David Taylor (Ava's uncle)^
***
I sighed, skimming my fingers on the pages of the play book, feeling the familiar bumps along the page. I had a slight headache so I couldn't really pay attention to the play I was trying to read.
"A, you okay?"
I turned to Jake's voice and I gave a small smile, "yeah, I'm just tired. Do you know where is Hailee and Kenzie? They should've been here by now."
It is currently lunch time and I was seated with Jake along with Derrick and Ryder. I don't know what Ryder is doing since he's been quiet the whole time but as for Derrick, I can practically hear him trying to dry hump a girl on the table. I gritted my teeth to keep myself from telling him off.
"No, I haven't seen them since this morning."
I sighed again, running my hand through my hair. "My head is killing me."
Hands were suddenly on both sides of my head, massaging it making me sigh in relief as the pain slightly receded. "Feels better?"
I nodded, "yes, please don't stop. I swear I'm so close to grabbing Derrick and slamming his face into the table."
Jake chuckled, "I know what you mean but I can't blame him, the girl is are hot."
I smacked him on his arm playfully.
"Hey," he protested, "I'm doing you a favor and you thank me by hitting me?"
"Well, be thankful I didn't slam your face into the table instead." I smirked.
"You're mean."
"I know."
The bell rang and I jumped up, "yes! Time to go home!"
"Don't you have class?" Ryder asked. Wow, now he decided to talk.
"No, I have free period for the rest of the day."
"Then why do you stay until after school?" He asked confused.
"Because I usually have stuff to do during my free periods here in school but I'm too tired to even bother. Laters, guys."
I walked out of the cafeteria and took out my phone. I dialled my uncle's number.
Hello?
"Uncle Dave, can you pick me up?"
Now? I thought you usually stay in school?
"Yeah but I don't feel so good. So can you?"
Yeah, I'll be there soon.
"Okay, thanks."
No problem, kiddo. See you soon.
I hung up and waited at the front entrance until I heard a car honk and I walked towards it and climbed in.
"You okay?" Uncle Dave asked as he started towards home.
I nodded, "yeah, my head just hurts."
"Have you been getting enough sleep?"
"Yeah." No. Ever since I got the call from Fred, I've been having a hard time sleeping.
"Don't lie to me, Ava. What's wrong?"
I sighed, "Fred called me."
I felt him stiffen next to me. "What did he say?"
"They found him but lost him again. He ran after he caught sight of them watching him."
He stayed silent for a moment, then sighed, "Ava, promise me something."
"What?"
"Promise me you won't go after him alone."
I stayed silent, knowing I can't promise that.
"Ava," he said sternly and I groaned.
"I can't promise you that. He killed my parents, Uncle Dave and I will do whatever it takes to take him down, even if it kills me." I said determined.
He stopped the car but we both stayed in our seats. We were silent for a long while until he shifted. "Kiddo, just please promise me that you'll at least tell me if you ever decide to go after him. I don't want you to get hurt."
I smiled his way, "I won't get hurt. I was taught how to fight from the best."
He sighed in aggravation, "this is not a joke, Ava. I didn't train you for you to go and get yourself killed. I trained you so that you would be able to defend yourself in any situation."
"I know but I told you since the beginning that I will find him and I will end him."
"Well, I didn't think you were really going to do that," he exclaimed, "you were what? Ten? Eleven? No kid should be thinking that way."
"He made me this way!" I screamed. I can feel my eyes burning and I knew that I was close to crying. "He took them away from me! Why? What did they do to deserve that huh?"
I was full on sobbing by the end and he gathered me in his arms, letting me cry out my pain and anger. He stroked my head softly, "I don't know, kid but what I do know is that your parents would've wanted you to live your life happily, not waste it by going after their killer."
I pulled away, wiping the tears on my face. "I wish I could do that, but I'm sorry, I can't." I croaked out and I quickly got out of the car.
Once I was in my room, I fell onto my bed and started crying again. Why did he kill them? What did they do for him to kill them? Did he do that as revenge or is he just cold-hearted that he did it for fun? The more questions that popped into my head, the more pissed off I became. I searched through every database to see if my parents were involved in anything illegal or if they did anything to him or his family but I came up with nothing so it can't be for revenge. I even questioned people who knew my parents and they all told me the same thing. My parents were good people.
I started to feel myself fall asleep as my eyes got heavy and my body relaxed into the comfort of my bed. You're a dead man, Ramiro, you're a dead man.
With that last thought, I fell into a deep slumber.
***
It is now 2pm on a Saturday and I'm currently in the car with Miles as he drives me to the library. I have a library of my own but if I stayed inside that pent house apartment, I am going to go insane.
"What time shall I pick you up, Ms. Ava?"
I sighed, "Miles, how many tines do I have to tell you to just call me Ava?"
