Love Behind Lies

by Anna L

  “Yeah, he said I could but for only a little bit.”

  “Ok. I will see you in 10 minutes then.”

  The phone was silent.

  Well that was confusing, I thought to myself. Sam wouldn’t have tried to get into the house if Brent and his men were there watching. Brent must have been right. He must have just shown up, as Sam was leaving.

  Chapter 8

  I looked at my phone and then the time. It was almost 8:30pm. I was guessing that Brent would be here soon.

  I calmly went downstairs. Everyone was sitting back down like nothing ever happened.

  “Hi,” I said.

  “Where did you go,” Mom asked.

  “I had to go write myself a note to remind me about something,” I lied.

  “Oh, ok,” she replied.

  Everyone was done eating a few minutes later. William and I offered to cleaned up the dishes and then went around the house and locked all the doors and windows. Then we both went upstairs. We had a few minutes to kill before Brent and Evan showed up.

  “What did you tell Mom after I left,” I asked

  “I just told her that the man was trying to get into our house and that we should lock all the doors,” William replied.

  “So, she seemed to really believe it?”

  “Yeah, I think so. Did you call Brent?”

  “Yeah, he said that he was going to watch the house with four other men because he saw them follow Margaret home. But, they had just shown up when Sam was leaving. They only missed Sam by minutes. Brent also doesn’t want us to leave the house tonight, so he is going to come here and climb up through the window.”

  “Oh, ok. I guess that I agree with everything. How is he going to get up here?”

  “Oh, I don’t really know. But Brent is bringing Evan with him and he still wants that ‘alone’ time,” I said.

  Just then there was a knock on the window that made me jump. William got up and looked out. Brent was somehow right outside the window. William opened the window and Brent climbed in. A few seconds later Evan showed up and climbed in as well.

  “Hi,” I said. Brent looked amazing. He looked even hotter than he did the last time I saw him. I couldn’t believe it.

  “Hi,” Brent said, a little out of breath.

  “How did you get up here?” I asked, still shocked by Brent’s presence.

  Brent smiled at me before responding. “We have a ladder thing that extends really high and is still really strong.”

  I got up and looked out the window. Sure enough there was a really long ladder leaning against the side of the house. I turned around and sat on my bed right next to William. Brent was sitting on my chair by my desk and Evan decided to keep standing.

  “Hi, William. I’m Evan, director of American 33 Spy Organization. Otherwise known as the ASO.” Evan paused before he continued.“This is Brent. He is my top spy at the moment and he travels with me everywhere. Brent and his friend Jake work together a lot. Anyways, Jake is leaving and Brent needs a new partner and I suggested that it be a girl. I believe that Catherine has told you everything about your dad and stuff, so I don’t need to go into detail about why this is happening,” Evan said.

  “Yes, Kate has told me a lot about what is going on,” William said. I couldn’t tell if William thought that that was a good thing or not.

  “Yes, and not to be rude but we need someone on watch. Would you be so kind in to standing at the door in case someone decides to enter, William?” Evan was being totally serious.

  “No, I don’t mind at all. Whatever you need,” William said and walked over to my bedroom door. I loved my brother; he would do anything for me.

  “Catherine, do you have any questions for us?” Evan asked. Now, looking at me.

  I paused, trying to think of a reasonable question for Evan and Brent. “Yeah, what am I looking for?” I asked. I didn’t know what to expect for an answer.

  “Good question,” Brent said,

  “I would look out for Nick Sayner and his friends trying to sell drugs or anything. You don’t really need to worry about Nick’s dad at the moment. Brent has that covered. But, even getting to know Nick and his friends would be helpful when you are up against his dad.” I looked at William who was looking at me. “I would--,”

  “What?” Brent asked interrupting Evan. He stepped towards me and William, making me shrink backwards in my bed.

  “Oh, nothing,” I said, sounding nervous. Brent must have noticed William and me staring at each other.

