CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: HIGH HOPES

( episode nine: the belltower )

✲*'。

Before any sort of bang could crash into her body, Arden Kim was slammed onto the ground, the bullets rippling off the walls. Her heart felt as if was going to implode; Arden well and truly didn't think her day could get any worse. She'd seen the sheriff shot before her very eyes, she'd learnt her father was killed by her mother. The cherry on top? Said fucking mother actually tried to kill Arden all because she wanted to get away from the crazy mother. 

The panic wasn't subsiding. All Arden could feel was a blinding pain shooting up her left arm from where she had landed. Of course it was her fucking broken arm that would cushion her fall. 

From beside her, Arden could feel the protective arms around her back as she was forced to remain close to the ground. The figure—— Liam Powers had finally stood, drawing his own gun, his focus never wavering as he kept his eyes on Eun-Cha Lee. 

The colour from her mother's face had drained as she came face to face with her ex husband's best friend. Liam Powers was a force to be reckoned with; Eun-Cha had barely managed to get rid of him the first time yet here he stood again, this time protecting his goddaughter instead of his best friend from her blows. 

Liam Powers had failed to protect his best friend. He would not allow the same fate to befall his daughter. 

"Arden," Liam called, startling the girl from her thoughts. She glanced up fearfully, the smile on Liam's face was not enough to reassure her. 

"Go upstairs. Pack a bag of essentials. We'll be back to collect the rest of your stuff later in the week." Liam commanded, forcing Arden into overdrive. 

She needed to get the fuck out of here. 

Following Liam's orders was easier said than done. On the way up to her room, Arden could barely keep her hands from shaking as she stuffed a bag full of clothes. She needed to find JJ. Arden was terrified of what was to come. Yes, Arden knew her future had been rocky, but she never fucking accounted for how turbulent it could get. 

The sounds of approaching footsteps was what startled Arden out of her thoughts. Tensing, she was prepared to duck underneath her bed if it was her mother back to put a gun to her head. 

Thank fuck it was Liam. 

"Kid are you packed?" Liam's voice cried out from the entrance of her bedroom. 

"Almost!" Arden shouted in relief, throwing in a photo of her father before bolting out the door to Liam. At the sight of her, he sighed in relief. "C'mon we got to go now."

As Liam led her out through the house that never quite felt like home, the last thing Arden Kim registered was the burning glare her mother shot at her back. 

Finally she was free. 

✲*'。

After escaping out of her mothers home, Arden situated herself in the guest room of Liam's rented house. She could hear the hustle and bustle of Liam and Ara downstairs. After multiple failed attempts they hadn't attempted to pry her out from the room just yet and Arden was incredibly grateful for that. 

She needed time to process what had exactly happened today. 

After listening in to the radio blaring downstairs Arden learnt Sheriff Peterkin had been in fact killed. Her life was cut short all because fucking Rafe Cameron wanted to prove a point; prove to his father he could be a man, he could defend his family. 

Arden thanked whatever deity out there that she was finally free from her mothers clutches. The thought alone of going anywhere near Rafe Cameron, let alone continuing to pretend he was the father of her baby was enough to make Arden feel sick to her stomach. 

After she saw the first signs of the sun beginning to peak forward, Arden blearily made her way over to the shower, allowing the water to wake her up. She officially hadn't slept in 24 hours. It was worrying but if Arden was being honest, she had a lot of bigger problems on her hands. 

The first one being she was now officially homeless. Not exactly a situation she wants to be in with her daughter arriving in nearly three months. No sire re. 

Once she had showered and changed into a simple purple sundress and white converse, Arden stealthily crept out the house, and took off at a break-neck speed. 

She needed to be with her friends. They who she needed at the moment. They were Arden Kim's family. 

✲*'。

After quickly dipping down to the harbour, Arden could summarize that she had no idea how John B was going to get off this hell of an island. The ferry was shut down, the island going into a full scale lockdown. No one was coming in or out. 

