AA

/
23,
07:
55]Lynne:*
ABLEEDI
NGHEART:LALI
MI*
Inevert houghtl if ewoul dbesodi f
fi
cul twi t
houtmy
mot her.yesIhaveaf ilthyrichdadbutt hat'snot
whatIwant. Iwantl oveandpr otectionf rom my
dad.iwanthi mt osayyoul ookbeaut ifulmyangel
everymor ningwhenhei sdr oppingmeof fat
school.Iwantt ocel ebr ateal lmybi rthdayswi th
him.Somet i
mesIf eel l
ikemydaddoesn' tloveme
orisitbecauseIr emi ndhi m ofmymot her. Soiwas
senttoaboar dingschoolwheniwasf i
veyear sol d.
AndIam cur rentlyi ngr ade11. Noonef rom my
familyhasevervi sitedme. Evenonschoolhol idays
noonecomest of et chme. ButIhavemadepi ece
withthat .
Ihaver ai sedmysel f.Wi t
ht heschool
expensesIwoul dn' tli
emyf atherpaysever ything
.Hemakessur eIhaveever ythingIneed. Butallof
thatdoesn' tmat t ert ome. Ijustneedl oveand
affecti
onf rom hi m. Sowheniwasf i
veyearol di
wast oldthatmymot herdi edwhenshewasgi ving
birt
ht ome. Sobasi cal l
yIwasr aisedbymy
stepmot her.Shewassuchasweetandl ovinglady
.ButIhear dshedi edanddadnowhasanewwi f
e
andt heyhaveki ds. Eversi nceIwasachi ldIhave
beenhavi ngni ght mar es.Andt heyar eal wayst he
same. SomedaysIwoul ddream ofawoman
wearingallbl
ackandaski ngmef ordirections
cari
ngababycover edinbl ood.SomedaysIwoul d
dream ofanoldwomani nacagel ookinghungr y
andaskingmet ohelpheroutoft hecageshewas
i
nbutwhenIt r
ytor eacht oherIhearf ootsteps
andamal esayingshemustbeki ll
edandt heold
womenwoul dsayrunr unmybeaut if
ulangel
becauseifhef i
ndsyouher ehewi l
lkil
lyouandI
wouldwakeupsweat i
ng.Ihaveonl ytoldmyf ri
end
Nomhl eaboutmysocal l
ednightmares.Somet i
mes
whenam seat i
ngaloneIwoul dfeelthepr esenceof
thatwomenf rom mydr eams.

AssoonasIhave5f ol
lower
sIwil
lst
artpost
ing
chapt
ers.
Pleaseshowsomelove
[
06/
23,
07:
56]Lynne: I
NSERT1
Lal
imi
'
sPOV

AsIwaswal
kingatt
hecemet
eryIsawababygi
rl
cryi
ng.What
'sconf
usi
ngabouti
tist
hati
tlooked
exactl
yli
keme.
Me:
Heywhyar
eyoucr
ying
(WhenItrytotouchi
t.i
tsuddenlyt
urnedi
ntoa
snake.i
ttr
iest
obitemeandIr anawayscreami
ng
forhel
p)
Nomhl
e:Lal
i!
Lal
i!
Lal
i!Wakeup.
..
areyouokay
(
Andt
hanIopenmyeyes)
Me:
Ohmygosh. .
.Ij
usthadadream .
..
And.
..
andi
t
wasadi
ff
erentonethi
stime.
Nomhl
e:Whatwasi
tabout
(aski
ngconcer
ned)
(WhenIt r
yt orecal
lthedream ..
.suddenl
yIfeela
coldrunningdownmyspi nal.Andthanitwaslight
s
onf orme. Everyt
hingjusttur
neddar kli
keIam ina
dif
ferentworld)

-Af
ter2hour
s-
Iwaswokenupbythesoundofthemachines.
WhenIopenmyeyesIam intheschool
'
shospital
.
Nomhle:
Thanksgodyouar
eawake.
Howar
eyou
f
eel
ingnow.
Me:Idon'
tknowexact
ly.Ij
ustdon'
tknowwhat
's
goi
ngonwi thme.
Nomhle:Don'
tyouthi
nkmaybeyouneedt
oseea
pr
ofessi
onalr
egardi
ng..
.
Me:Whatdoyoumeanexact
ly(Iaskedwi
thabitof
at
ti
tudesi
nceIwassl
owlygett
ingworkedup)
Nomhle:Fr
iendyouknowIdon'tmeanthat.
..
Imean
youcanconsultapsychol
ogi
stregar
dingyour
si
tuat
ion.
Me:Iwoul
dreal
lyappr
eci
atei
tifyoucoul
djust
l
eavemeal
one.Ineedsometi
meal one
Nomhl
e:Butf
r.
..
Me:
Notnowpl
ease
(
GuysIdon' tmeantober udebutri
ghtnowIam
real
lyconf
usedaboutwhati shappeningi
nmyl if
e.
AndIjustcan'tdeal
withNomhler i
ghtnow.But
t
omor rowIthi
nkIhavet oapol
ogizetoherIthi
nki
wasabi tr
udet oher)
•
MrKane'
sPOV•
(Lal
i'
sdad)

Heyguysam sur ey'llhatemenow. Becauseam not

agoodf athertoLal ibutIhavemyownper sonal
reasonswhyIcan' thavehernearmewhi chyouwill
soonf i
ndoutast imegoeson. SoIam awel l
knownandr espect edBusi nessman. Iownbot h
l
egalandi ll
egalbusi nessesi nternationally andam
alsover ydanger ousnoonedar est omesswi thme
.Regar dingmyl atesecondwi f
e. Shehadt odie
.Act uall
yIhadt oki l
lhersi nceshewasst arti
ngto
i
nt erfer
einmyper sonalbusi nessest hatdoesn't
i
ncl udeher. SoIhavet hreedaught ers(Zi
a,Anaand
daisy)excludingLal i.Thatt hingcannotbemy
daught er.Andt hreesons( Layne, Tonyandj ase)
you
willknowt hem ast het i
megoeson. AfterIkil
ledmy
secondwi fesoIgotmar riedt ot hisbeaut if
uland
l
ovi ngwomen.Shei snotj udgement alandsheal so
abidebymyr ul
es.
(
Wasonaphonecal
lwi
thoneofmysuppl
ier
s)
Me: Jeveuxquesti
onsmonmècani ci
ensoi
tli
vrè
auj
our d'
Hui,sui
sunjecl
air
?(Iwantmymerchandise
del
iveredtodayam Icl
ear?)
Theguy:
cer
tai
nementmonsi
eur
..
.(
def
ini
tel
ysi
r)
(
Andt
henIdr
oppedt
hecal
l)
-
Entermywifelooki
ngpal
e.Icant
ellbyl
ooki
ngat
herfacet
hatshewasangry-
Me:
Heywhat
'swr
ongmyl
ove?
MrsKane:Ij
ustrecei
vedacal lf
rom Lali
'
s
pr
inci
pal
.HesaidthatLal
ifel
lunconsciousandshe
i
sintheschool'
shospit
al.Butshehaswokenup
(Iwassweat
ingthemomentshementionedLal
i'
s
name.iwasj
ustprayi
ngi
tnotthatt
imeyet)
Me:
But.
..
butshei
snotyet18.
..
Her
..
.
(
Myper
sonalassi
stantent
ers)
Me:
Erh.
..
mylovewewil
ltal
klat
erathome.
Ihave
ani
mport
antmeet
ingt
ogot o.
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment Formor
e

Pl
easeshowsomel
ovepeopl
e
[
06/
23,
07:
57]Lynne: I
nser
t2

Lal
i'
sPOV
i
tisdur ingthebreakt imeandIwaswai t
ingfor
nomhl ebyt hetapsbecauseshewentt othe
bathroom .TodayIf eelbetterthanyesterday.Am
surey'llar
ewonder ingwhatr aceIam andwhymy
namei sLalimi.Sobasi cal
lymymot herwasa
colouredandDadi swhi te.Somymot hertoldme
thatLalimiwasmygr andmot her'
sname. Ohhere
comesNomhl e.
Me:
Yout
ookyourt
imehey
(Smil
li
ng.Butshej
ustkeptqui
et.Iguessshei
sst
il
l
hurt
.)
Me:er
h..
.r
hNomhl
eIwoul dl
iket
oapologizetoyou
.Fort
hewayIwastal
kingtoyou.Andforpushi
ng
youawaywher
easyoucar
eaboutme.
(Shekeepsquiet.Okayt
hisisst
arti
ngannoyme
now.Iwast r
yingtobenicehereandnowshewant
met obegherass.Aymanshei sreall
ytesti
ngmy
pati
ence.BeforeIsnapatherl
etmej ustgo.
)
Nomhl
e:Wai
t.
..
(
Rightwheniwasaboutt
oleave)
Nomhl e:
Iforgiveyou.Wehavebeent hr
oughworstI
can'tjustletami norar
gumentseparat
eus.Il
ove
youandcar ef oryousopleasewhenyouaregoing
throughal otdon'tpushmeaway. youarel
ikemy
sister
.Youar emyonl yfri
endi
nmyl i
fe.
(Okay..
.sobasi
call
yIwasnowi ntear
s.Sheisthe
onlyonewhogivesmel ove,
affect
ion,car
eand
support
.WhenIcameher eshetookcareofme
.whenmyf amil
yneglectedme.SoIj usthugged
herandwer emainedl
ikethatf
orsome. )
Nomhl
e:Okayl
etgoofmeyoucr
ybaby
(
Wewer
enowl
aughi
ng)
Me:
Iloveyou
Nomhl
e:YouknowIl
oveyoumor
e
Me:
No.
..
Nomhl
e:That
'snotupf
ordi
scussi
on.
..
ILOVEYO
UM ORE.
(Shewasshouti
ngt
he"
Iloveyou"
par
t.SoIwas
nowinsti
tches.
)
-
Theschoolbel
lri
ngsandwegot
oforourl
esson-

<AtMrKANE'
Shouse>
Mrkane:
mmhi
tsmel
lsni
ceher
e.Whatar
eyou
cooki
ng.
Mrs:
Myson'sfavour
it
emeal.Si
ncehei
sinmat
ri
c
heneedsal
lthepamperi
ng.
Mrkane:
Luckyhi
m. .
.pi
tymeIdon'
thaveamot
her
t
ocookforme(Sarcast
ical
ly)
.
(
MrsKanej
ustbast
edi
ntol
aught
er)
Mrs:
Ohpleasestop..
.Ican'tbr
eat
henow. Yousuch
acrybabybecauseyesterdayweateyourfavor
it
e
meal.
Mr:
erhl
etmegoandfreshenup.Ineedt
ocheckup
onheri
nthewar
ehouse
Mrs:
YouknowIhaveabadf
eelaboutt
hiswhol
e
Lal
ifei
nti
ngsaga.
Mr:
Youshoul
dn'
tworr
ymylove.AndtomorrowI
wi
llbemeeti
ngwit
hthef
atherofasonthatwil
l
marryher
.
Mrs:
That
'sgreatbutshei
snotyet18andhasn'
t
f
ini
shedschool.
Mr:Don'
tworryt
hedayshefi
nishesmatr
icwillbe
thedayshegetsmarr
iedandoutofourl
ives
complet
ely.
Mr
s:Mhhok
Mr
:Okayl
etmegonow.
Mrs:Pl
easebecar
efulmyl
ovet
hatt
hingmi
ght
har
m you.

°
int
hegi
rl
'shost
el°
Nomhl
e:Aygr
ade11i
sver
yst
ressf
ul
Me:
yeahheyam justgl
adt
omor
rowwear
est
art
ing
wi
ththef
inalexams.
Nomhl
e:CanIaskyousomet
hing
Me:
Sur
e
Nomhle:
Mhhcan...
can..
.youli
ke..
.vi
sitmyf
ami
ly
andIf
ortheDecemberholi
days?
(Ifel
tli
kecr
ying.Ij
ustdi
dn'
tknowwhattosay.I
t
willbemoreofmyf i
rstt
imeIl
eavet
hisbui
ldi
ng
sinceIcamehere.)
Nomhl
e:Am nott
ryi
ngt
omaybe.
..
Me:Nodon'tworryam ver
yhappy..
.veryhappy.
You
knowthatIhaveneverlef
tthi
splace.Soi tabi
g
thi
ngforme.Ijustcan'
twait
Nomhl
e:Pew.
..
am gl
adyouagr
eed.
Mymom can'
t
wai
t.
(OKt
hatwasabitweir
dwhywoul dhermot
herwant
tomeetme.ButanywaysIj
ustagreedf
ort
hesake
ofmyfri
endIdi
dn'
twanttot
urnherdown)
Me:
Ithi
nkwehavelear
nedenough.
..
Andam al
so
f
eel
ingsl
eepygoodni
ght.
Nomhle:
Youdon'
tevenneedtost
udy.
..
Youar
eso
smar
t.Anywaysgoodni
ght.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
07:
57]Lynne: I
nser
t3

Att
heKanes

Kane'
swif
ewokeupandmadebr
eakf
astf
or
ever
yoneandal
soset
tedt
het
abl
e.
Zi
a:Heymom.
Ana:
(j
ustki
ssheront
hecheek)
Dai
sy:
heymom
Mr
sKane:
Hel
lomydar
li
ngs.
Layne:
Jhoomom todayam wr
it
ingmyfi
rst
paper.
Justcan'
twai
ttof
ini
shanddonewit
hschool
.
Tonyandj
ase:
Luckyyou..
.wear
est
il
lingr
ade11
andweareext
remel
ytir
ed.
MrKane:
Goodmor
ningf
ami
l
y.
(
Theyal
lgr
eethi
m)
Tony:
ErhdadI'llbegoi
ngtosomeschoolcal
leder
h
..
.er
h...
eishIforgoti
tnamebutf
orPhysicsand
MathsOlympics.
Mrkane:
mhh.
..
okaywhen?
Tony:Ithi
nkwhentheyaredonewi
thexams.
But
theyareonlywr
it
ingforaoneweek
MrKane:Youknowam ver
ypr
oudofyou.
goodl
uck
nai
litokay.
Tony:
Am goi
ngt
owi
nthatobvi
ous.
Mrkane:GoodIhavet
ogonow.
..
haveagoodday
ever
yone.

AtLal
i'
sschool

Therei
sanassembl
ysi
ncet
heywi
llbest
art
ing
thei
rfi
rstpaper
.
Thepr i
ncipal
:Iwoul dliket ogreeteveryoneand
wishthem agoodl uckf orthei
rexams. Especi all
y
grade12'sthi
si syourl astyearsoyou' l
lbet ternail
i
t.Iwouldalsoliketot hankeachandever yl earner
i
nt hi
sschoolf orper formi ngwelli
nt heirstudies
andforalsorespect ing. SoIwoul dalsol i
ket olet
thegrade11'st hatsincet hi
sweeky' al
lf i
nish
examssonextweekt her eisanOlympi athatwi l
l
takeplaceinthisschoolf ormat hsandphysi cs..
.
Ever
ylear
ner
:LALI
..
.LALI.
..
LALI
.

(
OksoIwasbasi
cal
lyl
aughi
ngmyassof
f.
)
Thepr i
ncipal:
YesIknowLaliisthesmartestbutI
wantever yonetotakeparti
ni t.
Therewil
lbe
diff
erentschoolscominghere.Okayatl
eastIknow
thatwehavewonal r
eadybecauseIknowLal ishe
i
ssoi ntel
ligent
.Okaylear
nersy'l
lcangot othe
classes.
Nomhl
e:Seeam al
soacel
ebr
it
y..
.j
ustf
orbei
ngyour
f
ri
end.
Me:LMAO..
.st
opi
tyouareal
soacel
ebr
it
y.Your
beaut
yisonanot
herl
evel
.
Nomhl
e:Butyou.
..
youar
eaheat
.
Me:
Ohpleasest
opi
tandl
et'
sgoandnai
lthat
mat
hspaper

>>>Tobecont
inued
[
06/
23,
07:
57]Lynne: Cont
inuat
ionofI
NSERT
3

-
Itaft
erschoolnowt
hey'
redonewr
it
ingmat
hsand
bi
ology-

•
NOMHLE'
SPOV•

Heyguyssoam sur
ey'
l
lknowmenow.
Sobasi
cal
ly
Iam Lali'
sbest fri
endact uall
ysist
er.
Wehavebeen
fri
endsf ormyent i
reli
fe.Il
oveherver ymucheven
thoughsomet i
messhei srude.
SoIt ol
dmymot her
aboutherdr eamsandshesai dshewant st osee
her.Ididn'twantt otel
lLalithatbecauseshesai dI
must n'
ttellanyoneaboutherdr eams. It
hinkmaybe
mymot hermi ghthaveacl ueofwhati st
hecause
andt heysaidt heywi l
ltakehertoourpast orsohe
canpr ayforher .

Me:HeyLalihowwasBi
ology.
..
becauseIknowyou
nai
ledmaths?
Lal
i:I
twasn'
tthathar
dbutam goi
ngt
ogetanA+.
Me:
Mhh.
..
oksowhatar
ewewr
it
ingt
omor
row?
Lali:
Afr
ikaans,Engli
shandphysics...
sotomor
row
schoolwillst
artearl
y.youknowIjustdon't
underst
andwhyt heyarerushi
ngthingsthi
syearor
i
sitbecauseoft heOlympics.
Me:Maybe..
.l
et'
sgoandpr
epar
eforphysi
csyou
knowitnotmythings.
(
Sher
oll
edhereyes)
Lali
:Okay.
..butIam feel
ingl
ethar
gictoday.
..
Itl
ike
somet hi
ngisdraini
ngme.Anywaysl et'
sgosoIcan
takeanap.

•
AtKane'
sHouse•
(
Hej
ustgotbackf
rom t
hewar
ehouse)
Kane:
Heyever
yone.
..
CanIt
alkt
oyoupr
ivat
ely.
(
Tal
kingt
ohi
swi
fe)
Mrs:
Okay..
..
mhhZiacont
inuewi
tht
hecooki
ngIwi
ll
bebackj
ustnow.
(
Theyar
enowi
nthei
rbedr
oom)
Mrs:
Howdidthemeeti
nggowit
htheMart
inez(
The
f
amil
yLal
iisgoi
ngtobeweddedof
fto)
Mr
:Ever
ythi
ngwentwel
lbutt
heywantt
oseeher.
Mrs:Mhhthataprobl
em becausewecan'
thaveher
her
eespecial
lynearmybabies.
..
Mr
:But
..
.
Mrs:Noyouknowexactlywhatwi l
lhappenifshe
comeshere.
(get
tingangry)
Idon'twanttoputthe
l
ivesofmybabiesintodangerandyouknowi ntwo
monthsti
meIwi l
lbegivi
ngbirth.Whatyoucando
i
saskherprinci
paltosendyouherphot othanyou
canshowthem.
Mr
:Thatagoodi
dea.
..
letmecal
lhi
mri
ghtnow.

•
Int
heMar
ti
nezmansi
on•

Odin:
DadIreal
lydon'
tknowwhyyouwantmet
o
getmarr
ied.
Hisdad:Nextyearyouwi l
lbedoingyourlastyeari
n
varsi
ty.
..
soIwantyout obeaman.am goi ngto
giveyouthreeofmybusi nessesifyouagreetoget
mar r
iedtothei
rdaughterandyouknowt hatthey
areveryri
chwhi chwil
lbegoodf orus.
Odi
n:ButdadIhaveagi
rl
fr
iendandIl
oveherso
much.
Idon'twantt
obr
eakherhear
tIcan'
tdad.
Hi
sdad:
Itei
theryougetmar
ri
edt
oheroryouwi
ll
getnot
hing.
Odi
n:Butt
hatunf
airdad.
..
Hi
sdad:
Allyourbr
other
shavear rangedwi
vesand
t
heyar
ehappywhycan' tyou.
..
.hee
Odi
n:Butdad.
..
Hi
sdad:
itei
theryouagr
eeorIwi
lldi
sownyou.
.
Odi
n:Okayfi
nedadIwi
llgetmar
ri
edt
oheri
fthat
makesyouhappy.
(
Hegoesoutbangt
hedoorhar
d)

•
23:
00pm•
*
Att
hegi
rl
shost
el*
Lal
i'
sPOV

Anol dwomen:Pl
easemychil
dyouhavet o
hurry(
cryi
ng)
Ican'
tanymoreIcan'
t.
..
youneedt
o
rescuemebeforeitt
oolat
e.
Me:
But
..
.butIdon'
tknowwhatt
odo.
Anoldwomen:
Youknow.
..youknow.Becar
efulof
No.
..
(
Andt
hanIwokeup)
Nomhl
e:Lal
iar
eyouokay?
Me:(
BECAREFULOFNO.
..
)t
hosewor
dskept
pl
ayi
ngi
nmyhead.
Nomhle:Lal
iar
eyouokay.
..
tal
ktome
pl
ease.
(cryi
ng)
Iwasstil
llosti
nthought
sandt hanIhadasever
e
headache.Myheartbeatincr
easesthani
twas
l
ightsonl
yf orme.

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Iwentoutandcalledthehel
pingaunttohel
p.We
tookhert
ot heschoolhospi
talandwait
edout si
de
thewardforher.
Itwasnow3am andt hedoctor
cameout.
Doct
or:
CanIhaveherpar
ent
snumber.
Nomhle:
Erh..
.er
hshehasnoparent
s..
.t
hey.
..
they
passedawayam heronl
ysi
ster
.
Doctor:
Mhhokay...
soshehadapani
cat
tackwhat
real
lyhappenedt
oher.
Nomhle:Er
hshehada.
..
wewer ejustplayi
ngandI
pr
etendedtodi
esoshestar
tedtopanick.
(
IknewIfIt
oldt
hedoctort
hetrut
hhewoul
dwant
t
otakeheri
ntoapsychol
ogi
st)
Doct
or:
OkayIwi
llgi
vehersometabl
etsbutpl
ease
makesur
ethi
sdoesn'
thappenagai
n.
Nomhl
e:I
twon'
t.
..
canIseeher
?
Doctor
:Sur
e..
.shehaswokenup..
.butshei
snot
sayi
nganythi
ng.Shekeepsl
ooki
ngaround.
Nomhl
e:Okayl
etmej
ustgot
oher
.

Lal
i'
sPOV.
whatthatol
dwomensaidkeptf
loodi
nginmymind
andthefactt
hatshesai
dImustbecaref
ulof
Nomhl e.
why?Becausesheistheonl
ypersont
hat
takesgoodcar
eofme. Andthefactt
hatshesai
dI
knowwhatImustdoj ustdr
ivesmecrazy.

Nomhl
e:Lal
i..
.Lal
i
(
Isuddenl
ysnappedoutofmyt
hought
s)
Me:Nomhl
e(Icr
iedandext
endedmyar
mssoshe
canhugme)
Nomhl
e:Ever
ythi
ngwillsoonbeal
ri
ghtdon'
t
wor
ry(
shekeptbrushi
ngmyback)
Ir
eall
ydidn'
tunderst
andwhenshesai
d"Ever
ythi
ng
wi
llsoonbealr
ight"
Me:
Thanksf
orbei
ngmysi
ster
..
.t
hanksver
ymuch.
Nomhl
e:Iwillalwaysbebyyoursi
deandtoget
her
wecanfightwhateverisbot
heri
ngyou.okayl
etgo
andpr
eparef orschool
.
Me:
Okayanywaysam f
eel
ingabi
tbet
ternow.
(
Aswewerewalki
ngIsuddenl
ysawt
hatol
dwomen
f
rom mydr
eam st
andi
ngbythetr
ee.
Shewas
cryi
ngbl
ood.idon'
tknowbutIf
eltmyhear
tbr
ake.
I
holdmychestastearsst
art
edt
ogashoutofmy
eyes)
Nomhle:
HeyLal
iar
eokay.
..
whyar
eyourhands
cover
edinbl
ood?
(
Shesaidthatsupri
sedandIcoul dseeitinhereyes
t
hatshewasscar ed.
Ilookedatthetr
eethatwoman
wasstandi
ngbyandshewasnol ongerther
e.
WhenIlookatmyhandst hebl
oodwasnol onger
t
here)
Nomhle:
WTFhowi sthatpossi
ble.
..Isawi
t..
.bl
ood
..
.bl
oodinyourhands..
.mom wast r
uewhenshe
sai
dyouhave..
..
(
andt
henshekeptqui
et)
Me:
Ihavewhat
?
Nomhl
e:No.
..
not
h..
.not
hing?
(Igr
abbedherinherupperar
m ver
yhardandam
sureIl
eftmarks.Iwasext
remel
yangr
y)
Me:ANSWERMEYOUSI
LLYFOOLWHATDI
D
YOURMOM SAY?
Nomhl
e:Youar
ehur
ti
ngme.
..
shesai
dnot
hing.
.
Me:OhIseeyouwanttoanswermet hehardway.
(I
wasdr aggi
nghert
owardsthesametreet
hat
womenwasst andi
ng.
Ireal
lywasn'
tmyselfandi
di
dn'tknowwhatiwasdoing)
Nomhle:
Shesaid.
..
.shesai
dyouneedt
oseea
psychol
ogi
st.
Me:Oohsoyouandyourf
ami
lyt
hinkancr
asy?
..
hee?.
..
heee?
.
Nomhle:
Noshe.
..
shei
swor
ri
edaboutyou.
..
they
r
eal
lyare.
(
Thatmademecomebacktomysenses.
Ithan
r
eal
isedt
hatIhavehur
tmybest
ie)
Me:OhhmyGodyouar ebleedi
ng..
.am soo.
..
sor
ryI
wasn'
tmyselfam real
lysor
ry.
..
Idon'
tknowwhat
r
eall
yhappened.(
Iwasnowcr yi
ng)
(
Sheat
tempt
edt
oleavebutIgr
abbedherhand)
Me:Am ver
ysor
ryf
ri
end..
.am r
eal
lysor
rypl
ease
f
orgiveme.
Nomhl
e:LALI
MIpl
easel
ivemeal
one.
Me:Okayam sor
rybutpleasel
ist
ent
ome.
Letme
t
ellyouwhathappened.
(
Shej
ustr
oll
edhereyes)
Me:ok.
..
soIhadadream again.
..
Someoldwomen
Imustr
escueher.
WhenIsai dIdon'
tknowhowt
o
shesai
dIknow.
(
Sheat
tempt
edt
oleaveagai
n)
Me:
Last
lyshesai
dImustbecar
efulofyou.
(
Thatcaughtherat
tent
ion)
Nomhle:
Whatthat
'sl
ame. ..
that
'si
nsanewhywould
Ihar
m youIl
oveyou...
Iloveyouwithal
lmyheart
.
Me:Iknow...
Iknownandil oveyoutoo.Ithi
nkthat
oldwomenir esponsibl
eforwhatishappeningto
me. Nextt
imewhenshevi sitsmydreamsam goi ng
totel
lhertogoandf uckhersel
f.
(
Shel
aughed..
.wheewt
hanksgod)
Nomhl
e:St
opi
tokay.
..
Me:Am sor
ry.
..
ver
yverysorryandIwi
lldoanyt
hing
youwantmetodo.Evenifyouwantmet oseea
psychol
ogi
stIwi
ll.
Nomhle:
Ifor
giveyou.
..
areyouser
iousaboutseei
ng
apsychol
ogi
st?
(
IjustlaughedbecausesheknowIdidn'
tmean
t
hat..
.Ihateal
lthepsychol
ogi
stt
hingi
es)
Me:
OkayIdi
dn'
tmeani
t
Nomhl
e:Okayf
ine.
..
let
'sgoi
tal
readyl
ate.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
07:
57]Lynne: I
NSERT4

4daysl
aterandi
tisaSunday.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Nomhl
e:Sof
ri
endar
eyour
eadyf
ort
het
omor
row
Ol
ympi
a?
Me:
Yes.
..
youknowIwasbor
nready(
Thanshe
smi
le)
Nomhle:
Youknowf r
iendam veryproudofyou.Am
sur
ewhereeveryourmotherisinheavensheis
ver
yproudofyou.
Youar eablessi
ngandany
par
entwoul
dlikeyoutobetheirdaughter
..
.
Me:
Butnotmydad
Nomhle:Youdon'tneedhiminyourfabul
ous
l
if
e.Lat
eronwhenyouar efi
nal
lyasuccessful
Radiol
ogistoncol
ogisthewi
llr
eali
sehisloss.
Me:Am real
lynotsureifhewil
levert
reatmelikehis
daughter
.Butanywayasyousai dIdon'tneedhim
i
nmyFABULOUSl i
fe.Ihavespental
mostmyent ire
l
ifewit
houthim.
Nomhle:
exact
ly.
..
nowtakeyoursl
eepi
ngpi
ll
sso
youcanrest.
Tomorr
owwi l
lbealongdayf
oryou.
Me:Thanksmommy(
andt
henwebust
edupi
nto
l
aughter)
Nomhl
e:Justgoandsl
eeppl
ease.
Me:Ohhbef
oreIfor
getwhenar
eyourpar
ent
s
comingt
ofetchus?
Nomhl
e:Assoonast
heOl
ympi
csar
efi
nish.
Me:
mhhokay.

•
Att
heKanes•
Kanei
shavi
ngapi
ll
owt
alkwi
thhi
swi
fe

Mr
s:Sodi
dyoushowt
hem Lal
i'
sphot
o?
Mr:
Yes...
theyl
ikedherbuthersoont
obehusband
wasn'
tint
erest
ed?
Mr s:
Wedon'
tcareabouthim..
.AslongasLal
iwil
l
beoutofourl
ivesandthefactthatassoonas
theygetmar
ri
edtheywillmovetoGermanyis
makingmehappy.
Mr
:Yeaht
hatr
eal
lygr
eat
.
Mrs:
LetmesleepbecauseIhavetowakeupearl
y
t
omorrowandmakesur eTonyisnotl
atef
orhi
s
Ol
ympia
Mr:
Okaygoodni
ghtmywor
ld(
Andheki
ssedher
t
ummy)
TObecont
inued.>>>

Thi
swasanappr
eci
ati
oni
nser
tfor24f
oll
ower
s

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
.

Lovey'
l
l
[
06/
23,
07:
58]Lynne: Cont
inuat
ionofI
nser
t4

*
Atanundi
scl
osedl
ocat
ion*

Ki
ara:
Dadwehavelookedever
ywher
eforherbut
wecan'tf
indf
er.
Dad:I
fy'
llsti
llwanttoli
vey'l
lbet
terfi
ndher
becauseifshefindsusfir
st..
..
nc..
.nc.
..
ncy'
l
lknow
whatwillhappenright
.
Mi
ke:
yesdadweknow.
..
whati
fshei
sdead?
Dad:Shei snotdead. ..
Assoonasshet urns18her
beastwillstarttoreact.
Sowebet terhurrybecause
only1mont hi slef
tforhertoruleandtakeovert he
world.Andr ememberi fwegett oherf i
rstam goi
ng
totakeallherpower slikeIdi
dt ohergreat
grandmot her.Butitwasabadl uckf ormebecause
thath**hermot hermadesur ethatIret
urnthe
powers.Ijusthat eher.

*
Att
hegi
rl
shost
el*

Iwasnowwal
kingf
ast
er.
Agil
r:
Wai
tLali.
..
Lal
ipl
easewai
t..
.Don'
tli
vet
his
pl
aceunt
ilyout
urn18..
.
Ii
ncr
easedmyspeed.
Agirl
:
Pleasel
ookatme. ..
Youneedtoprepar
e
your
selfsomet
hingbigisgoi
ngtohappen.You
needtosaveher(Poi
nti
ngatanoldwomen)
Me:Pl
easel
ivemealone.
..
whatdoy'
l
lwantfr
om
hee?(
Iwascryi
ng)
Iknownothi
ngam j
ustan
ordi
narygi
rl
.Iknownot
hingabouthel
pingi
nhuman
people.
Agir
l:Lookatmeandt
ellmet
hatst
rai
ghtt
omy
f
ace.
(
Itur
ntol
ookather)
Me:WTFhowcomeyoulookexact
lyl
ikeme
..
.pl
easet
ellmewhoar
eyouguys?
Agi r
l:
Wehavebeent ryingtogettoyouf oralmost
yourlife.wewantt ohel pyousot hatwhent he
storm startsyouarepr epared.(Shewasst art
ingto
fadeaway) whenyounol ongerseeusyouwi l
lmiss
us.Taket hisIknowyouar ehungr y.
(shewasgi vi
ng
mear awl iver.
Iwantedt ofreakoutandr unaway
butsomet hingkeptpushingmet otakeit
)
(
Itooki
tandwaseati
ngitsl
owly.I
tfel
tli
kei
tmy
f
ir
stti
meeat
ingsomethi
ngsoli
d.)
Me:er
hh.
..
.heyt
hanks.
..
(
Ilookedar
oundandshewasnol
ongert
her
e)
Iwaswokenupbyanal
arm.
Nomhl
e:Goodmor
ningsl
eepyhead.
Me:
(yawni
ng)
heygoodmor
ning.
Nomhl
e:Anyni
ght
mar
es?
Me:(
stut
ter
ing)ni
ght
..
.ni
ght
mar
es?
...
NoIsl
eptl
ikea
baby.
Nomhle:That'
sgreatnowgoandtakeashower
becausebreakfastwi
llbeser
vednow.
Me:
Youcanjustgoandhavebreakf
astwi
thoutme
.Am notf
eel
ingl
ikeeat
ingt
oday.
(Iwasactual
lyf
ull.
ButIcoul
dn'
ttel
lhert
hat
becauseshewasgonnaf r
eakout)
Nomhle:
Butyouhavet
oeat.
Isn'
tyouwi
llbe
wri
ti
ng..
.
Me:
Whenam f
ullmybr
aindon'
tfunct
ionper
fect
ly.
..
(
Shej
ustl
aughed)
Nomhle:
MyGodyouar
ecr
asyanywaysgobef
ore
youbecomel
ate
(Iwentt
ot akeabat
h.Il
ookedmysel
fatt
hemi
rr
or
andmyf acewaspale.)
Me:
whatisr
eal
lyhappeni
ngt ome.Whydi
dIeat
t
hat.
whyGod..
.Ihopeam notgoi
ngmad.it
hinki
r
eal
lyneedt
oseeapsychologist
.
(
Ikeptqui
et.
)
Me:Okayam notdr
eaming.
..
am notdr
eami
ng
r
ight.
(Iwashedmyfacewit
hwater)
Aman:Youar enot.Rememberdenyingwhoyou
arewon'thel
pyou.I
twil
lonl
yhurtpeoplenextt
o
you.RememberAdilai
sshortt
emperedandmay
harm your
..
.
(Andt
hanhedi
ssapear
ed.
Whoi
sAdi
la?
.WhatI
havet
odowit
hher.)
(
Rightt
henNomhl
eent
ers)
Nomhl
e:Lal
iar
eyouokay.
..
whower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?
Me:NooneIwasj ustpr
act
ici
ngtheOhm'slaw.
..
You
knowitreal
lyconf
usemeandi tcar
ri
esal
otof
marks.
Nomhle:
OhbutIt
houghtIhear
daman'svoice.
Anywaygoandgetdr
essedbefor
eyoubecomel at
e.
(
Somer
andom guybumpsi
ntome)
Me:WHAT'SWRONGWI THYOU.
..
can'
tyousee
whereyouar
egoi
ng.
..
hee?
TheGuy:
Am ver
ysor
ry.
..
CanIaskwher
ethegr
ade
11Olympi
cshel
dat?
(
Ohsot hi
sguyisher
etocompet
eletmeteachhim
alesson.Am goi
ngtogi
vehi
m wrongdi
rect
ions)
Me:Okaygostrai
ghtthentakeyourl
eftthengoi
nto
thatl
ongpassagethanthefir
stroom iswheret
hey
areheld.
Theguy:
Thanksver
ymuchbeaut
if
ulgoddess.
Me:
Goorel
seyouwi
llbel
ateandwon'
tfi
nisht
he
t
est.

(
LMAOt
hatwasf
un.
Letmegoandst
artwr
it
ing)

20minslat
erenterthever
ysameguy.Iwantedt
o
l
aughbutcouldn't
.Anywaysam gonnal
aughathim
aft
erthi
s.Hesmi l
edwhenoureyesmet.Fool
.
•
AtKanes•
Mrs:Whenareweget
ti
ngr
idoft
hatt
hingi
nyour
warehouse?
Mr:
Whentheti
meisr
ightandt
her
eisaf
ri
endofmy
t
hat'
swantt
oseeher
.
Mr
s:Doyout
rusthi
m?
Mr:
Yeahhesaidthatsheknowshim andthathewil
l
onl
ybetakingwantwastookfrom hi
m.Soaftert
hat
wewil
lki
llherorshoul
dIsaythatmonster.
Mr
s:mhhokaywhenwi
llt
hathappen?
Mr
:It
hinknextyear
.Becausehel
ivesver
yfar.
Mrs:Mhhokay.
..Godisreall
yonourside.
Ican'
t
bel
ievewewil
lbegett
ingridofLal
iandwellher
mother.
Mr:Yeahhey...
weneedtomakesur
ethat
everyt
hinggoesaccor
dingt
oourpl
an..
.

*
AtLal
i'
sSchool
*
Iwasbasi
cal
lyl
aughi
ngathi
m.
Me:
Yhooam goingt
odi
e..
.sohowdi
dyouf
indyour
wayt
othehall
.
Theguy:
Iguesshavi
ngaphonewi
thGoogl
ereal
ly
hel
pedme.
Me:
Ohok.
..
Sowhat
'syourname?
Tony:
Tonyandyour
s?
Nomhl
e:Lal
i..
.Lal
i.
Me:
OhIhavet
ogomysi
steri
scal
li
ngmebye.
Nomhle:
Mhh.
okaysowhoi
sthatguyyouwer
e
t
alki
ngto?
Me:
Hisnamei
s..
Ten.
..
TinnyorTonyam notsur
e.
Nomhl
e:Mhhsowhatwer
ey'
l
ltal
kingabout
Me:Iwasj
ustlaughi
ngathi
m.Becauseearli
eron
hebumpedint
omeandaskedf ordi
rect
ions.And
guesswhat
..
.
Nomhl
e:What?
(
Iwasnowl
aughi
ngmyassof
f)
Me:
Igavehi
m wr
ongdi
rect
ions.
..
Nomhle:Gosh.
..
youar
esowr
ong.
..
thepoorguy
shem .
.
Me:
Hedeser
vedi
t..
.
Nomhl
e:Sohowwasmat
hsandl
if
esci
ences?
Me:
Itwaseasycompar
edt
otheact
ualexam we
wr
ote.
Nomhl
e:Mhhokay.
..
sowhenwi
llt
her
esul
tscome
out
?
Me:
Ithi
nknextyear
.
Nomhl
e:Whati
sthepr
icef
orawi
nner
?
Me:
Ani
Phone11,
Lapt
opandaBur
sar
y
Nomhl
e:OhhmyGod..
.am j
eal
ous.
Me:Anywaysl
etgo.
RememberIst
il
lneedt
opack
al
lmystaf
f.

•
Atkanes•
Tonyj
ustar
ri
vedandhel
ooksexhaust
ed.Her
mot
herwaswat
chi
ngTV.
Mr
s:heyboy.
..
howwasi
t?
Tony:
Itf
eltl
ikeIwasj
ustdoi
ngar
evi
sion.
Mr
s:Mhhyouknowam ver
ypr
oudofyouhey.
(Sheattempt
stoki
sshi
m onhi
sfor
eheadbutTony
quickl
ymoveshisf
ace)
Tony:
Nomom st
op.
Am notachi
ldanymor
e.
Mr
s:Si
ncewhen.
..
hee.
..
youar
est
il
lmyl
it
tl
eboy.
Tony:
Ohhwhatevermom(
hesai
dthatgoi
ng
upst
air
stohi
sroom)

•
Tony'
sPOV•

Okayguysam Tony. Andam sur ey'l

lknowmy
mother. Sobasicall
ymyf at
herdiedinacar
accident.MrKanemadesur ethatIdon'tmiss
him.Likehetreatsmet hewayhet reatshisot
her
chil
drenanddoever ythingforme.Iwouldnever
tr
adehi mf oranythi
ng.Hemakessur eIrecei
ve
goodeducat ionandbecomesuccessf uli
nlife.The
bestIcandoi st
omakehi m proud. Iwouldn'task
foranotherdadi nmyl if
e. Iwoul dvolunt
arydi efor
him andheal somakesmymom happy. Sosi nceI
camebackIcan' tstopthinkingaboutt hatgirlIsaw
earl
ier.Herlaughter,hereyesandwel lherbody
shape. Icanevenl i
vemygi rl
fri
endf orher.Shei s
somet hingelse.
Ther eissomet hingaboutherbutI
real
lydon'tknowwhati tis.Ididn'tevengether
name. ButIheardhersi stercallingherLali.Ijust
hopeithername. Letmesear chheronFacebook.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Lovey'
l
l andt
hanksf
ort
hesuppor
ty'
l
lar
e
gi
vingme
[
06/
23,
07:
58]Lynne: I
nser
t5

Lal
i'
sPOV
Nomhl e'
spar entscamet of
etchus.TobehonestI
don'tl
ikeherst epdad. Hehasadarkaur a.Thereis
somet hi
ngunusualabouthi m.Everytimewhenour
eyesmeethi st urnredandIjustdon'tknowwhyI
am notfreakedoutaboutal lthat
.Sowear ri
vedin
thi
sbigmansi on.Itlookssobeauti
fulandyoucan
tel
lthattheyspentt onsofmoneybui lding
i
t.Nomhl e'
smot herhasbeenquitesincewear rived
.Hereyei sbruisedandshei salsolimpi ng.
Theway
IseethingsIt hinkherhusbandisresponsi bl
e.

Nomhle'
smom:Nomhlepl
easeshowLal
iar
ound
andal
soshowher.
..
herbedroom.
Nomhl
e:Okaymom.

Sheshowedmet hebedroom andyesIl ovei

t.I
tis
pai
ntedingreyandeveryt hi
nghasgr ey.
Sowewer e
nowjustwalki
ngar oundthegarden.Theyhavea
hugegardenitevenhastreesandbeaut if
ulf
lower
s.
Me:
Sot
ellmemor
eaboutyourf
ami
ly.
Nomhl e:
erh...
ther
e'snothingtot
ellyouabout
exactl
yjustthatmypar entshavebeenmar r
iedf
or4
years.Am theonlychil
d. Soyeahthat'
sal
l.
Me:
Sowhathappenedt
oyourbi
ologi
calf
ather
?
Nomhle:
Mom sai
dhedeni
edme.Shesai
dIact
ual
ly
don'
tneedhi
minmyli
feanyway.
Me:ohham sosor
ryaboutt
hat
.Sohowi
syour
st
epdadtr
eati
ngyou?
Nomhl
e:St
ep.
..
stepdad.
..
he.
..
hei
sgood.
..
goodt
o
us.
(Icoul
dseethatshewashidingsomethi
ngfrom
me.ButIdi
dn'twantt
oquestionheranyfur
ther
becauseshe'
sgoingtosuspectt
hatImighthave
seensomething)
Me:Mhhokay.
..
Let
'sgoi
nsi
deam st
art
ingt
ofeel
col
d.
Nomhl
e:Sur
e.
(Wewentinsideandf
oundLal
i'
smot
herwat
chi
ng
TVandreadingabibl
e)
Nomhle'smother
:Comesi tdownLal i.
Ineedto
speaktoyou.
Nomhl etol
dmet hatyouhave
been.
..
(Nomhlestartedcoughinghysteri
call
y)
Nomhl
eareyouokay?Godr
inksomewat
erpl
ease
(
Andthenshewentt
otheki
tchen)
AsIwassayingshesai
deversinceyouwer
ea
chi
ldyouhavebeenhavi
ngnightmares.
(Att
hatver ysametimeIf el
tveryangr
y.Ifel
tli
ke
mycani nesweregrowingIr anint
othebathr
oom
andl ookedatmyselfinthemi r
ror.
Andyesmy
canineswer el
ongerthanusualandmymout hwas
star
tingtobleed.
Iwasext remelyangr
y.Ihearda
knockont hedoor)
Nomhl e:
Lal
ipleaseopenup...
am reall
ysorr
yI
didn'
tmeantohur tyou.
Itol
dmymot herbecauseI
knowshecankeepasecr etandshei salsowil
li
ng
tohelpyouregardi
ngyournightmares.
(Guysitnotl
ikeam overr
eacti
ngbutIdon'
twant
peopletothi
nkam crazy.Iwantedt
ocomeoutbut
couldn'
t.
Iranacol dshowerandsetdown. Isobbed
unti
lIwasst arti
ngtofeelcoldwhenIt ouchmy
mout hIwasbackt onormal.Icl
osedtheshower
anddr i
edmysel f.
Iworemypj sandwentdown
star
es.Theywer eallhavi
ngsupper.Ijusttooka
seatandst ar
teddishi
ngformysel fsi
nceiwas
extr
emel yhungry.
)

Me:
erh.
..
Mom Iwouldl
iket
oapol
ogi
zef
ort
hewayI
r
eact
edearl
ieron.
N'smom: Youdon'thavetoapol
ogi
zemydar li
ng.I
underst
and...
alotishappeni
nginyourl
if
esoyou
haveallt
herightstoreactt
hewayyoudid.Iwould
l
iketoaskyoui fdoyoumi ndtogotochurchwit
h
ustomorrowsinceitisaSunday?
Me:
Achur
ch?
...
Ineverbeent
her
ebutIwi
lll
ovet
o.
N'smom:
Okaysot
omor
rowwakeupear
lysowe
cango.
(
Rightaft
erthatamanwi thbodyguar
dsent
ers.Hi
s
f
acelooksfamili
arbutIdon'
tknowwhoheis.)
Theman:ThanksmrKhumaloforl
ett
ingmeknow
..
.Lal
igoandtakeyourbagwearegoing.
Me:
Wai
twhoar
eyou?
Theman:Ohreall
yyoudon'
tknowmenow.
..
Iam
yoursper
m donor.
(Thathitveryhar danddeep. Thef actthathesai
d
that.
Andal sot hefactthatIcoul dn'trecogni
zemy
ownf ather.
Iranupst ai
rsintearsandcl osedthe
door.Suddenl ytheli
ghtsgoesof f. Androom
becomenoi sy.Iheardi ffer
entvoi cesandIheldmy
head.Justthanagi rlcamet hrough)

Thegirl:
Iseeyouar esmar t.
Ot hershavetor each
18untiltheyt r
ansf
orm butwithyou. ..
nc...nc.
..
nc
.Justsoyouknowt odayisthel astti
mewebot her
you.Butbef orewegoIam goi ngtotel
lyout he
wholetruth.SoIam yourtwinsi ster.
..
Iwaski ll
ed
byyourf ather.
Ourmom isst i
llali
veandIt hinkit
i
mpossi bletosavehernow. Shehasbeen
i
mpr i
sonedf or25year
s.Wehavebeent r
yingtogi ve
youcluesbutyouchoset oignor eus.Sotheyhave
alreadypl ottedherdeat h.Rememberi fherpower s
l
andi nt oevilhandsourbr eedisdoomed.Ohhand
alsoyourf riend'
sst epdadiswor kingwi t
hevi l
peopl e.Hei sinvol
vedi nsomecul twher etheydo
sacr i
fices.Soever yt i
mewhenyourf r
iend'smom
fallpregnantshemi scar r
yandshei salwaysbeat en
upf ort hat.Hehasr apedyourf ri
endnumer ous
ti
mes.Butam nott her e.Youneedt ofindyour
ment or .Icannottellyouwher ehei sbutyouar e
veryf arfrom him. Youneedt obest r
ong. The
momentyouacceptwhatyouar eitwillbebet t
erfor
you.
Me:
Butwhatam I
?whydoIhavest
rangedr
eams?
Thegir
l:
YouareanAdi
laabeastwomen.
Youar
e
thepowerf
ulcr
eat
urei
nourbreed.
Me:
What
?thatcan'
tbe.
..
no.
..
noam nott
hat
Thegi r
l:
Rembert hesooneryouacceptwhatyouar e
thebetter.
Alsoneverfor
getyouf ai
ledourmother
...
youhadt i
metosaveher. .
.nowgowi thyour
fatherorelsethi
ngsaregoingt obeworseforyour
fri
end'sfamilyandyou.
(Justthenshedisappeared.Ther
ewasal
ott
o
digestrightnow.
Ijusttookmybagsandwent
downst air
s)
Dad:
Yousur
elyt
ookyourt
imeheee.
..
(Ijustkeptqui
etandl
ookedst
rai
ghti
ntoNomhl
e'
s
stepdadeyes)
Me:(
Isai
dtomysel
f)Am goi
ngt
ogetyou.
..
you
bur
sted.
(
Ont
hewayt
owher
everhewast
aki
ngmet
o)
Mrkane: Am goi
ngtobookahot elforyou.And
tomorrowyouwillhavetotel
lmewhogaveyou
permissi
ontogovi si
tyourfr
iend.Ican'
tteachyou
alessonnowbecauseIhavet otakecareof
something.
(Iwonderwhatheistalkingabout.Wechecked
i
n...i
nsome5st arhot
el.Itookthekeyandwent
strai
ghtt
oar oom hebooked. Icl
osedthedoorand
start
edtounpackmyt hings)

•
Att
hewar
ehouse•
Mrkane:
Sorr
ytokeepyouwai
ti
ngcomet
his
way.
Yousai
dyouareMr?
"
MrOwen"
Mrkane:Okaysother
eshei
s..
.Si
nceyest
erdayshe
nevert
ransfor
med.
MrOwen:mhhokayIsee.
..
howl
onghaveyoukept
herher
efor.
..
Mrkane:
25year
s..
.
MrOwen:
wowhowdi dyoumanagetoimprisont
he
mi
ghtyNor
abecausesever
alt
imesIfai
led
MrKane:
Rightaf
tershegavebi
rt
h..
.
MrOwen:
MhhIsee.
..
sowher
eisherdaught
er?
(
mrkanewasnowannoyedbyal
lthequest
ions)
Mrkane:
Idon'
tknowi
nthewor
ldwhost
oleher
f
rom t
hehospi
tal
MrOwen:What?Howdidthatevenhappen?
In
whi
chhospi
talshewasgi
venbirthi
n?
MrKane:
Ican'
trememberexact
ly
MrOwe: Iwi
llcomebacktomorr
owtofini
shher
.RightnowIhavesomethi
ngimpor
tanttotakecar
e
of.
Mrkane:
Okaynopr
obl
em.

•
Att
heKhumal
os•
MrKhumalo:
Nomhl
egotoyourr
oom Ineedt
o
speakt
oyourmot
her?
Nomhl
e:Okay
Mrkhumal
o:Okaywhat?
Nomhl
e:Si
r
Mrk:
Goodnowgo.
MrK:
li
stenhereandli
stenver
ycar
eful
.Idon'
twant
t
oseethatgi
rleveri
nmyhouseagain.okay?
Mr
s:okay.
Mr
k:Goodnowgoandpr
epar
eabat
hforme.
(
Mrkwenttohisoff
iceandwasnowl
osti
nhi
s
t
hought
sbusyt
alki
ngtohimsel
f)
Mr K:Ihaveneverbeensoscar edinmy
l
ife.Somethingaboutthatgir
lisdangerousandvery
power ful
.Whenshei saroundIcan'tevenusethe
spellsIwast aughtbymymast er
.ineedtof
indout
whati sitthatisupwi t
hher.
Mr
s:Ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
nenowyoucanhaveyourbat
h.
MrK:Howmanyti
mesIhavet
oldyout
oknock
bef
oreyouent
ermyof
fi
cehee.
(Hewasnowhol
dingheri
nherupperar
m andyou
coul
dseehewashurt
ingher
.)
Mr
sK:
Am sor
ryi
twon'
thappenagai
n..
.

•
Att
heKanes•

I
nthei
rbedr
oom
Mr
s:Di
dever
ythi
nggoaccor
dingt
oourpl
an?
Mr
:Notyetmyl
ovebutt
omor
rowi
thappeni
ng.
Mr
s:Okay.
Sohowdoest
hatcur
sel
ookl
ike(
lal
i)
Mr:Shehasreall
ygrownup...
Ireall
ycannotbel
ieve
sheisthesamel i
tt
legi
rlt
hatIdroppedather
school12yearsback.
(
Wasst
art
ingt
ogetannoyed)
Mrs:
That
'sgr
eat
...
anywaysgoodni
ghtIr
eal
lyhada
l
ongday.

Mr
sKanesPOV
okaysoIam mr sKane. mot herofTony, Jaseand
Zia.AnaandLaynear emyhusband' ssecondwi fe
.AndDai syi
smyhusband' slatebr otherdaughter.I
l
ovet hem al
lanyway. SowhenKanewasst il
l
mar r
iedtohi
swi fewewer ehavi nganaf fai
runti
lhe
gotridofher.
SoIangr ywhenmyhusbandwas
tal
kingaboutLali.I
tfeltli
kehest i
llcareforher.SoI
thi
nkIhavet ofastent heprocessIneedt omake
surehermotheri ski
lled.ThanIcandealwi thher
.SinceTonycamebackhehasn' tbeent hesame
TonyIknow. Ihopei tnotaboutgi r l
s.
 Goodni
ghtmyl
ovi
es.
..
[
06/
23,
07:
58]Lynne: I
NSERT6

Att
hewar
ehouse
MrOwenandhischi
ldr
en(Mi
keandKiara)were
gett
ingr
eadywhi
lemrKanewasjustst
andingby
thedoor
.
MrOwen:
Erh..
.MrKanepleaseleaveusforfewhour
.Whatweareabouttodoisverydangerousandwe
don'
twantyoutogethur
t.
Kill
ingaStonestal
keri
sn'
t
aneasythi
ng.
Mr
K:Okayletmej
ustgoandcheckuponmy
wi
fe.
(Heexit
s)

MrOwenandhi schil
drenwentint hebasement. It
wasverydarkandt heyswitchedthelight
son. They
wentst
raighttothecagewher eLali'
smom was
i
n.Shewast herelyi
ngdown. Lookingsolif
eless.
Shecouldn'
tevenmoveherbodyandshewas
chai
nedalloverherbody.Shehadbl ackbags
aroundhereyes.Whent
heycameclosetoher.
She
rai
sedhereyesandsuddenl
yherbodyshook

Mr Owen:Well.
..
wel l
..
.wel
lwhoknewt hatyouwi l
l
endupher e.nc.
..nc..
.ncifonl
yyoudidn' tt
akeall
thepower sIhadIwoul dspareyourlife.Iwas
i
mpr isonedbecauseofyouandmypr eciouswife
hadt orai
sebothmybabi esonherown. Youruined
myl i
fe.Iwassof ooli
sht othi
nkthatyoul ovedme
.Youmademef alli
nlovewithyousoyoucant ake
backt hepowersIwentt hroughalott
oget. You
playedbeingasuper herobackthanlet'sseewhat
youcandor i
ghtnow.
(Hetookoutahydrochlor
icacidandspill
editonher
l
eg.Herskinwasslowlyburning.Hetookouta
l
ighterandbur
nthermor ewher ehespil
ledthe
hydrochl
ori
cacid.
Thesmel l
ofherskinburning
fi
ll
edthewholebasement. Hesuddenlyplacedices
onherlegsoLowerthepai n)
Mr
O:Mhhhowwast
hat?
...
nicer
ight
Lali
'
sM:YouknowJade.
..
Ihavebeent
hroughworst
forawhol
e25year
ssowhatyoudoingisnot
hing.
MrO:
Ohhreal
ly.
..
(Het
ookoutakni
feandpeel
ed
herbur
ntski
noff.
)
Lali
'
sM:
(shewasnowcrying)
Whatdoyouwant
fr
om me...
whati
sitt
hatIhavedonewr
ongtoyou?
Mr O:Yout
ookawayal
lthethepowersIhad.
You
tarni
shedmyreput
ati
on.Iwasarespect
edmanand
everyonewasscar
edofme. Nowanyonethi
nks
theycandoanythi
ngtome
Lali
'
sM: Butthepowerswerenotyours.YOUSTOLE
THEM. Theybelongedtomymot her.Ihadtotake
them backandyouwer ealsonotusingthem for
goodr easons.Youki
ll
edallmyfami l
ymember s
...
WhatwasIsupposet odo?
MrO:
Areyoureall
yaskingmethathee.
..I
fyoudi
dn'
t
t
akethem wewouldhavegott
enmar ri
edandrul
ed
t
hewholewor l
dtogether
.
L'
sM:Ohhpleasedon'tl
ie.
IfIdi
dn'
ttaket
hem back
youweregoingtoki
llme.
MrO:Tr
ue.
..
yesIwasgonnaki
ll.
SosinceIwasnot
abl
etokil
lyoubackt
hen.NowIam goingt
okil
lyou
.
L'
sM:Idon'tcar
eeveni fyoukil
lmej ustnowmy
daughterwil
lfi
ndyou.Am sur ewhenshef i
ndsyou
shewon'tspareyouroldass.Iknowshei soutt
her
e
l
ookingforme. Sheknowst hatam goingtodie
eventual
lyandshehasaccept edthat.Shei
snow
l
ookingforwardint
ofindingyou.
Mr O:ohhreal
ly...
I'
m notscaredofherassoonasI
takeyourpower sitwon'
tbeeasyf orhert
okil
l
me. Sokeepdr eami ngmylove.(
Hewasact i
ng
strong.TheLal ii
ssuereall
yshookhi m)
L'sM:
Youwillneverchange.Youar
esti
lla
coward.
Whydon' tyoujustkil
lmeandl
etmysoul
resti
npeace?
MrO:Don'tr
ushmylove..
.wearewai
ti
ngfor00:
00
sothatyourspi
ri
twi
llnotcomebackandtor
tur
eus.

Nar
rat
ed
•I
nthemeanwhileLal
iwashavi
ngstomachcramps.
Shewasevenst r
uggl
ingt
obreat
he.Herhear
twas
beat
inghi
stor
ical
lyhi
gh.Shewasstar
ti
ngtovomit
bl
ood•
Lali
:Helpanybody..
.helpmepl ease(Nooneheard
herast herewasapar t
ygoingondownst air
sinthi
s
hotel.
shewascr awli
ngasshecoul dn'twal
k
anymor e)what
'shappeningtome. ..
Godpleasehel
p
me. Letmegett hehotelcel
lphoneandcall
Nomhl e.(
Suddenlyherbodyshookandshewasno
l
ongerabl etomoveherbodyandshewasnow
cryi
ng) Noooo..
.Nomhleee

I
nthemeanwhi
let
her
ewer
etenmi
nut
esl
eftt
obe
f
inal
ly00:
00

MrO:Woul
dyouli
ketosayyourl
astprayersot
hat
youcangotoheaven.
(shej
ustkeptqui
et)
MrO:ohhsoyounolongerhavemouth..
.I
sn'tyou
weretal
kingt
oomuchandsayi ngyouarenot
scar
edofdeath.Nowthati
tisnearyouarequiet
.
L'sM:ohhpl ease..
.Am goi
ngtosaythi
sforthelast
ti
me. ..
Ifyoukillmenowandt akeawayallmy
power sIsweart omydeceaseddaughterthatyou
wi l
lneverfi
ndpeacei nyourli
fe.
Youmaybehappy
tomor rowthatyouhavekill
edmeandgotwhatyou
want edbutneverf or
getKARMAi sab***.
(
Itwasnow00:
00)
L'sM:(
Shewasl ooki
ngst rai
ghttoOwen's
chil
dren)Youbothdon'thavetobepartofthi
s.Don'
t
foll
owyourdad'sfootstepsbecausey'l
lgoi
ngtodie
beforeity'
llt
imeanddief orsomethi
ngy'l
ldon'
t
know.
MrO:Enough.
..
Mikecomewiththebottl
ethatwe
goi
ngtocaptur
ehersoulwit
h...
YouKiaragiveme
myswordIhavebeenprepar
ingfort
hisday.

(Hewentstrai
ghttoLali'
smotherandst abbedher
i
nherheart.Shedidn'tevenfi
ghthim asthechains
wereveryheavyandver yti
ght.Shetr
iedto
tr
ansfor
m butcouldn't
.Shewasnowcoughi ng
bloodandalotofbloodwascomi ngoutofhernose.)
Lali
'sM:You...
youmay. .
.thinkyou. .
.havewon
...
by..
.bykil
lingme. .
.butmydaught er...
wil
l..
.wil
l
comef oryou. .
.Shehast oomany. .
.speci
alpowers
thatnoonei nourf amily.
..has..
.haseverhad. .
.so
...
soIwoul d. .
.advi
ceyou. ..
tor.
..r
unwhi l
eyoust i
ll
can...
andwhen. ..
mydaught erhas...
hasfoundyou
...
pleasetel
l...
herthat.
..t
hatI .
..
Ilovehersomuch
...
andyou. .
.yourdayi scomi ng
(Shedi ed.Suddenlyat hunder storm wasnow
startingandi twasnowr aini
ng...Theycapturedher
soulandMrOwenswal lowedi tandsuddenl yl ights
wentof fandon. Hi
seyeswer eturningwhiteand
hisf angswer estar
tingtocomeout .Hisski
n
becamer oughandhesuddenl yr oaredand
collapsed.Ki aratookoutabot tlefullofhuman
bloodandsl owl ycamecl osetot hebeasthisf ather
hast ur nedinto.Shepour edi tinitmout hand
suddenl yitr
egainedst r
engt handwasnow
dest royingeverythi
ngar oundi t.KiaraandMi ke
wentoutandl ockedt hebasement. Theycalled
theiruncl eMondr eewhoknowshowt oputitinto
sleep. Theywai t
edf or3hour st hanhear ri
ved)
Mondr
ee:
Wher
eisi
t.
..
(Theyshowedhim. Hegotinandwentst r
aighttoit
faceandrubbedsomesor tofgreenl
iqui
dini teyes
anditwasnowcal mingdown.Hewassl owly
turni
ngbacktohisbodyandt hanhefell
unconsci
ous.Mondreewentout)
Mondr
ee:
Okayhei snowfi
ne.
..
Mikehelpmet ake
hi
mtothecarbecausehei
ssti
llunconsci
ous.
Ki
ara:
Wil
lhebeal
ri
ght
?
Mo:Hewilldon'
tworrypri
ncess.I
tjustt
hatthe
power
shegot. ..
aretoopowerfulwhereasheis
weak.Ineedtoteachhim ever
ythi
ngaboutbeasts.
(
Theywentandtookhimt
odocar.
Thandr
oveof
f
t
hehot
eltheybooked)

Meanwhi l
eLaliwassl
owlytransforming.
Shewas
tur
ningint
oabeastandhervoi cewasbecomi ng
moredeeper.
Shewasst ruggli
ngtot al
kandher
mouthwasbl eedi
ng.Shesuddenl yfel
tarandom
shockinherheartt
hanshet r
ansformedbackt oher
normalbody.Shefel
tasharppai
ninherhear
t.Her
breat
hingrat
eincr
easedandmorebloodwas
comingoutofhermouthandnoise.
Shesuddenly
fel
tnauseousandcoll
apsed.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
07:
58]Lynne: i
nser
t7

☆Atkanes☆

Mr
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnowmyl
ove?
(Hewasaski
ngconcer
ned.
Ashi
swi
fehadpai
nsi
n
herst
omach)
Mr
s:I
tbet
ternow.
ButIst
il
lhaveasl
ightpai
n.
Mr:Sorr
ymyl ove.
..
Tomor
rowwewil
lgoandseea
doctorandcheckhowourbabi
esar
edoi
ng.
(
MrKanesphoner
ing)
Mr
:Hel
lo
Thecal
ler
:Hel
losi
ryouar
espeaki
ngt
oKi
ara.Mr
Owen'
sdaughter.
Mr
:OhhhowcanIhel
pyou?
Ki
ara:
Iwantedt
oletyouknowthatever
ythi
ngt
hat
wassupposedt
obedonei sf
inal
lydone.
Mr
:Ohht
hatgr
eat.
..
didy'
l
ltakeherbody?
Ki
ara:
Wel
efti
tther
esot
hatyoucanbur
yher
.
Mr
:okayt
hat
'snotapr
obl
em .
..
sowhenam get
ti
ng
mymoney.
Ki
ara:
Assoonasdadwakesup.
..
Hewi
llcal
lyou.
Mr
:okt
hat
'sgr
eat
..
.
(
Andt
hanhedr
oppedt
hecal
l)
Mr
s:Whowascal
li
ng?
..
Mr
:Oh..
.i
twasmrOwe' sdaught
er.
Shewaslet
ti
ng
meknowthatever
ythi
ngisdoneandsoonIwi
llget
mymoney.
Mr
s:Sowhatdi
dtheydot
oherbody
Mr
:Theyl
efti
tther
esowecanbur
yher
.That
'si
f
youdon'
thaveapr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
?
Mrs:(
sher ai
sedhereyebrow)No...
notatal
l.
..
So
tomorrowafterweseethedoct orwehavetobuya
casketforher.
Sothatatnightwecanbur yher.
Cal
l
theboystocleanthewarehouseandherbody.
Mr
:okay.
..
Iwi
llcal
lthem i
nthemor
ning.

-
Iti
snowi
nthemor
ning-
Att
heMar
ti
nez

•
Odi
n'sPOV•

Soyeah.Iam OdinmrMar t
inezson. NextyearIwi
ll
bedoingmyl astyearinVar si
ty.Soindet ai
lsIwi
ll
befinal
lyanOncologist.Ihaveagi rl
fri
endandwe
havebeentogethersincehighschool. Somydad
tol
dmet hathehasar rangedawi f
eforme. Ionl
y
agreedbecausehesai dhei sgoingtogi vemehis
thr
eebusinesses.Andoneoft hebusi nesses
i
ncludeaprivatehospital.
Soasl ongasIwi l
lbe
ri
chIdon' thaveapr oblem.Anywayget t
ingmar r
ied
tothatgirlwon'taffectorr uinmyr el
ati
onshipwith
Avani.Idon'tevenknowhowshel ookswhenher
dadwasshowi ngmom herpi ct ur
eIwasn' teven
i
nterestedanywayIdon' tcarehowshel ooks.So
am onmywayt oseemygi r
lf
riend.Igotintoher
penthouseandusedt hespar ekeyIhad. Iwenti
nto
herbedr oom butshewasn' ttheresoIdeci dedto
cal
lher .
Avani
:Ohhheybabe
Me:Himyf
lower
..
.I
'm atyourapar
tmentbutyouar
e
nother
e.
Avani
:Yeah..
.myfathercamet ofetchme. Hewants
metohelpmom wi t
ht hepreparati
ons.Isn'
tIt
old
yougranny'
sbir
thdayisaroundt hecorner.
Me:
yeahyoudi
d..
.butIwasmi
ssi
ngyouhey.
Avani:
Ncoomyboyfr
iendshem.
..Imi
ssyoutoo
..
.don'
tworr
yassoonaseveryt
hingi
sset.
Iwil
l
comeback.
Me:
Okaycool
.
Avani
:Ihavet
ogonowbyel
ove.
..
Iloveyousoso
somuch.
Me:
Iloveyoumor
e.
(Andt
hanshedroppedt
hecall
.ir
eall
ymi
ssmyboo
guys.
Anywaysl
etmegot ogentsandgr
abt
woor
thr
eebot
tl
esofbeer)

•
Att
heKhumal
o's•

(MrsKhumalowasbusymakingbreakf
astandher
husbandwasalr
eadygonet
owor k.Nomhlewas
sti
llsl
eepi
ng.Mr
sKwenttoherbedroom t
owake
herup)
•
Nomhl
e'
sPOV•

(AsIwasst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.Thesunpenet
rat
edmyeyes
andIknowmymom want smetowakeup)
MrsK:
Wakeup..
.wakeupmyl
it
tl
epr
incess.Imade
yourf
avour
it
ebreakf
ast
.
Me:Nomom pl
easel
etmesl
eep.
..
Iwi
lleatwheni
wakeup.
Mr
sK:
Imadepancakes,
beaconandf
ri
edf
ish.
(Nomat terwhatpeople.Dar korbl ueIwi llnever
resi
stpancakes. Ijumpedandwentst r
ai ghttothe
bathr oom t owashmyf aceandbr ushmy
teeth.WhenIgotbacki ntomybedr oom mom wasn' t
thereanymor ebutmybedwasmade. Iloveherso
muchpeopl e.
Sheismywor ld.IfIhadpowerI
woul dj ustfleeawaywi thhert oanywher eaway
from t hismonst er.Whoabusesher. SoIdeci dedto
takeaqui ckshowerandwor emyboyf riend
Jean, whi tevestandpushi ns.Iwi shLal ihada
phonehey. Ireall
ymi ssher. Iwonderhowshei s
doing. SoIwentdownst air
st otheki tchenand
mot herhadal readydishedupf orme. SoIt ookmy
foodandwentt ositwit
hheri nt hedi ni
ngr oom.I
startedeat i
ng.)

MyM:
Sohowi
sschool
.
Me:
Schooli
sfi
nemom .
Buthowar
eyou?
(
Shest
oppedeat
ing)
Mym:
Me.
..
me.
..
I'
m..
.I
'mf
ine.
Me:
Mom pl easeyouneedt
ot el
lmet het
rut
h..
.how
i
shetreat
ingyou? .
Iknoweveryt
hingbutIwantyou
t
otel
lme.
(
Shej
ustt
ookherpl
ateandwentt
otheki
tchen)
Me:
mom youar
enotbei
ngf
airpl
easet
alkt
ome?
(
Shej
ustwentt
oherbedr
oom andl
ockedhersel
fin)
Me:Mom pl
easeopenthedoor
..
.Ididn'tmeanto
pi
ssyouoffbutpl
easetal
ktome.(sti
llnot
hing)
Okayf i
ne,sinceyoudon'twanttotalkt
ome. Am
goingtopackal lmyclothesandleavethi
shouse
for
ever.Andyouwi llneverseemeag. .
.(
Justbef
ore
Icouldfini
shmysent encesheopenedt hedoor)
MyM: Pl
easedon'tt
alkl
iket
hat.
..
Comei
nandIwi
ll
t
ellyoueveryt
hing.
Me:
Okay.
MyM:YouknowIdon'
tevenknowhowtofaceyou.I
f
eelsoashamedt
hatIpret
endedt
onotbeli
eveyou
.Whenyousai
dheusedtorapeyou.
Am r
eal
ly
sor
rymylovepl
easef
orgi
veme.
Me:(Icouldf
eeltearst
hreat
eningt
ocomeout) I
f
orgaveyoul ongtimeago.Iknowitwasn'
tyour
i
ntention.
MyM:Youknow. .
.Ir
egretever
ything...
IwishIdi dn'
t
getmarr
iedtohi m.Myl ustandambi t
ionformoney
hadcausedmesomuchpai n.Hebeatme, rapeme
anddowhat everhewant stome. Ihavenosay. I
l
ongwant edtokil
lmyselfbutIthoughtofyou. You
needtostudyveryhardmydar l
ing,gotovar si
tyand
getawellpayingjobandleavethi scountry.That
wayyouwi l
lfindhappi
nessandf reedom.
Me:Butwhataboutyoumom .
..
Iwoul
dneverl
eave
youwi t
hthatmonster
.
MyM:Thatonl
yifIwil
lsti
llbeali
vemyangel.
ButI
doubti
t.Mydaysarenownumber edi
nthi
scruel
worl
d.Ever
ypainthati
sinfli
ctedtomeever
ysingl
e
daywil
lbethecauseofmydeat h.
Me:
Butmom .
..
can'
twedosomet
hing.
..
li
keki
llhi
m?
MyM:
Ihavet
ri
edki
ll
inghi
m sever
alt
imes.Idon'
t
evenknowhowbuthef
indsout.
Me:
mmh.
MyM: Heissomethi
ngelsemyangel.
..
Somethi
ngI
don'tknow t
hati
sverydanger
ous.Thati
swhyI
wantyououtofthishel
lbefor
eitt
oolate.
Haveyou
everheardfr
om Lal
i?
Me:
Noshedoesn'
thaveaphone.
MyM:Mhhok..
.Ihopeshei
sokayanywayl
etgoand
pr
epar
efordi
nner.
Me:
Okaymom.
MyM: Don'tworrymyl oveeverythi
ngwi l
lsoonbe
alri
ght.EversinceIcameher epr ayerhasbeenmy
biggestweapon.Neverf or
gett opraymyl ove.
..
God
l
istenstoeveryone.Iwasal soasi nnerbyputt
ing
bothourlivesintodangerformoney.
(
Wehear
dfoot
steps.
iguesshei
sback)
Me:
(whi
sper
ing)
Wehavet
ogo.
..
Ithi
nkhei
sher
e.

•
Att
heKanes•
-
Nar
rat
ed-
Mr skanewasbusybat hing.Getti
ngr eadytogot o
thedoctor.Whil
eshewasbat hi
ngsuddenl ythe
room becamedar k.AMal efi
gurewasst anding
ri
ghtinfrontofher.Shetri
edtoscr eam butcouldn'
t.
Themal efigur
etookoutawhi t
epowderandbl ewit
i
nhernose.Suddenl ymor ebloodwascomi ngout
ofhervaginaandt henshecol l
apsed.

MrKane:
Love...
loveweareget
ti
nglate.
(Hewentt
o
thebat
hroom andfoundhiswi
felyi
ngdownand
shewasbuil
ding.)
No..
.nopl
easemylove..
.pl
easebr
eathe(
Het
ook
hert
othecarandwentt
othehospi
tal
)
Nur
se..
..
nur
sehel
p..
.pl
easehel
p.
Thedoct
or:
Hur
ryup.
..
bri
ngast
ret
cher.
..
(
Theyt
ookhert
odooper
ati
onr
oom)
Doc:
Sirpl
easewai
tout
sidef
orher
..
.
Mr
K:No..
.noIwon't
...
youdon'tunder
stand..
.sheis
mywif
e,sheispregnant
..
.t
wins...
twi
nsdoct or.
Doc:Youarewasti
ngt
ime.
..
pleasesi
tdownand
waitforherher
e.
(
MrKanecal
medhimselfdown.Andsetonthechai
r
.Hewai
tedf
orlongunt
ilhefel
tasl
eep.I
twasnow
i
nthemorni
ng.Hewaswokenupbyt hedoctor
)
MrK:
Doct
or..
.doct
orhow.
..
how.
..
howi
smywi
fe
andki
ds?
Doc:
Yourwi
fei
soutofdangerbutshei
sst
il
lin
comma.
Mr
K:mybabi
es.
..
howar
emybabi
es?
Doc:
Am sor
rybuti
twasal
readyt
ool
ate.
youl
ost
bot
hyourbabi
es.
(Hef
elldownt
ohisknees.Hef
eltl
iket
hewor
ldhas
comeintoanend.
)

°
mr.kane'
sPOV°

Ifeell
ikeIf
ail
edherandmybabies.
ifmaybeI
cameear l
ytocheckheri
fshewasdonegetti
ng
readythi
swouldn'
thavet
ookpl
ace.
Idon'
tknow
howt ofaceher.
Me:Why..
.whyGod..
.whathaveIdonewr
ong.
Why
wouldyoutakemybabi
es...
why?
(
Ever sinceLal
iandhermot hercamet oourlives
.ourliveshavebeendi f
fi
cult
.Iknowi teit
herher
mot herorherthatisresponsi
bleforthis.Am goi
ng
t
ot eachheral esson.
Tony,Zi
aandj asecamei n
r
unni ng)
Zi
a:Dad.
..
dadwhyareyoucryi
ng..
.wher
eismom.
..
dadspeakt
ousplease..
.wher
eismom?
(Shewasnowi nt
ears.
Honestl
yIdidn'
thaveti
me
fort
hisIj
ustwenttomycaranddrovetothehotelI
bookedLal
iIn.
)
Me:
Iam goi
ngt
oki
llhert
oday.
.
(
Afterwhatf eltl
ikeawholedayofdr ivi
ngIar rived
.Parkedmycarandwentst rai
ghtt oherroom. itri
ed
t
oopenbuti twaslocked.Iknockedbutst i
ll
.iwent
t
ot hereceptioni
standaskedforaspar ekey.Iwent
i
nside.Tomysur pri
setheywasbl oodont hefloor.I
f
oll
owedi t.Ifoundherlyi
nginapoolofbl oodnext
t
oasof
a.Ri
ghtt
hanIdi
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo.
)
Me:
Whati
sreal
lyhappeni
ng?
(Iwant edtohel
pher..
.butthanwhatifshei s
tri
ckingmeandwantt obi t
eme. Ij
ustcalledthe
secur i
ti
esandtheytookhert hehospital
.iwentto
barandor deredal
otofalcohol.Ireal
lydon'thave
strengthtofaceal
lthi
s. )

•
Atanundi
scl
osedl
ocat
ion•
Thecul
tmember
swer
emeet
ing.
Mr
K:her
e..
.her
ear
ethel
it
tl
eoneshear
t.
Theirmaster:
Good. .
.goodver ygood.Youbot hdi
da
goodwor k(i
mpl yi
ngtoMrkhumal oandmr s
Dube.Theywer edressedi nblack.
SoMrkhumal o
useddar kmagi ctomakemr sKanemi scarry.They
wentandst olethebabiesf r
om thehospitaljust
beforethebabieswer eevenbat h.
NB:Ifyouguys
remember .LAlihadadr eam whereawomanwas
dressedinblackcaringababycover edinbl ood)
Thei
rmast
er:
mhh.
..
twi
ns.
..
real
lygoodf
ort
he
Sobaba( Averybigsnakethatfeedonhuman
blood.Thatmakest hem al
lri
ch)buttherei
s
somet hi
ngdanger ousthatt
hesebabi eshad
brought.Ican'
treall
yseewhat. .
.anywaysletmego
andf eedhim.

•
Att
heKhumal
o's•

-
MrsK'
sPOV-
Iwasseat i
ngont hebedr eadi
ngmybi ble.
Hecame
dressedi nallblackandhi shandswascover edin
blood.Ijustkeptmybi bl
eundermypi llowbecause
hehat eit.Ididn'tevenaskhi m anyt
hing.Ijust
switchedof fthesi delampandcl osedmyeyes. I
heardwat errunni ng.okaysohei stakingabat h.
I
wonderwhohej ustkil
led.If
eelsorryforthefami
ly
thathasj ustlostal ovedone.Iclosedmyeyesand
sil
entlyprayed.

Hi
m:YouknowIhat
ethatsopl
easest
opi
t.
(But.
..
but.
..
butIwasprayi
ngsi
lentl
y.Godhowdi
d
heknow.whathaveIgot
tenmyselfi
nto.
)
Me:
Am sor
ry.
..Doyouwantmet
owar
m yourf
ood.
Hi
m:Whatdi
dyoucook?
Me:
Sti
rfr
y.
Hi
m:OakyIwantspi
nachandwor
s
Me:
But
..
.okayIwi
llmakei
t.

(Iwenttotheki
tchenandst
art
edmakingt
he
spinach.Nomhl
ecamedownst ar
es)
Nomhl
e:Letmehel
pyou.
..
Me:
Noi
tfi
nemydear.Iwi
llmanagegoandsl
eep.
Nomhle:
nomom itfi
neIwi
llhel
p.anywayam not
f
eel
ingsleepyt
oday.
Me:
okay.
..
ifyoui
nsi
st.
(Westar
tedsingi
ngourf
avour
it
esongUmusaby
ĹeboSekgobela)
•
Att
hehospi
tal•
Mrkanecamebackver
ydr
unkanddemandedt
o
seehi
swife
Tony:
Dadpl
ease...
pleaselet
'sgohome.
Mom wi
ll
befi
neandwewi l
lallseehertomor
row.
Mr
K:Okayat
leastcanIseemybabi
es.
..
okay?
Ij
ustwantt
otouchthei
rsof
tski
nforthel
astt
ime
andal
sonamethem.
(Hewasnowi nt
ears)
Jase:
Erhe..
.(
hel
ookedatTonyandtheyboth
nodded)Youwil
lseet
hem t
omorrow.Ital
readyl
ate.
Mr
K:no
Jase:
Dadpleasestopdoi ngt
histoyoursel
f.Mom
wouldbeverydi
sappoi nt
edifsheweretoseeyou
behavi
ngli
kethis.Let'
sgonow( Theyt
ookhimto
thecarandJasedr ove.
)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
Anot
heri
nser
twi
llbepost
edl
ater
.
[
06/
23,
07:
58]Lynne: i
nser
t8
Ithasbeenaweeksi ncel
aliandMr skanehave
beeninacoma. Mrkanehasbeenlivingi
nthe
hospit
alsothatwhenhiswifewakesupf i
ndshi
m
ther
e.MrOwenpaidhim hi
smoneyandevengave
him anextr
aamount.HeburiedLali
'smotheratthe
cemetery.

•
MrkanePOV•

Me: (
Hewast alki
ngt ohi
swi f
e)Youar eselfi
shnow
myl ove.itbeenawhol eweekandt here'sstil
lno
change. Wear esupposet obegoi ngt hrought his
together.Pleasedon'tdomel ikethis.Thechi ldren
needyou. Theymi ssyouverymuch. Your eall
yneed
towakeup. Eversi
nceyouwenti ntoacomamyl i
fe
havebeenamess. ievenstoppedgoi ngt othe
offi
ce.Youmeant hewor l
dtome. Ifeelempt y
withoutyoumyl ove.Ourbabiesbodi eswer estolen.
Idon'tevenknowwhowoul ddosucht hing.Iwoul d
sayItLal ibutsheisalsoinacoma. ican'tdot hi
s
anymor e.
..
ireall
yneedyou...
itri
edt olookatt he
camer asbuttheyshownnot hing.ireall
ydon' tknow
whati sgoingon...
Butmaybeit hi
nki tKarma. ..
I
haven'tbeengoodt oLali.
..
Butitwasn' tmy
i
ntentionafterIsawwhathermot hercant urninto
..
.istart
edt ohateher..
.Butr
ightnowIr egretevery
badIhavedone. Ki
ll
ingmysecondwi fe.it
hinkGod
i
sr eall
ypunishingme.

•
MrsKane'
sPOV•

Iwasi
naverybeaut
if
ulandqui
tepl
ace.
Iwaswi
th
mylat
efat
her
.
MyF:Youknow...youneedt owakeupbeforeitt
oo
l
ate.
Therearedarkspi r
it
sroamingar
oundher et
hat
wecan'tsee.
Theygoi ngtocapt
ureyoursouland
usei
ttodoevilthings.
Me:
ThatcanIaskyousomet
hing?
MyF:
Sur
e
Me:
Doesmyhusband'
sdaught
erhaveanyt
hingt
o
dowi
tht
his?
MyF:Ir
eal
lydon'
tknowmybaby.
..
whaticant
ellyou
i
s..
.Somedarkmagicwasused.
Me:
Butdadwhowoul
ddot
hatt
ome?
MyF:
Itnotevenyour
..
.hej
ustwant
edt
o..
.
(
Suddenl
yever
ypl
acet
urnsdar
k.Peopl
ewer
enow
r
unni
ng)
Me:
Dad.
..
dadwhat
'sgoi
ngon?
MyF:Go.
..
go..
.gomydear
..
.pl
easegot
hatway
ever
yoneneedsyou.
(Ri
ghtthanif
eltli
kethesunwaspenetrat
ingmy
eyesandmyt hroatwasver
ydry.Iopenedmyeyes)
Me:
Wat
er.
..wat
er
MrK:Baby..
.baby..
.ohthanksGodyouar
eawake
..
.water
..
.water..
.yousaidyouwantwat
er.
..
oky
(Hegavemewater.MyGodhelooksl
ikeahobo
andwonderwhohelef
tourbabi
eswit
h.Hewent
andcal
ledt
hedoct
or.)
Doc:
Okysi
rpl
easel
eaveus.
..
sowecandocheck
upsonher
.
Mr
K:Okay

《Mr
KanePOV》

Ifel
tli
kejumpi ngtoherandki ssheral loverher
bodyf ordearlif
e.Ireall
ymi ssedmywi f
epeople.I
wasjustincompl etewithouther. Hereisapr oblem.
Howam Igoi ngt otellherthatshemi scar ri
ed.
Worstofitallsomeonest ol
et hem.ireallyneedto
fi
ndthatperson. AndIsweart oGodwhenIf indhim
am goingtokillhim/her.Butwhocoul ditbe.Mr
Owen? .
..
buthewoul dneverdot hatt
omeaf t
erI
havehelpedsomuch. Anywayst hedoct orcame
out
Me:
Howi
sherheal
thdoct
or?
Doc:Shei
sperf
ectl
yfi
ne.
..
wecanevendi
schar
ge
hernowifyouwant.
Me:
okay.
..
wher
ecanIsi
gnt
hedi
schar
gingf
orm?
Doc: Iwi
llbr
ingt
hem t
oyou..
.ohbefor
eIf
orget
thereissomethi
ngIneedt
otell.
..
canwegotomy
offi
ce?
(
Okayt
hatsoundsser
ious.)
Doc:SoMrKaneyourwi f
ewillneverbeabletocar
ry
ababyf orafull9monthscause.Heruter
usi s
destr
oyedwhi chiswhatall
owsf oradevelopment
ofthefoetus
(If
eltl
ikekil
li
ngmyselfri
ghtatthi
sspot.Whyt
his
nowwhy? Howam Igoingtotel
lheral
lthi
s
.BecauseifIdon'
tandshefindsoutam goi
ngt
obe
i
ndeepshi t.
)
Doc:Butthat'
snottheendoftheworl
dfortheboth
of.you'l
lcansti
llhavebabi
esthr
oughsurr
ogate
andot herwaysofmaki ngi
t.
MrK:
That
'snotapr
obl
em docbut.
..
howam Igoi
ng
t
otel
lher
..
.
Doc:l
etmejustgiveyouapieceofadvice..
.t
ell
her.
..
act
uall
ypleasetel
lhershedeservestoknowit
herbodyanyway...
Aft
eryouhavetoldher
ever
ythi
ngtakehertoapsychologi
st..
.BecauseI
knowshewon' tbeopento.
..
sheneedssomeoneto
talktososhecanpassthi
str
agedythathast
ook
place.
Mr
K:I
tgoi
ngt
obedi
ff
icul
t.
..
Doc:Andpl easebewi thherever ystepofherway
...
lethergriefanddi str
essi nherownway. Evenif
shedr i
nkswi nelether. ..
IknowIshoul dn'tbe
sayingthat. .
.Butshehasbeent hroughsomuch
sheneedst o..
.l
iker eal
ly.Samet hinghappenedt o
mywi feandidi dn' tl
etherdowhatshewant ed
whenshewasgoi ngthroughal ot.
..
Sheeventuall
y
tr
iedtokillherself...
whatImeani sletherbe...
if
shewant st onott oshar eabedr oom wit
hyoul et
herbe. .
.Butneverl eaveher. .
.showhert hatyou
sympat hizewithherandt hatyousuppor ther.
Mr
k:ThanksDocIt
hinkIknowwhatt
odonow.
..
Doc:
Ohh...
Iheardt
hattheyoungladywhowas
admi
ttedhere.
..
sheisyourdaughter
..
.
Mr
K:yesshei
s..
.
Doc:
Shei
ssti
lli
ncomaandwer eal
lydi
dnotfi
nd
whati
swrongwit
hher
..
.It
hinkyouhavetodeci
de
whatmustbedone.
..
Doweswi
tcht
hemachi
nesof
f
orwai
talit
tl
e
MrK:Nonodon'tswi
tcht
hem off(
MrMartinezwoul
d
ki
llme..
.wehavealr
eadyfi
nal
izedourdealwhati
s
l
eftisf
orthem t
ogetmarri
ed)
Doc:
Oaky.
..
her
ear
ethedi
schar
gingf
orms
(
Isi
gnedt
hem .
)
Doc:
Okayyoucannowgoandt
akeyourwi
fe

(Iwentstr
aightt
oherwar
dshewasj
ustst
ari
ngi
nto
space.
itookherhand)
Me:t
hanks.
..
thanksmyl
ove.
..
forwaki
ngupt
hank
youver
ymuch. .
.
Her:
Imissedyou...
anywaypl
easegoandshave
..
.Youwillscar
emybabies.
..
anywaywher
earethey
Ir
eall
ywantt oseethem.
Me:They..
.t
heyar
e..
.t
heyar
eathomewi
th.
..
wit
h
ot
hers..
Her:
Ican'
twai
ttoseet
hem .
..
whenam Ibei
ng
di
schar
ged?
Me:
ri
..
.r
ightnow.
..
wecango
Her:
ohh.
..
letmetakemythings.
.ar
eyoual
ri
ghtwhy
ar
eyousweatingi
nthi
scold..
Me:
Sweat
ing?
...
itno.
..
not
hing.
..
Am good.
..
(It
ookourbagsandputt
hem i
nourcart
hanwe
droveof
f)
Me:
Canwegr
absomet
hingf
rom Macdonal
d..
.
Her
:butIr
eal
lyneedt
oseemybabi
es.
..
Me:Don'tworrymyl oveyouhaveal lyourli
fetobe
withthem (
lyingtoherwasr eall
ybreakingme...
Her
eyesarefullofjoy.
..shecan'twaitt
ot ouchher
babies.
..
butwhi chbabiesmyl or
d. .
.whichexact
ly.
..t
heonest hatyoutookt hem awayf r
om us)
Her:Areyouokay..
.mydoyouhavet
ear
sinyour
eyes..
.i
severyt
hingokay
Me:yeahsur
e..
.ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne..
.ij
ustcan'
t
bel
ieveyouareherewit
hme(Iki
ssedhercheek)
Her
:AndIgaveyout
wopr
eci
ouspear
ls
Me:
Letmegoandor
der
?

~Mr
sKane~
Icouldseei nmyhusband' seyest hatsomethingis
botheri
nghi m.Ijusthopehedi dn'tcheatonme. He
wouldn'tdaremego. WhereasIj ustgavehimt wo
babies.
..hee..
.hecan'tevenlookmest rai
ghtintomy
eyes.Whenwegethomeam goi ngtoaskhi m. i
havebeent r
yingt or
ememberwhatr eall
yhappened
onthatday. Tomysur pri
seIr emembernot hing
...
nothi
ngatal l
.whatmyf athertoldmer eal
ly
scaredme. ihopei twasnotLal ibecauseofither .
..
I
sweartot heal might
yGodammaki l
lher.my
husbandgotbackandhesetdown. Wewer en'teven
l
ookingateachot her.
Somet hingisnotr i
ghthere.
Me:
Areyouokay?
Hi
m:Yes..
.It
oldyouear
li
er.
..
HOW MANYTI
MES
AREYOUGOINGTOASKMETHEVERYSAME
QUESTI
ONS?HEE?
(
Nowever yonewaslooki
ngatus.Ir
eal
lydon'
tknow
whatIhavedonewrong.ijustwant
edt
oknowi fhe
i
sreall
yfi
ne.
itseemshei
sver
yangry.
ouror
der
cameandIjusttookmyf
oodandst
art
edtodigi
t.I
am ver
yhungry)
Hi
m: Iam sor
ry.
..
am ver
ysor
ryf
orshout
ingatyou.
(
I,
justkeptqui
et)
Him:Am verysorryi
tjustt
hatmymindis
occupi
ed..
.Alothashappenedwhi
leyouwer
est
il
lin
coma
(
Godhecheat
ed)
Me:
I,
know.
..
youcheat
edonme.
(
Her
aisedhi
seyebr
ow)
Hi
m:What?
Iwouldneverdothattoyou.
YouknowI
l
oveyouwhol
ehear
tedly.Iwoul
dneverdot
hat.
(Phew...
Whatarel
ief...
Ithoughthecheated.
..
I
couldseeiti
nhiseyest hathereall
ymeantwhathe
said.Butst
il
lsomethingisreall
ybother
ing
him.Anywayitwasget t
ingtoolate.Wefi
nishedour
foodandwentstraighthome)

~Odi
n'sPOV~
Iwasjustchi
ll
ingwit
hmybabe.
..
wewer ejust
watchi
ngamovi eandhavi
ngl
it
tl
econversati
on.
Me:
Whatwoul
dyoudoi
fIaskedyout
omar
ryme?
Avani
:MyGod..
.Iwouldjustandkisst
hestars.
..you
knowbabeIreall
yloveyou.Ireal
lywisht
hatsome
daywecangetmar ri
edandhavebabi es.
youaremy
ri
deordi
e..
.Iwoulddieforyou.Anywaywhyareyou
aski
ngmethat?
Me:Noitnot
hing.
..
Ijustwant
edt oknow..
.i
fmaybe
l
ikeIgotoGermanywhenIf i
nishmystudi
eswould
youcomewi t
hme?
Avani
:Yesofcour
se.
..
Awayfr
om ourbot
hfami
li
es.
..
Iwouldkil
lfort
hatt
ohappen.
(Shereal
lyl
ovesmeguys.Iwi
llneverbr
eakher
heart
.Sheismyever
ythi
ng.Iwil
lsoonneedtotel
l
aboutmyplan)
Avani
:Youknowbabe(
shewasyawni
ng)
Am f
eel
ing
sl
eepynow.
Me:
Let
'sgoandsl
eepam al
sot
ir
ed.
(
Iswi
tchedof
ftheTVandwentt
oconf
ir
mthatal
l
windowsanddoor sar eclosed. itookherbr idalstyl
e
andpl acedheront opof fthebed. West artedt okiss
sopassi onat el
y.Shewasnotundr essingmeandI
wasdoi ngt hesame. shel ayedwi t
hherbackandI
wentst r
ai ghtdownt omysacr edpl ace.Iki ssedher
thighsandwentst rai
ghtt omuf fher .
Shewasbusy
moani ng.Andt hatdrovemecr azyandIf ast ened
mypace. Sheor gasmedandherbodyshook. i
cleanedherwi thmyt ongueandwentst raightt oher
face.Iki ssedhermaki nghert astehersel f.iloveher
somuchpeopl e.Shei smyl i
feandam notabl eto
l
ookatanywomanbuther .Shei ssomet hingel se.
Differentf rom othergi rl
s.ikissedherf ordearl i
fe
andputmyt hi
ngyintoher. Iwentsl owl yint oher
.Shewabusycal l
ingmynamesoni celyand
i
ncr easedmypace. Ther esti shistory)

~Att
heKanes~
Mrandmr sKanej
ustgotbackandal
lherchi
ldr
en
huggedherTheywerever
yhappytoseeher.
Mr
s:Okay.
..
okaypl
easel
etmegonowIwantt
osee
mybabi
es.
(
Thewhol
eroom wentsi
lent
)
Mr
K:Lovecanwet
alki
nourbedr
oom.
Mr
s:No.
Iwantt
oseemybabi
esf
ir
st
Mr
k:Youwi
llmyl
ovebutf
ir
stl
ett
alk.
itver
yur
gent
.
Mrs:
Okayandyoubet
tert
ellmewhati
sbot
her
ing
you.
(
Theywentupstai
rs.Mr
Kanel
ockedt
hedoorand
t
heysetonthebed)
Mr
k:mhh(
Hewascl
ear
inghi
sthr
oat
)
YouknowIl oveyour i
ght?(shenodded) Iloveyou
withallmyl i
fe.Ifanyonet riestosepar ateusI
woul dkil
lthatper sonwithmyhands. Sowhatam
aboutt otellpleasedon' tblameyoursel fitwas
boundhappen. Doyour ememberwhathappened
thatnight(Shenoddedno) OkaysoIt ookyout othe
hospitalasyouwer ebleedinghi st
orically.Iwait
ed
forlongout sidet heoper at
ionroom. Unt ilthedoctor
cameandwakemeup. Het ol
dmet hatyouwer e
outofdangerbutyouwer estil
lincoma.
Mr
s:Okay?
Mrk:
But..
.buthesai
ditwasal
readyt
ool
ate..
.So
ourbabi
esdidn'
tmakeit
.
Mrs:(
Shewasnowi ntear
s)WHAT?.
..
no.
..
not
hat
's
notpossi
ble.Yousai
dmybabiesar
eher
e
Mr
k:Ihadt
oli
etoyoubabe.
..
pleasef
orgi
veme
Mrs:Why?..
.whymeGod?
...
SocanIat
leastsee
t
heirbodi
es.
Mrk:
They..
.theywer
est
olenmyl
ove.
..
stol
enf
rom
t
hehospit
al...
Mr
s.:
Whatt
hat
'si
nsane..
.whowoul
ddot
hat?
Mr K:
Idon'
tknowmyl ovebutam sti
lll
ookingf
or
thatper
son.Thedoctoral
sotoldmet hatyouwil
l
neverbeabletocar
ryababyf orf
ullninemonths.
Mrs:
Godwhy. .
.whyme?.whathaveIdoneto.
it
wasfi
rstmybabiesnowthi
s.iknowwhois
r
esponsibl
eandam goi
ngtokillhert
o.
Mr
k:Who?
Mr
s:Lal
i..
.Iknowshei
sresponsi
blef
oral
lthi
s.Am
suresheisr evengi
ngf
orhermother'
sdeat
h.And
pleasedon'tstopmeIneedtodealwit
hheronce
andf oral
l.
Mrk:
Buthowmyl ove.
..
shedi
dn'
tevenknowher
motherwasal
ive.Worstofi
tal
lsheisal
soina
coma.
Mrs:What?
(Shehel
dherhead.Asshewasstart
ing
torememberwhatreal
lyhappenedt
oher
.Suddenl
y
shehadaheadache)
Mr
K:Love?
Areyouokay?
What
'sgoi
ngon.
(Shethanfai
nted.
MrKcall
edthedoct
or.
Thedoct
or
arri
vedandcheckedherup.)
Doc:Herbl
oodpressureisveryhi
gh.Ithi
nksheis
str
essed.Sheneedstorest.Pl
easegivehersome
ti
me.
Mrk:
Okaydoct
hanksver
ymuch.
Jasepl
easewal
k
hi
m out
.
(MrKanewasjustl
ooki
ngathi
swi
fe.
Andsuddenl
y
hefel
tasl
eep.
)
I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.
Mrk:
Goodmorni
ngmylove.Ibr
oughtyoubr
eakf
ast
.
Howareyouf
eeli
ngr
ightnow.
Mrs:
Bett
er.
Iremember
edwhathappenedont
hat
ni
ght.
Mr
K:Whathappened?
Mr s:WhileIwasbat hingli
ghtsstart
edfli
nging.And
thant her oom becamedar k.
WhenIt ri
edtosee
whatwasr eall
yhappeni ng.IsawaMal efigure
standi ngrightinfrontofme. it
ri
edtoscream but
coul dn't
.Myvoi cewasn' tcomingoutr i
ghtt hanI
feltaliquidgoingdownmyl egsandIknewIwas
bleeding.Suddenl yitbl ewawhi tepowderinmy
eyesandwasbl eedinghistori
cal
lyandthanI
collapsed.
(Mr
Kdi dn'
tknowwhatt
osayordo.
Hej
ustkept
qui
et)
Mr s:
itwasnotLal
i...
Somedarkspirithasf
all
en
uponus. .
.weneedt obecaref
ul.
Pleasecal
lmrs
Khumal oandtel
lheraboutwhathappenedt oLal
i.
i
feell
ikeshedeservestoknow.
■Mr
sKhumal
o'sPOV■

Shejustrecei
vedacallf
rom Mrkane.
Tel
li
ngher
aboutLal
i'
scondit
ion.
Me:Nomhleweneedt
ogoandseeLal
i.
Ithi
nkshe
needsourpr
ayer
.
Nomhl
e:Hewon'
tal
lowust
ogo.
Me:Hei
sgoi
ngforaweekoutofthecount
ryf
or
somework.
Ihear
dhi
mt al
kingt
oaphone.
Nomhl
e:Okaysowheni
shel
eavi
ng?
Me:Today.
..hebookedal
atef
li
ght.Sowewi
llvi
sit
l
alit
omor r
ow.Iwonderwhathappenedt
oher.
Nomhle:
Ijusthopei
tdoesn'
thavet
odowi
thher
ni
ght
mar es.
Me:Al
lwecandoistopr
ayforher.
..
sheisr
eal
ly
young.
..
Shest
il
lhavel
if
eaheadofher.
Nomhl
e:Yeahhey.
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
Haveabl
essedSundayever
yone
[
06/
23,
07:
59]Lynne: I
NSERT9
(
Notedi
ted)

☆Mr
sKanePOV☆

TobehonestIam notnotf eeli

ngwel lphysi
cally
andemot ionall
y.Ihavebeenl yi ngtomyhusband
thatam doingf i
ne.Her eal
lytriestomakemef orget
abouteverythingbutIcan't.Ijustcan' t
.Andt hef act
thatIwon'tbeabl etocarryanybabyf ornine
mont hs.justbreaksmyhear t
.If eelli
keagui tar
withnost r
ingsandal soshut t
er ed.Iknowwhent he
ti
megoesonMyhusbandwi l
lwantasecondwi fe.I
knowhowmanar eandIwon' tevenbl amehimi fhe
decidesto.IknowIwi llbeheartbr okenbutIcan' t
stophi mfrom buil
dingabi gandwar mf amil
y.
Wasn' ti
tenought okil
lmybabi est hattheydeci ded
tostealt hem ..
.Why? ..
.WhymeGod? .
..IknowI
haven' tbeenagoodhumanbei ngbutIdon' t
deserveal lt
hispai n...
mybabi esGod...why? Ididn'
t
evengetachancet oholdthem norseet hem
.Almi ghtyyoushoul dhavej usttookLal iinsteadof
mybabi es.Sinceshei sthebl acksheepoft he
family.Shedoesn' tdeservetol i
vemyl ord.Ever
sinceshewasbor nshehasbeenapr oblem or
shouldIsayacur se.Allt
hathashappenedt ome
hasreal lymademeweakandIdon' tthinkIwi l
lbe
abletoj ustforgetandmoveon.

