Kyla’s Secret

Kyla was running in the gym with Corrine when Corrine had to use the bathroom. “You stay here, and I’ll be back in just a minute. I’m only going across the hall.” “Okay,” Kyla said, trying to catch her breath. Corrine left her in the partially lit gym. She suddenly felt alone, and the absolute silence heightened that sense of desertion. She turned and walked over to the bleachers in the back, sitting on the lowest bench closest to her. As she sipped her water, she realized that Corrine seemed to be taking a lot longer than just a few minutes. After a few more, she began to worry a bit. Although she couldn’t imagine who it could possibly be at this late hour, the officer had probably stopped to chat with someone along the way. Kyla rose to her feet and crossed the gym. The doors Corrine had exited through had square glass panes in them, and she peered through. But she was unable to see anything in the darkened corridor beyond. Kyla placed a hand on the door’s metal push bar and contemplated stepping just outside to see if she could spot or hear anything, but hesitated. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she told herself. “She’ll be right back.” But more time elapsed with no sign of Corrine. A trip to the bathroom should definitely not take this long, and there was obviously no one else in the building. The cafeteria and library were closed, and the medical personnel were at the other end of the building. Could Corrine have gotten sick? She finally made up her mind to push the door open and call to the officer when she heard movement behind her. She spun around fast. “Corrine?” She saw a shadowy figure in the far corner of the gym. How had the officer gotten back into the gym without her hearing, and why had she returned through a different door? “Corrine, what are you doing?” The figure remained motionless. “Come on, Corrine, this isn’t funny. What took you so long, and why are you standing there so quietly?” Still no sign of any movement. Fear began to seep through Kyla’s veins. “What are you doing?” Kyla asked again, her voice sounding pathetic to her own ears. The shadowy figure stepped forward into the light. The person was draped in a large black sheet tied snugly at the neck. There were no eyeholes for the person to see through and no cutout at the mouth to breathe through. The figure began to speak in what sounded like a mechanical voice. “I know your secret, Kyla.” Adrenaline flooded her body as she turned and ran toward the door screaming. “I know your secret!” the dark figure, now in pursuit, shouted. “Kyla, I know your secret!” Kyla woke up screaming. It took her brain a few seconds to realize she’d been having a nightmare, and her eyes a few seconds to focus on Joe, who now stood over her with concern. “Whoa, girl, you’re dreaming,” he said. “D-dreaming?” “Yeah, you were just having a nasty dream. Everything’s fine. Relax.” On shaky legs, Kyla rose, used the bathroom, and began her day. As much as she would miss Corrine, she wished the police would hurry up and capture the fugitives in her case so she could testify, go home, and be done with it—and hopefully with California altogether. She wanted nothing more than to put the nightmare she’d gone through behind her, as well as Meagan’s death. Running wouldn’t change what happened, but it would be nice to be far away from where it happened—and the memories that went with it. Oh, to be back in the comfort and familiarity of home with those she cared about most! Kyla was almost afraid to check her messages the following day, but nothing suspicious came in. She did her best to appear normal and fight the swell of fear and frustration rising within her. There was nothing like really needing to talk to someone to get things off your chest but knowing you could never do so. She couldn’t even risk writing about it in her private journal. This was her secret—kept in her mind only, never expressed verbally or in print. Unless confronted by law enforcement, she would take it to the grave. She would probably even deny having any knowledge of the case if the police questioned her. She couldn’t help it if she ultimately got caught and ended up convicted, but just because the police might accuse her of something didn’t mean she had to admit she was guilty of it. Kyla thought of her parents, aunts, uncles, and close friends back home. It suddenly seemed as if she hadn’t seen them in years, and she missed them terribly. Having no siblings, her parents doted on her, and she was perhaps a bit spoiled on account of it. “Just be glad you don’t have your own place or any pets right now,” she told herself, knowing she would be stuck in California indefinitely if the cops couldn’t manage to reel in the sickos who were still on the run. Kyla had come out of a five-year relationship with a woman a few months prior to coming to California and had moved in with her parents to save money. They had a large home with a guesthouse in back. In the guesthouse, Kyla pretty much felt like she was still on her own. For the first month after her breakup with Elizabeth, all she wanted to do was cry. She never thought Liz would cheat on her in a million years, but one day she had come home early to find her lover locking lips with a fellow luau dancer—and that was all the proof she needed to know she’d overestimated the girl’s faithfulness. After a month in a fog of depression, she slowly began to return to the Land of the Living. Now here she was, over two thousand miles away—kidnapped, nearly killed, and having to keep a horrible secret while those who wanted her dead could be anywhere. When the nightmare of the shadowy figure in the gym rudely woke her that morning, she had no idea those with evil intent would get their chance that day. Her thoughts turned to Corrine. Sweet, sexy, smart Corrine. How she loved their time together. But a part of her wondered if she could see about returning home until the men in her case were caught and she was needed to testify. Why remain there if there was a chance they might escape the law forever? She couldn’t spend the rest of her life waiting around in a tiny little room thousands of miles away from home. Then she remembered Corrine was trying to make arrangements to have her stay at her place. A cozy country home with a hottie who could keep her safe might be just what she needed. Late in the morning, Joe rose from his chair and stretched his arms overhead. The two were soon engaged in a discussion about their native states and then their families. Joe had an adorable little boy whom he showed her a picture of. “Aw, how cute,” Kyla said as she studied the picture Joe pulled from his wallet. “How old is he?” “Teddy’s turning nine next month.” “Oh, nine, huh?” Joe nodded. “I never would’ve guessed you to be old enough to have a nine-year-old—you look so young yourself.” “He was born when I was eighteen.” “Can’t say he looks much like you with his dark eyes and hair.” “Yeah, he’s got his mama’s coloring. She’s Mexican.” “Oh, yeah?” Joe nodded. “And determined to see to it that our little guy speaks her language as well.” Kyla laughed. “Corrine, being French and all that, has been throwing some French words at me here and there.” Joe frowned. “French?” Kyla nodded. “She’s German, though.” “Oh. I thought she was born in Germany but is predominantly French.” Joe looked at her doubtfully. “I think she’s German.” Kyla shrugged. It was a bit strange, but did it really matter what Corrine was? “Have you known her long?” she asked. Joe shook his head. “Nope. I’d heard of her but haven’t had much contact with her. My regular partner, who’s an older guy, went to the academy with her years ago.” “Yeah?” Joe nodded. “Tried to get her to go out with him, but I guess women are her cup of tea.” “Mine, too.” “Really?” Joe’s eyebrows rose. “I’d never have guessed.” “Yeah, I know. I’m quite feminine.” Kyla was grateful for how much chatting with Joe had taken her mind off her troubles, but as soon as he went to use the bathroom, reality came crashing home again. She wondered how much longer it would be before she lost her sanity altogether. After lunchtime, Joe took her out for a quick walk. The fresh air never seemed more wonderful, even if it was cooler and drier than she was used to. The scent of pine was heavy, and she no longer felt like she was going to suffocate. Maybe there would be a way to work things out and get through life, after all, without her secret eating at her every minute of the day. Maybe once things got back to normal… A loud pop suddenly sounded. She and Joe stopped abruptly and looked around. “What was that?” Kyla asked. Another loud pop sounded, and some students began screaming and scattering in different directions. Joe went to shove her aside when yet another loud pop echoed. It was when the pain exploded in her shoulder that Kyla knew it wasn’t just some smart-ass playing around with firecrackers.