Closer Raisa Chapter 5

Kale left the room and ran past the families packing up, past the vending machines and ice machine. As soon as he turned the corner, he heard her. Raisa was explaining her relationship with him.1

“I didn’t know he was with you. I told Sunsaray I was calling Kale. She didn’t stop me. How was I to know? I hadn’t talk to Kale in almost a year?” Raisa said slightly harried, and Kale recognized Ahbree’s voice responding.2

***3

I noticed Kale rounding the corner and I turned slightly. Ahbree turned with me, as I had hoped. Now her back was to Kale. This gave Kale a small advantage. My main goal now was to keep her back to Kale, and her focus on me, to keep Ahbree talking. 4

Kale crept closer using the shadows of the building. In the distance the hum of cars passed on the highway, as the faint laughter and conversation of the departing families echoed around the buildings.5

“Ahbree, listen to me.” I dropped my hands to my waist, still keeping my palms flat facing the ground. “Have you thought this through? How are you going to make it look like an accident?” I was throwing out whatever came to mind. I needed to distract her.6

Ahbree’s eyebrows were drawn together as she listened to me. Then with one kick of a rock her eyes widened. Without looking behind her, Ahbree said, “why don’t you join us Kale. Come stand beside dear, sweet Raisa.”7

“Now Ahbree,” Kale said, as he came around. His hands were held up by his shoulders, showing Ahbree he had no weapons. “Let’s talk about this, hon.”8

Ahbree’s frown deepened when he called her hon. The gun in her hand wavered.9

“No Kale, I’m afraid it’s a little too late for sweet words. You should have stayed in the room.” She straightened her hand.10

Kale slid up beside me and I could feel his anger rolling off him. It was like an electric blanket coiled around my chest, squeezing tighter. The early morning sun warmed the air around us just adding more to my already boiling body.11

“What a cute couple you to make,” sneered Ahbree. “Who am I to come between you two?” She paused, tapping her finger against her chin. “Oh that’s right, because I can. You should have stayed in the room, Kale,” Ahbree repeated.12

“What are your plans, Ahbree?” Kale asked.13

The gun dipped a little, and a wrinkle appeared across her forehead as she searched for an answer. “Oh, no you aren’t! You’re not going to trick me into answering. We’ll just wait for Sunsaray to get here, then we'll decide.”14

That wasn’t much of a surprise. Kale had too much faith in Sunsaray for my taste. Looked like I was right in my suspicions. 15

“Sunsaray?” asked Kale, shock sounded clearly in his tone.16

Ahbree shook her head, sending chestnut strands wiping over her shoulders. “Nope, Sunsaray will know what to do.”17

“Then answer me one question. Can you at least do that?”18

“Depends,” she replied, sweat was running down the side of her face. “Ask.”19

“How did you find us?”20

Ahbree threw her head back to laugh and Kale took the opportunity to start forward. As quickly as she started Ahbree stopped laughing. “I’d hate to shoot you right here.”21

“Why not? Isn’t that the plan anyways? Shoot us, make it look like an accident?”22

“But not you Kale. After she’s gone you’ll be all mine again.”23

As Kale was keeping Ahbree distracted I was watching the side of the building for Sunsaray and looking for a way out of this mess. The tree behind us hadn’t dropped any limbs, so conveniently an easy way out wasn’t going to happen. No rocks big enough to hurt, another idea out of the question. Our only hope it looked like was Kale talking Ahbree out of this. I was afraid if I spoke it would only made things worse.24

So far Sunsaray hadn’t shown up, that was a good sign.25

“I think that would be great Ahbree. We can get back together. Just let me come stand by you.”26

“I’m not really that dumb Kale. You come over here and take the gun from me and then you upset the whole plan. I don’t think so.”27

In the distance the rumble of an engine was getting louder. Time was running out.28

I had to do something now. “Ahbree,” I called, I had to take the chance. Kale was getting nowhere. 29

She turned my way, with a look of surprise.30

***31

A small compact white car pulled into the deserted lot. Clouds of smoke puffed steadily from the blackened tailpipe. I'm not good at cars, but this looked like an Acura.32

The door opened, and Sunsaray’s long, slim legs swung out. Highlights of robin red scattered off the top layer of hair. This was a high-end dye job, no home job for her. Long slim neck supported an oval face. Almond shaped eyes hinted at an Asian background. High cheekbones accented a slim nose and full lips. Thin-strapped black open toed shoes easily stepped past the weeds. 33

