Haunt

Ch. 30- You Matter

Lianna's POV

Kayla did this?

No. Not possible. Eric has to be lying...but why would he do that? Just when we were getting to a good place, he goes and says that.

Why did he say that?!

I pace back and forth in my room, holding in any tears. The anger finally subsided and now I just run over all the possibilities and questions I have in my mind.

Kayla shot Eric.

That just doesn't seem possible. She would never do something like that. She's too afraid of everything. Unless...

A very bad thought begins to form in my head and I take a seat on the bed.

Kayla has always been afraid  but also always easily influenced. If someone told her do something, especially someone in authority, she would do it out of fear that she would be in trouble if she didn't.

Dad has always been judgemental of the Dauntless. I don't believe there was ever a time that he spoke well of them. He must have gone crazy knowing that his own daughter was having any type of relationship with a member, especially a leader. The way he got so angry and wouldn't allow me to do anything just proves his hatred for them.

But would he go as far as having Eric killed? And if so, why would he have Kayla do his dirty work? No, I'm thinking too much. Kayla must have acted alone or Eric is lying.

I want to believe that he is lying.

******************************************

The dinner table is quiet. Nobody speaks and I begin to think that I made a mistake coming here tonight. So much tension clouds the air. I look across the table at Kayla and see that she stares down at her food, never once looking up at anyone else.

"Eric got shot." I announce, abruptly.

Dad looks to me with the most puzzled expression on his face and mom stares at me with a worry. Still, Kayla doesn't look up.

"What happened?" Dad asks, seeming interested in the news.

I take a mouth full of green beans before answering, playing along with whatever this is.

"An initiate apparently shot him."

"By accident, I hope?" Mother's small voice carries and Kayla finally looks up with a seething eyes.

"I doubt it was by accident, mother. He's vile. Probably well deserved." Her voice is angry.

I laugh out loud, not being able to help myself and make full eye contact with her.

"Because you would know what he deserves?"

Dad turns his gaze to Kayla with the most furious look on his face. Mom catches on immediately and begins questioning.

"Why on earth would you say that, Kayla?"

Kayla does not say another word, though. She stands from the table, anger coursing through her veins. She looks to me one last time with an accusatory expression but I take no heed to it. There's no possible  way I could be intimidated by her.

Dad goes after her, in a rush to find out the source of the problem. Something I'm sure he already knows about.

Mom grabs my hand and takes it into her own, trying to comfort me because I must need it.

"Honey, is everything okay?"

I shake my head and release myself from her grasp. I too, stand and pick up the plates off the table and move into the kitchen where mother quickly follows behind me.