A Common Language

Chapter five

  Agitato

  The girls’ dorm lobby had become a popular hangout of the entire Data Venia, which was perfect for Kalli. The couches were comfortable, the atmosphere was calm, and no one shushed them for talking.

  “I’m so excited for the winter formal! Normally I don’t like dresses and all that crap but, I don’t know, this time I am,” Lupe was going on about some dance at the end of semester while tuning her guitar in the lobby. Apparently ‘everyone is going to be at the formal’. She made it sound like some Hollywood red-carpet event where everyone who was anyone would show up looking fantastic.

  “Isn’t it a bit far away to start planning for?”

  Lupe tsked. “Kalli, Kalli, Kalli. We have to get dresses now because come that time of semester we won’t have time. Besides, it’s fun!”

  “Formal? I don’t think I’ll go,” Kalli said plainly. She had no money for a fancy dress. Even if she did, dances were never her scene. Falling over in a dress didn’t seem like a good idea. Not most people’s idea of classy.

  “Won’t go? Kalli, please, why not?” Lupe whined and her puppy dog eyes worked incredibly well despite her sassy personality.

  “I can’t afford a dress. I ran away remember?” Kalli shrugged, sinking further into the lobby couch. She wanted to disappear.

  “That’s right… at least come with me to try stuff on. I’ll need a second opinion. And, who knows, maybe we will find a nice dress on sale.”

  “Lupe, that’s not likely at this time of year. Besides, my price range is free or they give me money to buy it. Otherwise, I can’t afford it. Sorry,” Kalli was sick of this subject.

  “Hm, quite a predicament,” Percy flipped onto the couch beside Kalli. “Maybe I can be of assistance.”

  “How…and why?” Kalli was suspicious she wasn’t in the habit of accepting favors from guys she barely knew. Nine times out ten they wanted a favor in return and usually it was something she wasn’t willing to give.

  “My mother. She gave me 500 pounds for spending money that she had saved for my tuition. Since I got the scholarship she told me to spend it on what I see fit. And I see it fitting for you to go to the formal,” Percy sat next to her on the couch, a little too close for comfort--the normal in Europe. All the people here were a little closer than in America. Lucky for her, Data Venia had made a point of backing up a little to make her less on edge, conscious or not, she appreciated it.

  “Why…?”

  “Because you are my friend and I want you experience life. Is that not reason enough?”

  “It is….” She still wasn’t sure she wanted him buying her a pretty dress. She didn’t like to feel indebted to people.

  “Your voice sounds hesitant,” he accused.

  “Never mind. Thank you,” it was terribly nice of him, but she was still suspicious of his intentions.

  “What day are the two of you going to town? Masashi and I need to get our tuxes fitted. Perhaps we can escort you.”

  “Thursday, the day after tomorrow,” Lupe said, finally stepping into the conversation. She felt left out of the spotlight. Kalli’s eyes widened a bit. How long had it been since she left? She silently tried to count on her fingers.

  “Very well, I shall tell Masashi,” Percy sprinted towards the dorms and Kalli wondered why he was in such a hurry. Maybe he just enjoyed running.

  “This has the potential to be interesting”

  Kalli turned back to her and came out of her daze. “I’m sorry?”

  “Don't worry your pretty little head. Just a passing thought,” Lupe said and went back to her guitar.

  “You know I’m fond of you, Lupe, but you and the rest of Data Venia are still just students at this school. Now, you’re the upperclassman so I need you to keep you and your friends reeled in. Luke is looking for any reason to expel you so don’t give him one. Live by the rules and do as you’re told.”

  “Sir….”

  “I know you hate that but I need you to do it. For me.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “So, where do you ladies wish to start?” Masashi was always the gentleman. The emotionless walking robot gentleman, but kind none-the-less.

  “There is a little boutique not far from here. I bought my dress there last year. And many of their dresses are reasonably priced,” Lupe gave Kalli a wink hoping that she would reconsider her refusal to go to the dance.

  “Very well, lead the way Lupe.”

