20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Twenty two

Safe with him—not because he might be watched, but because he lies to me.

Sleepiness washes over me.

"Twi." Someone calls my name, but I can't place who it is.

"Twi... Twyla." The voice comes again, clearer now. I open my eyes—it's Kyle.

"What?" I panic. It's evening.

"We see a ship over there." He points toward the sea, and I immediately stand up.

"Really!" I smile and spot the ship miles away. Thank God.

I realize a crowd has gathered, waiting for their families too.

The ship slows in the harbor.

Everyone starts screaming and calling out names.

"Mom, Dad! I'm Twi!" I shout.

"Twyla's here!" Kyle yells, his voice cracking with excitement.

"Mom and Dad, I'm Twi!" I keep shouting.

Passengers jump off the ship, exhausted and haggard, like they haven't eaten in months. But I don't see Mom or Dad. The last person to step down isn't Dad either. What does this mean?

I clutch my head in shock. I didn't find them.

"What does this mean? Tell me." Tears stream down my cheeks.

Kyle steps closer.

"No, no." I pull away as he reaches for me, trying to comfort me by touch. "Tell me, what could this mean?" I burst into sobs.

"Don't be pessimistic. Maybe... maybe they're not on this one." He tries to soothe me.

"Not on this one?" I scoff, still crying.

He reaches for me again; I pull away, flailing my hands. He raises them in surrender.

"Twi, let's go inside the ship and look."

"Didn't you hear them? They said there are no more people inside this damn ship." I yell.

"Let's see. You won't lose anything."

"Okay." I give in, still crying.

The captain—or whoever's in charge—lets us board.

"Mom and Dad, I'm Twi," I call out loud enough for anyone to hear.

"Heeey!" He shouts back, cupping his hands around his mouth.

We search every room, but no sign of them.

"See? I told you." I cry harder, collapsing on the floor. I'm so tired.

"Stop that. It's a good sign we didn't find them dead or anything." He yells.

"Dead?" I shake my head. "Then where are they?" I feel frustrated, lost. What now? God help me.

"I don't know, but they're safe." He runs a hand through his hair. "Get up now."

"No. Leave me here. I need to be alone."

"Leave you where? The ship's probably about to move. Stop being crazy and get up."

"Maybe it'll take me to where they are." I sob.

"Twi, stop fucking crying. You're so annoying." He spits.

"Okay, then leave me. Why are you still here with someone as annoying as me?" I cry.

"Will you come or not?" His tone hardens, threatening.

"No." I know it's pointless, but I'm too depressed to move.

"Okay, as you like." He starts to leave. Then he turns, bends down. His face is inches from mine. He stares for a long moment. I try to look away.

He slips one arm around my waist, the other under my knees before I can protest, and carries me.

"What?" My eyes widen, mouth hanging open.

"What?" He repeats and steps outside the ship.

"Put me down!" I scream, kicking.

"You wish." He smirks. "You brought this on yourself—you were annoying, and I wouldn't leave you there."

"Why? Who are you to decide not to leave me?" I look up at him.

"You're still young to be left behind." He teases.

"And I'm still young to be carried?" I stop kicking.

"Shut up. You're heavy." He chuckles.

"Put me down or I'll cause problems for your backbone." I'm a little hurt by the 'heavy' comment, but not in the mood to be upset.

He laughs, throwing his head back.

"Put me down. I'm serious unless you want a scene."

"Sure, sure." He keeps walking with me in his arms.

"You're a jerk." I lean my head back. My long hair swings with every step. Thank God it's straight today.

"I'm a jerk, and you'll shut up. Deal?"

"No deal." The wind lifts my dress a little higher. I quickly pull it back down.

"I saw everything already." He teases.

"You're not serious."

"Yes, I am. Fold your dress further over your knees. I told you—I saw everything."

"You know you're immoral, right?"

"Really?" He mocks. "Everyone says that."

He stops by a man who was on the ship.

"We didn't find her parents. Is there another ship coming soon?" he asks, as if I'm not in his arms.

"A lot of people didn't find their family either. Yes, there's another ship in five days," the man replies.

I somehow feel a little relief.

"Why five days?"

"They said they landed in faraway places. The gathering point will be New York City."

"Any... you know... dead people?" I ask, dreading the answer.

"No, none so far." The man smiles.

Thank God they're safe. Thank God.

Hell. I'll have to stay for another five days. Where? With this handsome jerk?