Cinder by Ashes

by Pinder, Victoria

  I held out my ID and my credit card but she didn’t accept them. Instead, she picked up a general boarding pass for the terminal and wrote some code on it. She handed it to me and said, “Good luck, sir.”

  I made it through security and picked my phone up from the x-ray machine. As I was fixing my shoes, the phone beeped. I assumed it was her brother, wanting an update. But my heels squeaked on the tile floor when I saw the message and stopped short. It was a text from an unknown 412 number: Jesse, I don’t know if this is your number. I lost my phone. But I wanted to say I don’t want to see you anymore. Don’t try to find me. Goodbye, Emily.

  My heart began to race. She'd signed it "Emily". She’d told me to call her "Em" from our first conversation. I ran at full throttle to get to her gate. I needed her to know that Stone was fine. She didn’t need to be with me, but she deserved … better.

  No one was at the gate except the attendant behind her computer. I pointed out the window to the plane that was still there and asked, “Can I get on the plane?”

  She stopped typing and stared at me. “No, sir. We’ve finished boarding. Can I see your ticket to reschedule you?”

  I reached for my wallet and forced myself to smile and speak calmly when I really wanted to scream. “I’m not ticketed, but I can pay you top dollar.”

  She shrugged and returned to typing. “I’m sorry. The federal guidelines prohibit anyone from boarding once the doors have closed.”

  I leaned closer and lowered my voice. “Can you tell me if Emily Steel was on board?”

  She didn’t even look at me when she said, “I can’t give out that information.”

  I folded my hands on the counter in front of her. I had never had to ask for human kindness from anyone, but I said as humbly as I could, “I think she’s been manipulated and lied to, to get her on that flight. I’m worried about her safety. If I can just speak to her and tell her that her brother is fine, then she would not want to go.”

  The attendant stopped typing and kept her head down for a moment. My heart was in my throat. I wasn’t used to being told “no". She opened her lips and met my gaze as she said, “Tell you what. I can message the pilot that her brother is fine, and have him ask one of the flight attendants to tell her.”

  I pressed my hand to my heart and gave her a slight bow of thanks, then I asked, “Can you ask them to tell her without letting her stepmother—the woman who’s probably sitting beside her—know?”

  She took out her radio and said, “I’ll ask the attendant to try to be discreet.”

  “Thank you,” I said, and listened as she relayed the information to the pilot.

  When she was finished, I headed back to the main check-in area of the terminal, not sure what to do next. Stone and Jason were there, with Coco and Vanessa behind them. I saw the question marks on their faces and shook my head. Stone was scanning the area behind me. He asked, like he needed to be sure, “Jesse, did you get her?”

  I winced and said, “No. The flight took off.”

  Stone quickly texted something, and a minute later he said, “Okay. Plan B. Let’s get to the private plane. We can beat them to Pittsburgh if we hurry.”

  I let out a breath. For the first time in my life, I was needed. I took out my license for the next gate, along with my credit card, and said, “I can pay for it.”

  But Stone said, “Indigo and Jacob already did.”

  I’d have to thank my cousin later.

  I’d been so stupid earlier. I never should have left Em alone. I massaged the back of my scalp as we made it to the private area and were directed to the waiting plane. As we climbed up the stairs, Stone said, “Glad you alerted us, Jesse. My sister said she liked you.”

  Hopefully, that was true. I’d thought so earlier, but after the text from her, I wasn’t so sure. I motioned for him to get on board first and said, “I just hope we can find a way to talk to Em and get her out of there.”

  “We’ll make a plan,” Stone said, like he was sure this would end well. He guided Vanessa to a seat and sat down beside her.

  Jason, Coco and I sat together and left the two of them alone. We needed to make plans for how to head them off at the airport, and what to do if she ended up back at her stepmother’s house. We’d have to stay inside the law, but she needed to be free.

  I was exhausted, suddenly, but every time I closed my eyes, I imagined her locked in a basement again. I had to help. She made my life better, and I’d not sleep until I had done everything in my power to free her.

