Backstabber

Chapter 5

Lena peeked carefully into Kara's room, sighing silently in relief when she saw the woman sprawled gracelessly across her king-sized bed. She was alone for once, lightly snoring with an empty wine bottle lying on the floor by her limp hand. The most expensive brand she could find here, no doubt.

At least I won't have to worry about her coming after me tomorrow.

She tiptoed downstairs and slipped out the back door, digging her phone from her pocket; she'd made sure it was fully charged when she'd gotten home. She turned on the flashlight when she reached the tree line, glancing back one last time to make sure Kara wasn't watching from her window, then took off down the trail.

Jason was already in the clearing when she got there, lounging on a mattress pulled into the bed of his old white pickup truck. A battery-powered lantern sat on top of the cab, bathing him in a soft, inviting light.

"You're here early," she shut off her phone and put it back in her pocket. He stretched, putting his arms behind his head.

"Wanted to be set up when you got here," he looked past her toward their street, the tops of the houses lost behind the trees. "She asleep?"

"Drunk and out cold," she climbed into the truck bed, looking up to see the stars winking at them in a dark, moonless sky. "What time is it supposed to happen, again?"

"They said eleven-thirty," he shifted against his pillow. "So shouldn't be too much longer."

She settled back on her own pillow, reaching into the little cooler between them. It was an unusually warm night for that time of year, the soft, natural quiet comforting in a way nothing else could be. A young buck came from the trees near a dirt path, bending over the pond to drink before darting off.

"I never lived in a small town before," she said after a while. "It's so different from the city."

He turned his head toward her.

"How are you liking it?"

She shrugged.

"It took some getting used to, but I think I like it better," her small grin wilted. "I'm just worried people will find out what happened..."

He looked at her quizzically.

"You mean with your family?"

She shook her head, then sat back up.

"Please don't make me talk about it..."

"Sorry."

She felt his eyes on her as she toyed with her water bottle, then the light leather band tied around her wrist. It was a beautiful piece, expertly carved with a detailed scene of a waterfall spilling into a river. She wore it almost every day, usually along with the emerald ring on her right hand. It amazed her she'd been able to keep them hidden from Kara for so long.

"Was that jewelry your mom's?" he asked curiously. She looked at her finger.

"I hid some of her stuff after she died," she explained. "Since I had a feeling Dad wouldn't want to keep it, and I knew Kara would sell it. I did the same with him and my siblings, too."

He sat up.

"Where is it now?"

"Most of it's with a friend. She promised to send it when I told her it was safe."

"You mean until you're away from Kara?" he questioned. "How long do you think that'll be?"

Her shoulders slumped, her chin hitting her chest.

"Who knows?"

She froze when he touched her cheek, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I know we really just met," he said softly. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what."