CHAPTER TWELVE

WAYS TO HELP

IT'S QUITE EARLY in the morning when I leave the motel room. With Kate still asleep and Seth in the bathroom, it's the perfect time to get out without having to answer someone's questions. Wind blows as I walk through the streets of the town we're staying in, a leftover from Mexico's cold nights. The town hasn't completely woken up yet; some stores are still closed, not many people are on the streets, but I like I this way.

An idea crossed my mind last night when I couldn't fall asleep, too nervous about having nightmares again. So far, I don't regret my idea one bit. My little trip is a small freedom compared to living where you want and having your own real life like I did in the States, but it still feels good to walk somewhere that isn't the grocery shop a few blocks away.

While some people nod at me and wish me a good morning, others look at me weirdly and I can't blame them - it's rather clear that I'm not from here and this place isn't Mexico's number one touristic destination and it makes me stand out. As I walk, I keep thinking about what I saw last night. It was definitely a culebra, which screams danger to me yet I don't feel like I should go running to Seth and Kate with this information. We can handle one culebra - I can handle one Culebra - the question is are there more of them. Culebras are Mexican creatures as I recall and when I look at the people standing or passing by me, I can't help but wonder if any of them are culebras, hiding in plain sight.

It takes me fifteen minutes to get to my destination - a small, white, wooden building. I stare at the cross at the top while debating about going in. Then, I watch as most people walk past it instead of going inside and my legs carry me into the church's entrance. A calmness falls on me once I'm inside and I stand at the door for a few seconds, taking the place in.

My family isn't a very religious one, but my dad has always believed in God and most of my siblings and I followed his faith. Honestly, it has been a while since I stepped into any church, but after everything that I've been through in less than a week, I feel like I need to try and find my balance again.

The church isn't a big one nor is it very decorated, but its simplicity doesn't bother me. There are only about twelve benches lined up in two rows in each of the three directions and three stained glass windows let in soft and colorful rays of light. Most of the people are simply sitting down and praying, while a few are down on their knees. No one pays special attention to me and I quietly walk to sit at the back, the sound of my shoes echoing around.

It feels like I've found a deserted island in the middle of an ocean, yet I'm not sure I deserve to be here. I've killed people - people who are actually monsters - and nothing about this is supposed to be okay in the religion's eyes. Hell, I'm sharing a room with a thief who is about to hit again. I like this thief. However, I push down the feeling that I'm staining the walls of this place. I'm not here for confession or forgiveness.

People walk in and out around me, words in Spanish are whispered in different voices and in different intonations, not that I can understand what is being said. I lose track of time while I sit there, staring at the altar and letting all kinds of thoughts run through my mind. I even make a few wishes, not that I believe they'll come true just because I wish them in a church. And then, when I feel like I can get back out there again, I stand up.

Before leaving, I make one last stop. I use a few coins that I took from our saving, knowing we'll be able to handle ourselves without this small money and drop the right amount into a box. Then, I take two candles and light them up. I put them next to the others and take a step back, watching how the fire burns on top of them. One for Jacob, one for Scott.

Once I'm outside, I don't feel like going back to the motel just yet. I start walking around until I hear a police siren cut through the noises of the town and I soon spot a police car speeding through the streets. Even though it's going in a different direction than where I am, it makes me alert and I decide to head back to the motel. The last thing I need is a run-in with the police without any sort of an identity card.

By the time I reach the motel, it's been two and a half hours since I left. It's hot now and I sweat under the sun, hating every moment of being under it. I can't think of anything better than taking a quick shower to make myself feel better, however, on my way to our room, something catches my gaze and I come to a stop.

It's then and there that I make a decision and head towards the room where I yesterday saw a culebra, very aware of my gun tucked into the waistband of my jeans. I make up a scenario and think of everything that can happen once I'll knock on the door. This can end up as a suicide mission, but I just have to know what's going on in there.

On my way, I get another idea and pull out the knife that I have hiding in my pocket. I make sure no one is around to see and make a rather shallow cut on the palm of my hand. It stings a little, but not too bad and I put the knife back in my pocket and continue walking.

