Paper Birds

Chapter Fourteen ; Escape from Authority

"Have you ever seen Robert bring home any achloholic beverages?"

I was starting to get irritated now. "No, I told you, he's never gone out and did anything like this before. In fact I've never actually seen him drink. Like, at all."

The police officer pressed his hands together, getting irritated too. I didn't blame him, I mean, this was a frustrating thing. I rocked back and forth in my seat, itching to stand up and do something. I'm not one of those people who can sit still for a long period of time. 

"Do you think this might have to do with his family life?"

"Uh, yeah. Obviously. His little sister ran off to go to a concert without brother dearest's permission and hooked up with one of the band members. I'd hate myself, too." 

"Has he ever expressed his anger out on anyone, physically? Said anything that might've scared you?"

"Not that I've seen. And of course, big brothers are scary. Not anything big though, just that he told me that people who disobey rules end up dead."

How did I remember that? I winced, knowing I probably shouldn't have revealed that.

"Does anyone in your family have a criminal record?"

Why was he asking me this? He already knew the answer.

"Not that I know of."

"How does he get along with the rest of your family?"

"Well, like me, he doesn't like our mother. But that's it, really. We all get along pretty well," I lied, hoping it wasn't obvious. 

"How did he first react to your.. situation?"

"He was mad. As he should be." 

"Did he express any feeling for your safety?" 

"I thought this was about him helping his friends rob a grocery store."

"Miss Coligan, I assure you, we are not trying to waste your time. Please answer the question."

"He hugged me when I got home and said he was glad I was safe." Lying straight through my teeth had gotten me a long way, though I wasn't sure if it would work on police.

Officer Grant scribbled down something on his paper. My eyes flickered to the window to find Harry, who was standing just outside the room. He smiled and waved at me.

"Can I leave now?"

"Yes. Thank you for your time, Miss Coligan."

I got up from my seat and didn't reply, pushing the door open. It was nearly eleven at night. I wasn't even tired. I'd hate to admit it and get all cheesy, my Harry's bright green eyes kept me awake. 

"Ready to go, baby?"

"Heck yes." 

He linked his arm with mine, and finally we were out of the wretched police station. It was really, really dark, and hardly anyone was around. Including the taxis. 

"I think we're going to have to walk to the hotel," he said. My heart sank. We'd have to walk past the casino to get there.

"Clarissa, you're trembling."

My eyes snapped from the ground to him. "Oh." 

He pulled me closer up against his body. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm here. You're safe." 

I laid my head on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around him. "I know." But yet I couldn't stop trembling. Something about my dream rubbed me the wrong way. The strong wind whipped my hair around, making me shiver even more. Harry noticed and held me tighter. 

It was horribly silent. We walked by alley after alley, not daring to say a word. 

"Clarissa.."

Something whispered my name from the shadows. My heart stopped and my voice hitched in my throat. I swear it wasn't my imagination. 

"Clarissa!"

This time the voice came louder, but not much. I stopped walking. 

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"Shhh."

Something grabbed my elbow and yanked me off of Harry. A hand covered my mouth to muffle my scream, my arms flailing around to try to get away. I kicked at whoever was behind me, trying desperately to get out of his strong grasp. 

"Claire, calm down! Shut up! It's Dylan!" 

I stopped kicking and screaming, pushing myself away from him. "What the hell are you doing?" I hissed, climbing out of the small space he had pulled me into. 

"Claire!" Harry shouted, rushing over and picking me off of the ground and kissing me. "Claire, you scared me half to dea-"

He stopped, so I assumed he saw Big D behind me. His eyes narrowed into slits, reaching for him before I shoved him off. 

"Harry, stop. It's okay. I'm fine. Keep your voice down."

"Clarissa, I need to talk to you," Big D whispered.

"What, you got a new gun you need to try out on me?" 

He squeezed his eyes shut. I noticed that this was a rare time; he was sober.

"I'm so, so sorry about that. I was really drunk. I'm sorry."

Harry was still giving him the Stare of Death.

"But listen," he continued, laying his hand on my shoulder. I pushed it off. "The police aren't the only guys after me."

"What did you do now-"

He covered my mouth again just as I noticed I was shouting. I pushed it off. Every time he touched me I shivered, and not because I was being smitten.

"Look, I made a bet, okay? Just like you."

"Who did you make the bet with?" I knew just about everyone down at that casino. All you need is a fake ID and poof, you're in.

".. Talon."

"Are you out of your-"

"Stop! Hold on! He said he'd take the blame for everything if I won. I was high, I didn't know what I was getting myself into."

"And if he won?"

"I'm in deep shit." 

Harry grunted. Dylan ignored him. "He didn't really say. At least, I don't remember. All I know is that he just bought a new rifle and-"

"Awe, you kiddies talkin' about me?" 

I turned around and there he was. Talon. 

The street light flickered. Harry clenched his fists, his knuckles turning as white as Dylan's face.

I grabbed their hands and ran.