“Thanks Sam, I appreciate that. Especially from you.”
“No, thank you mate.”
I heard Clint try not to laugh. “Now I’m your mate?”
What the fuck is this? Bromance hour? What was going on? I had to cover my mouth to prevent myself laughing at these two lovebirds.
“Hmmm, maybe the kind of mate I would consider a distant relative, but yeah...perhaps we can be...friends. Norah already trusts you again, and I kind of...trust you too. So yeah...friends...or something like it.”
They went quiet all of a sudden, then I heard the sound of material being beaten, like they were hugging and roughly patting each other on the back. I thought it would be a cold day in hell before I ever heard these two become BFF’s. This was surreal and strange. Then, I heard Clint’s voice emerge from the quiet. “You don’t think we should do it now? I mean, I don’t think we should wait any longer.”
“We wait until we have Hollows before we do it. That is the instruction.”
“Sam, I don’t know if I can...”
“Oh come on now. Let’s not get back to this again. We need to wait, and then we do what we came to do.”
“But...”
This was it. Their secret. I had to know. I had to find out. I would beat it out of them if I had to. I would jump out and surprise them through the hedge and then threaten them that I would go to Norah about what I heard unless I got the whole truth. It was Tess to the rescue.
“Got you...” I tried to burst though the hedges with one foot, but it got stuck on the other side. My plan to jump out at them through the maze failed. Epically. “Arrrggghh! HELP!” The hedge work was strong, held together with intertwining branches. I ended up with one foot through the hedge and the rest of my body on the other side, screaming for help.
“Really Tess.” Samuel rounded the corner and helped me as I struggled to bring my leg back through the hedge. Clint was soon beside him, also pulling my leg back through.
They both brought me to my feet, my right calf scratched and stinging. I pushed them away with my hands as I brushed some leaves that had managed to get caught up in my hair and clothing.
“As I was saying...ahhh ha ha ha — I caught you both!”
Clint was looking at me bemused. “Caught us doing what?”
I pointed to them both. “Oh you two know what you were doing.” They stared at me blankly. “You know, you know...Plotting, scheming, keeping secrets from Norah. I heard you two. I knew you guys had an ulterior motive. You’re both hiding something. And now I’ve caught you.”
“Tess,” Clint started, but I waved my hand in front of his face.
“No, no, no. Don’t even try to pretend you guys aren’t covering something up. I’m not stupid and I’m not deaf. I know what I heard.”
“Look Red.” This time Samuel tried to interject.
“No, no, no. Stop lying. You know I can’t believe this. And just when I thought you two were good guys. Just when I thought you guys really cared about Norah, you pull this shit...”
“TESS STOP!” Clint’s eyes grew angry, his voice no longer reasonable. “It’s not what you think. Not at all.” Clint then turned to Samuel. “We should tell her Sam. It affects her too.”
Samuel then looked at me, and not with a mean or challenging expression, but with pity. His eyes looked into mine, not sure how to begin or what to say. It was the first time since I saw this guy that I saw a different kind of person in front of me. He looked soft, emotional, and sensitive, almost like it was going hurt him reveal this information.
I felt nervous of all a sudden, like I was about to receive some heartbreaking news. Samuel put his hand on my shoulder, rubbing little circles in a sweet and tender show of affection. “Tess,” he began, soft spoken, “you’ll need to sit down for this.”
What a sight we must have been. Two guys and two girls, all dressed in black like we were cat burglars, congregating at the back door of a gothic-themed night club, locked in a huddle like we were coming up with the winning throw in the final seconds of a football game.
How did we get to this?
It was no time to see the humor though. We had less than an hour left, which meant we had less than an hour to find Josh. We broke formation and stared up at the club. It was a double-storey club which meant it would take some time to cover all the places inside for where Josh could be. “Everyone split up when we get in there. Divide and conquer. It will be the fastest way to find him,” I said. Everyone nodded in agreement.
