The ashes we left behind

Chapter 17

I lean against the door, trying to retain my tears. I shouldn't have lied. Now, they take me for a traitor. All I wanted to do was to help. It never occurred to me that I would fall in a trap. Everything is because of him. They all hate me because of him. Him, him, him! He's the one who trapped me.

The laugh that comes from his mouth is forced. I sense it at its lack of amusement. He cannot stop himself from hurting me. I don't even know the reason he does that to me. Why not Helene or Connor? They are the ones who are keeping him in this room.

"Why are laughing?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

Since he doesn't reply, I rush to him and when nothing separates us, I give him a dark glance. He doesn't flinch.

"It's all your fault", I say in a breaking tone.

He continues not to react. I don't know what to do. I should slap him for everything he brought me to. But all I'm capable of is to turn my back to him. I go to the corner of the room and sit there, letting my tears free themselves.

And it's when I run out of tears that Asher finds back his tongue.

"I really don't know what you're talking about, Kenny."

"Don't call me Kenny", I reply.

"I call you whatever I want to, Kenny". He insists on the last word to annoy me more.

After a longue moment of arguing with myself if I should or not ask him, I finally do it. "Why me?"

"For what?"

"Stop playing the innocent. I'm not with them anymore. Tell me why you trapped me."

"I didn't trap you."

"Yes, you did. Just tell me the reason. Is it because of Hailey? Did she harm you and you want to get your revenge?"

Asher sighs. "I already told you. I don't know what you're talking about."

"What are the weapons for?"

"What weapons?"

"The ones hidden in the in the bookshop."

"Can you explain the situation instead of asking incomprehensible questions?"

I lean my head against the cold wall, listening to the music of the rain.

"The computer on your desk", I say.

"The one I saw you put in your bag?"

"Yes", I reply with a calm voice. "When I took it, you gave me this glance that said that I shouldn't show the lap top to anyone."

"No, I didn't mean that at all."

"What-

"I gave you that look to try to make you understand that it's not my computer."

Bullshit. "But why was it on your desk?"

"I have no idea." He waits for a few seconds before adding, "The first time I saw the computer was when you grabbed it."

"How can I believe you?"

"I'm not a liar, Kenny."

"You took Hailey away. Of course you're liar."

He shakes his head slowly. "I did nothing to your sister Hailey."

"But they said-

"Who said it? Connor?" He chuckles. "He's either stupid or he hates me. Maybe both." He looks at the roof and breathes, "Jealous ass." Then his eyes come back to my direction. "I don't know how you've all thought that I would do anything bad to Hailey."

"Why wouldn't you?"

"Last year, I made a deal with the Cursed. They were so scared of me that they asked me not to hurt any of them in exchange of me doing whatever business I wanted."

"You could have-

"Never. A deal is a deal. I never break deals."

Silent again. I try to concentrate on the sound of the rain. Every drop on the ground. Every breath of the wind. I wish I could be outside.

"What did you find in the computer?" Asher questions me, his deep voice softer than usual.

I should maybe not tell him about it. Actually, I have nothing to lose. I'm already screwed.

"A sort of transfer plan. At least that's what the title says."

"What kind of transfer."

I sigh. "Weapons."

"Bullshit. They just want to scare you."

"I looked for the weapons."

"Did you find them?" he asks as if I would say no.

"Yes. They were hidden in a bookshop. That's where they caught me."

"How many?"

"More than five thousand."

He pretends not to be surprised but I can clearly see one of his brows raising.

"There's also an army", I say. "Around the same number as the weapons."

"You found them too in the bookshop?"

"No! It was written on the paper... I thought it was you."