Double Update: Part 1 of 2. Read in order.

Sixty friggin' thousand reads?!? I'm so thankful for you my lovely readers!❤️

Previously on 'That Thing Between You and Me'...

(Past) Mallory woke up after her punishment to find the safehouse empty. She follows the sounds to find Emily tied up and Antonio making some surprising self revelations.

(Present) Meanwhile at Andrew's place, Julie wants to share something about Evelyn.

(Present) In a hurry to leave for Victor's party, present day Mallory is busy telling everything to her mother.

And now...

• • •

Chapter 39 | The Curious Case of Emily Wilson

"At times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey."

-Lemony Snicket

• • •

She cringed at the doorway realizing that her hiding spot wasn't really working and she might as well drop the cover. With shaky legs, Mallory Millington entered the room, stunned as her eyes landed on Emily who had tears running down her cheeks.

"Shh, it's okay." She tried to mouth but no words came out.

But when her best friend gave her a gentle nod, she somehow composed herself. Taking a deep breath, she turned towards Antonio.

"So, turns out you love shooting, huh?" He taunted.

"Let's cut to the chase, shall we?" She replied with what she thought was contempt but it came out rather shaky.

"Mallory Millington, I'm this close to putting a bullet through your brain, so don't tempt me, okay?" He said with a shove of his hand in front of her face, his index finger and thumb almost touching. "Now, where was I? Riiiight. Emily, here is tied, to a nice little target and do you see the thick white line outlining her body? Well, that's your bullseye."

She stared at him, her mouth agape and her gaze going back and forth between her friend and the guy who stood before her. Her mind was reeling trying to make sense of everything and more that was being told and yet her body felt strangely warm and numb. It was only when a hand gun was being shoved in her hand did she regain her senses.

"I can't shoot with a hand gun," she spoke up almost incoherently.

"You didn't have any trouble a while ago," his voice was devoid of emotion.

"Please, please don't make me do this," she pleaded. Tears ran down her cheeks.

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Now, on with it. We don't have all day."

"N-No, I won't do it," she said pointing the gun at Antonio instead. "I-I won't do it."

The moment the gun was aimed at him, every single person in the room pointed their gun at her.

"You never learn, do you?" he remarked and laughed out loud gesturing his men to lower the weapons. "She is all bark, no bite."

"I'll p-pull the t-trigger," she warned.

"Do you think you'll make it out alive then?" His demeanour was relaxed.

"I won't anyway."

"Okay, what if I make you a deal?" he suggested, "You take three shots right on target and I'll let your friend walk away. Now don't give me that look! After the stunt you pulled, you didn't expect that I'll just spare you, did you?"

Mallory considered it for a moment. The deal sounded fair enough. If she could just get three shots right, Emily might survive. She racked her brain for the tips his ex-marine grandfather always gave her as he taught her eleven year old self to shoot targets. She had only handled the gun once or twice. For most part, she just watched. But when she finally got to shoot, she found out that her game was actually pretty good. But could she risk it? No, she couldn't, she couldn't put Emily's fate in the hands of her preteen self.

And then there was another problem.

"You're lying!" She accused.

"Am I now? What makes you say that?" he tilted his head sideways. "Now, let's put an end to this scuffle. I'll make this easy for you."

He took out his own gun and pointed it at the quivering girl tied to the target. "Here are the facts for you. You shoot, you might hit her. I shoot, I will shoot her. You try to delay. I press the trigger. You point it at anyone but her, she dies. I'll count to three and if you are still not ready, not only would I put a bullet through her, but I'll make sure that she bleeds out slowly and painfully. Now, do you want that to happen?"

She sniffed and shook her head.

"Then shoot."

With shaking hands, she aimed the 9mm towards her friend who desperately shook her head.

"I'm so sorry. Please keep still, Em. I'm so sorry," she repeated over and over again like a broken record.

Bang.

The shot rang through the entire room, piercing through the wall behind the girl.

"Foul!" Came the familiar voice, "I demand a re-shot!"

Mallory breathed in, her eyes narrowing in on the thick white line just above her right shoulder. The stress of keeping her body still was evident in Emily's form which was still shaking lightly. She tried to focus all her thoughts on her target and held her breath as she pulled the trigger.

Bang.

She hit the target.

"Damn, that was some great beginner's luck."

Relief flooded through her making her giddy and weak in knees. She almost slumped to the ground as she released the breath and furiously wiped off the beads of sweat from her forehead. Her hand was shaking nervously, the gun in air. She felt a sense of nausea building up. She knew she couldn't do it again. Not without passing out first.

"We don't have whole day, Antonio." One of his men, Eric, spoke up.

