The ashes we left behind

Chapter 12

I walk around the building many times to observe it. It's late so I'm not surprised that it's closed. What surprises me is that when I arrive, I find Connor sitting on the couch of the living room, doing nothing. When he sees me enter, he says, "Ok."

"Ok for what?"

"You can interrogate Asher."

It takes me a moment to ask, "Why did you change your mind?"

"I already told you that it's not about me. It's Ginny who takes care of interrogating him. So I had to convince her."

"And she agreed?" I can't believe that Ginny would let me do it. She hates me. Why would she agree for something I want?

"It was hard but she did."

I smile at him before thanking him.

"Wait", he suddenly warns me. "Not that fast. I have to stay with you."

"Why?!" I exclaim myself too fast. "I mean... Why should you stay. It's not like I'm hiding something."

"I know. It's just about your safety."

I won't be able to ask Asher about the documents I found on his computer. So it's useless. But I follow him to the room where Asher is locked. I'll have to invent some questions quickly.

I watch Connor trying to open the door. It seems like it's taking him hours. Why is he that slow? If he continues that way, I would take the keys from his hand and open this damn door myself.

He finally opens it.

The room is dark. There is no light except from the window. We can see the moon from there as well as the other buildings. Connor turns on the lights... I mean the only light that works. We can only see an exhausted Asher, tied to a chair, in the middle of the room. He's looking at the ground not paying attention to us at all.

"How are you doing, Kenny?" he finally says.

"Kenny?" I ask, not believing my new nickname.

He doesn't reply. Asshole!

"Where is Hailey?" I say trying to keep a cold and tough voice.

Asher raises his head to the roof and says, "Hailey, Hailey... Where is Hailey?"

I tighten my fists, trying not to cry in front of him.

"Where is my sister?" I repeat. This time, my voice becomes less tough.

Instead of saying something silly like he does since the beginning, he chuckles.

I feel Connor's hand on my back, tying to comfort me. I want to remove it just so Asher won't see how anxious I'm becoming.

"Answer to me", I force myself to add. My voice is no longer cold anymore. It's as soft as I am.

One of Asher's brow raises. First, he looks focused. Then, he straightens his head and turns to our direction.

"I need a cigarette", he finally says after a long time of eye contact.

"Just tell us where Hailey is and we will give you what you want", I say. "Please..."

I shouldn't beg him. I shouldn't beg him. Too late...

Asher looks at Connor. "See! Why trying to torture me when you can simply ask politely?"

Connor says nothing. He's waiting for Asher to tell us about Hailey. And he does. But first, he looks at me.

"Hailey is your sister."

"I know."

Asher half laughs. "I know that you know, love."

It's Connor's turn to react. "Don't call her love!"

"Or what? You're going to kill me? Then do it. That way, you'll say good bye to any information you're looking for."

"Connor won't do anything. Just tell me."

Connor removes his hand from my back as if he were disappointed at my words.

"About Hailey?" He shrugs. "Ok... The girl is pretty. She's really good in bed." He looks at Connor. "Believe me. You should try her someday... Oh no! I forgot. You already tried. But poor little Connor. The girl pushed you away."

Connor gets ready to rush to Asher but I hold his arm and prevent him from making$ any mistake.

"Hailey... Where is she?" I repeat again, my voice breaking.

"Don't tell me that you're crying."

This time, it's Connor's turn to stop me from making any mistake He takes me outside. And before he could lock the door, I hear Asher say, "Nice necklace, Kenny. Hailey has good tastes."

It's too late for me to say anything. Plus, Hailey told me not to show the necklace to anyone. But how does Asher know?

Ashamed, I hurry to my bedroom. Before I close the door, I see Connor following me.

"Hey, Mackenzie!" he calls.

I wait for him. He stops in front of the door.

"Can I-

"Yes", I reply.

Connor gives me a soft smile as he gets in my room. He sits on my bed. I join him after closing the door. I let him put an arm around my shoulders.

"Don't listen to him. He has always been like that."

"I hate him", I say, weeping.

"He will pay for that, Mackenzie."

I look at him, his eyes full of anger.

"Promise me that he will regret it", I say.

"I promise."

Asher said that Hailey had rejected Connor. Maybe she had a logical reason but I find nothing wrong with that guy. He's nice, caring and extremely hot.

I've never done the first step. I always let the guys kiss me first because I'm too scared to be the first. This time, I don't care about who should approach the other first, I kiss him without any hesitation.

I'm not surprised when he pushes me away. We've just met. Still, it hurts.

Instead of saying anything, Connor pushes some clips of my hair from my face and looks deep into my eyes. Then, his slide to my lips. He approaches and kisses me. I let him do it. I let him lay me on the bed. We continue kissing. I feel his hands passing to my back and reaching the bottom of it. I leave a small moan from between my lips.

Connor stops for a few seconds to smile at me. His smile brighter that I've never seen before. He has never smiled that way in front of his friends. Only to me. I grin back.

He then puts his lips on my neck making my whole body shiver. I lay my head back on the pillow, enjoying every second of his touch, his breath tickling my skin. The hardness of the pillow.... The hardness of the pillow!

I stop and push a little bit Connor away.

"Are you ok?" he asks.

My eyes get wide. If he discovers what is hidden under the pillow... No. I can't let him stay longer in this room.

"I... I... I just remembered that... that... I have my periods!"

"Oh..."

We both sit back on the bed.

"I'm so sorry."

He looks away. "It's fine. You just had to tell it before we started."

"I forgot. I'm sorry."

Deception can be seen in the way he stares at the floor.

"Do you need anything?" he asks, looking back at me. "Tampons? Or chocolate?"

I laugh. "I have everything I need but thank you."

"Well." He gets up and walks to the door. "Good night."

"Good night."

And he leaves.