MrkanePOV

YesIam atwor kbutIreall

ycan' tconcentr
ate.Ifeel
veryguilt
yaboutever yt
hingt hathappened.Andt he
factthatIcan'tfindthepeopl ewhower e
responsibl
e.If eell
ikeaweakl oser
.Ifeell
ikenow
peoplewon' trespectmel iket heydidbefore.It
hink
someonei susi ngmyweaknesst ogetmeofwhi ch
i
smyf amily.Butwhocoul ditbebecausei fI
remembercl earlynonofmyenemi esar eal ive
besidesmyol derbr other.Whom Idon' tknowwher e
i
nt hewor l
dhei s.Ihopei tnothi m. ..ireallyhope
heisnotbackf orrevengebuthewoul dneverdo
that..
.hereallydoesn' twantt okillmebecausei fhe
want edt ohewoul dhaveki ll
edmel ongt ime
ago.Butwhowoul ddar emeandmesswi t
hmy
fami l
y.Everyonei snotsaf enow. Ithi nkIhavet o
i
ncr easet hesecur ityathome. Allofmychi ldrenwi ll
nowbehomeschool ed.Goi nghomej ustst resses
memor e.
Mywi feGod. sheisnother self.Shehas
nowl ostwei ght.Thesaddestpar tofi tallist hat
whenIaskhershej ustsayshei sf ine.Sheonl y
answer swhatIaskher .Ireall
ymi ssmy
bubbl e,
beaut i
fulandal wayssmi li
ngwi fe.Event he
kidsar estarti
ngt ogetaf fected.Theynowst ayin
thei
rr oomsandonl ycomedownst airst ot akef ood
andgobackt ot heirrooms.Ij usthopet hist ragedy
thathappenedi nourhomewon' taf fectt heir
studiesandwhent het imegoesonever ythingwi l
l
gobackasi twas.
>>I
nthemeanwhi l
eMrsKhumal oandNomhl ewer e
onthei
rwaytovisi
tLal
iinthehospit
al.Theyarr
ived
andwenttot
herecepti
onist
.Theyaskedwher ethey
canfi
ndherward.Anursecamet hr
oughand
i
nsist
edtoshowt hem .
<<

Nomhl e:
OhhmyGod. .
.mybestfr
iend(Hertears
weret hr
eateningtocomeout)Justlookathow
i
nnocentandbeaut i
fulshel
ooks.Mom Ireall
ymi ss
her.Especiall
ywhenshewoul djustsnapatmef or
nothing.
Andwhenwewoul dgossipaboutother
people.Ifeell
ikeIam theoneresponsi
bleforthi
s..
.
Mr
sK:
Nomyl
ove.
..
don'
tbl
ameyour
sel
f
Nomhl e:No..
.nomom. .
.i
fIdi
dn'taskhert ovi
sitme
allofthiswouldn'thavehappened...
butmom why
wouldyourhusbandnotwantmyoneandonl y
bestietovisi
tme. ..
hee?Somethingisreall
yfi
shy
here..
.Iwonderwhathappenedt oher..
.Ihopeher
dadi snotresponsibleforal
lthi
sbecausei fshe
doesn'tmakei t.
..Iswearonmyl i
feIwillmakehis
l
ikeal ivi
nghell.
..
Mr
sK:
Butwhywoul
dherdaddot
hat
?
Nomhle:Theyblameherf orallthemisf
ortuneand
badthi
ngst hattheyhadencompassed.Theycal l
herablacksheepoft hefami l
yandacur se.Atl
east
i
nthecommashei srest
ing.Shehasbeent hr
ough
somuchherl if
ehasbeenr eall
ytough.
(
Anur
secamei
n)
Nurse:
Excusememam.
..
butt
hevi
sit
inghour
sar
e
over.
MrsK:
Okayt
hanksf
orlet
ti
ngusknowbutcanyou
pl
easegi
veustwominut
esmore.
..
Nur
se:
Am sor
rybutIcan'
t
MrsK:
Wej
ustwantt
opr
ayf
orherandt
hanwecan
l
eave.
Nurse:Okaybutpleasemakeitqui
ckbecausei
t
againstther
ule.
(andthanshewentout)
Mrsk:Okaylet'
scl
oseoureyesandpr ayforhermy
chi
ld.
..l
etholdherhands..
.Fat
herIcometoyouas
yourchil
d.GodIhavebeent hroughal
otbutwit
h
yourgoodnessandgl or
yImanagedt oovercome
myt roubles.GodIkneelbef oreyouandpl easeyou
toshowyourgl oryandgr eatness...
pleaseGodsave
yourchi l
d. Shehasbeent hroughsomuch. Shehas
experienceddi ffi
cult
iesinherl if
e.Shei sstil
lyoung
myLor d...
Shest il
lhavedr eamst of ulf
ill
.Shehas
beent hroughsomuchf orayoungwomanshe
i
s.Eversi nceshewasachi ldmyLor dshehasnever
foundpeace. ..
Myl ordyout ookhermot herwhen
shewasver yyoung...nowwhyt his?...
whymy
l
ord? .
..Godher eisyourt empl epleasegui deitsoul
andbr ingitbackt oherbody. ..AlmightyGodl etyour
spiri
tdwel linherbodyandf ightwhat everevi l
is
beingf ormedagai nsther ...
Fightherbat t
lesmyl ord
andal somakeherdadf indaspacei nhishear tt
o
l
oveherandt reatherl i
kehi sown. I
nt henameof
Godandhi ssonAmen.
Nomhl
e:Amen.

<<Andt
hant
heywentbackhome>>

•
MrKanePOV•
Iwasnowbackf r
om theof f
ice.Iam r
eal l
yt i
red.I
thinkIshoul dstartworkingher eathome. Allthe
l
ightswer eswi tchedof f
.iguessever yonei s
sleepingletmej ustgoandgr abf ewdrinksf r
om t he
barint own.iwentt hereor deredabot t
leofwhi skey
andi ces.Ithenwentt olookf oranempt ytabl e.
And
Ifoundi t.
itwasatt hebacknoonewi l
lbot herme. I
willj
ustsither eandhavemypeace.Theywer e
playingar eall
ysof tmusi c.Isetdownt hant he
wai t
ercamet hroughwi t
hmyor der.

Thewai
ter
:I
fyouneedsomet
hingel
sef
eelf
reet
o
ask.
Me:
Okayt
hankver
ymuch.
(AsIwassi tt
ing.Lostinmyt hought
saver y
beauti
fulandwel ldressedwomancameandsi t
ri
ghtinfrontofme. Icouldn'
tevenutterasingl
e
word.Icouldseehermovi ngheryummy, j
uicyand
pinkl
ipsbutIj ustdidn'
tknowwhatshewassayi ng
.Shelookedver yirr
itat
edorannoyedwhi chiswhat
madeherevencut
er.
Awai
tercamet
omyt
abl
e)

Thewai
ter
:Isever
ythi
ngokayher
esi
r?
Me:
What
?..
no.
..
nonot
hingi
swr
ong?
Thewai
ter
:Thanwhyar
eyoushout
ingMam?
TheLady:Youknowifthi
sassholedidn'
tparkhis
cartooclosetomy..
.Iwoul
dn'tbethisangr
y...
I
can'
topenthedri
ver
'sdoorbecauseofhiscar
.Whatirr
it
atesmemor ei
sthatheisnotsaying
anyt
hing.
(Fort
heveryf i
rstt
imeinmylif
esinceIwasbor
n.I
haveneverbeeninsul
tedbyawomen. What'
s
str
angeisthatIam j
ustqui
etunablet
oputheri
n
herpl
ace)

Me:Ehhh...
.Iam real
lysorryletmegoandmove
i
t(WHAT? whatdi dIjustsay.Me?Apologizet
oa
rudewomen. Isitbecauseofherbeautythati
s
makingmet hisvulnerabl
e.Ori st
hiswhi
skeyam
dri
nking.I
t'
sstarti
ngt omakemedr unk.
)
TheLady:
Hur
ryup.
..
(Iwentoutandpar
kedmycarwher
ether
ewasno
carsparked)
TheLady:
Thanks.
(Ij
ustkeptqui
etandat
tempt edtoleavebutshe
touchmyhand.Ifel
tashockl i
kesomeonewas
burni
ngmeusi ngel
ect
rici
ty.Myhear tbeat
i
ncreased.
ihel
dmychest )

Thel
ady:Si
r..
.ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?..
.doyouneed
somet
hing?
Me:
Wa.
..
wat
..
.wat
erpl
ease.
(Iwasnowbal
anci
ngbyt
hewal
l.
Shewenti
ntot
he
bartoaskf
orwat
er.)
TheLady:
Her
edr
inkt
hewat
er.
(Idrankt
hewat
erIwasnowf
eel
ingbet
ter
.She
helpedmeup)
Me:
Thanksver
ymuchiam f
eel
ingwel
lnow.
TheLady:
..
.ohh.
..
AnywayIwant
edt
oapol
ogi
zef
or
thewayIspoket
oyou.Somet
hinghear
tbr
eaki
ng
happenedt
ome.
Me:
Car
etoshar
e?
TheLady:
Sur
ewecangr
abaf
ewdr
inks.
(Wewentinsi
de.AndsetwhereIwassitt
ing.I
coul
dn'
ttakemyeyesofher.Shereal
lyhasagood
bodyshape.
Shelooksabityoungert
hanme)
Me:
Sowhat
'syourname?
TheLady:Mi
chael
a..
.butt
heycal
lmekayl
a.
Me:
MhhIsee.
..
sowher
ear
eyouf
rom?
Kyl
a:Fr
om Aust
ral
ia.
Me:
MyGod.
..
what
'sbr
ingsyouher
einGaut
eng?
Kayl
a:(shelookeddownandIcoul dseetear
sform
i
nhereyes. iheldherhands.
Oo.
..shehadari
ngin
herfi
nger.okaythat'
smeansshei smarr
ied.
isl
owly
removedmyst upi
dhandsf r
om hers)
Me:
Tal
ktomewhathappened..
.youcant
rustme
Kayl
a:Soihavebeenmarri
edtomyhusbandf
ora
whol
e10f ucki
ngyear
s.Sobasi
cal
lyIf
oundouthe
hasbeencheati
ngwithmyst
epsi
sterandt
hatt
hey
areexpect
ingababy.
(
Shesuddenlytr
ied.Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo.Ij
ust
wentt
ositnextt
oherandmadeherlieonmychest
)
Me:Hedoesn' tdeserveyou...youar etoobeauti
ful
toworryaboutamanwhodoesn' tvaluepreci
ous
thi
ngs.IfIwashi m Iwouldal wayscelebrateyou
andloveyouet ernal
ly.Youar ear arediamond.That
onecannotf i
ndeasi l
y.(OkayIdon' tknowwhyIam
sayi
ngal lt
heset hi
ngs.Butreal l
ywhenshecr i
edI
fel
tmyhear tbrakeintopieces.Whowoul dcheaton
thi
scuteandsweetsoult hough.Somemanydon' t
knowtheval ueofawi feuntilsheisgone. Ri
ghtthan
myphoner ang)
Me:mhh.
..mhh(Iwascl
eari
ngmythr
oat.Itwasmy
wif
ecall
ing.
Iwonderwhatshewantsnow.Li
ke
r
eall
yIam ti
redofbeggi
ngherasst
obeopent o
me.)
Her
:Wher
ear
eyou?
Me:
Iam comi
ng.
(
Andt
hanIdr
oppedmycal
l)
Me:
Erhh..
.KaylaIhavetogonow( Ical
ledt
he
wai
terandpaidforthebi
ll
).
..
itwasreal
lyni
cet
o
meetyou.
Kayl
a:Thanks.
..
thankyouverymuchf
oryour
comfort
ingwords.Saf
ejour
ney.
Me:
Yout
oo.
..

(Iwentstrai
ghttomycaranddr ove.ohhShitIfor
got
toaskf orhernumber s.Iwentbacktot hebarbut
hercarwasnol ongerthere.
Ifel
tli
keshoot i
ngmy
selfr
ightnow.AnywayIt ookmyhear tbrokenass
anddr ovebackhome)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
07:
59]Lynne: i
nser
t10

>>Att
heKane'
shouse<<

Mrkanej
ustar
ri
ved.Hi
swi
fewassi
tt
ingi
nthe
di
ningr
oom wat
chi
ngTVandhavi
ngagl
assofr
ed
wi
ne.

MrsK:Ohhhyouareback..
.(
shewasonherwayt
o
hughim.Justwhenshewasabouttohughi
ma
di
ffer
entperf
umehithernostr
il
s.)
MrsK:
Sowher
ehaveyoubeen.
..
Becauseyou
al
wayscomehomeearl
y?
(
MrKjustkeptqui
etandwentupst
air
s.She
f
oll
owedhim)
Mr
sK:
Areyougoi
ngt
oanswermeornot
?
Mr:
YOUKNOW WHAT...
IAM TI
REDOFYOU..
.IAM
JUSTTI
RED.
AM IACHILDNOW THATIHAVETO
REPORTTOYOUWHENIAM GOI NG
SOMEWHERE?.
..
HEE?
-
Hiswi
fej
ustkeptqui
et
MrsK:OKAYSOTHISI
SHOW THI NGSAREGOING
TOBEFROM NOW ON?..
.HEE?
..YOUGOINGTO
COMEHOMELATEANDTELLMESHI T
?..
.HEE?.
..
YOUHAVEBEENBUSYWI THYOUR
WHORES..
.ANDFORGOTTHATYOUHAVEAWIFE
THATJUSTLOSTHERBABIESANDWON'
TBE
ABLETOHAVEONEHEE?.
MR: (
hesaidcalmly)youlistent omecaref
ull
y..
.you
don'tt
alktomel i
keyouar espeakingtoyour
fr
iend..
.youheardme? (
shej ustnoddedashewas
gi
vingherani nt
imidati
ngeye) nowleaveme
al
one...
Iam veryti
red..
.Ihadal ongday.
(
Hej
ustwentt
othebat
hroom andt
ookashower
)

Mr
sKanePOV

Ijustdon'tknowwhatt osay. Idon'tknowhowt o

feel.Myhusbandhasnevert alkedtomel i
ket hat.
i
am r eal
lyheartbroken.Inevert houghthewoul d
cheatonme. okayIknewt hathewi l
leventual l
y
cheatbutnott hissoon. Heist heoneatf aul tbuthe
i
sbusyshout ingatme.Imi ghthaveal so
disrespectedhim butIdiditoutofanger. Likeany
womanwoul dbei fherhusbandcheat ed.Isitmy
faultthatIwon'tbeabl etocarryababy? .
..
no. so
whymustIsuf f
er.Whywoul dGodpunishmelike
this.Justwhenhei ssupposetosupportmeheis
busywhor ingaround.Ihavesupport
edhiminevery
stephet ook.Af
tersolongwehavebeenmar ri
edhe
decidestocheatnowj ustwhenIneedhi mt
hemost .

Itwasnowinthemor ni
ng.Lali
'scondi
ti
onwasst i
ll
thesame.Thedoctorhasnowdeci dedt oswitch
offt
hesupport
ingmachi nes.Theyarejustwaiti
ng
fort
hegoaheadf r
om MrKane.Thehospi talhas
beentr
yingt
ocallhim buthisphoneisswitchedoff.

《Atanundi
scl
osedar
ea》

"Lal
iyoureall
yhavelear
nedsomuchi nashor t
peri
od.Somet akethem ayeartounderstandand
beabletouset hei
rpowers.Youhavel earnthowt o
defendyourselfandhowtof i
ghtyourenemy.I
havealsotaughtyouhowt oputyourbeastt osleep.
Youmustal sobeabletocontrolyouranger.
Becauseyourangercanbeyourmostdownf al
l.You
mustal
sof
indi
tinyourhear
ttof
orgi
veyourdad."
Lali
,"
no. .
.no.
..
Iwoul
dneverf or
givehim .For
goodnesssakehekilledmymom.Heki lledher..
.All
myl i
feIthoughtIwast heoneresponsi bleforher
death.Ihavebeenblamingmyself..
.Thati fIwasn't
conceivedshewouldbeal i
ve.Het ookheraway
fr
om he.Mywhol el
ifehasbeenempt y.Noonehas
caredformebesidesmybest fr
iend."

-"
youknowt herei
ssomet hingst r
angeaboutyour
bestf
ri
end.Lateri
nlif
eshewi llmakebaddecisions
thatwil
lputhermother'
slif
eandher si
ndanger.
Shewi l
ltur
nagainstyouandt eam upwit
hyour
enemy"

Lal
i,
"ohhpl easestopit.
..
shewoul dneverdot hatI
knowf orsure..
.Shei ssokind, l
ovingandcar i
ng.
Sheist hereasoniam alive.Theywer edayswhenI
wouldf eell
ikekil
li
ngmysel f.Shewouldstopme
andencour agemet oli
ve.Iknowherf rom t
opt o
bott
om.Shel ovesmesomuch. ..
shewouldnever
dosomet
hingt
hatcanputmyl
if
eint
odanger
."

-"
mhhIsee...
whenithappensdon'tsayIdi
dn'
ttel
l
you.Youknowyouhavet oleavenowbeforeyou
aret
rappedheref
oryourentir
eli
fe"

Lal
i,"t
hatwoul
dbegr eat
..
.I
tsorefr
eshi
ngandqui
te
here.Iwoul
dkil
ltoli
veherewit
hyou.Idon'
tfeel
l
ikeleavi
ng...
Goingbacktotheevi
landcr
uelwor
ld.
"

-"
ohhbef oreIf orget..
.yourfirsttargeti
sthatevil
cult.
..
theyar er eall
yeviltheywantt owipeoutall
yourfamilymember s.Ithinkt heywantt otakeall
yourfather'
sbusi nessesandhouses.Youneedt o
hurryupbef orei ttoolat
e.Letmegi veyouapi ece
ofadvice..
.I
fyoul ooseyourf amilymember splease
Ibegyoudon' tblameyour selfbecauseitwillmake
youvulnerableandyourenemi eswi l
ldefeatyou
easil
y.Ther eisamant hatt ookyourmot her's
powers.Hei saver ycruel anddanger oushuman
being.Sowhateveryoudobecaref
ul.Don'
ttel
l
anyoneorshowanyonewhatyouar e.Noteven
yourfri
end.Iam gladIhavet
aughttonotf
eedon
blood."

Lal
i,
"butwhyt
hough?
"

-
"youknowLal i..
.I
faverypowerful
.Beastfeedson
bloodespeci
allyonhumanbl ood.Itcanbecome
dangerousanduncont r
ollabl
e.I
tcanevenharmit
famil
ymember sbutnotitchi
ldr
en."

Lal
i,
"ohhIsee"

-"
good..
.Youreal
lyneedtofi
ndthemanthatt
ook
yourmother
'spowerbecausehewil
ldest
royus.
..
Allt
hebeasts.
.."

Lal
i,
"howdi
dmyf
ami
lybecomebeast
s?"
-"itallst artedbyyourgr eatgr eatgr eatgr eatgr eat
father (Ell
is)andmot her(Dora).Sobasi callyt hey
metwhent heywer everyyoung.Theywer ebot h
from poorf amili
es.SoDor awaswor ki
ngasa
Domest icwor ker.Shewaswor kingf orwhi te
peopl e.Wher easElli
swasagar denboyofDor a's
Madam f riend.Theyl i
vedi nthesamear eabutt hey
nevernot i
cedoneanot her.Onesi ll
ynightDor awas
offt ot hebusst ati
on.Whenabat chofmancame
herwayandwer et r
yingtof orcet hemsel vesonher .
Theywant edtor apeher.Butourher oi
cEl l
iscame
throughandf oughtthem .That '
swhent heyst art
ed
theirf ri
endshi p.Onedayt heyconf essedl ovet hey
havef oreachot her.Butbacki nt hosedays
relationshi pswer enotal l
owedsot heykepti t
under cover .Sot herewasal ettert hatcame
throught ot heircommuni t
yt hatt heywi llbe
removedf rom itsincei twasdur ingapar theid.So
theymadeapl antoescapeatni ght.But
unf ortunat elytheycouldn'tasDor a'smom was
criti
cal lyil
l.Sot heywentt oawi zar dtogi vet hem
somet hingt hatcanhel pt hem .Thateveni fthey
separ atebutt heywi l
lbeabl et of i
ndeachot her.
Butunf ortunat elyt hewi zar dwassocr uelandevi l
soi tgavet hem acur seofbei ngbeast s.Thecur se
wasgi vent oitsmot hersoi tpassedi tont ot hem .
Theyknewnot hingabouti t.Sot heywer ever yglad.
Aftersomeyear st heydi df i
ndeachot hersi ncea
beastcannotl eavewi thouti tchosenone.Af ter
somet i
met heydi scover edt hatt heywer eact uall
y
beast s.Theywentt oever ywi zar dsandwi tchest o
askf orhel p.Butnonoft hem hel pedthem .
Becauset heyal sodi dn'tknowt hat
beast s,wer ewol vesandvampi resdoexi st.Sot hey
wer el iket hatf ort her estoft hei rlives.Sot his
beast i
alt hingywaspassedf rom onegener at ionto
anot her .Theysear chedt hewhol ewor ldfor
someonewhocant eacht hem aboutt hisbeast
thingy. Andyest heyf oundme.It aughtthem
ever ythi ngt hatIhaveal sot aughtyou.Sot hey
startedusi ngt hei rpower sf orgoodpur poses.They
protect edt hei rfami ly."
Lal
i,
"wow.
..Ir
eal
lydon'
tknowwhatt
osay"

-"
whatIcant ellis..
.Ihavehel pedyourf ami lyso
muchr egardingt hei
rbeast s.ButIhavenevermet
someonel i
keyouandabeastl ikeyou.Youar ethe
mostpower fulbeastt hathaseverexi stedi nl
ife.
Andyourbabi eswi l
lalsohavet heirbeastsbot h
gir
lsandboys.Ohhbef oreIfor getyourchosen
oneisoutther e.Butunf or
tunatelyhei sfrom the
enemiesoft hebeast sofwhi char ethewer ewolves.
ButIthinkyourr elat
ionshipwi t
hhi m willchange
everyt
hing.Wi llchanget hement ali
tyofhat i
ng
eachotherfornor eason."

Lali
,
"whatifIfal
linl
ovewit
hsomeoneel
se?.
..
What
Ifheisal
readymar r
ied?
"

-
"yesthatcanhappenbutyoucanneverhave
babieswithsomeonewhoisnotyourchosenone.
Rememberhei schosenf
oryoubythegodsofthe
beasts."
Lal
i,
"buthowwoul
dIt
ellt
hatt
hisi
smychosen
one"

-
"haveyoueverf
all
eni
nlovewi
thanyone"

Lal
i,
"no.
..
butihavehadasil
lycrushon
someone.
..
doesthatmeanheismychosenone?
"

>hel
aughed*

-"
noheI snot. ..
youknowwhenyoumeetyour
chosenoneyourbeastwi llreactespeci all
ywheny'll
aresexual lyintimate.Youwi llsee.Af teryouseeor
touchhi m .Youwi l
lstar ttof eel hi
spai nandanger.
Hewi llalsof eelyours.Onceyoubot hmeetyouwi l
l
neverbeabl et oli
vewi thouteachot her.Theywil
lbe
troublesandt emptationsl ikeal lmar ri
edcouple.
Butneverl iveoneanot her.Eveni fy'll
divorce..
.thereissomet hingt hatwi llbri
ngy'l
l
toget
her
...
ofwhichisyourson.
..yourf
ir
stchi
ldwi
ll
beason...
Verycute,l
oving,
braveandcharmi
ng
son.Hewillal
sobeverypowerful."

>shewasl
aughi
ng

Lal
i,
"myGod...Idon'
tseemyselfhavi
ngababynor
ahusband.
..Andwhati fmysocall
ed"CHOSEN
ONE"Isanevilandcoldper
son."

-
"youseeitornot...
butyouwil
leventual
lyhave
babi
esandahusband.. .
itj
ustthatnotnow.
Regar
dingthat.
..
itcannotbechanged."

Lal
i,
"mhhpoorme.
..
soasabeastam Iabl
etol
i
ke
bel
ievei
nGod?
"

-"don'
tbesi
ll
y..
.youar
ealsoahumanbeingyou
arenotademon..
.andr
ememberGoddoesn'
tjudge.
Ast hebibl
esay,"Thefearofyouandthedreadof
youshallbeuponever ybeastoft
heear t
handupon
everybir
doft heheavens."
..
.Inor
dertobeabl eto
defeatyourenemiesyoualsoneedGodi nthat
process...
Iknowbeastsarepowerfulandst af
fbut
Godi saboveallt
helivi
ngthingontheear t
h."

Lal
i,
"OkayIsee.
..
"

-"i
sthereanyt
hingel
seImustcl ari
fybefor
eyou
l
eave?Becauseyouwillneverbeabl
etoseeme
again..
.unl
essyouf
acedeat hwhenitnotyourt
ime
yet"

Lali
,"nothingIguess..
.t
hankyouver ymuchf or
everythingyouhavedonef orme. .
.It
hinkIam now
readyt oovercomeanydistract
ionsanddiff
icul
ti
es
thatcancomeonmyway."

-
"iwasonl
ydoi
ngwhatIwasboundt
odo.
Anywaysbesaf
eandal
waysremembert
hat
ever
ythi
ngyoudowear
ewatchi
ngandguidi
ngyou
."

>>t
heyhuggedeach<<
-
"unt
ilwemeetagai
n"
Lal
i,
"goodbye.
..
Iwi
llneverf
orgetyou"
.

~inthemeanwhil
eMrKane, MrsKane,Mrs
KhumaloandNomhlewer ei
nLali'
sward.They
werecal
ledsosaythei
rlastgoodbyesastheysay
whensomeoneisincommat heycanhereyou.~

Nomhle:why?..
.whyLal
i?.
..
whywoul
dyoul
eave
meli
ket hi
s?.
..
wehave...
~suddenlythemachinesmadesound.Lal i
openedhereyesslowl
y.Herf
ir
stimpressi
onshe
madewast osmile.Mr
sKanejustrol
ledhereyes.~
Nomhle:WHAT? (Shewasover whelmed...
she
j
umpedi ntoherf riendandhuggedherf ordearl
if
e.)
Imissedyou...Ireallymissedyoumyl ove.
..
(She
wasnowI ntear s)ithoughtyouwereleavi
ngme
for
ever..
.butiknewyouwoul dneverdothattome.

Lali
:imissedyoutoo...canyounowl etmebr eat
he
andstopbei ngacrybaby. .
.Iam backnow. ..
So
str
onglikeineverwas. .
.iam backtofightwhatever
i
scomi ngonmyway( Shesai dthatlookingexactl
y
atherfatherandst
epmot her'
seyes.They
swall
owedver yhard)

MrsKhumalo:Anywaylet'
sthankGodf
ort
he
goodnesshehasjustdone.

Lali
:Mom (addressingmr
sKhumalo)CanIpr
aythi
s
ti
mear ound.(Ever
yonewassur
pri
sed.Theyj
ust
didn'
tknowwhatt osay.MrandMrsKanejust
poppedtheireyes)
Mr
sKhumal
o:yessur
eyoucanmydar
li
ng.

Lali:Int henameofGodandhi sSon. .

.Fat herI
woul dl i
ket othankyouf oreverythingyouhave
donef orme. .
.thankyouf orraisingandpr otect
ing
me.Wi t
houtyouIwoul dn'tbeher e.Yougavemea
secondchancet oli
ve.I fitwasn' tforyouIwoul d
bedeadbynow.Fat herIaskyout ocont inuedoi ng
goodi nmyl i
feandmyf amily.Pl easeGodmake
them bel ieveinyourwor dandf orgiveal ltheirsi
ns.
Andal sobewi t
hmymot herandsi st
er( mr s
Khumal oandNomhl e)pl easepr otectt hem and
grantt hem wi thmanymor eyear st olive.Fat herI
prayt hatt heirheartsremai npur east heyar eand
neverchange.Fat herpl easebewi t
hmyf atherand
what everhei sgoingthrough.Showyour
goodnesst ohimt oosohecanbel ievei nyourname
anddogoodt hings.IprayGodt hatsomedayi nhis
hearthef indsapl acetol oveandcar ef orme.But
GodIdon' tjudgehi m weal ldot hingsunwi l
li
ngly
...
thingswedon' tknowhur totherpeopl e'sfeeli
ngs.
Alsobewit
hmystepmother
...
Ipr
ayt
hatwhatever
sheisgoi
ngthr
oughshecanover
comeit.Amen.

(Theroom wasdeadsil
ent.Everyonedidn'
tknow
whattosay.Theywerejustsurpri
sedthatLalican
actual
lypr
ay.Thedoctorcameandbr okethe
sil
ence)

Doc:er
hh..
.ever
yonepl
easel
eavet
her
oom sot
hat
wecancheckherup?
Mr
sKhum:
okaywhenwi
llshebedi
schar
ged?
Doc:wecant
ellaf
terwear
edone.
(Theywer
eallnow si
tti
ngont hechai
rsout
side.
Fewhourslat
erthedoctorcameout)
Doc:ther
eisnot
hingwr
ongwithheract
ual
lyyou
canjustt
akeherhomeri
ghtnow.
MrKane:Pleasedi
schargehertomorrow...mywif
e
andIhavesomethi
ngt odiscuss.(
Theyjustwentt
o
thei
rcarandwentoff
)
MrsKhumal
o:eyhh..
.Iwi
shIcanj
ustt
akeher
homewit
hus...
Nomhl
e:met
oo.
..
hey
Mrskhumal
o:Anywayl
et'
sgoandsaygoodbyet
o
hersowecangethomebefor
ethatmonst
erget
s
angry.
(Theywenti nt
othewardLaliwascomingoutofthe
bathroom gett
ingdr
ess.Shejustdr
opped
everythi
ngshewasdoi ngandwentt ohugthem )
Lal
i:Imi
ssedyoubot
hmyf
avs.
..
Mr
sKhumal
o:wemi
ssedyoumor
e
Nomhl
e:wer
eal
lydi
d..
.
MrsKhumalo:Anywaywehavet
ogo.
..wewi
llsee
youtomor
row.
Lal
i:okayt
hankyouver
ymuch.
..
besaf
e

(
Theywent)
Lal
i'
sPOV

Ifeelsounique.If eelli
keIam bor nagain.Fi nall
yI
haveanunder standi ngofwhatIam.Andt he
trai
ningreal
lyhelpedmebecauseij ustcan'tst and
beinginthesamer oom asMrkane.Ir eall
yl ove
Mr sKhumal oandNomhl e.Idon'tknowwhy
everyonekeept ell
ingbet hatNomhl ewillbackst ab
me.Theyar enicepeopl e.Ifshedi dn'
thaveanevi l
stepdadIwoul daskhermot hertoadoptme
.BecauseIknowdadandhi swi fewantnot hingt o
dowi thme.SoIt hinkIhaveat asktodot osee
whet heriam strongenough.Ihavet odealwi t
hall
thatweakol dassesmember soft hatevilcult.Than
afteriwil
lknowmysoont obemot herissaf e.She
i
sver yni
ce.

>>Att
heKanehousehousehol
d.MrsandMr sKane
werei
nthei
rbedr
oom havi
ngadiscussi
on.

Mr
k:Sowhat
'snext.
..
whatdowedonow?
MrsK:ohhnowyouaskme. ..
ityourhouseyoucan
dowhat everyoul
ikeri
ght.
..
youcancomehomeat
whatevertimeyoulikeandch...
MrK:don'tevental
kaboutsomethingyounotsure
of
...
Ireal
lydon'twantyoursi
ckdramanow...we
ar
esupposet obediscussi
ngthi
sLalii
ssue.
Mr sk:Regardi
ngt hat.
..Ireal
lythinkal lt
histi
mewe
havebeenwr ong.Lal iisreal
lynotl i
kehermot her
..
.
shei shumanl ikeus. ..Didyouseehowshe
prayed...Shereallyt
ouchedmysoul. Ithinkthatis
whywehavebeenf acingdi f
fi
cul t
ies.ItIsbecause
wewer emi st
reat
ingherwher easshei sso
i
nnocent .

MrK:yeahIthi
nksotoo.
sotomorr
owwewi l
lhave
abigfamil
ydinner
.Sowecani
ntr
oducehert
oall
hersi
bli
ngs.

Mr
sk:
sur
e.
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Hopey'llaredoi
ngwell. Rememberguysi n
everyt
hingyouar edoi
ngputGodf i
rst.inwhat ever
dif
fi
cultcir
cumstancesyouaref aci
ngj usttel
lyour
l
ord .Hel ist
ens...
hereal
lydoes.Iam sur eoft hat
becauseIwasal socaughtupinadi ffi
cultsit
uat i
on
butwithGod'snameandgl oryImanagedt o
overcomei t

Loveyour
Admi
n
[
06/
23,
07:
59]Lynne: I
NSERT11

Itwasearlyinthemorning.Mr skanewas
prepari
ngbr eakf
astf
oreveryone.Theyallgather
ed
aroundthet abl
easshewasal readydone.She
servedeveryoneandthansatnextt oherfavouri
te
daughterZia.Itwasveryquietonlytheforksand
knivesweremaki ngnoi
se.SuddenlyMrkane
cl
earedhi
sthr
oatandever
yonest
oppedandl
ooked
athi
m.

Mr
K:Er
hh.
..
Lovedi
dyout
ellt
hem ?
Mr
sk:
What
?(pr
etendi
ngshedoesn'
tknow)
Mr
K:Er
h..
.er
hab.
..
aboutL.
..
Mrsk:
NoIdidn'
t.
..
youmustt el
lthem .
..
shei
syour
daught
ernotmineright
?..
.(
andt hanshest
oodup
andwenttotheki
tchen)
(
Nowt
hechi
ldr
enwer
eal
lconf
used)
Layne:What
'
suppops?
Mrk:So..
.emm.
..Iwanty'
l
ltomeetmydaught
er
t
hiseveni
ng.
Ana:
What?Yourdaught
er?
...
fr
om wher
e?
Mrk:(Hewasst ar
ti
ngtogetangry)Ihavenothi
ngto
explai
nt oyou.Whatyouneedtoknowi sthatt
his
eveningy'l
laremeeti
ngher.(
Hest ood)Andyou
Ana(pointi
ngather)Don'
teverquestionme?(She
j
ustkeptqui et
)Doyouher
eme? (Shenodded)Good
andlastl
yy'l
lbet
terbeni
cetoher.(
Het ookhis
bri
efcaseandwenttohiscaranddroveoff)
Ana:wow!Ihaveneverseendadl
iket
hat.
..
Dai
sy:
Whati
sreal
lyhappeni
nghere?Mom l
eftt
he
t
abl
enowdadjustsnappedatyou.
..
Ana:Youknow..
.Icanfeel
iti
nmybl
oodt
hatt
his
gi
rli
sgoingtor
eplaceus..
Zia:Thatwi
llneverhappenundermywat
ch.
..
We
needtoputherintoherplace.
Layne:y'
l
laremadforr
eal.
..
y'al
lar
egrownupnow
tobehaveli
ket
his.
..
anywayletmeleavey'
l
lIneed
tocheckupmygirl
.
(
Tonyandj
aseal
sol
eftt
hem )
Zia:Weneedt omaket hem supportusinthi
s. .
.we
can'tj
ustber eplacedbyarandom gi r
lwhocl ai
ms
tobeoursister.YouknowIhaveabadf eeli
ngwi t
h
thiswholethi
ng.Maybeshei snotdad'sdaught er.
Hermom i sjustpushingherbecausewear er i
ch. .
.I
j
ustcan'twaitt omeether.
•
MrsKanePOV•

TobehonestI '
m notreallyhappyt hatLal iwi l
lbe
stayingwithus.Iwasonl ypr etendi ngt omy
husband.Ij ustdidn'twantt oar guewi thhi m.
SincethedayhesawLal iitli
kehehasdevel oped
somebondwi thher.Hehasst artedt ocar eforher
andIdon' twantt obei nthemi ddl eoft hat.Iam
al
sowor ri
edt hathewi l
lber emi ndedofLal i'
s
mot her.Hel ovedher. ..
her eallydi d.Ir eall
yhave
nochoi cebutt obeni cetoLal i.BecauseIknow
howmanar e...
Ifyout r
eatt heirsecondbor n
daught eri
ll
..
..nc...
nc...
nc.Hecanevendi vorceyou.
Sobasi call
yIhavenochoi cebutt ol i
keLal i.My
phoner angandwhenIcheckedt hecal lerIDi twas
notsavedIwonderwhoi sthis..

Me:
Hel
lo
Guy'
svoi
ce:Hel
loam It
alki
ngt
otheowneroft
..
..
Me:yeshowcanIhel
pyou?
Guy'
svoi
ce:SoIam t
alki
ngt
oGl
ori
a?
(
WHAT?Onl
yoneper
sonknowt
hisnameandt
hat
i
sMi
ke.
..
Icl
ear
edmythr
oat)
Me:
Erhh.
..
whoam It
alki
ngt
o?
Guy:Wowreal
ly?Peopl
edochange.
..youhave
for
gott
enme?
(
Ithi
m..
.Iwonderwhathewant
s)
Me:WHATDOYOUWANTMI
KE?
...
Iam sur
eyou
di
dn'
tcal
lmet
o..
.
Mi ke:youknow. .
.Ij
ustknewyouwer egoingto
rememberme. .
.(
helaughedsarcastical
ly)Iusedto
giveittoyougoodr i
ght?I'
m sureyouhavebeen
mi ssi
ngme. .
.butdon'tworr
ylove...
Iam back
...
backf orgoodandyoubet tert
ellmewhenIcan
meetyour i
ghtnowbef oreIcomet heremysel f.
Me:WHAT?no..
.not
her
e'snoneedf
ort
hat.
..
but
f
ir
sttel
lmewhatyouwant?
Mike:ohhpleaseIcan'tt
alkaboutsomethi
ngso
i
mportantt
hrought hephone.Youmustmakea
pl
antomeetmet odayat8pm attheBlueMoons.
Me:but..
.(
ti
ti
ti.
..
sil
lyf
oolhejustdroppedit.But
whatdoeshewantGod. .
.Ihopehedoesn'tknowthe
t
rut
h.Ihopet hatbi
tchYolanehasn'tt
oldhimthe
t
rut
h.Letmecal lher.

"
Yol
ane'
sphonehel
l
o"
Me:I
sthi
sYol
ane?
"
YeshowmayIhel
pyou"
Me:i
t'
sGl
ori
a(whi
sper
ingt
heGl
ori
apar
t
Yol
:What
?Youst
il
lal
ive?Bu.
..
Me:Butwhat?
...
whathee?
(yolj
ustkeptqui
et)
Yol
:but
..
.It
houghtMi
keki
ll
edyou
Me:ohhsoyout
oldhi
m?
Yol
:I'
m sor
ryf
ri
endIhadt
o..
.Itwasei
therIt
ellhi
m
orIdi
e?
Me:Hewouldn'
thavekil
ledyou..
.heisnotthat
str
ongsoyouthoughtt
elli
nghimthatAnaand
Laynear
ehiswil
lmakethesituat
ionbett
er..
.you
knowwhatifhedarest
ot r
ysomet hi
ngstupidthat
canr
uinmymar
ri
age.
..
Iam comi
ngaf
teryou.
Yol:ohhpl ease.
..
Thr eat
eningmewon' tst ophim.
Hei sclose...
veryclosetoyounowandhei sno
l
ongert heMi keyouknow. ..Hei snowf ullof
darknessandhat redyoucan' tfoolhimlikeyoudid.
Andiknowiam t heonlyper sonwhounder st
ands
youbet ter
.Andwhohassuppor tedyouf rom t
he
startsoyoucan' t...
.youjustcan' tt
ouchme.Iam
theonlyf r
iendyouhaveeverhadandIknowIwas
wrongt otellhim buthewoul dhavekill
edme.
Me:ohhpl easedon'
ttel
lmeaboutt
hatt
oothl
ess
dog...al
lhedoesist
ospeakandspeakbutdo
nothi
ng...
youknowhesai dhewant
stomeetme
today.
Yol:becareful.
..
hei
sver
ydanger
ous.
..Sohowar
e
thi
ngst here.
Me:hecti
c..
.It
houghtt
urni
nghi
m agai
nstLal
i'
s
motherwasgoingtomakemylif
eeasier
.
Yol
:what
'swr
ong?
Me:Youknowwehavebeenfaci
ngdi
ff
icul
ti
es
l
atel
yandworstpar
thei
scheati
ngonme.
Yol
:What
?Who?Ayyyoumustbej
oki
ng.
..who
dar
esto cheatonyou.
..
Me:Ithi
nkImustnowshowhi m myact
ual
sel
f.
..
becauset
hissof
tnessi
smakinghim wantt
o
cont
rolme.
Yol
:Sowher
e'st
hegi
rl
?
Me:(
shel
aughedsar
cast
ical
l
y)guesswhat?
Yol:what
?
Me:from nowonshewil
lbelivi
ngwit
hus.Sodear
husbandhasdeci
dedthat.Hehasnowst
art
edto
careforher.
Yol
:that
'sapr
obl
em.
..
youneedt
ogetr
idofher
.
Me:howthough.
..
kil
li
ngherwi
llmakemyhusband
tur
nagai
nstmeandIdon'twantthatIam st
il
l
enj
oyi
nghiswealt
h.
Yol
:myGod.
..
soyouwi
lll
ivewi
thher
?
Me:
sureIhavenochoice.
..butf
ornowIneedt
o
f
ocusonthisMikei
ssue.
Yol:mhhIsee.
..anywayIhavet
ogo.
Me:
bye

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwonderwhattheyhavedeci
dedt odo.Iam sure
theyaresendi
ngmebackt oschool.IguessIwi
ll
spendmyent i
reholi
dayst
here.Iwasjustbusy
readi
nganovel andanursecamei n

Nurse:Thedr
iverhasbeenwai
ti
ngf
oryoumem
out
side.
Me:memem ?Si
ncewhenandwhatdr
iverar
eyou
t
alki
ngabout
?
Nur
se:It
hinkyourf
athermusthavesenthi
m.
Me:
but
..
.butwhy?Anywayst
hankyou.
(It
ookal
lmybelongi
ngsandwentout.Andyesa
growngent
lemenwaswait
ingout
side)
Thegentl
emen:Iam Abenandf
rom nowonwar
dsi
wil
lbeyourdr
iver
.
Me:what
?But.
..
Aben:
youcanaskwhateveryouwantontheway
..
.weareal
readyl
ateandsiri
swait
ingforyou.
Me:
Butwher
e?
Aben:youwi
llsee.
(IwentoutandyesaMer cedesBenzwaspar ked.
Hehur riedandopenedt hedoorf orme.Okay.I
wenti n.Iam mydaddi dnotaskhi mt odot his.I
am sur emyf atherdidnotaskhimt odot his.Iam
surehei sgoingt otel
lmet hatIam per manently
andl egallydi
sowned.Iam neveral l
owedt oseeor
callhim dad.AnywaysIdon' thewasnevermy
fat
heratf i
rst
.Atleastt
odayIwi llgetachancet o
askhi mi fmrsKhumal ocanadoptme.Iam sur ehe
willsayevennowshecant akeyou. Anywayst he
dri
vert ookanotherroadgoi ngtotown. )
Me:
erhm .
..
er.
..
ifImayaskwher
eexact
lyar
eyou
t
aki
ngme.
Aben:don'
twor
rymem youwi
llseewhenweget
t
here.
Me:pleaseyouarer
eal
lyembarrassingmewhen
youcallmemem whereasIam youngerthanyou.
Mynamei sLali
mibutyoucancal lmeLali
.
Aben:okaymem Lal
i
Me:myGod..
.j
ustLal
i..
.LALI
Aben:okay..
.okayyoudon'
tneedt
oshoutgetyou.
Sohowol dareyouLali
?
Me:t
oogr
own.
..
(
Webot
hlaughed)
Aben:comeon.
..
li
kef
orr
ealhowol
dar
eyou?
Me:wil
lbetur
ningeight
eenont he1stofJanuar
y.
Sobasi
call
yIam seventeen.Andhowoldareyou?
Aben:youdon'
taskanadul
tthatmydear
Me:okayf
ine(
Ipout
edandpr
etendedt
obesul
king)
Aben:okayk(hewasl
aughi
ng)pl
easest
opi
t..
.Iam
28yearsold.
Me:ohhkandI
fimayask.
..
thanhowcomeyouar
e
adri
ver
.
Aben:Iam notactual
lyadri
ver.Iam your
bodyguard(WTFIsaidthatt
omysel f).Iwas
tr
ained.I
ndet ai
lsiwasworkingatthemi l
it
ary.So
si
nceyourfatherisaverywealthymanheneeds
ourprot
ecti
on.Iwon'tli
e.Hei spayingust he
tr
ipl
edamountofwhatwewer eget
ti
ngpai d.
Me:wowt
hat
'
sgood.
Aben:Especial
lyme.
..
sinceIam t
hepr
incess'
s
bodyguard.
Me:whoi
sthat
?
Aben:youobvi
ousl
y(andt
hanhesmi
ledr
eveal
ing
hi
scutedimpl
es)
Me:howIwi sh(andthanIlookeddown.Suddenl y
heparkedt hecaroutsi
deaver yexqui
site
rest
aurant.Ihaveneverbeent oaplaceliket
his
okay.Iwonderwhatam Ir eall
ydoingher e.Ij
ust
hopehedi dn'tbr
ingmeher ejusttosellmeoff.Haa
youwi l
lneverknowthatmani scruelandvery
heart
less.Abenwentt othesideofmydoorand
openedit.
)
Me:your
eal
lyshoul
dn'
thave.Iknowhowt
oopena
doorf
ormysel
f.
Aben:pleasemem .
..
ohhIfor
gotLal
ipl
easedon'
t
i
nter
ferewi t
hhowIwork.
Me:
okayyourchoi
ce(
Irai
sedbot
hmyhands)
Aben:sol
et'
sgot
hisway.
(Ifoll
owedhim .Wewenti nsi
deitwasabi t
crowded.Wet ookal if
ttoupstai
rs.Okaywewent
i
nt osomepl acewit honlyatabl
eoft wo.Avery
polit
emusicwaspl aying.Iwasstarti
ngtobe
scarednow.Whathast hisoldmanpl annednow.I
didashotprayer.Ireall
yhopehei snotsell
ingme
off.Abenpul
ledachai rformet ositdown.)
Me:thankyou..
.(
hewasaboutt
oli
ve)
caniask?
(he
nodded)whatam Ir
eal
lydoi
ngher
e.
Aben:
Idon'
tknowt oo.
..Iwasjustgi
ven
i
nstr
ucti
onstotakeyouhere.
Me:mhhIsee.
Aben:okaybyeIhavet
ogonow.
..youwi
llgowi
th
yourfat
heraft
ert
his.
Me:
sur
e.
(2hour spassed.Iwasevenf eeli
ngsl eepy.Igetit
now.Hej ustwant edtodumpmeher esohewi l
l
neverseeme.Ihat ehi
m. -
nowt earswer e
threat
eningt ocomeout-heshoul dhavej ust
droppedmeatsomeor phanage.Justt hanhecame
wear i
ngasui t.Shem mydadi shandsomenot
bad.Het ookasi tandIslowlywi pedat eart
hatwas
abouttocomeoutbutpr etendedt hatIwassl eeping.
SoIwasst retchi
ngmyar msandwi pingmyf ace.
)
Him :er
hmm ...
Iam sor
ryt
okeepyouwai
ti
ng.Have
youorderedsomet
hingyet.
(
WTF. .
.DI
DHEJUSTSAYSORRY.Ij
ustnoddedNo
..
.Iwasst
il
lsur
pri
sed)
Hi
m:okay.
..
sowhatwoul
dyoul
iket
oeat?
.
Me:(
gosh...
whywoul
dheaskmet hat.
..
Idon'
teven
knowthemenuofthi
sr est
aur
ant
.NxxIhatehi
m)A
..
..
aburgerwoul
dbefine.
Hi
m:okay(
hetypedsomet
hingonhi
siphone
i
Pad)
somethi
ngtodri
nk?
Me:A.
..
a..
.aLemonj
uicewi
llbef
ine
Him:(
hesmiledal
itt
le..
.What?.
what'
sgoingonhe
hasneverbeenni
cet ome.Todayisareall
y
str
angeday.)wowjustli
keyourmom
(Iwantedtostandupandswearonhim .How
couldhementionmymom .Whereelsehekil
ledher
nxx.Anywaysletmecal
m downbeforesomethi
ng
ter
ri
blehappens)
Him:done.
..
(t
wowai
tr
essescameandser
vedus
ourf
ood)
Me:Thankyou.CanIbl
esst
hef
ood.
Hi
m:sur
e
Me:Thankyoulordfort
hefood.Pl
easebl
esst
he
handthatmadeitandourf
oodAmen.
Him :Amen. ..(
hestart
edeat i
ng.okayIalsostart
ed
eati
ng.Hekeptt aki
ngglancesofme.AnywaysI
tookmybur gerwithbothhandsandst artedeati
ng.
GoshIhaveneverhadsomet hingso
deli
cious,
tasty,
jui
cy..
.l
ol..
.Ijustcan'
tdescri
beit.It
saucewasdr i
ppingonmyhandsandmout h.SoI
fi
nisheditandl i
ckedmyf ingersthanwipedmy
mout h.Hehasevenst oppedeat i
nghewasbusy
l
ooki
ngatme.
)
Hi
m:Doyouwantanot
herone.
Me:Iwouldl oveit(
hetypedt
ohisphoneandyes
ther
e'smybur ger.Idi
dthesamet hi
ngandGod...
I
wasver yf
ull.Itookasipofl
emonj ui
ce..
.mhhjust
howIl i
kei
tcol dandsour.Hefi
nishedhi
sf ood)
Him :youknowIusedt ocomewi t
hyourmom her e.
Everymont hwewoul dcomeher eandshewoul d
alsoorderaburgerandal emonjuice.(Ohhpl ease
stopwi t
hthepretense.Asifyoucaredf orher)her
smal lwastodiefor.Whenshei sangr y..
.shewas
mor ebeautif
ul(
nxxsowhydi dyoukillher...
Isaid
tomysel f)Il
ovedherIreall
ydid(Icoul dfeelanger
andmyski nwasbecomi ngroughal i
ttl
e)
Me:I
'
m sureyoudidn'
tbri
ngmeher esowecan
t
alkabouther.
(Imanagedtocal
m down)
Him:yeah..
.sobasi
cal
lyIwantedtoapologi
zeto
you.ForthewayIhavebeenabsentt oyourl
if
e.
Fort
hewayIhavei sol
atedandtreat
edyoubad.I
am r
eall
ysorrybutIam wil
li
ngtochange.From
nowonIwi l
lbeagoodf at
hertoyou.Iwanttofix
what everIhavewr ongedyouwi t
h.Iwantt obepart
ofyourl i
fe,careforyouandbecomeabestdadi n
thewhol ewor ld.Ijustwantyout of
indaplaceto
yourhear tt
of orgi
veme.Iknowi twon'
tbeeasybut
pleasewecant akethingssl
ow.Iam not
pressurizi
ngyou.Youcant hinkaboutit.
(I
attemptedtolive)
Pleasedon' tdot hat. .
.Ialreadyf eellikeshi tandi f
youleaver ightnowIwi l
lneverf orgivemysel f
.(okayguysIj ustdi dn'tknowwhatt odoandhow
tofeel.Iwasj ustemot i
onless.Inevert houghtt hi
s
daywi l
leverhappen.Idon' twantt ol ieIf eell
ike
hugginghi mf ordearl i
feandcr yonhi sshoul der.
ButIcan' t...Ijustcan' t.
..)pleasemybeaut i
ful
daughter...pleasesi tdownsowecant alk.Iwould
reall
yappr eciat eitifyoucoul djusttal kt ome.You
candoanyt hi ng...
eveni fyouwantt osl apmei tfi
ne
orthrowpunchesonme. .
.Ideser veit...Ireall
ydo( I
justkeptqui et.Hol di ngmyt earsf r
om f all
ing)
pleasesaysomet hi
ng.. ..okayitf i
ne( hecal l
edtwo
bouncer sin.Iwonderwhat '
she' supt o)okayI
wanty'lltohi tme. ..dowhat every' l
ldot osomeone
whodoesn'tf
oll
owthi
spl
ace'
ster
msand
condi
ti
ons.(Whati
shemad)
Thebouncer
s:Nosi
rwecan'
t..
.wer
eal
lycan'
t
Him:pleasedoi tf
ormeIwi l
lpayyou. .
.pleaseif
youdon'tdoi tt
hanIwouldneverbeabletof or
give
myself.(Theywentcl
osertohim andstart
ed
throwi
ngpunchesandsl apsonhim .Hedeser vesit
.Shamehet houghtIwasgoingt ostophim or
them nxx.Theyconti
nuedunti
lhef el
ldown)
Them:Canwegonowsi
r?
Him:no..
.co. .
.cont
inue(hewasbl eedi
ng.Okay
guysnowIfeelbad.Yesheki l
ledmymom buthe
i
salsomyf atherpeople.Ican'
tlethim di
e)
Me:pl ease...
pleasestop(Iwasnowi nt
ear
s.They
helpedhi m getupandIj ustthr
ewmysel ft
ohis
armsandsobbed.Hekeptr ubbingmybackand
apologising.Godi tf
eltl
ikeadr eam comet
rue.I
fi
nallyfeelprotect
ed.Ihavenowf el
tthewarmthof
myf ather'sarms.)
Me:(
movedoutofhisgr
ip)iforgi
veyou.
..f
rom t
he
bot
tom ofmyhear
t.Butpl easedon'
tpushthi
ngs.
Wejustneedt
otaket
hingssl
owl
y.Ial
soneedt
o
adj
ust.
Hi
m :ihavear
equest
?
Me:
yes
Him:iwantyout omeetyoursibli
ngs(myGodthat
abigstep.Whati ft
heydon'tl
ikeme...
mnxx
anywayIdon'tcaretheycangot ohel
l..
.itmyt
ime
nowtohaveadaddyl ol.)
Me:sur
ether
e'snopr
obl
em .
(Het
ookhi
scarkeysandwedr
oveof
f.Iwaswoken
upbyhi
m.)
Hi
m:wehavear
ri
ved.(
Igotoutoft
hecar
)
Me:wai
t..
.wher
ear
ewe?
Him:ohhIforgottotellyou.
..
Iboughtanewhouse
aft
eryourmot herdied(mnx...
sayitsayit
..
.af
ter
youkil
ledher.Youreal l
ywantednothingtodowith
her.Youevenboughtanewhousej ustt
of or
get
aboutherwow.isaidtomysel f)
Me:t
omor
row..
.canIgovi
sitt
hehouseIgr
ewupi
n
?
Hi
m :sur
e..
.butI
'
m sur
eitf
ullofdustyo.
.
Me:noitf
ine.
..
Iwon'
tst
aylong..
.j
ustwantt
o
r
eli
vethemomentswhenIwasachi l
d.
Him :okaynopr oblem Abenwi llt
akeyouther
e
..
.l
et'
sgoi nsideI'm sureeveryoneiswaiti
ngfor
youinside.(Wewenti n.MyGod.. .
itl
ikeIwas
ent
eringaheaven.Thedesi gnonthewal l
smyGod
..
.t
hef urni
ture..
.ceil
ing..
.)
MrsK:Ohhheylove(l
ove?l
ovewhere.
..
ohpl
ease.
..
thesepeopl
ereall
yli
kepret
endi
ng.)
Dad:
<<f
inal
lyIcansaydad

Dad:soeveryone..
.t
hisi
sLali
mimydaughter
.She
i
st hesameageasAna. .
.SoLal
idearmeet
everyone.
(
Theyal
lcameandi
ntr
oducedt
hem sel
ves)
Gi
rl
1:Iam Ana
Gi
rl2:
Dai
sy
Gi
rl3:Zi
a
Me:Ni cetomeetyoual l..
.AsDadsaidIam
Lal
i.(wowi tfel
tsonicetocallhi
m dad.Andt
han
what'
swi t
ht hegir
lsatt
it
ude)
Aguy:Iam Jase.
..
howar
eyou?
Me:iam goodandyou
Jase:goodt
oo.
..
Lal
iri
ght
?
Me:sur
e
Jase:youar
ereal
lybeaut
if
ul.
..
ifyouwer
en'
tmy
si
sterIwoul
dhaveaskedyouout .
(
Wel
aughed)
Me:
goodt
hingIam yoursi
s.
Guy:Layne..
.what
'sup?
Me:Goodandyou
Guy:goodt
oo.
..
itseemsl
ikewewi
llbef
ight
ing
al
ot.
..
hey
Me:(conf
used..
.wher
easever
yonewasl
aughi
ng.I
guessIdidn'
tgett
hejoke)
Layne:ever
yboywi
lll
ikeyout
obet
hei
rgi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:(GodIwasnowl
aughingmyassof f.
..
Inever
t
houghtoft
hat
)what
?Y'
llareexagger
ati
ngnow.
Layne:wearereall
ynot..
.haveyouseenyour
sel
f
ont hemi
rr
or..
.youarefi
re.
Aguy:enough.. .
itmyturnnow(okaythatvoi
ce
soundsfamili
ar..
..Ohgoshisi
tTeny.
..
Towd. .
.or
whateverbutidor ememberhim)
Him:He..
.(
hestoppedandlookedexact
lyi
ntomy
eyes.Okaythatwasweir
d)
Hi
m:you?.
..
how?..
.what
?..
.pops?
(youcoul
dseehe
wasr
eall
yconf
used)
Me:yes.
..
your
ememberme(andt
hanwel
aughed)
Him:surehowcanIf orgetagir
lwhosto..
..
Imean
whomademeaf ool(wecontinuedtol
augh)myGod
smallworl
d...
ineverthoughtiwil
lseeyouagai
n.
Me:metoo..
.ievenf
orgotyourname(icouldseei
t
i
nhishear
tthathewasdisappoint
ed..
.butwhy?)
Me:soyou'
reagai
n.
Hi
m:Ton.
..
Me:Tony.
..
.TonyInowr
ememberyou(
hesmi
led
myGodIthi
nkIhaveweir
dbr
other
s)
Hi
m:andyou'
re?
Me:Lal
i..
.
Hi
m:ni
cet
omeetyou.
..
canIhugyou?
Me:surewhynot?(
hehuggedmef ordearl
if
e.l
ike
hi
sli
fedependedonme.Hefinal
lyl
etgo)
Jase&Tony:Weal
sowanthugs(
Godwegr
oup
hugged)
MrsK:enoughboys.
..I
'
m sur
eyouar
ehungr
yand
t
ir
eddearlet'
sgothi
swaysoyoucaneat
.
Me:Iam real
lysor
ryMem butIam ver
yful
l..
.Ij
ust
needtobathsoIcansl
eep.
(Sherai
sedher
eyebr
ow.)
Her
:okaydear.
..
Anapl
easeshowhert
heguest
r
oom.
Dad:excuseme?.
..
Lal
imyl et
'sgomydear.soI
canshowyouyourr
oom .Sothattomor
rowican
cal
lsomeonewhocandesignitt
hewayyouli
ke.
Me:sur
e.
.(
wewentupstai
rs.Heopenedar oom t
hathas
newbeddingandfur
nit
ureandyethewantsmet o
changei
t)
Dad:don'
tthedesi
gnerwi
llmakei
tthewayyou
wantit
.
Me:nodad..
.your
eal
lyshoul
dn'
twast
emoneyi
t
f
ineli
ket
his.
Dad:what?don'
tfoolar
ound..
.Iam yourdadand
youwil
lli
stentome
Me:yessi
r..
.CanIsl
eepnow
Dad:sur
e..
.goodni
ght
.
(Andt hanhewentout. Il
ockedt hedoor.Okayi t'
s
veryhuge.ButIl i
keitanyway.Wi l
lfi
nall
yhavea
bedroom ofmydr eams.Iwentt ot hebath...
myGod.
..Ican'twai
ttohaveabubbl ebat handsiponsome
coffeewhilewatchi
ngt hescreenont hewal l.Ohh
there'
sashowert oo.Iwentoutandt herewas
anotherdoor.Iopenedit.MyGod.. .
.Idon'
teven
knowwhat '
sitcall
ed..
.itawar drobeno. .
.noitan
en-suiteno.
..
noIdon' tknow. ..Butitisdevided
there'
splaceforshoesandanot heroneisf orthe
clothes.WowIcan' twaittofil
litwi t
hmycl othes.
AnywaysIam sl eepynowl etmet akeabath.I
reall
ymi ssmyfriendeishIdon' tevenhavea
phone. ..
maybetomor r
owIwi llcheckupont hem
.Maybeimayf i
ndsomet hingt hatcouldli
nkwher eI
couldf i
ndwheret hatevilculthol ditmeeti
ngs.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Lovey'
l
l

Sorryi
fther
ear
eanyer
ror
s .Iam r
eal
ly
exhaust
ed
[
06/
23,
08:
00]Lynne: I
nser
t12
Notedi
ted

Lal
i'
sPOV
Isleptlikeababy.Iwokei nthemor ning.IWentt o
bathandbr ushmyt eeth.Af t
erIwasdoneIdr i
ed
mybodyandwentt othebedr oom.It ookoutmy
boyfriendr ippedJean, whiteski rtandpushi ns.I
tookasmal lbagandput t
edmyj acketi n.Myhai r
wasabi tmessysoIt i
edi tintoamessybun.Iwent
downst airs.Ever yonewasst il
lasl eepsoIwent
outside.Abenwasn' tthere.SoIdeci dedtogoand
makebr eakf astforever yone.Imadesof tporri
dge
using.It ookt hebowl sandst artedt osetthetabl
e.
Isawmr skanecomi ngdownst airs.

MrsK:(shewasyawningandstr
etchi
ngherarms)
God...
what'swrongwi
thyou?...
Youarebusy
makingnoisebutyouknowexactl
ythatwear
esti
ll
sl
eeping.
Me:er
hh..
.sor
ryIthoughtIcoul
djustmake
br
eakf
astf
oreveryonesinceIwasalreadyawake.
Mrsk:Br
eakf
ast?
whatbr
eakfast
?Letmesee. .
.(
she
wenttot
hekit
chenandopenedthepotf
ullof
porri
dge.Shesuddenl ylaughedsarcasti
call
y)So
thisi
swhatyoumade?Youcal lthi
s
breakfast?.
..l
ist
enheregi
rl
y...
Iwantyout othrow
awayt hisshityoumadeandyoucl eanallt
his
messyouhavej ustmade.Lastlydon'
tever..
.ever
againtouchmypot s.Idon'
twantyoui nmyki tchen
am Iclear?(Ij
ustkeptqui
et)Answerme. ..
am I
clear
?(Ijustnodded)good.Hur r
yhurryupandcl ear
thismessyouhavemadei nami nut
eeveryonewi l
l
behere.
Me:
sur
e
Mr sk:WhenIcomebackIdon' twantt oseet hi
s
(Pointingont hepor ri
dgeImade.Shet hanwentout
.Cl earlythiswomandoesn' tknowme.Iam goi ng
toshowhert hatiam notscaredofher.Ij ust
cont i
nuedwi t
hwhat everiwasdoi ngandpl acedthe
potf ullofthepor r
idgeonthetable.It ooksuger,
l
emon, butterandpeanutbutter.Iplacedeverythi
ng
thanwai t
edf oreveryonetocomedown.Theyal l
camedownbesi deTony.Theyal llookedatme
surpr i
sed.)
Me:er
hh.
..
goodmor
ningever
yone.
..
imade
br
eakf
ast
.
Zayn:wowthat
'ssocool.Pl
easedi
shf
ormefir
st(I
star
teddi
shi
ngforever
yone.Dadandhiswi
fealso
camedown)
Jase:Heypopscheckthi
sout.
..Lal
imade
breakfastf
orever
yone.
Dad:r
eal
ly.
..
can'
twai
ttot
ast
eit.
(Idi
shedforhim .Thewaymr sKanewasabsentI
am sureshewant edt
of i
nishmeri
ghtatt
his
moment .Ithi
nkitgoingtobeal
otoffunst
aying
here.
)
Zayn:wowIhaveneverhadpor
ri
dgebef
ore.Mom I
thi
nkyoumustmakeitmoreoft
en .
Jase:yessheshoul
d.(
Ifi
nishedmypor
ri
dgef
ir
st.)
Me:er
hhdadcanIgonow.
Dad:Sure..
.Abenmustbewai t
ingforyour i
ght
outsi
de.(Therewassomethingnotr i
ght.Hewas
socold.Butwhenhecamedownhewasf i
newhy
now.Iwonderwhat '
seati
nghim orI sitt
hefact
thatimadebreakf
ast)ohhbeforeiforget
..
.her
etake
thi
s(Itwasabl ackcard.Mygooood.Okay)Fr om
nowoni twillbeyours.(
Everyonewasnowl ooking
atus)Thepi nisyourbirt
hyear.(IswearIwanted
tocry.Ijustwenttohim andhuggedhim)
Me:Thankyouver
ymuch.
..
Dad:Pl
easedon'
tthankme.Iam yourf
ather
.I'
m
onl
ydoingmydutyasyourf
ather
.
Me:t
hanksver
ymuch.
Dad:Buyeveryt
hingyouwantt her
eisnol i
mit.And
pl
easegetyoursel fanewphone.(hegavemehi s
busi
nesscard)pleasesavemynumber .I
fyouhave
aprobl
em.Ohbef oreIfor
gett
hedesignerwon'tbe
abl
etocomet oday.I tcanonl
ycomet omorrow.
Me:t hanksver
ymuch.Ther
eisnopr
obl
em.Bye
ever
yone.
Jase:byesi
s.

IwentoutandyesAbenwasal
readywai
ti
ngf
orme.
Heopenedthedoorforme.
Me:It
oldyounott
oopent
hedoorf
ormet
hough.
Aben:AndIt
oldyout
onoti
nter
fer
einmyj
ob.
(
Fool
.Ij
ustwenti
n.Hedr
oveof
f)
Me:Sodi
dmydadt
ellwher
eyouar
etaki
ngme.
Aben:Yeshedi
d.Heal
sosai
dImustnotl
eaveyou
al
onether
e.
Me:mhh.
..
Isee.
(I
twasaver ypeacefuldr
ive.Iwasjustlooki
ng
outsidet
hewindow.Admi r
ingthetr
ees.Unti
lI
decidedtol
ookont hecarmi r
ror.Tomysur pr
ise
Abenwasbusyst aringonme.)
Me:What
?
Aben:What
?
Me:Whyareyoudr
ool
ingoverme?
(andt
hanwe
l
aughed)
Aben:Iam not.Iwasj
ustl
ooki
ngatGod'
scr
eat
ion.
CanItel
lyousomethi
ng?
Me:sur
egoon
Aben:youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
Me:Iknow(
Ilaughed)
Aben:ohhr
eal
ly.
Me:yeah.
..
myboyf
ri
endal
wayst
ellmet
hat.
Aben:(
hisfaci
alexpressi
on
changed)B.
..
boyfr
iend?..
.youhaveaboyf
ri
end?
Me:YesIdo.
Aben:Wow...
iam sostupi
d..whyidi
dn'
tthi
nkof
that.Whywouldabeauti
full
adyli
keyoubesingl
e.
Sowhat'shi
sname?
Me:ay.
..
whyar
eyouaski
ngmehi
sname?
Aben:Ij
ustwantt
oknowhim .Iwantt
oknowt
he
per
sonthati
sdati
ngmyboss'
sdaughter.
Me:unfort
unat
elyIcan'
ttel
lyou..
.Iam sor
ry.
what
aboutyou.Doyouhaveagi rl
fr
iend?
Aben:Ihadone buthecheat
edsowebr
okeup.
Me:sor
ry
Aben:butIhavesawsomeone.
Me:hoo.
..
hool
alayougoguy.
Aben:Yeah.Sheissobeaut
if
ul.Shehasacute
smil
eandsof ri
endl
y.Shehasagoodhearttoo.
Shehasabodyt odief
or.Shehasasmallwaist,
widehips,r
oundassandherlegs..
.mhhGod.
Me:Lol.
..
youreal
lyhavef
all
eni
nlove.Sohaveyou
askedherout?
Aben:no.
..
Iam scar
edt
oaskherout
.
Me:l
ol.
..
unl
ikeyou.
..
don'
tbescar
edt
alkt
oher.
Aben:Idon'
tthi
nkt
het
imei
sri
ght.
Me:t
imef
orwhat
?
Aben:anywaywehavear
ri
ved.
(Iwentoutandyesindeed.Il
ookedatt
heoutsi
de
oft
hehouse.Ilookedatthegreengr
assIusedt
o
pl
ayballon.)
Me:pl
easewaitout
sidef
orme.Ij
ustwantt
oget
i
nsi
dealone.
Aben:sur
e.Iyouhaveapr
obl
em cal
lme.
Me:sure.
(It
ookmybagandwentst
rai
ghti
n.The
doorwasnotlocked.)
Ever yt
hingwascover edindust .Ifirstwentt ot
he
kit
chen.I tjustremi
ndsmeoft hewomanwho
raisedme.Sheusedt obakeever yFr i
day.Her
cakeswasver ydel
iciousandmadeoutofl ove.
Sheusedt oaskmet ohel pherwhenmaki ng
cakes.It ouchedtheovensuddenl ymyt ears
startedtof al
ldown.It hanwentt othebedr oom
theyshar ed.Iwentt ot hewar drobeandopenedi t.
Hercl otheswer est
illthere.Itookt hepinkt wo
piecesui tshewaswear ingonmyt hi r
dbirt
hday.I
touchedi tandsobbedoni t.
Aben:Lal
iweha.
..
What
'swrong?
(hewentcl
osert
o
me)tal
ktomewhat'
swrong.
Me:(
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
s)i
t'
snot
hing.
Aben:(
Hesetont hef
loornextt
ome)Youcant
alk
t
ome.Idon'thaveaprobl
em.
Me:Act
ual
lyIwasj
ustmi
ssi
ngmyst
epmot
her
.
Aben:ohh. .
.I
'm sosorr
y(Hemademel i
eonhi s
shoulderandst ar
tedbr
ushi
ngmyback.Ij ustcri
ed
more. )Leti
talloutsoyoucanheal
.(Wer emained
l
ikethatforsomet ime.Unt
ilIwasalr
ight
.Hewi ped
mytear
s.)myGodyoul ookmor
ecut
ewhenyou
ar
ecryi
ng.(Ij
ustsmi
led)
Me:ohhpl
easest
op.Let
'sgonowI
'
m al
ri
ght
.
(
Weinthecaranddr
oveof
f)canIpassbymy
f
ri
end'
shouse.
Aben:sur
egi
vemet
hedi
rect
ions.
(
Iwentt
ositi
nfr
ontsoIcandir
ecthi
m .Wedr
ove
f
orsometi
meuntilwear
ri
ved.)
Me:Ther
e(Poi
nti
ngatt
hegat
e.)
Aben:okaypl
easedon'
ttakel
ongi
tal
readyl
ate.
Me:sur
e
(Irangthebel
l.Asecuri
tyguar
descor
tedmetothe
house.IwenttothehouseMrsKhumalowasbusy
readingherbi
blewhi
leNomhlewasbusywatchi
ng
TV)
Me:hel
lo!hel
lo!
Nomhle:(
shejustj
umpedont opofme)myGod
f
ri
end..
.i
tbeenawhilesi
nceIhaven'
tseenyou.
Wherehaveyoubeen.(IwenttohugmrsKhumalo)
Me:howar
eyouma?
Mr
sk:I
'
mfi
nemydearhowar
eyou.
Me:I
'
mfi
net
oo.
Nomhl
e:sot
ell
mef
ri
end.
..
wher
eyoust
ayi
ngat.
Me:youwon' tbeli
evewhathappened.ThedayI
wasdi schar gedmyf athersentadr i
vertotakeme
tosomer estauranthebooked.Iwentt her
e.I twas
verybeaut if
ulandwaspl ayi
ngaver ysoftmusi c.I
waitedforhi m.Suspensewaski ll
ingme.It hought
thatmaybehewassel l
ingmeof ftosomemen.To
mysur prisehewant edt oapol
ogize.He
apologizedf oreverythi
nghedi dtomeandal sofor
beingabsenti nmywhol el
if
e.Heevensai di fI
don'tforgivehim hewi l
lhurthi
msel f
.
Nomhl
e:What
?
Me:yes.Hecalledthebouncer
stohi thim .They
punchedhimfordearli
feheevenfell.Hewasal so
bl
eeding.Sothat'
swhenIsawt hather eall
ymeant
whathesaid.Andwehugged sowear enow
worki
ngonhavingaf at
hertodaughterrelati
onshi
p.
Nomhl
e:Wow.
..
doyout
rusthi
mthough?
Me:Yes..
.Icouldevenseet
hroughhi
seyest
hathe
wasreal
lysorry.
Nomhle:wowI'm happyforyouf
ri
end.Fi
nal
lyGod
hasansweredyourprayers
Me:yeahthismorni
nghegavemeabl ackcar
d(I
showedthem)hesai
di ti
smineandt
hatImust
keepi
t.Heevensaidtherei
snoli
mit
.
Nomhl
e:wow.
..
Iam soj
eal
ousr
ightnow.
Me:ohdeardon'tbe.
..sotomor
rowIwil
lfet
chyou
sowecangot othemall.Ineedtobuymyself
somenewclothes.
Nomhl
e:wow .
..
real
ly?
(Inodded)Ican'
twai
t.
Me:er
hhcanIgouset
hebat
hroom?
Nomhl
e:l
etmeshowyou.
Me:don'tworryIknow.Ihavebeenher esoIknow
whereitis.(Iwentupstai
rs.Ipeepedonever y
room .Ithanhadamanspeaki ng.Isupposeitmr
Khumal o.Hewasbusyont hephone.I
eavesdroppedtheconver
sati
onhewashavi ng)
Mrkhumalo:I
tmusthappenonThur sday.Icannot
wait
.Ineedhisr
etai
li
ngbusinessfast.My
busi
nessesar
enotoperat
ingwell.
"
Met
ooweneedt
oseeZi
mbal
itoday"
MrKhumal o:yeah.Ican'tl
oosewhatIhaveworked
sohar dfor.Evenifhewant smetowipethewhole
familyout.Icoul
ddot hati
naminute.(
Isuddenl
y
touchedthedooralit
tl
e.)
MrKhumalo:er
h..
.Iwil
lcal
lyoul
aterIhavet
ogo
.(Ir
usheddownst
air
sandsaidmygoodbyes.I
wenttot
hecarandwedroveoff)
Aben:i
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?
Me:yeah..
.sur
e..
.pl
easedr
ivef
ast
er.
Aben:okay.(
Wet
hanar
ri
ved.)
Me:Thanksver
ymuchf
oryourpat
ienceandt
ime.
Aben:anyt
imemypr
incess(It
hanhuggedhi
m
t
hanwentinsi
de)

Aben'
sPOV
Okayheyguys.I 'm sur ey'l
lknowmenow .So
basicall
yIhavebeenwor ki
ngf orMrKanef orabout
3year snow.Hei saver ygoodboss.ButIwoul d
neverdosomet hingt hatcanmakehi m angry.I
haveseenhi m mur der i
ngpeopl e.SoIwoul dnever
messupwi thhim .AboutLal i.Ther eissomet hing
abouther.AndIt hinkIhavef alleni
nlovewi thher.
Whenshewascr yingIwant edt ojustkissher.She
i
ssoper f
ect.Iliedt oherwhenIsai dthereis
someoneIhavef alleni nl
ovewi th.Itishert hatI'm
i
nlovewi th.Whenshehuggedme.Iwant edt opin
heront hecarandki ssherf ordearl i
fe.Iwant edto
holdont oher.Ihaver eall
ydevel opedr ealfeeli
ngs
overher.Iam justscar edtoaskherout.Aswear e
nottodat eanyofmyboss' sdaught ers.Hewoul d
ki
llme.

Mr
sKanePOV

Iwassoangr
yint
hemor
ning.Howcoul
dLal
ibe
thi
srude.Ineedtot
eachheral esson t
hatshewil
l
neverf
orget.Shedoesn'tknowwhosheismessing
wit
h.Whi l
eIwasstil
llostinmymindamessage
camethroughreadi
ngasf oll
ow:

"ISEEYOUDIDN'
TMAKEAPLANTOMEETME.
DON'TBOTHERBECAUSEI
'
M ATYOURDOOR
RIGHTNOW "

Suddenl
yIfel
tscar
edIrusheddownst
air
sasthe
doorbel
lwasringi
ng.Iopenedi
twi
thmyeyes
poppedout
.
Lal
i:Er
hh.
..
heymom .Ar
eyouokay?
Me:I
'm...
I'
mfine..
.di
d..
.di
dyouper
hapssee
someonewhenyouwerecomingi
n?
Lali
:No. .
.t
her
ewasnoonebesi
desme.I
se
everyt
hingokay?
Me:Yeah..
.yeah..
.Ohhbef
oreIf
orget
...
whatyou
di
dthi
smor ningmademeangr y .Youdon'
tfol
l
ow
myordersnorrespectme.
Lali:sorrytodi
sturbyou. .
.butIdorespectyou.I
t
j
ustt hatwhatyouaskedmet odowasj usttomuch.
Imadet hatporr
idgewi t
hsomel oveso. .
(shewas
sti
lltalkingwhenIt hr
ewahotsl apacrossherface.
Ever yonecamedownr unning.Justthanmy
husbandcamei nshi t
)
MrK:lovewhat'
sgoingonher
e?(hewentt
oherand
not
icedthatshewascryi
ng.Lit
tl
ebit
ch.)
what
?LAl
i
?whyar eyoucryi
ngmybaby?
(
Shej
ustr
anupst
air
sandl
ockedhersel
fin)
MrK:Whatdidyoudo?( hewasnowhol
dingmy
upperar
m verypai
nful
ly)
Me:Idi
dnot
hing
Mrk:THANWHYSHEWASCRYI
NG?
(Ij
ustkept
qui
et)ANSWERMEDAMMI
T.
me:pl
easemyhusband..
.noti
nfr
ontoft
heki
ds.
Mr
k:IDON'
TCARE.
..
SPEAKWOMEN.
Me:Lal
iwasdisrespecti
ngme.Shewascal l
ingme
names.Iwasonl ytryi
ngt obenicet
oher.She
sai
dIwil
lneverbeamot hertoher.
Mr
k:What?Lal
iwoul
dneverdot
hat
.
Me:ThatiswhyIdi dn'
twanttot
ellyou..
.youwer
e
notgoingtobel
ieveme. (
Itookmycarkeysand
droveout.Phewletmecallthi
sfoolMike)
Mike:ohhGlori
a..
.Iseemymessagescaredyou.It
wasnothingifyoudon'tl
ist
entomenortakemy
or
ders.(Hewhistl
ed)yougoingt
obeindeepshit
wi
thyourhusband.
Me:canyoust
opspeakingr
ubbi
shandt
ellme
whereIcanmeetyou.
Mi
ke:Iwi
llsendyout
hel
ocat
ionr
ightnow.
(Hedroppedthecallandsentit.Itwasoft he
rest
aurant
.Idrovethereandcover edmyf acewi
tha
doekandwenti nsi
det her
estaurant.Isawhim
sit
ti
ngatthetableatthebackandwentt ohim)
Mike:I
'm gl
adyoucame.Doyouwantsomet
hing
t
odr i
nk?
Me:I
'
m notheretohaveadr
inkwi
thyou.Justt
ell
mewhatyouwantsoIcango
Mi
ke:don'
trushdearGl
ori
a(hecal
leda
wai
ter
)Pl
easegi
vemet
heol
destwhi
skeyyouhave.
Me:sincewhendoyouaf f
ordwhiskeys?(
he
l
aughedal i
tt
le.Thanthewait
ercamebackwi t
h
t
wogl assesandi
ces.Hepouredforhimsel
fandme
)sur
e
Mike:sohowaremychi
ldr
en?
(Iswal
lowedhar
d
andtookasip.
)
Me:what
?wh.
..
whatchi
ldr
en?
Mi
ke:I
'
m goi
ngt
oaskyouonel
astt
ime.Howar
e
mychi
ldr
en?
Me:they..
.t
heyar
efi
ne(her
eal
lyi
sscar
yand
I
nti
midati
ng)
Mi
ke:SowhenIam meet
ingt
hem ?
Me:S.
..
Soon.
..
Ist
il
lneedt
otel
lthem t
het
rut
hfi
rst
.
Mi
ke:OkayIsee.

Lal
i'
sPOV
WhenIwentupst air
siwasver yangry.SoIdeci ded
tolockmyselfinsidebeforeIhurther.Iwasreally
wor r
iedaboutwhatIhear dMrKhumal osayi
ng.I
wonderwhosecompanyhewant stotake.Ididn't
evengetanysol i
dcl ue.Thatcanatleastshowme
wher etheyar
ehol di
ngt hei
rmeetings.Isuddenly
heardaknock.Iwonderwhoi sthat?
Me:Who'
sthat
?
"
It.
..
itmeTony"
Me:whatdoyouwantTony?
Tony:pleaseLali.
..
(Iopenedt
hedoorf
orhi
m and
l
ockeditagain.)
Tony:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
Tony:I
'
m sor
ryf
orwhatmymot
herdi
dtoyou.
Me:youdon'
thavet
o..
.
Tony:I'
mr eal
lysor
ry.Someti
mesIaskmysel
fthat
whyshei salwayssomean.Sheissoevi
l.I
fihad
anabili
tytochooseamot her
.Iwoul
dchoose
anotherwoman.
Me:don'
tspeakl
iket
hat.Sher
aisedyouandmade
sur
eyoubeabett
erpersoni
nfut
ure.
Tony:CanIasksomet
hing?
Me:sur
e
Tony:Wher
eisyourmot
her
?
Me:Idon' thaveamot her
.(Ilookeddown)my
mot herwaski..
.shediedwhenshewasgi vi
ngbir
th
tome.SoIwasr ai
sedbyast epmother
.Shewasa
veryniceperson.Sheevent uallydi
edtoo.Att
hat
ti
memyf atherwant ednothi
ngt odowithme.He
sentmet oaboar dingschool.SoIbasicall
ygr
ew
upthere.
Tony:I
'
m sor
ryt
oheart
hat
.
Me:yeahsothat
'smylif
e.ButI
'
m gr
atef
ult
hathe
i
snowt r
yingtof
ixt
hings.
Tony:Isee.Ial
solostmyf
atherwhenIwas
young.Butyourdadhasbeenthereforme.He
tr
eatedmeli
kehisownson.I'
mr eall
ygrat
efult
o
havehiminmylif
e.
Me:mhh.Anyways.
..
sonextyearyoudoi
ngmat
ri
c?
Tony:yeahandyou
Me:met
oo.
sowhat
'sar
egoi
ngt
ost
udy?
Tony:I
'
m notsur
eyet
..
.butIl
ikemedi
cine.You?
Me:Ial
sowantt
obei nthemedi
cinef
acul
ti
es.I
wanttodoRadi
ologi
stOncol
ogi
st.
Tony:mhhisee.Youknowil
ikespendi
ngt
imewi
th
you.
Me:met
oo.Youar
ecoolandi
tisver
yeasyt
otal
k
t
oyou.
Tony:sameasyou.Anywaysl
et'
sgoandhave
supper
.
Me:sur
e.I
'
m ver
yhungr
y.
(Wewentdownstai
rs.Everyonewasal r
eadyther
e
eati
ngbutMrsKanewasn'tthere.It
ookmysitand
star
tedt
odishf
orher.Istartedeati
ng.)
Dad:Lal
iyouneedt
oapol
ogi
zet
oyourmot
her
.
Me:Forwhat
?
Dad:Fordi
srespect
ingher.
Me:What
?Whosai
dIdi
srespect
edher
?
Dad:I
'm notgoi
ngtohavet
hisconversat
ionwi
th
you.Andpleasedon'
tpl
aydumbwi t
hme.
Me:
(Il
aughedal
it
tl
e)butIdi
dnot
hing.
Dad:Li
stenhearLal
i.Ifyouar
egoi
ngtoli
veunder
myroofyougoingtofoll
owmyorders.
Me:butIdi
dnot
hingwr
ong.
Dad:YOUDONOTSPEAKWHI LEI'
M SPEAKING.
OKAY? .
IknowIhavebeenabadf atherbutIst
il
l
havearighttoreprimandyou.Iknowbot hyour
motherspassedonbutyoucannotexpectmywi fe
tobeli
ket hem .Youcan'tcompareherwi t
hthem
.(Thathithard.Ijustf
eltangerbuil
d)
Me:okayf i
ne..
.i
fthat
'swhatyouwantmetodo.I
wil
ldoit(Iwenttomybedroom andl
ockedi
t.Af
ter
t
hatIcried.)

Tony'
sPOV
Whenmom sl appedLali.Ifel
tangerbui l
dup.Ifel
t
l
ikest r
anglinghertodeat h.Ithi
nkever ydayIsee
LaliIgainmor efeeli
ngstowar dsher.IwishIcan
justgot oherr oom ri
ghtnowandcomf orther
.I
hadar eal
lygoodt i
mewi thher.Shei sverycute.I
thinkImustaskheroutoneoft hi
sdays.YeahI
knowshei smysi ster
.Butnotbi ologicalsoIcan
dat eher.

pl
easel
ikeandshar
e

Besaf
e
[
06/
23,
08:
01]Lynne: I
nser
t13
Notedi
ted

MrKane'
sPOV

Itwasnowver
ylat
eandmywi feisnotyethome.I
havebeent
ryi
ngtocal
lherbutsheisnotanswer
ing
herphone.It
hinkLal
ireal
lyt
ri
ggeredheranger.A
cal
lfr
om MrMar ti
nezcamethrough.

Me:Hel
lo
Hi
m:ohhhey.
..
howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m good.
..
whyar
eyoucal
li
ngmeatt
hist
ime?
Him:There'
snothi
ngwrong.Ij
ustwant edtoask
you.Ifyoudon'
tmindcanwegooutt omor r
owf or
somedr i
nks.Soonwewillbei
nlawssoi twouldbe
bett
erifwestar
tnowtogainagoodrelati
onship
betweenus.
Me:ohhaboutt
hatt
her
ehasbeenachangeofpl
an
..
.
Hi
m:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?
(
Mywi
fecamei
nsmel
li
ngal
cohol
)
Me:erhhwewi l
ldi
scussitt
omorr
owwhenwe
meet.Wewi l
lmeetatBlueMoonsby3pm.ButI
wi
llcallyout
omorr
owt oconfi
rm.
Hi
m:okay.
..
Iwi
llwai
tforyourcal
l(Idr
oppedi
t)
(Iwentst
rai
ghtt
omywi
feandgr
abbedheronher
upperarm)
Me:i
sthi
sthet
imet
o..
.
Her:ohhplease..
.Don'
tir
ri
tatemewiththatTIME
shit.Youusedtocomeatt hist
imebutIneversai
d
anythingt
oyou.Youcheat edonmeandwhenI
askedyou.Youattemptedt omanhandleme.
Me:YouknowwhatI '
m notgoingtot
alktoyou
whil
eyouinthi
sst ate.Becauseever
ythi
ngyouar
e
sayi
ng.Youaresayingitoutoffal
cohol.
Her
:ohr
eal
ly.Dontwor
rydearhusband.Iknow
t
rut
hhur
ts.
(
Iwentbackt
obed)
Her:oh..
.beforeyousl
eep.Iwillnotst
ayhereand
bedisrespectedbyyourdaughter.Never.Myown
chi
ldrenrespectme.Theywor shipthegroundI
wal
kon.
Hi
m:Aboutt
hat.Shesaidshewi
llapol
ogi
ze.Iam
al
sosor
ryonherbehal
f.
(
Shewentt
othebat
hroom andt
hanIhear
dwat
er
runni
ng.Shet
hancamebackandwentst
rai
ghtt
o
bed.)

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Yoh...
Ireall
yhadagr eatti
mewi t
hMi keyesterday.
Wehaddr inksandt ookourl i
tt
lepartytothehot el.
That'swhent hingsgotoutofcont rol.Hest art
ed
kissi
ngmesopassi onatel
yunt i
lIgaveint othekiss.
Thingsledt oanot herunt i
lwehadsex.I twasa
greatsexindeedIr eallymissedhim .Ihaven'thad
suchsexi nawhi l
easmyhusbandandIhavebeen
havingtroubles.Ever ymomentIspentwi thMi ke
mademer eal
izethatIact uall
ystil
llovehim.He
saidtodayhewant st otakemeoutagai n.ButI
don'tthi
nkIwi llbeabl etogo.Iwokeupandwent
tothekitchent opr eparebreakfastforeveryoneand
madei cecof f
eef ormysel f.Ihadar eall
ybad
headachei tli
keat ruckdrovethroughmyhead.
Aft
erIwasdoneIsetthetable.Iwasfeel
ingabi
t
bet
ternowt
hiscof
feer eal
lyhelpedme.Everyone
wasnowonthetableandLal iwasn'
t.

