Damned: Chapter 38) Sister Dearest

It had been fifteen long minutes and they still hadn’t stopped. Quite truthfully, it was getting to me. I had to stop it before one of them got hurt and by one of them I meant Anthony.

“Enough! Just stop it! Both of you.” I shouted as I stood, silencing them and glaring at my brother, “Using Natalia was wrong, and quite frankly, everything you did thus far is disappointing.”

Anthony looked at me angrily as Natalia looked away.

“I need some air,” I stated as I walked out.

I felt suffocated in every possible none physical way. Holding onto the railing and looking down at the lobby below I exhaled the exhaustion that was choking me- that’s when I saw the familiar image of a man who walked out the lobby with a folder in his hand.

James?

I wasn’t sure whether to feel joy or sadness. Before I knew it, my feet made its way down the stairs.

“James!” I called as I rushed after him out of the room.

My feet seemed to burn as my inside ached with every step I took.

“James?” I stopped as I found myself outside the motel in the carpark as I saw a motorbike speeding off from a distance.

Why did he run?

Too many questions were swimming and banging against my skull. Nothing was making sense. I didn’t understand anything anymore. Turning, I took a deep breath heading back inside the motel when a group of middle-aged men at the side who were clearly drinking and smoking were cat-calling me as I walked by. Quickening my speed towards the door, one of the men stood and walked towards me. Before I could have entered, he blocked my entrance.

“Look at you,” he winked and whistled as the other men cheered him on, “Rough night? Or do you want one?”

“Move,” I demanded, disgusted by his remark.

“Feisty,” he chuckled, “You look like a fighter.”

“I said, move.” I hissed.

“Oh baby, I can’t do that. Not here at least.” He laughed as he slipped his arm around my waist locking me in his grip.

I was about to punch him in the face with my very little strength remaining, that is, until someone pulled him away from me and tossed him on the side of the ground.

“It’s best you listen to her.” The man stood before me, clad in navy a blue suit as his deep blonde hair tousled to the side against the wind.

I stood in shock, unsure of what was happening. Why was he helping me? Before I could have said another word, the other men neared us.

“Go inside, Katherine,” Archer stated.

I couldn’t move.

“I said go.” He made himself clearer. I forced myself to move and went into the motel.

Turning around as I walked in, I noted him tossing another one of the men to the ground while he punched another in the face so effortlessly. I rushed back towards the stairs and entered the room where I saw a worried-looking Natalia, Moe watching television and Nikolai sitting on the sofa tiredly.

“Where’s Anthony?”

“He’s in the washroom. Are you alright?” Natalia answered.

“No,” I said worriedly.

“What happened?” she asked as she neared me putting her hands on my shoulders.

“Perhaps I could explain.” A voice came from at the door.

“Archer?” Natalia breathed, “Why are you here? If you came for Katherine you better leave and tell Vitaly to stay away from her or it’s me and him.”

“I’m not here to hurt her, Miss Osenova.”

“Then what brings you here, Devereux?” Nik asked.

“I hope you brought some chicken nuggets, man. I’m starved.” Moe stretched as he got up from the bed.

“We need to talk.” Archer stated towards me, “And I assume you have a lot of questions for me as well.”

“Is Katherine back yet?” Anthony suddenly questioned as he walked out the washroom but stood in place when he saw Archer.

“You called him here, didn’t you?” Anthony accused me, “You knew this whole time.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh don’t play dumb, Katherine!”

“I prefer if you lower your voice,” Archer warned, “She doesn’t know. Which brings me to the fact that you know, how is it that you know Donovan?”

“I’m not talking anymore. All of you are traitors. Even you!” Anthony pointed towards me.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said in frustration.

“No one’s against you dipshit, and quite frankly you’re the only one with secrets here.” Nik angrily retorted.

For the first time, I noticed Moe held a curious and serious look towards Archer, like he was trying to understand something.

“Anthony please,” I sighed, “I just want things to go back to normal. I want to go home and have a normal life again. Please.”

“Are you insane, Kat? That would never happen! You’re delusional.”

“Why are you speaking like this? There is at least a little hope. You’re my brother Anthony, I love you. We have each other now, doesn’t that mean anything?”

His eyes seemed to fill with tears and his face seemed to hold so much pain, “No. No, it doesn’t.”

“What are you saying?”

“Because you’re not my sister, Katherine!” he sobbed.

“What?” my voice broke and I felt my heart sink to the floor.

“Clearly you already know hence the situation right now.” He accused.

“No- I – I don’t-”

“If this is some sick joke.” Natalia hissed.

“Why would I lie? Tell me, Nat! Why would I lie about this?” he sat morbidly on the bed, lowering his gaze, “Katherine isn’t my sister. My sister’s dead- the day she was born.”

“But she’s yours, isn’t she?” Moe stated as he looked at Archer Devereux, “Katherine’s your sister.”

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