Can't Say No

Chapter Fifteen

Kayla's POV:
I woke to the sound of shouting. It was coming from downstairs, and from the sound of it, it wasn't about something good. "Mom, can't you see! She's a freak! She's always going into the woods after school, she was with three guys yesterday, and she's been missing for eighteen years! She's not worth it!" "Thanks a bunch, sis." I think. "Damn, am I that unwanted?" "Cathy, I understand she's different! But she's the daughter we've been missing all these years. I hated having to leave her on those steps-" "No you didn't!" Cathy cut in. "You were smiling and said you were happy because you didn't have to take care of three kids! What kind of happiness is that, huh?!" I felt my eyes tear up. My whole life was a lie. Nobody wanted me. Toby... Toby was all I had. I scrawled my 'family' a note, saying I was running away. I would be eighteen soon anyway, so it didn't matter. I packed all my stuff into my duffel bag, including the hundreds of dollars my so called father had given me. I didn't want to the here. I wanted to be with Toby, far from the world. After I had everything of mine, I locked my door and opened my window. I could scale the side and drop down easily. After my feet touched the ground, I ran into the woods. By the time anyone noticed I was gone, it'd be too late. Within minutes I was standing below the tree house. "Toby!" I called. "You up?" Toby's head poked over the side. "Yeah! C'mon up!" I climbed the ladder and sat next to Toby, who immediately noticed my bag. "What's wrong?" He asked, looking at my frown. And I told him. I told him everything, the shouting I'd heard, the dots I'd connected, even about how Cathy had seen us. When I was finished I was nearly crying, and Toby put an arm around my shoulder. "I'm so sorry." He said, and I rested my head against his shoulder. "I'm happy you didn't do anything stupid." He said, playing with my short hair. "If you did, I don't know what I'd do." He said. I smile. "I wouldn't dream of it." I pull him in, and our lips meet. He runs his hand through my hair, and when it runs out holds my face in his hands. I had been at first surprised a killer could be so gentle, but Toby was different than most. He was kind on the inside, just...broken, I'd say. We both were. Maybe that's why I had fallen in love with him. Maybe that's why I can't say no to these feelings. But no matter why, I was in love with Toby. And no one could separate us. After a minute, Toby pulled away just a bit and said "I have a surprise for you, but you have to wait till later." I smile and kiss him on the cheek. "I think I can wait."
Toby's POV:
I yawn and open my eyes. My arms are still around Kayla, who's head is resting on my shoulder. We must have fallen asleep like this, because the sun had fully risen outside. Kayla looked so peaceful asleep, so happy and young. I was mad, at her family. For lying to her and breaking her heart. And I suppose, I was mad at the world. For being so cruel to Kayla. She was the best thing that has ever happened to me, and whatever hurt her would get a visit from me. Of course, I wouldn't kill her family. Somewhere deep down she loved them, I understood that feeling. So I'd leave them alive. Kayla's eyes opened, and she smiled up at me and yawned. Sitting up, she stretched and checked her watch. She still kept that watch, even though her family wasn't what she seemed. "It's eight thirty." She said, looking over at me. "Do I get my surprise now?" I smiled. "Maybe. But you'll have to walk." She shrugged. "Just have to change." I nodded. "Okay, I'll be down below." I stood up, walked over to the doorway, and climbed down the rope ladder. I was going to put on my mask and glasses, but Kayla might have yelled at me to take them off anyway. So I left them up. After a minute, Kayla jumped to the ground beside me. She was wearing a light green t-shirt and black shorts. She had on old sneakers and had brushed her hair so it was all going to he left side of her head. She looked amazing, even in that getup. She grabbed my hand and I lead her out of the woods. "Oh, it's in town?" She said. "Yup." Was all I said. I didn't want to spoil the surprise, and Kayla could tell. She gave me a playful glare, but kept her hand in mine. She glanced around every now and then, but I didn't blame her. Neither of us wanted to be seen by the cops. She was a runaway, I a criminal. Odd team. I led her to the same building we had climbed before, and we went up the fire escape. Right before the roof came into view, I covered Kayla's eyes. She laughed and tried to pry my hands away. "This is just like last time." She said. I twitched, and she still didn't say anything about it. She never had, and quite frankly that's another reason I loved her. "Yeah, only there's no chance of you falling off." I joke. She scoffs as I lead her towards my surprise. "Was there ever any chance?" She asked. I couldn't say. About a foot from the surprise, I removed my hands from Kayla's eyes. "Oh, Toby..." She breathed. "It's beautiful." I had set up a small picnic, with the help of Masky and Hoodie. After many kills of begging, they finally agreed to help me. We set up a blanket to sit on, a basket of food and drinks, and I had a surprise for Kayla once we were done. We sat down, side by side, and started eating. I asked Kayla some questions, like why she was so good at games. To this she only laughed and said "Practice makes a good gamer." After a while, the food was almost gone and I was starting to get paranoid. I loved this spot, but never really came up here during the day. I was afraid we'd be spotted and have to run, again. So I pulled Kayla up and led her to the edge of the roof. On a ledge below was a small paper lantern. Masky had stolen one and not even known what it was, so I took it from him. I'd always wanted to release one of these, and now was the perfect moment. Kayla watched as I picked up the lantern and smiled. "We're going to release a lantern?" I nodded. "Always wanted to do this..." She muttered, helping me strike a flame for the candle. Once it was lit we pushed it high into the air together. My hand in hers, we watched as it went higher and higher. Even on the trip down the stairs we watched it. Finally, it disappeared from view. "Toby," Kayla said as we were walking back into the woods. "Yeah?" I said, looking over to her. Next thing I knew her arms were around me and she was hugging me. I hadn't been hugged in so long, and for a moment, I stiffened. Then I put my arms around her. "Thank you." She whispered, before pulling me into a kiss.