Cryptic (A Calum Hood Fanfiction)

Chapter #15

Annabel's POV:

I pull a light sweatshirt over my casual apparel as Calum ties his shoes before we head to the parking lot and eventually, are on our way to visit my little brother. During our car ride, which is about two hours, I try my best to mentally prepare myself for the event that will soon be taking place. However, I find relief in the fact that Calum will be by my side, especially considering the state I am in. The car ride to the cemetery is silent, almost eerily silent, but we're there before I even realize. As I step out of the car, I pull out a flower from my pocket that I picked before we left. "Would you like to lead the way?" Calum asks, locking our hands and I nod my head. So, I do so and lead Calum to the spot where my little brother's tombstone lies, his body buried beneath. I let go of Calum's hand and kneel down upon the greenish-brown grass, placing the flower in front of me.

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Calum's POV:

"Good evening, Kole," she greets him. "How's Heaven treating you?" She asks and then listens. "Mhm-hm," Annabel nods her head and smiles, as if he is truly replying to her... And who knows? Perhaps he is. "Oh really?" She raises her eyebrows and chuckles.

"What is he saying?" I inquire.

"He said that in Heaven he can fly, just like a superhero," she replies, the smile on her face brighter than I've ever seen. "What was that, Kole?" She checks. "Oh, this is m-my friend, Calum. He's been taking care of and protecting me, but don't worry, I'm in good hands," she assures him and then continues to listen. "Do you truly think so?" She plays along with Kole. "Yes, I do agree," she replies.

"What is he saying now?" I question.

"Oh, that's for me to know," she answers, slightly smirking and then returning her attention to the grave. "I'm not quite sure, Kole. Perhaps someday," she answers and I catch her eyes glimmer at the thought, whatever that thought may be. Annabel continues conversing with Kole, cluing me in every once in awhile, but keeping a few things to herself. "Is she doing well?" Annabel wonders. "Kole has been reunited with our grandmother, Beatrice, in Heaven," she whispers to me. "Well, tell her I say hello and that I miss her very so," Annabel replies to Kole. "Yes, little brother, I miss you very so, too," she sighs and I can see that she needs a minute alone, so I stand and walk towards the car, leaning against it, but still keeping a watchful eye on Annabel. I take a moment to look around the cemetery and reflect on the family and friends that I have lost as well and decide to say a silent prayer in their memory. However, when I look up, I notice two men at a gravestone, who I hadn't noticed before. Then, I see them stand and head in Annabel's direction. I immediately stride back to Annabel's side.

"Hello, gentlemen, what seems to be the problem?" I question.

"Oh, there's no problem at all, we just came to spare our condolences," the 1st man shares.

"We're sorry for your lost, Annabel," the 2nd one apologizes.

"May Kole rest in peace," the 1st man adds.

And at the moment that Annabel asks, "How do you know mine and my little brother's name," I see the shimmer of a badge peek out from one of the men's jackets and realize it is time to leave.

"Annabel, it is getting late now, we must be heading back home," I blurt, picking up her sweatshirt and guiding it onto her arms.

"Calum, don't be rude and besides, I'd like to bid farewell to Kole before we go," she insists.

"Annabel, darling, come along now," I gripe.

"Calum, I'll only be a minute," she assures me, furrowing her eyebrows, oblivious.

"Calum, don't be so insensitive; let her say goodbye to her dear baby brother," the 2nd man smirks, sticking his hands into his pockets.

"That's Mr. Hood to you," I snap.

"Mr. Hood, you clearly lack the understanding of how precious goodbyes truly are; they're a necessity. After all, you never do quite know when someone you care and/or love for deeply may be taken away from you," the 1st man explains, but I'm too distracted by the 2nd man, as he slowly pulls something out of his pocket. I bend down next to Annabel and mutter under my breath,

"Annabel, on the count of 3, I need you to run to the car and lock yourself inside, do you understand? And I want you to cover your ears and close your eyes, alright?" I demand.

"Calum, what's g-going on?" She murmurs, but I ignore her.

"1..." I start. "2... 3..." I finish and Annabel immediately jumps to her feet, sprinting towards the car. The 2nd man wastes no time in pulling the gun out from his pocket, but I waste no time either as I pull him into a head-lock before I seize the gun and snap his neck. In the time I spent doing so, the 1st man has started to run away, but with one shot of the gun, he is on the ground and I have a feeling he will be staying there. Then, I run towards the car where Annabel is, her ears covered and eyes screwed shut, just as I had ordered. She swiftly unlocks the car and I hop in, but not before stashing the gun in the back-seat Then, I jam the key inside, igniting the car and whiz away.

"Calum, what the hell is going on?" Annabel shouts.

"Annabel, I haven't the time to go into detail, but those two men were sent from the government to capture you and if needed, kill me," I reply as I speed on.

"I don't understand," Annabel mumbles, frazzled.

"It's better if you don't," I sigh, bouncing my knee up and down in pure anxiety.

"I should've listened to him," she sighs, too.

"To who?" I ask, bewildered.

"Kole," she starts. "He warned me, but I didn't listen; he knew those two men meant trouble."

My eyes widen and I gulp before continuing, "Annabel, what else did Kole say?" She thinks for a moment.

"The gun; he mentioned something about a gun. Is that why I heard a gun-shot?" She inquires.

"More or less," I reply.

"Calum, did you kill those two men back there?" Annabel exclaims.

Author's Note;

I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)
QOTD: favorite character so far? More will be introduced later in the story

-Carly