“Wait- this is a misunderstanding.” Gary tried to keep quiet, his eyes frantically searching her face, trying to get his message across. “At first that’s what I had planned but-”
Kay stopped him with a finger to his lip. She shook her head and drew further away from him into the crowd. “Save it. I-I don’t want to know.” It took her a minute to realise she was running, running from it all in an attempt to pretend it had never happened. She tried not to laugh at herself scornfully as she realised she was making an even bigger diversion for the group. At least they got what they wanted.
Gary turned towards the window, his thoughts scrambling in an attempt to figure out what he had done wrong. What he should have said when he hadn’t. What he could have done to prevent this. He looked behind him in the glass, eyes still on him from intrigued guests and decided it was probably time to make an exit even if his thoughts weren’t on the job anymore. He muttered quietly into the headset, knowing the others could hear him even if they were staying quiet. “Ryan, maybe you were right after all…I shouldn’t have gotten her involved.”
Chapter: 6. Lighting
Even when we try our hardest to break away, our reflection stares right back at us.
“Gary?” Kay opened the door to her apartment a crack wider when she realised who it was that had been banging at her door, her eyes wide with confusion. She gave him a quick appraising look, trying not to let her guard down and giggle at his bedraggled state; the weather outside being shown to her without her having to look outside.
He flicked his wet hair out of his face, his expression serious. “Kay, we need to talk.”
“If you want the dress back, I already left it at the hideaway.” She stared at him dubiously, not expecting there to be anything else for them to talk about. Her mind trailed back to sneaking back into the hideaway only to hear her name being called just as she was leaving. She had run as fast as she could but at least the bag on her back didn’t feel like it was weighing her down like it had on the way. Taking the outfit back had felt like she was cutting the strings.
He tutted, trying not to let his frustration show. “I’m not here for some dress, I’m here for you. I don’t want you to disappear again.”
Kay looked away from him, the look of hope in his eyes hurting her. “You know as well as I do, I don’t fit-”
“Of course you do.” He stood closer, hoping she would hear him out and not close the door on him. “I won’t let anyone choose for us.” His eyes were desperate as he scanned her for her reaction. “I don’t want you to leave- unless it’s completely your choice to leave and not because of what others might think. If that’s it, just tell me and I’ll go right now.”
“I don’t want to leave...” She muttered, looking down at her shuffling feet. “But-” She stopped, looking behind him, a noise in the corridor alerting her to another presence.
“What is it?” Gary turned to look behind him, his face changing from one of confusion to disgust. “Ahh.”
“Who are they?” She poked her head round the door further to take in the men walking close by.
“Friends...of the family.” Gary grimaced before calling out to them. “So, they had me followed? Is this what it’s come to?”
One of the men smiled back, ignoring the hostile atmosphere. “Yes but it was so that we could bring you back home. Your family was worried about you coming to…this part of the neighbourhood.”
“Of course.” Gary sighed before turning back to Kay, pulling her into a swift hug. “I’ll sort this out and be back, I promise.”
“Actually she’s been asked to accompany us.”
“What?” Gary’s voice was sharp as he turned back to glare at the pair.
The same man shrugged. “Orders are orders sir, and our orders are to escort you and the lady back to the mansion.”
“Perfect. Just perfect.”
Gary’s worried frown and sarcastic comment did nothing to calm Kay’s nerves.
~~~~
Kay opened the door to her apartment fully with a sigh, her facial expression a mixture of hurt and annoyance at the man standing before her. “What is it, Gary?” She looked him up and down, an eyebrow quirking up. “You’re soaked.”
“Yeah, well it is raining outside.” Gary tried to smirk, tried to start the banter like they would have before, but it wasn’t coming through quite as he’d hoped. “Kay-”
“You want the dress, right?” She tried to turn and get it, having left it hanging behind her mirror. She’d tried to take it back to base but she’d heard someone calling when she’d been there and made a run for it, the dress feeling like a weight against her back as she ran away from them for a second time. Gary tutting caught her attention though and she stayed put, her hands crossing defensively in front of her. “What?”
“I don’t care about the dress.” Gary looked at her agitatedly, trying to figure out what to say and how to start. “I’m...I’m sorry, OK? I never meant to make you feel...expendable.” He bit his lip as he watched her, hoping for a sign that she understood.
Kay sighed again, looking away. “Really? So how was I meant to feel, exactly?”
He tried to catch her eye before continuing, wanting her to realise he was being genuine. “OK, at first this was what I had intended- wait, hear me out, please.” Gary took a step closer, worried she was about to close the door on him, his hand resting on the frame. “Please, just let me explain. At first that was what I wanted. But that changed as I got to know you. I’ve been messed up these last few weeks, I haven’t felt right, the base feels so much lonelier without you there. Everyone can feel it. We shouldn’t have – I shouldn’t have treated you like this.” He raked a hand through his hair, desperate for her understand. “I don’t want you to leave my life like this, I wish I could change the clock back but I promise that from now on you won’t have to worry about that part of my life again, really, I swear.”
