Saving Katie - HollyS (i am malala young readers edition .txt) 📗

/> "I did Jack". With that Karl hung up the phone and jogged back to Katie and the van.

***

Starting the engine and pulling out of the pub car park a little to fast he explained to Katie what happened and where they we're going next. Too shocked to speak for the moment she just watched him. They'd been with each other less then a day and already she had turned this poor man's life upside down, to the point where he was now on the run and couldn't return to his home. She felt awful and knew the only thing she could do was art ways with him herself. Maybe she should leave the moment he had his back turned to her. Her heart cried out in her chest, the pain was immense of course she didn't want to leave his side. She didn't know what this feeling was that she had when she was with him ut it was amazing. So deep and pure, and she didn't want it to stop, ever.

The drive back to town was short Karl knew he was driving way to fast but all he could think of was getting that car and getting the hell out of there. He made his way to Jack's home near the town center completely forgetting Jack's instructions to take the back roads. Swinging into Jack's driveway knocking over a plant pot Karl jumped out of the van like it was on fire heading to the back gate like Jack instructed lifting the terracotta pot he found the key and made his way back to the van.

The pair transferred anything they may need from the van to Jack's small car. Coats, phone, phone charger for the car and Karl's wallet. Giving the van the once over Karl declared they weren't likely to need tools and anything of that nature and Katie laughed at the humour. Karl locked up the van, popping the keys into the letter box of Jack's front door. He hesitated watching Katie squeeze herself in to the car, it would be so easy to hand her back to her father. OK so his flat was trashed and people obviously wanted his head but the hassle this would cause for her, after all he was a tough guy. He'd been in enough trouble to handle himself, but she, she was so vulnerable. Katie caught him looking and blushed again, so sweet he thought. He couldn't leave her, there was still no reason that this beautiful girl was locked in day and night crazy was not a word he would use to describe her. Unsure, pure a little naive but carefree and loving. Katie couldn't harm anyone it just wasn't in her nature.

They made it out of town in one piece no idea where they we're heading too. They drove in silence but it was comfortable.
"Where should we head to?" Looking over at Katie.
"Could we maybe go to the coast? I've never seen it except for pictures" she looked like a five year old asking for a biscuit before dinner.
"Never?" The thought was alien to him, imagine never breathing in sea air, watching the waves crash against the beach whilst eating fish and chips.
She hesitated guessing to him it sounded so out of place "No, never".
"Right, coast it is if that is what my dear lady asks" lifting her hand from her lap and kissing it. She giggled like a teenager.
"Thank you sir".
Karl swapped lanes on the motorway and headed off towards the next turn off to take him and his fair lady to the coast, he was getting tired but knew a nice warm bed was waiting at the other end, who knows maybe other things. No thinking in his head that wouldn't be right not right at all..

Driving felt like it took hours for Karl reality was only a short time, speeding again, probably getting himself into more trouble. Finally though they were at the coast and Karl found a public car park and a cash point. Taking everything out him and Katie strolled the sea front sharing chips and taking in the view. The colourful lights that lined the sea front along the lamp posts. Katie was amazed by the lights and noises that were emitting from the numerous arcades scattered between restaurants and guest houses.
"It's like nothing I've ever seen before" she exclaimed in awe. "Honestly I could live here forever".
A child at Christmas Karl thought to himself, "Well we're here for the moment".
"That suits me fine, I don't ever want to go home to the basement".

Making their way to a town house painted in blue that was slowly peeling away, they decided it was time to turn in for the night. Climbing the steps and entering a small reception area they we eyes by an old couple with a some what distasteful look on their faces.
"We're looking for a room for the night please, a double with two single beds if you have one?" Karl took the lead figuring Katie wouldn't have a clue how this was done.
"A double bed will do just fine if you don't" Katie chipped in, apparently she did have a clue. Karl looked at her from the corner of his eye, her face was neutral no hints of anything on her mind.
"We have a double room with a double bed will that do sir?" asked the old lady, who seemed to completely over look Katie.
"That would be perfect if you wouldn't mind, for 3 nights maybe longer we aren't sure yet."
"Three nights are fine for the moment sir", the old lady was now giving Karl the stern eye. "Could we just take your names and how would you like to pay?"
Karl pulled his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, "The names are Katie and Karl Jensen and we can pay by cash if that's OK".
"Cash is fine sir, that will be £200, this includes your breakfast each morning"
"Thank you" Karl smiled taking the keys from the old lady, putting an arm around Katie's waist.
"Your room is on the second floor right at the end, luckily you have an en suite, do you have any luggage?".
"No no just us" Karl grinned at her and turning away with Katie they made their way up the stairs.

