Luana Bavozi

The Next Step #24

%% Liam's pov %%

Luke has been acting weird since Luana left, sometimes he just sits down and does nothing but at other days he wants us to do something and he starts yelling. Honestly, I don't know which mood I like more. Today he's back in the yelling-mood and tries again, "Luana is gone. Can't we just start the faking death plan?". I hear Riley sigh and I understand his annoyance, two days of mood swings ain't fun for anyone. I lower the gun that I was cleaning, still hoping that talking might help, when Riley speaks up: "I'm done. Luke's done. And Luana is gone. What are we waiting for? Maybe Luke is right".

I stay quiet for a moment, surprised that Riley gives in so easily after I told him that we shouldn't listen to Luke. I slowly nod, accepting my defeat, "if that's what you both wish. But, I will not take the blame for this". Riley shrugs and Luke sighs, "fine. She probably doesn't want me anymore anyways". A sudden thought enters my mind, can we trust Luke? How awful does he feel? Worse enough to betray us and go to ICO?

My look of suspicion doesn't go unnoticed and Riley doesn't sound happy, "seriously? Don't tell me that you're considering us as dangerous". I put the gun in the bag, ignoring his words. Chances are that it's true or will be true. I walk towards Luke, seeing a flash of a smile before Luke hides it. He looks at me, "are you scared? Or do you love Luana and are you worried about going behind her back?". Balding my hands into fists, I whisper to him, "being scared about what Luana might do is normal. And you clearly never truly loved her". Luke gets up, anger in his eyes, and he moves closer to me.

"Cute. You two gonna kiss?" Riley's words make us face him, our anger aimed at him now. He slowly holds up his hands and I shake my head to let go of the anger. It would only make things worse. Luke, on the other hand, doesn't care as much and he punches Riley against the side of his head. As Riley hits the floor I mumble, "well, you ruined the plan". Luke walks out of the barn, making sure to hit my shoulder with his as he walks. I walk to Riley and I help him to sit up. "Thanks" Riley mumbles and I sit down next to him. After a few minutes of letting Riley recover I decide to ask, "do you really want to start the plan of faking our deaths?". Riley nods, "I tried to change my mind 'cause of Luke's behaviour. But it doesn't seem like he will be doing any better soon". I can't deny that there's a truth in Riley's words. But I do worry about Luana.

%% Luke's pov %%

I keep pacing, trying to think of a way to convince Liam. Maybe he is right that Luana is dangerous, but I have also seen the side of her that she hides most of the time. The caring, broken, gentle, side of her. I shake my head in an attempt to erase her from my mind, she didn't seem to care about leaving me. I look up to see the cornfield right in front of me and before I can remember that night, I turn around. Only after turning do I hear a gentle rustling, right before someone jumps on me. I hit the ground and someone sits down on my back, making sure that I can't use my arms or legs. I can't call for help as my face is pushed against the ground and the weight on my back is putting pressure on my lungs. "Have you missed me?" the person whispers in my ear and I immediately recognise the voice. Otter. He moves slightly and the pressure on my lungs decreases. I take a deep breathe before answering, "nope. I actually forgot about your existence". Otter moves his weight again, increasing the pressure on my lungs once more, "forgetting me was a very, very stupid mistake". Desperate for more air, I move around as much as I can, hoping to throw him off.

Otter's weight suddenly disappears completely and I greedily take a few deep breathes. "Well, well, well. You still got your balls, I see. Are you here to lose them?" I hear Liam say and I feel both glad and ashamed. Otter's laugh makes me move away from him, freaking psycho. Liam grabs my arm and pulls me up before pushing me behind his back. What the- .. I'm not a freaking kid.

I'm about to argue but I don't get a chance. My eyes struggle to keep up with the following scene. Otter smoothly takes out his gun, aims at Liam and shoots. Three shots, at Liam's chest. I help Liam to keep standing as he almost falls back, his breathing short and fast because of the pain. Shock, worry and fear take over my mind and body as I see Liam smile. He gently pushes me back to my previous spot behind him, "my turn". Liam takes out his gun and fires four shots, hitting Otter's head, chest, stomach and.. And Otter's most sensitive spot. The first shot killed Otter but the second and third gave the last push to make Otter fall. The fourth shot was fired as Otter hit the ground. Liam puts away his gun and turns to me, "ok, time to start the plan of faking death". Barely aware of reality I still somehow manage to nod.

%% Liam's pov %%

I chew on the pencil as I wait for Riley and Luke to answer every question I gave them, writing their answers down in a notebook. After about 40 minutes, I have gained enough information. "Alright, that's all I need. Anything that you guys want to add?" I ask and Luke shrugs, clearly unsure about asking it. Deciding that it's best to give the last bit of information myself I tell them, "Luana will figure out her story. I will make sure that her death gets faked too. As for Otter, he's dead so no faking needed and his death can actually help us". Looking at Luke, I see that his questions have been answered. It's time, no turning back.