The club’s double doors vibrated from the heavy metal music blaring inside. Samuel and I both checked that our guns were locked and ready to go. Tess and Clint stood behind us waiting for us to make our move. I held up my gun against my face and we all took two steps back. Samuel then stepped forward, readying his body in preparation to kick the doors open. “Ready?” he said out loud. “Set...” Samuel took a step forward.
Tess withdrew from our pack and put her arms up in a stop position. “Wait. Wait. Wait,” she said. Her breathing began to accelerate, one of her hands holding onto her chest. “Let’s just wait a second.”
We all fell out of ready mode and back into a casual stance outside the door. Tess probably needed a minute to get into the right frame of mind. “What’s wrong Tess?” I asked her. She started pacing in front of us, her lips moving back and forth as she took small shallow breaths. This was an odd time for Tess to be having a moment of weakness. Before I went and took a nap this afternoon, Tess seemed gung-ho at being the leader of the whole operation tonight and now she looked like she was having second thoughts about going in. “Do you need more time Tess? You know you don’t have to go in with us. You can wait out here if it feels like it’s too much to take on. It’s cool. We can do this without you.” I tried to sound understanding. This wasn’t her fight anyway. She didn’t have to put herself in any unnecessary danger for me, or Josh.
She stopped pacing and stood in front of me. She opened her mouth and then closed it and then opened it again. She was trying to find the right words. She clearly had something that was hard to say stuck in her throat. When it looked like she couldn’t hold back anymore, she started to speak.
“You know what Norah...I was thinking...” Her eyes were wide, almost as if she was high as a kite, her pupils the size of saucers. Although she wasn’t flying happy; no, she seemed panicked. Worried. Freaked out. “So I was thinking that maybe we should all ditch this club raid. Maybe we should just leave Josh behind and go back to New York. Like right now. Tonight.” She grabbed my shoulders tightly. “What do you think? You don’t need him. You really don’t. You have me, Samuel and Clint. We won’t hurt you. We won’t lie. We’ll be like the awesome foursome. Don’t join the Lappell. Don’t be with Josh. Let’s just leave this all behind.”
Tess was in full meltdown mode, completely turning against everything I wanted to do. Why was she saying all this? Was she so against me joining the Lappell that she wanted me to leave Josh behind? Did she not care about his safety? Or my feelings for him? Or the choice I had made?
I grabbed her shoulders in response, trying to steady her rambling. “Tess stop. Where is all this coming from?”
Samuel tried to pull Tess away from me but her head jerked towards him, her face scowling at his attempt to break it up. “No Samuel, I need to say this. You got a problem with that?” He went quiet and backed away, not trying any further to divert Tess.
She stared back at me now, leaning even closer. “This is coming from your best friend Norah. Your partner in crime. The same girl who loves and cares about you and thinks you shouldn’t go in there. Who thinks you shouldn’t be with Josh, and that you should give up this ridiculous initiation and not join the Lappell.”
This was a Tess I had never seen before. She was emotional, irrational, and out of her mind. But as I looked into her crazed eyes, she seemed genuine, like she had thought this through. Something was not right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I could only keep moving forward. I
was so close to getting Josh back. I couldn’t just turn around and forget him. It wasn’t an option for me.
“Tess I can’t do that.”
“NO!” She cried into my arms. Tess was crying. Why was Tess crying? “I hate this. I hate it Norah. I hate it!”
“Hate what? Being here? Because I’m joining the Lappell? It’s not so bad Tess. I’m alright. It’s going to be fine. I’ll just have to attend some stupid meetings every week. That’s all. No biggie.” I turned my head to Clint needing his support.
“Tell her it’s no biggie Clint. The meetings. Being part of the Lappell. Please.”
Clint came to my aid, helping to pull Tess off me. He took hold of her, trying to calm her down. “Tess you know she has to do this. It’s the right thing.”
“No it’s not Clint! No!”
Why did I feel like they were talking about something else entirely? Why did I feel this was one big secret that I wasn’t yet privy to?
