Last Card

TEN - Aiden

I didn't have a great feeling about what we were about to find.

As I pulled up outside Amaya and Axel's flat, Avery and I shared a worried glance. We walked over to the door and pressed the button. Axel's voice came through the speaker.
When he opened the door to his flat, an awful stench filled the entire corridor. "Bloody hell mate," I said. "What's that smell?" Avery, however, was already inside. "Aiden!" she screamed. I rushed over to her to see her shaking over Amaya. "She's dead." Avery cried. "SHE'S DEAD!"
"Axel, what the hell happened?" He did nothing but point to yet another dead body. "Is that..." I began.
"Scarlet." Avery finished. We looked at each other in confusion and concern.
"Why is she here? How is she here?" I started to raise my voice.
"I don't know. I think someone sent her to get Amaya and I-" his voice cracked as he started to cry. His eyes were already bright red. Avery stood up and took him in her arms, even though he was over a whole head taller than her. I ran my fingers through my hair whilst exhaling deeply and darting my eyes around the room. All three of us were crying. "Wait," I said. "Axel, how is Scarlet dead?"
"I didn't mean to."
"Can you explain everything to us? Please?" Avery asked softly. Axel nodded his head. We sat down and he began to explain every detail. "Amaya found out about Avery and Jake's engagement — congratulations, by the way — and she stormed out to 'clear her head'. Not long after she left, Scarlet burst through the door and must've knocked me out, because the next thing I remember is being tied up on a dining chair. Then Scarlet took my phone, called Amaya, she came home and I told her not to but she didn't listen, but I was untying myself because I knew Scarlet had the knife and I knew what she was planning. She stabbed Amaya just as I finished untying myself and if I had been just a few seconds faster I could've saved her." I put my hand gently on Axel's knee and a wave of electricity shot through me.
"It's not your fault, mate," I reassured him. "You tried your best and I'm sure Amaya knew that."
"Axel, did Scarlet hint as to who might've sent her?" Avery questioned.
"No, but she kept referring to some sort of game."
"What do you mean?"
"She was saying things like 'you've played your last card, Amaya' and 'you're out of the game'. Then her last words were literally 'he's coming for you'. What's that supposed to even mean?"
"So whoever sent her was also the one who helped her get out of prison, yes?" I added.
"I guess so, she did say she had 'friends' who helped her get out. But the weirdest part was when she started crying saying she didn't want to."
"No, I don't believe that." I said.
"I'm just saying that it seemed pretty real to me."
"Guys, I need to take a minute." Avery blurted.
"Where are you going?"
"Just to get some fresh air."
"Okay, but be careful. There's someone out there who's after us." She nodded her head at me and flashed a quick smile before disappearing into the corridor.

"So, what's new with you?" Axel asked, breaking the awkward silence.
"Well, as you probably know, my girlfriend cheated on me and we broke up-"
"She cheated on you?"
"Yeah. She's been seeing someone else for a month or so but we only broke up today. That's what this cut on my face is."
"I was going to ask about that actually."
"She threw a glass at my face."
"Damn, I'm sorry man."
"I also have a daughter."
"What?" He exclaimed.
"Mhm. Her name's Riley and she's fourteen."
"Emily?"
"Yeah."
"Told you it was a bad idea." I laughed at his comment.
"What's gone on with you? You got a boyfriend? Or girlfriend?"
"No, I'm very single. I was seeing this guy called Dante, but we broke up forever ago. It's okay, though. I'm totally over him. Other than that, things haven't been very exciting." I didn't know what to say. I could only look at him. There was something about him that was... breathtaking. Without even thinking, I took his head in my hands and pulled him towards me. The next few moments were blissful. His lips were on mine and sparks were flying through my entire body. When I realised what was happening, I pulled away immediately. "I'm sorry I don't know what that was I-"
"Shut up." Axel smiled. He pulled me back in by the collar of my shirt and kissed me again. So this is what I've been longing for; this is why all of the girlfriends I've had felt so wrong.