The Nerd Duchess

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Heat and smoke greeted Charles as woke up in the middle of the night. The sound of running footsteps echoed down the hall as he someone screamed.

"Fire! Fire! Everyone out. We need to move."

The door to his room opened and Ryan disheveled, dressed in his pajamas with his hair sticking out in every direction. He looked much like any twelve years old would except for the look of determination on his face. He looked a little older.

"C'mon Charles," he said as he approached six year old boy on the bed. "We got to move."

Little Charles scrambled to his feet and followed Ryan out the door.

They were met by an eighteen year old man, if not older, outside Charles' room.

"We have to go down the fire exit." He said with a blonde girl behind him. "The fire hasn't consume that side of the house yet. It's only the east wing."

"Let's go!" Ryan nodded the four of the running down the hall away from the fire.

They ran down the fire exit and towards the door to freedom.

Just as they were celebrating the close call, Charles realized something.

"Where's Anya?"

Everyone was frozen, and as if answer Charles' question a child's scream broke the stillness of the night.

"Anya!" Both brothers gasped. There sister was still inside.

"Ryan, call 911." He said throwing to Ryan his phone. "I'll get Anya."

Ryan nodded as he caught the phone. He pulled Charles towards him with his ome hand dialling the number.

"But Andrew," Julianne interjected. "You are going to get hurt."

"Better me than my sister," he said last before dashing back to the burning house.

***

Charles watched the embers glowing on the fire place. He was alone.

His parents as well as Ryan's were on their way towards the beach house that Oliver had suspected that Julianne kept Anya. They were left alone with strict of not leaving the premises and coming after them. Ryan left to get food, since he hadn't eated since breakfast.

"Where is everybody?"

Charles looked at the door where Anthony was leaning against.

"They had found her," Charles said quietly.

"Great!" Anthony said smiling happily but a frown loomed his face. "But why are you here?"

"We have strict orders not to leave the premises." he replied dryly.

"And since when do you follow the rules, Charles." Anthony said.

"Never." Charles smiled at him before he returned his gaze to the glowing fire place.

"Why the long face, Charles?" Anthony asked. He walked in the room and sat opposite to him on the other couch.

"What do you mean?" Charles asled.

"Stop playing dumb!" Anthony said. "I practically know you since we were kids, Charles. Eight years is enough for me to know you. And I know that something is troubling you."

Charles merely smiled sadly.

"You're a great friend, Tony."

"I know I am."

Charles chuckled.

"But seriously," Anthony said. Seriousness etched on his features.

Charles didn't need to ask because he knew.

"Anya is a childhood friend of mine," Charles said slowly.

"I thought you said you don't know her?" Anthony asked.

"Never said that," Charles said looking at Anthony for the very first time since he walked in the room. "You only assumed."

Charles didn't continue until after Anthony relented.

"Okay, I did."

"Then, why are you so affected by this? You weren't this affected by any of our friends in Italy."

Charles stayed silent. He was asking himself the se question.

"She-I really care for her." Was his only reply.

"And this didn't happen to any of our friends back in Italy, Anthony." Charles said exasperatedly. "Anya was the girl I was telling you about."

"The one you left at the hospital. The one who was left inside the burning villa?"

Charles nodded.

"My parents and hers thought that it was best for us to be separated. For whatever reason, I don't know." Charles grumbled. "We were basically six-something."

"So what happened?" Anthony asked.

"Anya and Andrew had landed themselves at the hospital." Charles said. "I couldn't remember anything more that night but the fire and how Anya and Andrew were still inside the burning villa when help came."

"I think I can say that it was an indeed a very unforgettable night for all of us." The two returned towards the doorway where Ryan was just walking in with a cup of coffee on his hand.

"Indeed it was," Charles nodded.

"My brother and sister," Ryan sat down on the empty couch. "Had stayed at the hospital for a long time. The next day, Charles was sent to France. Where I'm guessing you met Anthony?"

Anthony and Charles nodded.

"Wel-" But his phone rang breaking him at mid-sentence.

"Son, we seem to have a problem. Julianne isn't here."

The same time Charles' phone beeped with a message from an unknown number.

'Back to where it all began.'

***

Guys, leave me your comment and please vote?