Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Twenty Six - All my love.

The following days were chaos. I was absent from work once again, everyone at the Café were more than understanding. 

The girls at Arsenal were incredible, their messages, their little treats of brownies and moments in silent where they just sat with me. They made frequent visits, trying to distract me from the relentless panic that gnawed at my insides. 

Despite their efforts, the worry about Laura's whereabouts was a constant ache. Dean's phone calls with the police department led to dead end after dead end, and each disappointment weighed heavier on my heart.

Kyra and I had planned a night away in London for our birthdays. They were exactly a month apart, and we'd celebrated hers last month just before her Camp. As a mutual gift, we'd booked a hotel and made reservations for dinner. 

Despite the mess of recent events, Steph and Beth convinced me that a night away might do me some good. I wasn't sure I believed them. It had been fourteen days since the incident at my flat, and though it had finally been cleaned and restored to some semblance of normalcy, I still felt unsettled.

This morning, like every morning since, Kyra kissed me goodbye before leaving for work. However, today was different. I opened my eyes to see her smiling brightly, a warm and genuine expression that momentarily lifted my spirits. 

"Happy Birthday, baby," she whispered, leaning in to kiss me. 

She had woken up early to give me my present, a beautiful signet ring. 

"That's my fingerprint," she mentioned as I brushed my fingers over the grooves in the metal.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I leaned forward, silently thanking her with a delicate kiss on her lips. She left for work, promising that we'd have a good night with dinner at Steph's, surrounded by our friends. For the first time in weeks, I felt a flicker of excitement.

"I love you so much," I whispered as she picked up her bag. 

She smiled, her tone dramatic and teasing, "I love you too okay?, so much it hurts." I couldn't help but smile back at her.

After she left, I had a slow morning, replying to the sweet messages that flooded my phone from friends and family. But the peace was short-lived. My phone rang, an unfamiliar number on the screen. Hesitantly, I answered.

"Is this Miss Eliza Parker?" A man's voice echoed through the line.

"Yes, may I ask who's calling?" I replied, my heart pounding in my chest.

"This is Detective Roberts from the City of London Police. I'm calling regarding the break-in and the missing Laura Parker."

My breath caught. "Oh yes, is there any news?" I managed to ask.

"Laura Parker caught a flight from Heathrow to Sydney, Australia, the day before we were called to your residence. We've ruled her out as the intruder."

My heart sank. "Do you know if she was traveling with anyone?" I asked, my voice trembling.

There was a pause as he checked the report. "Yes, the ticket was purchased with a Mr. Kyle Parker and a Mr. Darren Parker."

My world tilted. My brother and father. They did this. I knew they did. The call ended with a few more questions from the detective, but my mind was already spinning with the implications.

Frantic, I called Kyra. No answer. Panic surged through me. If Laura was home, it wasn't good. They found blood in my flat. They would have forced Laura to leave. I tried Steph next, but she didn't answer either. I felt trapped, unable to think clearly.

In a daze, I scattered around Kyra's apartment, packing my things. Just an hour later, I stood in the kitchen, leaving a hand written note beside my key to her flat:

'Kyra Lillie,

I fell in love with you the moment you walked into that café, my stupid word vomit almost ruining the perfect moment in front of us. An Aussie, I thought seriously what the hell?I quickly learned you were made for me, maybe someone out there sent us to London just to meet, knowing that the missing side of my heart I'd been dreaming of was there waiting for me. Each moment since then, I've fallen hard every single day.
You carried me through everything. You made me the confident, happy girl that I am. You put back pieces of me that you didn't break. For that, I'll be forever grateful. 
I don't expect you to understand and I don't want you getting caught up in the mistakes that I'm about to make, so baby don't look for me, but don't forget about me.
 I'll love you until my heart finds its whole again. Maybe we'll see each other someday. This is me protecting you, from myself .
 I love you, okay? Don't forget it. 

All my love, Elmo xx.'

I took one last glance at the life I would miss so much and rolled out my suitcase, heading for a place I once called home.