  “Don’t you two need to do something with your tuxes?” Kalli was confused. Why would they walk with them? It’s a little weird to have guys waiting outside the dressing rooms.

  “Yes, we are sure to pass that way but in this part of town we don’t want to split up,” Masashi explained kindly.

  “I agree. This is not the best area to have two young Mademoiselles wandering alone,” Percy said completing Masashi’s dark thought.

  “Are you suggesting that we can’t protect ourselves?” Kalli said sarcastically, pushing Percy’s shoulder. Over the past few days they had made a silent arrangement to pretend to be friends until it actually happened and it seemed to be working.

  “Perhaps,” Percy said with a soft smack over her head. Kalli giggled and followed Lupe and Masashi to a small shop on a street corner. Lupe was short and skinny, this shop was perfect for her, but Kalli took one look and knew no dress in there would fit her thin, 5’6” frame.

  “Are you coming or not?” Lupe paused.

  “Nothing in there is going to fit me. I’m too tall,” Lupe looked inside and looked at Kalli and sighed. “Don’t worry, you go ahead. I’ll wait with the guys. Go on,” Kalli smiled reassuringly.

  “Okay,” Lupe said slowly and walked gracefully into the shop.

  Kalli leaned against the brick building and began to think about home, her mother, and Drake. She still felt terrible for not saying goodbye. What were they doing? Did they miss her? She bet Drake did, but not her mom. Her mom had probably disowned her, ‘Kalli who?’ she would say. Otherwise she would have called the university by now. It wasn’t like her disappearance was mysterious. The group sat in a comfortable silence for several moments before anyone spoke.

  Percy broke the silence. “You are thinking about him aren’t you?” He said, but she didn’t answer. She was too deep in thought to hear him. “Hello? Planet Earth to Kalli. I’m speaking to you,” Percy waved his hand in front of her face, she flinched back, startled. She rubbed the back of her head where she had banged the wall.

  “Yeah. Sorry. What?”

  “I asked you a question.”

  “Can you repeat it? I didn’t hear you,” Kalli said. She clicked her jaw. “I am not fond of your ‘tude either.”

  “’Tude?”

  “Yes. Attitude. Tone of voice. Disrespect. Pick your word. What was your question?” her voice was thin, she didn’t like people interrupting her thoughts. She rocked back and forth on her heels, waiting for him to answer.

  Percy sighed in a desperate attempt to calm himself down, why was he acting like this? What would it matter to him if Kalli was thinking about Drake? “Never mind. It wasn’t important.”

  “If it wasn’t important you wouldn’t have asked in the first place so spit it out!” Kalli was angry now. He had interrupted her thoughts and she refused to make that meaningless.

  “Why don’t you just go back to your precious thoughts?” Percy snapped.

  “Don’t mind if I do! I was having a very nice daydream!”

  “Really? Well that isn’t surprising considering the way your face was,” he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

  “Excuse me?”

  “It was about that boy, Drake, was it not?” Percy accused before he could think.

  “Why do you care?”

  “I don’t,” Percy denied and pushed himself away from the wall to stand only inches from her. She could hear his shallow breath and feel the heat of his chest. “I just don’t think you should hold onto him like this. You are here, he is there, end of sto
ry. Move on.”

  “I don’t mean to interrupt,” Masashi stepped in. “But the two of you are making a scene,” Kalli and Percy ignored him.

  “Move on? Do you mean to say you don’t think Drake and I can have a long-distance relationship?” Kalli demanded inching toward him closing the gap even further. Her eyes were narrow and her vision reddened.

  “No--as a matter of fact--I don’t! Besides, didn’t you leave!? Whoever said he still wants to be with you?! Maybe he already moved on. Ever think of that?” Why was he saying these things that would cut her so deep? He knew how much it would affect her but he couldn’t stop himself.

  “I…” Kalli had no comeback. “I hate you!” she slapped him--hard--across the face and ran down the street. Percy fell back the blow and his knees gave out against the wall. She was strong and his cheek stung.