Me:Ziapl
easegoandcal
lLal
iandt
ellherbr
eakf
ast
i
sready.
Zi
a:butmo.
..
Me:Justgopl
ease.
(
Shecamebackwi
thher.Shewasst
il
linherPj
s.)
Lal
i:Goodmor
ningever
yone.
(Shetookhersi
tandst
arteddishi
ngforhersel
f.My
husbandclear
edhert
hroat.ThanLal
ilookedathim
.)
Lali
:ohh.Erh..
.Mrs.
..
Mom Iwoul
dli
ketoapol
ogi
ze
foryester
day.(Shewaslooki
ngst
rai
ghti
ntomy
eyesandt hatsentchi
ll
sinmyspi
ne.)
Iwasver
y
rudetoyou.
Me:er
h..
.youdi
dn'
thavet
o.
Lal
i:NoI
'
mreal
lysor
ry.
Me:okayIf
orgi
veyoumydear
.
(Thanweallst
artedeat
ing.Jamescamein.Hei
s
gayandadesi gner.Heistheonewhodesi
gned
thi
swholehouse.)
James:Hey!Hey!Dar
li
ngs.(
Hekissedal
lofour
cheeks.)
themomentIsawyourhusband'
s
messageIdroppedever
ythi
ngandcame.So
what'
smyj obthi
sti
me.
MrK:JamesmeetmydaughterLal
imi.Lal
idear
t
hisi
sthedesi
gnerIt
oldyouabout
.
James:Heygi
rl
.(Heki
ssedbot
hhercheeks.)
Lal
i:Hel
lo(
smi
li
ng)
James:Youlookbreat
hetaki
ng.Finall
yint
his
housether
e'ssomeonebeaut
iful
.(Ever
yone
l
aughed.)
Ana:whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat.
(shewasget
ti
ng
workedup)
James:Li
kegi
rl.
..
haveyouseenyourselfont
he
mir
ror
.Youlookli
keyourmothershi
ttedonyou
whenshewasgivi
ngbirt
h.(
Everyonewasnowi n
st
it
ches.)
Ana:Mom youknowwhat
..
.(
Herf
acewasnowpal
e.
Mypoordaughter
.)
James:Wow...
yourmot
heri
sal
sol
aughi
ng.But
shei
salso.
..
Me:Don'
t.
..
-
everyonewaslaughi
ngexceptf
orMr
sKaneand
herdaught
erAna.
James:Anywayguysdon'tt
akemeseri
ous.Y'
l
l
knowIli
kejoki
ng.Butbabesyouar
eindeed
beaut
if
ul.
-r
efer
ri
ngt
oLal
i.
James:Anyways!Let'
sgo.
(Hegr
abbedLal
iand
theywalkedupst
air
s.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

James:
Sopl
easeshowmeyourr
oom.
(
-Ishowedhi
m.)
James:Sowhi l
eI'm busydoingmeasurements
pl
easelookforadesignyouwi l
lli
ke.(
Hehanded
mehisIpad.Iwasbusyscr ol
li
ngandwascaught
byafloraldustypi
nkdesign.Itwasonthewalls
andthebeddingsetmatchedit.Thebathr
oom also
hadthistheme.Ithi
nkIlikei
t.)
Me:Il
iket
hisone.
(
Hej
ustbust
edi
ntol
aught
er.)
James:ohpl
easest
op.Youar
enotj
ustbeaut
if
ul
youar
efunnyt
oo.
Me:Butwhyar
eyoul
aughi
ng.
James:Thisismygrandmot her'
sdesi
gn.I
tthefir
st
desi
gnIdidafterigr
aduated.I'
m notsayi
ngitugly
butgi
rl.I
t'
sjusttoooldforyou.Youarest
il
lyoung.
Chooseanotheronepleaseoryoucanaskyour
si
ster
stohelpyou.
Me:(Il
aughedalit
tl
e)Canyoupleasej
ustdo
somethingt
hatyouthi
nkisnice.Youcando
anyt
hing.I'
mreall
ynotgoodinthi
sthi
ngs.
James:okaydol
l.Letmet
akeapi
cofyou.
Me:butwhy?
James:pl
easestopquest
ioni
ngmeandshowyour
cut
eandfl
awlesssmil
e.
(
Igi
ggl
ed.)
James:nowpl
ease.
(Ismil
edthanhetookal
otofpi
ctur
es.Aft
era
pict
urehewouldaskmetochangeapause.I
wonderwhathe'sgoi
ngtodowithmypict
ures.)
James:okaydone.Ihavet
ogonowandbuyal
lthe
thi
ngsIwil
lneed.
Me:Themoney?
James:yourdadknowshowIoperatedon'
twor
ry.
(hewashalfwaytothedoor
)Tomorr
ow whenI
comepleasebedressed.
(Ilaughedandt hrewapill
owathi m .Heissucha
mood.Iwoul dn'tmindtospendtimewi t
hhim.I
tookaqui ckbathandwentt olookforsomethingt
o
wear .Itookoutabl ackri
ppedjeanandawhi te
plainTshirt
.IwentoutandAbenwasal r
eady
wai
ti
ngf
orme.Iwentt
ohi
m.)
Me:Heyhowareyou?
(hekeptqui
et.Iwavedon
hi
sface)
HELLO.
Aben:Hey.
..
Howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m good.
Aben:you.
..
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Me:t
hanks(
hest
oodt
her
eandst
aredatme)
can
wegonow.
Aben:sur
e.(wedr
oveoffandwentt
opickNomhl
e
up.Wewer enowonthewaytothemal
l.We
ar
ri
ved)
Me:Abenar
eyoucomi
ngwi
thus?
Aben:Nop..
.pl
easecal
lmewhenyoubothare
done(hegavemeacardthathashi
snumber
.)
Me:okaysur
e.(
hewentbackt
othecaranddr
ove
of
f.)
Nomhl
e:mhhsomeonehasaboyf
ri
end.
Me:what
?Don'
tbesi
ll
yhei
smydr
iver
.
Nomhle:ohhreal
ly.Butdr
iver
sdon'
tst
areat
passenger
s.
Me:Ohst
opi
t.Wear
ejustf
ri
ends.
Nomhle:hopeso.Heiscut
ethough.Hi
s
smi
le,
dimplesandmuscl
es.
Me:Godhel
pyourchil
d.What '
swrongwi
thyou.
Let
'sgo.
(Wefi
rstwenttoIphoneshop.)
Nomhle:Fr
iendwhatarewedoi
ngher
e.Di
dyou
seet
helabeloft
hisshop?
Me:YesIdidIPHONEsowhat
?(Ipul
ledherhand
.)
pickoneyouli
ke.
Nomhl
e:nof
ri
endI
'
mfi
ne.
Me:Pl
easest
opandchooseoneyoul
ike.
Nomhl
e:Li
kef
orr
eal.I
'
mfi
newi
thmySamsung
S10.
Me:alr
ightifyousayso.
(Iwentandlookedatt
hei
phone11pro.Imustsayili
keit.Icall
edthe
assi
sti
ngladytohelpme.)
Nomhl
e:MyGodf
ri
end.Iphone11pr
o.whatar
e
youami
ll
ionai
re'
sdaught
er.
Me:nobabesaTRI
LLI
ONAI
RE'
Sdaught
er.(
And
t
hanIsmiled.)
TheLady:Whi
chcol
ouryoul
ike.
Me:Gr
eypl
ease.Ar
epouchesal
sosol
dher
e?
Thel
ady:yes.
Me:OkaycanIal
sohaveanAdi
dasone.
TheLady:okay.(Shetesteditt
omakesureI
tdoes
nothaveanyproblem .Iputonapouchandtook
somePicswithmyf ri
end.Wepayandt hanIputi
t
safei
nmybag. )
Thel
ady:Thankyouf
orshoppi
ng.
Nomhl
e:Wowgi
rlI
'
mjeal
ous.
Me:I
sn'
tIaskedyou?
Nomhl
e:I
'
mfi
ne.
..
butyooh.
Me:Wenowgoingtobuyourselvesclot
hes.(
We
wenttoever
yst
ore.Weboughtcl ot
hesinever
y
stor
e.Weevenboughtmatchingsneakersand
tr
acksui
ts.)
Me:doyouhaveai
rt
imesowecancal
lAbent
otake
t
hiscl
othes.
Nomhl
e:Sure.(
wecall
edhi
m .Hecameandwe
t
ookourcl
othestot
hecar)
Aben:MustIt
aket
hem home?
Me:no..
.Ir
eal
lydon'
ttr
ustmysi
ster
s(wel
augheda
l
it
tl
e.)
Aben:okaymadam.Y'l
lboughtt
hewhol
emal
l.I
hopeyouboughtsomet
hingformet
oo.
Me:Howcoul
dIf
orgetyou.Mybest
ie.(
Ili
ed)
Iwi
llgi
vei
ttoyouwhenwegoi
nghome.
Aben:sur
e.
(
Het
hanwentaway)
Me:l
et'
sgotot
hej
ewel
ryshop.Ineedt
obuyhi
m
somet
hing.
Nomhl
e:okaysur
e.
(
Wewentt
ost
erns)
Me:Whi
chi
sthemostexpensi
vewat
chher
e?
(
Thel
adyshowedme)
okaypl
easecanIbuyi
t.
Thelady:wowyour
eal
lyl
ovet
heper
sonyou
buyi
ngitfor.
Me:hei
smyf
ri
end.
Thel
ady:mhhIhopeso.
(
Ipai
dandl
eft)
Me:okaylet'
sgoandbuysomet
hingt
oeatnow.
I
'mr eal
lyhungr
y.
(Wewentt oMcDonaldsandorderedburger
sand
mi l
kshakes.Ouror
dercamethroughthanwe
start
edeating.)
Nomhle:Youknowfr
iend.Thankyouforever
ythi
ng.
Todaywasaverygoodday.Ihadalotoffunwith
you.
Me:youdon'
tneedt
othankme.Wearesist
ers
ri
ght
.Godwearebadki
ds.Weboughtnot
hingfor
ourmom.
Nomhl
e:shewon'
tmi
nd.
Me:ohhpl
ease.Af
terwear
edonewewi
llgoand
buyheranecklace.(
Wewentt oajewelryshopand
boughtandverybeauti
fulnecklaceherMrs
Khumalo.Ialsodeci
dedt obuyat ieformydad.)
Me:pl
easecal
lAbenagai
n.I
tlat
enowwehavet
o
go.
(Abenarr
ived.Iwassl
eepi
ngontheway.We
droppedNomhlethanwenthome)
Aben:Wakey.
..
wakey.wehavear
ri
ved.
(
Hecal l
edtheothersecur
it
iestohel
pwi
thmy
t
hings.Ihandedhim hi
sgift.
)
Aben:WowLalit
hankyouver
ymuch.(
Heki
ssed
meonmyforehead.)
Me:Goodni
ght
.
(
Iwenti
nandever
yonewaswat
chi
ngTV.)
Jase:Wowar
eal
loft
hoseyourcl
othes.
Me:yes(
Igi
ggl
ed)
Jase:Wowgi
rl
s.Ihopeyouboughtsomet
hingf
or
ustoo.
Me:NoIdi
dn'
t.BecausesomedayIwoul
dli
ket
o
gooutwi
thy'
l
l.
Jase:Ncoo.Wel
oveyousi
s.
Me:sur
ecanIgonow.I
'
mreal
lyt
ir
ed.
(Iwentt
omybedr oom.Ihadt ojumptomybed. my
room wasveryful
lbecauseofthet
hingsIbought
.I
wentandtookaqui ckshowerandwentstr
aightt
o
bed.Iwil
lunpackeveryt
hingt
omorrow.)
(I
twasnowi nthemor ni
ngIwasst il
linmypjs.I
wentdownstair
stohavebr eakfast
.Ibroughta
smallpaperbagthathasthetieIboughtf
ordad.)
Me:Goodmor
ningever
yone.(
Mysi
bli
ngswer
e
st
ari
ngonmyhand)
Me:What
'swr
ongguys?
Zayn:
Lal
iist
hatani
Phone11?
Me:nahi
tIphone11pr
o
Zayn:wowthat
'ssocool.Mom I
'
vebeenwant
ingt
o
buyit.DadcanI?
Dad:Sur
eifyouwanti
t.Wecangoandbuyi
tnow
i
fyouwant.
JaseandTony:Ust
oodad.
Dad:Sure.Iwi
llf
etchy'
l
laf
ter
noon.Lal
ipl
easeget
readyt
oo.
Me:okaydad.Igotyousomet
hing.(
Ihandedhi
m
hi
sgift
.)
Dad:wowt hanksmydear.Noonef r
om my
chil
drenhaseverboughtanyt
hing.Thanksvery
much. (
wehugged. wethanfi
nishedeat
ing.The
gir
lslef
tthetabl
eandwenttotheirbedr
ooms)
Me:erhhguy?Cany'
llki
nderhel
pmepackmy
cl
othesint
hewardr
obe.
Jase:don'
tevenhavet
oask.Let
'sgo.
whatt
ime
i
sJamescomi ng?
Me:Idon'
tknowexact
ly.
(
Speaki
ngoft
hedevi
l)
James:Helloeveryone.(Hewaswi t
habatchof
men) okayguysletmeshowt hem wher
etoputall
thi
sthings.(
Iranafterhi
m andheopenedmyr oom)
James:Wowgir
lyourr
oom i
samess(he
l
aughed)
don'
tworr
ymybabe.Okayguysput
everyt
hingdownst air
s.(
Theywentbackwi ththe
thi
ngstheybr oughttoplacedownstai
rs)Okayguys
l
ethelpthisli
ttl
eMi ssout.Weunpacked
everyt
hing.Jameswasevent el
li
ngmehowIcan
matchal loft
heclothesIbought.Heevent ol
dus
howwecanar r
angeeverythi
ng.By3pm wewer e
done.)
Me:
jhoot
hanksver
ymuchguys.
James:i
twasnot
hingdol
l.
Zayn:
Haaitwassomet hi
ng...
somethingbi
g..
.i
t
wasalotofcl
othes.(
Wealllaughed)
James:Anyway..
.Iwi
llst
artwi
thdesi
gni
ngyour
room t
omorr
ow.
Me:I
'
m sor
ryf
ordr
aggi
ngyourwor
k..
..
James:Ther
e'snoprobl
em mydear.Iwi
llcome
ear
lyt
omor r
owpleasebeready.
Me:sur
e.
(het
hanwent
)
Me:guysl
et'
sgetr
eady.
Jase:yohhI'
mt i
red.Iwi
llsl
eepal
it
tl
e.(t
heyal
l
agreedonthat)
Me:Iseey'
l
ldon'
twantt
hoseIphone11'
sanymor
e.
Tony,Jase&Zayn:TF!(t
heytothei
rrooms.Ilaughed.
Ialsowentt obath.Aft
erIwasdoneIwenttol ot
ion
mybody.It ookoutablackbodyhuggingdressand
blackAdi daspushins.Iappl
iedalipgl
oss.Itook
outabl ackhandbag.Idressedthanwenttothe
balconytot akesomesnaps.)
Jase:Lal
i!Lal
i!Dadisher
e.(
Iwentdownst
air
sand
yesdadwasher e.)
Tony:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Me:t
hanks.
Dad:okay.
..
let
'sgo.
(
MrsKanewaswal
kingdownt
hest
eps.
)
Dad:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?
Mr
sk:Ihaveadat
ewi
thmyf
ri
end.
Dad:okay.
..
wher
ear
ethegi
rl
s?
Zayn:Dai
syandAnasai
dtheyar
enotgoi
ng.
Dad:
Zia?
Jase:Shewentt
oherf
ri
end'
shouse.
Dad:okayl
et'
sgo.
(Wewer enowonourway.Abl ackMaseraticar
passedus.Itwasdri
vingver
yfast.SuddenlyI
couldn'
tbreat
he.)
Tony:Lal
I?Ar
eyouf
ine?
Me:Wa..
.wat
erpl
ease.(
Hehandedmewat
er.I
f
ini
shedthewhol
ebottl
e)
Dad:ar
eal
ri
ghtmydear.
Me:yeah.(
wearri
vedt
othemal
landwentst
rai
ght
t
otheIphoneshop)
Me:erhhdad...
canIgotot
hebathroom whi
let
he
boysarechoosi
ngphonestheywant.
Dad:Sur
e..
.besaf
epl
ease.
(Iwentt
othetoi
letandpeed.Suddenlymyhear t
achedandtheheartbeatincr
eased.Iheldmychest
.Iwentanddrankwat er.Suddenl
ywat erchanged
i
ntoblood.Il
ookedatt hemirr
orandIwasshown.
Theverysamecarthatwasdrivi
ngfastpar
kingf
ew
housesaft
erourhouse.Suddenlyever
ythi
ng
becameclear
.Isetdownandcr i
ed.)
Me:Why?why?Whyareyounotgi
vingmeacl
ue.
What
'shappeni
ng?
doIhavet
obewor ri
ed.
SomeLady:Ar
eyouokay.
Me:yeah.(
Iwenttot
hetapanddrankwaterand
washedmyf ace.It
hanwentbacktoeveryoneel
se.
)
Jase:whatt
ookyousol
ong.Wehavebeenwai
ti
ng
foryou.
Me:t
het
oil
etswef
ull.
(If
aint
lysmi
led)
Dad:okayl
et'
sgobuysomecl
othes.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkIwi
l
lbuyanyt
hingaf
teryest
erday.
Dad:don'
tbest
upi
d.Todayi
sanot
herday.
(Wewentt oaGuccibout
ique.Weboughtmat ching
sneakersandIboughtawhi t
ebodyhuggingGucci
dress.Ial
soboughtGuccistil
ett
os.Wethanwent
toLV(Lous.
..
)Ial
soboughtfewdressest
here.We
thanwenttoSpursweorderedandhadsomet hing
t
oeat.)
Dad:erhhguysIwillsendadr ivertocomeandpi ck
y'
llup.Ihaveameet i
ngtoat t
endbuty' l
lcanstay
andbuyanythingy'
l
lwant .Lalididyoubringyour
card(
Inodded)
okayseey'llathome.
Jase:byepops.(
Dadwentaway)
Tony:Lal
iar
eyouokay?
Me:yeahI
'
mjustt
ir
ed.
Zayn:Heyguysl
et'
sgoandbuysomej
ewel
ry.
Me:sure(wewentandboughtneckl
aces,
wat
ches
andbracel
ets.)
Zayn:Lal
idoyouwantt
omeetourf
ri
ends.
Tony:Zayn!
Me:noi
tfi
nel
et'
sgot
hedr
iverhasar
ri
vedanyway.
(
Wewer
enowont
hewayt
othei
rfr
iends)
Jase:
Actual
lyLaliwearegoi
ngtoapart
y.(
WTF!I
sai
dtomysel f
)ourfr
iendsi
nvi
tedus.Wesorr
ywe
hadto..
.
Me:i
t'
sfi
neguysasl
ongwewon'
tgohomel
ate.
Zayn:Wepr omise.(Wethanwenttowherevert
he
part
ywas.Thedr i
verparkedt
hecari
n.Wegotout.
Everyonewasst ar
ingatmeandthantal
kingto
themselves.)
Me:er
hhguys.
..
Iwi
llwai
tfory'
l
lint
hecar.
Zayn:Don'
tworr
y...
come. .
.youar
ewi
thus.(We
thanwentt
ositwherether
ewaspeopl
esit
ti
ngina
cir
cle.Wethansetdown.)
Jase:Er hh. .
.heyever yonet hisisoursist
erLali
.(Theyt hanal li
ntroducedt hemsel ves.Sothey
weredr inki
ngal coholandIwasj ustbusyonmy
phone.Ideci dedtodownl oad
What sApp,Instagram,tiktok,Twi t
terandFacebook.
Istarteduploadingmypi ctur es.Threegirl
scame
ourwayandsetnextt omybr ot
hers.Itwastwoby
two.)
Zayn:er
hh..
.Lal
ithi
sismygi
rl
fr
iendf
ri
end
Madison.
Jase:Thisi
smygi
rl
fr
iendAddi
son.HerandMadi
aresist
ers.
Me:
okayni
cet
omeetyouguys.
"AndI
'm Car
ol.
..
Tony'
sgirl
fr
iend."
(Sheext
ended
herar
mst ohugme.Istoodupandhuggedher.)
Car
ol:Wow ni
cedr
ess.Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
Me:Thanksyoutoo.(
ilaughedinsi
de.Sheisugl
y
peri
od.Sheisaslayqueen.Thereothergi
rl
sar
e
fi
ne.Tonywasal
lquietIwonderwhy.Iwasbusy
chatt
ingonWhat
sAppwi thAben.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
TheWhat
sAppconver
sat
ion

Aben:
Soyouar
eser
ioust
hatyouatapar
ty
Me:yeaht
heyaskedme.
Aben:whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e.
Me:I
'
mjustsi
tt
ingal
oneal
lbor
ed.
Aben:Doyouwantmet
ofet
chyou?
Me:Sur
e..
.asl
ongasyouwon'
ttakemehome.
Aben:What
?why?
Me:becausei
fIgohomewi
thoutt
heboyst
heywi
ll
getintotr
oubl
e.
Aben:wowyouareagoodsi
ster
.Sendmet
he
l
ocati
onsoIcanf
etchyou
Me:
OKAY.What
'swi
tht
heEmoj
i
Aben:sendthelocat
ionandstopasking
quest
ionsIcannotanswer
.(IaskedZaynthe
l
ocati
onthansentitt
ohim)
Aben:okayI
'
m comi
ngnow.Iwi
llcal
lwhenIhave
ar
ri
ved.
Me:Sur
e
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Me:er
hhZayn..
.af
ri
endofmi
newantt
oseeme.
Tony:whoi
sthat.
Me:youwon'tknowher.Shei
scomi
ngt
opi
ckme
upbutIwi
llcomebacksoon.
Tony:youar
enotgoi
ng.
Zayn:comeonTonycan'
tyouseeshei
sbor
ed.
Me:OhhandIwasj ustl
ett
ingmybrother
sknow.I
wasn'
texact
lyaski
ngapermi ssi
on.
"
Ohht
heMi
ght
yKanes"
Jase:HeyOdi
n.Er
hhOdi
nthi
sisoursi
sterLal
iand
Lal
ithi
sisOdi
n.
Odin:nicetomeetyou(
het
hanext
endedhi
shand
forahandshake.Awomenhecamewi t
hcl
ear
ed
herthroat.)
Zayn:ohhandLal
ithi
sisAvani
.Odi
n'sgi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:ni
cet
omeetyouguys.
(t
heyt
hanj
oinedus)
Odi
n:Soyouar
eLalit
hatIam goi
ngtogetmar
ri
ed
t
o..
.mhhyouarei
ndeedbeaut
iful
.(WHAT!)
Ever
yone:WHAT?
Tony:Heydude.
..
don'
tcomeher
eandspeaksh*
*
Odi
n:ohhy'
lldon'
tknow.Yourparentsandmy
par
ent
sarr
angedamar ri
ageforLaliandI.
(Isweart
oGodmyhear twasbrokeni
ntohundr
eds.
Tearswerenowt
hreat
eningtocomeout.Myphone
r
angandi
twasAben.
)
Me:I
'
m comi
ng.
Me:guysmyf
ri
endi
sher
e.Iwi
llbeback.

MrMrKane'
sPOV

Iwenttot
her
estaur
antItoldMrMart
ineztomeet
meat.Hewasindeedthereandhadalr
eady
order
edawhi
skey.

Him:Final
lyyouar
eher
e.It
houghtyouhave
changedyourmind.
Me:noIwasact
ual
lyoutwi
thmyki
ds.
Hi
m :mhhIsee.Sowhatwer
eyout
alki
ngabouton
t
hephone.
Me:(Ipouredmyselfaglassofwhi
skeyandtooka
si
pfrom it
.)Mydaughterwil
lnol
ongermarr
yyour
daughter
.
Hi
m:butwhy?Di
dwedosomet
hingwr
ong?
Me:no..
.Ihavef i
nal
lyr
eal
izedsomething.ThatIt
wasact
uallywr ongofmetotreatmydaughteril
l.
I
'm nowimpr ovingmyrel
ati
onshipwit
hher.
Him:But.
..
whataboutmybusi
nesst
hatyouwer
e
goi
ngtoinvesti
n.
Me:don'tworr
yaboutt
hat.Thedeali
sst
il
lon.
it
's
j
ustthatyoursonwon'
tmarrymydaught
er
anymore.
Hi
m:wowokay...t
hat
'snotaprobl
em.(
Acal
lcame
t
hroughf
rom oneoft
hesecuri
ti
es.)
Me:Ihavet
otaket
his.
(Ist
oodupandwentout
side)
Me:
Hel
lo
"
Sir.
..
sir
"(hewasbr
eat
hingver
yhar
d)
Me:cal
m downandt
ellmewhat
'sgoi
ngon.
"si
r..
.youneedt
ocome(hewasnowcryi
ng)
you
needtohurr
yup.We..
.wedon'
tknowwhat
happened"
Me:okayI
'
m onmyway.
..
butwhat
'shappened.(
I
wasnowdr
ivi
ngl
ikeamani
ac)
"Si
rit
..
.i
tyourdaught
ers"
(t
hant
hel
inewentdead.
Fucknetwork)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Aben:youknowever
yti
mewhenI '
mf eel
ingdownI
wouldcomehereandwatchthest
ars.(Wewereat
t
hepar kl
ayi
ngontopofthecar)
Me:i
tisr
eal
lyr
efr
eshi
ng.
Aben:yeah.(wethanlookedateachother.AndI
shyl
ylookeddown.Iwentof fthecarandstoodby
thedoor.Healsofol
lowedmeandst oodinfrontof
me.Het hanwrappedhishandsaroundmywai st.)
Me:Whatar
eyoudo..
.(
heshutmeupwit
haki
ss.I
t
ri
edtopushhi
m buthewasstr
ong.)
Aben:Iloveyou(what?..
.heconti
nuedtokissme
.Thist
imearoundIkissedhim back.Idon'
tknow
whyIdidthatbutIdi
d.Weki ssedunti
lmyphone
rang.I
twasTony. )
Aben:Yourboyf
ri
end?
Me:noi
tTony.

Me:Hel
lo.
..
Tony:youneedtocomeback.Dadcal l
edandsai
d
weneedt ocomebackitanemergency.Hur
ryup
becausewewillal
sogoandfet
chZi a.
Me:i
t'
sfi
ney'
l
lcango.Iwi
llcal
lAbent
ocomeand
pi
ckmeup.
Tony:okaybef
ast.

Me:weneedt
ogo.Dadwant
sushome.
(wedr
ove
of
f.Iwasnowwor
ri
ed.)
Aben:Don'tworrynot
hingi swr ong.I'
m sureheis
cal
li
ngbecausehet hi
nksi t
'snowl ate.
(Hi
sot her
handwasdr i
vingwhil
et heotheronewashol di
ng
myhand.Hekeptonki ssingit.Wear ri
vedafter
whatfel
tli
kethewholedayofdr ivi
ng.Iwentout.
Morethanf i
vepoli
cecar swer eparkedoutsi
de.)
Me:ar
en'
tyoucomi
ngi
n?
Aben:no.
..
Ihavesomewher
etogot
o.
(Iwentt
ohi
m andki
ssedhi
mthanwhi
sper
edonhi
s
ear)
Me:Idon'thaveaboyf r
iend.Youaremyboyfri
end.
(
Ithangiggledandattempt edt
oleave.Hegr
abbed
myhandandwhi sper
ed)
Aben:YouarethewomenIwast alki
ngabout.(we
thanl
ookedateachotherandkissed.Ithansaid
mygoodbyethanwentinside.Igotintwobodies
werecover
ed.Ithanrantothedinningroom .The
boysandZiawerealr
eadyher e.Theywerecrying.)
Me:guyswhat
'sgoi
ngon?
(
Theykeptqui
et.)
Me:wher
e'sdad?
Jase:i
nhi
sst
udyi
ngr
oom.
Me:okay.(Ist
oodupandwentt owherethebodies
werelai
d.Iuncoveredthei
rbodies.I
twasDai sy
andAna.Theirchestswereripped.Aheartwas
takenandotherorgans.Ijustranupst
airstomy
r
oom andl
ockedmysel
finsi
de.Icr
ied.)
Me:Why? Whynow? whyt hi
s. (
Iwast alki
ngt o
myself)
Whyt hem t oomygoodl ord.Whathave
theydonetodeser vethis. t
herewer estil
lyoung.
Theyhaddreamst ofulfi
ll.(Iwentt othebathroom
andwashedmyf ace.Suddenl yt hewat erchanged
i
ntoblood.Il ookedatt hemi rror.Ever ythi
ngthat
happenedplayedoni t.Itwasaver yl
ongdar k
gentl
emen.Hef irstblewsomepot ionont he
guard'
sface.Theguar dt hanfelldown.Wewent
i
nsidethehouseandbur ntsomet hingthatmadeall
theguardst
of aint .It
hansawhowdr aggingDaisy
andAna'sbodi es.Hest ar t
edrippi ngthereoff.
)
Me:Whyar
eyoushowi
ngmet
hisnow?Why?
(
Ithanfel
tweakandpassedout.I
twasnowl
ikei
wasdreamingiwast
alki
ngtosomelady.
"I'
m sor
ryforyourl
oss.Butwedi
dtr
ytoshowyou
butyouignor
ed."
Me:whatyoushowedmewasn'
tcl
eart
hough.(
I
wascryi
ng)
"i
twasyourf
ir
stt
est.Toseei
finf
utur
eyouwi
llbe
abl
etoover
comeanydi
ff
icul
ti
es.
"
Me:ar
eyouevenlisteni
ngtoyour
self
.Ij
ustl
ost
t
wo...
twofuckensister
sandyoutel
li
ngmethati
t
wasafucki
ngtest.
"Thi
swasgoingtohappen.Don'
tgetmewr ongbut
wealsowantedtoseeifyoudol
ist
entous.Ifyou
dounder
standthethi
ngsweshowyou."
Me:soyouhaveseen..
.youhaveseenmef
ail
ingt
o
pr
otectmysist
ers.Whatnow?
"
Me:Whatnow?
"Ihavet ogo. .
.butf
irstIwillhelpyouwith
somet hing.Ifyouwantt otracksomeone's
whereabout s.Youneedt ot akethatper
son'sbl
ood
sampl eandbef amil
iarwi t
hi tsmell
.Thanyouwill
halftr
ansf or
m.Notf ull
y.Thanyouwi l
lstar
t
searching.Don'tbri
ngt hebl oodsampleyoutook
wit
hyouokay? "
Me:okay..
.t
hanksver
ymuch.
(
IthanwokeupandIwasnowi
nbed.ASmal
l
bl
anketwasplacedontopofme.Ismi led.It
han
wenttodad'sSt
udy.Hewasi ndeedtherecryi
ng
anddri
nkingawhiskeyfrom t
hebott
le.Hewas
l
ookingataphotothathasAnaandDai sy.)
Me:dad.
..
I'
m sor
ry.
..
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ryf
oryourl
oss.
Dad:don' tbesorr
ymydear.I twasnotyourfault
.
I'
mj ustconfused.Whowoul ddosomet hingso
cruel.Thesaddestpar
tisthathekil
ledthem so
easil
y.Heusedsomebl ackmagicshit.Isawon
theCamer as.
Me:Wher
e'smom?
Dad:I
'vebeent
ryi
ngtocal
lherbutshei
snot
answeri
ngherphone.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Iwashavi
ngagoodtimewithMi
ke.It
handeci
ded
toswit
chmyphoneon.Messagefr
om my
Husbandst
art
edfl
oodingi
nmyphoneandmissed
cal
ls.
Me:It
hinkIhavet
ogonow .
Mike:Sur
e..
.hopetoseeyousoon.Passmy
r
egardstomychildr
en.
Me:sur eIwi l
l.(It
hangotdressedanddroveback
tomyhouse.Ther ewerepol
icecarsout
sideand
themor tuarypeoplewerecarryi
ngtwocorpsesi
nto
thei
rcars. Iwentinsi
detothedinni
ngroom.
Everyonewast herebesi
desmyhusband,Tonyand
Lali
.
Me:Whathappened?
(
Ziar
ant
omeandhuggedme.
)
Me:I
t'
sokaymydear. ..
I'
m herenow.(
Iwasrubbi
ng
herback)l
etital
loutbabythantel
lmewhat
happened.(
Shethancalmeddown)
Zia:Mom ..
.i
t'
s. .
.i
t'
sDaisyandAna.Theyhavelef
t
us.(shethancr i
edagain.Ijustdi
dn'
tknowwhatt
o
do.Iwenttot hecamerar oom toseewhat
happened.AfterwhatIsawIr antoourbedr
oom
andbrokedowni ntocrying.)
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
06]Lynne: I
nser
t14
Notedi
ted

Tony'
sPOV

Iwasi nmybedr oom.Iswi t

chedof fthelightsandI
wassi tti
ngont hef loorlookingatt hef amilyphoto.
Itreall
ygoingt obesodi ffer
entwi thoutt hem .Yes
theyusedt oannoymebutIcar edandl ovedthem .
AndIwi l
ldoever ythinginmypowert ofindtheir
mur der.Istoodupandwentt ot hemi rror.My
fangswer est i
lloutandmyf acewasdr y.Ireal
ly
needt ofeed.Iwentdownst air
st hel i
ghtswer e
swi t
chedof f.ThankGodever yonei sasl eep.Iwent
tothegar ageandsl owlytookoneofmydad' scars.
Istarteditandt handr oveof f.Iwentt ot henearest
brothel.Iwasnowwi t
hsomegi rlandwewer e
headingt othef or est.
Her
:Heycut
ieboy.Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Me:don'tworrygorgeous.
..wearegoi
ng
somewher epeacefulwher
enoonewi lldi
sturbus.(
I
drovetotheoldhousethatIusewhenI '
mf eedi
ng.
Itwasinthemi ddl
eoftheforest
.Ipar
kedthecar
nexttoit.
)
Me:Let'
sgoi nsi
de.
(Wewenti
nandIl
itacandl
e.I
thanki
ssedher.WhenwewerenowinbedIstar
ted
bit
ingherneck.)
Her:(screami ng)Help..
.Hel
pwhatareyou
doing?.
..
S..some. ..
somebodyh..(
shewasnowweak
.Shet hancol lapsed.IfedonheruntilIregained
myener gy.Iwasnowbackt onormalandmust
speedwasver yhi ghasIam avampire.Herbl ood
wasver yfresh.It ooksomeofherbloodandputi t
i
nt hefri
dge.It hantookherbodyandbur ntit.
Whenshewasnowanash.Iwashedmyhandsand
face.I
'm aboutt okickanassnow.Idr ovetot he
mor t
uarywher emysi st
erswerekeptat.It ouched
wheretheywer erippedoffandsuddenlyIwas
shownabat chofpeopl eandasnake.Isuddenl y
rantowher eIwasshown.
WHERETHECULTWASHAVI
NGAMEETI
NG

Theirmaster
:MrKhumal oyoudidagreatjob.The
heartsandorgansyoubroughtwereveryfr
eshand
pure.YouknowwhenI '
m gone.Whenthedevilhas
takenmysoult ohel
l.Youwillt
akeoverthi
scult.
MrKhumal
o:Iwoul
dbehonor
ed.Ihavet
ogonow.
Thei
rmast
er:Besaf
e.

(JustwhenMrKhumal ohadl ef
t.Tonyar r
ivedwe
wenti ntheothermember swer esti
llther
e.Hegotin
andr i
ppedt heirthroats.Het hanwentt otheir
mast erwhot ri
edt ofighthim .Butwasnotabl eas
Tonywasver yf ast.Heusedagol denspeart hat
waspl acedont opofacof fin.Hest abbedhi m
repeatedly.Het hanwentt othesnake.I twasvery
power fuli
twasf i
ghtingback.Tonywasnowont he
fl
oorandt hesnakewasaboutt ofinishhim when
someonest abbedoni tback.Hest abbedandwas
al
socutti
ngi
tintopieces.Theythandousedt
he
wholehutwi
thpetrolandsetitonfi
re.Theywai
ted
unt
ili
twasfi
nished.)

Tony:Thankyouver
ymuchuncl
e.Ifyoudi
dn'
t
comeont heri
ghtt
imeIwoul
dbedeadbynow.
"Iwi
llal
waysprotectyou.Imadeyourf
athera
promisetopr
otectyouandalwaysgui
deyou."
(
Theyhugged)
"Gonowbeforethesunrise.Youknowwhenyou
arel
iket
histhesunisourgreatestenemy.
Anywaysyouareluckythatyouareabletowal
kon
thesunduri
ngtheday"
Tony:ButwhenIhavet
ransf
ormedIcan'
t.
"ohh..
.bef
or eIgo.
ithasbeenr
epor
tedthatt
he
Adil
aissti
llali
ve.Weneedtohunti
tdown"
Tony:IswearwhenIfindi
t..
.Iwil
lri
pitchestand
fryit.I
tfamilymademyli
fedif
fi
cult
.Ilostmy
fatherbecauseofi
t.
"
Weneedt
ofi
ndi
tfi
rstt
hanki
lli
t.Bef
oreot
her
peopl
efi
ndi
t"
Tony:yeah.
..
anywaybyeuncl
e.
(
Theyt
handi
smi
ssed)

Tony'
suncl
ePOV

Mynamei sJosh.Butpeopl ecallmeDanger .

Tony'sfat
herwasmyyoungerbr other.Sowhen
Tonywasst il
lyoungIl i
edtohi mt hatthebeasts
kil
ledhisfather.Wher easIdi d.Ikil
ledhim af
terI
foundoutt hatallofourf at
her'sinheri
tancewillbe
giventohim .Ihadt oki l
lhim .Ifir
stkill
edour
fathert
hanhi m.SoTonyhasbeenf ul
lofhatr
ed
towardsthebeast s.AndIhadt hat17yearsbacka
verypower fulandstrongbeastwasbor ntheAdi l
a.
SoIwantTonyt ofi
ndi tsothaticant akeitpowers.

MrKhumal
o'sPOV
WhenIgothomeIwentst r
aighttothesecr etroom .
WhenIgott hereeverythingwasbur nt.Ithanwent
tothebucketf ullofblood.Istir
redituntilIwas
shownwhathappened.Butwhatwoul dvampi r
es
wantf rom us.Iwentbackt omybedr oom mywi fe
wasst illasleep.Ipackedal lmyt hi
ngsandbooked
aprivatej et.ItookmyLandandcompani esform
andsi gnedever ythingofftomywi f
e'sname.When
IgettoEgyptIwi l
lstartanewbusi ness.Ial soleft
anot e.It ookallmyt hingsandwentt otheai r
port.
Andf inallyIwasoutoft hecountry.

>i
twasnowi
nthemor
ning<

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandmadebr eakfastforever
yone.
Ever
yonewasnowhavi ngbreakfastbutMrsKane
wasnot.Itookherf
oodtoher .WhenIgotinshe
wasjustst
ari
ngatthewall.
Me:Goodmorning.(Shekeptqui
et.)
Ibr
oughtyou
f
ood.(st
il
lnothing.Iwentdownandtol
ddad.)
Dad:Ithi
nkIneedtotakehert
oather
api
st.
Loosi
ngt wodaughter
sinanonegoisn'
tajoke.
Shereall
yneedhelp.
(
Jamescamei
n)
James:(hewassidehuggi
ngever
yone)Iheard
whathappened.Sorr
yguys.Wherei
smyDi va.
Dad:Sheisupstai
rsbutIdon'
tthi
nkshei
sreadyt
o
speaktoanyone.
James:Yhoo.
..
I'
m sur
eshei
str
aumat
ized.
(Hethandishedf orhimself.Ikeptst eal
inggl ances
atTony.Ther ewassomet hi
ngof fabouthi m .When
Ilookathimi tli
kehehasbl oodi nhi shandsand
thereisanotherbloodonhi smout h.Maybei tmy
i
magi nati
on.Wet hanfi
nishedeat ing.Iwasnow
washingdishes.Dadwasonhi sphonehi ring
someonet opl anthefuneralforAnaandDai sy.I
fi
nishedthandeci dedtocallNomhl eandt ellthem
aboutwhathappened.Sheal sot oldmeaboutwhat
happenedt hatherStepdadl efteverythi
ngt ot hei
r
mom .Hel eftt
hecountry.Dammi t
.Hegotaway
again.Butwhywoul dher unawaywhenIhaven' t
doneanythingyet.Iwaspl anni
ngtoat
tackthem
aft
erthefuneral
.Someonemusthavet i
ppedhi m
off
.ButInevertoldanyoneaboutmyplan.Shi tthi
s
i
sallmessedup.Nomhl esai dt
heywil
lcheckupon
met omorrow.)

Mr
sKhumal
o'sPOV

Iwokeupear l
yi nthemorning.Iwentt ot
heki t
chen
andpr eparebreakfast.ButIfoundanenvelope
placedundert hepot.Iopenedi tandsawmyname.
Eachandever yform hadmyname.It hanreadit.I
t
saidthateverythingthatmyhusbandownednow
belongtome.Ther ewasanotherlet
terwri
ttenby
him .Itread:

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
List
enher edearwi
feIt ransf
err
edever
ythingto
yourname.Youbet tertakegoodcareofmy
businesses.TakeNomhl etoagoodschoolmake
surewhenshei si
nvar si
tyshedoacour sethat
hasbusi nessmanagement .Shewil
lmanageal lmy
businesses.Youwillneverseemeagain.

MrKhumal
o

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Iscream andcall
edNomhl e.Sher eadeveryt
hing.
Wej umpedanddanced.Fi nall
ywewi l
lli
vein
peacewi t
houtthatmonst er.Iwasoverhappy.I
preparedaverygoodbr eakfastthangotreadytogo
andspeakt ohislawyer.Lal itoldusaboutwhat
happenedandIf eltverysor r
yf orMrsKane.She
nowhasl ostFourchildren.Sher eal
lyneedto
repentandstar
ttobel i
evei nGod.
Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Iwassobr oken.If eelsoshut tered.If eelli

keitmy
faultt
heydi ed.IfIwasn' twit
hMi keiwoul dhave
beent heret oprotectt hem .I
t'
smyf aulttheywere
brutal
lykill
ed.Mi kehasbeencal li
ngme.Ij ust
don'tknowwhatt osayt ohim .SoIdeci dedto
switchof fmyphone.Iwasnowf eeli
ngbet teraft
erI
haveseent het herapist.MyhusbandandIwer e
nowonourwayt ochecki feverythingisdoneand
readyf ortomor rowast hefuner ali
st akingplace
tomorrow.

Hi
m:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Me:Bet
ter
..
.Ij
ustf
eel
li
keal
loft
hisi
smyf
aul
t.
Him:wherewereyouonthatday?It
ri
edcal
li
ngyou
butyourphonewasoff
.
(
Igotal
it
tl
efr
ight
ened)
Me:It
oldyouIwasoutwi
thmyf
ri
end.
Hi
m:mhhIsee.Si
ncewhendoyougooutwi
th
yourf
ri
ends?(
Ikeptqui
et)
I'
m aski
ngyou.
Me:Haa..
.Iwon'tt
olerateyouaskingmequest
ions
thatar
eusel
ess.Wej ustlostt
wodaughtersand
youhavetheaudacit
yt oaskmet hat.
Hi
m:i
sther
esomet
hingyouar
ehi
dingf
rom me?
Me:w.
..
wha.
..
what
?..
.n.
.noobvi
ousl
y.
Hi
m:Ihopeso.

(Wecheckedt
hevenueandthecat
eri
ng.
Ever
ythi
ngwasreadyf
ortomorr
ow.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Wewer eal
lsi
tt
ingatt
hedini
ngroom .
ever
yonewas
busyonthei
rphones.Iwaschat
ti
ngwithAbenon
WhatsApp.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
What
sAppconver
sat
ion

Aben:Howi
sever
yone?
Me:coppi
ng.
..
Aben:CanIseeyout
oday
Me:Sur
e..
.when?
Aben:Nowi
fyoucan
Me:okay.
Aben:Iwi
llpar
kthecarf
ewhousesaway.
Me:okay
Aben:t
hanks
Me:
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

IstoodupandwenttoputaJerseyon.Ithant
ook
mybagandphonet hanwentout.I'
m gl
adnoone
noticedme.IsawAben'
scart
hanwenti n.Wethan
droveoff.
Aben:Hey.
..
thankyouf
orcomi
ng.
Me:Ij
ustwant
edf
reshai
r.Sowher
ear
ewegoi
ng
t
o?
Aben:t
omyhouse.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatagoodi
dea.
Aben:
(hesmi
rked)don'
twor
rywewon'
tdo
anyt
hing.
Me:okayi
fyousayso.
(Wethandroveintosomedoubl
estoryhouse.I
assumeithishouse.Wewentin.
iti
sbeautif
ul.)
Me:Ni
cehouse.
Aben:t
hankyou.
..
itwi
llsoonbeourhouse.
Me:
(smi
led)youwi
sh.
Aben:erhhyoucangosi
tdownther
eatthedi
ning
room .Pl
easeor
derapi
zzai
nthemeanti
me.
Me:Sure..
.Iwenttosi
tdownandor deredapizza.
(Hethancamebackwi t
hat hr
owblanket.He
openedamovi ethanwrappedhishandsaround
wasshoulders.Thedoorbellr
anghewentt ocheck
andcamebackwi
thapi
zza.Wewer
enoweat
ing
andwatchi
ngt
hemovi
e.)
Aben:Ir
eal
lycan'
tbel
ievet
hatyouar
emygi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:metoo.Inevert
houghtIwoul
dhavea
boyf
ri
end.
(Hecuppedmyf
aceandmademel
ookathi
m.)
Aben:IloveyouLalimi.Iloveyouwhol eheart
edly.
Youar ethebestt
hingt hathaseverhappenedi nmy
l
ife.Ipromiset
onotbr eakyourheartandt r
eatyou
l
ikeaqueenyouar e.Iwi l
lneverdoanythi
ngthat
willmakeyouhateme.Il oveyou.
Me:(
Itouchedhi
sface)Il
oveyout
oo.
(Heleanedoverandki
ssedme.Wekissedf
or
somet i
me.Unt i
lhest
art
edundr
essi
ngme.I
grabbedhishand)
Me:I
'
m notr
eady.
Aben:Don'
tworr
y...
Iwon'
tdoanyt
hingt
hing.I
'
m
j
ustadmiri
ngyourbeaut
y.
(hecont
inuedki
ssi
ngme.Het hanwentwentto
myneckandt omyti
tsandsuckthem l
ikehi
sli
fe
dependedont hem .Het henwentdownl eavi
ngwet
ki
sses.Het hanreachedmycl it.Hesl owlyrubbed
i
twi t
hhi st
ongue.Hei ncr
easedhi space.I twasso
enjoyablet
hatIst
ar t
edt omoanal i
ttl
e .Het han
wentt omycookie.Heat eitupandIf elta
sensationbui
ldup.It hanreleasedsomet hi
ngI
don'tknow whatiti
sexact ly.Hecl eanedmewi th
histonguethanwentt okissme.Hemademet ast
e
myownsel f
.)
Aben:Di dyoul ikeit.
(Isl
owl ynodded)l
et'sgoand
bathtogether .(Hecar ri
edmebr i
dalst
yletot he
bathroom.Het hanrant hebathandstar t
edt aking
offhisclothes.Iwasal readynakedsoIwenti nside
thebat h.HewasnownakedandIcoul dseehi s
anaconda.I twasext reme.Hesetbehi ndmeandI
placedmybackonhi schest.Hewaspl ayingwi th
myhands.Thewat erwasnowcol dsowedr i
ed
ourselves.It hanputonhi sTshir
t.Wet hanwent
backt owat chTV.Myphoner angitwasdad.

Me:Hel
lo.
Dad:Wher
ear
eyou?
Me:I
'
m ataf
ri
end'
shouse.
Dad:Howcanyouvisi
tafr
iendwhenyouknow
exact
lyt
hatt
omorr
owi safuner
al.
Me:I'
m comi
ngback.Iwi
llaskAbent
ocomeand
f
etchme.
Dad:okaybef
ast
.(Wet
hanbust
edi
ntol
aught
er)
Me:youhavetotakemehome.Beforethatol
dmen
fi
nishme.(Wethangotdressedanddroveoff.He
parkedt
hecaroutsi
deandwewer eki
ssing.)
Aben:t
hankyoufort
oday.Ihadagr
eatt
imewi
th
you.
(Ij
ustsmil
ed.)
Me:Met
oo.
..
(It
hanbabyki
ssedhi
m)byebesaf
e.
Aben:sur
emyl
ady.

>>>Tobecont
inued>>>

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
06]Lynne: I
nser
t15

Notedi
ted

I
twast
hef
uner
alday.

EveryoneintheKanehousehol dwokeupand
preparedtogot othefuner al.Noonewast al
kingto
anyone.Ever yonewasdoi ngt heirbusiness.
Everyonewaswear i
ngallbl ack.Thef uneralwas
goingtostartatthehallwher etheyhi r
edapast or
thantothecemet ery.Aftert hatpeopl ewillgoback
totheKaneshousehol df orf oodanddr i
nks.
Everyonewasnowatt hehal l
.Twocof f
inswer e
placedatthef r
ontcoveredi nbl ankets.Anaand
Daisy'
spictureswereplacedont opofeachcof fin
andwhi t
ecandl eswereal sol i
tsot hattheirwayt o
heavencanbebr i
ght.Thepast orfi
rstsaida
welcomingpr ayer.Aft
ert hatf ewver seswer eread.
Itwasnowt imef orspeeches.MrKanef irstdi
dhi s
speech.
MrKane:(
hiseyeswer
ebl oodshotred)Godreal
ly
knowhowtobreakaparent'shear
t.Inevert
hought
aft
erl
oosi
ngmyt wi
nsatbi r
thIwasalsogoingto
l
osemyothertwodaughters.
Thedayt heyleftthewor l
d.Iwast akingal lmy
childrenout.Theysai dt heydon' twantt ogo.Iwas
alittl
esadbutdi dn'
twantt oshowot herki dst hat.
Wewentt othemal landhadf un.It hanwentt oa
meet i
ng.Whi leIwasati tIgotacal lfrom oneof
thesecur it
ies.Heal socoul dn' ttalkhej ustsai dI
musthur ryhome.WhenIgott her e.Itwasal ready
tool ate.Mydaught erswer ebr utallykill
ed.Iknow
therear epeopl eoutt her ewhoar ehear t
less.But
whocoul dripoffachi ld'shear tandt akeoutal lt
he
i
nt estines.(Everyonehel dt heirmout hs.) I
'
veseeni t
i
nmovi esbutInevert houghtmydaught erswi l
l
alsobeavi cti
m ofthat.( Hel aughedbi tterly)You
knowIr ememberwhenAnaf irstlearnthowt owal k.
Shesai ddaddyI '
llf
all.AndIsai ddon' twor rymy
deariwi llalwaysprotectyou .Butnowiwasnot
ablet opr otectthem .If ailedt hem ast heirf ather.
Andf
ort
hatiwi
llneverbeabl
etof
orgi
vemysel
f.
(Hethanwentbacktowher
ehewassitt
ing.Hewas
cryi
nglikeal
it
tl
eboy.MrsKanef
oll
owedtodoher
speech.)

Mr sKane:( shewasal socr yi

ng)Ijustdon' tknow
wher et ost art.Thepai nI '
mf eel
ingrightiswor se.I
feellikeifIdi dn'tgooutt hatdayIwoul dhavebeen
theret opr otectmydaught er
s.Ilovet hem ...
Ilove
them somuch.Inevert houghtIwoul dlosethem
thissoon.Theyhaddr eamst ofulfi
ll
.Theyhada
brightfutur eaheadoft hem .Butt hatallwas
snatchedf rom t hem bysomecr uelman.( She
startedcr yingoutl oud.Mr sKhumal ocameand
tookherbackt oherseat .Tonywentf r
ont.)

Tony:( Hewaswear i
ngshadest ohidehistearsand
reddisheyes)Iwil
lspeakinbehalfofallmy
brothers.TheyareverybrokenIdon' tt
hinkthey
havet hestr
engthtospeak.Inevert houghtIwould
l
oseanyonei nmylif
elikethi
s.Ial
waysknewt her
e
i
sdeat h.Butneverknewt hatitcouldtakemy
sisters.Whent heyar et hisyoung.I '
m goingto
mi ssthem .Yest heywer eannoyi ngsomet imes.
ButIl ovedt hem .Icar edf orthem .Imadet hem a
promi set hatIwi llprotectt hem nomat terwhat.But
Ifailedthem .If ail
edt hem ast heirbrother.Home
willnotbet hesamewi thoutt hem .Theyusedt o
bringj oyeveni nhar dships.AsIsi tdownIwoul d
l
iket owi sht hem asaf ej ourneyt oheavenandl et
them knowt hatt heyar ef oreverloved.

Zia:Theywer emysi stersandal sof r

iends.We
sharedever ything.Wegr ewupt ogether.We
somet i
mesusedt ofightbutthatdi dn'tmeanwe
hateeachot her.WheneverIf el
tdown.Theyused
tobemyt her apist
s.Iwoul dtalkt othem t hanaft
er
thatIwouldf eelbett
er.Lifewi t
houtt hem wi l
lbeso
diff
erent
.I '
m nowal one. .
.Ihavenoonet otalkt
o.
YesIdohaveot hersibli
ngs.ButAnaandDai sy
werebeyondbei ngasibling.Theywer ealso
parentstome.Ther earesomet hingst hatyou
cannottellyourpar ents.Butwhenyouhavea
si
steryouareabl
etobemor eopentothem .We
haddreams.Wehadpl annedourfut
uretogether
.
Butitseemsli
kedest
inyhaditpl
an.Iwillf
orever
l
oveyouguys.

Lali
:Erh...eh.
..
Ijustdon'tknowwhatt osay.I'
ve
knownt hem f orashotper i
odoft i
me.Butsof arI
haveseent hattheyar eniceandf ri
endlypeople.I
washopi ngthatwewer egoi ngtospendmor et i
me
togetherunt i
lwegai nasi sterhoodbond.Buti t
seemsl ikeGodhadal r
eadypl annedtotakehis
chil
dren.WhatIcanal sosayt omyf amil
yisthat.
Let'
snotbl ameGodf ort het r
agedythathas
happenedbutbegr atefulthattheyareoutofthis
cruelwor ld.Thattheyar eInt hesafestpl
acewi th
thegreatLor d.

(Justwhenthepastorwasabouttoannouncethat
everyonecannowgot othecemeter
yadr unkman
walkedincarr
yingabott
leofThreeShi
ps.Hewas
sippi
ngitunti
lhemadehi swaytothestage.Mrs
Kanewasver
yshockedbecauseheknewt
heman.
I
twasMike.
)

Mike:(
hewascl appinghands)Well
..
.well.
..
well.So
noonedeci dedtot el
lmethatIhavejustl
osta
daughter
.(Everyonewasshockedt heyallcovered
thei
rmouths.MrKanewhowashuggi nghiswife
removedhishandsandl ookedather
)yes...
yes
don'
tbeshockedi ttr
ue.Anawasmydaught erand
Zaynismyson.

MrKane:what'
sthi
snonsense?
(aski
nghi
swi
fe.
Hewasstart
ingtogetangr
y)

Mr
sKane:
Idon'
tknowwhathei
stal
kingabout
.

MrKane:Secur
it
y!Secur
it
y!pl
easet
akehi
m out
side
makesurehedoesnotcauseanycommotion.
(Ever
yonewenttothecemet
ery.Ever
yoneone
singi
ng"Wegiveyouallt
hegl
ory.
..
weworshi
pyou
myl ordyouarewealthytobepr aised"
.Ast he
coffi
nswer egoingdown.Wheni twasnowdown
thefamilymember scameonebyonet hrowinga
rosepetalandsoiloneachcof fi
n.Theyt handr ove
totheKanehousehol dwheret her
ewer eblessed
waterplacedatthegate.Foreveryonetowasht hei
r
handsbef or
eenteri
ng.MrKanewasver yangr yhe
j
ustwentt ohisoffi
ce.LaliandAnawer ehelpi
ng
thedecopeoplebyser vi
ngt heguests.Itwasnow
l
ateeveryonewasnowgone.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwassobr okenwhenIf oundoutthatmydad

arrangedamar ri
ageforme.Iknewt hatthisman
woul dn'
tjustwantmebackt ohislif
ef ornothi ng.
Allofthisti
mehehasbeenpr etendi
ngt hathel ove
andcar eformewher eashewant stouseme.I
thoughtIhavef i
nal
lyfoundpeacei nmyl i
fe.Buti t
clearthatIwasjustbluf
fingmysel f
.Ij ustwi shhe
couldjustsendmet oanor phanagemaybet her eI
wil
lfindpeace.Iwentt oZia'
sbedroom shedidn'
t
seem okayafterthefuner
al.Ifi
rstknockedther
e
wassor esponsesoIdeci dedtobudgein.Shewas
si
tti
ngont hefloorandwr appedherarmsaround
herlegs.Shewascr yi
ngandlookingatthepict
ures
shetookwi t
hherl at
esist
ersonherphone.

Me:erhh...hey. (
shekeptqui et)IknowI '
mt helast
personyouwantt oseeandal sonotyourf avourit
e
personatt hismoment .Icanal sofeelyourpain.I
real
lyknowhowyouar efeel
ing.Losi ngbothyour
sist
ersatt hesamet imei snoteasyt odi gest.
(she
wasnowsni ff
ing)Ijustwant edt oletyouknowt hat.
Ifyoufeelliketalki
ngt oanyoneyoucant al
ktome.
Wemaynotshar eamot herbutyouar emor eli
kea
sist
ertome.Iwoul dr eall
ylovei fyoucoul dal
sobe
opent ome.YouIwi shsomedaywecanhavea
sist
ertosist erbondevenmor e.ButI '
m
pressuri
zingyou.I '
m alsonotf orci
ngyout oaccept
me.
Zia:Ireal
lymissthem .Ithasonl
ybeenfewdays
withoutthem butIalr
eadymi sst
hem .If
eell
onel
y.
(Shethanstartedcryi
ng.Ibroughthercl
osedtome
andst art
edrubbingherback)

Me:ever
ythi
ngwi llsoonbealri
ght
.Letital
loutso
youcanbeabl etopassthroughit
.Iknowitwon'
t
beeasybutpleaset r
y.

Zia:
(Shewi pedhertearsandfacedme.Shet han
smiled.)
Ithoughtyouwer eabadper son.Youare
verynice.Iappreci
ateyourconcern.(Wethan
hugged)ithinkiwil
lreal
lyuseasisterli
keyouri
ght
now.

Me:(myeyeswerenowfullof
tear
s)r
eal
ly?wow.
..
doesthatmeanyouacceptme
asyoursi
ster?

Zi
a:Yes.
..
youknowwhenyoucameher
e.Wewer
e
veryj
eal
ousofyou.Wet houghtyouweregoingt
o
repl
aceusandthatdadwil
lcareforyouonl
y.Ijust
wishAnaandDaisyweresti
llal
ivetoseet
hatyou
areact
ual
lyagoodperson.

Me:Yeahhey.
..

Zia:Anyways.
..
canyousl
eepwi
thmet
oday.I
nmy
bedroom.

Me:Yes.
..
sur
ewhynot
.

Zi
a:Ij
ustl
oveyou.

Me:Il
oveyoumoresis.Okayl
et'
sgoandt
ake
somesnacksi
nthekit
chen.Sowecanwatch
somet
hingonNetf
li
x.
Zi
a:sur
e..
.t
hankyou.

Me:youdon'
thavet
othankmeal
lthet
ime.Wear
e
si
ster
sri
ght?

Zi
a:yes.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Iam soangr yatMikeforwhathedi d.Heshouldn'

t
havedonet hat.Iwasgoingtotellhim .Iwassti
ll
gri
eving.Nxx.Myhusbandwal kedi n.Iwalkedup
tohim .It
ri
edcuppi nghi
sfacebuther emovedmy
hands.

Hi
m:Ineedyout
otel
lmet
het
rut
h..
.Whowast
hat
man?
Me:Whi
chmanmyl
ove?
Him:Theonet
hatwascr
eat
ingacommot
ioni
nthe
hal
l.
Me:Idon'
tk.
..
know.
..
Idon.
..
Idon'
tknowhi
m.
Him:
I'
M GOI
NGTOASKYOUFORTHELAST
TI
ME...
WHOWASTHATMANANDWHATHEWAS
TALKI
NGABOUT?
Me:Idon'
tmyl
ove.
..
Idon'
tknowhi
m.
Hi
m:Iseeyouwantt
otel
lhet
hehar
dway(
hewas
t
aki
ngoffhi
sbel
t)
Me:okay...
okayIwillt
ellyouthetr
uth..
.t
hewhole
t
ruthbutpleasecal
m down.( Hesatdown)Soyou
r
emembert hatweusedt oseeeachbehindyour
wif
e'sback?
Hi
m:yeahso?
Me:Youweren'tt
heonlyper
sonIseei
ng.Iwas
al
sohavi
nganaf fai
rwit
hthatman.Hisnameis
Mike.Af
terIwaspregnantwit
hLayneideci
dedt
o
pi
nthepregnancytoyou.
Hi
m:Buthowcomei
sAnahi
stoo?
Me:Wekeptseei
ngeachevenaf
terIdel
iver
ed
Layne.
Him:Wow...
.wow..
.youknowwhat ?.
..
for
getanyway
(Hewentout.Iranaft
erhim andtri
edtoholdhi
s
handbuthepushedsohar dthatIevenfel
l.Hethan
wentoutanddroveoff.)
Lal
i:ar
eyouokay?
Me:yeah..
.gobackt
oyourroom(Isai
dwhil
e
st
andingupthanwentbacktoourbedr
oom)

MrKane'
sPOV

Ijustl
osttwodaught ersnowt hi
s.Whynow?.I
trust
edher.Ievenkill
edbot hmywi vessot hatIcan
bewi t
hher.Howcoul dshebetraybelikethis.I
l
ovedandsuppor tedheruncondi ti
onall
y.I
nr eturn
shedot hi
stome.Ij ustdon'tknowwhatt odowi t
h
thissi
tuat
ion.ButIwoul dnevertreatLayneany
waydi f
fer
ent.Hewi llalwaysbemysonnomat t
er
what.Iwasonmywayt obar.Ijustneedt oclear
myheadandt hi
nkst rai
ghtaboutwhatwi l
lhappen
next.

Att
heOwen'
shousehol
d.

Odi
n'sPOV

Sowecamebackf r
om thefuneral
.Mygi r
lf
riend
hasbeenignor
antsincethatpart
ywewentt oo.I
thi
nkIhavetotal
ktohertomor r
ow.Dadaskedt o
seemesoI '
m onmywayt oherstudy.Iknocked
thangoti
n.

Me:Heypops.
Hi
m:Hel
loson.
..
howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
..
sowhat
'sup?
Him:Iwantedt
oletyouknowt
hatyouwi
llnol
onger
getmarr
iedtoLal
i.
Me:Ow.
..
real
ly.
..
Imean.
..
that
'sgoodnews.
Him:yeahandI'
m al
sosorr
ythatIhadtothr
eat
en
youinorderf
oryout
oagreeonthearranged
marri
age.
Me:Nopr
obl
em..
.canIgonow?
Hi
m:sur
e.

Ilef
tandwentbackt omybedr oom.Idon' twhyI '
m
feel
ingthi
sstrange.I'm supposedtobeovert he
moon.Buther eIf eelt
hisway.Am ist ar
ti
ngt olike
thegir
l?.
..
idon'tknow.Butshei sindeedbeaut i
ful
andanyguywoul dkillt
obewi thher.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
06]Lynne: I
nser
t16
Notedi
ted

Odi
n'sPOV
Itwasnowi nthemorning.Iwokeupandhad
breakfast.Itookmycaranddr ovetomygi r
lf
ri
end'
s
cri
b.Ipar kedmycarinsidethanwentin.Shewas
sti
llsleepingsoIdeci
dedtoj oi
nher.Icuddl
edher.
Shet hanwokeupandwentt ot akeabat
h.

Me:Hey
Her
:Hi
(shet
hancont
inuedget
ti
ngdr
essed)
Me:Iwashopi
ngwecoul
dtal
k.
Her
:Aboutwhatexact
ly?
Me:AboutLal
imi
.
Her
:ohhsonowyouwantt
otal
kabouti
t.Youhi
dit
f
rom me.
Me:IknowandI '
m sorry.Whathappenedismy
deadkindofthreatenedme.Hesai difIdon'tagr
ee
togetmarriedt
oher.Hewasgoi ngt odisownme
andmakemyl i
femi serabl
e.Andyouknowmydad
well.Heisamanofhi swordssoIwoul dn'tr
iskmy
l
ifeandfuturel
ikethat.Sothepl
anwast oget
marriedt
oherandt hanwemovet oGermany.I
wasgoingtotakeyouwit
h.Whenwegetto
GermanyIwasgoingtodivor
ceher.Sot
hatwecan
st
artafreshl
if
ethere.
Her
:Real
ly?
Me:Yeah.
..
Her
:Butst
il
lyoushoul
dhavet
oldme.
Me:I
'
m sor
ry.
(It
hanl
eanedoverandki
ssedher.
)
Her:Ifor
giveyou.(Ithanpi
ckedherupandstart
ed
undressi
ngher .Whil
eIwasstil
lbusyati
tacall
camet hr
ough.I twasoneofmyf ri
endst
ell
ingme
ther
e'saparty.)
Me:Babear
eyoucomi
ngwi
thmet
othepar
ty?
Her
:Nahbabe.
..
I'
m ver
yti
red
Me:okayletmegetgoi
ng(
Iki
ssedher
f
orehead)
byeokay.
Her
:byeIl
oveyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
Tony'
sPOV

Somybr othersandIhavepl annedapartybutnot

here.Atourfr
iend'
shouse.Wej ustwanttodi
stress.
Iwasnowget tingready.It
hanwentt othem to
checkiftheyaredoneornot .

Zayn:Guysdon'
ty'
l
lthi
nkt
hegi
rl
sal
soneedt
o
di
stress?
Tony:
Nowecannotgowi
tht
hem .
..
rememberwe
wil
lbebackt
omor
row.
Jase:Buti
twil
lbenicet
oal
sogowi
tht
hem.We
candropthem of
flat
er.
Tony:Idon'
t..
.youcanaskt
hem .
(WethanwenttoZi
a'
sbedr
oom.Theywer
esi
tt
ing
onthebedwatchi
ngsomet
hingont
heTV.
)
Zayn:Heyguys.
..
howar
ey'
l
ldoi
ng?
Lal
i:Weget
ti
ngt
her
ehowar
eyouguysdoi
n?
Jase:Wet
ryi
ngt
ocope.
Zayn:
Soguyswear
egoi
ngt
oapar
ty.Don'
tyou
guyswantt
ogowit
hus?
Lal
i:No.
..
wear
efi
ne.
Zi
a:ButIwoul
dreal
lyl
iket
ogo.Let
'sgoLal
i.
Lal
i:Okay.
..I
'
m onl
ygoi
ngbecauseofyou.
(Zi
asmiled.Theyhaver eal
lybecamefri
ends.
ThanksGod.Laliwenttoherroom andcameback
weari
ngar ippedjeanandawhi tebi
gsweater
.Zi
a
wasalsowear i
ngaJeanandasweat er
.)
Zayn:Ar
eyouguysr
eadyt
ogo?
Lal
i&Zi
a:Yep.
(Wethanwentt othecar.Iwasdr ivi
ng.Sowe
droveoff.Whenwegott otheplacewher ethepart
y
washel ditwasal
readyfull.Sowewenti nsideto
sitonthesofas.Everyt
hingwast hereboozeand
hookerpipe.Wesetdownandst arteddri
nking.)

Lal
i'
sPOV
Zi
awasreal
lyenjoyinghersel
f.I
'
mreal
lyhappy.
Shewasal
sodrinkingalcohol
.
Zia:Doyouwantsome?
(shewascar
ryi
ngabr
utal
fr
uitcan)
Me:Nah.
..
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Idon'
tdr
ink.
Zi
a:Comeonj
ustonecan.
Me:NoI
'
mfi
ner
eal
l
y.
Zia:Pl
easeLal
ifort
odayonly.YouknowIfeelgui
lt
y
thatyoucameherebecauseIaskedyouandI'm
busyenjoyi
ngmyselfwhereasyouareher
edyingof
boredom.
Me:Dontwor
ryI
'
mfi
ne.
..
Zi
a:Pl
ease(shewasmaki
ngpuppyeyes.
)
Me:
okayj
ustonecan.
(It
ookandst ar
teddri
nki
ngi t.Itwasn' tthatbad.
Ziakeptongi vi
ngmemor e.untilIwasst art
ingto
gettipsy.Iconti
nueddri
nkingunt ilIwascompl et
ely
drunk.Ist ar
teddanci
ngont opoft het ableand
everyonehasf ormedacircle.Ithansetdown
becauseIwasnowf eeli
nglikevomi t
ing.Isetdown
andnowever yonewasnowar ound.Someonegave
meahookerandshowedmehowIshoul dpul l.I
tr
iedatfi
rstIcoughedeveryonel aughed.Afterthe
fi
rstt
ryIwasnowabl etopul landblewthesmoke. I
wasnowdanci ngwi t
hsomeguy.It hi
nkIhave
seenhim befor
e.ithi
nkhisnamei sOdin.Justthan
someonedr aggedmesohar shlyupstai
rs.I
twas
Tony.What'swrongwi t
hthisguynow)

Me:Nol
etmego.
..
Iwannagodance.
Tony:Shutupbef
oreIsl
apyou.
Me:(Iheldmymout hthanbust
edintolaughter
.We
thangotintosomeroom .Hepushedmei ntothe
bathroom.Hemademest andundertheshower
andt hanrani
t.Thewaterwasver
ycoldt hatIwas
start
ingtoshi
ver.
)
Me:Tonypleaseman.CanIcomeoutnow. ..
I'
m
feel
ingcol
d.(het
hangavemeat owel.It
ookofthe
wetclot
hesandcover
edmybodywi ththetowelhe
gaveme.Ithanwentt
ositonthebed.Iwasnow
bett
er.)
Tony:Iwi
llgoandgetyouacof
fee.(
Ijustnodded
andwentstrai
ghtt
obed.Aft
ert
hatIwasf ast
asl
eep.)

Tony'
sPOV

Ijustcamebackwi thLali
'scof fee.Butitseems
sheisfastasleep.It ookoffmysneaker sand
j
oinedher.Ilookedather.Shei sevenmor e
beautif
ulwhenasl eep.Ilookedatherpout edpink
l
ips.WhenLal iwasdanci ngwi t
hOdin.If eltmy
angerbuil
dingup.ImeanIdon' thatehim butI
wantnoonenearmyf l
ower .Icuddledher.Af ter
somet imeIdeci dedtogobackt otheparty.Ithink
IshoulddumpCar ol.Shei sst art
ingtoannoyme.
I'
m nolongerinterestedinher .Iwenttositnextt o
her.

Car
ol:
Wher
ewer
eyou?
Me:Iwasbusywi
thsomet
hing.
Car
ol:What
'st
hat
?(Ir
oll
edmyeyes)
Me:
Canyoust
opaski
ngmeusel
essquest
ions.
Car
ol:ButIwantt
oknow.
(
Ijustst
oodupandwentt
othegent
s.Shef
oll
owed
me.)
Car
ol:CanIt
alkt
oyouur
gent
lyi
npr
ivat
e.
Me:
Why?
...
can'
twej
ustt
alkaf
tert
hepar
ty?
Carol
:iturgentnowplease.(
Gosh.
..
sheisapai
non
theneck.Whycan' tsheletmeenj
oythepar
tyi
n
peace...
nxx)
Me:okay(
Ifol
lowedherupst
air
stoanot
herr
oom.
Wegotinshestar
tedki
ssi
ngme.Ididn'
tki
ssher
back)
Car
ol:What
'swr
ong?
Me:What
?
Car
ol:Whyar
en'
tyouki
ssi
ngmeback.
Me:It
houghtyousai
dyouwantt
otal
ktome.
Car
ol:Yeah.
..
but
Me:Shoot
..
.Idon'
thavet
imef
ort
his.
Carol
:Youhavebeendist
ant
.Younotthesame
TonyIfel
linl
ovewi
th.Youaresl
owl
ychanging.
Tonyareyoucheat
ingonme?
Me:What
?I'
m not.
..
eveni
fIwasyouwoul
dn'
tknow
.
Carol:sowhyar eyousuddenl
yignorant
..
.we
haven'tbeensexual
lyi
nti
mateforpassedweeks.
Me:
Sot
hisi
saboutsex?
Carol
:No.
..
Imean. .
.Weusedt
ospendmor
eti
me
wit
heachotherbutnowwedon't
.
Me:ComeonCar ol
...
doyounotseethatour
r
elat
ionshi
pspar
khasf i
nished?
...
Wenolonger
i
nter
estedint
ooneanother.
Carol:That'
snottr
uemyl ove.Istil
lloveyou.Ican
sti
llf
eelthesparkinourrel
ationshi
p.Ial soknow
thatyourfamil
yhasbeent hroughsomuch.I
understandwhyyout hi
s...
Me:NoCarol.
..
letmest
rai
ghtf
orwar
d.Thi
sthi
ngi
s
over
...
weareover.
Carol:
What ?
(Shestar
tedcryi
ng)Youcan'tdot
hatt
o
mel ove.
(shecuppedmyf ace.Isl
owlyremovedher
hands)
Me:itbet
tert
hisway.Thi
srel
ati
onshi
pwasl
ong
dead.AnywaysIhavetogo.
(
Iwentbackt
othegent
s)
Ethan:Wowthatwasquick.
..
I'
m sur
eyoul
eftt
he
poorgir
lunabl
etowalk.
Me:
(Ipl
ayf
ull
yhi
thi
m)Wear
eOver.
Zayn:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?
Me:Car
olandIar
eover
.Ij
ustdumpedher
.
Jase:how?Whathappened?
Ihopeyou'r
enotgoi
ng
backtoyourol
dwaysofbeingafuckboy.
Me:nahchi
ll.
..

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

I
twasnowver
ylat
etheki
dsandmyhusbandar
e
notyetbackhome.It
riedcal
li
ngthem butnoone
answers.Itr
iedt
ocallmyhusbandonceagain.

Hi
m:hello..
.whatdoyouwantnow?Doyounow
wantt
ot el
lmethatal
lmychil
drenaren'
tmine.(
He
wasverydrunk.Soargui
ngwit
hhim won'thel
p)
Me:I'
m sor
ry..
.I
'm deepl
ysorr
y..
.pleasel
ovecome
backhomesowecant al
kthi
ngsout.
Him:ohh.
..
youwantmet ocomebacksoyoucan
cont
inuet
oli
eonmyf ace.Never
.
Me:Dr
inki
ngal
coholwon'
tcomeupwi
thasol
uti
on.
Hi
m:Canyouj
ustl
etmegr
ievei
npeace.
(
Hedr
oppedt
hecal
l
.Nxx.Ideci
dedt
ocal
lMi
ke.
)

Mi
ke:Yes.
Me:Youseewhatyouhavedone?
Mike:whatIdi
d?BecauseIonl
ytol
dever
yonet
he
t
ruth.
Me:I
twasnott
heri
ghtt
imenort
her
ightpl
ace.I
t
wasmydaught
ersf
uner
al.
Mike:IknowbutIwasver
yangryandhear
tbr
oken.
Thatmydaughterdi
edwit
houtknowi
ngme.
Me:Iwaspl
anni
ngt
otel
lthem .
Mike:Iwillcal
lyoulater
..
.Ihavesomet
hing
i
mpor tanttotakecareof.

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandl ookedaround.Thisi
snotmy
bedroom.Istoodupandhel dmyhead.Ihada
severeheadache.Ilookedthroughthewi
ndowand
remember edthatIwasinapar t
ythanAnaoff
ered
meadr inkafterthatIcan'
tremember.Thedoor
openedandIt urnedaround.Anawascomi ngin
carr
yingacoffee.
Ana:Ibr
oughtyousomecof
fee.
Me:thankyouverymuch.It
'sli
keyouknewI
neededit.If
eell
ikeij
ustgothi
tbyatruck.
Ana:i
knowandI
'
m sor
ry
Me:Youshoul
dn'
t.Apol
ogi
ze.I
t'
snotli
keyou
f
orcedmetodri
nk.Itwasmydecisi
on.
Ana:i
knowbu.
.
Me:
Pleasedon'
t.Wher
ear
etheboys?
Ana:t
heyar
edownst
air
s.
Me:okay.
..
(If
ini
shedmycoffeethanwentt
othebathr
oom t
o
washmyf aceandri
nsemymout h.It
hanwent
downstai
rs)

Zayn:
Att
ent
ionever
yone.Herecomest hedance
st
ar.(
Hethanboweddownandever yonestar
ted
cl
appi
nghands.What'
sgoing?Iwenttohim)
Me:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout?
(Jasecame
t
hrough)
Jase:Idi
dn'
tknowyoucandance.Youar
erocki
ng
si
s.
Me:Whatar eyouguyst al
kingabout?
(Zayndeci
ded
toshowmeavi deoinhisphone.ThereIsaw
myselfdanci
ng, dr
inki
ngandsmoki ng.Ij
ust
cover
edmysel fwithmyhands.)
Me:(
Ilaughed)I
'
m neverdr
inki
ngagai
n.(
Tony
camedownst ai
rs)
Tony:i
t'
sti
met
ogohomeever
yone.
Jase:ComeonTi
t'
sst
il
lear
ly.
Tony:nonono. .
.wearegoinghomeri
ghtnow.(we
al
ldraggedoursel
vestothecar.Het
handroveoff
.
Iwassleepi
ngalltheway.Iwokeupwhenwe
arr
ived.Ij
ustwenttomybedr oom.Acallf
rom
Jamescamet hrough)

Me:Hel
lo
James:Heydol
l.CanIcomet
omor
rowt
ost
artwi
th
desi
gni
ngyourr
oom?
Me:yes.
..
sur
ether
e'snopr
obl
em.
James:
Okaybye.

(It
hanwenttotakeabubbl ebat
h.Isockedmyself
i
nside.Af
terawhil
eIcameoutt handri
edmyself.I
putonmytracksui
ts,socksandNikepushins.I
wentdownstai
rs.Everyonewaswat chi
ngTVbut
MrsKaneanddadwer en'
t.)

Me:where'
sdad?(Ij
ustrememberedIhave
somet
hingimpor
tanttodiscusswi
thhi
m)
Ana:
Mom.
..
sai
dhe'
snothome.
Me:okay.
(Acal
lcamet
hroughi
twasAben.Iwent
backt
omybedroom)

Aben:It
riedt
ocal
lyouyest
erdaybutyoudi
dn'
t
answer.
Me:When?
Aben:It
hinki
twas8pm
Me:Iwaspr obabl
ysleepi
ng.(Ir
ememberclearl
y.I
can'tt
ellhi
m Iwasoutpart
ying.Iknowboyfr
iends
hatethat.)
Aben:r
eal
ly?
Iguessi
twasnotyouont
hevi
deo.
Me:Whatvi
deo?
Aben:Ij
ustvi
ewedJase'
sst
atus.(
Ohsnap.
)canI
seeyou?
Me:No.
..
I'
m..
.
Aben:I'm comingtofetchyou. ..
waitformewher e
youalwaysdo. (
Hethanswi tchedoffhiscel
lphone.
Nxx.Iwentoutwi thnoonenot i
cing.Hepull
edover
thanIgoti nt
othecar.Thedr ivetohishousewant
veryquiet.Hewentinandl eftmei nthecar.Ijust
don'tknowwhyhei sangrymxn.Iwenti nhewas
watchingTV.I !
setnexttohim)

Me:
Areyou.
okay.
Aben:yeah.
..
Lal
iIl
oveyouandihat ei
twhenyou
l
ietome.Oryoudon'tt
ellmet
hings.Youwere
supposedtotel
lmet hatyougoi
ngout.Iwas
worri
edsickaboutyou.Ont opoft
hatIcoul
dn'
tget
youont hephone.
Me:(
Iki
ssedhim)
I'
m sor
ryhey.Idi
dn'
tmeanyou
car
edthatmuchforme.
Aben:WhatdoyoumeanLal
i?Il
oveyou.Lal
iar
e
youcheat
ingonme?(
what?)
Me:What
?
Aben:Whowast
hatguyyouwer
edanci
ngwi
th?
Me:Iwasdr
unk.
..
Aben:ohsoyouar
egoi
ngt
ocheatandbl
ame
al
cohol.
Me:ComeonAben.youri
nsecur
it
iesar
e
unnecessar
y.
Aben:ohreall
y.(
Hedraggedmeint
ohisbedroom.
Heclosedthedoorandpinnedmeonthedoor.He
st
artedki
ssingmehungril
y.Hewassl
owlytaki
ng
of
fmycl ot
hes)
Me:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Aben:I
'
m aboutt
ohavesexwi
thmygi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:
(It
ri
edtopushhi
m buthewasstrongsohehel
d
myhands)
Itol
dyou.
..
I'
m notyetr
eady.
Aben:Idon'
tcare.
(Hetri
edt oki
ssmeagain.I
deci
dedtousemypower s.Ipushedhi
m acrosst
he
room .Hehi
thisbackandf el
ldown.Iran
downstai
rsandtookmyphone.It ri
edt
ocalldad
buthedidn'
tanswer.Icall
edTony.)

Me:Ineedyout
ocomeandgetme.(Iwasr
elaxed)
Tony:Wher
e?
Me:AtAben'
shouse.
Tony:what
?butwhatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e?
Me:canyouj
ustcomeI
'
llexpl
ainever
ythi
ngl
ater
.
Tony:okay.

I
nt hemeanwhi
leAbenwasbusyonhi sphone
t
alkingt
osomeone.Ideci
dedtoeavesdrop.
Tony:Si
rihavef
oundher
.Youneedt
ocomet
omy
pl
acenow.

(Idi
dn'
tknowexact
lywhathewast al
kingbutwhatI
knowis.AbenisnotwhoIthoughtheis.Ideci
ded
togoinsi
de.)
Me:Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?
Aben:No.
..
n..
.noone.
Me:ohr
eall
y..
.I
'm goi
ngtoaskyou..
.onelastt
ime.
Whowereyoutal
kingto?
(Iwasslowl
ytransfor
ming)
Aben:ohShi
t..
.i
treal
lyyou.Why?
whyyouLal
i
?Whydidyoudoi t
?
Me:(whatishet
alkingabout.Heevenhadt
ear
s.)
whatareyoutal
kingabout?
Aben"
?:YOUFUCKENKI
LLEDMYMOTHER!
Me:(
Iwasshocked)Your?.
..
m...
mother
?When?Why
woul
didothat..
..
idon'tevenknowyourmot
her
.
Aben:Thedayyoucamet
otheKaneshousehol
d.
Mymot
herdi
edt
hedaybef
ore.
Me:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?whoar
eyou.
Aben:I
'
m AbenOwen...
Youkil
ledmymot
her.(
I
hear
dacarhoot
.Iguessit
'sTony.
)
Me:er
h..
.Ihavet
ogo.
Aben:no.
..
you'
renotgoi
nganywher
e?
Me:Aben. ..
Idon'twantt ohurtyousopl easemove
outofmyway. (Het ookouthi sgunandpoi nt
edit
onme.Il aughedal it
tl
e.Ithant ransf
ormedbutnot
ful
ly.Iwentstraighttohim .Iheldhim byhisthr
oat
andthrewhi m againstthewall.Hestart
edshooting
thi
smot herf
uck.Ichar gedtohi sneckwithmy
fangs.Itwasoverf orhim .Hedi edonthespot.)
Me:weakassni gga.Youdidn'
tknowwhoyouwer e
messingwith.(Itookhi
sbodyandl efti
tonthe
bath.It
ransf
ormedbackt omyself.Iwashedmy
faceandhandst hanwenttoTony.)
Me:pl
easedr
ive.(
Hedr
oveof
f)
Tony:Whatwereyoudoingther
e?(Iwassti
lll
osti
n
mythoughts.Ikeptt
hinki
ngaboutwhatAbensaid
t
hatIki
ll
edhi
smom .Buthowexact
ly.)
Tony:
(Hewavedi
nfr
ontofmyf
ace)
Hel
lo.
..
areyou
okay?
Me:yes.
..I
'
mfun.
Tony:youdoesn'
tlookf
inet
hough.(
Wegothome.
)
Me:t
hanks.
Tony:pl
easur
e.Youst
il
lowemesomeexpl
anat
ion
andwhattookyousol
ongtocomeout
.
Me:er
h..
.er
hAbenl
ockedmei
nsi
dehi
shouse.
Tony:What?Wher
edi
dhegot
o?
Me:Idon'
tknow.Canwet
alkaboutt
hisl
ater.
Tony:
sur
e.
(
WewentinIdeci
dedtogotoMrsKane.Shewasi
n
t
hei
rbedr
oom.Iknockedt
hanwenti
n.)

Me:
Erh.
..
hel
lo.
(shewasl
osti
nhert
hought
s)Hel
lo.
Her
:ohheyLal
i.(
Sheslowl
ywipedhert
ear
str
ying
t
ohidef
rom methatshewascryi
ng)
Me:ar
eyouokay?
Her
:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Whatdoyouwant
?
Me:Ij
ustwantt
ospeakt
odad.
Her
:He'
snother
esopl
easel
eave.
Me:wh.
..
Her :l
eaveLali.(Shepushedmeout sidethan
l
ockedt hedoor.Iwonderwhat'
sgoingon. Ihope
i
t'snotaboutt hatmanwhowassayi ngstupi
d
thingsatt hef
uneral.Iwenttomybedr oom and
l
ockedt hedoor.Suddenlyever
ythi
ngwentdar k
afterthatIpassedout.Itwasli
keI'
mi nadream .

Avoicesaid" Laliyouneedt obecar eful.The

personthattookyourmot her'
spower si s
responsi
blefort hedeathoft hatboy'smot her
.He
hastheabili
tyt ofullot
hers.Hei sver ydecepti
ve.
Hewasver ycl oseintofindi
ngyou.Lal iyouhave
somanyenemi es.There'ssomet hi
ngIhavebeen
hidi
ngfrom you. "
Me:what
'
sthat
?

"Yourfami l
ywasdi vi
ded.Yourmom hadasi bl
ey.
Theylookedalike.Theyhatedeachot her.Shei
s
verycruel.Somanypeopl ehatedyourmom
becauset heyt
houghti twasher .Sheki
ll
edsomany
i
nnocentpeople.Shei sthereasonwhyyouhave
somanyenemi es.Shei sthereasonwhybeasts
arehated."

Me:i
sshedead?

"No.
..
she'
snot.Shei
soutt
her
ehi
ding.Shedoesn'
t
knowyouexi
st."

Me:buthowdoyouknowt
hat?

"Becauseifsheknewshewouldhavecameback
foryou.Tokillyouandt
akeyourpower
s.AndLal
i
pl
easest
opdati
ngbadguys.Yourmat
eisoutt
her
e
get
ti
ngmarr
ied"

Me:
What
?ButIdon'
tevenknowhi
m

"whent
het
imei
sri
ghtyouwi
llknowhi
m"

It
hanwokeup

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
07]Lynne: I
nser
t17

Lal
i'
sPOV

AsIwokeideci
dedt
ogoandtal
ktoTony.Iwent
t
ohisbedr
oom hewasbusyi
nhisphone.
Me:er
h..
.hey.
..
am idi
stur
bingyou?
Tony:comeonyou'
renot
.Isn'
tiaskedyout
otel
l
me...
Me:yeah.
..
yeaht
hat
'swhyicameher
e.(
Ikeptqui
et
al
it
tle)
AbenandIweredat
ing.
Tony:
What?(
Hesuddenl
ygotangr
y)Lal
ihowcan
youdothat
?HEISAFUCKINGDRI VER.HEI SALSO
OLDERTHANYOU. ..
IWONDERWHATWI LLDAD
SAYABOUTTHIS.
Me:thati
swhyIcameher
e.Cant
hispl
easest
ay
bet
weenus.
Tony:Nodaddeser
vest
oknow.
Me:comeon.
..
pleasedude.
..
Tony:okaybuttel
lmewhydi
dhel
ockyoui
nsi
de
hi
shouseandl eft
?
Me:wehadaf ight.Hewasangr ythatIwenttothe
part
y.Healsosawt hevi
deoofOdi nandIdancing.
Hestart
edaccusingmeofcheat ing.Thingsgotout
ofhand.Hedraggedmet ohisbedr oom and
demandedsex.Itoldhim Iwasn'
treadysohe
pushedonthebedandlockedmeinsi
dehis
bedroom.SoItookmyphoneandcalledyouwhi
leI
wast r
yingt
obreakt
hroughthedoor.
Tony:ButLal
iyoushouldhavet
oldusthatyou'
re
dati
ngAben.Whati fhedi
dtheunspoken.Next
ti
mepleasedotellus.Comehere(
Iwenttohim.
Thanhehuggedme)
Me:
Enoughnow.
..
canIgonow.
Tony:Canwewat
chamovi
etoget
her
.
Me:nah.
..
I'
mti
red.
Tony:pl
ease.
Me:okayt
han.
(Het
ookhi
slapt
op)
Tony:Sowhatt
ypeofmovi
eyouwoul
dli
ket
o
watch?
Me:I
'
mfi
newi
thanyt
hing?
Tony:okayl
et'
sgowi
tht
hisact
ionmovi
e.
(
Wewat chedi
tunti
litwasver
ylate.Iwasst
art
ing
t
ofeelsl
eepy.Iwasevenyawning)
Me:CanIgoandsl
eepnow.I
'
mfeel
ingabi
tsl
eepy.
Tony:Youcansl
eepher
eifyoudon'
tmi
nd.
Me:nah.
..
idon'
twantt
obot
heryou.
itf
ineiwi
ll
sl
eepinmybedroom.
Tony:okaygoodni
ghtiguess.

Tony'
sPOV

WhenLal itol
dmet hatshewasdat ingAben. Ifel
t
l
ikeslappingthehel loutofher.TosayIwasangr y
wouldbeanunder statementIwasi nfactfuming.I
meanIt rustedLali.Inevert houghtshewoul d
dateanyonewhoi swayol dert
hanher.ThewayI
wasangr yIfeltl
ikef eeding.Icall
edCar oltoask
whereshewas.Shet oldmeandIt ol
dherI '
m
comingtof etchher.Il i
edandsai dIwantt ofix
thi
ngs.Idr ovetoherpl aceandmadesur ethatno
oneknowsIt ookher.Idr ovetomysecr ethouse.

Car
ol:I
'
m gladwe'
refi
xingt
hings.Iknewyouwere
goi
ngtocomebacktome.(Sheheldmyhand) I
mi
ssedyoubabe.
Me:metoo( Ismirkedather)
Imissedyoutoobabe.
(Wefi
nall
yarri
vedIwassoi rr
itat
ed.Shewenton
andontal
king.ThatIfel
tli
kestoppi
ngthecaratt
he
middl
eoftheroadandf i
nishher.)
Car
ol:babewher
ear
ewe?What
'st
hispl
ace?
Me:don'twor
rybabe.
..
itsomewherewher
enoone
wi
lldi
sturbus.(
Wecamei n.Icoul
dseet
hatshe
wasalit
tleworr
ied.)
chil
lI'
m here.

Car
ol'
sPOV

IhaveneverseenTonyl ikethis.Heseemed
drai
ned.Sohet ookmet othisplace.WhenI
l
ookedout si
det herewer enohousesnear.Itli
ke
wear einthemi ddleofthef orest.WhenIgotin.
Thehousewasver ydi r
ty.Hesai dImustrel
axbut
thatmademeevenmor escared .Hewentt o
anotherroom .Islowlywentt owhatseemedl i
kea
passage.Iopenedt hefi
rstroom .Ihel
dmymout h.
Theywer eclothesofawomanscat teredaround
andbl oodonthebed.Iranbackt owher eIwas
sit
ti
ng.It ookhisphoneofwhichhel eftonthe
tabl
e.It r
iedtoopenthebutitwaslocked.Ohshi t
whendi dhelock.Iwasnowcr yi
ngsosof tl
y.When
Iturnedhewasst andi
ngrightatthedoorway.

Tony:whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
odobabe?
(hesai
d
smil
ingsoevi
l.
)
Me:Iwas. .Iwantedt
ogetsomef r
eshair.
..
itr
eal
ly
hotinhere.(Hewentcloserandki
ssedme.Ididn'
t
ret
urntheki ss)
Tony:What
'swr
ong?Ar
eyouokay?
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Ijustneedwat
er.
..
Tony:okayI
'
llgoandf
etchi
tforyou.
(Hewentback.Ir antothesamebedroom.Ther e
wasawi ndow.Iopenitandwentoutthroughit.I
sti
llhavehisphonewithme.Iranveryfast.I
don'tevenknowwhereiwasgoi ng.Iwasst ar
ti
ng
tofeelti
red.Ideci
dedtocallhi
sparent
'sphone.
Thei
rphonesputmest
rai
ghtt
ovoi
cemai
l
.Ical
led
hi
ssist
erLal
i.

Me:pl
easepi
ckup!
..
.pl
easepi
ckup!
(i
trang
unanswer
ed.)
Tony:Carolmydear.I
'mtheonlyonewhoknows
thewayoutofhere.Sopl
easestopwasti
ngmy
ti
meandcomeback.Iwi llcountf
rom 1upto10if
youstil
ldon'
tcomeoutandifindyou.Iwon'
tspar
e
yourli
fe.
Me:(
Iwasnowcryi
ng.Ikeptcal
li
nghi
spar
ent
s
number
sandhi
ssister
snumbers.)
Tony:
1..
..
.2.
..
..
.3.
..
..
4..
..
.5.
..
.6.
..
.7.
.
Me:(
fi
nal
lyLal
ideci
dedt
oanswer
)
Lal
i:
Heywhat
'sup?
Me:Lali.
..
lal
iyouneedt
ohelpme. .
.Tony.
..Tony
wantstoki l
lmeyouneedtohelp
me..
..
please..
..
Tonyi
sabadpersonhekill
speople.
Lal
i:okaypl
easecal
m downandt
ellmewher
e
you'
re?
Me:Idon' tknowbutwewent..
.(
justt
hanIfelta
shar ppainonmyneck.Idroppedhisphoneandhe
steppedoni tdest
royi
ngi
t.Hesuckedmybl ood
untilIbecameweak)

Tony'
sPOV

Shefinal
lyf
elldown.Shei sastrongchick.I
checkedherpulseandi twasn'tther
e.Iwonderwho
shewast al
kingtoonmyphone.Inowhavet oget
anewphone.Thi sf uckingwhore.Itookherbody
backtothehouse.Isuckedmor ebl
oodandputher
bodyinthedeepf r
idge.Iwillat
tenditsomeother
day.Ihavetohur r
yhome.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Ihear
deverythi
ngthathappenedthere.Ideci
dedto
gotoTony'
sr oom t
ocheckifheisthereornot.He
wasn'
t.Iheldmymout h.Soit'
strueTonyr eal
ly
kil
ledher.Whi l
eshewasst i
lltell
ingmet he
directi
onsIhear dsomet hingr oaring.Iwonder
whatTonyi s?.Becauseitcl earhei snotnor mal .
Eveni fheismybr ot
her.Iwon' ttoleratehim kil
li
ng
i
nnocentpeopl e.Ineedt ot hinkcar eful
lyaboutt hi
s
.Icannotaskhi m becausehemaywantt oharm
me.I t'
snotlikeI'
m scaredofhi m butIneedt o
knowwhathei sfi
rst.Iwentbackt omyr oom so
hear t
broken.Thatsomeonej ustaskedmet ohel p
them butIf ai
ledto.Ijustf eltlikeamessIl ocked
mybedr oom doorandwentt ot hebat hr
oom t otake
acol dshower .AfterthatIputonmypj sandwent
tosleep.

MrKane'
sPOV

Iwasonmywayhomef r
om thebar.Whi leIwas
dri
vingacarwasparkedonthemi ddleoftheroad
anditwascreat
ingatraf
fi
c.Iwentt oitand
knockedonitwi
ndow.Tomysur pri
sei twasKayl
a.
Me:What?Kayl
a..
..
howareyou?
(Isuddenl
yfel
t
bet
ter
.AlltheangerIhadi
nmyheartjust
di
sappear
ed.)
Kayl
a:wow..
.i
sthi
sreal
lyyou.Wel astsaweach
t
hatdayremember.Aft
erthatIcouldn'
tfi
nd.
Me:(
shehuggedme)
wher
ehaveyoubeen?
Kayla:
Ihavebeenaround.Iwasst
art
ingmyl i
fe
afr
eshhere.Ihaveevenstar
tedabusinessand
boughtahousehere.
Me:wowt
hat
'
sgoodnews
Kayl
a:Canwedol
uncht
omor
row?
Me:yesplease.
..
Iwasal
sogoi
ngtoaskthat
.CanI
haveyournumberthi
sti
me.Sothati
fyoudeci
det
o
goAWOLagai nIcanfi
ndyou.
(
Shesmi
led)
Kayl
a:Her
e.(
Shegavemeherbusi
nesscar
d)
Me:sowhyi
syourcarpar
kedatt
hemi
ddl
eoft
he
r
oad.
Kayl
a:Idon'
tknowwhat
'swr
ongwi
thI
t.I
tdoesn'
t
wantt
ost
art
.(Iwenti
nandt
ri
edi
t.Buti
tst
art
ed)
Kayl
a:wowIt
hinkmycari
sstr
angereall
y.A
momentagoi
twasn'
tst
art
ingnowitdoes.
Me:maybedestinymadei t.Sowecanmeet
agai
n.(
thecar
swer est
aringtohootandthedr
iver
s
werestar
ingt
othrowslimecomment s)Letme
l
eaveyoubeforetheyf
inishus.
Kayl
a:bye
(
Ithandr
iveof
f)

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Iwassi tt
ingaloneinourbedroom.Looki ngatmy
weddi ngpictur
es.Myeyeswer enowf il
ledwit
h
tears.Ineverthoughtmylifeandmar ri
agewillt
ake
thisturn.Ithoughtnot
hingwilleverchange
betweenmyhusbandandI .SuddenlyIheardthe
dooropen.
Me:Lal
icanyoupl.
..
(i
twashim)love.
..
wher
ehave
youbeen?(
Hekeptquietandwenttot
hebathr
oom.
Hetookabatht
hancameback.) myl
ovecanwe
tal
k?
Him:tomorrowI'
m ver
ytir
edr i
ghtnow.Andpl ace
chargemyphonef orme.(Heswitchedofftheli
ght
.aft
erawhilehewassnoring.I'
m sureheisdrunk
.heonlysnorewhenhe'sdrunk.Iwenttocharge
hisphonethanwentbacktosleep.)

MrOwen'
sPOV

Ireceivedacal lfr
om Aben.Hei smyl atebrot
her'
s
son.Sohehasbeenhel pi
ngmesomuch. Sojust
afterhewasbackf r
om histrai
ningIsenthi mtospy
ont heKanef ami l
y.Iknewt her
ewassomet hi
ng
aboutt hem .That'salsohowIf oundoutt hatthey
havebeenhol dinghostageofNor a.Hehasbeena
greathelptome.SoIki ll
edhismot herbecause
shewasst art
ingtot urnhi
m againstme.I
pretendedt obeanAdi l
athankill
edher .It
oldhim
thatt heAdilaisint ownandr esponsi bleforthe
deat hofhermot her.Sohi smi ssionwast of undit.
Hecal l
edmeandt oldmehehasf oundi t.Soiwas
drivingtohi shouse.WhenIgott her eIwenti nand
calledhername.Ther ewasnor esponse .Iwent
upst air
st ohisroom buthewasal sonott here.I
hear dwat errunning.It hi
nkhe' sbat hing.Iseton
hisbed.I twasnowaf ter30mi nut esbuthewas
stil
lnotoutandt hewat erwasst il
lr unning.Iwent
i
n.If oundhi sdeadbodyi nthebat h.Onhi sneck
hehadf ingerpri
ntsofabeast .Icur sedandcal led
mysont ohelpmewi thhisbody.Shewasher e.I
thinkIneedt ocallMrKane.Weneedt ohavea
greatdeal .Hemustgi vemehi sdaught erandIwi l
l
givehi mt woofmybusi nesses.It riedtocallhi s
numberbuthi sphonewasof f.Iwi llgot ohisof fi
ce
tomor r
ow.

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning

Mr
sKane'
sPOV
Iwokeandmyhusbandwasal
readyawake.
Me:Canwet
alknow
Him:ther
e'sreall
ynot hi
ngtot
alkabout.WhatIcan
t
ellyouisthatJasemustneverknowhistrue
i
dentit
y.Hewi llf
oreverbemyson.Andpl easecut
t
ieswiththatmenorel se.
..
Me:doest
hatmeanyouf
orgi
veme?
Hi
m:yesobvi
ousl
y.Ican'
tst
ayangr
yforsol
ongon
mywif
e.
(
Iwentt
ohi
m andpackedhi
sli
ps)
Me:thankyouverymuch.From todayonwar
dsI
wi
llnothi
deanythingf
rom you.Il
oveyou.
Him:(
hejustkissedmyf or
eheadandwentt othe
bathr
oom.Iwashappyat leasthehasforgi
venme.
Iwenttopreparebreakf
astforever
yone.Theyall
camet ot
het abl
eandstartedeati
ng.)

Zi
a:Wowmom..
.i
t'
sgr
eatt
oseeyouanddad
havi
ngbr
eakf
astwi
thus.Wemi
ssedyou.
Mrk:don'
tworr
ymydear.From nowoneveryt
hing
wil
lgobacktonor
mal.(Lal
iwasl osti
nher
t
houghts.Shewasn'
teveneati
ng)
Me:Lal
iar
eyouokay?.whyIyounoteat
ing?
ifyou
don'
twantthef
oodIhavepr
eparedyoucanget
andmakeyourownf
ood.
Lal
i:dadcanIspeakt
oyouf
oramoment.
Mr
k:sur
e.
Lal
i:i
nyourof
fi
ce.
Mrk:t
hat
'ssoundser
iousl
et'
sgo.
(Iwonderwhat
shewant
snow)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Atthetabl
eIwassti
llt
hinki
ngaboutt
hi sTonyi
ssue.
I
'mt ryi
ngtoshowhi
mt hatIknownothing.
AnywaysIwasnowwi thdadinhi
soffice.
Dad:sowhat
'sup?
Me:daddoyout
rul
yloveandcar
eforme?
Dad:yesIdo.Why?
Me:whydidyoudeci
det
ocomebacki
ntomyl
if
e
exact
ly?
Dad:Lal
iIoncet
oldandIwon'tr
epeatmysel
f.I
haveameetingt
oattendbye(
hewashalf
waythe
door)
Me:Iknowt
hatyouar
rangedamar
ri
agef
orme.
Dad: (hewassochi l
led)Iwasgoi ngtot el
lyouabout
.
Itwi l
lnolongerhappen. Ihadar r
angeditbeforewe
fixedt hi
ngs.Lal iIwoul dn'tdothat.Iwouldn'tdo
somet hi
ngthatcant ur nyouagai nstmeagain.I
l
oveyouLal iandI 'mt ryingbyal lmeanst oshow
yout hat.Icancel ledt hatdealont hedatAnaand
Dai sywer ekil
led.Ifyoudon' tt
rustmeIcaneven
callameet i
ngbet weenMrMar t
inez,youandI .
Me:no..
.nodadIt
rustyoucompl
etel
y.(
Ihugged
hi
m)InaweektimeI'
m goi
ngbacktoschool
.Ijust
wantedt
oremindyou.
Dad:don'
tyouper
hapswantt
ost
udyher
e?
Me:no.
..
I'
mfi
net
her
e.
Dad:r
eal
ly?
Me:
yeah.
.
Dad:okaybye.
Me:haveagoodday.(
myheartwasnowatpeace.
Theonlyt
hingt
hati
sworr
yingmenow
Isthi
sTonyissue.Iwi
llj
usthavet
owatchhis
everymove.Iwenttomybedroom andJameswas
alr
eadyther
e.)

James:heydol
l.St
il
lnotbat
hed?
Me:yeah.IwilluseZia'
sbathr
oom don' twor
ry.(I
wentandtookmyt owel
sandtoil
etri
es.Iwentt o
thewardr
obeandt ookoutami niski
rt,
whiteTshirt
andVan'ssneakers.SotodayIwasgoi ngtovisi
t
myfri
end.Ithasbeensol ongsinceIhaven'tseen
her.
)
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Ver
yshotIknow I'm soexhaust
ed.Thi
sbl
ack
par
entofmineI
sbusyorder
ingmearound
[
06/
23,
08:
08]Lynne: I
nser
t18

Lal
i'
sPOV

IwasnowatNomhl e'
shouse.Wowsomanyt hi
ngs
havechanged.Theynowhavesecur i
ti
esonthe
gatethatescor
tedmet othehouse.Theyeven
changedtheinteri
ordesi
gn.Iwenttothedini
ng
room .Theywer ehavi
ngbreakfast
.Mr sKhumal
o
l
ookedl i
kethoseHousewives.

Me:Hel
loever
yone.(
Iwentt
ohugt
hem onebuone)
Mr
sK:
howar
eyoumydear
?
Me:I
'
m goodyou?
Mr
sk:I
'
m good.
..
howar
ethi
ngsathome?
Me:Theyar
ewel
l.
Nomhl
e:Imi
ssedhey.
..
Ilastsawyouatt
he
f
uner
al.
Me:Ial
waysvi
sityou.Butyounevercomet
ovi
sit
me.
Nomhle:Don'twor
rysweet
ypi
etodayI
'
llsl
eepover
atyourhouse.
Me:r
eal
ly.
..
that
'sgr
eat
.
Mr
sk:
Nomhl
ebr
inganot
herpl
atef
orLal
i.
Me:noI
'
mfi
neIj
usthadbr
eakf
astathome.
Mrsk:
Okaymybabi esIhavetogotot
heof
fi
ce.I
havealotofmeet
ingstoattend.
Me:
Somom howi
sbei
ngabosst
reat
ingyou?
Mrsk:Sofarsogood.I'
mj usthappywear
enowa
happyfamil
y.Noviolence.
Me:That
'sgr
eathaveagoodday.
Mr
sk:
bye.
(Shet
ookherbagandmadeherwayout.
Herst
il
ett
oswer emaki
ngnoi
se.)
Sof
ri
endar
eyou
r
eadyforschool?
Nomhl
e:Nahman.
..
anywaysI
'
m changi
ngschool
?
Me:What?Why?
Nomhle:Fr
om nowonIwi l
lbehomeschool
.Phel
a
st
epdadisnolongerher
etomakemyl i
fedi
ffi
cul
t.
Me:Wowandyouonl ytel
li
ngmet hatnow.Mydad
alsowantedmetochangeschool
.ButIthoughti
f
you.Ican'tbei
ndi
ff
erentschool
swithyou.
Nomhle:Youcanalsobehomeschool
edandwe
wil
lli
vetoget
herhere.
Me:noI
'
mfi
neanywayi
tmyl
astyeart
her
e.
Nomhl
e:Doyouwantt
ogot
oamal
l?
Me:sur
e.
Nomhl
e:Don'
twor
ryI'
m payi
ngt
hist
ime.Let
'sgo.
Wewil
lusemycar?
Me:Younowhaveacar
?
Nomhl
e:Yesandadr
ivert
oo.
Me:Wowokaylet
'sgot
han.Di
dyoupackyourbag
f
orthesl
eepover
?
Nomhl
e:NoI
'
llbuynewcl
othesandpj
s.
Me:okay.(wewenttohercarandt
hedri
verdr
ove
offtot
hemall.Wegotther
eandwenttobuymore
cl
othes.Af
terthatwewenttoSt
eer
sandorder
ed
burger
s.)
Nomhle:f
ri
enddoyoumi
ndi
fIbuyal
coholf
ort
he
sl
eepover?
Me:What
?Younevert
oldmet
hatyoudr
inkal
cohol
?
Nomhl
e:yeahIdo.So?
Me:youcanbuyi
tbutIwon'
tdr
inki
t.
Nomhle:Okay(Shewenttobuyi
tandhi
ditont
he
pl
ast
icthathasclot
hes.)
Me:Canwegohomenow. .
.I
'mreal
lyt
ir
ed.(We
wenthomeandwentst r
aighttomybedroom.
Jameswasst i
llbusywi
thit.Sowewenttothe
guest
room .
)
Me:Comel
et'
sgodownst
air
ssoIcani
ntr
oduce
yout
omysibli
ngs.
Nomhle:Sur
e.(
wewentdownst
air
sandt
heywer
e
busywatchi
ngTV)
Me:Hell
oeveryonet
hisismybestieNomhleand
Nomhlethesearemysibli
ngs.(
Theyint
roduced
t
hemselves.Wesetdownandwat chedTVwi t
h
t
hem )
Me:wher
e'sTony?
Zayn:Hewentt
ohisexgi
rl
fr
iend'
shouse.They
sai
dsheismissi
ng.
Me:what?AndhowisTonysupposedt
oknow
becauset
heywerenol
ongerdati
ng.
Jase:wedon'tknow.Wej
usthopeshei
sfi
ne
whereversheis.
(
Tonywal
kedi
n)
Tony:Heyever
yone.
..
whowegother
e?
Nomhle:Nomhl
e..
.mynamei
sNomhl
e.Lal
i'
s
best
ie.
Tony:Ohhi
t'
sgreatt
omeetyou.Anywaysguysi
f
anyofyouneedme.I'mi
nnyroom .
Me:okay.
..
canIspeakt
oyoupr
ivat
ely?
Tony:Sur
e.(wewentt
ohi
sroom )
Me:ar
eyouokay?
Tony:Yeah.
Me:Theytol
dmethatyourexgi
rl
fr
iendi
smi
ssi
ng.
(Il
ookedhi
m st
rai
ghtt
ohiseyes)
Tony:yeahhey.
..
Idon'
tevenknowwher
eshei
s.
Me:Whenl
astdi
dyouseeher?
Tony:ont
hedayoft
hepar
ty.
Me:Ihear
dyoubr
okeupwi
thher.
Tony:yeah.
(Ihel
dhi
shand.Itwasverycol
d.I
l
ookedintohi
seyes.Theyweren'
tnor
mal)
Me:Areyouokay?Doyouhavef ever
?(Isaid
touchi
nghisf orehead.Itwaswar m .Buthishands
arecold.)Anywayl etmeleaveyou. (whenIwas
goingoutIpretendedt ofal
lverybadj ustbefor
eI
couldhitt
hef l
oorhegotme.GotyouDr acula'
s
son.Hei sindeedavampi re.)
Me:t
hanksver
ymuch.
Tony:Mypl
easur
e.
(Iwenttotheguestroom I'
llbeusi
ng.Il ockedthe
doorandsetdown.Whywoul dheki
llinnocent
people?.Li
kewear enotsupposedtohar m people
thatdonoharmi nus.We' r
esupposedt opr ot
ect
thehumansnothur tthem .Iti
sconsideredasi nt
o
feedonhumans.Ineedt oputast optot his.Even
i
fitmeanskill
inghi
m Iwill.)

