Chapter 6 - Twisted

"Let's get out of here Klyde."

"Agreed."

And with that they walked away, ignoring everyone and avoiding eye contact.

"Klyde, why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Running in there and rescue that girl from the fire."

"What else was I supposed to do, let her burn?"

"Oh. You're, alot more heroic than people think, and so sweet too."

"Sweet?"

"Well, yeah. You comforted me when I was hurt and upset. You offer to lend a hand and you give me and my mum rides to places." "I'm just doing what I feel is right."

"I know, and it's very sweet."

He didn't know how to respond to this, so he went quiet and climbed into his car, she went around, climbing into the passenger seat. Maddy thought the ride home was going to be dead silent, she felt as if she had annoyed Klyde, but then, he turned on the radio. Maddy's favourite song was playing.

"How did you- did you have this played?"

He shook his head. She sat, staring at the dash, but couldn't help the urge to start singing a long. "her voice is beautiful." Klyde thought. She was full vibing now, as if no one was watching. Klyde couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"Oh my gosh! You're smiling!" He suddenly coughed in shock and hid his face.

"You don't have to hide it, you look nice with a smile."

He gave another slight smile then continued driving. She giggled and poked his shoulder. "I'm tryna drive here eh? Do you want to crash?"

She laughed, "we both know you won't crash." He gave a bit of a chuckle then continued to focus on the road.

"You have, a nice singing voice." Klyde then pointed out.

"I- I do? You really thing so?"

"Yeah."

She blushed, "thanks."

They arrived home and Elis was sitting on the couch, watching the news.

"Ah, you kids are back, how was school?"

"it was, alot." was Maddy's response.

"Oh? Does this have something to do with the fire?"

"Yeah."

"The news said some student ran in there to save another, I wonder who that could've been." she said with a wink.

"That was me Klyde said quietly."

"Very brave of you, and heroic."

"Thanks Elis."

"I should call my parents, haven't spoken to them in a while, should let them know what's happening so they don't worry too much."

Klyde was on the phone for five minutes, then ten, then thirty, it finally hit the hour mark when he came back into the room.

"that was a long call Klyde."

"Yeah, there was alot to talk about."

"Ah right, that's understandable."

"I'm gonna go for a run, wanna join me?" Maddy, realising Klyde had changed clothes to a more sports-like but still covering outfit, she nodded and quickly went and got changed.

"You two kids stay our of trouble, and have fun."

"We will mom don't worry."

Klyde nodded in agreement and they were off. "How-" she puffs, "how far are we gonna run?" Klyde, realising she was out of breath stopped and had her sit down on a nearby bench.

"You alright Maddy?"

"Yeah yeah I'm ok, just, need to catch my breath." She was breathing heavy but it seemed to be calming down.

"I'll go get us some drinks, stay right here."

"Oh okay."

He ran across the road and into a cornerstore. Ten minutes went buy and he walked out with two energy drinks.

"Here."

He popped one open and handed it to her. She thanked him and started drinking, Klyde opened his and started drinking as well. Once they finished Klyde took both cans and put them in the bin. Then helped Maddy up and began leading her back home.

"This was, nice, thank you Klyde."

"Don't mention it."

"How was the walk?" Elis asked as they walked in.

"It was good." Maddy replied.

"Good, well you two made it just in time, dinners ready."

"Thanks mum, what is it?"

"Lasagne." Maddy did a 'heck yeah' type gesture then lead Klyde to the dining table. They say and enjoyed the food, the tv playing the news from where they could see it. All it had was weather reports so nothing interesting. They say in silence. Then, Klyde's phone rang. He picked up.

"Hello is this Klyde?"

"yes it is, can I help you?"

"We're just calling to thank you for rescuing our daughter."

"Not a problem, how did you get my number?" "We had a chat with the police and they gave it to us."

"Ah yeah."

"Well, that's all, if there's anything we can do for you give us a call."

"Will do." And the call ended.

Twenty minutes went by when his phone rang again.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Klyde?"

"Yes it is."

"We're calling about the fire earlier today, I've been told to tell you off for doing something so reckless, but instead I thank you and congratulate you, you've been labelled a hero." "Oh, uh, thanks."

"The fire earlier today, it was not an accident, someone lit that room on fire, whether they intended for the child to be inside or not is currently unidentified."

"I see."

"We, also have some bad news.."

"Oh?"

"Your home, also went up in flames at the same time as the school, it may have been planned but we're uncertain, your family is alive, but they're in comas in the hospital." "Oh.. Do you know who's responsible?"

"We have suspicions but nothing confirmed yet."

"One moment, I have another incoming call." He puts the police on hold and picks up the other call. Maniacal laughter echoed through the phone speaker.

"Hello Klyde, been a while."

"What do you want now." while Klyde said this he began to track the call using his laptop. "Did you like my presents? I'm surprised you survived the one at the school." he cackled.

"I knew it."

He continued laughing, "see you around Klyde."

The phone went quiet, he switched back to the police call.

"I got him."

"what?"

"It was him again, and I have his location, I've sent it to you."

"Just received it, thank you for your help, we'll take it from here." and the call ended.

"You're going after him aren't you."

"Yes."

"I'm c-"

"no."

"What?? What do you mean no? He's my dad I should help take hi-"

"It's too dangerous." He had already changed into his suit, radio on, off he went, racing away in his car.

"Klyde you can't do this on your own."

"I won't be on my own."

Maddy and her mother heard the car door then silence. Then they hear Klyde whisper, "I'm inside, I have eyes on him and he's not alone. Things just got more personal."

"What? What do you mean?"

"He's working with my demented aunty, she despises my family, especially me."

"What are you going to do??"

"I'm going to get them caught."

"How?"

"I'll keep them occupied till the cops arri- what the hell?"

"What? What happened?"

"They- they're kissing?"

"What?! He has a wife!"

"And she has a husband."

"That's next level messed up!"

"No kidding. Time to intervene." He jumped down. And they could hear yelling.

"WHAT THE HELL?! WHO ARE YOU?"

"What do you want trespasser?" klyde said nothing, instead prepared to fight.

"Ah, some sort of special agent?"

"Where are your friends? You can't take on all of us alone. Get him." klyde was fighting 3 guys and his aunty while Maddy's father watching, as if entertained by the show.

"You put up a good fight stranger, but it's in vain." He suddenly came at him with a bat, he dodged.

Police arrived as they were fighting, but somehow Maddy's father managed to flee, the rest were apprehended.

"He got away." Klyde whispered over the radio. "I was so close. I'm heading back now."

"Okay Klyde. Travel safe."

As he was arriving his phone rang, he picked up as he got out of his car.

"Hello klyde, this is the chief again, we just missed him but we're able to apprehend accomplices."

"Thank you for letting me know Chief."

"Not that I needed to, I know you've been fighting criminals in a suit like some vigilanty. Dangerous business that is son, watch your step going down that path."

"You aren't going to tell me to stop?"

"Would you stop if I did?"

"Uh, probably not."

"Precisely. I can't stop you but I can offer my help to make sure you stay safe."

"Thank you chief." And with that the call ended.