Perfect School

Kyle:

“We’ve managed to exist without her coming after us. If she had known where your parents were she surly would have sent people for them. Your father if nothing else.” I pulled into the parking lot. “We don’t have to win. We just have to disappear. She commands a city, Kira not the world.” I parked and looked at her. “I’m not trying to talk you into running away. I just want you to know you have options. You have people willing to do anything for you.” I nodded to the building. “Go on. Call me when you want me to come back for you.”


Krissy:

I gave a small huff at his comment and for a moment my lips almost turned up. “You’re right Jack,” I said but I didn’t know if I could truly resolve things with Kira at this point. After all, I had nearly killed her closest friend.

Kira:

"Did it occur to you that she didn't need to go after you because she already had me?" It was the only counter that made sense. But I didn't have the energy to turn this into a debate. "I'll call. But if you ever need to know where I am, ask Kyra to get Zero to track me. I'll be keeping my phone on me and even if I don't...well she'll find me." Unbuckling I climbed out of the car and paused before closing the door. "You aren't as big an asshole as I thought you were." Again I smiled faintly at him and then shut the door.

Jack:

"See, why don't people tell me that more? Usually it's something along the lines of 'God damn it Jack.' or 'Fuck off.' Or even 'How the hell did you get in here?'" I sighed wistfully, then laughed. "You feeling a bit better Krissy?"

Kyle:

I watched her until she disappeared into the building. I could understand why Krissy had been so frantic to protect the girl. For a moment I could imagine taking on Marie for her. But despite what I told Kira, none of us had the resources to do that. The most I could offer her was hiding her away, not true freedom. I suspected she would have a difficult time with it. Her hesitance might not have been entirely for fear of Marie. In part, like her mother, she might not want to give this life up.

I drove across the street and entered the bar Michael said he would go to.

Krissy:

I rubbed at my eyes and brushed tried tears from my face. “A bit. I’ll be better when Michael comes back… Thank you, Jack. When this is all done with, assuming my husband and daughter are still speaking with me, we’ll have to set up a time so that you can meet her.”

Kira:

Once inside I shouldered my backpack and went searching for Jonah's room. IT didn't take me long to locate him and once I did I left my backpack on a spare chair and went to lean over him. He was asleep and gently I brushed some of his hair from his face. He looked...younger. Peaceful even. I'd almost call him cute like this. But it lacked his smile and his eyes. Moving a chair over I brought it over to the side of the bed and settled in to wait.

Jack:

"I also demand cake." Briefly I checked my nails then jabbed a finger at the air. "Oh! And some of these sourdough cheese sandwiches you made three years ago!"

Jonah:

I was surprised to see Kira there when I woke up. I had been alone the first time. The doctors didn’t say much, or if they did I didn’t remember it.

“You’re here,” I mumbled. I felt distant in my mind. Empty almost. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but it was confusing. “I thought you had left me.” I focused on her face.


Kyle:

I spotted Michael at the bar and moved to sit next to him. “I took everyone to a hotel. Just now dropped your daughter off across the street.” I said. I didn’t exactly approve of how he was handling things, but I could understand. There had been many times after Lexi had died that Michael and Krissy had to take care of the twins while I got drunk.

Kira:

I nodded and shifted forward to lean my arms atop the edge of the bed. "I left with the others. We got a couple hotel rooms and are recovering. I came back for you."

Michael:

Everyone had left me alone in the bar. The bartender only coming by when I needed a refill on my drink. Kyle coming by told me that I'd been here too long already. "She wanted to go back to Jonah? See is more attached to him than I'd like but I can't blame her or fault her for it."

Jonah:

I felt a small thrill from her saying that but at the same time, I had trouble believing it was truly for me. “Why?” I asked and then a worry came into my mind. “Marie?” We would be in trouble for this. Big trouble. Kira would be taken away from me. My team would be taken away from me. I would be set back. All the work I had done to get where I was. My pulse quickened.


Kyle:

“She needs guidance. She’s been controlled all her life. Of course she would turn to someone who would manipulate her. She’s never had a role model.” That’s what he and Krissy were supposed to be for her. And yet they were separately having their own breakdowns. Again, it was understandable. They had been without children for fifteen years and then suddenly a nearly grown up daughter appeared. But I didn’t approve of how they were going about it.

