Killian

by E. A. Weston

  “Yes, I was born and raised here.” Jesus, this is weird. Alex cleans the table behind him. Putting her two fingers on either side of her mouth, she flicks her tongue in and out making me snort coffee through my nose. Fucking bitch. Killian hands me a napkin while I die of embarrassment. “Sorry, Alex was just…” I point behind him not daring to tell him what she was at.

  “Yeah, I saw.” He smiles, pointing to the mirror behind me. Both of us laugh, breaking the tension. “I guess she is quite the friend,” he says, looking over at her.

  “Yeah, she is fun. We met in college,” I answer without much thought. Finishing our coffees, we stand. “Well, thanks for staying with me, it was fun,” although, awkward as heck.

  “It was fun and thank you for sharing.” He points at the plates on the table.

  I wave him off; it’s not like I was going to sit there and eat in front of him. Alex yells goodbye to me as I leave. I give her the finger then walk outside. Killian waits on the sidewalk for me. “Would you like a lift home?” I would love a ride home, but I don’t think I should.

  “Oh, no, that’s alright. Besides, I am covered in paint, I wouldn’t want to ruin your car.”

  “It’s only a car,” he answers, but I decline again, walking backward down the street. His smile fades as I move further away; turning I make my way through the streets, taking my usual path toward home.

  “Reagan,” a voice calls me from a shadowed doorway. I keep walking, not wanting to stop. “Reagan!” it calls again, this time sounding pissed. A hand grabs me around the mouth, hauling me between two buildings. “When I call you, stop. Got it?”

  Nodding furiously, he loosens his hand. Taking a step away, I turn looking at the two guys standing there. They are the same two from last night.

  “Last night,” the tall one starts as he prowls toward me like a hunter. “You know what I’m sayin?”

  “Last night I was in bed. I wasn’t feeling good,” I answer and he smiles.

  “Yeah, I like how you think. So if the cops get wind of what went down, that will be your answer, right?”

  I nod in agreement at both of them. The taller one pulls his gun from the back of his jeans, pointing it at me. “So you know the deal or you will disappear like your folks.”

  “Yeah, got it,” I rasp out while looking at the gun in my face. Tall guy shoves me out of the darkened walkway, still pointing the gun at me. Swallowing hard, I walk away—fast! Then stepping it up, I break into a full-on run, not paying attention as I cross the street, hearing a car horn blare at me. I just keep going until I reach home, letting myself inside. I run up to my parent’s bedroom then fling myself on the bed. Burying my face into my mom’s pillow, I scream and scream until I am spent. All my anger and rage escapes into the feathered mass. After a while, I peel myself from the bed, cursing them for leaving me alone, for making me live on the shithole side of town with all the gangbangers.

  Slamming the door behind me, I lock up, telling myself not to come back ever again! But I know deep down that won’t happen. I can’t leave them, even if they left me.

  Marching back across town, I avoid going near Alex or Jake. I walk to the small park area at the edge of town. It’s nice over here, peaceful. There is only one building here, and I think it’s empty, but I don’t mind. This is my special place, the place I come to think and be alone. Walking into the center of the fifteen acres of woodland, I find the small clearing and drop to the grass. Watching the sky bleed its beautiful burst of burnt orange as it descends into the western skyline.

  Closing my eyes, I soak up the last of the sun's rays, although Faircrest is always cold, here it feels warm. My mind plays back the gun in my face, the look in that guy’s eye. I know if ever opened my mouth, I would be dead. There’s no doubt about it.

  “I thought I was the only one who knew about this place.”

  Jumping at the sound of the voice, I roll onto my knees, looking up My eyes find Killian standing there. He takes a seat, folding his legs Indian style.

  “You okay?” he asks quietly.

  “Yeah, I just needed to think. I come here to do that.” My answer seems to satisfy him. Sitting down beside him, I close my eyes again; my skin burns and I get that peaceful feeling over me. Sighing, I allow my mind to relax. My body follows, falling back onto the grass. I can hear Killian breathing beside me as he joins me on the grass. Peeking out of my left eye, his face is beside mine, staring at me.

