Haunt

Ch. 17- A Startling Suggestion

Kayla's horrified scream rings in my ears.

It only takes seconds for me to rush to her side and pull her into the room and slam the door shut.

She stares at Eric wide eyed in utmost disbelief.

"Oh, my god! Lianna!"

"Shut up!"

If she starts screaming again, my parents are bound to hear her. Eric stands, still shirtless and walks toward us with disdain written across his features.

I take my sister's hands into my own stepping in front of her.

"Kayla, you need to calm down."

She yanks away and snarls her lip up at me.

"Calm down?! After what I just saw? Who is he, Lianna?!"

Kayla's eyes drift to Eric again where he stands just behind me, arms crossed with what I would assume a not so happy expression plastered on his face.

"Would you please be quiet? Mom and Dad will hear you."

The heat from Eric's body washes over my back and I can only imagine what he is thinking right now. A Dauntless leader caught red handed with an Amity girl. It will be the talk of all the factions if Kayla doesn't keep her mouth shut.

Surely, my parents would never allow me to see Eric if they find out. I would be banned from ever doing anything on my own again. Or worse, they could banish me.

"Let them hear. After what you've done, they deserve to know that their eldest daughter has become some kind of slut."

Kayla has never spoken to me like this before. Ever. Her words cut through me like a double edged knife that keeps digging in, relentless of freeing me from pain. I have nothing to come back with from the shock.

But, then I don't have to because a more sinister voice echoes through the room with grinding teeth.

"Shut your fucking mouth." Eric growls at her.

Kayla retracts her accusatory stare and looks to him with a fear that I'm all too familiar with.

The thudding steps of my parents creep up the stairs. I ball the material of my night gown into my fists at my sides. I turn back to Eric quickly with pleading eyes.

"My parents."

He glances down at me briefly with slight irritation but moves past me and grabs Kayla, dragging her into the bathroom with a hand covering her mouth, keeping her quiet.

The door rattles.

"What is going on up here?" Dad sounds completely frustrated and I hear my mother's insistent sighs beside him.

I walk to the door and open it. My parents stand before me looking twice their age.

"Kayla, she was overreacting about something stupid. Everything is fine."

Dad takes a primitive step into my room and looks around cautiously.

"Where is Kayla now?"

The door of the bathroom bursts open and out walks an out of breath Kayla. She looks enraged.
Behind her, Eric steps out and  I know I'm done for.

"Overreacting? Seriously? You're the one up here having sex with a Dauntless leader."

*****

I wish I could say that mom and dad were understanding. That they greeted Eric with open arms and welcomed him like all good Amity should. I wish I could say that my dad shook Eric's hand like a man and they had a friendly conversation.