All I Have Left

Chapter 8: Unlikely Ally

Shit. It's him. The guy that dropped a bombshell on me about my parents causing this entire thing. You know, now that I think about it, this has made me grow to hate them. Could just be grief but who the hell cares? 

"You." I say, twirling my knife. He chuckles darkly. 

"Yup. Me." He walks closer to me. I don't have time for this. I have more important things to do than deal with this clown. But the way he was walking towards me, I can't lie, I was getting pretty nervous. I backed up as he walked toward me, our steps weirdly in sync. I try to intimidate him. Like I could actually achieve that. 

"I have shit to do. Mind getting out of my way?" I stop in my tracks and look at him, slightly annoyed. Of course, that didn't phase him. He's way too close to me. He softly pushed a piece of hair out of my face and lightly brushes my face with his fingers. But with the way I was looking at him, he had to have known that he wasn't getting anywhere with me. 

"You know, beautiful, would it kill you to smile?" He said. What is it with men wanting me to smile all the time?

"My friend was just killed, next question." I said coldly. His hand freezes on my cheek and he looks shocked. 

"Wow, um, I'm sorry. He said awkwardly.

"Doubt it. Bye." I said, pushing past him. 

"W-well where are you going? Maybe I can help." He said following behind me. What's his deal all of a sudden? 

"No, you'll only slow me down." He grabbed my wrist and stood in front of me. 

"Look, it's a madhouse out here, beautiful. You'll get yourself killed. Just let me help you." He said. I sighed. 

"One, I know how bad it is. Don't doubt me. Two, stop calling me beautiful. Three, I don't need you or anyone else to help me, got it?" I said coldly. I started to walk away again and I heard him sigh loudly. Finally, he's off my back. 

"What if I told you that I could help you find your parents?" He called. I stopped in my tracks. I sighed and looked down. 

"What do you know about my parents...?" He walked up to me and stood in front of me. I bet he expected me to look up at him but I didn't bother.

"I, uh, I know them as well as I know the man that...that killed your friend." He said quietly. My heart sank to my feet. Damn it. I looked up at him with a sad look in my eyes. 

"You know who killed Bria?" I said. My voice sounded shaky and weak. He looked at the ground and nodded. 

"You were his main target. I guess when he met you, he realized that killing your best friend would hurt you more than killing you. His intention was to use you as leverage to get to your parents and then reveal your death to them. I guess he changed his mind." He admitted. I felt sad, furious, and guilty all at once. It really was supposed to me that died and not Bria. I even told him to take me instead of her! This was my fault. Her death was my fault! I caused the ONE THING I've been trying to prevent this entire time! I felt my eyes burn and well up. I tried to fight the tears. I looked directly at him.

"How...did he find us...?" I asked him. There was guilt plastered all over his sorry little face. 

"You have to understand-"

"No. No, I understand. He needed leverage and you just...directed him to my house. I totally get it. Not like the lives of two people who just so happened to be directly in the middle of this bullshit even fucking matter to anyone, right? And because of that, the person I've been trying to protect is dead! Bria is dead!" I yelled. So much for no more tears. He avoided eye contact with me and tried to find the words to say. I just nodded. 

"Exactly. Like I said, I don't need anyone. Especially not you." I said. Then I just left him there with all of his well-deserved guilt. 

"Adrienne...please let me help you." He said. I rolled my eyes. Before I could say anything else he started begging. 

"Please...I didn't know that you were innocent. Bradley was my partner in all of this and we wanted the riots to be over just as much as you did. Now, I know your parents and I know where to find them. I also know where to find him. So if you please just let me help you, I promise I will make it up to you. I can't bring your friend back but I can help you end this. Please." He pleaded. I sighed loudly and started to walk away. 

"I-is that a no?" He called. 

"Slow me down and I'll kill you too. Come on." I said. 

What the fuck did I just do?