Page 61 of You are the Reason

“I’m sorry, Jesse. I need to keep pressure on this.”

“Enlighten me.” I cough, a metallic taste filling my mouth. “H-how the fuck did you –”

“A story for another day Jess.” He glances my way before refocusing on the road. “Please know that my only comfort was found in knowing you’ve been looking out for our girl. I don’t have the words to even begin to explain – Knowing she has had you has been my lifeline.”

“The girls … How many more are there?”

He shakes his head on a frown before answering me. “This whole operation is bigger than anyone could fathom. I wasn’t kept in the loop, they didn’t trust me with any intel. All I know is that the drugs are a cover up.” Warren glances in the rear view mirror, dropping his shoulders slightly with the knowledge that we aren’t being followed. “I overheard a conversation one day, Lance was speaking with someone he called ‘Luxton’– I didn’t catch a first name. I asked around later on and apparently they are a family within the Los Angeles Mafia.”

“Wait – as in the United States?”

Warren gives me a curt nod, ending the conversation as he drives back towards where my ute is parked.

After he patched me up, we opened the back door of the van to find four trembling girls. They were malnourished, with dirty clothes and tear-stricken cheeks. It took a lot of gentle persuasion but we were able to convince them that we weren’t here to hurt them.

Warren suggested we take them to a set of abandoned shearing quarters; ones he had found when he attempted to escape a few months ago. The girls would be safe there until I called the police, so would the driver who I left tied to a chair. The bastard can give evidence.

I wish I wasn’t bleeding so heavily. My face is pressed against the passenger window, the cool glass a welcome relief on my cheek. I’m too dizzy to sit up straight. I know this is serious; I’m not naive. I need to get to a hospital, but a part of me wants to drive back to the warehouse and find Lance before he escapes.

The sun is rising now, a warm glow reflecting off the dewy leaves. All I can think of are the nights Meadow and I spent on top of the concrete tank, talking for hours until we would watch the sun rise. I remember the first time she took me up there, it was her fifteenth birthday. I knew she was spending it at home; her mum didn’t let her go out or socialise, other than school and to be honest, at that point in her life, I think Kinsley was too beaten down to even want to be out in the world. She felt more comfortable in her own space than she did surrounded by people. Somehow, the more people that were around, the lonelier she felt

“Can you keep a secret?” Kinsley giggles, taking my hand and dragging me out her bedroom door. She is drunk for the first time in her life. I swear her attempts to tiptoe down the hallway without my hand would lead to her being upside down; there is nothing quiet about her at this moment. We walk out the back door and I help her into her boots. She stumbles again and I catch her, she falls into my chest, still giggling and I tip my head back with my own laughter. When my eyes meet hers again, she is staring up at me through her long eyelashes, I reach out and tuck a wild strand of hair behind her ear.

“Jesse?” she asks, and it snaps me out of my daze. What the hell am I thinking? It must be the alcohol.

“Meadow,” I reply. “Isn’t there something you wanted to show me?”

That snaps her out of it; she smiles and takes my hand again.

“Yeah, it’s this way. C’mon.”

We walk into the paddock, which sits above the house, on a rise. To our right, with the perfect view of the horizon, is an old concrete tank. ‘Please god tell me she doesn’t want to go swimming in there or something?’ I think to myself. Reaching up, she begins to climb the ladder. “Meadow, what the hell are you doing?” I call out to her.

When she looks down at me, she wobbles and I quickly climb up behind her. At least if she falls now, I’ll soften the blow. Following her up and onto the roof of the tank, I realise that she doesn’t want to swim, she only wants to sit.

“This is the only place that allows me to feel anything close to weightless, a place that mimics the feeling you have been able to gift me tonight. This is my place of escape.” Her eyes have sadness behind them, even as she smiles covering up her deepest confession with lighthearted humour. “It’s a secret though, so don’t go telling anyone.”

Secrets — that is what started it all. If only she knew. Maybe one day; one day she can know, it’s always been her.

Her voice beckons my attention and I glance her way, her head is tilted to the side, brows drawn together. I laugh, she’s so cute when she’s in this mood.

“What are you thinking about?” She presses when I don’t answer her silent question.

I consider lying to her, but I doubt she will remember tomorrow. “You,” I answer with only one word and the most beautiful rosy colour spreads over her freckles. “I’ll keep your secret, if you can keep mine,” I whisper, leaning in close. Kinsley closes the gap between us and I cup her cheek in my palm. Dusting my lips over hers, I pause giving her the chance to pull away. She doesn’t, instead she kisses me back gently, almost lovingly. I slow the kiss and pull back. “Happy Birthday, Meadow.”

Her smile is all the confirmation I need. She sees me, even if she doesn’t know it.

“M-my phone,” I say on ragged breaths. “A video — for Kinsley.”

Warren grabs my face with both hands. “Whatever you want to say to our girl, you will tell her yourself. She’s here. Let’s go Jesse; just focus on me.”

My eyes widen at the mention of her. She’s here; I don’t want her to see me like this, but at least she can see that I am alive. Warren wraps his arm around my waist, I’m wobbly on my feet, and he’s supporting nearly all my weight, as I climb out of the van. With his help, I stumble towards where I think I can make out two figures, I can only assume it’s Kinsley and Tanner standing near my car. It has to be them, no one else knows we are out here.

I suck in a breath, almost gasping for air. The pressure of Warren’s hand has left the wound, instead using it now to help me stand, but the crushing weight I feel on my chest remains the same, making it hard to breathe. With each breath, I struggle and my eyes are growing heavy, somehow through the haze I see them; her honey-coloured eyes.

I think she’s calling my name, but all their voices sound so far away. Warren sits me down in the backseat of Tanner’s car, and I feel my body slump against the cool leather. Before too long, my head is propped up and I feel the warmth and comfort of lying in someone’s lap. Berries and Lou-loo? “Mea—dow?”

“It’s me, Jesse. I’m here — Stay with me.” She strokes my head and pain shoots through me as she applies pressure to my chest.

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