Samuel only stood back, not sure if he should even get close. I glanced at my watch. Time was running out. I needed to get Tess back on track.
I walked over to where she was being held by Clint and pulled her out of his arms. “TESS, TESS. Look at me.” She was still in a state of hyperventilation. “LOOK AT ME!” She stilled and looked right at me. “Tess you are my best friend and I need your help right now. Do you hear me? I. NEED. YOU. Please Tess, will you help me? Will you help me save Josh? Please...”
Her breathing slowed down as she listened to my begging. “Is this really what you want Norah. I mean...really?”
I was hugging her now, knowing she was caving in with my words. “Yes Tess, I do.”
Tess sighed into my arms like the weight on her mind was all too much. “Then I will help you,” she said, sounding defeated. She hugged me a little tighter and then released me, stepping away and wiping her face. She looked to the ground, took a few long deep breaths, and then her face changed back into something different. Old Tess had returned. Strong and resolved. Just like that. In a blink of an eye. It was kind of extraordinary to watch. I smiled warmly at her, thanking her for her support.
We turned back to the door, returning to our original formation. Samuel and I were at the front, with our guns by our sides; Tess and Clint behind us, ready to run in and span out. Samuel checked his gun one more time, and then turned to Tess and Clint, and then to me, before saying, “GO!”
Samuel kicked the club’s back doors open after one mighty blow with his leg. We all started to run down the short corridor from the open doors leading into the club. The end of the corridor opened up onto a massive dance floor. It was a huge sea of people, all head banging to the loud booming music. I recognized the song playing. It was Du Hast by Rammstein. The rising back and forth pulse of the beat made me move extra fast. It felt like such fitting search and rescue music.
I pulled the gun down from my face, keeping it by my side, and began to run across the dance floor. I tried to look at people’s faces as I ran, but it was nearly impossible in the continuous darkness and the constant strobe light that was hitting my eyes. I made out some stairs on the other side of the dance floor which led up to the second-level, so I ran towards them. I was letting instinct lead me as I took the stairs two at a time, pushing myself as fast as I could run. Some guy with spiked hair ran down past me on the stairs, clipping my shoulder, throwing my body completely off balance. I tried to centre myself on the stairs with my feet, but at the rate at which I was running, I couldn’t get my feet at the right angle to stand up. I knew I was falling backwards down the stairs, and there was nothing I could do to stop myself.
This was going to hurt.
Two large, strong hands reached out and caught me before my back hit the floor. I could feel them strain to hold my weight as they prevented me from severely injuring myself. I stared up through the dark to my savior. It was Clint. He had been behind me the whole time. “I’ve got you,” he yelled through the music, helping me back up to my feet. “I won’t let you fall Norah.” I adjusted my gun, pushing it into my jeans so I could stand upright.
“Thank you Clint,” I said, gazing at him. I saw his eyes twinkle at me through the strobe that was reflecting off both our faces in yet another shared moment. I shook my head, brushing off its meaning and resumed my mission. I turned once more, and took off again back up the stairs. I finally got to the top and headed over to the DJ box which was enclosed by glass walls. I peered in, hoping to see something that resembled Josh. My eyes searched but came up with nothing. I checked my watch again. I knew I only had minutes left.
I stopped and took a second to think logically. Had we been wrong about the destination? No, I was certain we were in the right place. Something told me he was here. I could sense it. Feel it. Perhaps he was back on the first level. I needed a different kind of perspective. I walked over to the second-level railing and peered down to the dance floor below. All I could see were heads frantically bobbing up and down. C’mon Norah, where is he? Where would Hamilton put Josh? I thought back to the party and the twisted display that Hamilton demanded of me and Clint, hoping it would give me some insight into his thought process. Hmmm, Hamilton liked a show.
A show.
A show.
My eyes drifted around and towards...THE STAGE.
