Ashes to Ashes

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter fourteen

It took me another couple of weeks before I could get up, and when I did I found that Lexi had left about a week ago. I hoped she was somewhere safer now.

Two empty days later, Ash called me into his office.

"We've found a lead on the two men who escaped – the ones who took you."

"Can I come with you to get them?" I already knew what the answer would be.

Ash looked incredulous. "What, and have you killed? You're staying here."

I argued for a bit, which made Ash yell at me again. In the end I gave in – reluctantly – and waited in growing apprehension for night.

Ash was still so angry with me, when he left, it was without a backwards glance. I tried to tell myself that this was just like any other night, but it wasn't, because I knew that these men wanted something, and when someone wants something that badly, they'll be prepared to do anything for it.

I waited up in my room, listening for the sound of the door to open so intently that every small creak in the house was magnified to ten times its usual volume. The small clock on the table by my bed ticked tirelessly, and I watched it with growing panic. Why was I scared, after what they had done to me? They would deserve everything they got. But somehow I couldn't think like that, not right now.

10.26....

....11.33.....

When it flashed 12am, the clock buzzed and I jumped out of my skin before I realised what had made the noise.

. . . 12.46 . . .

. . . 1.07 . . .

downstairs, a door slammed. I flew out of my room, then stopped and walked slowly down the stairs and into the hallway.

Ash and Jax were just in front of the door.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Well? Where are the others?"

"Out" said Jax, offering me a smile which I didn't return.

I waited for someone to say something, but no one did so I said, "Well? What happened?"

Jax turned to Ash. "I've got to go call him." Ash nodded and Jax walked past me and up the stairs. I watched him go then turned beck to Ash.

"Call who?"

"No one." Ash was glaring at me, then he turned to walk away downstairs to the kitchen.

"Oh no you don't! " I yelled after him, running to the top of the small narrow staircase that lead downstairs, "Come back here and tell me what fucking happened!"

Ash ignored me and disappeared at the bottom of the stairs. I could have screamed with irritation.

Fuming, I followed him downstairs, and saw him remerging through a shelf opposite me.

"Are you a fucking mute?" I muttered, striding towards him, and he turned around to face me properly for the first time. "Tell. Me. What. Fucking – oh."

I stopped short as I saw the front of his shirt, which was covered in blood, starting at the shoulder.

"What happened?"

"I got shot." Ash gave me a look, which couldn't have said clearer that he thought my question was stupid.

I stared at him for a moment then sighed and walked the few paces left to reach him, then pushed him roughly into the counter, pulled open a draw and took out the scissors.