Saving Us

by Ashley Johnson

  “Let’s get you back to your truck. Thank you, for skipping with me today.”

  “You’re a bad influence.” She giggles as she climbs off the tailgate. She’s being playful. I like this side of Sybil.

  She runs towards the door of the truck but just as quickly, I catch up to her and grab her from behind her waist. She lets out a squeal as I spin her around before setting her back on her feet. She turns to face me and is still smiling. Her eyes are lit up and it makes this whole day worth it. I open the truck door letting her climb in. I drive a little slower than I should be, as I try to prolong the time I have with her.

  Campus is dark and not too many vehicles are left in the parking lot. I scan the area for any signs of suspicious activity and when it looks safe, I get out of the truck and go open her door. I don’t want to tell her goodbye.

  “Text me when you get home?” I ask her.

  “I can, since you seem to worry about me.” she teases.

  She has no idea just how much I worry. I kiss her softly on the cheek before watching her get into her truck. As she pulls away, I realize I miss her already. She will text me, I know but I can’t help but wait until she’s been gone a few minutes before I follow her just to be safe.

  Chapter 19

  Sybil

  I imagined a thousand scenarios in my head on how this talk would go with Blaine. Never in a million years would I have imagined that he would understand. I didn’t think he would have been as compassionate as he was when he heard about Caleb. Most guys don’t want to hear that kind of thing but Blaine is different. I think I saw that the minute I met him. Seeing him act the way he did tonight made my heart flutter and I still can’t shake that feeling away. I’m smiling like a crazy person the entire drive back home.

  As I climb out of the truck, I see a paper tucked under the windshield. I wouldn’t have seen it at all if it weren’t for the breeze that came through. I smile thinking Megan left me some cheesy ass note when she left school. God only knows what she put in here. I tuck it into my back pocket as I let myself inside the apartment. The keys land on the table with a thud and I reach into my pocket for the note. I smile as I unfold the piece of paper but when I see the words, my smile vanishes and I fall to my knees.

  Every fear that I had the day Cory and I read the letter from Caleb comes rushing back and I feel like my breath has been sucked out of my body. I reach for my phone and with shaky fingers call David.

  The phone rings for what seems like an eternity and when he finally answers, I thank God. “Hello?”

  “David,” I say with a shaky voice. “I, I…”

  “Sybil, what’s wrong? Are you ok?” he asks concerned. I don’t know what to say, I’m freaking out and for the first time since he’s been gone, I’m terrified. “Sybil, talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “S-s-someone left a note on th-the tr-r-u-uck.” I sob.

  “What does it say? This is important Sybil. Can you read it to me?”

  My eyes struggle to focus on the words but I’m able to calm down long enough to read them. “We’ve been watching you. You have until the end of the week to come up with the rest of the money Caleb owes us. If you don’t get the $90,000 by sundown on Sunday, you may be seeing Caleb again real soon.”

  The paper falls instantly like it’s on fire. $90,000? Caleb, what did you do? I should have known that we wouldn’t be safe for long, but why are they coming after me? Why not his parents?

  “Do you know who put that on your truck? Do you recognize the handwriting?”

  “No sir, I have no idea.”

  “I’ll get the money. Don’t you worry ok, Sybil?”

  “There has to be another way out, that’s too much money.” I argue.

  “I have a feeling whoever wrote this is serious and I won’t play around with your safety. Call Cory right now and tell him you’re coming over. I don’t want you in that apartment alone.”

  “Yes sir. I’m so scared.” I tell him.

  “Everything will be taken care of. Call Cory and I’ll keep you posted. I’m going to do some digging around.”

  We hang up and I struggle to call Cory. I’ve barely had a chance to process any of this and now I’m having to live my life in fear if David can’t come up with $90,000 by Sunday. The idea of someone watching me all this time makes my skin crawl. I haven’t noticed anyone out of the ordinary but I suppose if they are watching you, they aren’t meant to be seen.

  I see Megan’s name first so I call her. She’s laughing as she answers the phone and I miss being able to laugh. I don’t know if I can ever laugh again. “Hey girl, we were just talking about you!”

  “Oh,” is all I can say.

  “Sybil? What’s wrong?” That’s the million dollar question of the day. Boy, am I about to blow her mind.

  “Can I come stay with ya’ll tonight?” I ask quietly.

  “Of course you can.”

  “I’m on my way.” I say before hanging up the phone. I grab a change of clothes and tuck the note back into my pocket before running back out to the truck. I don’t stop until I’m inside and I practically peel out as I leave.

  Numbly I drive to Cory and Megan’s apartment. I’ve never been more terrified of anything in my life and I’m not sure how to deal with this. Their front door isn’t locked, so I walk right in. Cory sees my puffy red eyes and immediately runs over.

  “Please don’t tell me Blaine did something.” He says through gritted teeth. He’s in big brother mode and I don’t need that Cory right now. I need my friend Cory.

  “No,” I whisper. I set my change of clothes on the counter and grab the note out of my pocket. Megan comes to stand beside me wrapping her arms around me. She senses the pain and she doesn’t even know half of it yet.

  Cory takes the note from me and a string of cuss words fly from his lips. “How did you get this, Sybil?”

