Perri and Him-the fifth book to series 'Perri and Me' about Perri Kiely

Chapter 2 Part 4

Danielle comes up behind me, Reid in her arms.

"What's wrong Amber?" She asks me. "Is Pel alright?"

I try not to cry, lost for words.

Ruby? Kidnapped?

"Can I have him, please?" I say.

Danielle hands Reid to me and I wrap my arms around him tightly.

"I'm never going to let anything happen to you...." I whisper.

Tears fall out of my eyes as I think of Veronica and Eric. The pain they must be feeling right now. But suddenly I'm angry. Why are they so stupid and careless? Why didn't they take better care of her? She doesn't deserve this...

For the rest of the evening, Danielle invites me into her house and tries to comfort me but I'm just not having it.

Soon, Mitch comes in, out of breath.

"Just finished rehearsal..." He says. "Pel should be here any minute. Are you okay?"

I nod.

"I just want to go home..." I sigh. "These last three weeks have been hell."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. You did everything right. None of this Ruby business is your fault- and I'm sure we'll find her..." Mitch smiles.

Then the doorbell rings.

"I'll get it...." Ike sighs, walking up to the door.

Perri.

"Pel- you missed rehearsal..." Ike says.

"Just move out of the way, Ike..." Perri says, frustrated.

"Woah....chill..." Ike laughs, spreading himself even more in the doorway.

"Ike- stop!" I shout.

Ike rolls his eyes and makes his way back upstairs where the rest of the boys are.

Perri just comes up to me and takes Reid from my hands.

"Let's go..." He says.

I don't hesitate and soon we're outside.

"What the hell is going on?" I whisper, when the door is shut.

"I don't know...." Perri says. "But....you're not safe here..."

"Why is it my family?" I shout. "Why Ruby?"

"Shh...." Perri says. "Amber- just shut up."

"So- what are we going to do?" I say, tears in my eyes. "I can't live with the fact that some lunatic is ought to get me. Is this Lenny?"

"Amber, don't you get it? This is more than Lenny...." Perri says.

He gives Reid to me and puts his hand on my shoulders.

"Do you know that Lenny has a prison record? Who knows how many people he's told about us? Diana and her brother....Lenny obviously told them about us. There are other people out there who are disgusing themselves to be our friends that will turn their back on us, Ambs. Everyone's jealous of you, me, the boys. We've all got to watch out. For each other and you've got to watch out for him...." Perri says.

"So what do you want me to do?" I say.

"Amber- I'm not leaving you alone at home while Ruby is still in danger. Now half of the world knows where we live..." He says.

"Then- let's move..." I say.

"No..." He says. "You know how Ash wants you to go to America? With Kim?"