Since 1998

Imprudence

"What now?"

Upstairs, Devin watched the rain. Seven years. They hadn't been alone this long since the world broke apart.

No exits, no interruptions, just them. It was terrifying. But for the first time in seven years, it felt like a beginning.

They sat on opposite sides of the room, keeping a safe distance between them. Devin slumped onto one couch; Allison claimed the other. She was far enough away to be safe.

"Well, we're stuck," Devin said, his voice coming out rougher than he intended. "I can't drive you back in this. Your parents are probably losing it." He snapped his fingers, desperate for a distraction. "The landline. We should call."

"No, please don't," Allison's face fell.

"Why? Aren't you worried?"

"Of course I am. But if they hear me, they'll try to get me. I'm not letting them die in a ditch trying to be heroes in a hurricane."

Devin's shoulders dropped. He let out a long breath. "You're right. Sorry."

"Don't be." She looked him right in the eye. "We'll survive tonight and whatever comes tomorrow. Promise."

Devin managed a thin smile. "Okay. You got me, Lisa."

The name acted like a reset button. A memory of yesterday. The tension snapped, and they both let out a laugh that actually felt real.

"I'm so embarrassed," Allison groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This is all Anna's fault."

"She's a little psycho, you know that?" Devin teased.

"Hey! She's a genius," Allison defended, peeking through her fingers. "Give her some credit for the hustle."

"I can't. She ruined my sleep for a week with that stupid plan."

"It was my idea," Allison admitted softly, her hands dropping. "I just... used her tactics."

They shared a look, the kind where you don't need words to count the years. They were different people now.

"The funniest thing is how fast Sam fell for it," Devin said, shaking his head. "I've never seen him like this."

"I know Anna," Allison smiled. "She likes the adrenaline, the gangster types. She's pure chaos, but she's real."

"Poor Sam," Devin joked. He looked at her a second too long, his gaze dropping to her lips before he caught himself. "He's gone. Totally invested."

"Funny how things work out," Allison mused, turning back to the window. "But who really knows what's next?"

"Yeah," Devin whispered. "Who knows?"

The silence between them wasn't awkward anymore—just heavy with things they weren't saying.

Miles away, Sam has been calling Anna more than twenty times. Anna finally answered with her voice wrecked.

"Baby... talk to me. How is it?"

"She isn't back."

"Are you crying, baby?"

"I'm just... what if something happens to her?"

"Stop," Sam cut her off with his firm voice. "Trust me on this. Devin knows her better than he knows himself. She's his whole world. He won't let a drop of rain touch her. He won't."

Anna curled into a ball on her bed. She didn't care if the Ainsleys disowned her. She'd take the hit, as long as Allison walked through the door in one piece.

The Morning After

The morning sun rose over a mess of snapped pine branches and shattered boardwalk panels.

When Allison and Devin finally reached the Ainsley mansion, the air inside was already charged.

The phone was ringing at the same time the gatebell buzzed. Alex Ainsley grabbed the receiver.

"Mrs. Hollingsworth? I wasn't expecting you this early."

"We're not coming, Alex," the voice crackled on the line. "My son heard about your daughter's imprudence. Running off with a boy like that... It's a stain we can't afford."

"What? Imprudence?" Alex bellowed.

"Relax, Alex. Rumors move fast. The arrangement is over."

Across the room, Daniel leaned against the wall, listening to the muffled shouting. The tension in his shoulders instantly vanished. Finally free, Daniel grinned and walked away.

Alex slammed the phone down. At that exact second, the front doors creaked open.

Devin and Allison stepped inside.

Gun clicks.