“How can you say that?” Kay looked away from him again, trying not to get hopeful that this could all work out. That this wasn’t just another plan to get her involved again. “How can you just-” Movement caught her eye, making her look up again, going silent as she stared behind his shoulder.
Gary blinked at her, confused for a second before turning round. “Oh, it’s you.” He glared at the two men hovering nearby in the gloom of the hallway.
Kay gulped as she poked her head round the corner, her suspicions confirmed as she took in the two men. “Don’t have to worry, huh?” She tried to make light of the situation.
Gary smirked with her, glad that there was still some humour between them. “Yeah, sorry about that.” He turned back to the men. “Come to take me back to the boss?”
One grinned. “You know us. And you know the boss; he hasn’t taken your quitting lightly.”
Gary nodded silently before turning back to Kay, leaning in close to her to speak. “I’ll be back, I promise.” His eyes however showed his doubt.
“We’ll be taking your friend as well.” The man grinned again, this time aimed at her, sending a shiver down her spine.
“What? Why? She has nothing to do with this.” Gary turned on the pair, making sure Kay was behind him as he shifted, ready for a fight.
The man cocked an eyebrow at him. “Nothing to do with this?" He shrugged at Gary’s words. “Whatever, we’ll be taking you both back as the boss requested. I’d suggest you came quietly.”
Kay stared at Gary; the look of apprehension on his face making her heart beat faster as she wondered just what she had gotten herself into all that time ago when she’d taken the risk and let this man into her life.
Even so, she wasn’t sure she’d have it any other way even at this point. He’d been ready to risk everything for her as well.
“I’m so sorry, Kay.”
In a car at night we can see our reflection in the window, but against a night sky and endless flickers of light from streetlamps do we really know where we’re going if we aren’t told?
Familiar streets can suddenly seem unrecognisable in the cover of night.
Kay gulped as she looked out of the window, the streets unrecognisable in between the darkness and the almost blinding flashes from other cars coming the opposite way. She flinched slightly as she felt a touch on her hand, relaxing only when she glanced over at Gary.
He squeezed her hand and smiled, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Everything’s going to be fine.” He whispered before taking her hand in his properly, making sure not to let go; trying to show her she was safe.
“Everything’ll be fine...” Kay nodded back at him, mouthing the words back. She bit her lip, her mouth dry before she turned once again to look out the window, hoping to figure out where she was. It never hurt to be prepared for the worst.
~~~~
Kay stared out of the window, trying not to appear too nervous as she sat in the back of a car with absolutely no idea where she was headed. She looked down as she felt Gary’s hand wrap around hers on her knee, not until then noticing her leg had been tapping nervously. She looking up at him, her eyes betraying her worry and nervousness.
“Hey, don’t look like that. You’re just meeting my parents.” Gary spoke loudly, squeezing her hand as he did so, not caring what those in front thought of him.
Kay smiled slightly and nodded, squeezing his hand in return and was happy that he didn’t let go.
A reflection can sometimes disappear, depending on the environment.
Sometimes there is too much light.
Kay squinted as she entered what she guessed was Gary’s childhood home. Marble encased the floor and stairways, brightly lit with chandeliers to the point where she couldn’t even see herself in the shining marble. She took a second to adjust to the abrupt change in light conditions having just come in from a darkened car.
“So this is her, is it?”
A man glared at her, making her wince slightly though at the same time his demeanour aggravated her. “You should know that already. I was at your big event after all.” She bit her tongue, realising she’d said exactly what she was thinking without heeding the possible consequences. Gary trying not to chuckle beside her reassured her that she hadn’t done too badly though.
The man stood for a second in shock, obviously not expecting the comeback. He shook his head, ignoring her before turning to his son. “So, what do you have to say for yourself?”
He shrugged, still smiling. “I don’t know what you mean, father.” He sobered up at the look he got. “I’m not leaving her if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I don’t approve.”
“Well, tough. You only disapprove because you’re not getting something out of it.” Gary stood his ground. “You’ve already heard what I have to say on the matter when you brought it up before. If you don’t like it, disinherit me.”
“Gary-” Kay looked at him, shocked at the words he was saying, what he’d do for her. A spark of happiness fizzled through her but at the same time an almost nauseous guilt. “Y-you shouldn’t. Not just-”
“Don’t.” Gary smiled at her, hoping it showed that this was what he wanted. “You said you didn’t want to leave, right?” His smile grew when she nodded before he turned back to his father. “So now it’s just up to you.”
Kay gulped and looked back at his father who at that moment was speechless. She hoped that was him thinking it through and not him about to angrily explode at the pair of them.
