Chapter 08 — The News

AVA 

It’s been two weeks. Final exams are taking place. Seniors are getting ready for their prom. And I have gotten four invites from seniors to be their date to the prom. 

Yet Caden still hasn’t been found. The house has been in a gloomy state. Dad and Don Thame are hardly seen around these days as they spend the majority of their time looking for him. 

Asher on the other hand spends the majority of his time hooking up with girls. I knew it was a way for him to cope with the recent circumstances. 

The more time passed, the harder it became for me to convince myself that I wasn’t to blame for his disappearance. No one has pointed any finger at me yet, I dread the day they do. 

“I’m leaving. I’ll come back for you, I promise.” His last words still echo in my mind. 

Asher informed the family what I told him. At first Aunt Beatrix had looked at me suspiciously, demanding to know why Caden would come to me instead of Asher or Henshel. 

How was I to explain that I am as confused as she was? Asher came to my rescue though. He told her that Caden was still angry at him for the fight that occurred between them at the cafeteria. 

Grandma hasn’t stopped crying. She lost her son, daughter-in-law and now her grandson. Even though home was gloomy, Fallon and Avery tried to cheer me up at school. 

“So… have you decided which senior you’re going to the prom with?” Avery asked, her voice raising above the excitement happening around us. 

That distracted me from my thoughts. 

“I thought about not going at all, I mean with Caden missing, it feels insensitive to celebrate anything.” I pointed out, letting out a sigh.  

“Tell that to Asher, who hasn’t raised his head from under a skirt for the past week and a half. I understand that you grow up together, but take Asher’s route and live a little.” Fallon advised, and Avery nodded in agreement. 

“Actually, that’s Asher’s way of coping.” 

“And he’s having fun coping, you should too.” She disagrees, refusing to back down. 

“Ava Heavens and Asher Tuhka, you are needed at the principal’s office.” A voice announced through the speaker. 

My friends and I exchanged looks as I stood up. I met Asher in the hallway, his expression mirroring mine. 

We walked into the principal's office together, pausing at the sight of one of Tuhka's family security guards. I swallowed nervously, my heart racing. The men never showed up at our school before. 

Whenever our safety is threatened, they simply lurk in the shadows to protect us without disrupting our normal activities. So whatever made Don Thane send a security to school, must be bad news.

“There’s an emergency at your house, and your families have sent someone to fetch you. You do recognize this man, don’t you?” She inquired, peeking at the stone cold looking man. 

“Yes,” Asher answered, beating me to it. “He’s one of our men.” 

“Then you can go. Your parents are still required to call the school to confirm you got home safely. I hope to see you soon when your emergency has been resolved.” She concluded, dismissing us. 

“Can I make a quick stop by my locker to get my things?” I asked the security guy. 

“No. My men already took your things to the car before you got here. We need to move fast,” he responded. 

I pick up the pace at the urgency in his voice. A black SUV was waiting outside the gate for us. Asher and I went in without question.  

The drive home was tense. I could hear Asher panting—hell! I could hear myself breathe. The car pulled up at the Tuhka’s main entrance. 

Naturally, I got out and started going the other way, where my house is located. One of the securities got in front of me, shook his head and guided me toward the Tuhka’s mansion. 

Everyone was present at the family gathering room—it’s basically what it’s called. Gathering room due to how large of a space it is. 

“Good, everyone is here.” Don Thane started when he spied us heading in. 

As usual, Dad was standing at his right side while Aunt Beatrix on the left. I glance at my Mom, where she’s seated next to Asher’s Mom.

She gave me a small smile, acknowledging me without words. I took my seat next to Asher’s, with my heart still pounding. 

“This is an emergency meeting.” Don Thane started, looking around the room. “For the past two weeks, my men and I have been out there looking for Caden.” 

“They have messed with the Tuhka’s empire. I don’t know who the fuck yet, but I’ll spend the rest of my life searching for the culprit if it comes to that. Death will be a mercy I will not grant whoever is responsible for his murder.” 

“What?” Asher’s Grandmother screamed, getting to her feet. 

“I’m sorry Mother. We found Caden’s belongings. The clothes he had on, and some things he carried in a backpack. Just to be sure, I sent it to the lab for testing. It came back positive… our Caden is dead.” Don Thane stressed, a mixture of sadness and anger clouding his voice. 

“Thane, are you certain of this? If we can’t find a body, how the fuck are we sure he is dead?” Aunt Beatrix demanded, equally angered. 

“My money is on the fucking Xaviers gang. Dagger had a run in with their biker’s club three weeks ago. If they found Caden, they wouldn’t leave a body, so we don’t trace it back to them.” 

Hearing Don Thane say that causes my eyes to burn with unshed tears. I didn’t know who these people were, but the fact that they could kill a child in cold blood, sent chills down my spine. 

Tuhka’s empire has rules against harming children. No children involved in crossfires, but I guess the Xaviers gang didn’t care about that. 

“What are you waiting for Thane?” Asher’s grandmother sneered in a voice I’ve never heard her use before. “I want these people dead! I want them to burn alive!” 

“We don’t have any proof it was them yet. We cannot barge into their territory and start killing. It will tear the fucking city apart. We need to be strategic about our attack.” This time, it was my Dad who spoke. 

“Kids, come on.” Mom stood up, calling us together. 

Realizing things are about to get graphic, I shuddered, following her out of the room. We went to the private living room, where two servants immediately came in with snacks. 

Bethany and Sophie were on it immediately, while Asher, me and Henshel stood still. I was surprised Henshel came with us, he’s always on about how he’s no longer a kid. 

To be fair, he does look disgruntled, despite the fact that he doesn’t get along with Caden. When you think of it, he doesn’t get along with anyone. 

“Mrs Heavens, what do you think is being said? Is the family going to war with the biker’s gang?” Asher asked. 

“What Dad should be doing is deciding who the next heir to the Tuhka’s empire is, now that Caden is no more,” Henshel intervened. 

“How could you be so insensitive?” Asher hissed at him. 

“Hey, watch that disrespectful tongue before I do something about it.” 

“Boys!” Mom cut in. “This is not the time to be fighting. Leave it to the adult to figure things out.” 

“She’s right,” Mrs Tuhka agreed, cutting into the conversation. “But one thing I want you guys to know for certain is; whoever took Caden from us, will get what’s coming to them!”