As Kai enters, he carries a USB drive with him. This USB drive belongs to Jennie, I recognize it—I gave it to her. I start looking for my laptop because I need to find out what's on the drive. Once I connect it to the computer, an icon for a file appears but it won't open.
Kai: "Let me try." I begin to attempt opening it with various programs, yet none will work.
"It's encrypted," I tell Ali. "I have a friend who could help us with this."
Ali: "Alright, let's finish packing up my things and go see him."
Kai: "We can take your things to his place, but let me call him." After the call, he tells me he's in a neighboring town and returning tomorrow. He expects us early. I relay the details to Ali and hand over the USB. We load her belongings into the car, and Ali is unusually silent.
"What's on your mind?" I ask while driving.
Ali: "This town... it feels eerie and full of secrets. Ever since those girls died, my sister started to investigate."
Kai: "Which girls are you talking about? The only deaths I know about are Alana and Jennie."
Ali: "Two other girls were found dead, violated and tortured with bite marks. One was found in the woods, the other outside town. Their deaths were covered up, I believe they forced the coroner into silence. That's why he vanished after my sister died—he claimed they were her students."
Kai: (Shocked, I pull over) "You're saying these girls were murdered? I only knew about two missing girls—the daughters of Mr. Arturo and Miss Esperanza. They both vanished around the same time. Ali, this is bigger than I thought. If someone has the power to silence a coroner and make him disappear, it means this runs deep. We need to be careful—last night was only a warning. Whoever is behind this has more planned." (I stress this point.)
Ali: "Do you know how someone could get meth in this town?" She looks at me as I resume driving.
Kai: "Drugs are rampant here. I sometimes see kids using that junk at the club. But I'll ask 'The Cat' to find out."
Ali: "The Cat?" Intrigued.
Kai: "Yeah, she works for me at the bar, knows a lot. If I need information, she's the one who gets it. You'll meet her."
Ali: "Why are you helping me?" She gazes at me while I drive.
Kai: "I have my personal reasons, and guilt. I regret not helping earlier, turning a blind eye. You and your sisters are alike, yet different. I knew something was wrong with her, but despite my asking, she said she was fine, and I did nothing, Ali. You were right—I should have done something."
Ali: "Well, I think we're doing something now. We just have to expose the truth about this town, Kai."
Eventually, we arrive at an expansive house surrounded by nature.
"Is this your house?" she asks.
Kai: "Yes, I purchased it because I've always loved nature. Although it has many rooms, only two are furnished. I've yet to have time for the rest. I always wanted a beautiful garden, but all my plants died. Let's go inside." I take her suitcase to go in.
Ali: I follow Kai into a spacious and beautiful house. We go up to a simple white-toned room on the second floor with a large bed, a TV, and a wardrobe.
Kai: "This is your room. If you need anything, ask. My room is next door."
Ali: "Thanks." Peering out the window, I can see the forest that surrounds the town. It's stunning.
Kai: It makes me smile watching her at the window. I wonder if she realizes how beautiful she looks.
"I'll let you get settled while I order us some food."
After unpacking, I find Kai downstairs arguing on the phone.
Ali: "Everything okay?"
Kai: "Just fighting with my brother, who can be a handful." I watch her as she inspects the kitchen and opens the fridge.
Ali: "Seriously, all you have is a bag of rice, an egg, and a tomato. Is that all you eat?"
Kai: "Cooking isn't my strong suit. I can make rice with egg, or I just order in."
Ali: (smiles) "We'll do some grocery shopping and I'll cook. I wanted to ask you about that night. Who was the man you hit, and why was he carrying Jennie like that?"
Kai: "His name's Liam, the mayor's son. They were dating and arguing about something. He was hurting Jennie, so I intervened."
I also had a question for her. "Can someone who's been drinking remember what they did?" I step closer to her.
Ali: "Depends on how much they drank." Now close to me.
Kai: "So, can you remember that night?" I can only stare into those green eyes.
Ali: "I'm always aware of what I do when I drink."
We're so close I can feel her breath and my own heart racing.
Kai: "Then, you remember how you approached me that night?" I raise an eyebrow.
Ali: "I didn't approach you. Let's say I took the initiative, but you were the one who came at me with everything." She sees me smile. We're so close that I can feel her gaze on my lips, only inches apart. But we're interrupted by the persistently ringing doorbell, the tension that had built between us shattered as I leave to receive the delivery. She tries to soothe the unexpected attraction to someone she barely knows.
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