Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Eighteen- Implosions

Kayleigh was not a happy woman. Her arm hurt and the Doc had said he couldn't give her any more painkillers; she had a feeling it was because of the little witch Holly and her back. Well she was in pain too! And she was awake- Holly wasn't. Sitting on her bed, she cradled her arm, cringing at any movement she made. So much for brilliant plans! Next time think a little harder before asking an idiot like Mark to shoot you down sweetie!

A sharp knock at her door made her jump and look up, no one had even thought about coming to see her for the last few hours; Kayleigh was pleased for some attention finally.

"Kayleigh? You in there?" Creedy's voice boomed.

Perfect, this can definitely work to my advantage.

"Yeah, come in." She coughed and said pathetically.

Creedy opened the door and stepped into the room silently, closing it behind him. Kayleigh could read from his tense body language that something had happened- was it the something she was wishing for?

"What is it Creedy? Has something happened to Holly?" False concern flashed across her face, I really am good at this.

"Holly is stable, she is sleeping." What! Damn. That girl really can't do anything properly can she, not even dying!

"Kayleigh we need to have a chat." Creedy didn't move any closer to her; he stood his ground and talked with a voice that was so expressionless that Kayleigh felt uneasy.

"W-what about?"

"You, me…Holly. Among other things." Oh shit…

"Oh, I don't think I understand." Kayleigh played dumb, but she knew something was going to screw up her plans.

"I was thinking, the rebels, they took all the young beautiful women, women who they could get something from. You're a beautiful, healthy young woman Kayleigh- why didn't they take you?"

Shit. Definitely…shit.

"Mark…he was with them all along you see. Turned out he only rescued me from those rebels on the road to get me for himself… he tried to take me but Holly stopped him when she…killed him. I thought I was safe then but Holly, she turned on me…saying I was one of them and that I should die and she shot me in my arm to make me fear her and take her revenge on you and me.

Oh Creedy I thought I was going to die! Thank God you all came back when you did!" She wailed, sobbing hysterically, expecting it to work as usual.

"The gun she shot you with…what did it look like?" His voice was still as cold as it had been before; it wasn't working like it should have- did he not believe her? Impossible this always works!

Sniffing, Kayleigh closed her eyes as if in thought and reliving bad memories.

"It was big and black, I remember her showing it to me. The name began with a B, I think." Kayleigh smiled a little, as if expecting praise for remembering such a terrible thing. Creedy's stomach lurched.

"The Beretta?"

"Yes, Holly shot me with that one."

"Kayleigh that's impossible…I have that gun. Holly and I swapped. So tell me again, who shot you, cause it sure as hell wasn't Holly and it obviously wasn't me either." Creedy demanded. Kayleigh felt like the rug had been pulled from under her, and it showed on her face. Time to raise the stakes then.

"She's a monster you know, a murderer and so horribly scarred under her clothes, she's been lying to you!" Kayleigh revealed, hoping the new angle might throw him off balance.

"Seems to me you're actually the one who's been doing the lying here darlin'. Holly simply decided not to tell, and she has good reason to, don't you think?" Kayleigh ground her teeth, frustrated at having no plausible answer ready and worried at the very wrong turn this evening was taking.

"What exactly did you say to her? Did you blackmail her? Talk to me damn it! After all the scheming you did I think I deserve some answers here!" Creedy was starting to sound angry.

"Creedy, you and I…we belong together. What could a freak like her give you that I can't? I love you Creedy; I was trying to do the best thing for us. I warned her off is all, I promise. I didn't know she would see us, I must have forgotten to close the door properly; I did what I had to, to protect you and me." Oh God she saw us together a second time? The morning of her work out…her hostility…What have I done? What has Kayleigh done! But Creedy knew she was still lying, there was something more that she wasn't telling.

"Kayleigh are you one of them? Are you…one of the rebels?"

"I was with them yes, but I had no idea they were going to do this, I swear Creedy I had no idea!" Tears were streaming down her face; yet Creedy knew better than to believe another word passing her lips. He was done with her for real and he knew Kayleigh realised that as clearly as he did.

"Kayleigh I want you to promise me something…" Her eyes widened, have I won?

"Anything Creedy, anything."

"That you will stay away from Holly and myself, I want nothing to do with you again, ever. When Holly is awake and I have had a chance to talk with Quinn we will discuss what will happen to you. I'd stay in your room if I were you, and don't try anything. I'm sure after this day is done you won't exactly be the castle's most popular inhabitant…" Creedy moved back to the door and walked out of it, slamming it behind him.

Kayleigh slumped back on her bed again, panic and anger racing through her veins. Holly was supposed to be dead but she wasn't, Creedy was supposed to be hers but he wasn't, she was supposed to have sympathy and pain relief but she didn't- and all of those culminated into making Kayleigh very, very annoyed. Was this the end? Would she be thrown out into harsh wilderness? Would Creedy ever be hers? This she doubted most of all, Quinn may let her stay out of pity or preferably compassion, but Creedy would never be hers now- not with Holly still around. Unless…

Kayleigh peeled herself from her bed, her face set in determination, she was out for revenge…