Frantically Ahbree shouted over her shoulder, "Where have you been?"34

Sunsaray remained silent as she glided to Ahbree’s side. Ebony hair hung past her waist. Manicured nails blended perfectly with her tailored scarlet pantsuit, as Sunsaray laid her hands on her hips.35

Dugan had been very quiet through out Ahbree and Kale's conversation. I looked down to where I had last seen him. All that was by my feet were loose stones from the broken asphalt. Without moving my head, for fear of letting Ahbree, know that I was worried. I searched for him. Dugan was nowhere in front of us. I sighed with relief. At least one of us would get out of here alive. I wasn't so sure Kale or I would.36

Sunsaray stood muscles tense, watching us, as if waiting for one of us to make a move. Finally satisfied that we were suitably detained she spoke. "You've done well, Ahbree."37

I could just see Sunsaray patting Ahbree's head, like a puppy that had learned a new trick. She turned back to us and crossed her arms, taking a defensively closed stance, feet apart. "Now, what to do about you two?" 38

Here I was confused. Didn't they already have a plan? Beside me, Kale shifted and balled up his fist as he tensed even more. "Don't you already have an idea?" Kale asked through clenched teeth. 39

Sunsaray shifted her eyes from Kale's face to mine before answering. "For her we did. You," she looked back to him, her face softening, "weren't supposed to be here. Too bad really, you were good at what you did. You'll be hard to replace."40

I'd had enough. I still did not understand what was happening. Why this was happening to me? To us? I wanted answers. If I was to die, then I deserved those answers.41

"Then let him go. Obviously it's me you want. So let Kale go." I wasn't sure what I was more afraid of, me dying or watching Kale die and knowing it was because of me. If I could get Kale out of here and get my answers I could die without regrets.42

"There is no way I'm leaving you here alone." He shot back with passion.43

Oh no he wasn't. Here I was trying to keep him alive and he was going to argue with me. "Yes you are. They only want me." I crossed my arms, letting him know I wasn't going to back down.44

"If you think for one minute I would or even could walk away, then you are more dense than I thought!"45

I wanted to hit him. Hit him for being so arrogant and for calling me dense, but most of all for being so damn honorable. I actually pulled my fist back to strike, when Sunsaray yelled, "Enough!"46

We both turned back to her, startled. "You fight like an old married couple." She shook her head, sending strands of hair sliding over her shoulders.47

I was shaking; I could feel boulders rolling around in my stomach, fighting for room. Sweat continued to rundown my hairline and it was traveling between my shoulder blades.48

"Why me? What have I ever done to you Sunsaray? I understand why Ahbree wants me gone, but you?" I shrugged. "I thought we were friends."49

She sneered at me with eyebrows drawn low over her eyes. "Friends? Yeah, we were friends, until you decided Closing wasn't good enough for you anymore."50

"Can I shoot her now?" Ahbree asked unexpectedly.51

"No!" shouted all three of us at the same moment.52

"What do you mean?" I was truly baffled. 53

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. When did you apply for it?" Sunsaray asked, her voice rising with every word. In every word anger radiated out from her.54

"Apply for what? What are you talking about?"55

Kale edged slowly closer. I could feel his heat. He was so close and I wanted to grab his hand. At the same moment I wanted to push him away from the danger. He was being very stubborn.56

Sunsaray flung her arms out and yelled, “My job! My job, you little bitch! You want my job! And in two weeks you have it. I have my letter of demotion today. I'm to report for Closer retraining in two weeks."57

I almost fell over with surprise. I still had no idea what was happening.58

"What would give you the idea that I wanted your job?"59

Her hands went back to her hips, and her foot tapped like she was getting impatient with me. "Talk at the Call Center. Those girls can't keep a secret."60

"Sunsaray," whispered Ahbree. I noticed her hands were shaking.61

"What?" snapped Sunsaray.62

"Umm…I'm getting tired. Can we finish this?" she asked.63

Sunsaray smiled at that. She looked evil with her teeth bared like a rabid dog.64

I was no longer surprised, now I was starting to panic. If I didn't find a way to stop them, Kale and I would die. I couldn't let that happen. I had realized finally, that this past year I'd just been going through the motions. I hadn't been living and I certainly wasn't happy.65

I'd been happy with Kale. I guess that happiness had scared me. No, I didn't guess I knew it had scared me and that’s why I had left. Being happy sure didn't scare me now. Dying without telling Kale how I really felt scared me now.66