When I come to a stand before the unfamiliar door, I take a moment to reconsider this and play with the keys of our room in my hand. Then, I knock. Time drags by as I wait for something to happen and when the curtain that's covering the room's window seems to move just the slightest, I try to look as innocent as possible.

Several more seconds pass by before the door is opened, revealing an older man with long black hair and a curious look. He studies me and raises his eyebrows in a silent question.

"Hi," I say and give him my best smile. "I live a few doors down and uh... I cut my hand-" at that I hold up my hand, showing him the cut. He studies it quietly as my heart begins to beat faster than usual, "-and I was wondering if you have a band-aid or something. I can't believe I didn't bring one myself."

His gaze wanders more than once from my face to my hand, even after I put it down. And even though I put on an act of an American sweetheart, my entire body feels tense, ready to fight if needed. Eventually, he slightly smiles at me and says two quick sentences in Spanish. I don't understand the most but I do think that I hear him say something along the lines of 'no English'.

"Oh, no Inglés?" I ask and he shakes his head, silently apologizing. "And no band-aid?" I ask in fake hope and try to show him what a band-aid is. He shakes his head again. "Okay, gracias anyway."

With a final smile, he closes the door and I walk back towards our room, surprised. I thought that the sight of blood would prompt him to try and drink all of my blood, but he proved me wrong. There is still not a doubt in my mind that he's the culebra that I saw yesterday - he looks similar enough and the way he kept looking at my cut caught too much of his attention. At least, this ended better than I expected.

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Once I'm in our room, I find out that I'm actually alone there. I don't know where Seth and Kate are, but I don't give it too much thought. I bet Seth is probably making his move at the bank that he's going to rob right now. So, I spend half an hour by taking a quick shower, bandaging my hand, taking something small to eat and thinking about our interesting neighbor.

Because of what I've been through in the Titty Twister, I'm used to thinking about culebras as creatures that will attack at any possible opportunity and as a big threat. What just happened proved that it isn't that way and that I was right about culebras roaming around Mexico. I start wondering how many of them are around this country when I hear the door being unlocked.

Seth and Kate come in, both of them breathing heavily. They pay no special attention to me while they close the door behind them, make sure that it's locked and that the curtains are drawn completely over the window.

"Okay, put it here," Seth instructs the girl and points at the poorly made bed.

My curiosity rises as I see Kate pulling out something from under the jacket she's wearing and Seth does the same. Once they're done, I easily recognize several stacks of money. The sight makes me stand up and come to stand opposite to my two roommates, surprised for the second time today.

Without saying anything, Seth sits down on the bed and starts counting. Surprised and confused, I stand there and simply watch. I'm glad that we got some money now, but I don't understand what the hell Kate was doing with him.

"How much is in there?" Kate asks as she watches him too.

"A fair amount," Seth replies and pulls out a bag. He starts putting all of the bills in there, before looking up and glancing from me to Kate. "This is good. It brings us closer to our goal, but there's still a long way ahead of us."

Kate opens her mouth to say something, but I can't help myself anymore and hold my hands up. "Can someone explain this to me?" I ask and point between the two of them. "Because I don't understand what's going on."

The question makes Seth look at me again as he closes the bag. Then, he sighs and looks at Kate. The two of them exchange a glance that I don't know the meaning of and it annoys me. It feels like they're keeping me in the dark about something again, just like they did yesterday and I don't like it.

"I helped Seth," Kate says with a small shrug.

Seth closes his eyes momentarily, before looking at me and saying, "It's not-"

It doesn't seem that I can wrap my head around what's happening and my voice becomes louder as I ask, "Helped him with a robbery?"

The look on her face hints that she doesn't like my response, but I have no clue what's happening around me anymore. Seth has obviously gone through with his plan successfully, but with Kate's help? It doesn't make sense.

"She was just the driver," Seth explains and I can tell by the tone of his voice and by the way that he's looking at me that he's telling the truth. It doesn't make this better.

"Why?" I ask and glance between the two of them. I don't think Seth made her do it, but I can't see any connection between Kate and crime. "Was it your idea?" I ask him.

He shakes his head and stands up, but Kate answers before he can say anything. "It was mine, okay?" she tells me and crosses her arms over her chest. "I thought he could use the help, which he did."

