Marked. Part II: Becoming Noah Baxter

by J. M. Sevilla

  I look up flights to San Fransisco. The next plane leaves Phoenix airport in two hours, giving me plenty of time to get there. I order the ticket, talking to Seth as I do, “Can you tell Mom I'm having a girl's weekend?”

  “You want me to lie to Mom?”

  “We both know this wouldn't be the first time.”

  “I know, I just wasn't expecting that from you. You've always been the follow the rules, do what you're told person.”

  “Mm,” I mumble, half listening as I type in my credit card information. “So will you or won't you?”

  “Of course I will.”

  “Good,” I rush to the front door, grabbing my car keys and wallet.

  “Hey, sis?”

  I stop right before slamming the door, frustrated that he's slowing me down, “What?”

  “Be careful, okay?”

  The worried expression on Seth's face has me going to give him a big squeeze, squishing him in my arms, “I will.”

  “And you're still wearing your pajamas,” he snickers.

  I look down. Oops, it appears that I am.

  Inside my bedroom I throw on underwear, jeans, and long sleeve shirt, stuffing my wallet in my front pocket, stopping to brush my teeth and pull my hair back.

  I hop down the hall putting my shoes on while I go, almost knocking Cody over on my way through the door. As I'm backing out – tires screeching, the whole dramatic bit – I slam on my brakes to stare at Jay's old place.

  First things first: find out if this fucker really is following me and if I'm going to need to ditch him.

  I drive my car at the speed limit, my leg bouncing with the adrenaline flooding my body. I park at the nearby grocery store and wait a beat before getting out. I casually look around, but don't see his car. I pull out my phone to call Seth and ask him if the neighbor's car is still in the driveway when the car pulls into the lot.

  Holy shit, I think he really is following me. I kind of expected to get in a good laugh for being paranoid.

  Okay, new plan.

  I stroll into the grocery store, hoping that my nerves aren't visible. I head towards the toilet paper aisle, thinking that would be a good reason for rushing here. You can't live without TP, right?

  Every so often I sneak a peek at the mirrors on the ceiling. The third time I lock eyes with my neighbor, who's a few rows over. I quickly advert mine, pretending I wasn't paying attention.

  My neighbor appears so normal, his looks pleasant but not memorable. His demeanor's always distant; however, it never would have made me think anything other than him being an anti-social kind of guy. It makes me wonder how many dangerous people you pass in a day and don't even know it.

  Hmm, well that's not really something I care to think too heavily on.

  I feign interest in comparing the cost of two brands, finally deciding on the one I want.

  I keep expecting my heart to beat erratically but it never does, almost as though it's getting used to the adrenaline surges and isn't phased anymore. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's still frantically beating, but it's nothing like it would have been before Jay. I'm not sure if that's a good thing. I don't like the idea that this kind of situation is something my body is growing used to.

  I don't look back as I pay or when I get into my car. I'm glancing in the rear view mirror the whole ride home, but my neighbor never comes into view.

  Once I'm safely inside my house, I look out my kitchen window just as the neighbor's pulling back into his driveway.

  “Boys!” I shout, turning around to find my brothers.

  “Yeah!” They yell in unison from the living room.

  I go to them, a plan formulating, “I need your help.”

  “With what?” Cody pauses the video game they've started.

  “I need you to be my diversion.”

  This now has Seth's full attention.

  “Okay...” I lick my lips, ready to reveal more than I probably should, “The new neighbor has been following me.”

  Seth's eyebrows raise and his eyes twinkle in excitement. Cody looks like I've finally let my brother's antics rub off on me.

  “I'm not sure why he is, but the last time someone followed me I was kidnapped.”

  I watch Cody register what I'm talking about while Seth yells out, “I knew it! I knew those guys weren't who they said they were! I even told mom that she shouldn't have let you go! Ha!”

  I give him a glare that has him shutting his trap.

  “I need to get to the airport and I don't want him following or knowing where I went.”

  “So what do you want from us?” Cody asks apprehensively.

  “You're going to distract him enough that I can get away.”

  “Sweet!” Seth fists the air.

  “I was thinking you guys could go over – but not enter,” I warn, “for a reason I haven't come up with yet, then when you have him distracted I can get away–”

  “What if he has a tracking device on your car?” Seth points out, getting restless with excited energy.

  “I already thought of that. I'm going to get Stevie or Naomi to come pick me up and take me there.”

  Seth nods in approval.

  “Who the hell are you?” Cody questions, completely taken back. “I'm beginning to think Seth was right about alien abduction.”

  Seth shoots him a scowl, “Hey, alien abductions are a very serious matter and shouldn't be taken so lightly.”

  “I wasn't abducted, I just fell in love.” There's probably not much of a difference.

  They both begin flipping out and twenty questions flood me, both wanting to know why some dude is following me, why I was kidnapped, and who our old neighbor really is.

  My only response to their ambush is, “Our old neighbor is not a man you want to fuck with and he taught me to be the same.”

  This has them staring at me as though I'm Marty McFly and I just arrived in a DeLorean from the future.