  Chapter 15

  Emily

  The flight attendant and Lana whispered together. I sat in the middle seat of a row of three, with my stepmother on the aisle and some overweight businessman who took half my seat by the window, and I had no wiggle room.

  In seven weeks, I’d see Jesse again. I had to hope he’d forgive me for that message Lana had written. I could explain everything once we met up again at Austen. Not that I knew how I’d get to Austen now.

  My ears strained to hear what they were talking about. Lana patted the flight attendant’s shoulder and I’d swear she said she was Emily.

  I wasn’t sure what was going on. Lana never gave me a chance to get up and talk to the flight attendant on my own to find out. She ignored me, and spent the whole trip looking at her phone. As the plane was preparing to land, Lana had to put her phone away for a few minutes. I swallowed, and ignored the breaking of my own heart, as I said, “Lana, this is just about the money for you. I will need to get to Austen in seven weeks, and—”

  She patted my knee like she cared, when we both knew that was a lie. “I’ll get you a bus ticket, since you came so willingly, but don’t ask for more.”

  My money to pay for my living expenses was gone. My heart constricted. I tried to stare out the window, but the blind was closed. I shook my head. “I’m cheaper than hired help to make your breakfast. You could help me with my expenses …”

  “The cheap kitchen help is a bonus,” she laughed. “And, don’t forget, your brother will be free. That’s your reward.”

  The plane screeched as the wheels came down. I held still, but then said, “You’ve never in your life left your two daughters and gone with me anywhere. Now we’re on a plane, and for the first time in our lives, it’s just the two of us.”

  “It’s true. I do miss Cleo.” She sat back like everything was fine. “Coco will see reason once she stops slumming.”

  I let out a sigh and said, “Jason is going to be a doctor.”

  The plane bumped a few times as we landed, then skidded to a stop. This was the opposite of the smooth ride in the private plane that had taken me to Napa.

  As the plane cruised on the tarmac, Lana said, “Many people start out in college as pre-med, but they don’t follow through. No one in his family has ever done it before. Coco should be more careful in her choices.”

  The doors finally opened at the front, but we were stuck in the middle, so we had to wait in our seats a few minutes longer. I said, “Or, she could create the world she wants. She’s smart, fun to be around, and can do whatever she wants. You can trust her.”

  “Trusting is naïve and leads to poverty.” The aisles were clearing, so Lana stood. “When you go to college, you’ll be free of me. So let’s not talk anymore.”

  I carried her bag for her and said, “I still don’t understand you, Lana.”

  “You don’t have to,” she said and led me out.

  In the gateway, my skin had goosebumps like I’d missed something. I glanced around but didn’t see anything unusual, though my pulse spiked.

  Actually, it felt like Jesse was close. But that was silly. I brushed off the thought and trotted alongside Lana through the airport.

  Once we were home, she’d call the police in Napa to drop the charges, and Stone would be free. I could handle this until college started. My brother’s freedom would mean I hadn’t ruined his life. I’d find a way to contact him again when this was over.

  My money was t
he bigger issue. I’d have to figure it out, fast. It had taken me years to make the money for college. How could I do it again in just seven weeks?

  We made it outside, and I could have sworn I heard Jesse call my name. I turned around on the sidewalk, but I didn’t see anyone or anything. Lana pressed her hand on my shoulder and said, “Get in the car.”

  The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I was almost sure I heard my brother, too. Impossible. The police had arrested him. I shook it off and went closer to the car. But I met Lana’s gaze. “Don’t you feel something is off?”

  She took the bag and put it in the taxi, then she crossed her arms. “You’re stalling. Do you want me to call the police or not?”

  “Yes, stepmother,” I said and slid inside. She glared at me as she climbed in beside me and slammed her door shut.

  The driver peeled out of the spot like we were being chased. I turned around to look out the window, but the glass was dirty. I didn’t see much.

