Helen was facing the toughest decision of her whole life. Up until that moment, she believed that the only people in danger were she and Marcus. The idea that dating him could potentially put her loved ones in harm’s way had shocked her to her very core, making her question her intension of moving from her hometown. The mere thought that anyone would have her parents and her sister killed, simply because she was involved with a former marine both disgusted and discouraged her from pursuing her dream of living close to him. Sadly for Helen, she could no longer find comfort in the fact that there was a – slim – chance of continuing her relationship with Marcus, after the end of Michelle’s tour. Regardless of their feelings for each other, the story he had shared with her had led her to believe that things between them had to end. If Helen wanted the well-being of her loved ones, she would have to sacrifice her relationship with him.

As one would expect, her good mood was effectively ruined. She barely spoke for hours, considering her options. However, the more Helen thought about her situation, the more she believed that she had but one choice: To leave him. It was the only way for her to ensure his safety and her family’s alike. Of course, abandoning the man who had swept her off her feet would break her heart, but Helen would not act so selfishly, as to move to L.A. and endanger so many lives.

Upon his request, Helen pulled over at “Lavern Brothers”, a small diner a few miles outside Pennsylvania. Under any other circumstances, the lingering scent of grilled steaks would have lured her into that diner, but Helen was in such a terrible mood that it didn’t appeal to her at all. She left her car in the parking lot at the back and Marcus chose the table closest to the door, maintaining that he needed a good view of the traffic and the lot as well. Moments after their arrival, a young waitress walked up to their table, with a toothy smile on her face.

“Hi.” She chirped. “Welcome to ‘Lavern Brothers’. What can I get you?”

“Hey. I’ll have the veal chop.” Marcus said while focusing his gaze on Helen’s sullen face.

“Just some water for me.” She sighed, running both hands through her hair.

“Coming right up.” The waitress gave him yet another smile, as she turned around.

“You’ve hardly said a word since Shandaken.” He complained, turning his attention to Helen, as he leaned his elbows on the table. “What’s the matter?”

“Are you kidding me?” Frustration was lingering in her voice. “You practically warned me to stay away from you. What am I supposed to do, pretend like everything’s fine?”

“You had to know what you’d be getting yourself into.” Marcus told her, his voice low and calm, as he intensified his stare. “Did you want me to lie to you or something?”

“No.” Helen shook her head sideways, firmly. “It’s just that…” she faltered; “this is the hardest choice I’ve ever had to make.”

“I can understand that.” He gave her a sad nod. “I’m sorry, Helen. I didn’t mean to put you in this position.”

“I don’t want to choose.” Helen made her voice sound sweeter, leaning forward. “I don’t want this to end.”

“I don’t either.” Marcus whispered, rubbing his jaw. “I keep racking my brain and I still can’t think of a way to get out of this.”

His last statement annoyed her. Ever since she had learned his story, it had been Helen’s conviction that he should be reconnected with his father. David Donovan was rich and powerful enough to protect his only son. However, just when she was about to speak, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Olivia.

“Hello?”

“Helen!?” Tension tightened the back of her neck, as her friend’s voice came out broken.

“Liv, what’s wrong?” Helen asked, as she felt her own voice become riddled with fear.

“The investigator, honey… The police found Warrick dead this morning. They said he killed his wife and then took his own life.”

Fear paralyzed her. Helen stared into the void, eyes dark with shock, unable to force a single word out of her throat, as her blood pulsed through her veins.

“Helen, are you there?”

“Y—yeah.” She stuttered.

“Where are you guys?”

“We’re on our way. Bye.” Helen said very faintly. Slowly putting her hand back down on the table, she let the phone slip from her grasp, feeling tears rising up in her eyes. “My God…” Her voice came out as a choked, pain-ridden whisper, as she put her fingers to her face and pressed against her temples. “They killed him.”

“What are you talking about?” Marcus squinted at her.

“Warrick.” She whispered once more, her face lined with sorrow. “He’s dead. They killed his wife, too.”

For the second time since Helen had met him, Marcus’s calmness vaporized. Tension spread across his face, as he raised his hands in a despairing gesture. But, before opening his mouth, he slowly turned his head to the right. Looking out the window, Marcus spotted a large, black SUV. The passenger was staring at him. Then, the stranger turned to the driver and nodded to him, as he rolled up his window.

“Helen…” He uttered, returning his gaze to her. “Get up. Really slow. We’re leaving.”

“Why?”

“They’re here.” Marcus whispered, his face tightening up. “We need to go. Now.”

The stiffness on his face sent waves of terror through her. Rising from her seat, Helen cast a rapt glance out the window. Another black SUV had pulled over at the parking lot up front. No one had emerged from either car, but she could see fumes, coming out of the exhausts. Without much thought, she followed Marcus down the hall, keeping her gaze locked on him, as they passed by a few, full tables. He turned right and into a narrow hallway, looking down at her, over his right shoulder.

“Keys.” Marcus urged, approaching the rear exit. Helen pulled them out of her pocket and tossed them over to him. As soon as he reached the doorframe, his normal pace vanished. He began to jump over the few steps that separated them from the parking lot, forcing her to do the same. Heading towards Helen’s pickup truck, Marcus sprinted across the lot, as she struggled to keep up. By the time he had started the engine, Helen was opening the passenger door, panting for breath. The tires screeched and picked up dust from the ground, as he put his foot hard down on the accelerator. Marcus turned left and into the tree-lined, narrow road, checking his rearview mirror.

“Ok, how the hell did they find us?” Helen wondered, her voice squeaky, her legs shaking from the adrenaline surging through her body.

“Traffic cams.” Marcus replied, as she looked out the rear window. “Don’t worry; there’s nobody behind us. Fucking black ops!” He growled, banging both hands at the steering wheel.

“Now what do we do?” She asked, her voice broken as her lips quivered.

“We stay off of I-80 W.” He said on an exhale. “We stay off of every highway. We need to use side roads.”

“Were they really going to shoot us? In broad daylight? In public?” Helen’s voice was riddled with panic.

“No.” Marcus said with a sigh. “Too many witnesses. They wanted to terrorize us. People make mistakes, when they’re afraid.”

“Marcus…” Helen sucked in a deep, cleansing breath, reaching her arm to cup his shoulder. “You said you couldn’t find a way to get out of this. I don’t think so. Go find your father. It’s the only way.”

She expected her suggestion to be met by an angry glare. After all, Marcus had been adamant on the issue. Still, such a thing never came. Instead, he turned to her, with a morose look in his eyes.

“If they know I’m alive, they’ve already camped outside his house,” he explained, his baritone filled with sorrow. “They’re expecting me to do that.”

“Marcus, please!” Helen begged, squeezing his skin in her hand, as she leaned closer to him. “I know it’s dangerous, but you have to try.”

This time, he did not dignify her suggestion with a response. Marcus averted his gaze from her and looked up at the road ahead, heaving a long, heavy sigh. Helen would not force the issue. She took her hand off of him and leaned her back against her seat, as a feeling of desolate helplessness overwhelmed her.

If only you’d take my advice… Yeah, visiting your father would be risky, but is there anything else we can do? God, I’m going crazy here…