Oh my, you're all so lovely! That was probably the quickest that the reviews have ever come in, so, thank you. X
ash1994, dustdancingintheflickerlight - I always love to hear from new reviewers. Hi! You're not the only ones who have mentioned the chapter length and it actually pains me that they're so short. The way I see it though, I would rather upload shorter chapters pretty much every day than longer chapters that feel bitty once a week. Plus, it's a lot easier to fit short and sweet updates into my lifestyle. x
Virgo girl 14 - I'm a Virgo too x
Waterloo road 16 - I'm so glad you're 'hooked'. Here's your update!
Chapter Seven
The blood that pounded in Dynasty's ears echoed the frantic beating of her racing heart as Barry sat down beside her and uttered the words again.
"Answer me, Dynasty, is it true?"
Dynasty swallowed audible, turning her head away to stifle the shameful sobs that threatened to engulf her again. She crossed her legs to steady their shaking.
She felt sick. Sick of crying. Sick of walking away from the people she loved.
"Oh God, it is, isn't it?" Barry continued, placing a careful hand on his sister's shoulder. Dynasty stiffened under his touch but did not move away. To Dynasty it was a personal battle that she was winning. Barry, Mr Byrne, even Mr Clarkson; their presence, masculine and intimidating, caused bubbles of nervous panic to mount up inside of her. However, every touch she endured was a victory and every comfort she found in their words bought her one step closer to closure.
Dynasty's hand seemed to tingle with the absence of Kevin's and she missed the comforting warm that only his voice could give her.
She contemplated running to him now, begging him to leave with her but she forced herself to remain seated on the bench beside Barry.
Dynasty fixed her eyes absentmindedly on the school gates and breathed deeply as she imagined the ghost of Barry's car parking up outside, Steve-O waiting for her to leave with him, kissing her as she squirmed away under Kevin's watchful gaze.
"Dynasty?" Barry prompted.
Dynasty blinked away any emotion that would leave her vulnerable to his questions.
"Just leave it, yeah? It's all sorted now," she replied sharply.
Dynasty stood up and surveyed the roads as she had done earlier. Steve-O wasn't watching as she thought he would be. Kevin's words floated to the front of her mind and she agreed with him. He had her. Whether Dynasty belonged with him didn't matter, for as long as the fear of him gripped her so resolutely, she belonged to him.
"Please, don't make it all be for nothing."
Dynasty's words clouded Kevin's thoughts as he stared transfixed at the text that left him within touching distance of Steve-O end.
Kevin pleaded with himself to walk back into the school that had molded him into the man he wanted to be but his feet dragged him forwards, involuntarily carrying him towards the docks. Kevin glanced over his shoulder at Waterloo Road and prayed silently that Dynasty was safe inside one of its classrooms.
Kevin was unsure how long he had been walking by the time he found himself striding nervously past each storage unit, searching for the one that Barry had informed him would be left open.
"Kevin!"
Connor's voice broke the silence around him and Kevin halted his search. Turning to face his friend, Kevin eyed him with suspicion.
"If you're here to stop me-"
"Kevin, could I stop you?" Connor yelled in frustration as Kevin shook his head almost to himself, and began to march away again.
The sound of Connor's footsteps building in volume as he ran behind Kevin pulsed in Kevin's ears.
The slap of Connor's feet on the concrete was deafening and Kevin panicked for a moment that Steve-O would hear him coming. It was this thought that alerted Kevin, as though for the first time, to the fragility of his plan. He had put his faith in Barry Barry, trusted him to lure Steve-O down to the docks, but now his trust was wavering. He could almost feel the gun in his hand, the power that would flow through his arm and end this forever. Yet, with this in mind, Kevin couldn't help but worry that he wouldn't find the gun in time with Connor delaying his search.
Connor was still shouting behind him, trailing after him as he spotted the open door that Barry had told him to look for.
Kevin ignored Connor's protests as he ducked under the door and squinted into the darkness of the storage hold.
"Kevin, just leave now. Dynasty needs you," Connor implored.
Kevin broke.
"Just go away, Connor," he roared, pushing Connor to the ground roughly as he tried to block his path.
In his rage Kevin's eyes locked on the small metal box that he was searching for and sprinted towards it before Connor could stagger to his feet.
Empty.
At first Kevin thought the darkness was playing tricks on his eyes but as he kicked the box aside in anger there was no metallic thud of a gun from within it.
"It's not even here," Kevin moaned.
His legs shook as he squeezed the bridge of his nose in despair and felt the tension drain from his muscles.
"Yeah, but Steve-O's still on his way here, isn't he? We need to go, Kevin."
Connor gripped Kevin's arm tightly and pulled him towards the glowing exit.
Kevin didn't respond as he allowed Connor to lead his limp body into the blinding sunlight. He blinked rapidly as the warm rays washed over his skin and idly compared their touch to the feel of Dynasty's hands on his face, soothing him to sleep as she had their first night together.
Through the haze, Kevin felt Connor come to a sudden halt beside him. Kevin looked up and recognized unadulterated fear in Connor's blue eyes as the click of the gun echoed in his ears.
"So you're going to kill me then?" Steve-O barked, walking towards Kevin with the gun that only moments ago had been the key to Kevin's plan.
It all happens next chapter! Now, I know I said that although I'd go somewhat with the show I've only used minimal dialogue from it, however, I really loved Christine and Dynasty's scene so I'll be sticking with that (with a few tweaks of course) for Dynasty's confession. Hope you don't mind. Xoxo See you next update!