MrKanePOV

Iwasnowpackingmyst af
fandgett
ingreadyt
ogo
tot
headdressKaylagavemeonWhat sApp.She
sai
ditwi
llbebett
erifwehavedi
nnerinherhouse.
Whil
eIwasstil
lbusyMrOwenwal kedin.

Mr
O:Fi
nal
lywemeetagai
n.
Me:WhatnowOwen?
MrO:Pleasel
et'
ssitdown.Wehavesomet
hing
i
mportanttodi
scuss.(wesetdown)Thel
astti
me
wemetyousai
dyoudon'
tknowwher
e'sNor
a's
daught
er?
Me:yeah.
..
sowhat
?
Mr
O:Haveyouf
oundher?
Me:no.
MrO:Ohhpl
easeMrKane.Stoplyi
ngtome.Iknow
t
hatshe'
snowli
vingwi
thyou.(Iswal
lowedhar
d)
Me:(Iwasnowst andi
ngandpoi nt
inghim onhis
face)Listenher eyouscumbag.Idon'twantyou
nearmydaught er.IfyoudoI '
l
lpersonal
lychop
yourballsandf eedthem toyourdogs.Stayaway
from myf amily.Orelseyouwi l
lhaveanearly
death.(Hej ustlaughed)
MrO:Iknowyouaredanger
ousandpeopleout
t
herearescar
edofyou.Butyou'
renotathreatt
o
me.Icanjustri
pofyourt
hroatr
ightatt
his
moment.
Me:ohr
eall
y..
.Iwanttoseeyoutr
y.(Idon'
teven
knowwhenhegotupbuthewasst r
angl
ingme.I
wasnowunabletobreathehet
hanletgo.Iwas
nowcoughinghegavemeagl
assofwat
erandI
dranki
t.)Whatar
eyou?
Mr O:Whatdoyout hinkwewer edoi ngthatday?I
wasget t
ingherpower s.Idon' thavet hewhol eday.
Thedeali syouhandoveryourdaught erIgiveyou
twoofmycompani esandasuppl i
erf orcocainetoo
.ifyoudon' tIwil
ltellhert hetruth.Whathappened
ont hatday. Sopleaset hinkabouti t.Iwi l
lgiveyou
twoweeks. (hethanl eft.Ijustsetdowndef eated.I
heldmynecki twasver ypai nf
ul.Itookawhi skey
thandr ankitfr
om thebot tle.Acal lcamet hroughit
wasKayl a)

Me:
Hel
lo.
K:Hey.
..
you'
rear
est
il
lcomi
ngr
ight
?
Me:Yes. .
.I
'm onmyway. (Idr
oppedit.It
ookmycar
keysanddr ovetoherplace.I
twasn'tver
yfar.I
parkedmycarnextt ohersthangotin.Therewasa
tablefort
wopeopl e.Redandwhi t
ecandleswere
l
ited.Shecamewear ingaverybeautif
ulbody
huggingblackdress.Iwenttoherandheldher
wai
st.)
Me:Youl
ookappet
isi
ng.
(
Smil
ed.Ipul
ledachai
rforhert
hanwentt
osi
ton
t
heot
herchai
r.)
Me:Sohowar
eyou?
K:I
'
mfi
neandyou?
Me:I'mfi
netoo.(
Wewerenoweat
ing.)ver
y
del
ici
ous.Youmadei
t?
K:yesandt
hanks.
Me:Wowver ynice.( Wefi
nishedeati
ngandwe
werenowdr inking)There'
ssomethingIhavebeen
wanti
ngt otellyou.Sincet
hatnightIsawyou.I
coul
dn'tstopt hi
nkingaboutyou.Ithi
nkI'
mi nl
ove
wit
hyou. (Shehel dbothmyhands)
K:Ifeelthesamewayt oo.
(west
oodupandkissed.
Thingsledtoanother
.Wewer enowinherbedr
oom
doi
ngt hedeed.)

Lal
i'
sPOV
SoNomhl e,ZiaandIwer enowinthebedroom .
Theyweredr inkingalcohol.AsmuchasIwant edto
dri
nkbutIhaveami ssiontoni
ght.At
leastIcando
forCar
olist obr i
ngherbodyf orherf
amilyto
peacef
ull
ybur yit.Itwasnowver yl
ateatnight.
Thegir
lswer ef astasleep.SoItookmyphoneand
call
edtheUber .Iwentf ewhousesawayf r
om
home.Ist oodt hereuntilt
heUberarri
ved.

Me:There'
sacarthatwi
llcomeoutoft
hat
house(
Point
ingathome)
pleasefol
lowi
t.
Thedriver
:okay.
(Justt
hanacarcameouti
twas
dri
vingveryf
ast)
Me:pl
easef oll
owi tanddon'
tshowitt
hatther
e's
someonefollowing.(Wefol
lowedi
tunti
litwasthe
endoftheroad. )
Me:i
tfi
neyoucandr
opmeher
e.
Thedr
iver
:Nomadam Ican'
t.I
t'
snotsaf
eforyou
towal
kalonei
naplacel
iket
his.
Me:Your eallyar ewast ingmyt ime.Don' tworryI
cant akecar eofmysel f.(Iwal kedout.Iwas
wear ingbl ackt r
acksui ts.Ir anintot hef orest
.I
full
yt ransformedsot hateveni fheseesmebutwi l
l
notr ecogni zeme.Ir anver yfastunt ilIsawasmal l
housei nthemi ddleoft hef orest.Iwentcl osert oit
andl ookedt hrought hewi ndow.Ther ehewas
sitt
ing.Si ppi ngbl oodf rom agl ass.Iki ckedthe
dooropenandchar gedt ohi m .Het riedfight
ingme
butIwasver yst rong.Hewassl owlyt ransformi ng.
Iheldhi sneckunt ilhepassedout.Icoul dsmel l a
humanbl ood.Iwentt ot hedeepf ridget owhat
l
ookedl ikeaki tchenandi ndeedCar ol '
sbodywasi n
there.It ookapl astict hanputi tinit.Iwentt ot he
passesoutTony.Icuthi m al ittl
eonhi sfaceusi ng
mynai lsthanwentout .Ir anver yfastt handumped
herbodyatt hepol i
cest ation.Ihur ri
edhomet han
transformedback.It ookt het r
acksui tsandt hrew
them ont hebi nout si
deourhouse.It ookaqui ck
showert hanwentt obed.)

Tony'
sPOV
Iwaswokenupbyacol dwatersplashedonmy
face.Isl
owlyopenedmyeyes.Itwasmyuncle.I
heldmychickitwasver
ypainf
ulIhadacut.My
throatwasalsoi
npain.

Uncl
e:I
twasher
e.TheAdi
la.
Tony:
what
?Buthowdi
ditknowmywher
eabout
s.
Uncl
e:I
tisverypower
fulmyboy.Ver
ypowerf
ul.
WhatIcantel
lyouis.
..
youneedt
olaylowabi
t.I
t
hinki
tisaft
eryou.
Tony:DoIhavet
owor
ry?
Uncle:Yesof
course.You'
reluckyitdi
dn'
tki
llyou.I
wonderwhatitwanted?
(Irantothefri
dgeand
Carol'
sbodywasn'tt
here.Shit
.)
Me:I
ttookt
hebodyIwasf
eedi
ngonyest
erday.
Uncle:What?Whywoul
di tdothat
?(Hekeptquiet
forsometi
me)Areyout
hinkingwhatI
'mthi
nking?
Me:Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
Uncle:TheAdi
lamayper
hapsber
elat
edt
othebody
i
ttook.
Me:Butsheonlyhaveonesist
er.Shei
sagoodgi
rl
.
Shegoestochurchanddoesn'
tevenpar
ty.
Uncl
e:It
hinki
t'
sher .Shewoul
dn'tshowhersel
f.I
t
i
snotall
owedt
or evealit
sel
fonitenemies.We
needt
ocheckthegirl.
Me:okay.Shi
tIhavet
ogonow.

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.

MrKane'
sPOV

Iwokeup.KaylahadherheadonmychestIwas
brushi
ngherhai
r.
Kayl
a:Goodmor
ningl
ove.
(Iki
ssedher
)
Me:Goodmorni
ngMr
sKanet
obe.
(Shesmi
led)
How
wasyourni
ght?
Kayl
a:Ver
ygoodandyour
s?
Me:Spect
acul
ar.
(
Sheki
ssedme)
Kayl
a:l
etmegoandmakebr
eakf
astf
orus.
Me:don'tworrywewil
lmakeittoget
her
.Let
'sfi
rst
goandbat h.Wetookbat
handwentt omake
br
eakfast.Weat e.
aft
ert
hatIrecei
vedacal
lfr
om
myphone.Ij usti
gnor
edit.
Me:Ihavetogonow(
Ikissedhert
handroveof
fto
myhouse.WhenIgottheret
heywerehavi
ng
br
eakfast
.)
Me:Goodmor
ningf
ami
ly.
MrsK:Goodmor
ning..
.youdi
dn'
tcomehomel
ast
ni
ght.
Me:Ihavesomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
odi
scusswi
thyou
.
Mrsk:Okay.
..
butf
ir
stIj
ustr
ecei
vedacal
lthatAben
i
snomor e.
Lal
i:What
?
Mr
sK:Yeah.
..
Hisuncl
ecal
ledandi
nfor
medus.
Me:Hisuncl
e..
.buthenevert
oldusabouthi
s
f
amily.
Mr sk:Iwasalsosurpri
sed.Sothi
seveni
ngwe
havet ovisi
tthem .Hewasverygoodtous.The
l
eastwecandoi ssupporthi
sfamilywi
ththe
preparati
ons.
Lal
i:
Dadwhat
'shappenedonyourneck?
Me:.
..
nothi
ng ..
.don'
tworr
ymydear.And Tony
whathappenedtoyourf
aceandneck.
Tony:Lastni
ghtIwentoutandgoti
naf
ightwi
th
someguy.
Dad:Isee.

<<Tobecont
inued>>

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
08]Lynne: I
nser
t19
MrKane'
sPOV

Iwasnowinthebedroom wit
hmywi fe.Iwanther
togi
vemeasoluti
onont hisprobl
em I
'
mf aci
ng.Mr
Owenisaver
ydanger ousman.Thewayhehel d
myneckIal
mostfainted.SoIwouldn'
twantto
messwit
hapersonlikehim.

Mr
s:Sowhati
sitt
hatyouwant
edust
otal
kabout?
Me:Ihaveapr
obl
em .
..
MrOw.
..
Mr s:ooh..
.soyouonl ycomehomewhenyouhavea
problem.Lastni ghtIwai tedf oryouandyoudidn'
t
come.Youonl yr emembert hatyouhaveawi fe
onceyouexper i
enceapr oblem .Youknowwhat ?
I'
mt iredofyou.I '
mt iredofapol ogizi
ngtoyourold
ass.I'veapologizedf orsever alti
mes.I'
veshown
yout hatIreall
yr egretwhatIdi dwayback.You
evensai dwemustl eti tpass.Buther eyou'
renot
comi ngathome.
Me:Aboutt
hatIwastoostr
essedsoIwenttoabar.
YouknowwhatIhaveaseri
ousproblem t
odeal
wit
h.Iwon'
twastemyt i
meexplai
ningmysel
fto
you.(
Iwashal
fwaytothedoor)
Mrs:Sowhati si
tthatyouwant
edust
otal
k
about?
(Iwentbacktoher)
Me:MrOwenwant sLali.HesaidifIgivehim Lal
i
hewil
lgivemehiscompani esandasupplier.IfI
don'
the'
sgoingt
ot el
lherthewholetruthabout
whathappenedt
hatnighthermom died.
Mr
s:Hhh.
..
that
'saser
iouspr
obl
em .
Me:Ij
ustdon'
tknowwhatt
odo.
Mrs:Tel
lLalit
het ruth.Ifyoudon'
ttel
lher.shewil
l
hat
eyouf orfi
ndingoutf rom anout
siderandthat
yougaveheraway.Remembert rut
halwaysf i
ndsit
way.Youbet tertellherbefor
eit
'st
ool at
e.
Me:butIdon'tt
hinkI
'mreadytol
osemydaught er
agai
n.She'sgoingtohat
emeandneverf or
giveme
herwholeli
fe.Isnat
chedherhappi
nessaway.She
di
dn'tevengetachancetoseehermother.
Mr
s:Thansendheraway.
..
awayf
rom MrOwen.
Me:No...
Idon'
twanthert
ofeelunwant
edand
negl
ect
ed.
Mrs:Ei
shIr
eal
lydon'
tknow.Didyouknowt
hat
AbenwasMrOwen'snephew?
Me:What?Aben? .
..
Youknow I '
vebeenwonder i
ng
howMrOwenknewt hatIhel
dLali'
smot her
hostage.Sothat
'smeansAbenwassentt ospyon
us.Shit.Ihavet
ogoIwi l
lseeyouallatthe
eveningwhenwe'regoingtothatmonster'
shouse.
Mr
s:Bye.
(Iwentdownst airsandsaidmygoodbyes.Iwas
nowdr ivi
ngt otheoffi
ce.I'
mr eallytir
edofwor king
theseboysofmi neneedtotakeovernow.Bei nga
bossisr eal
lyti
ring.Igotoliket enmeet i
ngsi none
day.Ir eal
lyneedsomeonet ohel pmoni torot her
businesses.Whatmakesmemadi sthatJaseand
Zynedi dn'
tevenappl ytogot oanyuni versity.They
saidthey'r
etakingagapyear .It hinkIneedt ot alk
totheirmother.Shemustt r
yandputsomesense
i
nt hei
rmi nds.Icanevenbr ibet hei nstit
utionf or
t
hem.)

Tony'
sPOV

Ijustrecei
vedacal lf
rom Carol
'ssi
ster
.Shesai d
theyfoundhercorpsedumpedout si
detheirgate.
Ifshewast heAdil
ashewoul dn'
thavetol
dme.I t
seemswewer ewr ong.Idon'tknowwhy.ButI '
m
feeli
ngscared.Thatt heAdil
aisveryneartome.I t
l
ikeitiswatchi
ngmyever ymove.Anywaysl etme
got othemall.Ineedt ogetmyselfanewphone.I
tookthecarkeys.

Lal
i:Goi
ngsomewher
e?
Me:yeah.
.I
..
.I
'm goi
ngt
othemal
ltobuysomet
hing.
Lal
i:What
'st
hat"
Somet
hing"
?
Me:yousee.
..Il
ostmycel
lphoneyest
erday.
Lal
i:Andwhathappenedt
oyouf
aceandneck?
Me:YouseeIgoti
ntoaf
ightyest
erdaywi
thsome
boys.Theyal
sot
ookmyphone.
Mom:Whathappened?
(shewascomi
ngt
ousf
rom
upst
air
s)
Me:Not
hingexact
ly.
Lali
:Hegoti
ntoafightwi
thsomeboyst
heyalso
tookhi
sphone(Il
ookedatherwi
thaser
iousf
ace)
Lal
i:What
?
Mom:Whodar est
ouch.Don'
ttheyknowwhoyour
fat
heris.Tellmemoreaboutt
hem .Iwil
ltakecar
e
ofthem foryou.
Me:no.
..
mom pl
easej
ustl
eti
tgo.
Mom:NoIwon't.
..
peopl
enowthi
nkwe'
reweak.
Weneedtoshowthem t
hat
..
.
Me:Mom pl
easest
op.I
'
mreal
lyf
ine.CanIgonow?
Mom:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngexact
ly?
Lal
i:We'r
egoingt ot
hemal l.Heneedstobuyanew
phone.
(ijustl
ookedather.Ithinkshei
salsoi
nto
me.Ithinkshenowf eel
st hesamewayaboutme.
Iwasnowsmi l
ingli
keafool )
Lali
:okay? (shewascuppi ngmyf ace.Ij
ustnodded
)let'
sgot han. (
wetot hecarthandroveoff.Ikept
steal
inggl ancesofhershewasbusyonherphone.
Ievenadj ustedthemi rr
orinsuchawayt hatIwill
beabl etoseeherf ace.Sheisverybeautif
ulGod.
Shei sbeaut i
fulwi
thoutmakeupIwonderhowf ire
shewi lll
ookwi thmakeupon. Ithi
nkIcanbeopen
toher .)
Me:youknowIr
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Car
ol'
ssi
ster
.
Lal
i:Whati
sitt
hatshewant
ed?
Me:Shet
oldmethatt
heyfoundCar
ol'
sbody
dumpedout
sidet
hei
rgat
e.
Lal
i:What?OhhGod. .
.Iwonderwhowoulddothat
toher.Sheseemedlikeanicepersonyouknow.So
howar eyoufeel
ingaboutall
thi
s?
Me:Idon'tknowhey.Iwashopi
ngwewoul
dfi
x
t
hings.(
Ilied)
Lal
i:Shame.
..di
dyour
eal
lyl
oveher
?
Me:Yes.
..
Lal
i:Sowhywoul
dyouhur
therl
iket
hat
?(myhear
t
beati
ncr
eased.Doessheknow?How?
)
Me:l
ikewhat
?
Lal
i:Whywoul
dyoubr
eakherhear
t?
Me:Idon'
tgetyou?
Lali
:Youdumpedher...
(whew.
..
Ifeltar
eli
ef.I
thoughtsheknew.Ismil
edali
tt
le)Andyou'r
e
smili
ng.
Me:No...
youseewhenIdumpedherIwasunder
t
heinf
luenceofal
cohol
.
Lali
:mhhIsee.
(Anywaywegott
othemal
landwent
str
aightt
othei
Phoneshop)
Lal
i:Sowhi
chonear
eyoubuyi
ng.
Me:I'
mt hi
nki
ngoft
aki
ngtheiPhone11.Buti
twi
ll
f
ini
shallmymonthl
yall
owance.
Lal
i:Icanhel
pyou.Iwi
llpayhal
fofi
tpr
ice.
Me:f
orme?
real
ly.
?
Lal
i:Let
'sgo.
(Ichoosedt
hecol
ourIwant
ed.
)
Me:Let
'
sandgr
absomet
hingt
oeat
.
Lal
i:Let
'sbuyt
akeawaysf
orever
yone.
Me:sur
e...
butf
irstIwantt
ospendsomequalit
y
t
imewithyou.(
Shesmi l
ed.Myheartdanced)
Lali
:Okay.
(Wewentt
owimpyandor der
ed.Our
foodcameandwewer ehavingagreatchat.Sheis
sofunnyIwasnowinsti
tches.Iwouldreall
ylove
tospendrestofmyl
if
ewithher.)
Lal
i:Anywaylet
'sgoI
'
m sur
edadisonhiswayt
o
pi
ckusup. (
wewenttothecaranddr
oveoff
)
Me:Howar eyoufeel
ingwitht
hisAben
si
tuati
on?(Herf
acial
expressi
onchanged.It
hink
sheishidi
ngsomethingf
rom me.)
Lali:Youknow..
.Ireallylovedhim .Hewasmyf i
rst
boyf r
iend.Aft
erthatdayIwashopi ngwewoul d
meetagai nandfixthings.IguessGodhadhi sown
plant otakehi
m .Ireallymisshim .Hemademe
happy.Youknowweusedt ogototheparkjustt
o
chillandwatchthestar s.(Ifel
tmyheartbreaki
ng
i
nt opieces.Howcoul dshet alkaboutherexin
fr
ontofme.SheknowsIl oveher.Ibreatheforher
)
Me:Hasheal
ready..
.l
ikehi
tit?
(Shel
aughed)
Lal
i:no..
.Iwil
lonl
ybr
eakmyvi r
gini
tyonceI'
m
marri
ed.(Ismil
ed.At
leastshei
ssti
llpur
e.)
Me:okayIsee.
(Wegothomeanddadwasal
ready
home.Theywerewait
ingforus.)
Dad:Wher
ehaveyout
wobeen?
Me:wewentt
othemal
l.(
Lal
igavet
hem t
akeaways)
Lal
i:DoIhavet
ochangei
ntoadr
ess.
Mom:yes. ..
can'
tyouseeever
yoneIweari
nga
dress.AndJameswasher ehesaidtomor
rowheis
fi
nishing.Hesai
dtonotgointoyourbedr
oom he
eventookthekeys.
Lal
i:okayi
t'
sfine.Anywayssomeofmyclothesar
e
i
ntheguestroom.(Shewentupst
air
s.Iwonderwhy
mom isnotfondofLali.
Lal
iisani
ceper
son. )

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwentt
oguest
room andt
ookaqui
ckshower
.Iput
onmyLousdr essthatisblackandbodyhuggi ng.I
putonblacksandal
sandt ookandRi ppedjean
j
acket.Itookmyhandbagandt iedmyheri nt
oa
neatbun.Iwentdownstai
rs.Thest ai
rstheyall
gaveme.Ievenf el
tli
kerunningbackt othe
guestr
oom andchange.

MrsK:Wow..
.Lal
iwear
enotgoi
ngt
ofashi
onshow(
I
j
ustlookeddown.)
Me:
ButI
'
mjustwear
ingasi
mpl
edr
ess.
dad:Canyouleavemydaught
eral
onepl
ease.
You'r
elooki
ngbeaut
if
ulmystar.
Jase:You'
ref
ir
egi
rl
.
Zi
a:You'
rel
ooki
ngst
unni
ngsi
ster
.
Lal
i:yout
oo(
Ijustki
ssedherchi
ck)
Dad:Canwegonow.( Weal lwenttothecarand
droveoff.Iwasbusyt hinkingaboutthe
conversati
onIhadwi t
hTony.Idon' tr
eall
ymi ss
Aben.Hei sabadper son.Iwasj ustsayi
ngt hatso
thathewon' tsuspectanything.I'
m happythat
Carol'
sfamilyfoundthebody.Tonyi sagoodl i
ar.
Hel i
edaboutever yt
hing.Sayinghewantedtof i
x
thi
ngswi thCarol.nxx..
.Anywaywegottothisbig
andwel lbui
lthouse.Thesecur i
tyguar
dopenedt he
gateforus.Hesear chedusandescor t
edusi n.
Theywer eallsi
tti
ngont hecouches.Dadstarted
greeti
ngthem)

Dad:MrOwen( heshoothandswi thhim .Ilookedat

himj ustt
hanIf eltangerbuildup.Myi nst
incts
wer etel
li
ngmet hathei st
hemant hatki
ll
edmy
mot herandtookherpower s.Byt hehelpofmy
father.Il
ookedathi m unt
iloureyesmet.He
startedcoughingl i
kesomet hingwaschocki nghim.
Ithinkitmyangert hat'
smaki nghiml i
kethat.I
l
ookedawayandt r
iedtocontrolmyanger.)
Dad:Ar
eyouokay?
Him:YeahIjustneededsomewater.I
'mf i
nenow
.(Hemustknowt hatI'
m morepowerf
ulthanhi
m.
I'
m notint
imi
datedbyhim .Ij
ustf
eell
ikejumpi
ngto
him andri
poffhishead)
Dad:Soismyf amily.Mychildr
enandmywi fe.
(Theyalli
ntr
oducedt hemsel
ves.Theyallwentt
o
him andshookhandswi thhi
m. Iwasnowmyt urn.
Everyonewast al
kingtoeachnotmi ndi
ngme.I
wenttohim)
Me:Mynamei sLal
i(
Iwasl
ookingst
raighttohis
eyes)I
'
m sureyouknowme.Don'tworryIwon'tkil
l
younow.Butsoon.Yourdaysarenumber ed(Iwas
whisperi
ngtohim)Soyoubett
erst
artprepari
ngfor
yourdeath.(Hewassweat
ing.
"
Dadar
eyouokay?
"(Askedsomeboy)
Hi
m:yeahI
'
mfi
ne.Thi
sismySonMi
ke.
Me:
Lal
i(
Ishookhi
shand)
Mi
ke:
Nicet
omeetLal
i.You'
rever
ybeaut
if
ul.
Me:Thankyou.
(Iwentt
oSi
tdown)
Dad:Sowheni
sthef
uner
al?
Mr
Owen:Tomor
row.
Dad:What
?Whysosoon.Whendi
dhepasson.
Mr
Owen:(
Hekeptqui
etf
orsomet
ime.Thanhe
star
tedl
ooki
ngatme)
..
whaticant
ellyoui
sthatwe
foundhi
sbodyi
nthebathandwat
erwasrunning.
Dad:Shame
MrOwen:CanIhaveawor
dwi
thyouMrKane
Pr
ivat
ely.
Dad:Sure(Dadl ookedathi swif
e.Thanshenodded.
Iwonderwhati sitthatmrOwenwant stot
elldad.
There'
ssomet hi
nggoi ngonandMr skaneknows.
Anawast alkingtoKi ara.Theboyswer eal
so
tal
kingtoMi ke.Mr sKanewast al
kingtoMrsOwen.
SoIdecidedt ogoupst ai
rsandeavesdroponDad
andMrOwe.MrOwenwast hr
eateni
ngandt el
li
ng
him hur
ryup.ThanIhear ddadsaying:

Dad:Youknowwhat(hewasPointi
nghim)Iwon'tl
et
youtakemydaught
ertoo.Iwi
llt
ellhert
hetrut
h.
Thewholefucki
ngt
ruth.
Mr O:Nc..
.nc...
ncIfyoutellhert
het r
uth.Youthi
nk
she'sgoingt osay"Ohreall
ydad...
there'
sno
problem.If orgi
veyou. "
Noshewon' tsayt
hatbut
shewi l
lkillyou.(what
? )
Dad:Whati
sitt
hatyouwantf
rom mydaught
er?
She
i
snotli
kehermother
.
Mr O:Fool.Anywayi t'
snonofyourbusinesswhatI
wantt odowi thher.Sopl easet
hinkcar
eful
ly.(I
wentbackdownst airs.Sohe'sbusythreat
ening
dadaboutt het r
uth.Iknowt hetr
uth.Iknowt he
wholef ucki
ngt r
uth.Iknowwhathappenedont hat
night.Ineedt otell
dadf astbef
orehedoes
somet hingstupid.AnywaysMi kecamet ome)
Mi
ke:Comesi
twi
thus.
Me:Sur e.(
Isetwit
ht hem .Butmymi ndwas
occupied.SoonI'
ml eavingforschoolnowIhavet
o
takecareofthi
s.Myl i
feisreal
lyhecti
c.)
Zi
a:Lal
iar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
Ana:Butyoudon'tseem fi
ne.I
severythingokay?
(I
havetoli
eorelse.Everyonewi
llst
artgivingus
thei
rful
latt
ent
ion.)
Me:em..mhh..
.youknowIst
il
lcan'
tbel
ieve.
..
that
..
.t
hatAbenisnomore(Il
ookedatTonythan
henodded)
Wewer
ever
ycl
ose.Af
teral
lhewasmy
dr
iver
.
Kiar
a:Dadsaidhewaski l
ledbyhisgi
rl
fr
iend.
(Suddenlymythroatbecamedr y.Thi
speopleknow
something.Theyknowt hatitwasme.AndKi ar
a
waslookingstr
aighttomyeyes)
Me:Gi
rlf
ri
end?
...
Hehadagi
rl
fr
iend?
Iguesshe
di
dn'
ttel
lme.
Ki
ara:Heoncet
oldust
hathehadacr
ushonyou.
Mi
ke:Ki
ara(
hegaveheradeadst
air
)
Me:
Wel
l..
.henevert
oldmet
hat
.
Dad:it
'sti
metogoeveryone.(Weallst
oodup.
WhenIwasaboutt ogo.Kiar
agrabbedmyarm and
whisperedtome)
Ki
ara:Iknowyoukill
edhi
m .Iknowitwasyou.We
ar
ecomi ngforyou.(
Ibr
ushedherhairandsmi
led)
Me:Youknowwhat. .
.I
'm notshookbyyourt
hreat
s.
YesIki
ll
edhim .Yourdaddyi snext
.
Zia:Lal
icome.
..
ever
yonei
swai
ti
ngf
oryoui
nthe
car.
Me:Byedear .(Iwenttothecar.Wedr oveoff.Dad'
s
mindwasoccupi ed.Hisphonekeptr i
ngi
ngandhe
decidedtoswi tchi
toff.Iwonderwhoi scal
li
nghim
atthishour.Tonyst eali
ngglancesatme.Ijust
hopehe' snotsuspectingmeof fki
ll
ingAben.Ihave
totalktohim .Wear ri
vedhome)
Me:DadcanIt
alkt
oyou.
..
inyourst
udy.
Dad:I'
m sorryLalibutIcan'
t.Wewi l
ltal
ktomor
row
morning.(shit
.Iwentt otheguest
room.Tony
walkedinandcl osedthedoorbehindhim)
Me:What
'sup?
Tony:Lal
iist
her
eanyt
hingyou'
rehi
dingf
rom me?
Me:Me?
...
n..
.no.
Tony:Whatwer
eyousayi
ngt
oMrOwen?
Me:Mhh.
..
nothi
ng.Hewascompl ement
ingme.So
Ihadt
oputhimtohisplace.Hei
stoool
dt o
compl
ementyoungchi
ldren.
Tony:mhh.
..
Isee.Whati
sitt
hatKi
arawast
alki
ng
about?
Me:Iwassohear
tbr
oken.(
Ifakedt
ear
s)ThatAben
hadagi r
lfr
iend.Sothat'
smeanshewasnott r
uly
i
nlovewithme.( Hecamecl osetomeandhugged
me.ThanksGodhei sbuyingit.Westoodli
kethat
unti
lIsaidgoodnightt
ohim .Het hanwenttohi
s
bedroom.)

MrKane'
sPOV

Iwasnowi nbedwi t
hmywi f
e.Iwastossingand
turni
ng.Ikeptthinki
ngaboutwhatMrOwensai d.
ThatifIdon'
tgivehim Lal
i.Hewil
lfi
nishmyf ami
ly.
Idecidedtoswitchonmyphone.Kaylahasbeen
calli
ngme.Iwi l
lseehertomorr
owaf t
erthe
funeral.Idial
edMrOwen' snumberandcalledhi
m
.
Me:Hel
lo.
Mr
O:What
?
Me:I'
mt aki
ngyourdeal.Iwi
llgi
veyouLal
i.ButI
haveonelastr
equest
.
Mr
O:Whati
sit
?
Me:Canyougivemeonemoreweek.
Ineedt
o
spendsomequali
tyt
imewi
thher
.
Mr
O:okayi
t'
sfi
ne.

(Idr
oppedhi
scal
l.Mywi
fewasnowawake.Iwas
cryi
ng.)

Mr
sK:Wow.
..
you'
rer
eal
lygi
vingheraway.
Me:yes.
..
Ifidon'
t.Hewi
llhur
tal
lofyou.
Mr
sk:Wegoi
ngt
omi
ssher
.
Me:Ohhpleasedon'
tli
e.Youhat
eher
.Younever
wantedhertost
aywithusfr
om t
hefi
rstpl
ace.
Mr
sk:What
ever
.

MrOwen'
sPOV

Iwasbeyondhappy.Fi
nall
yIwil
lgettheAdil
a
power
s.Iwillwi
peoutallt
heexi
stenceoft
heKane
famil
yafterIhavetookherpowers.Imuststartnow
andprepareforherdeath.Thi
ngsar egoi
ngmy
way.Sher eall
yInti
midatedmetoday.Sheevent ol
d
mydaught erthatsheki
ll
edAbenandI '
m next.Poor
her.Shewon' tknowwhat '
shi
tt
ingher.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Iwi
llal
sot
ryt
opostanot
heri
nser
tlat
er.
[
06/
23,
08:
08]Lynne: I
nser
t20

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupver yearlyi
nthemor ni
nghopingIcoul d
tal
ktodad.Butever yonewasbusypr epar
ingtogo
tothefuner
al.Itookabat h.Iputonabl acklong
ti
ghtskir
tandblackandwhi t
eshi r
t.Iti
edmyhai r
neatl
y.Iputonbl acksti
let
tosandt ookasmal lbag
thanwentout.Iwentdownst air
sandeveryonewas
standi ngther ewai t
ingf orme.Igr eetedever yone.
Ther ewassomet hingdi fferentaboutdad.He
coul dn'tevenl ookintomyeyes.Wewentt ot hecar
thandr oveof f
.Wear r
ivedatt hevenue.Wewentt o
sitfront.Il ookedatAben' scof fin.If el
ttear sform.
Tonyput shi shandsar oundmywai st.Irest edmy
headonhi sshoul der.Ever ythingwasdone.We
wentt ot hecemet ery.Idon' twantt oli
ehewasa
niceguy.Ial sol ovedhi m .Hemademehappy.I '
m
j
ustsor rythathehadt odi ewi thoutknowi ngt he
truth.ButIpr omi se.Just icewi llbedonef orhi s
mot her '
sdeat h.Ki l
li
ngMrOweni smyf i
rstgoal .
AndIknowoneoft hisdaysIwi llachieveit.We
wentt ot heOwen' shouse.Wehadsomet hingto
drink.

Dad:Iwi
llsendadri
vert
opi
ckyoual
lup.Ihave
somewheretogoto.
Me:Dad.
..
canIspeakt
oyou.
Dad:Ican'
tnow.
Mr
sK:Pl
easedocomeback.Iwi
llwai
tforyou.
Dad:Iwi
ll
.
(I
twasnowget
tinglat
e.Adrivercameandtookus
home.WhenwegothomeJameswassi tt
ingatt
he
l
oungesi
ppi
ngagl assofwi
ne.Hegavemet he
keyst
omybedroom.)

James:Myworki
sdoneher
e.Andyourf
ather
al
readypai
d.
Me:Thanks.
James:Ihavet
ogo.Pl
easedocal
laf
teryouhave
seenyourbedr
oom.
Me:Iwi l
l.(
Iwentupst ai
rs.Iunlockedthedoort han
wenti n.Iheldmymout h.Itwasl i
keI'
m ent eringa
heaven.Ievendoubtheaveni slikethi
s.Ever ywall
hadmyf ace.Hedr ewmyf aceevenont hef loor.
Her earr
angedever ythi
ng.Heevenboughtanew
bed.ItwasnotashapeofbedI 'm usedtoo.Ther e
wasal soat ablefordri
nks.Therewasa
champagnepl acedont opofitandsome
mar shmallows.Ilaughedal i
tt
le.Iwenttot he
bathroom.I twassobr eathetaking.Icalledhi m.
James:Jamesher
ehel
lo!
(myGodhei
sal
ways
hyper
.)
Me:Areyousur
ethi
sismybedr
oom?
ori
tbel
ongt
o
Bi
llGat
es'
sdaught
er.
James:I
tyour
sbabe.Doyoul
ikei
t?
Me:likei
t?Ohpleasest
opIl
ovei
t.Ist
il
lcan'
t
bel
ieveiti
smine.Myfri
endi
sgoi
ngtobejeal
ous.
James:I
'
m gl
adyoul
ovedi
t.Ihavet
ogonow.
Me:Okay.
..
thankyouver
yver
ymuch.
James:I
twasmypl
easur
e.
(It
ookfewpicsofitt
hansentthem toNomhle.She
sai
dsheiscomi ngri
ghtnow becauseshedoesn'
t
bel
ieveme.Ziacamein)

Zi
a:Wow...
it
'sver
ybeaut
if
ul,
stunni
ngand
gor
geous.
Me:Jamesi
sreal
lygoodi
nhi
sjob
Zi
a:yeahhey.
..
Mom isgoi
ngt
obeveryjeal
ous.
Thei
rshasnot
hingcompar
edt
oyour
s( welaughed)
Me:Nomhl
esai
dshe'
scomi
ngover
.
Zi
a:Okay.
..
itver
ynicebei
ngar
oundher
.Shehasa
bubbl
eper
sonali
ty.
Me:yeahhey.Anywaysl
et'
shaveapji
nmyr
oom .
Si
nceshe'
salsocomingover
.
Zia:Sure.
..
letmebuysomemor edr i
nksf r
om Take
al
otandsomesnacks.( Weboughteverything.
Nomhl ear
rived.Shewassostunnedbymy
bedroom.Wehadsomedeephousepl aying.
Luckil
ythewal l
saresoundpr
oofed.Wet ookvideos
andpics.Wedancedanddr ankallthealcohol.)

MrKane'
sPOV

Iwasonmywayt oKayla'
shouse.Iwon' tstaylong.
RightnowIfeelhelpl
ess.Ifeelli
keafailure.Idon't
evenhavestrengthtotal
korlookatLali.Ifail
edher
asaf at
heragain.JustwhenIt houghtever yt
hingis
alr
ightbetweenus.Thi shappens.Iwi llneverbe
abletoforgivemyself.IknowMrOwenwi lldo
exactl
ywhathedi dtoLali
'
smot her.Ijusthope
evenwhenLal igett
oheavenshewi llfi
ndi nher
hearttoforgiveme.Idroveinandpar kedmycar.I
wentinside.Shewasbusywat chingTV.

Me:Hey.
K:Hi.
..
(Shekeptqui
et)
Me:I
'm sor
ryf
ornotansweri
ngyourcal
ls.Iwasi
n
oneofmyguardsfuner
al.
K:Ok.
Me:Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?
K:Yeah.
..
Iwasj
ustmi
ssi
ngyou.
Me:Reall
y(Il
eanedtoherandki
ssedher.Wetook
ever
ythi
ngtoherbedroom.Ther
esti
shistor
y)
Me:Thatwasgreat
.(Iki
ssedherf
orehead.Igotup
andst
artedget
ti
ngdressed)
K:It
houghtyouwer
esl
eepi
ngover
.
Me:AsmuchasIwant
edto.Ir
eal
lyneedtobe
home.Ther
ear
efewthi
ngsIwanttotakecar
eof.
K:Okay.
Me:Don'
tbeangryokay?(Icuppedherf
acet
han
ki
ssedher
)Iwi
llsl
eepovertomorrow.
K:okay.
..
pleaseswi
tchof
fthel
ight
sonyourway
out.
Me:Okay.(
Iwentt
omycarthandroveoff
.Igot
homemywi f
ewassit
ti
ngonthebed.Wearinga
l
inger
ie.Shewenttomeandstar
tedki
ssingme.)

Her:Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.(
Shest
art
ed
undressi
ngme)
Me:I
'
mti
redI
..
.
Her:Shhhh(
Shecont
inued.Igavei
n.Ist
art
ed
undressi
nghert
oo.)

Addi
son'
sPOV
Yesmynamei sAddi son.I '
m Car ol
'ssister .My
hear twasver ybrokenwhenmymom andIf ound
herbodydumpedatt hegat e.ShewasaSi ster,
a
fri
end, amot herandaf athert ome.Si nceour
parent sar emost lyoutoft hecount ry.Iknowshe
wasver ywi ldandnotl i
keme.Butshepr otected
me.Atf irstIdidn'tappr oveofherr elati
onshi pwith
Tony.Ther e'ssomet hi
ngdar kaboutt hatboy.
AfterIsawhowmuchsheact uallylovehi m .I
blessedt heirrelationship.Theydat edforal ong
ti
me.Unt ilhedeci dedtodumpher .Shewasver y
hear tbroken.Sheevenr efusedt oeat .Iwasal so
upsetatTonyf orbr eakingmyol dersi ster'shear t
.I
remembert hedayshewentmi ssing.Wehada
reallyser i
oust alk.Shesai dt ome.Imustt akecar e
ofmysel fandnevert rustaman.Shesai dshe
reallyloveandt hatshewant st oseemeachi eve
goodt hingsi nl i
fe.Thatwast hel asttimeIspoket o
her.Ir eallysuspectTony.It hinkhe' sbehi ndmy
sister'sdeat h.Iwi ll
findjusticef ormysi ster.Iwi l
l
revengeherdeat hnomat terwhat.
Lal
i'
sPOV

Itwasveryearl
yinthemorni
ng.Iwokeup.Ihada
terr
ibl
eheadache.Iwokethegi
rl
sup.Wewent
downstai
rsandmadecof f
eeforour
sel
ves.We
thanwentbacktomybedroom.Wecl eanedi
t.

Me:Guyspl
easehel
pmepack.Youallknow
t
omorrowI'
m gonnabackt
oschool
.
Zi
a:Iwi
llmi
ssyousi
ster(
shehuggedme)
Nomhl e:Fri
end...I
'
mr eall
ygoingtomi ssyou.Iwi
ll
missyourl azyass.Whenyoudon' twanttowakeup
earl
ytopr epareforschool(
Ilaughed.Myeyeswere
nowf ulloftear
s)
Me:Iwi
llmi
ssyoubot
h.Myf avouri
tepeopl
e.(
We
gr
ouphugged.Wefi
nishedpacki
ng)
Zi
a:Sowhenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
Me:Ont
heMar
chhol
idays.
Zi
a:no.
..
that
'sf
art
hough.
Me:Schoolr
ules.
(Wetookshowert
ogetherandputonshot
sand
over
sizedcr
opsweatshi
rts.Wewentdownstai
rs
andhadbreakf
ast
.)
Me:Dadt
omor
rowI
'
m goi
ngbackt
oschool
.
Dad:Safejourneymydear.Idon'tiwi
llbetheret
o
seeyouleave.Goodbyeeveryone.Ohhbef oreI
for
getJaseandZyneyouhavet odayand
tomorr
owt odecideony'al
l'
scareerandthanapply
toanyuniversi
ty.Publ
icorpri
vate.
Jase:butdadwesai
dwe'
ret
aki
ngast
udygap.
Dad:Iwon'
trepeatmysel
f.Mywor
disf
inal.
(Hel
eft
.MrsKanewasbusysmi
li
ngt
oher
sel
f.
Shel
ookshappy.)

MrOwen'
sPOV

Iwashavi
ngameet
ingwi
thmychi
ldr
en.
Kayl
a:Sodadwhat
'st
hepl
an?
Me:Theplanis.Iwillgi
veMrKanesomethingt
o
puti
nLali
'
sf oodthatwil
lmakeherunconsci
ousfor
24hour
s.That'stheperi
odwewillusetoti
eherup
wit
hstr
ongchai ns.
Mi
ke:Goodi
deadad.

<<<Tobecont
inued>>>

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[06/
23,08:
08]Lynne:Belovedpl easefor
giveme...
I
madeami stakewi t
hthecharacters.Anadied.But
Iwil
ltr
yandedi teveryi
nsertIusedAna'sname
i
nsteadofZiaon.

[
06/
23,
08:
09]Lynne: i
nser
t21
Notedi
ted

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Ther eissomet hingt hathaschangedaboutLal i.

Sinceshef ixedt hi ngswi thherdad.Shei snow
actinglikeadi va.She' snol ongerthatLal iwho
usedt osay"Idon' tlikeexpensi vethi ngs".She
thinksshe' sbet tert hanever yonenow.Al ongwi t
h
hersocal l
edsi sterZi a.Yesherbedr oom i s
beaut i
ful.Butmi newi llbemor ebeaut i
ful.Iwi ll
fi
ndadesi gneronl ine.Ther easonIchanged
schooli sthatIwantt odi stancemysel ff r
om her.
Sheusespeopl e.Iwast heonewhowaswaki ngup
ear l
yandpr epar eusf orschool.Notevenasi ngle
dayLal iwokeup.She' sisjustalazybi tch.Iwas
busyonFacebook.Someonecal ledMi keOwen
sentmeaf riendr equest .Il ookedathi spr of
il
e.
Cut eindeedandal sowhi te.Iaccept edi t.We
startedtalkingoni nbox.Hewasbusy
compl ement ingmybeaut y.Iwasal lf l
attered.He
i
sal
soaf
unnyper
son.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupear
lyinthemorni
ng.Wentt
odad'
s
bedr
oom .Iknockedthanwenti
n.

Me:Goodmor
ning.
Mr
sk:
YesLal
i..
.whatyouwant
?
Me:Iwantt
otal
ktodad.
MrsK:Sor
ryyoumi
ssedhi
m .Heal
readywentt
o
t
heoffi
ce.
Me:Butsoear
lyi
nthemor
ning?
MrsK:Yes.
..
hehasanear
lymeet
ing.Sopl
ease
l
eavemei npeace.

(Iwentbacktomyr oom .It

ookalongassbath.I
dri
edmyhair.Iputonarippedboyf
ri
endjeananda
bl
acksweater
.IputonmyWhiteAi
rf
orce.Iwent
downst
air
sandhadbreakf
ast
.)

Jase:Soyoul
eavi
ngf
orr
eal
?
Me:Yeahhey. ..
Ihaveto.Anywaysi
tmyl astyear
.
It
'sveryimport
ant.IwashopingIwouldspendthe
restofitwit
hmyNomhl e.Shewasgoi ngtobemy
partnerformat
ricdance.Shehaschanged.
Changedf orworst
.
Zi
a:Iwi
llr
eal
lymi
ssyouhey.
Me:Iwi
llt
oo.Butf
ir
stIhavet
ogot
othemal
land
domyhair.
Zi
a:Whi
chhai
rst
ylesyouwant
?
Me:Anythi
ng..
.butIwast
hinki
ngofdoi
ngcor
nrows.
Li
kestr
aightup.
Zi
a:Yourhai
r.
..
Me:I
'
m col
our
edbabes.
Zi
a:Okaysowhen?
Me:r
ightnow.
Zia:I
'm comi
ngwit
hyou.Ial
sohavetowashmy
hairandremovet
hisbl
ondef
rom myhai
r.
(wewentt
othecar.Thedr
iverdr
oveof
f.)
Me:Sowhatgr
adear
eyoudoi
ng?
Zi
a:11.
..
you?
Me:TonyandIar
einmat
ri
c.
Zi
a:LuckyyouguysI
'
mreal
lyt
ir
edofschool
.
Me:Hangi
nther
esi
ster
..
.You'
ret
owar
dst
heend.
Zi
a:Yeahhey.(wewenttoasal
on.Didourhai
r.I
boughtsomesnacksthanwemadeourwayback
home.Iwentupst
air
sandtookmysuit
case.)

Me:byeguys..
.Iwashopi
ngt
oseedadbef
oreI
l
eave.ButanywayIhavet
ogo.
Jase:Saf
ejour
ney.
..
wewi
llr
eal
lymi
ssyou.
Zayn:Whenyoucomebackwewi
llt
hrowyoua
part
y.(welaughed.)
Tony:byeLal
i(wehugged)
Me:okaybyeguys(Iwentt othecar.Thedri
ver
droveoff
.Itwasal ongassdri
ve.Iwaseven
bored .Thi
sdr i
verwasn'
tevental
kingtome.I f
Abenwasst il
lal
iveIwoul
dbei nsti
tchesr
ightnow.
Anywaysidecidedtobebusywi t
hInstagr
am.Ikept
scrol
li
ngdown.Fi nal
lywearri
ved.Hehelpedme
withmysuitcase.

Me:Thankyou.Bye
Hi
m:Byemi
ssKane.Haveagoodeveni
ng.
(Iwentst
rai
ghttotheboardandsi gnednexttomy
name .Morepeoplehaveal r
eadyar r
ived.
Nomhle'
snamewasn' tevenont heregist
er.She
l
ongplannedfort
his.Iwenttot heroom weused.
OhhIalr
eadyhaveanewr oomie.)

Me:Hey.
Her:Hi..
.Lal
iri
ght
?(Inodded)I
'
m Mat
il
da.Butyou
cancallmeMat .
Me:
Areyounew?
Mat
:Yes.
Me:Whi
chgr
adear
eyoudoi
ng?
Mat
:12.
Me:What?How'sthatpossi
ble?Si
ncewhendot
hey
acceptmat
ri
clear
ners.
Mat
:Theydidn'
twantt
o.Butdadhadtopl
ease
t
hem unt
ilt
heyagr
eed.Heevenpaidext
ramoney.
Me:Ohh..
.Sowhatmadeyouchangeyourol
d
school
?
Mat:Weareori
ginal
lyf
rom Capet
own.Sot
hatj
ust
gotabusi
nesshereinGuat
eng.
Me:MhhIsee.
Mat
:You'
reani
ceper
son.
Me:Yout
oohey.
Mat
:CanIbeyourf
ri
end?
Me:Sur
ewhynot.Myfr
iendchangedschool
.SoI
al
sodon'
thaveaf
ri
end.
Mat
:Fr
iends.(Wehugged.Iwentt
oputever
ythi
ng
i
nmywar drobe.Therear estil
ltwodaysbef orethe
schoolact uall
yst
arts.Iwillputmycl ot
hes
accordinglytomorrow.Ont hewal lInot
icedthe
calendarIdr ew.1stofJanuar ywasci r
cled.My
bir
thday .Thewayt hingshavebeenhect i
cback
athome.Ievenf orgotmybi rt
hday.Evendaddi dn'
t
remember .Anywaymybi r
thdayi sn'
taspecialday
atall.)

Me:Heydoyouwannagoout
?
Mat
:Yessur
ebuthow?
Me:There'
saschoolcar.Thattakesustot
he
near
esttown.Imissedmybirthday.Ij
ustwantt
o
cel
ebrat
eit.
Mat
:How?Howcanonef
orgetaboutt
hei
rbi
rt
hday?
Me:Ibet
ternott
ellyou.
Mat
:Okayl
et'
sgo.
(wewentandaskedthedri
vertot
akeustothe
smallt
own.Itwasn'
tabusytown.Theyareal
so
fewshops.Wewenttotherest
aur
ant.)
Me:Iwi
llpaydon'
twor
ry.Youcanor
deranyt
hing.
(Weor
deredapi
zzaandawi ne.Yesawi
ne.Bei
ng
Zi
a'
ssi
stermademelikeal
cohol.)

Mat
:Soyoual
sodr
inkal
cohol
?
Me:yesyou?
Mat:Met oo.(Wetookfewpics.Ipostedoneon
Instagram andcapti
oned"
Mynewbest i
eandI
celebrati
ngmybel at
edbir
thday".JustthanI
receivedmessagesonmyWhat sAppf r
om my
sibli
ngs.

Tony:Wow..
.youdi
dn'
tevent
ellmewhenyour
bi
rthdayi
s?
Zi
a:I
'
m angr
yatyou.Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme.
Zayn:Wear
ecomi
ngt
her
etof
etchyou
Jase:It
houghtIknewyou.
(Ij
ustsentthem avoicemessage.Tell
ingthem
aboutwhyIdi dn'
ttel
lthem aboutmybi
rthday.
Theyunderstood.ZaynsaidwhenIcomeback
they'
l
lbeapar tyforme.)

Me:Sohowi
sGuat
engt
reat
ingyou?
Mat
:Sof
ari
t'
sgoodandIdohaveaf
ami
lyher
e.
Me:Wowthat
'
sgood.Ithinkit
'st
imetogo.Wecan
t
akeourf
ood.Wewillconti
nueinourroom.
Mat
:Al
cohol
..
.how?
Me:Don'tworr
yaboutt hat.
(Iputeveryt
hinginmy
backbag.Wewentoutt othecar.Wewer eonour
waybacktoschool .Wewer esingi
ngourassesoff.
Wewer eabitdrunk.Wear ri
vedandmadeourway
toourr
oom .Wecont inuedther
eunt i
lwef el
l
asl
eep.)

Tony'
sPOV
Iwasver yheartbrokent hatLalididn'tt
ellmeabout
herbirt
hday.Butaf t
ershet ol
dust hat.Dadsai d
hermot herdi edwhenshewasgi vingbirthtoher.
Herbirthdayhasneverbeenaspeci aldayoraday
tocelebrate.Iunder st oodandmyhear twasat
ease.SoCar ol
'ssisterhasbeencal l
ingme.She
saidCar olwillbebur iedt omor r
ow.Thedayaf t
er
Carolwentmi ssing.Shewasangr yatme.She
didn'
twantt otalktome.Sheevensai dshe
suspectmef orhersi st er'
sdeat h.Iwonderwhat
haschanged.Shehasbeencal li
ngme.Aski ng
howI '
m doi ng.AsI '
mt alkingIwasdr i
vingtomeet
her.Shesai dshewant st otal
kt ome.If et
chedher
thandrovet ot hepar k.

Me:Sowhat
'sup?
Addi :Iwantedtobasical
lyapologi
zetoyou.For
suspect i
ngyouofki l
li
ngmysi ster
.Iwasver y
shutt er
edandmymi ndwasoccupi ed.Ihavej
ust
reali
zedt hatyoul
ovedmysi sterverymuchandyou
willneverdoanythingtohurther.
Me:IknowandIunder
stand.
Addi
:Sohowar
eyouf
eel
ingaboutherdeat
h?
Me:Ireall
ydon'tknowhowt ofeel.Ist
il
lcan't
bel
ievethatsheisnomore.Iwashopi ngafter
sometimewewoul df
ixt
hings.Andgetback.
Addi
:Shereall
ylovedyou.Sheusedtot
alkabout
youever
ysingleday.Whenyoudumpedher .She
wassoheartbr
oken.Whydi dyoudumpherexact
ly?
Me:Iwasundert
hei
nfl
uenceofal
cohol
.Iwasn'
t
t
hinki
ngst
rai
ght.
Addi:Sowhydi
dn'
tyouf
ixt
hingswi
thheront
he
nextday?
Me:Iwasscared.Iwasscar
edt
oevenl
ookather
br
okenface.
Addi:Iseehey.Imi ssheral ot.Shewas
everyt
hingtome.( Shewasnowcr ying.Ibr
ought
hertomychest .Sher est
edherheadandIbr ushed
herback.)I'mf eel
inglonelywithouther.Our
parent
sar el
eavingafterthefuneral.Iwil
lbelef
t
alone.
Me:Don'tworryIwil
lbetheref
oryou.Nomat ter
what.(Shewasr ai
sedherheadandlookedatme.
Welookedintoeachother'
seyesandthankissed.
She'
sverycute.IfIweretochoosebetweenher
andCarol.Iwouldchooseher.)
Addi
:Sor
ry.
..
I
Me:No.
..
I'
m sor
ry.
Addi
:Canyoudr
opmeof
fathomenow.I
t'
sver
y
l
ate.
Me:Sure(idroppedheroff.Herbodyt extur
ei svery
beaut
if
ul.She'scute.Butnotmor ethanmyl ali
.The
ki
sswasni cehey.Shehasj uci
elips.MaybeIcan
haveathi
ngwi thherwhileI'
m sti
llwaiti
ngforLal i.)

Addi
son'
sPOV

WhenIgothome.Mypar ent
swer ebusyhavi
ng
dinner.Mymot herl
ookssoshuttered.Shehad
tearsonhereyes.Shewasn'teveneating.Shewas
j
ustl ooki
ngandplayi
ngwit
ht hefood.
Dad:Addicanwespeakt
oyou?
Me:Sur
e(Iwashol
dingmyt
ear
s)
Dad:Yourmom andIhavedeci
dedtogowi t
hyou.
Aft
eryoursi
ster
'sdeat
h.Wedon'tt
hinkyou'
resaf
e.
Me:Towher
eexact
ly?Becauseyouguyst
ravelal
ot
.AndIdon'
twantt
obepar tofi
t.
Dad:Youwi
llst
aywi
thyourgr
annydear
.
Me:Nodad..
.Ihavei
mport
antt
hingst
otakecareof
her
e.I
'
m alsodoingmat
ri
csoIcan'tj
ustl
eave.
Dad:Butbaby.
..
Me:Nodad.
..
Iwi
llst
ayher
e.
Dad:Okay.
..
butcanweat
leasthi
reahel
perwhose
gr
ownupf oryou.
Me:That 'sevenbett
er.Pl
easeexcuseme( Ir
an
upstair
sandl ockedthedoor.Iwentt
ot he
bathroom andtookacol dshower.Isetdownas
thewat erwashitt
ingmynakedbody.)
Me:Car
ol.
..
I'
m ver
ysor
rymysi
ster
.Iknowyou
l
ovedTonysomuch.ButIhavet odoi t.Ihavet o
doitforyou.Soyoursoulcanr estinpeace
knowi ngt hatyourki ll
erispayingf oryourdeat h.I
havet omakehi m pay.Iknowi fyouwer esti
llali
ve
youwoul dn'twantmet ohurthim.ButI 'm sor rythi
s
ti
mear oundI 'm goingagainstyourwi sh.Youwer e
soki ndhear ted.Iknowwher everyou' reyouhave
for
gavehi m .ButIwoul dnever .Iwouldnever
for
givehi mf ortherestofmyl i
fe.Het ookyou
awayf r
om me.Iwi llal
sotakewhat '
sspeci altohi m
.Befor eIki l
lhim .Hewi l
ldieasl owdeat h.

(Iwi
pedmytearsanddr
iedmysel
f.Iputonmypj
s
andwentt
osleep.)

MrKane'
sPOV

Iwaswit
hKaylaallal
ong.Shehasn'
tbeenfeel
ing
wel
l.SoIwasjustkeepinghercompany.Il
ooked
atmywatchitwasgetti
nglat
e.Ineedtogoorelse
mywifewil
lbeangry
Me:(
Iki
ssedher
)Ihavet
obabe.
K:Wow.
..
I'
m notf
eel
ingwel
lyetyouwantt
ogo.
Me:Ireal
lyneedt
ogo.Thi
ngsathomear
en'
tgoi
ng
wel
l.
K:ohhr
eal
lyoryouj
ustmi
ssi
ngyourwi
fe.
Me:Ihavet
ogo. (
Ikissedher.Tookmycarkeys
t
handroveoff
.Iarr
ivedhomet heywerest
il
l
wat
chingTVatthi
shour .Evenmywi f
e.)

Me:Heyever
yone.
Jase:ohhheypops.(Isetnextt
omywi
fe)
Me:Sohaveyouguysdeci
dedonwhatt
odo?
Zayn:Ehmm.
..
mmmh.
..
notr
eal
lydad.
Me:Isee.
..
youbot
har
ebusywast
ingt
ime.
Jase:Dad..
.wej
ustdon'
tknowwhatt
ost
udyf
or.
..
Me:Ohhr
eal
ly.OkIwi
llt
handeci
dedf
oryou.
Jase:What
?Nodad.
Me:ZaynyouwilldoLaw.I
sn'
tyoucan'
tkeepyour
mouthshut
.yes
Zayn:Noo..
.dad.
..
what
?..
.nopl
easedad.Iwantt
o
bear apper
.
Me:For
getaboutt
hatsil
lydr
eam ofyour
sof
becomi
ngarapper.(
Jasewasbusylaughing)
Zayn:ohhsoyou'
relaughi
ngatme
..
.nxx.
..
p..
.er
hmm.(Jaselaughedmor
e)
Me:Jaseyouwi
lldosomethingthathastodowi t
h
t
hemanagementofbusinesses.(Zaynlaughed.)
Jase:No..
.nopops.
..
li
ker
eal
ly.Iwantt
odospor
ts
sci
ence.
Me:What ?..
.That'
snevergoi ngt ohappen.Iknow
youguyst hi
nkI'm beingsel f
ish.ButI'
mt hi nkingof
thefuture.I'
m goi ngt odi eandleaveyouguys
withmybusi nesses.Nor appercanrepresentt he
family.Weasbusi nessowner sweneedl awyer s
whoar et r
ustworthy.Someonewecant rust .And
thatpersonisnonot heryourownson.Youj ase.
Youwi llmanagemybusi nesses.Ihavepl entyof
businesses.Igaveevengi veyouonet oown.Si nce
youguysaretheolderbr
other
s.Iwantyourother
si
bli
ngstolookint
oyou.Iwanty'l
ltomakesur e
youryoursi
bli
ngshaveeveryt
hingtheyneed.
MrsK:Myhusbandisspeaki
ngthetr
uth.Younow
havetomanup.Soonyouwi l
lbest
arti
ngy'
llown
famil
ies.
Me:yeah.
..
Idon'
twantmygrandchi
ldr
entosuf
fer
.
Sotomorr
owyouguysareapplyi
ng.Yourmother
wi
llhel
pyou.Goodni
ghtever
yone.
Jase:nightpops(Il
eftt
hem t
her
ebusyt
alki
ngt
o
them selves.)

Kayl
a'
sPOV

SoIhavebeenf eelingverysickfort
hepastf ew
days.Idecidedtogot othedoctor.Andt hedoctor
saidI'
m pr
egnant.Ij ustdon'
tknowhowt ofeel.I
l
oveMrKaneal ot
.Iwantt ospendtherestofmy
l
ifewithhi
m.Myf ormerhusbandandIhavebeen
tr
yingtohavebabi esbutcouldn'
t.Ithi
nkGod
broughtMrKanef orareasoni
nmyl i
fe.Iwasgoing
todiewithouthavi
ngababy.Ihaven'
ttol
dhim yet.
ButIwillevent
uall
ytel
lhim.

Tony'
sPOV

SoIwokeupear l
yandgotr eadytogotothef
uneral
.
Zayn,
ZiaandJasewer egoingalong.SoIwasin
mywayt otel
ldad.Iknockedthangotin.

Me:Goodmor
ningdad
Hi
m:ohhhey.
..
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng.
..
looki
ngso
f
ormal
.
Me:Welldad.
..
Afri
endofour
spassedonsowe'
re
goi
ngtoherfuner
al.
Hi
m:Ohhokay.
Me:Pl
easet
ellmom t
oo.
Hi
m:OkayIwi
ll
.
(IwentdownstairsandthanIdroveust othefuner
al.
Itwasalreadyful
lsowewer ejuststandingatthe
back.Addisoncamet ous.Shewasl ookingvery
beauti
fulinherblackt
ightdr
esswi t
hasl itshowi
ng
herfl
awlessthigh.)

Addi:Ther
ear
efewsi
tsatt
hef
ront.Youguyscan
si
tthere.
Zia:Thanks. (wewentt osi tt
here.Thef uneralwent
smoot h.Ever ythingwasdone.Wewentt ot he
cemet er
ythancamebackt otheirhouse.Wehad
food.SoCar ol'sfami l
yl eft.I
twasnowaf t
ertears
par t
y.Car olwasapar t
yani mal.West arted
drinkinganddanci ng.Addiwassi tt
ingnextt oZia
shewashavi ngagl assofwi ne.Ididn'tknowshe
drinks.Ikeptst eal i
nggl ancesofher .Shestoodup
andwentupst airs.If oll
owedher .Shegoti nto
somebedr oom.Igoti ntoo.)

Addi
:Tony?
(
Iwentt
oherandst
art
edki
ssi
ngher.It
ookof
fher
clothesandplacedheront hebed.Igotbetween
hert hi
ghs.Iwasal r
eadynaked.Istar
tedleavi
ng
wetki ssesonherbody.Iwentdownt ohersacr ed
place.Ikissedit.JustwhenIwasaboutt ohiti
t
rawshehel dmyhand)
Me:What
?
Addi
:Condom?
Me:Don'tworr
y.(
Itr
iedi
nser
tmymanhoodi
nher
butcoul
dn't
)
Addi
:I'
m avi
rgi
n.
Me:Shi
t.(Istart
edfingeri
ngher.Shewasnowvery
wet.It
ri
edi nsert
ingagain.I
tthanwentinaf
teral
ot
oft
ri
es.Shest artedscreami
ng.Sheheldmetight
)
Addi
:No.
.Tonypl
easest
op.I
t'
spai
nful
.
Me:Don' tworr
y..
.t
hepainwi l
lgoawayj ustnow.(I
star
tedmovi ngsl
owly.UntilIincreasedmypace.
Wedi dsomanyr ounds.Iwentt oherbathroom
andranashowerf orus.Ther ewasbl oodinher
bed.Itookherbri
dalstyl
etot heshower.Iwent
backandr emovedthestaincomf orterandsheet.
i
wentbackandbat
hedwi
thher
.Iki
ssedherback.
)
Me:Thankyoufortrust
ingme.
(Shejustsmi
led.I
hel
phergetdressed.Shehadafunnywalk.Soshe
j
ustwenttosl
eep.)
Me:Iwi
llbebackri
ghtnow.I
'
m goi
ngt
obuyyou
t
hemorningaft
erpil
l.
Addi
:Okay.
..
thanks.

Addi
son'
sPOV

IWasf eeli
nglikeshi t.Howcoul dIsleepwi t
hmy
l
atesister
'sboyf r
iend.Hebr okemyvi rgi
nit
y.Ihad
nochoicebutl ethim.Iwoul ddoanyt hingto
revengemysi ster'
sdeat h.Eveni fi
tmeanssel l
ing
mysoult oLuci f
er.Iwoul d.Whenhe' sveryclose
tome.That 'swhenIwi llstr
ikehim down.Hecame
backwi t
hthemor ningaf t
erpill
.Idr
anki t.
Me:Thankyou.
Tony:you'
rewel
come.(Hegoti
nbedandcuddl
ed
me)
Lal
i'
sPOV

SoMatandIwewer ebusypackingourclothes
neatl
y.Wet ookoutouruni f
ormsf ori
roni
ngand
ourclot
hes.IboughtanewschoolbagsoIdon' t
havetowasht heoldone.Ziasentmeamessage
thatt
heywer einCarol
'sfuneral
.AsmuchasI
wantedtosaymyl astgoodbyet oher.Icouldn'
t.I
wantedtoalsoapologizetoher.Fornotfi
ndingher
attheri
ghtt
ime.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
09]Lynne: I
nser
t22
Fewweeksl
ater
Notedi
ted

Lal
i'
sPOV
Itwasaft
erschool.MatandIwer ebusywith
schoolwork.There'
ssomethingstr
angeabouther.
Everyt
imeIwakeupi nthemiddleoftheni
ght.
She'sal
waysnotinherbedandt hedoorwouldbe
sli
ghtl
yopened.Anywaysthewinnersfort
he
Olympiawereannounced.Itwasat i
e.SoTony
andIhadtodividethepri
zesbecausewebothhad
samepoints.

Me:I
'
mti
rednow.Mat
ri
chasal
otofwoke.
Mat:Yeahhey.
..
Theygi
veusal
otofhomewor
ks.
Whereast
heexamsarear
oundt
hecorner
.
Me:Weneedt
ost
artnowst
udyi
ng.
Mat
:Youst
udyi
ng?
Me:Yes.
..
Mat:Butyoudon'
tevenneedtostudy.You'
reanA
st
udent.YouareverysmartLal
i.
Me:Ial
sohavet
ost
udy.
Mat
:Okay.
..
canyouhel
pmewi
thMat
hs?
Me:Sur
ewhynot
.

(shebroughtallt
heresour
ceswewi
llneed.I
star
tedteachi
ngher.
)

Tony'
sPOV

Schooli sfi
ne.Ever ythingiswell.It
'sj
ustwithalot
ofwor kIhaveIcan' tevengooutt opart
ywithmy
brot
her s.Theuni versityli
feist
reati
ngthem well.
Eventhought heypar tyeveryFri
day.Theydi dn'
t
wanttost ayathome.Sot hey'
restayi
nginaf l
at.
Don'tnol ongervi
sither eeveryweekend.It'
svery
bori
ngwi t
houtthem .Zi aandIar ealwaysbusywi t
h
schoolwor k.AboutAddi sonwear enowveryclose.
Ithi
nkI '
m start
ingt olikeher.Wechateverysingle
day.She' sanicegi rl
.I '
m pl
anningtoseeherthis
weekend.Dadwal kedi n.

Me:
Ohhheypops.
Dad:How'
sschool
?
Me:I
t'
sjustt
ir
ing.Ther
e'sal
otofwor
kthatneeds
t
obedone.
Dad:Isee.Sowheni
sLal
icomi
ngback?
Me:Shesai
dwhenshef
ini
shesherexams.
Dad:
Okay.
..Iwantt
oplanaf ami
lydi
nner
.Wecan
al
sousethatti
metocelebr
ateherbi
rt
hday.
Me:Thatagoodi
dea.Iwi
lll
etherknow.
(Dadleftt
heroom.Dadhasn' tbeenhi mselfl
ately.
Hecomeshomel ateanddoesn' thavebreakfast
wit
hallofus.Thi
ngsar ejusttense.It
'sl
ikehej ust
l
ostsomeoneimportantinthisorhei sabouttol ose
someone.Maybeoneofhi sbusinessesisnot
doi
nggood.)

MrKane'
sPOV

I
'mfeel
inggui
lt
yforwhatI'
m abouttodot oLali
.
She'
smydaughter.Myfir
stdaughter.YetI'
m busy
planni ngherdeat h.WhatcanIdot hough.Ihave
nochoi ce.Ihavebeeni gnoringhercal
ls.Ijust
don' tknowwhatt osayt oher.IhopeGodwi l
l
forgivemef orwhatwi l
lhappent oLali
.Kaylahas
beenver ymoodyandshehasal sogai nedweight
.
Gaut engi streati
ngherwel l.SoIwasonmywayt o
meetMrOwen.Hesai dImustcomebyhi shouse.
Ipar kedmycari nandwenti nsi
dethehouse.The
cleanert ookmet ohisoffi
ce.Hewasdr inki
nga
whi skeyandal sosmoking.

MrO:Ohh..
.myfr
iend.Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.I
t
houghtyouhavechangedyourmind.
Me:Tal
k..
.whydi
dyoucal
lmeher
e.
MrO:Easy.
..
fi
rsthaveagl
assofwhi
skey.Wewi
ll
t
alkever
ythi
ngoverit.
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
MrO:don'
tworryther
e'snot
hingi
nit.See.
(Hedrank
i
tfr
om thebott
le.Ipouredmysel
faglassofi
t)How
ar
ethingsathome?
Me:Good.
..
Mr
O:Andhowi
syourmi
str
essdoi
ng?
Me:My?
..m.
.mywhat
?Howdi
dyouknow.
Mr
O:Rel
axMrKane.Ihaveeyesever
ywher
e.
Me:Don'
tevert
ouchher
.
MrO:Iwoul
dnever.Hi
sexhusbandwoul
dhuntme
downandkil
lme.
Me:What
?
MrO:AnywayI '
m nott
her
e.SoIcal l
edyouheret
o
gi
veyout hi
s.(Hewenttohissaf
eandt ookouta
box.Hesetdownandstart
edpunchingacodeonit
.i
topened.Hetookoutali
ttl
ebott
le.Itwasmade
ofsteel
.Hegaveitt
ome)
Me:What
'st
his?
MrO:Yousee.Ican'
tjustgot
oyourhouseandsay
Lal
icomewithme.
Me:Ist
il
ldon'
tgetyourpoi
nt.
Mr
O:Sot hi
syouwil
lputi
nLali'
sf oodanddri
nk.I
t
wi
llmakeherweakandunconsciousforhour
s.
Whenshest artfeeli
ngdizzyyoumustcal lme.I
wil
lcomewi ththepaper sstati
ngthatI'm gi
vingthe
companies.Iwi l
lthantakeLali.Ihavegivenyou
enoughtime.Pl aneverythingsmoot hsot hatshe
won'tsuspectanything.
Iwillmakesur eherment or
tel
lhernothi
ng.(Ij ustf
inishedtheglassandt ook
thebott
le.Iwashal fwaythedoor .)
MrO:AndMrKane.Don' tcrossme.Becausei fyou
do.Mmmh. .
.youknowwhatI 'm capabl
eofdoi
ng.
(Ij
ustwenttomycart handrovehome.Igotthere
andwentstr
aightt
omyst udyr oom.Iputt
hebot t
le
MrOwengavemei nsi
dethesaf e.Iwentt
ospeak
tomywife)

Her
:Howdi
dthemeet
inggo
Me:Hegavemesomet
hingt
oputi
nLal
i'
sfood
Thatwi
llmakeherunconsci
ous.
Her
:PoorLali
.She'sgoingtodi
etheexactsame
wayhermotherdied.Sheiscur
sed.
Me:Don'
teverspeaki
llofmydaught
er.Iknow
whatI 'm abouttodoi swrong.IknowthatIwillbe
responsiblef orherdeat
h.Butshe'ssti
llmy
daught erandIl ovehersomuch.I t
'sj
ustthatI
can'tprotecther.Itwoul
dhavebeeneasyi fIwas
dealingwi t
hsomeonel i
keme.Wi t
hno
super naturalpowers.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Okay.I 'm beyondhappyt hatLaliwillf

inal
lybeout
ofourl ives.Ihavebeenhopi ngfordaysl i
ket he
onest hatar est il
lyettocome.Iwi shIcanbet here
toseeLal icryingandscr eami ngforhelp.Shewi l
l
diethesamewayt hatbitchhermot herdied.Ever
sinceshecamei ntoourl ivesthingshasbeengoi ng
wr ong.Wehavebeenl osingf amilymember s.She
i
sr eallycur sed.I 'mjustgr at
efulthatfi
nallyIwil
l
bef reef r
om t hatevilandr udechild.I'
m also
gratefulthatMi kedecidedt ogobackwher everhe
camef rom .ButIdomi sshi m verymuchhey.I
havebeensendi ngpeopl et ospyonmyhusband.I
t
hinkhe'
scheat
ingonme.Soiwascal
li
ngoneof
t
heguysisent.

"
Hel
lobossl
ady"
Me:Doyouhaveanyt
hinghandf
ulicanuse
"
Yes.Iwil
lsendyouthelocat
ionandaddr
ess.Of
t
heplacehealwaysvi
sit
.Hesomet i
messpendt
he
whol
enightt
here."
Me:Doyouknow t
heladyhe'
sbusywi
th?
Ineed
i
nfor
mati
onabouther
.
"AllIknowisshewasmar ri
ed.Herhusband
cheatedwithhersi
stersotheydivorced.Butthe
husbandwantherbacki nhisli
fe.Thatheeven
sentpeopletofi
ndher.She' sbusyont herun.She
hasbeentodi f
fer
entplaces.ButIthi
nkshe'snow
sett
li
nghere."
Me:I'
m sur
emyhusbandi
sther
easonwhyshe'
s
set
tl
ingher
e.
"yeahmaybe.BecauseIhaveal
socont
actedmy
peopl
efr
om thepl
acesshehasbeen.Theysai
d
sheonl
yst
ayf
oramont
hinapar
ti
cul
arpl
ace."
Me:Okayt hankyou.Ithi
nkIhaveenough
i
nformati
onabouther .Iwil
ltr
ansferthemoneyi
nto
youraccount.Bef
oretheendoft hisday.
"okay..
.t
hankyouverymuch.I
fyouneedusagain.
Youknowwher etof
indus.Wecanevenki
llherf
or
youifyouwant"
Me:Not
hanks.Don'
twor
ry.Leaveever
ythi
ngt
ome
.

(Idroppedthecall.Okaysomyhusbandi sr
eall
y
cheati
ngonme.Iknewt hatmyinst
inctswould
neverli
etome.Somymi ssi
onistonow payt hat
womenavi sit
.Iwillt
ellhertocutoffherti
eswith
myhusbandorel seIwon' thesi
tat
et okil
lher.Nxx
bit
ch.)

I
TISNOW THEDAYWEHAVEBEENWAI
TINGFOR.

Lal
i'
sPOV
TodayI '
m wr i
tingmyl astpaper.Tonyt oldmet hat
dadpl annedaf amil
ydinner.SoIj ustcan'
twaitto
seemysi bli
ngs.Iwokeupf eel
ingverydown.Ihad
anheadache.I tfeel
slikesomet hingbadi sgoi
ngto
happent omeort heper soncloset ome.Ihope
ever yonei sfi
ne.Letmecal lNomhl e.Ihaven't
talkedt oherf orthepastf ewmont hs.Ihopeshei s
fine.

Me:
Hel
lo
Nomhl
e:OhheyLal
i.
Me:Howar
eyou?
Nomhl
e:I
'
mfi
ne.Doyouwantsomet
hingf
rom me?
Me:No..
.Iwasj
ustchecki
nguponyou.Howar
e
t
heexamst r
eat
ingyou?
Nomhl
e:Lal
i..
.Ihavet
ogo.

(
Shedr
oppedt
hecal
l.Wow.Ther
e'ssomet
hingnot
ri
ghtaboutNomhl e.Shewasver ydown.She'snot
theNomhl eIknow.Ihopeshe' snotgoingthrough
dif
ficul
ty.Iwil
lvisithertomor row.AnywayI
preparedforschool.Soourl astpaperwas
Afri
kaans.SoIwi l
lfinishinl
esst hananhour.Dad
sentadr i
vertocomeandpi ckmeup.SoIwentt o
theexam room andst art
edwr i
ting.Itwasn'
thard.
MatandIf ini
shed.)

Me:Howwast
hepaper
?
Mat
:Easyhey.
..ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?
Me:Yeswhy?
Mat
:Youreyes.
..
they'
rer
ed.I
tli
keyouhavet
ryi
ng.
Me:Real
ly..
.Ij
usthaveabadheadache.
Mat
:Ihavesomemedsf
orheadache.(shegave
me.Idrankt
hem .
)
Me:Let
'
sgoandchange.I
'
m sur
emydr
iveri
son
hi
sway.
Mat
:Canyouvi
sitme.
..
pleasef
ort
hehol
idays.
Me:Ehhh.
..
.Iwi
llj
ustsendmet
headdr
ess.Iwi
ll
seewhenIcanvisi
tyou.
Mat:Okay.
..
pleasedocome.Ther
e'ssomet
hing
ver
yimportantIneedt
otel
l.
Me:Okay..
.Ihopei
taboutyouleavi
ngi
nthemiddl
e
oft
henightandcomingbackinthemorni
ng.
Mat
:What
?HOW?
...
I..
.
Me:Doyouhaveaboyf
ri
end?
Mat
:No.
..
Me:So?
Mat
:Iwi
llt
ellyouever
ythi
ngwhenyouvi
sitme.
Me:Iwi
llsur
elycome.
(Wewenttoourroom.Iputonaminiskir
t,whi
tet
shir
tandPumapushi ns.I
'
m notl
eavingwithmy
clot
hes.Ihavepl
entyathome.Mat
'sdad.Arri
ved.)

Hi
m:Heygi
rl
s.
Me:hel
losi
r.
Mat
:Heydad.
Him:Soyou'remydaught
er'
sfr
iend.(Inodded)She
saysalotofgoodthi
ngsaboutyouwhenIcal lher
.
Ihaveneverseenmydaught
erthishappy.Thank
you.
Me:Sheisagr
eatf
ri
end.Iwoul
dn'
ttr
adeher
anyt
hing.
Hi
m:It'
sni
cet
ohearthat.Iwashopingthatyou
woul
dcomewithus.Atl
eastvi
situsforaweekend.
Me:Iwil
l.Butnott
oday.Dadpl
annedsomet
hing
speci
alf
orthefami
ly.
Hi
m:Mhh.
..
Isee.Goodf
ami
l
yyougot.Uni
ted.
Me:Yeahhey.
..
Hi
m:IfIwasn'
ti
nahur r
y.Iwouldinvi
temysel
fto
t
hatdi
nner(welaughed)Anywaygoodbye.
Mat
:Byel
ove(Wehugged)
Me:Seeyousoon.
(Theyl
eft
.Mat'sf
atheri
saniceperson.Hei
sof
fr
eenat
ure.Anywaythedri
verar
ri
vedandwewere
nowi
nther
oad.)

Mat
'sPOV

Wej ustleftandImissLal
ialr
eady.Shei savery
ni
ceandl ovingper
son.I'
m gratef
ulthatIf
ounda
fr
iendlikeher.Shehelpsmewi thschoolwork.
There'
ssomet hi
ngspeci
alorgoodaboutherand
al
sosomet hingstr
angeabouther.

Me:Sodadwhenar
egoi
ngt
otheOegr
ate?
Dad:Whent
het
imei
sri
ghtmydear
.
Me:ButdadIal
soneedt
ogothere.Ineedt
ogai
n
moreski
ll
sandhometocont
roli
t.
Dad:Mat
il
daIsai
d..
.whent
het
imei
sri
ght
(Hewasnowver yangry.Ever
yti
meIaskaboutt he
Oegr
atedadgetsangry.SoanOegr at
eisapl
ace
wher
eallwerewolvesl
ive.Iti
sthei
rhome.They
ar
etrai
nedhowt oprot
ectthei
rsel
ves,
how t
ofight
anenemyandhowt ocontrolthei rpower.Sodad
oncet oldmet hat.Thereasonwhywear en' t
allowedt herebecausehi sfatherwasbani shed
from there.Becausehewashavi nganaf fairwitha
beast .Sot hebeast saresaidt obet hegr eatest
enemi esoft hewer ewolves.Thehat redispassed
from onegener ati
ontoanot her.Att heOegr at
e
there'sanAl pha.Hei smor elikeaki ng.Dadi san
Alpha'scousi n.Theydon' tgetal ong.Butdadand
theAl pha'ssonshaveagr eatr elati
onship.They
evenhel peddadwhenwegother ewi t
hapl aceto
stay.Theyal sol i
vehereinGuat eng.Theygot othe
Oegr atewheni t
'snecessary.Ij ustwi shIcanal so
got hereandbewi t
hpeoplel i
keme.)

MrKane'
sPOV

Somywi fehelpedwitheveryt
hing.Shecookeda
veryni
cemealf orever
yone.Thewayshewas
handli
ngeverythi
ngyouwoul dswearthebott
lewas
givent
oher.Thedr i
vercal
ledhesaidtheyarenot
farsomywi festart
eddi shi
ng.Shedi shedf or
everyone.Shepour edtheli
quidintoLaliglassof
j
uiceandalsosomei nherfood.Shet oldeveryone
tositdown.Laliwalkedshegr eetedeveryone.My
wifeshowedhert heplacetosit.

Me:er hh...
I'
m sogr at
efulthateveryoneishere.My
wifeandIpl annedt hi
sdi nner.Asaf amilywehave
beent hroughsomuch.Wel ostpeoplewelovet he
most .Everythi
ngseemedshut t
ered.Butlookatus
now.Wehavepassedi t.Wehavemadepeacewi t
h
everything.That'sbecausewear eUnited.And
alwayst hereforoneanot her.LaliIknowbackt han
Iwasn' tagoodf ather.ButIwantyout oknowt hatI
l
oveyouandal wayswi ll.
Lali:il
oveyoudad.ButI
'm veryhungry.(she
startedeat
ing.Iwant
edtost opherbutitwas
al
r eadytoolat
e.Ij
usthavetof or
givemyself)
Lal
i:Mhh.
..
ver
yni
ce.Imissedf
oodmadewi
thl
ove
andwarmt
h.(weallat
e)
Lal
i'
sPOV

Idi
dn'treal
izet hatImissedthem thismuch.We
werealleati
ngandchat ti
ng.Foodwasver y
amazing.Itwasver ydeli
cious.Ifi
nishedeating.I
wasnowdr i
nki ngmyj ui
ce.Iwonderwhyt hef ood
wasdished.Becauseweusual lydishforourselves.
Maybei t
'sbecausei tisaf amil
y.she'sspoil
ingus.
Whilewest illeati
ng.Istar
tedtofeeldizzy.A
headachehi tmever yhard.Iheldmyhead.

Zi
a:Lal
i?Ar
eyouokay?
Me:(
ifai
ntl
ysmil
ed)I'
mfine.
..
Ijustfeelabi
tdi
zzy.
Letmejustgoandtakeanap.(IstoodupbeforeI
coul
devengoifel
ldownandfainted.)

Nar
rat
ed

TheytookLal
itoherbedroom.MrKaneasked
ever
yonetostayi
ntheirbedrooms.Theydi
das
told.MrOwenwal kedinwit
hthepaper s.Hewas
evenwear inganewsuit.Whi l
et heyweresti
ll
signing.TheguardstookLali
'
sbodyt ohiscar.
Ever yt
hingwasfi
nali
zed.MrOwendr ovetohis
secrethouse.HegotthereandtiedLalibyverybi
g
andst rongchai
ns.Het i
edherhandsandl egs.

<<Tobecont
inued>>

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
10]Lynne:i
nser
t23
Cont
inuat
ion

Tony'
sPOV

SoZia,
Zayn,
JaseandIwereinZi
abedroom.Since
dadsaidwemustbeinourrooms.Wewer epl
aying
car
ds.I'mreal
lywor
ri
edaboutLal
i.Ihopei
t'
snot
somethi
ngseri
ous.IwishIcanj
ustgoandseeher.
Me:Er
hh.
..
guysIwi
l
lbeback.
Zi
a:Dadsai
dwemustst
ayI
nourr
ooms.
Me:I
'
m goi
ngt
odr
inkwat
er.

Iwentdownstair
s.Dadwassit
ti
nginthelounge.
Hewasdr i
nkingabeer.Wowsomethi
ngser i
ousis
goingon.Dadusual
lydri
nksa whi
skey.Iwentand
setnextt
ohim.

Me:I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ghtdad?
(
Hewi
pedhi
stear
s)
Dad:Yeah.
..
emm .
..
whyar
en'
tyoui
nyourr
oom.
Me:Iwant
edtodr
inksomewat
er.ThanIsawyou.
HowisLal
i?
Dad:Er
..
.er
..
Lal
i..
.wet
ookhert
othehospi
tal
.
(
Icoul
dseet
hathewasl
ying.Butwhywoul
dhel
ie)
Me:Isee.
..
what
'swr
ongwi
thher
?
Dad:idon'
tknow.Butt
omor
rowIwi
llcheckupon
her
.
Me:Iwi
llcomewi
thyou.
Dad:No.
..
Me:
bu.
..
(Her ai
sedbothhishands.Istoodupandwentt
o
thekitchent
odrinkwater.It
hanwentbacktomy
sibl
ings.)

MrOwen'
sPOV

ItbeenhourssinceLal
ihasbeenunconsci ous.I
wassi t
ti
ngonachai rf
acingher .Busysmoking
andhavingaglassofScot ch.Idon'tknow.I'
m
feeli
ngrest
lessandscaredatt hesamet ime.I'
m
supposedtobehappybuther eIam f eeli
ngli
kethi
s.
Ijusthopeeveryt
hingwil
lgoaccor di
ngly.Ideci
ded
tocallmyson.

Mi
ke:Heypops.
..
howar
edoi
ng?
Me:I
'
mfi
neIguess.Howar
eyouguys?
Mi
ke:Wear
efi
ne.We'
rej
ustwor
ri
edaboutyou.
Me:Don'tbe.It
rustmysel
f.Ever
ythi
ngwi
llgo
accor
dingtoourplan.
Mike:Ki
araandIwer
ethi
nki
ngofcomi
ngt
her
eto
hel
pyou.
Me:Don't
..
.Igotthi
s.Idefeatedhermot
her
.The
st
rongestperson.She'snothing.
Mi
ke:pl
easedad.
..
besaf
e.
Me:Don'tworr
y.Iloveyouguysandwhat ever
happensaft
erthi
sal waysknowt hatIl
oveyoual l
.
YouandKiarahavebeenbymysi de.Youguys
support
edme.I'm veryhonoredandgr at
efulto
haveyouguysasmychi l
dren.
Mi
ke:Butdadwhyar
eyousayi
ngal
loft
hist
hings?
Me:I'mj ustsayingmyboy.Li f
eisver
y
unpredictabl
e.I nwhateveryoudoyouneedtobe
carefulandwi se.Al
lyouguyshavetodonowi s
prepareabr aaiwhenIcomebackwewi l
lcel
ebr
ate
ourvictory.
Mi
ke:okdad.
Me:pl
easegi
veKi
arat
hephone.
Mi
ke:ok
Kiar
a:Heydad.
..
isever
ythi
ngal
ri
ghtt
her
e?Dowe
havetocal
luncleMondree?
Me:No.
..
Iwi
llbef
inemydear
.
Ki
ara:Mom hasbeenf
eel
ingdown.
Me:Maybeshe'
scaughtflu.Mydearplease
promi
semethatyouwil
llookaf
teryourmother
eveni
fIdon'
tmakeital
ive..
.
Ki
ara:Pl
easedaddon'
tspeakl
iket
hat.
(
Lal
iwasnowopeni
nghereyesandt
ryi
ngt
omove)
Me:Ihavet
ogomydear
.Dadl
ovesyou.Takecar
e.
(Idr
oppedt
hecal
l)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Ihadasever
eheadache.Myvi
sionwasabi
tbl
urr
y.
Itri
edt omovebutcoul dn'
t.Myvisi
onwasf inal
ly
clear.Iwast i
edwi t
hchains.Iwasn'
tabletomove.
Ifeltveryweakt oaninst
ancemyvoicewasn' t
comi ngout .Icouldn'
tevenmoveani nch.Suddenly
thelightswenton.Icl osedmyeyesast heywere
penet r
atingmyeyes.Iopenedt hem again.Mr
Owenwal kedclosertome.What?...
What '
s
happeni ng?

Mr
O:Hel
lot
oyout
ooLal
i.
Me:W.
..
wh.
.whata.
.am.
i.
..
doi
ng.
..
her
e?
Mr
O:Heredri
nkthi
syouwil
lfeelbet
ter
.(Hegave
mewater.Idr
ankit
.Iwasf
eelingabitbet
ter
.)
Mr O:Ihavebeenwait
ingf
orthi
smywholel
if
e.I
didn'
tknowi twasgoi
ngtobethi
seasyt
ocaptur
e
you.Wel lYourdaddi
danamazingjob.
Me:What
?Dad?What.
..
whatdi
dmyf
atherdo?
Mr
O:WhatIcansayis..
.hebr
oughtyoust
rai
ghtt
o
meinexchangeofmycompanies.
Me:Soyoumanagedt
otr
ickhi
m.
MrO:Youknowt hedayyourmot hermademyl i
fe
miserabl
e.Ivowedtomakesur ethatherchi
ldr
en
wil
lfeelt
hesamepainIfel
t.Iwasi mpri
sonedinthe
underworl
d.Allmypowerswer etookfr
om meand
yourmotherwasresponsi
ble.
Me:Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
MrO:Ij
ustwantyourpower
s.Yourpower
smydear
t
hanIcanletyougo.
(Heisbei
ngsarcast
icbecauseheknowsexactl
y
t
hati
fhetakesmypowersIwon'tbeablet
olive.)
Me:IhopeyouknowthatIwon'tgodownwi
thouta
f
ight
.Areyoustrongenough?
(Hejustlaughed.Fort hefir
sttimei nmyl i
feiwas
thi
shel pless.Iwastryingtotransform butthe
chainswer et
oot i
ght
.I nthemeanwhi l
eMrOwen
wasbusybur ningasteel.Hecamecl osertome
withit.Itwasr edbecauseoft heheat .Heplacedit
onmyt high.ThepainIwasf eel
ingwassoext reme.
Ikepttryingtotransf
orm butnot hi
ng.)
Me:No.
..
no.
..
pleasest
op.
..
stop.
..
MrO:Thepainyou'
refeel
ingr
ightnowisnot
hing
comparedtothepai
nthatwasinfl
ict
edtomeby
yourpeopl
e.
(Het ookoutaknifefrom hi
spocket
.Hestart
ed
runningal
lovermybody.Iwasnowbusycr yingmy
l
ungsout .Hest abbedmeonmyar m.Hepoureda
bottl
eofawhi skeyont hewound)
Me:NO.
..
PLEASENO.
..
JUSTFUCKI
NGKI
LLME
ANDTAKETHEFUCKI
NGPOWERSYOUWANT.
Mr
O:I
'
m notdonet
ort
uri
ngyou.
(Hestabbedmeont hestomach.Iwasbl eedi
ng
verybad.If
eltmysoulslowlyleavi
ngmybody.I
wasslowlyrunningoutofbreath.Ipassedout.
WhileIwasstil
latitavoi
ceofawomancame
thr
ough.

"I'
m verydisappoi
ntedinyou.It
houghtyouwer
e
str
ongenough.I sthishowyouwantyourlif
eto
end?(Inoddedno)Sowhatar eyoudoing?Whyare
younotmaki nguseofyourpower s?"
Me:But
..
.buthow?
...
youcanseeI
'
m unabl
eto
move.
"Fool
.Youwer etaughtdif
ferentwaystopr
otect
your
selfnotj
ustbytransforming.Remember
you'
ret
heAdi l
a.Thestrongestcreat
ureoneart
h"

Thewomandisappear
ed.Isl
owl
yopenedmyeyes.
Iwasst
il
lbr
eathi
ng.)

Mr O:oh.
..you'renotdead.Evenmor efun.(Hewas
busyshar peningaspear.Icl osedmyeyesand
tr
iedtomoveagai nnothi
ng.Godi st
histheendof
me?.I st
hi sther easonyoucr eat
edme.Todi eata
veryyoungage?.Iwascr ying.MrOwecame
closerwi
thhi sspear.Justwhenhewasaboutt o
fi
nishmewi t
hi t.Averyfirm andpowerf
ulvoice
camedeepdownf rom mystomach.)

Me:ÈHER.
..
VUTHSG KERHSYLOI
RUBEERK
FEÈCSXAFEBOUĞREYÀVEÁREAŤMAEÌ
WAQŔHOKĽ( Aper sont hatgothi spower s
right fully,thathast hebeast ialbloodf l
owi ngi nhis
vei nsandaver yst rongper soncandef eatt heAdi l
a)
Ther oom wasnowspi nning.Thel ightswenton
andof f.Thewal lswher ethechai nswer eat tached
wasbr eaki ng.Thi st imeIt ransformedf ullyand
br oket hechai ns.Ir ant ohi m andt hrewpunches
unt ilhef el
l.Heal sot ransformed.West ar t
ed
fight ing.Het hrewaf ewpunchesonme.Iwas
get tingi rri
tated.Ipushedhi mf orcefull
yandhe
fell.Het r
ansf ormedbackt ohi sbody.Thatwashi s
biggestmi stake.Ir ant ohi m andr i
ppedhi s
stomach.It ookhi shear tandot heror gansand
placedt hem nextt ohi sbody.Ipul ledhisheadof f
hisbody.It ransfor medback.Iwr oteal etter.Iput
ever yt hingal ongwi tht heletteri
napl astic.Itook
hisempt ybodyandbur ntit
.Imademywayt ohis
house.Anddumpedever ythi
ngi nhi syar d.Iwas
nowonmywayhome.Theweat herwasver ybad.
Itwasr ainingandt herewasast orm.Mycl othes
wer ecover edinbl ood.Iwaswal ki
ngbar efooton
thest reatandst i
llbleedi ng.Iwasevenl i
mpi ng.I
wasbeyondbei ngbr oken.JustwhenIt hought
everyt
hingisalri
ghtbetweenmydadandIt hi
s
happens.Howcoul dhedot hi
stome?.Heclaimed
toloveandcaref ormeyethesellsmetoamonster.
Justforcompani es.Forfucki
ngcompani
es.While
Iwasst i
llwal
kingsomeonehar shl
ygr
abbedmy
arm .Il
ookedathi m.

Him:AREYOUFUCKI NGCRAZY.IALMOSTHI T
YOUWI THMYCAR.CAN' TYOUSEEWHEREYOU
AREGOI NG.ANDWHYAREYOUWALKI NG
AROUNDTHESTREETALLALONEATTHI SHOUR.
WHYAREYOURCLOTHESCOVEREDI NBLOOD
? HEE?.
..AREYOUDEAF?( Iwasst
il
llostinmy
thought
s.Heshookme.That '
swhenIr eali
zedthat
Iwasactuall
ybl
eedi
ngverybad.Myvi si
onbecame
blur
ryandIpassedout.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

SoIwasbusydr
ivi
ngwhenIalmosthi
tthi
sgir
l.
Whowasbusywalki
ngnotmindi
ngthecarsonthe
street .Hercl otheswer ecover edi nbl ood.Iwas
busyshout ingather .Butshedi dn' tseem tobe
payi nganyat tentiononwhatIwassayi ngt oher.I
shookhersuddenl yshepassedout .Iwentclosert o
herandnot icedthatshewasbl eedi ng.Ipickedher
upandt ookhert ot hehospi talIact uall
yown.I
changedt omywor ki
ngcl othest hant ookhert othe
l
abor atoryr oom sinceshewaswounded.Her
woundi sst il
lfr
esh.Il efttheot herdoct orsstil
l
busywi t
hherbecauseIhadt ogohome.Mywi f
ei s
pregnantandshe' sduei noneoft hisdayssoihave
tobewi thherever yti
meiget .Mywi feandIgot
mar riedaf ewweeksback.West arteddatingwhen
wewer est i
llinhighschool .Shehadmi scarri
age
twice.Ij usthopet hi
stimear oundourbabywi ll
makei t.Ihavet olddadaboutt his.Het ol
dme
aboutchosenoneshi t.Whi chi swhatidon' t
believei n.Hesai dIwi l
lonl yhaveababywi t
hmy
chosenonewhi chi sat otalshit.Noonecan
choosewhoIwantt ospendt her estofmyl if
ewi th.
Mywi feandIdon' tusuallygot ot heOegr ate.Since
she'sanor malper son.Thewer ewol vestherecan
feedonher .SoI '
m al astbor nanddadsai dI'mt he
nextAlpha.Meani ngwhenhedi eIwi l
ltakeover.
I'
m notr eall
yinterestedi nallt
hatshit.Myl i
fe
belongher enotther e.Therear esomanyf amil
y
businessest hatmybr othersandIar emanaging.I
alsobuiltmyownhospi tal.SoI '
m basicall
ya
doctorandanowneroft hehospi t
al.Iarri
ved.My
wifewasal readysl eeping.Iwentandt ookaquick
shower .Mycl otheshadt hatlady'sblood.

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwaswokenupbythemachinesbeepi
ng.Anur
se
camei
n.It r
iedt
ositupst
rai
ght.
Nur
se:Easy.
..
you'
regoi
ngt
ohur
tyoursel
f.
(Iwasfeel
ingabi
tpai
nonmyst
omach.Thatol
d
ragdi
danumberonme.)
Nur
se:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
(
Ijustshr
uggedmyshoul
der
s)
Nur
se:Okay.
..
erhmm..
.t
hepol
icear
eont
hei
rway.
Me:What
?
Nurse:Yes..
.youwer
estabbedtodeath.It
'sacase.
Youwi l
lhavetogi
veyourstat
ementtothem .
Me:Idon'
twantt
otal
ktoanypol
ice.(Isl
owl
y
st
oodup)
Nurse:Sitdownpl
ease.You'
regoi
ngtohur
t
yoursel
f.You'r
egoi
ngtogetmeintot
roubl
e.
Me:Ineedt
ogo.
..
andpl
easedon'
ttr
ytost
opme.
Nurse:Youcan'
tgol
iket
his.Youhaven'
theal
ed
completel
y.
Me:I
'
m sur
eIcan.
Nur
se:okayputt
hisonat
least
.
(HehandedmeaMal
e'
str
acksui
ts.)
Me:Er
mm .
..
canIuseyourphone?
Nur
se:Sure.
(Idial
edTony'snumberandcall
edhi
m
.Iaskedwhichhospi
tali
sthisf
rom t
henurseand
toldTony.I nlessthananhourhewasher e.We
wenttot hecart handroveoff
.I'
m gladTonywasn' t
askingmeanyquest i
onsbecauseI'mreall
ynotin
themood.Wegothome.Ever yonewasbusy
havingbr eakf
ast .Dadandhiswi f
e'seyeswidened.
Itli
ketheywer eseeingaghost .Myeyeswer enow
fil
ledwit
ht ears.)

Dad:Lal
i?But
?whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?.
..
Imean
howcomeyou'reher
e.
Me:MrKanecanIpl
easespeakt
oyouPr
ivat
elyi
n
yourst
udy.
Zayn:Lal
iwhat
'swi
tht
hef
ormal
it
y?
Me:Notnowpl
ease.
(Dadf ol
lowedmet ohi
sstudy.Hegoti nandI
l
ockedt hedoor.Ibrokedowni nt
ocryi
ng.Hecame
closetotryandcomf ortme.Ipushedhim sohar
d
thatheevenf el
l.)