  My stomach twisted. I missed Jesse, but I was crazy to think I’d heard his voice. He’d never follow me here. I’d see him in a few weeks and explain everything then.

  My adrenaline needed to cool off. September wasn’t that far away. As we left the airport, I settled into the torn leather seat of the cab and fidgeted. I’d prefer to be in Jesse’s comfortable and clean car, or one of the limos we’d taken in Napa.

  Eventually, we made it back to the house. It looked like I’d need to mow the grass soon and my shoulders slumped. Lana stepped out of the cab and I followed. Once again, I carried her bag.

  She unlocked the door and shoved me inside. I didn’t resist, but as she locked it behind us, I said, “We’re here. Call the police and drop the charges against Stone.”

  “Tomorrow,” she said quickly.

  I dropped her bag and crossed my arms, like she’d done for years when she wanted to scare me. I widened my stance and said, “Now. I came back as ordered. Your turn.”

  Her face went red and she passed me, waving me to follow, as she ordered, “Very well. Go and make my tea and I’ll be in the living room. When you’re done, we’ll call together.”

  “Fine.” I said and left her bag where I’d dropped it. Tea would only take a few minutes more.

  Once Stone was free, if I had to, I’d get out of this house somehow. This place was empty and devoid of life. I no longer even had my picture of my parents to make it feel like home. Once Lana called off the arrest and my brother was free to live his life, then I could breathe again.

  I boiled water and added a tea bag to the cup. As it steeped, I put it on a tray and carried it to the living room. There she was, sitting on her usual chair like it was a throne. She had put her phone on speaker for me, and said into it, “Yes, I’m calling about the case against Stone Steel.”

  The man on the other end said, “He’s been released, ma’am. No charges were filed.”

  “Thanks for confirming,” she said, and her lips were curved in a smile as she pressed the red button to end the call.

  She put the phone down and asked, “Are you satisfied now, Emily? I’d already called once we made our deal and you texted that boy back in Napa.”

  I closed my eyes. She had stalled on telling me so I would get on the plane with her. And it had worked. But now I knew my brother was safe. This was exactly what I wanted. Now I had nothing to hold me here. I couldn’t let her see that I was upset or anything, so I blinked and opened my eyes a little wider as I backed out of the room. “Yes.”

  She snapped her fingers, which normally meant I’d upset her. “Now unpack my bag and ensure everything is washed.”

  I ignored the fireworks in my stomach and turned to leave, but then I asked, “Lana?”

  Her eyebrow quirked higher as she said, “Yes?”

  For once in my life, I needed an answer. I hoped my voice wouldn’t crack as I asked, “Why did you make me leave that message for Jesse?”

  She sipped her tea, then put it down and said, “He’s going to break your heart. I am saving you, even if you don’t see that right now.”

  More likely, she wanted Cleo or Coco to have a chance with him, with me out of the way. But in seven weeks, I’d see him every day, and I’d never see or hear from her again. “I didn’t know you cared about me.”

  She reached for her tea, but stopped. She motioned for me to take a seat. My eyes widened, but I sat down. Once I was on the couch across from her, she said, “Your father never loved me. And, Jesse will never love anyone like you. Makeup and clothes only hide the person underneath for a short period of time. I could have left you to feel the pain of never being good enough for him, but I chose to treat you like my daughter. I won’t make a habit of helping you in the future if you continue to irritate me like this.”

  Her insults had lost their sting. This was actually the closest moment we’d ever had. I ignored how my heart raced a little. “It wasn’t because you wanted Coco or Cleo to have Jesse?”

  She picked up her tea. “He had his chance. But boys like your Jesse aren’t faithful. I’d have told my girls to ensure he was ready for commitment. Besides, his parents brought a young woman into the reception to look for him while the two of you were missing. So he wasn’t that interested in you.”

  Another girl? My chest felt hollow and cold. No. I’d not let her lies get to me. She sipped her tea again. I crossed my legs and tried to look unconcerned as I asked, “Can’t you just take a chance and follow your heart?”

