Chapter Thirty-Four
Parker's P.O.V
There was one thing I could no longer stand to endure anymore of, and that was drama. It seemed that wherever Flora and I dared move, some massive complication would follow in wild pursuit. At times it would temporarily back off, lulling us into this false sense of security that things might have quietened down again, and then the drama hit us once more with a vengeance. At least in previous situations it had always been within my power to do something about it. To give my all into making things okay again. In this small sterile white room with its locked door, rickety table and police officer for company, there wasn't a thing I was capable of changing. External forces would run their course and there was nothing I could do to end or slow any of them. Flora, wherever she was out there, was completely on her own.
"You need to send someone out there. Get someone to look for her- something!" I banged my fist against the table top knowing my hundredth request was yet again falling upon deaf ears. The cuffs hadn't long been taken off me. My wrists had endured entrapment for a few hours or so whilst I recounted the events I'd initially come to make a statement about but I had no idea whether I'd missed vital details in the tale. It came as a given that I would be somewhat distracted by the suggestion Flora's life might be in jeopardy according to Ian's parting words. He was in the room adjacent to mine, I was told. If I believed I could eventually take down the brick wall that separated us from one another without seriously injuring myself or failing, I'd have been attempting to do so for the past hour. The door was heavily guarded, but if Officer Miller refused to let me leave soon or even bother sending out a search party, the door might be my only alternative. "You can't- you can't just wait until she dies!"
"Son," He looked weary. He had absolutely no right to feel that way. "Don't you see that he was most likely trying to get in your head? Mess with it? The man's done awful things. You've caught him, finally trapped the beast, and now he's lashing out at you and finding ways to hurt you when he's not around. There's no proof that she's been hurt. No call from either of the Montgomery's, or any neighbours for that matter to report on any disturbances. The only call we've received tonight has been about the car that your friends claim Ian to have crashed. It went up in flames down Kent Drive after hitting the lamppost. A few of my men have been dispatched and the fire brigade called. Other than that it's been radio silence."
"You don't understand," I laughed though it lacked any amusement. Officer Miller was hopelessly gesturing for me to sit down on the chair provided but I hadn't touched it, too busy pacing. "I know him. He's done something. He gave me that superior look he does when he's done shit you had no idea he was up to. He plans stuff for every possibility. Has about a million escape routes and ways to get back at people. I'm telling you right now: Flora. Needs. Our. Help."
He sighed. "You claim to know him so well and yet he wasn't the man he claimed to be at all. He was someone else entirely. You may know one side to him, but as it's been proven, the man can act and has more sides to him than a dodecagon. After we've fully discussed why you came here to begin with, only then will we call in the Montgomerys. We're talking about the most serious crimes that have ever been brought to light in this town of ours. A place where scarcely anything illegal happens despite it being America. To be frank, we don't have enough rooms to hold you all in if the Montgomerys join the party just now. We talk through this thoroughly, and once a plan of action has been constructed and we're closer to a more reasonable hour of the morning, that's when we'll call. Until then I suggest you sit tight and answer the questions. The faster you do it, the faster we'll call."
"But-"
"But nothing. One of the reasons you can't go running off to save someone that doesn't need to be saved is your familiarity with Ian. You, Parker, have seriously broken the law as well. Did you realise how much trouble that'd get you in when you came here?"