  “You’re too close,” I tell him, feeling the fire spread throughout my body at his nearness. He moves a tiny bit, but I can still feel him there.

  “I’d like to get to know you better,” he announces, plucking a blade of grass and twirling it between his thumb and forefinger.

  “Why?” I don’t get it. I have no idea why this guy wants to get to know me. I mean, me, of all people. He could have any number of girls he wanted, and besides, I have far more important things on my mind, like finding my parents. I don’t know why I never thought to do it before; the police aren’t helping, so it’s about time I did it myself.

  “Why wouldn’t I want to know you?” Killian’s melodic voice makes my head turn.

  “I suppose I could have another friend,” I answer him, and his smile grows a little. “So where is this small town you are from?” I ask, remembering that he never actually told me about his life.

  “It’s up north.” His answer is short and sweet.

  “Yeah, I know that you told me already. But what is it called? Is your family still up there?” Rolling onto my side, I prop my head onto my hand and watch his smooth features crumble a little when I mention his family.

  “No, they are dead.” His words cut me to the quick. The sadness in his eyes mirrors my own.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be nosy.” My hand reaches for his shoulder to offer some comfort. When my hand lands on him, I get a strong static shock and pull back. “Whoa.” I laugh. “Did you feel that?” Looking at me, he nods.

  “Yeah, that was strong. Sorry. Must be from the car; I just had it cleaned.” His smile widens, brightening his face and making his cheekbones stand out. “I am from a place that is wonderful. It has more trees than you can imagine and the sunsets are the most amazing you will ever see.” His voice is wistful as he speaks about home.

  “Sounds too good to be true,” I joke with him. Deciding to change topics, I ask about the club. “So you like working at the club?”

  “Yes, it can be fun, but I just do it to keep busy. I have family businesses I take care of so that allows me some income.”

  I really don’t know where this is going. I want to get to know him, but I am wary of him. I don’t know why, but I think he is the kind of guy who could rip you apart and chew your heart in front of you.

  “Anyway, I need to get back. It’s getting late.”

  Standing, I brush the loose grass from my paint-stained jeans. “Shit.” I just realized I am still wearing the same clothes as earlier. I could only imagine what he thinks of me.

  “Okay, but please allow me to drive you. It is pretty late.” I nod in agreement.

  We walk through the woods and out onto the street with the single building. Killian walks over to it, opening the garage—wow, he lives there? He motions for me to follow him. Sliding into the car, I smell the leather. The bucket seat wraps around me, cradling me in its arms. Killian smiles at me from the driver’s side. “Where to?”

  Crap, I forgot I was going back to Athena’s. I give him directions, praying he doesn’t get carjacked when we get there. Killian drives across town slowly. I take this opportunity to really look at him. His patrician face with high cheekbones and slender lips, but not too slim—kissable, for sure. His jaw is clean-shaven and his hair—short back and sides with some length on top. My eyes take in his physique. He works out. His biceps must have their own zip code.

  “Which house?” he asks, glancing over at me as he slows to a roll, his eyes looking all around the neighborhood.

  “That
one over there.” I point to Athena’s single story home with its rickety porch and broken fence. Killian looks a little green around the gills when he sees it. “Thanks for taking me home. Be careful driving back out of here. Maybe you should step on it a bit.” I tease him as I climb out of the car.

  “Can I see you again?” he calls just as I close the door. The window rolls down and he leans over to look at me.

  “I guess. I have class on Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning, but otherwise, I am free.”

  His smile takes over his face as he pulls out his cell phone. I give him my number then say goodnight. I watch him take my advice and speed down the street. Laughing, I walk into the house, finding Jake watching TV.

  “Hey, you. What’s up?” I ask, planting myself down beside him.

  “Nothing, just watching some mind-numbing fun.” He grins. “Reagan, why are you covered in paint?”

  “Oh, Alex and I had a paint war in class which went down like a lead balloon.” I laugh. Jake rolls his eyes at me, wrapping his arm around my neck.

  “Yeah, I bet that was fun. So why are home so late? It’s not like you,” Jake questions as we sit there, watching some weird game show.