Kira:

"Not her. Too much chaos in my head just being on my own. So I came here." It was as close to the truth as I dared dance. How could I admit I was afraid that I was about to lose everything? But as I looked at him closer I could tell something was a bit off. This wasn't a Jonah response, and the heart monitor gave it all away.

Michael:

"A part of me wants to question why I should be taking child raising advice from someone who drank through parts of their own children's childhood. But the rest of me knows you are right." Rubbing my face I pushed away the last bit of my drink. "Damn it..." I held my head in my hands for a long moment then looked up at him. "What should I do about Krissy?"

Jonah:

I closed my eyes and let the worry drift away in my mind. I focused on her again. “I’m glad you’re here. I thought I was alone.” My mind brought up an image from when she had been in a hospital bed. Her family was there. She was surrounded by all the people who loved her. All I had was Kira. My hand reached for her.


Kyle:

I let out a breath and shook my head. “I’ve been asking myself that since we were on our own. I don’t think I ever chose the right thing. Whatever she has, I was never able to stop it unless I caught it immediately. There’s something wrong with her. I should have gotten her help a long time ago. I just didn’t know how. I thought she was finally better with you. As far as I know it hasn’t affected her since you’ve been married. Not until now.” I rubbed the back of my head.

“She did it because she cares too much. It’s different from her blood lust. It only happened when she was really provoked. She can’t control it. That’s not an excuse, it’s fact. She hurt Lexi once because of it.”

Kira:

My instinct was to pull away from that hand that reached for me. And my body was conditioned to follow that instinct. But then the rest of me caught up and I reached back. Taking his hand in mine I squeezed the warm fingers with my own cool ones. "You aren't alone."

Michael:

"I've seen it too. Nearly was on the receiving end once." I rubbed my face. "She hasn't been perfect even with me. About a month or two into our marriage she started having little slip ups. Over familiarity with blood. It's eventually what got her to get her volunteer work. Something to take the edge off." Laying my hands flat on the table I inspected the long digits. "But nothing like this. This was different. But what hurts the most isn't that she couldn't control it. We both know a thing or two about uncontrollable urges. I was ready to forgive her right then and there because I was so relieved that she was alright. I was terrified that she was gone for good. Scared that I'd lost her. But she lied to me about it...I could forgive and understand all of it...until she lied."

Jonah:

"I am without you. I always was—until you showed up at the school." I squeezed her hand back. "You're the only one I feel close with. Emily or Eve, they didn't make me feel anything. They were just distractions."

Kyle:

"I don't know what to tell you. I don't think what she did was right. But I do know she loves you more than anything. She probably was afraid to tell you her plan. She wouldn't want to risk you getting hurt. She used to do that, go off on her own in risky situations because she didn't want anyone else to get hurt or killed. She doesn't care about herself." I sighed. There had been times I wanted to wring her neck because of it.

Kira:

I searched his face. I didn't know if this honesty was another ploy by him. But I couldn't help but feel that this was truthful. That I was seeing a bit behind the curtain of who Jonah was. That only added to my confusion.

Michael:

I bit my tongue before the alcohol made the words come out of my mouth. Krissy got to throw herself out into danger to keep those she cared for safe. But she'd tear into any one of us who tried to do the same. Instead I groaned and rolled my head. "What should I do?"

Jonah:

I looked at the celling and continued to babble. “You’re the only person I care about, Kira. You’re the only person that has ever mattered to me. At least since I was a child. But still, you think the worst of me… No matter what I do, you assume the worst of me. I can’t get to you. You drive me crazy.” I gave a huff shortly followed by a wince of pain, but it dissipated quickly and was forgotten.


Kyle:

“There’s only one thing you really can do. Go back to Krissy and work it out,” I told him. I shrugged and grinned suddenly. “She’s not my responsibility anymore. That’s all on you.”

Kira:

I looked down at our hands. I couldn't help but admit to myself that this went through both sides. He drove me crazy too. He got under my skin, pried away my defenses, and pushed me out of the safe little box I'd grown up in. But he was right. I often didn't believe in his words. Everyone manipulated me, pulled and pushed. But I Was sure it was a fact of life at this point.

