Anchor (Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-One

I was in the middle of answering questions from a firefighter when Kane finally arrived. The firefighters asked who owned the daycare and I told them, but I honestly thought Kane would've sent Kathy to deal with this. I was shocked to see him making his way up to the building. This told me he probably had been up with the fire broke out which meant he very well could've had a hand in his. The more I thought about it, the more possible it became. I wouldn't put it past him, considering everything.
A wave of rage washed over me. I excused myself from my interview and hurled myself at Kane. He was the only one who knew I would be at the daycare this morning and he's been torturing me ever since we met.
"YOU DID THIS!" I screamed at him accusingly.
The firefighters were instantly intrigued and stepped closer to us to eavesdrop. Kane looked shocked at my forwardness for a second, then regained his composure and said, "Natalie, lower your voice. You're causing a scene and making outrageous accusations."
"Lower my voice?!" I hissed at his audacity, but I did. It didn't calm my rage one bit.
"I was almost killed! You were the only one that knew I would be here. You want to hurt me, you have from the moment you met me. It's so obvious. I bet you were just waiting for the right time to strike!"
I was shaking with anger. Kane, however, looked at me blankly. Then, almost like he was offended, asked,
"Have you forgotten about a certain attack that happened only a while ago?" He inquired bitterly. "Those people still aren't charged and are not in prison. Did you ever consider that this was a second attempt?"
I shook my head. No, I hadn't thought of that, but then again, maybe this was all part of a game he was trying to play with me.
"The truth is," he continued, "If I wanted to hurt you, I would have already."
He stated that so casually that it made me feel uncomfortable.
"And," he added, "I would've done it in a more clever way and I wouldn't have run away like this coward."
His words echoed the ones he'd told me at the park at our first meeting. But, in some way, it was different as well. The way he hung onto the last word didn't make it seem like he was jealous that he didn't strike at me like I initially thought, but almost as if he was infuriated that another attempt was made on my life at all. This didn't line up with the Kane I knew at all, but there was an iciness to his voice that, for once, I didn't believe was entirely directed at me. He walked past me to chat with the firefighters. He exchanged words with one of them and nodded before turning to me again.
"I'm taking you home."

The only other time Kane had been to my house was to leave that ambiguous note on my dresser, but he somehow still knew the way. We took Austin's car, the one I drove this morning. Kane said he was going back to the daycare to cancel the day and the rest of the week, and to finish up the rest of the details, so it was okay to leave his car where it was in the parking lot. When we pulled into the driveway, Austin was already out front. Apparently, someone had called them.
When Kane stopped the car, Austin pulled the door open and embraced me. My mom came out shortly after, blubbering things of relief and I don't know what compelled me, but I invited Kane inside. Maybe it was the bit of compassion he had shown me that encourage me to do so. Whatever the reason, I went up to my room and he was following.

"I know you can't stay for long, but I just wanted to thank you." I told him as soon as we entered the room.
"For what?"
"For being nice to me, for once. For caring." I replied, sheepishly. This felt ridiculous.

I expected a sarcastic reply, expected him to mock my sincerity, but he didn't. He took a step towards me and chuckled a bit.
"I am really glad you're okay. " Sensing my obvious confusion at this change of character, he continued.
"I may have a hard exterior, but... Natalie, I always cared about you. I am not very good at showing it, I know. But, of course I care."
This was news that rattled me. Kane cared? I'd never in a million years expected that. I noticed that he was still coming towards me, slower and slower as he gradually closed the distance. I saw his face soften in a way I never had before and then he placed his lips onto mine. For a split second, though it's hard to admit, my heart leapt. A second later, I shoved him away from me.
"What was that?" I stammered, completely bewildered, "I have a boyfriend!"
He turned bright red. "I'm sorry, I know." He apologized, "I don't know why I did that."
I replied with a bunch of incoherent, incomplete sentences as a pit formed in my stomach. It wasn't my fault the kiss had happened, but it still happened. Oh god, I have to tell JJ! I thought in horror. Should I even tell him? I wrestled with the thought silently, while Kane stared awkwardly at the wall behind me. After a few more moments, he mumbled "sorry" under his breath again and left. He did have to still return to the daycare. From my place, frozen in my room, I heard Kane decline my brother's offer to drive him back and I watched out my window as he just sprinted in the daycare's direction instead.
My mind was confused as I replayed Kane and my moment over and over. I was both repulsed and curious. The way he cautiously walked towards me. The way, that for the brief moment his lips were on mine, I felt like I could sense the thawing of his previously ice cold heart. In that moment, he had let his guard down. For the first time, I saw him as a decent, compassionate, person. Still, it was not right what he did and I didn't know what the aftermath would look like. My mind swam even more when I thought back to the mysterious creature who had saved my life, because that too, was something I could not wrap my head around. For some reason the creature threw himself into a burning building to save me. Had he always been lurking in the shadows unseen? Did he see the smoke and feel like he needed to put it out, and I was just lucky? No, somehow, I don't think that was it. The way he grabbed me; it was like he was scooping up something he really cared about. The way he looked at me afterwards; the longing in his harsh voice, wanting to tell me something, something he said I already knew? The most memorable feature of this kind hearted beast were his eyes. When he had peered down at me, his eyes were so soft, yet he fought so hard to keep them guarded. They were eyes I would nearly believe I'd seen before, all liquidy and blue, but I've never known such a creature.

