Chance✔️

Chapter 23: Ashlyn

•2537 words•

It's been a month or so since we found out information about the ring, and the other evidence that was reviewed didn't give us any help. Kyron and I are both fit and well enough to go out and help the others now, and we start from tomorrow. I can walk on my own again, and KB's gunshot-wound is now pretty much healed. Tomorrow we're all going to look around town for poor Carli. Her grandmother's body was found on the beach by police, and an autopsy revealed that she had, in fact, drowned. The reason we hadn't caught it, was that it had only just washed up on shore. Despite this, Carli's body still hasn't been seen since since her disappearance. This really is a strange case. Police, Berkley's staff and other volunteers have worked effortlessly, day and night, to find clues that could help to find Carli. But still, nothing.

I roll over in my bed and whisper, "Wake up," in Kyron's ear as I lean to the side and kiss his hand. He looks back up at me with puppy-dog eyes and smiles.

Stretching, he says, "Big day today then, Ash!"
"Yep, I can't wait."

We give each other another gentle smile before standing up to get ready for the day. I still can't believe that today's the day we can finally leave our home to solve the crime. Working from home hasn't been great, but it's been better than doing nothing. It feels great to know that KB and I have helped, even if it was just a little.

"We leave in 2 minutes!" Lisha exclaims, the ring that Jamie found glistening brightly on her finger. I'm not sure why, but the police surprisingly gave it back to her. They just saw it as a lost ring, and decided to give it to its rightful owner. In my opinion, they should have kept it for further investigation.

"Coming!" We all shout, grabbing the last of our possessions and running out of the door. It's 4:30 am and still dark outside, but the sun is just coming up- it's stunning. Believe it or not, I'm not too tired: we have to get up early when we have days of doing practicals, and although I haven't done it for over a month, I'm used to doing days like these as we've done them ever since I joined Berkley's.

Just before we leave, I lean over Kyron's shoulder on my tip-toes and I see the sun elegantly rising. The beach is just below us, and the waves are gently lapping over the soft, delicate sand. I whisper into Ky's ear, "Isn't this beautiful?" He turns around and kisses my cheek. "Not as beautiful as you, gorgeous."
I smile and he gives me a cheeky smile back. I lean further into him as the sun illuminates his face, shining light into his gorgeous ocean-coloured eyes. I look at him, and then at the ocean and the sun, and then back at Kyron. I can't explain my love for this boy- he's just purely incredible.

Now, we're walking around the city. I only had my cast off 5 days ago and I haven't been on a long walk since, so I don't know how my legs are going to be. I'm walking with Brooke, as she asked to spend more time with me. I guess I am a little guilty of betraying her. Kyron is more important than anyone in my life right now though, and even though it is hard to admit, that includes Brooke. I hold her hand as we walk around the alleyways and side-streets, where no one else is. Kyron and Jamie went off into the middle of the city, and Myliey and Lisha have gone venturing out around the suburbs and small neighbourhoods. I don't know why Brooke chose to put us in this position- we're the most vulnerable and although it's only around 5 am now, there are still strange people in the world. Brooke and I have virtually nothing to defend ourselves with- unless a foldable metal detector counts as a weapon.

We stop for a drink and Brooke slowly slides her backpack off her shoulder. "Ash," she stutters under her breath, "A-Ashlyn."
"What?" I say back, wondering why she's even whispering.
"Ashlyn!" She whisper-shouts, putting her index finger over her lips, telling me to be quiet.
"Sorry," I murmur. Brooke grabs my hand and squeezes it tightly. She give me a sad but desperate look as she squeezes my hand even tighter.
"What's up?" I ask, giving her a hug. I put my backpack down too and begin to slowly tread forward. I've never seen Brooklyn like this before, but I can tell something's wrong. The sun has fully risen now, and it's really bright. However, we're in an alleyway, and there's shelter above us. It isn't bright at all in here- it's pitch black.