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39📚| Halfway across town

We ran. We ran like our lives depended on it. It did but we ran even faster because of it and now we're on a train to God knows where.

I felt a nudge on my hand and I looked over at Kyle. "Hm?"

He looked tired. We both did. Our eyes were bloodshot after crying for so long, and we barely got any sleep. We had changed vehicles four times already, but we're closer to our destination now.

What am I even doing?

Shouldn't I go to the police with what I know? Shouldn't I turn myself and Kyle in? I need to avenge Alaina and get justice for Sarah and Cillian as well.

I was conflicted. Turning myself inside out, looking for answers I didn't have. If only I could speak to Dad again. He'd know what to do.

"We're almost there," he said, jerking his head forward.

I looked through the massive windows and spotted the small town up ahead. When the train came to a halt, we grabbed our bags and hopped off. The heavy snow was gone but remnants of the cold still remained. It reminded me of that fateful night a couple of months ago and I pulled my jacket tighter.

Did I really leave all of that back in New York? Or would the past haunt me forever?

It was cold enough that when we breathed fog left our mouths. I could feel the bite on my fingers and the tip of my nose. 

"Let's go," Kyle muttered, walking ahead of me. I followed with my head low. The place was unfamiliar but it didn't look like some weird old town you see in the movies. It was bustling. It had stores, a gas station, and a road that disappeared into the distance.

Sure, it still looked like a place where everybody knew everybody. But it was chill. I even saw a small mall.

"Where are we?" I asked, looking around.

We were on a sidewalk, walking up to said mall.

"My hometown," Kyle replied without a beat. My eyebrows raised into my forehead and my heart fluttered. I didn't expect him to take me to his hometown.

"It's nice," I said, picking up the pace to catch up to him. "Where did you live?"

He glanced over his shoulder and reached for my hand when he realized I was struggling. I'd usually grab without much thought. But knowing what those hands did...

"I won't bite, Celine," he said, his voice lowering. A shiver made its way up my spine. I forgot the effect this man had on me. I forgot the control he had on my body.

My fingers trembled as I reached forward and clasped his hand. The contact sent a jolt of something hot and electrifying shooting through my veins.

But you do bite...

I allowed him to lead me through town and into the mall. We didn't do anything special. We just grabbed a meal and some more warm clothes. We also rented a car. The bags were packed into the trunk and just before dusk set, we were on our way up that long stretch of road.

The car ride was silent. Both of us seemed to he lost in our thoughts. My brain was wracked, still processing the loss of my best friend. I didn't get time to process anything at all.

Did she suffer when she died?
Was the attack brutal?
Was she lonely and afraid or was it quick?

Before I knew it I was crying. Long streaks of tears slid down my cheeks and I turned my head towards the window to hide my face.

Rest easy, my beautiful friend.

Kyle must've heard the sniffling because he reached over and began to rub my thigh. I flinched at first, and felt my heart speeding up too. But after a while it was comforting.

The ride out of town took about ten minutes before we pulled into a small community. The roads and sidewalks were empty, but almost all the yards had vehicles in them. All except one.

We pulled up to a white, two-story home with picket fences and a lush yard. It was dark as expected but it's strange coming to an empty family home.

"Your home is beautiful," I said, glancing up at him and taking off the seatbelt once he parked.

He smiled. "Thanks. It's my mom and dad's home. Cillian and I grew up here until they died."

I was tempted to ask what happened but I bit my tongue. He'd tell me on his own time. It was also strange hearing him talk about Cillian, my ex.

We got out and grabbed all the bags. Kyle took out a key and we entered the home. I coughed into the sleeve of my jacket as old dust permeated my nostrils and got into my lungs. It definitely hadn't been lived in for quite some time.

I coughed again and Kyle turned on the lights. "I'll get you some water."

I nodded, the coughing fit calming down a bit, and looked around. The house was normal, with a few pictures here and there. There were typical furniture and decorations. It kind of reminded me of my home.

I walked over to a wooden stand, lined with trophies and some pictures. Two young boys, both with black hair and bright, wide smiles stood in most of them. Kyle, the older brother, towered over Cillian. They looked happy ans full of life, also cute.

The trophies were athletic. Some for swimming and some for soccer. Kyle Norman was on the swimming trophies and Cillian Norman was on the soccer's.

Wasn't Cillian's last name Murphy?

"Cillian hated soccer when he started." I turned to Kyle who was handing me the glass of water.

I looked back at the picture. At the innocent faces.

"He still does," I replied, taking a sip. While we were dating, Cillian always voiced his dislike for soccer.

Kyle hummed. "No surprise there, our father was the one who forced him to join." He shoved his hand in his pocket and stood closer to me.

"You must be wondering about his last name," he said.

I nodded. "Yeah, I just never asked about it. I don't ask about anything really."

"Well, you can ask me anything now. Cillian's last name changed when he was adopted. His family was good people. They still are. He talks about them all the time."

I turned away from him as a wave of anxiety washed over me. I tried to take a deep breath but the headache only increased. So did the loud thumping of my heart.

How could he stand there talking so casually with me, after everything? Then the loss of my friend, his brother, and Sarah. He seemed alot more composed than I was. I just—I don't get it. I don't get him. What does he want from me?

I want to go home. I miss my dad.

"Celine?" I turned to face him, and seeing his creased brows I quickly came up with something.

"I'm sorry, just a bit tired is all."

He slowly nodded. "Let me show you to your room then."

We grabbed the bags and headed upstairs. There were four rooms, two facing each other in pairs. He opened the first on the right as we breached the stairs. It was spacious and had a single king-sized bed in it. No other furniture.

"You can sleep here, it's the guest room."

I thanked him and took my bag. After a little hesitation, he left and entered the last room down the hall. I assumed it was his parents' room.

I watched his retreating form before going in and closing the door behind me.

I couldn't stay there. Kyle was up to something and I was going to find out what and leave.