Later that day, I heard a knock on my window. I jumped slightly, but then caught a glimpse of blonde hair and relaxed. I unlocked the window and JJ slipped in my room. His arms were around me in an instant.
"Oh my god, I've been so worried. I woke up and I saw it on the news. I came over as soon as I could."
I pulled away from his embrace slightly and looked up at him, "It's been on the news?"
He nodded, looking down at me. Worry was all over his face. It was obvious he'd been crying.
"I'm okay." I said, propping myself up to kiss his cheek.
He grabbed my face lightly and pressed my lips to his. I felt his smile on my lips.
"I'm so glad you're safe." He said, then leaned into kiss me again.
Kane's kiss flashed into my mind and I broke away from JJ's grasp entirely. His face twisted slightly, but I quickly grabbed his hand and led him across the room to sit on my bed. I put my head on his shoulder and sighed.
"It's been a crazy day." I stated simply, but it had been for more reasons than one.
"It's never normal for us, is it?" He answered.
I lifted my head up and shook it, "No, it never is."
"I don't know what I'd do if anyone ever hurt you." He asked firmly, "who would do something like this?"
I shook my head again in utter exhaustion. JJ kissed my forehead and I relished in just being there with him in the silence that followed.

I couldn't allow myself to stay in the silence for long. My mind started drifting as I took in the reality of what had almost happened today. I could've been killed. If that thing, that creature hadn't been there, I wouldn't be alive right now. I would've become one with the flames. I looked up at JJ as it occurred to me how much I'd be leaving behind if the flames had won today. I realized how much would be left unsaid. My stomach dropped as I realized that part of what would be unsaid, unknown, is who attacked me. I was holding off getting justice out of fear, dread, and out of guilt for dooming my former best friends' futures. But, this fire made me realize that I couldn't wait any longer, that I needed to tell someone what I knew. As I peered up at the blonde headed, completely relieved guy above me, I knew he'd be the one to tell. I took a breath, allowing it to give me courage.
"JJ..."
He shifted his eyes down to me, but the tone in my voice alerted him; uneasiness flowed through his voice too as he coaxed me to continue.
Taking a second, deeper breathe I stumbled on my words, finally spilling out that I knew who had been behind my attack, who had broke into my home that day. I could barely get their names out and that there had been other accomplices before I shut down. As the words fell out, becoming more real than they ever had, I couldn't get myself to say anymore. JJ connected enough dots. I could see it in the way his eyes changed from terror to rage.
I could tell by his strained features that he was yelling, but I couldn't focus on the words he was spewing.  My mind was churning as I processed what I had finally let out. I can't believe I did it. I can't believe I officially sealed Anthony and Jen's fate. My heart squeezed at the knowledge. Despite everything, it was them who I felt for in this moment. Even though I knew that pressing charges was the right course of action, the idea that their lives as they knew them would be over... because of me, didn't sit well.
My thoughts were intercepted by the familiar anchor introduction. A hush of voices merging into just one. It was Jannick, and his panicked tone had me bolting out of JJ's hold and off the bed entirely.