"Of course I did! I'm not an idiot. We all came to confess about what we'd done. We're doing what's right. That's why we're refusing to go to hospital right now for our injuries, because things need to be sorted out and said before Ian can butt in again. Flora is in immediate danger and it's time we come clean about everything." My hands found their way to my hair, tugging it by the roots. There was something about the sudden pain of something physical that could sharpen my senses, help me focus. "And I know you don't think she's in danger at this exact moment because we've brought Ian to you, but that doesn't mean he didn't do something before he got here. They share the same house-"
"We come down harshly on those who break the law," Interrupted Officer Miller. He was nothing like his gangly nephew at reception. He was broad and sturdily built. A short man with a thick head of salt and pepper hair and a face that had frowned so often that there were deep grooves embedded on his skin despite the fact he had probably just reached his forties. Though I hated to admit it, he was fairly intimidating. I didn't like feeling intimidated. "Especially here. In a community minded place that has a smaller police force than most other towns, when serious crimes are committed we are put with the task of ensuring the public feel safe. That despite our size, we can protect them and stamp out those who might influence or encourage others. As the Chief of the police department here, I feel it particularly my responsibility to see it through. Now as you've confessed, this will undoubtedly help all of your cases, but that does by no means make me trust your word. Your face was familiar around here long before today, and I have no doubt it will be long after. Flora's father was a friend of mine, a colleague. I always knew there was something off about his disappearance, but when his wife received that odd farewell email she insisted we stop wasting our time. That he must have regretted their fairly recent marriage and had fled. Now you tell me it was murder, provide us with a recorded confession and deliver the very man to our doorstep. For that I am beyond grateful. Truly. But Parker Heywood, that does not mean you may command me to do anything with my team. It does not mean you tell me who and who is not in danger. Most importantly, it does not mean you get out of this unscathed. We will sort this out on our own terms, and you will be staying here until I tell you otherwise. Do you understand?"
I opened my mouth, shut it again. What did you say to something like that? Agreeing seemed like the best way to go, but everything in me screamed that I had to make him understand. Had to convert him to my way of thinking. Convince him that Flora needed immediate assistance. "I-"
I was saved from answering as the door flew open. The handle whacked loudly as it connected with the wall behind it. Standing in the doorway was Officer Miller's nephew, and saying he looked shaken was an understatement. After a few hours of Ian's confinement, I would've thought he'd have calmed down by now. I'd said he was unfit for the job out of anger and impatience - he'd just been moving so slowly - but if he was still a bundle of nerves after everything was calming down then perhaps I'd been right.
Then I noticed the phone clutched in his hand.
"What are you doing down here?" Officer Miller hissed as he got to his feet. I couldn't help feeling a little bad for his nephew under that intimidating gaze. He already looked scared enough to lose control of his bladder, never mind being faced with his uncle's anger. "I told you to stay out front. To do your job."
"But- but you said to come here if it was an emergency." He stuttered, eyes still as wide as saucers. He glanced furtively at me before looking back to his uncle.
"Yes. I also specified that you go straight to Officer McLean if any such case occurred. He is more than capable of grouping together a few men and handling whatever minor situation it is on his own. He does not need my consent, I trust him. I suggest you listen to my full instruction rather than just part of it next time or you might find yourself without a job, Ben."
"But uncle James- I mean Officer Miller, I did listen to you. I told McLean that Mrs Montgomery called and asked for help but he said to take it straight to you because you wanted to take control of all aspects of this important case." He said the last part as if he were a child reciting a message that he'd been entrusted with to pass along. In some ways that's what he was. "So I just thought-"
"Out!" Officer Miller was striding to the door, ushering his nephew out. "We don't talk about this in front of those in question. Out, out!"
"Mrs Montgomery? Flora's mum is calling for help? I told you! I told you they were in trouble and you didn't listen-"
He was loosening his tie as if it were suddenly choking him, unable to meet my eye. "Ben, move." He pushed his newphew the rest of the way out of the door and clicked it shut behind him.
"Can I tell you now?" Ben asked tentatively. I had my ear pressed against the door and the conversation was only just audible.
"Yes," Said Officer Miller rather exasperatedly. "Immediately."
"She called for help. She said that her boyfriend, Mr Ian Greene, had gone crazy. He hit her over the head a few hours ago and tied her to the bed so that she couldn't intervene when he took her daughter, Flora Montgomery. Flora's phone isn't with her and she has no idea where either are. She eventually untied herself and she's making her way here as we speak. I told her we had Ian in custody but not her daughter."
"Good grief..."
"GOOD GRIEF INDEED!" I yelled, unable to help myself. I slammed my fist against the door that had once again been locked. I bet he wished he'd left me cuffed. "YOU NEED TO FIND FLORA NOW."
The mumblings that preceded my shouts were muted and gradually faded away completely until there was only silence for company.
I was here. Skylar was here. Axel was here. Matthew, Topher, Hayden. Soon her mother would be here... Who was left out there to search for Flora? Who was there that could possibly help? I'd long lost my faith in the police. It had only ever been me getting in trouble when behind my back Ian loomed, forever there committing unlawful acts and always, always, always unharmed, uncaught, unaffected. The police wouldn't find her and certainly none of her friends would seeing as they were all confined to this building. The only hope Flora had was finding a way out herself. The question was: was she strong enough?