"Shoot," Antonio ushered.

But she couldn't move.

"Shoot, Mallory."

She was rooted to the spot.

"I said SHOOT, DAMN IT!"

And shoot she did.

It was only a couple of minutes later did she realize what she had done. She didn't see her aim. She didn't see the bullet leave her gun. She didn't see it pierce the girl. She didn't even hear her best friend's muffled shouts. All she felt was the trigger and then she was falling too. Through her rapidly tunnelling vision all she saw was blood, lots and lots of blood as she slumped down with an oddly numbing sensation.

Then she knew nothing.

• • •
(Present)

Something wasn't right.

That was the first thought that assaulted his brain. Mallory's account of her sister's death and the autopsy records didn't add up. He immediately darted up from his position on the bed and ran to his wardrobe. He flung out the clothes until he found the manilla folder he got from Sheriff some time ago.

The ballistics report from the folder was telling another story.

His eyes darted from the handwritten journal to the official document trying to make sense of the two accounts. And the only thing he could come up with was, someone was covering up for Mallory and he needed to find out who. No one at the Sheriff's station, not even the Will himself would have the sources to tamper with a federal report.

His only guess was that someone much more powerful was at play. And he needed to find them. Find an ally.

"Am I interrupting something?" Julie's head bobbed in.

"Um, no." He reflexively closed everything and placed them in the drawer. "Come on in. She asleep?"

"For the time being, yeah."

"So, what is it?"

Julie sat down at the edge of bed and breathed in a deep sigh, "She is having nightmares again."

"What?" This caught his attention.

"Yes, she wakes up in the middle of night screaming. She refuses to take naps. Andrew, I think, I think, she remembers..." She bit her lip.

Andrew tangled his hand in his hair and pulled them taut, "W-What? How? S-Since when? Are you sure?"

She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "It's been almost a week. Earlier, I thought they were just nightmares, you know. Like children have. But last night she woke up...um...screaming. She was pleading, Andrew. And she was crying. And I just knew."

"Her memories are coming back, aren't they?" He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I think so. From what you told me, it would've happened at some point. The doctor said it rather clearly."

"I know, Julie. I do, but..."

"You were hoping that it would be happening way ahead in future when she was old enough to handle it. Not to her eight year old self?" She nodded in understanding.

"Hmm, so what are we supposed to do now?"

"I was planning to get her to see a psychiatrist?"

"Okay, sure, I mean that's the best we can do."

"I also talked to my sister. And we have decided it's best to postpone our vacation for the time being."

"You don't need to do tha--"

"Come on, Andrew. She is like a daughter to me. I would be more than happy to help her through this!"

"Thank you, Julie. I really appreciate--"

He stopped mid-sentence as violent screaming interrupted him. His eyes widened as he looked up at Evelyn's caregiver who nodded with a sad smile. Within a moment he was dashing down the staircase.

• • •

Mallory unbuckled her seatbelt as she pulled into Andrew's driveway. She immediately slipped on her heels which she had removed for driving. It was impossible to walk in those dreaded stilettos, let alone drive a car. She buckled her shoes and got out slamming the door shut.

She readjusted the body fitted black dress from her stomach which seemed to be bulging slightly. She made a mental note to go for a run, yet again. It was once again a 'borrowed' outfit, simpler this time. Just a full sleeved black dress with another exceptionally flowy and comfortable material.

She unlocked her phone and opened the front camera. She flicked a few strands of hair behind her ear and her eyes zeroed in on the tiny pimple which was too keen on joining her to the party. She narrowed her eyes and gently rubbed at it as if that would make it disappear. With a sigh, she pressed the lock button and slipped her cellphone in her purse.

Pulling the hem of her dress all throughout she managed to make her way to the porch only to find the door unlocked. She silently entered the room and was greeted by a muffled sound.

She bit her lip as she saw someone sleeping on the couch, only to find Evelyn's sleeping form snugged inside the blanket weakly tossing and turning. Her face had beads of sweat; she was mumbling a faint,

"No, please. No..."

Mallory froze. The words hit close to home and she couldn't stop herself from reaching out and patting the little girls perspirated forehead. Dread washed over her whilst she realized that it must be how her brother would have felt everytime he woke her up in past years.

"Evelyn, hey Evelyn." She softly nudged the girl. "Wake up. You are having a n-nightmare."

The girl stirred but did not wake up.

"Ahhh, NO!!!"

The scream was much louder this time. With renewed efforts, she again tried to wake the girl up from the dreaded sleep. This time her nudges were harder. She desperately tried to get her out of whatever monster was tormenting her slumber. If it were in her power, no one would ever have nightmares, let alone an eight year old pain in the ass she secretly admired.

