But Only In Red Ink || #Wattys2017

Chapter Eighteen

*Carlisle in the picture*

On the way home, I stopped by the closest grocery store to my neighborhood for a microwave Alfredo. Dad and India texted me and informed me that they had gone out for dinner. I could join them if I wanted to but I just wanted to lay down. I ached a little. I could cope as it wasn't as bad as the first time I had felt that ache. So it wasn't that bad but a rest would be great.

While in the frozen foods isle, I searched for the TV dinners. I literally bumped into Michael's brother while doing so.

I looked up into his beautiful crystal eyes, surprised to see him and also surprised that I hadn't seen him before. "Oh, Carlisle! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there." I took a step back.

He shook his head. "It was my fault. I'm sor- Oh shit. Tia!"

I nodded and smiled a bit. "Oh you remembered my name this time."

"Listen, we need to talk. Get what you need then come see me outside. I'll give you my address then you have to come to my place. It's really important that we talk."

I did exactly what was asked of me. Well, demanded of me. I really needed to work on that. Getting bossed around and just doing things. It already got me in trouble once. It'll probably get me more in trouble the more I do it.

Once I got into Carlisle's apartment, he allowed me to heat my TV dinner up in his microwave then instructed me to sit across from him at the table. Following directions, I set my food on three minutes then took my seat. He was pulling a cigarette out of the pack and tapping it on the table before putting it between his lips. "You smoke?"

I laughed and shook my head. "Nah. I care about my lungs, thank you."

"It's funny how that D.A.R.E., Smokey the Bear shit only got to thirty percent of the students that took that class." He adorably chuckled under his breath.

I rolled my eyes, smiling. He wasn't lying. Most of the people at McCray have at least tried weed and then just started popping pills. "Whatever. Why am I here?"

"We need to talk about your boy." He lit his cigarette and looked at me.

"Who? Your brother?"

It was his turn to roll his eyes. "That man is not my brother. He stopped being my brother several years ago."

I frowned a little. "What happened?"

He got up and picked up a picture frame from the counter. The photo was of Carlisle and Michael as young boys. They were sliding down a metal slide, laughing, Michael behind Carlisle. It seemed Carlisle was three? Michael looked maybe thirteen.

Carlisle pointed to his big brother. "That's my brother. Not the crazy fuck ass you know."

"That's literally the same person."

He glared at me and snorted. He shook his head with a smirk. "Smart ass." He set the picture frame back on counter top. "But listen," he said, taking his seat and smoking his burning cigarette. "We need to get you away from him. You'll end up dead if you continue to stay with him."

I sighed. "I know. But I feel like I'm pretty safe. If I keep doing as he asks of me, he won't hurt me."

"And you're young and dumb so some things he asks will be the stupidest shit ever and you'll do it out of fear and what you think is love," he interrupted.

I thought about it. Carlisle was smarter than what I thought he was when I first met him.

"But look, you may think you're safe and all that. My wife thought the same thing." he looked into my eyes intently.

My stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"

"She found out about Michael killing Scarlett while he and I were talking. She began asking questions and Michael answered. She made the mistake by joking about turning him in.  He didn't find it funny."

I scoffed. "Well surely he would've known it was a j-"

"Tia, the next morning I woke up in bed with a corpse." He looked at me with glossy eyes.

I got quiet. So he did kill more than one person.

"He's killed nearly ten people. How has he not gotten caught? I don't know. But soon enough, you and I will both be in deep shit for even knowing what he's done."

I nodded, looking down. "Right."

"I want to help you get away from that situation," he informed me. "You're such a sweet and beautiful girl. I don't want you to fuck up your life before it even begins."

Carlisle was also nicer than I thought he was. He actually gave a damn about my safety. I couldn't tell if it was because he actually thought I had a lot to live for or if he just didn't want to see Michael hurt anyone else.

I nodded again and sighed. "What do I need to do though?"

He took a second to think. "I don't know yet.. we'll need to figure something out." He looked at the kitchen. "I think your food is done."

I got up and attended to my food, taking it out of the microwave. I stirred the noodles and put it back in the microwave for two more minutes.

My phone vibrated in my pocket lightly, informing that I had an incoming call. I answered it without even glancing at the caller ID.

"Tia," Becky sobbed on the other end of the line. "I need you to come over like right now."

I quickly grabbed my purse and keys, panicking. "I'm on my way, Beck, what's going on?"

"I just- Dad's gonna kick me out the house when he finds out, Tia!"

"Why would he do that? What's the matter?" I waved at Carlisle before rushing out the door and to my car.

"I'm pregnant and I don't-" she broke out into more sobs.

My heart stopped as I sat in the car. "Becky, you're pregnant? Oh my god.. I'll grab us some food then I'll be right over, okay? Stay where you are. I'm coming."

*************************
Rain drop
Drop top
Michael's about to be a pop-pop

Sorry. I've not made any of those jokes so I took the opportunity.

Anyway, Hi guys!
Happy Holidays! I missed y'all

QUESTION TIME!!
What do you think Michael is gonna do when he finds out about Beck?

Also what should Tia do to get away from Michael alive?

Am I the only one that likes Carlisle? Tell me I'm not.

Don't forget to stop by my Q&A chapter and ask me anything you want.

Oh! If you have any books you want me to read that you've written, comment the title here!

I love y'all!
2016 is almost over let's goo 😭

~Shann