The Strange Tale Of Ayla Jae

Chapter Eight - "Oh, This Is Gonna Be Good. I Can Tell."

Chloe and I wander carefully out into the night, almost afraid to do anything more than attempt to joke around and walk to Dave's shop as quickly as we can.

It took some convincing, but I reluctantly let Chloe call the police to the house. After all, this situation was induced on her end, so she felt responsible for it. I don't like having authorities anywhere near me, but my 'house parents' would need a reason as to why their house was ransacked by some random man.

The authorities showed up, but he was long gone by then. The house wasn't destroyed, like my fears swore to me it would be, but some shelves and glass made for a crappy clean up. It must not have been too big of a deal to my house parents, because hearing over the phone of the incident was good enough. I'm sure the continued doing whatever it was they were doing.

Chloe's step parents were amazingly kept out of the loop, as I made the calls. I didn't want to do any of it, but if it kept Chloe from having to deal with more bad family drama, I was willing. Someone knew that someone broke in, which kept me and Chloe in the clear.

We walk slowly. It doesn't take long, but I can feel a strong somber feeling overtake our small and direct movements. The quiet is a bit more than I can take.

"Chloe." I ink the words out of my mouth. It takes her a moment to respond, as she punts a small rock.

"Yeah, Ayla?"

"Do you really think you're going to leave town?"

It's a question I have been incessantly asking myself among a million others. I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but in this moment, I can't fathom not having her near me.

"Well, considering what just happened, why the dip would I stay? I mean, why do you stay?"

I don't answer. It's something that I always ask myself, but I never really have an answer for it.

"Ayla," Chloe says as she stops in front of me, "the longer I stay here, the longer you stay here--." She pauses.

"What?"

She crosses her arms, a definite sign that she's having a hard time.

"Someone's going to really hurt one of us. I know we don't really talk about my past or yours, but it's obviously catching up to us. Tack on the fact that we keep screwing up, and I'm just shocked we're even here right now. I mean, that despot is probably still stumbling looking for me because I let him back in my life out of what? Pity? We keep hurting ourselves, and I just--. She turns to face the worn rubble path in front of us. "I just feel lost."

"You're right." I finally manage to say. Chloe turns to me, waiting for me to continue.

I suck in a deep forced breath.

"The amount of things just in the past few days that have happened could be a frickin' PSA on how not to deal with problems."

"My step parents are having a field day with my 'insubordinate, sinful' behavior." Chloe interjects. "Add in the that belligerent excuse for a biological dad and his bender...it's getting hard to just stay sane. Even harder to keep up appearances with them."

"You shouldn't have to do that, Chloe. I don't have parents, to say the least, but I've felt abandonment. Judgement. Fear. I've always felt lost."

"We could leave, you know?" She says suddenly. "We're both of what this crappy world deems adult age." She starts slowly walking forward. I follow suit, as we both wander on.

"And go where?" I reply.

"Does it matter where?"

My body is starting to ache from all of this sudden movement. "I never picture my future. Not even tomorrow. I don't know what to do. I'm just here."

"But you have dreams, Ayla. In all of the few years that we've known each other, you always tell me about these weird and amazing things that any average person would be hard pressed to even think of! Are you really going to let our jank families and this town crush what little joy you do have?"

I stop again.

"Chloe." I can't help but raise my voice. "You have people who can keep you safe, care about your life, and just be there. I don't. Besides you, no one else will ever bother to really know me much less care about whether I live or die!" There are a few stupid but persistent tears coming from my eyes. Why am I so upset all of the sudden? This is embarrassing.

"Ayla--." I interrupt Chloe.

"I know I've never admitted it, but I don't want to be the reason you don't get to have that future. I don't want to be the reason anyone around me--." I don't want to say the word, but I finally make eye contact with Chloe. She seems to know what I was going to say.

"I don't know who I am. But I know I don't want you to suffer for having known me."

I can't think straight anymore, but I find myself in a tight hug. A sob or two find their way to my jittering mouth. I hear the same muffled sound coming from Chloe. It falls quiet again. A few seconds pass before Chloe let's go, and she shoves my shoulder.

"Come on, Ayla. Don't ever say that I'm worse off for having known you! Okay?" Chloe almost shouts. For some reason, she manages to laughs and does it again. "Okay?"

I laugh a little the second time. I think we both realize how over serious this whole moment is, and it feels good to make fun of it.

"Alright, Chloe, alright. I believe you."

Our chuckles taper off as we start walking again. It only takes a minute before I realize that we're already at Dave's.

"Hey." Chloe says abruptly. She suddenly scampers up to the store front door.

I follow suit and walk up beside her.

"The lights are off. See? Even the back room light looks like it's off." She says, quickly pressing her nose to the glass and squinting.

There is a familiar feeling falling over me.

"Oh man." The words trail off, and I don't say anything else. I think Chloe is looking over to me. I don't move and stare forward into the dark, closed shop.

"Ayla, I'm sure he's okay."

I can't make out what Chloe is saying. It's normal. Dave closes and takes nights off. That's okay. Somehow, I just have a searing doubt that something has happened.

"Hey," Chloe pushes my shoulder again. I don't why, but it makes me come around.

"Ayla?"

"I don't think I believe you, Chloe."