  “Oh, I was talking to a friend.” My answer is vague at best. Feeling tired, I kiss Jake on the cheek. Running up to my room, I change my clothes and climb into bed, my thoughts returning to that black-eyed boy I met … and why the hell he’s invading my thoughts.

  Chapter 9

  Over the last two days, I have been busy searching the internet about my parent’s disappearance. I haven’t found anything new. Each time a photo of them crops up, I want to scream. It annoys me to see their smiling faces. I know they are out there somewhere, I just have to find them. Shoving my computer away from me, I get to work on making some jewelry. I usually find it relaxing, but not today. Today, I feel pissed off and restless. I have seen that guy around campus, watching me, waiting to see if I would go to the cops.

  Fucking gangbangers. This place is riddled with them; I want to get out of here. Running down to the kitchen, I find Jake mauling some girl at the table. “Hey, can I borrow your car?” I ask shrugging on my jacket. Jake nods at me. Reaching for his keys from his pocket, he bumps the girl off his lap.

  “Where are you going?” he asks, throwing them at me, his expression curious. “Just out. Don’t worry, I’ll fill it up.” Waving at him, I take off out into the chilly air. Jesus, this place really needs some sunshine. Climbing into his beat up old rust bucket, I pull out of the driveway. I miss my own car. I had to sell it when I first came here just to survive. Athena was not providing me food as well as shelter. Sometimes, I don’t get her at all. One day, she is all smiles at me, then the next she looks like she wants to skewer me where I stand.

  I fill up at the gas station on my way out of town. I don’t know if Jake’s car will make it up the mountain, but I will try. I just need to be somewhere close to them, and our campsite is calling me.

  The car chugs along the road. Come on, please don’t die, I chant as I go, keeping it at an even 50 miles per hour. Once I arrive, I smile at my surroundings. I love the large trees. I can hear the small river rushing down the mountain. Making my way over to it, I follow its winding pathway until I come to the bridge. It seems much smaller than the last time I was up here with my dad. Crossing over, I walk into the campground, empty now that the weather is cold. Pulling my bag off my shoulder, I take a seat at one of the picnic benches. I pull out my notes, news articles I printed, and whatever else I could I find about that night. Especially all gang-related activity. What if that guy knows something about them and how they disappeared? What if they were carjacked at the movies? Damn, my mind is running away with itself.

  I spend a few hours going through all the stuff, highlighting what I deemed important, which turns out nearly everything. My phone has been buzzing, but I am ignoring it—for now, at least. Making a timeline of their last day, I map out who did what and where they went. I remember Claudia and I having fun that night, completely oblivious to what was happening in some part of town. My parents were not coming home that night and I didn’t even know it.

  “Reagan, we should get some more stones from that store your mom takes us to.” Claudia’s tinkling voice rings out to me.

  “Yeah, but I don’t like Athena. She gives me the creeps.” My body shudders even thinking about it.

  “Don’t be silly, Reagan. She is nice. You just have to giver her a chance.” Claudia scolds me then throws a pillow at me. It’s easy for her to tell me to give people a chance. I mean, she is nice and talkative, but I am not. I freeze up and turn into a mute.

  “Come on, let’s ditch the jewelry making and watch a comedy.” I agree with her so we run down to the sitting room and set up the movie channel for a night of rom-com, chocolate, and popcorn.

  Little did I know that night my life would change forever. Packing my notes away, I pull out my phone, ready to see what Alex wanted me for. Only it’s not from her, it’s from Killian. He called me twice and left a voicemail. Pressing the button, I listen to his melodic ramblings and smile. I don’t know why, but I listen again and he sounds nervous.

  “Hello, Reagan, it’s Killian here. I was wondering if you are free for dinner tonight. Anyway, call me back—if you want to, that is. No pressure. Okay, bye.”

  Laughing, I shove the phone back into my bag and walk to Jake’s car. Once I reach the house, I text Killian back telling him I am free. My phone buzzes in my hand. Reading the message, he asks me to meet him outside of the club at 8 pm. Sounds odd, but I agree anyway.

