Back at the Manning Health Centre, Martha had paid Dante a visit and threatened him about how she would expose him to his mother when Ava arrived with the sheriff, finding her in the room. "Now, aren't we lucky to find you here, Martha," Ava sarcastically muttered. "I was just leaving. You can continue with what you came for," Martha replied, smirking as she tried to head out. In the same minute, Ben entered the room too. "She can't be going anywhere, Sheriff. All of this might end up with her as the criminal," Ava chanted with a serious face. "What are you talking about, Ava?" Martha grinned, acting surprised as she attempted to rush even faster when the sheriff closed the door, blocking her path. Ava then turned to talk to Dante, who clearly was thinking this through. "Please, Dante. You need to help us," Ava begged. "I don't know what you're talking about," Dante snapped, surprising everyone. Ben walked to his bed to convince him. "Look, Brandon. If she was threatening you
"Sign here, and here. Put your fingerprints here. And that's it," explained the sheriff, showing Kara the document with a tin of ink. "That's it, and she is done? We can go?" inquired Ava with a thrill. "Yes. You can definitely go. She can go anywhere. You shouldn't forget your stuff, though," coughed the sheriff, grabbing a container from down the counter that held the necklace Ava had gifted her, a stack of cash notes, a bracelet, and her identity card. Kara finalized the signatures, then picked up her belongings, thanking the sheriff as they both headed out of the station, finding Ben still standing at the entrance, waiting for them. He looked very embarrassed as he gazed at Kara, who was feeling the sunlight. "I'm hoping you can forgive me, Kara. I'm very sorry," he apologized on his feet. "No, no need for apologizing, Ben. You did the right thing at the end of it all. That's all you need to do for me," answered Kara with a slight smirk. "I hope I can make it up to you," he
"I wanted to see my nanny fast before I went," informed Kara to her uncle. "She is blessed to have you in her life," smirked Mr. Jones. "Yeah, but I'm blessed to have her in mine. She's been so good to me. She cared for us so well." Nanny was in the kitchen, preparing coffee for them. As soon as she heard what Kara was offering her, the tray of pots and cups she held fell to the ground in excitement. "That's too much, child," she said, standing behind Mr. Jones. "It's nothing, Nanny. You've done so much for me and the whole family... you deserve even more. You can stay with your kids and grandkids here," Kara replied softly. "I don't know how to thank you, dear. I will always be in your debt. I've never owned so much money in my name. It's unbelievable." "Well, Nanny, it's time for you to rest. Get someone to take care of you. Enjoy your time without working like a donkey." "I'm so used to working. I don't know how I will live without making coffee or cleaning the house," she c
It was raining heavily that night when Ava Sinclair decided to relocate to Manning, a town that had fallen below the word "civilization" into old age. She didn't care about where she was being sent; she believed something amazing would happen during her time in that miserable town. Yet, little did she believe; she thought it was to happen.Her crazy, short red hairstyle gave the citizens who were looking through their windows a first impression of an easily commanded stranger in town. Driving through the road in her highly printed truck, with the car windows lowered for a view, looking at her map for directions.She arrived at her cottage, a rather miserable house near a small bush where she was supposed to stay by herself, as she assumed. Very distant from the other homes. The presentation of the house was extremely discouraging to her sight: a leaking roof, a broken door, dirty water, and a messed-up room overall. She had to mend a few things as fast as possible in order to get some
"You will find that everyone here is nosy," Kara said as they walked out of the class after Mrs. Andrews' lecture, clutching her book. "Are you hungry?" "No," Ava replied, fixing a ring on her pinky finger. "Well, I'm not hungry either. Should I give you a tour around?" Kara asked eagerly, looking Ava up and down. "I never noticed at first, but your clothing style is a clash, you know." "I'll take the tour and quit the talk about my clothing style. I appreciate the compliment, though," Ava responded, trolling Kara and quickly walking away. A few steps behind, she was announced to be needed in the principal's office. Kara crunched into her, complying with a warning. "I don't mean to bother you, but I wish to tell you this. Um... well, get you prepared for that call," Kara scratched her arm. "What?" Ava asked seriously. "Nothing. Nothing... nothing at all. You can proceed with what you're about to do, and I'll just mind my business. Okay?... Bye," she turned around, making it look
"The tour ends right here. The school library. My favorite place." Kara took a seat at the top of a table. "Hello, Mr. Clement," she said. "Hello, Kara." "So the library is your favorite spot, huh?" Ava said, sitting next to her. "Well, yeah. Mostly because it's quiet. Few students come around here. It's peaceful and mostly private." "Okay, then. Since the tour is done, can we should head back? I need to do some shopping for my house early at the town market, which I don't know where to find." "I can help with the shopping. I can help with directions. I'm good at that, and I think I've proven myself already, haven't I?" "I don't want to bother you anymore, Kara." "No!" snapped Kara. "It's not a bother at all. On the contrary, I will be able to lessen the time of reporting home like a ninth-grade kid." "Alright. I see you've got yourself an excuse. Thanks anyway." They both walked back to school. Before evening dark, they were already at the market. Kara picked up a few amazing
