Tigress
(Shortened)
I glance around me again. Sirens scream in the distance. The roof seems to tremble underneath me. The fire roars behind me. I can still hear that snickering laugh. It rings through the urgant cloud obscuring my thoughts. The flames lick closer. They illuminate the darkness, not in a welcome way but like the eyes of a beast. Underneath me, water reflects the dangerous claws. Only one escape. I back up, until the flames ravage my legs. One foot after the other. I race to the edge. I close my eyes and jump.
I whipped my head around. An old door on my left was cracked open. I rammed my shoulder into it. It fell down, taking me with it. Wood splinters scattered across the floor. Pain flashed through my shoulder. I pulled myself up and wiped wood dust from my black jeans. The warehouse was as large as it was empty. The chilly concert pressed into my already cold feet. I found a corner farthest from the door, and piled wood scraps there. Outside, I found a large dumpster. I rummaged through until I had a large pile of cleanish paper. I lined the wood pile with the scraps. In the bottom of the bin, I found two tattered blankets, and tossed those on too. A little more digging produced food scraps and old clothing. The clothes weren’t worn. They must have outlived the enjoyment of their owner. Most were two small or too large. I hid the big ones away, knowing that I would find a use for them later, and laid the small ones in my nest. I settled down, just as darkness set in with deathly silence. Out of my pocket I pulled the wrinkled papers. A piece and paper was all it had taken to turn my life upside down. A candle, found still in the box, casts enough light to see. I hadn’t been abandoned. My parents were murdered. It was there in black and white. Maybe they had loved me, but I would never know. All I had left was this scrap of paper that said they hadn’t left me on the street like I had been told. Unresolved case was written at the bottom corner. I would never know my parents, but I could know what happened to them.
“Claire.” Issac shakes my shoulder.
I bat at his hand. “Go away.”
“I found your mystery stalker.”
I bolt up right. The rickety cot bounces beneath me. I hold back a groan. It’s much more comfortable than the wood nest. I remind myself, shivering at the memory of my first months in this place. Yet another thing I have Issac to thank for. He shakes his head, and leads me to his makeshift equipment. I would never tell it to his face, but I wouldn’t be able to do this without him, any of it. I lean over his shoulder as the profile pops up.
“Andrew Wellington.” I murmur, glancing over the combined information.
“It gets better.” Issac promises, as he loads another tab. “I did some digging into the Wellingtons. Turns out they’re a wealthy famiing dating back to colonial times, but that’s not the interesting part. They had a long standing feud with the Johnson’s. Andrew’s grandparents were robbed of over half their fortune, at the same time that the Johnson’s technology company’s stock skyrocketed, making them ridiculously rich.”
“Could those be connected?” I ask.
“They are. The stock’s rose, after an anonymous person bought a large part of the company. “
“You think that money came from the Wellington’s?”
“I think it was stolen from the Wellington’s.”
I nod. The pieces fit, but where do I?
“Wait. Why would Andrew be after me?” My core tightens. My body recoils. All of me fears the answer.
“He thinks you’re the heir to the Johnson fortune.” He loads a page.
I glance over the dates. My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. I stare. After a few seconds, I regain control. I drat away.
“Where are you going?” Issac calls.
I hold my makeshift suit up. “To find Andrew.”
The chase proved to be more complicated than I had expected. But at last I tracked him down. Actually, he found me. A note was pinned over my bed while I slept. All it contained were coordinates, a date and a time.
I should have known better. My feet trum on the stairs. All the signs had been there. It was all too obvious. Why didn’t I see it? Fire licks at my heels, driving me on. I burst onto the roof and forward. I skid to a stop at the edge. Flames dance only feet behind me. My eyes dart around. There’s no fire escape. No! I glance around a second time and then a third. Sirens echo in the distance. They won’t make it in time. The building shakes beneath me. Light reflections catch my eye.
“Issac?” I call.
Nothing, the comms must be down. I’m on my own. I step back, until the heat is unbearable. I take a deep breath, and run. I close my eyes and hurl myself over the roof edge. Not a second too late, either. The flames must have reached the gas lines. The building’s base explodes, and the entire structure fails. The air whips through my hair. Is this the end? Probably. I know the truth. I remind myself. If I die, I die knowing who I really am. I hit the water. The cold encloses me in it’s grasp. Blackness slips in from every corner. no. No. No! I force my eyes open. The water stings my eyes, but I keep them open anyway. Golden lights licks at the water’s surface. I orient myself, and swim to the dangerous reflection. My hand breaks the surface. I thrash helplessly. A hand grabs my wrist. I’m dragged ashore. I collapse, gasping.
Click.
I look up at a pistol barrel. Behind it, stand Andrew. His dark hair lays plastered to his head. Green eyes look into mine. He was the one who saved me.
“Any last words?” His finger tightens on the trigger.
I nod. I have no noble words, like a hero, only the selfish words of a girl.
“I love you.”
The bang never comes.
