by Sarah Ripley
My stomach was wrapped in bandages and it took me a while to remove them. I was worried as I pulled the last bit away. I wasn’t sure what I’d find. Kian had his own scar from when they’d cut him open but what I’d experienced hadn’t been nearly as bad. He’d been gutted while I’d been merely stabbed. I knew I was healing fast but I was really surprised when I pulled off the last of the bandages to reveal a completely unmarked stomach. There was nothing there, only a little bit of dried blood clung to my skin as a reminder of what happened. The only time I felt pain was when I pressed my hand against my stomach and it was getting less intense by each passing moment.
My fingers came next. I unwrapped them one by one. They were a little swollen, I guess broken bones were harder to mend, but considering only hours had passed, it was incredible that my body had managed to heal itself this quickly. I flexed my hand carefully but my fingers bent when I wanted them to and the pain was minimal.
“Unbelievable,” I whispered to myself in the mirror.
I stepped into the shower and quickly washed my hair and body. I knew Kian was waiting so I didn’t want to take longer than necessary. But I couldn’t help myself, the hot water was heavenly and I stayed under longer than I should have. I went through the bottles of shampoo and body wash, trying to decide which ones belonged to Kian. I settled on the pomegranate soap, positive I’d smelt it on his skin before. Afterwards, I dried myself off in the mirror and quickly got dressed. I hadn’t realised how much I took clean clothes for granted until I’d spent a day in a hardened, blood stained shirt. The cotton of Kian’s shirt felt like pure silk and smelt clean and fresh and just like him. Pulling it over my head was like wrapping his energy around my body. Getting back into my jeans wasn’t as much fun but they were dark and weren’t stained too badly. At least I knew it wouldn’t be long before Seito returned with something else for me.
I vowed never to underestimate the power of fresh fabric again.
There wasn’t much I could do with my hair so put in some gel I found by the sink and decided to let it air dry. Back in the room, Kian was sitting on his bed, thumbing his way through an old book with a title I didn’t recognize. He tossed it on the floor when I sat down beside him and applied some peach flavoured gloss to my lips. Sniffing the air, his eyes followed my movements.
“Now that’s a major smell improvement,” he said.
“Are you saying Eau De Dried Blood isn’t catching? The sales lady assured me it was what all the boys liked these days.”
“You don’t strike me as the type who’d do something just because the boys liked it.” Reaching out, he plucked the lip gloss from my fingers and sniffed the tube.
“No,” I agreed, laughing, as I grabbed the container back as he started to apply some to his own lips. “Don’t you know you’re not supposed to share this stuff? Get your own.”
There was a quick knock at the door and Micah came in.
“There’s a kid in the parking lot who’s been watching the place for the past ten minutes with a baseball bat,” Micah said. “He’s getting more and more twitchy by the second. Would you like to look for yourself or should I take care of him?”
“Huh?” I got up off the bed and looked outside. I was pretty sure I knew who it was and I wasn’t disappointed. Opening the door, I stepped out with Kian and Micah behind me. The second he saw me, Connor rushed over, waving the bat around like he meant to use it.
“Connor,” I said. “What are you doing?”
“Get away from her,” he said as he ignored me. Eyes blazing, full of intensity and pure hatred, they focused on Kian only.
“You can’t hurt me with that,” Kian said calmly.
“Want to bet?”
“Connor, stop it!” I snapped. I moved until I stood in front of him. He’d have to shove me in order to get past.
But Connor was beyond reasoning.
“I saw them,” he said. “You were bleeding and they carried you out of the school. There was blood everywhere. He did it to you!”
“Connor, do I look like I’ve been hurt? You’re imagining things.”
“I saw it!” His eyes finally focused on me and it was obvious he didn’t quite believe what he was seeing. “Mai?”
“Yes. I’m here. I’m fine.” I placed my hand tenderly on his jacket sleeve.
The baseball bat slipped from his fingers and bounced off the icy pavement. At first he seemed simply confused but his eyes hardened as he realised I was wearing Kian’s shirt. Yanking himself from my grip, he took a few steps backwards and crossed his arms in defence. “What did they do to you? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I said, reaching out and placing my hands over his a second time. Squeezing gently, I tried to get him to focus on me. “You must have been mistaken. As you can see there’s nothing wrong with me.”
“But I was sure it was you,” he said and his face just collapsed. There were tears in his eyes and it was at that moment I knew what I’d put him through. I’d been so selfish with my own problems I’d never bothered to really think about how much this was hurting him. Sure, I’d thought about it, I’d even felt bad that I’d broken up with him, but this was the first time I’d really witnessed it. It was unfair of me, what I’d done. I knew my reasons for breaking up with Connor but I’d never explained them. He was confused and hurting and I’d been so selfish.
“I went by your house,” he said. “You weren’t there but someone else was. I checked the hospital too but no one knew anything. No one heard from you since before the fire. Claire and Amber knew nothing. I thought you were dead.” The tears were really falling now and I pulled him close to me, hugging him tightly. He clung to me, moving his arms along my spine as if to convince himself I really was there. The baseball was forgotten, he’d even lost sight of Kian. All he needed was me to make everything better.
