice intervened. “Don’t be so sad. Carsh found another one for him. Now isn’t that great? A little bit fast though, what do you think?” 

Another one? “What – what are you – ” 

“She’s a friend of yours. What was – oh, right. Mia. Do you want proof?”

Ice released me, dug something from her jacket and faced me, waving a photo of Mia Lorette. A blonde with blue eyes and beautiful figure. She was wearing a silver flower necklace.

“The necklace? Carsh gave that to her, if you’re wondering.” My soul shattered as every second ticked by. This is just too much. I can’t take in anymore. 

“Ryne, I – ”

“No. Shut up, please. Just leave me alone.”

At those words, his face drained of blood and he looked fragile as never before. “Please – ”

“Leave me alone. Just…” I released a strangled cry. “Leave me alone.” Tears slid down from his eyes and to the hard, cold ground. He fell silent.

Ice laughed coldly. “Oh, how I love surprises. You people are fun to be with. So much fun. But enough of Meyers. Ryne needs to know herself – ”

“No! You can’t tell her – ”

“Really? Who said so?”

I swallowed hard and wiped the tears from my bloody face. I tuned them out. All of them.

“Have you ever wondered why you’re so good at shooting at combat, Ryne?”

I looked up to her. There’s nothing about that. Nothing. There’s no reason for her to bring that up. “I’m not – ”

“Did you ever think that maybe you got that from someone? Inherited it from someone?”

No. No, no, no.

My heart was about to burst from my ribcage as I faced her. “What are you talking about?” She smiled as she whistled once, and one man brought to her a briefcase.

Sky’s briefcase.

I heard him moan as if he’s in pain when Ice held it in her arms. Her grin turned wider. “You see, Ryne. Your Sky hadn’t been completely honest with you – ”

“I did it for you, Ryne – ”

“And I happen to know that password to this briefcase.” she turned to the rows of numbers. “Triple seven, if I’m not mistaken.” She pushed the square button.

It clicked open.

A man grabbed my upper arms from behind as Ice surveyed the contents. “This is so sweet.” she said, pulling out a rose. Then she chuckled. “I thought this was a business briefcase.” She threw the rose away like a useless piece of paper. In spite of myself, I called out to her,

“What is it?”

She was almost dancing with anticipation as she pulled out a folder – and unceremoniously dropped the briefcase, cash paper scattering on the ground.

“I have this little treasure in my hands. We’d all like to know what’s inside, don’t we?”

“No! I swear to God I will – ”

“Shut up, Sky!” I turned to Ice. “What is it?”

“Are you sure you really want to know? You might be a little shocked.”

“Will you just fucking tell me right now?”

She sighed mockingly. “Well, if you insist.” She opened the file and pulled out a thin piece of paper. “Won’t you look at that? Here’s a picture of someone quite familiar.” She looked at me. “You look the same Ryne.”

I struggled with my captor in vain; trying to reach out to the paper like my life depended on it.

I have a feeling that it does.

“What the fuck is that – ”

“Ryne! No – ”

Ice laughed. “She wants to know Sky. Really, you don’t have to be so mean – ”

“Stop it! Fuck you all! I want to know! Give me that!”

Ice chuckled, seeming satisfied. “Yes, this person definitely looks like you.” She said, holding up the other papers but keeping it away from me. “I don’t think it’s you, though. She doesn’t have John and Leia Evers and she – ”

“Give me tha – ”

“Patience , my dear – ”

“No! I want those papers NOW!”

She ignored me and continued. “It’s better if I tell it. Trust me. This Ryne here on the paper lives on the 73th street in the city of Sunbury. Hmmm. Maybe you’re a neighbour – you live there too, right?”

“Shut! Up! Give me – ”

“She’s 17 years old, born on November 15th, wears glasses of the grade – ”

“No! Don’t you fucking dare ignore me! Talk to me!”

“She’s left-handed and loves reading books – ”

“Tell me now!”

“Has a lot of money, apparently. And incredibly rich – ”

I paused. That’s not right. “No. What – what are you saying? I’m not – ”

“Two living cousins, two siblings, one dead – ”

“NO! Fuck you! My family is dead! Stop it – ”

“Her name is a combination of her parents’, it says here. See? Ryan, Danae – Ryne?”

No.

No, no, no.

“Get away from her! Shut the fuck up!”

Ice laughed again. “Shut up, La Brea. Now, Ryne. Do you want to hear some more?”

“Don’t you dare – ”

“Remember those names earlier?” she asked, ignoring Sky. “Alexa? Colleen? Mark? Trisha? Oh, I forgot someone. George. Do you know him, Ryne?”

“No! Don’t listen to her – ”

“You don’t know him, do you?”

