Crystallized Truth

Chapter 13 - New Ways

They couldn't afford to alert the stalker.

"We can handle it without them," Amelia sulked as Ava knocked on the door.

"Superiority ain't the solution. Keep the ego at bay," Ava whispered as she waited for boys to open the door. Her insides were anxious but she was successful keeping the calmness on her face.

"Don't tell me this is for your new sweetheart," Amelia said horrified.

Ava ignored the grumblings of Amelia and stood up straight when she heard the door unlatching.

"Hello there, Ethan," Ava said with a huge smile and entered in the suite, ignoring the boggled Ethan.

Archie and Ashley were sitting in hall, watching the movie in ease. She was terrified and here they were enjoying. Ava rolled her eyes as she walked in the hall disturbing their movie.

"What the freak?" Ashley muttered standing up.

"Nice to see you too, Ash," Ava said and slumped beside Archie. She was bone tired and the stalker had to wake her up.

"What's the matter?" Archie asked, sitting up straight and looking at her and Amelia who entered with Ethan.

"Now our nights are intruded too," Ashley groaned.

"Exactly, Ash," Ava said with a nod. She knew he was talking about them, the girls, and not about the kidnapper but it didn't matter. Their feelings were mutual.

Besides, Ashley confused expression were a treat.

"Why are we even here? We can do better than this shit-heads, Ava." Amelia roared staring Ashley sharply.

"What did you say?" Ashley said with incredulity.

Ava slapped her forehead. These two just needed a second to pounce on each other.

"Calm down, my heroine," Ava stood up and made Amelia sat beside her.

"You too, hero," Ava said flashing a look to Ashley who looked away and stood at distance opposite to Ethan.

"Now listen to me," Ava said making eye contact with each of the person so to be sure no one would interrupt her.

"We are being stalked and no, I'm not making assumptions," Ava said making eye contact with Amelia, silently assuring her that this time she was right.

"I felt the presence in the morning and even saw a strange looking man lurking at distance. I brushed it off until sometime back, I actually saw a person in the darkness. He didn't attack which clearly means he is simply finding opportunity to attack when alone and vulnerable. More precisely, drunk or sleeping or whatever." Ava explained, laying her cards slowly and carefully so they got the real meaning.

Silence had fallen in the hall. Ava looked at every face waiting for anyone to catch her words. Amelia was being grumpy, Archie was thoughtful and Ethan had dropped his head as if lost in some other world.

She was expecting them to understand. But none was showing that point yet.

Her eyes stopped at Ashley and she noticed the recognition on her face.

Finally.

Ashley looked at her as if questioning her silently and she nodded in answer.

"Kidnappers are hitting back," Ashley stated.

"We slept together yesterday so there was no issue but tonight they got the opportunity," Ava ended darkly.

It was becoming a serious issue and the real mess were they knew nothing about the attackers. Neither their identity nor their intention.