“Me either.” It was good to have a third person in on this mission.
The doorbell rang. “Let me see who it is.”
Standing, I tucked my cell phone into my back pocket out of habit. I walked toward the door and looked back at Matthew. He refolded the quilt. Internally, I chuckled at our habits that were alike. Nothing was ever out of place at The Society.
As I turned the knob, it flew open, and slammed me against the wall. My vision came in and out as I got my bearings while sinking to the floor.
“Sarah!” Matthew’s voice cried out. Fuzzily, I thought, I’m not Sarah. I’m Kenzie. There was more yelling and a scuffle of bodies. So much commotion, it was hard to focus on the limbs.
Click.
A cold metal something pressed against my temple. The icy voice that haunted my dreams spoke, “I’ll shoot her Matthew, if you don’t stop.”
My vision cleared as fear gripped me. Matthew was on top holding Abraham by the throat. Abraham, the enforcer of The Society, looked murderous. Matthew had never liked him.
Freezing, Matthew looked my way and held up his hands. “Don’t hurt her, Jacob.”
“You’ll address me by my proper name.” The Keeper pressed the gun farther into my temple at his words.
I whimpered, my eyes darting to Matthew. I was going to die. This was it. My breathing came faster.
“Please don’t hurt her, Keeper. Please.” The pleading in Matthew’s voice had me closing my eyes.
Satisfied, he released some of the pressure and I opened my eyes. After all the precautions we’d taken, it hadn’t mattered. I had to push past the terror that was clouding my mind. I wanted to live. I wanted to survive. Stay calm, Kenzie. Think.
The Keeper’s icy voice brought an involuntary shiver out in me. “Let’s move to the couch.”
Abraham pushed Matthew off and got back on his feet. The Keeper’s shock-white hair was prevalent under his cap. The gun was removed away from my head and I was able to breathe a little easier without the cold barrel threatening me a point-blank range.
“Sarah, join Matthew on the couch.” The Keeper was in complete control like I’d always seen him. There had to be a way out of this.
Unsteadily, I got to my feet and my balance was a little off from the hard knock on the head. With a slight zigzag, I got to the couch. Matthew brought me to him. “Are you okay?”
“I will be.”
My head throbbed and I could feel a bump forming.
Abraham stood in front of us and wiped the blood from his lip. With a menacing step forward, he pulled back his arm like he was going to strike me. Matthew shielded me.
“Abraham. Stop.” The Keepers command was followed without hesitation. The Keeper shook his head slowly at us. “I’m disappointed in you, Matthew. When we pulled in, I thought I saw Sarah going into that gas station.” He tsked. “How could you betray us like this? We are a unified group. She’s one of the doomed now.”
By the calculating look in his eyes, the Keeper had been waiting for Matthew to come to me. Matthew must have figured it out too as he spoke, “You set me up. You knew I would come to Sarah.”
I was glad that Matthew wasn’t using my real name. If we got out of this, I’d have to leave. At least I’d be able to disappear again.
Calculating, the Keeper rubbed his chin. “Yes, I knew you would come to her. It’s why I made sure Abraham and I were near you when we talked about our plans.” He paused, then tsked again. “There’s no stopping me. Eventually, I’ll get the other branches to believe in my way of thinking.” He looked my way and his normal icy glare was full of wrath. “I should have taken care of you like I did your mother.”
The words were a slap in the face as the wound of my mom’s death was abruptly opened. “It was poison wasn’t it, that killed her? Why? Why did you kill her?”
The Keeper put his gun away as he looked at me, deciding whether I was worthy of his response. Finally, he spoke, “I found a jar filled with money in the garden on a random sweep we did. After that, I had you both watched closely. There were things she did that were not acceptable.”
I spat at him, knowing he was lying. I’d dug all over that garden and knew there weren’t any jars there. “I don’t believe you. She followed the rules. I think it’s because you needed an heir for your son!”
Outside The Society, the Keeper seemed to be more agile than the fragile way he betrayed himself. He was still old, but the Keeper moved better. Was it all an act?
“Ah, so you know?” That was all he said to the subject of my mom. He gave a command before he walked about. “Abraham, watch them.”