Whereas at other times, there is too little light.
Kay shivered as she entered the darkened room. No streetlights shone through the blacked out windows. The only real source of light flickered from a small lamp; illuminating a small circular area that showed her a desk and the figure of a man behind it though she couldn’t make out any distinguishing features. A light shone from the open door, behind them so they could see each other but still the man ahead was shrouded in darkness.
“Gary, Gary, what have you gotten yourself into here?” The man moved slightly behind the desk, a soft sigh emanating out of the darkness. “You know that you aren’t allowed to add members into your little group without my permission.”
“I didn’t mean for her to join; I just wanted her input on the one assignment.” Gary struggled to find the right words, worry showing on his face. “I only meant for it to be the once-”
The man held up a hand to stop him. “Never the less she knows about your group, what’s to stop her going to the police? You are criminals, after all. You should have taken care of her once the assignment was complete.” His tone became sharper, his eyes narrowing as it looked like Gary was about to interrupt him. “And then for you to decide to try and leave the syndicate because of this, do you have any idea what you’re saying?”
Gary nodded. “I know exactly what I’m saying. And I’m not that much of an idiot to think you’d believe me if I said differently by this point.” He looked around at Kay, still holding her hand, his eyes only now showing defeat.
The man sighed. “Quite right, you’d be quite the loose cannon now. It’s a shame. You were good at your job. I’ll take it I can’t change your mind at all?”
Gary nodded. “Sorry, my mind’s made up.”
“That really is a shame.” The man gestured behind him.
A crack of a gunshot sounded throughout the enclosed room, followed by a sickening thud and an echoing scream.
A scream which was silenced by another ringing shot.
Chapter 7: Of Stained Glass...
Through the colours of stained glass, most of the time we can’t see our own reflection.
Everything was happening in a rush.
But she wasn’t particularly complaining.
Kay stared above her at the intricate images in the churches stain glass windows with a soft nervous smile. She kept wondering what she looked like; whether she looked as frayed as her nerves were at that moment as she fidgeted with the bouquet in her hands.
“Not getting cold feet, are you?” Liam stood behind her, a grin on his face as he helped her with the trail of her dress, making sure she didn’t trip over before she went down the aisle.
“I don’t know. Are you having cold feet about telling your parents about you and Ryan?” Kay grinned back, getting her own back at the now blushing guy behind her.
“Shut up, we said we were going to tell them after this, you know that.” He looked away, slightly worried.
“Alright, I’m sorry. I’m sure everything will work out fine, OK?” Kay smiled at him as he looked back up. “Hell, if it’s worked for me and Gary, it’ll work for you two.” She looked down at herself. “I just can’t believe this is really happening.”
Before Liam could answer, James poked his head through the door ahead, a bemused expression on his face. “Come on you two, Gary was beginning to fret you’d run off and left him.”
“As if.” Kay shooed him back out before taking Liam’s arm, him having said he’d be honoured to give her away as her family couldn’t make it. “Let’s get going then.” She tried not to shake as the music started and the doors opened, but she became calm again once she saw Gary standing waiting for her.
For all we know our reflection may still be on the other side.
The members of the Stormchasers, minus a member stood in the silent cemetery of the church, staring down at two newly dug graves, almost glad to have a moment of animosity for the sombre affair. The other mourners, not that there had been many, had already left well ahead of the four and no one had asked who they were in relation to the deceased.
“So are we all clear on what’s happening now?” James spoke up, having had enough of the silence that had only been punctuated by quiet crying every so often, each of them giving themselves the privacy they needed.
The other three nodded back to him, all getting ready for the first phase of their plan, standing up just that bit straighter at the thought.
Moira gave James’s hand a squeeze before turning to Ryan. “Ryan,
you never wanted to get involved in any of this in the first place. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” James nodded next to her in approval.
Ryan glared at the two of them, his arm, which had been resting on Liam’s still shaking shoulder in a comforting manner, slipping down to the gun at his waist. The truth being told that they always had had the means but not the intent to physically hurt anyone during their heists. A decision that had now altered with the current events. “I’m not letting them get away with what they’ve done.” He turned, the other’s following him. “If they think we’ll meekly go back to work for the organisation, they’ve got another thing coming. They’ll learn the hard way not to mess with the Stormchasers.”
Epilogue: ...and Shattered Mirrors
This story should have ended now, only one reality remains intact.
Kay jumped out of bed, a noise across the room startling her awake.
“What was that?” Gary sat up, hair fluffy and a look of tired confusion across his face as he gripped around her waist.
“I don’t know...” Kay turned the light on beside the bed before examining the cause of the noise. “Oh, my mirror broke.” She looked over at the curtains billowing in, the cause of the mishap. “That’ll teach me to leave the window open.” She gave a sigh before sitting down, starting to pick up the pieces.
Mirror Land Page 5