  “I saw it on my truck when I got home. I was with Blaine all afternoon, we left my truck at school.” I answer.

  “Did you call David?”

  “Yes. He told me to come here. What the hell is going on Cory? I thought we were safe. I’m fucking scared out of my mind.”

  Cory hands Megan the note and her eyes about pop out of her head as she reads the taunting words. “$90,000? Fucking shit, how the hell are you supposed to come up with that?”

  “David said he’s going to pay it. There’s got to be another way out.”

  “Not with loan sharks, Syb. You’re family and family takes care of one another.”

  He walks to the fridge and grabs a beer handing it to me. “Thank you.” I tell him.

  My phone vibrates and I pull it out to find a message from Blaine. Shit, I never texted him when I got home.

  Blaine: Did you make it home ok? I had a great day with you.

  Me: I’m so sorry. Something came up and I’m staying with Megan and Cory.

  Blaine: Is everything ok?

  Me: No.

  Blaine: Please talk to me, don’t shut me out.

  Me: My life is falling apart.

  He doesn’t text back but instead my phone rings. Megan looks at me and gives me a sad smile. “Go ahead and answer it, we’ll give you some space.”

  Cory holds onto the note and sits on the couch before picking up his phone to call Caleb’s dad like I did.

  “Hello?”

  “Sybil, what’s going on? You were fine just a few minutes ago.” Blaine says concerned.

  “My life is over Blaine,” I say with a shaky voice. “I don’t think running away would help anything.”

  “Talk to me or I swear I will find where Cory lives and I will come to you.”

  I can’t let Blaine see me like this. I’m a mess, I just found out if I don’t get these people $90,000 in a few days, my life is in grave danger. Not even Blaine’s sexy ways can pull a smile from me.

  “Did you see a note on my windshield?” I ask.

  “No, I didn’t. What did it say?” he asks.

 
; “God, I really don’t know how to say this,” I begin to whimper.

  “Take your time. I’m here, its ok.”

  Understanding Blaine, just when I need him. But will he really be understanding when he really hears what’s going on?

  “I, I have to come up with $90,000 by Sunday. If I don’t, th-they will k-k-kill me.” I sob trying once again to catch my breath.

  “Who, Sybil? What’s going on?” A string of cuss words escape his lips and for a moment, I do wish he were here to hold me just like he did in the tailgate of his truck.

  “Caleb owed someone money, I didn’t know it was this much and I’m scared Blaine.”

  “Sybil, I swear with every breath I have that I will do whatever I can to make sure you’re safe. If you want to get the hell out of town, I’ll take you wherever you want to go. I’ll stay with you as long as you want me to. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “That means so much to me Blaine, but I don’t think you can save me.”

  ***

  Blaine

  I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I knew this was going to happen somehow but for Dante to leave the note on her truck? Dammit. I fucking hate myself for not having seen that when she got into her truck. She found it all alone and had no one there for her. The thought of her scared has my blood boiling and I know it’s time to get this plan rolling. I’d die to keep her safe and if that’s what it takes, I’ll do it. Sybil doesn’t deserve any of this.

  She’s sobbing quietly on the phone and it’s breaking my heart to not be with her. I told her I’ll take her anywhere but she doesn’t believe me. I want her to believe me.

  “Is Cory around Sybil?” I ask.

  “Yeah, he’s right here.”

  “Let me talk to him.”

  I hear muffled voices and I can’t hear what they are saying. I want to punch a wall or better yet, Dante’s face but I tell myself I need to control my anger.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey man, what the hell is going on?” I ask him. I hate pretending I have no clue what’s going on.

  “Shit’s going down and it’s not pretty. I’m sure she told you about Caleb. Well, apparently he owes someone a fucking lot of money and they threatened her.”

  “Fuck. Does she have any idea who it could be?” I ask. Lies, deception, they continue to flow freely from my lips.

  “We have no fucking clue man. I’m glad you called her, can I ask you a favor?”

  “Yeah, what is it?” I ask.

  “I’m going to see Caleb’s parents tomorrow. Supposedly they are going to pay the money but I want to see if there’s any other options. Megan has some things to do for school and I don’t want Sybil alone. Can you stay around her? She likes you and trusts you for some reason. As her best friend, I am willing to do the same.”

  Cory is trusting me and sadly, he has no clue that I’m the last person he should trust. “Yeah man, just tell me when and where.”

  “Meet us on campus in the morning, but she isn’t going to her classes. I’m going to tell her to email her teachers and the teacher at the elementary school and tell them she’s sick. And I may be jumping the gun but I don’t want her home this weekend. If Caleb’s dad is paying, then he and I will deliver this money. She’s had enough trauma.”

  “I can see if she will leave town with me, maybe stay the night somewhere and I can bring her back when we receive the go-ahead.”

  “Sounds perfect man. Talk to her about it tomorrow morning. I’ll let you talk to her again. Thanks, Blaine.”

  “No problem.”

  Her soft voice comes back over the phone and my heart breaks a little more. “I’m so sorry Blaine.”

  “For what doll face?”

  “Dragging you into something like this.”

  “Don’t be. I’ll see you in the morning ok?”

