Malevolence

Chapter 26:

Please read the Writer's note before you continue to read this chapter.

Evelyn:

"Heuh." Ransom laughs quietly to himself, after a few minutes of silence between him, Marta and I.

My eyes are not on Ransom as they are fixated on the window, which is to my right and a little distant from my table. It's darker outside now, the clouds are moving over, but the sun hasn't yet completely set. The pink and orange sky actually looks quite pretty. Very picturesque, like it could be on someone's desktop background.

"I know. Just saying it, it sounds insane." Marta speaks, her voice a little shaken up. "But it's all true, and I think Blanc's been onto me from the start."

Well, I think Blanc's also onto me too. I don't why...

"I don't care if I go to jail, but my mom, my sister, we –" Marta pauses and I rotate my head to her, and I see that she is frowning at Ransom.

I too turn my gaze to Ransom, who seems to be deep in thought – and is also nibbling on one of those swizzle sticks. It actually looks...sexy.

His eyes are looking down to the table, but I notice there's a strange glint in his eyes.

What's on your mind, Ransom?

"Are you going to say something?" Marta presses, asking exactly what I am thinking, and I automatically wave my hand in front of Ransom to try and snap him out of his thoughts.

Yes! I can finally move my body again!

"I always thought I was the only one that could beat him at 'Go'. I always thought that meant something." Ransom says with a low and surprisingly soothing voice.

What?

Why would he be talking about the game, after Marta's long and detailed explanation?

"Yeah. I – I know." Marta agrees.

Wait! She agrees? Why doesn't she think this is totally unexpected for Ransom to say?

"At the night of the party," Ransom continues, his voice still somewhat soft and low, "my last conversation with him, my last argument, is what he told me about you. That you beat him at 'Go' more than I did, and I thought...what a strange thing to tell me."

What...did Ransom just say?

I pull my brows together in absolute confusion. What is going on here? Seriously, what is going on with Ransom?

Who is this man next to me, and what has he done with Ransom? My Ransom!

Marta and I stare at each other in bewilderment, and then we both look to Ransom.

"Think I get it now...maybe it did mean something." Ransom sighs quietly.

There's a brief pause before Ransom clears his throat, placing the swizzle stick down as he clasps his hands together. He looks up straight to Marta. "I'm not going to tell my family shit. You're not going to go to jail. That detective's not going to catch you," he inhales, "and you're not going to give up the money. This is what grandad wanted for you. I mean, think about what he did to go through with this. He wanted this for himself, he wanted this for the family...and he wanted it for you. You've come this far, let me help you go all the way."

I...I don't believe what I am hearing!

Ransom...wants to help Marta?

No! No no no! Ransom does not just help someone else out without something in it for him.