Me:Why?Why?Dad.
..
whywoul
dyouhur
tmel
ike
t
his.Ialmostdi
edbecauseofyou.Youfi
rstki
ll
ed
mymot her.Youdepr
ivedmeamot her
'sl
ove.
Dad:Idi
dn'
tki
llyourmot
her
.
(
Iwasextr
emel
yangr
y.Theli
ghtswentonandof
f.
I
twaswindyt
hatt
hepaper
sstar
tedt
of l
yar
ound)
Dad:Lal
i..
.what
'sgoi
ngonmydear
.
Me:Don'tevercal
lmethat.Whyar
eyoudenyi
ng
thatyouki
ll
edmymot her.Why?(Ever
ythi
ngwent
backtonormal.Iwascryi
ng)
Iknowthanyoukeptmymotherahostagef
or
fucki
ng17years.YouteamedupwithMrOwen.
Soyouwereplanni
ngtodothesamethingwit
hme.
Butwhydad.Whatdidweeverdotoyouhee.
Dad:i
twasn'
t..
.
Me:Pleasedon'tli
eandsayi twasn'
tyourintenti
on.
Iknowt hataf
teryoufoundoutthatmom isact ual
ly
abeastyoudeci detotr
eatherli
keaprisoner.Ialso
knowthatyouaccept edmebecauseyout houghtI
am di
fferentf
rom mymot herbutI'
m not.
Dad:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?
(
Itr
ansf
ormedbutnotf
ull
y)
Dad:OHHSHI
T..
.WHATI
STHI
S?
(
Iwentbackt
onor
mal
.Hewassweat
ing)
Me:exactl
yI'mli
kemymot her.Andyouwi l
lnottel
l
anyoneaboutthi
s.Notevenyourwi fe.Youknow
Iwassupposedt oki l
lyoulongtimeagof or
murderi
ngmymot her .ButIdidn'
tbecauseIl ove
you.You'remyfat hersoIwoul dneverdo
somethingtohurtyou.Butaf t
ertodayyou' r
edead
tome.You' r
enol ongermyf atherandI'
m no
l
ongeryourdaught er.From nowoniwon' tbother
youwithanythi
ng.Iwi l
lal
soleaveyourhouse.
Dad:Lal
i..
.Lal
iI'
m ver
ysor
rymydaught
er.
Me:Don'tevercal
lmeyourdaught
er.You
pr
etendedtocareandl
oveme.Iwantnothingt
odo
wi
thyou.
(Il ef
thimt her
e.Iwenttomybedroom andpacked
allmycl othes.Ical
ledMattocomeandf et
chme.
Shecameandwewentt oherhome.IwishIcould
tellallmysibli
ngsthetr
uth.Theywereveryhur
t
whenIl ef
tespecial
l
yTony.Sowedr ovei
n.She
showedmet her
oom Iwi
llbeusi
ng.Ij
ustwent
str
aightt
obed.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
10]Lynne: i
nser
t24
Notedi
ted

Mat
'sPOV

Laliseemedveryshutter
edandbr oken.Iwonder
whathappenedt oher.WhenIl astsawhershewas
veryhappytogohome.Butnow.Thesadpar tis
onourwayher e.Shedi dn'
twantt otalktome.She
wasj ustst
ari
ngoutsidethewi ndow.I twasnow
ti
mef orsuper.Iwenttother oom Laliwassleepi
ng
i
n.Shewasdeepasl eep.It ouchedherst omach
andshookheral it
tl
e.Shej umpedi npai n.

Me:I
'
m sor
ryar
eyoual
ri
ght
?
Lal
i:Ehm.
..
yeah.
..
don'
twor
ryaboutme.
(
Herst
omachwasbl
eedi
ng)
Me:Lal
iar
eyouokay?
Lal
i:Yeah.
..
Ijustneedt
ochanget
hisbandage.
Me:I
'
m ver
ysor
ryIdi
dn'
tknowyouhadawound
Lal
i:
(shesmi
ledf
aint
lyandhel
dmyhand)
It
'sokay.
Me:OkayIwi
llbebackshor
tl
y.(Iwentandtookt
he
fi
rstai
dki
t.)
Nowl aywi
thyourbacksoIcanhelp
you.
Lal
i:Thanksheybuticandoi
tmysel
f.
Me:Lal
i..
.pl
ease.
..
iinsi
st.
(Sheraisedherhands.Iputontheglovesand
start
edcl eani
ngherwound.Shekepthereyes
closed.Ica i magi
nethepai
nsheisf eel
ingr
ight
now.Af terIwasdoneIcover
editwit
haf resh
bandage.)
Me:Done.
Lal
i:Thanksver
ymuch.
Me:Ok.
..
Iwi
llbr
ingyousomet
hingt
oeatokay?
Lal
i:I
'
m nothungr
yexact
ly.
..
butt
hankyou.
Me:nothappening.Youneedt
oeatsoyoucan
t
akethepil
lforpains.
(Iwentdownstai
rsandwarmedthefoodforLal
i
andI.Dadf l
ewtoCapetownyest
erday.I
'
m glad
Lalii
shereorel
seboredom woul
dhavekil
ledme.I
broughtf
ood.)
Lal
i:Thanks.
Me:Youdon'
tneedtot
hankmef
orever
ythi
ngLal
i.
You'
rel
ikeasi
stert
ome.
(
Shej
ustsmi
led.She'
sver
ycut
e)
Lal
i:Canyoupl
easechar
gemyphonef
orme.
Me:Sur
e.
(Ichar
gedit.Wet
hanst
art
edeat
ingoveral
ight
conver
sat
ion.)

Lal
i'
sPOV
I'
m onel uckygi
rlinthewor l
d.Tohaveaf ri
endl i
ke
Mat .Imeanwej ustkneweachot herforfewweeks.
Buti tf
eelsli
kewegr ewupt ogether.She'stakinga
goodcar eofme.It ookt hepil
lshegavemeaf terI
fi
nishedeat i
ng.AndIwasf eel
ingabi tbett
er.She
helpedst andup.Iwentt othetoil
etandur i
nated.I
washedmyhands.Il ookedmysel fatthemirror.
Suddenl yawomanappear soni t
.Ilookedbackbut
shewasonl yvi
sibleont hemi r
ror.

"I'
m ver
yproudofyoumydear.Youdef
eat
edthat
monster.I'
m sor
ryt
hatyouhadt
oendur
ethatpai
n
befor
efinal
lydef
eat
inghi
m"

Me:whoar
eyou?
(
Shesmi
led.Shewasver
ybeaut
if
ul)
"Ican'
ttel
lyout hat.Butalwaysknowthat
whateveryoudoI '
m alwaysbyyourside.Her
e
dri
nkthis.Itwi
llstopallt
hebleedi
ngandmakeyou
f
eelbet
ter
.Youwi
llonl
ybel
eftwi
thscar
s."

(
Islowlydr
ankit.I
twasver
ybi
tt
er.Af
terIf
ini
shed
i
tIdrankal
otofwater
)

"Good.Takecar edear.Ohhbef or
eIforget
.Iknow
yourdadisnotper f
ectandhashur tyousomuch.
Butdoi nyourheartfindaplacetofor
givehim .He
needsyou.Yourf ami lyneedsyoubythem .Aloti
s
sti
llgoi
ngtohappent othatfami
ly.Andyouneedt o
bet her
etoprotectthem andmakesur etheyare
safe.Especial
lyyourf at
her.Helovesyoudear.He
l
ovesyousomuch."

Me:Ialsothoughtthathelovedme.Buthehas
proventhatIwasjustfool
ingmysel
f.Ihat
ehi
m .I
hatehim wit
hallIgot.

"LaliIthi
nkyoushoul
dputyourhatr
edasideand
tal
kt oyourdad.Youmustgi
vehim achanceto
expl
ainwhatr
eal
lyhappenedonthatdayandwhy
hegaveyouawaytothatmonst
er."

Me:Iwantnot
hingt
odowi
tht
hatman.

"Lal
ihatr
edcanbeyourdownf
all
.Sopleaseavoi
d
i
t.Thereareser
iouspr
obl
emsyouneedtodeal
wit
h."

Mat:Lal
i..
.Lal
iar
eyouokayi
nther
e..
.whoar
eyou
t
alki
ngto?

Me:Er
hmm.
..
I'
m comi
ng.Ihavet
ogonow.

"Takecar
e.Pl
easet
alkt
oyourf
ather
."

(Shedi
ssapear
ed.Iwentoutoft
hebat
hroom.I
wasn'
tli
mpinganymore.It
ouchedmystomach
andt
hepai
nwasgone.I
twasl
ikeIwashur
tal
ong
ti
meago.)

Mat:Andthan?Yougoti
ntot
hebat
hroom li
mpi
ng
andstr
uggli
ng.Nowyoucomingbacklooki
ngal
l
fr
esh.
(shel
aughed.Str
ange.Whyisn'
tshefreakedout.
Ifi
twasNomhleshewouldhavecreat
edasi n.I
'm
suret
hewholenei
ghborhoodwoul
dhavehear d.)
Mat
:Anywaysinceyou'
ref
eel
ingbet
terl
et'
sgot
o
t
heTVroom andwatchamovie.
Me:Sur
e.

Tony'
sPOV

I'
m veryworri
edaboutLali.Iwonderwhatdaddi d
thatmadeLalitoleave.Shedi dn'
teventel
lme
anythi
ng.Whathappenedmusthaver eall
yhurted
her.IhaveneverseenLalithatbroken.She'sa
verystr
onggirl.Shedoesn'tshowheremot i
ons.
Butthi
st i
mear oundsheshowedever yonethat
she'
sver yhurt.Ijusthopewhereversheis.She'
s
safe.Hereyeswasf i
ll
edwi t
hangerandpain.I
wishIcanj usttakeallthepainshe'
sfeeli
ngand
endureit.Whileiwasst i
lll
osti
nmyt houghtsacal
l
fr
om Addi soncamet hr
ough.Iignoredit
.Shecall
ed
again.

Me:Hey.
Add:(
Shewascryi
ngandscreaming)T.
..
TonyI
'
m
ver
yscar
ed.
..
The..
.t
heywer
..
.werehere.
..
Me:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Add:pl
easecomeandgetme.
..
I'
m ver
yscar
ed.
(Idrovetoherpl
ace.Shewascurleddown
huggingherl
egsandcryi
ng.Isetnexttoher
.)

Me:Hey.
..
stopcr
ying.
..
I'
m her
enow.
Add:Thankyouf
orcomi
ng.(Shehuggedmeso
t
ight
)
Me:Sowhathappened?
Add:It
hinkt
hepeopl
ethatki
ll
edmysi
sterar
eaf
ter
me.
Me:(Il
aughedal
it
tl
e)What
?
Add:Yest
heywer
eher
e..
.t
heyt
hreat
enedt
oki
llme.
Me:Real
ly?
Add:Tony..
.Ican'
t..
.Ican'
tanymor
e.CanIst
ayat
yourhouseforacoupleofdays?
Me:Surether
e'snopr
obl
em.Goandt
akeyourand
t
oil
etr
ies.
(Shewentupst air
s.Whomusthavebeenher e.I
l
ookedever ywhereandtri
edtosnif
fever
ythingbut
nothing.Ihopeshe'snotl
ying.Butshelookedso
scaredandshe'snotthattypeofagir
lwhol i
ed.She
camebackwedr ovebackhome.Everyonewas
havingsuper.Itwasverytense.Noonewast alki
ng.
Icl
ear edmyt hr
oat)

Me:Er
hm..
.dad.
..
thi
sisCar
ol'
ssi
ster
.Doyou
r
ememberthedaywesaidweweregoingt
oa
funeral
?(Hewasn'tevenpayi
ngat
tent
iont
ome)so
she'sthedeceasedsi
ster
.
Mom:Ther
e'sabsolut
elynopr
obl
em myson.She
canst
ayher
easl ongasshewant.
Add:Thankyouver
ymuchMr
sKane.
Mom:CallmeMom please.(wealll
ookedather.
Whymom isthi
snicetoAddison.ShehateLali
yet
she'
sveryf
ondofastranger.)Comesi
tnexttome
andhavesomet
hingtoeat.
(Shewentandsetdown.Isetdownt ooand
star
tedeati
ng.Si nceLalil
eftIhavetryi
ngtocal
l
herbutherphonei sswi
tchedof f
.Itr
iedtocal
lher
again.St
il
lnot
hing.Iwasst arti
ngtogetworri
ed
now.)

Mom:Whoar
eyoucal
li
ng?
Me:Lal
i.
Mom:Ohhpl easecanwejusteati
npeace.Can
everyonest
opmentioni
nghername.Shedeci
ded
toleave.Wedidn'
tki
ckherout.
(Dadstoodupandwentt ohisstudy.Hehada
gl
assofwhi skeyonhishand.Hel ookssobroke.
WhateverLalisai
dtohim musthavegottent
ohim
sohard.)

Kayl
a'
sPOV

Sowhenmom wasgoi ngoutwithhercar.She

not
icedabl ackpl
asti
cbagi nouryard.Shecall
ed
us.Mikeopeneditandwhatwasi ntherei
t'
s
somethingIcan'
tevenexpl
aininwordstherewas
al
soal ett
erwri
tt
en.

"Iwarnedhim .Buthedidn'
tli
sten.Ipit
yMrsOwen
.Becausesheknowsnot hi
ngaboutwhatyouguys
andyourdadwer ebusy doingbehindherback.I
dareoneofyout orepor
tmet othepoli
ce.Iwi
llcut
offal
lofyourheads.AndImeani t.Noone
messeswi t
hmeandl i
vestotel
latale.
Your
ssi
ncer
ely
THEADI
LA

Mom col lapsedatt hesamet i

me.Wecal l
eda
doctor .Theydi dcheckupsonherandgaveherf ew
medi cation.Shewokeup.Wet ri
edt ospeakt oher
butshewasn' trespondi ng.Sowedeci dedtot ake
hert othehospi tal.Theysai dshej ustexper i
enced
abr ainshock.Ever ythi
ngi smessedup.Inever
thoughtt hatgi rlwoul dbet hereasonf orourloss.
Sheseemedweak.Wedr ovebackhome.I 'm
beyondbei ngbr oken.Dadwasever yt
hingtous.
Wedi dever ythingt ogether.Helovedandcar edfor
us.Wear ewhatwear etodaybecauseofhi m .I
promi seIwon' trestunt i
lIwipeoutal ltheKane
fami l
y.Iwon' tevenl eaveadog.Sowear rived
homeandIt ookmom t oherbedr oom.Iaskedt he
helpert obr ingherf ood.Iwentt odad' soffi
ce.Mi ke
wassi tt
ingt her ecr yi
ngl i
keababy.Hewas
dri
nki ngdad' sScot ch.
Mike:NOOOOO(
het
hrewt
hegl
assont
hewal
landi
t
br
oke)Why?WHYDAD?WHYLALI?
(
Iwasnowcr
yingt
oo)
Me:Iknowithurt
ssomuch.Butpl easebestr
ong
f
ormom andI .Pleasestaystr
ong.Ourgoalnowis
t
okil
lever
ymemberoft heKanef amil
y.Wewi l
l
makethem f
eelthepainwe'refeel
ingri
ghtnow.
Mike:She'
ssoheartl
ess.Whoki
ll
sapersont
han
sendtheorgansandheadoft
hatper
sontohi
s
house.Whodoest hat?
(
Ihuggedhi
m)
Me:Weneedt ofi
ndj
ust
icef
ordead.Hi
sdeath
cannotgoi
ntovei
n.Weneedtof
ightt
hatwi
tch.

Addi
son'
sPOV

SoI '
mf i
nal
lyinsi
det heMightyKanehousehol
d.I
mustsayi t
'sverybreatht
aki
ng.Thei nt
eri
orand
exteri
ordesign.Everythi
ngisonpoint.MrsKane
seemst obef ondofme.That 'sgr
eat.Ineedto
gaineveryone'st
rust
.SowhenIf inall
yputmyplan
i
ntoactionnoonewi llsuspectme.Ili
edtoTony
aboutthosepeople.I'm gl
adhebelievedme.So
Ziashowedmet hebedr oom Iwi
llbeusing.I
t'
s
verybeautif
ul.AnywaysTonywalkedi n.

Tony:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?
Add:Bet
ter
...
Tony:okay.
..
goodni
ght
.Iwasj
ustchecki
ngupon
you.
Add:Thanks.
(Hewentclosert
omeandpl acedhi
shandsar
ound
mywai st
.Hekissedme.Thekisswasvery
passi
onateandslow.Ist
oppedhi
m)
Me:Goodni
ghtTony.
(Hecont
inuedtokissme.)
I'
m
r
eall
yti
redIneedt
osleep.
(Hestopped)
Tony:Okay..
.bye.
(Hewentout.Il
ockedt
hedoor
.Wheew)
Aust
in'
sPOV

SoIwassi t
ti
ngwithmywi f
e.Wewer ewatchi
ngTV
.Sheseemedver ydown.Thi sbabyisr
eall
y
drai
ningher.Shelookssoprett
ywithherbigbump
though.

Her
:Sowhathappenedt
othegi
rlyout
oldmeabout
?
Me:WhenIwentt
ocheckuponher
.Thenur
ses
sai
dshewenthome.
Her
:Buthowcant
heyal
lowahur
tper
sont
ogo.
Me:That
'swhatIwasaski
ngt
hem .
Her
:Ij
usthopeshe'
sfi
ne.
wher
evershei
s.
Me:yeahhey..
.Iwonderwhatshewasdoi
ngont he
str
eetint
hemiddleofthenight
.Sheevenref
used
tospeaktot
hepoliceoff
icer
s.
Her:That
'sstrange.Whywouldn'
tshe.Wher eas
shewasst abbedtodeat
h.There'ssomethi
ngmor e
aboutthi
sgirl
.AnywaysI'mfeeli
ngsleepynow.
Goodni
ght.
(Shest
oodup.Whenshewasst
il
lwal
kingshehel
d
herst
omach.Iwentt
oher
)
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Her
:Yeah.
..
justami
norpai
n.
Me:Si
tdownandIwi
llbr
ingmyki
tandcheckyou
up.
Her:Babe.
..
don'
twor
ry.I
twi
llgoaway.Don'
t
overr
eact
.
Me:NoI'
m checki
ngyou.Wecannott
akechances
t
hist
ime.
Her
:Okayt
omor
rowat
least
.I'
m ver
yti
redIneedt
o
r
est.
Me:Okay..
.tomorr
owmorni
ngbef
oreIl
eavef
or
workIwi
llcheckyouup.
Her
:Yeahyeah.
..
canIgonow.
(Ipi
ckedherupbr
idalst
yle.Ipl
acedheront
hebed
.Andstar
tedtoki
ssher.Iwentbet
weenherl
egs.
)
Me:Il
oveyousomuch.
Her
:Il
oveyout
oo.
Me:Thankyouf
orbei
ngmi
ne.
(Shesmi
led.Il
ayednextt
oher.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Wi
llt
ryt
opostagai
ntomor
row.
[
06/
23,
08:
11]Lynne: I
nser
t25

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandt hantookabat h.Ikeptthinking

aboutwhatt hatl
adysai d.IthinkIshoul dr eal
lytal
k
todad.Ineedt ohearhi m .Beingangr yathi m
won'tchangeanyt hi
ng.Af terallheismyf ather.
Withallhisfl
awsIst il
lloveandcar ef
orhi m .Imay
notjustdoitforhim .Butmysi bli
ngsalsoneedme.
Ican'taf
fordtoloseanyoneoft hem.Iwi llgoand
seedadt oday.AfterthatIwi l
ldecideifIwanthi m
backt
omylif
eornot.SoIwentdownst
air
sMat
wasbusymakingbr
eakf
ast
.

Me:Heydear
.
Mat
:Heyhowar
eyou?
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
Mat:Her
e(shegavemeaplacethathast
oast
ed
br
ead,anegg,beaconandasausage)
Me:MyGod.
..
areyout
ryi
ngt
orui
nmywai
st
(Shelaughed.She'
ssuchasweetgi
rl
.Westar
ted
eat
ing.Ifi
nishedt
hanhel
pedherwit
hthedi
shes)
Me:Erhm Mat..
.Iwasthi
nki
ngofgoingtoseemy
dad.Ther
e'ssomethi
ngimport
antIneedtodi
scuss
wit
hhim.
Mat :Sur
e...
Iwi
lldr
opyouoff.Whenyoucomeback
pleasetel
lmewhathappened?Ireal
lycar
eabout
you.
(Isi
ghed)
Me:okay.
(Shedrovemehome.WhenI'm doneschool
ingI
needt
ol ear
nhowt
odrivehey.Wear ri
ved)
Mat:Cal
lmewhenyou'
redonesoIcancomeand
f
etchyou.
Me:okt
hanks.
(Wehugged.It ookadeepbreat
hthanwentin.
Theywer ebusyhavi
ngbreakf
ast
.Therewasalsoa
gi
rlsit
ti
ngnexttoMrsKane.Shelookedali
tt
leli
ke
Carol.)

Dad:Lal
i.
Me:Goodmor
ningever
yone.DadcanI.
..
Dad:Lal
iIhavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.Pl
easef
oll
ow
me.
(Hestoodupandmadehi
swayt
ohi
sst
udy.I
fol
lowedhi
m)
Dad:Erm..
.It
hinkit
'saboutt
imeItel
lyouthewhole
tr
uth.Whatreall
ycausedmet okeepyourmother
asaprisoner.SoLaliwhenshewasgivingbi
rtht
o
you.Iwasal soint
hewar dwit
hher.Iwashol
ding
herhand.Shet riedtopushf orl ike5hour sandyou
wer est il
lnotcomi ngout.Suddenl yt her oom
becamedar k.West artedhear ingst rangevoi ces.
Ther oom f i
lledwithwi nd.Isawyourmot her
changi ngi ntosomet hingican' texpl aininwor ds .
Aftert hatwehear dababycr y.Ever ythingwent
backt onor malandyourmot hert oo.Iwasso
scar edil efthert hereandwentt ocoolof fmyhead.
Iwentt oTony' smom pl ace.It oldherever yt
hing.
Shesai dyourmot herisaver yhar mf ulcreature.
Shef eedsonhuman.Sheal sosai dt herear e
possi bili
tiest hatyou'real solikeher .Sot hatdayI
i
nj ectedherwi thadr ugt hatmadeherunconsci ous.
Ithant ookhert oacage.Unt illastyear.ImetMr
Oweni nsomebusi nessf unct ion.West arted
calli
ngoneanot her.Toapoi ntwher ehef oundout
aboutyourmom.Hesai dhecanki l
lherf ormeand
alsocl aim backt hepower sshest ol
ef rom him .He
wasal sogoi ngt opaymever ywel l.
Me:Wowsoyouwer ewill
ingt
oki
llt
hepersonyou
l
ovedformoney?Butdadwhy?You'r
eri
chyetyou
wantmoremoney.
Him:Lalidear..
.Iwassti
llbl
indedbythefactt hat
she'
shar mful.SoMrOwenknewt hatsecret.He
useditagainstme.Hesai di
fIdon'tgi
vehi m you.
Hewillharm myf ami
lyandalsotel
lyouthet ruth.
Me:Butdad..
.It
ri
edtor
eachforyou.Itr
iedsever
al
ti
mestotal
ktoyoubutyoukeptignori
ngme.I
knewthetr
uth.Iknewever
ythi
ng.
Him:Laliatt
hatti
me.Iwasn'tabl
et of
aceyou.I
coul
dn'tevenfaceyou.ButbabyIwantyouto
knowthatIloveandcar ef
oryout
ruthf
ull
y.Ial
so
promi
set hatIwil
lneverhi
deanyt
hingfr
om you.
Me:Sosinceyounowknowt hatI
'
m exactl
yli
ke
mymother.Actual
lyI
'
m waypowerfult
hanher
.Are
yougoi
ngt okeepmehostage?
Him:No...
Lalimydear.Iwi
llneverrepeatt
hesame
mistakeIdidwithyourmom.Iwi l
lsupportyoumy
dearineverythi
ngyoudo.Butplacewhenyoudo
fi
ndt i
me.Teachmemor eaboutwhatyouexact l
y
are.Okay?
(Ij
ustnodded)
Hi
m :Iwon'
tpr
essur
eyout
ofor
giveme.ButLal
i
pl
easecomebackhome.Pl
easewemi
ssyou.
Me:Iwi
ll.
..
butnotnow.WhenIhavecool
eddown.
Dadcanwekeept hi
sasecr
et.Peopl
emustnot
knowwhatIam .
Hi
m:okaydon'
twor rydearyoursecr
eti
ssafewith
me.AndLal
idearyoucant akeyourt
imedear.As
l
ongasyouwillcomeback.Thankyouforheari
ng
meout.IknowI '
m notabestdad.Butpl
ease
f
orgi
vemedear .
Lal
i:Ihavet
ogonow.
Hi
m:bye.
(Heat
tempt
edt
ohugme.Ij
ustwentout.)
Me:Ohhbef
oreIl
eave.Who'
sthatgi
rl
?
Hi
m :AskTony.
(Iwentdownst
air
s.)
Me:Er
hmm .
..I
'
m goi
ngnow.Takecar
eguys.
Zi
a:Lal
i.
..
whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackhome?
Me:Soon(Iwaslooki
ngst
rai
ghttot
hatgir
l.Ther
e's
somethi
ngabouther
.Shehassomehiddenagenda.
Somethi
ngunset
tl
ingabouther
.Butshe'
snota
thr
eat
.)
Me:AndZi
awhoi
sshe?
Zi
a:Car
ol'
syoungersi
ster
.
Me:owhh.
..
hey.
..
howar
eyou?
(Iwentt oherandhuggedher .Herhear
twas
beati
ngver yfast.Il
ookedintohereyes.Hereyes
arefullofhatr
ed.Ineedt ocomebackhomesoon.
Ican'tfai
lhertoo.Shereall
yneedtochangeher
wayoft hinki
ngorshecanendupdead.)
Her:I
'
mt r
yingt
ocopewi
thoutCar
ol.
..
it
'sr
eal
ly
di
ff
icult
.
Me:Iknowhey.
..anywaybyeever
yone.
(Itext
edMattocomeandf et
chme.Whil
eIwas
sti
llwai
ti
ngforherTonycametome.Hehugged
me.Hei ssoki
ndtowardsme)
Tony:
Howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
mfi
nehey.
Tony:Don'
tli
etomeLal
i.
..Iknowyoumor
ethan
anyone.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing.
Me:Tobehonest
.I'
m notf
ine.
Tony:Car
etoshar
e.
Me:Iwil
lbutnotnow.Iwillt
ellyouwhenIhave
f
inal
lyheal
edemot i
onal
ly.
Tony:okay.
.
(Matpar
kedi
nfr
ontofus.)
Me:byeTony.
Tony:bye.

(Wedr ovebacktoMat'
shouse.Shemadepopcorn
andtookabot t
leofwi
neandtwoglasses.Wewent
tot
heTVr oom .)
Mat:I
t'
saboutt
imeweknoweachot hermore.Iwi
ll
bever
yhonesttoyouandIhopeyouwillt
oo.
Me:Sur
e.
Mat:SoLalidoyour
ememberbackinschoolwhen
yousai
dI'm al
waysnoti
nbedatthemiddl
eofthe
ni
ght
?
Me:yesidoandyousai
dyou'
regoi
ngt
otel
lme
whenIvisi
tyou.
Mat:Yes.SoLalipl
easedon'
tpani
caboutwhatI
'
m
aboutt
otel
lyou.
Me:Okaaay.
Mat:Lali..
.I
'm awer ewol
f.Sowhent hemoon
appearsIchangei nt
oawol f
.Idon'tknowhowto
contr
olthatbecauseIwasnevert aughtto.I
sometimesunabl etocont
rolmyanger .Isomet
imes
j
ustchangewi thoutmeevenr eal
izi
ng.
Me:Buti
sther
eanywher
eyoucangethel
p?
Mat:Yes...
ther
e'saplacecall
edOegrate.Wher
eal
l
thewer
ewolveslive.Butdadsaidwearenot
all
owedtheresi
ncehi sfat
herdatedabeast
.
(Myhear
tbi
tincr
easedal
it
tl
e)
Me:B.
..
butwhat
'swr
ongwi
thdat
ingabeast
.
Mat
:Beastsar
ethegr
eat
estenemiesof
wer
ewol
ves.Theyhat
eoneanother
.
Me:Butwhy?
Mat:Itahatredpassedfr
om onegener ationto
another
.I'm sur
easwear espeakingt he
werewolvesarebusyplott
ingawarwi tht hebeasts.
Ihavealsoheardthatthebeast shavenowbecame
veryvul
nerablesi
ncetheirleadersdied.Theyar e
hopingfortheAdil
atocomeandsavet hem .The
werewolveswantstoinvadet hei
rplace.
Me:ButMathowdoyouknowal
lthi
s?
Mat:YouseeLal i.Ihavedoneresear
chin
everyt
hing.Iknowever ythi
ngaboutVampires,
beastsandot hert
hings.Ihavereadsomany
booksexpl ai
ningaboutthei
rwayofli
vingandhow
theyprotectthemsel
ves.
Me:Yousai
dther
e'sapl
aceyouknow.Wher
ethe
beast
sli
ve?
Mat:Yesandi
t'
scal
ledDrugi
omin.Ihave
searchedf
ori
tandt
hecondit
ionofi
tisver
ybad.I
j
usthopesomedaythei
rAdil
acancomeandsave
them .
Me:Soyoudon'
that
ebeast
s?
Mat :Whatnever ...
Idon't.Ihat
ewer ewolves.I
knowi tmaysoundst r
angebutIdot rustme.
They'resel fi
shandevi l.
Theysaidf ormydadandI
tocomebackandl iveintheOegrat e.Wemust
comewi t
hanal ivebeastt obekil
ledoravampi re.
Thatwaywecanpr oveourinnocenceand
determi nati
ont obecomeoneoft hem .Imeanwhy
can'ttheyj ustforgetabouthappenedyear sback
beforeIwasevenbor n.Ialsowantt ogot othe
Oegr ateandl earnmor eaboutwhatIam .Idor ead
booksbutIcan' ttrainusingthem .Ihavesai dal ot
now.I t'syourt urn.
(Ij
ustdon'tknowifIshouldtel
lherthetrut
hornot
.
IfeelI
ikeIcant r
usther.AttheendofthedayI
al
sohavetospeakt osomeoneaboutt his.
Someonewhowi l
lunderstandbecausehast he
al
mostsimi l
arthi
ng.)
Mat:LaliIknowt hatyou'
renotnor
mal.It
'sj
ustthat
I
'm notsurewhatyouexact lyar
e?.SoIwoul d
real
lyappreciat
ei ti
fyoucouldbehonestwithme.
Dearyoucant r
ustme.
Me:er
hmm.
..
whatI
'
m aboutt
otel
lyou.Pl
ease
don'
ttel
lanyone.Notevenyourdad.
Mat
:TrustmeIwon'
t.Iwouldnever.Eveni
fagun
i
spoi
ntedatmeIwon't
.Ipromiseyou.
Me:I
'
m abeast
.
Mat
:Okaaay.
Me:Notjustabeast.I'
mtheAdila.I
'
m what
ever
yoneisaf t
er.Ever
ycreat
ureonear
thwant
sto
ki
llmeandt akeallmypowers.
Mat:Wow. .
.Lali.You'
rever
ypowerfulandnoone.I
meannoonecaneverdef eatyou.I
'
m sol uckyt
o
haveafr
iendlikeyouLali.
Me:Ar
en'
tyouf
reakedoutaboutt
hewhol
ethi
ng.
Mat:No. .
.iknowthatyoumeangood.Youhave
goodintenti
ons.Ij
usthopesomedayyouwouldgo
andhelpyourpeople.Theyneedyoumorethan
theyeverdid.
Me:Idi
dn'tknowallt
hathey..
.I'
mj ustgl
adthat
t
heyarepeopleli
kemeoutthere.ButIcan'tj
ustgo
t
othem now.Ineedtoatl
eastfi
nishschool.
Mat
:Iknow.Sowhathappenedt
oyout
hedayyou
cal
ledme.
(It
oldhereveryt
hingt
hathappened.Fr
om t
heday
Iwasbornti
llnow.)
Me:Soifyouwereinmyshoeswhatwoul dyou
havedone?.For
giveyourdadandpret
endli
ke
nothi
nghappened.Orholdagrudge?
Mat :IknowLal iyourdadhashur tyousomuch.
Buthe' sstil
lyourdad.Iwoul dgladlyfor
givemydad.
Lalitherewasat i
mei nmyl if
ealsowher eIhat ed
that.Ihatedhi mf ornotal lowingmet ogot ot he
Oegr ate.Atthattimei twasver ydi f
fi
cultforme.I
woul dstayasawol ff
ordays.Ibl amedhi mf or
beingsel f
ish.Butwhenhet ol
dmet hewhol et r
uth.
Iforgivehim andunder standt hesi t
uati
on.I '
m not
forcingyout oforgivehi m .Butpl easedoconsi der
forgivi
nghi m .Becausel ateronyouwi l
lregret
everythingwhenhe' snol ongeral ive.
Me:Igetyou.It
hinkIhavefor
givenhi
m.ButI
don'
tthi
nkIwil
lsti
llt
rusthi
mli
keIdidbef
ore.
Mat
:Lit
tl
ebyl
it
tl
eyourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
llevent
ual
l
y
i
mprove.
Me:Youar et
hebesthey.
..you'
redi
ff
erentfrom my
otherfr
iendNomhle.Shewoul dhavesaid.Leave
hisfuckingassandnevercomeback.Imi ssher
though.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Ili
kethisAddisongi r
l.Iknowthatshe'sdat i
ng
Tony.Shei sthekindofgirlIwantTonytodat e.SoI
wasget t
ingreadyt oseethebitchwhohavebeen
keepingmyhusbandawayf rom me.Ihaveher
addresssoever yt
hingwi l
lbeeasy.Idrovet oher
place.Iparkedmycarout si
deandaskedt he
guardstoletmei n.IsaidI'
m anoldfri
endofher s.I
knockedanol dcleaningopenandassembl edmet o
her.Shewashavi ngsnacks.Il ookedather
stomach.Shehadal i
tt
lebump.Ihel dmychest .
Tearswer ethreat
eningtocomeout.Shi tfuckKane
...
whathavehedone.

Her
:Hel
lohowcanIhel
pyou?
Me:er
mm.
..
I..
.I
'm.
..
(Wordswerefail
ingme.Ijustdi
dn'
tknowwhatto
sayt
oher.Iwasst il
lsur
pri
sedaboutt
hefactt
hat
shemightbepregnant.)
Her
:Ar
eyougoi
ngtosaysomethi
ngoryouj
ust
goi
ngt
ostandt
her
eli
keastat
ue.
(she'
srude)
Me:Er
mm.
..
I'
m Mr
sKane.
Her
:Ohh.
..
soyou'r
ear
ethewi
fet
hati
skeepi
ngour
manawayfrom me.
Me:Excuseme?
Her:Yes..
.I
fmaybeyoucameheretothr
eatenme
toleaveMrkane.For
geti
tdear
.I'
m notgoi
ng
anywhere.I'
m her
etost
ay.
Me:List
enhere.Iknowyou'
rerunningawayf r
om
yourexhusband.Ifyoudon'
tleavehim Iwi
llt
ell
himthewholetrut
h.
Her
:Iwannaseeyoutry.Let'
sseewhohe'sgoing
t
obeli
eve.Thepersonwhoiscarryi
nghissonor
t
hepersont
hatmiscarr
iedandalsocheat
ed.
Me:Don'
teverspeakofmydeadchi
ldr
enl
iket
hat
bi
tch.
Her:Kaylamynamei sKayl
adear.AndIthinki
t'
s
ti
met oleave.Guar
dspl
easetakeheroutofmy
houseandneverallowheri
nsideeveragai
n.
Me:Iwi
llki
llyoubi
tch.
(theguardscameanddr aggedmeout side.She'
s
veryrude.Iunder
stat
edher .Shedoesn'tknowwho
she'sdeali
ngwith.Iwil
lteachheralessonshewi l
l
neverforget
.)

Kayl
a'
sPOV

Iwasn'tevenshookbyherthr
eats.I
'
m notscar
edof
her.It
hinkitaboutt
imeit
ellMrkanethatI
'
m
pregnant.Icall
edhi
snumber.
Hi
m:Heyl
ove.
..
howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m good.CanIseeyounow.
Hi
m:er
hmm .
..
no.
..
Iwi
llcomebyyourpl
ace
t
omor
row.
Me:I
t'
sver
yimpor
tant
.
Hi
m:okay..
.I
'm comi
ng.

(Afterwhatfel
tli
kehour shear
ri
ved.Ihad
preparedadinnerforus.Hecametomeandki
ssed
mychi ck.)
Hi
m:Howhaveyoubeen?
Me:wel
landyou?
Hi
m:Ibet
ternott
ellyou.
Me:SoIhaveagi
ftf
oryou.
Hi
m:okay.
(It
ookhim byhi
shandtomybedroom.Ishowed
hi
mt hepr
egnancyt
estIt
ookt
hreeweeksago.)
Him:MyGodbabes. .
.wegoingtohaveababy.(he
pickedmeup.It houghthewasgoi ngtobeangry
thatIonl
ytoldhim now.Ihaveneverseenhi
mt hi
s
happybefore.)
Hi
m:Il
oveIl
oveIl
ove.
(Hekeptr
epeat
ing)
Me:il
oveyout
oobabe.
Him :Tomor
rowyou'r
emovi
ngi
nwi
thme.That
's
notupfordi
scussi
on.
Me:idon'
tthi
nkyourwi
fewi
llbehappy.
Him:idon'
tcar
e.It
'smyhouseaft
eral
l.Youmake
sureyoupackever
ythi
ngMrskanetobe.
Me:Real
ly.
Hi
m:IloveyouandIwantt
ospendt
her
estofmy
l
if
ewit
hyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.

Aust
in'
sPOV

SoIrecei
vedacallf
rom bybrot
her
.HeisinDubai.
Hesaidther
eissomeonetryi
ngtorui
nhi
sbusiness.
Sol
ateronI'
mf l
yingtoDubai.Hesai
dheisa
vampire.Ialwayshatedvampi
res.Theyt
hink
they'
rebett
erthanothercr
eat
ures.Sowewi l
lsor
t
him out.Heisnothi
ngcomparedtous.

Me:Pl
easetakegoodcar
eofhermom.Cal
lme
whent
here'
ssomethingwrong.
Mom:Don' tworr
y.YouknowItakeherasmyown
daughter
.Ilovehersomuch.SoIwoul dn'
tmind
l
ookingafter
.Itwouldbeawayofthankingherf
or
taki
nggoodcareofyou.
Me:Thankyouver
ymuchmom .
(Iwentt
omywf
e)

Her:Soyou'
rer
eal
lygoi
ng.Wher
easyouknowI
cangivebi
rt
hevennow.
Me:Babemyi
sher
e.Don'
twor
ry.Mybr
other
needsme.
Her:okay.
..
bye.Rememberi
fsomethi
nggoes
wrongwhil
egivi
ngbir
th.Iwi
llbl
ameyout
herestof
myl i
fe.
Me:Youseenowbabe.You' r
emaki ngi
thar
df orme
toleave.okayit'
sfi
neIwon'
tgo.Theycanki
llmy
brotheri
t'
sfine.
Her:What?Whowi
llki
llhi
m?What
'sgoi
ngon
Austi
n.
Me:Mybr
otherneedsmet
hatal
lIcant
ellyou.
Her:Idi
dn'
tknowitwasthatser
ious.I
'
m sorr
y
babe.Pl
easegoandhelphim Iwil
lbef
ine.
Me:t
hankyou.Il
oveyou.
Her
:Il
oveyout
oo.
(
Iki
ssedherandherst
omach)
Me:Byemyl
it
tl
echampi
on.

(Iknowmyf l
ighti
slat
erbutIwil
lfi
rstgotot
he
off
iceandhospit
alt
omakesur eeveryt
hingi
s
accordi
ngl
y.)

Ki
ara'
sPOV
Wecremateddad'
sbody.I
twasj
ustfami
ly
membersonly.SoIwaswi
thmybr
otheri
nhis
of
fi
ce.

Me:Howar
eyouhol
dingup?
(Hej
ustshr
uggedhi
sshoul
der
s)
Me:Okay.
..
what
'st
hepl
an.
Him:Wewi
lluseherst
upi
dfr
iendNomhl
etogett
o
her.
Me:Isee.
..

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
12]Lynne: I
nser
t26
Notedi
ted

Aust
in'
swi
fePOV
I'
mt ryi
ngtosl eepbutthepai nsar
et oobad.Ikeep
tossi
ngandt urni
ng.Iwokeupandwentt othe
kit
chent odrinksomewat er.It
ookoutabot tl
eof
waterfrom thef r
idgeandpour edinaglass.I
start
eddr i
nking.Ifini
shedIwasnowhal fwaythe
steps.Ifeltmysel fwetandmycl othestoo.I
touchedmysel fi
twasbl ood.Iscr
eamed.

Me:Mooom !
mom!
..
.Guar
ds.
(Shecamer
unni
ng)
Mom:What '
swrongdear
?(shel
ookedatme)Bl
ood?
Whathappened?
(Iknel
tdownbecauseabdominalpai
nswerever
y
ext
reme.Mom wentandcall
edtheguardst
ohelp
carr
ymet ot
hecar.Wewer enowonourwayt othe
hospit
al)
Me:Mom whati
fmybabydoesn'
tmakei
t?
Mom:Don'
tworr
ymybaby. .
.not
hingi
swr
ongwi
th
t
hebaby.Thi
ngsli
ket
hishappens.
(Thepai
nwasnotdoi
nganyj
ust
ice.Wegoti
nto
thehospi
tal
.Theyt
ookmet
omywar
d.Theyst
art
ed
checki
ngmeup)

Doc:SoMem whendi
dthepai
nsst
art
?
Me:i
thasbeenaweeknow.
Doc:Andyoudi
dn'
tbot
heri
nfor
mingame
(
Sot hi
sisDoct
orTompson.Hei
smydoct
oral
ong
wit
hmyhusband.)
Me:Thepai
nswer
en'tt
hatser
ious.Theywoul
dgo
awayaft
ersomet
ime.
Doc:Sowhendi
dyoust
artbl
eedi
ng
Me:Doct
orcanyoustopwithallt
hequest
ions.Can
Ij
ustgi
vebi
rthnow..
.Ican'
tanymore.
Doc:Okaymem .

Aust
in'
smom POV

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.Ihaven'
tsl
ept.Ihave
beensit
ti
ngherewai
ti
ngforadoct
ort
ocomeout.I
wasstart
ingt
oworry.Ideci
dedt
ocal
lAust
in.

Me:Hel
lomyson.
..
howar
ethi
ngst
her
e?
Hi
m:Fi
ne..
.It
hinkIwi
llf
lyt
omor
rowmor
ning.How
i
smywifedoi
ng?
Me:Thedoct
orsar
est
il
lbusywi
thher
.
Hi
m:Herwat
erbr
oke?
Me:No.
..
shewasbl
eedi
ngandhadpai
ns.
Him:Butmom whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme.I
'
mfl
ying
backnow.
Me:Nomyson.
..
not
hingwi
llhappen.I
'
m her
eto
t
akecar
eofher
.
Hi
m:No.
..
I'
m comi
ng.
(Hedroppedt
hecall
.Whil
eIwaspr
ayi
ngIwas
di
stur
bedbythedoct
or)
Doc:Sor
ryt
oint
err
uptyou.
Me:Howi
smydaught
er?
Doc:Erhm..
.rmm..
.mem ..
.I
'm ver
ysorrywewer e
notabletosavet
hem .Whenshecameher et
he
babywasal r
eadydead.Asshehadanect opic
pregnancywecouldn'
tsaveher.Heror ganswere
damagedwhi chi
swhyshebeenhavi ngpainsand
al
sowhyshewasbl eedi
ng.I'
m verysorry.

(Ifeltmyheartbrake.Tear sfil
ledmyeyes.Icr i
ed.
Whatam Igoi ngtosayt oAust in.Oh.Aust i
nifyou
justtol
dherthetruthmaybeshewoul dst i
llbeali
ve
.Mysoni sverystubborn.Hewast oldthathecan
onlyhaveachi l
dwi t
hhi schosenone.Looknow
whathappened.Ani nnocentgi rl'
slifehasbeen
taken.Shewassosweet, respectfulandal so
kindheart
ed.HowIwi shshewasAust in'
schosen
one.Whatar ewegoi ngt osayt oherf amily.Iwent
tothecaranddr ovest r
aighthome.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwaswokenupbymyphoner
ingi
ngi
twasdad.I
answer
ed.

Me:Hel
lo.
Dad:Goodmor
ningmydear
..
.howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
mfi
nedadandyou?
Dad:Fi
ne.
..
erhm.
..
ther
e'saf
ami
lydi
nner
.Iwant
ed
t
oaskyouifyoucancomeover
.
Me:Dad...Idon'
tthi
nkitwillbeagoodIdea.
Remembert hedayy'l
lpreparedafami
lydinner
whathappened?..
.I'
m sorr
ydadbutIcan't.
Dad:LaliIthoughtwetal
kedt hroughthat.I
apol
ogizedandpr omisedthatitwillneverhappen
agai
n.Tr ustme.Youcanbr ingyourownf oodif
youwant .
Me:okay.
..
Dad:bye.
(If
eelverybadthatIhavet
obri
ngmyownf oodat
myownhome.Becausemydadcansomet i
mesbe
anass.Ibathedandwenttohel
pMat.Thi
sgirl
doesn'
tsl
eephey.Iki
ssedherchi
ck)

Me:Goodmor
ning.
Mat
:Hey.
..
(Okaysomet
hingi
snotr
ightwi
thher
)
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Mat:Yeah.
..
I'
mjustangr
yatmyf at
her.Hesai
dI
mustflyt
oCapetown.Ther
e'ssomethi
ngimport
ant
.
Me:Okay.
..
thanwhyar
eyousad?
Mat:Idon'
twantt
oleaveyou.Especi
all
yri
ghtnow
asyou'r
egoingt
hroughsomuch.
Me:Youcangosweetone.I
'
mfi
ne.Anddadi
nvi
ted
meforafami
lydi
nner.
Mat
:Real
ly?You'
regoi
ngr
ight
?
Me:Yeah.
..
butIwi
llbr
ingmyownf
ood.
Mat
:Don'
tdot
hat
.Whatwi
llyoursi
bli
ngssay.
Me:Iknowhey...
Ial
sofeel
bad.MatIwast
hinki
ng
ofmovingbackhome.
Mat:thatagoodi
dea.Don'tgetmewr ong.I'
m not
chasi
ngyouaway.I'
mj usthappythatyouwill
fi
nall
yspendmoreti
mewi thyourfamily.Lal
ili
fei
s
tooshortt
okeephol
dingagr udgeagainst
someone.
Me:yeahhey.
(weate.Wehel pedoneanothert
opacksince
she'
salsogoing.Shedroppedmeof fhome.They
werebusyprepari
ngforthedi
nner.)

Zi
a:Lal
i!
Zayn:HeyLal
i.
(Theyal
lcameandhuggedme.GodIl
ovet
hem so
much)
Me:okayguysl
etgonow.
..i
can'
tbr
eat
he.
Jase:Howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
mfi
neiwasj
ustmi
ssi
ngyouguyssomuch.
Zi
a:Ncoo..
.wemissedyousomuchhey.Thi
ngs
werever
ytenseherewit
houtyou.
Me:Sowhat
'st
heoccasi
on?
Zia:weareallcl
uel
ess.Dadsai
dwemustdecor
ate
thedini
ngroom .Heevenhir
edchef
stopr
epare
food.
Me:okayt
hat
'
sgood.
(Car
ol'
ssi
stermadeherwayt
ous)
Addi
:Hey.
Me:Hel
lohowar
eyou?
Addi
:I'
m goodandyou?
Me:I'
m good.Er
hmm.
..
guysl
etmegoandchange
soIcanhelp.

(Iwentupst air
s.Ipackedever ythingint
omy
wardrobe.Imi ssedmyr oom hey.Iopenedt he
windowsandt hedoorleadingt othebalcony.I
stoodthereandl ookedoutside.Thesunwashi t
ti
ng
diff
erenttoday.I'
mi nahappymoodt oday.Idon't
knowwhy.Iwentbacki nsi
de.Ichangedi nt
omy
Fil
aleggingsandanover si
zedTshi rt
.Iputonmy
pumapushi ns.Iwentdownst airstohelpeveryone
el
se.MrsKanewasabi toff.Iwonderwhat '
swrong
wit
hher.Itwasgetti
ngl atenow.Everyt
hingwas
l
ookingbeauti
fulandver yheartwarmi
ng.Thefood
wassmellingsoambr osial.Ij
ustcan'
twaittot
aste
i
t.)

Zi
a:Guysl
et'
sgoandf
reshenup.
(Iwentupst
air
sandranabubbl ebat
hformysel
f.I
soakedmysel
fin.Whil
eatitIdeci
dedtocal
l
Nomhle.I
tkeptri
ngi
ngwithnoanswer.Ideci
dedto
cal
lhermom .)

Me:Hel
lomama.
Her
:hel
lomydear.
..howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:I
'
m doi
ngf
ine.
..
howar
eyou?
Her
:Ver
yfi
nemydear
.Whyyounol
ongervi
sitme?
Me:I'
vebeenal
it
tl
ebusy.Butt
omor
rowIwi
llvi
sit
youguys.
Her
:Okaydear
.
Me:I'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lNomhl
ebutshe'
snot
answeri
ng.
Her:What?.
.Nomhletol
dmethatshe'
ssl
eepi
ng
overt
here.Whatdoyoumeanbythat.
(What?Whywoul dNomhleli
e.Ihaven'
ttal
kedt
o
herf
orthepastdays.Thel
astti
meIcall
edhershe
wassocoldtowardsme.)
Me:Er hmm. .
.yeah..
.Iaskedhertocome.Butshe
hasn'tarr
ivedyet.OhhIf or
got.Shesai
dshewill
star
tatthemal lt
obuysnacksf orus.
Her:Okay..
.Iwassofrightenedhey.Pl
easeaskher
what'
swr ongwi t
hher.She'sbeenactingver
y
st
range.Ithinkshehasf oundhersel
faboyfri
end.
Me:Aboyf
ri
end?
Her:Yeah..
.she'salwaysbl
ushingwhenshe'
son
hercell
phone.Ifitr
ingsshegoesupst
air
s.
Me:Iwi
llaskher.
Her
:okaybyedear.
Me:bye.
(What'
sgoingonwithNomhle.Isshemad.Howcan
sheli
eaboutvisi
ti
ngmeandt hefactthatshenow
mayhaveaboyf r
iend.Nomhl
ehasr eall
ychanged.I
tr
iedt
ocallheragainshei
gnored.Isenthera
message

"Sinceyou'
renotansweri
ngmycal l
s.I
t'
sfi
neIwill
tel
lyourmom thatyou'
renother
e.AndIdi
dn'
tinvi
te
youtosleepover
."

Sent
.Justt
hanshecal
ledme"

Nomhl
e:Lal
i
Me:Nomhl
e..
.wher
ear
eyou?
Nomhl
e:Er
mm.
..
I'
m atf
ri
end'
shouse.
Me:Af
ri
end'
shouse?.
..
younevert
oldmeyouhave
f
oundanewfri
end.
Nomhl
e:Lal
iyou'
renotmymom.ThatIhavet
o
i
nfor
m youever
yti
meIdosomet
hing.
Me:SincewhenNomhl e?Wehavebeenf r
iends
si
ncechi l
dhood.Wehavebeent el
li
ngeachot her
everyt
hing.Whereisthatcomi
ngfrom now?When
dideveryt
hingchange.
Nomhl e:Lal
i..
.t
hingschangedt hedayyoulanded
backintoyourhome.Youhavebeenact i
ngli
kea
di
va.Si ncethanyouhaven'ttreat
ingmelikeyour
fr
iend.Youalwayscalledmei fthere'
ssomething
newyoubought .Youl
ikebraggingandshowi ngoff
.
Me:What
?Nomhl
ear
eyoumad?
Nomhl
e:Lal
iIhavet
ogonow.

(shedr oppedthecall
.What '
shappeni ngtoNomhl e.
Ineedt ofi
ndoutwhat '
swr ongwithher .Ican'tj
ust
l
osemyf ri
endactuall
ymysi st
erl
ikethis.Idr i
ed
myselfandputonabl ackbodyhuggi ngdr ess
that
'sabovethekneesal it
tle.Iwentdownst airs
everybodywassi t
ti
ngdown.Isetnextt oZia.We
wereallwaiti
ngfordad)
Zayn:Mom l
iker
eal
l
ywhat
'st
heoccasi
on?
MrsK:Idon'
tknowson.
..Yourf
atherdi
dn'
ttel
lme
ei
ther
.
(Thi
sNomhl esi
tuati
onwasr eall
yst
ressi
ngme.I
deci
dedtotel
lMatviaWhatsApp.Whi l
eIwassti
ll
busy.Guar
dswal kedincar
ryingsomanysuit
cases
)

Zi
a:Okaywhat
'sgoi
ngon?
(weal ll
ookedateachother.Whi
lewewerest i
ll
amazedbyt hatdadwalkedinwit
hsomel ady.She'
s
verybeauti
ful.Il
ookedt
hroughhersoul
.She'sso
kindhear
ted.Ialsoseeababyboy.Ohhsoshe' s
pregnant.MrKanewasbeyondbei ngangr
y.Her
facewaspal e)

Dad:Goodeveningeveryone.Thanksforpr
epar
ing
allt
his.SoIwanttoint
roducemysoont obe
secondwife.Hernamei sKayla.Butt
oyouguys
mom.
Mr
sK:What
?..
butyoudi
dn'
taskmei
fIagr
eeornot
(Dadi
gnor
edher
)
Dad:Kayl
adearthi
sisLal
i,Zi
a,Tony,Jaseand
Zaynmychil
dren.That
'si
sthei
rfr
iendAddison.
Thisi
smywife.
Kayla:Nicetomeetyouall
.Imustsayyouguysar
e
beautif
ul.Especi
all
yyou(shewasPoint
ingatme)
Me:t
hanks.
..
I'
mjustst
art
ledbyyourbeaut
yMem.
Kayla:mom ...
pleasecal
lmemom .Andt hanks(I
smiledshe'
ssoni ce.)Hell
osi st
erwife.(Shewas
addressi
ngMr sKane.Shej ustlookedather.Ithi
nk
Ili
keheralready.Actual
lyIloveher.Sothedinner
wentverysmoot h.Shesof unnyhey.It hi
nk
everyonel
ikesher.Besidef orMrsKane.)
Dad:ohanotherthi
ng.
..
from nowonshewil
lbe
st
ayingwithus.She'
salsopregnant
.Sopl
ease
guystakegoodcareofher.
Jase:Don'
twor
rydad.
..
she'
singoodhands.
(Mr
sKanest
oodupandwentupst
air
s)
Dad:Excuseme.
(Hef
oll
owedher
)
Kayla:
AsIwassayi ng.
..
(Shecont
inuedwi
thher
funnystor
ies.Shealsotol
dushowshemetdad.)

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Iwasextr
emelyangrysoIwentupstair
s.Howcan
myhusbanddomel i
kethi
s.Andthefactthat
ever
yoneli
kesthatbi
tchtr
igger
smet hemost.I
needtogetri
dofher.Myhusbandwal kedin.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:ohh.
..
youbr
oughtawomanher ewi
thouteven
t
ell
ingme.Doyouthi
nkI'
m okay?
Him :Okay.
..
I'
mt r
ulysorryfort
hat.ButIwasj
ust
over
whelmedt hatwewi l
lsoonbehavingababy.
SoI'
m heretoaskyoui fIcanmarryher.
Me:i
t'
snotl
ikei
fisaynoyouwi
lll
ist
en.
Hi
m:That'
sver
ytrue.
..soI'
mlet
ti
ngyouknowt
hat
I
'mtaki
ngasecondwife.
(Hewasont
hedoorway)

Him:Andpl easedon'
tdoanythi
ngt hatcanhar
m
her.BecauseIpromiseyouIwon'thesit
ateki
ll
ing
you.Iknowyouver ywell.
(Helef
t.Thi
swomeni sapr
oblem.Hejustentered
myhouse.Butal
readymyhusbandist
hreateningto
ki
llme.

Aust
in'
sPOV

Ijustl
anded.Idecidedtost
artathomeandl eave
everyt
hing.WhenIgothomemom wassi tt
ingon
thecouchbusycr ying.Mymouthdropped.

Me:Mom .
..
wher
e'smywi
fe?
(Shecr
iedevenmor
e.)
Me:Mom pl
easet
ellme.
..
what
'shappenedwhat
's
goi
ng
Her
:Son.
..
I'
m ver
ysor
ry.I
'
m sor
ryIf
ail
edyou.
Me:Mom whatdoyoumean?
Her
:Shedi
dn'
tmakei
t.Andt
hebabyt
oo.
Me:What?That
'snott
rue.I
'
m sur
eyou'
rej
oki
ng
r
ight.
(Itookmycarkeysanddr
ovest
rai
ghtt
othe
hospit
al.Igott
her
eandl
ookedf
ormywife.Dr
Thompsonmadehi swaytome)

Hi
m:I
'
m ver
ysor
ry.
..
wecoul
dn'
tsaveher
.
Me:What
?(Ihel
dhi
m byhi
scl
othes)
Him :Yesit
'st
rue.Whenshecameher et
hebaby
wasalreadydeadinher.Herorganswer
edamaged
asshehadanect opi
cpregnancy.
Me:No.
..
that
'scan'
tbe.(Il
etgoofhi
m)
Iwantt
oseeherr
ightnow.
(Heescor t
edmet here.Herheadandbodywas
cover ed.Iwenttoher.Iuncover edherfaceandyes
she'snomor e.Icri
ed.Ihaveneverbeent hisbroken
i
nmyl i
fe.Ifeelguil
tythatIwasn' thereandalso
thatInevert ol
dheraboutt hechosenonet hi
ng.I'
m
thereasonshe' sdead.Event houghIknewIcan' t
havebabi eswi t
hher.Ikeptt ryi
ng.Ishouldn'
thave.
IfItoldhershewoul dsti
llbeal i
ve.I'
mt heonet o
bebl amed.Ihel dherherhandandcr i
ed.)
Me:I '
m sosor r
ylove.I
'
mt hetobebl amedf oryour
death.Iknewt hewholetr
uthbutdi dn'
tt el
lyou.I
willneverforgi
vemyselffort
hat.Youwer eso
kindheartedandtookverygoodcar eofme.You
wer ethewomanofmydr eams.Ipr omi seyoumy
l
ove.Tol oveyouevenindeath.Iwi l
lneverr eplace
youwi thanywomen.Myhear twillforeverbr eathe
foryouunt ilwemeetagain.
(Ikissedherforeheadanddrovebackhome.Iwas
sobr oken.Ihavenevertri
edli
kethi
si nmyentir
e
l
ife.Itl
ikeIhavejustl
ostmymot her.Shewas
everythingt
ome.Herf amil
ydidn'
twantustoget
mar r
ied.Shedisobeyedthem f
orme.Thel eastI
woul
dhavedonei
stobehonestt
oher
.ButIf
ail
ed.
If
ail
edher
.)

Mom:I'm sor
rymyboy..Iknowitpai
nful
.Iknow.I
under
standyourpai
n.Neverfor
getthatI
'
m herefor
you.I
fyouneedashouldertocryonI'
m herefor
you.
Me:Mom ...
I'
mt hereasonshe'
sdead.She
sacr
ifi
cedherli
feformyhappiness.Ial
ways
wantedababywi t
hher .
Mom:Don'
tbl
ameyour
sel
f.Pl
easedon'
tever
bl
ameyour
sel
f.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
12]Lynne: i
nser
t27
Fewmont
hsl
ater
.

Lal
i'
sPOV
Schoolhasbeenver yhect i
c.Ihavebeenst udyi ng
sohar dsi ncesoonwear est art
ingourf inals.Mat
andIar emor ecl oset hanbef ore.Li feisjustgr eat.I
nevert houghti nmyl ifeiwi l
lalsof i
ndhappi ness
andjoy.Backathomet hingsar egoi ngver ywel l.
Everyonei shappybesi def orMr sKane.Shehas
evenl ostwei ght.It hinkit'
skar ma.She' ssuf fering
forhersi ns.Dadnol ongergi vesheral lhisat tent i
on.
Shehast riedsomanyt imest oki l
lthebabymom
Kaylai scar rying.Si nceIl ovemom Kayl asomuchI
madesur et hatl itt
lebr otherisfine.Thatpushed
dadevenmor eawayf r
om her .Kaylamom hasbeen
treat
ingmel ikeherowndaught er.Sheact uallyl ove
andcar eformemor ethanmyot hersi bli
ngs.She' s
amot herf igur eIhavebeenwant ingi nmywhol e
l
ife.Wi thregar dingt oNomhl e.Ihavegi venupon
her.Ifoundoutt hatshe' sdat i
ngMi ke.MrOwen' s
son.Ihavewar nedhersever alt i
mest hathe' snot
goodf orher .Butshe' ssost ubbor nt olistenme.
Sheevensai dI 'mj ealousofhert hatshehasf ound
herselfacut eguy.Hermom t oldmet hathermar ks
aredroppi ng.Wher easshe' ssupposedt obe
passingwi thf lyi
ngcol oursasshei shomeschool ed
andalsohavepr i
vatet ut
or s.Inevert houghtt his
daywi l
levercome.Wher et heper sonIgr ewup
withwoul dturnagai nstme.Theper sonwhot ooka
verygoodcar eofme.Whocomf ortedmedur i
ng
hardships.I'
mr eallyshut teredbyNomhl e's
behavior.Ijusthopesomedayi nherl if
eshewi l
l
fi
ndl i
ghtandr eal i
set hatshet akingawr ongpat h.I
haveappl iedindi f
ferentuni versi
t i
es.Iwant edto
studyinCapet own.Butwi thever ythi
nggoi ngon.I
guessIcan' t.Myf ami lyisalwaysf acingdi ffi
cult
ies.
Thehappi nessj ustdoesn' tlast.SoI 'mf orcedt o
studyher e.Itwasal mostsunr i
se.Si nceMatt old
meaboutherpr oblem.Ihavebeensuppor t
ingher .
Whenshet r
ansf ormsIwoul dkeephercompanyi n
thenearestj ungl e.Imustsayshe' sacut ewol f.Her
furiswhi t
e.Il iket ouchingi t.It'
sver ysof t.We
watchst arsunt ilthesunr iseandshet ransf or
ms
back.Wewer enowonourwayback.

Mat:Il
oveyouLal
i.You'
rever
ysuppor
ti
ve.
Me:Il
oveyoumore.You'
reagreatf
ri
end.Youalso
haveagr
eatandpureheart
.Ij
ustpr
ayitremai
ns
t
hesame.
Mat:Don'
tworr
yIwil
lneverchange.I
'
m notl
iket
hat
ugl
yfri
endofyour
sNomt hi
.
(Wel
aughed)
Me:Don'tspeakofmyf
ri
endli
ket
hat(Ipl
ayf
ull
yhi
t
herback)AndhernameisNomhl
enotNomthi.
Mat:SoLal
iwhatdoyouwantt
ost
udyf
or
Me:Atfir
stIwantedtobecomeanOncol ogist
Radi
ology.ButI'
m slowlyloosi
nginterestinit.I
j
ustdon't
.Andfatherisalsopressuri
zingmet othe
busi
nessmanagement .LikeIjustdon'tl
ikewor ki
ng
i
nbusiness.Whatdowantt odo?
Mat:I
'
m notsur
eei
ther
.Butwhat
everyoudoIwi
ll
al
sodoit
.
(wel
aughed)
Me:I
fIdeci
dedt
owor
katshopr
it
ewoul
dyout
oo?
Mat:Yeswhynot
?You'
reli
keatwi
nsi
stert
ome.I
wanttoal
waysbebyyoursi
de.
(
Ihel
dhercheeks)
Me:Ncoomyot
herhal
f.
(Wewenti
nandpr
epar
edf
orschool)

Mi
ke'
sOPOV

Ourpl ani sworkingper fectly.We'r eslowlyturni

ng
Nomhl eagainstLali.Wear enowt owar dsour
destination.Wewi l
lattackLal ibef oreshecoul d
evennot i
ce.Ihavebeenspendi ngsomucht ime
withNomhl e.She'stalkat i
veandhervoi ceisso
i
r r
it
ating.Iwi shthisisovernow.Shecal l
severy
nowandt han.Shevi sitsmemor ef r
equentl
y.Even
todayshe' scomi ngt osl eepover.Aboutmom .She
hasnotr ecoveredyet.Weevenhi redheranur seto
takecar eofher.I nsteadofbecomi ngbettershe's
getti
ngwor se.Shehasst art
edt alkingtoherself.I
j
ustf eelsor r
yforher .WhenIseehermyhear t
breaksi ntopeaces.Ipr omisewhenmyhandsl end
onLal iI'
m notgoi ngt ospar eherl ife.Shehas
causedmyf ami l
ypain.Butherdaysar enumber ed.
Dadf ailedtokillher.Butmysi sterandIwon' t
.
Nomhl
ear
ri
ved.

Nomhl
e:Heybabe
(sheki
ssedmeont hecheek.Ir
oll
edmyeyes
wit
houthernot
ici
ngme)
Nomhl
e:Howar
eyou
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.Ar
en'
tyousupposet
obei
nschool
.
Nomhl
e:.
I'
m bei
nghomeschooledremember.So
t
odayI
'm notl
earni
ng.yooh.
..
Imissedyou.
Me:Butyousawmeyest
erday.
Nomhle:YouknowIjustcan'
tleavewi
thoutyou.A
minut
ewi t
houtyounearmefeelsli
keawhole
month.
Me:It
hinkyou'
reexagger
ati
ngnow.
Nomhl
e:I
'
m not.I
'
m deepl
yinl
ovewi
thyou.
(Ij
ustkeptqui
et)
Nomhl
e:Mi
ke.Doyoust
il
lloveme
(Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)
Me:Yes.
..
mhh.
..
whyar
eyouaski
ngmet
hatbabe.
Nomhle:I
t'
sjustthatt
hepastf
ewdays.You
haven'
tbeengivengmeyouratt
enti
on.I
teit
her
you'
rebusyonyourphoneoryou'r
ewithyoursi
ster
.
Me:I '
m abusi
nessman.It
hinkyouhaveforgot
ten
that.Andmysi st
eri
smyl i
fe.Babefamil
ycomes
fi
rst.Don'
tyouthi
nkyoumustgohomeanddo
somest udyi
ng.Thef
inal
sarenearri
ght?
Nomhle:yeahbutI'm notgoi
nganywher
e.I
'
m
spendi
ngani ghthere.
Me:Okayseeyoul
atert
han.
(It
ookmyphoneand
carkeys)
Nomhl
e:Mi
kest
op.Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o.
Me:Ineedsomef
reshai
r.

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Justl
ikethathe'sgone.Ourr
elat
ionshi
phastooka
qui
ckt ur
n.Mi kehaschanged.Hehaschangedint
o
acol dandr udeman.Atf ir
stIwashi squeen.He
promi sedmet hewor l
dandt reatedmelikeaqueen.
Ihavebeenf eel
ingverysickl atel
y.I'
m even
vomi t
ing.Ihaveal sogainedal otofwait
.Mom
keepsgi vi
ngmenast ylooks.Sobei nghomej ust
tri
gger sme.Whi leIwasst i
llsitt
ingacallcame
through.ItwasLal i.Whycan' tsheleavemeal one.

Me:Yeswhat
'sdoyouwant
.
Her
:Nomhl
e..
.howar
eyou.
Me:WHATDOYOUWANTLALI
Her:I'
mjustcheckinguponyou.Iknowyouhat e
met othecore.ButpleasealwaysknowIsti
llcar
e
aboutyou.Iwillf
oreverbe.Sothat'
swhyI'
m
advisi
ngyouf ort
hel astt
ime.LeaveMike.He'snot
agoodguyf oryou.You' r
ewor t
hofsomeonewho' s
ki
ndheartedandhasapur eheart
.
Me:Lal
idoyousomehowwanthi
m.Ar
eyou
j
eal
ousofme
Her
:What
?
Me:Yes..
.Lal
i..
.Mikei
sagoodguy.Hetreat
sme
l
ikeaqueen.He'st
hebestguyIwoul
deveraskf
or.
Her:Igiveup..
.Igi
veuponyou.ButNomhl eatleast
pl
easet akeyourst
udiesseri
ous.I
t'
syourlastyear
sopleasenaili
t.Pl
easemakemom pr oud.And
Nomhl eyourmo.Justcall
edme.Whyyouno
l
ongerspendni ght
sathome.Wher eareyouexactly
Me:I
'
m atMi
ke'
spl
ace.
Her:WhatNomhl e.
..aremad...
final
sarearoundthe
cornerandyou'
rebusywi thMike.WhyNomhl e.
..
whyar eyoudoingthistoyour
self.Whyareyou
destroyi
ngyourownf utur
e.
Me:Lal
iIhavet
ogo.
Her
:Nomhl
e..
.
(Idroppedhercal
l.Sheli
kesact
ingli
keshe'
shol
ier
thaneveryoneel
senxx.Thisi
smyl i
feIcando
whateverIwant.

MrKane'
sPOV
Imustsayl i
feissogr eat.I'
m ver yhappy.Al lmy
businessesar edoi ngwel l.Myf ami l
yishappy.And
Kayla.IthankGodf orbr ingingheri ntomyl ife.
She'stakingagoodcar eofmeandmychi l
dren.Her
tummyi snowver ybi g.Tony' smom hast ri
edso
manyt imest okillmybaby.Wi thLal iinpicture.
Shedi dnotsucceed.Lal iissodet erminedt o
prot
ectt hefami l
y.Shehasal sot aughtmeaf ew
thi
ngsaboutherbeast .Inevert houghtsucht hings
doexistinr eall
if
e.Kayl ai sverycl osewi thLal i
.
Whichmakesmemor ehappy.Lal ideservesal lthe
happinessandwar mt hshecanget.She' saspeci al
chil
d.Iwi shhermot heral sotoldmeabouther
beast.Thingswoul dn'thavet urnedoutl ikethis.
AnywaysKayl aandIwer eonourwayt oseea
doctor.Justtomakesur et hebabyi sdoingwel l.
Wegott ot hedoct oranddi dcheckups.Andwel l
thebabyi sf i
ne.Wewer enowatWi mpy.Ihel dbot h
Kayla'
shands.

Me:Il
oveyou.Thankyouf
orcar
ryi
ngmychi
ld.
Her
:Youar
eaki
nd,
goodandl
ovi
ngmen.Il
ove
you.
(Iki
ssedbot
hherhands)
Me:Sohaveyoudeci
dedt
heweddi
ngday.
Her
:pl
easedon'
tgetmewr
ongbutIcan'
tmar
ryyou
.
(Myhear
tbeati
ncr
eased.)
Me:What
?
Her:Yes..
.Ineedtofi
rstgi
vebi
rt
handwor kon
r
egainingmyf latst
omach.ThanIcandeci
deont
he
weddingday.
(Ij
ustl
aughed.)
Me:youscar
edmehey.

Odi
n'sPOV

ThingsbetweenAvaniandIar
enotgood.Shehas
beenignori
ngme.AndImustsayIhaveal sol
ost
i
nteresti
nher.Iwasbusylooki
ngatLal
i'
spict
ures
onInst
agram.Imustsayshe' sverybeaut
if
ul.But
she'
smor ebeauti
fuli
nperson.Ithi
nkIshouldtry
myluck.Iheart
edallherpict
uresandsentadirect
messagetoher.Ijustsai
dhi.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

I'
m soangr yatmysel f.Forfai
li
ngt ogetr
idofthat
womeni ntime.Myhusbandhast urnedagainstme.
Henol ongerspendtimewi t
hme.Ineedt odo
somet hing.Ineedtofindinf
ormationaboutthis
Kyla.Idecidedt ocal
ltheguythathelpedlastti
me
tofindheraddr ess.

Hi
m:Madam..
.If
eel
ver
yhonor
edt
orecei
veacal
l
f
rom you.
Me:Youguysdi
dagreatj
oblastt
ime.ButIhavea
ver
yimpor
tantj
obf
oryouguysnow.
Hi
m:Anyt
hingbossl
ady
Me:Iwantmor
eInf
ormat
ionaboutt
heKayl
a.Iwant
t
oal
soknowmor
eaboutherexhusband.
Hi
m:Okaymadam.
Me:WhencanIexpectal
lmyi
nfor
mat
ion.
Hi
m:Iwi
llcal
lyouwhenIhavef
oundany
i
nfor
mat
ion.

(Idroppedthecall
.Shedoesn'
tknowwhoshe's
deal
ingwith.Iwi
llfi
ndherexhusband.Andt
ellhi
m
aboutherwhereabouts.)

Aust
in'
smom POV

Ihavedecidedt omoveonwi t
hAust i
n.Heneeds
me.Hehasbeendr owninghimsel
fintoalcohol.He
nolongergoest owor k.He'
sblaminghimselfforhi
s
wif
e'sdeath.Hel ovedher.Hereal
lydid.AndIdon't
thi
nkhewi l
leverbeabl etolovesomeoneel se.I
j
ustfeelsorr
yf orhischosenone.Hei ssobr oken.
Iwasbusypr epar i
ngsupperhewal kedin.He
wasn'tdr
unkt oday.Okay.
Me:Heymyson
Hi
m:Hel
lomom .
..
howar
eyou?
(Heki
ssedmycheek)
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou.
Hi
m:I
'
mfi
nemom .
Me:I'
m happytoseeyousoberandnotbl
ami
ng
your
selff
oreveryt
hing.
Hi
m:Mom Ihavereal
izedthatblamingmyselfwon'
t
makemeheal.IhavealsodecidedthatIwi
llst
ayat
t
heOegr
atefort
woweeks.Justt ocl
earmyhead.
Me:okay.
..
when.
Him:Tomorrowwecango.Iknowyou'
remi
ssi
ng
yourhusbandsomuch.
(Il
aughedandpl
ayf
ull
yhi
thi
m wi
thadi
chwashi
ng
cl
oth.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
Anot
heri
nser
twi
llbepost
ed.I
'
m st
il
lbusywi
th
i
t.
[
06/
23,
08:
13]Lynne: i
nser
t28

Lal
i'
sPOV

Sowef ini
shedourf i
nalsthe.I'm nowbackathome.
Everyt
hingisjusthect i
c.Kaylamom andZi aar e
busyhelpingAddi son,MatandIchooset hedresses
wear egoingtowearf orthemat r
icdance.Imust
sayI'mfeeli
ngver yhappyt oseeal lmyf avouri
te
peopletogether.Ihavebeenchat tingwi thOdin.
He'snotthatbadand. AndAddi sonhasal so
changed.She'snowdi ff
erentfrom thedayIf i
rst
mether.Ijusthopeshehasmadepeacewi thwhat
happenedt ohersi st
er.SoMatandAddi sonhad
foundthemsel vesdresses.Ijustdon' tknowwhi ch
dresstochoose.They' reallbeauti
ful.OhhIal so
nowknowhowt odri
ve.Tonyt aughtmebutIdon' t
yethaveal
icense.

Zi
a:Lookatt
hisoneLal
i.
Me:NoIcan'
tweart
hisdr
essi
t'
stoor
eveal
ing.
Mat
:ButLalii
t'
sfinethough.Youneedt
oshow
t
hem yourper
fectbody.
Addi
:YesLal
i..
.
Me:ForgoodnesssakeI
'
m notwear
ingt
hatdr
ess.
Whataboutthi
sone.
(Ipi
ckedawhi
teone.Theyal
llaughed)
Zi
a:What
?You'
rej
oki
ngr
ight
.
Me:I
'
m not.
Kayl
a:Canyl
lleavemybabyal one.Lalii
fyouli
keit.
Takei
t.ButIwillaskt
hedesi gnertochangeabit
andmakeamoder ndress.I
t'
sr eal
lybeauti
ful
.Ican
i
magineyouinit.Itwi
llal
sohavepur ediamonds.
Mat
:Okaywe'
real
lnowsor
ted.
(Soweassibl
ingsplannedthataftert
hematr
ic
dancewewil
lgatheratj
ase'sfri
endhouseandhave
ali
tt
lepar
tyt
here.Justtocelebr
ate.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

I'
m nowf eeli
ngwel l.Ihavef inallyletmywi feresti
n
peace.Ihaven' tbeeni nar el
ationship.Ihavebeen
spendingal otoft i
mewi thEmi l
ia.She'smyf uck
buddy.Nost ri
ngsat tached.Imustsaysheknows
howt okeepamanhappy.She' sal somyPA.Ihave
distancedmysel ffr
om t hehospi t
al.Inowr unmy
businesses.WhenI 'm att hehospi t
alIjustmissmy
wife.Ijustfeelguilt
yt hatIwasnotwi thherwhen
shewasf acingt hemost.Ihaven' tgivenuponmy
career.Af t
ersomet imeIwi l
lgobackatwor k.Mom
i
snowbackatt heOegr ate.Ir eallymissherhey.

Addi
son'
sPOV
OkayguysIr eal
lydon' tknowwhat '
shappeni ngto
me.WhenIcameher e.Iwasdet erminedt odest r
oy
thi
sf ami
ly.ButI
'm slowl yfal
li
ngf orTony.Hehas
beenagoodboyf ri
endl atel
y.Ihavealsobeen
dreamingaboutCar ol.Shekeept ell
ingmet hatIfi
don'twanttoendupdeadl i
keherimustj ustletgo
ofthethoughtofkil
lingTony.Imustf orgetit.Tony
walkedin.

Hi
m:Hey.
..
whyar
eyousi
tt
ingher
eal
one.
Me:er
mm.
..
Ijustf
eel
li
kebei
ngal
one.
Him:okay.
..
haveyouf
oundadr
essf
ort
hemat
ri
c
dance.
Me:Yeah.Andyou?Haveyouf
oundasui
tfor
your
sel
f.
Hi
m:I
'
m notgoi
ngt
oit
.
Me:what
?Why.
Hi
m:whyshoul
dIgo.
Me:Don'
tyouwanttosayyourl
astgoodbyeatyour
cl
assmat
es.Becauseyouwil
lsooncrosspat
hs.
Him:Idon'
tgi
veadamnaboutt hem.Youguyswi
ll
bebustwit
hthematri
cdance.Iwil
lbebusy
dr
owningmyselfi
ntoalcohol
.
Me:youguysl
ikeal
coholhey.
..
evenyoursi
ster
s.
Hi
m :yeahhey.
..

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

SoIf oundinformationaboutKayl a.It

'snotver y
useful .Buttheinf
or mat i
onabouthi sexhusbandi s
veryusef ul.ButIcoul dn'tgethisnumber .Ifound
outt hathewasact uallybornher e.Andheal so
haveabr otherherebutt heydon'tgetalong.Ihave
tr
yingt ofi
ndhisbrot herbutIcan' t.Theyalsot ol
d
met hathechangedhi ssur nameaf t
erhisfather
gaveal lt
heinheri
tancet ohisyoungerbr other.They
saidhei saverydanger ousman.SoIshoul dn't
messwi t
hhim .Thatgavemeaf rightalit
tl
ebutI
sti
llneedt of i
ndhim .Hei sthelastopt i
onihavet o
getr i
doft hiswomen.Tonywal kedi n.Hei stheonly
childt hatcareaboutme.Heal wayschecksupon
me.

Tony:Heymom
Me:Hel
lomyboy.
Tony:Howar
eyoudoi
ng
Me:I
'
mfi
neyou.
Tony:pl
easedon'
tli
etome.Iknowyouver
ywel
l
.Is
ther
eanythi
ngbother
ingyou.
Me:Yourfat
her
..
.hehasbeendist
antt
owar
dsme
si
ncethatwomencameher e.
Tony:mom Ithinkyoushoul
dst artl
iki
ngher.Or
atl
eastpret
end.Thatwaydadwi llbehappyand
thi
ngsbetweenyouandhi nwillbebacktonormal.I
real
lyhateseei
ngyouliket
his.Youhaveevenl ost
weight.
Me:
Iknowhey..
.st
resshasbeenki
ll
ingme.Thanks
f
oryouforbei
nghereforme.
Tony:You'
remymot
her
.It
'smydut
ytomakesur
e
you'
refi
ne.
Me:Haveyoudeci
dedonwhatyouwi
lldo?
Tony:Yeah.
..
I'
mthinki
ngofdoi
ngmedici
ne.But
youknowyourhusband.Hewon'
tal
lowmet o.
Me:I
fyour
eal
lywantt
odoi
t.Icanconvi
ncehi
m
f
oryou.
Tony:r
eal
ly?
Me:Yeah.
..
he'smyhusbandaft
erall
.Iknowwher e
t
otouchhim sothathecanagr
eetowhateverIsay.
Tony:Ibet
terleaveyou.Bef
oreyout
ellbeabout
youguy'si
ntimacy.
(Hel aughedandgotout .Hehasr eall
ygrownup.I
wishhi sdadwasst i
llali
vetoseehi m .Takingcar e
ofme.Hehasal waysbeenbymysi de.He
suppor t
smei neverythi
ng.Hedi dn'thaveapr oblem
withmemovi ngon.Andal soget ti
ngmar ri
edt omy
husband.IknowIhaveneverbeenagoodmot her
tomychi l
dren.Theywer emost lyraisedbytheir
aunts.LikeJase.Myf ir
stborn.Hewasr ai
sedby
hisaunt .Tonywasr aisedbyhi suncl e.Hehasa
verystrongbondwi thhim .WellZiawasl ucky.
AtleastIgotmar ri
edt ohisfather.SoIwast here
whenshewasgr owi ng.Mypr eviouslifeis
somet hingI'm notpr oudof .AsIwasf rom apoor
fami l
yandal souneducat ed.Ihadt odat edi fferent
ment oprovideformyf ami ly.Theonl yt hingI '
m
proudofi snomat terhownotcl oseIwaswi thmy
babiesbutIst il
llovedt hem .Andidi dn' tabor tthem
.Tony' sfatherwasmar ri
ed.Buthel ovedme.He
madesur ethatigotever ythingiwant ed.Heeven
tookmebackt oschool.Hei stheonl ymanIwoul d
gladlysayIl oved.Mi ke.Mi kewasj ustanasshol e.
Hel ovedgirlssomuch.WhenIwaspr egnantJase
hesuppor t
edme.ButwhenIwasagai npr egnant
Ana.Her anawayf rom us.Heevensai dhedoubt s
thatJaseandAnaar ehi s.ButIl ovedhi m hey.Wel l
I'
m sur ey'l
lareaskingyour selveswhyI 'm not
talki
ngaboutZayn.Wel lZayni snotbiol ogical l
y
mi ne.ButIdol ovehi m.Il ovehi ml i
kemyownson.
Theonl yper sonIhaveapr oblem wi t
hi sLal i.Somy
husbandneverr eallyt oldmemor eaboutZayn' s
mot her.AllIknowi sshedi ed.SoIt ookaver y
goodcar eofhim.Heconsi dersmehi smot her .I
thinkwhatTonysai dwi llwor konmyf avour .Ineed
topr et
endt obecl oset oKayl a.Sot hatwhenshe
t
hinksI
'
m nowherf
ri
end.Iwi
llgetr
idofher
.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Themat ricdancewasgoi ngt ost ar tat8pm.SoMat

andIwer eget ti
ngourmakeupdown.Guesswho
hiredt hemakeupar t
ist?.
Mr sKane.Ihadt oaskZia
toalsodoi tbecauseIdon' ttrusther .AndIal so
knowshewi llneverhur therbaby.Sosi ncewewer e
from di fferentschool s.Wewer egoi ngoursepar ate
ways.Iwasdr ivi
ng.YesIt ookdad' sChar coal
Fer r
ar i
.WegotandandIdr ovet ot hel ocationour
schooli shol di
ngourmat r
icdanceat .Wegott her
e.
Ever ythingl ookedver ybeaut iful.Ever yonewas
l
ooki ngst unningbutnotmor et hanMatandI.The
progr am wasr ead.I twasr eallyf un.Wedanced
andhugged.I '
mr eallygoingt omi ssmycl assmates.
Theywer ever ysuppor ti
veandl oving.I twasver y
funbei ngar oundt hem .Ijustcan' twai ttoalso
exper iencet heVar sityli
fe.Anywaysi twasnow
12pm .Wewer edrivingback.Iwasf eel i
ngver ybad
thatMatwon' tcomewi t
hmet othepar t
y.Youguys
knowwhy.Shecan' tcontrolherwolf.IwishIcan
helpher.IwishIcanspendt hewholenightwithher
l
ikeIusedt o.ButthatI '
m sureeveryoneiswaiti
ng
formeatt heparty.Iwasdr oppingherof ft
oher
house.Iparkedout side.

Me:I
'
mr eal
lysor
ry.I
'
m sor
ryt
hatt
odayiwon'
tbe
wi
thyoutoni
ght.
(Shehel
dbot
hmyhands)
Mat:Lal
idon'
tworryaboutme.Youneedt
oal
so
havefuninyourl
if
e.
Me:Buti
tfeel
ssobad.
Mat
:AsIsai
dIwi
llbef
ine.
(Shehadtearsi
nhereyes.Theyst
art
edf
all
ing.I
huggedher)
Me:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Mat:Ijustwi
shIcanal
sobeli
keever
yoneel
se.
Al
sol i
vemylifet
othef
ull
est
.
Me:I
sther
eawayIcanhel
pyou.
Mat:Ther
e'snoway..
.ij
ustneedt
ogotothe
Oegrat
e.There'
snoot
herway.Dadtr
iedr
eal
lyhar
d
buthecan'
t.
Me:Tomor
rowyou'
regoi
ngt
her
e.
Mat
:Lal
i.
..
youdon'
tunder
stand.Ican'
t.Wecan'
t.
Me:Theotherdayyousai
dtheywantyouandyour
fat
hert
obringabeasti
nordertopr
oveyour
honest
y.
Mat
:Yes.
..Ist
il
ldon'
tgetyou.
Me:Youwi
llbr
ingmet
othem .I.
..
Mat:Nothappeni
ng.Iwillneverinmywholeli
feput
yourli
fei
ndanger.Lal
itheywi l
limpr
isonyouand
ki
llyou.
Me:Idon'
tcar
easlongasyouguyswil
lbeal
lowed
t
oli
vethere.Orcomewheneveryouguyswant.
Mat
:NoLal
i..
.Isai
dno.
Me:Ihaveapl
an.
..
(Sher
aisedhereyebr
ow.It
oldhermypl
an.)
Mat
:ButLal
iwhati
fyoudon'
tmakei
t.
Me:Don'
twor
ryMat.
..
I'
m st
rong.Ihavebeen
t
hroughsomuch.
Mat:Lal
iI'
m verygr
atefultohaveafr
iendl
ikeyou.
Youaresokindhear
ted.Iloveyou.
Me:Okaygonowandt el
lyourf
atheraboutmyplan.
Sotomorr
owi ntheeveni
ngwecango.Hemustt el
l
theAl
phathathe'sbr
ingi
ngabeastasasacr i
fi
ce
andaprove.
Mat:Okay.
..
thankyouonceagai
n.
Me:Okayl
etmegetgoi
ng.
(Idrovetowherethepar t
ywasheld.Ibeli
eveinmy
self.Ij
usthopeeveryt
hingwil
lgoaccor di
ngtomy
plan.Theplacewasalreadyf
ull.Isatnexttot
he
girl
s.)

Addi
:Wehavebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou?Wher
eisMat.
Me:Er
m..
.mhh.shewasn'
tfeel
ingwel
l.Soshe
wentt
oherhouse.
Zi
a:Shame..
.shewi
llmi
ssout.Anywaysl
et'
s
dr
ink.
Me:Youshouldn'
tdr
inkt
omuchyoust
il
lhavenext
yeart
ocomplete.
(Wel
aughed.Shemadepuppyeyes)
Me:I
'
mjustj
oki
ngmysi
ster
.Okay?
.Don'
tcr
y.
(Weal
llaughed.Shehuggedme.Thepar t
ywas
ver
yli
t.Whil
eIwasst i
lldr
inki
nganddanci
ng.Odi
n
madehiswayt ome.)

Odi
n:Hey.
..
Me:Hi.
..
Odi
n:Howar
eyou.
Me:I
'
mfi
neandyou
Odi
n:I
'
mfi
ne.
..How'
sthepar
ty.
Me:Itver
yli
they.
..
Ijustcan'
tbel
ievet
hatf
inal
lyI
'
m
donewithschool
.
Odi
n:Mhhh.
..
(
Iwasbusytel
li
nghi
m aboutschool
.Heplacedhi
s
f
ingeronmymouthf
ormet okeepquiet
)
Odi
n:Enoughnow.
..
youhavebeent
alki
ngnonst
op.
(Ij
ustl
aughed.Hecuppedmyf aceandpl
acedhi
s
l
ipsonmy.Ipushedhim abi
t.)
Me:Whatar
eyoudoi
n..
.
(Heshutmeupwit
hakiss.Okay..
.Iki
ssedhi
m
back.I
twasasl
owanddeepkiss.Tonymadehis
waytous.)
Tony:LALI
!
(Hewasshout
ing.Hepul
ledmebymyhand.I
twas
ver
ypai
nful
.)
Me:Tonyyou'
rehur
ti
ngme.Letgoofmyhand.
(IwaslikeIwasspeakingtomyself
.Het ookmeto
aroom upstairs.Hel
ockedi
t.Okay.
..Thi
soneis
overpr
ot ect
ive.)
Tony:Lal
iwhyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome.
(OkayIwasconf
used.)
Me:Tonywhatdoyoumean
Tony:Whydoyoual
wayshur
tmyf
eel
ings.
(OkayIwasbeyondbei ngconf
used.Whati
sithe'
s
tal
kingabout.Whyishespeaki
nglikeI
'
m hi
s
gir
lf
riendandIj
ustcheatedonhim)
Me:Tonyyou'restar
ti
ngt
oscar
emenow.Whatar e
youtal
kingabout.Whyar
eyouspeaki
ngl
iket
his.
(Hecamest r
aighttome.Hiseyeswer ebl
oodshot
red.It
ookfewst epsback.FunnyenoughIreached
thewal
l.)
Tony:Lal
i..
.can'
tyouseei
tinmyeyest
hatIl
ove
you.
(WTF.
..
)
Me:L.
..
love.
..
m..
me.
..
what
?
Tony:yes..
.Il
oveyoufrom t
hebottom ofmyhear
t.I
l
ovedyousi ncethefi
rstdayil
ayedmyeyesonyou.
Myfeelingsforyoubecamestrongerwhenyou
movedi nwithus.
(Okaynowiunderst
andwhyhewasawkwar
dthat
dayIwasint
roduci
ngmysel
ftot
hem )
Tony:Ihavebeenwant
ingt
otel
lyou.Whenyout
old
methatyouweredat
ingAben.Iwasso
hear
tbr
oken.Whenmymot herwasalsot
reat
ing
youbad.Iwoul
dfeelsor
ryforyou.Nowyouwere
busyki
ssingwi
thOdi
n.Thattri
ggeredmyanger
.
Me:ButwhyTony. ..
whyar
eyoudoi ngthi
sto
yoursel
f.Youknowverywellt
hatItakeyouasa
brot
her.Actual
lyyou'
remybrother
.
Tony:No..
.noI'
m not
..
.Wear
enotbor
nbyt
he
sameparents.
Me:St
il
lTony.
..youar
eabr
othert
ome.
(Hecuppedmyf ace.Ij
ustcl osedmyeyes.No
matt
erwhathappens.Iwillneverrevealmysel
fto
hi
m .Iwil
lnevershowhim whatIam .Heki ssed
me.Ipushedhim andslappedhi m.Hecameback
i
naver yhi
ghspeed.Hekissedme.I twasarough
ki
ss.Iwassavedbyaknockont hedoor.)

"
Lal
iar
eyoui
nther
e"

I
twasZi
a'
svoi
ce.
Me:Yeswai
tforme.
..
I'
m comi
ngr
ightnow.
(Iunl
ockedthedoorandopenedi
tsl
ight
lysot
hat
shewon'tseeTony.)
Zi
a:Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngi
nther
e.
Me:.
..
Er.
..
erhm.
..
Iwasusi
ngt
hebat
hroom.
Zi
a:Okay.

(yeswedr anksomuch.ButIwasnol ongerfeel

ing
thepart
y.Ikeptthinkingaboutthescenethattook
placeupst
airs.I
twasnowi nthemorning.Wemade
ourwayhome.Ij ustbathedandwentst rai
ghtto
bed.Ineedtobef reshfort
heevening.Icall
edMat
andtoldherthattheplanissti
llon)

Mat
'sPOV

Lalical
ledme.Shet oldmet hatthepl
anisstil
lon.I
havebeent ryi
ngtoconvincedadbuthe'stoo
stubborn.Ihadtotel
lhimthet r
uthaboutLal
i.ButI
di
dn'tt
ellhi
mt hatshe'
stheAdi
la.Buthewasst
il
l
bei
ngstubborn.

Me:Dadpl
ease.Lal
icandoi
t.
Dad:Mychil
d.IknowLaliisveryworri
edaboutyou.
Butwecan'
tsellhert
othem .Theyar ever
yevi
l.
Theywi
llnohesit
atetobrutal
lyki
llher
.
Me:DadIal
readyt
oldyout
hepl
an.
Bel
ievei
nus.
Wecandoit
.
(Hekeptqui
et)
Dad:Okay.
..
butifherpl
andoesn'
twor
k.Wewi
ll
havetorunbackhere.
Me:Gi
vet
hem acal
lthan.
(Dadspoket otheAlpha.Hewasont he
l
oudspeaker.Hisvoicewasver ydeep,f
irm and
scary.Dadhadt opleasehim .Hefinal
lyagreed.I
j
usthopeever yt
hingwillgowell.Wewer enow
packingourclot
hes.)
Lal
i'
sPOV

Itwasnowontheeveni
ng.It
olddadt
hatI
'
m
visi
ti
ngMat
.Theyfet
chedme.
Me:Ihavesomewheret
ogot
ofi
rst
.Canyou
pl
easetakemether
e.
(Idi
rect
edMat '
sfather
.Iwasgoi ngtoMr s
Khumalo'
shouse.Ineedhert oprayformeabout
whatI'
m abouttodo.Iknowit'
sverydanger ous.I
j
ustwantGodt ohelpme.Wegott here.Igotinsi
de.
Matandherdadr emainedinthecar.Nomhl ewas
busyonherphone.Shehasgai nedwei ght
.Mr s
Khumalowasbusyr eadingherbibl
e.Ismi l
edt hi
s
womenwi l
lneverchange.)

Me:Hel
lomom .
Her
:Lal
i.
..
heydear
.(Shegotupandhuggedme)
Me:HiNomhl
e.
Nomhl
e:Hi
(shet
hanr
oll
edhereyes)
Mr
sK:Idon'
tseeyourbag.Ar
en'
tyousl
eepi
ngover
.
Me:NoI'm act
ual
lypassi
ng.Ij
ustyoumom t
opray
f
orme.I '
m abouttodosomethi
ngdanger
ous.
Whichcancostmemywhol elif
e.
Mr
sK:Lal
iwhat
'sgoi
ngon.
Me:Ireal
lydon'
thavemuchtimetoexpl
ain.Ij
ust
wantyoutoprayforme.Iknowyou'r
etheperson
whocancommuni catemorewit
hGod.Ineedhim
guar
dme.
(Weclosedoureyes.Wehel
dhandsandpr
ayed.
Wefi
nished)
Me:Thankyouver
ymuch.Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Mr
sK:Pl
easebesaf
e.
Me:Iwi
ll.
Mr
sK:Iwi
llal
sopr
ayal
onef
oryou.
Me:t
hankyou.
..bye.
..

(Iwentbackt
othecar.)
Me:Wecangonow.
(Ismi
led.)
Mat
:Lal
ither
e'sst
il
lachance.Wecanst
il
lgoback.
Me:Don'
twor
ry.
..
Igotthi
s.(Mr
sKhumal
o'spr
ayer
gavememorest
rength.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

SoIjustarr
ivedattheOegrat
e.Dadsaidthere'sa
personwhobr oughtabeastf
orsacri
fi
ce.Soast he
nextAlphaImustbet heonetoki
lli
t.Aft
erthree
daysoftort
ure.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
13]Lynne: I
nser
t29

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Mom wasbusypr
ayi
ng.If
eell
ikeshel
ovesLal
i
morethanme.Ideci
dedtogotoMike'
shouse.I
gott
here.Hewasbusytal
kingt
ohersi
ster
.

Me:Hel
loever
yone.
Ki
ara:OhheyNomhl e.(Shel
ookedatherbrot
her
t
hanchuckled)Ehr
mm.Letmel eavethetwoofyou.
Me:Heyl
ove
Mi
ke:Hi
Me:Ihavebeenf
eel
ingver
ysi
ckl
atel
y.Iwaseven
vomit
ing.
Mi
ke:What
?Andyou'
ret
ell
ingmenow.
(Hest
oodup.Hewashal
fwayt
hedoor)
Me:Mi
ke.
..
wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?
Mi
ke:Iwi
llbeback.
(Mi kehasreal
lychanged.Thi
sr elat
ionshipofours
i
ssl owlycomingtoanend.Ilovehi m .Ilovehim
withmywhol eheart.Iwentt
osi tont hebed.After
somet i
mehecameback.Het hrewt hepr egnancy
testatme.Okaysohet hi
nksI'm pregnant.Nxx.I
tookthem andwenttot hebathr
oom.Ipeedt han
waited.Af
tersomet i
met heyhad2r edl
ines.Oh
shitI'
mindeedpregnant.Isatonthefl
oorand
sobbed.Whatam Igoi ngtosaytomymot her
.I
wentouttoMi kecryi
ng.Ishowedhim)
Mike:Tomorr
owmor ni
ngwe'
regett
ingr
idoft
hat
t
hinggrowingint
oyourst
omach.
Me:What?That '
snotgoi ngtohappen.Iwon'
tki
ll
myfi
rstchi
ld.Iknowi twillbedi
ff
icul
ttol
etmy
mot
herknowbutI 'm keepingthi
sbaby.
Mike:Iwasn'
taski
ngyou.Iwasmaki
nga
st
atement.Tomorr
owmor ni
ngwe'
reget
ti
ngr
idofi
t.
Me:Nothappeni
ng.
Mi
ke:Wewi
llsee.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Itwasver
yfar.Wefinall
yar
rived.Ther
ewastwo
bigl
ongandstronggates.I
thadapi ct
ureofawol
f.
Iwasstar
ti
ngtogetscarednow.Myhear twas
beati
ng.Sot heplanwast of
ooltheAl pha.SoMat
saidtheywil
limpr i
sonme.Sowhent heyaret aki
ng
met othatcageIwi l
lt r
ytofl
ee.SoIhadt opr etend
tobepassedout .Thegat esopened.Ikeptpr aying.
Mat '
sdaddrovei n.Hepar kedthecar.Ihavenever
seensomanypeopl el i
kethi
s.Theywer ebusy
movingaround.Mal esandf emales.SoMat '
s
carri
edmet othatpal ace.Myeyeswer ecl
osedI
havetomakei tlookr eal.

Mat'sdad:ThegreatAlpha, Hi
swi f
eandsons.I
comeher einpeace.Iwanttofixthebet
rayalmy
fat
herdidtoyouall.Ibroughtt
hiswithme.
(Myeyeswer
est
il
lcl
osed.)
Al
pha:Ineedherbl
ood.Sot
hatwecanbesur
ethat
i
tarealbeast
.
(Hisvoicewasveryf
ir
m andscary.Justt
hanIfel
t
somethingcutmyhand.Itwasverypainf
ulbutI
can'
tjustgi
veinnow.)
Al
pha:I
ndeedi
tabeast
.Takehert
othecage.
(iassumehewassayi ngtooneoft heguar ds.One
personcar r
iedme.Whenwewer eout.Iopened
myeyesal i
ttle.Whenwewer enowawayf rom
people.Ijumpedof fhim andhel dhi sthroat.I
pressedi tunt i
l hewasunabl etobr eathe.Icareful
ly
l
ookedar ound.Ir antot heoppositedi r
ection.Idon't
knowt hispl acebutIknowwher ethegat ei s.SoI
can'tgot hatwaysi ncet hey'
reguar dst her
e.Ineed
tofindanot herwayout.JustwhenIwasr unning.I
heardnoi se.Il ookedback.Theywer emor ethan
fi
ftywol vesmaki ngt heirwaytome.Ir anbutt hey
weret oof ast.Oner ant oofastandt hr
ewme
acrosst hegr ound.I twassopai nful.AsmuchasI
wantt of i
ghtt hem Ican' t.I
twilldeclaremor ewar.
Theymaywantt ohar mt heotherbeast swhol iveat
theDr ugiomi n.Theyal lmadet hei
rwayt ome.One
putitlegonmyneck.)