  After a shower, I get dressed in my most decent pair of jeans and a black sweater that hugs my curves. My biker boots add to the ensemble. Okay, not so much biker in the traditional sense, but in the “three-inch heel with metal chains, I added” sense. Arriving at the club, I stand in the doorway out of the biting wind that kicked up. The street is empty. Not a soul in sight. Checking my phone, I don’t have any missed calls or texts. It is eight-thirty now and I am pissed off. Leaving the club, I walk back to town deciding to stop by Alex for a few minutes.

  Walking past the diner, I see a familiar foursome sitting at the window. Savannah is all over some poor dude. Shaking my head, I tuck my chin into the top of my jacket to keep warm. The windows of the diner rattle as I walk by. Looking up, I see Levi waving at me; my eyes are drawn to Savannah and her boy toy. Killian. My feet stop and I stare at him. He has the good sense to look guilty, at least. Taking out my phone I text him.

  “Asshole.”

  Shoving my phone into my pocket, I walk to Starbucks. “Hi, Alex,” I call out, walking into an empty store. “What happened? Did you poison someone?” I ask, looking around at the usually full coffee shop.

  “Nope, just slow, I guess.” She hugs me, then pulls back, looking at my face. “What’s with the makeup?” Her tone accusing while she holds me by the shoulders, at arms length.

  “No reason.” I smile at her. “Can I have a coffee?” Letting me go, she walks behind the counter to make us both a coffee. My phone sings in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see Killian’s number. I ignore the call then silence my phone. Alex is smirking at me from behind the coffee machine. “What are you laughing at?”

  “Nothing. Just you. You know, makeup, phone calls from an otherwise silent phone…” She saunters over to me, placing our drinks onto the table. I watch her sit down and kick her feet up onto an empty chair, her eyes never leaving mine. “So are you going to tell me or do I have to pull teeth?”

  “I was supposed to meet Killian at eight, but he stood me up.” Shrugging my shoulder, I sip my coffee. Alex is staring at me, her mouth hanging open. “Don’t look so shocked, Alex. I saw his ass in the diner with Savannah.”

  “What! He stood you up for that skank?” Her screeching voice hurts my ears. That’s why I love Alex. She is one of a few people who I trust, and she is always willing to go to bat for me.

  “Like I said, don’t worry about it,”<
br />
  I tell her about the few necklaces I have been asked to do and she seems happy for me. We talk for a while and I feel my eyes getting heavy. “I need to go to bed.” I yawn and Alex frowns at me.

  “It’s late, Reagan. Ryder will be here in an hour so why don’t you wait and we will walk you home?”

  “No, I am fine, Alex. Besides I can handle myself,” I joke, winking at her.

  She hugs me, asking me to stay again, but I refuse. Detangling from her arms, I wave, walking out into the cold night air. I can see my breath as I breathe, the cold making me shiver now that I have left the warmth of the coffee shop. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I maneuver myself lower into my jacket. The only sound is the clicking of my heels against the pavement. My phone vibrates in my hand. Reluctantly, I pull it out, reading the screen display. Seventeen missed calls from Killian. That dude is bizarre. I definitely think he is getting into stalker territory. Dialing Jake, I wait for him to answer.

  “Hey, what’s up, Reagan?” he shouts down the line at me. I can hear loud music in the background.

  “Hi, I thought you’d be at home. I was going to get you to meet me halfway.”

  “What! Are you walking home by yourself? Jesus, Reagan.” His voice sounds irritated.

  “I am good. I’ll be home in ten. Where are you, anyway?”

  He tells me he went to some house party, no doubt a stoner party. Walking through the streets, my eyes dart all around, making sure that no one is lurking in any doorways or alleys. Once I reach the end of our road, I let myself relax, feeling my shoulders depress the closer I get to Athena’s. I spot a sleek black car parked outside. What the—? Quickening my steps, I reach the car and pound on the blacked out window. There is no movement inside. Turning, I march into Athena’s house, slamming the door behind me.

  “Reagan, is that you?” Athena calls out from the kitchen.

  “Who else is going to be?” I answer, opening the door and stepping inside. My eyes go to his and I fume. “What are you doing here?” My voice is as chilly as the air outside. Pulling off my jacket, I throw it onto the chair.