Flora's P.O.V
I'd never much fancied the thought of going places in my pyjamas. I'd seen it often enough in films, and in real life come to think of it, with people going to their local grocery store in their dressing gown and colourfully striped bottoms. If they were really daring (Mrs Abélard who lived down the street was a true rebel and often did this when purchasing her weekly lemons) they might even opt for their slippers rather than shoes. Personally I didn't get it. Perhaps that was because my pyjamas consisted of an oversized shirt and a pair of unsightly baggy boxers. To leave my house I would in fact need to change into normal people pyjamas, and by that point didn't it defeat the whole lazy day purpose? I may as well have pulled on real clothes rather than other pyjamas that I found less comfortable. Anyway, my point was that I'd have never seriously considered leaving my house in what I truly wore to bed. Yet there I was, running down Madison Avenue convinced I could smell the burning skin of my exposed legs.
The sound of sirens filtered through the dark alleyways I'd been running down to reach me at a volume barely above a whisper. The fire brigade? I silently cursed them for not making it to the car sooner. My legs were red raw and covered in angry blisters, the flames I'd half-ran-half-jumped through feeling as though they'd fixed to my legs and travelled with me on my journey from the car to my house, and now from my house to the police station. I'd wanted to make sure my mother was alright but by the time I got there the sheet that had previously bound her hands was on the floor and there was no sign of her.
Thankfully scarcely anybody was about to witness the display I was putting on for the neighbourhood. Still in my boxer shorts and Parker's shirt (both of which now somewhat blackened and singed) without anything to protect my feet, I was certainly a sight for sore eyes. Though I couldn't help but wish Mrs Abélard would pop around the corner and lend me her slippers - at least then I'd look the part.
The sight of the the police station's car park came as a relief. Having had a father who worked there and then having him disappear, it was odd that the shabby building bring me any form of positivity. I was so used to associating this building with fear and sorrow that now as its flat square roof rose before me, I couldn't help but find it bizarre that I'd never seen anything more beautiful. Ian's demise would take place here and I would no longer need to run - both metaphorically and literally. I didn't know how much longer my legs were going to support me. Exhausted and injured - not a great combination.
Someone was in the car park. I couldn't discern any features from this distance other than a pair of broad shoulders, the build of a man. For a fleeting moment I thought it was Parker, had been about to cry his name in relief and increase my speed even if it meant eventually collapsing once I reached him, but it wasn't. There was, however, something familiar about the stranger. I slowed my run, came to a panting stop in front of him. "Help," I managed to choke. "Mum- not in house. Mrs Montgomery. Ian- Greene bad. Parker- here?"
The police man was forced to lean forward to hear my gasping words. Realisation was dawning on his features. "Yer the girl. Flora. Ah, that boy's been yappin' about you, he has. Mighty glad to see ya. We were about t' send a search party out. Glad yer safe 'n sound."
"You," I regained control of my breathing. "You're the guy that pulled Axel over months ago when he was speeding. Parker and I- we were in the back seat." His thick Scottish accent had been what helped me eventually place where I knew him from. An old woman had called the police after seeing Parker attempt to hug me once in public and I'd screamed at him not to touch me. We'd later been pulled over by the police which had resulted in my first visit to the station since my dad had been here. It felt like years ago now, so much had happened since then. "You brought us to the station."
"You remember, eh? I'm Officer McLean. Now the introduction's over let's have no more of this chitchattin'. We need t' get you inside. Yer mother's makin' an even bigger fuss than yer boy, Parker. I wouldn't have thought it possible."
"My- mum's here? Is she okay?" My knees buckled and McLean looped his arm around my back seemingly only just realising what a state I was in. "Is she safe? Where is Ian? Do you know who Ian is? H-Has Parker told you yet?"
