Where She Lies

Chapter 20: Something to Lose

Those few seconds ago when I heard the gunshot, that was when I realized something. I realized that I couldn't afford to lose Quinn. Not just because of the case, but because I simply just couldn't cope with him being gone. It's fascinating that someone managed to break through the walls I've built and I haven't really noticed it - not until now. Time seemed to slow down around Trevor, Listette, and I as we all ran outside. A few others in the room were looking around because they heard it too, but they weren't sure if they were imagining it or not. Some of them ran outside in realization, others just kept doing what they were doing - not having a care in the world. I burst through the entrance and stood outside in the dimly lit world. There was enough light for me to see Wyatt lying on the ground surrounded by a pool of his own blood. Quinn was kneeling beside him, still in handcuffs, while staring at him in horror. It wasn't hard to miss the hole in Wyatt's chest, or the way he was writhering around on the ground. Witnesses were either screaming their heads off, running in the other direction in fear, or standing still in shock with their jaws open. Trevor and Listette stood silently beside me as we all stare at the unraveling scene. After a few seconds Trevor grabs his cellphone and dials 911 while Listette continues to stand as still as a statue.

"I'm innocent," Wyatt coughs, "I was working on the other side as an undercover detective."

"What?" Quinn's words are clipped and sharp.

"Kimberly, where's your mother?" Wyatt winces painfully.

"How should I know? She's been kidnapped!" I wave my arms around frantically.

"Exactly. You don't know where she is." Wyatt's eyes hold a sense of knowing in them.

"What's he talking about?" I turn to Listette.

"Listette?" Quinn looks up at her.

"Listette," I grab her by the shoulders, "What's Wyatt talking about!"

"I can't tell you!" Listette shouts.

"You said you knew who the killer is," I continue to shake her, "Can you tell me about that?"

"No!" Listette screams.

"Why not!" I start shouting again.

"Because," Listette thrashes around in my hold, "They'll kill me!"

Listette finally breaks free and runs the other direction away from the bar just as the ambulance comes from around the corner.

"Quinn," Wyatt gains his attention back, "Just so you know, I never meant to kill mom. I also never wanted you to go to jail, I was trying to protect you."

"Your version of trying to protect me is sentencing me to death?" Quinn arches his eyebrows.

"It wasn't my intention to do that either, I found evidence and the court ruled you to death, I was the one held responsible of the action because I found the evidence. The court didn't want any recognition. When people would ask me about it I'd just tell them I did it - I had to." Wyatt barely manages to finish.

Before the medical team pulls Wyatt away he puts the key to the handcuffs in Quinn's hand and curls his fingers around it.

"Why can't you tell us who the killer is?" Quinn whispers.

"Because I don't have all of the evidence - you do." Wyatt gives him a weak smile.

"You know that I still don't fully forgive you, don't you?" Quinn looks at his older brother.

"I know, but I hope you'll be able to - eventually." Wyatt coughs.

The medical team carries Wyatt away, leaving just Trevor, Quinn, and I. In a daze-like state I approach Quinn and grab the key from his hand. I slip the key into the lock on the handcuffs and they clatter to the ground, making a clinking sound when they hit.

"I know that we need to talk about things," I raise my eyes up to Quinn's, "But we should probably -"

"Go." He finishes for me.

"Yeah," I whisper, "We should go."

"Where?" Trevor asks.

"We could ask to go see my dad at the police station." I suggest.

"That's probably not the best idea right now, plus we probably shouldn't be anywhere public for the time being." Trevor frowns.

"Can't we just go back to your house if that's the case?" I stare at Trevor.

"No," Trevor shakes his head, "Whoever shot Wyatt will probably look for where we're staying."

"Which means we'd need someone who wasn't here." I say in realization.

"Like Esmee's house." Quinn sighs.

"But what about our stuff? I've already lost most of everything, but now you'll lose a lot, Trevor." I disapprove.

"Don't worry about it, it's not as if I won't ever be able to set foot in my own home again." Trevor gives me a weak smile.

"Let's go then, just try to blend in." Quinn says the last part of his sentence quietly.

Trevor and I walk just a few steps behind Quinn as he guides us the opposite direction from where we came. After about twenty minutes I start to worry considering that it's getting darker and darker outside - and easier and easier for someone to sneak up on us.

"I hope you know where you're going." I break the silence.

"I do." Quinn's statement is short and confident.

I find myself unconsciously frowning as I start to rerun what happened just a short time ago in my mind. I need to talk to my dad about why he was looking for me and I also need to figure out what Wyatt had meant about my mom.

"Don't worry about it." Trevor nudges me with his arm and smiles.

"About what?" I mock innocence.

"You know I'm not buying your act, don't you?" Trevor smirks.

"Yeah," I sigh in defeat, "I know."

We continue to follow Quinn until we stop at a dark brown house with cream colored doubledoors. We walk up the winding pathway and up the five stairs that lead to the porch.

"I'm serious though," Trevor pulls me out of my thoughts, "It'll be okay."

"I sure hope so." I murmur.

Quinn goes to knock on the door, but it opens, leaving him holding his fist in mid-air and staring at Esmee with saucers for eyes.

"Well," Esmee crosses her arms and leans to the side, "Are you going to come in?"

"How did you know we'd be coming?" Quinn furrows his eyebrows in confusion.

"Surprisingly enough my sister called me and told me what happened. Odd, huh?" Esmee snorts.

We continue to stand there and stare at her like idiots as she impatiently watches us.

"Seriously, are you coming in? I'm not going to stand around letting cold air into my house for nothing." Esmee rolls her eyes.

And with that, we decide to enter Esmee's house.