Al
pha:St
op.
(theyallt
ransf
ormedback.OhshitI
'
mindeep
tr
ouble.TheAlphamadehiswaytome.)
Al
pha:Iseeyou'
retr
yingt
obebrave.Sondoyou
wantt
oendherlif
enoworaftert
hreedays
(Hissonmadehi swayt ome.Hisfacel
ooks
famil
iar.Heeyeswidenedwhenhesawme.He's
theguywhot ookmet othehospi
tal
.)
Hi
m:Dad.
..
Iwi
llki
llheront
het
hir
dday.
Al
pha:Okay.
..
guar
dst
akeher.
..
Hi
m:NoIwi
llt
akeher
.
Al
pha:Ar
eyousur
e?
Hi
m:Yes.
(Hegr abbedmebymyar m .Ilookedathim .We
wer egoing.Il
ookedatwherehewasgr abbingme.
Ifeltgoosebumpsonmyst omach.Ilookedathim.
He'ssohandsomeandhasonedeepdi mple.His
colognewashi t
ti
ngmynost r
il
s.Heopenedt he
cagedandshowedmet ogetin)
Me:Pl
ease.
..
pleasehel
pme.
Hi
m:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e..
.whoar
eyou.
Me:Wel
l..
.I
'mt
ryi
ngt
ohel
pmyf
ri
end.Mat.
..
you
guyssai
dtheymustbr
ingabeastsot
hatt
heycan
beaccept
edtol
iveher
eagai
n.
Hi
m:Wel
lthat
'smyf
ather
'sr
ule.
(Hethr
ewsomeclot
hesatme.I
twasthesameas
oft
heonest
hatt
heladi
eswer
eweari
ng.)
Him:Iwantyout oputt hison.Youwillcomewi th
me.Don' tmakeanysi ll
ymove.Theymustnot
suspectt
hat'
sit'
syou.Myhousei sthatside.(He
handedmeat rayt hathasaglassofwat er.Imade
mywayt ohishouse.Noonewasquest ioningme.I
gotin.Iwonderwhyhe' shel
pingmeout.But
anywayI'
m grateful.Iwenttother
oomsupst ai
rs.I
gotinoneofthem andl ockedthedoor.Ohshi tI
l
eftmyphoneatt hecar.Myneckwashur t
ingvery
bad.Itookaqui cknap.Iwaswokenupbyaknock
onthedoor.)
Me:Whoi
sthat
?
Him:OhhnowIhavet
oexpl
ainmysel
finmyown
house.
(iopened)
Hi
m :We'
regoi
ngbackt
otheci
ty.
Me:I
smyf
ri
endsaf
e.
Hi
m:Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hem .They'
ref
ine.
Me:Okayt
hanks.
Hi
m :I
t'
snot
hing.
(Iwasf oll
owinghi
mt ohiscar.Ihadtol aydown
sothattheguardswon'tseeme.Thewi ndows
weredi mmed.Ihadthegatesopening.Hedr oveof
f.
Irai
sedmyhead.Wewer enowont hemai nroad.I
wasf eeli
ngverysl
eepysoIslept.Hewokemeup. )
Hi
m:Iwi
llt
akeyouhomet
omor
row.
(i
t'
snotli
keIhaveachoice.Ifol
lowedhi
mi nsi
de.
Wowhishouseisbreat
htakingbutnotmorethan
hi
m.He'ssocute.)
Hi
m:Youwi
lluseoneoft
her
oomsupst
air
s.
Me:Thanks.
..
thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng.
(Imademywayupst air
s.Igotinandl
ockedt
he
door
.Heknockedagain.Iopened)
Hi
m :Her
etaket
his.I
'
m sur
eyouwon'
tbeabl
eto
sl
eepwitht
hatJeanandbraon.Andher
ear
ethe
pi
ll
sforpai
ns.Yourneckl
ooksbad.
Me:Thanks.
(i
twashi ssweatpantandhisvest
.Hei
sver
y
i
nti
mi dat
ing.It
ookaqui ckbat
handputont
he
cl
othes.Iwentst
raightt
obed)

Mat
'sPOV

Iwassobr oken.Iwi
shIcanhelpLalioutofher
e.
ButIcan'
t.There'
snotur
ningback.TheAlphawas
busytal
kingtodad.

Alpha:Youwil
lbeusi
ngyourdad'
shouse.
(Hewas
sayingtodad.Twoguar
dswalkedin.)

Fi
rstG:Si
rthet
hatLadyi
snoti
nthecage.
Al
pha:What
?Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat.Takeme
t
here.
(Ididasmallprayerf
orLal
i'
ssafet
y.Weallwentt
o
thecage.Itwasopened.TheAlphawasvery
fur
ious.)
Alpha:Wheredidshego?Callt
heotherguar
dsto
helpyoulookforher
.I'
m sur
eshe'
snotthatf
ar.
(
Hekeptqui
etf
orsomet
ime)
Al
pha:Wait.
..
where'
sAust
in.
..Wher
e'smyson.
..
I
j
usthopeshedidn'
thar
m myson.Guardswher
e's
Aust
in.
G:Isawhi
m dr
ivi
ngoutwi
thhi
scar.
Al
pha:Okay.
..
that'
sst
range.Whywouldhejust
l
eavewit
houtt
ell
ingme.Washeal oneint
hecar.
G:Yes.
Al
pha:Okay.
..
letmegoandcal
lhi
m.
(Ikeptl
ooki
ngatdad.Iwhi
sper
edonhi
sear
.)
Me:Dad..
.daddon'
tyout
hinkwemustgoandf
ind
Lal
ibef
oretheyfi
ndher.
Hi
m:Nowecan'
t.I
fwedot
hathewi
llsuspectus.
Me:I
'
m ver
ywor
ri
edabouther.
Him:Don'twor
rydearshewi
llbefi
ne.Thatgi
rli
s
ver
ystrong.Af
teral
lshe'
sanAdil
a.

TheAl
pha'
sPOV

I'
m veryconfusedwhyAusti
njustlef
t.Wher
easal
l
ofhisbrother
sf l
edtocomehere.Iwentt
omy
bedroom andcalledhi
m.

Hi
m:Dad.
Me:Wher
ear
eyou?
Hi
m:Erhmm..
.dad..
.Ihadt
ogo.Ihaveaver
y
i
mpor
tantmeeti
ng.ButIwi
llcomebackt
omorr
ow.
Me:Okay.
..Thatgi
rlescaped.She'
snoti
nthecage
Him:What
?How' st
hatpossi
ble.Il
ookedheri
nsi
de.
Andevencheckedt
wice.
Me:There'
ssomethi
ngaboutthatgir
l.WhenIwas
checki
ngherbl
ood.Ifel
taver
yst r
ongpower.That
gir
lisver
ypowerf
ul.
Hi
m:eer
h..
.dad.
..
Ihavet
ogonow.

(Ther e'
ssomet hingaboutthatgi rlthati suncertain.
Soshedeci dedt oescape.Thatat otaldisrespect.
I'
m anAl phaandnoonedoubl ecr ossme.Shehas
declaredawar .Tomor r
owwhenAust i
ni sback.I
willt
elleveryonet ostartpr
epar i
ngf orawarwi t
h
thebeast s.Int womont h'
stimewewi llbeattacking
attheDr ugiomi n.Weneedt ogetr idoft hebeastf or
onceandf oral l.Inevertol
dAust i
nt hathi schosen
onei sabeast .Butheknowst hathehasachosen
one.Ididt hatbecausei fItoldhi m hewoul dhave
stoppedusf rom ki l
li
ngallthebeast s.Iwantt o
makesur eeveni fIdiethehat redf orthebeast si s
sti
llcarri
edon.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

Idon'
tknowwhyIsavedher.Ijustf
eltt
heneedt o
saveher.She'
sthesameladyItooktothehospit
al.
She'
sverybeauti
ful
.Herski
nissosmoot h.If
elt
thatWhenIwasgr abbi ngherar m .Myhear twas
beat i
ngveryfast.Ikeptst eal
inggl ancesofher .
She'sverybeaut i
ful.Herpi nklipswer esoj uicy.Her
eyes.Iwoul dkil
ltol ookatt hem mywhol eli
fe.
Okaywhat '
shappeni ngt ome.EvenwhenIt ookmy
clothestoher.Ifel tli
keIhaveknownherf oryears.
Ifeeltheconnectionwi thher.ButIcan' tshowher
that.I'mjustgladdi dn'tsuspectmeofsavi ngher.
Sot omorrowIwi llhavet ogobackt otheOegr ate.I
slept.Iwokeupandwentdownst air
s.Ther eshe
wasmaki ngbr eakfast .Itsmelledsogood.She
l
ooksgoodi nmycl othesevent hought heydoesn' t
fi
ther.Herwai sti sver ythin.

Me:Goodmor
ning.
Her
:Hey.
Me:upal
ready?
Her
:Yeahher
e.
(Shemadeburger
sandf r
iedchi
ps.I
tlooksso
good.Ist
art
edeat
ing.)
Me:Sotel
lmewhoareyouexact
ly.
..
wher
ear
eyou
f
rom..
.howdoyouknowMatandhisdad.
(Shesmi led.Hersmil
eissowar m andcute.She
kepttal
king.Iwasjuststari
ngather.Idi
dn'
teven
hearwhatshewassayi ng.Ikeptlookingather
.
Shekeptspeaki ngandtakingabi
teofherburger.
Eventhewayshechewsi scut
e.Shewavedonmy
face.)
Her
:Hel
lo.
..
areyouevenl
ist
eni
ngt
ome.
Me:Yeah.
..
wel
l..
.er
mm.
..
Her
:SowhatIsai
d.
Me:Sor
rymymi
ndi
sver
yoccupi
ed.Whatwer
eyou
sayi
ng.
Her
:Oaky.
..
I'
m Lal
imibutyoucancal
lmeLal
i.
..
(Shei
ntr
oducedher
sel
f.)
Her
:Andyou'
re?
Me:Oh..
.me..
.I
'm Austi
n.Myf at
heristheoneyou
sawyester
daybasical
ly.I
'
mt helastborn.I
'ma
doct
or.Ownahospi t
alandbusinesses.
Her
:MhhIsee.
Me:Canyoust
ayoverunt
ilIcomeback.
(Idon'
tknowwhyIsaidthat.ButIf
eltli
kesayingi
t.
Idon'
tknowwhat '
shappeni
ngtome.I tfeel
sli
ke
I'
m noti
ncont
rolofmyownself.)
Me:Er
hmm.
..
nevermi
ndwhatIsai
d..
.Iwasj
ust
..
.
Her :Don'
tworry.I
fyouwantmetostayIwil
l.Af
ter
allyousavedmyl if
e.WhenyougettotheOegrate
pleasecheckifMatandherdadareokayforme.
Andal soaskhertogiveyoumyphone.Ilef
titi
n
thecar.
Me:Okay.
..
letmegetr
eadyt
ogo.
Her
:Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback.
Me:I
'
m notsur
e.
(Itookashower.Putonmyclot
hes.Iwent
downstai
rsandsaidmygoodbyetoher.Idr
oveoff
totheOegrat
e.She'
sanicel
ady.Isogoodbeing
aroundher.)
Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwasal lalonei nthisbi gmansi on.Idon' tknowwhy

Iagreedt ost ay.LikeImeanIdon' tevenknowhi m.
Buthel ooksl ikeani ceguy.He' shandsome.When
Iwashavi ngbr eakfastwithhim Ikeptl ookingat
him .Especi all
ywhenhewast ell
ingmeabouthi s
self
.If i
nishedcl eaningandwentt ohi sroom.I t
's
verybeaut i
ful.Ther ewasabi gpi ctur eont hewal l
.It
washi m andal ady.Aver ybeaut i
full ady.Il ooked
around.Iwentt ohiswar drobe.It ookouthi stshir
t
andanot hersweat pantandahoodi e.Itwasabi t
coldtoday.Iwentt other oom I'
m usi ng.Isoaked
mysel fint hebat h.Af t
erthatIputhi scl othesonI
took.Iwentbackt odoingat ouroft hi
shouse.I
evenwentout si
de.Hehasabi ggar den.I thastrees
andf lower s.Ther e'
sevenabat ch.Iwentback
i
nside.Hi sof fi
cewasl ockedsoIcoul dn'tgetin.I
wentbackt ohi sroom .Iopenedt hedr awers.I
foundanal bum.I thadweddi ngpi ctur esofhi m and
thatladywhoi sont hepi ctur
eont hewal l
.Sohe' s
mar r
ied.Iwonderwher eshei s.Theyl ookedver y
happy.Iputever
ythi
ngbackandwentt
otheki
tchen
andstart
edcooking.

Mi
ke'
sPOV

Nomhleisverystubbor
n.Itol
dhertodaywe'r
e
goi
ngtoadoct ortodoanaborti
on.Ihadt
odr ag
heri
ntothecar.Wegott othedoct
or'
ssurgery.She
wasbeingstubbornshedidn'
twantto.

Doc:I'
m sor
rysi
rbutwecan'
tdoi
twi
thouther
approval
.
Me:Nomhl
ewhatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thyou?
Nomhl
e:No.
..
I'
m notabor
ti
ngmybaby.

Shedoesn'
tknowme.Wewentbackt othecar
.I
drovetoMacdonal
d.Shewasver
yconfusedI
order
edfort
hebothofus.
Me:Nomhl e.
..
I'
m verysor
rylove.I'
m sorr
y.When
youtoldmethatyou'repr
egnantIjustpani
cked.
Aft
erallyou'
recarr
yingmyfirstbaby.Pl
ease
for
giveme.
(Shekeptquiet
.Ican'
trui
nmyplannowbecauseof
thi
s.Iwil
lhavetopret
endtocar
eforher
.Ihel
dher
hands.
)
Me:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
pleasef
orgi
veme.
(shehadt
ear
s)
Nomhle:okayIf
orgi
veyou.
..
pleasedon'
teverhur
t
meli
ket hat.
Me:Ipr
omi
sei
twi
llneverhappenagai
n.
(wedr
ovebackt
omyhouse)
Me:Ihavet
ogosomewher
e.Iwi
llcomebackl
ater
.
Her
:Okay.
(Idr
ovebackt
othedoct
or.)
Me:Ineedpi
ll
sforabor
ti
on.
Doc:What
?YouknowIcan'
tgi
veyou.
Me:DoIpayyout
oquest
ionme?
Doc:I
'
m sor
rybutIcan'
t.
Me:Ifyoudon'
twanttol
oseyourmedi
cine
cer
ti
ficat
e.Youwi
llgi
vemethosepi
ll
s
(Hegaveme.Iwentandboughtt akeal
waysfrom
Wimpy.IboughtNomhl eastrawber
rymil
kshake.I
puttwopi
ll
sinside.Iar
rived.Shewasbusy
watchi
ngamagazi nethathadclot
hesofbabi
es.)
Me:Heyl
ove.
..
I'
m back.
Nomhl
e:Ohhey.
..
you'
reback?
Me:Yeah.Igotyousomet
hing.
Nomhl
e:oht
hanks.
..
I'
m ver
yhungr
y.
(Shestar
tedeat
ing.Iat
etoo.Shedr
ankher
mil
kshake.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
14]Lynne: I
nser
t30
Thr
eedaysl
ater
.
Lal
i'
sPOV

Ithasbeent hreedayssi nceAust i

nhasn'tcome
back.TobehonestIhavebeenver ybored.Imi ss
beingwi thmyf amil
y.Itwasear lyinthemor ni
ng.I
didabi tofcl eani
ng.Ibat hedthanmadeasmoot hi
e
formysel f.Idecidedtocook.JustwhenIwasbusy
cookingIf eltwarm handshugmef r
om behind.My
heartbeati ncreased.I
t'snotlikeIwasscar ed.Iwas
feeli
ngsomet yperway.Itwasaver ystr
ange
feeli
ng.Itur nedtofacehi m.Oureyesmet.Ist ared
i
ntohi shear t.Theywer ever ycuteandsowar ming.
Hisbodywasver ycloset omi ne.Icoul
dfeelhis
heartbit.Iclearedmyt hroat.

Me:Er
hm.
..
.h.
.hey.
..
howar
eyou.
Hi
m:I
'
m good.
..
Itsmel
lni
ce.Whatar
eyoucooki
ng.
Me:I
'
m maki
ngabeefcur
ry.
Hi
m:Haven'
thadi
tinal
ongt
ime.Her
eisyour
phone.
Me:Thanks.
(Itr
iedtoswitchi
tonbutthebat
ter
ywasdead.I
askedhimt ochar
geitf
orme.Hecameback.I
star
teddishi
ngasthefoodwasready.)
Me:Sohow'
sMatdoi
ng.
Hi
m:She'
sfi
ne.
(
West
art
edeat
ing.Wef
ini
shedIwashedt
hedi
shes.
)
Me:Yourwi
fei
sver
ycut
ehey.
..Wher
eisshe
anyway?
(Hi
sf aci
alexpressionchanged.Hisf
acebecame
pal
e.Itwaslikehewasgoi ngtoripmythr
oatri
ght
att
hismoment .Ij
ustdidn'
tknowwhattosay.)
Me:Er
..
erm.
Hi
m:It
hinkyoushoul
dgonow.
Me:Sur
e.
(Il
ookeddownandmademywayupstair
s.Iputon
myJeanandtshir
tIwaswear
ingt
hatdaysinceI
washedit.It
ookmyphoneandswi t
chediton.
Thereweresomanymi ssedcall
sfr
om Kaylamom,
Mat, Dadandmysibl
ings.Iwi
llcal
lKayl
awhenI
gethome.Iwentdownstairs)
Me:I
'
mreadyt
ogo.
(Wemadeourwayt ohi
scar.Hedroveoff
.Igave
hi
mthedir
ecti
ons.Thedr
ivewasveryqui
et.Ikept
st
eal
inggl
ancesofhim)
Me:I
'
m sor
ryi
fmyquest
ionof
fendedyou.
(Hejustkeptqui
et.Nxx.Itbet
tert
hatway.I
wonderwhat'sgoingbetweenhim andhiswif
e.
Maybeshecheat edonhim orsomething.)
Him:MissKaneneverinyourwildestdream askme
aboutmywife.Don'tr
emindmeoft hepai nI
'm
tr
yingt
ohealfrom .Whywer eyoueveni nmyr oom .
Touchi
ngthi
ngst hatdoesn'
tconcernyou.
(ij
ustkeptqui
et.Unt
ilhepar
kedatt
hegat
e.)
Me:ThankyouandI
'
m sor
ry.I
'
mreal
lysor
ry.
(Icl
osedthedoorandmademywayi n.WhenIgot
hometheywereallwat
chi
ngTV.ButIcoul
dn'
tsee
dad.Maybehe'
satwor
k.)

Me:Hel
lof
ami
ly.
Zi
a:WowLal
i.
..
(Shecameandhuggedme)
Zi
a:Imi
ssedyousomuch.I
nfactwemi
ssedyou
somuch.
Me:Imi
ssedyouguyssomucht
oo.
Zi
a:Wai
twhathappenedt
oyourneck.
(Everyonecametome.Ohsnap. .
.whatam Igoi
ng
tosaybecausetheydon'
tknowwher eIwent.
Neit
herdotheyknowwhatIr eal
lyam.)
Me:Er
mm.
..
yousee.
..
(icoul
dn'
tthi
nkofanyt
hing.)
Kayl
a:Zaynhur
ryandcal
lthedoct
or.
(ihel
dhi
shand)
Me:Don'tI
'
mf i
ne.I'
mr eall
yfine.Whathappenedis
..
.Matandiwenttothemal l
.Sowhenwewer e
wait
ingf
orherdadoutside.Fewt hugsmadetheir
waytous.Sotheytri
edr obbi
ngus.It r
iedt
ofight
t
hem .Butonestr
angledme.JustdadMat '
sdad
ar
ri
vedandf
oughtt
hem of
f.
(Ir
eall
yhatelyi
ngt
othem butwhatcanIsay.Even
i
fItel
lthem t
heywon'
tunder
stand.)
Kayl
a:I'
m verysor
rydear.
..I
'
m sor
ryIwasn'
tther
e
t
oprotectyou.
Me:pleasedon'
tputt
hebl
ameonyour
sel
f.I
'
m
per
fectl
yfine.
Kayl
a:Goupstai
rsandgetsomer
est.Iwi
llbr
ing
youpai
nblocks.
Me:Thanks.
..
how'
sthebabydoi
ng.
Kayl
a:Fi
ne.
..
nowgogo
(Iwentupst
air
s.Tonyf
oll
owedme.Notagai
n.Igot
i
ntomybedroom.Hedidtoo)
Him:Iknowyouwerelyi
ngdownst
air
s.Lal
iIknow
youverywel
l.Whathappened?
Me:Tony.
..
that
'swher
ethepr
obl
em i
s
Yout hi
nkyouknowmet oowel
l.Butyoudon't.You
real
lydon'
t.Aboutt
hatni
ght
.Ij
usthopeyoudi dn't
meaneverysinglewor
dyouutt
ered.Ijusthopeyou
wer
ejustundert
hei
nfl
uenceofal
cohol
.
(Hesi
ghedandsetonmybed)
Tony:Lali.
..
Iloveyou.Il
oveyouwi thmywhole
heart
.Ijustwishyoucangi vemeanoppor t
uni
tyt
o
provemyl oveforyou.Pl
easeLalijustgi
vemea
chancetoloveyouandt reatyoul
ikeaqueenof
whichyouar e.
Me:Pl
easel
eavemyr
oom.I
'
m ver
yti
red.
(Hemadehi
swayt
ome)
Me:Tonyl
eave.
(Hewentout.Il ockedt hedoor.Hehaslosti
t.I
woul dneverdat
emybr other
.Iknowhe'snotmy
biologi
calonebutsti
ll
.AnywayIwasbusyl ooki
ng
throughmycont act
s.IsawanumbersavedAust in.
Hemusthavesavedi t.Isenthim amessage.

"I
'
m verysor
ryonceagain.Idi
dn'tmeantobri
ng
backthepai
nyou'r
etr
yingt ohealf
rom.ButIdi
dn'
t
know."
(Sent.It
ookandqui
ckbat
haf
terIwasdone.I
call
edMat.)

Her
:Heymyher
o.
Me:Heysi
ster
..
.howar
eyou
Her:I
'
mfi
nej
ustexhaust
ed.Thi
str
aini
ngi
sreal
l
y
t
ir
ing.
Me:I
'
m gl
adf
inal
lyyou'
reget
ti
nghel
p.
Her:Anditallbecauseofyou.LaliI'
mr eal
lyt
he
mostluckyper sontoeverexi
stinthewor l
d.To
haveaf r
iendlikeyou.Whosacr if
icesherli
feto
helpherbestfr
iend.Fri
endsli
keyouar everyhardto
fi
ndnowadays.SoI '
m keepi
ngyouf or
ever
.Idon't
evenknowhowt ot
hankyou.LalimayGodbl ess
youandal wayskeepyourhear tsosweetandpur e
for
ever.Iloveyou.
Me:Ncoo.
..
Iloveyoumor
e.
Her:Sotel
lmehowdidyougetAust
int
ohelpyou.
Becausethi
speopl
earever
yevi
landcol
dhear
ted.
How
Me:Col
dhear
ted?Idon'
tthi
nkAust
ini
sli
ket
hat
Her:Youwish..
.Sother
e'ssomet
hingi
mpor
tantI
needtotel
lyouLal
i.
Me:Yessur
e.
Her
:Lal
idoyourememberwhenIt
oldyouabout
t
hebeast
sli
vingi
nDrugi
omin.
Me:Yes.
Her :Heretheyarebusyplotti
ngtoat t
ackthem .
Theywantt ogetri
dofbeast sforonceandf oral
l.
Laliyouneedt ohelpthem .Intwomont h'sti
me
theywi l
lgoingther
e.Laliyouneedt ohurryand
preparethem forwar.Youneedt ohelpthem .They
toohavegi venupinlif
e.Youneedt oencourage
andr emindofwhot heyar e.Lal
iwithoutyouthey
aredoomed.
Me:Buthowam Igoi
ngt
odot
hatMat
.
Her:Lal
iyouneedt odosomer esearchandfind
wheretheDrugiominisl
ocated.Don' twor
ryaft
er
oneweekI '
m comingback.Iwillhelpyougothere.
Don'tworr
yLaliwe'r
einthi
st ogether.
Me:ButMatIdon'
treal
lywantawart
ooccur
.
Peopl
emaydiether
e.
Her:IknowLal i
.Butther
e'snotime.Theywi l
lhave
tofightagainstthewerewolves.I
ftheydon'tal
lthe
creatureswillseebeastsasweekcr eat
uresanddo
what evert
heyl i
ketothem .
Me:Er
hmm..
.Iwi
lldoar
esear
cht
hanwai
tforyou
sowecango.
Her
:Okaysweet
hear
t.Pl
easebesaf
e.Takecar
e
Me:Thanksf
orl
ett
ingmeknow.
(Iti
salwayspr
oblem af
teranot
her
.Whenwil
lIever
getpeaceinmyli
fe.Whycan'tIal
sol
ivemyl
ife
normal.

"Becauseyou'
rear
enotnor
malLal
i"
(Itwast
hesamewomenwhowasatt
hemi
rr
ort
hat
day)
Me:I
'
mjustt
ir
edofever
ythi
ng.I
'mti
red.Can'
tal
l
t
hepower
sIhavebepassedtosomeoneel
se.
"Don'
tevertal
klikethatdear.Youhaven't
experi
encedhardshipasyet.Lalither
e'sst
il
lmore
tocome.Andyoucannotl osehopenow.Lal i
you'r
eat ar
gettoeveryone.Youwer echosentobe
theAdil
a.Becauseyou' rest
r ongenoughtoface
dif
fi
cult
iesandhar dshi
ps."
(Ij
ustkeptqui
et)
"Lal
idearMatwasbr oughtintoyourl
if
efora
reason.Sheal sohaveverystrongpowers.Youand
herwi l
lrulethisworldtogood.She'siskindhear
ted
asyou're.Yout oowereboundt omeet.I'
m ver
y
gratef
ulyouMathert hisearly.AndLal
idearyou
candoi t.Pl easeprotectyourpeopl
eatthe
Drugiomi n.Theyneedyou"
Me:i
sitnecessar
yfort
hem t
ofi
ghtagai
nstt
he
wer
ewolves?
"Iknowyouonl ywantpeace.Butthisti
mear ound
theywillhavetof i
ght
.Thebeastsneedtor egai
n
thei
rdignity.Theyneedtoshowal lt
heot her
creat
urest hattheyar
estrong.Yest her
ewi l
lbe
peacebet weenbeastsandwer ewolvesbutnotnow.
Notnowdear."
(Shesmi
led)
"Helphi
m .Hel
phim healandmoveon.Tel
lhi
m
you'
rehi
squeenandyouwi llal
waysbet
her
efor
him."
Me:Who?(Shesmiledevenmore.She'
sver
y
beaut
if
ul)
Whatar
eyoutalki
ng?
"
Ihavetogonowmydau.
..
(Shecl
ear
edher
t
hroat
)dear.
"

(Shedisappeared.Whati
sshetal
kingabout
.
Sometimesthesepeoplespeaki
nri
ddles.Ihear
da
knock.Iwenttoopen.)
Kayl
a:Ibr
oughtf
oodf
oryou.
Me:Youshoul
dn'
thavebutthanksmom.Iwi
lleat
wi
thever
yonedownstai
rs.Thanksver
ymuch.
(Wewentdownst
air
s.Wewer
eal
leat
ing.Dadhas
ar
ri
ved.)
Me:Heydad.
Him:Heymydear.
..
I'
m gl
adyou'
rebackwemi
ssed
yousomuch.
(Weal
lst
art
edeat
ing.Tonykeptl
ooki
ngatme.I
t
wasabi
tuncomf
ortabl
e.)
Me:Heybr
oareyouokay.
(Isai
dtohi
m .He
becamemoreangr
y)
Tony:Yeswhyar
eyouaski
ng
Me:youdon'
tlookokayt
hough.
(Hejustl
ookedatme.Weallf
ini
shedeati
ngthan
wenttooursepar
ater
ooms.Ij
ustgoinbedthan
sl
ept.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

IthoughtIhavegrievedenough.It houghtIhave
adjustedwellwit
houther.Buti tclearIwasj ust
fooli
ngmysel f
.Iwasdr inki
ngawhi skeyand
l
ookingatmyl atewi f
e'spict
ures.Iwascr yi
ng.I
recei
vedamessagef rom Lali.Ijustreadit.I
l
oggedi nint
omyI nst
agr am.Istartedlookingat
Lali
'spictures.She'
sreall
ybeautiful.Iwasf eel
inga
bitbetternow.WhyIsuddenl yfeelbet t
erafter
l
ookingatLal i
'
spict
ures.Therewasal soapi c
wher eshewassmi l
ing.Ifoundmysel fsmil
ingtoo.I
heldmyhear tasitwasbeat i
ngver yfast.There's
somet hingabouther.Somet hingt hathealsmy
soul.Somet hi
ngthatmakesmef eelbet ter
.I
stoppeddr i
nkingandwentt obed.

I
TWASNOW I
NTHEMORNI
NG

Mi
ke'
sPOV

Iwokeup.Nomhl ewasnoti
nbed.Ihear
dwater
runni
ng.Iwentt
othebat
hroom.Shewasbusy
bathi
ng.

Me:Goodmor
ning.
Her
:Heybabe.
..
Me:How'
sthebaby.
Her
:wear
efi
ne.
Me:Babedon'tyouthi
nkyouneedt
otel
lsomeone
aboutt
hepregnancy.
Her:No.
..
Ican'
ttel
lmymot
hernow.I
'
m scar
ed.I
havedi
sappoi
ntedher.
Me:I
sn'
tyousaidyourmotherador
esLal
i.Askher
i
fshecantel
lherf
oryou.
Her
:Youhaveapoi
nt.Lal
ihasawayt
ocal
m my
mother.
Me:Justi
nvi
teheroverf
orbr
eakf
ast
.
Her:Okay.

(That
'ssteptwoofmyplan.Theabor
ti
onpil
lsIput
atNomhle'smil
kshaket
aket
imetoshowthatthe
babyi
sdead.)

Lal
i'
sPOV
Iwokeupt
oNomhl
ecal
li
ngme.

Me:Hel
lo.
Her
:MhhheyLal
i..
.I
'm sor
ryt
odi
stur
byou.
Me:You'
renot.
Her
:Lal
icanyoupl
easecomeoverher
e.Ineedyou
t
ohelpmewithsomethi
ng.
Me:Don'
tworryIwasplanni
ngt
ovi
sityouandyour
mothert
oday.Iwil
lcomeby.
Her
:No..
.act
ual
lyI
'
m atMi
ke'
shouse.Pl
easecome
t
here.
Me:What
?Nomhl
ewhatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e?
Her
:Pl
easeLal
icome.
Me:NoIwon'
t.
Her
:Lal
i..
.I
'm pr
egnant
.
(WHAT?Inst
eadofbeingdi
sappoi
ntedIwasangr
y.
Iwasangr
yatbot
hMi keandNomhle.Howcanthey
bethi
sir
responsibl
e.AndNomhl
e.Hermom i
s
goi
ngtobeshut t
ered.)
Me:I
'
m comi
ngoverr
ightnow.
(Ihangedup.Imademybedt hant ookaquick
shower.Iputonmyr i
ppedboyfri
endJeananda
sweatshi
rt.IputonmyAi rfor
ce.Everyonewasst i
ll
asl
eep.Itookt hecarkeysanddrovet oMike'
splace
.Iparkedthecari nandwentinsi
de.Nomhl ewas
si
tti
ngatthel ounge.Mikewassit
tingwithher.)

Mi
ke:Hey.
..
Nomhl
e:Thankyouf
orcomi
ng.
Mike:Babe.
..
Ihaveanearl
ymeetingt
ogot
o.Lal
i
pl
easemakehersomethingtoeat.
(Justbef or
eIcoul dsayanyt
hinghewentout.I
wenttot hekit
chenandmadeNomhl easandwich
andjuice.Idon'thaveanappetit
etoeat.I
'
mjust
angry.Igavehert hefood.
)
Nomhl
e:Ar
en'
tyoueat
ing?
(Ij
ustr
aisedmyhands.Tost
opherf
rom t
alki
ng
furt
her.Shefi
nishedherf
ood.Itookt
heplat
etothe
kit
chen.Icamebackt oher
.Isl
appedhersohar
d.)
Nomhl
e:WTF.
Me:Nomhl eareyoumad?. .
.Howcanyouf al
l
pregnant .
..
how?Youknowver ywellt
hatyour
mot herisveryfragil
eyetyoudothi
s.WhyNomhl e.
Yourmot hergaveyoueverythi
ngyoueverwanted.
Thel eastyoucoul dhavedoneandmakeherpr oud.
Nomhl et heresomanydi f
fer
entcont
racept
ives.
Whydi dn'
tyoupr event
?Why?.
Nomhle:Lal
iIdi
dn'
tcal
lyouher
etojudgemeor
l
ect
ureme.Iwantyout otel
lmom t
hatI'
m pr
egnant
.
(SuddenlyIhaveashar
ppainonmystomach.I
bl
inked.Il
ookedatNomhlet
herewasbl
oodonher
l
egs.)
Nomhle:Pl
easeLal
iyouknowhowt ospeakt
omy
motherandmakeherunderst
and.
(Ibli
nkedagai
n.Ever
ythi
ngwentbackt
onor
mal
.I
touchedherst
omach.)
Nomhl
e:Lal
iisever
ythi
ngokay.
..
whatar
eyoudoi
ng.
(i
t'
stool
ate.Thebabyi
sal
readydead.Ij
ustst
ood
up)
Me:Ihavet
ogo.
Nomhl
e:Whatbu.
..
(Iwentbackt
ot hecaranddr
ovebackhome.They
werehavi
ngbreakfast
)
Zayn:HeyLal
i..
.mom madepancakes.
..
comeand
eat
.
(Ihadt
ear
sinmyeyes.)
Kayl
a:Lal
iar
eyouokay?Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ng
fr
om?
Me:Iwentt
oseeNomhl
e.
Kayl
a:Okay.
..
isever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
.
Me:Pl
easeexcuseme.
(iranupstai
rs.Igotinsi
demybedr oom andcried.
Yesiwasagai nstNomhl ebeingpregnant.ButIwas
goingtosupport.Everyt
hingIsaidIsaidourof
anger.Butwhathappenedt oherbaby.Iclosedmy
eyes.IsawMi kegoingtoadoct orandthreatening
thedoctor.Af
terthatthedoct
orgavehi m somepill
s
ofwhichheputi nNomhl e'
smilkshake.Iwas
breat
hingveryquicklynow.Iheldmychest .Why
wouldMi keki
llhi
sownbaby.Somet hingisnotri
ght
.Isobbed.Icouldn'thelpmybestfri
end.Tony
cameinsideandl ocked.)
Me:Tony.
..
I'
m noti
nmoodpl
ease.
(Hesaidnothing.Hejustsetnexttomeand
cuddled.Icri
edevenmor e.IknowTonyhasbeen
acti
ngver ybadtowardsme.Buthe' sal
waysthere
forme.Heal waysf i
ndawayt ocomfor
tme.Heis
theonlypersonIusuall
ytellwhensomethi
ngis
botheri
ngme.Af t
ersometimeIstoppedcr
ying.)
Tony:Nowyoucant
ellmewhathappened.
Me:Nomhl
eispr
egnant
.
Tony:So?
(Ican'
ttel
lhi
m whatIsaw.Hewi
llst
artaski
ngme
howandst af
f.
)
Me:Ij
ustf
eelsor
ryf
orhermom.She'sver
yfragi
le.
She'
sgoi
ngtobeheart
brokenwhenshehear
sthat
herdaught
eri
spr
egnant
.
Tony:Mhh.
..
whosebabyi
sshecar
ing.
Me:Mi
ke'
sbaby.
(Weremainedli
kethatforsomet ime.Het han
l
ift
edmychinupt ofacehim .Hel eanedoverand
ki
ssedme.Ireturnedthekiss.Wasdi st
urbedbya
cal
lfr
om Austi
n.Iclear
edmyt hr
oat.)
Me:Ihavet
otaket
his.
(
Tonyl
eftmyr
oom)
Me:Hel
lo.
Aust
in:Mhh.
..
.heyLal
i..
.howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m notr
eal
lyf
inehowar
eyou.
Aust
in:NowthatIhavehear
dyourvoi
ce.I
'
mfeel
ing
waybetter
.
(OKAY)
Aust
in:Iwashopingyoucoul
dcomeover.Ihave
somethi
ngtodiscusswit
hyou.
Me:I
'
m sor
rybutIcan'
t.Iwi
llseeyout
omor
row.
Aust
in:Okayt
her
e'snopr
obl
em.Bye
Me:Bye.
(Itookmyphoneandstart
eddoingaresear
ch
aboutwheretofi
ndDrugi
omin.Iwrot
edownf ew
thi
ngs.Ifoundthemap.Isaveditonmyphone.I
wentdownstai
rs.)
Me:Gi
rl
slet
'sgoout.
Addi
son:Real
ly.Letmegoandchange.
(inlesst han15mi nutest
heycameback.Wegott o
thecar .Iwasdr ivi
ng.Wegottothemall
.West arted
bydoi ngshoppi ng.Weboughtsomanymat ching
thi
ngs.Wet handeci dedt
ogotoacinema.Af ter
thatwewentt oMacdonald.Weorder
ed.Aftersome
ti
meouror derscameandweat e.Ij
ustneededt o
coolofal i
ttl
e.)

Tony'
sPOV

IknewthatLal
ilovesme.Iwasfeel
ingver
yhappy.
Thekisswassowar m.Wereal
lyconnect
ed.Ikept
t
hinki
ngabouti
t.Ir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om uncl
e.

Hi
m:Heymyboyhowar
eyou.
Me:I
'
mfi
neuncl
e.Ever
ythi
ngi
sper
fect
lyf
inei
nmy
l
if
e.
Hi
m:Mhh.
..
it
saboutt
hatgi
rlyouwer
etal
kingabout
.
Me:Yeah.
..
shel
ovesme.
Hi
m :Di
dshet
ellyout
hat
Me:Nobutheract
ionssaysi
tal
l.Todayweeven
ki
ssed.
Hi
m :That
'sgood.
Me:Sowhatdi
dIdot
orecei
veacal
lfr
om you?
Hi
m:Son.
..
they'
rer
umorsgoingar
oundthatt
he
wer
ewol
vesaregoi
ngtoatt
ackthebeast
s.
Me:So
Hi
m:Wewi
llal
sogot
her
e.
Me:Butwhybecausei
t'
sbet
weent
hem notus.
Him:TheAdil
awon'tletitpeopl
edie.TheAdil
awill
comeoutofthewholei t
'shidi
ngfr
om andfightf
or
i
tpeople.Wewil
lfi
nallyfi
ndoutwhoi stheAdil
a.
Thanwecandealwi t
hi tonceandforall
.
Me:Wow...
youar
ever
ysmar
tuncl
e.Sowhenwi
ll
t
hathappen.
Hi
m:I'm notr
eal
lysurebutsoon.Iwi
llf
indmor
e
i
nfor
mationandIform youokay?
Me:Sur
e.
Hi
m:Ihavet
ogonow.

(Ijustcan'
twaitt
oki
llt
heAdi
la.Myl
if
eisl
iket
his
becauseofit.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
15]Lynne: I
nser
t31

Nomhl
e'
sPOV
Icouldn'
tsleep.Ihadabdomi nalpains.Ikept
tossingandt ur
ning.Ilookedatt heti
mei t00:09.I
l
ookedatMi kehewasf astasleep.Iwokeupand
wentt odri
nkwat erinthekitchen.Myst omachf el
t
heavy.Idon'tthi
nkthat '
snormalf orapr egnant
woman.Iwentbackt othebedr oom.Thepai nsgot
stronger
.Iwasnowcr yi
ng.Mi kewokeup.

Hi
m:Babe?Babear
eyouokay?
(Icr
iedevenmor
e)
Hi
m:what
'sgoi
ngon
(Hewentandswi
tchedt
hel
ight
son.Hi
seyes
widened)
Hi
m:Babeyou'
rebl
eedi
ng.What
'shappeni
ng.
(Il
ookedatmyselfIwasI ndeedbleeding.Istar
ted
panicki
ng.Mikecar
riedmet ohiscarandwedr ove
tothehospit
al.Wegotintothehospital.They
i
mmedi atel
ytookmet oICU.Iwasbl eedi ngso
much.Istart
edfeel
ingdizzy.Ipassedout.)
Mi
ke'
sPOV

Ver
ygood.Nowi t
'sti
meforstept
hreeofmypl
an.
Idi
aledLal
i'
snumberandcal
ledher
.

Me:Lal
i..
.pl
easehurr
ytot
hehospi
tal
.Nomhl
eis
her
e.Pl
easehurry.
Her
:Whathappened?
Me:Shewascomplai
ningaboutpains.WhenI
l
ookedathershewasbleedi
ng.Ideci
dedtot
aket
o
t
hehospit
al.
Her
:OkayI'
m coming.Pl
easesendmet
henameof
t
hehospi
talshe'
sat.
Me:Okay.
(Isenti
t.Aft
ersomet i
meshearr
ived.Ij
ustt
hrew
myselfather
.Shepushedmeveryhardand
sl
appedmet wice.Ihel
dmycheek.Ijustl
ookedat
her)
Her:Don'tyoudarepr
etendtobehonest
.Youknow
verywellwhatyoudidtoher.You'
ret
heonewho
gavehert heabor
ti
onpil
ls.
(okaywhot
oldher
.)
Me:What?Whywoul
dIki
llmyownbaby.
Her:Iam supposedtoaskyouthat.Whywoul
dyou
ki
llyourownbay. .
.whyMike.
(Ijustkeptqui
et.Shesetdownont
hechai
rs.Ial
so
setdown. )

Lal
i'
sPOV

Itwasnow5am andt heDoct

orhasn'
ttol
dus
anythi
ngnorcameoutoftheICU.Iwenttoget
coff
eeformysel
f.Isetdownagai
n.Ideci
dedtocal
l
Kaylamom.

Her
:Hel
lo.
Me:Heymom sor
ryt
owakeyouup.Ij
ustwant
ed
tol
etyouknowthatI'
m notathome.I
'
m att
he
hospi
talt
oseemyf r
iend.
Her
:Whyi
sshesi
ck.
Me:Notr
eal
ly.
..
Her
:OkayIwi
lll
etyourf
atherknow.

(Shehangedup.Idon'tknowifIshouldl
etMrs
Khumaloknowornot .I
fItel
lhernowshewillst
art
pani
cki
ng.Iwillcal
lher
eaf t
erIhaveseenNomhle.
Thedoctorcameoutandmadehi swaytous)
Hi
m:Ar
eyouguysMi
ssNomhl
e'
sfami
ly?
(Il
ookedatMi
ke.
)
Me:I
'
m hersi
ster
.
Doc:Andyousi
r?
Mi
ke:I
'
m herboyf
ri
end.
(
Mxm)
Doc:Doesanyoneofyouknowwhyshet
ook
abort
ionpi
ll
s?
Mi
ke:What
?Abor
ti
onpi
ll
s?
(Ijustlookedathi
m .He'
spret
endi
ngasifhe
doesn'tknow.Whereashe'
stheonewhogaveher
them .)
Doc:shelostthebaby.Thepill
sshet
ookarever
y
powerfulanddangerous.Ther
ewasnochanceof
savi
ngt hebaby.
Me:Howi
sshedoct
or?Canweseeher?
Doc:She'
sst
il
lunconsci
ous.She'
snowoutof
danger
.Wewillt
akehertoherwardsoyoucansee
her.
(TheDoctorwentaway.Aft
ersometi
mehecal l
ed
ustoseeher.Iwentinsi
de.Shewassl
eepingso
peacef
ull
y.Ispentafewmi nut
eswi
thher.Ineedt
o
goandbat hIwil
lcomeseeheragai
n.Iwenthome.
Theywerejustwatchi
ngTV)
Kayl
a:How'
syourf
ri
end.
Me:Shemi
scar
ri
ed.
Zi
a:OhhshamepoorNomhl
e.How'
sshe.
Me:She'
sst
il
lunconsci
ous.I
'
m goi
ngbackt
othe
hospi
talaf
terI
'm donebathi
ng.Whenshewakesup
Iwanttobethereforher
.
Kayl
a:You'
reagoodf
ri
endLal
idear
.
(Ismi l
edandwentupst ai
rs.MrsKanehasbeen
verynicelatel
y.Shehasbeenver ynicet oallofus.
Ijusthopeshe'snotpl ot
ti
nganydi st
racti
onsand
evilt
hings.Iwentupst ai
rsandbathed.It handrove
backtot hehospital
.WhenIgott hereshewas
awake.Ibr oughtherfoodfrom Nando's.)

Me:Hey.
..
Nomhl
e:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:What
?Icamet
oseeyou.
Nomhl
e:WhyLal
i?Whydi
dyouki
llmybaby?
Me:What
?..
.me?K.
..
kil
lyourbaby?
Nomhl
e:YESYOUKI
LLEDMYBABY.THEDOCTOR
SAI
DTHEABORTIONPILLSTHATIDRANKWERE
PUTONMYFOOD.ANDYESTERDAYYOUMADE
FOODFORME.YOUHATEDTHEFACTTHATI
WASPREGNANT.
(Iwassohear t
brokenthatNomhlethi
nksIcoul
d
ki
llherbaby.Iwoul dneverdoanyt
hingtohur
ther.
Myeyeshadt ears.)
Me:Nomhle.
..
youknowmever ywell
.Iwoul
dnever
doanyt
hingt
ohurtyou.Icar
eforyousomuch.
(Iwascr
ying)
Nomhle:
DON'
TYOUDAREPRETENDTOCAREFOR
MEWI THYOURCROCODI
LETEARS.LALIIDON'T
EVERWANTTOSEEYOU.NEVERAGAI N.IFYOU
SEEMECOMI NGYOURWAY.CHANGEDI RECTION.
BECAUSEIFISOMEHOW FI
NDYOU...
IWILLKILL
YOU.
(Mikegoti
n.It
ookmybedandwasaboutt
oleave
.)
Nomhle:AndLal
idon'
tleaveyourpoi
sonedf
ood
her
e.
(Itooki
tandwenttothecar.Idrovebackhome.I
j
ustwenttomybedr oom andl
ockedthedoor.I
cri
edmyselft
osleep.Aft
ersomet i
meIwaswoken
upbyAustin'
scal
l.)
Me:Hel
lo.
Hi
m:Hey.
..
whenshoul
dIf
etchyou.
Me:I
'
m sor
ryI
'
m nol
ongercomi
ng.
Hi
m:Lal
iar
eyouokay?
Me:Ihavet
ogonowbye.

(Ihangedup.I
'
m noti
nthemoodt
otal
ktoanyone.)

Mi
ke'
sPOV

Nomhlewasdischar
gedtoday.Shesai
dshedon'
t
wantt
obeinthehospit
alnow.Wegothome.She
l
ookedver
yangry.

Me:HowdareLal
iki
llmybaby.
..
IswearwhenIsee
her.
..
I'
m goi
ngt
okil
lherwi
thmyownhands.
Nomhl
e:Leavet
hatt
ome.Iwi
llbet
heonet
oki
l
l
her.Sheki
ll
edmyfi
r stbaby.I
'
m notgoi
ngtolether
l
ivehappy.Shewi
llpaywi t
hherl
if
eforwhatshe
did.
Me:But
..
Nomhle:No.
..
Iwi
lldoi
t.Youcanonl
yhel
pmeby
t
ell
ingmehowIcangetri
dofher.
Me:babear
eyousur
e?
Nomhle:Ihaveneverbeent
hissureinmylif
e.I'm
goi
nghomet oday.Iwil
lwai
tforyourcal
ltotel
lme
howandwheni tmusthappen.
(That
'smygi
rl
.Shewentupst
air
sandt
ookherbag)
Nomhl
e:Pl
easedr
opmeof
fathome.
Me:okay.
(Idr
ovehertoherhouse.Ikissedhershewentin.
Thisiscal
ledforcel
ebrat
ion.Ical
ledmysist
er.We
needtocelebrat
e.Idr
ivetohome.Mysi st
erwas
busyonherl apt
op.)

Me:Heyyoungone.
Her
:Ohhey.
..
howar
eyou.
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
Her
:Sohowar
ethi
ngsgoi
ng?
Me:Shesai
dshe'
stheonewhowi
llki
llLal
i.
Her
:Wowt hatwentf
ast
.It
houghti
twasgoi
ngt
o
t
akeherf
orever.
Me:That
'swhyIcameher
e.Sowecancel
ebr
ate.
Ourpl
anisworki
ng.
(Shewentandcamebackwitht
woglassesabott
le
ofwhi
skeyandwine.Ipour
edmysel
faglass.)
Her
:let
'sgoandsi
tatt
hepat
io.
Hi
m:Cool
.
(Wewentt
her
e.)
Me:Sohowi
smom doi
ng.
Her
:Ther
eisnoi
mpr
ovement.She'
sst
il
lthesame.
Me:Ican'
twai
ttoseeNomhl
epul
li
ngat
ri
ggerat
Lal
i.
Her
:Ican'
twai
ttoo.Thebestpar
tisLal
iwon'
tbe
abl
etodoanyt
hing.Shewoul
dneverhar
m norki
ll
herf
ri
end.
Me:Yeaht
hat
'
swhyIchoseNomhl
e.

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Igothomeandsoakedmysel fint
hebath.I'
m
goingt
ot el
lmymom everyt
hing.Sheneedsto
knowthatherpreci
ousLal
ikil
ledmybaby.Igotout
ofthebathandputonmyt r
acksuit
s.Iwent
downstai
rs.Shewasbusywithacall.Iwai
tedfor
herunti
lshewasdone.

Her:Nomhl
edear.
..
what'
shappeni
ng?What'
s
happeni
ngi
nyourl
ife.Wher
ehaveyoubeen.
Me:That
'snoti
mpor
tantr
ightnow.Mom Lal
ihas
hur
tme.Shehasbrokenme.
Her:What
?Lal
iwoul
dneverdot
hat.Iknowher
ver
ywell.
Me:Mom youdon'
tknowher.
(Iwasnowcr
ying)
Her
:Nomhl
edearwhathappened?
(Shesetnextt
omeandmademel
ayonhert
highs.
Shewasbrushingmyhai
r.)
Me:Mom.
..
sheki
ll
edmybaby?.
sheki
ll
edi
t.
(Shest
oodup)
Her
:Ini
?(what
?
Me:Yesmom Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyou.MyIwas
pregnantMi
ke'
schi
l
d.Hel
ovesmemom.Hei s
goingtomarr
yme.
(
Shesl
appedmesohar
d)
Her:ar
eyouevenhearingyoursel
f.Nomhl eyou'
re
tooyoungtot
hinkaboutgett
ingmar r
ied.Ihave
donesomanyt hi
ngsforyou.Imadesur eyoudon't
suff
erorendupdependingonaman.
Me:Mom Mi
kel
ovesme.
(Shesl
appedmeagai
n)
Her
:STOPTELLI
NGMEABOUTYOURSHI
T
BOYFRI
END.DOYOUHEARME?YOUHAVE
FORGOTTENMEISEE.
(shewentupstai
rsandcamebackwi
thabel
t.She
star
tedwhi
ppingme)
Me:mom! pl
ease..
.pl
easestop.
..
I'
m sor
rymom.
..
it
wi
llneverhappen.I'
m ver
ysorr
y.
(Shest
opped.Shewasevensweat
ing.Sheset
downandstar
tedcr
ying)
Her:Youreal
lyknowhowtobreakmyheart
.We
havebeenthroughsomuch.Youhaveseenyour
stepdadabusi
ngme.Andyetyoustil
lwantt
ohave
ahusband.
(Ij
ustkeptquiet
.Shehelpedmestandupandtook
metomyr oom.Sher anabathformeandputsalt
i
n.Mybodywashur ti
ng.Shedidanumberonme.
Iwasnowsi t
ti
ngatthebath.Shewasbusyhel
ping
mebath.)
Her
:I'
m sor
rymybaby.I
'
m sor
ryI
..
.
Me:Nomom .
..
Iunder
stand.Youwer
ever
yangr
y.
Act
uall
yI'
mt heoneatf
aul
t.I
'
m ver
ysor
ryf
or
di
sappoi
nti
ngyou.
(Shecuppedmyf
ace)
Her
:Weal
lmakemi st
akesinl
if
e.Pleasepr
omise
meyouwi
llneveri
nyourl
if
ehidesomethi
ngfr
om
me.
Me:Ipr
omi
se.
Her
:Sowhatdi
dLal
ido.
..
(It
oldheraboutever
ythi
ngshedi
d)
Her:That
'sunl
ikeher..
.I'
m sur
ethere'
ssome
misunder
standing.Lal
iwouldneverhurtyou.
Me:Ifirstdi
dn'tbel
ieveit.Butafterthedoct
orsaid
thepil
lswer eputonmyf ood.Ifeltsoshutt
ered.I
neverthoughtLaliwouldhur tme.ThanksGodI '
m
sti
llal
ive.Becauset hedoctorsaidthepil
lsthatshe
gavemear everydangerous.
Her:ohhthanksGod.Ineedt
ocal
lLal
i.Ineedt
o
hearhersideoft
hestory.
Me:ohhsoyoudon'
tbel
ieveme.
Her
:Idomydear. .
.Ij
ustwantt
oaskherwhat
r
eal
lyhappened.Whywouldshecauseyouso
muchpain.

(Shewentout.YouwouldbetLal
iisherdaught
er.
Shecar
esforhermorethanshecaresforme.I
sl
owlydr
iedmyselfandputonmypj sandwentto
sl
eep)

Mr
sKhumal
o'sPOV

I'
m surethere'
ssomemi sunder standing.Lal
iwould
neverdot hattoNomhle.Someonei sf r
amingLali
.
ShetakeNomhl eashersister
.Theyhavebeen
fr
iendsforyears.Whywoul dshehur thernow.Lali
hasaver ygoodheart.Shewi l
lneverevenhur tafly.
Icall
edherandaskedhert ocomeover .Shearr
ived
andthrewher sel
ftome.Shecr ied.Ibrushedher
back.
Me:Don'
tworr
ymydear.Iknowyoudi
dn'
tdoi
t.I
knowyouwil
lneverhur
ther.
(Shecont
inuedcr
ying)
Me:i
t'
sfi
nebaby.
(Igaveheragl
assofwat
er.)
Me:Nowt
ellmewhatr
eal
lyhappened.
Her :Well
...Yester
dayNomhl ecall
edmeandsai d
shewant st oseeme.Idi dn'twanttobutshe
pleasedmet ocome.WhenIgott hereher
boyf r
iendsaidhe'sleavi
ngIshouldpr epar
ehera
breakfast.Iwenttothekitchenandpr epar
edit.she
toldmet hatshewant stomet ot
ellyouthatshe's
pregnant.Whi leIwassti
llsit
ti
ngIsaw. .
.
(Ican'
ttel
lhert
hat.)
Her:er
hmm. .
.It
hanwentbackhome.I
nthemiddl
e
ofthenight.Herboyf
ri
endcal
ledmeandtol
dme
she'si
nt heICU.
(Ther
e'ssomet
hingthatLal
iishi
dingf
rom me.I
wonderwhati
sit.Ij
usthopeshedidn'
tdoi
t.)
Nomhl
e:It
hinkyouf
orgott
hepar
twher
eyousl
ept
me.
(Il
ookedatLal
i)
Her:YesIsl
eptyoubecauseIl
oveyou.Icar
efor
you.Iwasveryangr
y.
Nomhle:MhhIsee.
..
yourangerl
edyout
oki
llmy
baby.
Her
:That
'snott
rueNomhl
e.
Me:Lal
iIt
hinkyoushoul
dleave.
Her
:What
?
Me:Pl
ease.
(Shesl
owl
ygotupandwent.
)

TWODAYSLATER

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandwentdownst
airs.Everyonewas
si
tt
ingatt
hetabl
ehavi
ngbreakfast.Theyal
llooked
atme.Iknowwhy.Ihavebeenl ockingmysel f
i
nside.Ididn'
twanttotal
kt oanyone.I twasj ustme
andmyGod.Ihavebeent r
yingtogett oNomhl ebut
sheignoresmycallsandmessages.Iendedup
sendingheralongassmessage.It oldhert hat
Mikeistheonewhoki ll
edherbaby.Ial sotoldher
thati
fshehatesmei t'
sfinethefeelingi smut ual
.
I'
mt i
redoffeel
ingguil
tyforsomet hingIdidn'tdo.
Whenal lt
heappari
tionswar nedmeaboutNomhl eI
neverbeli
evedthem .NowIseewhatt heymeant .

Jase:Fi
nal
lyyoudeci
dedt
ocomeout.
(If
aint
lysmi
led)
Me:I'
m sorr
yforpushi
ngallofyouaway.Iwasj
ust
goi
ngthroughalot
.ButI'
mfinenow.
MrsKane:Laliwear
efami
ly.Weshar
eoursor
rows
andhappiness.
(Ever
yonelookedather
.Okay.I
ssher
epent
ingor
i
t'
sjustpr
etence.)
Me:IknowandI
'
m sor
ry.
(weallat
e.Mom Kaylast
oodupt
otheki
tchen.
Sheheldherst
omach.)
Me:Ar
eyouokaymom?
Kayl
a:yeah.
..
Dad:Ar
eyousur
e.
(Suddenlyherwat erbroke.Weal lst
oodupand
wenttoher.Dadhel dher.Het ookhert
othe
hospit
al.Weallwentt here.Dadwentinwit
hher.
Whileshewasst i
llgivingbirt
h.Inoti
cedMrsKane
cryi
ng.Iwenttoher .
)

Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Her:NO!..
.er
mmm ...
sorr
yI'
mf i
ne.Thesear
etear
s
ofjoy.I
'm happyt
hatyourf
atherwi
llnowhave
anotherson.
Me:MhhIsee.

(Weal lwai
tedout
side.Ikeptquietprayi
ngt
hat
ever
ythinggoeswell
.Afterhours.Itwasnow
af
ter
noon.Dadcameoutwear
ingaver
ybi
gsmi
le.
Weallwentt
ohi
m)
Me:I
smom andt
hebabyf
ine.
Dad:Yes..
.shegavebi
rt
htoaver
ybeaut
if
uland
chubbybabyboy.
(Wewereallhappywewenti ntoseeher.She
l
ookedver
yt i
red.Icuppedherf
ace)
Me:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingmommy.
Kayl
a:(Shesmi
led)I
'
mjustt
ir
ed.
(Iwenttot
hebaby.Il
ookedati
t.Idi
dasmal
l
prayer
.)
Me:MayGodpr
otectyoul
it
tl
echamp.
(Wewer eallver
yhappy.Sheandt hebabywi
llbe
dischar
gedtomorrow.Weallwenthome.Dad
chosetostaywiththem )
Zi
a:guysdon'
ty'
llthi
nkweshoul
dthrowa
wel
comingpart
yf ort
hebabyandKaylamo.
.
(Mr
sKanej
ustwentupst
air
s)
Me:Thatsoundsgr
eat
.
(Weal lwenttothemalltobuythi
ngswewi llneed.
AndIbumpedi nt
oAustin.Hewasgoingwi t
h
anotherwoman.Shel ookedver
ybeautif
ul.They
wereholdinghands.Ifeltmyheartbr
ake.Idon't
knowwhy.If el
tangerbuildi
ngup.Idecidedtogo
tothem )

Me:HeyAust
in.
Aust
in:Lal
i?Howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m goodandyou?
Aust
in:goodt
oo.Longt
imenosee.
Me:Yeah.
..
hey.
Aust
in:Ohht
hisi
smyPAEmi
li
a.Emi
li
athi
sisLal
i
er
hmm ...
my..
.
Me:Gi
rl
fr
iend.
..
I'
m hi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.Ni
cet
omeetyou
gi
rl
y.
(Idon'
tknowwhyIsai
dthat.Anywaysshekept
gi
vingmenast
ylookswhenIwasbusytalki
ngto
Austi
n.)
Me:Iwi
llvi
sityouwhenIgett
ime.
Aust
in:Iwoul
dver
yhappy.I
twasni
ceseei
ngyou.
Me:Li
kewi
se.Ihavet
ogonowbye.

(Iwentbackt
omygi
rl
s.)
Addi
son:MhhIsee.
..
someonehasaboyf
ri
end.
What'
shisname?
Me:He'
snotmyboyf
ri
end.He'
sjustaf
ri
end.
Zia:Mhhafri
end.Buthewaslooki
ngatyouli
ke
you'r
ehisgi
rl
fri
end.I
tli
kehi
slif
edependedonyou.
(Ipl
ayf
ull
yhi
ther
)
Me:St
opi
tnow.Di
dyouguysgetever
ythi
ng.
Zi
a:Yeahwecangonow.
(wedrovebackhome.Westart
eddecorat i
ng.The
cooki
ngwewi l
ldointhemor
ning.Wefinishedand
wenttosl
eep.Addi,Zi
aandIsleptt
ogetherinmy
room)
Aust
in'
sPOV

Lalii
sal waysbeautiful.Lookingatherjustmake
myhear tdance.Isawt hatshewasangr ythat
whenshesawmewal kingwithEmili
a.Anyways
Emi l
iawassl eepi
ngoveratmyhouset oday.She
hasbeent r
yingtohavesexwi t
hme.ButIj ustdon'
t
feelli
keit.Ifeell
ikeIwoul dbecheat i
ngLali.It
hink
IloveLali.If
inall
yunder standthewayIhavebeen
feeli
ngabouther .It
'slove.Whenshecomesover .I
willt
ellhereverythi
ng.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Ican'
tdoi tanymor e.Ican'tpretendanymore.But
eversinceIst art
ed.Myhusbandhasbeenspendi ng
ti
mewi thmet oo.IguessIwi l
lhavetoconti
nue
withthepr et
ence.Atthehospi talIwasso
heart
br oken.Iremember edthedaymyhusband
tol
dmet hatIlostmybabi es.Thepai nIwent
thr
oughwassl owlyr
eoccur r
ing.WhenLalicameto
me. Ial
mostsnapped.Sothekidsarebusy
prepari
ngforKaylaandthebaby.Iwentdownstai
rs
tohelp.Afterever
ythi
ngwasdonewewai t
edfor
them .Theyarri
ved.Theki
dssaidsurpr
ise.Kayl
a
wasver yhappy.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
15]Lynne: i
nser
t32
18SLV

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Wellthingsbetweenmymom andIar egoingvery

well.Shehasdistancedher selffrom Lali
.Inow
spendmostofmyt i
mewi thher.SoIwasget ti
ng
readytogomeetMi keandKi ar a.Wehavebeen
verybusyplanningLal i
'
sdeat h.Theyevent ol
dme
thatLaliwasresponsiblefortheirfat
her'sdeath.I
wasn'tsurpri
sed.AfterwhatLal ididtomybaby.I
fi
nallysawhert r
uesi deandt hatshe'scapableof
ki
ll
ingaper son.Soaskedt hedr i
vertotakemet o
Mike'splace.It oldmom thatIwi llsl
eepover.To
mysur priseshej ustgavemet hemor ningafterpi
ll
.
Iarr
ived.Theywer esit
ti
ngatt hepat i
ohavi ng
dri
nks.Igr eetedthem .Isatnextt oKiara.I
'm now
mor ecloset oherthanherbr other.West ar
ted
chatti
ng.Itwasver yni
ce.Theyal sot oldmewhen
wecani mplementourpl an.Iwi l
lbetheonet oki l
l
herandIcan' twaittof
inal
lyfindjusticeformy
deceasedbaby.

Tony'
sPOV

Lalihasbeenignor
ingmelat
ely.Shewasi nher
room.Igotin.Shewasbusysmi l
ingonherphone.I
hopeshe'snotseei
ngsomeone.Il ockedt
hedoor.

Me:Hey.
Her
:ohheyTony.
..
Me:Howar
eyou.
Her
:I'
m goodandyou.
Me:I
'
m good.
(Isatnextt
oheri
nbed.Imadeherf
aceme.It
ri
ed
toki
ssherbutshepushedme)
Me:What
?
Her
:.Erhmm.
..
TonyI'
mr eal
lysor
ry.
Ican'
treal
ly.I
t
j
ustfeel
swei
rd.Ij
ustcan'
t.
Me:ButLal
itheot
herdayyou.
..
Her:Itwasami st
ake.At otalmistake.Iwasfeel
ing
downandneededashoul dert
ocr yon.Youcamet o
myr escueandcomf ort
edme.Thi ngsledt
o
another.Butr
eall
ypleaset r
ytof orgeti
t.
(
Itr
iedt
oki
ssheragai
n)
Her
:Tonyno.
..
thi
s..
.us.
..
itwon'
twor
kreal
ly.
(Iwasver
yangr
y.Igotoutandwentt
oAddi
son
downst
air
s.)
Me:CanIt
alkt
oyouupst
air
s.
Addi
:Sur
e.
(Shefoll
owedmet omyr oom.Whenshegoti n.I
l
ockedthedoorandpi nnedheronit.Istar
ted
ki
ssingherandundressingher.Icar
riedhertobed
andgotbetweenherlegs.Wewer ebot hnaked.I
star
tedgoingi
nandoutofher.)

Odi
n'sPOV

Ihavetr
yingtogettoLali.Butshenolonger
answersmyDMs.IaskedZi atogivehernumber
onWhat sApp.Shedid.Iinvi
tedher.Shewas
onli
ne.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

Me:Heyi
t'
sOdi
n.
Her
:Hi.
Me:Howar
eyoudoi
ng.
Her
:Wel
landyou.
Me:Wellt
oo.Youhavebeenignor
ingmyDmssoI
deci
dedtoaskZi
aforyournumber.Ihopeyoudon'
t
mind.
Her
:NahIdon'
t.
Me:Er
hmm.
..
Lal
iIki
ndawi
sht
oknowyou.
Her
:youknowme.
Me:NoI
..
.meanl
ikegooutonadat
ewi
thyou.
Her
:MhhIsee.
Me:I
sthatayes.
Her
:Ir
eal
lydon'
tknow.I
'
m ver
ybusyt
hesedays.
Me:Pl
easel
etmeknowwhenyou'
reavai
labl
e.
Her
:Okay.How'
sAvanidoi
ng.
Me:Wear
enol
ongert
oget
her
Her
:Shame.
..whathappened.Becauseyouguys
wer
elovebi
rds.
Me:Wewer
enol
ongercl
icki
ng.
Her
:Shame.
..youguysl
ookedgoodt
oget
her
.
Me:Yeahwedi
d.ButInowwantt
omoveonand
f
indsomeonecanspendmostofmyt
imewi
th.
Her
:Goodl
uckont
hat
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

Kayl
a'
sPOV

Ihaveneverbeent hishappyinmyl i
fe.Kanehas
beent reat
ingmel ikeaqueen.Ihavenot hingto
compl ainabout.Myexhusbandnevert reatedme
l
ikethis.Hewasaj erk.Iwasbreast
feedingmy
baby.He' sreall
ycute.Hel ooksmorel i
kehi sdad.
Mysi sterwife'
ssuddenchangedoesnotsi tmewell
.
Shecan' tjustchanget oagoodwoman.Shehat ed
mesomuch.Whyi sshenowbei ngnice.Anyways
Kanegoti n.

Hi
m:Hel
lomypeopl
e.
Me:Heydaddy.
Him:Kayl a.
..Thankyouver ymuch.Thankyoufor
maki ngmet hehappi estmanintheworl
d.Youare
kindheartedandl ovi
ng.Youhaveshower edal
lmy
chil
dr enwithlove.Ireall
yappr
eciat
eyou.Andfor
that.Wi l
lyoupl easemarryme.
(Hekneltdownandtookoutasmallbox.He
openedit.I
twasari
ng.Aver ybeauti
fulr
ing.Iput
thebabybacki
ntoi
tcot.Iwasnowi ntear
s.I
nodded)

Me:Yesat
housandt
imesYes.
(Hesli
ditonmyfinger
.Ilookedati
t.I
twasver
y
beaut
if
ulandhadpurediamonds.)
Me:Il
oveyou.
..Iwi
llf
oreverl
oveyou.
(Heki
ssedme.)
Him:Thanksf
orsayingyes(Heki
ssedmeagai
n.)I
havetogonow.Iloveyou.

(Iwentdownstai
rsandcal
ledever
yone.It
oldt
hem
thatt
hei
rdadjustpr
oposedtome.)
Lal
i:Wow.
..
itl
ookssoexpensi
veandbeaut
if
ul.
Me:I
tisbabe.
Zi
a:Wow.
Zayn:Dadi
ssocool.

(MrsKaneandhuggedme.Itwasaver
ycol
done.
Ihopeshe'
snotpr
etendi
ng.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Anywayswecel ebrated.Kayl amom l ookedso

happy.SoIwentupst airstogetr eady.Ipromi sed
Austintovisithim. Iknowi tlatebutiwon' tstay
l
ong.Itoldever yonet hatI '
m goingt oMat'shouse.I
putonmyski nnyr i
ppedj ean, Van'stshir
tand
sneakers.Itookt hecarkeysanddr ovetohi splace.
IparkeditandwentIi nsi
de.Thel i
ghtswer e
swit
chedof f.Ther ewasat ablethathastwochai rs.
Redcandl
eswerel
it
.IhopeIdi
dn'
tcomeatawrong
t
ime.Maybehe'
shavingadi
nnerwi
thhi
swife.Just
whenIwasaboutt
ogoouthesaid.

Hi
m:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?
(It
urnedbackandlookedathim.Hewaswear
inga
sui
t.Helookshandsome.Hemadehiswaytome.
Helookedatmeandl aughed)

Me:What
?
Him:Noit
'snot
hing.Pleasegoupst
air
stomyr oom
andputonthedressthat'
sonthebed.I'
m goi
ngto
havedi
nnerwit
hyouwear i
ngaJean.
(Iwasst i
llamazedbyhi shandsomeness.Iwent
upstair
s.I
twasabl ackdr ess.Iputiton.Itwas
huggingmybodyper f
ectlyanditwasn' ttooshot.
Therewasal sobl
ackst i
lett
osont hef l
oor .Iput
them on.Iwonderhowheknewmysi ze.Inot i
ced
thatthepi
ct ureofhiswifewasnol ongeront hewall
.
Iwonderwhathappenedt othetwooft hem.
AnywayIwentdownstai
rs.AsImademywayt o
hi
m.Hewasbusyst ar
ingatmewi thhi
seyeswide
open.Youwouldswearhe'sseei
ngaghost..
Me:Hel
lomr.
Hi
m:Wow.
..
you.
.youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
Me:Thanks.
Hi
m:pl
easesi
tdown.
(Hepul
ledachai rforme.Awai t
erbroughtf
ood.
Heevenhir
edwai ters.Dvsn-Hal
luci
nati
onswas
pl
ayi
ng.Wef i
nishedeat i
ng.)
Me:i
twasgr
eat.
Hi
m:I
'
m gl
adyoul
ikedi
t.
(Ij
ustsmi
led)
Hi
m:Mywi
fedi
ed.
Me:I
'
m ver
ysor
ryIdi
dn'
tknow.
Hi
m:wewi l
ltal
kaboutal
lthatsomeot
herday.Lal
i
Il
oveyou.
(Il
ookedathi
m.Isof
tl
ysai
d)
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
(Itcameoutasawhi sper.Hest oodupandputhi s
handsar oundmywai standkissedme.Theki ss
wasver yslowandpassi onate.Hecar r
iedme
upstai
rs.Wegoti nt
ohi sroom .Hecar efullypl
aced
meont hebed.Hegotont opofme.Hecont i
nued
kissi
ngme.Hewoul dleavemymout ht hansuck
myneck.Hewasonl yinhisbriefs.Hest oodupand
tookthem off.Il
ookedathismanhoodhewasver y
huge.Iswal l
owedhar d.)
Me:Er
hmm .
..
let
'sgobackandeat
.
(Hejustsmil
edandgotbetweenmylegsagai
n.He
ki
ssedmeagai n.If
elthi
mtr
yingt
opushhisdi
ckin
mycookie.)
Hi
m:f
uck.
..
you'
resot
ightl
ove.
(Iwasver
ynervousIwon'tli
e.Hetri
edf oracoupl
e
oft
ime.IthanfeltsomepainandIscreamed.I
cl
osedmyeyest hanhestopped)
Hi
m:pl
easel
ookatme.
(Isl
owl
yopenedmyeyes.)
Him:Pleasetr
ustme..
.it
'sgoi
ngt
ohur
tal
it
tl
ebut
don'
tforgetIl
oveyou.
(Ij
ustnodded.Hekissedmeonemor eti
meand
pushedhimsel
finagain.If
eltaveryext
remepai
n
andiscreamedoutloudwithmyt ear
scomingout
.
Hestoppedandwipedmyt ears.)
Hi
m:l
ookatmepl
ease.
(Idi
d)
Him:IloveyouandLal
iImeanit.Eversi
nceIlayed
myeyesonyou.Ihaven'tbeenabl
etostopthi
nking
aboutyou.
(Heki
ssedmeagai
n)
Hi
m:il
oveyou.
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
(Hestar
tedmovingsl owdeepinsideme.Icl osed
myeyesbecauseitwasver ypai
nful.Hewenti n
andoutofmewhi l
egr oani
ng.Ther oom wasfil
led
wit
hmoansandgr oans.Hepull
edmyr i
ghtl
egup
andconti
nuedgoinginandoutofme.Hewasnow
movingveryf
ast
.If el
thisbodytensingup.He
wentmor efast.Myl egsshookandIgr abbedhi s
backmor eti
ght.Hedi dn' tstop.Heincreasedmor e
andf i
nall
ystoppedandt hanIf el
thi
mr eleasesome
l
iquid.Hiswolfreact
edandmadeabi ggr owl
.And
mybeastdi dthesame.He' stheone.Hewas
breathi
ngsohar d.Her estedont opofme.He
ki
ssedmeagai n.)
Hi
m:Thankyou.
(Ij ustsmil
ed.Hegotupandwentt ot hebathroom.
Ihear dwaterrunning.Het hancamebackwi t
ha
war mt owel.Hewi pedmeasIhadbl ood.Af t
er
thathecar ri
edmebr idalst
yleandgent l
yputmei n
thebat h.Mycooki ewasi nfir
ebutassoonas
wat erhiti
t.Itbecamebet t
er.Aft
ersomet i
mehe
j
oi nedmei n.Hecar r
iedmeagai ntobed.Theduvet
waschanged.Hegavemehi stshi
rtIputitonand
sleep.I '
m veryti
red.)

Addi
son'
sPOV

Tonywasn'
thi
msel
f.Hewasbusygoi
ngi
nandout
ofme.Buthewasn'
tlooki
ngatme.Icuppedhi
s
face.Hewassweat
ing.

Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Hi
m:Yeah.
(Hedi
dn'
tst
ophumpi ngme.Istoppedhi
m bef
ore
hecoul
devenr
eleasehisj
uicesonme.)
Hi
m:WTF
Me:i
fyoudon'
ttel
lmewhat
'sbot
her
ingyou.Iwi
ll
goandsl
eepwit
hZi a.
Hi
m:Comeon
(Hetri
edkissi
ngme.Ijustst
oodupandwentt
o
thebat
hroom.Hefol
lowedme)
Hi
m:OkayI
'
m sor
ry.Mymi
ndi
sjustoccupi
ed.
Me:pl
easecl
oset
hedooronyourwayout
.
(Hecamecl
oset
ome.Ipushedhi
m)
Me:No.
(Hesl
ammedt
hedoorandwentbackt
ohi
s
bedroom.Itookaqui ckshower .Tonyhasbeen
behavingverystrangelately.I
'm suret
here'
s
anothergir
linhisli
fe.Butwhywoul dhecheaton
me.Il ovehim wholeheartedlyandmakesur eI
sati
sfyhim wit
hever yt
hing.Iputonmypj sand
sl
ept.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

Iwasbusyst aringatLal i.She'smor ecut ewhen

she'ssleeping.Icuddl edher.Ican' tbel i
evet hat
she'smygi rlf
riend.Anymenwoul dkilltobewi th
her.Hehasbr okent hewal lIbuil
tinmywal l
.I
neverthoughtIwi l
l everloveagain.Iloveherso
much.AndIt hinkI '
m alreadyobsessedt oher.It
wasnowear l
yi nthemor ning.Igotbet weenher
l
egsandki ssedher.Shesmi l
edandr eturnedthe
ki
ss.It r
iedpushi ngmydi ckinbutitwoul dn'tgoin.
Aftersomet i
mei tfinall
ysl i
din.Shecl osedher
eyes.Ihelpedhert akeof fmytshi rtthatshewas
wear i
ng.Ikissedher.Ist artedmovi ngsl owlyin
her
.)
Me:Fuck!
(Istart
edi ncreasingmypacewhi legroani
ng.Her
moansmadememovef astevenmor e.Aft
ersome
ti
meIpul ledout.Iputbot hherlegsonmy
shouldersandsl idback.Istart
edmovi ngfast
agai
n.Shehel dmet oot
ight.Ipoundedhersohard
shewasscr eami ng)
Her
:A.
.Aust
in!
(Ikissedher.St i
llmovingfast.Herbodyshookbut
Ididn'tstop.Ihitithar
dt hr
oughoutheror gasm.I
wenti nandoutofherf ast.Aftersomet imeIpul l
ed
outandcar ri
edhert othebathroom.Igent lyputher
ont opoft hecupboar dfortowels.Shewr appedher
l
egsar oundmywai st.Istart
edmovi ngsl owlyin
her.Af t
ersomet i
memygr iponherwai stbecame
ti
ghtandIi ncreasedmypace.Ikepti ncreasingmy
pace.Anot herorgasm hither.Idi
dn'tstop.I
cont i
nuedmovi ngfastinher.Iwentonandonunt i
l
Ifeltmybodyt enseup.Iwentmor edeeperand
harder.Isl ammedi nt
oherhar dandcur sedasI
wasreleasi
ngmyjui
cesi
nher.Ipul
ledoutand
gaspedforair
.)
Me:Ar
eyouokay.
(
Shef
aint
lysmi
led)
Her
:I'
m okay.
..
butmycooki
eisnot.
Me:Nccoo.
..
I'
m sor
rybabe.
(Iwentdownandki ssedi t.Webothtookashower.
Ipinnedheront heglasswal lofi
tandcarri
edher.I
start
edmovi ngveryfastinher.Sheheldontome
ti
ghtasorgasm hitusbot h.Ikissedherwe
fi
nishedbathing.Icarriedhertobed.Istar
ted
applyi
ngloti
ononherbody.Igavehermy
sweatpantandatshi rt.)
Me:I
'
m goi
ngt
obuyf
ood.Iwi
llbebacksoon.
(Shejustnoddedanddrif
tedof ft
osleep.Mybabe
i
sr eal
lyt
ir
ed.Itookthecarkeysandwentt ot he
Pharmacy.Iboughthert
hemor ni
ngafterpi
ll.I
wenttoMacdonaldandor deredburger
sanddr i
nk.
Idrovebackhome.Iputever yt
hingont het
ablein
thekit
chen.Iwentupst
air
st owakeherup.Iki ssed
herf
orehead)
Me:I
'
m back.
..
let
'sgoandeat
.
Her
:Sur
e.
(Shest
oodup.Shewasst r
uggl
ingt
owalk.Ij
ust
l
aughedather.Shel
ookedatmever
yangry.)
Me:er
mm.
..
letmehel
pyou.
Her
:I'
mfi
ne.
..
cont
inuel
aughi
ng.
(Ijustcarr
iedhertothel ounge.Ibr
oughtherf
ood.
West art
edeating.AftershewasdoneIt ook
everythi
ngtothekitchenandcamebackwi thwat
er
andt hepil
ls.Igaveher. )
Her
:Thankyou.
(shedr
ankt
hem .Wet
hancuddl
edont
hecouch.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
15]Lynne: i
nser
t33

Kayl
a'
sPOV
Ijustcall
edLal itocomebackhome.Iwasbusy
preparingdinnerf oreveryone.Thebabywaswi th
thegirl
s.Ist artedset t
ingthetable.Iputever
ything
there.Laliwalkedi n.Shehadaf unnywalk.A
mot hercanseewhenhersomet hinghappenedt o
herdaught er.Andal sof eelt
hatherdaughteri
sno
l
ongeravi rgin.IknowI '
m notLali
'sbi
ologi
cal
mot her.ButIhaveconnect edverywellwit
hher.I
cansaf el
ysayIknowherf rom t
opt obott
om.Iwent
toherandwhi sper edtoherear .

Me:CanIt
alkt
oyouupst
air
s.
Her
:Sur
e.
(Shefol
lowedmetomyr oom.Wegoti
nandI
l
ockedthedoor.Wesetonthebed)
Me:SoHow'
sMat.
(Hereyesmovedar
ound.)
Her
:Er
hmm.
..
mhh.
..
s..
sh.
.she'
sfi
ne.
Me:MhhIsee.
(Icuppedherf
ace)
Me:Lal idead. .
.I'
m veryf ondofyou.Iloveand
caref oryourdeepl y.It akeyouasmyown
daught er.Ij ustwantyout obehonestwi thme.I
canseet hatsomet hinghaschangedaboutyou.I
alsoknowyouwer enotatMat '
shouseIcanf eeli
t.
Laliamot herissomeoneyoucanshar eyour
secretswi th.Youcant rustme.Ipr omiseto
suppor tyoui never ythi
ngdear .AllIwantfrom you
i
sopenyourhear tforme.Letmeshowyoua
mot her '
sl ove.Letmet akeagoodcar eofyou.I '
m
notf orcingyout ot el
lmet hetr
uth.Butifyoudomy
heartwi l
lbeatease.Becauseatt hispointIdon't
knowi fyouwer eforcedor ..
.
Her
:er
m..
.Mom .
..
Ihaveaboyf
ri
end.
(Shewasver
yshy.
)
Me:Okay.
..
howl
onghaveyoumethi
m.
Her
:I'
m notsurer
eall
y.Butwemadet
hingsof
fi
cial
t
hedayIleftt
hishouse.
Me:Isee.
..
andyouhavegi
venhi
m your
..
.your.(I
cl
earedmythr
oat)
youknowwhatImeanright
.
(Shehel
dherl
augh)
Her
:Yeah.
..iknowi
twast
oosoonbutIf
eltl
ikei
t'
s
wasri
ghtt
hingtodo.
Me:Mhhh..
.Isee..
.i
sheagoodguyt
hough?Doyou
t
rusthi
m withyourhear
t.
Her:Yeah.
..
he'
sani
ceguy.Hewasevengent
le
wit
hme.
Me:Lal idearmenar ever ydecept i
ve.Theycl aimt o
begood, lovi
ng, suppor ti
veandhonest .Wher eas
theyar enot.Bel i
evemeI 'mt al
kingoutof
exper i
ence.Ihavebeent heretoo.LaliIhavebeen
i
nat oxicmar r
iage.Whenwewer edatinghewas
allni
ceandr omant i
c.Af terwegotmar ri
ed.Thi ngs
changed.Hest art
edcheat inganddi srespect i
ng
mei nf rontofhi sfri
ends.Ibecameal aughing
stockt opeopl e.Di fferentgi r
lswoul dtagmeon
socialint hei
rphot oswi thhi m.Thewor stparti she
neverhi di tf
rom met hathewascheat i
ng.Ist ayed
withhim .BecauseIl ovedhi m andhewasal so
handsomeIwon' tli
e.Lal idearl ovei saver y
danger ousandsel fisht hing.Lovei sthemost
downf alltouswomen.Becausewel ovewi th
ever ythingwehave.I tmakesyouf orgetaboutal l
thepai ntheoneyoul ovecausedyou.Ibar edal l
hischeat ingwaysbutwhenhecheat edwi t
hmy
sisterandt heywer eevenexpect ingababy.That '
s
whenIr eali
zedt hatbyst ayingwi thhimI 'm only
maki ngf oolofmysel f.It ri
eddi vorcinghi m buthe
don'tagr eetosi gn.Hekeptt hreateningmet hatifI
don'tcomebackt ohim .Hewi l
lki l
lme.St r ange
right.Af t
ersomuchpai nhehascausedme.He
stil
lwant stohur tmemor e.Whyshoul dIst aywi th
someonewhodoesn' tval ueme.Someonewho' s
selfishanddonotconsi derot herpeopl e'
semot ions.
Ihadgi venupi nl ove.Butyourf athercame.He
foundmebr okenbuthemendedal lt
hepi ecesof
mybr okenhear t.Inevert houghtIwoul dloveagai n.
Her eIam al lhappywi thhi m.Het rul
yl ovesmeand
want sbestoutofourr elat i
onshi p.SowhatI '
m
tryi
ngt osayi sdon' tl
ett helooksf oolyou.I '
m not
judgi ngyoudearbutIt hinkyoushoul dhaveat least
spentmor et i
mewi thhim.Under standhi m and
knowwhatki ndofaper sonhei s.Seei fhel oves
yout rulyoronl ywantsexf rom you.Bef orel et
ti
ng
hi
mint
oyoursacr
edpl
ace.
(
Sher
est
edherheadonmyl
ap.)
Her:You'r
ethebestmother.YouknowsinceIgrew
upwithoutamotherfi
gurei
nmyl i
fe.Ihaveal
ways
keptt
hingstomyself
.Ihavealwaysmade
deci
sionsonmyown.TobehonestIt aughtmyself
wrongsandright
s.HowIwi shIwasrai
sedbyyou.
Youareaverystrongwoman.
Me:I'
m her
enowdear .Wheneveryouwantt
otal
k
aboutsomethingbotheri
ngyou.Youcancome
runni
ngtome.Iwi llnevert
urnmybackonyou.
You'r
emyfirstdaughter.
(Shesmi
led.)
Me:Don'tgetmewrongaboutwhatIsaid.I
'm not
tr
yingt
omakeyouf eelguil
tyf
orbecomingsexual
ly
i
ntimat
ewi t
hyourboyf
riend.Iwasjustwar
ning
you.
Her
:Don'
twor
ryIunder
standver
ywel
l
.
Me:Andyoualsoknowthatever
ymotherwant
sto
seet
hei
rchil
drenachi
eveinli
fe.Mancandel
ay
yoursuccess.Di
dyouguysusepr
otect
ion
Her
:No.
..
buthedi
dgi
vemeamor
ningaf
terpi
ll
.
Me:That '
sbett
er.Lal
idearIwantyout obewi th
thatguy.Spendmor eti
mewi thhim .Butdeprive
him sex.Donotbecomesexual lyint
imatewi t
hhi m
foramont hortwo.Thatwayyouwi l
lbeabl etosee
i
fhet rul
yloveyouorhe'sjustusingyouf orsex.I
promiseyou.Youwon' tregretokay.
(
Shenodded)
Me:I
shehandsomet hough.Becauseyoucan'
t
j
ustgi
veyourcooki
etoababoonl ooki
ngguy
(Webot
hlaughed)
Her
:Hei
sver
yhandsome.
Me:mhhIsee.Becaref
ul.Handsomemanar
every
l
oose.Theymovefrom onegi
rlt
oanot
her
.That
's
whyIchoseyourdad.
(Webot
hlaughedevenmor
e)
Me:I'
mjoki
ng.Yourdadiswaytoohandsome.
EvennowwhenIlookathi
m .Igetwetatthesame
ti
me.
(Wel
aughedevenmor
e)
Her:I
tfeel
ssogoodt
otal
ktoyouaboutt
hingsl
ike
t
his.
Me:Iknowhey.
..Sohowwasyourf
ir
stt
ime?
Pai
nfulr
ight
Her
:Idon'
tevenwantt
otal
kabouti
t.
Me:Iknowhey.
..
anywayl
etusgoandeat.I
'm sur
e
ever
yonei
swonderi
ngwhywearenotbackyet.
(West
oodup)
Me:AndLalidear..
.f
ixyourwal
k.Yourdadwi
ll
not
icet
hatsomet hi
nghappened.
Her
:okayIwi
llt
ry.
(wewentdownst ai
rs.Everyonewasnowdone
eati
ngtheywerenowwat chingTV.Wetookour
foodandjoi
nedthem .)
Zi
a:Final
lyyouhavebr
oughtoursist
erback.
..
I
wonderwhatwereyouguystal
kingabout.
Me:i
tbet
weenamot
herandherdaught
er.
Zi
a:Mhh.
Dad:Iwashopingwecoul
dhaveavacati
onsome
whereoutoft
hecountr
y.Justspendsomet
ime
t
ogetherasafamil
y.
Jase:Wowdadt
hatagoodi
dea.
MrsKane:Si
nceLalij
oinedthi
sfamil
ywehaven'
t
wenttoanyvacat
ionorjustgooutasaf
amily.
(Thatwasnotevennecessar
ytosay.Lal
ijust
smil
edandshookherhead.Shesosweetthatone.
)
Me:It
hinki
tagoodi
deat
oo.Whatdoyougi
rl
ssay.
Zi
a:Wear
ethousandt
imesagr
eer
ightLal
i.
Lal
i:Eehmm.
..
y..
yeahIguess.
(Il
ookedatAddi
son.Shewasl
ooki
ngdown)
Me:Addisonbaby..
.youar
eal
soamemberofthi
s
f
amily.Sothere'
snoneedtof
eelexcl
uded.
(Shesmi l
ed.I'
m ver
yhappyt hatI'
m ablet
oputa
smil
eont hefacesofthesechil
dren.Ij
ustl
ove
them .)
Dad:Sowher
ecanwegot
o.
Me:Mhh..
.Anywher
eawayf
rom Guat
eng.Whatdo
youguyst
hink.
Zi
a:l
et'
stoMaur
it
ius.
Mr
sK:Yeahi
tevenbet
tert
her
e.
Dad:Whatdoyout
hinkKayl
a.
Me:Asl ongasthechi
ldr
enar
ehappyt
ogot
her
e.
I
'm happytoo.
Dad:Okay.
..
Iwi
llcheckal
lmyschedul
esf
ornext
weekthanwecango.
Me:Okay.
(WewatchedTVunt
ill
ate.Wet
handeci
dedt
oal
l
sl
eep.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwasnowi nmyroom busychat

ti
ngwithAustin.
He'sreal
lyf
unnyhey.Mystomachwasi nsti
tches.
Isaidmygoodbyetohim.Iwasnowbusyt hinki
ng
aboutwhatmom Kayl
asaid.Iwil
lreal
lyputAusti
n
totestfortwomont hs.Iwi l
lnothavesexwi thhi m
forthenextt womont hs.Thanaf terIcanseei fhe
reall
ylovesmeornot .Butam Isayi ng.Hei smy
chosenaf terall.Hei sboundt oloveme.Butwe
cannotf orcet hings.Iwonderwhatwoul dhappen
i
fhi m andIdon' tendupt ogether.Li kei
fhei snot
themanofmydr eams.Somet imest heseold
peoplewantt ocont roloutli
ves.Likewhycan' tone
fi
ndaper sont ospendt herestofherorhi slif
ewi t
h
onhi sownway.Whydot heyhavet ochoosef orus.
ButIdobel ievei nAust i
n.Itrusthim .Butifhe
doesn'ttreatmewel lIwi l
lnotbef orcedtospend
therestofmyl ifewithhi m.Comer ainorstorm.I
willneverbewi t
hsomeonewhodoesval ueyoume.
Afterwhatmom Kayl asai dtome.Shehasshowed
meadi f
ferentsi deofl ove.Shehasmademe
questionlove.I 'm verygratefultohavesomeone
l
ikeheri nmyl i
fe.It handr i
ft
edt osleep.Iwasnow
earlyinthemor ning.Iwaswokenupbyacal lf r
om
Mat.

Me:Heygi
rl
fr
iend.
Mat
:Heyl
ove.
..
I'
m back.
(
Isatupst
rai
ght
)
Me:Reall
y..
.I'
m comi
ngt
ofet
chandwear
e
def
ini
tel
ygoingout.
Mat:Ican'
twai
ttoseeyou.Ihaveal
ott
otel
lyou
about.
Me:Ij
ustcan'
twai
t.

(Itookabath.Ir
eall
ylovebeingaroundMat.She
al
wayshavesomet hingint
erest
ingtosay.Iwent
downstai
rsandhelpedKaylamom pr epar
e
breakf
ast
.)

Kayl
a:Youknowyourdadcanbest
range
someti
mes.
Me:Whathedi
dnow
Kayl
a:Hedoesn'
twantamai
dher
e.Why?
(Ij
ustshr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.)
Kayl
a:Ihavet
otalkt
ohi
m aboutt
hat.Wecannot
al
waysdot hecl
eani
ngandcooki
ng.Atl
eastwe
cancook.Butcl
eani
ngi
sreal
lyti
ri
ng.
Me:I
'
m goi
ngoutwi
thMatt
odayaf
ter
noont
hough.
Her
:Mhhr
eal
lyMat
?Ort
heot
herMal
eMat.
(Ij
ustl
aughed)
Me:
Ther
ealone.
Her
:Okay.
(Wef
ini
shedandt hancal
ledever
yonedownst
air
s.
Weal
lst
artedeat
ing)
Zia:Lal
iwehavetogoanddoshoppi
ngf
ort
he
vacati
ontoday.
Me:er
hmm.
..
I'
mreal
lysor
ry.I
'
m goi
ngoutwi
thMat
t
oday.
Zi
a:Mhh..
.Ineedt
ohaveaseri
oust
alkwi
thMat
.
She'
shi
jacki
ngyoufr
om us.
(Weal
llaughed)
Zia:l
ikef
orreal..
.youvi
sit
edherforawhol
ethr
ee
days.Againtodayyou'r
egoingoutwit
hher.
(Il
ookedatKayl
amom andwel
aughed.)
Me:Don'twor
rysi
ster
.Youwillal
waysbemy
number.It
'sj
ustt
hatIhavei
mportantst
ufft
otal
k
wit
hMatabout.
Zi
a:Mhh.
(Wef i
nished.Iwentupst
air
stochooseanout
fi
t
I'
m goi
ngt owear.Whil
eIwasstil
lbusyNomhl
e
call
edme.Ianswer ed)

Me:hel
lo.
Nomhl
e:HeyLal
i.
..CanIseeyout
omor
row.
Me:No.
(Ihangedup.I '
m notgoingtoent ert
ainher.She
pushedmeawayf rom herandaccusedmeof
ki
lli
ngherbaby.Whatdoesshewantnowf r
om me.
Ayyshemustgof uckher sel
f.Iblockedhernumber
.Ican'thavepeopleli
keNomhl einmyl if
e.Iwas
nowget t
ingready.Iputonaf loraldressand
sandal
s.Il etmyhairloose.It ookthecarkeysand
drovetoMat '
shouse.Igoti n.Shewaswai tingf
or
me.Wi
thherdad.
)

Me:Hel
loever
yone.
Mat '
sdad:ohhourhero.LaliIdon'
tknowhowt o
thankyou.I'
m outofwords.Noonehaseverdone
thi
smuchf ormypr i
ncess.Youhaveagoodhear t
dear.Iwishyoul i
vehappy.Sopleasetaket
his.(i
t
wascash.)
Me:no. .
.Iwon'
ttakeyourmoney.IdidwhatIdi
d
outofgoodness.Nott hatIwant
edmoney.Iwas
j
usthelpingmybest f
ri
endout.I'
m sorr
ybutIcan'
t
accepti
t.
Mat
:Pl
easeLal
itakei
t.Whatyoudi
d..
.
Me:noIwon'
t..
.don'
tevent
ryt
ochangemymi
nd.
Canwegonow.
(Wemadeourwayt othemal l
.Wedi dshopping
andboughtt akeawaysf rom spur
s.Weal sobought
threebot
tlesofr edwine.Weboughtgl asses.We
drovetothepar k.Iparkedthecarthereandwe
start
edeatingandt alki
ng.)
Me:Sohowwast
het
rai
ning?
Mat:yoohh..
.i
twasveryti
ri
ng.Iwoul
dalwayssleep
wit
hmybodyhur t
ing.buti
twaswort
hi t
.Iwas
hopi
ngwecangooutf orcl
ubbi
ng.SinceIcannow
l
ivefr
eely.
Me:wecanal
lgot
omor
row.
Mat
:Sowhat
'sgoi
ngonbet
weenyouandAust
in?
(Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.Shel
aughed)
Me:Whyar
eyouaski
ng
Mat:Becausehehasbeenaski
ngmeaboutyour
l
ikesanddisl
ikes.
Me:wellwe'
redat
ing.Idon'
twantt
osaywe'
rei
na
r
elat
ionshi
pasyet.
Mat:mhh..
.he'
sver
yhandsomeyougogi
rl
.So
haveyougi
venhim.
Me:what
?
Mat
:t
hecooki
e.
Me:Funnyenoughyes.Sohe'
smyvi
rgi
nit
ybr
eaker
.
(Shecoughedasthewinewaschoki
ngher
.Ihi
ther
back.Shestar
tedl
aughing)
Mat
:Soyouwer
est
il
lavi
rgi
n.
Me:yeah.
Mat:Yhoo.
..
toevent
ellt
hatIl
ostmyvi
rgi
nit
yin
gr
ade10!.
Me:What
?
(Il
aughed)
Mat:I
'
m seri
ous.Iwasunderpeerpr
essur
e.Can
youguesswhere.
Me:Pr
obabl
yinyourf
ather
'shouse.
Mat
:Att
heschoolt
oil
ets.
(Il
aughedevenmor
e.)
Me:Yhoo.
..
youneedGod.Toi
magine.WhenIwas
i
ngrade10.Iwant
ednothi
ngaboutboys.
Mat
:Sohowmanyboyf
ri
endshaveyouhad.
Me:Aust
ini
smysecondboyf
ri
end.
Mat
:What?If
indi
thar
dtobel
ievet
hat
.ImeanLal
i
you'r
esobeauti
ful
.Thefi
rstt
imeImetyou.I
thoughtyouhadmil
li
onsofboyf
ri
ends.
(wel
aughedevenmor
e)
Mat
:butLal
ionaser
iousnote.CanyouaskAust
in
t
ohookmeupwithhi
sbrotherNick.
(Il
aughed)
Me:Idon'
tevenknowthatNi
ckyou'r
etal
kingabout
.
Ionl
yknowthathehastwobrot
hers.Andheisthe
l
astborn.
Mat:Nicki
st hemiddleone.Theolderoneis
marri
ed.Lalihe'sver
yhandsomebutnotmor ethan
Austi
n.Austi
ni sfi
reoutofallhi
sbrother
s.Ifhe
weren'
tyourboyfri
endIwouldhavehi thermyself
.
(Il
aughedevenmor
e.)
Me:Hei shey...
that
'swhatwor
ri
esmemore.He'
s
everygi
rl'
scrush.Matdoyoubeli
evei
nthose
"Chosenthings".
Mat:Tobehonest.Idon'
t.Therewasapointwher
e
Ibel
ievedi
nthem .Aft
eral
leverycr
eatur
ehasa
chosenone.Dadtol
dmet hat.Thechosenone
thi
ngisasel f
isht
hingthatismadebythosewho
aredead.Theyputyouinsomuchdanger.Itthei
r
wayofusingyoufortheirownbenefi
ts.
Me:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?
Mat:Well..
.Mymot herdi
edbecauseoft hat.Iwon't
real
lyt
ellyouwhathappened.BecauseIdon' twant
togobackt ot hepainIfeltaft
erloosi
ngher.I
knowndadal waystakeagoodcar eofmebutIal so
needamot herf i
gure.Ialsowantsomeonet ot al
k
toaboutthingsthatonlyaf emalecanunderstand.
(Ir
ubbedherhand)
Mat :Whenmom died.Thatwasver ybroken.He
couldn'
tevenmoveon.Ievenwi shnowt hatdad
canf i
ndsomeonetospendther estofhisli
fewith.I
wishtoalsohaveali
tt
lebrotherorsist
er.Butwhat
canonedo.Becauseyoucanonl yhavebabi eswith
yourchosenone.Mom wasdad' schosenone.Now
thatshedied.Dadwil
lneverhaveababy.
Me:That'
ssowrong.HowIwi
shIhadpowerto
changeal
loft
hat.Aust
ini
smychosenone.
Mat
:Yeahiknow.
Me:Howt
hough.
Mat
:Noi
tasecr
etbet
weenmeandmysel
f.
Me:Ohhr
eal
ly.
(Wewerenowti
psy.Andt
her
eisst
il
labot
tl
eof
wi
nest
il
lseal
ed.)
Mat
:sowhenar
ewegoi
ngt
otheDr
ugi
omi
n.
Me:Idon'
tknowhey.ButIdi
dresear
chabouti
t.
Mat
:Maybewecangonextweek.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkso...myf
ami
lyar
egoi
ngf
or
vacat
ioni
nMaurit
ius.
Mat
:Mhhr
eal
ly
Me:yeahyoucancomewi
thi
fyouwant.
Mat
:real
ly.
Me:yeah.
Mat
:Sohowi
syourot
herf
ri
enddoi
ng.
(It
oldherever
ythi
ngt
hathappenedbet
ween
Nomhleandi)
Mat
:Howcansheaccuseyouofsucht
hing.She
cl
ear
lydoesn'
tknowyouwel
l.
Me:yeahhey.
..
IthoughtIhadaf
ri
endinher
.She
evenhavet
heaudacitytocal
lmetoday.
Mat
:Ihopeyout
oldhert
oshoothersel
f.
Me:ibl
ockedher
..
.
Mat
:that
'
sevenbet
ter
.
(wewer enowver ydrunk.SoMatdeci dedt o
sleepoverathome.Wewokeupver ylatethesun
wasal readyout.Ihadaver ybadheadache.We
tookbat htogether.Iborrowedhermycl othes.
Theydon' tfi
therwallasI '
m abitt
inyfr
om her .I
gavehervel vetdressasitcanst r
etch.Wewent
downst air
sandhadbr eakfastwit
hever yone.)
Me:Er
mm...
dad.
..
Matwantt
otagal
ongwhenwe
ar
egoingt
oMaurit
ius.
Dad:Okayt
her
e'snopr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
.
Kayl
a:i
t'
sgoi
ngt
obeevenmor
efun.
(wefi
nishedbr
eakf
ast
.Weasgi
rl
sgat
her
edi
nmy
room)
Me:Guyst
oni
ghtwe'
regoi
ngoutt
oacl
ub.
Addi
:real
ly.
..
that
'smusi
ctomyeyes.
(Theboysgoti
n)
Jase:Wear
eal
sogoi
ngwi
thy'
l
l.
Me:That
'sevenbet
ter
.
Zayn:Whatt
ime?
Mat:emm.
..
wecangoby8pm .
Zi
a:Fornowcanwegoshopf
ort
hevacat
ion.
(Ilaughed.Thi sgirlissoobsessedwi thshoppi ng.
AnywayIdr oveust ot hemal l.Webought
swi mmi ngcl othesandsomeshot s.Wethanwent
toMacdonal d.Wespentmostt imethere.Wewer e
busyt alking.I twasnowver ylatewewentback
home.Idr oppedMatatherhouseIwi l
lfetchher
l
at er.Wegothomeandwat chedTV.Kayl amom
toldust hatf oodisnowr eady.Wewentt ot he
dinningr oom.Weat et hanwentt ooursepar ate
rooms.Wewer eallget t
ingreadyt ogo.Iputonmy
blackr i
ppedski nny, whitetshirt
,Sneakersanda
l
eat herjacket .Itiedmyhai rintoamessybun.I t
wasnow8ont hedot.Iat
leastneedtotel
lKayl
a
mom.Ijustcan'tdosomethi
ngwi t
houttel
lher
.I
wentdownstai
rs.Shewasi nthekit
chen.)
Me:Eehmm.
..
mom we'
regoi
ngout.
Her
:okaydearpl
easebesaf
e..
.
Me:t
hanks.
Her:nowgogobef
oreyourdadcomesoutofhi
s
st
udy.
(Sowewer edrivi
ngdiff
erentcars.Tonywas
dri
vingtheguy'scarandIwaswi ththeladies.We
fi
rsttookMatandwentt ot heclub.Therewasa
fr
eet abl
esowewentt oit.Weor der
edsi ders,
beers
andf ourbott
lesofvodka.Itwasver ynice.Mat
l
ookedver yhappy.Iwassi tt
ingnexttoher.She
pull
edmet othedancecircl
e.West ar
teddancing.
Shet hanpull
edmebackt othetablewewer esi
tt
ing
at)
Mat
:Lal
iNi
cki
sher
e..
.he'
sher
e.
Me:Wher
e?
Mat
:ther
e.
(AndguesswhatAust
inwast
her
etoo.)
Mat
:let
'sgoandgr
eett
hem .
Me:what
?No.
..
yougo.
..
I'
m notgoi
ngt
her
e.
(
Shepull
edmebutTonyqui
ckl
ygrabbedmyar
m.
Hepul
ledmei
ntohi
m .Matwentt
ot hem )
Tony:Dancewi
thme.
Me:what
?Why?
Tony:Si
nceIcan'
thaveyouasmygi
rl
fr
iend.
Atl
eastdancewit
hme.
(Hi
shandswer
ear
oundmywai
st.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
15]Lynne: i
nser
t34

Nar
rat
ed

Lal
i:Tonypl
easel
etgoofme.
Tony:Why?Whyexact
lyLali
.Il
oveyou.Il
oveyou
wit
hallmyhear
t.Whycan'tyoul
ovemeback.
Lal
i:TonyIt
hinkyoushoul
dgohomeandsl
eep.
Tony:I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
e.
Lal
i:Okayl
etgoofme.

