Targets

Chapter Three - Triple Dodgeball

Bella pointed the direction, leading him out of town.

“Are you going to kill me?” Logan joked.

“If I wanted you dead, you would be.” Bella said.

“Alright killer.” Logan said.

Bella gestured for him to stop.

“If you look closely, between the two trees there, go through there.” Bella said.

Logan saw where she pointed and although he felt nervous. He listened and went through there. He drove along a bumpy route and reached a small cabin hidden by a lot of trees.

“Looks cute. Is this your hunting cabin?” Logan asked.

“It was my mothers. I live here to avoid my family. They are thieves and abusive.” Bella said.

Bella got out and Logan hopped out as well.

Logan grabbed the bags for her and carried them. Bella opened the door, inside he saw how it had the rustic feel to it. There was solar panels and a hot water system rigged to the back. But there was a fireplace in the living room, there was an axe where there was loose wood. Clearly she chopped some recently. Logan saw photos of her little with her mother.

“What happened between your family? If you don’t mind me asking.” Logan said.

“We were going so well, everything was fine. Until one day, dad said he loved another woman a week after my mother was diagnosed. So, dad sent her out here to die. I came to be her nurse. The bills are still in her name, everyone thinks she is still alive. I have a job to pay for the bills. I learned to hunt for food to save money on food. I cook on a campfire to save electricity. I wash laundry in the creek nearby a lot. I do lots to save money. But my father, his wife and step daughters are after my mother's money. As soon as they know my mother is dead, they will want to sell everything here. I can’t keep good things here. Everything has to be cheap. I have an adult friend who is letting me buy a car with them today. Just so I can put my personal belongings in it so they can’t steal it. You have no idea how easy you have it.” Bella said.

Bella walked away with that said. She reached her room to find the window busted in. She sighed.

“Perfect example.” Bella said.

Logan walked towards her to see the broken glass.

“Who did this?” Logan asked.

“Only my dad knows about the cabin.” Bella said.

“You need to move.” Logan said.

“I have nowhere to move to.” Bella said.

Logan stayed quiet.

“What if we helped find you a place? If dad pretended to be on the lease until you were 18 to take over or something?” Logan asked.

“No, that’s dangerous. I get into fights often. If someone damages it, it ruins your father’s name.” Bella said.

“Well, how about I ask if you stay in our guest house or something until you are 18?” Logan asked.

“I’m not sure living with you and Kieran is a smart option given what happened before.” Bella said.

Logan sighed.

“We will talk with my dad.” Logan said.

Bella shook her head. She slid the bags under the bed and lift a piece of floorboard up to hide them under.

“We should go.” Bella said.

Logan looked at the window.

“Is this your room?” Logan asked.

“Yeah, why?” Bella asked.

“You are sleeping here?” Logan asked.

Bella nodded.

“With a busted window.” Logan said.

“I’ve had worse.” Bella said.

“How?” Logan asked.

“I once had no front door. Don’t ask.” Bella said.

Logan looked confused.

“Well I’m asking my dad if I can sleep over, and I’m bringing one of his guns.” Logan said.

“Don’t do that.” Bella said.

“Just stop, you are making me more concerned for you every time you argue and add more information. Let me do this then I won’t be.” Logan said.

She sighed in an annoyed tone and just nodded. He then took her back to town first for lunch. While he looked at the time, Bella walked into the used car lot to have a look.

“I love how even old cars can look new and beautiful.” Bella said.

Logan looked at her.

“You think differently, I find it unique and special.” Logan said.

Bella smiled. She looked at him and then kept looking at the cars. Logan received a call from his dad. Meanwhile Bella went to purchase the Mustang outright.

“Hey dad, what’s up?” Logan asked.

“You aren’t at school yet.” Matt said.

“We just took the dress to hers and reached back to town. She lives outside of town in a creepy little cabin. Which is what I wanted to talk to you about. So, I got a little background on her. Her father cheated on her mother when her mother was diagnosed. But she never mentioned what her mother was diagnosed with. But apparently the father left the mother to be, with the new woman. Which is the step mother and she has daughters which are Bella's step sisters. So, Bella hides everything valuable of her mothers in a lock box at the bank in her own name, including anything left over from work after bills. She hunts for food in the woods to save more money, she even cooks on a fire, camps etc. To save electricity bills and all that. Dad when we got there, the window was busted in and she’s going back there tonight. I feel uncomfortable with the fact that she is going to be sleeping literally next to a broken window. Is there anything we can do?” Logan asked.

Matt sighed and waited a moment.

“Let me think about it. But you have to be back at school soon.” Matt said.

“We are just getting lunch then heading back after eating it.” Logan said.

“Where are you now?” Matt asked.

“She walked into a used car yard. I don’t know why. But I’m waiting for her.” Logan said.

“Maybe she’s applying for another job. Just don’t be quick to make an assumption.” Said Matt.

Logan sighed, he was looking at the street, unaware of them pushing the mustang onto the street. They wiped the chalk from the window for her to grab it later without its value in the window. It’s in Bella's name so she can’t get it taken from her. She even paid an extra $5,000 cash for them to pretend her mother was with her.

They made an agreement and she walked out with the keys in her back pocket. Bella smiled at Logan.

“They have beautiful cars here. I love how they can make these beauties look new again.” Bella said.

Her soft tone surprised Matt.

“Put Bella on the phone.” Matt said.

Logan gulped. He looked at Bella.

“Oh, you are on the phone. I’m sorry. I’ll zip it.” Bella said.

“Bella, my dad would like to speak to you for a moment.” Logan said.

Bella noticed his face and tone.

Bella hesitated but grabbed his phone.