  “Ok then,” Evan said, a little confused. “As I was saying, I would also watch for them skipping classes or walking around during class or passing notes,” Evan paused. “Did I answer the question?”

  “Yeah I think so,” I said. Brent was scaring me. He must be very serious about his job. That is probably why he is the top spy in the organization.

  “I am sure that Brent will inform you about stuff you need to look out for while you are on your trip, too. If you ever have any other questions then you can just ask Brent or me. Ok,” Evan finished off.

  “Ok”, I said. Well that was quick. Evan must have somewhere he needs to be.

  “Ok, well, Brent told me that he wanted to talk to you for a little bit, alone. I am going to go down the ladder and walk around the house a few times and William can leave. I think that there might be something going on down there. I can hear extra voices. Brent, you can just come down whenever you’re done,” Evan said as he climbed out the window.

  A few minutes later it was just Brent and me in my room. Brent came over to my bed and sat down next to me. I was shaking before, so he took my hands in both of his. Now I felt like I was dripping with sweat. I must look like a freak.

  “Cat, you ok,” Brent asked.

  “What? I mean, yeah I’m ok.” Since when did I have a new nick name? When Brent talked to me, I felt like I was going to explode with energy. I heart was beating so loud; I was convinced that Brent could hear it, and my stomach was in butterflies. I think that I am starting to like Brent.

  “Ok. Good. I want to talk to you about something.”

  “What do you want to talk to me about?”

  “Well, I am a senior and you’re a sopmore.”

  “Yeah.” I was trying to figure out where he was going with this.

  “I’m going to be with you a lot so maybe we should get to know each other first. I want to get to know you very well. If you know what I mean. I kind of like you.”

  I didn’t know what to say. Was he asking me to be his girlfriend? “Yeah, we should probably get to know each other fast.” I sounded more sure of myself that I thought.

  “Ok. I’m cool with that,” he sounded really excited. His smile was huge. He looked so happy. I hoped that maybe I would be his girlfriend soon.

  Then he gave me the biggest hug I have ever had. It felt good and I think that I was a little excited about it too. I was happy that it was Friday night, because that meant that I wouldn’t have school tomorrow and I wouldn’t have to think about Brent during all of my classes.

  I have decided that I really like Brent. From what I know, he seems to be nice and loving. He has a great personality and lot of people know him and like him. I think that he is very good looking too. I was having a hard time piecing all this together.

  Then out of the middle of nowhere, there was a loud sound outside. Brent stood up quickly and looked out the window.

  “The ladder is gone. They boys must have taken it, knowing that I was still in here. I have to call Evan.”

  “What are you going to do?” I asked.

  “I don’t know! Just let me call Evan real quick, ok Cat?”

  Then he got out his phone and pressed one button. He listened to the phone as it started to ring.

  “Hello?” a voice said.

  “Hi, who is this?” Brent asked.

  “This is Loren Dorn and I bet that you are looking for Evan.”

  “What did you do to him?”

  “Not
hing…yet.”

  “What do you want Loren?”

  “I want to talk to Catherine.” I must have looked really confused because Brent came over and sat right next to me, putting his arms around me. My stomach was in butterflies again. He looked worried and still hadn’t responded to what Loren had answered.

  “How did you know about her?” Brent asked Loren

  “Evan, told me. I had to work it out of him.”

  “Fine. Why do you want her?”

  By then I knew who they were talking about. Loren wanted me. Brent didn’t know why, but he wasn’t too happy about it. Why would Loren and the rest of the boys want me? Why not Margaret?

  “I want her because she is something that is very special to you and you would have to choose between her and Evan. I know why you need her, Brent.”

  “Can I talk to Evan?” Brent asked, ignoring Loren’s statement.

  “You can come out here and talk to him as long as you bring Catherine.”

  “Well, I need to get out somehow.”Brent sounded very mad.

  “Oh, right. One minute,” Loren responded.

  “Fine, where do I meet you?”

  “You mean we, and I’ll have Sam bring you to us. See you soon.”