He chuckled, "yes, Ms. Ava."
I groaned, "I feel like you're just doing that on purpose. I'll call you when I'm ready to be picked up. Thanks, Miles."
"No problem, Ms. Ava," I can practically hear him smirk so I stuck my tongue out at him, playfully and he laughed as he got into the car. "Be safe."
"No worry, I will," I waved him off, walking to the entrance of the library. I've been here many times that I memorized where the steps are at and where the door is. I entered the door and was immediately met with cold air and the peaceful whispers of pages being flipped, pens scratching against paper, people walking through the aisles looking for books or stacking books back into its place and the librarian talking on the phone, telling the person on the other line that the library will be closing at 9pm today. I smiled and fixed my glasses as I walked towards the librarian's desk.
"Ava!" A very warm, soft-spoken voice greeted, "I've missed you."
I turned my head slightly towards Rita, the librarian. She and I got close over the years when I'd come here all the time. She was one of the people who took the time to teach me how to read braille. She is a mid-forties, loving woman with 4 children. The two oldest are twin boys who are 21, Travis and Brad. They are currently on their third year of college. They are really intelligent, they just tend to get into trouble a lot. The third child is Gwen, she is 17 and in her last year of high school but she doesn't go to my school. Her last child is Fiona, she is 14 and goes to the same school as Gwen.
"Hey, Rita," I was engulfed into a tight yet soothing hug, "I've missed you too. How are you?"
"I've been doing great, child," Rita pulled away as I straightened the ray bans on my face. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you the whole summer."
I sighed, "I had a lot of things to do. You should come over for dinner sometime. Just bring the rascals with you." I grinned.
She laughed, "I will take you up on that offer but I'll have to see when I'm able to come over."
I nodded, "Okay, I'll talk to you later. I gotta try and start on my project."
"Okay, good luck," she patted my arm and I smiled at her. I walked towards the cubicles at the back and sat at an empty one. I placed my laptop on the desk and took out my playbook. I had to do a report on a scene on Macbeth and explain what is going on. Since it's old English, it's kind of hard to comprehend but when you keep reading it, you get used to it and understand it better.
For hours, I typed up my report and when I had the conclusion left, I decided to finish that up at home. I clicked a button on my phone and asked for the time.
7:53pm
Wow, it took that long to type up a report? I thought as I stuffed everything in my bag and headed out.
"Be safe, Ava! Hope to see you around again!" Rita said as I passed by the counter.
I smiled and waved, "Don't worry, you'll see me around. Good night!"
I exit the library and walked down the steps. I was just about to take out my phone to call Miles when a voice cut in through the quiet air.
"Well, well," a gruff voice said, "looky here. You look familiar, pretty girl. What's your name?"
I turned my head slightly towards the familiar voice and smirked, "who's asking?"
"Ramiro but you can call me Daddy if you like," he flirted and I shivered in disgust. Ramiro, finally.
I turned my body fully his way and shifted my bag so it doesn't constrict my movements. "Ahh, Ramiro, sounds like a stupid name."
I'm guessing he's offended because I can practically feel his glare cutting through me, "watch it, girl. What's your name? I swear, I think I've seen you before."
I clicked my tongue against my teeth and started walking around him, being careful to keep a good distance. "You forgot me already? I thought you'd remember after shooting me those years ago."
He was silent for a moment, "you were that little girl..."
I hummed, "Yup, and you are the guy who killed my parents."
He snorts, "they deserved it."
I stopped, "why? Why did they deserve it?"
"Sorry, kid. That's for me to know only." It sounded like he was about to leave.
"Don't you dare move," my voice was quiet and cold. "You killed my parents. I deserve to know."
He boomed out a laugh, "And why should I tell you? You're nothing but a little, helpless girl. You're lucky I don't feel like playing tonight. Now run along."
I heard him turn again and started walking. I clenched my jaw tight and tightened my fists as anger flowed through my entire body but I stayed put. I turned the opposite way when he called out to me. "Hey, girly, it was nice to see you again."
He chuckled mockingly and I just continued walking until I reached a coffee shop a few blocks away. That son of a bitch will pay. I know I could've done something tonight but Uncle Dave taught me one thing and it's to always think things through, to never fight with anger blinding your focus. I just wish I could've punched him in the face but that would give him a heads-up that I'm able to fight and I want to be able to surprise him. Maybe I should hire someone to video his reaction when I end up beating his ass. I shook my head at my thoughts. Jake and his friends are turning me into an idiot.
I sighed and called Miles to pick me up at the coffee shop. I am so totally getting lectured tonight.
***
Sorry only now, I'm kind of losing the motivation to continue this storyð and plus, I got one week left of school so YAAAY! ð Please don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT & SHARE.
THANK YOU FOR READING! LOVE YAH! ð