Chapter Thirty Two

"One day you'll thank me, for wanting peace between you and your, erm," Seth squirmed, "Brother?" Ryan mustered a disgusted look from behind Seth. "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Seth said quickly as he felt Ryan's burning stare against his back. Seth continued to drive away, but his hands were shaking rigidly- he couldn't keep still in front of Ryan's powerful glare.

"When I kill Tray? Possibly I'll thank you- for inspiring to realise that he is just a jack as that really does not deserve to live." Ryan said forcefully, he hoped Seth would just stop talking. Everyone in the car knew that Ryan would never kill Tray- it was just so farfetched, the sole idea. So stupid. So cruel. So inhumane.

"You would never kill Tray. He means too much to you." Seth replied bravely, as his lips trembled. He faked a smile, and finally said, "How about I buy dinner? Eh? Good idea?" Seth asked cheerfully, however inside the guilt, and threatening fear was bulging.

"I'm not really hungry." Marissa said in a tiny squeak after a long time worth of silence. Ryan hugged her tighter in his arms, as if to say, 'I understand, baby. Don't worry, though.' Marissa, grateful for this gesture pulled in even closer to Ryan.

"Oh come on guys. I'm sorry. I said so a few times already. Will you please just forget it?" Seth whined as he passed a fast food restaurant. Seth slumped in his chair, as his hopes died. He was getting quite hungry.

"Seth," Ryan said, "Just take us home."

"Ryan, Marissa," Seth started, but Ryan interrupted him.

"Take us home Seth." Ryan pressed firmly. Seth did not object any further, he only drove down the empty, night road. The street was dimly lit, and the Newport outskirts were curvy and unpredictable. Seth however, the vigilant driver that he was, drove the three of them to Newport safely. Ryan and Marissa got out of the car almost immediately after it parked in front of the Cohen residence. When they all walked in, Kirsten quickly shuffled toward the door. She hugged Seth, and Ryan as if her worry had been released.

"Where were you guys?" Kirsten asked suspiciously after she pulled away from the tight hug.

"Nowhere." The three said quickly, in unison.

"What is the matter?" Kirsten pressed seeing that they were up to something.

"Nothing." They all answered stupidly, realising they were only raising suspicion by replying so quickly, and all together.

"As long as the police aren't chasing you, I'll let it slide." Kirsten raised her eyebrow as she turned and started toward the kitchen.

"We love you, Mommy." Seth called out sweetly, as she trailed off. Now Seth looked toward Ryan and Marissa, who were looking at him gravely. "I'm sorry, you guys. How many times do I have to repeat it?" Seth begged them for forgiveness.

"It's not that you actually thought it was a good idea to see Tray, Seth. It's that you actually went through with your stupid, idiotic moment." Ryan said quietly, pondering the situation.

"It was one, ONE, stupid moment!" Seth said in a shrilling voice.

"Moments can last a lifetime." Ryan grimaced, as he stalked off with Marissa toward the pool house. Seth exhaled deeply, as he grabbed his head with his hands. He groaned as he stood dumbstruck.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen Kirsten and Sandy were having an argument concerning the youngsters. Kirsten was cleaning the countertop with a moist towel, as Sandy was gulping down a Pepsi with ice. "I just don't think it's any of your business, Kirsten." Sandy said after hearing Kirsten's account of her worry for Ryan, Seth and Marissa too.

"It is my business. Seth can't lie, Sandy. Something bad is going on, and I know it- just by their faces I know it, let alone the eerie silence. I can't help but worry." Kirsten justified.

"Let it be, honey. They're big boys, and Marissa I believe is pretty capable of taking care of herself- with Julie around, I guess she's learned to adapt to the world." Sandy said dismissively.

"You don't understand. While Seth and Ryan are under my roof, it is up to me to take care of them, protect them. As for Marissa, I don't think I've ever seen her face as frightened as this. Sandy, you have to see it to believe it." Kirsten retaliated.

"You do, how you see fit, Kiki. But please, keep your space- they're not children anymore." Sandy said thoughtfully, as he poured himself another glass of Pepsi.

" Sandy, you're not going to be able to sleep all night with all that caffeine." Kirsten stated, as she tried to snatch the cup.

"Stay away." Sandy joked, as he held the cup close to his chest. Kirsten laughed, as she disappeared out the kitchen door, possibly to her bedroom.

In the pool house, Marissa and Ryan were discussing a few silent matters- particularly about Tray.

"You aren't really going to, kill, him are you?" Marissa gulped, as she questioned Ryan incredulously. She touched Ryan's arm carefully as if to say that she would respect any decision.

"No, I wouldn't do that. First of all, the Cohen's, I don't know, I don't know how they would take it. They helped me so much, I don't want to disappoint them. Second of all, I know he's not worth it, Marissa. God but I sure do feel like murdering him cold." Ryan grinned, as he reacted, vindicated.

"Good. I was afraid for a moment," Marissa professed, as she shifted in her seat.

"Marissa?" Ryan almost asked to get her thorough attention.

"Yeah?"

"God," Ryan smiled as he looked down at their hands, "I just," Ryan inhaled, "I just love you."