  Brent just looked at the phone.

  “What just happened?” I asked.

  “Ok, I’m sorry Cat, but they want you,” Brent responded.

  “What?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m here to keep you safe. I just need to see what is going on. I just need you to trust me. Promise me that you will trust me.”

  “I promise,” I said, not sure what I was getting into. I was scared and didn’t know what to do.

  Chapter 9

  A few seconds later there was a loud noise again and Brent went over to the window. Brent rushed me to the window, making me forget about William. I should have told William that I was leaving, but this was an emergency. Hopefully no one would come looking for me while I was gone.

  “Ok. We can go down now. I want you to stay close when we go down the ladder, ok?” Brent asked.

  “Ok,” I said.

  Brent started to climb down the ladder. He was always looking right at Sam. Probably to make sure that Sam wouldn’t do anything stupid. Now, I knew what Sam meant when he was talking to me earlier.

  “Ok, Cat, you can come out now,” Brent said.

  I looked out the window. It was a long way down to the ground but I had to be safe. Brent was there, right?

  I started to climb down. I thought I was only about half way when Brent said that I could step off the ladder. I must have been lost in my thoughts.

  Brent grabbed my hand and started to walk over to Sam. If we weren’t going out, then why was I holding hands with Brent? I don’t mind holding hands; at all! This is a good thing. Maybe we are going out secretly, we just don’t know it yet. Either way I decided that I liked Brent, a lot.

  Sam was ahead of where Brent and I were walking, so Brent whispered some tips into my ear. “Ok. So from now on there is nothing that you need to say. If they ask you a question, answer it, carefully. You can tell them the truth, but tell them carefully. You don’t need to go into complete detail about everything. Just keep the stories vague,” Brent said.

  “What about the rest of my family? My window is wide open and with the ladder there anyone can climb in,” I said.

  “When we get there I will talk to Loren. They should be fine. Loren didn’t say anything about them.”

  I decided not to say anything more. Brent knew what he was doing and even though I basically just met him, I trusted him. I knew that he was going to keep me safe, and that I would be home soon.

  After a few more minutes we reached a clearing in the woods that I never knew was even there.

  “Ah. Good. You brought the girl,” Loren’s voice seemed to come from the middle of nowhere. I then realized that we had stopped walking.

  “The girl’s name is Catherine,” Brent said.

  “Oh, is that the name?” Loren laughed. I then realized that Loren’s voice was coming from behind me. “There are a lot of nicknames that can go alone with that name. I am sure that is why your mom named you that.” He had his hand on my left shoulder. I tried to shrug it off but he just held on tighter. I squeezed Brent’s hand and he looked at Loren.

  “Stop,” Brent yelled.

  “Oh, why? You don’t like it when I touch your girlfriend.”

  “She’s not my girlfriend. Just leave her alone. She has nothing to do with any of this!”

  “She’s not your girlfriend…yet. Oh, and I believe she has everything to do with this. First, her sister doesn’t listen to us. Then her dad. Then you ask her to work with you. And now you are basically going out with each other. How does she not have anything to do with this?”

  “My sister has nothing to do with this,” I blurted out. I knew right after I said it that I shouldn’t have talked. Loren’s hand moved from my shoulder to my face and back very quickly. My cheek was now stinging.

  “Don’t talk, unless I ask you too!” Loren’s voice was so loud.

  “You don’t need to slap her!” Brent was mad now.

  “She is just too irresistible though,” Loren replied.

  “Yeah I mean she is pretty cute. All I want to do is touch her,” another voice rang out. I tensed up as I felt another hand on my other shoulder.

  “Be quiet Nate, I think you are scaring her,” another voice whispered.

  I felt Brent’s hand tense up next to mine. My stomach in butterflies once again, but for a totally different reason. I felt like I was going to throw up.

  “Shut up Sam!” Brent yelled.

  “Maybe you should be slapped too.” Sam replied.

  “What do you want with her?” Brent asked angrily; ignoring Sam.