The Keeper looked at everything in my apartment—picking up picture frames, going through cabinets, nothing was off limits. Abraham, with his dirty brown hair and muddy eyes, had the silver gun to his side. Occasionally, he’d wave it at us.
Guns made me nervous. Only the Watchers were allowed to use them when they hunted and the traps we’d set weren’t working. Disappearing upstairs, the Keeper left us with Abraham.
Matthew pulled me closer. “I’m not letting anything happen to you. I’m not losing you again.”
“I can’t lose you either.”
“Quiet, both of you!” Abraham waved the gun in front of our faces. I flinched. Matthew’s grip tightened on me.
A hush fell over us. I could hear drawers opening up in my room. Minutes ticked by. Footsteps came back down the steps. The Keeper was holding a frame.
He thrust it out to me. “Is this isolated?”
It was another picture from the day that Aiden and I had gone to Mount Kessler. “For the most part, yes.”
Laying the frame down, he adjusted his black coat. “You’re going to take us there or Abraham will kill Matthew. Do you understand?”
The thought of Matthew dying jolted me to my feet. “Please don’t kill him! Please! You can’t! Take me!”
Matthew stood, wrapping his arm around me. “No, do not hurt her. Take Me. Not her.”
“ENOUGH!” I’d never heard the Keeper speak that loud before as the echoing boom silenced us. He looked at me with that deathless stare. “You will take us or I will kill Matthew. We need to get away while we . . . talk some more.”
There was no way we were going out there to talk. He was taking us out there to die. At least that would buy some time for me to try and figure something out.
Nodding to Abraham, the Keeper spoke, “Let’s get them in the van. I’ll drive with Sarah in the passenger seat. Abraham, I want you to sit in the back with Matthew. If she tries anything, I want you to kill him.”
“No!” I screamed.
Abraham pointed the gun at Matthew and I stopped talking. This was bad. Very bad. The Keepers wiry finger motioned for me to come here. As I wiped my sweaty hands on my butt, I felt my cell phone in my back pocket. An idea formed.
“Before we go, can I use the restroom?” It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.
The Keeper eyed me. My T-shirt was longer, almost to the top of my thighs. Taking the normal Charge stance, humbly looking down and perfect posture, I tried the respectful route. “It’s about a twenty-minute drive and there’s nowhere to use the bathroom. Can I please go, Keeper?”
Glancing up, the Keeper nodded. “Abraham, stay with Matthew. Sarah, if you try anything, Abraham will kill Matthew.”
My lips trembled. “I know. I promise.”
Step by step, we slowly climbed the stairs. Hopefully my shirt stayed loose and didn’t show the bump of my phone. As we made it to my room, The Keeper motioned for me to follow him. He searched the bathroom as I watched. Satisfied I had nothing in there, he left me alone. The threat of Matthew was enough to keep me in line.
Scrambling, I lifted the lid and sat on it. I needed to pee slowly while I typed out my text.
Me: Society found us. Taking us to Mount Kessler. Not much time.
The response was almost immediate.
Aiden: Where are you?
Me: Leaving house.
I’m scared.
Aiden: Keep phone on you. Call me and put it in back pocket. Give me clues as you talk.
Me: Okay.
Finished, I stood and speed dialed Aiden. The phone connected and I turned down the volume in case Aiden made a noise. Locking the screen, I put it in my back pocket. I was a nervous wreck, knowing Matthew’s life was at stake.
Me, leaving The Society, was what had caused all this to happen. I was responsible for his life. I stepped out of the bathroom.
“I always knew you were a smart girl, Sarah.”
I froze for a second, thinking I had been caught. A long silence permeated the room as he watched me, then nodded to the door. Making it to the first floor, Matthew quickly looked me over, scared. I gave a slight nod like I used to when we’d signal we were okay to each other. Relaxing minutely, Matthew stood as Abraham gestured with the gun for him to do so. Abraham gave Matthew a push, causing him to grunt in order to keep his balance.
I hated Abraham.
“If anyone does anything, Abraham will shoot. Does everyone understand?”
