Lost

THE VIAL (11):

Twelve years ago:

I wake up to the sound of my parents talking loudly. Not arguing, but they aren't happy either. Something is wrong.

Getting up out of bed, I head into the kitchen, where they were. There was another person - a woman with black hair and blue eyes.

"Mom? Dad? What's going on?" I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Immediately they stop talking, and my mother crouches down before me.

"Archer," she says. "Did we wake you?"

I nod. "Is everything ok?" I glance towards the woman. "Who's that?"

My father puts a hand on my shoulder. "This is Audrey, a friend we met on the trip we went on last week. She just had a few questions about a project we're working on."

My mother squeezes my hand. "Come on, honey. Let's go to bed." She leads me back into my room, tucking me in.

"Archer, I have to tell you something. No matter what happens later, always remember that we love you above everything else. You mean the world to us, and everything we do is for you. Even if it might not make sense, even if you're angry with us."

She strokes my hair. "Someday, you'll be an adult. You'll have a job, money, maybe even a family. If your father and I are not there to see you like that, promise me you'll find Audrey. She'll tell you everything you need to know. Do you understand?"

I nod, confused as to why she's saying all of this. "I love you too, mom. And dad."

My mother smiles, kissing my forehead. "Goodbye, my warrior." Her nickname for me. Then she leaves, and I fall asleep, dreaming of sunsets and an island full of treasure.

Present day:

Emily. He killed her, right in front of me. I could have stopped him, could have easily chased him down and slit his throat with a knife. Or better yet, take his gun and shoot him in the head. But I didn't do anything, and now I'm paying the price for it.

My knees threaten to buckle, but I hold steady, not daring to show any emotion. Not a flicker.

I will make him pay for what he did to Emily. For what he did to Alexis. He broke her, broke us both. All to get a stupid treasure.

"How much?" I ask. "How much is the treasure worth?"

Ash blinks, surprised I don't react to the blow he gave me. It's an effort not to punch him in the face. "1 billion dollars."

Beside me, Alexis blows out a breath, and as if on instinct, I reach out to grab her hand. She twines her fingers with mine, holding on like her life depends on it. And right here, right now, I realize that behind all the masks, behind all the coldness is just a girl. A girl who doesn't have anyone to depend on, not anymore. So I squeeze her hand, trying to comfort her.

I open my mouth to ask him what he's going to do with us, when the door to the office opens, and ten police officers rush in, all of them with their guns raised.

One of them steps forward, showing his badge to Ash. "Lieutenant Charlie Walker, NYPD. We received an alert about a robbery taking place here. Is everything under control?" Charlie looks around, and his eyes land on us. His face pales, and beside me, Alexis stiffens. I squeeze her hand again, trying to reassure her.

"Thank you for the backup, Lieutenant, but as you can see, we have already caught the criminals. So, you and your team can go on your way, and I will deal with them," Ash replies coolly.