The Pentatonix Surprise

Chapter 6

Malone didn't let me get out of the car until she was just outside the door. I sighed as I reluctantly allowed her to help me out of the car. Kirstin kept a hold of my right arm. I spotted Jessica Peterson walking into the store. I stopped in my tracks when she turned towards us. I suddenly wished Scott was here.

Kirstin: Is your ankle hurting you?

Me: No, I just had a flashback from Ober Gatlinburg.

Jessica started walking towards us and I held my breath. Malone read my mind and stepped slightly in front of me. Kirstin stepped behind me. What was going on? She let go of my arm and texted Scott who texted back quickly.

Jessica Peterson: Well Hello Kailyn.

Her voice was cold and icy. I winced slightly inwardly at her tone. She forced a smile which made me wonder if she was wanting me to introduce Kirstin. I was a little hesitant by the way Kirstin was acting.

Jessica : Who is this?

Me: None of your business Jessica . In fact we have to get what we need and get home.

I pushed past her, grabbing Kirstin's hand and hurrying inside. We got what we needed and got home quickly. When we walked inside I shut the door quickly, starting to breath heavily as the nightmare came back to me. The house was Jessica 's. Was Jessica involved with what I overheard and witnessed Monday night?

Scott: Are you okay Kailyn?

Me: I will be. I need to settle down from the interaction I didn't want.

I pulled Kirstin into my room and gave Malone a look to follow us. Once inside I shut the door and turned to look at the both of them.

Me: I need to tell you something. In March, I am going to be moving to Disney World.

Kirstin: Okay, do you know when?

Me: Around March 20.

Malone: Why?

Me: Because of Jessica . Ever since I beat her in that go kart race at Fast Tracks, she has acted indifferent towards me.

Kirstin: Why didn't you say that?

Me: I didn't want to make her come over to us.

Malone: If she has done anything to you, she is going to pay.

Kirstin: Malone's right. If she has you need to tell us.

Her tone sounded like Jessica had done something to her. I had another terrible thought. Was Jessica the reason for Kirstin's cut just below her neck and the bruise on her wrist? I thought back to when Jessica started to walk up to us. Kirstin stepped behind me and took out her phone then she texted Scott. Now that I thought about it I could totally see who could do such a thing to an innocent person, like Kirstin. Jessica 's family was probably one of the most feared families in Gatlinburg. Her and her family live on the outskirts of Sevier County and their address is Pigeon Forge, but they tell everyone that their address is Sevierville. They all have a job but Jessica . Her mom works at Top Jump now. Her dad works at The Track. Her older sister works at Ober Gatlinburg, but works with the tram side of the place. They acted friendly out in public, but inside their own home they are mean and rude, unless you are an invited guest. They try to gain a good reputation by tricking people into their house then turning on them. They haven't gotten caught by the police yet because there is no proof besides the victim's word, which no one believes ever since Jessica started to race and compete at local competitions. I had been on her radar, but when I beat her in a go kart race, she immediately started hating me. I had a good reason to suspect that her family had something to do with it. They were also affiliated with this secret group that tries to stop bands and singers from performing. I know that information from before I beat Jessica at that race. We were acquaintances back then. There was a deeper reason why Pentatonix was here and I was intended to find out why. I had to ask sometime before it was too late to ask. Okay I just had to ease into this conversation, but not jump directly into asking about why they were really here. For now they probably think that I am still thinking that the reason why they are here is because of the weather, not a deeper more disturbing reason, like the Peterson's injuring Kirstin.

Me: Hey Malone can I talk to Kirstin alone for a moment please?

Malone: Of course Kailyn.

Kirstin: Is everything okay?

I shot Kirstin a look that told her to wait a moment. I didn't want Malone to hear my concerns that I am about to express to Kirstin right here; right now. It was time, no more losing sleep over something that has prevented Pentatonix from returning to L.A. I took a deep breath and looked at Kirstin.

Me: Kirstin, how did you end up asking me for help?

Kirstin: So, we were not on tour like we had said. We thought that we should take a little vacation and find somewhere fun and we were up in Cincinnati then someone had suggested we come down here so we did.

She paused and closed her eyes like I have seen people in pain do before. I kept my mouth shut and waited to see if she showed any other signs of pain. Maybe this wasn't the best idea after all.

Me: Kirstin if this i-

She looked at me, and I quickly shut my mouth. Maybe she just wanted to tell me. She took a deep breath before continuing.

Kirstin: We couldn't find a hotel that had enough rooms to house all of us at the same hotel. We didn't want to be in separate hotels. Timeshares denied us as well. I thought that there could be a possibility that someone that lives in town would be kind enough to allow us to stay a little bit.

Just like you asked me but for a different reason! I calmed myself down slightly and I just knew where this was going. She was about to tell me the whole story! I don't know if this was going to help me at all.

Kirstin: Mitch was the first one to try. The people were not home so we moved onto the next house. Scott handled that one. Both of them were so stubborn and worried about me doing it alone that they refused to let me do it. The next house we went too after the one that Scott handled was the one that th-

Kirstin was cut off by a knock on my bedroom door. I could tell it was Malone.

Me: Malone is that you?

Malone: Yeah, Scott is getting worried. Should I tell him that it's okay?

Kirstin: No, tell him we are coming.

What? You can't just not tell me. This is not going to help if you just left it off. Kirstin looked disoriented for a couple seconds before she turned to me.

Kirstin: I am so sorry but we might have to continue this another day. Tomorrow perhaps?

Me: Sure.

I had to force myself to sound cheerful but deep inside I was unsure if I could last that long. Kirstin sighed as if she wanted to tell me the rest of the story. She then placed her hand on my knee before standing up. She waited to see if I needed any help, but I refused since I was struggling to let her help me. Deep down I had a feeling that she needed my help instead of her helping me. I stood up and took a deep breath standing up straighter and walking to the living room where conversation about the weather began.