Because once she laid her eyes on Elena, there would be no going back.
She would die.
And the organization would continue to live.
That’s one thing she could promise.
That the end of the world was finally coming near.
Chapter Sixteen
“Oh my God.”
Elena gasped, holding a hand to her throat as she watched the dolphin swim up to the glass. Raising a hand, touching the glass. Staring into the creature’s eyes.
“He’s gorgeous.” She whispered, looking over her shoulder at Kieran, watching him smile as he watched her. “Thank you for bringing me here. It’s amazing.” She turned, and walked along the glass. Watching as a sea turtle swam through the water, passing numerous colors of fish. “I love it.”
“I thought you might.” Kieran told her, walking up next to her. Placing his hand on the small of her back and steering her through the mass of people. “You said you used to love the ocean when you were younger. What better way to start your journey back into the world than with one of the things you love?”
“You’re too thoughtful, Kieran.” Elena whispered. “But you’re right. I do love the ocean. I always have, but there is one thing I’ve never gotten the chance to do. I want love to learn how to surf.” Elena stopped, turning to look at him. “I can’t imagine a better way to start a day than to walk onto the sandy beach. Watching as the sun rises over the ocean and being able to catch that first wave.”
“Well, you’re lucky you met me.” Kieran told her, grinning at her. “Because I can teach you. Luis taught me how to surf a long time ago. I go every morning with him.”
“Luis knows how to surf?” Elena swung her head around. Staring at Kieran. Her eyes wide. Her mouth gaping open. “Luis knows how to surf?” she repeated.
Kieran laughed. “Yes, Elena, he knows how to surf.”
“But…But…” Elena’s voice trailed off. She frowned, thinking about the man she’d met back at Kieran’s house. The man who always seemed to have a scowl on his face. He barely smiled. And his eyes seemed so hard. He seemed so cold. So untrusting. “He seems so serious.” She finally said.”
“That’s Luis.” Kieran told her, as they walked along the glass. Walking into the area with the sharks. Stopping to watch as a great white shark swam overhead in the glass. “He acts as if he’s the world’s toughest man. He always looks mean. As if he doesn’t trust anyone, but the truth is, he’s the world’s softest marshmallow. He looks after the people he cares about, and every morning he’s out there catching that first wave. He says it’s his way of unwinding.”
“And you?” Elena asked. “How do you unwind?”
“My punching bag in the basement.” Kieran told her. “There’s nothing better than taking your anger out on something that doesn’t fight back.”
Elena laughed. An image of Kieran going at it on a defenseless bag coming to her mind. And a smile crossed her face. “As long as you remember to move, and you don’t let it swing back and hit you in the face.”
Kieran lifted a brow.
“Ooh. She’s got some sass today, does she?”
Elena laughed. Stopping staring at a tiger shark.
Next to her, a little girl squealed.
She jumped. Turning her head. Smiling a little as she watched the girl stare at the glass.
Next to her, the mother laughed, shaking her head. She turned her head, looking at Elena. “I’m so sorry. She’s such a noise box when she’s excited.”
“Can’t say I blame her.” Elena whispered, staring out into the aquarium. “This place is amazing.”
She turned and walked away from the woman. From the little girl.
“I can’t believe all the people that are here.” Elena whispered.
“You kind of get used to it.” Kieran told her, as they weaved through the people. “We’re lucky though. All the bombs going off in the world. All the soldiers bombarding cities, and the madness hasn’t reached Serenity yet. It has to be the safest place in the world today.” He stopped a moment. “The town is so small. So tiny, I don’t think anyone even knows it exists, Elena. I think that’s what’s saved it from the madness.”
“It explains why everyone seems so unafraid.” Elena whispered. “Everyone here looks so happy. As if they don’t have a care in the world.”
