𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 ~ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

𝐀 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬

My body trembled as I stood in front of Topper's house, clutching a box of matches tightly in my hand. I never felt at home back at Tannyhill, the Chateau was the first time I experienced that. And now, it was gone.

I opened the matchbox and struck a match, tears streaming down my cheeks. Touching the flame the other matches, I ignited the whole box. The light illuminated my tear-stained face and I found myself staring at it with a clenched jaw, lost in my thoughts.

"Fuck," I muttered, trying to fight off my overwhelming emotions.

I tossed the box onto the concrete and stomped out the flames. I knew I couldn't let my emotions control me. It was hard to resist the temptation, especially with the anger boiling inside me, but I knew giving in would only bring more unneeded trouble.

I wiped away the remaining tears and turned away from Topper's house, determined to get back to the airstrip before my friends left.

As I walked, the distinct sound of a motorcycle approached from behind. I tried not to think too much of it, but the sound of the engine pulling up beside me caused me to stop. It was Rafe.

"A! Holy shit!" He exclaimed.

"Rafe, I'm not in the mood for your bullshit right now, okay?!" I huffed.

"Aspyn, listen to me! I'm not here to start shit, okay?" Rafe said firmly. "I just- I saw you walking and thought...look, I need help!"

"Why the fuck would I help you?" I said coldly, turning to walk away from him.

He grabbed my arm, stopping me. "Look, I...I did something really bad and I need help to fix it. You're the only person that'll help me and when I saw you walking I knew I had to ask!" His tone was urgent and he seemed panicked.

"Rafe, what the hell did you do?" I questioned, almost scared to ask.

"I...I fucked up, okay?!" He told me, his voice breaking. "I asked Barry to...to hurt dad,"

"You did what?!"

"I wanted dad dead, okay?! I gave Barry money to do it, but then I changed my mind. I told him I didn't want it done but he already got another guy and now...now I have to save dad but I don't know if I can do it alone!"

I was completely shocked. "You...You put a hit on Ward?!"

"Yes, okay?!" He yelled. "Now help me fix it!"

I clenched my jaw. "Give me your phone and let me call Sarah,"

"What?"

"Give me your phone and let me call Sarah," I repeated. "I have somewhere to be, and she needs to know why I won't be there right away. Plus, I don't trust you and frankly, I don't want to be alone with you without someone knowing,"

"Aspyn, I don't have time for-"

"Give me the phone and I'll help you," I said firmly.

"God, okay, fine!" He huffed, taking it out of his pocket and handing it to me. "Make it quick!"

After putting in her number, I held the phone to my ear listening to it ring. Voicemail. Once again, I called. Nothing. By the third try, I heard Sarah's voice on the other end.

"What the hell do you want?" She huffed.

"Sarah, it's me. Hey" I told her

"Aspyn? Why do you have Rafe's phone?"

"I'll explain later. Are Kie and JJ there yet?"

"JJ came for like two minutes then left to find Kie,"