God she hoped he was safe. 

Arden didn't have any destination in mind, all she wanted to do was find a save place to lay low and find her friends. She didn't want Liam or Ara to find her; Arden needed her space from the reality of her life. She needed to focus on something; anything. John B was the perfect distraction. 

Arden wasn't too sure how long she was walking when she could hear the sound of a horn blaring as it made it's way too her. She barely had the time to process the fact that she was gonna die like her father all because of an idiotic driver. 

She blearily opened her eyes when she realised she hadn't been tossed across the windshield. The car squealed to a stop, horn beeping all the while, just inches before her legs. Much to Arden's surprise, Pope had popped the door open and was bounding over to her. Just what the fuck had she missed? 

"Pope, fucking drive, man," JJ shouted as the boy ushered Arden into the back seat. God she couldn't stop shaking.

The sight of JJ was enough to calm her down slightly as she crammed herself in on JJ's lap, clinging to his neck. His arms easily lopped around her waist as he held onto her tightly. 

Arden was safe. She could breathe. JJ would protect her and Logan. 

"I'm going, I'm going," Pope waved him off as he ambled back into the front seat.

"Pope, hurry up," Haven screeched starling Arden out of her thoughts. It was only now she could hear the blaring sirens and see the red and blue lights. 

Fortunately, Pope seemed to like listening to Haven when he was high. He nodded early and hopped into his seat, ignoring the seat belt hanging by his side as he took the car out of park and immediately put his foot flat on the accelerator. They sped off around the corner, Arden giving an audible squeal of surprise as she almost got flung into the front seat but never once did JJ let her go. 

He refused to let her go again. 

But just as quickly as they got moving, they were met with another hindrance. Haven barely had time to think before Kie pointed at a mailbox and Pope was tearing right through it. Arden was pissed and didn't hesitate to jump into the front seat, situating herself between Pope's legs like a child.

"I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to die today."

And with that, she pressed her foot down on the gas and the car was steady Arden felt in control for once. She had the power. Nothing could harm her.

It was almost like high Pope knew that everyone needed to be cheered up. He stared at Haven in delight, a giddy smile on his fae.

"You're so pretty, you know that?" 

"You're gross, you know that?" Arden muttered under her breath, though she couldn't help the smile spreading across her lips."Just get a fucking room already."

"I would," he nodded eagerly. "I would look for one, Ard, but you know what? I'm not ready to be a dad."

Arden had to bite down on her lip to try and not burst into laughter, but JJ didn't hesitate to cackle at them. 

"Okay, I see why you didn't want me to give him weed now."

Kie just sighed and shook her head. "Took you long enough."

But just as soon as the calm moment came, it vanished. Pope nudged Arden's foot away from the accelerator, prompting them to swerve around for a second before he pressed down on the brake and almost sent them crashing through the window, again.

"Pope, I swear—"

But Pope wasn't looking at Haven anymore. No high Pope had a plan and wanted to get his say. "John B, get out."

"What? No!" 

"No, he's right," JJ insisted. "We'll draw the cops and you run."

"Shit," John B sighed, but he knew it was the better plan of the two. 

If they got caught and he wasn't with them, at least they'd bring him some extra time.

"I'll get the rig and I'll meet you in the dump tomorrow, okay?" JJ shouted as he pushed the door open and swung himself out. "Three o'clock tomorrow at the dump!"

With that, the door slammed and John B bolted for the trees. Haven watched over her shoulder as he ran, but soon the car carried them out of sight and they were separated once more.

It was all on John B now. They had done all they could for him, now he needed to stay in hiding and not do something stupid. 

Easier said than done with him really.

✲*'。

A/N: I'm not that cruel to leave you all on a cliffhanger like that!! I just quickly wanted to a say a huge thank you for all the support you've shown Helium! It means the absolute world to me. Enough from me, I hope you guys continue to enjoy Arden's bumpy road ahead!!!