“You’re right, Elena.” Kieran told her. “No one’s scared here. It’s amazing isn’t it? Years ago when I got out of the army I was a lot like you. I was wary of the people around me. I’d seen so much violence. I’d seen what human beings can do to each other, and I didn’t trust them. It took me a while to adjust, and I was amazed at how different people are. You look at people like Abel. The people who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. To hurt those in his way. And then you look at that man.” Kieran pointed to a man talking on his cell phone. “He’s so concerned about what’s going on in his life he doesn’t even acknowledge others around him. And then there’s that old lady over there.” He pointed across the room, where an old lady was saying hi to everyone who passed. “Or that woman and little girl you stood next to you back there.” He pointed behind them. “Who take the time to say hi, or to strike up a conversation with you. It’s what makes life so amazing, Elena. The people. They surprise you in the most surprising ways.”
“If only the world around us was that amazing.” Elena muttered, staring at the people that surrounded her. “They have no idea what it’s like out there, Kieran. They have no idea about the violence. The hatred. They don’t know what it’s like to see it get destroyed. My father used to tell me about the world once he pulled us out of school and put up that invisible fence. He used to tell us that the world wasn’t worth a second glance. That it wasn’t worth thinking about. That it was this cruel place and it wasn’t a world he wanted us to live in. He told us the people who lived in it were selfish. Were inconsiderate. That they were unworthy. That you couldn’t trust anyone.” She stopped, looking over at Kieran. “He was wrong, Kieran. He was wrong about everything. I think I hate him even more for what he didn’t allow me to see. What he didn’t allow me to do. I hate him more for keeping the world away from me for so long.”
“I know.” Kieran whispered, his heart breaking for her and all she’d gone through. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Elena. No one should have to go through something like that.”
Elena sighed. Slowly shrugging her shoulders.
“Oh well.” She whispered. “I survived, didn’t I?”
“Yes you did.” Kieran whispered the words. “You definitely did survive.” They broke free of the mass of people, and walked out of the building. Stepping out of the building and into the bright sunlight. He stopped in front of an ice cream cart, turning and sending her a smile. “Want an ice cream cone?”
Elena stared at the cart. Down at the different flavors underneath the glass.
“I don’t want you to spend all your money on me.” She suddenly whispered.
“Elena—“
“No. You’ve done so much for me already.” She turned her head, staring at him. “Kieran, you’ve been there for me when no one wasn’t. You came to my aid when those people were trying to harm me in that hospital. You helped me when I was weak from that drug. You stopped that man from raping me. You saved my life. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay me for all you have done for me.”
“You don’t have to.”
Yes she did, Elena thought to herself, staring up at him. She stared up into his face, and she remembering her father’s words.
“Emotion is the weakness of human nature, Elena. Caring for people. Letting yourself feel for others, it creates a hole in our barrier. It stops us from what we need to do. Having friends. Falling in love. Caring. They are all distractions to all of us. It is better to be alone. For if you ever develop feelings for an outsider, I promise you that you will find out what it truly means to be alone.”
She pulled away from Kieran.
“Elena?”
“I can’t do this.” she whispered. Raising her head, and staring up at him. “It’s too dangerous Kieran. If they ever found out about you, they’d kill you. I can’t let that happen. I care about you too much to see you die for me. I have to go. I’m sorry, Kieran, but I just can’t let you help me. I can’t lose you too.”
She felt the tears roll down her cheeks.
She backed away from him.
And turned, racing off across the lawn.
“Elena!”
She heard him yell her name, but she ignored it. Racing across the lawn. Away from him. Weaving through the mass of people who surrounded her and raced up the hill. Stopping. Staring off into the distance.
She raised her head, looking behind her at the people who looked so happy. They were smiling. Laughing.
She wrapped her arms around herself.
Hating herself. Hating her life. Hating Abel. Hating the fact that anyone she came into contact with, could die, because of her.
But it was the price she paid.
It was the life she lived.
And until she took down Abel and the organization, she couldn’t allow anyone in her life.
She couldn’t allow Kieran in her life.
He deserved better.
