SPLIT

Chapter 4

"Are you sure about this ?" I said nervous, taking the rope from my bag.

"Of course I'm sure. So do you wanna climb it ?" He said while I shook my head.

"No thanks. That's pretty high. "

" We've been climbing the bell tower since we were 5 . I don't get how you're now afraid of heights. "

"I just am okay. Plus , this is much taller and higher than the bell tower." I said , staring up at the humongous wall casting a scary shadow over my small body.

"Okay. We'll just , have to find another way. Hand me the hammer. "

"Isn't that going to bring the whole wall down ?"

"You're really shooting down all of my plans here Vera." He said defeated while I felt bad for having made him feel that way. But better I told him now before bringing any unwanted attention to us. The climbing would result in not only the camera's seeing us but also a lot of prying people. And smashing a hole in the wall speaks for itself. It'll be like open season around here. Everyone would go nuts and escape too.

"I'm sorry. I'm just looking out for you that's all. How about you come have dinner with us and we'll get back to it tommorow?" I suggested , knowing full well my mom made pie today and he couldn't resist her apple pie.

"Sure, okay." He said begrudgingly while we walked back to mine.

"How's your parent's doing ?" Mom asked while she handed each of us a slice of pie. 

"Uh , they're doing good . Thanks . " He said awkwardly while digging into the pie. I knew he couldn't handle my mom's prodding or prying questions for much longer , I could barely.  My mom was a big talker , it's also what makes her the best trader around here. My dad used to say she had 'a way with words ' that's , until he died during a cave in at work when I was 13. I tried my best to keep her talking, keep her sane but there's only so much I could bare alone sometimes.

"So what have you two been up to lately ?" She asked making both Charlie and I almost choke on the pie.

"What?" I said first while she only smiled as if she knew something we didn't.

"Yeah. Don't think I haven't noticed you sneaking into the house after curfew these last couple of nights. So , what are doing ?" She tried again while I could see Charlie tried to act as normal as well , Charlie could be.

"Nothing. We've just... been really into star gazing lately."

"Right ! Yeah . It's beautiful Mrs Hood, you should try it sometime. " Charlie interjected while I silently blew out a breath that we might just be able to pull this off.

"Sounds beautiful. How about tonight? I mean , I'm guessing you're going out . That's unless , you don't want me to tag along for another reason."

"No, of course not. It's just , I... had a long day at the pit today so we're skipping the outing tonight. Right, Charlie?" I said , holding my breath and crossing my fingers. My mom sure was more observant than I gave her credit for.

"Right... I had a rough day at the factory anyway and an early shift tommorow. Which reminds me , " he said getting up "thank you for the delicious pie but my mother is probably wondering where I am. I'll see you tommorow Vera. Goodnight." He said leaving and cutting the conversation off to my relief.

"I , should get to bed too." I said leaving in attempt to avoid any more of my mom's burning questions or secret theories. Yet , I knew she wouldn't be outsmarted again this time so I had to be extra careful. 

Turning on my side -facing the window- I covered myself with the blanket while I listened to her move around the house. I knew she wasn't going to just trust me , not after that extremely obvious and suspicions behaviour at dinner. I listened to her move from the kitchen to her bedroom , and then pouring the water into the bucket as she cleaned herself. After a while I didn't hear anything but that's when I knew she would try to check up on me the most. My door creaked open as I pinched my eyes shut trying to control my breathing as I listened to her walk closer and closer until I felt her lips on my forehead saying; 'goodnight sweetheart ' before her steps disappeared behind the door again. I sat up slipping my shoes on when I heard rocks flying against my window softly.

"What are you doing idiot?" I whisper yelled while laughing as Charlie helped me down. "I should've known you wouldn't go home. "

"And I should've known you would find another way to deceive your mother." He said with a goofy smile as I pulled my jacket on.

"Well it's your fault for inviting her in the first place. "

"I was being polite ." He defended while we took off into a sprint to the bushes.

"Where are we going anyway ? This isn't the way to the wall ." I asked coming to a stop while I placed my hands on my knees panting.

"I know. I thought we had enough scheming for one day. Besides, we can't do anything until we have another plan. So what's the point ?" He said lifting a piece of old metal as we climbed through a hole in an old building.

"Okay , but you still have to answer my question. What is this place ?"

"This ," he said - lighting a match and igniting a torch - "was once a police station. "

"A police station? Very romantic. " I said teasingly while we made our way through the rubble.

"It's not. We're just friends. Remember ?" He taunted .

"Ha ha , very funny." I said sarcastic while he pulled me unto a desk as we listened to the owls outside sounding almost melodic. "This is pretty nice actually. " I said sitting back on my elbows.

"It is. Romantic even ?"

"Shut up ." I said laughing while he joined me. We sat in silence , not one saying a word as we embraced the moment that almost felt comfortable after a while.

"Vera ?"

"Yeah ?" I said opening my eyes as I saw him hovering over me closely. Dangerously close.

"I need to tell you something." He said while his eyes bounced between mine - making me take in a sharp breath - right before bright white lights was shone unto our faces.

That's it ? Is it a good enough cliffhanger? I'm struggling to tell 🙈 but thank you so much for reading anyway. Remember to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Until next time keep howling my wolves ❤🐺