(Lal
itr
iedt
or emoveTony'
shandsf
rom herwai
st.
ButTonygrabbedherar
mt i
ght
.)
Lal
i:Tonyyou'
rehur
ti
ngme.
(Lal
ikeptst
eali
nggl
ancesatAust
in.Shewas
concer
nedthatwhyi
sAusti
nnotmaki nganymove)
Tony:Lookatme.
(Shedi
dn't.hefor
ceful
lymadeherf
acehi
m.He
st
art
edkissingheronherneck.
)
Lal
i:Tonywhatar
eyoudoi
ng.Canyouj
ustst
op.
(Final
lyAusti
nmadehi swaytothem .Heslapped
Tonysohar dthathi
smouthstar
tedbleedi
ng.He
tookLaliwi
thhim .Shemadehersitonhisl
ap.)
Aust
in'
sPOV

Atfir
stIthoughtLal
iwasenjoyingit.Butwhent hat
guykissedherneck.Idecidedtogot othem .She
wasnowsi t
ti
ngonmyl ap.Iwrappedmyar ms
aroundher.Sheputherheadonmyshoul der
.
Me:Ar
eyouokay
Lal
i:Yeah.
Me:Doyouknowhi
m
(Shesi
gned)
Her
:Yeah.
..
he'
s.
..
wel
l.
..
mybr
other
?
Me:What
?
Her
:Wel
lhi
smot
heri
smar
ri
edt
odad.
Me:okay.
..
sowhatwashet
ryi
ngt
odoexact
ly
Her
:Hehasbeenaski
ngmeout.
Me:MhhIsee.
(Ikeptl
ooki
ngathi
m .Iwi
llt
eachhi
m al
esson.He
doesn'
tknowme.)
Me:Erhmm.
..
babet
hesear
emybr
other
s.Ni
ckand
Ondr
eaz.
(Theyext
endedt
hei
rhandsf
orhandshake.)
Ni
ck:Ni
cet
omeet
.
(Lal
iwhi
sper
edi
nmyear
)
Lal
i:Dot
heyst
il
lrecogni
zeme.
Me:Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hat.Itol
dthem ever
ythi
ng
andmyhappi
nesscomesfir
st.
(Weki ssed.Wehadsomuchf un.Idi
dn'tknowLali
candanceunt ilt
oday.MatandNi ckwerenowl ove
bir
ds.Everysingleminut
et heywoul dki
ss.Itwas
ti
met ogo.Idr oppedLalioffatherhouseandwent
tomyhouse.Mybr other
scameal ong.We
conti
nueddrinking.)
Ni
ck:Imustsayyourgi
rl
fr
iendi
sbeauti
ful
.Ifshe
wer
en'
tyour
sIwouldhaveaskedherout.
Me:I
'
mthel
ucki
estman.
Ondr
eaz:ButIdon'
tseeyourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thher
l
asti
ngforl
ong.Imeanifdadfi
ndsoutt
hatyou
hel
pedher.Tabl
eswil
lturn.
(That'
smyolderbrot
her.Isometi
mesfeell
ikehe
hatesme.MayitthefactthatIwi
llbet
henext
Alphanothi
m.)
Nick:Asl
ongaswekeepi
tasecr
etdadwi
llnever
f
indout.
Me:Yeah.SoNi
ckwhenar
eyougoi
ngbackt
o
Dubai
.
Ni
ck:Inotgoi
ngbackt
her
e.Iwi
llnowwor
kher
e.
Me:I
sitbecauseofMat
.
Nick:Yeah.
..
Ithi
nki
taboutt
ime.Ial
sost
artmy
ownf amil
y.
(Whilewewer est
il
lbusyt al
kingIrecei
vedacall
fr
om Emi l
ia.Ii
gnor
edi t.It
oldherwhatwas
happeningbetweenusi sover.Butshedoesn'
t
l
isten.Shekeepscall
ingme.)

Atanundi
scl
osedar
ea
Emi
li
a:Mom .Di
dauntNor
ahaveaki
d?
Her
mom:Idon'
tknow.
..
whyar
eyouaski
ngmet
hat
?
Emi
li
a:Noi
t'
snot
hing.
Mom:Itseemsyouhavef or
got
tenthatIwas
bani
shedfrom t
heDrugi
omin.Sothi
ngsthat
happenthatsi
deIdon'
tknow.Myfamilycut
tedal
l
ti
eswithme.
(Emi
li
akeptqui
et)
Mom:Butoneday. ..
onesil
lydayIwi
llr
evengeall
that.Iwi
llmakesureeveryonesi
ngl
epersonfr
om
theDrugi
ominsuffer.Howarethi
ngsbetweenyou
andyourboyfri
end.
Emi
li
a:Wel
lsomenewbi
tchi
str
yingt
orepl
aceme.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeup.Ihadareal
lyt
erri
bleheadache.Itur
ned
andsawMatsleepi
ng.Il
aughedandcover edher
wit
hablanket
.Iwenttobathandwentdownst
air
s.I
madetwoicecof
feesforthebot
hofus.Shewas
awakesoIgaveherthecoff
ee.
Mat
:Thanks.Yooh.
..
Ihaveasever
eheadache.
Me:Metoohey.
..
MhhsoyouandNi
ck.
(Icl
ear
ed
mythr
oat)
Mat:Ithinkhe'
sint
ome.It
hinkhef
eel
sthesame
wayaboutme.AndyouandTony.Whatwas
happening.
Me:Fr
iendInevert
oldyou.Tonyhasbeenaski
ng
meout.
Mat
:What.
..
isn'
theyourbr
other
.
Me:he'
sast
epbr
other
.
Mat
:Butst
il
l.
Me:Soonedaywekissed.Nowhet
hinksIf
eelt
he
samewayabouthi
m.
Mat
:Mhh.
..
youki
ssed.
(Shegavemeanast
ysmi
le)
Me:St
opi
t.
(it
hrewt
hecushi
ont
oher
)
Mat:LetmeletdadknowthatI
'
mf i
ne.Bef
orehe
st
artsworr
yingabouthi
spri
ncess.
(Shetal
kedt
oherdadandtookabath.Aftershe
wasdonewewentdownstai
rstohavebreakfast
.
Ever
yonewasal
readyt
her
e.)
Me:Goodmor
ning.
Kayl
a:Goodmor
ningmyt
wodear
s.
Dad:Icheckedmyschedul
e.NextweekI
'
mfr
ee.We
canalsogotomorr
ow.
Kayl
a:Wowt
hat
'sevenbet
ter
.
Dad:Kayl
ayoumustbookt
hepr
ivat
ejet
.Wewi
ll
useit.
Kayl
a:Okaylove.Gir
lswheny'
l
lar
edoneeat
inggo
andpackyourclot
hes.
Zi
a:Yhoo.
..Ican'
twait
.Lal
ipl
easecomeandhel
p
mechoosewhichclot
hesIcanpack.
Me:Okay...
thanaft
erwewi
llgoandt
akeMat
's
cl
othesatherhouse.
Mat
:Yeah.
..
ial
soneedt
otel
ldad.
(wewentt oZia'
sbedr
oom.Allhercl
otheswer
e
scatt
eredonthebed.Wehelpedherchooseand
thadrovetoMat'
shouse.Shetoldherdadandtook
herclot
hes.Wecamebackhome.Wewer enowjust
chil
li
ngbythepool)
Zia:SoMatandyouLaliwhydi
dn'
tyout
ellust
hat
youhaveboyfr
iends.
(Wel
ookedateachot
her
.)
Me:Don'
tworr
ysis..
.Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyou.Iwas
wai
ti
ngfort
herightt
ime.
Zi
a:AndyouMat
?
(Shewasbusysmi
li
ngonherphone.)
Me:Fr
iend?
Mat
:GuysIhavet
ogo.
..
ineedt
oseesomeone.
Me:Mhh.
..
Nickr
ight
?
(Shenoddedandsmi
led.Her
eal
lymakesher
happy.)
Addi
son:Heyguys(Shesi
gned)Thi
ngsbet
ween
TonyandIar
en'
twel
l.
(what
?Idi
dn'
tevenknowt
heywer
edat
ing)
Me:You.
..
youguysar
edat
ing
Zi
a:Yeah.
..Ial
sohadt
ofi
ndoutonmyown.She
hi
ditfr
om us.
Addi
son:guysIt
hinkhe'scheat
ing.Whenwe'
re
i
nti
matehenolongerlooksatme.
Me:Maybehe'
sgoi
ngt
hroughsomet
hing.
Addi
son:Yout
hinkso
(Ij
ustnodded)
Addi
son:Lal
icanyoupl
easespeakt
ohi
mforme.
Youguysseem cl
ose.
(Iswal
lowedhar
d)
Me:Notexact
ly.
Addison:ComeonLal i.
..
justpl
easeaskhimifhe
sti
lll
ovesme.Soi fhedoesmyhear tcanbeat
ease.Andifhedoesn'tanymoreIcanstoptr
oubl
ing
him andmoveonwi thmyl if
e.
Me:Iwi
llt
ry.
Addi
son:canyoupl
easegonow.
..
Me:N.
..
no.
.now?
(Shehel
dmyhands)
Addi
son:Pl
ease.
..
Ireal
lyl
ovehi
m .AndIdon'
twant
t
olosehim.
Me:okay.
(Istoodup.Thi sisgoi
ngt obehardf orme.Ir eall
y
don'twantTonynextt ome.Iwentupst ai
rstohi s
room.Hewasl ayingonhi sbedwithonlysweat pant
on.Hi smusclesandsi xpackwer eoutthere.I
clearedmythroat.Shest oodupandwentst r
aight
tome.Hesl owl ypushedmeunt i
lIreachedthe
doorhelockedi t.Iwasbr eat
hingveryquickl
y.He
wentbacktohi sbed.It ookadeepbr eath.)
Me:Er
hmm.
..
mom.
.hey.
Tony:HeyLal
i..
.whatdoyouwanther
einmyr
oom
?
Me:Actual
lyEr
mm. .
.icameherebecauseI
'm
concer
nedaboutyourrel
ati
onshi
pwithAddison.
(heraisedhisoneeyebrow)Specifi
cal
lyI
'
m
concernedaboutAddison.Shelovesyou.She
deepl
yl oveyou.Shesaidlat
elyyouhavebeen
i
gnoringher.
(Hekeptqui
et)
Me:Tonydoyousti
lll
oveher
?Becausether
e'sno
usekeepi
ngherwhi
leyounolongerl
oveher.It
's
hurt
ingher.
Tony:Lal
iwhyyounevert
oldmet
hatyouhavea
boyf
ri
end?
(Iswal
lowed)
Me:Er
hmm .
.mom
Tony:It
houghtyouandIshar
eever
ythi
ng.
Me:Weusedt
oo.Sinceyoustart
edbehavi
ngt
hat
waywi
thme.Thingshavereall
ychanged.
Tony:LaliI'
m sor
ry.
..i
fonl
yyoutol
dmebef ore.I
wouldn'thavedoneallt
hat.Lal
iIl
oveyouandi fhe
makesyouhappy.Iwi l
lburyal
lmyfeel
ingsIhave
foryou.Areyouhappywi t
hhim
Me:Yes.
..
hecar
esf
ormeandmakesmehappy.
Tony:That
'sgood.I
'
m sor
ryonceagai
n.Ihopeyou
for
giveme.
(Iwentt
ohi
m .Ihuggedhi
m)
Me:If
orgi
veyou.Imi
ssedyoubuddy.
Tony:Imissedyoutoo.Comejoi
nme.Iwas
watchingamoviehereonNet
fl
ixbef
oreyou
di
sturbedme.
Me:Sor
ry.
Tony:Nopr
obl
em.
(ILayeddownnextt ohi
m.Wewat chedt
hemovie.
Ireal
lymissedhim.Andever
ythi
nghesaidIcoul
d
seeinhiseyesthathemeanti
t.)
Me:Doyoust
il
lloveAddit
hough.
Tony:Yes...
somuch..
.i
t'
sjustthatIhavebeenver
y
confused.Butnowt
heconfusionIhadisclear
ed.
Me:That
'sgood.Youneedt
otal
ktoher.Andt
ell
hert
hatyousti
lll
oveher
.
Tony:Yeah.
Tony'
sPOV

IknowIsai dal loft hoset hingst oLal i.ButIdidn't

meananyofi t.Ijustsai dal lthatfort hesakeofher
happi ness.I fshe' shappyt hanI '
m happyt oo.But
myl ovef orherwi l
lforeverr emai n.Maybesome
dayshewi l
lr eal i
zet hatIl oveher.Il oveherso
dear l
y.Shewi llforeverbet hel oveofmyl ife.I
wonderi fLal iknowst hathi sboyf r
iendi sawol f
.
Butshedoesn' tseenl i
kesomeonewhobel i
evesi n
thoset hings.Manypeopl eallthecr eaturesar ejust
myt hs.Wher east heyexi st.Ialsot oldhert hat
becauseIdon' twantt omesswi thAust in.YesI
knowhi mf rom t heunder wor l
d.Hi m andhi s
brothersar er espect ed.Soi fyoust il
lwantt olive
youbet terbeonagoodsi dewi ththem .ButInever
thoughtLal iwi llfallforsomeonel i
kehi m .Imean
hisfami lyisver yevi l.Theyhi deal ltheirdirt
iness
withmoney.Toeveni magi net hathe' sadoct or.He
kil
lsandsavespeopl eatt hesamet i
me.Idon' t
evenwantt ot elluncl ethathesl appedme.Hewi l
l
startpani ckingandsuggestt hatIr unaway.Ij ust
havetolaylowwi t
hLali.ButIwil
levent
ual
lyprove
toherthatI'
mt heonef orher.Sowewer ewat chi
ng
acomedi cmovi e.Hersmi l
ejustmakesmef eel
bett
er.Ikeptlookingather.Iwishshecansee
thr
ought hatIreall
yloveher.

Her:Youhavebeenqui
et.Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng
about?
Me:No..
.Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngofbuyi
ngagi
ftf
or
Addi
son.
Her
:Wow.
..
that
'sevenbet
ter
.
Me:Sohowl
onghaveyoudat
edhi
m.
Her
:It
hinki
thasbeenaweekorl
ess.
Me:mhhIsee.Di
dhet
ellyouever
ythi
ngabout
hi
msel
f.
Her
:Yes.
..
whyar
eyouaski
ng.
Me:Lal
idoyoubel
ievei
n..
.l
ikecr
eat
ures.
Her
:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
.
Me:Li
kedoyoubel
ievet
hatVampi
res,
beast
s,
Wol
ves,
wizar
dset
c.Doexi
st.
Her
:No.
..
Idon'
t.Thosear
ejustmyt
hs.
Me:no.
..
that
'snot
rue.Theydoexi
st.
(Shel
aughed)
Her
:Youwat
chal
otofmovi
esyou.
Me:I
'
m ser
iouscomeseet
his.
(Imadeherst
andup.Istoodinfr
ontofher.I
showedmemyf angsandmyskinwaschanging.
Shewasn'
tscar
edorshook.Thatconf
usedme. )
Me:Ar
en'
tyouscar
ed.
Her
:er
mm.
..
Iam .
.j
hooTony.
(Icoul
dseet
hatshewaspr
etendi
ng.)
Her
:Sohowcomeyoucanwal
kont
hesun.
Me:I
'm notaf
oolvampire.Mymotheri
sahuman.
Mydadwasavampi re.Thatmakesmeahalf
vampi
re.
Her
:Mhh.
isee.Sowhathappenedt
oyourf
ather
?
(Iwentandst
oodbyt
hewi
ndow.Iwasl
ooki
ng
out
side)
Me:WhatIcantel
lyouishedi
ed.Andt
heper
son
r
esponsi
blewi
llsoonpay.
Her:Whoist
hatpersont
hough.Whowoul
ddo
somethi
ngli
kethat
.
Me:i
t'
stheAdi
la.
Her
:What
?HOW?
(
Itur
nedt
oher
)
Her
:whatImeani
swhywoul
d..
.Ihavet
ogobye.
(Shewentout.Okayt
hatwaswei
rd.)

Mat
'sPOV

SoNickf etchedme.Wewentt oAust

in'
shouse.
Whenwegott here.Thepl acewasalitt
lepacked.It
l
ooksliketherei sami niparty.Wegotin.Hesai dI
mustgoandhel patthekitchen.Heshowedmet he
ki
tchen.WhenIwasgoi ngIsawAust i
n.Andt here
wasagi rlsit
ti
ngonherl ap.Iwenttothekitchen.
Ther
ewasaver ybeaut
if
ull
adybusypr
epar
ingf
ood
.Igreet
edher
.

Me:Hel
lo.
Her
:ohhhey.
(
Shewi
pedherhandsandhuggedme.Okay)
Her
:Iassumeyou'
reMat.
Me:Yes.
Her:Mhh.
..
you'
remorebeaut
if
uli
nper
son.Ni
ck
showedmeyourpict
ures.
(Ij
ustsmi
led)
Her
:SoI
'
m Char
li
.Ondr
eazwi
fe.
Me:Ohh..
.ni
cet
omeetyou.I
sther
esomet
hingI
canhel
pyouwit
h.
Her:Ermm ..
.I
'm al
mostdonebutyoucanhel
pme
di
shf orever
yone.
Me:what
'
stheoccasi
on
Her
:Not
hingser
iousr
eal
ly.I
tjustaf
ami
lydi
nner
.
Me:Fami
lydi
nner
?
Her:
yeah.
..
Nick'
scousi
nar
eal
soher
e.Onl
ymot
her
andf
atherar
enothere.
Me:mhhIsee..
.andthel
adywho'
ssi
tt
ingwi
th
Aust
in.
..
whoisshe?
Her:Wel
lhei
ntroducedherashi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.Her
nameisEmil
ia.
Me:What
?Imeanwow.
Her:don'
twor
ry.Iknowthathe'
sdati
ngLali.I
t'
s
j
ustthathi
scousinscannotknow.Becauseifthey
f
indout.Theywillst
rai
ghtawaytel
ltheAl
pha.
Me:mhhIsee.
Her:Iwi
shIcanal
someetLal
i.ButImustsayshe'
s
al
sobeauti
ful
.
Me:yeahshei
s.
(Anywaywegaveever yonet heirf
ood.Afterthey
weredonewewashedt hedishes.Wet hanwentt o
si
tnexttoourmens.ikeptlookingatAusti
n.The
wayhewashol dingt
hatgi r
l.Theywoul devenkiss.
IwassodisgustedIdecidedt oaskNicktotakeme
backtoLal
i'
s.WhenIgottheretheywereal
ready
asl
eep.Iwentt
o!Lal
i'
sroom shewasn'
t.Shewas
movingupanddown.)
Her
:Ohhf
inal
lyyou'
reback.
(Shehuggedme)
Her
:Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.
(Shet
oldmewhatTonyt
oldher.)
Me:I
t'
sbet
tert
hatway.
Her
:Di
dyouandNi
ckhaveagr
eatt
imet
oget
her
.
Me:Notr
eal
ly.Ther
ewasaf
ami
lygat
her
ing.
Her
:Real
ly?Aust
innevert
oldme.
Me:Evenifhedi
d.Youwoul
dn'
thavebeenabl
eto
gotoit.
Her
:Yeah.
..
hey.
..
butat
leastl
etmeknow.
Me:l
et'
ssl
eep..
.I
'm ver
yti
red.
(Iwon'tt
ellLal
iaboutEmili
a.Idon'twanttocause
anyproblem t
otheirr
elat
ionshi
p.Theylookgood
toget
her.)
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
16]Lynne: i
nser
t35

Lal
i'
sPOV

IalmosttoldTonythetruthyest
erday.I'
m gr
atef
ulI
wasablet oholdmyself.Sowewokeupand
prepar
edf ort
hevacat i
on.Wewi l
lbeflyi
nglat
er
thoughbecausedadhasameet ingtoattendbef
ore
l
eaving.Sowewer esohypedup.Wecoul dn'
twait
togo.Wewer ejustchil
li
ngatZia'
sbedroom.
Zi
a:Ican'twaitt
ofinal
lygett
oMaur i
ti
us.Ican'
t
waitt
oseeguysf rom t
here.Ihear
dtheyarevery
goodlooking.
(Wel
aughed)
Addi
son:Lal
ithankyouverymuchfort
alki
ngto
Tonyforme.Yesterdaywemadeloveunti
lmorni
ng.
Youknowhef i
rst.
..
(wel
aughed)
Me:Youdon'
tneedt
otel
lusaboutt
he.
..youknow
r
ight
.
(Shel
aughed)
Addi
:itwassogreathey.I
'
m ver
yhappyt
hatt
hings
bet
weenhim andIarenowbacktonor
mal.
Zi
a:That
'sgr
eat.
(Aust
ini
scal
li
ng.)
Me:Er
hmm.
..
ladi
esihavet
otaket
his.
(Iwentt
omyr
oom)
Hi
m:Hel
lomyqueen.
Me:HeyMr.
..
howar
eyou.
Hi
m:I
'
m goodj
ustmi
ssi
ngmybabe.
Me:Shame.
Hi
m:Canyouspendani
ghtoverher
e.Pl
ease.
Me:Sorr
y...
Iwon'tbeabl
eto.Myf
ami
lyandIar
e
goi
ngforvacat
ion.
Hi
m:Mhh.
..
poorme.Can'
ttheyj
ustgowi
thoutyou.
Me:No.
..Ial
sowantt
ospendt
imewi
tht
hem and
al
soenj
oymyself
.
Hi
m:Isee.
Me:Andmaybegetmysel
fanot
herhandsome
boyf
ri
end.
Hi
m:Excuseme?
Me:I
'
mjoki
ng.
..
chi
ll
.
Hi
m:youbet
terbej
oki
ng.
(ij
ustl
aughed)
Hi
m:Sowhenexact
lyIwi
llseeyou.
Me:AssoonasIcomeback.
Hi
m:Andwheni
sthat
?
Me:Idon'
tknowwhenwewi
llcomebackhey.
Hi
m:okay.
Me:Whyyoudi
dn'
ttel
lmeaboutthefami
ly
gat
her
ingt
hatwashel
datyourhouse.
Him:Iwasgoi
ngtotel
lyou.
butst
il
lyouwouldn'
t
havebeenabl
etocome.Remembermyf at
her
want
syoudead.Youwer
easacr
if
iceandont
opof
t
hatyouescaped.
Me:Don'
twor
ryIunder
stand.
Hi
m:Ihavet
ogonow.Saf
ejour
ney.Il
oveyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.Thanks.
(Hehungup.Iwentbacktothegi
rl
s.Dadcame
backandwewer enowonourwaytotheair
por
t.We
goti
ntothej
et.Thevi
ewwasverybeauti
ful
.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

WhenIwasbusytal
kingt
oLal
i.Emi
li
awal
kedi
n
shewasbut
tnaked.
Me:you'
rest
il
lher
e?
Her
:Yes.
..
Iwashopi
ngwecan.
..
(Shemadeherwayt
ome.
)
Me:canyoupl
easel
eavemyhouse.Iwon'
trepeat
mysel
f.
(Shesetont hebedandst art
edplayingwi thher sel
f.
Shewasevenmoani ng.Verytempting.IloveLal iso
muchandsopassi onately.ButI
'm alsoaman.I
havemyownneeds.Iwentt oEmilia.Weki ssed.I
carr
iedhertothedr awer.Shewasal r
eadywetsoI
wentinandoutofher.Wekeptchangi ngposi t
ions.
Iwasnowhi tti
ngitfrom behind.Iwashol dingher
ti
nywaistsot i
ght.Justwhenwewer esti
llbusy
Nickwalkedin)
Ni
ck:WTF?
(Ipul
ledoutqui
ckl
y.It
hrewsomecashonher.)
Me:Getdr
essedandcal
lanubert
otakeyou.
(ShedidasItoldher.It
ookaquickshowerand
gotdressedt
hanwentdownstai
rs.Mycousinsand
Ondreazhavelef
t.Ni
ckwasbusywat chi
ngTV.I
setnexttohi
m)
Ni
ck:Andt
hanwhatwast
hat
?
Me:What
?
Ni
ck:Thatwashappeni
ngupst
air
s.
Me:Not
hing.
Ni
ck:MhhIsee.Aust
indoyour
eal
lyl
oveLal
i?
Me:YesIdo.Tr
ustmeIl
oveherwi
thal
lmyhear
t.
Ni
ck:ifyoureal
lyl
oveher.Youbet
terendt
hings
wi
ththatbit
chEmili
a.
Me:Ther
e'snot
hinggoi
ngonbet
weenEmi
li
aandI
.
Ni
ck:Ohh.
..
real
ly?
Me:Yeah.
..
she'
sjustmyf
uckbuddy.
Nick:Isee.Youhavechanged.Yourwi fe'
sdeat
h
changedyouf ort
hewor st.Youhavebecameaf uck
boy.PleaseAusti
nifyou'renotreadytobeina
rel
ati
onshipwithLal
i.Lethergo.I twi
llbebet
ter
thanbreaki
ngherhear tl
ikethi
s.
Me:YouknowAust
insomet
hingstr
angehappened
whenLal
iandIwer
esexual
lyi
nti
mate.
Ni
ck:Whathappened?
Me:Af t
erweweredonemywol
freact
edandher
beastdi
dthesame..
.
(
Hiseyeswi
dened)
Me:I
'
mreal
lyconf
used.WhenMyl
atewi
feandI
wer
eint
imat
esucht
hingneverhappened.
Ni
ck:Whoel
sehaveyout
oldaboutt
his?
Me:Noonej
ustyou.
Nick:Austin..
.don'
ttel
lanyone.Notevenmom.Lal i
canbeyourchosenone.Shecanbeyourmat e.
Andt hedayt hathappenedyouguyswer emat ing.
Meani ngifLaliisi
ndangeryouwi llfeelit.When
sheisphysi call
yinpainyouwi l
lalsofeelherpai n.
Ifshe'sextremelyangryinadanger ouswayyouwi l
l
feelheranger.Thesamewi llhappent oLal iwhen
you'r
et heonewhoi sexperi
encingthet hingsI
ment i
oned.
(Ikeptqui
etasIwasst
il
ldi
gest
ingal
lwhathehas
j
ustsaid)
Nick:ThereasonwhyIsaydon' ttellanyoneis
because.From t
heOegr at
enoonewant speace
withthebeast
s.Ifdadfindoutthatyouhavef ound
yourchosenonehewi l
lnothesitatetokillher
.AndI
meani t.Hecankil
lher.Andyouknowmom.She
alwayssupporthi
mi neveryt
hing.
Me:SoNi
ck.
..
what
'sgoi
ngt
ohappenatt
hewar.
..
I
can'
tletdadhar
m Lal
iandherspeci
es.
Nick:Tobehonest
..
.Idon'
treal
lyknowwhatwill
happenonthatday..
.butwhatyoucandoont hat
dayistomakesureLalii
sawayf rom t
heDrugi
omin.
Shecangethurt.Youneedheri nyourl
if
e.
(Iwasnowfeeli
nggui l
tyf
orsleepi
ngwithEmil
ia.I
nevert
houghtLalicoul
dbemymat e.Iwasfeeli
ng
l
ikeshi
t.Howam Igoi ngtofaceher.)
Me:If
eell
ikeshi
tbr
o.
(Hepar
tedmyshoul
der.
)
Nick:Youneedtot
ellherl
ilbro.Youtellher
.
AnywayI'
m nowgoingbackt omyhouse.And
Austi
ndon'
ttel
lOndreazabouteveryt
hingwe
di
scussed.
(Inodded)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Wear
ri
vedi
nthemor
ning.I
twasver
yhot.Sowe
checkedini nt
ot hisFivestarhotel.Mat, Zi
aandI
decidedtoshar ear oom.Wel lAddisonisshar i
ng
wit
hTony.Theyl ooksohappyt oget her.It
exted
Austinthatwehavel andedsafely.Sincewej ust
arr
ivedwedeci dedt ogooutandj ustdoat ourof
thi
shotel.Wewi llgoouttomor r
ow.Af t
erwewer e
donewewentbacki nside.Sowewer ejustchill
ing
andchoosi ngtheout fit
sfortomor r
ow.

Zi
a:Sowhatar
ewedoi
ngt
omor
row
Mat:Wewi
llgooutforshoppi
nghaveal
unchi
n
oneoft
her
estaurant
s.
Me:Okay.
..
Mat
:Maybel
aterwecangooutf
orcl
ubbi
ng.
(Ij
ustl
aughed.Mati
snowaddi
ctedt
ocl
ubbi
ng.)
Me:Youl
ovecl
ubbi
nghey.
Mat:RememberLalit
herewasati
mewher
eIwasn'
t
abl
eto.SoI'
mf i
ll
ingfort
hatt
ime.
(Welaughedevenmor
e.Zi
adi
dn'
tgett
hej
oke.We
l
aughedather)
Zi
a:Youguysar
ewei
rd.GuysOdi
nhasbeenaski
ng
meout
Me:Real
ly?
Zi
a:Yeah.
..
ImeanIhadaver
ybi
gcr
ushonhi
m.
Mat
:Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
osayt
ohi
m schoolgi
rl
.
(Weal
llaughed)
Zi
a:Idon'
tknowLal
i..
.pl
easeadvi
ceme.
Me:WhatIcansayisfol
lowyourhear
t.I
fyouf
eel
l
ikeyoul
ovehim .Thanyouguyscandate.
Zi
a:MhhIsee.
(itwasnow18: 00.Wewer eallgoingtogather
downstairsfordi
nner.Mom , MrsKaneanddad
wer eal
readythere.Wesatdown.Addi sonand
Tonycamedown.Weal lat eoverali
ght
conversati
on.Afterwefinishedwewentbackt oour
room .Wesl ept
.Wewokeupver yearly.Wetooka
bath.Iputonmyski nnyjeanandanof fshoul
der
croptop.Iwearmypushi nsandals.Itiedmyhair
i
nt oaneatbun.It ookmyhandbag.Wewent
downstairsandhadbr eakfastthanleft.Wewentto
everystor
e.Weboughtalotofclot
hes.Afterwe
weredonewentt oarest
aur
ant .Weorder
edsea
food.Itwasveryni
ce.Wet hanwentbackt ot
he
hotel
.Dadcall
edusalltohi
sr oom .

Zi
a:Heydad.
..
Yhoowehadsomuchf
unt
oday.
Dad:That
'sgood.Okayt
omor
rowwear
eal
lgoi
ng
t
othebeachasaf amil
y.
Zayn:Okay.
Kayl
a:Thanl
aterwecaneatout.
Me:Soundsgr
eat
.
Dad:Youal
lcanl
eavenow.
(Wewenttoourr
oom .Wear
egett
ingreadytogo
out.Zi
awasbusysear
chi
ngonherphoneforany
barwecangoto.)
Zi
a:Foundi
t..
.butwewi
llhavet
odr
essf
ormal
.
Mat
:That
'snotapr
obl
em .
(Iputonmyr edsi
lkbodyhuggi
ngdress.I
twas
kneelong.Iputonablackheel
.It
ookmyhandbag.
Weaskedadr
ivert
otakeusther
e.Wear r
ived.
Whenwewereaboutt
ogetinabouncerstopped
us.
)
Hi
m:booki
ngnumber
.
Mat
:What
?Whatbooki
ngnumber
.
Hi
m:Youbookwhenyouwantt
obei
nthi
sbar.
Me:Okaycanwebooknow.
Him:No.
..
butsi
nceyoul
adi
esar
ebeaut
if
ul.You
cancomein.
Me:Ohh.
..
thanksver
ymuch.
(Soi twasZi a,MatandI.Addi
sonandTonywent
out.Wegoti n.Itwasn'
tasful
lasIexpect ed.
Everythinglookedsobeauti
ful
.Everyonewas
wearingf ormal.Wewentandorderedt hreebott
les
ofwineandavodka.Sowewer esitt
ingatt hebar
stools.Themusi cwasplayi
ngdown.Asof tmusic
waspl aying.Thisi
sbori
nghey.Imi sst heonewe
usuallygot o.Ther
ewouldadanceci rcleandstaff.
Idecidedt obebusyonmyphone.)
Mat
:Lal
i..
.t
hatguyhasbeenl
ooki
ngatyou.
Me:Whi
chone?
Mat
:Theonei
nabl
acksui
t.
(Il
ookedathi
m.I
ndeedoureyesmet.Ij
ustt
urned
backt
oMat.Heisadarkchocol
atebl
ackguy.He
i
shandsomeImustsay.)
Mat
:Yhoohe'
ssohandsome.Let
'sgot
othem
Me:What
?Ar
eyoumad.
..
wedon'
tevenknowt
hem .
Mat
:ComeonLal
i..
.l
et'
sjusthavef
un
Me:Nowear
enotgoi
ngt
othem .
Zi
a:ComeonLal
i..
.Theyar
ethr
eeoft
hem andwe
ar
ethree.
Me:Godguys.
..
behave.
..
wewi
llseem l
ikel
oose
gi
rl
s.
Mat
:What
ever
..
.Lal
iyou'
rebor
ing.
(Iwentbacktomyphone.It ookaf ewpicsandput
i
tbacktomybag.It urnedatMatandZi atheywere
nolongersi
tt
ingnexttome.Thesegi rl
saretroubl
e.
WhenIwasst il
lsearchingfort
hem.Someone
tappedmyshoulder.Ilookedatthatperson.I
twas
thatsameguy.Hel
ookedmorecut
e.Hewasal
so
smelli
ngni
ce.Heext
endedhi
shand)
Hi
m:CanIdancewi
thyou.
(Ikeptl
ooki
ngever
ywher
efort
hegir
ls.Isawthem
si
tti
ngwitht
heguyswhowerewit
hthisguy)
Me:Er
hmm .
..
Nah.
..
Hi
m:Comeon.
(Heputmyhandonhi sshoulder.Hewashol
ding
theotherone.Hisotherhandwasgrabbi
ngmy
waist.Hei sagooddancerImustsay.Wedanced
whiletal
king.)
Him:Sowhatabeaut
if
uldi
amondl
ikeyoudoi
ng
here.
(Ichuckl
ed)
Me:Icamet
ohavef
unwi
thmysi
ster
s.
Hi
m:MhhIsee.
..sowhati
syournamedi
amond
(Hetwirl
edmeandthangr
abbedmebackt
ohis
chest.Ourbr
eat
hsmet.Imovedabi
tfr
om hi
s
body.)
Me:I
'
m Lal
i..
.Lal
imi
.
(Hechuckl
ed)
Hi
m:Lal
imi?
Me:Yeah.
..
it
'sal
ongst
orybehi
ndmyname.
Hi
m:Isee.
Me:Andyou'
reMr
?
Hi
m:I
'
m Khul
ekani.
..
youcancal
lmeKhul
e.
Me:Mhhni
cet
omeetyouKhul
ekani.Sowher
ear
e
youf
rom.
Khul
e:Let
'sgoandsi
tther
e..
.sowecant
alk.
(i
twasat
abl
efort
wo.Hesatnextt
ome.)
Khul
e:I
'
mfr
om Capet
own.
..
andyou?
Me:Fr
om Guat
eng.
Khul
e:Idohavef
ewbusi
nessest
her
e.
(Ij
ustkeptqui
et.)
Khul
e:i
sther
eaguyi
nyourl
if
e.
Me:Yeah.
..
Khul
e:He'
slucky.
Me:Andwher
e'syourgi
rl
fr
iend
Khule:Wel
ldati
ngisnotmyt
hing.I
thasbeena
yearsi
nceIhaven'
tbeeni
narel
ati
onshi
p.
Me:Whyt hough.
..
becauseyoul
ookli
keaguy
whoseli
feissodeter
minedandyou'
real
so
handsome.
Khul
e:Wel
l..
.al
lmyr
elat
ionshi
psdonotendwel
l..
Me:Isee.
..It
hinki
t'
sti
met
ogonow.
Khul
e:Sur
e.
(Iwentt
owher
eMatandZi
awer
e.Igr
eet
edt
he
guys)
Khul
e:Thesear
emybr
other
s.
Me:Ni
cet
omeetyouguys.
..Matwehavet
ogo
now..
.
Mat:NahLal
i..
.i
t'
sst
il
lear
ly.
Me:Nowehavet
ogo.
Zi
a:Youcango.
..
theywi
lldr
opusof
fatt
hehot
el.
Me:Whoi
stheyexact
ly?Youguysj
ustmett
hem .
Mat
:ComeonLal
i..
.Wear
ejusthavi
ngf
un.
(Ican'tl
eavet
hem her
e.SoIsatdown.Khul
esat
nexttome.)
Khul
e:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah.
(Iwassi
ppingmyglassofwi
ne.Myphoner
angi
t
wasAust
in.Ianswer
ed)
Me:Hel
lo.
..
Hel
lo
(Icoul
dn'
thearhim clearasthemusi
cwasnowup
andpeopl
ewer etal
king.Isenthi
m amessageand
swit
chedi
toff.)
Khul
e:I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
Me:Yeah.
..
thatwasmyboyf
ri
end.
Khul
e:CanIhaveyournumber
s.
Me:Mhh.
..
Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
snecessar
y.
Khul
e:Comeon. .
.I
'm notaski
ngyouout.Ij
ust
wantyournumber.
(Webot hl
aughed.Igavehim .Sowewerebusy
tal
king.I
twasnowt i
met ogo.MatanZiawereso
drunk.Sotheguysdecidedtodropt
hem of
f.)
Khul
e:CanIdr
opyouof
f.
Me:Nah.
..
don'
twor
ryIwi
llcal
lanuber.
Khul
e:Ii
nsi
st.
Me:
li
ker
eal
lydon'
twor
ry.
(Heopenedt
hedoorf
orme)
Khule:DoIhavetodr
agyout
othecaroryouwi
ll
walkbyyoursel
f.
(Ij
ustgoti n.Idon'
twantt
obeembar
rased.Hewas
dri
vingaj eep.Heplayedt
hemusi
c.I
twasFinesse
byBr ysontil
ler
.)
(Hewassi
ngi
ngal
ongwi
thi
t)
Khul
e:Iwantmybabyt
ohaveyoureyes.
..
(Iwasnowinsti
tches.Imeanthedudehasa
beaut
if
ulvoi
cebuthecan'tsi
ng)
Khul
e:Doyouhaveapr
obl
em wi
thmysi
ngi
ngmi
ss.
Me:No..
.noyou'r
ethebest.
..
inf
actyoushoul
d
becomeanarti
st.
(Webot
hlaughed.Fi
nal
lyar
ri
vedatt
hehot
el.)
Me:Thanks.
Khul
e:Pl
easur
e..
.hopet
oseeyouagai
n.
Me:Bye...(
Iwenti n.Andwenttoourr
oom.Zi aand
Matwerebusysnor i
ng.It
ookthei
rcl
othesoffand
pl
acedblanketsont opoft
hem .It
ookaquickbath
anddri
ft
edt osleep.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
16]Lynne: i
nser
t36

Lal
i'
sPOV

WellImustsayMaur i
ti
uswasni ce.Ihadalotof
funwit
hmyf amil
y.Itfel
tsorelaxi
ngandref
reshing.
ForacoupleofdaysIforgotaboutal
lmyproblems.
Wewer enowathome.Wej ustgotbackbutIfeel
l
ikeIal readymi ssMaur i
ti
us.Wit
hKhulewear ej ust
fri
ends.Hei sacoolguy.Heneverevenonceasked
meout .That'sgreat.SoMatandIplannedtogot o
theOegr at
etomor row.Manydayshavepassed.
Ther e'
snot ime.SoIwasbusypacki ngtheclothes
Iwillneed.Af t
erIwasdoneIwentt odadinhi s
study.Hewasbusyonavi deocall
.SoIwaitedf or
himt of i
nish.Afterwhatfel
tli
keanhourhef i
nished.
Me:Wej
ustgotbackandyou'
real
readywor
king.
Dad:Yeahhey.
..
didyouguysenj
oyatMaur
it
ius.
Me:ver
ymuch.
..Imi
ssi
tnow.
(Hechuckl
ed)
Me:SoIwant
edtot
ellyout
hatt
omorr
owI'
m going
somewher
e.I
thast
odowi t
hmebeingabeast.
Dad:Okay.
..
Me:Ihavef
oundwher
eot
herbeast
sli
ve.SoIneed
t
obewi t
hthem .
Dad:Okay..
.Isee.I
fther
e'ssomet
hingyouwi
llneed
pl
easeletmeknow.
Me:Okay.
..
Dad:Sowhenar
eyoul
eavi
ng?
Me:Tomor
rowmor
ning.I
'
m goi
ngwi
thMat
.
Dad:Lal
iyouneedtogetal
icense.Iknowyoucan
dr
ivebut..
.youknow.
Me:YeahIknow.
..
Iwi
llgeti
twhenIcomeback.
(That
'sal
eastofmypr
obl
ems.)
Me:pl
easet
ellKayl
amom t
hatIwi
llbevi
sit
ingMat
f
orafewdays.
Dad:Yout
ooar
ever
ycl
ose.
..
Ili
ket
hat
.
Me:Yeah.
..
she'
ski
ndandsosweet.
Dad:Yeah.
..
Me:Ihavet
ogonow.
(Iwentbackt omyr oom t
osl
eep.Ineedtorestas
Iwil
lbedri
vingf orl
ongtomor
row.Isetanearl
y
al
armthansl ept.)

Nomhl
e'
sPOV
IknowIwant edt oki
llLali.ButI'm st
arti
ngtofeel
scared.Ihaveneverki l
ledaper sonbef or
e.And
Kiar
aandMi kear ebusyencour agi
ngmet odoit.
SoLaliblockedmeInowcan' tgetthroughtoher.I
havetri
edf oral ongesttimetogett oher.Ican't
evengot oherf ather'
shouse.Thesecur it
yisvery
ti
ght.Ineedtocomeupwi thanotherplantokil
lher.
Mymot herandIwer ebusywat chingTV.
Her
:Whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout
?
Me:Nothi
ngi
mport
ant
..
.Iwasj
ustwonder
ingi
fmy
babywasgoi
ngt
obeaboyorgirl
.
(Shej
ustsi
ghed)
Me:Mom ifImayask..
.whatwoul
dyoudoi
f
someonecausedyousomuchpain
Her
:Whatdoyoumeanexact
ly
Me:Li
kewoul
dyour
evenge.
..
Her:Never.
..
Iwouldjusttellmylordthanhecan
decidewhattodotohim/ her.Deardoyou
rememberthatyourstepdadusedt oabusemeso
much.ButIneverplottedanythingagainsthi
m.Al
l
Ididwast opray.Iprayedsohardt hatsomeday
mayIf indpeace.I
tseemsmypr ayerswerehear
d.
Wher eishenow?. .
.Sodearprayeristhebest
weapont hatnoonecanevertakef rom you.You
justneedtohavefait
handopenupyourchestt o
yourlord.Worshiphim.
(Ij
ustnodded)
Her:IknowLal
icausedyousomuchpai n.Butpr
ay
..
.praytoGodthatsherecei
vesthepuni
shmentfor
whatshedidtoyourinnocentbaby.
Me:Isee.
..

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwaswokenupbyanal ar
m.I twas4o'clock.Iwoke
upandtookaqui ckbat
h.Iputonmybl ackcar go
pantandwhi t
etshir
t.Iputonmysneaker sandput
mytoil
etr
iesinmybag.Iwentt othekitchenand
madeast rawber
rysmoothie.It
handrovet oMat's
pl
ace.Igotinshewasal readywait
ingforme.
(Il
aughed)
Me:Ar
ewegoi
ngt
ospendawhol
emont
hther
e?
Mat
:Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Me:Twosui
tcases.
(Il
aughedevenmor
eherf
atherj
oinedme.
)
Me:Anywayl
et'
sgo.
..
(Ihelpedherwi
thonesui
tcase.Wewer
enowon
theroad.)
Me:Let
'
sbuytakeawaysf
rom St
eer
s.Justi
ncase
wegethungr
yontheway.
Mat
:Sur
e.
(Weboughtthem andsnacks.Sheal
sobought2
bot
tl
esofwine)
Me:Iwi
llnotdr
ink.
Mat
:Wewi
lldr
inki
tther
e.

Odi
n'sPOV
TodayIhaveadatewit
hZia.Idon'treal
lyl
oveher.
SoIwenttoherhouseandpickedherup.Wewent
toaveryexpensi
ver
estaur
ant.Ipul
ledachairf
or
her.Shesatdown.
Me:Youl
ooki
ngbeaut
if
ul.
(Shebl
ushed)
Her
:Thanks.
(Thewaitermadehiswayt
ous.Weorder
ed.Whi
le
wait
ingshewasdrinki
ngwi
neandIwashavi
nga
gl
assofscotch.)
Her:SowhathappenedbetweenyouandAvani.
BecauseImeanyout oowerelovebi
rds.Youwer
e
al
waystogether
.
Me:Wel lwhatIcant el
lyouis.Notallrel
at i
onshi
ps
canlastforever.Andt herearet
hingsthatkeepa
rel
ati
onshipgoi ng.Likeifyouguysgiveoneanot her
ti
me, unconditi
onalloveandsuppor t
.Whent he
rel
ati
onshiplacksal lthat.I
tbecomest oxic.So
whatIcansayi swewer enolongercli
cking.We
wer
ebot
hignor
ingeachot
her
.
Her
:MhhIsee.
Me:Sodoyouhaveaboyf
ri
endorhadone.
Her
:Wel
lwi
thmypastboyfr
iends.Iwouldn'tsay
wewer
einarel
ati
onshi
p.Wewer ej
usthavingf un.
Me:Whatwoul
dyousayi
fIt
oldyout
hatIal
sowant
t
ohavefunwit
hyou.
Her
:F.
.f
un?
Me:Yeah.
..
Her
:w.
.wel
l
(Herfacewasabi
tdi
sappoi
nted.Iwonderwhat
'
s
shethought.)
Her
:WellIwoul
dn'
tmind.You'
reahandsomeguy.
Anygi
rlwil
lwantt
ohaveFUN!Withyou
(Sheshout
edt
hef
unpar
t.Peopl
ewer
enow
st
ari
ngatus.)
Me:Ar
eyouokay.
(Shef
akesmi
led)
Her
:Yeah.
..
Excuseme
(Shewentt
othebat
hroom.)

Mi
ke'
sPOV

Iwaswi
thmysi
steratt
heof
fi
ce.

Ki
ara:IhavealwaysknewthatNomhleisweak.
What'
stakingherthi
slongtoki
llLal
i.
Me:Itrust
edher..
.i
tseemswehavetodo
somethingel
sethatwil
lmakeherwantt
oki
llLal
i
ri
ghtatthi
sinst
ance.
Ki
ara:Somet
hingl
ikewhat
?
Me:I'
m notsur
eyet
..
.butweneedt
oharm her
mother.Andmakei
tlookli
kei
twasLal
i.
Ki
ara:Howexact
ly.
..
Me:Idon'tknow.
..
butIwi
llsur
elycomeupwi
tha
st
rongplan.
Kiar
a:Okay..
.Iwi
llwai
t.
..whycan'
twej
ustki
llLal
i
forour
sel
ves.
Me:Yousawwhathappenedt
odad.Doyoual
so
wantt
odiethatway
(Shenoddedno)
Me:I
tbet
tert
ouseNomhl
esoi
twon'
tbackf
ir
etous.
Ki
ara:Isee.

Aust
in'
sPOV

Iwasbusythi
nki
ngofhowI '
m goi
ngtotellLali
.She
wil
lbehear
tbr
oken.Imeanwehavejuststarted
dat
ingnowthi
shappens.Ideci
dedtocallher.

Me:Hey.
Her
:Hel
loboyf
ri
end.
Me:Howar
eyou
Her
:I'
m goodandyou
Me:I
'
m goodt
oo.
..CanIseeyout
hiseveni
ng.
Her
:No.
..
Iwon'
tbeabl
eto.
Me:Ther
e'ssomet
hingi
mpor
tantIwantt
odi
scuss
wi
thyou.
Her
:Can'
twedi
scussi
tthr
ought
hephone
Me:No.
..
Her:Sor
ryhey.
..
I'
m awayf
rom home.AndIdon'
t
knowwhenIwi l
lcomeback.
Me:Wher
ear
eyouexact
ly
Her
:Ihavet
ohungupnow.
..
I'
m dr
ivi
ng.
.bye.
(Shedr
oppedi
t.Ihi
tmyhead.Shi
t.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Afteralongassti
ri
ngdrivewefinall
yar r
ived.The
ti
mewas17: 30.Itwasnotyetver ydark.Wegot
outofthecar.Wemadeourwayt othegat e.It
l
ookedsool d.Itwasevenbreaking.Itwasn't
l
ockedsoweopenedi tanddr ovein.Therewereso
manyhouses.Theywer einabadst ate.Noperson
canli
vei nsuchhouse.Theywer ealsokidsplayi
ng
out
side.Therewasabi gtri
plestoryhouse.It
l
ookedsool dandthepaintwaswashedof f
.I
par
kedt hecarandwentt othekids.

Me:Hel
lo.
(Theyj
ustl
ookedatmeandrant
odif
fer
enthouses
.What?Matmadeherwaytome.)
Mat
:Ar
eyouokay.
Me:Yeah.
..I
'
mjustconf
usedwhy.
..
Mat
:Lal
i!Lal
i!l
ook.
..
let
'sr
un.
(Itur
nedback.Ihaveneverseensomanypeopl
e
l
ikethi
s.Somest ar
tedtr
ansformi
ng.)
Mat
:Lal
ilet
'sr
un
Me:NoIwon'
t.
..
yougobackt
othecar.
Mat
:noIwon'
tleaveyouher
e.
(Thr
eebeast
smadet
hei
rwayt
ous.I
tgr
abbedMat
byherthr
oatandthrewheracrosstheground.I
t
thanmadeitwaytome.I tl
ookedreall
yangry.I
keptmovi
ngbackitwasbusygr owli
ng.Ifel
l.Fr
om
nowayanol dwomenmadei twayt oit.Shewas
usingast
icktowalk.)

(Sheshout
ed)
Her
:SHE'SFI
NALLYHERE.
..
SHEFOUND
US.
..
WE'RESAVED.
(Ever
yonewasnowbusyt al
king.Theyt
ransfor
med
backtotheirbodies.Theonethatwasinfrontofme
alsotr
ansformed.Itwasaguy.Hewasbusy
l
ookingatmel ikehewantt oeatmeup.Wewent
backtostandwi t
hot her
s.Butheneverstopped
l
ookingatme.Iwentt oMat...)
Me:Ar
eyouokay
Mat
:Yeah.
..
mybackhur
tsal
it
tl
eandmyt
hroat
.
Me:I
'
m ver
ysor
ryf
ri
end.
(Shesmi
led)
Mat:Don'
tapol
ogi
ze.We'
rei
nthi
stoget
her
.Okay.
(Inodded.Ihel
pedherup)
Me:Pl
easesi
tint
hecar
.
Mat
:NoIwon'
t.
..
Iwi
llst
andnextt
oyou.
Me:No.
..whati
ftheyhur
tyouagai
n.Iwi
llneverbe
abl
etof
orgi
vemyself.
Mat
:Lal
i..
.don'
twor
ry.
..
not
hinggwi
llhappent
ome.
(Webot
hwentbackt
othem .)
Theol
dlady:SHE'
STHEADILA.
..
SHE'
SWHATWE
HAVEBEENWAI TINGFOR.FORALLOURLI
VES.
SHE'
SHERETOSAVEUS.
(
Someonespokef
rom t
hecr
owd)
"Shecameher
ewi
thawol
f..
.Howcanwet
rusther
"
Me:No.
..
she'
smyf
ri
end.She'
shar
mless.
(Awomenal
sospoke)
"Andyou..
.howdoyouknowt hatshe'
stheAdi
la.
Shedoesn'
tlookl
ikei
t.She'
sjustayounggir
lwho
don'
tknowwhatshewantsinf ut
ure."
Theol
dwomen:NeverspeaktotheAdi
lal
iket
hat.
Mydearshowt
hem thatyou'
ret
heAdil
a.
(Shewast al
kingt
ome.It ookadeepbr eath.I
slowlytransformedfull
y.Igr owled.Theyallgrowl.I
transformedbackt omysel f.Theystartedtal
kingto
themsel ves.Theythanallbowedt omeandst arted
singing.Somewentt ot
heirhousesandbr ought
i
nst r
ument smade.Theyst ar t
edmaki ngnoise.)
"Fi
nal
lywe'
resaved"
(Thatsameguykeptgi
vingmethemostscar
y
l
ooks.Hewentawayf r
om thecr
owd.)
Me:Iwi
llbeback.
(If
oll
owedhi
m .Hewasmovi
ngver
yfast
.)
Me:Wai
t.
(Hest
opped.Imademywayt
ohi
m)
Hi
m:Whatdoyouwant
?
Me:Ar
eyouokay
Hi
m:Whydoyouask
Me:BecauseIwantt
oknow.
Him :Whynow?Whyaf t
ert
hislongyoudeci deto
comenow.Youknowwehaveal lbeenli
vinginfear
andpover t
y.Al
lcreatur
esusedt ocomeher eand
dowhat evert
heylike.Whenwegot othecit
y.They
usedtochaseusoutofi t.Why?Becausewehave
noleader.Whydidyoucomenow.Heee. ?Tolaugh
atusandt heconditi
onwe'r
elivi
ngi n.
Me:Well.
..
Ijustf
oundoutaboutt
hispl
ace.Idi
dn'
t
knowsuchplaceexi
sted.I
f.
..
Him:Youknowwhatyou'rewast
ingmyt
ime.Save
yourexplanat
ionf
ort
hosepeopl
ewhoar
e
i
nterest
edt oi
t.
(Wewentaway.Iwentbackt
oever
yone.)
Mat
:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
(Theol
dladymadeherwayt
ous.Shebowed)
Me:Seri
ouslygr
anma.
..youdon'
thavet
obowto
meeveryti
me.Youar
eolditmustbever
yti
ri
ngt
o
keepbowing.
(Shej
ustsmi
led)
Her:You'
resoki
ndmydear
.Anywaybr
ingyour
bagssoyoucangotot
heIndr
uig.
Me:I
fImayaskwhat
'st
hat
?
Her
:Iwi
llt
ellyouont
heway.
(Wetookourbags.Matl
eftonesui
tcaseandt
ook
theot
herone.Wewerenowgoing)
Her
:Sot
heI
ndr
uigi
sthathouse.
(Shewaspoi
nti
ngatt
hatbi
gtr
ipl
est
oryhouset
hat
wesaw.)
Her:Yourgreatgr
eatgreatgr
andpar
ent
sli
vedt
her
e.
I
tisonlyforyourfami
ly.
Me:I
t'
ssobi
gthough.
Her :Yeah...
inthosedaysyourf amilywasverybig.
Thi ngschangedwhenyourmot hermovedt othe
city.Hersisterbeingevil.Yourfamilywasspli
t
apar t.Yourgrandmot herdied.SoIwasacl ose
fri
endofher .Sheoncet oldmet hat.Asshedies
theywi l
lbeababygi rlborn.Totakecareofthi
s
place.TheAdi la.Shehasdi f
fer
entpowersthatno
beasthaseverhad.Iwai tedforyoulongti
meago.
Thedayyouwer ebor n.Ther ewasaver ybad
storm here.I tbrokemostoft hewi ndowsoft he
Indruiganddest royedi t.That '
sbecauseyouwer e
supposedt obegi venbi r
thher e.Iwasevenst arti
ng
tolosehopet hatyouwi l
levercomeher e.Thi s
placeneedsyoumor et hanever.Theywantt o
fini
shusof f.I '
m gladyou' reher e.Youknowwe
havebeenl ivingver yhar d.Youknowher et heyar e
differ
entpeopl ewhoschool edandwentt o
universiti
es.Butt heycan' twor ki nthecity.Weas
beastwewer epr event edt ogot ot hecitybyt he
l
eader sofdi fferentcr eatur es.Wehadnosayt othat
becausewehadnol eader .Noonewast heret o
fightforus.Wej ustkeptqui et
.Butsi nceyou' re
nowher e.Ihopewecanr egainourdi gni t
yandt he
strengths.Youknowt hem goi ngt otheci tytolear n
wasver ydifficul
t.Theyusedt oliveinfear.They
changedpl aces.At l
eastt heyfinished.Thepr oblem
i
st heycan' twor k.Butsi nceyou' rehereIknowyou
wi l
ldosomet hi
ng.Backi nt hedaysbeast swer e
veryrespect ed.Theywer eknownofbr averyand
theyneverl ostanyf ightt hatwasf ormedagai nst
them .
Me:Sohowist
her
elat
ionshi
pbet
weent
hebeast
s
andwol
ves.
Her:Don'
tevengothere.Weareenemiesandno
onecanchangethat.YouknowtheAlphausedt
o
sendpeopleher
etoabuseus.Wehat ethem wi
th
passi
on.Theareveryevil.
(Iswal
lowedhar
d)
Her:Deareveni
fyout rytobri
ngaboutpeace.I
twi
ll
neverwork.Peopleherehatethem .Theywant
nothi
ngtodowi t
ht hem .That
'swhytheywantedt
o
hurther.
Me:MhhIsee.
(Wewentinthishouse.Iwasver ydir
ty.Thewal l
s
hadspi
derwebs.Therewasnoel ect
rici
ty.Sosheli
t
acandl
e.Therewasabi glounge.Ithadsomany
ol
dcouches.Wet hanmovedt othedinningroom.
Ther
ewasaver ylongtabl
ewi t
hsomanychai rs.)
Her:Yousee.
..
Theyusedt
ohaveallt
hei
rmeal
s
her
e.Allt
hesechai
rswoul
dbefil
led.
Me:What
?Butt
her
ear
esomanychai
rsher
e.
Her:It
oldyoubefor
e.Yourf
ami lywasver
ybig.
Youknowt heywereal
soservantswhoweretreat
ed
l
ikethemembersofthefamily.Yourgr
andmother
wasverykindhey.
(Wemovedupst
air
s.Theywer
esomanyst
eps.
)
Her:Idon'
tthi
nkIwi l
lmakei
ttothetop.I
'm nowol d
.Butyougirlshel
pmesoIcanshowy' l
leverythi
ng.
Iknowwewon' tfi
nishal
lbedr
ooms.Theyar ejust
much.Butwecangowher eallt
hefamilybelongs
arekept.
(Wehelpedher.Wef
inal
lyreachedthetop.We
wereal
lveryt
ir
ed.Shewasl eadi
ngtheway.She
tr
iedt
oopenthedoorbutitwaslocked.)
Her:.
..
erhmm ...
It
'sl
ocked.Ican'
tevenr
emember
whereallt
hekeyswer ekept.Butwecangot
oyour
mom'sbedr oom.
(Wemadeourwayt here.Luckil
yenoughi twasnot
l
ocked.Weopened.Ther ewasaver ybigf our
posterbedandithadcurtai
nsar oundi
t.I tthose
bedsthathavecurt
ainsaroundthem .Itlookedvery
genuineandstr
ong.Theol dladywentandopened
t
hedr
awer
sandf
oundanal
bum.)
Her
:Doyouwantt
oseet
hepi
ctur
esofyourmot
her
.
Me:Iwoul
dlovet
o.
(Wesatontheolddust
ycouchthatisinhere.She
openedt
healbum .I
twasf
irstt
hepictureswhen
shewasyoung)
Her:Your eal
lyt
ookaf t
erher.Youlookli
keher
.She
wasr eal
lybeauti
fulandkindhear
tedli
keyou.She
l
ovedpeace.
(Ikeptlooki
ng.Wef inall
yreachedt hepictures
whenshewasmyage.Shel ookedexact l
yl i
keme.
Evenhersmi l
e.Wef l
ippedandt herewaspi ct
ures
shewasal lgrownup.Herf acelooksfami li
ar.She'
s
theladythatusedtoappearonmymi r
ror.Idon't
knowhowt ofeel
.AllalongIcouldn'tseet hatitwas
mymot her.)
Her
:erhmm...
youguyscanchoosear
oom t
osl
eep
on.I
'm goi
ngbacktomyhouse.
Me:What
?Nowecan'
tsl
eepher
e.Onl
ythebot
hof
us.
Her:Dearthisi
syourhome.I
t'
sthesaf
estpl
ace
youwilleverbeat.
(Il
ookedatMat)
Me:Wi
llyoubef
inesl
eepi
ngher
ewi
thme.
Mat:What?Youdon'
tevenneedt
oaskme.I
'
m
def
ini
tel
ysleepi
ngher
e.
Theol
d:nowyougi
rl
shel
pmewi
tht
hest
air
s.
Me:sur
e.
(Wehelpedher.Wedeci
dedt
olookar
oundt
his
massi
vehouse)
Mat
:it
'ssobi
g.
(Wewer eusi ngourphonesf orli
ght.Wemadeour
wayt owhatl ookedl ikeaki tchen.Itwasver ybi g.I
t
i
salsof il
ledwi thfurni t
ure.Everyt
hingwaspl aced
accordingly.Therei sacupboar dfordiff
erentt ypes
ofglasses, Cups,plat es,bowlsetc.Yest hef urni
tur
e
i
soldbuti t
'sveryst rongandofhi ghqual i
ty.We
wenttoot herr ooms.Eachr oom istri
plemyr oom
backathomeandi thadt wodoor s.Mostoft hem
havebal conies)
Me:Sowher
ear
ewegoi
ngt
osl
eep.
Mat:Idon'
tknow.Shi
t..
.wedi
dn'
tevenbr
ingany
bl
anket.
Me:l
et'
sgotomom'
sroom.Maybewewi
llf
ind
somet
hing.
(Wewentt her e.Andopenedt hewardrobe.Ther e
weresomanycl ot
hes.Especi al
lydr
esses.We
foundonebl anket.Itsmel l
edsohorrible.Thething
aboutt hi
shousewehaven' tcomeacrossanyr at.
Whi chisstrangeusual l
ythehousest hatwer elong
notusedwoul dbef ill
edwi thrat
s.Anywayweput
onourpj s.Iguesswewi lluseournightgownsas
blankets.Weusedoneonebedr oom thatwas
downst air
s.Iwasabi tdi
rtybutbett
erthant he
otherrooms.Wer emovedt heduvetfrom thebed
andsl eptoni t.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
16]Lynne: i
nser
t37
Lal
i'
sPOV

Wewerewokenupbyt
henoi
seout
side.Okay
what
'shappeni
ng.
Mat
:Lal
iwhat
'st
hat
.
Me:I
t'
speopl
e'
svoi
ces.
(Wewokeupputourgownson.Iwenttothedoor.I
putonedoorastheyar
etwo.Myeyeswidened.I
t
wassomanywomen.Theyhadbucketsf ul
lof
water
.Theywereevenyounggi
rl
s.Oneladybowed
downandspoke)
Her
:Wecamet
ocl
ean.
(wel
lIcan'
tsayno.Thest
ateoft
hishousei
sver
y
bad.
)
Me:r
eal
ly?.
..
thankyouver
ymuch.
Her
:itourdut
yasyourpeoplet
omakesur
eyoul
ive
i
nahealthyandcl
eanenvir
onment
.
Me:Thanksver
ymuch.
(Iopenedbot
hdoor
sfort
hem .MatmadIwentt
o
t
hecartoeat .Aft
erthatwewentbackin.Luckil
y
t
herei
swat eri
nthishouse.I
t'
sjustt
hatthebath
r
oomsar ever ydi
rty.Soweusedoneshower.I t
wasn'
tcleanbutwehadnochoi cebuttouseitasi
t
i
s.Afterwewer enowweputonourcl othesand
wentt
ohel p.Oneladycamet ous)
Her
:I'
m sor
rybutwecannotal
lowyout
owor
k.
Me:Why
Her:You'
rearel
ikeourGod.Sowecan'
tletyoudo
al
lthiswork.
Me:don'
twor
rydear
.Iwantt
o.
Her
:Li
keser
iousl
yIcan'
t.
Me:er
mm .I
sther
eanear
estt
own
Her
:Ther
eisbutbuti
tabi
tfar
.
Me:okay.
(MatandImadeourwayt ot hecar.Weneedt o
buyafewt hi
ngstocleanandsomepai nt
.Wedr ove
ther
e.i
twasveryfarbutwef i
nall
ygotthere.We
madeourwayt oahar dware.Luckil
yIbroughtmy
cardhere.Weboughtalotofpaintsandcleani
ng
supplies.Iwantedt obuyt hevacuum cl eanerbutI
can'tsincetheel ectr
icit
ytherei
snotwor ki
ng.We
boughtsomegr oceriesandtwobl ankets.Weneed
tofixtheelectr
icitysoal lt
heblanketstherear e
washed.Weboughtsomanycol ddrinksforthe
cleaningwoman.Wedr oveback.Whenwegot
theretheywer est i
llbusy.Wegavet hem al lt
he
cleaningsupplies.Thepai nti
ngwi l
lbedone
tomor row.Icall
eddad)

Hi
m:Hey.
..
howar
ethi
ngsgoi
ng
Me:Well.
..
Ihaveusedal
otofcashf
rom t
hecar
d
sor
ry.
Hi
m:Sorr
yforwhat
..
.t
hemoneyyouhavejustused
i
snot
hing.Youcanspendi
tal
lifyouwant.
(
Ijustl
aughed)
Hi
m:Howar
eyou.
Me:I
'
mfi
neandyou
Hi
m:I
'
mfi
ne.
..
we'
rej
ustmi
ssi
ngyou.
Me:Imi
ssyouguyst
oo.
Hi
m:Ihavet
ogonowdear.
..
bye.
Me:Bye.

(Wegavethem col
ddrinksasitwasveryhot.That
oldl
adywhowaswi thusyesterday.Madeherway
tous.
)
Her
:Di
dyougi
rl
ssl
eepwel
l.
Me:Yeswedi
d.
Her
:That
'sgood.

(I
twasnowver
ylat
e.Wewenti
n.)
"
Wewi
llf
ini
sht
omor
row"
Me:Thankyouver
ymuch.
"
Youdon'
tneedt
othankus.Wewer
edoi
ngwhatwe
wer
esupposedt
odo."

(Theyal
lwentout.Ever
ythi
nglookednew.Itwas
evensmel
li
ngfresh.Weputallt
hegrocer
ieswe
boughtintheki
tchen.Wemadeourwayupst ai
rs.
Mor er
oomswer ecleaned.Afewar
eleft.Wewent
backtothekit
chenandmadesandwi chesfor
oursel
ves.Wesetatthedini
ngtabl
eandate.)
Mat
:It
'sver
ybi
ghey.
..
itl
ikeamal
l.
(wel
aughed)
Me:Sowhenar
eyougoi
ngt
ochoosear
oom f
or
your
sel
f.
Mat:Ehmm .
..
Iwil
levent
ual
lybutnowIwantt
o
sharewi
thyou.
(Wel
aughed)
Me:Weneedt
ogetsomeonet
ofi
xtheel
ect
ri
cit
y.
Mat:Yeah..
.dadknowaf
ewpeopl
ewhocanhel
p
wi
ththat.
Me:Thatwoul
dgr
eat
.
(Shecal
ledherf
ather.)

Aust
in'
sPOV
Ihavebeent r
yingtocallLali'
sphonebyitgoes
str
aightt
ovoi cemail
.Ievent ri
edcal
li
ngMatbut
herstooi
sswi t
chedoff.Iwasonmywayt oNi ck'
s
house.Imademywayt here.Hewasbusycooki ng.
Thisonewillneverstoplovingtocook.Wellhe'
s
verygoodincooking.

Ni
ck:Heyl
ilbr
o.
Me:Hey.
(Hef
ir
stbumped)
Ni
ck:Haveyout
oldLal
i
Me:noIhavebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lherbutherphone
i
sswitchedof
f.
Ni
ck:Ihaveal
sobeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lMat
'her
sisof
f
t
oo.
Me:Iwonderwheretheyar
e.Becausel
astt
imeI
tal
kedwit
hLalishesai
dshecan'tseemeasshe'
s
awayfr
om home.
(Ni
ckkeptqui
et.Hewasnowdi
shi
ng.Thef
ood
wasver
ydeli
cious.)
Me:It
hinkyoushoul
dteachmehowt
ocook.Thi
s
f
oodisgreat
.
Ni
ck:Thanks.
..
Eveni
fIt
eachyou.You'
rever
ylazy.
(Ichuckl
ed)
Me:Iwasthi
nki
ngofvisi
ti
ngmom anddad
t
omorrow.Foracoupl
eofday.
Ni
ck:Mhh.
..
Whyi
sever
ythi
ngokay
Me:Yeah.
..
Ijustmi
sst
hem .
Ni
ck:mhhIsee.Iwi
llgowi
thyou.
Me:That
'sevengr
eat
.
Ni
ck:RememberwhatIt
oldyou.
Me:Don'
twor
ryIwi
llnevert
ellanyone.
Ni
ck:That
'sgood.

Lal
i'
sPOV
Ishasbeent woweekssi ncewehavebeenher e.I
mustsayt hingsar egoi ngwel l. Wehaveal so
startedwi tht het raining.Iwast eachi ngt hem what
myment ort aughtme.AndIwasal sot rai
ningt hem
howt opr ot ectt hemsel vesf rom anenemy.Wel lI
mustsayt hingsar el ooki ngver ygood.Thewomen
aremor edet er mined.Wel lTayl erstillhateme.That
guywhoal mosthur tmet hef i
rstdayIgother e.
Evendur i
ngt raini
nghegi vesmeat ti
tude.But
anywayI '
m notgoi ngt oent ert
ai nhi m.Fewl adies
volunt eeredt oheratt heI ndr uig.Wel ltheydoal lthe
chor esandcooki ng.Iwi shicanr ebui l
dal lthe
housesher e.Ican' tf inishdad' smoney.Ihaven' t
toldthem yetaboutt hecomi ngwar.ButIwi ll
event ual l
yt ellthem whenI '
m goi ngbackhome.I
willcomebackher et hedaybef oret hewar.Wel lI
nowcal lthatol dladygr anny.She' sal wayst here
forme.Shemakessur emyst ayher ei sgoodand
I'
mt reat edwel l
.Wel ltheel ectricit
ywasnowf i
ne.
SoIchar gedmyphone.Iswi t
chedi ton.Mi ssed
callsfr om Aust inst ar tedf looding.Iwi l
lcal lhi m
afterthet raining.Weusual lyst artear l
yi nthe
mor ningandt akeabr eak.Wewer enowcont inuing
thebr eakwasfi
nished.Wefi
nishedtr
aini
ngitwas
alreadydarkout
side.Well
Matwasi nthehouse.So
Itookal ongbat
handputonmypj s.Iwent
downst air
sandthefoodwasal r
eadyprepar
ed.We
ate.
Mat:Iwastal
kingt
oNick.HesaidImustt
ellyout
o
cal
lAusti
nwhenyou'r
eavail
abl
e.
Me:Ihopeyoudi
dn'
ttel
lhi
m ourwher
eabout
s.
Mat:Idi
dn'
t.Youknowtheguyfr
om Maur
it
iushave
beencal
li
ngme.Wel lhewant
stohavemeetme.
Me:what
?Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m
Mat:Itol
dhim whateverthatwashappeni
ngback
ther
e.Wewer ejusthavingfun.It
oldhi
m Ihavea
boyfr
iend.
Me:That
'sgood.
Mat :YouknowLali.
..Il
ikehavi
ngfunbutIlove
Nicksomuch.AndIwantt ospendrestofmylife
withhim.SoIwouldn'twantaguyfrom nowhereto
destroymyrel
ati
onshipwi t
hhim.
Me:That
'sgood.Khul
eandIar
ejustf
ri
ends.He
knowsthatIhaveaboyf
ri
end.Andnotevenonce
hehasaskedmet obehismorethanj
ustafri
end.
He'saniceguy.
Mat:That
'sgreat.Iwantt
oseeAust
inandyou
get
ti
ngmar r
ied.
(Ij
ustsmi
led.Ideci
dedt
ocal
lhi
m)

Me:Hel
lo.
Hi
m:Hi.
..
Me:Howar
eyou
Hi
m:I
'
m good.
Me:okay.
..
Hi
m:Areyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewher
eMatandyou
ar
eornot
Me:Okaywhat
'swi
tht
het
one.
..ar
eyouokay.
Hi
m:j
ustanswert
hedamnquest
ion.
Me:Wel
lwear
ehavi
ngami
nivacat
ion.
Hi
m:Wher
e
Me:Ican'
ttel
lyou.Youwantt
ocomeanddest
royi
t.
NoIwon'tt
ellyou.
(Idon'
tfeell
iket
ell
inghim aboutt
hiswholethi
ng.
Whoknowshemi ghttel
lhi
sdadt hatwe'
regett
ing
readyf
orthewar.Ican'taffor
dtofailmypeopl
e.)
Hi
m:whenar
eyoucomi
ngback
Me:Soon.Ihavet
ogonow.

(MatandIwentt
osl
eep.)

Kayl
a'
sPOV

Wel lKanet oldmet hatLal

iisatMat'
shouse.Wel lI
kindami ssher.Mybabyi sgr owi
ngver yfast.The
mor ehegr owsthemor eI'
m nothavingmysl eep
ever ynight.WellIalwaystofeedhimi nthemiddle
oftheni ght
.Sot odayKane,mybabyandIar e
eatingout.Wewentt oWimpy.Weor deredour
burger sandst artedeat
ing.Thebabywassi t
tingon
thet able.Hewasbusyspeaki nghi
sf orei
gn
l
anguage.
Hi
m:Sohaveyoust
art
edpr
epar
ingf
ort
heweddi
ng.
Me:Notr
eal
ly.
..
butIwi
llhi
reaweddi
ngpl
anner
.
Him:MhhIsee.Ican'
twai
ttof
inal
lycal
lyouMr
s
Kane.
Me:Met
oo.
..
Ican'
twai
ttobeMr
sKane.
(Hehel
dmyhand.
)
Him:Eversinceyoucamei ntoourhome.Thi ngs
havebeengoi ngsmoot h.Theki dsareveryhappy.I
tr
ulyappreciat
eyou.Ibel ieveGodsentyou.To
fi
nall
yrebuildmyfamily.Bef oreyoucame.We
weren'
tpayinganyattentiont ooneanother.Ther
e
wereproblemsaf t
erproblems.Ir eal
lyappreci
ate
you.
Me:Il
oveyou..
Him:Il
oveyoutoo.Sof
rom yourf
ami
ly.Whowi
ll
becomingfort
hewedding.
(Idr
ankwat
erasIchoke)
Me:Wel
l.
..
I.
..
Ionl
yhavet
wosi
bli
ngs.Mysi
sterof
whi
chwedon'
tgetal
ong.Mybr
other
.Isj
ustal
lover
t
heworl
d.I
t'
sveryhar
dtogett
ohim.
Hi
m:Isee.Anyauntoruncl
e.
Me:wel
l..
.wedon'
treal
lygetal
ong.
..
Hi
m:okay.
..
(IhopehebuyswhatI'
mtell
inghi
m.I fItellmy
famil
yaboutt
hisweddi
ng.Theywil
lcal li
toff.Si
nce
I'
m alr
eadymarr
ied.Myhusbanddidn'tsignthe
divor
cepaper
s.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

NickandIwer enowbackinthecit
y.Tobehonest
I'
m starti
ngt othi
nkMatandLaliar
eouttherebusy
cheat i
ngonus.Whywoul dtheynottel
lusthei
r
wher eabouts.IwasatNi
ck'
shouse.Wewer ejust
havingdr i
nks.Ondreazwalkedin.

Ni
ck:heybr
o.(Hel
ookedatme)Wel
lIwasn'
t
expect
ingt
oseeyou.
Ondr
eaz:NoIj
ustcamet
ocheckuponyou.
Ni
ck:MhhIsee.
Ondreaz:AndyouAust
inwhenar
eyout
ell
ingdad
aboutLali.
Me:We..
.wel
l.
..
Iwon't
.It
'snotl
ikewe'
rehavi
ng
somet
hingseri
ous.AnywayI'
m notgoi
ngtomarr
y
her
.
(Il
ookedatNi
ck.)
Ondr
eaz:MhhIsee.
..
ist
her
esomet
hingyouguys
ar
ehidi
ngfr
om me.
Ni
ck:No.
..
whywoul
dwehi
desomef
rom youbi
g
br
o.
Ondr
eaz:Youguysl
ooksuspi
ciousofsomet
hing.
Me:Nah..
.
Ondreaz:I
t'
sgoodthatYouandLal
iar
enotina
ser
iousrel
ati
onshi
p.OrelseIwoul
dhavet
olddad.
Me:Nahh.
..wear
ejusthavi
ngf
unni
thimuch.
Ondr
eaz:Isee.
..
wil
lyouguysbeatt
hewar
.
Ni
ck:Obvi
ous.
..
wewi
llbet
her
e.Si
ncedadwon'
tbe
.
Ondr
eaz:Okay.
..
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Me:Bye.
(Helef
t.Aft
erwehear
dhi
scardr
ivesof
f.Wet
ook
deepbreat
hs.)
Ni
ck:Youbr
other
..
.whyhe'
sli
ket
hisexact
ly?
(Ij
ustshr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.)
Nick:Heli
kesbehavi
nglikedad.I
'
m gl
adhewas
notchosentobethenextAlpha.
Me:Yeah.
..
event
houghIdon'
treal
lywantt
obei
t.
Ni
ck:Youhavenochoi
ce.
Me:YeahIguess.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ogett
oKayl
a'
shusband.Ihave
paidsomanypeopl etogivemeacl earinformati
on
abouthi m .Theyallcomebackwi t
ht hesame
answer ."Bossladyyoumust n'tmesswi t
hhi m.He's
somebodyyouwoul dn'tmesswi t
h.Ifyoudo
chancesofl ivi
ngar everylit
tle."SotodayI '
m
meet i
ngsomeoneel se.Ihopehewi lltel
lmea
dif
ferentstory.Igavehi mthel ocati
onwewi l
lmeet
at.Itwassomest r
eetthatisnotbusy.Idon' twant
peoplet oseeme.Hepar kedhi scarbehindmycar.
Hegoti n.

Me:Ihopeyouhavesomet
hingusef
ulIcanuse.
You'
remylasthope.
"Hi
m:Wellmadam Imustwarnyouf i
rst.Hei
sa
danger
ousmen.Hecanwi peallyourfamil
yifyou
messwithhi
m.
(Ij
ustr
oll
edmyeyes)
Me:Whoi
sheexact
ly.
..
Hi
m:Wellhi
sIdent
it
yi shi
dden.Hei sver
y
r
espect
ed.Whenitcomest oki
ll
ing.Hehasno
messy.AndImeanit.Ihavet
ri
edt ohackhi
s
account sbuteveryt
hingisprotect edbyvery
power f
ulresources.Madam It hinkwhateveryou
needhimf oryoushouldjustl
etgo.Bef or
ethings
tur
nhect ic.I'
m suresinceyouhavesentsomany
peopletof i
ndinformationofhim.He' salr
eady
searching.Andmadam Iwon' ttakeyourmoney.I
don'twantt obeinvol
vedi nal
lt his.
Me:Not
akei
t..
.i
t'
sfi
neyouwi
llneedi
t.
Hi
m:Madam whent
hingsbackfi
re.
..
don'
teven
ment
ionmyname.Ihaveali
ttl
ebabytotakecar
e
of
fandafami
lyt
osupport
.
Me:Okay.
..
don'
twor
ry.
..
Hi
m:Bye...Andmadam st
opwi
ththis.Because
st
orm wi
llcomeandyouwon'
tli
keit.
Me:Bye.
..
(Idrovebackhome.Whoi she?Whyi severyone
scaredofhim.Whywoul dKaylaat
tractsuchmen.I
won'tstopunt
ilIf
indhim.I
t'snotl
ikeIhave
anythi
ngagainsthim.Ij
ustwanttotellhimthathe
needtocomeandgethi swi f
ethat
'sall.Iwentto
thekit
chenandpour edmyselfagl
assofwi ne.)
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Wewi
llcont
inuet
omor
row
[
06/
23,
08:
17]Lynne: i
nser
t38

Lal
i'
sPOV

Ithasbeenf ewdayssi nceIcamebackf r

om the
Drugiomi n.TodayIwi lldri
vingbacksincet hewar
wassai dt ooccurt omor row.Tobehonestihaven' t
beenf eelingwel ll
atel
yevennow.If eelli
keIwi l
lfail
mypeopl e.If eell
ikemypower swillfailme.If eel
l
ikesomet hingbadwi l
lhappendur i
ngt hewar .Ijust
hopet hiswarwon' tbet heendofme.Mati satthe
Oegrateshe' skeepinghereyesonwhat 's
happeni ngt heresoshecanupdat eme.SoI '
m
busypacki ngmycl ot
heswhenacal lf
rom Aust i
n
camet hr ough.
Me:Hel
lobabe.
(Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)
Hi
m:HeyLal
i..
.howar
eyou
Me:I
'
m goodandyou
Hi
m :I
'
m good.
Me:youdon'
tsoundgoodt
hough.
(Hesoundsli
kethere'
ssomethingbot
heri
nghim .I
canal
sofeelt
hatthere'
ssomethingwei
ghinghi
m
up.)
Hi
m:Canyoupl
easecomeovert
omyhouse.
..
Me:Erhmm.
..
AsmuchasIwantt oseeyou.ButI
'm
af
rai
diwon'
tbeabl
eto.Ihavet
ogosomewher e.
Hi
m:There'
ssomet
hingi
mpor
tantineedt
odi
scuss
wi
thyou
Me:Can'
twedi
scussi
tthr
ought
hephone
Hi
m :No.
..Pl
easeLal
i..
.
Me:I
'
mreal
lysor
rybutIcan'
t
.
Hi
m:Ifyour
eal
lyval
ueourr
elat
ionshi
pandmyl
ove
f
oryou.Youwi
llcome.
Me:But
..
.
(titi
ti
..
.hedr oppedit.What 'swi t
hhi m.Doeshe
knowwhathei sdoi ngi salsoaf fectingme?.
MaybeIhavebeent ooi gnorantt owar dshim.
MaybeIhaven' tbeengi vi
nghi m muchofmyt ime
asmyboyf ri
end.MaybewhenIwasbusyf ixingmy
peopl eIwaspushi nghi m away.Thel eastIcould
doi stoseehi m now.It ookmybag, phoneand
carkeys.Fr om Aust in'
splaceIwi lldri
vestraightto
theDr ugiomi n.Idrovet ohi splaceandpar kedmy
carout sideasIwon' tbest ayingf orlong.Iopened
thedoorasi twasnotl ocked.Ther ehewasl ooking
allhandsome.Hemadehi swayt ome.Hi s
colognehi tmynost r i
ls.Hepl acedhi shandonmy
wai stwhi l
etheotheronewascuppi ngmyf ace.He
startedkissingmesogent ly.Idi dn'treal
izethatI
mi ssedhi mt hi
smuch.Ir eturnedt hekissand
placedmyhandont hebackofhi shead.We
kissedf orsomet i
meunt i
lhebr okei t.Hehel dme
bymyhandandt ookmet ot hedi nningroom.
Therewasami nidi
nnersetup.Hepulledachairf
or
me.Somet hi
ngisoffabouthim butIj
ustcan'
t
seem toseethr
oughhiseyesandsoul.WhenIlook
him deepi
ntohiseyesIj
ustfindnothi
ng.That'
s
str
ange.)
Hi
m:Haveaglassofwi
newhi
lewe'
rest
il
lwai
ti
ng
f
orthef
ood.
(Hewasn' tevenl ookingatme.It ookasi pofthe
wine.Igul peditalldown.Heof feredmeasecond
glass.Twogl assesofwi newon'tmakemet ipsy.I
willbeablet odr i
ve.Iwashal fwayt ofi
nishthe
secondgl ass.Myheadst ar
tedfeeli
ngheavy.When
Il
ookedar oundever ythingwasdoubl ed.A
messagecamet hrough.Icouldn'tevenseewher e
i
twasf r
om.Ihel dmyhead)
Me:It
hinkIshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Aust
in:Sur
e
(Itri
edtostandupbutmyl egswer efail
ingme.I
balancedmyselfwi
ththetable.BeforeIcoul
deven
takeaninchawayfrom t
het able.If
eltmywhole
bodyf ai
li
ngme.Icoll
apsed.)
Aust
in'
sPOV

Befor eshecoul
devenhi tthefl
ooriheldher.I
carriedhertomybedroom.Icar ef
ull
yplacedher
ont hebed.Itookherjeanof ff
rom herlowerbody
andputhermysweat pant.Icoveredherwi t
ha
blanketandkissedherforehead.Iheldherhand.

Me:I '
m sorrybabeIhadt ospikeyourbot t
leofwine.
Iwant edtomakesur eyou'r
esaf e.Idon'twantyou
tobepar tofwhatwi l
lbehappeni ngt here.Somany
peopl ewil
llosetheirli
veswhilet hosewhowi ll
survivewillbeimprisonedforet ernit
y.Sobydoi ng
allt
hisI'm doingmydut yasyourchosenonet o
protectyou.Iknowyoucoul dn'tseet hroughme.I
hadt ouset hespellmygr andmot hertaughtme.
Butwhenal lofthi
sisover.Iwi lltel
lyou
everythi
ng.Il oveyou.
(Iki
ssedheronemor et
imeandputherphoneon
thedrawer.Il
ockedt
hedooranddrovet
othe
Oegrateaswewi l
lal
lmeett
here)

Nar
rat
ed

Meanwhi l
epeopl eatt heDr ugi
omi nwer ej
ustsi t
ti
ng
alltogetherbusywor ryingaboutLal i
.Theydon' t
knowt hatt
hewol vesar eactuall
ycomi ngtonight.
Theyar eal
ljustwor r
iedaboutLaliwhohasn' t
arrivedyet.Wi thoutLal it
hey'r
edoomed.Lal iisthe
mi ssingpuzzl etot heirfr
eedom ,l
ivinghappil
yand
regainingtheirdignity.Peoplewer eevenstarti
ngt o
talk.Theoldl adywoul ddefendLali.Onewoman
roseupandspoke. ..

Thelady:Wherei
sshe?Wehavebeenwaiti
ngfor
hersincemorni
ng.Shepromi
sedust
hatbytoday
shewi l
lbewi
thushere.
Theoldwomen:She'
sonherwayI
'
m sur
eoft
hat.
Youjustneedt
obepati
ent
.

(Astheywer
ebusyt
alki
ngt
heyhear
dagr
owlofa
wol
f.)

Thel
adi
es:They'
reher
e..
.

(Tayl
ersmi
rked)

Thel
ady:Wher
eisshe.
..
shepr
omi
sedt
ofi
ghtt
his
warwi
thuswherei
sshenow..
.
Tayler
:Shedecei vedus.Shewant stogetri
dofus.
Sheknewt hatt
hewol veswerecomingtodaythat'
s
whyshedi dn'
tbothertocome.She'sfri
endswith
thewol ves.Doallofyour ememberthegir
lshewas
with..
.shewasawol f.
(Peopl
est
art
edt
alki
ngt
othemsel
ves.)
Theol
dlady:
stopspeaki
ngl
iket
hataboutourgr
eat
Adi
la.I
'm sur
eshedi
dn'
tknowt
hatt
heywer
e
comingtoday.
(Awomenspokef
rom t
hecr
owd)
"Howmanyti
mesar eyougoi
ngtodef
endher
..
.
wher
eissher
ightnow?Answerus."
(Peopl
est
art
edt
alki
ng)
"Yeswher
eisshe"
Tayler:Thesepeopl efrom theIndr uigdonothave
humani ty.Theynevercar edforot herpeople.Even
pastyear s.Myf at
hert oldmehowTheAdi l
a's
grandfatherwoul dt r
eatt hepeopl eoftheDr ugiomin.
Iknowal lt
hef emaleswer eniceandal l.Butthei
r
husbands, brother
sandf at
hers.Wer eevil.My
fatherdied..
.(Hecl earedhi sthroat.)er hmm whatI
meani swecandoi twithouther.Wedon' tneedall
thesemi ghtypeopl e.

(Thegr owlswerenowmoreandthesoundwas
closer.Thewomenandchil
drenweret
oldtost
ayin
theirhouses.Thebeast
swer
ealsoget
ti
ngready.
Theyst artedtr
ansf orming.Ast hewol vesmade
theirwayt otheDr ugiomintheybr okethegat eand
madet heirwayin.Theyst artedfi
ghting.What '
s
strangeaboutal lthisisthatinst
eadofOndr eazand
fi
ght i
ngt hebeastshewasbusyat tackingtheother
wol ves.Asever yonewasbusyf i
ghtingTaylerand
Ondr eazt r
ansformedbackt othei
rbodi es.They
madet heirwaybehi ndahouse)
Ondr
eaz:Wher
eisshe?
Tayl
er:Mhh.
..
wel
l..
.s.
.she'
snother
e..
.
Ondr
eaz:Whatdoyoumeanshe'
snother
e..
.
Tayl
er:Wel
l.
..shedi
dn'
tpi
tchup.
..
Ondr
eaz:Shi
tshi
tshi
t.
..
(Hewashi
tt
inghi
shead.
)
Ondr
eaz:Igaveyouasmal
ltaskbutyoucoul
dn'
tdo
i
t.Whatnowhe?
Tayl
er:Ipr
omi
seyou.
..
whenIf
indher.
..
Iwi
llki
ll
her.
(Ondr
eazsetdownf
orsometime.Het hanstood
upandmadehiswaytoTayl
er.Hest
raggledhim
sohar
dthathewasmovi
ngl
ikeanear
thwor
m.He
wasnowcoughi
ng)
Tayl
er:P.
..
ple.
..
pleasest
op.
..
(Hel
etgoofhi
m)
Ondreaz:Herei
swhatyou'r
egoingtodo.Yougo
backthereandkil
lmyli
tt
lebrot
her.Makesureyou
l
eavehim dead.Youneedtobequickast
hesunwill
nowr i
se.
(Tayl
ernodded)
Ondr
eaz:Andyoubetterdot
hist
askr
ight.Orel
seI
won'
thesi
tat
etoki
llyou.
(Ast
heywer
egoi
ngOndr
eazst
opped)
Tayl
er:What
'sup?
Ondr
eaz:Ismel
lavampi
re.
Tayl
er:They'
renovampi
resher
e.
(Theybothtransf
ormedback.Ther ewer
emore
beast
snowdeadast hewol veswer
esomany.A
fewofthem weresti
llf
ight
ing.Austi
nwasbusy
fi
ghti
ngwhenshar pfangsdugdeeponhisthroat
from behind.Het r
iedt omovebutt heyweretoo
deep.Hef inall
ymanagedt ogetont opofTayler'
s
beast.Whenhewasaboutt obit
ei tneck.Anot her
fangsattackedhi m exact l
ywher ehe' swounded.
Thef angst hatfi
nishedhi m offwer enotofabeast.
Theybel ongedt oawol f.Austint r
ansformedback.
Hebecameunconsci oussamet ime.Thebeast s
thatwerel eftaccepteddef eat.Thedeadbeast s
werebur nt.Thewomenandchi ldrenwer eforcedto
maket heirwayt ot heOegr ate.Aust inwastakent o
theOegr ateinsteadoft hehospi tal.Theybelieve
thathewi llgethelpther e.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwaswokenupbyasever epai nonmyneck.It ri

ed
tositupbutcoul
dn'
tthepainwasextreme.I
touchedmyneck.Ihadwounds.Istartedpanicki
ng.
Iwenttothemirr
or.
AndyesIwaswoundedandhad
fangsonmyneck.Iremember edwhatIwast old
thatIwil
lal
soexper
iencethesamethi
ngmy
chosenonei sexper i
encing.Thel eastIcandoi sto
remai nst rongf orAust in.IfIalsoallowt hi
spai nto
overcomeme.Wecanbot hdi e.Itri
edt oopent he
doorbuti twasl ocked.Fuck.Whydi dAust indo
thi
s.Why?I shewor ki
ngwi thhisdad.Ist ar t
ed
l
ooki ngf ort hekeyever ywhere.Idon' thave
str
engt ht obr eakt hisdoor.Inoneoft hedr awersI
foundmycel lphone.Ther ewer ealotofmi ssed
callsfrom Mat.It ri
edt ocallherbutherphonei s
off.Ifi
nal l
yf oundaspar ekey.Itookt hef i
rstaidkit
andst artedbandagi ngmyneck.It ookmycarkeys
anddr ovet ot heOegr ate.Ikeptt r
yingMat '
s
number .AsIwasdr ivi
ngabl ackcarst arted
fol
lowi ngme.WhenIt urnitalsodoes.Idr ovet oa
veryqui etst reet .Ipar kedmycarandwai t
edf orit
.
Wheni tpar kedIgotoutandwentt oi t.Istar t
ed
knockingoni twi ndow.)
Me:What
'swr
ongwi
thyou.
..
whyar
eyouf
oll
owi
ng
me..
.
(Asiwasstil
lbusyt
alki
ngNomhlegotoutofit.
Shewascarryi
ngagun.Shepoi
nteditexact
lyat
me.Ijustl
aughed)
Me:Ohh.
..
Hell
otoyout
ooMi
ssKhumal
o..
.Long
t
imenoseehey..
.
Nomhl e:Ithi
nkyoushoulduset
hisopport
unit
yto
cal
lallyourfamil
ymember sandsayyourlast
goodbyet othem .
..
bec.
..
(Justbefor
eshecoul
dcont
inue.Ibust
edouti
nto
l
aughter)
Me:Ohhpl
easest
op.
..
Ican'
tbr
eat
heanymor
e.
Nomhl
e:Iseeyout
hinkI
'
mjoki
ng
(Shest
art
edmovi
ngsl
owl
ytome)
Me:Okay..
.j
okesaside..
.NomhleI'
minalotofpain
ri
ghtnowandinhurr
y.SoIhavet ogo.Iwi
llvi
sit
yousomeotherdayforyourj
okes.
(
Ist
art
edwal
king)
Nomhl
e:St
oporel
seIwi
llshootyou.
..
Me:ohhpl
easeNomhl
e.Iknowyou'
reweak.So
st
opwasti
ngmytime.
Nomhl
e:Lal
iIwi
llshootyou.
Me:okayt
hanshootme
(Imademywayt oher .Shewasshaki ng.Mxm.I '
m
reall
ywor riedaboutt hepeopl efrom theDr ugiomin
andt hisbitchi sbusywast ingmyt ime.Il efther
thereandwentt ot hecar.Idr oveoff.Iar r
ivedat
theDr ugiomi n.Thegat ewasbr oken.Igotoutof
thecar .Suddenl yIf el
tmyt earsbuil
d.Thegr ound
wascover edbybl ood.Ther ewasal sof ir
e.Imade
mywayt oit.I twassmel l
inglikeabur ningskin.I
heldmymout h.Ist art
edshout i
ngforever yone.
Therewasnor esponse.Iwentt oeachandever y
housebutst ill.Irantot heIndruigandwentt o
mom' sbedr oom.Ihavenevercr i
edlikethis.I
fai
ledt hem andi t
'sallbecauseofAust in.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

HeyguysI '
m back.I
'
mfeeli
ngmuchbetternow.We
shallcontinuewit
hourst
ory.Thanksf
orthe
speedyr ecover
ycommentsandmessages
[
06/
23,
08:
17]Lynne: i
nser
t39
Lal
i'
sPOV

AsIwasbusysleepi
ngIwashavinganightmare.
Anol
dwomenwasst rangli
ngmetodeath.Iwas
nowsl
owlylosi
ngmybr eat
h.Al
adyspoke.