And he would be better without her in his life.
The thought caused a sharp pain to stab her in the chest.
A sob rose up in her throat.
She slid to the ground. Tears rolling down her face.
As she realized that she was alone. Again.
She had nowhere to go.
No place to live.
This world around her, it was foreign to her. She knew nothing about it.
And soon, if she didn’t do something, everything would be gone.
She brushed the tears away. Rising to her feet.
And a gunshot sounded through the air.
Her head jerked up.
She turned.
And her eyes widened, when she saw a tall woman with long, brown hair walking towards her.
Chapter Seventeen
“Sabrina.” Elena felt the name whisper from her lips. She stumbled back a step, watching as the woman walked towards her.
“Ah. So she knows who I am.”
“Everyone knows who you are.” Elena whispered. “You’re the one they go to when no one else can get the job done. You’re the most dangerous weapon.”
Sabrina laughed. Stopping in front of Elena. “Aww. That’s sweet of you, Elena.”
Elena’s eyes widened.
“That’s right, little girl, I know who you are too.” Sabrina whispered. “I know all about you. I know about the trouble you’re giving Abel. I know about all the men you’ve killed. I know that you have your memories back.” She stopped, cocking her head. “You know, I just don’t get it. Years ago, when Dominic formed the organization the first time around we were all so willing to help him. We were all so eager to help build a new world. Why won’t you just accept what’s happening? Why won’t you believe in Abel and his mission?”
“Because he’s a sick son of a bitch!” Elena cried. “He’s murdering all these innocent people, Sabrina. He’s turned me and my sisters into monsters. He’s turned us into murderers. I can’t stand here and just watch as the world around me goes up in flames. I can’t watch while he takes over the world. I can’t let him get away with what he’s done to me. All that he’s taken away from me. What he’s kept from me. He needs to suffer for what he’s done.”
“But is the world really worth saving, Elena?” Sabrina lifted a hand, touching Elena’s cheek. “Look behind you at the world, Elena. Look at the people. Are they really worth saving?”
“Everyone deserves to be saved.” Elena whispered.
“Even those who have done us wrong? Even those who have made us feel as if we’re not worthy of living? Even those who make us feel as if we’re gum on their shoe? Abel and Dominic have a vision, Elena. They have a vision for this world. A vision that goes beyond you and me. Who are we to tell them they’re wrong?”
“Because they don’t have the right to decide who lives and who dies. They’re not God, Sabrina.” Elena stepped back, away from Sabrina’s touch. “They’re not God. They’re freaking monsters. They’re freaking maniacs. And to think that all of this could have been avoided years ago if Dominic hadn’t been so fucking weak! He formed the organization for what? Because he didn’t like the people who surrounded him? Because he didn’t like to be bullied. Because he didn’t have a set of balls to deal with his issues like a man? Tell me, how pathetic is that? All this chaos. All this death. All this destruction could have been avoided if he had actually acted like a freaking human being!”
“Don’t you ever talk about him like that!” Sabrina screamed, lunging towards Elena, grabbing her by the throat. Slamming her against the tree. Her fingers pressing against her trachea.
Elena gasped.
“Dominic was a good man.” Sabrina whispered. “He was a good man with a lot of thoughts. With a lot of plans. He could have done this world great He could have changed it for the better. But instead he was locked up and left to die because no one could understand him, but Abel does. He understands Dominic. He understands me. He understands the people who hate this world and he is going to do Dominic proud.” Sabrina smiled a little. “You have no idea how much I would love to kill you right now, right here, Elena. But Abel wants you to suffer. He wants you to suffer for all the pain you’ve put him through, and I’m just all too eager to get started.” She pulled a knife out from the sleeve of her jacket. Tracing it along Elena’s cheek. “So where shall we start, Elena? Maybe your eyes. Your eyes are so pretty. They would look so good in a jar. Or maybe that tongue of yours. I hear it’s gotten you into a lot of trouble.”
