Chapter Thirty-Five

Brandon still didn't understand why I was pulling him out of the alliance, or even where we were going for that matter. Also tagging along was Toby, at first I questioned him but he said Morgan told him he should go for emotional support for me. I didn't think I would need any of that, but it was nice that he could come along and not be stuck in the alliance all day. It wasn't really day anymore, so I knew by the time we arrived at the lake it would be dark, not only that, but around the same time Morgan found me there all those years ago. "Did you live anywhere near the lake that Morgan found you at?" Brandon asks from beside me, Toby was sat in the back with a blindfold on. "No, I actually can't remember where I used to live or what pack I was from, but no Richard did what he did to me than dumped me there" I explain turning the headlights to the car on, I was trying to rush over there so it wouldn't be too dark out. "I never knew the story like that, I knew Morgan saved you but not after warning the others what was going to happen" he says while I just nod, it's not a story me or Morgan like to talk about much "wait, that's the party that's happening this weekend" Brandon says while I just nod my head once again, I didn't want or need to be centre of anybody's attention. "You will always be at the centre of my attention" Toby mind-links me, I just shake my head turning down into the tiny car park for the lake. I climb out or the car while telling Toby he can take the blindfold off, he was soon by my side looking down through the trees, you couldn't see the lake from here due to the trees. Brandon gets the bag out sending me a smile, I also feel a hand take mine obviously being Toby. I smile before leading both guys out of the car park and towards the lake, there used to be a path but due to no one coming to this lake anymore, nature has took over. My heart rate begins to pick up as we got closer, this is the first time I'll be coming here since I was dumped. I always wondered if I was ever gonna come back, it's always something I've wanted to do but never had the courage. A few minutes pass until I hear the sounds of water, which tells me we're very close to the lake. Brandon went ahead a bit to make sure it was safe for us to walk down, it's nice that he now takes charge and is more confident in the field. I think everything with Luisa made him see what he's really made of, he's actually an amazing agent. In no time the lake comes into view which does cause me to stop in my tracks, a memory filling my brain "I'm sorry you've been brought into this, but it's just the way life is" Richard says placing me close to the lake, the water hitting my hand as it swept by. I was much too injured to even move or speak, dipping in and out of consciousness was terrifying. But it was giving me a little break from all the pain, my fragile body just laying there. "I hope someone finds you before it's too late, this should never have happened" he says placing a kiss on the top of my head, he pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket playing it in my little hand, the one that wasn't in the water. "Taylor" Toby's voice snaps me out of my trance, I shake my head looking up to see him giving me a worried look "you don't have to do this" he tells me but I shake my head, this is definitely something I needed to do. "I have to be here, not just to catch Richard but to help myself get over what happened" I tell him before slowly making my way down the steep hill, Brandon was already there looking at the floor for any clues. "It's clear that no one comes here anymore, so if Richard was here recently and left something, it would stand out" he says placing the bag on the floor, I nod my head agreeing with him before looking around. "What's to say he isn't here now?" I ask scanning the surrounding area, it was nearly pitch black and the trees only added to how hard it was to see anyone coming. "You two do what you do, I'll make sure no one comes" Toby smiles before walking off a little to check the perimeter, that did make me feel better and gave me the confidence to look around. I go closer to the lake knelling down, to take a closer look at the floor. Maybe he dropped something when he was here, even the littlest thing would be helpful. "Lukas went to visit Peter today, Morgan said whenever you're ready you can go interview him" Brandon says breaking the silent moment, with all that's happened I forgot about Peter. "Tomorrow morning we'll go talk to him" I say moving some rocks around just in case he hid something here, you never know he might wanna come back and collect it. "What are you going to do when all this is over, I know you and Toby are mates but he's gonna have to go back home?" Brandon asks opening his bag up to get a light, he was asking a question that I didn't actually have the answer for yet. Before I could answer his question, something just down the lake on one of the rocks grabs my attention. I stand up making my way over, it was a note in a polly pocket. I pick it up and was shocked at who it was addressed to, me. "Dear Taylor, You're a clever person so I know you'll work out where I've been, it's nice to know someone will eventually find me if something happens. But I haven't left this note to thank you for hunting me down, but to apologise for what I did to you all those years ago. I think about what happened that night a lot, I didn't want to do what I did but I really didn't have much choice. I know you probably don't believe me, but I stayed with you until I saw someone coming. You reminded me of my son Lukas and I couldn't even imagine what I would do if that was my son laying there, but I was on the run and needed to do what I did. You were a turning point for me in many ways, not because you were the first person I attacked at random, or all the stuff I did after you. But you made me see that I did have feelings and I felt terrible for what I did, even if you don't believe that. I've found out recently that's it's your father whose been making me hurt the people I have, honestly, I don't blame him at all. I know if someone did that to my son, I would be after blood. Which probably confuses you on why I'm sending him threats, but I bet you'll work that out soon enough. Big things are coming Taylor, I care about you enough to give you a heads up. This is another turning point in my life, but I needed to close that chapter of my life and say the things to you that I've needed to say, before what's about to happen happens. It's time to start from the beginning again. You've been following my life for years as like I have yours, that's why I know you'll be seeing me soon. Best wishes Richard" Brandon's face just holds pure shock as I finish reading, a million thoughts were swirling around my mind at the same time. I didn't know what to feel about this note or what it even said, he stayed with me until Morgan came? Toby emerges from the trees walking over to me, where he begins to read the letter over my shoulder. Brandon pulls the evidence bag out holding it open, once Toby had fully read it I place the note in the bag. I take one last look before my eyes drift to the floor, my heart immediately sinking. "He left me here, in this spot that I'm standing at" I say basically to myself kind of disgusted, Toby wraps his arm around my shoulders as I look down. Then the letter starts to play in my mind and I realise something. "I know what he's gonna do next" I say looking over at Toby, I guess I will be seeing him soon.