The Runaway Sister

forty | death wish

By the time I reach the town nearest to my brothers' estate, my legs are tired and sore. I reach into my pocket, and call Warren, who arrives not ten minutes later. 

Warren pulls up in a bullet-proof SUV. He smiles at me, sitting in the backseat. I quickly slide in next to him, a nervous pressure bubbling in my chest. 

"I've informed your brother that we're going on a fun trip to Austria, and that you've requested to see your little French friend again." 

When he speaks, my mind immediately begins to race with ways this could go badly. Will my brothers find out the true meaning of this trip? 

Warren's other words register. "What's Lila doing in Austria?" I ask Warren, confused, fear accumulating inside of my mind. 

She's supposed to be with her family in France. Has something happened to her, to them? Is she safe? Well? ...Alive? My hear rate spikes at the horrible assumption. 

Warren sighs. "The Monets are being paranoid, which is fairly typical for them. Somehow, they think their assassin of a daughter can't handle one Danish boy." 

"Oh..." I frown. I hope Lila is safe in Austria. With her skills, however, it sounds like she'll be safe anywhere. The thought comforts me slightly. 

With Lila being so capable of handling herself, how did she end up in Austria? What's there for her? Maybe it's to hone her skills, to build herself up to greatness. 

We continue driving through the small town of my childhood, on our way to the closest airport possible. A pang of nostalgia hits my heart as the guard drives through. 

Will I ever see this place again? The park I went to with my father? The ice cream shop I frequented with my brothers? The public school I so wished to attend? 

My heart rate picks up in anticipation when the town begins to fade into the background. I turn back as we round the corner, unsure if I even want to see the town again. 

It festers in me. Will this be the last time I see my brothers? I didn't exactly leave on good terms with them, or at least Alexander. 

Will this affect me later on? Will I feel guilty about leaving how I did? A small part of me wants them to feel hurt, to feel guilt seeping into their hearts. 

Guilt for trying to control me. Guilt for trying to manipulate me. Guilt for trying to tie me down to their sick ways all in the name of family. 

Warren reaches out and grabs my hand. He squeezes it softly, a smile on his lips. "Are you sure you want to do this, love? Once we start, there's no backing out."

I nod immediately. "Of course." My words ring out in the car, a determined promise to anyone who heard it that I am going to do this. I am going to take back my life. 

He moves closer. Warren leans down to my ear, and whispers softly, so no one else can hear, "Remember, my love, we're in this together." 

We sit in my tree, in the backyard, right next to the brick gates suffocating me inside the house. Warren hangs onto the trunk, his arm wrapped on my waist. 

"Are you sure?" He asks me, a worried undertone in his words. "It's going to be a pretty big fall. What if you break a leg or something?" 

I shake my head. "I've been grounded for weeks! I need to get out somehow. And you, my friend, are the perfect volunteer to help me out." 

With a sigh, Warren kneels down, balancing carefully on the branch. I step on his shoulders, and he stands up. I reach out, and grab the top of the wall.