I didn’t have to look at the stage to know I was right. My feet just moved until I was running back down the stairs and sprinting across the dance floor to the small stage on the other side. The stage was closed, a black velvet curtain hanging down so you couldn’t see behind it. Josh was behind that curtain. I just knew it. How long did it take me to reach the stage? One minute, maybe two. I wasn’t sure how long it was as I pushed through the people on the dance floor and climbed the steps of the stage, charging through the curtain.
Relief swept through me as I saw Josh tied to a chair, a blindfold wrapped around his face, a gag in his mouth. I dropped to my knees, ripped off the blindfold and began to untie his gag. “Norah?” he yelled, as I pulled his gag free from his mouth. I could barely hear him, but I know he said my name.
“Yes Josh it’s me. It’s me. I’ve found you. I’m here.” I tried to work faster at loosening the ropes on his wrists, but my need to free him seemed to slow my advances. Suddenly the music stopped and the house lights came on. The instant bright light caused my eyes to squint and drop the rope in my hands. There was an immediate unnatural silence. I opened my eyes wider, now adjusting to the light, and began working again on the ropes, finding myself finally able to get them undone. It was all pure emotion flooding through my body. Relief, happiness and love. I didn’t care that I was now officially a member of the Lappell. I didn’t care about Josh’s manipulation. I cared about what I felt in that moment, in my heart, and in my head. It was all love. Unconditional, overwhelming, love. Josh is, and will always be, my future.
“I can’t believe you joined for me Norah. I can’t believe you would do that.”
“Did you really doubt that I would?”
“I thought after I told you about what I did to Clint and Samuel, you would have changed your mind.”
Josh’s hands were now free, and he got to his knees, his arms going around me. “It doesn’t matter Josh. None of it matters. I only want you...I only want...”
Clapping. Two hands clapping loudly stopped Josh and I speaking any further, and we spun around to see what was going on behind the black curtain. There was Hamilton Brooks, with at least four bodyguards, watching us reunite in a now empty night club. Tess, Clint and Samuel were standing in a small group next to them, also watching us, but keeping their distance, now on full alert with Hamilton in the room.
Hamilton looked down to his watch. “And with seven minutes to spare. Well done Miss Rossi. Well done. I’m very pleased. I have very much enjoyed watching you.” He looked over to Clint for a split second. “In more ways than one.” I felt Josh tense in my arms. I could feel his anger wanting to lash out. I held onto his hands, making sure he was restrain
ed.
“So...” Hamilton began, a wide grin on his face. “Now that you have officially passed initiation, we can move onto the final phase of your membership which will take place this Sunday. I will arrange for a car to pick you up Sunday morning, and we’ll have our final ceremony which will complete your induction and membership. And once that’s over Ms. Rossi...you’ll be, free to go.”
I swallowed. Hamilton moved across the empty dance floor and up on to the stage. It was taking all my strength to keep Josh from attacking him. Josh’s hands were now shaking and clenching as he got closer. “Don’t...” I whispered to Josh. We had got this far. I had Josh back safely. I didn’t want anything else to go wrong. Hamilton stopped in front of me and held out his hand, like he wanted me to take it. I stared at him for a second, before reaching out and placing my hand in his. He took my hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing my knuckles.
“A real pleasure Ms. Rossi. I look forward to your membership with us. I think you’ll find, you will be greatly appreciated in our little club.” He kissed my knuckles again. “To this Sunday...” I withdrew my hand swiftly, repulsed that his lips were on any part of my skin.
He motioned to his bodyguards, who started following him out. Before he reached the door, he turned once more, his voice louder and echoing in the empty room. “I hope I won’t have to remind you what will happen if you do anything stupid before Sunday Miss Rossi. Because by the looks of it, you have some really special friends. I’m sure Joshua can tell you how much I don’t like to be...disappointed.”
And with that, Hamilton and his cronies left the giant empty club, leaving me kneeling on the stage with Josh’s arms around my waist, and with Tess, Clint and Samuel gawking silently at our reconciliation, not one of them saying a word.
All The Pieces (Pieces of Lies 3) Page 12