  She rolled her eyes like I was crazy and said, “That’s why you needed me. He was going to break your heart. Time to go do the laundry.”

  I stood but paused and asked, “Are you planning to lock me in?”

  She glared at me and coldness washed through me when she said, “Finish your chores first. Then, we’ll put you downstairs.”

  My throat was dry. I said, “Please, don’t. I don’t have my phone for a flashlight anymore.”

  I’d just cracked. She’d always been ruthless, and now she made a “pfft” sound and said, “That’s entirely your own doing, Emily. Now go.”

  I had probably begun to hate my first name because of the way she said it. I headed out without another word and grabbed her bag from near the door. For one moment, I glanced at the locks.

  She’d called the police. My brother was free.

  I could leave now. Except I had no money, no way to contact anyone and nowhere to go, as my cousins were all out of town. But I’d be safer sleeping under their porch and waiting for them to come home than staying here.

  In a few days, my cousins would be home, and I’d be better off. I could find Olivia’s house on my bicycle and she’d take me in. I whispered to myself as I walked away, “Seven weeks will fly. Hopefully, Jesse will forgive me when I see him again and I can follow through on my plan.”

  At least I had family. The wedding had reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Once they were home, I would have a second chance. Olivia would know how to find Stone. Being here was temporary.

  The thought made me hold my chin a little higher as I emptied Lana’s bag into the washing machine. I had hope. Now, I just needed to wait for my chance to run for the door. Meanwhile, I’d pray Jesse wouldn’t move on. Lana must have lied.

  I just needed to have faith.

  Chapter 16

  Emily

  When I closed my eyes, I still remembered how Jesse’s kisses made my toes curl. His arms around me made me feel safe and warm.

  Now that my brother was safe, I needed to be free.

  I’d find Jesse again. Once I had access to a computer, his phone number was in my email.

  The mattress under me, with the broken springs that bored into my back, was the last straw. This had been my life for five years now.

  However, the past few days taught me that I still had family. And, since Stone was safe, I’d get out of here and ask someone for help. My three thousand dollars might be gone, but I wasn’t defeated.

  I heard the door unlock and bounc
ed out of bed. The first time I got near the front door, I’d be gone.

  Olivia had said she lived close to me. If I could find any of my cousins, they’d reconnect me with Stone. Once I spoke to him, then I could figure out how I was getting to Austen.

  I ignored the pounding in my chest and kept my chin up as I dashed for the door. But Lana snapped her fingers and said, “Come. Cleo will be back today.”

  Another jailer. I’d have to act quickly. I followed Lana toward the kitchen, my stomach now as hard as a rock, while I asked, “And Coco?”

  Lana stopped and blocked the hall and the light from outside. She frowned. “She’s not answering her phone and her tracking app is off.”

  I wrapped my arms around my waist and nodded, like we were family and close, as I asked, “Is she in trouble?”

  Her lips thinned and her nose twisted a little as she pivoted. “She’s probably still swooning over that worthless boy. She can come home once she’s done with him.”

  My heart pounded. We’d never been family. Why did I even try? I needed to get out of here, but I pressed my hand on the kitchen counter. “Jason is nice.”

  She waved me off and said, “Serve the breakfast.”

  “Of course,” I said. I grabbed the coffee out of the cabinet and tried to compose myself, though my hair stood on its ends. She watched me the whole time, but the wedding had taught me that Steel women were strong.

  I knew that if she felt she had to guard me, I’d never break out. So I pretended I was calm and relaxed in the kitchen. I got water from the tap and filled the pot.

  As I finished adding the coffee to the percolator, she walked away. I pressed the “on” button out of habit, but if she asked me to make eggs for her, I’d refuse.

  I wasn’t a slave. I was biding my time, and this was it.

  This wasn’t going to be my life ever again. My heart sped up and my body heated.

  I tiptoed to the front door.