I was feeling less and less certain that he was cognosent of what he was saying. But that almost made it worse. I'd come to him to get assistance in my confused state and he was making it worse.

Michael:

I gave him a tired look then laughed dryly. "Yeah. You're right. But I can't just let this stand. Something has to change, late as it may be this needs to be addressed and worked on."

Jonah:

“I want you, Kira. You assume I only want your body which is, well… Not entirely untrue. You’re beautiful, and enticing, and I can’t help but want to grab you hand feel you in my hands… But that’s not the only reason. Not even the biggest reason. You captivate me. You challenge me. You understand me. I fell for you the moment you sat net to me that very first day.” I turned to look at her and blinked. I wasn’t completely sure if I had been speaking out loud or if I was day dreaming.

My eyes might have been on our hands. My hands and fingers might have been playing with his hand. But I was caught on every word that left his lips. There were no walls, no defenses up. He bypassed them all with the truthfulness in his tone and that I knew he wasn't in his right frame of mind. The smallest splash of color was on my cheeks, standing out on my pale skin, though still no emotion showed on my face.

Jonah:

I studied her. Was she blushing? I couldn’t be certain. I tried to sit up to be closer to her but that sent a lightning bolt of pain to my side and made me promptly lay down very still. “I don’t think you’re here. You would have left me here. You would have gone with your family,” I said ruefully.

"I'm here Jonah." I looked up at him finally. I didn't know anything I could do to prove it, but I raised his hand up and brought it close to my face. "This probably won't help you think this is real but I don't know what else I could do." After the last word left my lips I turned my head and kissed his palm.

Jonah:

I sighed at the touch of her lips. “Why did you do that? Because you want me too? I know that you do. I can tell. At the casino… It was supposed to be an act, but it wasn’t for you, was it? Why do you hold back? I want to be with you, Kira. And I know you want to be with me. So just be with me. Kira?” My voice took on a pleading tone.

"Because..." Squeezing his hand I sighed and looked away. "I don't know Jonah...I don't know how to answer any of this." Letting it go I pushed away from the bed and started pacing. Words failed me and eventually I stopped and rubbed my face. "Damn it..." I looked towards the bed, "I came here hoping you would make this all make more sense...but it's worse now...I...I don't know if I can Jonah....can I have some time?"

Jonah:

I nodded slowly. I couldn't tell if that was a good sign or a bad sign. "Just don't leave me. Please? Just stay," I said. I didn't want to be alone, but also part of me knew that I was defenseless without her. anyone could come into my room and kill me without a fight.

Returning to the side of the bed I took my place in my chair and crossed my arms on the bed. "I'm not going anywhere Jonah. It's okay to rest. I'll keep you safe." I promised him softly while brushing my fingertips over the back of his hand.

Kyle:


“Yeah,” I said and clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s time to go.” I waved the bartender over and settled the tab. “Let’s get you something to eat and sober you up a bit before I take you back to the hotel.”


Jonah:

I nodded and reached for her hand again. “I’m glad I have you,” I mumbled and closed my eyes. Now that I wasn’t concentrating on her, or anything else, I fell asleep easily.

Kira:

I kept his hand in mine even after he fell asleep. But I didn't leave my attention on him. He'd failed me in what I wanted. But that left me with other things I could do to calm down and clear my mind. Unorthadox as it might be, and adjusting his blankets so I could hide what I was doing in an instant I drew a pistol and cleaning kit out of my backpack to set them beside him. 15 minutes was my quickest time. Average for my style of pistol was 30 minutes. I liked taking the full 30 to be sure it was in perfect order. I could only imagine how long it was going to take one handed.

Michael:

Grunting as I got to my feet I nodded. "Thanks...I appreciate you not making me do this drunk." My steps were fine and I didn't sway but I had to make an effort to maintain it.

Kyle:

I took him to get food and ordered something extra for Kira. I had noticed she didn’t eat earlier. Once Michael was finished I drove us back to the medical facility. “Do you want to come in or wait in the car?” I asked Michael. I would understand if he didn’t want his daughter to see him under the influence but considering he hadn’t spoken to her once this evening, I thought he should come in. Hardly anyone had spoked to the girl since we got here. Even Kyra had said little. We were dangerously close to driving away the newest member of our family.