"I think you'll find yer whole crew is here. Everyone's fine 'n dandy. You, I think, will need t' take a visit t' the A an' E. Legs are lookin' awfully sore." He pushed open the double doors and led us into the front of the station. The receptionist was new, it seemed. I didn't recognise him from my time spent here with my father and he hadn't been here on my visit to the station with Parker. He looked petrified, but when he saw me his eyes filled with an almost tangible relief. There was a woman shouting at him, and even though it was her back facing me I knew exactly who she was. "You'll need to tell us how ye got in this way-" Continued Officer McLean, either oblivious to or studiously ignoring the shrill shouts of my mother in front of us, but I didn't linger to here the rest of his sentence.
The receptionist was wildly gesturing behind my mother's back, telling her to calm down and to look, but she refused and proceed with her yelling. "I'm telling you, young man. If you don't let me back there and talk to that Parker boy, I will climb over that desk of yours and-"
I wrapped my arms around her torso from behind as tightly as I could. I didn't realise I was crying until the night shirt she wore began to feel damp underneath my cheek. She stiffened, and very slowly turned around.
"...Flora?" She questioned in disbelief.
I nodded vigorously, unable to speak with my arms still tightly wound around her, and then she was sobbing. Big, heart-wrenching sobs of sheer relief that I was here in the flesh and hugging her no less, something that I hadn't done in God knows how long. "I'm so sorry, mum. I- I'm so sorry I didn't tell you-"
She drew back from me at that, looked me dead in the eye. It was a serious gaze, hard despite the fact it was through a liquid wall of glistening tears. "I haven't been caught up on everything yet, but I've been caught up on enough. Why didn't you tell me, Flora? Oh my baby," And then I was crushed against her again. "My little girl," She cooed. "Oh my poor little girl. Don't ever be sorry for anything, I love you so much, Flora. A mother's love is unconditional. I will love you always, no matter what has happened."
"I love you too, mum." I said, and any little cracks that had fissured in the surface of the relationship my mother and I shared during the time Ian slept beneath our roof were filled to the brim with love once more. She would always be there for me, and so would Skylar. So would Parker. It didn't matter what had happened in the past, these people who I'd entangled my life with in the present were here for me and promised they'd never leave. And I believed them now. I believed them.
I don't know how long I let my mother smother me in affection that made up for the eight years of zero physical contact, but it was certainly a lengthy time. Out of the cold whipping winds of the winter weather outside, my legs had begun to heat up to an alarming level. My shins felt like they were baking in five hundred degree weather, as did my forearms. My mother noticed my discomfort and drew back.
"I- you're burnt. Baby, you're burnt. You need to be treated. I- your legs are badly burnt, Flora. How on earth did that happen? I'm a baker, I know a bad burn when I see one. Oh- just- What did Ian do?"
I rather hurriedly recounted events, aware that McLean was now very attentively listening when earlier he had not been. He jotted a few notes down, face grim, and offered to drive us both to the hospital after telling his boss about my arrival.
"Okay, but-"
"But ye want to see yer boy first? None of them wanted injuries treatin' either without you there." He cracked a grin. "Priorities, am I right?"
I glanced at my mother, nervous, then nodded my head. I couldn't read her expression. "If- If that's okay with my mum and those of you interrogating Parker, then yes, I'd really like to see him."
"I'll ask Officer Miller. You discuss it with yer mother an' I'll be back in a few."
I waited until he'd disappeared around the corner until I turned back to face my mother. She looked anxious and exhausted and I couldn't help but feel I mirrored the expression. "Mum, I know you hate him. I know you do. But it wasn't him that threw the brick at the window, it was Jason who was in league with Ian. Jason and Ian are the bad guys. They-"
She held up a hand. "Flora, I got a very brief summary of events. I know what Ian did to the real Doctor Ian Greene. I know what he di- what he did to your father... my E-Ethan," She blinked tears from her eyes furiously, staring at the wall. "I should have known he'd never leave like that. Especially on your birthday. It's just- we'd only been married a short while, and I already thought it a miracle that he wanted me. It didn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to figure he'd moved onto greener pastures. There was this very pretty colleague of his he always talked to, you see. She transferred to a different town's department and though he'd always said they were just friends, I couldn't help but wonder that he'd-" She broke off. "The email was just so vague. Just saying that he had left. That we should move on with our lives. I thought- but I shouldn't have. He loved us. He loved us both and I shouldn't have asked the police to stop searching."