In front of me, Kate has that look of annoyance that she last had when Richie and Seth were throwing knives over her head. The situation reminds me enough of that because now, just like then, I think she's being reckless and foolish, just a teenager with mood swings.

Not feeling like fighting, I simply say, "I just hope like you know what you're getting yourself into."

"I do," she replies and glares at me. "It's what we need to do to get out of here, in case you forgot. And it's not like you're out there helping Seth even though we all know he could use your help more than mine."

Her words hit me harder than I expected and I don't know how to reply. There is disrespect in her voice and what she says clearly hints that she thinks that I don't care about getting back to the States, or that I'm selfish.

"Whatever," I murmur after a few seconds and go to sit on the couch.

When I'm already seated, I hear a quiet groan, followed by footsteps and the sound of the door to the bathroom closing. Pressing on the red button, I watch as the TV screen lights up and I clench my jaw. If Kate wants to help Seth, I can't stop her no matter how much of a bad idea it seems to me.

Seth doesn't say anything, probably preferring not to get in the middle, and simply moves around the room to hide the stolen money. I can feel his eyes on me several times and I almost ask him if he thinks the same - do I need to be reminded of our goal? Does he think that I'm not doing enough? However, I also don't want to know what his answers will be. We agreed that I'll stay out of the robbery stuff. It won't be fair if he'll turn the tables on me now.

"There's a culebra in our motel," I blurt out eventually.

The bomb that I dropped on Seth makes him follow me to the couch, only he remains standing while I mute the sound on the TV. A few seconds pass before he asks, "How do you know?"

"I saw him yesterday and I talked to him today. He seems fine, though. He didn't do anything to me when we talked. Kind of talked, at least" I say, hoping this won't turn into another argument.

"You did what?" Seth's eyes widen and his expression turns into a scolding one. "Is that why you were out of here the moment I walked into the bathroom?"

The mention of when I left in the morning makes me sigh - of course Seth will bring it up. However, I'm not planning on telling him exactly where I was before that because I can imagine the remarks he will make about me going to church.

"No, that was because I wanted some time to myself. Going to talk to him was a decision that I made when I already got back. I figured it's better to face him than delay it and regret it," I explain with a shrug.

"And here I thought you trusted me enough to wait for me and do this together so you won't get yourself killed," Seth mutters. I give him a look that means we both know he's just exaggerating, which he ignores before he adds. "So how did your little operation go, Nikita?"

My body relaxes a little now that Seth is focusing on the main subject again and I push a string of hair behind my ear, replying, "Fine. He actually seemed nice, even though he only talked Spanish. He didn't try to kill me or anything like that."

Taking a long and deep breath, Seth takes a seat next to me, his gaze on the TV screen. "Well, if he's gonna come looking for a potential human blood bag or whatever at night, he's gonna get a bullet. And do me a favor, July," Seth says casually before meeting my gaze, "don't go all Sherlock Holmes around here by yourself again, okay?"

"Afraid you'll miss all the fun?" I ask teasingly. He titles his head to the side and I can tell that he's serious. "Okay, I'll let you know next time... Watson," I say and can't help but let out a short laugh.

Even though I don't think that I was that funny, especially for Seth's sense of humor, he chuckles and a smile spreads on his lips. I look at him for a moment longer - seeing Seth smile like this is a rare sight.

"How did it go with the bank? Should I be getting ready for a runaway?" I ask a minute later, feeling a little ridiculous that these words are leaving my mouth. I never really imagined I would find myself on the other side of the law.

"Like a walk in the park, July," he replies in assurance. I study him for a moment, trying to decide if he's telling the truth or if he's just pretending to be confident. Seth seems comfortable and casual, nothing suspicious about his behavior. Then, his caramel colored eyes meet mine, causing a wave of butterflies in my stomach. "What, you don't believe me now?" he asks, so clueless about what I'm feeling.

"Sorry, I was thinking about something and didn't realize I was staring," I lie and then follow his gaze to the TV, enjoying the minutes of relaxation that I have left before Kate will come out of the bathroom and the tension between her and I will fill the air again.

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I'm lowkey giving Jeth a bunch of cute scenes because season 2 is going to be angsty for them.

And thank you so much for over 1.5k views of this story, it means so much!