The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}

The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}30

Chapter 30
Another Close Call- “It’s the only way.”

I was being forced up against a wall as Meghann was heavily leaning on me. Darkness surrounded us as there were no lights. Meghann was so close that I could actually smell her shampoo, I could smell the expensive perfume she was wearing, but more importantly, I could smell the fear and determination present in her.

The next few minutes would determine all.

And then, out of nowhere, catching us completely off guard, the door suddenly opened, revealing the hideous man that called himself Meghann’s stepfather.

Before I could react or even bring my thoughts together, Meghann threw the pot she had in her hands, directly aimed at his head.

In a split second, the pot hit him, instantly smashing on the side of his face. Soil went everywhere, as did bits from the pot. He went down with a thump, leaving the door wide open for our escape.

We didn’t have long to react before we were racing through the gap in the door. Meghann raced ahead of me but I impulsively stopped and turned back to quickly shut the door firmly before running after Meghann.

The next few moments went in a haze as I somehow caught up to Meghann and we ran like there was no tomorrow.

I don’t really remember much else of what happened. I just have small, clumps of memories. I slightly remember coming to a stop with Meghann as many people stood to look at us. I remember seeing flashes of each person’s face. Some looked shocked, some afraid and others confused. And after that, after seeing teachers running at us, I passed out just as they reached us. I’m fairly sure Meghann passed out long before I did.

I’m not sure if the lack of memory, passing out and confusion was due to the drugs or because of the experience itself. Either way, it was a huge mess.

When I woke up, I remembered feeling more refreshed and my brain didn’t seem clouded anymore. It was déjà vu. I had experienced waking up to the unknown many a times. You would expect it to get better, for me to get used to it or to learn my lesson for the very least. I can’t express how wrong those assumptions really are.

I opened my eyes, cringing at the light as I slowly sat up.

‘You’re awake,’ I hear a familiar voice say as I look to the side and realised Meghann was sitting at the edge of her bed, feet dangling from where I now observed to be the clinic.

‘Y-yeah,’ I said, coughing unexpectedly as I tried to wipe the sleep from my eyes.

‘Before you ask, we’ve only been out an hour or two. I was awake before you woke up, when everyone was here, police included. You never told me how intense they can be. Lucky for you, you were asleep but they said they’ll be back, after all, they have to formally question us and stuff.’ Meghann said, biting on her lip nervously.

‘That I can deal with but you- Meghann, are you okay? I mean, physically as well as mentally. That must have been hard for you, seeing the man that…killed your mother like that.’ I questioned.

Meghann smiled softly as she locked eyes with me.

‘Me, you’re worried about me? I thought you would be angry, after all, it was my fault you were involved, Avery.’ She sounded exasperated as she spoke.

‘Meghann, no, don’t even think about that. I’m fine, your fine, that’s all that should matter. I could never be angry with you; it wasn’t even your fault. It as his, he’s the one that came after you. Speaking of, did the police catch him?’

Meghann’s face strained before she momentarily spoke.

‘N-no…there was no trace of him. That’s what I wanted to tell you…the police? They want to watch us to make sure he doesn’t come back for either one of us. They’re putting a restraining order on him from the two of us. With that, they’re also going to be monitoring the school and we may also be restricted in leaving the school grounds because of it, considering he’s still out there. But I think they said we may leave as long as they’re able to keep a close eye on us. But I remember them saying that it’s only for our good and if he doesn’t show up within the first few weeks, they would loosen their hold on us. But don’t worry, Avery, they’ve got a lot of police out there looking for him.’

It took me a while to take it all in.

‘…okay. Hey, Meghann, don’t look so concerned and worried. I see it all over your face; the police will catch him. It’s their job.’

She smiled sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

‘You don’t get it, do you, Avery? The police are nothing compared to him. We’re basically defenceless. He slipped through their fingers once, he’ll more than likely do it again. He’s a slick son of a bitch, damn it and he’s a psychopath, you saw with your own eyes. Nobody is safe, least of all the two of us. He’ll be back, he will, and when he does, it will only be to finish off the job. I’ll be gone, Avery, but that’s okay. There’s no way I’m getting out of this, I know him and I know what he’s like. He’s a determined, stubborn sick psychopath. But you? You still have a chance. It’s not too late to get away, Avery.  You’ve already been through so much, you don’t need this. Just stay away from me and you’ll have your life, I guarantee it. I’d hand myself over to him before he got the chance to hurt you again. I’m sorry, but it’s the only way.’ Meghann concluded, ignoring my gaze before jumping off the bed and walking out, leaving me gazing after her.

She couldn’t be serious, could she? To just walk out of my life in order to guarantee my safety? That was completely nuts. But her words, her tone, her expression. None of it was Meghann, I almost couldn’t recognise her.

For now, I was going to just sit and wait, but when all this was taken care of, the police interview and all. Then I’ll have to go after her, I’ll confront her and convince her stay. That’s what I thought, at least.

**

After the interviews, after the worried talks from friends and teachers, it was time to go back to the dorm, escaping from everyone’s questioning.

As I opened my door, I realised it wasn’t locked and someone was inside my dorm. I instantly froze, in fear that it was Meghann’s stepdad; something I clearly did not need right now.

‘Avery,’ they said as Cole enveloped me in a tight embrace.

After the long and meaningful hug, the many worried kisses; he sat me down on my bed as he looked at me with a mix of desperation but also gladness.

‘I…I don’t know how much longer I can do this, Avery. How many more times will you face Death before he consumes you? I won’t be able to handle that…living without you. We have our whole future ahead of us, I’m not prepared to lose you now. We’ve been through so much, but how much longer can you continue fighting and me worrying?’ he asked with his eyes glistening.

‘Cole- I’m fine, please just stop worrying about me. You’re only hurting yourself by doing so. Yes, I’ve come close to the edge many times, but I’ve survived it just as many. Okay, I may have a few emotional scars, but I’m alive. If it hurts you so much…maybe you should just leave. It would hurt me, but if it saved you a lot of pain, I could take it.’ I said maturely, looking him squarely in the eyes.

‘Oh, Avery, don’t be so stupid. If you leave, by god you better be ready for me to hunt you down and make you stay. I can deal with the pain; I just can’t deal with losing you.’ He smiled softly before leaning over and pecking me on the cheek.

He leaned back and a comfortable silence enveloped us.

‘Let’s just take a moment to realise how far we’ve come. Do you remember my first day? Do you remember when you went into my storeroom and you spilt the music sheets everywhere?’ Cole laughs before continuing. ‘Do you remember the secretive kisses, the fear of getting caught? When you kissed me under the frangipani bushes? Everything. I loved you from the beginning, Avery. I even loved you when I found you intoxicated and took you up to my room where you blurted everything to me, where I kissed you… Do you know how many restless nights I spent thinking about you when Corbin had kidnapped you? How much effort I put into making sure you were okay? Then the beach, how could one possibly forget the beach? When Kimberly was still considered to be the bad guy and you ran away after finding out about the relationship between the two of you. Priceless moments, filled with pain, filled with regret and sorrow but also filled with love and joy. I’m so glad I met you, Avery Blake. You’ve captured me, you’ve put me under your spell.’

With tears spilling from my eyes, Cole wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him. The next few hours spent with him were one of the best few hours of my life.