"Mum," I blew my nose on the sleeve of my shirt - needs must, people - and tried to force down the growing lump in my throat. "I thought it was my fault. I thought that he left that night because- well, because of what he saw. I thought he was disgusted. I didn't want to tell you I was the reason he left. You were so upset, and I couldn't stand you being disgusted with me too-"
"Never," She shook her head, planted her hands on my shoulders. "Never ever think that." She kissed the crown of my head. "It's neither of our faults. What happened just happened. His work clashed with his personal life, and by trying to do the good thing, the right thing, it took him from us. Nobody is to blame here but Ian, and I am so incredibly sorry for bringing him into our home. For forcing you to- to have therapy sessions and tell him about what he did to you!" She was crying again.
"Mum," I said. "Neither of us knew it was him. I didn't know until recently. You know I'd never be against your happiness without good reason. I wanted you to move on from dad, I really did. You deserve all the happiness in the world, but just not with him."
"And you deserve happiness too, and I realise now I've deprived you it. If- if I have so terribly misjudged Ian's character then I don't see why I couldn't have done the same with Parker and his friends. I'll give him another chance, but sweetheart I hope you understand that I'll be keeping an extremely close eye on you. I couldn't stand anything like- anything bad happening again. If you're to be seeing this boy, I want it to be because he makes you happy and he makes you safe. That he doesn't hurt you or force you into anything. That- that you won't be going over to his house or out places with him just yet, that he can come to our house but you will keep the door open at all times and-"
I hugged my mother for the third time that day. "Thank you, mum. I swear you can trust him. He's not as bad as he seems."
She pursed her lips, nodded mutely, then raised her eyes to look at someone over my shoulder. "Officer McLean," She said. "My daughter is allowed to see him."
"Guess that's good 'cause I brought him up." He laughed. "Didn't get much of a choice about it, mind you. The boy can move fast despite the bloody foot." And then Parker was hurtling out from behind him and barrelling into me with open arms. I stumbled backward, wrappings my arms around his neck just before I toppled over.
"I didn't say it," I panted, and it was like I'd been running again. Like I hadn't stopped. Like I had only just finished running into the police station and was still incredibly short of breath, but that was just the affect Parker's skin had when in contact with mine. When we were put together it was exhilaration and excitement and adventure all rolled into one. "I didn't say it back, but I know now."
"Know what?" His forehead was pressed against mine hard enough to leave a bruise, hands on my waist pulling me as close as I could get. His eyes were drinking me in like he'd been parched, like he couldn't take in all of my face at once and had to keep shifting his gaze from each individual feature to memorise it, know it off by heart and keep it forever. It was a look of such desperation that gave me the guts to answer his question.
"That I love you, you complete and utter nugget. What the heck did you think I was going to say? That I know I'm certified crazy? Because I worked that out long before you arrived, young sir, and let me tell you-"
"Shut up."
His mouth was feverishly hot and his lips were chapped but beneath all that stress and fear that had undoubtedly been driving him stir crazy, he was the same Parker that I'd grown to realise I couldn't live without. The same one that could read how I felt in a single look; that created bubbles of space around me with his arms when people got too close for comfort; that shared his Twinkies with me despite the fact they were his favourite snack; that picked the marshmallows out of my Lucky Charms because I didn't like them and he would eat them all himself at once so they didn't annoy me in the packet; who would lend me his earphones only after removing the rubber pieces around the microphone because he knew my ears were in fact too small to have them on without having them fall out. He knew me, and I knew him. There was no other place for us to be but together, and I couldn't fathom a life where we weren't.
He drew back slightly to look at me. His eyes were half lidded and intently staring at my mouth, his own gaping slightly as he gasped for breath and hurriedly appraised my barely-there outfit, most of which belonged to him. "I thought you said you'd lost that shirt?"
"I lied." There was no point in hiding it. He grinned. I tried to get closer to him, missing his lips already, but he stopped me.
"How was that kiss?"
"What?" I stared, dumbfounded. Was he honestly asking for a rating right now of all times?
He planted another one to the corner of my mouth, barely drawing away this time before he began talking again. "Remember that time you were doing yoga in your living room and you asked for advice on Skylar?" His lips were still so close, brushing my skin as he spoke, that I was having to suppress shudders. He was smirking, so I don't think I was doing it very well. "You said my advice was four and a half stars," So he really did want a rating. I tried not to laugh this time as I knew exactly what he was talking about. "And I asked you, Flora, what would it take to get five? And you said: Something impressive. I guess I'll know when I hear it. And what did I say back?"
