**Fallon**
I was on my way to the hospital when I got the phone call from that bastard. The inspector himself. Probably, he heard I made good on my promise and was calling to say God knows what.
The jealously in me pushed me to ignore it after the first two rings. He called the third time, making me to wonder why. It could be to find out how Annabelle was doing, or something else? Let’s find out.
**What?** I snapped and placed the phone close to my ear.
**Annabelle is in danger.** He exhaled after those words. It actually sounded like he was pacing around or just stopped.
**Right,** I stepped into my car, ignited the engine and started driving off.
**Ava just confessed to murdering her, she’s behaving like a lunatic. She confessed to everything but she’s emphasizing on that. I think she planned something.** I pumped the brakes, my tires made a loud screeching sound in the middle of the road.
I didn’t bother to end the call or give him a response, I swerved the car and began driving back home. Minutes later, I picked the phone back up and dialed her number.
“Pick up, pick up.” I begged, slamming my hands on the wheel. The receiver clicked and I made a low squeal.
**Annabelle, the inspector called, he said Ava just confessed to everything.** I blurted out, swerving to the next room. Just a few more minutes, I’d be home soon.
**That’s great.** She beamed exicted. Her mind had been unsettled, we finally had what we needed now this.
**He said she also confessed to murdering you.** I took the last turn.
**What!**
She raised her voice and I heard a strange beeping over the phone.
**Annabelle!** I yelled getting even more worried. No response.
“Annabelle?” She refused to respond, this woman would be the death of me.
“Please, talk to me.” I pleaded. I expanded my gaze to see my house just waiting for me.
“Anna,” I called for the third time. She still kept my quiet. Impatiently, I pulled over close to the house, not my usual parking spot. I left the phone in the car, stepped out and ran in the direction of my house.
“Anna-” I paused due to a loud explosion at the side of the building.
“Anna!” Quickening my pace, I rushed inside the house where most of the maids were scurrying out. Everyone was trying to get as far away from the building as possible, yet I ran inside.
“Sir, we need to get out of here!” A guard said, holding my shirt. I shoved him off with such a force that he nearly lost his balance. I needed to make sure she was okay. Then we could leave. The fire was spreading fast, I noticed it came from upstairs so I had to halt. Also, it was getting difficult to breathe and smoke engulf the entire building. I coughed repeatedly holding on to my shirt. I lifted it slightly and placed it over my nose. The fire was slowly burning it’s way through the stairs.
I coughed hard from the back of my throat, wheezing and gasping for breath.
“You need to get out of here sir!” A man yelled behind me. I turned back and the fire fighters arrived quicker than I ecpected.
“There’s someone up there, I need to go save her.” I explained pointing at the stairs. Even I was aware of his crazy I sounded. The fire was spreading and the logical thing would be to run away not directly to the source.
“We’re unsure if we can stop the fire, we might just have to contain it Sir. I’m sorry but with this intensity, no one could survive it.” He yelled keeping a little distance between us. I shook my head in negation refusing to believe those words. Annabelle wasn’t dead. She couldn’t be dead. No!
“Sir!” He called out. I jerked in surprise as his hands made contact with my shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” He said making me turn to face him. “It’s all my fault.” I said tearing up. I should have known Ava wouldn’t go down do easily. I should have taken her with me, anything to prevent this. Instead I left her all alone. It’s all my fault.
“Sir, we need to lesve. Whoever it is you’re referring to wouldn’t want you to die as well, please.” He added and I bent my head. The fire had spread all round, almost at the kitchen. Once it reaches there, it would be the end.
“Sir,” I nodded in understanding and headed for the door. He gave a signal and the rest of his men moved into action, trying their very best to contain the fire. I turned to the stairs and sniffled.
“I’m sorry Anna.” Once outside, I watched the maids try to comfort one another. It dawned on me that they just lost their jobs, I just lost my home, I lost her. Strangely, it didn’t feel like she was gone. I couldn’t explain why, but…
“Fallon!” I heard a faint call. That voice. I snapped my head to it’s direction and she sat on an ambulance with a towel on her back. Her lips were busted and she had hair everywhere, absolutely everywhere. I literally ran to where she sat and took her in my arms. The nurse attending to her gave us a little space. Moments later, she began sobbing in my arms.
“How? I thought…” I trailed off to gaze at my house which was still in flames.
“I leaped from the window and used the pillars to climb down, the distance was still far so it hurt when I jumped hence the bruises.” She ran a hand over her body. True to her words, there were a few red spots all over, her lips were bleeding slightly as well causing my jaws to tighten. She was so strong, she didn’t deserve all of this. Her life has been in danger more times than I can count, each time I was involved indirectly.
“She did this.” I referred to the cause of this. The reason why Annabelle was in pain after a near death experience.
“Yes. This was her last act, she knew I would be in the room, I would be dead by now if I didn’t jump out.” I clenched my teeth, tightening my fists, allowing the nurse a little room to finish up.
“Where are you going?” She inquired noticing my retreating steps.
“I promised you I’d make her pay myself. I’m going to fulfill my promise. I’ll arrange for you to be taken somewhere, you need rest.” I took a few steps back and touched her chin tenderly. She squeezed her eyes surprised at my movements, I expected her to recoil at my touch but she didn’t.
“Be careful.” She said instead, I forced a small smile before leaving. This ends now, all of it.
****
On the way to the precent, I kept thinking; what if I lost her? It would mean I lost my world, everything about me. I needed to appreciate the fact that she was here more often. I don’t ever want to lose her again, I’d do whatever I could to ensure that.
When I arrived, I received different stares from the officers. My actions would forever be stored in their memory.
“How Is she?” Richard asked coming out from his office.
“She’s fine.” I answered and he sighed in relief. We both needed to hear that.
“Where is she?” I asked, he pointed to a section and I strolled over. I remembered this cell, Annabelle was in it. The irony.
Hitting the gates, Ava lifted her head to meet my gaze.
“One less charge.” I cocked my head and smirked. Realization flashed through her eyes, understanding the meaning to my words.
“No!” She screamed, clenching her teeth.
******