Chương 170: Chapter 167
" What reason would he have to do that? I thought you said you helped him out, "
Austin started speaking before I could, so I turned to him to see how he was planning on answering that. His thoughts were different from mine, but they were more believable. So I decided to not start up any excessive drama and stick to what he already believed to be true. Though from what I could tell, he was having some trouble explaining everything. Perhaps because the story was long and he didn't know where to start. Which was why I took on the role of clearing this out once again.
" They used to be really close, and I suppose when he found out how close Austin and I currently are, he got extremely mad and unpredictable. "
" So this is a matter of jealousy? He's mad because his best friend got another friend?"
I was tempted to just say yes and get it over with, but it would have sounded silly and weird. We weren't little kids,and even if Chris was somewhat mentally unstable, the cop would have found it hard to believe that he was just angry because of something of the sort.
" Actually, before Austin moved here, they used to be in some sort of relationship.."
" Oh, " the cop said, then he slowly nodded and leaned back against his chair, turning towards Austin before he asked him if that was true. I leveled my gaze with him, trying to just get him to accept. Even if in his head, theirs had just been a meaningless fling, it still counted as a relationship. He finally nodded and the cop jolted something down in his notebook, but then he stopped mid-process and looked at me with a clear look of realization.
" So if I'm not mistaken, then you two are currently..."
He let the words hang in the air. Almost as if he was scared of saying anything that would end up being false.
" We are. " Austin confirmed.
" I'm gonna need you to give me the address of the motel you mentioned, as well as the suspect's mobile number. And in case he contacts you again you have to report it immediately, is that clear?"
We both agreed. He still insisted that we had taken too long to report the case, but the important thing was that we finally had. He was also going to get into contact with the police department back in Phoenix so he could inform them of Chris's whereabouts. And I knew that there was literally no turning back. We gave our statement for a while longer, then we were free to leave, although the officer said we'd most likely be called back pretty soon so we had to just anticipate another call.
We walked out, and I quickly walked a few steps ahead of Austin, I thought of going back to the shop since it was still pretty early, but I didn't feel like it anymore. I'd just text the owner with an excuse, I could say my place was broken into or something, not like it would be a complete lie.
" Miles told you?" Austin finally asked. He was following closely behind me, making sure I didn't leave him behind by a great distance. I had known that Miles was in on it, but it had been more of a suspicion since I had given him the benefit of doubt. However, having it confirmed made me a little bitter with him, but just a tiny bit. Most of my anger was directed towards Austin. And it wasn't really the strong anger I usually felt whenever he did something completely unreasonable, it was more of disappointment I suppose. I just felt bad since it felt like he didn't rely on me as much as I wanted him to. He knew I could handle anything, there was no need for him to try and safeguard me by going behind my back.
" He didn't have to tell me anything, I'm not slow!"
I scoffed and started crossing the street, listening to his footsteps behind me. Another thing I didn't like was the fact that I'd have to get used to that aspect of Austin. I could even make him swear to me that he'd change,but deep down we both knew he couldn't. He'd still do something that I didn't like eventually. And the older he got the more stubborn he became.
" I wish you hadn't followed me to the station, " he admitted. I stopped walking, then I took in a much needed breath before I turned around to face him. And it was to find him looking at me as if I was the one in the wrong. But the second he saw my expression he turned to the side and decided to focus more on the view.
" I didn't want you involved in this. "
" I was involved the second Chris appeared. And how did you expect me to just let you handle everything? We agreed that it was our problem. "
" He killed someone Stevens! Do you understand just how messed up that is? "
" You think I don't? And what makes you think that me not taking part in reporting him will make me any less of a target?"
" Don't fucking say that!"
" Look, I'm just going to speak my mind and leave you to do as you please. You have to trust that I'm capable of dealing with things. And I understand that you're scared but have you considered how I feel? This isn't how relationships work, we must be capable of talking things out without it feeling like I'm forcing you to engage. "
" Kyle, "
" I've got homework. "
He walked beside me for a while, but then halfway there he stopped and said he was going to check on his bike. He wanted me to go with him but I refused. He was extremely hesitant whenever it came to leaving me alone recently. And I knew that his reasons were valid, but I didn't see the need to be constantly looked over. So I just asked that he go and check on his bike, and since I k ew how his mind worked, I promised to call him if anything went wrong. He wanted to just postpone his plan but I told him not to do so.
" I think we both need to be alone for a while. "
" I don't, " he refused, sounding firm and sure. But I did.
" I'll just go and wait for you at that candy store then. Better?"
He seemed okay with that. So he nodded and left once he assumed me he would only be gone for a few minutes. And I believed him, he was going to make sure he took the least amount of time possible. I watched as he basically ran towards the direction of the repair shop, and I continued walking. He was really paranoid lately, as if he believed that something bad would automatically occur if he left me alone for even a second. But I didn't think that Chris was careless enough to risk being caught just because of some vendetta he held against us.
And apparently, my thoughts were entirely wrong. I literally hadn't walked for five minutes before I sensed that I wasn't really alone. And I wasn't referring to the other people on the streets. There were footsteps right behind me and I was certain that they were following my steps. In my head, I had frequently assured myself that if Chris were to turn up unexpectedly, I wouldn't really be freaked out. But man was I wrong! I got immensely scared and worked up, and my mind went into a defensive mode as it struggled to think of what I could do. I suddenly wished that I had just listened to Austin and waited for him instead. Because look where my stubbornness had gotten me.
When I quickened my pace, so did he. It was like an unsettling scene from a thriller movie and I hated being a character. I spotted a thrift store and decided to go over there. There'd definitely be a chance of losing him if I did so, and I could just go where there were a large number of people and call Austin. He was the only person I could think of who I wanted to call. It wasn't even the cops.
But when I began heading towards that direction, he finally decided to reach out and hold my hand. His hold was firm in the restrictive sense. I couldn't pry myself free even if I wanted to.
" It's okay Kyle, it's just me," I heard him say. And his words just made me feel worse. The fact that it was him was what made me feel frightened. So why would he think that saying that would make things okay? I nervously swallowed and stayed put, then I felt him as he shifted to stand in front of me. And for someone that was wanted by the authorities, he sure did seem awfully relaxed. He wasn't even trying to cover up his identity. All he had on was a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, his face was clearly visible to anyone who wanted to look at him.
He smiled when he was finally in front of me, and I didn't even know how to react so I just stood there.
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