Silence

{21} Unclear

{Aspen's POV}

(Quick refresher- Hudson is Jasper's old bestfriend. Jasper was tasked with killing Hudson but couldn't go through with it. Hudson and Jasper's relationship is complicated but it has not yet been revealed why.)

"Come on sis, we've got to go." Hudson says impatiently.

My bewildered state has caught the attention of the shop owner. I'm so confused, Hudson just called me 'sis'. All I know is that Jasper doesn't trust this boy, so I cant either. I cant let him take me away. Never go to a secondary location with a kidnapper, I heard that somewhere and it seems logical to me.

"I-um I'm eating." My pathetic excuse earns a glare from Hudson. The shop lady is looking at me with concern and I shakily take a sip of water. Hudson simply glares at me as the shop lady looks at me.

"Are you alright dear, you look awfully pale. Is this the brother you were talking about?" She asks kindly.

"Yes ma'am, I'm Aspen's brother." Liar, what is he doing? He continues, "I'm just here to bring her home."

"Ah alright. Let me grab you something for the road, dear. I'll be quick." The lady says, quickly getting up from her seat and going over to the display case. I give the back of her head pleading eyes not to leave me alone but I remember the intimidating teenage boy in front of me.

"I- what are you, I why um I don't want to go." I struggle to form real words as his harsh gaze meets mine.

"Aspen, you have to come with me, I'm not going to hurt you. Despite what you believe, Jasper and I are frie- well, maybe not friends. Our relationship is complicated but I would never hurt you. I need to talk to you about something but not here." Hudson glances back at the shop owner who is caught up in packing treats in a box.

"You would never hurt me? You freaking ran me off the road! Sorry if I'm hesitant to believe anything that would come out of your mouth." Here we go sudden boost of confidence. Hudson seems a bit taken back by my outburst but quickly brushes it off.

"Trust me, Aspen." I could laugh in his face right now.

"Do my brothers know that you're here?" 

"No, that's besides the point."

"I think that is very much the point." I reply dryly.

"Okay... do they know that you're here?" Hudson asks with raised eyebrows.

"Not relevant." 

"Is everything okay dear?" The shop owner interrupts when she walks over and places the box of desserts in my hand. 

"Yes, ma'am. We were just leaving." Hudson gives me a look.

Go with him or not? It's a risky game.

"I'm not done my dinner." I look at my half eaten sandwich and sad looking cookie longingly. 

Hudson gets fed up with my resistance and sits in the seat beside me. As the shop owner tends to a customer who suddenly walked in, Hudson leans close to the side of my face.

"Let's put it this way Aspen, I, unlike your foolish brothers, refuse to put up with your stubbornness. If you don't come with me in the next 10 seconds, the nice shop owner will find herself with a bullet between the eyes." He whispers in my ear. My eyes widen in shock and I look at Hudson in the eyes. His face is dead serious with no signs of wavering.