DESPERATE

34

The neighbor was almost home, when a loud bang pierced the air, making her flinch and gasp. A bullet whizzed past her ear, barely missing her head. She froze in terror, clutching her chest. Who was trying to kill her? Was it the same man who had been following her and shouting at her to deliver a message to a woman at Ron's house whose name she couldn't remember? Was he angry with her for failing his mission? She sprinted to her house and got inside as quick as she could, hoping he wouldn't chase her or shoot again.

Todd slammed the window shut, his face twisted with fury. "Damn it, she got away. I hate those meddling neighbors." He stormed around the living room, his footsteps thudding on the floor. He glared at Abbey, who was sitting on the couch, rocking herself. She looked terrified, her eyes wide and her lips trembling. He hadn't forgiven her for losing her cool and pulling the trigger. She almost killed him with that stupid gun.

Abbey met his gaze with defiance, but inside she felt crushed. Their plans had fallen apart. They were supposed to spend a few days at his mother's house, where she could charm his family and win their approval. She had hoped that he would pop the question there, in front of everyone. She had worn the fake ring on her finger as a hint. She wanted him to commit, to start a family with her. But he had forgotten all about that when he saw Cyrie. She must have changed a lot since Todd last saw her, grown into a beautiful woman. Abbey shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. It was absurd. They had grown up together, like brother and sister. He couldn't possibly have feelings for her.

Kenzo watched the tension rise between Todd and Abbey as he leaned against the door. He could see the anger and fear in their eyes, and the bloodstains on their clothes. “Seriously, you two are insane. When I heard the gunshots, I thought you had killed each other and someone had called the cops. The knocking on the door nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought we were doomed and it was them. Luckily, it was just a nosy neighbor. She was looking for Ron and some other woman. I lied to her and said they were on vacation and I was watching the house for them. Don't ever do that again. Control your damn anger.” He warned them in a harsh tone.

"It's all her fault. She went berserk for no reason. I don't think it's a good idea for Abbey to go back to my place with us. She's off her meds. She needs to go back to the loony bin. No one is safe around her.” Todd said, pointing an accusing finger at Abbey.

"Please, I beg you. Don't take me back there. I hate that place. I just lost my cool, that's all. I'm not crazy." Abbey sobbed. She collapsed onto her knees and pressed her forehead against the filthy floor. She shuddered at the thought of the mental hospital. The workers weren't cruel. It was them, the restless spirits that haunted her. They tormented her every night with their whispers and screams.

"Where's Cyrie? Why aren't you with her? She can't be left alone." Todd demanded, looking around.

"She's still upstairs getting ready." Kenzo replied. He dashed back upstairs, hoping to find Cyrie safe and sound.

"Get up, Abbey," Todd jerked her roughly to her feet. "You better stay away from Cyrie. I don't trust you. You might snap again and do some crazy shit. Kenzo will look after her, not you. That girl is my ticket to riches. I'm giving you one more chance. Don't mess it up.” He threatened her, his voice cold and menacing.

The bedroom door was shut. Kenzo hesitated to barge into Cyrie's room. That would be rude. He knocked on the door, three loud knocks. Silence. He pulled the door open so fast that he almost fell backwards. Panic rose in his chest. Her backpack lay on the bed, but she was nowhere to be seen. He checked under the bed and in the closet. No sign of Cyrie.

"Cyrie, where are you?" Kenzo whispered in the hallway. He hoped Todd and Abbey wouldn't hear him. Todd would kill him if she had run away. He opened the master bedroom's door. The sight of the bloody bed made him nauseous. He heard a rustle in the closet. He slowly opened the closet door. Cyrie's wide eyes met his. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor. He breathed a sigh of relief.