“Oh Connor,” I said. “I’m so sorry I’d put you through this. I never meant for any of it to happen.”
“Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” he asked once he’d managed to pull himself together. The doubt was heavy in his eyes. “I was positive it was you.”
I shook my head and stepped backwards, showing off my clothing for him. I even lifted up Kian’s shirt a bit so he could see my unmarked stomach.
“You said you saw someone at Mai’s house?” Micah asked. “What did you see?”
“Who are you?” Connor asked, coming back to reality and noticing the Unfaded standing behind me. He focused on Micah first, trying to decide if he knew him. Next his eyes narrowed at Kian but there wasn’t anything he could do at this point. I think he was beginning to realise that I wasn’t going back to him. Even though he knew Kian had done something terrible to me a week ago, I still chose to be around him and not Connor. It was a painful realization but there was nothing I could do about it.
“He’s Micah,” I said. “He’s Kian’s father.” I figured I’d stick to that story for his sake.
“What did you see?” Micah asked. “Who was at Mai’s house?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Connor,” I said. “Micah’s a friend. What did you see?”
“A guy and a girl,” he said. “They used the spare key to get into your house. They wandered around for a bit and then left.”
“And you didn’t think to call the police?” I asked.
“They knew where the key was,” he said. “How was I supposed to know who they were? I thought they might be from the hospital or something. I tried calling Larry.”
I froze. “Connor, do not call my Dad,” I said. “He’s gone for the weekend. Please say you didn’t leave a message.”
Connor gave me a hard stare. “Why? Doesn’t he know you spent the night with your boyfriend? Maybe he should know.”
“What the hell’s the matter with you?” I snapped. “You have no right to pry into my life. I’m no longer with you. What I do is none of your business.”
“Someone needs to be watching you,” Connor
said. “Look at the company you’re hanging with these days. A week ago you were terrified of him. Don’t bother denying it, I saw your eyes. How hard did he hit you? That’s what really happened isn’t it.” He gave Kian a hard glare. “That’s it, isn’t it, tough guy? You like beating girls?”
Micah had to grab hold of Kian to keep him from getting his hands on my ex-boyfriend. Connor picked up the baseball bat again and waved it around. I stood between them all wondering how this got so dangerous.
“Kian has never hit me,” I said quietly. “You need to go home, Connor.”
“I’ll leave when I’m ready.”
“I don’t want you here.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
But Connor had gone too far. There was no backing down. The fight inside him was festering and he needed to settle the score. He needed to hurt the one person who’d taken everything away from him.
“Come on, pretty boy, let’s settle this like men.” Connor held up the baseball bat in front of him and then threw it hard. It hit the cement and rolled until it came to a stop underneath one of the street lights.
“Connor, stop it! Kian! Don’t you dare!” I might as well been invisible since no one was listening. Kian shrugged off Micah and stepped forward. Once again I got in between them with my arms spread apart.
“Stay out of this, Mai,” Connor said. “This is between us.”
But I couldn’t. I knew what kind of damage Kian could do. Connor didn’t. It was Micah who pulled me back. I struggled against him but he dragged me towards the motel door.
“He won’t hurt him,” Micah spoke softly into my ear. “Kian will let your boy win the fight and walk away with his dignity. Let them be.”
Would he? I’d seen the look in Kian’s eyes when Connor suggested that he’d hit me. He’d crossed the line and Kian was like any other, his honour was at stake also. Why did men have to behave so stupid when it came to things like this? There were better ways to solve problems. But getting them to listen to me was like trying to convince a dog not to eat the bacon in his bowl. I didn’t get the chance to step in again. Connor made the first move, raising his fist and slamming it into Kian’s face. It was a free punch. I knew Kian could have blocked it if he wanted. Micah was right. He wasn’t going to do anything except let Connor use him as a punching bag.
“Don’t,” I begged. “At least defend yourself.” I couldn’t bear to see Kian’s face get beaten, even though I knew he’d heal immediately.
Kian turned and glanced in my direction, giving me a brief nod.
There was a second and a third punch but Kian calmly dodged them. He was faster than Connor and I guess he either decided to listen to me or figured one punch was enough. He wasn’t going to attack but he would defend. Moving left, he jumped out of the way as Connor charged. It was similar to the techniques Seito and he’d shown me, only he didn’t grab him by the arm and shove him into the cement. He didn’t need to, Connor tumbled over his legs and fell on his own without the extra help.
Kian reached out and offered a hand. “Had enough?”
“Screw you.”
Connor was breathing heavily as he pulled himself to his feet. He threw a few more punches, most of which Kian dodged. One of them took him in the chest and I gasped at the sound of knuckles meeting muscle. Kian stepped backwards and out of the way. He wasn’t put out in the slightest, even his breathing remained steady and calm. Connor slipped on the ice and went down a second time. Once again, Kian reached out and offered his hand which went ignored. Connor got to his feet again but this time he was staggering. He was getting tired. He’d never been up against an Unfaded before.
“Why won’t you fight?” he screamed.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
Connor charged and for a third time he found himself on the ground. Only this time he allowed Kian to help him up. I immediately ran to join them before it started up again.