“Do whatever you want to me.” Elena whispered. “But I’m not going to let you kill me. I still have too much left to do in life.”
“Arrogant to the end, aren’t you?” Sabrina whispered. “Do you really think you can beat me, Elena? I hear you’re the new me in the organization. That you’re the new most dangerous weapon, but you know what I see? I see a weak, little girl who has no one to save her, and who can’t save herself for what’s to come.” She smiled. “What I see, is your blood on my hands.”
And she plunged the knife towards Elena.
“You know what I see?” A deep voice whispered. “I see a woman, who still hasn’t learned her lesson.”
Sabrina’s arm stopped in midair.
She turned her head.
“Hello, Sabrina, it’s been a long time.” Kieran whispered, his hand wrapping around Sabrina’s wrist.
“Kieran.” Sabrina’s eyes widened. “Good God, it’s been a long time.”
“Yes it has.” Kieran whispered, smiling. “And I’m only going tell you this once. Leave Elena alone!” And his hand tightened around her wrist. Throwing her to the ground.
“So you’re the one helping her.” Sabrina whispered. Slowly rising to her feet. “I should have known. You were always the goody good type now weren’t you?” Sabrina shook her head. “She has to die, Kieran.”
“H-how do you guys know each other?” Elena whispered. Pushing away from the tree.
“Let’s just say, we have some history.” Kieran whispered, turning his head towards Elena. “It’s a long story.”
“One you’ll definitely have to tell me sometime.” Elena whispered, just as she saw Sabrina charge towards her.
“Elena, watch out!”
She heard Kieran’s yell.
She turned her head, dodging Sabrina’s outstretched hands, and spinning on her heel. She raised her leg, kicking it towards Sabrina.
“You are not going to kill me.” She whispered.
“Except, I am.” Sabrina whispered. Her hands wrapping around Elena’s leg.
Elena’s eyes widened.
Sabrina smiled.
And she jerked Elena’s leg up, slamming her down to
the ground.
“You see, I never miss my target, Elena. And you, Elena, are just going to be a lovely notch in my belt.” She withdrew her gun, aiming it at Elena. “Goodbye, Elena.”
A gunshot echoed through the air.
Sabrina jumped. Her eyes lowering. Watching as blood poured from the bullet wound in the middle of her hand.
She turned her head, staring at Kieran.
“You stupid, son of a bitch.” She whispered. “You really think you can save her? You really think you can save all of them? Do you really think that this was all about her?” Sabrina smiled. “Abel wants you dead, Elena, there’s no doubt about that. But there are bigger things here. Better things here. And I guarantee. Neither one of you will be getting to the new world in one piece.” She picked up her gun, and backed away from them. “I’ll be seeing you.” She whispered, just before she turned and raced off into the trees and out of sight.
“Elena!” Kieran raced towards her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Elena whispered, rising to her feet, and raising head. Staring up at him.
“Damn, you gave me a freaking heart attack!” Kieran cried, his hand reaching out, and touching her cheek. “Don’t you ever do that again! Don’t you ever push me away! Do you hear me? I know that you’re scared. I know that all of this is new to you, but don’t make decisions for me. I’m a big boy, Elena. I can take care of myself.”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I know.” Kieran whispered, wrapping his arm around her, and pulling her towards him. Engulfing her in a hug. “You’ve already lost so much already, Elena, I won’t let you lose me too. I promise you that. You’re stuck with me, lady.”
Elena laughed. “I’ll consider that a good thing.” She pulled back from Kieran. Staring off in the direction Sabrina had run off. “She’ll be back.”
“Yes. Yes she will. She always finishes what she started. But we have bigger concerns here, Elena.”
“It’s not just about me. There’s something else. Something bigger.”
“What on earth could be bigger than killing you?” Kieran whispered. “No offense. But getting you out of the way has to be your father’s biggest concern right now. Getting rid of you, he’s free to take over the world.”
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