-So, what's the plan?
-What?
I looked at Layla's nervous figure moving from one side to the other. I literally had no idea why she was acting like that, breaking someone out of somewhere can't be that hard. I mean, I got her out of prison before, so why should it be any different to break the kid out of this place.
-Jacob! Are you even listening?! What's the plan?!-she asked hysterically.
-Relax, for fuck's sake.-I shook her off while trying to catch some sleep inside Nicky- We just have to wait for the night so we can break Kat out.
Layla looked at me with a judging stare and flicked my forehead in the same way that I did it a couple hours ago.
-I really don't get you.-she said before sitting on the ground beside me-Not so long ago you were crying about that kid's absence and now that you've found her, you're not rushing off to get her.
-Look, Layla…-I said after sighing in relaxation-I know Kat is capable of escaping a stupid place like this on her own, so if she hasn't done it yet then it must mean that either she wants to stay there, or someone is impeding her to do so.
Layla listened to me, and even if she had her doubts, she decided to wait until the night with me.
In that moment, I remembered what she said about my father before, so I decided to resume the conversation that we put aside earlier.
-So… what type of relationship did you have with my dad?
Layla laughed awkwardly, trying to evade my question.
-Come on! I know I'm his son and that I might find it gross, but I promise I won't interrupt you.
She stood up after listening to me and got beside Nicky. Then, she looked at me with indecision and spoke.
-Do I really have to tell you?
-You used to know my father, so I can't attack you and get the story out of you.-I said while looking at the sky-So if you could tell me then I'd be really thankful.
Layla tried to come up with another excuse, but after a few seconds she dropped the idea. While letting out a sigh, she put a leg inside Nicky and talked to me.
-Fine, I guess I can tell you.-she said in a surrender tone-But you'll have to let me inside the cart if you want me to.
-Okay?-I answered while putting the kid's and my stuff on the floor.
Even after taking out all of it, I felt like we wouldn't fit inside the cart.
-What's the matter?-Layla questioned after looking at my face.
-I'm not sure if we'll both fit here.
-I'm sure we will. If we squeeze in then we'll definitely fit.
I looked at her, unconvinced by the idea, but since both of her legs were already inside, then I couldn't tell her to back down.
She sat in the opposite direction of me and tried to accommodate herself with me, but after trying for a few seconds, I snapped.
-I can't do this anymore!-I yelled-Stop trying! We won't fit!
-Jacob, stop trying to get me out. I'm sure you and the kid sleep together in the cart every night.
-That's fucking different! She isn't as tall as you, so of course we both fit here.
-It's not my damn fault that you're short because you didn't receive your dad's good genes!-she answered while pushing me with her legs.
As soon as I listened to that, I knew that "something" went on between her and my dad.
At first I thought they were just acquaintances, but after everything that she's said I got convinced that my dad and Layla had some kind of relationship in the past.
You can't remember the smell of someone and talk about his "good genes" while being just an acquaintance.
-Can't you start?-I asked while being compressed by her body.
-The price is me being inside Nicky, remember?-she said while accommodating herself-Since I barely fit in then I won't start.
I gathered all my strength and got out of her constriction. Then, I took out both of my legs and put them on the side of the cart.
-There-I said while gasping for air.
-Can you not manspread in front of me?-she said while looking at another place.
-Oh, I'm sorry.-I said sarcastically while taking out my cape and putting it over me like a blanket-Didn't know I had to take care of my manners nowadays.
-Much better-she said irritated.
I stared at her, expecting to listen to her talking at any minute.
A few minutes passed and we just stared awkwardly, so I had to step in and bring out the topic.
-Are you gonna talk or?
-Yeah, yeah…-she said while rubbing her legs-I'm just trying to find the right words.
Want to know what happened next? We stared at each other in complete silence for around 10 minutes.
-This is getting nowhere-I sighed in frustration.
-It's not my fault that it's hard to talk about this!-she responded nervously.
-How can it be hard?! What, did the two of you make out or something?!
Right as I finished my question, Layla blushed and looked away.
-Layla… did you and my dad…
-We were both responsible adults, ok?!
I looked at her in disbelief. She and my dad were something at some point?
But she's so… different from my mom. Just what type of taste did my dad have?
-I don't care what age you had, just what type of relationship you two had?
Layla diverted her gaze from the trees towards me. Then, she tilted her head in confusion and made a weird question.
-I know you didn't know me before, but didn't Noah talk to you about me?