  “Kalli!” She ran from the voice, hot tears of anger running down her face. She ran as far down the street as her lungs would allow then turned down a thin alleyway between two shady-looking stores.

  She dropped to her knees facing the dark brick wall and cried. She wanted to take it all back. She wanted to go home and kiss Drake, hug her mom, and make it all better. She wished she had never met Percy Delano.

  Not even a second after the thought had passed her mind, that she realized that it was a lie. She didn’t hate Percy. She wasn’t even that mad at him. She was mad at herself. Percy had been right about everything. She couldn’t face him, not after what she had said to him, done to him. Why did she have to do that? Say that? She was not acting like herself. Maybe this was some kind of stress thing, but she hated herself for the way she was now.

  “Hey, sweetheart. Need to get somewhere?” Kalli’s blood froze as a strong unfamiliar hand landed on her shoulder.

  “Percival?” Masashi tried to lift Percy from the cobblestone ground but he pushed him off and got up on his own. “Are you alright?”

  “Fine,” he said his hand rubbing his still stinging face. For such a small girl she had a lot of power behind her. He should have expected that with as strong as she acted; like nothing could touch her. Maybe he actually got past her thick skin this time and he wished he could take it back, despite the fire in his chest. He tried to breathe and shake the adrenaline out of his veins.

  “We need to go after Kalli; this isn’t a safe area for her to be wondering alone,” Masashi looked around to see if he could spot her in the crowds.

  “She can take care of herself!” Percy hissed under his breath. He was immediately taken aback by himself. He let his head fall and continued shaking his hands to cool off.

  “Ah, the campus is so much more serene without your ruffians running about,” Luke stretched his arms over his head.

  “If they bother you, why don’t you stay on your side of the school?” Thomas shot back. Only a week back on the job and Luke was already trying his nerves.

  “Maybe I should.”

  “Yeah, maybe. Over there you could teach your kids how to dance.”

  “My kids are fantastic dancers.”

  “That’s not what your stats show. Why would you get into this job knowing you hate kids so much?”

  He shrugged. “Money’s good, and I love to dance.”

  “Why not just dance for a living?”

  “My body couldn’t handle it.”

  “Get off me you creep!” Kalli screamed pushing the man away from her.

  “Creep? Oh dearie. I am no creep. I just want to help you out. Maybe we can help each other,” The light hair on his head shone as he stepped towards her again this time grabbing her waist and pulling her towards him roughly. He wanted more than a conversation from her. “I need a ticket out of here, and you just might do the trick. Quiet now and this will go very nicely,” He started to pull her out of the alley where two more men were waiting by a van.

  “Let. Me. Go!” She screamed as loud as she could. The man covered her mouth with his large hands and she bit him, “Percy!” She screamed out the first name in her head, hoping he would hear.

  “Did you hear that?” Masashi tilted his ear towards the wind but the voice was gone.

  “It’s Kalli,” Percy’s heart froze and pounded painfully with fear.

  “Really? Are you sure? The voice sounded terrified, like something was after it.”

  Percy’s blood pounded hot in his ears, his blood filled with a fiery fury and adrenaline that shot through his entire body. “She’s in trouble,” Percy ran and willed his legs to go faster; he never should have let her go, “Kalli!!”

  “Who’s Percy? Stop screaming.”

  “PER…cy…” she choked on the name; he had pulled her back into the alley and held her against the wall. She could barely breathe; her hands were useless against his iron hold.

  “This would have been much easier if you had been compliant. I just need someone to drive me and my buddies out of the city,” He turned her around and locked her arm behind her back and pushed her back towards the van. Fear gripped in her heart. She didn’t deserve this after everything she had been through in the past few months. No one deserved this. Why her? She searched around for a way out, but the street was deserted.

  “Get. Away. From. Her!” Kalli heard a vaguely familiar voice screaming at her captor but the sound came muted to her from the blood that was trapped in her ears. She felt something cold on her neck and saw Percy stop dead in his tracks. Percy put a hand out as if to calm the man behind her. “Put it down.”

