CHAPTER 6

LISA'S POV

"Are you ready to leave?" He pushed himself out of his seat and offered me his hand.

I brought my eyes up to his face, scrutinizing him once again. "You're not going to kill me, are you?"

He laughed as he adjusted his coat. "If I wanted to, you would have been dead a while ago."

I nod my head. He had a point.

I accept his outstretched hand and he jerks me up to my feet, nearly causing me to slam into him. He laughs at me as he sees the frown etched on my face before leaving me and walking towards the door. I take a few moments to compose myself before meeting him at the door which he holds open for me like a proper gentleman.

He nudges me in the direction he wants us to go and we walk down the sidewalk. He suddenly grew quiet, leaving me to recollect how crazy today had been. Never in a million moons would I have ever envisaged this was how my life would turn out to be.

"From now on, we're going to be together until one of us dies."

I didn't know how to take that. On one hand, I was glad I met this stranger and that he had saved my life. On the other hand, my warning bells were going off. These sort of men were way out of my league but considering the kind of task I had ahead of me, I was left with few choices.

I took a deep breath, running my hand through my hair. "I hope I'm not bothering your life? You look like someone who has more important things to stick to rather than me." I answer.

He narrows his eyes as he gives me a hard stare. "You're not important to me but we're going to stick together till death comes."

I searched his face for even the slightest bit of uncertainty but there was none. He had already made up his mind. I look at the windows of the shop along the sidewalk, filled with clothes peasants like me would never wear.

"We have a deal then," I said stretching out my hand.

He nodded before gripping my hand firmly.

We walked to the end of the road, past Mr. Jones's truck shop before taking a turn left towards the cemetery which had been built during the time the United States of America gained independence in the 1700s. The council had renamed the country after overthrowing its government, the country was now known as the United Council of America. I couldn't help but wonder why we were at a graveyard. I followed suit as Jonas pushed the wrought iron gate open and made his way inside. He shuts the gate behind me.

I walk straight ahead, ignoring the rows of tombstones on either side of me. The rain had stopped falling and only a gentle breeze blew, I stood to admire the atmosphere. The raindrops dripping from the leaves, the peacefulness of the moss dropping from trees. The full moon would soon be upon us and the quiet is what I admire the most.

"Do you like it?" He says, tearing his eyes away from the graves.

"It's so peaceful," I replied.

"You could end up here in a few hours if things go wrong."

I smiled at the picture he was painting. "Was that why you brought me here?" I asked shakily.

He said nothing, his expression blank.

"Why are you helping me, Jonas?"

"I owe it to myself to help you."

"Tell me why. Say something, Jonas!" I yell at him, my eyes tearing up. I hated feeling this way but knights in shining armor were a myth.

"I want to do something right for the first time in my life." His eyes hold so much sadness, it was too painful to watch.

"I don't open up to people and I want you to respect that, so we won't have problems." He said looking at me.

"You don't even have to like me or respect me. I just need you to know I won't leave you to be discarded like filth."

I take a moment to allow his words to sink in. I had a feeling he was sticking around for something, something I would figure out eventually.

"Do we have a deal, Lisa?" He asked, after what seemed like hours.

"Deal."

"Come on. I've got something to show you." He says and walks towards the end of the cemetery.

"You are so weird, Jonas," I mutter. He only chuckles in response.

We reach another exit and I follow him down a path that was deserted at this time.

The river breeze hit me as we draw close. Despite my hair flying around me, I felt good, really good.

"What are we doing here?" My eyes roam over the yachts and boats, I had always wanted to ride on one.

Jonas points to a yacht anchored away from the others with his name inscribed on the side. "We're going on a ride, Lisa. Have you ever been on a yacht before?"

I shook my head, unable to answer. I was in awe of the grandiose yacht before me. He was either renting or he owned it. But one thing was certain, he was extremely rich to be able to afford such luxury. I wonder what he wanted which someone as insignificant as I was.

"It's beautiful."

Out of the corner of my eyes, I see a large smile plastered on his face.

Jonas whistles and soon enough, five crewmen come running towards him to receive their instructions.

"Wait here, I'll be back. I want to make sure everything is in order."

I felt giddy with excitement, I was finally going to fulfill a lifelong dream.

A few minutes later, I was on the boat alongside Jonas as I reveled at the moment.

"Do you like the boat?"

I turned towards him with a smile. "Yes. Thank you."

He nods his head in acknowledgment. "It was a gift from my father." He said, running his fingers along the rails.

I looked at the rumbling grey sky. It was probably going to rain again.

Jonas catches me staring upwards. "It was probably a wrong choice to go yachting. I'm sorry."

I merely smiled turning my gaze towards the sea, staring at the skyline of Baltimore, Maryland. The usually green color of the Patapsco river had grown a shade darker. I was glad I would be leaving the state soon, there was nothing left there for me only hurtful memories. It was changed very soon, I was sure of it. I would bring the Council crumbling down.

"Come with me," Jonas says.

I clutched the rails to steady myself as I ascend down the stairs.

Jonas watches me with a smirk on his face. "You miss your sea legs, Lisa?"

I flipped him off. "I'll get them very soon."

I follow him to the other end of the deck which was situated in the middle of the ship, past the cabin. Jonas gestured to the net tightly strung across the deck in place of the floor and lowers himself into it, and I do the same without hesitation.

I heave a sigh of relief as I recline back, taking in the view and watching the sky rumbled with loud claps of thunder. "This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Thank you, Jonas." I turned to watch the water as we pass over it.

He looked pleased with himself. "You're welcome, Lisa."

"I don't know why you're doing this or why you saved me earlier. But thank you for everything once again."

He merely nods his head this time, his eyes shut.

I was conflicted with how to go about my plan. I didn't know how to go about making the Council pay. I wanted to ask him but I was skeptical. What if he was loyal to them?

I sat up on the net, bouncing a little bit as it bobbled. I picked at the button on my blouse. "What if I wanted to have a huge score against the Council. How do I go about it?"

He turns to me with a scowl, I could hear him growling. "Shut up and enjoy today."

I oblige and laid down not wanting to enrage him any further. My questions could wait.

The rain never returns and for the rest of the night, we travel the river, enjoying the breeze, the sounds of waves crashing against the yacht, and the peace. Something which I hadn't had experienced in a long time.

Everything about the ship is modern and sophisticated. I felt slightly uncomfortable being on something this expensive. Jonas refused to answer all the personal questions I sent his way. He wouldn't even tell me his last name which I found ridiculous. To be fair, I was being secretive myself. Two could play the game.

I leave the net and step onto the deck, needing a moment to myself. Just as I reach the rails, a wave jerks the yacht and I fall into the water.

I struggled to reach for the surface. Panic grips me and I suck in the ocean's water. Is this how I'm going to die?

I feel two strong arms wrap around my torso and before lifting me above the surface. I begin to cough out the water. Arms lift me out of the water and onto the platform. A crew member wraps a towel around me before Jonas comes out of the water to sit beside me.

"Are you okay, Lisa?"

I shiver as I pull the towel tighter. "I'm sorry about that."

"What were you thinking about?" He inquired.

"How to make the Council pay," I answer immediately.

He grips my shoulder. "We will."