story of another us 》michael clifford

Chapter 12: Nightbound

"Must say, this is the most badass I've seen you. Where did you learn to hotwire a car?" Michael speaks through the thick silence. "He was really after you. He tried to kill people." Amara just mutters. Michael lets out a sigh, "What happened, Amara? What did you see?"

"I was looking for the bathroom to check on Ashton, but this room was unlocked and slightly ajar. So I went in, and I saw it. The board with your faces, your every move and the timeline of events." Amara says, Michael remembers the figure he saw. It was her looking at the board, around that room. Before Kean hit her with the fire extinguisher.

"He won't hurt you again, he'd be stupid enough to try." Michael says, hate in his voice as he glances at Amara, who was just laying her head by the car window. "You were right. You both were right." Amara mutters.

Michael didn't know what to say. Amara was a mess. Her dress was ripped, her head had dried blood and her eyes were filled with sadness, and every painful emotion there is. "It must be killing you to bite your tongue to say 'I told you so'." Amara comments.

"This isn't about who's right and wrong. We were almost killed tonight. What matters is that we're safe." Michael says. "For how long? Until the next event comes along?" Amara says, raising her voice. "Until we stop them. And we are."

"How? How will you stop a crime family? A crime family that sells drugs, have generations lining up into their career, and have access to updated military weapons? Tell me, exactly how?!" Amara yells, her frustration and guilt getting the best of her. Michael falls silent. She was right. But one thing clicks in his mind, "How did you know they had updated military weapons?"

"My father's an army major general. He would often show me how the newest weapons work, just in case." Amara responds monotonously. "Just in case of what?" Michael asks. "Just in case of something like this. He's very cautious. He intends to know every person we ever deal with." Amara says, glancing at Michael.

"What about your mom? What does she do?" Michael asks. "She's a Forensic DNA Analyst." Amara replies. "And how are you not losing your mind? You have a dad who's probably strict with you and a mother who's a literal analyst." Michael asks.

"I don't know, I guess they trust me enough to let me roam the streets at night and make friends with the right people." Amara shrugs. "Bet they'd be pretty pissed right now if they learned you're making friends in the wrong side of town." Michael teased. Amara was about to respond when Michael's phone rang.

"Can you um, grab that? The road is-"

"Yeah, sure." Amara responds as she reaches for Michael's phone in the pockets of his jeans. Amara fumbles slightly, his jeans' pockets were deeper than her own. Michael shifts slightly at the uncomfortable indirect touch of Amara's fingers on his bare thigh underneath. Amara sees the caller ID and immediately answers the phone. "Ashton! Are you alright?" Amara speaks. "Uh, where's Michael?" A different voice responds. "I'm here, driving. Where are you? I'm going to you." Michael says.

"Don't! We're in the hospital. We had an issue." Calum says, hesitating to continue the sentence. "Well, what's the issue?" Michael asks. Calum was silent for a few moments, "Ashton got shot and Lucian, he outrun us." Calum sighs the last part. "What?! Is Ashton okay?!" Amara asks, frantically.

Michael shuts his eyes for a moment, before turning the car around, the tires screeching as they changed lanes. "Michael, what are you doing?" Amara asks, her voice laced with concern. "He's fine, but he says it might not be safe for you to go home, and the hospital won't release him until he's rested for the night. So he suggests-"

"I'll take care of Amara. He doesn't have to worry." Michael says, eyes focused solely on the road as his speed increases. "I was going to say he suggested that you should stay in a motel or hotel or somewhere that isn't a house. But, if you're sure." Calum says. "Meet me tomorrow, same place." Michael says to Calum.