With one last jolt, she saw Evelyn's eyes open, all too sudden, all too terrified.

Her heart sunk.

And as she looked into those bewildered eyes darting everywhere, she somehow knew that it wasn't just an average monster under the bed nightmare. And the next words that reflexively left the girl's mouth, broke her heart.

"Mommy!" She sat up with a jerk and whispered, her tear glistened eyes still madly dashing around looking for the woman Mallory had no idea about.

She couldn't stop herself from engulfing the little girl in her arms. At first, Evelyn did not react and then very timidly she looped her hands around the older girl's neck burying her head in the crook of neck.

"It's okay, kiddo." She whispered what Jake always used to tell her. The words held a strange sense of comfort for her. Like everything would in fact be alright. She gently rubbed her hand over her tiny back as her small body was racked with sobs. "Shhhh, it's okay. It was just a dream."

"Evelyn, are you okay?!" A panicked voice infiltrated.

Evelyn immediately let go of Mallory and reached out to Andrew instead.

He sat down on the other end of the couch and effortlessly untangled her from the blankets and picking her into his lap. One hand was supporting the girl while the other was in her hair as he muttered reassurances to her.

Mallory watched astounded, the effect he had on her. Evelyn's posture relaxed while she still held on to her guardian desperately. Perhaps, he gave her the sense of security; the kind Mallory herself often found in her brother. It was mesmerizing really, to watch him hold the girl so tenderly, so lovingly. To think that his facade seemed to crumble near the girl.

And just as the girl's sobs died down to hiccups, she was offered a glass of water along with Evelyn.

"You looked like you needed it," a woman placed it in her hand. "Not a fan of nightmares, are you?"

She took it gratefully then shrugged, "Is anyone?"

"Perhaps, not," the woman agreed. "I'm Julie, Evelyn's caretaker."

"Oh, hi. Mallory," she shook the outstretched hand.

"Julie, I'm going to put her in my bed," Andrew whispered. "I take it you are not leaving anytime soon?"

"No, not until you come back."

Andrew nodded and picked the girl up. As soon as he was on the stairs, Julie spoke up.

"I haven't poisoned it, you know."

"What?" Mallory shook her head to clear it. She must have zoned out.

"The water, Mallory. You can take a few sips."

"Yeah," she complied.

"So, you are Mallory, huh? I have heard a lot about you," she cocked her head with a sweet smile.

"I wouldn't trust the source if it's Evelyn," Malory remarked, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Ah, so you have witnessed her little mean streak?" Julie chuckled.

"Little mean streak? She could be full blown Regina George by the time she is ten!"

"Should I be scared that I get the reference?"

"Perhaps."

There was momentarily silence which was broken by Julie again.

"She likes you, you know."

"Pardon?"

"Evelyn. She likes you."

"I think you are mistaken. She must be talking about some other Mallory."

"I think there is only one 'Mallory Millington who ruins movies, spends too much time at Andrew's place and humiliates everyone',"

"That's exaggeration, but guilty," Mallory gave a sheepish smile.

"She says, you make him happy," she motioned her eyes to staircase from where they could hear footsteps.

"That's eerily perceptive for an eight year old," she confessed.

"If you think about it, it's not. I mean it's nothing huge but there are these little things. He smiles more often now,"

"Really, he's changed?" There was a fluttering feeling in her stomach.

"Who has changed?" Andrew piped in, now dressed in a blue three piece suit, white dress shirt and maroon tie.

"You. You have changed. You look prettier now." Mallory replied adjusting his pocket square.

"I look prettier?" He cocked his head.

"Yes, you do. Very much so," she winked.

"Thank you, I guess." He shrugged

"How's Evelyn?" She asked lacing her hands in his.

"She's sleeping," he took her hand timidly, "She was mumbling how she wanted pizza and then fell asleep. Julie, you are gonna have one hungry kid as soon as she wakes up."

"In that case, I must begin preparations for the feast," Julie chuckled again. "You kids have fun and stay safe."

"Sure," Andrew replied moving towards the door and just before closing the door, he called out, "And Julie?"

She turned around and mindlessly mumbled, "Yeah?"

"Thank you. Thank you so much for everything."

She smiled fondly. "Anytime, kiddo."

As Andrew bolted the door, Mallory looked at him, her arms crossed, "We need to have a long long conversation."

• • •

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Hi everyone!

How are you all?

It's already 2019. Phew. Idk, how that is even possible!

Here's an extremely late update. What do you think?

I don't even know how to explain my absence at this point. Just gotta blame the semester exams. -_-

I hope ya'all missed me. Coz I sure as hell missed you people!

Have a great day!

-Ridhima