Don't Let Him Get You

Chapter 22

Christmas break didn't start with the usual excitement. Rather, students were focused on the curfews put in place that interfered with their plans. Even though the last day of school was left for watching movies and just talking to peers, all teachers took time before class to discuss the recent news and try to calm students' worries. There was an underlying air of panic all over town. The police hid the details from the public, not revealing that these cases were likely connected to those unsolved cases from twelve years ago.

It was two days into the break and Kiara sat in her room putting the finishing touches on the portrait for Ronan and Lillian. Garrett and Alisson were in Florida visiting their aunt and uncle. Michael was in Japan visiting his mother's side of the family, while Austin was visiting his grandparents in Brazil. Dani, Kat, and Devon stayed in town, but had their own families visiting them. Kiara was left to spend the time by herself and occasionally text them.

The familiar sound of a skype notification interrupted Kiara's thoughts. Matt was calling her. She quickly picked up, excitement filling her mind. "Matty!"

"Well, someone's happy to see me." Matt smirked as he leaned against his headboard.

"Of course I am. I've missed seeing your face." Kiara leaned her head on her hand, ignoring the paintbrush clasped between her fingers.

"I've missed you too. How have you been?"

"I'm alright. Kind of bored of sitting at home all day." She shrugged. "How about you? How's your family?"

"We're all good. Mom was just saying how she misses having you over for the holidays so you can watch the kids while she does housework."

Kiara laughed. "That's all I'm needed for I guess." Matt grew quiet, falling deep into his thoughts. Kiara thought the video froze, but then he blinked. "Matt?"

He startled out of his thoughts. "Sorry, I was just thinking about this being the first Christmas without you here. Are you sure you can't make it?"

Kiara tried not to smile as she replied with a pout. "I'm sorry, but Ronan and Lillian want me to stay here."

He huffed and stared off to the side. "Alright, I guess I understand with all that's happening over there."

Kiara kissed the palm of her hand and pressed it against the camera. "Here's an early present to make you feel better."

Michael chuckled. "I'd rather have the real thing."

They continued to talk about their plans, quickly forgetting about the sadness of not spending Christmas together. What Matt didn't know, was that Kiara had actually convinced Ronan and Lillian to go visit her grandparents and Matt. They were leaving tomorrow. Kiara was excited to get away from Port Valeau for a few days and forget about her stalker.

They said goodbye after several hours of conversation. Kiara looked outside and saw the sun setting. She walked downstairs, following the smell of Lillian's cooking. "What are you making?"

Lillian whirled around with a saucy spoon clutched to her chest. "I need to put a bell around your neck. I'm making stew." Lillian turned back to the bubbling pot on the stove. "Did you finish packing? We have to leave really early tomorrow to make it before it gets too dark."

"I think it'll be dark no matter what time we leave. It's a fifteen-hour drive. Plus, it's winter, it gets dark around five."

"Well Miss. I-know-everything, I would like to get there before ten, so we're leaving at five, latest six."

Kiara sat at the counter and fiddled with her fingers. "Is Ronan ok to leave work for a few days? I know this case is really huge."

Lillian's stirring stopped. Was it alright to tell Kiara the reason why Ronan was allowed to come with them despite the huge case and other work? She would talk to Ronan about this later. "I'm sure it's fine, as long as he's back on the twenty-eighth. That gives us five days for relaxing and two days for driving."