On The Run

Chapter Thirty Five

I think at this point in my life I don't react to surprises anymore. When Steve told me his plan it of course hurt me as I have a pretty clear understanding of his intentions; however, I don't really know how to take these types of situations anymore. There are only two things that I truly believe Ty is attempting to accomplish: the first, to kill Ty. The second, to get rid of the evidence.

It doesn't seem as though Steve as any intensions on hurting me or Riley, but there is a major flaw in his plan that he has not thought of, I will be a witness. He would have to kill me as well as Riley if he wanted to get away with his final act on revenge. But I cannot avoid this because right now he has told me that if I do not play along with his plan, he will take it out on Riley. Honesty, with his instability I believe that.

I thought I had a plan. I thought I could save everyone and now I know I was just being foolish. Foolish to believe that he would ever let me have a happy ending. I can't say that I am giving up, because that's not who I am. But I don't see a clear ending to this anymore.

I am supposed to call Ty today. I am supposed to convince him to meet me at a spot that only we would know, with Riley. I am supposed to break his heart and pretend that I still think he is the person that has hurt me. He will be weak and vulnerable. Begging me to forgive him and give Riley back. Riley will be terrified, crying and not understanding what is happening, which will make Ty even that much more distracted. That will give time for Steve to strike like the cowardly bastard he is.

I think Steve realized that I wouldn't do it at first. That's why he made the stakes even worse and promised to kill Riley and my brother if I didn't follow through with the plan. He made it clear that it would be one death against three if I didn't oblige. Of course I still fear that he would kill me and Riley after this, but no one can argue that one death is a better deal.

I don't know which is going to be the worst part: the fact that Riley is going to watch her brother die in front of her, the fact that there will be a moment before Ty's final breath that he will realize that I set him up, or the fact that I will have to live with the memory of what I am about to do.

Of course I have ideas running through my head to try to avoid all of this, but I can't see them ever working. And even if they did there is still a high probability that someone is going to die from it.

These morbid thoughts are the only thing that I can think of as I hear my phone ringing... the first step of Ty's murder. The murder that I will be initiating.

Nick's POV

I woke up today with a slight headache, but the thought of my sister's smile illuminating her face yesterday while moving into the apartment instantly wiped the pain away. I threw the comforter off of my legs welcoming the chilly morning air as I got up. I slipped on some jeans and a grey hoodie to protect myself from the slight cold. Walking out of my room I see Iz's door opened and realize that she is already up.

She has never been a morning person, so my heart constricts as I realize she must have changed a lot through this traumatic experience. And I can't help but to imagine what other things the kidnapper has changed about my sister. I'm torn between wanting to know and wanting to keep myself unaware. However, as her brother I feel as though it is my job to help her move on, so I make the decision that it is her choice whether she wants to tell me the details or not. What ever makes her feel more comfortable. I walk into the kitchen, thinking she is probably eating breakfast as the girl is practically addicted to food, but she isn't there. I walk toward the bathroom trying not to get worked up, as I know I should give her space. But after everything it will take some time before I feel comfortable letting her out of my sight.

I knock on the door, but no answer. I open it just in case, but she still is no where to be seen. I walk back into the kitchen, now unable to contain my nervousness and I see something lying on the table. I flinch as I remember the ransom letter I had found the day after she had been taken, and fear consumes my entire body. I snatch the letter and my tense stomach instantly feels relieved after I realize this is her handwriting telling me she'd be back soon.

That doesn't mean I am not angry, however. She would never have done this before, she would have told me where she was going herself and since she knows how weary I am after everything, it makes my blood boil. Not wanting to seem over bearing, I take a breath and decide to call her before I jump to conclusions.

"Hello?" Her voice once again makes my muscles less tense.

"Where are you?" Instantly, I flinch at the harshness in my voice and I realize that I should not be this intense with her. The girl has been through enough.

"I... I'm with Steve." She answered. But something in her voice seems off. It for some reason, reminds me of the day she had been taken. When I called her and she had been acting weird over the phone. I still feel awful about not being able to see the signs that day.

"Iz, I am going to do something right now, and for god's sake you better be honest with me. If you are fine, answer with 'it's in the fridge.' If you're not, say 'it's in the microwave." one the other side of the phone I hear some muffled voices, but I can sense that she's hesitating. Making me that much more nervous.

"I gotta go." She pauses and I fear that she may be annoyed by my overprotected actions. But, just as I think she is going to hang up, I hear her voice again.

"it's in the microwave..."