4 chapter 4

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‡Ethan‡

How do I go about this.

"Hey why did you pass out"

Nope

"Do you know these people. Are they related to you"

Yup that sounds better. But before I could open my mouth. She looked up at me. Then panicked. And ran out.

What did I do? I followed her of course.

★★★★★★★★★

‡Anabella‡

I can't believe it. Out of hundreds of newspapers. I only happen to glance at that one. Fate is really playing a cruel prank on me.

Tears still clouding my vision, I ran and ran. I didn't know where I was going, but I still kept moving.

I can't believe Ethan read it. Not a big deal anyway, half of the town must have heard of the death of the all time famous journalist. But I just couldn't stand his scrutinizing stares.

I felt like if I had stayed there any longer he'd be able to connect the dots.

When I was finally able to control the tears. I checked the time on my phone.

4:45.

Darn it. I'm late. I have to make dinner.

Oh I am so dead, so dead, so dead.

I look around, I don't recognize any buildings here. Another one to the list. Lost.

This looks like a forgotten part of town. The roofs look like they are about to fall of any time soon. I turn around and start walking. Then speed walking.

Jogging.

Full run.

I'm lost I'm lost.

House.... House... Cafe... House...

Ouch wall..... Wait wall?

I rub my head and look up to see...

.

.

.

"Ethan" I can't help but sound relieved. And anxious. Because. Dear lord he found me.

"What did you come here for. This place is dangerous" he asks me look dead serious.

"Not that I would know, I just moved in" he adds.

Silence.

★★★★★★★

‡Ethan‡

When she dashed out. I walked a safe distance behind her before she broke into a full run. She turned through so many curves on the way that I began to wonder if she knew where she was going.

So, to be on the safe side, I started to take notes of the landmarks on the way.

*************

We where now in the down part of town. The area looked so dangerous. Now I was positive she didn't know where she was going.

I stopped to take a look around the area. The houses looked very old and unkept.

Then something hits me.....

Not something, someone.

★★★★★★★

‡Anabella‡

For someone who just moved here he sure knew his way around. Before I knew it We where on a road I recognized. I turned to thank him, but he was already looking at me, as if trying to figure out something.

"Did you walk to school, because you don't live really close to the school"

How would you know that.

"No.... I took the bus"

"Oh"

Awkward silence. I start to walk a way. Scratch that run, it should be past five by now, James will be so mad, scratch that he will be livid. I'm so dead.

I turn to see Ethan's car driving beside me with the owner looking at me with piqued curiosity.

"Umm are you in a hurry?" He asks giving me a weird look.

"Yeah,..... Kinda I should have been home more than an hour ago, James is going to kill me, I'm so dead, I..."

I clamp my mouth shut.

Oops, I've said too much. I rush to explain

" Not kill me literally, I mean figuratively, he would never let me hear the end of it. He's an overly protective..."

*Swallow

..."Dad"

Ethan looks at me weirdly for a long time in my mind, but in reality it's been just a few eerily stretching seconds.

"I couldn't help but notice that you called your 'dad' by his name"

I gasp inwardly, did he just put air quote around the word... Dad?

I think of a quick excuse.

"Ummmm.... I... "

Curses!, I can't find an excuse.

"I..."

"Let me guess" he interrupts " You were adopted and you have still not gotten used to calling him dad.

"YES! Exactly!" I scream a bit to eagerly and quick.

Who wouldn't, I mean.. that's genius, that's going to be my new excuse if anyone asks, not that anyone would care anyways. But if they do, I'm prepared.

"... Umm Anabella can you hear me"

"Huh" I look up, I must have been having a conversation with myself and zoned out.

"Since you are in such a hurry, I was wondering if you would like me to give you a ride home"he says, still giving me the something-is-up-with-you look.

I mentally debate

If James finds out I got a ride home, he would think I'm socializing and would kill me, but, I have no money for a cab and I'm pretty far from home, if I get home any later I might be as well planning my funeral.

"Yes, thank you" I say deciding

"Get in, my mum is probably worried sick" he says driving off.

I look up to the car roof to hold in the tears, I wish I had someone to worry about me and not thinking of the best way to hurt me by now.

I shakily give him directions, to which he seemed to be paying no heed to, but was going the right direction any way..so.... Meh.

*******************

"We're here" I say as we arrive at our house.

"Thanks", he just nods driving slowly. Then he stops. I turn to open the door to my house, bracing myself for the worst beating to come. When I hear keys jingling, I turn in suprise just in time to see Ethan open the door and walk in.

I widen my eyes as I open mine.

I look at his car and recognize it as the one I saw this morning.

Oh my God, Dear Lord ..... He's the new neighbour.

I turn to the sitting room,

Punch

"You useless creature, where's my food"

Punch in my gut.

I groan and roll to the floor in pain as he kicks me repeatedly.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Anabella.... Anabella!... It's Ethan you forgot your phone in my car"

My father turns to me in both shock and anger.

Dear lord.... Now I'm definitely dead

*Knock..... knock

Teaser: "Need a ride?"

What's wrong" he asks.

"Umm, I twisted my ankle this morning"

I say coming up with a quick lie.

"Oh, why didn't you say so, here let me help he says moving to hold me by my shoulder"

"No!" I screamed a little to loud and suddenly. My shoulder would hurt even more, and worse I haven't had human contact in years, well apart from it leading to pain of course

"Um.. you could just move a little bit slower" I add.