The Switch

Ken- As is Well

The thunder didn’t cease that night.

As I looked out of my window, I saw the violet streaks of lightening flash through the clouds and strike the earth; bathing the gardens beyond my home in pale, white, light.

The fact that it would rain was evident in the black mass of clouds.

I sighed.

Sarah had taken hiding in the White Mansion. Well, not hiding exactly, because she had no clue that I was out to kill her, nor did she know that the mansion was one place on earth where she was safe.

I couldn’t hunt her down over there— my goal was not to disrupt the peace of the White household with violence. That sort of disrespect would cost the Siren community dearly. Killing her had been delayed too much already.

It was as if a mysterious force was protecting her; keeping her from harm’s way.

There was no more doubt in my mind of what I had to do. That bridge had been crossed; thanks to Max.

I had to do the right thing—the thing that any capable leader would’ve done.

White Rose was the best place to finish the task. Everything would go rather unnoticed up on the West Tower, or in the Orchid, or—

“Master Kenny?”

I turned to find Amelia holding out my cell phone for me. Not many people were allowed to contact me on my personal line. Through a round of elimination, I had a pretty good idea of who might be on the other end.

“I am to presume all’s well?” I spoke into the receiving end.

“It wasn’t much of a plan” he sighed “though you still have to keep your end of the promise”

“Bring me Sarah, and I will” I taunted.

The guy scowled “If it were up to me, I’d never!”

“But it isn’t” I reminded him.

Silence.

“You know about Sharon’s sealing, right? There’s no backing out of it now. The girl isn’t a real person. She’s made up. Her life is barely worth all the trouble you give yourself.”

“I know” came in the reply “That’s why I’m bringing her to you. It isn’t right to keep Sharon sealed any longer”

I heard dismay in his voice and, for the first time to me, he sounded much older than usual.

It was then that I realized what I was making him do, but the dawning wasn’t enough to change my mind.

“I apologize” I sighed into the phone “This lie’s been carried on for too long. I know how hard this must be on you”

“It shouldn’t be” he sighed, dejectedly as well.

“You’re right” I agreed.

“You will give me one day with her?”

“You know I can’t deny you that”

“Thank you” he was grateful.

“But” I grinned “It isn’t my fault if she doesn’t want to skip the Math test”

“Don’t worry” I heard a wink “I’ll convince her”

We shared a laugh.

“I’ll miss her” I told him “I hope you know that”

“No point to it” a pause “She will remember me, won’t she?”

“She can never forget”

“All right”

Again, a pause stretched.

“Where are you now?” I inquired.

“We’ll be at dinner in a few minutes. Shiloh’s calling. I’ll inform you about the departure in a bit—”

“There’ll be no need” I interrupted “Just tell me when you’re two hours from White Rose”

“Sure” was the final agreement.

The line was disconnected.

I turned to Amelia and gave the phone back to her.

“Switch it off”

“With all due respect” Amelia took it in her hands “what if Sarah decides to contact you?”

“She’ll try the other number I shrugged.

Amelia seemed dissatisfied “and if she doesn’t?”

“Then she doesn’t want to talk. Simple as that”

Amelia smiled “As you wish, Master Kenny”

“No, Amelia” I corrected “As is well”