Carmen
"Missing?" I ask again. "May Payne... missing? The same woman that we talked to?"
He nodded. "They- as in, whoever is pulling all this shit- must have found out that she knew something. Maybe she didn't tell us something that actually mattered when she thought it wouldn't."
"Maybe." I said. I was honestly speechless- this was the last thing I thought would happen.
Ashton looked at me again, his eyes wide. "We need to figure this out."
I nodded. "Before something else happens. This has already gone on far too long. First, I at least need to get out of this hellhole."
Ashton clenched his jaw. "First of all, I need to tell you something. Pack your things, James."
"What?" I asked.
"Remember? I promised to bail you out just a bit ago. Have you got amnesia?"
I sighed. I didn't think he was seriously going to bail me out.
"Anyways," He continued. "You're out. You're free to leave, so let's go. I'll meet you soon."
I nodded and hung up the phone. I stood up and my guard led me to my cell, telling me to grab my things, and I told him that I had none. He had already been told of my being bailed out, and he seemed surprised. Bailed out by the man she "attempted to murder."
I was surprised myself.
We walked to the front, and I earned looks from multiple people; prisoners and officers alike. Ashton was waiting for me, and he was looking around the room. Then he looked at me and smiled.
He must have completed all of the paperwork and everything while I was with Styles, because I was immediately released from the guard and Ashton took my hand.
I could have sworn that I heard a gasp or two from those behind us. He must not have noticed; he was focused on the door and smiling like an idiot. I wasn't surprised at all of the reaction we have gotten from all of this, him bailing me out I mean. I was really damn surprised about Styles denying me bail money. But, it's over; I'll try not to think about it, a thing that I know I can't succeed at.
"So, how does freedom taste?" Ashton asked, seconds after we stepped into broad daylight that was partially cloudy.
"Bittersweet," I said.
"Oh?" Ashton asked. "I understand the sweet, but not the bitter side of this."
I sighed. "Well, for one, you and I have a lot ahead of me. Now with May missing, we have 4 innocent people to look for. Maybe 3 innocent people and 1 villain caught in his plan." I said the last sentence under my breath.
"What?" He stopped walking, and his grip on my hand tensed.
"Nothing." I said, pulling him along with me. He seemed confused but slowly began walking with me again, even matched my stride because he was so distracted. He seemed even more distracted when he let go of my hand so we could get into the car. He sort of paused, and then got in, and paused again before reaching for the ignition. He turned it on and I buckled up, but then he turned it off.
"Ashton?"
He shook his head, and scoffed, and then looked at me. The look in his eyes seemed accusing. "If this-" He pointed to me and then him. "-is going to work, you can't hide things from me. Hell, we can't even solve this fucking case as colleagues if you refuse to share the smallest detail pertaining the case with me. Now, I'm going to ask again- What on earth are you talking about?"
It was quiet for a few seconds. "Because," I began. "It's stupid. I shouldn't even be thinking this, but maybe we should just forget this whole-"
"Carmen." He cut me off. "Tell me. It could be important to me and not you. One man's trash is another man's treasure."
"Horrible metaphor for the situation, Ashton."
"I honestly don't care at the moment." He said, clearly upset. "Are you going to tell me?"
I swallowed. "It doesn't matter-"
Ashton turned and slammed his palm on the steering wheel, making me jump. He leaned back in his seat and ran his hand down his face. "I can't believe you," he said. "I just bailed you out of jail. The least you could do is at least tell me this one damn thing!"
I swallowed again and looked out of the windshield. "Why did you do that?"
"What?" He asked, looking out the windshield like I was.
"Bail me out." I said. "I know that we spoke about this a little in the building but... you said we'd talk about it later. I think it's been long enough."
"Because... I don't know much about the whole thing myself, Carmen. I've just... I felt obligated. After everything and the explaining you did I tried to wrap my mind around the situation, and I couldn't very well, trust me." He turned his attention from something outside the car to me. "I felt obligated, because where would we be without you? Where would I be without you?"
I didn't know what to say after that.
"It probably sounds stupid." He said, running his hand through his hair.
"No," I said. "It doesn't, it's just... no one has ever said that about me. Ever."
"Well, there are firsts for everything, right?" He said, smiling, but his smile left, to be replaced by a foul scowl. "I need you to tell me what happened. 3 innocents and a criminal? What happened to you in there?"
"I did a lot of thinking, I guess."
"You know I don't believe that crap." He said. I sighed and crossed my arms, continuing to look out the window. I saw in the corner of my eye that Ashton turned slightly in his seat, and took out the keys, leaving them in the cupholder. "Looks like this car won't move until you explain," He said.
"For the last time, just forget about-"
"I won't!" He yelled, making me jump. His voice softened when he spoke again, saying "I'm sorry."
I shook my head. "Please," He said again. "Tell me. What happened?"
I took a deep breath. He clearly was not going to let this go, so I turned to meet his pleading gaze. "Styles happened, alright?" I yelled. "He came and visited me inside that shit hole and filled my head with false theories and accusations. Saying Louis could be the second identity and-"
I stopped when I saw Ashton, him looking at the wheel with his thinking face on. "Ashton?"
He looked back to me. "It might not be false."
__________________________________________________________________________
A/N
Im actually sorta proud of this
AFTER ON WATTPAD HAS ONE CHAPTER LEFT IM NOT OKAY
-Hope