“Stop!” Sky continued shouting.

“I’m asking her – ”

“Fuck you, MacArran – ”

“Do you know who asked to kidnap you in the first place, Ryne?” she asked, turning back to me. “It would really make things clearer – ”

“NO!” Sky shouted.

“Tell me.” I looked into her grey eyes.

“No, no, NO! Ryne – ” Ice cut him off. “I’ll check this stack of paper again, okay? Oh, look,” she smiled. “I did not notice this before. How could I be so stupid? Her name isn’t Ryne Evers. It’s – ”

“No! Goddamn you – ”

“Ryne Cavanagh.”

No.

No, no, no.

God, no.

“Does she sound familiar, Ryne? I think she does. Her grandfather was a Mafia leader way back in Russia – ”

“No. Stop it – ”

“That’s the reason why her parents died. I don’t know about any John or Leia, but this sounds promising.”

“That’s not true.” Tears blurred my vision. 

“Cousin to Alexa and Colleen Cavanagh. Sister to Mark and Trisha – only little Trisha died, what a shame – ”

“No. Stop – ”

“Her family once had control over powerful nuclear bombs that dated back from the Cold War. Stolen, from the Cold War. I stand corrected, I’m sorry – ?”

“NO! That is not true! Fuck you! I don’t know what you’re talking about! You’re lying to me – ”

“Her great-grandfather started the Mafia and stole the bombs from the Soviet forces when the military superiority happened back then. Then he passed it from father to son – to George Cavanagh.

I breathed in shallow breaths, shuddering. No. That is not true. They’re lying. I know who I am. I – 

“Then when George’s son and the others were killed, he gave up and started over. Happy ending what do you think?”

“You’re lying – ”

“But then he was so afraid about his dear granddaughter – what would happen when the enemies find out there was still one child? What would happen if we found out? So he hid you, protected you. And here we are now – Ryne Evers, daughter to John and Leia, living a complete lie – ”

“I know who I am! You’re all lying to me – ”

“Are you sure, Ryne? Have you ever felt like something is not right? You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? The feeling hovering around you, the one that keeps on telling you that you don’t belong? That something crucial is somehow missing?”

A horrible fact made my stomach churn and I could only utter two words, “My uncle.” Turbulent emotions were coursing through me as Ice laughed and said, “Oh, I like that part. Your supposedly uncle is actually George's head of security. Now I really wonder about that - ”

No.

“I know my own life! You don’t have the fucking right to tell me – ”

“Have you ever wondered why you have brown eyes when neither of your parents doesn’t?”

“You don’t know me! Leave me alone!”

“That you have traits that they don’t?”

“NO!”

“Why they scold you so harshly when you go off somewhere without telling them?”

“You don’t know them – ”

“Didn’t you think that they were afraid because some dangerous people might find you? Enemies? Us?”

“Shut up!”

“Why they are evasive when you ask them about family?”

“NO! Stop – ”

“Why different people had their eyes on you since five years ago? Maybe, just maybe, they’re George’s comrades, keeping and making sure that you are safe – ”

“Stop, please – ”

“Keeping you away from us?”

“No! You don’t know a fucking thing about me! Do you hear me? I know myself – ”

“Now, ask yourself, Ryne – why didn’t Sky tell you all of this? Why didn’t he?”

I looked at him, my core shattered beyond recognition and thousands of memories rushed through me – the Canberra Marquette, the snow globe, the birthday surprises. The first kiss.

And he told me nothing.

He looked at me, his expression broken, eyes filled with unshed tears. “Ryne, I – ”

“All this time you were lying to me – ”

“I wasn’t lying! I never did! I – ”

“You told me nothing.”

“I can’t! My hands were tied! Please – ”

“You could’ve told me but you didn’t.”

“I never knew it would be like this! Never – ”

“You kept me in the dark since the beginning.”

“No! Please, listen to me – ”

“You hurt me.”

“I would never hurt you! I love you!”

“I hate you. I wish I never even met you. This wouldn’t have happen if – ”

“You don’t mean that.” He froze and stopped breathing. “Please tell me you don’t mean what you said – ”

“I mean every single word of it! This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t come into my life! You just messed everything up! All those times were nothing! Nothing! I fucking hate you!” 

He stared at me, the light from his emerald eyes seemed to die out and the tears stopped streaming from his face. But his anguish seemed to be beyond tears. He looked as if he lost the will to even live. He looked like a sky. A sky without stars. Empty. Nothing. 

“You promised.” he said softly, his stare glassy. “You promised me…” 

 Then I remembered the words I said, the exact words I said from last night:

 “I promise I won’t hate you. I promise. How could I?” 

That promise was broken from the start. I knew it. 

             I knew there was no happily ever after.