A Contract of Hearts

CHAPTER12

Trust No One

"Amara, if you see this, it means they got to you first."

My hands grow cold.

My fingers make the paper shake.

I can't breathe for a moment.

The room seems to be becoming smaller and the walls are closing in, leaving only me and her words. "Keep reading," Alexander says in a quiet voice.

I can't see him.

I can't do it.

Not yet.

I force myself to look back at the page.

You still won't get it all. That's okay. When I was your age, I didn't either.

My chest hurts.

I can hear her voice in my head as if she were right next to me.

Normal folks shouldn't have such things in our world. I tried to keep you away from them.

A tear runs down my cheek.

I say, "You didn't."

"You left me with them."

The words sting.

But I keep going.

If they are after you, that indicates the truth is out there. It suggests they are in big trouble.

I hold the paper more tightly. "Who are they?" I ask.

No response.

Not a chance.

Be careful now. Trusting someone is a risk. Once you give it away, you might never get it back.

I look up.

Alexander is staring at me.

Waiting.

Like he knows what's going to happen next.

I look down again.

There are folks who will say they wish to help you. Some folks will tell the truth. People will use it against you.

My heart is racing.

"I don't know how to tell the difference," I respond. "You learn," he says.

His voice is calm.

Not enough movement.

I don't like it.

You will hear his name. You might even be able to stand next to him. When that happens, remember this: he is not who he says he is.

I can't breathe.

I slowly lift my head.

We stare at one another.

We don't converse with each other.

The silence stretches on and on.

A lot.

I say, "You know who she's talking about."

He shakes his head. No.

"You're not telling the truth."

"I'm not."

But he keeps searching.

That tells me enough.

I take a big breath and read the letter again.

I botched up, Amara. I trusted the wrong people. I thought I could go. I was mistaken.

I say softly, "She was scared."

"Yes."

He doesn't say anything. "And you let her go?"

He doesn't talk.

That was quiet again.

Loud.

Sharp.

I keep reading.

It means I didn't get back to you if you can read this. Sorry.

"My sight is getting blurry." "I waited," I murmur softly. "I was waiting for you."

I can't stop the words from flowing out.

I grip on more tightly.

You can't stay where they can tell you what to do. You can't follow the road they set for you. And most importantly...

My heart is beating fast.

I already know.

But I still read it.

Don't put your trust in anyone.

There is no noise in the room.

Not moving at all.

I look at the letters.

They don't change.

They don't get any softer.

They are just sitting there.

Finally.

I carefully bring the paper down.

Then I glance at Alexander. "I heard her," I say. "Don't trust anyone." "Yes," he says immediately away. "And that includes you."

A break.

"Yes," then.

I blink.

"Why do you say that?" I ask. "I didn't think that would happen." Because it is true.

"Why am I here?" "You shouldn't be." "My chest hurts."

Another break. "You should go."

I can't breathe. "What?" "They're coming," he adds.

Outside, there is a loud noise.

Hitting metal hard.

Yelling voices.

Closer.

Faster.

My heart rate rises. "Who's coming?" "The people who took your sister."

The door behind him shakes.

One time.

Twice.

The lock is under a lot of pressure.

Panic spreads swiftly. "What are we going to do?" I ask.

He steps back.

Leave me alone.

To the door. "Run."

"And you?" "I stay."

"No," I answer, shaking my head. "We find Zara together."

He is staring right at me.

Cold. "Final." "No." "Why not?" "Because this was never about saving her."

I can't breathe. "What does that mean?"

The door slams shut once more.

The lock cracks. "They didn't take her for leverage," he says.

"Then why?" I asked. "My chest feels tight."

He gets closer.

Just the right amount. "So you would come."

The words sting. "What?" "Amara, you're the target."

My heart is racing.

"That's not right."

"Yes, it is."

The door behind him flies open.

Men hurry inside.

Fast.

With guns.

Unsafe.

I step back without even thinking.

I grasp the letter more tightly.

Alexander doesn't move.

Doesn't answer.

He just looks at me.

And tells you to "run now, before they find out who you really are."