"I-" I gulped as his lips made a painfully slow trail to my neck. My weak spot and he knew it. My knees buckled and his grip tightened on me, lips never faltering in their work. "Yeah, I remember. Y-you said challenge accepted."
"Oh, did I?" His voice was barely above a whisper and I was incredibly glad to see that both McLean and my mother had turned a blind eye to our conversation, talking lowly in the other corner of the room to where the nervous receptionist had joined them, all oblivious to our moment.
"You're not going to properly kiss me again until I say five stars, are you?" I struggled to get out, breathing heavy.
"Not a chance." And I felt his grin as he reached my collar bone.
"You're so annoying," I huffed, and I grabbed his face in both hands, jerked it around until he faced me. "Sorry to wound your ego, but you're a solid two. Now hurry up and kiss me before I find the nearest spoon to throw at your nose."
He resisted. "Not that I don't like your demanding tone, but one cannot simply drop me down two and a half stars."
"One just did."
He grinned. "One day I'll be the alpha in this relationship. Until then I guess I'm okay with being the big pansy if it means spending time with you."
"Relationship?" I smiled.
"What's the point in dating beforehand? We've somehow managed to surpass it all without a single one. Let's just pretend all those times I dragged you around to my friends' houses and you forced me into playing Just Dance or killing spiders that turned out to be butterflies were actually dates. In that case I think we're more than fully prepared to be in a committed relationship."
"Seems fair."
"Good." He said.
"Great."
"Splendid." He laughed, but then his face grew serious. "But you don't have to be my girlfriend. Don't feel compelled to. I don't know- I don't know how things will work out. Now that the confessions are out, they're really going to drag up a lot of old dirt on me. I don't know how much trouble I'll be in. If I go to-"
I found his hand. Wove our fingers together. Gave a reassuring squeeze. "We can work it out together."
He nodded, gave me a nervous smile, and with that my boyfriend - to use the newest term - and I joined the group in the opposite corner to try and predict what might be in store for our futures. Whatever it was going to be, there was one thing I was certain. It was going to be big.
//IM BACK BITCHES
you know what to do if you enjoyed - votes and comments make me happier than what is probably deemed healthy !! super duper sorry for the long overdue update. life's sorta hectic rn with uni and my abysmal attempts at looking for a job (lol I'm broke and unemployed I stg soon I'll be one of these spammers making a living out of inundating ur emails claiming to be a Nigerian prince asking for dollar dollar bills and credit card details). But tbh it was mostly because wattpad decided to only save the first 1500 words of this update and u know when u look at the written word in general after something that happens and ur just like ----- nah. well that's what happened and basically i was allergic to writing for a bit. it was rlly serious actually I had to tear myself away from my beloved Cassandra Clare book (SHOUT OUT TO THE BEST AUTHOR THERE EVER HAS BEEN U R MY QUEEN) which was pretty mega considering i was hooked on Lord of the Shadows (mucho recommend btw but I'd also probs recommend her grocery list if I ever got the honour bestowed upon me to read it) (also no spoilers wasn't joking about that allergy I've not actually finished it yet) (tho mostly bc I've developed severe alcoholism issues since being at uni lol I'm so behind in everything thank u for corrupting me freshers I mean u were like 5 months ago but I'm still living like ur now). honestly I looked at typed up words feeling wounded and just thought ugH IM GOING TO HAVE TO TYPE IT ALL AGAIN AND ITLL BE RUSHED THIS TIME AND NO THANK U GOOD BYE I CANT DO IT !!
but here we are like 5 months late or something ridic like that I'm sorry. ok my rant is at its end. i hope it was worth the wait and you actually all remembered this existed and what happened in the last chapter bc frankly I didn't oops. this wasn't proof read so please feel free to point out my glaring mistakes. next update will be posted within the next 2 weeks once my first semester's deadline is dead and gone (thank the baby Jesus). ily all hope u had a fabby Christmas and thank u for all the support whilst I was away living irresponsibly. this is dedicated to wattpad bff sabbbycat for being her general queen-like self please check out her amazing writing much love x //