55

His eyes were burning into mine intensely.
He didn’t say anything for a while and I was scared that he thought I was being stupid.
Let’s make a deal. He said finally, those three words not helping the nerves.
What type of deal ? I asked slowly, having no clue what he was up to.
What if, tonight I answer two of your questions, anything you want to ask me. He started, making my eyes widen in shock.
He was willing to give me two answers to what my curious mind was wondering about ? I knew I would take the deal, no matter what price I had to pay.
But. He quickly said before I could get too happy. I get to kiss you after. He grinned at me.
Like I’d say no to that.
Stupid voice, get out of my head.
I pretended to think it over for a while, before putting on a neutral face.
We have a deal. I said, trying to drain the excitement out of my words, but I don’t think it worked.
Nathan’s smile grew and I found myself smiling back at him.
Okay, first question. I started, not able to wait any longer.
Nathan’s lips turned up slightly in amusement and that masked look in his eyes started to dissipate again.
Where did you go when you went on that mystery trip with Alvin ? I asked without hesitation. This was the number one question that had been bugging me since the day he got back.
There was a small pause as he thought for a second.
I was starting to think that he would back out on the deal, but then he answered.
Can we please leave that question for last ? He asked me quietly, a hint of nervousness in his tone.
I nodded and brought up my second question. Why did you kidnap me ? I asked, looking into his eyes with curiosity.
I remembered he had told me that he was doing this because he was stuck and needed help. Or something like that. But it had been a very vague answer. For all I knew, he was just stocking up on his heroin addiction.
Because Ryland ordered me to. He spoke automatically.
I sighed. You know that’s not the answer I’m looking for. I stated.
He let out a deep breath before starting his answer. About four months ago, my dad walked out on us. He started, his expression and voice void of emotion. Ever since then, everything became a huge mess. He was the only one that had a job and it was a pretty good one. Once he left, the bills became too much, the stress was growing us all up faster than normal, and the aftermath of it all was starting to tear our family apart. We ended up kicked out onto the streets pretty soon. We had gone broke and lost our house and car. My father had really drained every last coin we had, stripping us from all of our belongings and savings and fucking off to nowhere. We barely had money and I was lucky enough to find a job as a car valet.
I’d work about eight hours but it still wasn’t enough to pull my family out of poverty. All I could do was provide them with food and clothing. But it wasn’t enough. I knew there would be no stable future for us. He looked so adorably sad that I had the sudden urge to hug him.
For Hana. He added softly after, the whisper almost slipping past me.
I was about to ask who Hana was, but he quickly continued on.
I knew he had more family coming to visit tomorrow for Christmas tomorrow and I guess I’d just see then.
I had managed to move my family to a shelter home within the first week. Max was able to go back to college and stay residing on campus with his student loans, and so I sent Dustin with him to stay safe. Anyways, one night while my mom and the rest of my siblings were all asleep and I was outside the shelter to make sure no one tried to rob us, this man came up to me and offered me a new job where the pay would be grand. I had no idea how this man knew me or why he would just offer some homeless boy a job but I was too excited to care. I took the job without hesitation and the man paid me a thousand bucks in advance. He told me it was completely safe and legal, and even had contracts and papers for me to sign. It just seemed like some recruiting agency and at the time I was at such a low point, I didn’t care what I had to do to survive.
I noticed Nathan had laced our fingers together and was softly playing with our entangled hands between us as he opened up more. The action made my heart warm but I continued to listen to his story with full attention. Never had I been so intrigued on a person’s life story like this.
With the money I had scrounged up from my old job and the new money I had just gotten, I managed to rent us a small apartment and that’s where it started. I had no idea what my job was but the man said he needed to train me first. I’d wake up early in the morning each day and go to this building where there’d be instructors. First they built up my body and made me strong. Then they taught me how to fight and eventually I became pro. I still had no clue what all the training was for but I hardly asked, only focused on collecting the thick stacks of cash being handed to me and putting it towards sustaining a good future for my family.
Soon enough, I was able to support the rest of Max’s studies at college, and even bought my mom and siblings a nice cozy house. Everything was perfect until one day I walked to that building, ready to train some more, when they pulled out firearms to train with. They said that I’d become really good and that they were ready to take me to the next level. That was when I freaked out. I asked them what all the training was for but just like every other time I’d asked, they ignored me. I realized just how serious it all really was and I knew it wouldn’t turn out good. I was just about to quit, not wanting to risk the lives of my family, but that same day that man who had offered me the job in the first place told me they had found me a mission.
I was confused at first, then I began to think that they had been training me to become a spy or something cool, and then later on I found out that a man named Ryland needed someone to kidnap a girl. I knew at that point I had to get out, and I had almost escaped it, but it was too late. By then I was in too deep. He had already gotten leverage over me. He stopped to look away, but I still caught a glimpse of the crushing agony in his eyes before he was able to hide it.
I looked down and noticed his hands which had left mine were slightly shaking. Before I could stop myself, I reached out and grabbed his trembling fingers, bringing them up to my chest.
Ignoring his burning gaze on me, I gripped onto his hands against my chest and waited for them to stop shaking.
Thankfully, he didn’t say anything or try to stop me, but instead shot me a small smile, making me feel happier.
They… They took Hana. He said quietly, his eyes showing his broken expression which he had been trying so hard not to let show.
It made my heart crack seeing him in this much pain, but I knew I could do nothing. Not yet, he still had to finish his story for me to understand fully.
I- I started, but he cut me off.
Please don’t run away. He silently pleaded, looking down into my eyes. I know I was selfish and ignorant for taking on such a serious deal without even questioning it. I ended up putting my family in danger and you, and if I could fix it, I would do it in a heartbeat. Had there been any other way I knew I’d go back and take any other option. He stated with pure genuine emotion, his words breaking me.
You know… He trailed off, before taking a breath and continuing. I’d give my life up for the sake of my family’s safety and yours. He stated.