1000 and More Calls ✔

Chapter 16

Alaria is shocked as she can't find Elyce. She'd like to go and look for her, but she must wait for 911 to come. Meanwhile, she receives a worrying phone call from Bridie.

Phone call between Bridie and Alaria

Bridie: Alaria! Where are you?

Alaria: I'm stuck at home, for now. Lindsay also got beaten up pretty badly, and I called 911.

Bridie: Oh, thank God! Have you seen Elyce, by the way? I wanted to call her to remind her that we're supposed to go to the ice brink, but she doesn't answer.

Alaria: She's not at home, I'm afraid. I think she ran away.

Bridie: What? I'm gonna call 911 right now!

Alaria: Thank you, Bridie.

Bridie: Uhm... Alaria, another question. Have you heard from Leigheanna lately?

Alaria: No. I haven't got her number and I'm more than sure that she wouldn't listen to me.

Bridie: But she hates Kaitlin, exactly like you. Why don't you talk to her and tell her the truth? Maybe she can help you.

Alaria: I don't know if this is a good idea...

Bridie: Come on, it's at least worth a try, don't you think?

Alaria: Well-

Suddenly, Alaria hears an increasing noise from the street, which is a sign that the ambulance is coming.

Alaria: I have to go. The ambulance has just come.

Bridie: Tell Lindsay good luck for me.

Alaria: I will. See you later. And, please, tell me if you find Elyce or talk to Meara.

Bridie: Don't worry. See you.

As the conversation ends and three operators from 911 come to take Lindsay to the nearest hospital, Alaria is so shocked by dealing with her sisters being beaten up, as well as Bridie reminding her that she needs to talk to her cousin that she doesn't seem to care about all that shit anymore and just wants to leave Kaitlin's house. This is why she's packing hers and her sisters' stuff without telling anyone.

Meanwhile, Kaitlin has just woken up. The woman feels pain on her lower back and needs to sit down a bit to get it together a little bit. However, she is struggling to the point that she literally goes and sits on the first chair she finds, next to Neva's bedroom, where the latter is still sleeping.

As Alaria starts taking part of her baggage downstairs, she notices that Kaitlin is glaring absently at her. Trying not to pay attention to the woman who hurt her sisters and cousin, the young girl runs back and forth from one room to another to take everything she can, before she reaches the garage, where her car is still parked.

While the girl is trying hard to put all that stuff in the car, Kaitlin is anything but willing to stand still, letting Alaria get away with what she's planning to do. Believing it's Leigheanna who was a bad influence to her "daughters", she's planning to call the only person who never got in touch with her.

Phone call between Kaitlin and Abbie

Kaitlin: Abbie, please answer. It's a serious matter!

Abbie: Mom, what the fuck do you want? I swore I'd never talk to you again after what you did!

Kaitlin: Don't yell at me!

Abbie: I'm yelling as much as I want. I took a look at Bridgette's photo album.

Kaitlin: Great. Is there anything worth being used to blackmail her?

Abbie: Mom, that album is packed with photos of you, her and Aunts Lenna and Preslea!

Kaitlin: What?

Abbie: You heard it. I'm not gonna repeat it again. The photos are pretty recent. You lied to me! How could you, Mom?

Kaitlin: Abbie, that's none of your business! Anyway, I want you to find out where Leigheanna is!

Abbie: No way! Why should I listen to you after what you did?

Kaitlin: I also thought Preslea would die in that crash... who knew she would survive, anyway?

Abbie: Oh, yeah. She survived and, guess what? She found the time to visit Bridgette! I overheard them talking about family stuff, and that she can't forgive that you took Meara and the others away from her!

Kaitlin: Did she really say that shit?

Abbie: Oh, yes, she did. I can't wait to talk to her in person. Speaking of you, I don't even want to talk to you again. I'm done with you!

Kaitlin: Oh, no, you're not done. Go and find Leigheanna, or else I'll kill you!

Unfortunately for Kaitlin, Ainsleigh has just overheard her. She's fuming of anger, her fists clenched on her hips.

Ainsleigh: You... bastard! You told me Mom died when I was eight! What did you do?

Kaitlin: None of your fucking business, little brat! Go and make me breakfast instead! Make yourself useful for once!

Abbie: Mom, is that Ainsleigh?

Kaitlin: Shut up!

Abbie: I'm more than glad that she found out the truth. Now, the next thing I'm going to do is calling Leigheanna so that she has enough proof to denounce you!

Abbie immediately hangs up without letting her mother insult her anymore. Meanwhile, Kaitlin looks like she's ready to strangle Ainsleigh now that she knows she can't buy her silence anymore. The 14-year-old rushes downstairs with tears in her eyes, trying to call Alaria and Meara's names, but she receives no answer, or at least, until she reaches the garage.

Ainsleigh: You knew, right, Alaria?

Alaria: What?

Ainsleigh: That Mom isn't dead at all. And Kaitlin is just a ruthless liar.

Alaria: Well-

Ainsleigh: I don't care anymore. I'm so disappointed in you.

Alaria: Listen, you brat. There's no time for disappointment. We have to leave this house! I packed all the stuff.

Ainsleigh: Really?

Alaria: Come on. Move, or else you'll turn into dead meat.

The two sisters leave in Alaria's car, not turning their gazes at the house that saw them grow up in despair and fear of not being able to make it. The next thing they have to do is to pick Meara up, and then find Elyce before it's too late.

Knowing that Lindsay may pass away one day or another due to the trauma caused by that psycho woman, Alaria must move and save the people around her. And, possibly, start trusting the person she's never liked: Leigheanna.