Unforeseeable

Chapter 12

I sit on Duane's bed as he rustles around downstairs for his car keys. We are going to the airport as soon as he finds those keys. Then we will be going to airport to be flown to London. Taken away from my family, my friends and any hope of being found. I unclasp my fist, his keys in my palm. I would be crying, but I have a plan. An irrational, crazy plan. Yet a plan nonetheless. I lift up the corner of Duane's mattress and slide out the knife I hid there. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I have to do this. I put the car keys under the mattress where the knife was and get to my feet. I walk down the stairs, a particular floorboard creaking loudly as I place my weight on it. I cringe and continue. I stop at the door frame. I look at the shadow casting onto the floor. I lean against the wall and take a deep breath. After I stab him I can get into his car and drive away. Then everything will be okay. I can find a way home. The shadow slowly gets bigger as the figure walks closer to the door frame. Just before he reaches it, I spin off the wall and thrust the knife forward stabbing him in the chest. I glance up from the knife into his face. My stomach drops as I look into the eyes of someone other than Duane.
"Oh my god." I gasp. "Damien."
•••••
He lets out a small grunt and falls into the wall, sliding down it onto the floor. "No no no no no no." I fall to my knees beside him in despair.
"Quinn....." His bottom lip shudders as he speaks, his lip piercing quivering slightly.
"Damien I didn't know it was you, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to... I'll make you better. I'll make sure you're okay." He slowly reaches up and touches my face. I place my hand to his and a tear slips from my eye.
"Go." He says simply.
"I'm not going anywhere without you."
"No.... You have to... leave me."
"I'm so sorry Damien. I thought you were him."
"I have... Bad timing." He says, laughing gently before coughing.
"The worst." The tears are flowing freely down my cheeks now.
"I love you Quinn."
"You do have really bad timing."
"Do you love me back?" His eyes glint with hopefulness.
"I never stopped." I lean down and plant my lips onto his. Kissing him one last time. I pull away and look back down at him. He slides his hand down into his pocket and pulls out his car keys. He slips them into my hand.
"Drive. There is a map and $100 in the glove box." His voice is strained, now that the shock is gone he is slipping away. I slide the keys into my pocket.
"Thank you."
"What happened to Lexi?"
"He killed her. She wanted to die." He stayed silent for a moment before speaking.
"Leave now. I don't want that happening to you." I shake my head.
"He will just follow me, he knows where I live. I have to kill him. There's no other way." He lifts up his shirt revealing a gun that was halfway slotted into his jeans.
"Be safe Quinn." I slide the gun out and hold the cold weapon in my hands.
"I'll come back for you. I swear." He nods and I stand up. I check the magazine. Four rounds. I take a deep breath and click the safety off. I take a step forward and walk into the kitchen. Duane is searching through the drawers for his car keys. He slams the draw shut angrily and swears. I raise the gun and get him in my sights. Duane spots me out of the corner of his eye.
"Quinn?" He straightens up, his face generally confused. "What are you doing?"
"What I should have done a long time ago."
"But you said you loved me."
"Well I lied." I pull the trigger. Duane dives to the side, the bullet whizzing past him. He tumbles onto the floor and rolls around the corner into the living room and out of my sight. I swear and run around to where he went. My eyes scan the room, not seeing Duane anywhere. I see a moment in the hallway where Damien is lying and hear him yell out in pain. I run towards him.
"Leave him alone!" I cry spinning around the corner. I see Duane holding Damien in front of him, holding the knife I stabbed him with the Damien's throat. Blood spills from Damien's chest, staining his shirt. "No! Don't!" I raise the gun to Duane's head. "Put him down or I'll shoot you!" He laughs confidently.
"Are you sure you will hit me this time?" I freeze, not wanting to shoot Damien. His eyelids flutter closed, and my heart stops. They slowly open again. I stay still, not moving a muscle. "What now Quinn?"
"Put. Him. Down."
"As you wish beautiful." He lets go of Damien, letting his body fall to the floor. Damien collapses with a grunt and I let out a broken cry. Duane pulls his arm back and throws the knife at me. I cry out as it lodges into my shoulder. I pull the trigger, hitting him in the stomach. He locks eyes with me
"I love you Quinn." he then staggers backwards before falling to the ground. I clasp the gun in my hand, the metal cold in my fingers. He did just love me. He had a weird way of showing it, but he loved me. My eyes shift to Damien who is lying on the ground. I go to run towards him but his voice stops me mid-step.
"Quinn. No. Just go."
"But-"
"Now. In case he wakes up" His cold demanding voice softens slightly. "I'll be alright until you come back. I love you Quinn." My eyes water as I turn around.
"I love you too. Thank you so much Damien." Then I turn and run out the door.