Lost in the Flames

Silent Bullet

Ally's P.O.V.

My father and Mrs. Hart are talking to me but I just can't comprehend what's going on. My father is back for God's sake! I thought he's been dead all these years, but nope.

SIKE!

"Do you understand?" My father asks.

I shake my head and look up from the table that seems to have millions and billions of particles that I can see.

"I know this is a lot to take in but, you brought this amount yourself," Mrs. Hart reminds me.

"I don't see how learning about my parents death can harm me. Can someone tell me that part? It seems as if you don't even know," I lean further into the table. "I don't even know your name..dad. And what about mom; is she okay too. When were you gonna tell me that you were okay? I've been going crazy my whole life!"

"I did it to protect you Ally," he holds out his hand. "Tim."

I stare at his hand. 'I. Does that mean that mom's not okay?"

He simply nods and I take that as my signal to jump over the table and hug him. To make up for all those years I longed to be hugged by a father..my father.

We sit in each others arms for who knows how long. By the time we pull away its 4:54 am.

"I still don't understand. Protect me from what?" My voice is quite when it comes out.

He sighs and calls for Mrs. Hart.

"You can go home now. Thank you, for everything," he smiles.

She hugs me and shakes my dads hand before walking out of the small hotel room.

Once the door is closed behind her, Tim turns to me.

"I'm gonna tell you something that you can not tell another living being," he raises his eyebrows and I shake my head frantically up and down.

"Come sit on the couch," he says.

We both walk to the couch and I swear he's trying to build the anticipation.

"After the fire, the police took you away. Remember how I used to be a science teacher?"

"Not really. I was two," we both chuckle.

"Well, I had 2 skeletons in my office. The fake ones that show the human body. During the fire,  I couldn't find you or your mother and I didn't know what to do so, I made my way to a hospital. The police found the skeletons and assumed it was us. I thought and screamed and fought myself for weeks. I've done research and what I know is that, there is someone setting fires and only the single girl daughter survives. I thought that, since the whole thing was planned, it would be best for you if I stayed out of your life. So, I hired Mrs. Hart to look out for you and well, here you are," his voice and the light in his eyes has changed through the story.

"Do you know who's setting the fires?" I hold my hands in his.

"No but, now that you know all I know, maybe we can work together to figure it out..like a family." He almost questions.

I smile and hug him tight once more.

"You can stay at my house," he offers.

"Do I have to go back to that orphanage?" I don't know if I ever wanna go back there again, even if I don't make amends with Ms. Burks.

"Not unless you have friends there," he says.

I take a deep breath and let the whole situation take over.

"Well, get some sleep. We're gonna go back to our house tomorrow and see the new owners," he stands and walks to the kitchen.

I lay along the couch. What's sleep?

...

"Your dad?!" Brian asks.

"Ya," I half laugh. "It boggles my mind. That's who your mom was hired by to keep me safe from whoever is setting the fires. I guess that person wants the leftover girl to be lonely."

"That... This is crazy. I'm happy for you but, I'm so lost," he laughs.

"Same," I shake my head.

"What if this person finds out you were talking to your dad. What if they know that you know about them?" Brian asks as we walk to school.

"I don't know but, I hope I don't find out."

Just as we begin to talk about something not so crazy, a tall man in a hood turns a corner and walks about 7 feet behind Brian and I.

"Brian," I whisper. "Do you see him too?"

"Ya. Just keep walking," he says and grabs my hand.

"School is still 12 blocks away," I mumble.

"I know. Shh. I don't know who he is and I don't want to either," he puts his house key between his pointer and middle finger.

We continue walking, well, speed walking in silence.

The man behind us has a small tattoo on his wrist but, I can't quite tell what it's of.

I glimpse back a few times. If something happens I need visuals to tell the police.

"I'm gonna tell him off if he follows us one more block," Brian admits.

"No!" I say way too loud. "Are you crazy? You'll get yourself killed."

He sighs. "I won't."

"Hey! What do you want huh? Do you think we wouldn't notice a ma-"

Before Brian can finish his sentence, a single, silent bullet penetrate his stomach.

"BRIAN!!" I yell without thought.

A woman in her nightgown comes out her front door and points to us.

"Help me!" I call. I don't care if this man is gonna hurt me too, I just need to help Brian.

Thankfully, the man spots the woman and takes off running.

"Call the police, an ambulance! Please! Help him," I drop to my knees and hold my hand over his bloody stomach. "Brian, talk to me. Stay awake. You have to stay with me. No matter what," I'm practically crying.

"Promise," I sniff.

He sucks in a sharp breath but can't seem to keep a steady breathing pattern. "Promise."