Time:
The healer
And
The Killer

Arya:

I waited for him to laugh and say he was just kidding.

"Wait, you're being serious?" I asked.

"Yeah." Zac scoffed. "It diverts suspicion from us helping you. So basically, you're walking in the streets, all happy and naïve-"

"Naïve?!-"

"And we, the 'bad guys' will swoop in and grab you. You flail and be all 'oh save me! Save me!'-"

"I do not sound like that-"

"-and then, we lock you up in our basement. We'll probably have to beat you up a little to really sell the act-"

"-Touch me and I will castrate you in your sleep-"

'-we invite Mantennii over, he takes you away for the wedding and then we come along and save you again." He finished proudly.

"You can't be serious." I stated. "You can't be f*cking serious, Isaac."

"What? Why not?" He questioned.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and took in a deep gulp of air. I'm not drunk enough to deal with this. "I can name quite a lot of things that could go wrong with that plan."

"Oh really?" He scoffed.

"One," I counted on my finger. "We found the second microphone in the living room- Mantennii has probably already heard that you guys are keeping me here. He might already know you guys 'betrayed him' or whatever. Two, what they lock me up in a room and you guys can't save me?-"

"-That's a lot of 'what ifs' and 'probablys'." Kit interrupted. "We have to act quickly, however, so this is quite possibly the best plan we've got."

"Okay." I relented. "But if this goes wrong and I die, I will haunt you for the rest of your miserable lives."

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Nick snorted wryly.

"When do we put this quite-frankly-stupid plan into action?" I mustered as much fake sweetness into that question as possible.

"How about day after tomorrow?" Kit suggested. "It's a couple days before your birthday- so plenty of time for us to swoop in and rescue you."

I was surprised that he remembered my birthday. But then again, one doesn't tend to forget such things after over a decade of buying presents.

"Fine." I sighed. "I am not looking forward to it."

X

(Two days later)

The plan was set in motion.

It was a beautiful day. The sky was a rich azure with the sun casting a golden glow below. Rays reflected off the River Thames, scattering light in a million directions like diamonds. I breathed in the cool air. What a splendid day to get kidnapped... Again.

I strode through the busy streets, a mint choc chip ice cream in one hand and a clutch purse in the other. Large crowds bustled about and tourists took pictures of everything.

"Excuse me, miss?" A short man with slicked hair approached me. "Do you mind taking a picture of me and my wife please?"

"Sure." I shrugged, taking his phone. "Why not?" I clicked a picture of him and his wife and they thanked me before walking off. Bloody tourists.

I continued meandering up and down the streets, having finished my ice cream. I checked my watch and saw it was time. But where was-

Right on cue, a white van with tinted windows rolled up next to me. The boys jumped out. I winced in sympathy at the black outfits they were wearing in the baking sun.

"Arya Mckenzie, you're coming with us." Caleb declared in a gravelly tone- reasons for which weren't entirely clear.

I rolled my eyes as they pulled me along to the vehicle. "Oh save me, save me. I'm being kidnapped." I droned.

"Put a little effort in it, Ree." Nick murmured. "This has to look like an abduction."

"Okay." I smirked, sensing I could have some fun with this. "You asked for it."

I jabbed my elbow in Nick's gut and drove my heel into Caleb's foot. Their grips slackened and I wrested myself free, whirling around to punch Nick in the nose. He stumbled back, clutching his slightly bruised face.

Isaac wrapped his arms around me, pinning my arms to my waist. I kicked out with my legs in vain. Then, I doubled over harshly and straightened, his hold loosened enough for me to wriggle out and spin, kneeing him in between the legs.

"Why are you being so violent?" Ethan hissed, ducking a punch I threw.

"Nick said to put a little effort in." I muttered. "Sorry about this." I punched his solar plexus, then introduced his face to my fist.

A hand clamped down on my shoulder and pulled me down. My knees buckled and I threw my hands behind me to break my fall. Standing above me was Kit, an eyebrow raised in a silent challenge.

"Just like old times?" I asked, getting to my feet.

"Just like old times." He repeated and looked at the others. "Don't come in between. This is personal." Without warning, he aimed a kick to my stomach, which I dodged.

We moved in a circle, keeping some distance between us as we analysed each other. A large group had gathered around, probably wondering whether to call the police or a mental asylum.

I stepped forward and pretended to go for a punch, but at the last minute, I kicked him in the stomach. Kit blocked and rammed a fist in my gut.

I wheezed and stumbled back, bile and blood rising to the back of my throat. I swallowed the burning sensation down and focused on blocking the onslaught of punches and kicks he sent my way. Sh*t. I should've known this would be a bad idea.

"Skittle you okay?" He pulled back and muttered, quiet enough so that only the two of us could hear.

I shook my head ever so slightly, keeping my lips clamped shut as a wave of nausea engulfed me.

Kit grabbed my arm and pulled me to the van, dropping all pretences. I shivered despite the heat; my eyes tightly shut as he gently helped me sit down.

I heard the door slide shut and the rev of the engine as we headed off to who-knows-where.

"What's wrong with her?" Nick asked.

"I don't know." Came Kit's worried reply.

"I feel like I'm gonna be sick." I groaned softly, hunched over.

"NO! Don't be sick!" Ethan shouted frantically. "I just cleaned the van yesterday!"

"Nice to know your priorities are sorted." I snapped. "Somebody hand me a bag." I heard a rustle of sheets and several heavy objects moving, before a plastic bag was pressed into my hands.

I opened it up and with as much dignity as I could muster, threw up into it. Most of it was blood and a sharp, acrid smell filled the vehicle. To their credit, none of the boys said anything, just patiently waited for me to be done.

Once I was finished, I tied up the bag and wiped the corner of my mouth. "Um... thanks."

Isaac slowed the van down and opened a window, allowing me to neatly toss the vomit bag in a black bin.

"Here." Kit handed me a bottle of water, watching me intently as I drank it.

"Okay." I clapped my hands. "That was fun- sorry for beating you guys up by the way. Anyway, what's-"

"Are we seriously just gonna ignore that you just threw up blood after a small fight?!" Kit burst out. "I know for a fact that I didn't punch you that hard- I could never... right?" His expression morphed into guilt and my heart tugged slightly.

"It's not your fault." I shook my head with a slight smile. "But drop the subject."

"But-"

"I said drop it!" It was harsher than I intended it to be, but I didn't care. We locked heated glares for a minute, before he finally looked away.

Isaac cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Next stop, the Mckenzie mansion." 

End of chapter 14. 

Qotc: 

1. What's wrong with Arya?

2. Thoughts on the plan?

3. What do you think will happen next?

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)