  “We just want to ask her some questions,” answered Sam.

  “What if she doesn’t want to?” Brent asked.

  “Then you don’t get to talk to Evan,” Nick said.

  “I’m not leaving her side,” Brent said.

  “That’s too bad because neither are we. At least until you let go of her hand and let Nick take you to Evan,” Loren said.

  “Then we will all stop touching her,” Sam said. It was then that I realized that there were three hands touching me. Loren on one shoulder, Nate on the other, and Sam was on my waist, and I could feel his cool breath on my neck. His breath was sending shivers down my spine. Loren moved so that he was standing in front of Brent and me; his hand still on my shoulder.

  “Just let go of her and we will let go of her. You can even talk to her for a few seconds before Nick takes you to Evan. You can talk to him for five minutes and then Nick will bring you back to her and you guys can go home.” Loren was very clear with what he wanted.

  “I doubt that will actually work,” Brent said.

  “It will as long as you listen, because if you don’t, we keep Kate,” Loren sounded so serious.

  Brent’s hand tensed up one more time before he let go of my hand. Brent must trust Loren a lot to let me stay with him, alone. As soon as my hand was free Loren and Nate let go of me. Sam’s hand lingered at my waist before he let go of me. They all stayed where they were though. I could feel Sam standing right behind me. It was like I wasn’t even there. He was practically standing on top of me.

  Nick, who was standing off in the distance earlier, grabbed Brent by the arm and started to pull him away.

  “Wait,” Brent said.

  “What?” Loren asked.

  “You said I could talk to Kate for a little bit.”

  “Oh, yes. You’re right. Nick let them talk.”

  Nick let go of Brent and he walked over to me. He gave me a hug.

  “No matter what happens tonight, I will always keep you safe.” Brent smiled at me. Then I knew that we were going to be going out soon, just by the way he was talking to me. I smiled back at Brent. “Try to answer the questions with simple answers and don’t get yourself
hurt. I should be back to get you in five minutes. Ok,” Brent was talking really fast. He must have been worried.

  “Ok. And I trust you Brent,” I said. Brent looked at me one last time and then he left; still smiling to himself. He followed Nick into the darkness.

  I turned around to find that Loren, Nate and Sam were all watching me. Loren whispered something to them and they started to walk towards me, with evil smiles plastered on their faces.

  Chapter 10

  Nate and Sam grabbed my arms, and started to walk back towards Loren.

  “If you do not answer these next questions that I have for you, you will never see Brent or your family again. Do you understand?” Loren seemed angry.

  I nodded and then he slapped me right across the face. My face was still burning from his earlier slap. I winced and tried to move away, but Sam and Nate held me tight. Why was he so mad at me?

  “What was that for?” I asked. I suddenly regretted it because Loren’s smile was one of the most evil smiles I had ever seen. He just stared at me.

  “I just wanted to see how feisty you were and I think that by what you just did, we are going to have a lot of fun tonight.”

  I glared at him and he turned around. He started to walk away and Nate, Sam, and I followed.

  I had spent my time walking trying to get to know the faces of the guys that were kidnapping me.

  Nate was tall and very strong. He had dirty blonde hair that was cut short. His face was skinny, matching the rest of his body.

  Sam was hot. He wasn’t short, but he wasn’t tall, either. He has brown hair that was only a little bit longer than Nate’s. His hair almost matched how tan he was. Sam was strong and bulky. If he weren’t kidnapping me right now, I would feel safe standing next to him.

  Loren isn’t as tall as Nate, but he was taller than Sam. He had dark brown hair that stood out next to his pale skin. He was strong too, but his body didn’t show it as much as Sam’s.

  After I got to know the faces of Sam, Nate, and Loren, I had nothing to do. I stayed quiet. I didn’t want to get slapped for talking again.

  Either Sam or Nate were really slow walkers or they didn’t want Loren overhearing their conversation. We were so far behind Loren that I couldn’t even see him anymore.