We both acquiesced to the Keeper’s no-nonsense tone. “Yes.”
Ushered outside, we entered a minivan. This was not the Keeper’s car I remembered. They’d probably rented it. I gave directions. Hopefully, Aiden would be able to hear where we were going.
Smack.
Matthew grunted. I turned and saw he had blood at the corner of his mouth. “That was for hitting me.” Abraham was angry. Raising his hand, he prepared to strike again. I looked at the Keeper. “Please make it stop, Keeper. We’re cooperating. Please, Keeper.”
“Abraham. No more.” The finality again had Abraham obeying.
“Yes, Keeper.”
Matthew had his fists bunched. Facing forward, I continued giving directions to the location that would most likely be my resting place.
THE PLACE WAS abandoned. I’d hoped bikers would be here, but luck wasn’t on our side today. As we got out, Matthew came up to me. I grabbed his hand as we kept going.
“Keep walking. Sarah, lead the way.” The Keeper grew impatient.
This place seemed lifeless, like a waiting tomb, as we walked up the meandering worn path. Birds grew quiet as they watched us march to our death. The leaves were gathered along the side of the trail. I stumbled and Matthew helped me gain my balance.
As the path kept going, the tears formed and I willed them away. I needed to stay on the rational side of my brain.
Maybe this was the chance to get the truth. “I know you’re sending us to our death. Why are you killing all those people?”
Ominously, the Keeper responded, “Sarah, I will not answer your questions. My mission is bigger than you’ll ever understand.”
I started to speak, but he cut me off. “It is time to embrace the path that has been chosen for you. Now be silent, or I’ll let Abraham do what he wants to Matthew.”
I hate the Keeper.
We were rounding the bend. The tall rocks that I’d loved the last time I was here with Aiden came into view. Aiden. I hoped the phone disconnected by the time they put a bullet in me. The last time we were here, Aiden had talked about how he didn’t have service. More and more, I regretted texting him. I’d given him an impossible situation to solve and he’d punish himself for the rest of his life if I died.
The Keeper called from behind us, “Okay, I think this is far enough. Turn around.”
Being at the steepest part of the ravine, I knew they probably planned to shoot us, then dump us down the hill. Closing my eyes, I turned and grabbed Matthew’s hand again. There was a slight tremble in mine.
Matthew stood strong beside me as I glanced at him. When I faced our killers, I saw Aiden silently coming toward us. Matthew squeezed my hand in little pulses. He’d known Aiden was behind us before me.
I wanted to scream, RUN! But, I remained silent. Both Abraham and the Keeper had their weapons out. Aiden was trudging his way toward us, probably not knowing there were guns. I hadn’t mentioned it in my texts. There was no way to tell him without alerting the Keeper and Abraham to his presence.
Keeping my eyes trained on the men in front of us, I watched Aiden out of my peripheral vision. He gestured with his hands as he pointed to Matthew. Hope and fear came through me. I didn’t want Aiden to be another bystander in all this. Glancing at Matthew, he gave an imperceptible nod.
The Keeper said, “There are times that sacrifices must be made for the betterment of others. This is unfortunate, but necessary to keep our way of life pure and clean from all evil. Matthew, there was great hope for you.” Abraham had a satisfied gleam in his eyes as the Keeper spoke to us. ”Sarah, your mother came from the world of the doomed. She did not purify her heart which passed on to you. The Light demands your life to purify our home.”
Aiden was about six feet away. He nodded. Matthew pushed me back and yelled, “RUN, SARAH! RUN!”
I took off toward the tall rocks and glanced back. Aiden and Abraham were struggling with each other. The Keeper had the gun pointed at Matthew as he moved from side to side trying to pick a moment to attack. I could hear Matthew’s voice, but couldn’t make out the words.
There was no way I could leave them alone like this. I stopped and turned. Running back to them, Matthew lunged for the Keeper.
A shot fired.
BANG!
Abraham lost his balance as the dirt gave way. He attempted to grab Aiden.
I screamed, “Aiden!”
