You gawk at him, his name ingrained in your mind. You'd never once met him, but you still scowled and started closing the door, ignoring his outstretched hand. "Just go. I'm not in the mood to talk to you. Or anyone as a matter of fact."

"Wait!" he said desperately, putting his hand in the way of the door frame. "Please, just... please let me explain myself." His green eyes begged you, blinking in worry that you'd ignore his plea. But with a sigh, you let him in without meeting his gaze.

"Fine," you mumble, stepping out of the way and letting him inside. He smiled hopefully, going to remove his coat. As he hung it up he noticed your bow and the can of cherry stain on the floor and smiled curiously.

"Is that yours, young lady?" he asks, taking a seat across from you.

You nod, your eyes avoiding him. The whole situation felt purely awkward. "Yeah, my uncle made it for me a year ago."

"Oh!" he said, nodding. "The one who is taking care of you now?" He gulped a little at the realization.

"Yes." You said nothing more.

Arthur peered around as if he was looking for something. "Where is he then? Is he here? I wouldn't mind talking with him as well."

Immediately you knew you couldn't tell this guy. He'd killed your parents, come to your house uninvited, and at this very moment you didn't feel very trustworthy of anyone you didn't know or knew Matt wouldn't trust. "He's... at work. He won't be back until this evening," you lie, hoping he can't see through you.

"I see, I should have known," he said, giving a little smile. "What does your uncle do?"

Again, you mentally sigh. You can't tell him the truth about that either.

"He's a park ranger in the park not to far from here," you explain falsely once again.

"Oh that's wonderful," Arthur says, pausing a moment and shaking his head. "This isn't really what I wanted to talk about, I'm sorry. You must find me to be such an intrusion..."

You want to nod to confirm his assumptions but decide against it. Instead you say calmly, "Then why did you come here? It's not every day that the killer of your parents shows up on your doorstep."

Arthur visibly winced. "Ah... See, that's what I was getting to." He took a deep breath, running a hand through his already messy hair. "I know a simple sorry can't solve anything, so I figured I could at least explain my regrets to you as well as thank you and your uncle."

You blinked. "Thank us? What for?"

He smiled a little, sadness still in his eyes though. "For dropping the charges, of course. I easily could have been put away for manslaughter. Unintended manslaughter of course, but the killing of individuals no doubt."

Matt must have taken the liberty to cause as little trouble as possible. That was how he was, and you couldn't picture him wanting to deal with a legal system much, especially with his own unknown crimes hanging over his head. But Matt's decision or not, it made you a little angry though to see a man who'd played a part in ruining your life driving free once again.

"I swear, being allowed a second chance has been better incentive for me to make smarter decisions than twenty years behind bars could have ever done. I haven't had a drop of ale since that day." He smiled a little in pride, his back straightening in the chair. You believed him, just from the obvious expression on his face.

"Well that's great and all, but how much or how little you drink isn't going to bring my parents back to life, Mr. Kirkland," you state boldly, your eyes narrowing.

His smile disappeared. "... I know, [Name]... I know, and I am incredibly sorry for what I've done. I have never felt so much personal anguish in my lifetime. I thought of you often once the authorities told me about you. They asked me if I wanted to call you, tell you what happened myself. But I couldn't bear to, coward as I am," he admitted bitterly. "I could have told you how sorry I was then, but I would have been reduced to nothing if I had. You would find no respectable man in me that day." He hung his head, pressing a hand to his forehead. "My own brother deserted me. I haven't heard a word from him since then." He sighed heavily, looking up at you again. "He must hate me as much as you do."

You wanted to feel sorry for him. You really did, but the loss of your parents overruled any anguish he'd felt. After all, he was still alive and driving again. You assumed his licence had been revoked for a period of time, but for you he would never receive enough punishment.

He continued to talk through your silence. "I-I suppose you're wondering how I got here?"

You pause, considering the question. In fact, it was tugging at your brain a little as to how he arrived. "I am," you reply simply.

Gees, you were even starting to speak Matt in conversation now, using all one-sentence replies and whatnot. Or maybe this guy just didn't deserve more than a sentence.

"Well you see, quite some time ago, your uncle gave me this address," he explained. "And I happened to be in Winnipeg on business, and I couldn't help but at least see if you were here. I've been trying to contact you for a few months, but there was never an answer. Besides, I wasn't ready to face you right away. Even after the court's decision and Matthieu's intervention, I didn't think I could speak with you."