We had to get out of this, so I could tell him.67

Time was running out. As the sun raised higher in the sky the odds that someone would come to the back lot was rising. They either had to deal with us now or take us somewhere else to deal with later. I was hoping for the latter. That way maybe we could find a way to get out of this.68

"I'm done talking about this. We end it here." Sunsaray exclaimed, thrusting her finger down towards the earth to make her point. "Turn around." I looked at Kale my eyes wide with fear. This was not the way I wanted my life to go or to end. Kale nodded and I gave him a weak smile as we turned around.69

"Good, now drop to your knees!" She demanded.70

Kale started to turn towards them," Uh-huh, no you don't." Ahbree shook the gun at him.71

"You really don't want to do this Sunsaray." When she said nothing, he turned to Ahbree. "Honey, why are you doing this? This isn't you. Just drop the gun and all will be forgotten and forgiven."72

Ahbree had started shaking her head as Kale talked. Faster and faster her head shook, as she denied his words. Her chestnut hair whipped against her cheeks. "Ahbree, listen to me," he pleaded. "Let Raisa go, we can be together then."73

"Shut-up, Kale!" yelled Sunsaray. 74

"Listen to me. Stop Sunsaray. Help me, please Ahbree."75

"Don't listen to him, Ahbree. He betrayed you. He ran to Raisa’s side. Leaving you like an old rag."76

Ahbree had closed her eyes, gun still trained on us. "Shut up, all of you."77

She opened her eyes. Tears had gathered and threatened to fall. "I'm sorry, Kale," she whispered.78

Kale hung his head and turned again, defeated. I watched, as his determined look faded into hopelessly. I smiled sadly, knowing he tried his best. I hadn't given up. Not only had my feeling for Kale come to the forefront, but also my strength that all will turn out right had expanded. And with that, Dugan was with me.79

That sneaky, devious canine hadn't left us to die. He had simply hidden himself. I noticed him belly crawling under Sunsaray's car. Golden highlights reflected the sun, when the rays hit him.80

That gave me hope. This stray dog, that had attached himself to me, had not left me. Dugan had not betrayed me in my hour of need. Now, I just hoped he knew what to do81

I looked at Kale as we lowered ourselves to the ground. The asphalt bit into my knees, but I wasn't going to let it distract me. Kale glanced my way and I winked, then mouthed Dugan.82

He nodded once in understanding. "Hands behind your head, if you please." Requested Sunsaray. "Slowly."83

Out of nowhere a growl broke the silence that had descended. It grew into a snarl as Ahbree yelped in pain.84

At this moment, both Kale and I burst into action. He went after Ahbree, helping Dugan disarm her.85

Sunsaray stood shocked. Her olive complexion was drained of color. It looked as if she was trying to find a way to jump in the action. I grabbed her shoulder to spin her around. She stumbled as I caught her off guard, but she recovered quickly. Sunsaray swung at my head. I narrowly missed getting a mouthful of knuckles.86

I kicked out my foot and connected with her knee, causing her leg to buckle and throwing her to the ground. I grabbed her hair at the base of her neck and threw a right-handed punch to her face. Twice more I punched her down, until a shot from Ahbree’s gun resonded in the air.87

I stopped mid punch and stared at him. My left-hand still intwined in Sunsaray's hair.88

"You are done? Let her go Raisa." Kale had the gun pointed at Sunsaray and Ahbree was on her knees with her arms behind her head. To the outsider observer it looked like Kale's left hand was resting casually on her hands, but I knew better. "Step away, Raisa, please."89

"Kale," I hesitated, the worry was clear in my tone." Kale, what are you planning?"90

Kale's eyes darted to mine. "I want this ended now. Think about it, Raisa. Think about all they've done. The killing at the safe house, you running, and me running. If I ended it here, maybe it won't happen again."91

"You're wrong, Kale." I hadn't let go of Sunsaray's hair yet. I could smell the cherry blossoms of her shampoo. "You'll be like them, Kale. You'll be stooping to their level. Pain is all you'll be giving out. No lessons learned, no consequences."92

"But they hurt you." His face looked broken, like he felt responsible for what they did.93

"Yes, but I'll get over it." I looked at Sunsaray kneeling below me. "You get over by Ahbree."94

I walked to Kale and slid the gun from his grasp. The handle felt hot and sweaty. I held it with both hands, so it wouldn't slip down. "Call Agent 6123."95

Kale's eyebrows rose. "How do you know the highest agent in the Company?"96

"Don't ask. That's a whole other story." I laughed.97