Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 27.1 - Through the storm

Chapter twenty seven

Through the storm

Kyle walked along the stone wall at the bottom of the cliff, banging his fist against the rock, searching for the door the hooded weirdo had mentioned. He'd tried not to question his indications or give him much thought. He was right. Kyle was walking into a trap already. And he'd already chosen to trust the guy.

His fist banged on a portion that sounded empty. Kyle stopped and analyzed the segment of wall. There was an awkward rock edge next to it. He pressed it and the door opened to reveal a dimly lit stone corridor.

Abandoning his thoughts about the odd man, he stepped in. The door closed behind him. He walked on quietly, one hand on the rock wall, looking at the wiring on the ceiling, listening intently for any movement. After only a few steps, he could make out weak voices. It seemed to be a man and a girl talking. Strong neon light loomed ahead. He never thought he'd see electricity.

His stomach clenched uncomfortably the closer he got to the light. The voices were getting louder, and he recognized them. The man was Snitch Gravel and the girl... Kay.

The light came from a room to the right. The tunnel ended right beyond it. Kyle stuck his back against the wall, next to the entrance, listening carefully. The two weren't talking anymore. The only sound discernible was a soft tapping, as if one of them was tapping their foot. He wondered how many men were in the room with them and if they were holding Kay.

"He's taking his sweet time," Snitch Gravel mumbled.

"He's coming," Kay said, her voice strangely thick, as if she were on the verge of tears. "Though I hope not. He already knows what's waiting for him here."

Kyle crouched and pulled out his combat knife. He wiped the blade on his t-shirt and tried to get it to reflect the interior of the room.

"You believe he'll leave you to the wolves?" Snitch Gravel asked interested.

Kay took a long time to answer. "No."

Snitch Gravel huffed. "You kids and your stupid obsession with love. Love is the biggest weakness in the world. It's the reason you've betrayed your boyfriend."

Kyle's hand froze in mid-air.

"I didn't..." Kay's voice died down. "Will you keep your end of the deal?" she asked, sounding very worried.

They had a deal. The knife clattered to the floor. Kyle stood and walked to the entrance absently. He stopped in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Kay and Snitch Gravel were alone. She wasn't tied up. There was nothing holding her there.

His heart thumped out of control, trying to leave his chest and return to a time and place where Kay hadn't betrayed him, when it didn't hurt so much to just breathe.

She stared at him with wide, tearful eyes, her lips quivering as if she wanted to talk but couldn't. He felt a strange surge of compassion and pity towards her. Why couldn't he hate her? Why did he still ache to grab her and run to safety?

"Well, well." Snitch Gravel rubbed his hands. "You've finally made it. I was beginning to think you didn't want your girlfriend back."

"Kyle, it's not what it looks like." Kay's tone was urgent and her voice shook. She opened her mouth, but closed it again.

"Why?" he asked. He wanted to scream, to crush something, but he couldn't find the energy for it.

"Oh, please, don't look at me like that." Tears poured down Kay's cheeks. "This should make things right...you should know the truth."