Pentatonix and the Recovery

Chapter 6

A couple days later, Kirstin and I arrived at my house in Sevierville. Kirstin pulled into my driveway and smiled.

Kirstin: We will have to stay here until the cabin is rebuilt.

Me: Will we go and see if there is anything that somehow survived the fire?

Kirstin: I don't see any reason that we couldn't. The fire is out anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue. Maybe you could talk to Jacob and see what he says.

Me: I could do that.

I opened my car door and slowly stepped out. My leg was still sore, but I could walk easily. Kirstin walked around to put her arm around me, just in case it was needed. We headed closer to the house, and then I stopped because I heard Jessica's joy-filled voice behind me.

Jessica: Kailyn! You're okay!

She ran up to me and wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her back, and I felt her exhale with relief. Jessica held me close, and for once, I felt sisterly love that I hadn't felt in a while. She pulled me closer to her. Kirstin watched in surprise and care. I felt Jessica's warmth and relief that I was alive. I knew why this was her reaction to seeing me: She had thought and believed that I was killed in the fire. Once we released each other, I wanted to make sure that she was okay.

Me: Jessica, are you okay?

Jessica: Better now that I know that you're alive. But, Victoria told Zac about everything. He punished me by tying a rope around my neck and tightened it when I cried out when the cabin became engulfed. Jacob got it off though.

My brown eyes darted to her neck and I gasped once I saw the mark that was on it. My eyes flicked from her to Kirstin. Kirstin's was healing, but it was till visible. It matched Jessica's.

Kirstin: Kailyn?

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. Jessica stepped closer and put her hand on my back. Kirstin did the same thing. Kirstin's brown eyes were soft as she waited for me to say something.

Me: T-they're the same.

Jessica: What's the same, Kailyn?

Kirstin put her hand on her neck as if she understood completely what I meant. A small, warm smile parted her lips as she pulled me into her, allowing her to calm me down. Her voice was gentle and calm with love and comfort.

Kirstin: It's okay, Kailyn.

Jessica shifted slightly and stared at the ground. I felt my adopted sister's uncertainty and I looked up at her.

Me: What's wrong, Jess?

Jessica: I hate to ask this after what has happened, but Kailyn would it be okay with you if I stay here? Dad sold our other house and Samantha doesn't have room for me.

I smiled warmly at her and walked over to her. After pulling her into a hug, I looked into her green eyes. They were filled with tears.

Me: Of course.

Kirstin: You're welcome to stay.

Wait, what about Scott and Mitch? They don't know yet and this is the first that Kirstie's hearing of it, so wouldn't it be dangerous? This thought made me grab Jessica's arm in a frightened way. She smiled slightly and put her arm around me.

Kirstin: What's the matter, sweetheart?

Me: But how are you okay with this?

Kirstin: I know that it hasn't been her, but her other sister, Victoria.

Me:But when?

Kirstin: After the fire.

Me: Oh. Shouldn't Scott and Mitch know?

Kirstin: I will handle them.

Jessica: It will be okay, sis.

I smiled at her and Jessica pulled me into her side. I had waited for this moment for a long time.

Me: I am glad that we can be together again.

Jessica: Me too, Kailyn.

Kirstin: Also, they know, baby. They will understand.

Her voice was soft and we headed inside. I stopped and gasped in surprise. The gift for the band was still sitting on the coffee table. I dashed forward and put the box underneath the table. Jessica smiled and sat down on the couch opposite me. My brown eyes had focused again on that spot just past the hallway. In my mind, a flashback was happening.

I saw a girl walking calmly into the living room. There were four other people, which were sitting and casually chatting. One of them, who had blonde hair and blue eyes, looked up and smiled warmly at the girl. The faces were distorted, which made it impossible to reconize who they were. Suddenly the girl's legs seemed to stop working and she collapsed. Her body was lying deathly still. The guy with blonde hair leaped up and dashed over to the motionless body of his friend. He cried out: "Kirstin!" Then the faces cleared and instantly I reconized Mitch sitting on the couch that Scott had been on before Kirstin collapsed. Kevin was sitting on the smaller couch beside Matt. The girl, whose body was lying deathly still and barely breathing. It would appear that she was dead. Scott was desperately trying to get her to wake up.

I was suddenly back into the present, but my mind wasn't. My mind was still in the flashback. My eyes were still staring at the spot that Kirstin's limp, motionless body had laid. I was unaware of Kirstin trying to get my attention, her voice growing concerned. It was as if my mind had shut down due to the flashback.

Kirstin: Kailyn, please respond.

She gently shook me, but I didn't respond. Her next attempts were in vain. Jessica watched with concern as Kirstin failed at making my mind to return to the present. She then sighed as she stood up. Jessica walked over and sat down beside me. Gently she placed her hand on my shoulder, close to my neck. After she squeezed her eyes shut, Jessica slightly tightened her grip causing me to shudder. She exhaled with relief; however it all went wrong. I collapsed onto Kirstin, who pulled me into her arms. Tremors swept, uncontrollably, through my body. It scared Kirstin and Jessica, which caused anger to blaze in Kirstin's normally soft and gentle brown eyes. Her normally sweet and soft voice was filled with anger.

Kirstin: What did you do to her?

Jessica's voice shook as she tried to explain. When she opened her mouth to try, she saw Kirstin's eyes and got scared. She ducked her head, but then shakily explained.

Jessica: That wasn't supposed to happen! It was only supposed to bring her mind out of her flashback. I am so sorry, Kailyn.

Her voice rose with distress, then the tremors faded, leaving me gasping for air as if I had run a marathon. Kirstin sat me up and I was able to catch my breath.

Kirstin: Calm down, sweetie. You're okay, you're okay.

The anger died from her voice and eyes as I calmed down and leaned into Kirstin, enjoying her warmth.

Me: Thank you, both. I just struggle with the memories. I hadn't really been here since January.

Jessica: Because of Victoria.

Me: It's okay, Jess. I appreciate what you did for me when I had been kidnapped. I wouldn't have made it without you treating my wounds. Thank you for risking your life for me.

Jessica: You're my sister, I would do anything for you. I am sorry that I haven't done more.

Me: Also, was Mitch shot on purpose?

Jessica: About that. I didn't know that it was Mitch. I honestly thought that it was someone else, not him. I apoligize for that. Then when I saw his face, I knew it was him. That's why it was his shoulder. She was aiming for his heart, but I accidently bumped into her when she pulled the trigger.

Me: That's okay, Jessica. He's alive and that is all that matters, right Kirstie?

Kirstin: Yes, sweetheart.

We chatted and before long, I was asleep. Jessica stood up to go to bed as Kirstin lifted me and carried to my bed. She pulled the covers over us as she climbed in bed beside me. I snuggled close beside her as I slept. Kirstin smiled and put her arm around my waist. She held me close to her body as she slowly fell asleep.