Heart's Tempo (Wattys2014) [EDITING]

Chapter 3

“This is your last chance, Raina.”

Raina’s grandfather warned her and threatened her at the same time. She stood  behind Fourth who tried his best to stand his ground against an old man. Sure, he can just push Raina’s grandfather out of the way and they can run away to another town. But for how long? This was the third town and still, Raina’s grandfather  found them in a matter of weeks. He just realized it now. Before it took the old man months to find them but now…exactly how long will it take him to find them again? Maybe this time it will be just a matter of days. The things that money can do…

Raina was trembled behind him. She was obviously scared of her own grandfather. She didn’t want to go home anymore. She wanted to be free…that’s why the moment Fourth asked her to come with him she did not even hesitate.

She lived a sheltered life – but she did not like it one bit. The moment she said yes to Fourth, Raina was determined that she will never look back and even regret her decisions. With the money they both had, they managed to get away as far as possible, rented a small room. She started to teach kids piano, while he worked at a convenience store. They were doing okay, in a matter of months a lot of kids enrolled to the piano school after news got out that they have a nice piano teacher. That made Fourth wonder, so kids didn’t want to learn piano because of terror teachers? He pushed the idea out of his head as he watched Raina walk out of the convenience store, on her way to the school. For over a year they lived like that. And with a little of their savings, they bought a very old upright piano. The very first thing they bought together with their own money. Raina said she can teach kids who couldn’t afford to go to the piano school.

 It was winter when it happened. Raina was on her way to the piano school when saw her grandfather’s car down the street.

So again, they went to another town. This time, Raina chose to work as an office clerk; thinking that if she taught piano again, her grandfather might use that as a clue to find her. Fourth worked as a school janitor this time. The problem this time, is that one of Raina’s grandfather’s friends happen to recognize Raina and told her grandfather where she was. She actually saw him this time. Her grandfather was waiting by the lobby of the building where she was working. Immediately he grabbed her arms and took her outside where his car waited around the corner. Quickly, she took a run to the opposite direction and called Fourth when she found a good hiding spot.

Fourth couldn’t actually recall the exact things that happened that day. It was all so fast that the next thing he knew, he was on his way to meet Raina on the next town. It was almost midnight when Raina arrived in the bus station. She took several bus transfers – by this time, she was so exhausted. It’s been more than twelve hours since she ran away from her grandfather. She didn’t bother to eat anymore, all she wanted was to meet Fourth and then they can think of another plan. She knew it was best to move to another town again, but for now she needed rest.

He ran as soon as he saw Raina. He wasn’t so sure but he thought she was really pale. Fourth pushed the thought out of his head and told himself it was probably just the dim lights. As soon as he held her hand he felt she was cold.

“Are you okay, Raina?” he finally asked, his eyes darting from every direction, looking for a sign if Raina’s grandfather was there.

“I just need rest…”

“I’ve got us a room at an inn…we have to make a plan tomorrow but for now…”

They walked away as quickly as possible as he held Raina close to him.

“Come on, boy. Do you honestly think you can give Raina what I gave her?” The old man looked at Fourth menacingly. He wanted to hit Fourth with his own fist but there was no need for that. Because no matter where he takes Raina, he’ll find them and that is just one of the proofs that Fourth is powerless against him.