LEARNING TO FORGIVE YOU

10.

["I want to go back down there with you."]

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The two girls turned, making their way back to the room in the basement. As they walked in, Alex noticed the man tied to chair was now panting and sweating heavily, a red-stained wet rag covering his arm, while Daniel's white wifebeater was covered in blood as he cleaned his barber knife.

"Andy's not talking." Ofelia said, noticing the two girls walk in as she looked at the man with sympathy and tears in her eyes.

"We did get him to help us turn on his radio. Now it's just a matter of waiting and listening for anything that can help." Daniel said, looking up at Alex.

Alex nodded, listening attentively with her arms crossed while Alicia stood practically glued to the taller girl. "What's his name?" she asked Ofelia, nodding at the man in the chair.

"Andrew. Andrew Adams." she answered, her gaze switching between the younger girl and the man tied to the chair.

"Okay." the light-skinned girl nodded, walking over to the man and leaning down to be on eye-level. "Listen, Andrew, I'm gonna give you two choices, okay? So listen close." she began, looking the man directly in the eye, making him gulp as he aggressively nodded, slightly intimidated by the girl. "You're gonna tell us where the fuck his wife is and my friend. Or else I'm gonna beat it out of you, okay?" she continued, slightly raising her eyebrows to make sure he knew that she was a hundred percent serious.

She then backed away, keeping her eyes trained on the soldier, seeing fear spread over his face as he gulped hard. A small smirk of victory spread across her lips before she turned around, informing Daniel and Ofelia that she would be back in the morning.

Before she could walk out with Alicia, Daniel grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her close. "You have a gun." he stated rather than asked, looking directly into the younger girl's eyes. "Keep it close." And with that, he let her go. Alex gave him a firm nod before she walked out after the brunette.

The two girls walked down the street in complete silence, neither of them saying a word during the short walk back. Alicia stayed close to Alex, making it easier for them to hide if necessary. But she also felt genuinely safe when she was with the older girl, knowing that Alex would do anything to protect her.

Alex kept her eyes on the dark surroundings, remaining on high alert as they walked towards the Clark's house before finally arriving.

"You okay?" Alex asked the younger girl as they stood by Travis's truck. Alicia nodded simply, looking up at Alex with a soft smile. The light-skinned girl nodded, her gaze returning to the shorter girl before she made a move to climb onto the truck. However, Alicia quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping the older girl and pulling her back.

"What's wrong?" the older girl asked, slightly concerned as she looked down at the slightly shorter girl. Alicia shook her head slightly before throwing her arms around Alex's neck, pulling her into a tight hug. It took the older girl slightly by surprise, but she quickly relaxed into the warm embrace. She wrapped her arms around the shorter girl's waist, closing her eyes as a relieved sigh escaped her mouth.

"Thank you for looking out for Nick." the brunette mumbled into the taller girl's neck, her warm breath hitting Alex's skin, causing a hitch in Alex's throat. Alex gave the shorter girl's waist a small, tight squeeze before they both pulled away.

"I couldn't save him back then." Alex began, shrugging her shoulders. "The least I can do is save him now."

(Clarification: Alcia is 5'5 '165cm' Alex is 6'0 '185 cm')