DERAILED AND DAMAGED

Chapter 11— THE AFTERMATH

Driving back to Bail's house was one of the longest drive I'd in my life. A lot was running through my mind:

Master was back.

He found me.

Either Lucas Davids or Abraham Lawson killed my nanny.

Master know about Kayden and the kids - That was the worst of all.

And he’d kill them if he thought I cared.

I couldn’t risk leading him to them.

Why did they kill my Nanny? She had stayed in the town since the accident and she was fine. What could have happened?

There were too many mysteries I didn't know about.

Now I'm collaborating with Master without the Shadows knowing.

Why didn't Master tell the Shadows I was alive?

How Master even found me was a bigger mystery itself which I was going to solve.

If Master could find me that means..... anyone else could. And that would be very bad for Kayden and the girls.

Well since I've made up my mind, I will rather die than allow anything to happen to them, I said resolutely.

I parked the car at the car park and entered the house. Immediately I got to the door, I slouched down onthe chair and my brain going blank for some minutes.

"I need to track that doctor down....but Master would've taken care of him, right? I asked myself. I have to start thinking like Master if I want to beat him in this game.

Where should I start?

I wondered until my brain clicked. Why did my Nanny go to see Abraham Lawson and Lucas David.

Yes - that should be the first step.

I have to get home by tomorrow evening so I have until evening to get something done. I shouldn't rely on only Master information if I want to be on top of this game.

I guess I had to make a call to my fellow computer god - Sam.

The call rang for some seconds before he picked it up. He didn't say anything, as usual.

"Hi kiddo," I said

He said nothing at first.

"How have you been, I inquired further

"So you're alive. I thought you were dead," he said.

"Wow, that hurts, kiddo," I raised my voice jokingly.

"What do you want?"he asked.

"What do you mean? I can't just call to check up on you?"I said.

"Whatever," he said. "You're still haughty. Life hasn't taught you a lot," I said.

Like I care , he answered back.

Master is back, I could hear him take a deep breath

"What did he say?" he whispered with fear laced in his voice.

"Why I faked my death....and something very personal.

He didn't mention you. I have a feeling he doesn't know anything about you yet.

"I need help from you though. It's kinda related to Master but it's also from me.

"What do you say, if you don't want to help:

"Fine, I understand, you don't want to get involved with those again," I said seriously.

"I won't force you actually."

"Lily....you know I can't refuse you," he also said seriously.

"I need you to track down Grace Mendela- and all her whereabouts starting from 2 months ago. Like a thorough check, everyone she saw, talked to within that period too."

"Okay," he answered. Trust me- as long as she's a living soul-"

"Well.... she's actually dead." I dropped the bombshell on him.

"That's going to be hard... but I will try," He said.

"I need you to be as discretive you can ever be, we wouldn't want Master finding out about you".

"Okay Lily, he replied.

"It's Ash. Not Lily."

Okay Queenie, be safe.

"You're the kid here, kiddo."I teased.

Be safe too, I said.

"How's my favorite goddaughter?Don't she even miss her godfather?"

"She's fine- been busy with new friends. It's new school year," I said.

"Cause meeting new friends actually do matter than having a twenty-three- year old godfather.

"Well, I'm not surprised. She's just like her mom- so heartless and very demanding," He said.

"I'll take that as a comment though," I said. "Bye kiddo."

After dropping the call, I went to the fridge and saw some fries and chicken- my favourite.I took them out and went to sit on the sofa. I put on the television, to kill boredom until morning.

The first station that appeared on the tv was the recent murder killings.

"Oh right. What a good way of killing boredom," I said sarcastically.

Then-

"Oh my.....what the heck....like did he actually r***d them before killing them. That's a sociopath and psychopath out there."

Then the word "r**e" started to echo in my head. It wouldn't stop. My head started spinning. I was losing control again. My hands were shivering.

The feeling was very painful. I don't know how or why, I guess Kayden smile flashed in my head - and I calmed down a little.

This isn't good.

This was the second time am having this episodes in one week.

I really needed to stay calm.

Then I remembered, the drug that Dr Kate gave me. Yes, I need to relax. I fondled through my bag and found the drugs and I swallowed two pills instead of the normal one.

I just layed on the bed and waited for the drowsiness to takeover.

It worked, I guess, because the next thing I remembered was me waking up to my phone ringing around 7:00 am the next morning.

And it was Kiddo's call. I struggled to pick up the call- because I was still feeling drowsy.

"Well lily, can you pick your call on time, next time? You got me worried. I thought something happened," was the concerning voice I first heard.

"Hey, kiddo, sorry. It was a long night."

"What's wrong? Did he find you?" I asked.

"Nooooo. he drawed out.

Check your phone- I sent something to you.

Queen....this person is really a shady. like it was so hard to find something about her."

"Do you want to know what I found? There were some missing photos that were deleted online. Lily, you just have to check this.

That woman's a big mystery. She was a whole lot, I couldn't sleep all night. He said.

"When it's time.... I have to tell you something. It now depends on you, if you'll still want to stay with me after that," I said solemnly.

"But the only thing am going to say, is.... she was like family to me."

"Okay Lily, I'll wait until you're ready to talk about it. But don't take long," he said.

"One shocking thing- found out is that she met with Big boss in a restaurant. The thriller is---"

"Guess Lily, he asked.

They looked like lovers, you know like long term lovers.

"But Lily...are you thinking what I'm thinking though?" he asked

I thought for a while.

Then it dawned on me.

"Could that be the reason why Master came back?" I said aloud.

"Exactly," he said.

"Let's put it this way. "Big boss met his long-time lover from the past... and months she died, he wants to know the real reason why she died."

"Exactly," he repeated.

"And who would be the perfect candidate he trusts so much to entrust that in his hand none other than, he was still saying."

"Master, I completed myself.

Maybe deep down...I felt sad that Master didn't come back because he found me. But what was expecting from a cold killer?

"Ash, what if Master tell Big boss he found you? What will you do?

"Actually... I don't know too. But all I know is I won't let anyone ever hurt Kayden and the kids- even if the person might be me."

"Kiddo... I think I have to tell you this though. Master and I are working together on this case."

"What?!"he yelled.

"Lily, what are you doing? you are literally putting yourself back into the arms of the same man whose you ran away from!"

"I'm sorry for saying "into his arms though," he corrected.

"But Lily... it's like you are going back to the hell you ran away from."

"Why though? Did he threaten you?" he asked desperately from the phone.

"Master... he knows about Kayden and the kids. He also believes that Kayden is just a tool I used- a cover."

Then he interrupted me.

"Lily.. is he not?"

I ignored him and continued.

"If I hesitate and Master finds out about I feel about Kayden... Kayden will be dead before I can say Jack. Which I'll never allow."

"Lily, do you think you will ever tell him about everything one day? Do you think he will stay for you?"

"Lily... Do you think he will still love you like before?"

That actually had me speechless though

It hit a nerve in me though.

Did Kayden love me enough to even stay for me?

I guessed that was a question that mocked me...

And it would continue to

Until the day of acknowledgement.