The File

The File ~ Chap. 15

Sorry it's been awhile. School's been rough and just started getting better. And when I do get on, it's only for a short time. But here's another part, for those of you keeping up with this.

Here you go, enjoy! comment/vote/fan!

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Tate

The day wasn't exciting, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it was boring. One thing it also was, was kind of awkward. Because after I had told Cole that his being with me wasn't so bad, he began to act really friendly. That sounded good and all, but he seemed like he thought he was actually accepted now, which-I wouldn't tell him-he really wasn't.

I don't want him to get hurt.

Exactly that would happen if he stayed. I had said it so many times that I probably sounded like a broken record, but it was undeniably true. But Cole just wouldn't give up. So, as we stayed cooped up in the motel room all day, I thought of a plan to get him away from me-or really me away from him. I thought I had come up with something pretty promising.

That night, I waited until I could hear Cole's breathing even out from sleep. Then I quietly stood up, packed my old clothes into my bag, stuffed in one of the Gatorades Cole bought, one the apples as well, and one of the Snickers. Then I clasped the bag closed and quietly left the room.

When I reached the motorcycle, I took a deep breath. I was worried about riding-and steering-one for my first time, and I prayed I would survive. And it was pretty scary leaving Cole, of course.

I mounted the bike, and repeated the process I saw Cole do. I pressed a button on one of the handles, turned on a switch for the fuel, and flipped another one for something I didn't know.

But then I didn't know how to put it in neutral.

In the darkness, it was hard to see, so I stepped off the bike and looked around. I saw the bar Cole had kicked to start the engine, but he had done something before to get it in neutral.

What the heck was it?

I walked around the other side of the bike, my hope slowly lessening. I saw another bar, but this was a little different. I held it, and pulled it up, wishing I did the right thing. Something did happen, and I stood up. I held the clutch as I moved it back and forth.

It didn't move! I had it in neutral!

I stood on top of the bike, and kicked down hard on the bike. The engine roared, and my heart lifted with happiness. After I sat down, I felt someone come behind me, and they wrapped their arms around my waist.

My heart flew to my throat, petrified of whoever was there-and what they would do to me.

"What do you think you're doing?" a familiar voice asked in my ear.

Oh, damn-

Whoa. Did I really just think that?

I started shaking uncontrollably, and Cole pressed me forward with his body so he was pinning me face first to the front of the bike.

"I think we should talk about this," he said stiffly. "In our room."

I continued to shake, but it was mainly because I had failed in getting away from him.

"Well?" he prodded.

I gulped and nodded.

Cole lifted himself off me and got off the bike. He turned off the bike, but I didn't see what he did with the darkness of the night surrounding us. Then he looked at me and took my arm, roughly pulling me off the bike. I stumbled, and he barely gave me a second to collect myself.

It amazed me that I was the daughter of a naval soldier, and yet I was allowing Cole to toss me around like this.

He dragged me back to our room, kicking open the door, which I noticed was left open a crack. Inside, he threw me onto his bed, slamming the door behind him. He flicked on the light, then leaned on the door, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Cole," I tried.

"Don't start with me," he hissed, not opening his eyes or moving a muscle. He stood like a statue.

I looked down at my hands. I took many deep breaths, afraid of what was to come.

"Ugh, would you put down that damn bag?" Cole shouted.

Startled, I remembered that I had by bag still slung over my shoulder. I guessed he was nervous I would try to make another run for it when he stepped away from the door, so I removed the strap from my shoulder, and tossed the bag on the other bed slowly so he could see.

Then I went back to looking at my hands.

And Cole went back to silence.

"How did you know I would try to leave," I managed to squeak.

"I didn't," he replied. "I heard the engine."

"Oh."

"What were you thinking?" he asked, his voice rising again. "You were just going to desert me in the middle of nowhere. We have no clue where we are, and yet you were going to leave?"

"You would've been able to contact your family," I protested halfheartedly. "They have phones here."

He shook his head. "Of course. Now, don't even try to give me that crap about keeping me safe when I ask this: Why are you so insistent on being alone through this, through this hunt?"

I hesitated, trying to think of the best answer. What I kept saying was true: I wanted to keep Cole safe, because I didn't want anyone else getting hurt. Especially not people who....

"I don't want to have to watch or listen to anyone else I care about get hurt," I whispered.

"No," he replied. Then he thought. Shook his head. "No. No. Do not try to guilt trip me."

I looked up at him from beneath my eyelashes, and saw him shaking. Or maybe it was just me. I couldn't tell.

"If we're careful," he said slowly, trying to calm his temper, "no one will get hurt. Everything will be fine. The people you care about will be fine."

I didn't reply.

"So it's settled." He finally seemed relaxed. "We're sticking together. We'll both be safe from those guys, no matter what we have to do to keep it that way."

I slowly nodded. "I'm sorry," I breathed.

He turned so his back was to me. He leaned his forehead on the door and played with the lock on the doorknob.