  “Ok.”

  I hang up the phone and hate myself for all of this. She’s going to hate me in the end. I know it and I’m never going to forgive myself for the shit that I’ve put her through.

  Chapter 20

  Sybil

  My head is pounding when I wake up. I cried myself to sleep most of the night and I’m feeling the after effects of it this morning. Last night before I laid down, I emailed all my teachers and even the school like Cory told me to. I’m pissed more than anything that this chaos is interrupting my school life. I’ve busted my ass to get through college and now, I’m struggling to get through this semester. Thankfully, most of my teachers are nice.

  I smell coffee so I make my way into the kitchen. Megan is already gone to school and Cory is sitting at the table nursing a cup. “Good morning.” He says. “How are you feeling today?”

  “I’ve been better. Just when I think things are going good, they blow up in my face.” I say as I fix myself a cup of coffee.

  His green eyes look sad as he tries to smile. “I know. I’m going to see David today. He was supposed to be looking into some stuff. Blaine is going to meet us on campus to watch over you. I don’t care where he takes you but I don’t want you alone.”

  “Ok. Do you really think everything will be ok?”

  He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “It will be, don’t you worry. We’re going to get through this.”

  “I hope so. I’m ready to be normal again, you know?”

  “Yeah, I do know. Let’s get you to school, I’m anxious to talk to David and see what’s going on.”

  I get up going to change my clothes. The bags under my eyes are horrible but I don’t care right now. I dab a little powder on my face before looking back into the mirror. I hardly recognize myself anymore, I miss me.

  Cory is standing by the door waiting for me. I hop into his truck and we drive towards campus. He parks in the parking lot I usually park in and I immediately spot Blaine’s truck. He meets me at my door and once I get out, he talks to Cory for a second before placing his hand on my back and leading me to his truck.

  I can’t even look him in the eyes right now. I’m mortified that he knows half of what’s going on but for some reason he’s sticking around.

  “Do you have any idea where you would like to go this weekend? Cory wants me to get you out of town when they deliver the money.”

  I look over at him staring blankly at his face. “I don’t care, whatever you decide is fine.”

  Most of the day with him is spent in silence. I don’t know what to say and I’m on edge waiting to hear from Cory. I want to know what David is really going to do because whatever it is, it involves me. When he drops me back off to Cory and Megan’s apartment, he grabs my hand and offers a small smile.

  “I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon ok? We’ll get out of town and be back the next morning.”

  I try to smile because I want to be happy. “Sounds good.”

  ***

  Megan is sitting on the couch when I walk inside. She’s got a pencil in her mouth and she’s concentrating awfully hard. I plop down beside her and she turns to face me. “How was your day, Syb?”

  “Ugh, horrible. I didn’t want to talk to him and it just felt awkward. Have you heard from Cory?”

  “Yeah, he called just a minute ago. He’s on his way home. He sounded tired.”

  “I hope they figured something out.”

  “You know Cory, something will be done.”

  We start talking about school and everything else when Cory comes walking in the front door. I immediately quit talking and just stare at him. He throws his keys on the counter and lets out a sigh.

  “Well, his dad is hiring a private investigator to look into this. He wants to know who Caleb even owes the money to because they never said where to meet or anything on the note, so how the hell are you supposed to pay it? This guy is supposed to be good so if all goes well, he may know something soon.”

  I just nod my head. Things are just turning in all the ways I never expected and I feel numb. “So, I won’t have to hand the money over, David will?”

&nbs
p; “That’s the plan. Your safety is most important. I don’t even want you driving the truck because they know it. Leave it here and ride with Blaine. I’ll trust him to keep you safe.” Cory tells me.

  Again, I nod my head and blink back tears. “I’m going to lie down. I’m tired.”

  “You sure Sybil? We can watch a movie or something if you want.” Megan offers.

  I give her a weak smile and shake my head no. I stalk to their spare room, the one I lived in for a few months after Caleb’s death and fall asleep as soon as my body hits the bed.

  Morning comes too quickly and I struggle to pull myself from bed. I need some things from my apartment but I’m too scared to go by myself, so Cory and Megan accompany me. I grab my pink duffle bag and pack something for bed along with a change of clothes for the morning. I toss my toothbrush and a few extra toiletries into the bag before zipping it up. I take one good look around the apartment and sigh. I want this to stay my safe haven but until this mess is settled, I know it’s far from it.

  David calls to make sure everything is ok and to inform us he has no news yet. Cory tells him we are all safe and explains the precautions we are taking. He seems a little weary about me going out of town for the night with someone he’s never even heard of, but Cory assures him he fully trusts him and it’s for my safety.

  Sunday is two days away and I’m thinking of all the normal things that should be happening today. Megan and I should be excited for 80’s night but that’s normal and my life knows no normal right now. She’s offering me a smile but I know deep down, she’s feeling sad for me. I hug her tightly offering her whatever I can to ease her mind. “I’ll be back tomorrow ok?”

  “Be safe. If something happens you call. I’ll keep you posted on here too ok?”

  “I love you Meg. I will be back tomorrow.”

  “I love you too, Sybil. When is Blaine coming to get you?”