Trigger - Part 1

CHAPTER 4 - I Did What I Had To

"What happened?" I ask seeing Shane leaning against the doorframe.
"You blacked-out."

"I've been doing that a lot, haven't I?"
Shane nods with a worried look.
"Look, about last night." He walks towards me, sitting himself while taking my hand, wrapping it firmly in his.

"I did what I had to do but it's no excuse for treating you the way I did... I am sorry, I should have handled it better." His face looking pained he clears his throat and continues.
"I've made breakfast; once we are done I'll tell you everything you want to know."

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•
•

My feet rest on a stool enjoying the breeze gliding through my hair, I breathe in deeply and my stomach extends feeling satisfied.

"How did you make the waffles so crispy on the outside?" I drop my head towards Shane.

"My mother used to be a chef." He leans back into his chair looking confused. "Is that really your first question?"

"No, I was just wondering - Never mind... Okay so where are we exactly?" I sit upright folding my legs, readying myself to jump right into all the Q&A's.
"A safe house." Closing his eyes, he folds his arms across his chest.

"Safe house? Where is this exactly?"
"Next."

Starting to feel agitated I stand up.
"Sit!" Eyes still shut he lifts his hand pointing his finger down.
"Then answer all my questions." I say taking my seat.
"A few hours outside town, I don't know the exact address."

"Hm. So why did you kill those men?"
"I didn't kill them."
"How can you be so sure? I saw them just lying there."
"I didn't kill them, Sage. They are with the other detectives as we speak. "

"Oh, I just thought... Hm Okay, who are they, why did you just shoot?"
"They are being questioned."
"Why, who are they?"

"Dangerous men."
"Dangerous men? Shane, what is going on?"
His chest lifts.

Clearly he is uncomfortable.

"They are with Nikolai."
"Nikolai! How do you know that?"
"I had a run in with two of them before."
"Okay... but Nikolai thinks I am dead and I'm sure his men think that too. Why go all crazy like that and just shoot them?"

"They were asking questions, and had a photo of you going around seeing if people saw you. I noticed who they were and I didn't take any chances."
"But I thought he was made to believe I died because of the accident? Why were they at the diner asking about me? "
"We'll only know that once they finish the interrogation."

"Does Nikolai know I'm alive?"
"That's enough questions for today."
"For today? How long are you planning on keeping me here Shane, I thought I was going to start a new life."
"As long as it takes." Shane gets up and passes me to go inside.

"WHAT! Shane, you can't do this to me!" I rush after him and my body crunches into one as I slam against him. He stands firm, slowly his head dips as he looks over his shoulder.

"DON'T!" his voice shakes as I notice his knuckles turning white. He walks towards the dining room keeping his composure from cracking.

What is this guy's problem?
I probably shouldn't.
No.

I'm done playing games...
What if he gets really angry?
No.

This ends now!
You're the one who should be angry.

I push my thoughts back, determined to know what he is keeping secret and leap after him. The table's glass rattles as I concentrate all my frustration towards my hands.

Not even a flinch? -

"SHANE!" my throat burns, feeling like my lungs crept up. My brain strains under my thoughts trying to process what I just did.

Shane's rage leaves me standing paralyzed, watching the impact between the table and wall. An eerie silence breaks the shattering echo forcing Shane to fall on his knees. Instead of anger I was met with pain swimming in his eyes.

"Shane... I..." One foot at a time I step towards him and lower myself. My hands shake lifting his head until my eyes are directly in front of his.

"We received a tip off that Nikolai suspects that you are still alive. Last night was supposed to be the transfer window to relocate you to another facility for safety. What happened last night wasn't supposed to happen. I don't know how they found you but it has given us an opportunity to get answers from his men. I am just sorry it almost cost you your safety." His hands force mine from his face, pushing them into my lap.

"Shane, I don't understand."
"The rest of the information you want is in a file on my laptop. Before I show it to you, just understand one thing please... I did what I had to." Without giving anything he just said much though I pull him from the floor, hand in hand I lead the way. His hold slips as we approach the bedroom door.

"Devan... The folder's name..."
"Aren't you going to come in?" I tug his hand slightly expecting him to fix his hold; instead he squeezes slightly before letting go.

"I did what I had to."