  I use the moment of silence to call Stevie and get her voice mail, stupidly forgetting she works most Saturdays. I then call Naomi, who answers, surprised it's me as we are having a bit of a rough patch in our friendship. She forgave me for blowing up the way I did, but then got mad at me because I stood firm in my belief that it wasn't her place to get involved. I tried getting her to talk about her feelings for Stevie, but Naomi doesn't do feelings, which caused another argument between us. We've never fought like this before, but then again I used to take what ever was thrown at me.

  “I need your help,” I get straight to the point, not having time for anything else.

  “Okay, what's up?”

  “I need a ride to the airport, like right now.”

  “Uh, sure. Why–”

  “Come. Now.” I hang up, not to be a bitch but my flight leaves in less than two hours and it can take a good thirty minutes to get to the airport, and then I have to check in and all the hassle that goes with that.

  I hand Cody my phone, “I won't be bringing this with me. Text Mom later that I'm at the girls' for the weekend and keep it silent in your room to respond to any texts she or Dad might send.”

  He nods, still not sure who I am.

  “Now go distract our neighbor.”

  My brothers rush to the door.

  “Wait, guys. We need a reason for you to go over there,” I holler after them.

  Cody opens the door, “Relax, Lily. We've totally got this. Wasting peoples' time is what we do best.”

  Very true.

  “Okay, but text Naomi when you're safely back inside and if the neighbor gets in his car to follow.”

  They nod, pausing to look each other straight in the eyes and share some kind of silent conversation that has them nodding and fist bumping before opening the door and joking around like they always do. I just hope whatever just happened between them doesn't make me regret involving them.

  I wait a few minutes before exiting, heading to the trunk of my car like I'm looking around for something in it while waiting for Na
omi to arrive, making it easier to immediately take off.

  I can hear my brothers enthusiastically telling the neighbor all about the scary guy who lived here before and if the landlord told him about the old man who died inside a decade ago and how they believe he's still haunting the place. They could go on and on like this, taking truths and twisting them into crazy stories.

  The familiar sound of Naomi's motorcycle comes around the corner and I shut the trunk. My brothers' arms are moving wildly around as they inform the new neighbor all about our mysterious, paranormal cul-de-sac.

  Noami goes to turn off the engine but I stop her, “We're leaving.”

  I pull the extra helmet out, put it on, and hop on the bike.

  Noami speaks at the first light, “What's this about, Lily? You've got me worried.”

  “I'll explain more when we get there.”

  We don't hit any traffic and make it to the airport with forty-five minutes to spare.

  I swing a leg off and put away the helmet, “Thanks Naomi, I really appreciate it.”

  “Does this mean we're done fighting?”

  “Please, I hate it.”

  She jumps off her bike to bear hug me.

  “Naomi, I don't need you taking care of me,” I say into her curly hair. “I'm a big girl, I can do things on my own.”

  “This must be what it feels like when a parent realizes their child doesn't need them anymore.”

  “You're one of my best friends, I will always need you. I just don't need you to handle my problems anymore.”

  She nods, letting me go, “I know, I think it's left over guilt from not stepping in last time.”

  I don't respond, because I'm glad she didn't; I wouldn't have met Jay otherwise or discovered the strength I had within me.

  I stop her before she turns on the engine to leave, “Can I ask you something?”

  “Anything.”

  “You know you've been breaking Stevie's heart, right?”

  The look in her eyes is the only answer I need.

  “Do you feel the same way? Honesty here, Naomi. You owe me that.” Where is this assertiveness coming from? I hardly recognize myself.

  “I've had a crush on her since the third grade,” she reluctantly reveals. “That's why I stood up for her at school, besides what they were doing being wrong. I was so pissed and wanted to protect her. Those feelings have only gotten stronger since then.”

  “I'm not going to step in, it's not my place.” I pause to give her a look because that's what she would do, “But you need to talk to each other. Share what you're really feeling and figure out where to go from there, because what ever is going on right now isn't working. I'm not losing my two best friends because one of them doesn't know how to express what's going on inside of her. For once in your life Naomi, open up to someone.”

  “Jesus, Lily. When did you grow up?”

  I shrug, not really sure, feeling like I still have a lot of growing up to do.

  She gives me a one-dimpled smile, “When you get back, you better still have this attitude you've acquired.”

  I wave a finger at her, “When I get back, you better have your shit together.”

  Naomi gives a curt nod, “Deal.”

  I do the same, “Deal.”

  Then she gives me a huge two-dimple smile that I return just as big.

  “Love you,” I declare, blowing her a kiss good-bye.

  “Ditto,” giving back the usual she's used ever since we were kids. We had watched the movie Ghost and she became excited to find a way to say she feels the same, without ever having to say the words.

  At that moment my brothers send a text that they are home and the neighbor took off ten minutes ago.

  I head inside to check in, knowing I won't feel safe until the plane takes off and my neighbor hasn't gotten on.

  Luckily I'm one of the first to board, and I keep an eye at the entrance, breathing easier when he doesn't show.

  I have a feeling the two hour flight will be the longest of my life. In the past couple of hours my nerves have gone from shocked by the bank statement, fearful the worst has happened, adrenaline rush over my neighbor, and now...well, now I'm getting pissed that I'm flying all the way to San Fransisco just to get some answers. This is the last time I let Jay Lincoln shut me out. I can hardly wait to give him a piece of my mind.