-Uhhmmm, no…?-I responded in a weird tone-Why?
-That fucking liar…-she laughed while covering her eyes-Wait, have you ever had a girlfriend?
I got taken aback by her question. Was that a weird move to hit on me? Did she see my dad in me?
-No…?-I answered while trying to get away from her (even though we were stuck in the same place).
-And you've never liked someone? Wait, are you still a virgin?
Ok, yeah, this shit has gotten too far. Just what is she talking about now?
-I feel like I shouldn't answer that.
-Jesus-fucking-christ! Just tell me!-she said while picking up her hammer and threatening me with it-Your father promised that he would use our relationship as a guide in case his daughter asked him something about love or…-she explained before I interrupted her.
-I knew it! You did it with my dad!
-What?! How can you be so straightforward with it?!
-That's not important.-I coughed before calming myself-So, are you his ex, just a lover,... What are you?
She looked at me with an annoyed face and her left eye twitched as I spoke. Maybe I was being too much of a nuisance…
-Ok, I guess I'll try to be quiet-I raised my hand in surrender while she raised the sledgehammer above her.
-Thanks.-she smiled ironically-Look, remember when I told you that I met him when he just moved here?
-Right…
-Well, let's just say that I may or may not have been a regular client of his.
-That doesn't explain why you made out with him-I intervened.
-Can you let me finish?-she said irritated while flicking my forehead- *Ehem* I wasn't really a client, I just felt like visiting him regularly, even if I didn't buy anything.
-So you were a friend?-I inquired.
-No, he called me her muse.
Ew. That's just, ew. Since when was he so corny?
Man, I'm glad that I got to meet the "post-Layla" version of my dad and not whatever the fuck this version was.
-Ok, "muse", what happened next?
-Isn't it obvious? We had a good romance-she responded with a proud tone.
-Aaand…
-And then it all finished when he said that he didn't want a family.
Huh?! My dad. The most loving and caring husband and father did not want a family? Just… how…?
-Care to elaborate?-I asked, curiosity piquing the deepest parts of my being.
-Nope.-she laughed while pushing my head back with her finger-The sun is setting right now, so we should prepare ourselves to break the kid out of there.
-But…-I protested as I watched her get out of Nicky-Can't you finish?
Layla sighed and turned around to see me, faking a smile before telling me to let her go.
-Look, I don't really like talking about an ex who lied to me and started a family with another woman. Especially if I have to talk about it with his son.
-Yeah, but… You were her muse!-I said with desperation-You must know what his biggest works are, right? Come on, just tell me what I should look for at least.
At that moment, Layla held my arm and with her body, she threw me to the ground.
-Here's a deal: After we get Kat out of there, then I can answer all of your questions, got it?
-And what if I want to know the truth right now?
Layla picked me up effortlessly and threw me against the ground again.
-That will happen.
I groaned beneath her, trying to get up, but she threw me to the ground once more to make sure that I got the message.
-Ok, ok…-I put my hands up in surrender-Let's get the kid first and then talk about this.
-Hmph, more like it!-she mocked before putting me up.
-So, everything ready?
-Yeah, just one more thing.-she said before placing her arm on my shoulder-I know this might sound a bit twisted, but given that we saw a lot of kids, it's possible that some of them will fight us there.
-Alright… and that means that…
-You dumbass.-she flicked my forehead-It means that there's the possibility that they'll attack us.
…
I didn't consider that as an option.
Ever since this shit started, all the people I had to fight were grown-ups.
-So you're asking me to kill them?-I asked in disbelief.
-No, I'm asking you to be wary of them.-Layla responded before asking something even worse-But in the hypothetical case that you have to, would you kill them?
I turned around to see the building where Kat was and pondered about it. Just like me, they were kids who just wanted to survive, so I couldn't blame them if something like that were to happen.
-I can just knock them out, can't I?-I said with a mocking laugh-They're just kids, so a kick in their stomach should do the trick.
-Jacob…-she scolded me.
-Fine, fine… I can't make any promises, but I'll try to go easy on the kids.
She smiled, satisfied and then messed my hair up.
-Heh, you remind me so much of him.
-Can we focus?-I asked while she cupped my cheeks.
-Yeah, yeah…
We stared at each other awkwardly again and we waited for the other to speak first.
-Sooo, what's the plan?-Layla asked, breaking the silence.
-Well, as usual, the plan is to just barge in!-I responded before stealing her sledgehammer and running towards a wall.