Torn

Chapter 22

Nikki left to go to North Carolina that following morning. I was always sad to see her go since I didn't have anyone except John to talk to. On the other hand, he normally let his fun side out of him and things got pretty interesting. I thought tonight was going to be one of those nights, but things didn't exactly go as planned.

"Katrina! Come on downstairs, dinner is ready!" John yelled from the kitchen.

I was just finishing up a passage in my diary before getting up from my desk. I patted my thigh for Ali to follow me, which she did without hesitation. I raked my hands through my hair as I walked down the hallway to the steps. I couldn't get that strange man out of my mind and it was driving me crazy. Who was he? In a lot of ways I was alarmed by his presence because he dressed somewhat like Taker and his gang but I didn't recognize him at all. Maybe Nikki was right…maybe he was harmless and I was just overreacting.

"Mmm, smells good in here." I said as I made my way down the steps and was hit with the sweet smell of chicken marsala.

"Yeah? Well you know I've always been a great cook." John said as he sat a plate of food in my normal spot.

I sighed, "Actually I just figured that out in the last four years."

He glanced over his shoulder at me but I didn't make eye contact with him. I just tossed my long hair over my shoulder and took a seat at the table. He made himself a plate silently as I prayed over my food and then started eating.

"Katrina…listen…" he said as he took a seat cattycorner to me. "I never really apologized for all the pain I caused you. I know I was never really there for you before and I'm really sorry for that."

I looked away from him for a moment and then smiled at him. "It's ok John. I forgave you a long time ago."

He shook his head, "I don't deserve it Kat. If it hadn't been for me…that monster would have never taken you from me."

I touched the back of his hand and looked him in the eye, "John I'm ok now. Taker's in jail and his gang has split up. No one can hurt me now."

He wiped his eyes. "I know…but it doesn't stop me from worrying about you."

"I understand." I said. "But someday you'll have to let me go."

He was just about to say something when the window to my right shattered into millions of pieces. John grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the shattered glass, putting me behind him.

"What the fuck was that?" he asked as he slowly walked up to the window to take a look. There was a brick on the floor with a note attached to it. John looked around outside while I picked up the brick and pulled the note off of it. Carefully I opened the folded piece of paper and read the one word message out loud.

"Run."

He looked over his shoulder at me, "What?"

"The note, it says run." I told him just before I heard the sound that haunted my dreams for nearly 3 years…motorcycles.

John looked out of the window and then screamed, "Kat run! Get out of here now!"

I turned and ran for the back door with Ali and John right behind me. I unlocked it and took off running for the back gate hearing at least 10 motorcycles pull up in front of the house. I looked back for a moment just to see if I saw any of them, but John nearly ran me over trying to get the gate open. He punched in the security code and took my hand, running so fast down the dirt road.