He's An Arrangement

December 25th

December 25th

I had stopped last night to sleep, but by two in the morning I decided I couldn't stand leaving Emma for Christmas. I hopped back on my bike and made the rest of the trip, and here I am. I parked my bike in the back by the dumpsters, just in case. It's better to have the element of surprise on my side.

Just to double check, I grab the paper with the address on it to make sure I'm at the right place. I am, and Emma's here somewhere.

"Where do I even bloody start?" I groaned. I can't just go to each door and ask if they've seen Emma. What if Neal's the one on the other side? He probably wouldn't open the door anyway, since he's hiding a missing person. And, this motel seems to be on his side for whatever reason. No, not whatever reason. Money.

"Try room 205, second floor," a voice sounded from behind me, and the cheap gravel crunched from behind. The voice was somewhat familiar, but not like if it was Mary Margaret or David.

And before I knew it, there was a hand on my shoulder, grabbing on and sinking in. It was strong and had the force to spin me around.

My face scrunched up in confusion, recognizing the person standing in front of me as our neighbor, "August?" I questioned, shrugging his hand off my shoulder.

"I've been watching out for Emma sometime now. We used to be in the same group home," he explained quickly. He knows this is dire, "I became buddy-buddy with Neal so I could keep track of her. Then you stepped in, and I backed away."

He held up his hands, "I promise you I'm not a threat, Killian. I just want Emma safe," his voice quivered slightly. Maybe out of fear.

"I don't have time to question this. I just need Emma," I told him before turning back to the motel. Now, the knot in my stomach loosened, because I had someone on my side, and we're going to save Emma.

Emma

Through the tinted window, I could see a parked motorcycle. The same navy blue seat with matching handles. A backpack sat on the seat, with an Irish patch stitched into it. I almost want to cry out in joy. I want to scream and make sure he hears me. But I don't have the energy for that.

He's on the other side of the room slipping on a new shirt, "Merry Christmas, Emma," he said with a smile through the mirror. It's barely five in the morning, but apparently, neither of us could sleep. And it's not because of the Christmas joy, no, it's because we both know what's going on. Neal's going to try and hurt Killian.

But he doesn't know that he's here. That if I ran out this door he'd be able to find me. I'd be able to collapse into his arms and just be. Just be with him. Listen to the thumping of his heart. Listen to him whisper to me that he loves me. He really loves me, he doesn't love me like Neal. Neal's possessive and controlling. Killian's kind and gentle. Yes, I do love Killian. I do have an intense feeling of deep affection for him.

He's not just an arrangement or a sex buddy. He's a human with gorgeous blue eyes and a cute scruff of a beard. A person that cares for me like no one else has.

There was a bang at the door that made me jump, "County police, open up!" They yelled and shook the door's handle.

"Fuck," Neal whispered and looked around the room. Candles destroyed my senses, along with everything else. Knives and guns laid on the dresser, along with different pills and bottles of alcohol. My blood stained the bed. It looked like something from a horror movie.

He ran for the window, breaking open the glass.

"We will break this door down!" They said for the third time. Glass shattered on me, and I screamed. It took every ounce of energy I had to create a piercing scream. Neal scowled at me, but he didn't have time. He looked down at the ground, wondering if he could make the jump.