Fire and Ice

Chapter 21

Alyssa

I woke slowly, and sat up, blinking in confusion. It was dark in here, but not dark enough to be night time.

Where is here? What time is it? What is life?

I moved to get off my bed, but instead was met with the floor. "Ow. What in the-?" I sat up, only to hit my head on something above me. "Son of a kiwi."

Come on, brain, you're supposed to help me in this situation.

It was soon clear to me that I was not in my bedroom, but the living room. I crawled forward and flicked on one of the lamps.

I looked around, seeing that I had been using the spare blanket. The first aid kit sat open on the coffee table, along with a wash cloth and two bags of what I figured was the ice I gave Kaden melted. I quickly grabbed my phone from the table and turned it on.

"Six o'clock?! I slept all day?!" I jumped to my feet and ran over to the window, looking out to the driveway. Kaden's car was gone. Mine was in its place.

How did my car get here? Where was Kaden?

Now that my brain was functioning, I vaguely remembered Kaden getting up to leave.

My fingers brushed my cheek lightly and I blushed as I remembered feeling Kaden kiss my cheek. "You're worth it to me, Shorty."

Now was not the time to die. I needed to make sure he was okay, not fangirl over his sweet gesture.

I ran my hand through my hair and sent Kaden a text.

Did you go home?

I waited a few minutes, but there was no response.

Kaden, I'm just making sure you're okay. Can you please answer?

Still nothing.

Then my phone rang. It was Kaden.

"Oh my goodness, don't freak me out like that." I answered.

"I'm alright, Shorty. Seriously. I had Mike take your car home, so you don't need to worry about that."

I took a deep breath. "Okay, uh, thanks. So you're okay, then. I know that my worrying is probably more annoying than a fly in your face, but after what you told me, I can't help it."

"I don't blame you. But you never need to think about that again, okay. I... I shouldn't have laid all that on your shoulders. My life is not something for you to worry about. I wasn't thinking clearly."

For a moment I wasn't sure what to say. "I trust you." I finally said. "But know that I'm right here the moment you need, okay?"

"That's the thing, Alyssa."

My heart dropped at his tone. "Kaden?"

"I'm sorry. As long as you're a part of my life, you're in danger."

"But- isn't that why you're training me? For things like this?"

"No. Alyssa, I can't even fight this. These men that work for my father... I don't want them knowing about you, or anyone. Mike doesn't even know all this."

My chest was tightening as I realized he was pushing me away. "You haven't pushed him away. Please don't shut me out."

"My father doesn't know about Mike. He knows about you." Kaden went quiet. "Stay with Myla. Be wild. Pull your stupid pranks." He said this with a small laugh.

"Kaden-"

"We never met." He hung up.

My heart cracked. I stared at my phone. My hand shook.

I never thought I would be able to speak to Kaden Wolfe. I never thought I could become his friend. And here I was, feeling completely heart broken over those three words. We never met.

I fell onto the couch, my heart pounding. That wasn't just some crush that rejected me. No, it had nothing to do with that. That was my friend pushing me away and out of his life.

I wanted to beg him to let me help, to not push me away. But I already caused him so much trouble. He was beat like that because of me.

I would only be a problem. I had to leave him alone. But I couldn't.

I jumped to my feet and grabbed my car keys. I was going to find him, and I was going to get him out of that situation.

I threw the door open and yelped in surprise when a tall man was already standing outside the door. I jumped back. "Who-"

"Hello, Alyssa." The man lunged forward and shoved a cloth against my nose and mouth, and holding me in place.

I struggled but my body almost automatically lost function. My eyes grew heavy.

"Sleep well, little one."

I weakly swung my fist at him. It dropped lamely and my vision spun out. I crumpled into darkness.

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Dun dun dun. Thanks for reading (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)