“Please stop,” I begged. “Please.”
“Mai.” Kian’s voice was calm and strangely odd. “I want you to take Connor and get out of here.”
“What? Why?”
“Don’t question me. Just do it.”
I paused long enough to look across the parking lot where Anique and Sobek waited off by the trees. They were under a street lamp and the orange light reflected off the weapons in their hands. They were back to finish the job.
“Take the car and go,” Kian said. Grabbing my arm, he pulled me towards him, forcing me to look at him. Pressing the car keys into my hand, he gave me a kiss on the forehead. “Remember our spot? Down at the falls? Wait for me there. I’ll come get you when it’s over.”
Micah joined us, his eyes watching the lot where the two Unfaded were steadily making their way towards us. There would be no pleasantries this time, no baiting each other with words. No knocking sand in each other’s faces. There would only be blood.
“No.” I said.
“Mai. Go!” Kian shoved me gently to the side. Our eyes met and there were hundreds of years of pain in on his face. Hundreds of years of being lost. Stepping forward with Micah at his side, Kian walked out to meet them
I grabbed Connor by the arm and pulled. “Come on,” I said. “We’ve got to get out of here.”
Thankfully he didn’t fight me. We walked over to Kian’s Civic and I unlocked the door and shoved Connor in. As I opened the driver’s side, the Unfaded met and the fight began. Micah went after Sobek and Anique immediately grabbed Kian and tossed him across the lot as if he were a bag of rice. I had to cover my mouth to keep from screaming out his name when his head hit the pavement. When Kian pulled himself up I could see blood glistening from a wound on his forehead.
Starting the engine, I hit the lights. Anique was running towards us, her feet slapping on the pavement as she gained speed. At the last second, Kian came out of nowhere and slammed her against the side of the motel. Glass shattered the surrounding windows.
Connor’s mouth dropped open in silence. I put the car in gear and moved forwards. It was killing me. I didn’t want to go but I didn’t want to refuse Kian either. Where was Rafferty? Maybe I should go looking for him instead of hiding. Could I find him in time and get him to come? Would he? Or would he just take me and lock me up in some castle away from everything I held dear? No, I had to listen to Kian. I’d be safe at the falls.
As I pulled out of the lot I saw Sobek attack Micah from behind, the older Unfaded fell to his knees. My foot instinctively hit the brakes.
“Don’t stop!” Kian screamed. “Go!”
I had no choice. I hit the gas and peeled out of there. I headed onto the highway in the right direction, away from town and the other Unfaded. I had to trust Kian. He said he’d come for me. I would go where he sent me and believe that he’d be there. I had no choice. I’d run out of options.
“What the hell was that?” Connor asked. He’d cranked his neck back trying to watch the action as it faded away.
I didn’t answer. As far as I was concerned this was his entire fault. If he hadn’t come to the motel, Kian and Micah never would have been caught off guard. If they died, I’d spend the rest of my life blaming Connor.
Twenty-Two
The road was empty. There was no other traffic. The dashboard clock glowed, the numbers reading a little after four. There were still several hours to go before the morning sun peeked over the mountains. I would have liked nothing more than to drive in sweet silence but Connor lashed out at me with a steady stream of questions, eventually pausing once he realised I wasn’t going to answer. He wouldn’t have believed it anyway. He was better off not knowing. Safer. We drove, a tense invisible wall separating us, with only the moon and stars to light our way.
I worried about Kian. It took every ounce of will power to keep myself from slamming the brakes and heading back towards the motel. So what if I’d made a promise? What good would it be if I were to return and find him dead?
Eventually I arrived at the turnoff that led to Ehnita Falls. As I pulled onto the logging road, Connor started talking again.
“Why are we going here?”
I ignored him.
“Mai. What’s going on? Talk to me. Tell me what’s happening?”
“We’re going to the falls,” I said.
“Why?”
“Because it’s safe.”
“Safe? Why don’t we just go back? It’s freezing out and you’re not wearing a jacket. We’ll go to my house. I’ll call the police.”
“No.”
“This is crazy, Mai.” Connor reached past me, trying to pull the keys from the ignition. I grabbed his hand, shoving him backwards against the passenger door with more force than necessary. He grunted in pain and I immediately let go.
“I’m sorry,” I said and I meant it. It may have been a stupid excuse but I really didn’t know my own strength. There was a definite learning curve here and it was a shame I had to use my ex-boyfriend for target practice. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was hurt him more.
“What’s happened to you?” Connor held his arm protectively against his chest, rubbing the spot where I’d touched him. “When did you get so strong? What did they do to you? Have you been taking drugs?”
I bit my tongue to keep from laughing. The idea of drugs causing my strength was just too funny. “They haven’t done anything to me,” I said. “This is me. Just me. There is no drug in the world that can change it.”
“What are you then?”
I sighed. We’d reached the point where there was nothing I could say that would convince Connor otherwise. He’d seen too much. Telling him I’d been spending my spare time at the gym just wasn’t going to cut it. The lies were over. This was one secret I could no longer keep.
“I’m Unfaded.”
“You’re what?”