You didn't know what to tell him, shifting in your chair uncomfortably. "Look, Mr. Kirkland. I'm going to give this to you straight." You leaned forward, your elbows on your knees. "I will never forgive you. Do you understand? For as long as I live, I will never forgive you for taking my parent's lives. I will always hate you, and I don't care how much pain you felt. It will always be nothing near the pain I still feel every damn day." You stood up, going to the door and grabbing his coat. You held it out for him, your face stone. "Now leave."

He was purely startled, a sense of worry in his gaze. "But I-"

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" you shriek, tears brimming at your eyes that you hope he can't see. He stands up immediately, taking the jacket and going out onto the deck without putting it on over his dark green button up shirt.

"Please, Miss [Name]! Please let me explain a little further-"

"How many times do I have to say it?! Nothing you say or do can reverse their deaths, reverse everything I've been through! You ruined my life, and I never want to see you again!"

And with that, the door was slammed in Arthur Kirkland's face.

He shuddered, slipping his coat on and went down the steps. His thick eyebrows furrowed sadly, but he knew you were right; there was no reversing what he'd done to you and your parents.

He got back into his car, starting it and holding his head in his hands for a moment. "God, what have I done to her?" he whimpered.

Suddenly he felt a vibration in his pocket, taking out his phone. He grimaced at the name, sighing and opening the text.

Is she there?

Arthur gulped, looking from the house to the phone. Remembering your words, he gulped and replied.

No. I didn't see her inside.

There was a long moment, a pause in the texts, when suddenly another one arrived.

LIAR! I warned you...

Arthur immediately backed out of the driveway, zooming down the road. He had to get out of there, fast.

"I can't let him find me, not again..." he murmured to no one.

He'd gone a fair distance, farther than he thought he'd make it, when he came to where he was to turn. Trees hovered closely to the road on both sides. He had to slam on his brakes to stop suddenly.

A woman was in the road. Her hands and legs were bound, her mouth gagged. Her eyes were wide as she watched the car stop, her black hair in the gravel.

The only way out was to go back to the cabin, and after meeting you, he knew that wasn't an option.

"Oh God... He's found me already?!" Arthur shrieked, getting out of the car. It had to be him. He couldn't think of another soul who would tie up women and leave them to die.

He ran through the trees, abandoning the woman and his car. He felt incredibly selfish, but he couldn't help but be afraid. The man was insane after all!

Suddenly everything went black, a crack and a short yelp from Arthur sounding through the trees as his body collapsed to the forest floor. It was over quickly, and his attacker stood over him with a pout.

"You weren't even that fun to chase, boo..." he said, his red eyes glinting behind his shades. "And you lied to me! Looks like you deserve what you got." He chuckled, taking a swing of his nailed bat through the air for good measure. "But I'm glad I don't have to deal with you anymore. You really were quite the nuisance with all your whining and blah blah British talk. No wonder [Name] ran you out." He laughed, picking up Arthur and turning on his heel.

"Now just to hide the evidence..." he murmured, eventually sitting Arthur in the front seat. He turned the steering wheel to the right, smirking.

"Have a nice trip, Kirkland!"

And with that, he placed Arthur's foot on the accelerator. The car zoomed just to the right of the woman on the road, slamming into a tree.

"That should do it," he said with a sick lack of feeling. "But now it's time to visit my niece again! Come on, Regina." He picked her up and carried her to his own car, hidden among the trees.

"I'm sure she'd love to see you too~"

~~~~~~~~
I just realized America has, like, three different lives in this series. XD First he was the guy at the beginning texting your friend. He's also the pilot that flew you and Matt to Nunavut, and now he's Arthur's brother who couldn't stand that he'd killed two people.
Clones?! I think yes. XD

On a less random note!... I killed Arthur, sorry. XD It was kind of a spur of the moment thing where Reader-chan was all pissed and I just thought I'd confirm some of your curiosities as to whether Arthur and Al had any connection. Just as he had been manipulative to Matt at one point, he was manipulating Arthur. But he tries to protect you by lying! Maybe it'll but you some time.

And on another note... I'M DOING SO WELL AT MY WATTPAD RESOLUTION ASFJDKSFHS!! I've updated THREE that's right! THREE times in one WEEK! Holy cats!! I'm so pumped up for this story as of late, there will surely be more on the way. Woohoo! >W<

I'm on a roll! XD - AAMU