  Chapter 13

  1:39pm

  I barge into Cole Private Bank and Trust like I own the place. I stand directly under the four cameras centered on the door, making sure he has no doubt I'm here, and that I'm here to see him.

  It's barely been a minute before a single guard pushes open the door that leads to the stupid gold elevator. I don't wait for him to reach me, heading straight for him and leaving behind a trail of wildfire. I don't acknowledge him when our paths meet, continuing my tantrum to the door, stopping inches from the ridiculous elevator waiting for my inspection.

  The guard enters, avoiding eye contact as he places his hand on the scanner and enters his personal code. He eyes me to do the same. My brows scrunch together, wondering why he doesn't inspect me. He jerks his head toward the scanner, expression clear that he wants me to move it along. I do what he wants and we repeat it on the other side.

  “Uh, I have a gun on me.” I so totally don't, but I'm very confused right now and I'm not taking any chances that they think I'm concealing anything on my body, giving them an invitation to shoot me in the head.

  He ignores me.

  “And extra ammo,” I add, expecting a reaction, expecting him to demand a strip search.

  Still no response.

  The doors open and the guard steps aside for me to walk through, arms extending out in a welcoming manner as though I'm entering the iron gates of heaven and not a short hallway.

  I nervously glide one foot out, half expecting it to be some evil trap. When both feet are safely in the hall I turn around, watching as the elevator door closes and takes the guard with it.

  What the hell is going on? It was made very clear last time that I would get shot for any shenanigans, and this time they could care less? My confusion has my adrenaline spiking, fearing what's behind the door leading to Ben's office.

  I take in a deep breath before I turn back around to face the end of the hall, where two men are guarding the door I plan to enter. I take a hesitant step forward and flinch back when one of them draws a hand, but it's only to open the door for me to enter.

  Again – what the hell is going on?!

  I walk through the passageway warily, and this time instead of Ben's two assistants ignoring me, they look up with smiles full of sunshine and ass-kissing.

  I stride past them, ready at any minute for someone to stop me from entering Vault's office.

  Nobody does.

  For the third time – what the hell is going on?! I should have guns pointed at my head by now.

  I barge in waving the bank statement in the air, not paying attention to anything but the figure sitting behind the massive, dark wood desk and it's magnificent backdrop of the one-of-a-kind view that captivated me over eight weeks ago.

  “Benedict Vault Cole, what the hell is this?” I demand as I continue barreling through the room towards him, ready to be ruthless until I get answers that satisfy me.

  His lips tilt up, tugging on the outskirts, trying to remain level, “Benedict Vault Cole?” Now he's trying not to laugh.

  I puff the hair out of my face, “I didn't know your middle name and I needed you to know I meant business.”

  Ben smirks, leaning back in his chair and resting his hands on the arm rests, “Nobody's ever tried to scold me in my office before, not even my own parents. Another first for you, Ms. Evans.”

  “Lily,” I clarify sternly before shoving the paper as close to his face as I can get, “Do you mind explaining this to me?” I slap it down on his desk, ruffling the papers under and around it. I step back and cross my arms, giving him my most ferocious glare.

  He takes
a sip from his crystal tumbler, trying to conceal his laughter. I'm not finding this situation humorous. I tap my foot to let him know I'm waiting for a reply.

  He gives me another dimpled smirk, lifting the paper to examine it, “It's your monthly statement.” He places it back down, not understanding my outrage.

  I lift my brows, imploring him to be more forthcoming, “I need more information than that. Why do I have this money?” My voice cracks and threatens to lose it at any moment. Dammit, I refuse to lose it.

  “Jay never explained it to you?”

  I swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head no.

  “He wanted to make sure you were secure for life. Had me set up a trust in your name, with a specific amount to be transferred to a main account that you could live off of.”

  My Darth Vader breathing returns, fear stabbing it's way in. I lick my lips and bite into the bottom one, pulling it all the way in, hoping to bite hard enough that the pain will stop my mind from going to that dark place it's been avoiding for the past six hours.

  “Is...” I suck in air through my nose, squeezing my lids so tightly that it almost has my brows touching the apples of my cheeks. “Is...is he...” I can't get the words out. Maybe it's better if I don't ask. I can turn around right now, leave, go home, and pretend like I never got that statement. I'll wait for Jay to come for me. I could go through life for a long time in denial, pushing back any negative, foreboding thoughts.

  I could drink. Yeah, I could just drink all day, every day, letting my emotions and mind go numb. Brilliant. Except it's not. It's a horrible idea...but none the less an appealing one.

  For a moment I let myself feel the impact of his absence, of a life without him, but I can't do it. Jay is my future. If my future has been taken I need to know.

  “Ben,” I quietly ask, finally opening my eyes, hoping they reveal what my deepest fear is. “Please, tell me. Why do I have this money?”

  His eyes soften in pity and his lips curve down in sympathy. It's worse than if he took a blade and cut out my heart.

  “Sweetheart,” he's too loving and compassionate, I can't take it. I need a cold, straightforward answer.