Missing, Abraham fell back into the ravine, yelling a death-curdling scream on the way down. Sickening crunches echoed through the area. Off balance, Aiden stumbled slightly backward, flailing his arms as he tried to grab anything. I screamed again, trying to get to him. I was still too far away to reach him. Aiden grabbed hold of a tree to keep from falling down. Heaving a sigh of relief, Aiden pulled himself back up. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I got closer.
There was so much happening that it felt like I was in slow motion. Another shot fired, bringing my attention back to Matthew.
BANG!
The Keeper stumbled backward. Finishing the job, Matthew pushed the Keeper off the side as Aiden gained solid footing. Matthew turned back my way and his eyes landed on mine.
“Are you okay?”
I made it to him. “Yes, Matthew. We’re alive.” I glanced at Aiden and was about to run to him when Matthew slumped to the ground. Kneeling in front of him, I looked him in the eye. His gaze was unfocused.
“Matthew! What’s wrong?”
“Kenzie . . .” His voice was softer.
I searched his body. Matthew wasn’t acting right. Laying him in my lap he grunted. Panic seized me. A dark crimson showed at his abdomen. This was bad. “Matthew, you’re shot! We’ll get you help! Aiden call 9–1-1!”
Matthew couldn’t leave me! I couldn’t lose Matthew, too. Please. Please. Please save him.
Matthew coughed and his blue eyes opened to look at me. “Sarah, it’s okay. You’re safe. That’s what matters.”
He was getting weaker. There wasn’t much time. “Aiden!”
“Kenzie, I’m trying.”
With my free hand, I applied pressure to the wound to try and stop the bleeding. “Matthew, you’re going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”
Please don’t take him. Take me instead.
A look of peace passed over Matthew’s face. “I’ve loved you . . . my whole life. I wish I’d been able to tell you before you left The Society.”
“I love you, too.” My heart splintered as pain ripped through my chest. A life with Matthew flashed before my eyes. We would have been happy together.
“I’ve always wanted to hear you say that. I was going to ask you to marry me in the woods the day after you left.” Matthew closed his eyes.
His confession was a knife to the heart. I screamed as tears streaked my face, “You can’t go, Matthew! Please don’t go! Be strong! Aiden is calling for help!” I felt desperate as I tried to think of anything th
at could save my friend.
Coming back to me, his eyes fluttered open and they were the breathtaking blue I’d used to spend hours looking into. “Can I ask one thing?”
His voice grew weaker as the blood kept spreading. I couldn’t get it to stop.
“Yes. Anything.” I ran my thumb along his cheek as a tear slipped out of his eye.
“Can I kiss you? Just once, I want to know what your lips feel like. I used to dream about it all the time.”
There was no way I could deny him this. I leaned down and put my lips to his, sweetly. Images of a life flashed by as tears streamed down both our faces. This was a bitter-sweet first and last kiss. I’d never feel him in my arms again. Never. I focused on memorizing every touch as his tongue touched mine. We loved each other. I never understood how much until this moment and I was losing him.
Why? Why did he have to leave me?
I opened my eyes to see the love pouring from his. Pulling back, a smile graced his lips.
Contentedly, he sighed. “You’re looking at me like I always wanted. I love you.”
“Please don’t leave me. I love you, Matthew. I love you so much.” Mentally, I said prayer after prayer for him to be saved. To let this all be a bad dream.
Please save him. Please. Take me instead. Anything. I’ll do anything to save him.
He swallowed hard, then coughed blood. I couldn’t stop the bleeding. “Don’t let The Society find out you’re alive. If you try to expose them, stay safe. I want you to live.”
“Don’t die, Matthew. Please don’t die. I need you. I love you.”
“Sarah, I love you, too. So much.”
Matthew’s head lulled to the side and his eyes closed while he exhaled his last breath. I glanced up to see Aiden watching me with the phone pressed to his ear. He’d seen and heard it all. I could barely see through the tears blurring my vision. I buried myself into Matthew’s neck and kept crying as I rocked us, wishing this was a bad dream. A dream I could escape.
But, all that was happening . . . was reality.
Time stood still as I clutched to the remaining warmth in Matthew’s body. Tears were never ending. My sadness had no beginning and no end. The loss was infinite. Aiden crouched in front of me.
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