Finding their room Karl opened the door and let Katie in, by chance there was another couple coming from their room at the other end of the bright hall way. Karl glanced up as he heard the voices, sub conscious told him he recognized the female voice of the pair, as he saw the woman leave the room he knew for sure he knew who it was. Not sure whether to push Katie into the room, which would then alert her to a problem or whether to just keep his back turned and hope for the best Karl made a quick decision to do the latter choice. Probably seconds to late..

"Karl.. Karl Jensen is that you?" called the female voice. Karl's head snapped back round as Katie turned in the door frame.
"Stacey... wow fancy seeing.. YOU... here" Karl greeted her. Of all the god damn places he said to himself.
"Hey long time no see... or phone call Karl" Already Karl could hear the desperation in her voice, he glanced to the side and eyed the short blonde hair fella in his sharp black suit and shoes next to her.
"I was busy Stacey you know that"
Stacey eyed Katie up, giving the snobbish look she could muster "That I can see... So who is she?" referring to Katie, Stacey pointed a long slender finger with a bright red nail at her.
Instinctively Karl wrapped his arm around Katie's shoulders, the look on Stacey's face was enough to get his back up. "This is my girlfriend Katie" he saw the slight smile on Katie's face as he said this.
Stacey's face fell "I see... Well I have to go we're off to an important club tonight". Turning on her heel she grabbed the blonde haired guy and stormed off down the stairs.
Karl turned to look at Katie's questioning face "An ex" he stated, "An overly attached ex".

Katie tossed and turned all night under the stiff starchy sheets. The room was small and hot, the bed felt antique and lumpy, creaking under any movement they made. The en suite wasn't much better. Small and tiled with a horrible set of off white tiles with a bathroom suite consisting of an out dated shower a toilet and wash basin. "It will do" Karl had declared after looking round their temporary lodgings. Luckily there was tea and coffee with an old kettle and cups sat on top of the mahogany draws in the corner of the room along with a small TV.
She couldn't sleep thinking over the scenario in the hall with Karl's past. Of course he'd have past she thought he wasn't locked in a house for most of his life, but still surely the past could of laid off for one day at least. Obviously some form of fate had other plans. Karl had pretty much tucked her into bed as soon as they got in the room and finished looking about. "Tomorrow we'll get up and go shopping we need clothes and things". After another awkward peck to the cheek he laid down next to her and almost fell asleep instantly. Katie just couldn't settle her nerves were on edge. It was the first time she had been away from home from what she knew, every noise made her jumpy. She thought of her daddy and what he would be thinking now, many hours had passed since Karl had taken her from the basement. So much had happened in one day,she wondered what tomorrow would bring and as the morning sun started to rise Katie slowly drifted off.

Chapter Six

Fighting the sun shining in through the curtains Karl gave up and opened his eyes, above him was a slightly yellowed ceiling desperately in need of a coat or two of paint, rolling onto his right side he found Katie asleep and snoring yet it was almost soundless, her hair had fallen over her face and Karl reached over and pushed it gently behind her ears. She half opened her eyes.
"Morning?" her voice was thick with sleep.
"So it was seem"
"I have to get up?", she didn't sound like she wanted to.
"That was the plan, shopping and breakfast in town go get a shower and i'll make a coffee" then he remembered " me a coffee you a tea".
She dragged herself from the bed and Karl was surprised with his own will power at not taking it to the the next level last night though he didn't have the energy for that himself.
He made the coffee and tea and listened to Katie singing to herself in the shower, 'Build me up buttercup' by the The