"Hold On" (used to be "untitled")

[moodyblue84]

Part 7

"You OK?"

Kale glanced around the sidewalk as people started to walk past them and head across the street. She then turned back at him and replied, "I'm fine. It's just...you know how I get with crowds during the day sometimes."

Marty shrugged. "I'm used to it...so the crowds don't bother me much."

Kale nodded and started to walk across the street with him on her left side.

"You sure you're OK?" He asked, placing an arm around her. "Because...you seem kinda..."
"I'm fine," she replied quickly. "Seriously."

After some silence, Marty looked at her and said, "Feel like telling me what's bugging you?"

(To be continued...)

[redjasper]

Wow, moody, I'm hooked!

Here's a hello from another relatively new member.

I've just starting posting in the last couple of days and just discovered the Creativity Vault today. I'm inspired by your writing!! Can't wait for the next bit...

[moodyblue84]

Part 8

(1 month later)

"So next week's the big art show, right?"

Kale glanced over at Sloan and nodded. "Yeah. My first one."

"You nervous?"
"Course I'm nervous. I mean, I'm not used to having total strangers critique my works and..."
"Well that's what people do. They talk and critique everything in life whether it's positive or negative. And even if it is negative, screw them."

Sloan moved her chair over to her sister in silence while the other bar patrons talked about their own lives and told their own stories. Kale was still slightly on edge after the shooting and tried to control it with her own forms of therapy---art & music listening---but nothing seemed to work. Ray was still out there and she knew it. But she wasn't sure where he was hiding or when he would strike.

"Kay. Listen," Sloan said. "We're here for you, OK? Matt and I have your back. So does Marty. He seriously cares about you like crazy. You know that."

Before Kale could say anything else, she turned and spotted Ray standing near the bar; his eyes full of rage as his hand gripped the edge. She slowly got up from her chair and started to back up.

"Kay? Kale, what's wrong?"

As Kale started to back up, he started to walk forward, causing her to break out into a run as she struggled to make her way to the front entrance---but was blocked by his face as he aimed a gun at her head.
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(Now...)

"Kale?"

She sharply picked her head up from the couch and stared at his face once he turned the lights on and sat down next to her.

"You OK?" He asked.
She stared at him for a few moments until she nodded and said, "What time is it?"

"Uh...two."
"Dammit. I gotta head out."

Kale was about to stand up from the couch when he lightly grabbed her hand and replied, "It's two in the morning. Not the afternoon."

She checked the small plastic alarm clock on the coffee table, muttered "dammit" once again, and sat down on the couch; closing her eyes as he touched her shoulder.

"OK. Spill," Marty said, moving over to her. "What the hell is bugging you?"

(To be continued...)

[starcrossed]

This is coming along so well!!! Great read...I can't wait to see what happens next. Great job Moody.