Untold Truth

Chapter 15

"Karlie. We're going out to eat tonight with the Grones. They are recently in business with me, being how I had to fire Mr. Santias." It's been a week since my fight with Jack and it's killing me not seeing him. Several times I have debated on going to him, but I stayed and forced myself to do my homework.

I put on a fake smile. "Okay Dad. Do I need to dress nice again?" I ask sweetly. I just don't feel like facing his wrath.

"Yes, that dress from last time should do. The yellow one." He says. "Oh here I bought you some coffee" He hands me a Starbucks cup then leaves for work. I don't want to wear that dress. It makes me think of last week which brings in to many memories. Ugh I don't even like Starbucks.

I take a sip of the coffee anyway. It's actually pretty good. I finish it then go upstairs to shower and get ready for the day. While putting on my red tank, I can't help but think of Jack. I know I overreacted. That's it. I really want to see him. Today I'm going out to find him. And I'll let him train me. It's just to hard not having him around. I think about his little worried expression he gets when he's concerned and I smile.

I head downstairs to get some breakfast when I hear a knock at the door. My dad told me not to open the door anymore so I look out the window. Jack? He's just standing there looking worried like always. I tap on the window so he sees me and I signal to go out back.

I run to the back door and I see him standing there looking awkward. He doesn't speak so I decide to take this time to apologize.

"Jack. I.. I'm so sorry. I overreacted. I just, no ones ever cared to help me before you and I'm not used to it." I confess.

"Karlie, it's okay. I'm sorry to, for what I said. That was just wrong. I know you can defend yourself. But I didn't come here for an apology, although it was nice." He tells me.

"Then why did you come?" I say as I look at my feet. Not an apology? That's awkward.

"Karlie, something's happening tonight. The Yuris is planing something big. Like a takeover or something. They're going down Elk St. and forcing everyone there to join them or be killed." He hesitates. "So many people are going to die tonight. And the Surge knows. They are doing everything they can to stop it. I'm worried they may come here." He looks at his feet then around at the house and back into my eyes. "I don't want them to hurt you."

"But tonight my dad and I are going to dinner in town." Then I think about that. "That's probably why." So he just wants me to be out of the way.

"Well this thing is going down at sunset. When are you going to dinner?" He asks.

"Uh I think around 6. We'll probably be done at sunset..." I trail off. I don't want to be kidnapped again.

"Did your father say anything else?" He asks. "This is important."

"No." I say suddenly panicked. "What happens if someone takes me again? I can't do that again Jack." I say hyperventilating.

"Well he payed your ransom last time. He'd do it again." He says reassuringly rubbing my shoulder.

"No. Not for something like this." I shake my head. Jack brings me into a hug and I can't believe I stayed away from him for so long. I smell his shirt and immediately feel better.

"Well, I'd hate to say it but then we better get started on your training." He says petting my head.

"Really? Now?" I ask backing away, "Well... Okay I guess. Let's go a little into the woods." I don't want to do this but I need to. "We need to get my bow and some arrows."

"Ya no problem." I shut the door and head out walking to where I keep them hidden. While we are walking side by side, I take my hand and lace my fingers through Jacks. At first he jumps a little. Then he relaxes and squeezes my hand reassuringly.

We walk in silence until we reach an empty clearance. Jack takes off a backpack he's had on and sets it down. He pulls out a knife along with some targets.

"I want you to test your aim on your bow then on knives." He states. I feel silly. Like this isn't necessary.

I nod anyway and string my bow then grab an arrow out. Jack sets up the target and I get ready. I shoot all three of them right in the middle.

Jack whistles. "Okay I think you're good on the bow," he says while looking at the three bullseyes. "Now take this knife." He hands me the knife he pulled out of his backpack.

I take the knife and look at it for a bit. It looks oddly familiar. I look at the red and black handle interwoven with silver and its fine tip. Where have I seen this knife? Jack clears his throat and I throw it at the target. I look and see that I hit it but just barely.

"This you need work on." Jack says as if it isn't obvious. "So what you need to do is flick more with your wrist and not your full arm. It's not a bow." He takes the knife out of the target and gives it to me. "Go ahead." I grab the knife and suddenly my head hurts. I push the pain out, assuming it's just my aching to know about the knife.

I do just as Jack says, flicking with my wrist and this time it ends up not even hitting the target. I look at him, but he just laughs. "What?" I snap.

"Your face Karlie. You can't expect to just get it. These things take practice. Go ahead try again." I take the knife. Can't just get it? Watch me. I hate it when people assume things of me.

I squint one eye, purse my lips, and put my whole body into it, remembering to use my wrist. I look up at the target. Dead on. I look at Jack with a smug expression.

"Beginners luck." He teases. "Hit 5 more." I take the knife and throw it 5 more times, hitting 4 bullseyes. "Well maybe I was wrong. Maybe you can just get it."

I beam at him. I feel a sharp pain in my head again and I let out a squeal. I sit down and put my hands to my head.

Jack rushes over to me and in a scared tone asks, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

The pain goes away and I nod. "It was just adrenaline I think." I know that was more then adrenaline. I get up and shake it off. "So whats next?"

"Getting out of knots." He says. He sees my face and looks straight at me.

"What? How will we do that?" I ask suddenly scared. Getting out? Like tying me up?

"Well if you trust me I'm going to tie your hands behind your back and your going to get out of them." He says. "This way, you can get out next time someone kidnaps you.

"No! No way. I can't have my hands tied again. No way." I say backing away.

"You have to face your fears sometime. This will be killing two birds with one stone." When I don't answer he adds, "Well fine. If you don't want to I understand. I mean it's sort of a harder task anyway."

I know he's trying to get to me but it works. "Fine. Just do it," I say, putting my hands behind me.

Jack comes up behind me and I shiver. I close my eyes as he ties them. "Okay. Now one thing that will never help is struggling. It'll just make them tighter. What you need to do is try to pull up one of your thumbs so you can get a grip. And think it through."

I try to do as he says but my head suddenly hurts again. It hurts so bad that I scream out. Out of instinct I try to put my hands on my head but I can't because they're tied. Another sharp pain erupts from my head again and I fall to the ground flopping around like a fish. I hear Jack yell my name and I look up in time to see him running to me. Then everything goes black.