  “No way, mate,” The other two men came over to assist him.

  “It doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s just talk about this like gentlemen.”

  The man was desperate, but so was Percy. “There is no other way out of this for us. We need her,” the man took a new hold, his arm went around Kalli’s neck, choking her, and he held the knife to her face.

  Kalli’s hands went to his arm, trying to break free. “Percy!”

  “Kalli! Kalli! Stop struggling! Please! Let me handle this,” He begged.

  “Yeah, you’re doing great at that!” She screamed, tears running down her face.

  “Kalli, shut up! Please!” She was shocked into silence. “Why do you need her? Why her?” He stepped towards them. The man ran the blade across Kalli’s cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. Percy put his hands up and backed up again. “Why her?”

  “We need her to drive us out of the city. We need to get away unseen.”

  “So you’re fugitives?” His mind raced for a way to talk Kalli out of this. She was still crying. “Kalli, calm down, I won’t let them hurt you anymore.”

  “That’s not a promise you can make, mate.”

  “Yes it is, because I need her too which is why you are going to take me instead. It doesn’t have to be her.”

  “No, Percy!” She struggled again, raising her arm to try to loosen his grip. He replied with a long cut on her arm.

  “Stop! Please! Just, let her go. I won’t fight. I’ll go with you. Just let her go,” the man loosened his hold. “Tell your guys to get in the van. Let her go and I will come and get the keys from you.”

  The man nodded at his men and loosened his grip slightly. Percy waited for the men to be in the van and secured then his instincts took over. He ran at the man and knocked the knife out of his hand, freeing Kalli. He then punched him repeatedly in the face, cursing at him in French with every blow. The man was unconscious after such abuse. The other men drove off. Percy ran over to Kalli and did an assessment: Her face was colorless and her normally pale neck was red with choke marks. Her clothes were wet with blood and her eyes were swollen from crying. She was hysterical. Her short, shallow breathes caused her to collapse. He caught her just before she hit the pavement. She looked like Hell ran over her with a shovel in hand. Masashi came running down the street.

  “What happened?” he ran and took Kalli’s other side. He checked her pulse and sighed. “She is alive but her pulse is too quick, probably from exerting herself. And she is losing b
lood fast. We must work quickly.”

  “Her arm is bleeding badly.”

  “I can wrap it. I just need some cloth.”

  Percy quickly undid his black button down shirt and took his undershirt and threw it at Masashi, “Use this to wrap her arm as best you can until we can get to campus. They have a good medical wing. She needs help as soon as possible.”

  Masashi worked quickly and carefully on Kalli’s arm, trying his best not to jostle her too much. “I hate to put her through more pain but we need to move her.”

  “I agree. I will take her back to campus. You have a phone?”

  Masashi nodded.

  “Put in a call to the police, find Lupe, and get out of here. I’ll see you back at the school,” Percy carefully lifted Kalli from the ground.

  “Very well. Good luck,” Masashi flipped open a cell phone and started dialing.

  Percy boarded the bus and carefully carried Kalli to the empty back of the bus--ignoring the odd looks from locals--he set her thin legs towards the window, placing her head on his lap. She looked like she was having a terrible nightmare. He couldn’t blame her. He lightly brushed her bloody brown hair off her face. She was still pale and he imagined she was still losing blood behind the shirt.

  “Percy,” she mumbled sleepily. She still looked asleep. It dawned on him she was sleep talking. He had heard of this but had never actually seen it.

  “It’s okay Kalli, you’re safe,” He brushed her arm lightly to comfort her.

  “So sorry.”

  “It’s okay Kalli, I forgive you.”

  “No. lied. Sorry.”

  “I know Kalli, it’s alright,” What had she lied about? And why was it tearing her up so much.

  “Alligator food,” She curled her body closer to him, wincing with pain. He couldn’t blame her for yearning for comfort.

  “Pardon?”

  She didn’t respond. She was silent for the rest of the ride. He carried her as quickly as possible to the medical wing severely confused. Why did she say alligator food?

  ***