Linked

Chapter 9

Kyle

Why the hell was Eria being so hard on Kaileen? She had almost been raped by Jack, so didn't she at least deserve some gentleness? I decided to ignore my better nature and voiced my thoughts. "What is your problem, Kayder? Wasn't that your father who attacked Kaileen or did my eyes deceive me?" I snapped. Even if she was being a bitch, Eria still had the grace to look ashamed. I immediately felt bad for what I had said.

Eria

"My father's a motherfucking bastard." I snapped back at Kyle as we all swarmed out of my house. The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. I had trusted my father so much, but now I was doubting everything that he had done for me. I had always been his favorite child, the one he called to sit beside him at dinner when Elia and I were younger. But today I had seen with my own eyes how emotionlessly he had watched his own daughter being taken to who knows where, and just now, how he tried to force himself on Kaileen. My train of thought screeched to a stop as Kaileen spoke for the first time since we had gotten out of Elia's room.

"He's not completely inhuman." she whispered. Her hazel eyes locked onto my brown ones. "He was calling for Elia. 'Elia, my precious daughter.' That's what he was saying." her voice was steadier now.

"That doesn't change what he almost did to you, Leen." Kyle protested.

"I can't blame him. He was suffering over Elia." Kaileen shook her head. "Eria, I'm not going to stop you from coming with us, but you have to understand, you can't go back on this. It's an irreversible choice."

I shrugged. "It's my twin sister. What other convincing do I need?"

Kaileen sighed. Then she looked at Nathan. "Is he coming too?" In answer to her question, Nathan nodded but I had different ideas for him. I pulled him out of earshot near a tree so we could talk privately.

"Nate, I'm going to have to ask you to stay here. You'll be our cover so that no one will get suspicious for as long as possible." I looked him straight in the eyes, showing that I was serious.

"But Eria, babe, you're my Link. I'm supposed to stay with you at all times. I can't do this." he shook his head, but I silenced him with a lingering kiss. Nathan sighed into my mouth. "Baby, I'll miss you so much. Promise to stay safe."

"I promise. Don't let other girls near you while I'm gone, okay?" I tried to joke. Nathan looked offended.

"Hey, it's not like I ever had eyes for any other girl except you." he whispered into my ear. I hugged him tight, and waved as he walked away to the direction of his house.

And then we were on our way.