"How often does this happen?" Ava asked as they both took a seat. "No, forget about it." "No... no... I heard you clearly, Kara. You said 'not today.' That means it's often. I guess it's the reason why you weren't in class yesterday when I arrived." "No!... how do the two things connect. No," fumbled Kara. "Well, I'm not stupid, and your face says otherwise, so," shrugged Ava as she continued whispering. "I can't stand their kind, and I won't turn a blind eye if I ever learn he's done something to you." "Wait, are you my boyfriend?" Smirked Kara. "No... of course not, but this is me, and I take care of my friends." "So now we are friends?" "Well, I can chuck you right now and call Dante over to my seat so I can take his." Joked Ava. "Oh... so I'll take the friend you offer." "Yeah... I see he scares you. He should be scared of you?" "Well, he has his reasons, so. Let's stop talking about this. Mr. Alfonso is already here." "For now, yeah... but later we'll talk." Whispered
"Will you wait for me to take you home?" inquired Ava as she got out of the car. "Maybe. It will depend," replied Kara. She hurriedly reached the car. Brenda, though, was looking overwhelmed. Her gray eyes were fixed on her daughter, ready to tear up, and Audrey, with chocolate skin and crazy curly hair and very brown eyes, seemed quite upset and appeared to be forced to be there in the first place. Brenda slowly got out of the car and went straight into the arms of her daughter. "Oh, sweetheart," she sobbed. "It's alright, Mom. I'm okay. Thank you for coming. Audrey?" replied Ava, keeping her eyes on Audrey, who was still seated in the car. "I will give you space," whispered Brenda in Ava's ear. "Shall we talk inside the house? Please, Audrey?" requested Ava as Audrey untied her seatbelt. "Please, Mom, help drive Kara home. I know it's silly, but please do." Continued she walking to her car. "Hey, Kara. My mom will drive you home. See you tomorrow?" "No! I can get home myself
"I wanted to see my nanny fast before I went," informed Kara to her uncle. "She is blessed to have you in her life," smirked Mr. Jones. "Yeah, but I'm blessed to have her in mine. She's been so good to me. She cared for us so well." Nanny was in the kitchen, preparing coffee for them. As soon as she heard what Kara was offering her, the tray of pots and cups she held fell to the ground in excitement. "That's too much, child," she said, standing behind Mr. Jones. "It's nothing, Nanny. You've done so much for me and the whole family... you deserve even more. You can stay with your kids and grandkids here," Kara replied softly. "I don't know how to thank you, dear. I will always be in your debt. I've never owned so much money in my name. It's unbelievable." "Well, Nanny, it's time for you to rest. Get someone to take care of you. Enjoy your time without working like a donkey." "I'm so used to working. I don't know how I will live without making coffee or cleaning the house," she c
"Sign here, and here. Put your fingerprints here. And that's it," explained the sheriff, showing Kara the document with a tin of ink. "That's it, and she is done? We can go?" inquired Ava with a thrill. "Yes. You can definitely go. She can go anywhere. You shouldn't forget your stuff, though," coughed the sheriff, grabbing a container from down the counter that held the necklace Ava had gifted her, a stack of cash notes, a bracelet, and her identity card. Kara finalized the signatures, then picked up her belongings, thanking the sheriff as they both headed out of the station, finding Ben still standing at the entrance, waiting for them. He looked very embarrassed as he gazed at Kara, who was feeling the sunlight. "I'm hoping you can forgive me, Kara. I'm very sorry," he apologized on his feet. "No, no need for apologizing, Ben. You did the right thing at the end of it all. That's all you need to do for me," answered Kara with a slight smirk. "I hope I can make it up to you," he
Back at the Manning Health Centre, Martha had paid Dante a visit and threatened him about how she would expose him to his mother when Ava arrived with the sheriff, finding her in the room. "Now, aren't we lucky to find you here, Martha," Ava sarcastically muttered. "I was just leaving. You can continue with what you came for," Martha replied, smirking as she tried to head out. In the same minute, Ben entered the room too. "She can't be going anywhere, Sheriff. All of this might end up with her as the criminal," Ava chanted with a serious face. "What are you talking about, Ava?" Martha grinned, acting surprised as she attempted to rush even faster when the sheriff closed the door, blocking her path. Ava then turned to talk to Dante, who clearly was thinking this through. "Please, Dante. You need to help us," Ava begged. "I don't know what you're talking about," Dante snapped, surprising everyone. Ben walked to his bed to convince him. "Look, Brandon. If she was threatening you
"He will be alright, ma'am. The bullets were already removed when he got here, thank goodness, but he lost a lot of blood. He will need to rest," explained the surgeon who had been treating Dante for almost four hours. "Thank you, Dr. Clark," replied Victoria with a sigh. "You had the doctor. He can't be moved until he is really fine." "But we don't got that time, miss. Don't you understand?" pumped Ava. "Can't you just get the cops here instead of my son having to risk his life and go to the station." "Why didn't I think of that," snapped Ava at herself. "Look, Mom. We shall be here tomorrow for Dante's statement." "Alright. Go on then," walked Victoria back to her office, her expression showing disdain. "I need to go," said Ben. "Sure. But you will be here tomorrow. Promise me, Ben," begged Ava. "I will. I still have to make sure that he is alright," confirmed Ben. "And us. Where are we spending the night? I don't want to sleep in the car," whined Daniel to his wife and daug
Ben managed to get Dante to a small cottage owned by Mr. Bradley, which was close to the streets of Manning. He had Dante lie down on the bed to rest while he cleaned himself up to head back to town to get some supplies and medication. After changing into a saggy green vest and a pair of black jeans, Ben left the cottage to purchase medical supplies. As he left the pharmacy, he ran into Ava, who was standing behind the pharmacy entrance doorframe. "Ben!" called Ava, startling him. "Hi, Ava. How are you?" Ben asked with a forced smile. "Do I look okay to you, Ben?" snapped Ava with gritted teeth. "Umm, what's wrong?" "Where is Dante, Ben? I know what you did to Kara. Now I need to talk to Dante. Right away." "What are you saying?" "The fact that you're buying medical supplies means you have him somewhere, and you're helping him." "Wait, what?" asked Ben, puzzled by Ava's insinuation. "Listen, Ben. Kara is locked up for a crime she didn't commit. You and I know it for a fact."
