A Contract of Hearts

CHAPTER9

The Man in the Headlines

"Amara, can you help me?"

My heart stops.I say "Zara?" in a hushed voice.

The voice comes back, but this time it's quieter. "Amara..."

It looks like her.

It looks like her.

But the hand that is clutching mine is improper.

It's too chilly. Too difficult.

I try to escape.

It gets more snug.

I say, "Let go."

There was no response.

Just stress.

After that, the light comes on.

Bright.

Can't see.

I close my eyes tightly and then force them open.

There is no longer a hand.

It's only me.

The stairs are below me.

Nothing.

Shut up.

My breath is shaky.

I say, "That wasn't her."

It couldn't be.

I go down gently.

At the bottom, the space expands up.

Clean.

Bright.

Walls that are composed of glass.

There are screens everywhere.

They all have the same face.

Alexander Vaughn.

He stands behind a podium, calm, crisp, and in charge. "…false allegations," he says. "…temporary disruption…" "…"full cooperation..."

His voice is steady.

Like nothing can touch him.

The screen is moving.

Headlines flash.

Vaughn Holdings is in trouble.

One more.

Alexander Vaughn says the claims are false.

WOMAN WITH NO NAME CONNECTED TO SCANDAL

My chest feels tight.

The image changes.

There is a photo.

I.

Outside the store.

From afar.

My heart rate rises. "No..."

A different image.

Me and Zara.

Taking a walk.

Laughing.

Not aware. "They've been watching us," I say.

The screen gets bigger.

It covers my face.

Then, underneath it, a headline appears.

AMARA COLE—IMPORTANT WITNESS I move back. "This isn't real."

Another screen begins to flash.

Video that happens in real time.

Me.

Going inside the building.

A little while ago: "They're following me." "Yes, they are."

Someone is talking to me from behind.

Take it easy.

Almost.

I turn.

He is there.

Vaughn Alex.

Not on a screen.

Not a photo.

For real.

I can't get any air.

He appears exactly the same as he did before.

A cool suit.

Cold eyes.

Complete control.

But he feels heavier in person.

Everything bends to him. "You took her," I say.

He doesn't do anything. "No."

"I don't trust you."

"That's your choice."

My hands are shaking.

"Where is she then?"

He gets closer.

Weigh. "Safe."

I point at the screens and say, "That isn't safe."

He glances at them.

Then they came back and said, "You shouldn't be here."

"I didn't come for you.""I came for my sister."

"And you think I have her?"

"I know you do."

Stop talking.

He stares at me.

He says, "Someone has lied to you."

I can't help but chuckle bitterly. "By you?" "No." "Then who?" He doesn't say anything.

He turns a little instead.

One of the screens changes.

A fresh image appears.

Dark.

Rough.

But it's easy to see.l

I can't get my breath back.

Zara.

She is sitting in a chair.

Still.

"Zara..." She can't do anything. I say it quietly.

The camera shakes.

Someone comes into sight.

My chest hurts.

The man we saw before.

The person who came to the house.

The person who said to collect.

He looks squarely at the camera.

Smiles.

He says, "You're late."

I look at Alexander and say, "You said she was safe."

"Yes, she is."

"What is that then?"

He doesn't talk.

He tightens his jaw a little and says, "That feed isn't from me."

My stomach drops. What?

All the screens go black before I can do anything.

There is a lot of static in the air.

The picture of Zara blinks.

Then it bends.

Then—

The man's face is on every screen.

Closer.

Seeing.

He says, "Did you really think he was in charge?”

Cold.

Stay calm.

My blood gets frigid.

He grins more often.

Then it raises something up so you can see it.

A phone.

The phone that Zara owns.

It starts up.

There is a call coming in.

The name lights up.

Amara

I take a breath.

I didn't call.

The man still picks up the phone.

Puts it up to Zara's ear.

She lifts her head.

Afraid.

He says, "Say hello" in a low voice.

She shakes her head."Don't—" He grips her shoulder more tightly.

"Say it."

Her voice breaks.

"Amara, please help me..."

The call is over.

The screens go black.

There is silence.

I gaze at Alex.

"You told me she was safe."

He looks me straight in the eye.

Things shift for the first time.

Not calm.

Not in charge.

Something darker.

"They just said war."

The screen comes back on before I can say anything.

There is one note.

TRADE HER FOR THE TRUTH