Troubled

FIFTY FIVE

CORA PHILIPS

"Are you here to join the search party? Or you're the person the search party is here for?" The curious woman peered into my face as she asked.

I hated nosy people, but this woman was on another level. She wanted to enter into my life.

"Search party?"

"Yeah, I hear they are searching for someone. All of them came from the city. So are you a searcher or the searchee?"

I don't say anything else as I leave her side, hurrying my strides so she got the hint that I didn't want to talk.

Even if she was a big help, I wouldn't have found the house without her help, plus the information about Kyle and Xander, she provided it. I wasn't about to thank her, it was obvious that she would initiate conversations beyond 'thank you'.

Kyle came all the way out here to find me. Even after seeing that I opened someone's face like it was a can of soda. He was still here to find me. If I say I wasn't moved, hang me upside down while calling me liar in every language you know.

I wring my hands as I stand on the front porch, having no clue what I was supposed to do to announce my arrival. I hated attention and now I brought it on myself.

I hear voices from inside, they were muffled by the thick wood door so I couldn't make out what they were saying, or hear the distinct voices.

As much I wanted to say I was nervous about going inside because I hated attention. I must admit the truth, at least to myself. I was nervous to face Kyle, yeah. Something about your friend seeing you at your lowest, a point you never wanted them to find you. Unfortunately he always did. At this point he already saw all the disasters, except the new one. At the very least, I didn't want him to see me hurt someone else. I didn't want him to know that I was horrible. And yet he saw me. At my lowest.

"You can do this." I breathed.

The door swung open, my eyes meet a pair very surprised Kyle eyes.

"Cora." He whispers without blinking, like he was scared I'd dissipate into thin air.

I raise my right hand a little in a way that seemed like I was going to wave but I stop short. It felt silly.

"Hi Kyle."

His eyes roamed my body in concern.

"Are you okay?"

I nod and look at my feet, the shame I felt was incomparable. I was ready to receive whatever he was going to say to me. It would sting more than when my mother called me a monster, for some reason it would feel thrice as bad.

Suddenly he was wrapping himself as around me, engulfing me in a hug. I stiffened.

"Thank you, thank you so much. I'm so grateful." He whispered in relief.

"Kyle? Is that her?" I hear Xander rush to the door.

Kyle released me just as fast as he hugged me.

"Cora!!" Xander gasped.

"Hey.." I force out.

"Where have you been? We found her sir!" He was almost crying.

"Come on in, your father said not to let the neighbors know anything."

I nod. They shuffled inside so I could pass.

"Cora?!" I hear my father's voice call out from upstairs.

I didn't realize how much I missed him until I heard his voice.

"Dad?"

He rushed down the stairs and hugged me. For the second time today I received a hug, and I didn't return any of them, I was too guilty to hug them.

"My little girl. I'm so glad you're okay."

I don't say anything. I just look at my feet.

"George? Is she here?" I hear Nana's voice call out.

"Yes mom, she's here, she's okay."

She rolled out of the kitchen on her wheelchair.

"I knew you were like your mother, liking attention for no damn reason."

She was a nasty old woman that never got along with my mother, for some reason me too.

"You made everyone worry over nothing, and you're okay?"

Dad released me and turned to face his mother, putting himself in the line of fire for me like he always does.

"Mom! Can't you keep your thoughts to yourself? She just got back, please."

"It's okay dad."

"No, it's actually not okay Cora, you don't have to take crap from people who are supposed to be your family. First your mom, now her, how much do you think you can endure?"

I face Kyle. His eyes were burning with anger, and they weren't directed at me. They were directed at the people who he believes hurt me.

"What do you mean her mother?" Dad asked.

Kyle walks up to me and pulls back the sleeves of my hoodie, revealing the pink gashes that hadn't healed completely.

"They are everywhere. This is why your wife sent you here sir, she didn't want to bond with Cora."

Dad's shocked eyes travelled from my exposed arms to my face. I snatch my arm from Kyle's grip and roll my sleeves back down.

"Cora.. I didn't know.. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault.. "

Dad hugged me once me, he hid his face in my hair. I knew he was crying.

"Told your father not to marry that God forsaken girl, he didn't listen to me, and this happens."

I want to scream at her, she was even more horrible than my mother, only because I had the disasters, else mom wouldn't have changed, ever.

"Where's Cory?" I ask.

"He's sleeping. I finally met him. I see why you're completely smitten. He's adorable." Kyle told me with a low voice. I can sense a small smile in it though.

"I'll call your mom. Tell her we found you." Dad says as he walks up in stairs, wiping at his eyes not so discreetly.

Nana wheeled herself away.

"She's kind of a bitch." Xander says in a hushed whisper.

I laugh a little.

"You guys came, it's the middle of nowhere.."

"You had to be found."

"How did you guys know I'll be here?"

"Your mom actually, we called her, she told us that you might be here. And you came here."

"You came all the way out here because of 'might'?"

Xander shrugged. I avoided Kyle's gaze as Xander and I talked.

"Wherever you go, we'll always come find you."

"Don't make promises you won't be keeping."

"Oh trust me, we will."

I swallow, the feeling was overwhelming.

"How will you guys go back? It's late."

"We won't. We'll be spending the night here."

"Your parents?"

"We took permission."

"And the recital? We can watch it anywhere with a phone."

I sigh. I cannot say I wasn't happy, I was elated. I had friends.

"Sandra?" I hear Nana call.

I frown in confusion, until Xander rolled his eyes.

"She is pretending she can't pronounce Xander, calls me Sandra instead. Better go see what she wants."

When he is at the door, he turns to face me,

"I'm glad you're back. Thank you for being safe."

And I was left alone with Kyle and his intense gaze.

"We have to talk."