Early the next morning, Ava had to get her dad out of bed, rushing him into getting ready because she believed it was a waste of time for every minute that passed."I can't believe you're still in bed, Dad," muttered Ava, shaking Daniel out of bed."Alright. Alright. I'm sorry. Let me get up," answered Daniel, getting out from under the sheets."Do you need to take a shower, Dad?" Ava asked seriously."Of course, I need to. Did you?""Yeah, I did. I just think that you will take a lot of time showering.""Give me thirty minutes, and I will be out already.""Okay. Hurry up, though. I'm getting impatient.""Alright. Pick up my phone and call Jeremy.""Good morning," snapped Brenda, who was already up and making breakfast for the two."You didn't wake him up, Mother?""I did. But you know how your father gets. He slept late looking into Kara's case. So he deserved the rest.""He did?" surprisingly questioned Ava."Yes. And I think he will try to help. He also said that Kara will have to b
"Please, Dante. Let us go," begged Kara, tears streaming from her eyes. "Just promise you won't say anything about this. No, no, no, no. What did I do? I can't trust you two. I know you don't like me, Kara. You will find the pleasure of seeing me suffer," protested Dante in fear. "Dante, my father is dying. You won't find the pleasure of forgiving yourself ever if you know you killed him. Just help me save him." Mr. Manning had lost a lot of blood and couldn't say anything at all. In deep thought, Dante decided to untie Kara so they could both figure out a way to save the old man. It was after Kara was untied when Martha showed up with Ben in the room. She apprehended them as they were helping Mr. Manning onto their shoulders to head out. Kara quickly picked up Dante's gun and pointed it at Martha, who also had a gun in her hand. Shaken by what she was witnessing, Martha's plan had worsened, and she had to do something to get herself out of trouble. "What did you do, Dante?" ask
"About that, Dad, I really do need your help. Kara might be in very big trouble because of me. I want you to help me guarantee her safety. Please," begged Ava, taking a seat in her father's chair. "What do you want me to do?" "I want to get her here legally so she can join a serious school to finish her studies." "I don't think her father will agree to that, Ava." "He definitely won't, but she isn't willing to stay with him. He treats her so badly, Dad." "He seems like a responsible and loving father," said Daniel, convinced. "Yeah. But he isn't. He is very brutal, and he could beat her up if he can. I'm really terrified for her, Dad. Let's do this. You help me with this, and I promise to try and get into the company." "Well, I would have said yes anyway, but there is something in it for me. I will see what to do, but I don't guarantee the success." "Thank you, Dad. Now, where do I start from here?" "Let's do that tomorrow. I will have to officially introduce you to my employe
"May I come in?" Brenda knocked on Ava's door. "Come on in, Mother," Ava answered, emerging from the bathroom. "Please close the door." "I missed the way you would tell me to close the door after I'm gone. How are you, darling?" "Terrified, Mom. I'm terrified for her," Ava stated, sitting on the bed. "Her? Oh, the girl. The girl, Kara from your school?" "Yes, Mother. That place is dangerous. Manning Town is cruel, Mom, and I'm scared that she might get into big trouble." "Doesn't she live with her dad?" "No. She had some issues with him, and she has been staying with me for some time now." "Why did you leave her there?" "She forced me to go, convincing me that she would be alright, but I don't think it's true. All I'm thinking about is her and what could be happening to her." "Are you in love with Kara?" "I care so much about her, Mother. I can't stand the fact that she might be hurting." "Do you ever answer anything directly, Ava? It was a simple question. Are you in love