Page 14 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

Rory hesitated before clearing his throat. “Nope. Just looking for my sister. Can’t blame a guy for worrying after being told she was in an accident.”

I turned, leaning against the desk. The glare I sported couldn’t be contained. This man got to me like no one else and I couldn’t stand not knowing why.

“She mentioned she hasn’t been able to get ahold of you for months. What kind of brother cuts ties with his twenty-two year old sister? She’s got two jobs and is going to school full time. She’s got enough on her plate without having to worry about a grown man. Did you just forget about her, or…” I left my statement open, waiting to see what he had to say.

“Kathleen had no right filling you in on our personal business.”

“That personal business brought her to me. Unlike you, I give a shit about my responsibilities. Not only did you make it harder for her to support herself, but you make her worry. I don’t know you, but you don’t sound like a very good brother to me.”

Deep breathing filled my ear and I couldn’t stop from trying to hear every little sound that came through. Besides Rory, nothing. It was so quiet, even echoing at times.

“I know she’s there with you, Chase. If she doesn’t call me by tomorrow, I’m coming over there to get her myself. You don’t want any trouble. I think you already have enough.”

“Step on my property and I’ll blow your fucking brains out. That’s not a threat, by the way. That’s a promise. I said I don’t have your sister, now take my word. Your life depends on it.” I hung up, slamming the phone down on the base. I blinked past the confusion of my reaction, but didn’t get to think it over before I caught a lock of long, blonde hair out of my peripheral vision. In that moment, something snapped inside of me. A small laugh broke from my lips, warping with the internal laugh I heard in my ears. I was losing it…going fucking insane. I turned, crossing my arms over my chest to face the door. “You don’t listen for shit.”

Only half of Kit’s face became visible.

“Was that my brother?”

More flashes I couldn’t decipher pushed through, leaving me lightheaded and nauseas. I held the desk tighter, forcing myself to remain calm. “You know it was,” I said deeply. “Now, come where I can see you.”

Slowly, Kit stepped into the entrance, but didn’t come inside the room. “What happened? Why did you threaten him like that?”

“I…don’t know,” I said honestly. “Something’s not right. With me, with your brother—with this fucking town. I know what I just did made you even more afraid of me. I’m sorry for that. I’m trying to control myself. I just need you to stay until I figure out what’s going on.”

Her head shook. “Stay? You know I can’t do that. If that was Rory and he’s alright, I have to get back home. I have too many responsibilities. I only meant to stay a day, two at the most. Did he say why he hasn’t called me?”

“No.”

A day or two. Why did that internally make me sick? Why? Because Kit was all I had.

I didn’t know her and she didn’t know me, but for some reason, I wanted to trust her. No, I needed to. I couldn’t continue on the route I had been. It wasn’t working. I was falling off the deep end and all I had were nightmares and darkness. If I kept her, I wouldn’t be going through it alone.

“I’ll compensate you for the time you’re away from work.”

Blue eyes flared. “It’s not just about the money. If I’m gone too long, they’ll replace me. I don’t want to have to find another job. Besides, I have school. I have discussion posts due tonight. I was going to take the hit on my grade and just skip them, but I can’t afford to make it a habit.”

“Discussion posts? What do you mean?”

Kit stepped into the room. “My school is online. We have to do discussion posts on the classes we’re taking.”

“Online?” I turned to glance at the computer. “You could do them here. Right now, if you need to.”

“Well…I could, but I still can’t miss work. I can’t stay here with you, Chase. I’m sorry. I need to just get dressed, call my brother, and make sure everything’s okay. After I see him for myself, I can hop the first flight back. Did he say anything about the bloody man?”

Bloody man. I didn’t give a shit about that right now. Her, gone, just like that? Unacceptable.

“He said nothing, but he did mention talking to the sheriff. One who knows you came into the church. It’s not safe for you to go to your brother, Kit. You have to stay here until I can figure out what’s happening.”

“Father.” She paused, her lips growing tight. “Chase, I can’t. You don’t understand.”

“No, you don’t understand,” I stressed, walking around the desk. “I’m not leaving you a choice, Kit. You’re staying. If you need money, I’ll provide it. If you need school access, I will shadow you. But you are not leaving. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not until I know you’re going to be safe from whatever it is that’s going on.”

“You can’t just keep me here against my will. I already thought myself kidnapped once tonight. I’m not letting you make my fears become reality. When Rory comes for me, I’m leaving with him.”

“Says who? You? The one who came to me for help?”

“I had nowhere else to go. I would have went straight to my brother had I been able to locate him.”

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