Their Situation, Our Problem

Chapter 8: Amara

"I need to go help," Nik said exasperatedly. He had been fidgeting in his seat ever since Elijah and Colton had jumped into Amara's backyard. He was restless and showing it.

"No you don't," Rachel said.

"They're taking too long. It should not be taking this long," Nik sighed. He had rolled down the window and kept tapping his fingers on the outside of the SUV.

"Elijah said to stay put," Amara said from her seat in the back of the truck. Going back to the SUV had been the last thing she wanted to do when she heard Sofia screaming, but she wasn't going to be of any help to Sofia if she just stood there. She couldn't really do much with a sprained ankle and she didn't want to hurt it any worse. Although, she would have if nobody would have tried to help, but they had, so she went back to the truck while Colton and Elijah went around the back to help Sofia.

"That was your cousin screaming in there. I don't know about you, but I risk my life for my family," Nik bit back at her.

"Don't preach to me about family when you don't know me. I love my cousin, and I'd do anything for her, but I can't help her when I can barely walk. And what good are you to her or your brothers with a hole in your side?" Amara snapped back. She understood he was worried but so was she.

"I don't preach, Barbie, I tell it how it is," Nik replied without missing a beat, "And you don't get to tell me what to do when you don't know me. You have no idea what I'm capable of."

"But I do," Rachel said as she turned to look at her brother. She had jumped in the driver's seat as soon as Elijah had rushed back and ordered Colton to follow him and everyone else to stay put, "And I also know what Elijah is capable of. Elijah knows how to handle a situation better than anyone and you know it. If he needed you, he would have told you so."

Nik didn't have a comeback for that. Amara's attention wavered from the two Arsenics up front and back to her house. Her parents were probably already boarding their cruise ship. Nobody was supposed to be home, but clearly, someone had been. Now her cousin was inside and Amara was outside with no way of helping her. She felt helpless, that was a given, but she was starting to feel desperate.

"They're taking too long," Nik sighed once more, "They'll be drawing attention soon, and that is the last thing we need."

"I would gladly leave if, two of our brothers weren't currently inside playing hero," Rachel offered.

"I'm still here," Amara let them know.

"And I've made no assurances to make you believe I want you here," Rachel replied snidely.

"What made you such a pretentious bitch," Amara snapped?

"Oh! You-"

"Cut it out! Stop acting like obnoxious little girls," Nik interrupted Rachel before she could finish her insult.

"This little girl saved your life. I'm not asking for gratitude, but at least common courtesy would be nice," Amara said. She was really starting to get tired of always being on the defensive.

"Listen, Barbie-"

"Stop it with 'the Barbie'. What is it with your family and nicknames?" Amara asked. Her temper was starting to show. It didn't help that Sofia still hadn't come out of the house and no more noise could be heard.

Nik took a long breath and looked up at the roof as if asking a higher being for patience. He exhaled and replied, "I don't know your name. What else am I supposed to call you?"

"It's Amara. My name is Amara," Amara clarified as she turned to look him in the eyes. Rachel made a gagging noise which they both ignored.

"Look, Amara, you're out of your depth here. Just sit back and ignore everything in front of you. It'll be better for you in the longshot," he said without breaking eye contact.

"What's that supposed to mean," Amara asked?

Rachel sighed exasperatedly before turning back in her seat. Nik gave her a long look. He opened his mouth to speak but shut it right away. His eyes narrowed and he turned to look at the street. Amara opened her mouth to ask what was wrong but shut it once she realized what he had heard. Sirens. They were very faint, but they were getting closer.