"
Mom. ..
mom pleasestop.St
opmom ibegyou.You
wil
lki
llher
.Youwi l
lki
llmybabyst
op"

Thewomenwhowasst raggl
ingmesai d,
"She
deser
vest
odie.Shefai
ledherpeople.Shedoesn'
t
deser
veal
lthepower
sthatweregiventoher."

Anoldmanspoke, "ohhplease.Ar
eyour eal
lygoing
tokil
lyourgranddaught
erfortheungrat
efulpeople
oftheDrugiomin.Theydeserveever
ythi
ng
happeningtothem ."
(Iwokeupsweat ing.Thepai nIwasf eelingonmy
neckwasnowver yext r
eme.Ihel dmyneck.I twas
bleeding.DamnyouAust in.Ifyoudi dn' tactst upid
wewoul dn'tbeher e.Mxm.Ist oodupandchanged
thebandage.Iwentdownst ai r
s.Bef or eIcoul d
evengetof ft helastst epsomet hingsentmeacr oss
thest eps.Ihi tmybackver ybad.What '
sgoi ng.
Doesi thavet odowi ththedr eam Ihad.Whi leIwas
tryingt ogetupt hesameol dladyf rom t hedr eam
came.SHewascar r
yingaver yshi ningst ickt hat
hadaheadofabeast.Shepoi nt edi tatme
suddenl ymybodyshook.Mywhol ebodywasnow
hur ti
ng.It riedtousemypower sbutt heydi dn't
wor k.What 'sgoi ngon?Bef oreshepoi ntedher
stickagai nt omeaf igurebl ockedher.She
dissapear ed.Iwasnowbr eat hingheavi ly.Isl owl y
stoodupandwentt odrinkwat er.It ookt hecar
keysanddr ovebackhome.I fIst ayanyl ongerher e
thatol dwomenIassumei smyl ategr andmot her
wi l
lkil
lme.Iknowi t
'smyf aul tthatever yonef r
om
theDr ugi omi ni sdead.Ij ustwi shIcanf ixal lthis
andbr ingt hem back.Igothome.Ever yonewasst i
ll
asleep.Imademywayt omybedr oom.It ooka
qui
ckbat
handslept.Asi
fIwi
llgetanpeace.Thi
s
womenkeephaunti
ngmeonmydr eams.

"mom canyoul
eavemybabyal
onepl
ease.She'
s
st
il
lyoungf
oral
lofthi
s"

(Gr
andmaspoke)
"weneedtotakeallt
heAdi
lapower
sfr
om her
.She
doesn'
tdeser
vethem."

(Ol
dmanspoke"

"whatdoyoumeanbythat.Youknowexact
lyt
hat
bei
nganAdil
arunst
hroughhervei
ns.Youcan'
tdo
anyt
hing"

Ispoke,
"b.
..
butitwasn'
tmyi
ntent
ionf
ort
hingst
o
gothisway.I.
..
"
(
Grandmaspoke)

"
Ohpl
easesavei
t"

Ispoke,
"i
sther
eawayIcanf
ixal
loft
his"

(
Grandpaspoke)

"Dear
..
.somearest
il
lal
ive.Theywer
etakencapt
ive
bythewolves"

(SuddenlyIf
eltsomeoneshaki
ngme.Isl
owly
openedmyeyesi twasKayl
amom.Islowlysetup
st
raight
)

Kayl
a:Ar
eyouokay?
(Inoddedyes)
Kayl
a:mydearwhathappenedt
oyourneck
(Ij
ustkeptqui
et.Idon'
twantt
ofr
eakherout.)
Kayl
a:Emm. .
.Iunder
stand.Getr
eadysoIcant
ake
youtothedoctor.
(Inodded.Igotupandt ookabath.Af
terIwas
doneIputonmyNi ket r
acksui
tsandsneakers.I
wentdownstair
s.Theywer ehavi
ngbreakfast
.Iset
down.Theywer eallbusystar
ingatme)

Tony:LAl
iar
eyouf
ine?
(Ij
ustnodded)
Tony:whathappenedtoyourneck?(Hewasbusy
l
ookingatsodeeply)Wherewereyouyest
erday.
Me:Er
mm.
..
w..
.wel
lIwasatMat
'spl
ace.
Tony:Mhh.
..Iunder
stand.
(Iknowhe'snotbuyingit.Wefi
nishedeating.
KaylaandIwerenowont hewaytoseet hedoctor
.
Wear ri
vedandgotattendedimmediat
ely.The
doctorwasbusycleaningthewound.)
Doc:Wer
eyoubi
tt
enbyawi
lddogorsomet
hing?
Me:Er
m..
.wel
l(Il
ookedatKayl
a)ar
m..
.
Doc:I
'
m askingsoIcangi
veyouthei
nject
iont
o
makesurethatt
hewoundhealsf
ast.
Me:CanIj
usthaveapi
llorani
nject
ionf
orpai
nsf
or
now.
Doc:Okay.
..
but
..
.
(Ijustraisedbothmyhandst omakehim keep
quiet.Hepr escri
bedafewt abl
etsandthi
ngst o
washmywoundwi th.Wedr ovetoMacdonaldand
boughtt akeaways.Wewentbackhome.Iwent
strai
ghtt omyr oom andlockedmyselfi
n.Idecided
tocallMat.Thi stimearounditranganswered.I
tr
iedsever alti
mesunt i
lsheanswered.)
Me:Hel
lo.
Mat
:Hey.
..
Lal
iwher
ear
eyou?
Me:I
'
m athome.
..
Mat
:OkayI
'
m onmywayt
her
e.Thi
ngsar
enotokay
.
Me:
okaycool.
(Af
tersomet
imeshear
ri
ved.Thef
ir
stt
hingshedi
d
wastohugme.)
Mat
:Hey.
..
howar
eyou
Me:Idon'
tknowhey.
..Howi
sAust
in
Mat
:Ever
sincehecame.Hehasbeenunconsci
ous.
Me:What
?Ar
en'
thesupposedt
obeupbynow.
Mat:St
rangethingsar
ehappeningbackatthe
Oegrat
e.Butdon'twor
ryabouthim.Ni
ckismaking
sur
eher ecover
s.Wherewereyouont hedayoft
he
war
Me:Well.
..
whatIrememberis...
IwenttoAusti
n's
house.Wehaddinneraf
tert
hatnothing.Thenext
dayIwokeupinhisbedroom andthedoorwas
l
ocked.I'
m sur
ehe'stheonewhodi dit.
Mat
:yeah.
..
I'
m sur
ehehasaval
idr
easonf
ordoi
ng
t
hat
.
Me:I
sheandt
heAl
phawor
kingt
oget
her
Mat
:no.
..
Aust
inwoul
dnever
.
Me:Ineedt
orescuemypeopl
e.Ineedt
ogett
hem
f
rom t
heOegrat
e.
Mat :I
t'
sgoingtobever
yhard.Ever
ythi
ngisjust
hecticther
e.TheAl
phaisbusyl
ookingforawolf
thatatt
ackedAusti
n?
Me:Awol
f?Howcome
Mat:Iknowit'
sst
rangerightbutindeedhewas
f
ini
shedbyawol f.Andwe'reallcuri
oustoknow
whowoul ddaret
rytoki
llthenextAlpha.
..
Me:mhhIsee.I
sther
eawayIcangeti
ntot
he
Oegr
ate.
..
Mat
:Ther
e'snoway.
..youwon'
tmakei
toutal
ive.
..
Me:yout
hinkso
(Shenodded)
Me:HowaboutweuseAust
inasabai
t
Mat
:What
?
Me:Yeah..
.wecanpretendtoholdhi
m ahost
age.
Wewillt
hantel
ltheAlphatorel
easemypeopl
eto
gethi
sson.
Mat:That
'sagoodplanbutit
'sal
sodangerous.The
Al
phaisverydangerous.Hei
snoteasi
lyfooled.
Andhowar ewegoingtogetAusti
noutofthat
pl
ace?
Me:Ni
ck.
..
Nickwi
llhel
pus.
..
Mat:Iwil
lcal
lhi
m .Hehasagoodheart
.I'
m surehe
wil
lagreetohel
pus.WhenIgethomeIwil
lcallhi
m
andletyouknowwhathesai
d.
Me:Thankyouver
ymuchMat.
..
Mat
:Howar
ethepai
ns?
Me:They'
rebet
ternow.
..
Mat:PleaseremainstrongforAust
in.Youneedt o
havestrengt
hsot hathecanalsopullthrough.If
youalsoacceptthepain.Youguyscanendup
dead.Ifonediestheotheronewon'tsurvive.You'
re
thepositi
vesidei
nhim.Remai nstr
ong.Ihavet ogo
nowbye.
Me:Bye.
..

Nomhl
e'
sPOV
Il
ockedmysel fi
nmybedr oom.Mom wasbusy
knockingonthedoorf ormet oopen.Iwascr yi
ng
anddest r
oyi
ng.Iwasbeyondangr yandbr oken.I
don'tknowwhyI '
mt hisweak.If i
nallygotthe
opportuni
tyt
okillLalibutIdi
dn't.Shecausedme
somuchpai n.Thescarofl oosingmyf i
rstbaby
beforeIcoul
devent ouchitwillforeverbeonmy
heart.

Mom:Nomhl
edearopenup.
..
youwi
llhur
tyour
sel
f
Me:No...
no...mom Iwon'
topen.I
fhurt
ingmysel
f
wi
llbr
ingclosert
omyheart.ThanIwil
l.
Mom:Dearpl
easeopensowecant
alk
Me:nomom.
..
you'
rebusyst
andi
ngt
her
epr
etendi
ng
t
ocaref
orme.
Mom:Ido.
..
alotsweet
y.
Me:ifyoudothanwhyar
en'
tyouhel
pingmegetri
d
ofLali
..
.sheki
ll
edmyunbor
nbaby.Shedeser
vest
o
di
e.
Mom:Don'
tspeakl
iket
hatmydear
.Thebi
blesays.
..
Me:Ohhpl
easemom ..
.sparemewi
tht
hever
ses.
Ri
ghtnowtheymeannothingt
ome.
Mom:nodear
..
.
Me:Yes..
.(Iwipedmytear
s.)It
hinkIshoul
djust
ki
llmysel
f.Sot
hatIcanbewit
hmybaby.
Peacef
ull
y.
(Shest
art
edcr
ying)
Mom:no.
.nopl
easedon'
tspeakl
iket
hatdear.
(Therewasat
otalsi
lence.Af
tersomet
imemom
spoke.
)
Mom:okay..
.f
ine.Iwi
llhel
pyouki
llLal
i.I
fthatwi
ll
makeyouhappy.
Me:St
opl
yingpl
ease.Iknowyoucan'
tevenki
lla
f
ly.St
opf
ooli
ngme.
Mom:OkayImaynotdoitmysel
f.Iwi
llhi
repeopl
e
t
okil
lher
.Idon'
twantherbl
oodi
nourhands.
(Iopenedt
hedoor.Shegoti
n.Shehuggedme)
Mom:I
fki
ll
ingLal
iwi
llmakeyouhappy.ThanIwi
ll
getpeopl
etoki
llher.Yourhappi
nesscomesf
ir
st
dear.
Me:Thankyoumom .
..
(
Shesi
ghed)
Mom:Ineedt
omakeaf
ewcont
act
sdear.Iwi
llbe
back.
(Shest oodupandwentoutofmyr oom.Icl osed
theandsmi led.That'
swasmypl an.Ineedt olet
MikeandKi araknowt hatmom i sonoursi de.One
sil
lydayIsomehowover heardthem talkingabout
kil
li
ngmymot her.SoIhadt omakesur ethatshe
supportstheideaofkill
ingLal i.Idon'twantt olose
herjustforLali.SoIt
ext edKiar aeverything.)

Tony'
sPOV

Somyuncl eandIwenttotheDr ugiomin.Thi

ngs
wereveryhecti
c.Wecouldn'
tevenseet heAdila.
ButIoverhear
dsomepeopl et
alking.Onesaidshe's
nothere.Iassumetheyweretalkingaboutthe
Adila.Ihear deveryt hingtheywer et alkingabout.
WhenIwasgoi ngawayIhear dAust in'snamebei ng
ment ioned.Lali'
sboyf ri
end.Icoul dn'trecognize
thei
rvoi cesnorseet hei
rfacesasi twasver ydar k.
AllIknowi sAust i
nhasar eall
ygr eatenemy.AndI
thi
nkt hosepeopl ear ealsor esponsiblef ort
he
woundsLal ihasonherneck.It hi
nkIneedt ot alkt o
her.Ineedt owar nheraboutAust inabouthavi ng
enemi es.Herl i
fecoul dbei ndanger .Iknowhowal l
ofthesepeopl ewor k.Theyhar mt heoneyoul ove
togett oyou.Ist i
lldon'tknowt heAdi la.Iwonder
whyi tdidn'tcomet ohel pitpeople.Maybeshei sa
cowar d.Thatwi l
lmakei teveneasyf ormet oki l
l
her.SoIdeci dedt ogoi nt
oLal i'
sbedr oom tot alkt o
her.Iknockednor esponse.Ideci dedt obudgei n.
Shewasbusyonherphone.Isatnextt oherinbed.

Me:Hey.
..
(Shekeptqui
et)
Me:Howar
eyou?
(Shej
ustshr
uggedhershoul
der
s)
Me:Doesi
thur
tsomuch?
Her
:What
?
Me:Theneck
Her
:it
'sbet
ternow.
..
Me:Whathappened?
Her
:Er
mm .
..
Not
hing.
(Ipl
acedmyhandonherchi
nandmadeherf
ace
me)
Me:Youknowyoucant
alkt
omer
ight
?
(Shesi
ghedandnodded)
Me:Sopl
easet
alk.
Her
:Idon'
tthi
nkIwantt
otal
kabouti
tnow.
Me:IknowthatAusti
n'senemieswerer
esponsibl
e
f
oryouratt
ack.Iknowtheydidthatt
ogettohim
Her:What?Enemi
es?Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
exact
ly?
Me:Lal
idoyourememberwhenIt
oldyouabout
bei
ngavampire.
(Shenodded)
Me:Ial
sot
oldyouthatt
hey'
rewol
ves,
beast
sand
ot
hercr
eat
ures.
..
(Shenodded)
Me:Sobasi cal
lyt
herewasawarbet
weenthe
wolvesandbeasts.Iwasal
sot
hereformyown
business.
Her
:Whatbusi
ness?
Me:WellIwasl
ookingforsomeone.TheAdil
a.Her
andIhaveanunfi
nishedbusi
nesstocomplet
e.
(Sher
aisedhereyebr
ow)
Me:Sowhent hewarwasst il
lgoingon.Ihear dtwo
ment alki
ng.Theywer el
ookingfortheAdi l
a.Ithi
nk
theirpl
anwas. ..
theywant edtokilli
t.Bysome
reasonstheAdi l
adi dnotpit
chup.Ideci dedt o
l
eaveast herewasnot hi
ngleftformet here.But
whenIwasmovi ngaway.Ihear dAust i
n'sname
beingment i
oned.It r
iedtoli
stencloserbutI
couldn'
thearat hing.Andonewasst arti
ngt osmell
mybl oodsoIr anaway.Mypoi ntis..
.Ithi
nkyou
needt
ost
ayawayf
rom Aust
in.Foryourownsaf
ety.
Her
:Ermm .
..
Tonycanyoupl
easel
eaveme.
..
Ineed
t
orest.
Me:but
..
.
Her
:pl
ease.
(Iwentbackt
omybedr
oom.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

AssoonasTonyleftmybedroom Ical
ledMat.I
t
hinkTonymi
ghtbeusefultomypl an.Ineedt
o
fi
ndoutwhoat
tackedAusti
nandwhywoul dhe.

Mat :Iwasjustabouttocallyou.IspoketoNick.He
saidthatcanneverbepossi ble.Ever
yonehast hei
r
eyesonAust in.They'
reonlythreepeopl
eal l
owedto
seehi m.I
t'
shi smother,dadandNi ck.Nickhadto
begt oseehim .Soit'
sveryhar d.Theythinkthe
enemycoul dbenear.
Me:MmhIsee.(Itol
dherever
ythi
ngTonyt
oldme.
)I
'mthi
nki
ngoftel
li
nghi
m aboutmebeingabeast
Mat
:What
?No.
..
youcan'
t..
.
Me:Ihaveto.Iwi
llr
eal
lyusehi
shel
p.Att
hispoi
nt
I
'm ver
yhopel
ess.
Mat
:Butyoucan'
ttel
lhi
mthatyou'
ret
heAdi
la.
Me:I'
mt hinkingoft el
li
nghim ever
ythi
ng.Iwi llal
so
showhimt hetruth.Whatreall
ymat tershappened
tohi
sdad.IknowIhaveneverusedt hatpower.I
wastolditrequiresalotofenergybutIwillhaveto
usei
t.It'
sf orthebest .
..
Mat
:Ar
eyousur
eit
'
sgoi
ngt
owor
k
Me:Yeah

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Fort
hecomingdaysIwillonl
ybeabl
etopostone
i
nser
taday.I'
m busyapplyi
ng.
[
06/
23,
08:
17]Lynne: i
nser
t40
Mr
sKhumal
o'sPOV

Ineverthoughti nmyl i
feIwouldeverplot
someone' sdeat h.Ihavealwaysputever yt
hingon
God.Dur i
nghar dshipsIencounter
ed.Iusedt o
l
eaveever ythi
ngt otheoneabove.Ihaveal ways
l
ovedmydaught er.Buti
tseemsshecan' tseet hatI
careverymuchabouther.Sheusedt othinkIloved
Lal
imor et hanher.Wher easIl
ovedhert hemost .
Maybeihaven' tbeenshowi ngherenoughl oveshe
deserves.Iwasatmyof fi
ce.TodayIwillbe
meetingwi ththepeopl ewhoar egoingtokillLali
.
Theymadet heirwayi n.

"Gooddaymadam "
(Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)
Me:Hel
lo.
..(Iopenedmydrawerandtookout
Lal
i'
sphot
o.)Her ei
sapict
ureofher.
(Onecamet
omeandt
ooki
t)
"
Shel
ooksyoung.I
twon'
tbedi
ff
icul
ttoki
llhet
"
Me:If
ir
stwanty'
llt
obri
nghertome.Iwantt
ohave
afewwordswit
hher.Befor
eyouguyscanki
llher
.
(Theynodded)
"Sowhenmustwebr
inghert
oyou"
Me:Tomor
row.
..
tomor
rowwi
llbeherl
astdayont
he
ear
th.
"
Themoney?
"
Me:Iwi
llt
ransf
erdeposi
tonyouraccount
"
Okay.
..
thankyou."
(Theyleft.Iwoulddoanythi
ngformydaught er
's
happiness.Evenifi
tmeansjumpingof fthecl
iff
.I
would.Ifmydaught er
'sl
if
ewil
lbefi
lledwi t
h
happiness.Iwenttomybedroom.Ilockedt hedoor
andtookmybi bl
e.Iknel
tdownandcl osedmyeyes.)

Me:Fat herIcometoyouasI '

minneedofyour
guidance.IknowwhatI'
m planni
ngtodoisasin.
I'
m desperatemylord.
PleaseGodforgi
veme.I'
m
onlydoingi tformydaughter
.Ilovehersomuch
andIcan' tbaretoseeherbroken.Iwantt
omake
surethatshe' sal
wayshappy.Asi ti
smydut yas
hermot hert omakesurethatIremoveanythi
ng
thatcomesherway.
(Iwasdi
stur
bedbyahandtappi
ngmyshoul
der
.I
openedmyeyesandst
oodup.ItwasNomhl
e)
Nomhle:Sor
ryt
odi
stur
byoumom.
..
butt
hey'
re
her
e..
.
Me:ohhk.
..
I'
m comi
ng.Maket
hem somet
hingt
o
eat
.
(Wel lt
odayI'
m meet i
ngNomhle'
sboyfri
end.Iwant
toseewhatki ndofamenhei s.AndifIcant r
ust
him withmydaught er
.Heal
socamesowecan
discussaboutkil
li
ngLali
.WellIj
ustneedtotellhim
thattomorrowLaliwil
lbeki
ll
ed.Iwentdownstairs.
Hewasdr i
nki
ngjuice.Hest
oodupandgr eeted)
Hi
m:Hel
lo.
..
Mike.
Me:Ni
cet
omeetyouMi
ke.
..
(Hesatdown.West
art
edt
alki
ng.Imustsayhe'
sa
niceguy.Butthere'
ssomet hinguncertai
nabout
him.Butanywayasl ongasNomhl eishappyI '
m
happy.Wediscussedever yt
hing.Ial
sot ol
dhim
aboutwhatwil
lhappent omor row.Wellhewasver y
happy.Hewasover whelmed.It hi
nkit'
sbeyondt he
factt
hatLal
ikil
ledtheirbaby.Thewayhewas
happy.Youwoul dswearhej ustwonal ott
ery.)
Mi
ke:Wel
l..
.Imustgonow.
Me:I
t'
sst
il
lear
lyt
hough.Don'
tyouwantt
ost
ayf
or
di
nner
Mi
ke:I
'
m sor
rybutIr
eal
lyneedt
ogo.
..
(Hestoodup.Nomhlewalkedhi
m out.Iwentt
o
theki
tchent
ostar
tpr
epar
ingfood.)

Ondr
eazPOV

WellIwasintheci
tyatmyhouse.Tayl
erandIwer
e
havi
ngdrinks.
Me:Thingsarenotgoi
ngaccor
dingtomyplan.I
thoughtbynowIwouldbetheAlpha.Iwoul
dbei
n
chargeofever
ythi
ng.
(Tayl
ersi
ghed)
T:Ial
sothoughtbynowIwoul
dbet
heonel
eadi
ng
theDrugi
omin..
.
Me:Ithi
nkIneedtogobacktotheOegrat
e.And
fi
nishAust
inoff
.ThanIwi
llonl
ybeleftwi
thki
ll
ing
Father.
T:Ithinkweshouldjustlaylowfornow.I'
m sure
everyonebackther
ei saler
t.They'
rebusyl
ooking
forsomeonewhot ri
edt okil
lAusti
n..
.
Me:Yeah.
..
Ithi
nkyou'
rer
ight.
T:myonl yprobl
em r
ightnowis..
.Ineedtof
ightthat
gi
rlLal
i.Ihaveafeel
ingthatshewillr
uinmyplan..
.
Me:She'
snotat
hreat
..
.Wecanki
llherwi
thj
ustone
go.
T:Don'
tunder
est
imat
eher
.Af
teral
lshe'
stheAdi
la.
Verypower
ful
.
Me:Mxm.
..
shecant
akeherpower
sandf
uck
hersel
f.BecausenooneandImeannoonecan
defeatme.Notevenmyownbr ot
her
.Itseemsyou
haveforgott
enthatIal
sohavepower
s.Iknow
spell
sthatcanmakeherweak.
T:Iknowal
lthat..
.butyouknowthattheAdi
lawas
desti
nedt
orulethewor l
d.She'
sverypowerf
ulandI
meannothi
ngcaneverdef eather
.
Me:That'swhyweshoul duseherweakness.Of
whichislove.HerloveforAust
in.NickandAust i
n
thi
nkIdon'tknowt hatLalii
sAusti
n'schosen.Isaw
thatthedayIlayedmyeyesonhert hedayshewas
beingsacri
fi
cedf or.
(Aswewerebusytal
kingmywi
fewal
kedi
n.She
cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)
Her
:Foodi
sready.
Me:Thankswe'
recomi
ng.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Wewer
ebusyhavi
ngdi
nner.Wel
lthewhol
edayI
havebeentryingtot al
ktoTony.Buthewasvery
busywithwhat everIdon'tknow.ButwhenIget
ti
meIwi l
leventuall
yt al
ktohim.Ineedtoshowhim
thetr
uth.Iwon'tbeabl etohelpmypeopleal
one.
WellandMat .Weal soneedsomeonewho' sstr
ong.

Kayl
a:Lal
idearhaveyoudeci
dedonwhatyouwi
ll
st
udynextyear.
..
(OhIst
il
lhavet
hat
)
Me:Wel
l..
.notr
eal
ly.Ihavebeenver
ybusyl
atel
y..
.
Mr
sK:Wi
thwhatexact
ly.
..
(Ijustl
ookedather.Iseeshehasgivenupat
acti
ng.SheisnowtheMr sKaneIknow.She'
snow
showingthefi
rsti
mpr essi
onIhadofherwhenI
fi
rstcamehere.)
Kayl
a:AndyouTony.
..
Tony:It
hinkIwantt
odoMedi
cine.
..
(Dadclear
edhi
sthr
oat.Wel
lweallswal
lowedand
l
ookedathim.Weknowexactl
ywhathe'
sgoingt o
say."Iwantmychi
ldr
entorunmybusinesses.")
Dad:Whyareyouallquietandlooki
ngatme.( We
keptqui
etandconti
nuedt olookathi
m )Wellwedo
needafamilydoct
or.Someonewecanr el
yon.So
Tonymyboyyoucandomedi ci
ne.
(Weal
ltookdeepbr
eat
hsandl
aughedaf
ter
war
ds)
Zayn:Wowdad.
..
wer
eal
lydi
dn'
texpectt
hat
.
Kayl
a:AndyouLal
i..
.youneedt
odeci
dequi
ck.
Me:Wel
lonmyappl i
cati
onform myfi
rstchoi
ce
wasmedi
cine.It
hinkIwil
lst
ickwit
hit
.
Tony:Wowthat
'sgr
eat.Wecanbot
hopenasur
ger
y.
AndnameitThewealt
hyKanes.
(Wel
aughed)
Me:That
'sdr
amat
ic.
..
Kayl
a:Sureis..
.WellyourdadandIhavedecidedt
o
getmarr
ied.Butnextyear.We'
rest
il
lprepar
ing.
Dad:Iwant
edsomet
hingsmall
.Butyourmom her
e
Lal
iwantsagr
andwedding.
Kayla:Andyougi
rl
swil
lbemybridesmai
d.AndLal
i
..
.youwi l
lbemymatr
onofhonor.
Me:r
eal
ly?(
Shenodded)Wow.
.t
hanks.
MrsK:Well
..
.si
sterwi
fear
en'
tyourf
ami
lymember
s
coming?
Kayl
a:W.
.wel
l.
..
no.
..
it
's.
..
MrsK:mhhhIsee...youdon'
tneedt
oexpl
ain
anyt
hing.Iknow.
(Thatwaski
ndaawkwar
d.Kayl
amom'sf
aci
al
expr
essi
onchangedI
mmediat
ely.)
Kayl
a:er
hmm.
..
goodni
ghtguys.
Me:Ni
ght!
(
Ever
yonewasnowgoi
ngt
othei
rrooms.)
Me:HeyTony.
..
canIt
alkt
oyou.
..
it
'si
mpor
tant
.
(
Heyawned)
Tony:Tomor
rowLal
i.
..
I'
m ver
yti
red.
Me:Pl
ease.
..
Tony:Nah..
.I
'm sor
ry.Pl
easecomeear
lyi
nthe
morning.
Me:okay.
(Iwentupst air
st omyr oom .Iwentt othe
bathroom t
obr ushmyt eeth.AsIwasbusy
suddenlythelightsstart
edgoi ngonandof f.I
l
ookedatt hemi rror
.Isawmysel f..
.i
twasn'
treall
y
clear.WhenIt r
yt olookcarefull
yitwouldfadeaway.
Itri
edtolookagai n.Iwasi napl aceIdon'
tandI
wasi nabeastf orm busyr i
ppingsomeman' sthroat
.
Itwasn'tr
eallyclear.Afterthatmymom appear ed
ont hemirr
or.)

"
I'
m sorr
ydear.
..mom i
sreall
yangry.Shedoesn'
t
wanttoshowyouanythi
ng.Butdon'tworr
ydear.
I
t'
ssomet hi
ngyoushoul
dn'twor
ryabout."

(Bef
oreIcouldeventalkshedisappear ed.
Ever
ythi
ngwentbackt onor mal.Ifi
nishedbr ushi
ng
myteethandwentst r
aighttobed.Wel lIhad
somethi
ngimportanttodiscusswi t
hmom.I
wantedtoaskift
ell
ingTonyt hetruthisagoodor
badIdea.Butanywayi tdoesn'
tmat ter
.Ihave
deci
dedtotel
lhim .Thingsareveryhect ic.When
peoplewhoar esupposedt oguideandhelpyouare
againstyou.Imusthaver eall
yt ri
ggered
grandmot her
'sanger .Can'tshejustforgi
veand
forget.Hernotshowi ngmewhenI 'mindangeri
s
reall
ybeingunf ai
r.She'sover r
eactingnow.
AnywaysIdr ift
edof ftosleep.)

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning

Ni
ck'
sPOV

TheyhasbeennochangeonAust i
n.Herwounds
arenowheali
ngbuthe' ssti
llunconscious.Thi
ngs
arever
yhectichere.DadandIhavebeenbusy
l
ookingfort
hewol fthatt
ri
edt okil
lhim.Butnew
havenoluck.EveryoneiskeepinganeyeonAust in.
They'
remakingsur ehe'
ssaf e.Asweyetdon' t
knowtheenemy.Wi t
hthepeoplefrom the
Drugi
omin.I
t'sreal
lysadhey.Butwhatcanwedo.
Wecan'tgoagainsttheordersoftheAl pha.IwishI
canhelpLal
iwithherplan.ButIcan' t
.Theof f
ice
hadbeencal l
ingme.Ij ustcan'tleavemybr otheri
n
thi
ssi t
uati
on.Sincet hedayoft hewarOndr eaz
hasn'tcameher e.Iknowheval ueshi swork.And
putseverythi
ngonhol dforhisbusi ness.Buthe
couldhaveat l
eastcamet oseeAust i
n.Asour
youngerbrother.AnywayIdeci dedt ocallMat .
ThingsbetweenherandIar el ookingpromi sing.I
l
ovehersomuch.Wehaven' tbeensexual l
y
i
ntimate.SoIdon' tknowyeti fshe'smychosenone
.

Me:Heymyhear
t
Mat
:Howar
eyoul
ove
Me:.Austi
n'scondit
ioni
sreal
lywei
ghi
ngmedown.
Butei
thert
hant hatI
'mfi
ne.Howareyou
Mat
:I'
m wel
l..
.j
ustwor
ri
edaboutLal
i.
Me:I
'
mli
steni
ng
Mat
:Wel
lLal
iisan.
..
(Shepausedf
orsomet
ime)
Mat
:Er
hm.
..
em.
..
not
hing.I
'
mjust.
..
erm Ihavet
o
gonow.Il
oveyoubye.
(Bef
oreIcoul
devenr
eplyshehangedup.Iwonder
whatshewasgoi
ngtosayaboutLali
.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

WelltodayIwokeupcr avi
ngf orbl
ood.Ihaven' t
evencamei nt
ocont actwi t
hi tforsomet i
me.I '
ma
beast.Ialsoneedsome.Especi all
yasI '
m goingto
needmor eenergyandpowert oshowTonyt he
trut
h.Anywayswewer ehavingbr eakfast
.Kayla
mom suggest eddur i
ngt hedaywegooutasa
family.Butdadwon' thookal ongsincehesai dhe
hasal otofmeetingst oday.Sowef ini
shedeat i
ng.
Wewentbackt oourr oomst ogetr eady.Isoaked
mysel fi
nt hebath.Idecidedt ocallMat .

Mat
:Heyf
ri
end.
..
Me:Hihowar
eyou
Mat
:Er
m..
.I
'm wel
landyou.
Me:Wel
l..
.
(Shesi
ghed)
Me:Ar
eyouokay.
..
Mat:Ial
mosttoldNi
ckaboutyou.
..youbei
ngt
he
Adi
la.I'
m sor
ry.
Me:At leastyoudi
dn'
ttellhi
m.ButIdon'tthi
nkNi
ck
willeverwanttoharm me.Butwecan'tt ake
chances.Youneedt ofir
stfi
ndoutifhehasany
problem withtheAdi
la.Thanyoucant ellhi
m.
Mat
:Okay.Imi
ssbei
ngwi
thyouhey.
..
Me:Iwi
llseewhenIcanvi
sityou.
Mat
:okay.
Me:oryoucancomeoverher
e.
Mat
:Iwi
llsee.Haveyout
oldTonyyet
.
Me:nahihaven'tgott
imet ot
alkt
ohim .Butiwi
ll
event
ual
ly.Ineedtogathermystr
engt
hs.
Mat:Mhh..
.Isee.ButIsti
lladvi
seyoutonottellhi
m.
Lal
idearyoucan'tchangeaperson'
smi ndwithjust
onego.Youcan'tchangeaper son'
sperspect
ive
thateasy.Tonyhashadhatr
edtowardsyoufor
years.AndIdon'tthi
nki
twil
lbethateasyforhim
toacceptthetrut
h.Heknowsthatyou'
rethereason
whyhel osthisdad.
Me:Iknowhey. ..butIdon'thaveachoice.Weneed
someoneel setohelp.Iknowwe' r
estrongand
powerfulandstaff.Butwealsoneedanot herhand.
Dearwitheverythi
ngt hat
'shappeningIneedto
makesur eIdon'tgethurt.Asthatwil
lalsoaff
ect
Austi
n'sweakcondi ti
on.
Mat:Igetyoudear
.Butcan'
tyouj
ustcomeupwi
th
anotherpl
an.
Me:i
t'
sget
ti
ngl
atef
ort
hat.Ineedt
oactf
astnow.
Mat
:Isee.
..
pleasebesaf
elove.
Me:Iwi
lldon'
twor
ry.
Mat
:Okaybye.
Me:Bye.
(Igotoutofthebathanddri
edmysel f
.Iputonmy
blackr
ippedJean,bl
ackcroptopandsneakers.I
tookmybackandwentdownst ai
rs.)
Zia:Wehavebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.Yousur
elyt
ook
yourti
me.
Me:Sor
ryguys.Wecangonow.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
18]Lynne: i
nser
t41

Lal
i'
sPOV

Sowewer enowatt hemall.Westartedbydoi ng

shopping.Thattookalotofourtime.Mr skdi dn't
comeal ong.Shesaidshe'snotfeel
ingwel l
.Anyway
weboughtsomanycl othes.Wedeci dedtogot o
Macdonal dandbuysomet hingtoeat.Itwas
alr
eadydar kout
side.Weor der
ed.Iwasnowl ooking
formyphonei nmybag.ButIcoul dn'tfi
ndit.I
remembert hatwetookaf ewpicsint hecarwi th
Addison.Maybeshehasi t.
Me:Addii
smyphonewi
thyou.
..
(Shel
ookedi
nherbegandnoddedno)
Addi
:It
hinkIf
orgoti
tint
hecar.Letmegoandt
ake
i
t.
..
Me:Don'
twor
ryIwi
llgoandt
akei
t.
(Istoodt ookthecarkeysf r
om Zaynashewast he
onedr i
vingforus.Iwentt otheparkingl
ot.Itwas
darkandqui et.Imademywayt othecar
.BeforeI
couldevenopent hedoor.Ifeltsomeoneplacinga
cl
othonmyf ace.Mostlycoveringmynoseand
mout h.Isuddenlyfel
tdizzy.

Nar
rat
ed

Thethr
eemant ookLal
i'
sbodyt
othei
rcar.They
weredri
vingver
yfast
.Onemadeaphonecall
.

"Hel
lo.
..madam wehavef
oundher
."
Mr
sKhumal
o:Okay.
..
that
'sgr
eat
.Br
ingherher
ein
myhouse.Wewi
llf
ini
shever
ythi
ngi
nthebasement
.
"
Okay"
Mr
sk:Di
dy'
l
lfr
eezet
hecamer
as
"Yeswedi
d..
.wel
eftnoevi
dencel
eadi
ngt
ousnor
toyou"
Mr
sk:Goodj
ob.Comeher
equi
cknow.

Theydr ovefast.Aftersometimetheyarr
ived.
Everyonewast here.Incl
udi
ngMi keandKiara.Mike
washavi ngagl assofwhiskey.Whil
etheladies
werehavi ngwine.Theguar dstookLal
i'
sbodyt o
thebasement .Theyt i
edheronthechair
.

Mr
sK:It
hinki
t'
saboutt
ime.Let
'sgot
oher.
(Theyal
somadet
hei
rwayt
othebasement
.)
Nomhle:Iwoul
dli
ketosayaf
ewwor
dst
oher
bef
oresheiski
ll
ed.
Ki
ara:Weal
ldear
.
(MrsKhumal
oorder
edt
hehi
tment
ospl
ashcol
d
wat
eronLal
i.)

.Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwaswokenupbycol dwaterbeingsplashedonme
.Islowlyopenedmyeyes.Ther etheywer e.Allfour
ofthem standinginfr
ontofme.Idi dn'tknowt hat
Mr sKhumal owouldalsobepartoft hi
s.Ial ways
thoughtshe'sachurchlady.Whosehear ti
spur e.
Butit'
sclearthatsheasnakewear ingasheepski n.
Anywayt heyhavedonemegoodj ob.Ineeded
blood.Nomhl emadeherwayt ome.Shet hrewa
fewslapsonme.

Nomhl
e:Uyi
njasf
ebe(You'
readogsl
ut)
(I'
m notZul
ubutIdounder
standi
tal
it
tl
e.Iknow
thatshewassweari
ngme.)
Nomhl
e:MymotherandItookagoodcar
eofyou.
Wemadeyoupartofourf
amily.Wetr
eat
edyouli
ke
oneofus.Andt
hisi
showyouthankus.Byki
ll
ing
mybabywhatdidyougai
nhee?(
Shepull
edmyhai r)
Answeme. .
.
(Ij
ustkeptqui
et.Mr
sKhumal
omadeherwayt
ome
)
Mr sk:Ibel i
evedi nyouLal i.Iwasver yfondofyou.
Andyetyouchoset odisappoi ntmel i
ket hi
s.I
treatedyoul i
kemyowndaught er.Ilovedandcar ed
foryoumor ethanIdi df orNomhl e.Wewer ealways
theref oryou.Whenyouneededashoul dert ocry
on.Weusedt ocomf ortyou.Iusedt oprayf oryou
Lali.
ialwayspr ayedt hatyouf indhappi nessi nyour
l
ifeandal sobesaf e.Ithoughtyouwer eagood
child.Ididn'tknowyouwoul dst oopt hi
sl owandkill
mygr anddaught er
.Bef orewecoul devenknowhi s
/hergender .Laliyouhavet urnedNomhl eandIinto
badpeopl e.Wedon' tli
keki l
li
ngpeopl e.Butyou
havet riggeredus.Iwi llneverf orgiveyouf orwhat
youdi d.AndI '
m sur eyou'regoi ngt ohell.Hereis
whatyou' r
egoi ngt odo.You' regoi ngt ouset hi
s
untraceabl ephone.Andcal lyourf ami l
y.Sayyour
l
astgoodbyet ot hem .Now.(Sher i
ngedmydad' s
phonenumber
)
Dad:Hel
lo.
..
hel
lo
Me:Heydad.
..
Dad:Lal
idear
?Whereareyou.Andwhosenumber
i
sthis.Weareal
lworr
iedaboutyou.
Me:Dad..
.dadcal
m down.I'
mf i
ne.AssoonasI
'
m
donewit
hwhatI '
m doi
ng.Iwil
lcomehome.You
guysdon'
tworry.Youknowmedad.
Dad:Ido.
..
butwher
ear
eyou.
..
(Mr
sKhumal
odr
oppedt
hecal
l.Shesl
appedme)
MrsK:Igaveyoui nstruct
ionsandyoudidn'tf
oll
ow.
Lal
idearstopfoolingyourself
.There'
snowayyou
wil
lcomeouther ealive.Justdropyouregoand
pri
dedear.Andfinallyadmi tt
hatyoukil
led
Nomhle'
sbaby.
(Sothehi t
menwer ecarr
yingAk47s' .I
'
m notshook
byallofthat.WellMikeandKi ara.Wereslowly
movingt othedoor.Ithi
nkt heysuspectthati
t'
s
abouttogetr oughhere.Theyt r
iedt
oopent hedoor
butcouldn'
t)
Mi
ke:Guys!
guys!Weneedt
ogetoutofher
enow.
Nomhl
e:What
'sgoi
ngon
Ki
ara:We'
rei
ndeepshi
t.Weneedt
oleavet
his
pl
acenow.
Mr
sK:nowe'
renotgoi
nganywher
e.
Mi
ke:Youdon'
tunder
stand.
..
ourl
ivesar
eindanger
.
Nomhl
e:Babe.
..
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
.
(
Ifi
nal
lyspoke)
Me:Okay.
..
ti
mesf
orj
okesar
eover
.
(
Imadet
her
oom dar
kandunt
iedmysel
f.)
Mrsk:What
'sgoi
ngon.
..
Mikeexpl
ain.
..
what
'sgoi
ng
on.Whyist
hedoornotopeni
ng.
(Ther
oom becamel
ightagai
n.)
Mr
sk:Whount
iedher?
What
'sgoi
ngon?Shoother
.
(Theytr
iedshoot
ingbutt
heirgunscouldn'
twork.
OkayIalsodon'
tknowaboutthat.It
ransf
ormed
i
ntoabeast.Nomhleimmediatel
ypeedonherself
.)
Nomhl
e:WTF!
Mr sk:OhhModi
mo(God) .
Fatherpl
easehelp.We'
re
facingademon.Luci
fer
'sdaughter
.PleaseGod
help.
Ki
ara:Shi
t..
.Idi
dn'
tknowi
t'
sthi
shuge.
(Islowlymademywayt othehi tmen.AsIwas
goingt hegroundwouldshake.Ihavenever
transformedi nt
othisl
argebef ore.Ididn'
twaist
ti
mer i
ppedt hei
rheadsfrom theirbodies.Drank
theirblood.Ineededit
.AfterIfinisheddrinki
ngit.I
l
etoutal ar
gegr owl)
Mr
sK:What
'sgoi
ngonwhatar
eyou.
..
(Imademywayt
oMi
ke.Hewassweat
ing)
Mi
ke:Pl
easeLal
ist
op!I
'
m sor
ry.
(It
ookhi
m byhi
sthr
oat.Hewashangi
ng.)
Mi
ke:Pl
easeI
'
m sor
ry.
(Iputhim down.Theywer
eallnowbusycryi
ng.I
transf
ormedbacktomyself
.Iwentbackandsaton
thechair
)
Me:SoMikeIwanttogiveyouthi
sopport
unit
y.
Bef
oreIki
llyouandyoursi
ster
.Iwantyoutotel
l
Nomhleandhermotherwhatreal
lyhappened.Who
ki
ll
edthebaby.Andpleasedon'
tli
ebecauseIwon'
t
hesi
tat
etokil
lyou.
Mike:Wel
l..
.youknowexact
lywhoki
ll
edourbaby
..
.youdi
d.I'
m notgoi
ngtoli
e.Youki
ll
edourbaby.
Me:Nc..
nc.
..
ncyou'
resuchafoolMike.Iseeyou
don'
tknowwhatI'
m capabl
eofdoi
ng.
(IsentKiaraacrossther
oom.Herheadwasbusy
bl
eeding.Mi kerantoher
.Ki
arawasslowl
ylosi
ng
herconsciousness.)
Kiar
a:Mike...
Mike..
.i
t'
sover.It
'sovermybrot
her
.
Weshoul dhaveletgoofeveryt
hing.Weshoul
d
havejustfor
gott
enaboutwhathappenedt odad.
Looknow.Wear ebusydyingforthat.
Mike:No..
.nosist
er.Don'tl
osehope.Wewi
ll
r
evengefather
'sdeath.LALI
Me:Yes.
..
isever
ythi
ngokayt
her
e.
Ki
ara:Unt
ilwemeetagai
nbr
other
.
(Shetookherl
astbr
eath.I
twaskindahurt
ingbut
whatcanIdo.Ican'
thavepeopl
eplott
ingmydeath.
Ihaveser
ioust
roubl
es.)
Mike:NO(hecr
iedl
ikeababy.)LALI.
..
IWI
LL
NEVERFORGIVEYOUFORTHI S.
Me:yourf
orgi
venesshavenoef
fectonmyl
if
e.
(Hestoodupandrantot
akethegun.Het
ri
ed
shoot
ingi
tdi
dn'twor
kagain.)
Mi
ke:FuckyouLal
i..
.j
ustki
llme.Ki
llmenow.
Me:Iwillbutnotnow.AndImi ghtnotbetheoneto
ki
llyou.Nowspeaksot hatyoucanr esti
npeace.
(Mi
kesl
owl
ymadehiswayt
oNomhl eandher
mom.Whower
ecur
leduponthecor
ner)
Mike:Ikil
ledourbaby.NomhleIneverlovedyou
fr
om thebeginning.Iwantedt
ouseyout okil
lLal
i.
Laliki
ll
edourfather.SoIwant
edtorevengehis
death.
Me:Nomhledear.Ialwaysthoughtyouweresmart.
ButnowI'
m evenwonder i
nghowyoumadei tt
o
matri
c.Whenyoufirstt
oldMikeaboutyour
pr
egnancy.Hewantednot hi
ngaboutthebaby.
Aft
ersometime.He'sallni
ceandsor r
y.Whydidn'
t
youaskyour
sel
faboutt
hesuddenchange.
..
(
Nomhl
est
oodupandsl
appedMi
kesohar
d.)
Nomhle:You'r
eadog.Howcanyoudot hattome.
Ihavealwaysthoughtyoulovedme.Al lofthi
sti
me
youwerepretendi
ng.Why?Whywoul dyouhurtme
l
ikethi
s.Il
ovedyou.If ucki
nglovedyou.Ieven
tur
nedagainstmyf r
iendforyou.Ihat
edLal i
.
Me:That
'sbecausehewasbusyt
urni
ngyou
agai
nstme.
Nomhle:Mike...
youdon'tdeser
vet
olive.Youand
yoursi
sterdeservesever
ythi
ngcomingtoyou.
(Shetookt
hegunandshothim .I
tworkedonhim.
Iwonderwhat'
swit
hthegun.Justli
kethat.He
wasdead.Nomhlesatdownandcri
ed.Herandmrs
Khumalohugged.)
Nomhl e:Lal
i..
.we'r
esorr
y.We'r
et r
ulysor
ry.We
di
dn'tknowt hetrut
h.I
'm sor
ryLali
.Eveni
fyou
decidetokil
lmenow.Iwon' tblameyou.Ideser
ve
al
lthehat ef
rom you.Ihavecausedyousomuch
pain.
Mrsk:Yesdear..
.we'
resorry.I
'm deepl
ysor r
y.Iwant
Godtopunishmer i
ghtnow.Iwassl owlyturned
agai
nstyou.Icouldn'tseethr
oughyout hatyou
weretel
li
ngthetruthwhenyousai dyoudi dn'tki
ll
Nomhle'sbaby.Iwasbl i
ndedbyhur tandanger.
(Shemadeherwayt
ome)
MrsK:Lal
idear.
..
Iwantyout oki
llmenow.Idon't
deser
vetoli
ve.Iplannedyourdeath.Imustdi
efor
mysins.
(Shekneltdowncr
ying.
Imademywayt
othem I
huggedthem )
Me:Iknewt hatonedayt het
rut
hwillcomeout .I
wasn'
tgoingt ohar
m youguys.Youguyspl ayedan
i
mportantroleinmylife.Iwasver
ybr okenwhen
youbothturnedagainstme.Andthef actt
hat
Nomhlewant edtokil
lme.
Nomhl e:I
'
m sor
rysi
ster
.Idon'thavewordst
o
descri
behowsorryIam.Iletamant ocome
betweenus.I'
m sor
ry.
Me:Ifor
giveyoutoo.It'
sver
ylat
enow.Weneedto
getr
idofthesebodies.WemusttakeKi
araand
Mi
ke'
sbodyt
othei
rhome.Theot
her
swewi
llbur
n.
(Wedi dthatandalsocl
eanedt
hebasement.They
haven'
taskedaboutthebeastt
hing.Maybethey
arescaredtoask.Aft
erweweredonewemadeour
waytot hedinni
ngroom.Weprayed.)
Mr
sk:Amen.
Me:I
'
m abeast.
Nomhl
e:B.
..
buth.
..
how.
(It
oldt
hem howI
'
m abeast
)
Nomhle:Ihaveal
waysknewthatther
ewas
somethi
ngbehindyouhavi
ngnightmaresandal
so
seei
ngthings.
Me:yeahhey.
..
Ihavet
ogonow.
(Theybothhuggedme.Isai dmygoodbyeand
askedthedrivertodropmeof f.Iwassohappy.
Thatfi
nallythi
ngsbetweenNomhl eandIar eback
tonormalandwi thMr sKhumalotoo.ButIstil
lfeel
l
ikeIcan'ttr
ustNomhl e.Iknowsheapologizedand
staf
f.ButIfeell
ikeshewi l
lbet
raymeagain.Shedi d
i
tonce.Whatwoul dstophertodoitagai
n.Anyway
Imademywayhome.Everyonewassit
ti
ngonthe
couches.Theywer
en'
twat
chi
ngTV.Kaylacamet
o
mer unni
ng)
Kayl
a:wher
ehaveyoubeendar
li
ng?
(Shehuggedme.Theyal
lmadethei
rwayt
ome.
Myclot
heswerecover
edi
nblood.)
Kayl
a:Whathappened
Me:Not
hingser
ious.
..
Dad:CanIspeakt
oyoui
nmyof
fi
ce.
Me:Sur
ebutineedt
obat
hfi
rst
.
(Iwentupst
air
sandbathed.Iputonmypjsand
wenttodad'
soffi
ce.AsIent
eredherant
omeand
huggedme.)
Dad:I
'
m happythatyou'
reokay.Si
tdownandt
ell
mewhathappened.
(Wesetdownont
hecouch.It
oldhi
m ever
ythi
ng.)
Dad:It
hinkyoushoul ddist
anceyour
sel
ffr
om her
.
She'
snotat r
uef r
iend.I
fshewasshewouldn'
thave
beeneasil
yturnedagainstyou.
(Ij
ustsi
ghed)
Dad:How'
syourwound?
Me:I
thasheal
ed.
Dad:That
'sgr
eat.
Me:yeah.
(Wewentdownst air
sandmadecof fee.Westar
ted
l
aughingandtalki
ng.Kayl
ajoinedus.Itwasso
muchf unhey.Wehaven'tspentti
met oget
herf
or
thepastfewdays.)
Me:myst
omachi
sinpai
nnow.Goodni
ghtmy
l
oves.
Dad:ni
ghtdear
.
Me:ohh.
..
mom di
dyouseemyphone
K:yesi
t'
sont
hedr
awer
.Inyourbedr
oom.
Me:okt
hanks.
(Iwenttomyroom upstai
rs.It
ookoutandcall
ed
Mat.Iknowit'
slat
ebutshe'salwaysanswer
s.I
tol
dherever
ythi
ngthathappened.)
Mat
:Youwon'
tbel
ievewhatNi
ckt
oldme?
Me:Whathesai
d
Mat:Hesai
dAust
inhaswokenup.
(Isatupst
rai
ght
.Iwasf
eel
ingver
yhappy)
Me:What
?When?
Mat:Hesaidhewokeupandshout
edyourname.
Af
terthatheaskedt
obeal
one.
Me:Real
ly?Heyf
ri
endwewi
llt
alkt
omor
row.Let
mecallmyman.
Mat
:Ar
en'
tyouangr
yathi
m
Me:Iwas.
..
butIr
eal
lymi
sshi
m.AndIal
sowantt
o
knowwhyhedidt
hat
.
Mat
:MhhIsee.Okaybye.
Me:Bye.
(IdialedAustin'
snumber .Itri
edtocallhi
mf or
severaltimes.Buthedidn'tanswer.Iwasso
heartbroken.Ihopehe'snotavoidi
nghi m.Iwil
ltr
y
tocallhimt omorrow.Idr
iftedofft
osleep.)
I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.

Ni
ck'
sPOV

Thingswereverybusy.Thereisgoingtobea
eveningpart
yforAustin.Si
ncehehaswokenup.
I'
m veryhappythathehasf i
nall
ywokenup.I
missedhim .Iwasgoingt ohishouse.Iwenti
n.He
wasbusyget ti
ngdressed.

Me:Heyl
ilbr
o..
.it
'sgoodyou'
renowokay.
(Ipar
tedhi
sshoul
der)
Aust
in:Yeah.
..
Me:Haveyout
alkedt
oLal
i
Aust
in:Notyet
..
.Iwi
llcal
lherwhenIgett
ime.
Me:Ar
ethi
ngsokaybet
weenyout
wo.
(Hesatdown)
Aust
in:Idon'
tknow.Ithinkshe'
ssti
llangr
yabout
whatIdid.Andalsoput
ti
ngherlif
eatstakeasshe
wasalsoexperi
encingmypain.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkso.She'
sver
yki
nd.Andsheal
so
l
ovesyoudearl
y.
Austi
n:l
et'
shopeso.AndIst
il
lneedt
otel
lher
aboutEmil
ia.
Me:Ithinkyoushouldletthatgo.She'ssti
llworri
ed
aboutherpeopl
e.Sinceyou' r
edad'sfavour
ite.Can'
t
youjusttal
ktohim .Tryandr easonwithhi
m.
Convincehimtoletthem go.
Aust
in:Youknowver
ywellt
hat'
simpossibl
e.Dadis
amanofhi swor
ds.Hewon'
tjustchangehi
smi nd.
Me:At
leastt
ry.
..
Aust
in:Iwi
llsee.
..butIdon'
tpr
omi
seanyt
hing.
Me:Anywayl
et'
sgo.
..

Lal
i'
sPOV
Ihavebeent r
yingtocal
lAusti
n.Hest i
lli
gnoresmy
call
s.AnywayIwashel pingKaylamom wi ththe
cooking.Andyeswenowhaveahel pinglady.She
cl
eansanddot hewashi
ng.She'soldandal sokind.
Mati scomingover.She'scomi ngovert ovisitf
or
somet ime.Wewer ebusypreparinglunch.Today
I'
mt ell
ingTony.Wewer enowdoneIwentt omy
bedroom.It ookmyphoneandt ri
edt ocallAusti
n
again.Hefinallyanswer
ed.

Me:Hel
lo.
Aust
in:Hel
lo.
..
hel
lo.
..
Lal
i?
(Hewasinthemiddl
eofthenoi
se.Iwasstr
uggl
ing
tohearhi
m .Andhewasalsost
ruggl
ingt
ohearme
.)
Me:Aust
in.
..
(Hedr
oppedthecall.Asiwasbusyhuggingmy
pi
ll
owbusysulki
ng.Amessagecamet hr
oughfr
om
hi
m.
"Heybabe.
..
Iwil
lcal
lyout
omorr
ow.There'
sapar
ty
goi
ngonhere.Il
oveyouandal
somissyou.Bye.
"

(Iwasfeel
ingabi
tbett
ernow.Iwasnowbl
ushi
ng.
Itouchedmyface.Ihadtear
s.
Ididn'
treali
zethatIwascr yi
ng.Themessagehe
sentsomehowsoot hedthepainIwasf eel
ingi
nmy
fr
agileheart.Iwashedmyf aceandwent
downstairs.Mathadalreadyarri
ved.)
Mat:heyfr
iend.
..
(Shewhisper
ed)you'r
ebusy
bl
ushingandglowing.Wereyoutal
kingtoAust
in.
(
Ijustsmi
ledandnodded)
Kayl
a:comesi
tMatdearbef
oret
hef
oodget
scol
d.
(Wesetdownandst ar
tedeati
ng.Af t
erwewer e
done.Weal lwentt oourseparateways.MatandI
shar
emyr oom.Wewer ebusyt alki
ngnonstop.
Unti
lshedr i
ft
edof ftosl
eep.Icover edherbody
wit
hablanket .Iputonmyni ghtgownandsl eeper
s.
Imademywayt oTony'sroom.Iknocked.Ther e
wasnor eplyIdecidedtogoInsi de.Hewasn'tther
e.
ButIheardwaterrunning.Isatonhi
sbedand
wait
edforhim .Aftersomet i
mehecomeout.Wi
th
atowelti
edonhi swaist.)
Tony:Lal
i?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Att
hist
ime.
..
Me:Ineedt
otal
ktoyou.
..
Tony:Okayl
etmegetdr
essedf
ir
st.
(Icl
osedmyeyes.)
Tony:Done.
..
sowhat
'sup.
Me:Canwetal
kout
sidepl
ease.
..
Idon'
twantt
o
wakeot
her
s.
Tony:sur
e.
(Wemadeourwayt
othegar
den.Wesatont
he
bench.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
18]Lynne: i
nser
t42

Lal
i'
sPOV
Wewerenowi nt
hegarden.Idi
dn'tknowwher
eto
st
artt
ell
inghi
m.Iwasalsonervous.

Me:sohowar
ethi
ngsbet
weenyouandAddi
son.
..
Tony:t
hey'
ref
ine.
..
Me:Mmhh.
..
that
'sgr
eat
.

Tony:Haveyout
houghtaboutwhatIt
oldyout
he
otherday.
..
Me:Notreal
ly.
..Il
ovehim .Il
ovehi
m somuch.
AndI'
m wil
li
ngt odoanythi
ngtomakesureispend
t
herestofmyl i
fewit
hhim. .
.
(Hesi
ghedandchuckl
ed)
Tony:Youknow...Loveisareal
lyst
rangefeeli
ng.It
makesyoufalli
nlovewi t
hsomeoneit'
seitheryou
won'tbeabl
etobewi t
hhim/her.Orbeingwithher
i
sdangerous.
(Iknewwher
ethi
swasgoi
ngsoIdeci
dedt
o
changet
het
opi
c.)
Me:Howwast herelat
ionshi
pbet
weenyouand
yourdad?Yourbi
ologi
calfat
her
..
.
(Hisf
aci
alexpr
essionchanged.I
nst
eadofl
ooki
ng
sadhewasangry.Hisf
acewasevenpale.)
Tony:Wel l..
.whatcanIsay. .
.Ilovedhim .Hecar ed
forme.Wehadt hatDadandsonr el
ati
onshi p.Ilost
him whenIwasdoi nggrade9.I treall
yaf f
ectedmy
studies.Ievenrepeatedthegr ade.Myl i
fechanged.
Ievenhadt houghtsofkil
li
ngmysel f
.Butt hanyour
fathercamei ntopict
ure.Thingswentbackt o
normal.ButIwi l
lneverfor
givet heAdila.Shet ook
themosti mpor t
antthingfrom myl if
e..
.
Me:Buthowdi
dyouknowt
hati
twast
heAdi
la.
..
Tony:WellIwasn'
tther
ewhenhedied.Butthest
ate
hewasi n.Hi
sheadwasr i
ppedf
rom hisbody.Al
l
thei
ntesti
neswereout.Andmyuncletoldmethat
i
twast heAdil
a..
.
Me:Andyoubel
ievedhi
m..
.
Tony:Yeah.
..
whywoul
dn'
tI?Thatmanhasbeen
ther
eformef rom dayone.Evenwhenmyf at
her
wasali
ve.Itf
eltli
keIhadtwodads.SowhatImean
i
shepl aysanimpor t
antr
oleinmyli
fe.AndIwil
l
neverl
etanythingcomebetweenus.
Me:Mhh. .
.Isee.ButTonythi
nkaboutit..
.why
wouldtheAdil
akil
lyourfat
her.Youalsoknowthat
she'
syoung.Maybeaboutyourage. .
.whywould
shekil
lsomeoneshedoesn'tevenknow...
Tony:Inevert
oldyoual
lthat.
..
(Myhear
tski
ppedf
orami
nut
e)
Me:Wel
l..
.I
..
.so.
..
some.
..
how.
..
Tony:Youseentohavemor
einfor
mat
ionaboutt
he
Adil
a.DidAust
inmaybetel
lyou..
.
Me:Aust
in?.
..
y..
.yeah.
..
heoncet
oldme.
Tony:MhhIsee.
Me:Tonywhatwoul
dyousay.
..
ifIsai
dI'
m abeast
.
(Hel
aughedandhel
dhi
sst
omach)
Tony:Spendi
ngtimewithAusti
nhasreal
lyf
ucked
yourmind.Dearyoudon'
tjustwakeupandbecome
abeast.You'r
ebornabeast.Eventhoughthey'
re
peopl
eoutt her
ewhoi nj
ectthemselveswi
ththe
beast
sblood.Andt heytur
ni nt
othem .Buti
nmost
casespeoplearebornbeast
s.
Me:Yeah.
..
whati
fIwasbor
nabeast
..
.
Tony:LalidearIwouldhaveknownf r
om dayone
that
.Icansmel lothercreatur
es.Andidenti
tyifi
ta
vampireorsomet hingelse.Li
keanycreature
would..
.Ithi
nkyou'refeeli
ngsleepynow.Let'
sgo
andsleep.
Me:No.
..
we'
rest
il
ltal
king.
..
Tony:Ay.
..
byeI
'
mfeel
ingsl
eepynow.
(Hewasnowmovi ngaway.Thi
sistheperf
ectt
ime
tot
ell
him.It
ransf
ormedbutnotful
lyandgrowl
ed.
Hetur
ned.)
Tony:WTF!
(It
ransf
ormedbackt
omysel
f)
Tony:LALI
?what
?How?
Me:comeandsi
tdown.Iwi
llt
ellyouever
ythi
ng.
Tony:WhyIwasn'
tabl
etof
eelnorsmel
lyou.
That'
sst
range.
Me:Don'
twor
ryIwi
llt
ellyouever
ythi
ng.
..
(Ifi
rstt
oldhim .Howmyf amil
y'
sbloodli
ne
changed.ButIdidn'
ttel
lhi
m mebeingtheAdi
lapar
t.
Ineedtofir
stfi
ndouthowhef eel
saboutmebeing
abeast)
Tony:Soyoukeptt
hatf
rom me.Andyou'
reonly
tel
li
ngmenow.Wow.It houghtwewer
eclose.
Me:Iwasgoi
ngtotellyou.Iwasst
il
lunder
standi
ng
mysel
fandcapabi
li
ti
es.
(Het
houghtf
orsomet
ime)
Tony:Youki
ll
edAben.
..
ri
ght
?
(Inodded)
Tony:Wow.
..
MrOwen?
(Inodded)
Tony:You'
reabadass.Ithoughtyouwer
eal
lhol
y
andshit.Mhh.
.univer
sewil
lamazeyousometi
mes
.Soyouwer eatthewar?That'
showyougot
wounded.ButIdi
dn'
tseeyout
her
e.
Me:Wel
l..
.mhh.
..
ther
e'ssomet
hingIwantt
oshow
you.
Tony:Youhavesecr
etshey.
..
Me:Come.
(Ipulledhim byhi
shand.Il ookedatthemoon.It'
s
theper f
ectti
me.Wewer efaci
ngeachot her.I
slowlyclosedmyeyes.Andal lowedthepowerof
showingt akeover
.Itst
artedbecomingwi ndy.A
voicecameoutofmeandspokei naf or
bidden
l
anguage)

Me:Tueefhookszadg!
(Suddenl
yitbecamest
ormy)
Tony:Lal
iwhat
'sgoi
ngon.
(whatwashappeni
ngwasr
eal
lywei
ghi
ngmedown.
)
Me:Lookatmyeyes.
(Hedi
d.Ij
usthopeIwi
llbeabl
etoshowhi
m
everything.Ihel dtohimt i
ghtasIwassl owly
l
oosi ngmyst rength.Hel ookedf orsomet i
me.I
wasnowbl inki
ngver ymuch.Bef oreIcouldevendo
anythinghet hrewmeacr osst heground.Ididn'
t
havet hest rengthtost andup.Hecamet omei na
veryspeedymanner .Ij ustcl osedmyeyesbecause
Iknowhewasaboutt of i
ni shme.Justbef orehe
couldbi temyneck.Awol fgr owled.I'
m surethat
's
Mat.Iopenedmyeyessl owl yandyesi twasher.
Tonyandherst artedfighting.Ineedt ostopthem .I
can'twat chmyt wof avour itepeopl ehurteachother.
Iusedt hel aststrengthIhadandst oodup.I
shout edfrom thebot tom ofmyl ungs)
Me:STOP!
(Theybothadhered.Theyt
ransf
ormedbacktot
hei
r
sel
ves.Ever
ythi
ngwentbackt onor
mal.Ther
ewas
nolongerst
orm.)
Tony:You?Awol
f?Youguysar
e..
.
(Hemadehi
swayt
ome.
)
Tony:You'
ret
heAdi
la.
(Myeyeswi
dened.Ihaven'
ttol
dhi
m anyt
hingyet
.)
Me:Who?Me?No.
..
Tony:OnlytheAdil
acandothat.Youknowmy
uncledidwarnme.ThatifIfi
ndtheAdila.Imust
notli
stentoanywordshehast osay.Because
you'r
edecepti
ve.Youwantpeopletobeli
eveyour
l
ies.Whywoul dmyuncleki
llmydad?Why?Answer
me...
(Hewasbusyshaki
ngme)
Tony:Iwon'
tspareyourl
if
e.AndwhenIkil
lyou.
Notevenyourfr
iendwil
lbeabl
etosaveyou.
(Hewasmakinghi
swaybackt
othehouse.I
fol
lowedhi
m)
Me:Pleasewai
t.Youhavetobel
ieveme.Ididn'
tkil
l
yourdad.Youneedtobel
ievewhatIshowedyou.I
wouldn'
thavewaist
edmyt i
meandener gyi
fIki
ll
ed
him.
(Hesaidnot
hingandr
antohisr
oom.Isatdownon
thef
loor
.Matcameandhuggedme)
Me:Thanksf
ri
end..
.i
fyoudi
dn'
tcomeat!
ther
ight
t
ime.Iwouldhavebeendeadbynow.It
houghtI
t
wasgoi
ngt
obeeasy.
Mat
:At
leastyout
ri
edf
ri
end.Let
'sgoandsl
eep.
(Wewenttomyroom.Ichangedmypj
sandwent
st
rai
ghtt
obed.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

Theytookmet odad'sbedroom.Everyonewas
ther
e.Whathappenedi swhileIwasbusyenjoyi
ng
thepart
y.IsuddenlyfeltuneasyandIwasslowly
l
osingmystrength.I
thappenedf orsometi
me.But
Iwasnowokay.

Mom:Ar
eyousur
eyou'
ref
ine?
Me:Yeah.
..
Dad:Iwantt
ohaveawor
dwi
thyou.Canever
yone
l
eave.
(Ni
cklookedatme.Heshowedmeasi gn.Sayi
ngI
mustn'
ttel
lhi
m anyt
hing.Ever
yonewasnowout.
Dadsatnextt
ome.)
Dad:Son.
..
youknowt
hatyou'
ret
henextAl
phar
ight
?
(Inodded)
Dad:Youhaveenemieseverywhere.Someyou
know.Whi l
esomeyoudon' tknow.Butyour
great
estenemyisyourchosenone.
(Myhear
tski
ppedf
orsecond)
Me:My.
..
mychosenone?.
..
butwho?
Dad:I'
m gl
adyouhaven'
tmether.Shewi l
lbethe
endofyou.Iprayt
hatyounevercr
osspathswi t
h
her
.Shewillwi
peoutthewholeexi
stenceofthe
wolves.
(Iwasoutofwor ds.Whywoulddadsaysuch
thi
ngsaboutLal
i.Lalii
saverykindandlovi
nggir
l.
Sheist
hebestchosenone. Icouldeveraskf
or.)
Dad:So..
.pl
easesonwhenyout hi
nkyouhave
foundher
.Don'thesi
tat
etot
ellme.okay?
Me:Dad
Dad:Yes.
..
(Iwasner
vous)
Me:Whenwi
llwel
ett
heDr
ugi
omi
nsl
eave?
Dad:What?Never.
..
theywil
lstayhereimprisoned
unt
ilt
heytakethei
rlastbr
eath.They'
reluckywe
gi
vethem food.
Me:Butdad..
.don'tyouthinki
t'
senoughnow.Don'
t
youthi
nkit'
saboutt i
mewef i
nall
ymakepeacewit
h
thebeast
s.Likethishasbeengoi ngonf
oryear
s.
Whycan'tweal lf
orgiveandforget.
Dad:Pl
easel
eavemyr
oom.
(Idi
dashet ol
dme.Hewasveryangr
y.SoIdon'
t
wanttoupsethi
m mor
e.Imademywayt oNi
ck)
Ni
ck:Sowhatwashesayi
ng.
..
Me:Youknowhi
m..
.hewasbusywar
ningme
aboutLal
i.
Nick:Di
dyouaskhi
m aboutl
ett
ingt
hosepeopl
e
go..
.
Me:Hegotver
yangryandsai dImustleavehi
s
r
oom.It
'scl
earthatwi
llneverhappen.
Ni
ck:That
'sapr
obl
em.
..

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandt ookabat
h.Imademyway
downstai
rs.Ever
yonewasther
eexceptf
orTony.I
satdown.

Dad:Wher
e'sTony?Someonegoupst
air
sandcal
l
hi
m.
(Ist
oodup)
Me:Iwi
llgoandcal
lhi
m..
.
(Imademywayt ohisr
oom.Itwasn'tl
ocked.He
wasn'tt
here.Iknockedonthebathr
oom.Not hi
ng.I
openedthebathroom doorbuthewasn'tt
here.I
sawanot eont hebed.

"Getr
eadybeast
women.
..
we'
recomi
ngf
oryou.
Love
VTony"

(Thisi
scr
azy.Inowhavetofi
ghtwit
hTony.That
's
notgoi
ngt
ohappen.Iwentdownstai
rs.)
Me:He'
snoti
nhi
sroom.
Dad:What
?
Me:Hejustt
ext
edme.Hesai
dhe'
svi
sit
ingoneof
hi
sfri
ends.
Dad:mhhisee.
(Weat
e.Dadl
eft
.)
Addi
:Guysl
etgooutcl
ubbi
ngt
oni
ght
..
.
Mat
:Gr
eati
dea.
..
Me:yeah.
..
Agol
dbot
tl
eofMoetwi
lldomegood.
(Asitwasveryhotoutsi
de.Wedeci
dedt
ogoand
swim.AsIwassitt
ingwithbothmyl
egsi
nthepool.
Austi
n'scal
lcamethrough.)
Me:Hel
lo.
..
Aust
in:Hi.
..
I'
m sor
ryaboutyest
erday.
..
Me:Nah.
..
Iwasnot
hing.
Aust
in:Mm.
..
k..
.sohowar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m wel
landyou
Austi
n:I'
m wel
l.
..
I'
m backi
ntheci
ty.CanIseeyou
t
onight.
Me:Youguyscanj
oinus.Thegi
rl
sandiar
egoi
ng
out
.
Aust
in:Oh.
..
ok.
..
wewi
llpi
ckyouguysup.
Me:Sur
e.
Aust
in:Seeyout
han.
(
Itol
dthegir
lst
hat
.Youguysshoul
dhaveseen
Mat'
sface.I
twasf
ullofgl
ow.)
Zi
a:Can'
twai
tfort
oni
ght.Wi
llhi
sfri
endsbet
her
e.I
wantaoneni
ghtst
andformyself
..
.
Me:God.
..
aren'
tyouandOdi
ndat
ing.
Zi
a:Nah.
..
hesai
dhewant
stohavef
unwi
thme.
Me:Real
ly?Andyoul
ovedhi
m.
Zia:Yeah.
..
Ihavemanagedt
obur
ythef
eel
ingsI
hadf orhi
m.
Addi
:Havef
un?Whosayst
hatt
oabeaut
if
ulgi
rll
ike
you
Mat
:Hesur
elydoesn'
tknowwhathe'
smi
ssi
ngout.
Me:Yeah.
..
(Aswewer
ebusyt
alki
ng.Nomhl
ecal
led)

Nomhl
e:Er
m..
.hel
lo
Me:Hey.
..
Nomhl
e:Howar
eyou.
..
Me:I
'
m wel
landyou.
..
(
Itwasonl
oudspeaker
.)
Nomhl
e:Wel
l.
..
Me:Mhh.
..
that
'sgood.
Nomhl
e:Yeah.
..
Iwasj
ustchecki
nguponyou.
Me:That
'sgr
eat
.
(Theconversat
ionwewer ehavi
ngwasjust
awkward,col
dandboring.Thi
ngsbetweenNomhle
andIwil
lneverbethesameast heywerebackt
han
.)
Nomhle:Iwaswonderi
ngifwecoul
dgoout.Do
someshoppingt
ogetherandgr
abalunchat
Steer
s..
.
Me:Er
mm.
..
I'
mreal
lysor
rybutIcan'
t.I
'
m ver
ybusy.
Nomhl
e:Tomor
rowt
han
Me:Nah.
..
thesecomi
ngdays.
..
I'
m ver
ybusy.
..
Nomhl
e:MhhIsee.
..
Iguessbye.
Me:Bye.
..
(Idr
oppedi
t.Thegi
rl
sletoutal
oudl
augh)
Mat
:Shameshe'
smi
ssi
ngherbest
ie.

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Wel
ltobehonestIf
eell
ikeLal
iisavoi
dingme.I
real
lymessedup.Imi ssher .Imi ssmyf ri
endso
much.Imi ssedt hedayswhenwewoul dsleep
together.Buysi mi l
arclothes.Haveat alkabout
boys.Ir eall
ymi ssher .Sowhathappenedi s.We
cremat edKi araandMi ke'sbody.Wet ooktheir
mot hertot heMent alasylum.Si nceshe'snot
respondi ngtoanyt hing.Weaskedt hedoctorthere
togivehersomet hingthatwi l
lmakesur eshe
doesn'thealorsomet hing.Wel lmymom andIar e
nowr unni ngtheOwenbusi nesses.Wehadt obribe
thelawyer sandmakei tlooklikeMi keandIwer e
mar ri
ed.Toi ncommuni typroper tymarri
age.Iheard
theyhadanuncl e.Buthehasn' tbotheredusyet.
SonextyearIwi l
ldoashotcour seonbusi ness
management .We' r
eaboutt ogetr i
ch.Iwashavi ng
winewi thmymot heratt heOwenmansi on.
..

Mom:Fabul
oushouset
heyhad.
..
Me:Sur
eiti
s.
Mom:Howar
ethi
ngsbet
weenyouandLal
i.
..
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkt
hingswi
lleverbet
hesame.She'
s
avoi
dingme.I
t'
sli
keshewant
snot
hingt
odowi
th
me..
.
Mom :Icant
alkt
oherf
oryoui
fyouwant
.
Me:Nah.
..
lethert
akehert
ime.Ihavehur
therso
much.

Tobecont
inued
Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
18]Lynne:i
nser
t43

Lal
i'
sPOV

SoIwasbusyget tingdressed.Austi
n'scarwas
al
readyparkedoutside.Wellthegir
lshadalready
l
eft.Iputonmyr i
ppedski nnyjean,whitecroptop
andwhitesneakers.Itakemybagandphoneand
wenttohiscar.Isatont hefrontpassengerseat
.
Hi
m:Yousur
elyt
ookyourt
ime.
..
(Ij
ustsmi
led)
Hi
m:You'
rel
ooki
ngbeaut
if
ult
hough.
Me:Thanks.
..
youar
en'
tthatbadei
ther
.
(I
'
mlyi
ng.He'
slooki
ngsoappet
izi
nghot.)
Hi
m:Iwi
llt
aket
hatasacompl
iment
.
(Hi
sotherhandwasdr
ivi
ngwher
east
heotherone
washoldi
ngmyhand.Hewouldki
ssmyhandevery
nowandt hen.)
Hi
m:Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
ieveyou'
remygi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:Wellar
en'
tyougoingt
otellmeaboutwhyyou
dr
uggedmeandl ockedmeinsideyourr
oom.
Him:Wellaboutt
hat.
..
I'
m sor
ry.Iwant
edt
omake
suret
hatyouweresafe.
(Hesi
ghed)
Him:Lali.
..
Ilostmywi febecauseIwascarel
ess.I
di
dn'ttel
lherthetr
uthnorwar nheraboutt
he
outcomeofbei ngpregnantmybaby.Idon'
twantto
l
oseyouLal i.YouandIwer emeanttobetogether
.
I
t'
smydut
ytomakesur
eyou'
resaf
eandsound.
(Ij
ustnodded)
Hi
m:Doyouf
orgi
veme.
..
Me:no.
..
(Hemadeaf
unnypout
yface.Il
aughed)
Me:I'
mj oki
ng.Ifor
gaveyoulongti
meago.I
cannotstayangr
yatyouforalongti
me.Il
oveyou.
(Hekissedmycheek.Wef i
nall
yarrivedtot hisclub
weusuallygot o.I twassof ull
.Matwavedatust o
come.Wemadeourwayt othem .Theyhave
al
readyboughtdr inks.Ther ewasAust i
n'sfriends
andbrothers.Ondr eaz'
swifewasal soher e.The
guywhowassi t
tingnextt oOndreazl ookedf amil
iar
.
Helooksexact lylikeTayler.Hishaircut.Butwas
weari
ngexpensi vecl ot
hes.AsmuchasIknow
Tayl
erwoul dn'tevenaf fordLacostesneaker s.Yet
heiswearingaGuccit shi
rt.Maybei t'snothi m.
Howcanhebeher ewhensomear ei mprisonedand
somedied.Wesatdown.Hekeptst eali
nggl ances
ofme.Iwhi speredt oAust i
n)
Me:What
'st
hatguy'
sname.
..
Hi
m:Whi
chone?
Me:Theonesit
ti
ngnextt
oOndr
eazandwear
inga
Guccitshi
rt
.
Him:Ohhthatonei
sourfr
iend.Buthe'smor eclose
toOndr
eaz.Wewenttothesameuni versi
ty.His
nameisTayler
.
Me:What
?
Hi
m:doyouknowhi
m?.
Me:Wel
l..
.Ido.
(Tayler
?Universi
ty?What ?.
..
what'sgoingonher e.
Howcomehe' sher e.Thiswasn'tgivi
ngmepeace.
AnywaywhenIgett imeIwil
laskhim.Heowesme
someexplanati
on.wewer ebusyenjoyingour sel
ves.
Havingdri
nksandt alki
ng.Austi
nwoul dkissme
nowandt hen.Aswewer ebusylaughing.Emi li
a
madeherwayt ous.Shewaswi thsomeot hertwo
girl
s.Shewaswear ingaveryshortminiskirtanda
croptop.Matlookedatme.Ij ustshruggedmy
shoul
der
s.)
Emi
li
a:Heyguys.
..
(Wel
lAust
in'
sfr
iendsgr
eet
edherback.)
Emi
li
a:Er
m..
heyLal
i
(What
?Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)
Me:Hey.
..
howar
eyou?
Emi
li
a:I
'
m goodandyour
sel
f.
Me:Good.
Emi l
ia:Wel l.
..Austi
nIwasatyourhouse.The
guardsdi dn'tallowmet ocomei n.(Shegl ancedat
me)Wel lIwant edtotakemyt oi
letr
iesand
under wearIf orgotatyourhouse.Thatdayoft he
familygat heri
ng.(IlookedatMat .IjusthopeEmi l
ia
i
ssayi ngt hatjusttomakemeangr y.Ihopei t'
snot
true.)Wel l..
.
(Befor
eshecouldsayanything.Austi
nstoodup
anddraggedherawayfrom us.Ididn'
tseehisf
ace.
ButIcanfeelt
hatshe'
sangry.Whywoul dheget
angr
yifwhatEmili
awassayi ngwasn'ttr
ue.Mata
cameandsatnexttome)
Mat
:I'
m sor
ryf
ri
end.
..
Me:Why?What
'swr
ong?
Mat :Well.
..Ididn'
twantt
ocauseanycommot i
on
betweenAust inandyou.Youguyslookgood
together
.
(Iwasconf
used.)
Me:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
.
Mat
:Wel
lonthatday.
..
(Ni
ckmadehi
swayt
ous.
Het
ookMatbyherhand.)
Mat
:NoLal
ideser
vest
oknow.
Ni
ck:Iknow.
..
butit'
snotourpl
acet
otel
lher
.Wai
t
f
orAusti
ntot
ellher
.
Mat
:But
Ni
ck:No.
..
(Theywentbacktowheretheyweresit
ti
ng.I
t
seemsI'mtheonlyonei
nthedark.Theyknowthe
tr
uth.Ij
ustpr
aythatwhat
everthey'
rehi
dingf
rom
me.Doesn'thavetodowit
hEmi l
ia.)
Aust
in'
sPOV

Lal
iandIwer ehavingaverygoodtime.Thanthi
s
bi
tchdecidedtoruineveryt
hing.Whenshewas
busytal
kingIdraggedherout si
det
heclub.I
sl
appedheracrossherf ace.
iwassoangry.

Me:Didn'
tIt
ellyout
onevercr
osspat
hswi
thme?
Di
dn'tI
?
Emili
a:ohwowAust in..
.yout
ookmyvi
rgi
nit
y.You
promisedmet heworld.Yousai
dyouwer
egoingto
spendtherestofyourlif
ewit
hme.
(Shetouchedmyface.Ir
emovedt
hem and
sl
appedheragai
n)
Emil
ia:Aust
in.
..
youandIbel
ongtoget
her
.Wecan'
t
j
ustl
etthatbit
chcomebetweenus.Whatwehad
wasbeautif
ulAust
in.
..
Me:Wehadnot hi
ng.Getthatt
hroughyourthi
ck
skul
l.Anddon'
tevercal
lmygirl
fri
endabitch.
(Il
efthert
her
eandwentbacki
nsi
de.Isatdown
andf
ini
shedawhol
egl
assofwhi
skey.)
Lal
i:So?
(Il
ookedather
)
Lal
i:Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
otel
lmeaboutwhatEmi
li
a
sai
d.
Me:Wel
l.
..
it
'snot
hing.
Lal
i:Aust
in.
..
Me:Not
hing.
Lal
i:SowhatEmili
asaidwast
rue.Ri
ght
?.Shewas
att
hef ami
lygat
hering.
Me:Ermm...
wellLove.
..yeah...
I'
m sor
ry.Youknow
whathappenedis..
.Mom somehowf oundoutt hatI
haveagir
lfr
iend.Soshewant edtomeether .Ihad
tobri
ngsomeone.Youknowver ywellthatshecan't
meetyou.SoIaskedEmi li
a..
.
Lal
i:Wow..
.Austi
n.outofal
lthel
adi
esoutt
her
e.
YouchoseEmili
a.Wow.
Me:I
'
m sorrybabe.Iwasn'tt
hinki
ngstrai
ght
.Itwas
al
soalastminut
ething..
.babeI'm sor
ry.
Lal
i:Andyoudi
dn'
tseet
heneedt
otel
lme.
Me:Wel
l..
.Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyou.
..I
'
m sor
ry.And
weal
sohadsex.
(Herfacedropped.Somewayoranot herIhadt
o
tel
lherthet
ruth.Shedeservest
oknow.Shehad
tear
sonhereyes.Shet ookherphone)
Me:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Lal
i:I
'
m cal
li
nganUber
.Iwantt
ogohome.
(It
ri
edt
ohol
dherhand)
Lal
i:Dontt
ouchmepl
ease..
.
Me:I
'
m sor
ryLal
i.
Lali
:No...
I'
m sor
ry.I'
m sorryf orl
ovi
ngyouwi t
h
honestyandsopassionately.Wehaven'teven
fi
nishedayeardati
ng.Al r
eadyyouhavecheat ed.
Whatwi l
lhappeninthefuture.DoIhavetobareal
l
yourcheati
ngwaysbecauseyou' r
emychosenone.
(Shewast
alki
ngsof
tl
ysot
hatpeopl
ewon'
thearus
.)
Me:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
I'
mtr
ulysor
ry.
(Shet
ookherbagandwentout
side.If
oll
owedher
.
Shestoodbyt
heroad.
)
Me:Iwi
llt
akeyouhome.
..
Lal
i:Don'
tbot
her.
..
(Igr
abbedherhandandt
ookhert
omycar
)
Lal
i:
leavemeal
oneAust
in..
.
(Ipushedherinsideandclosedthedoor.Iwentto
myseatandst art
eddrivi
ng.Shewasqui teal
lthe
way.Andbusyl ookingoutsi
dethewi ndow.
Inst
eadofdrivi
ngherhome.It ookhert omyhouse.
Iparkedthecar.Iwenttoherside.Iopenedthe
doorforher.
)
Lal
i:Iwantt
ogohome.
Me:pl
easecomei
nsi
de.Sot
hatwecant
alk.
(Shewenti
nsidet
hehouse.WhenIgoti
nshe
thr
ewherbackatme)
Lal
i:Tal
kaboutwhatexact
ly?Youhavesai
d
enough.
..
Iregr
et.
..
(Imademywayt
oher
.Shesl
owl
ymovedback
unt
ilshewast
rappedbyt
hewal
l.)
Me:Iwantt
oshowyouhowsor
ryIam.
(Shel
aughedsar
cast
ical
ly)
Lal
i:byhavingsexwi t
hme.WowAust in.Idi
dn'
t
knowyout houghtt
hatl owofme.Li
stenhereI'
m
notyourbi
tchEmi l
ia.Whoyoucanhavesexwi t
h
wheneveryouwant.
(Icuppedherf aceandkissedher.Sher et
urnedthe
ki
ss.Weki ssedforsomet ime.Afterthatshe
pushedmeandt hrewaver yhotsl
aponmycheek.
It
'sl
ikeIwashi tbyaman.Ii mmedi at
elybecame
angry.Iwenttoherandgr abbedherbot hupper
armsandpol it
elysai
d:)
Me:Don'tever.
..
andImeaneverl
ayyourhandon
me.BecauseIwillhur
tyour
eal
lybad.
Lal
i:(Shechuckl
ed)Youwi
llal
sogethur
t.
Me:IknowI'
mt heoneatfaul
tbutt
hatdoesn'
tgi
ve
youtheper
missiont
oslapme.Makethisthel
ast
ti
meyouslapme.
(imademywayt
othedoor
.)
Me:If
orgi
veyou.
(Iwentt
omycaranddr
ovebackt
othecl
ub.)
Mat
:wher
e'sLal
i?
...
howi
sshe?
Me:Shewi
llbef
ine.
..

Lal
i'
sPOV

"Forgiveme" .Hebana. .
.OkayIdon' tknowwhatgot
i
nt ome.Ir egr etslappinghi m.Ishoul dn'thave
disrespectedhi ml ikethat .ButwhatcanIsay. igot
veryangr ywhenwewer ekissingIimagi nedhim
kissingEmi l
iaandIi mmedi atelygotangr y.When
hegr abbedmeIt houghthewasgoi ngtohur tme.
AnywaysIdon' tthinkthingsbet weenAust inandI
willeverbet hesame.YesIl ovehim.ButIdon' t
thinkIwillevert rusthim .It ookmyphoneand
calledtheuberagai n.Iwon' tspendt henighther e.
Luckyenoughhedi dn'tlockt hedoor .Iwentout side
andwai ted.Theuberar rived.Aftersomet i
meIgot
home.Iwentst raighttomybedr oom.It ookaqui ck
bat
handwentt
obed.

Tayl
er'
sPOV

Itwasnowi nthemor ning.Wel lIwasi nmyhouse.

Yesmyhouse.Ondr eazandIar everygoodf r
iends.
Eventhoughhesomet imesact sallbossy.Wellwe
arealsobusinesspartners.Alsowhenhewant st
o
getri
dofsomeoneIhel phi m.Andhewoul dpayme
averygoodamount.Wel lIdi
dn' tknowLaliwas
dati
ngAustin.WellIthinkIcanuset hattomy
advantage.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandt ookabat h.Matwasst i

llasl
eep.I
gotdressedandstoodbythebalcony.Thesunwas
hi
tti
ngdiffer
ent
.Iclosedmyeyesandal loweditt
o
hi
tmyski n.
Mat
:I'
m sor
ry..
.
(
Iopenedmyeyesandt
urnedback.)
Me:You'
reup
Mat:I
'
m sor
ryLal
i.Forhi
dingt
het
rut
hfr
om youal
l
t
histi
me.
(Ihel
dherhands)
Me:no.
..
youshoul
dn'
tapol
ogize.I
t'
snotyourf
aul
t.
I
t'
sAust
in'
s.Heshoul
dhavetoldme.
Mat
:Butst
il
l.
..
Me:No..
.nohe'stheoneatfaul
ther
e.Hei
st heone
whocheated.YouandNickhavedonenot
hing.
(Shesi
ghedandl
eanedont
hebal
cony)
Mat:Ihopethi
ngsbet
weenyouandhi
m..
.wi
llsoon
gobacktothesame.
Me:Idon'tt
hinkso.
..Ithi
nkInowhavet
ofocus
moreonmaki ngsur
et hepeopl
efr
om Dr
ugi
omin
ar
ereleased.
Mat
:Yeah.
..
haveyout
ri
edt
ocal
lTony
Me:Ihavegi
venup.
..
I'
vet
ri
edbuthi
scel
lphonei
s
swi
tchedoff
.
(
Ziagoti
n)
Zi
a:Heygi
rl
s..
.t
hebr
eakf
asti
sready.
Me:Thanks.
(Mattookaqui
ckbat
h.Iwai
tedforhert
of i
nish.
Wethanwentdownst
air
s.Wejoi
nedeveryoneon
thet
able.)
Me:Tonyhasn'
tcomebackyet
Kayl
a:Hedidcomeyest er
day.
..
lat
ert
hough.He
t
ookmostofhisclothes.Hesai
dhewi l
lbest
ayi
ng
wit
hhisuncl
ejustfornow.
Me:MhhIsee.
..
daddoyouknowwher
ehi
suncl
e
l
ive?
Dad:Yeah.
..
Thehousehe'
sli
vingi
nwasboughtby
meforhim.
Me:Mhh.
..
canyousendt
hel
ocat
ionofi
ttome.I
r
eall
ywantt
ovisi
thi
m.
(Hesenti
t.If
ini
shedeat
ingandwentbackt
omy
r
oom.Matf
oll
owedme.)
Mat:Lal
i..
.Idon'tt
hinkit
'sagoodIdeatogosee
hi
m.Hemaynotbepl easedtoseeyou.Lal
ihemay
har
m you.Hi m andhisuncle.
Me:Don'
twor
ry..
.Tonywi
llneverhar
m me.He
oncel
ovedmeremember?...
Tonycaresf
orme.
Mat:Gosh..
.okayI
'
m comingwit
hyouthan.Si
nceI
won'tbeabl
etoconvi
nceyourst
ubbor
nass.
Me:Youwi
llst
ayi
nthecart
hough.
..
Mat
:No.
..
Iwi
llgoi
nsi
dewi
thyou.
Me:Mat.
..
Mat:No.
..
it
'snotupf
ordi
scussi
on.I
'
m goi
ngi
n
wi
thyou.
(WetookourJer
seysandcarkeys.Wewent
downst
air
s.)
Zayn:Canweal
socomewi
thyouguys.
..
wer
eal
ly
misshim
(MatandIl
ookedateachot
her.)
Zi
a:Yeah.
..
Wewi
llal
sobuyf
ewdr
inksont
heway.
Me:No.
..
I.
..
Jase:Wear
ecomi
ngwi
th.
..
Mat
:But
..
.
Zayn:no.
..
no.
..
nowe'
rewi
thi
n.
Me:Fi
ne.
(Weusedt wocar s.JaseandIwer edri
ving.They
werefoll
owi ngourcar
.Maybecomi ngwiththem
i
sn'tabadi dea.Sowef i
nall
yarri
vedtowhat
seemedlikeanol dhouse.Thathasn'
tbeenusedfor
years.Thepai ntwasevenpeeli
ngoff.Weal l
parkedoutside.)
Jase:Lal
i..
.ar
eyousur
ethi
sist
hehouse?
Me:Yeah.
..
Pleasecheckagai
nMat
.
(Shedi
d)
Zi
a:WhywouldTonyl
eaveourbi
gbeaut
if
ul
mansi
onfort
his.
Me:Guysl
et'
sgoi
nsi
deandf
indout
.
(Wegoti
nandwenttot
hedoor.Weknockedfor
qui
teal
ongt
ime.Iknowthey'
rei
nsi
de.Icansmell
t
hei
rbl
ood.
)
Addi:GuysIt
hinkweshouldj
ustgobackhome.I
t'
s
evengetti
ngdarkandf
reakynow.
Me:Let
'
swai
tal
it
tl
e.
(Ishout
ed)
Me:TONYCOMEONMAN.
..OPENTHEDOOR.WE
KNOW YOU'
REI
NTHERE.
J..
.
(beforeIcouldevenconti
nue.Thedooropened.
Butitwasn'tTony.Hemadewayf orustocomei n.
Itwasverydarkinhere.Onecandlewasl i
t.He
assembledust owhatlookedli
kealounge.The
coucheswer esoold.Ahumanbl oodwassmel l
ing
i
nher e.)
"wai
ther
e..
.Iwi
llgoandcal
lTony"
(Inahighspeedhewentaway.Ihopeot hersdidn'
t
noti
cethat.IlookedatMat.Afterwewai tedfor
l
ongwewer enowevendr i
nkingourwi ne.Tony
came.Hewasn' thi
mself
.Hehadbl ackcircles
aroundhiseyes.Hisfacewaspal e.Imademyway
tohim.Itr
iedtotouchhim .Butheforcefull
y
r
emovedmyhand.)
Jase:.
..
areyouguysokay.
..
didyousomehowgot
i
ntoafight?
(If
akedasmi
le)
Me:No.
..
y..
yes.
..
act
uall
y.He'
sangr
ythatIwasn'
tat
homewhenhecame. .
.
Zayn:Dudear
eyouokay?Youl
ookl
ikeyou'
re
abouttodi
e.
Tony:I
'
mf i
ne..
.Ij
usthaveafever
.Andi
twouldbe
bet
teri
fyou'
lll
eave.Ineedt
ogetsomesleep.
Zi
a:nah..
.we'
renotgoi
nganywher
e.We'
reher
eto
vi
sityou.
Addi
:Yeah.
..
I.
..
wemi
ssyou.
Tony:EVERYONELEAVE!
(Heshout
ed.Ever
yonewentqui
et.Hi
suncl
ecame)
Him:It
hinki
twi
llbebet
teri
fyou'
l
lgo.Tonyi
sn'
t
f
ine.
Zi
a:Never
..
.we'
renotgoi
ngwithoutyou.Wecannot
l
eaveyouinthi
shouse.I
t'
sjustnoti
nourstandar
d.
Tony:Iwoul
dr eal
lyappr
eci
atei
tifyoucoul
dnot
i
nsultmyuncle'shouse.
Me:CanIt
alkt
oyoui
npr
ivat
e..
.
(Theuncl
e'
seyeswi
dened.Her
epul
sesme.)
Hi
m:Nothappeni
ng.
..
Me:excuseme?
Hi
m:Isai
dyouwi
llnott
alkt
ohi
m.
(Icamet
ohi
m andwhi
sper
edonhi
sear
)
Me:Itseemsli
keyouhaveforgott
ent
hatI
'
mthe
Adi
la.Icanr
ipyourchestr
ightnow.
Him:Iwanttoseeyoutry.Oneofthecomi
ngdays
youwil
lbeaskingforsympathyf
rom me.AndTony
wil
lbetheonefeedingonyou.
(Iswal
lowedhar
d)
Me:Shame.
..
Tonywoul
dneverdot
hatt
ome.
(Iwentbackt
owher
eIwasst
andi
ng)
"Son.
..
youcant
alkt
oher
..
"
(Tonywentawayandif
oll
owedhi
m.Wel
lwegot
outusingabackdoor.Idi
dn'
tknowthi
splacewas
thisbi
g.Itwasverydar
kbutIcoul
dseetr
ees.He
stoodandf acedme.
)
Tony:Whatdoyouwantf r
om meAdil
a?.
..Wasn'
t
ki
ll
ingmyfatherenoughtosat
isf
yyou?.
..wasn'
t
destr
oyi
ngmyl i
feenough.
(Hegr
abbedmesot
ightonmyupperar
ms.)
Me:Tony.
..
you'
rehur
ti
ngme.
..
Tony:Hur
ti
ngyou?Thepai
nyou'r
efeel
ingnowis
nothi
ngcompar
edtothepai
nIfel
twhenIlostmy
dad.
(Inowhadtear
s.Ir
eall
ydon'
twantt
ofi
ghthi
m.
He'sangr
y.Whowouldn'
tbe)
Me:ButTony. ..
howmanyt imesmustItel
lyouthat
Idi
dn'tki
llyourfat
her.Youruncl
eisbusyf
eeding
youli
es.Ineverkill
edyourdad.
Tony:Ohhpleasespar
emewi t
hyourcr
ocodi
le
tear
sandpleasestopl
ying.
Me:I
fIki
ll
edhim.WhywouldIri
skmysel fand
comeher
e.IfIki
ll
edhi
m Iwoul
dn'thavegoneext
ra
mil
estoshowyouthet
rut
h.Isacr
if
icedmy
st
rengt
hsforyou.
(Myphoner i
nged.Il
ookedatthecal
lerIDitwas
Austi
n.Idi
dn'
tanswerit.Hekeptcal
li
ng.Ideci
ded
toswit
choffmyphone.)
Me:Tony. .
.Ineedyou.Ineedyourhel p.Youneed
tohelpme.I 'm outofoptions.Mypeoplearei
n
danger.Ineedt ofreethem andmakesur et
hey'
re
safe.Ican'
tdoal lofthatalone.Ineedyou.
Tony:
Pleasel
eave.
..
Ineverwantt
oseeyourf
ace
her
eagain.
(Hemadehi
swayinsi
det
hehouse.Whenwegot
i
nsi
dehetur
nedback)
Tony:Untilwemeetagai
n..
.andthatdaywil
lbe
yourlastoneart
h.AndwhenIkil
lyou...
Noteven
yourAustinwil
lbeabl
etosaveyou.
(Hewentaway.Iwi
pedmyt
ear
sandwentt
o
ot
her
s.)
Me:Let
'
sgo.
..
Zi
a:No.
..
wear
en'
tleavi
ngwi
thoutTony.
..
Addi
:I'
m st
ayi
ngbehi
nd.
Me:Okay.
..
fi
ne.
..
ifyouguyswantt
ost
ay.Thanst
ay.
(MatandIwentt
othecar
.Theyalsof
oll
owed.The
dri
vewasver
ysil
ent
.Wearri
ved.Weallwentt
oour
separ
ater
ooms.)
Mat
:Sowhatdi
dhesay.
..
Me:Whagel
sewoul
dhesay..
.besi
det
ell
ingme
t
hatt
hey'
regoi
ngt
okil
lhi
m..
..
(Iswi
tchedmyphoneon.Missedcal
lsand
messagesstar
tedf
loodi
ngi
nmyphone.Theywer
e
fr
om Austi
n.

Someoft
hemessageswer
ereadasf
oll
ow
"Lal
i..
.IknowIshouldhavetol
dyou.IknowI
shoul
dhaveneversleptwit
hher.ButI'
m sor
ry.Can
youpleaseansweryourphone.
"
"Whereareyou?...
areyouokay?.
..
Ijustwantt
o
makesureyou'r
eokaywhereyouare.Please
answeryourphone"
"Okay...
ifyoudon'tansweryourphoner
ightatt
his
i
nstance.
..Iwi
llcomet oyourhouse.
..
"
"Lal
i..
.answeryourdamnphone.
.."
"I'
m sor
ryf
orthel
astmessage.
..
Ijustwantt
ohear
yourvoi
cel
ove"

(Theywer esomany.Ican' treadthem al

l.Isome
howf oundmysel flaughing.Thi
sboyfri
endofmi ne
though.Yesdon' tyou'
lll
ookatmel iket
hat .Iknow
hecheat edbuthe'sstil
lmyboyf r
iendandwi l
l
foreverbe.Iknowourr elati
onshi
pwon'tbet he
same.ButIst i
lll
ovehim. )

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Iwi
llpostanot
heri
nser
tlat
er.
Thankyouf
or2k.
[
06/
23,
08:
19]Lynne: I
nser
t44
Lal
i'
sPOV

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lAust
in.

Hi
m:Hey.
..
Whywer
eyounotanswer
ingmycal
l
s.
Me:Iwasst
il
langr
yatyou.
..
Hi
m:t
hatmeansyou'
renol
ongerangr
y.
Me:Nomr.
..
I'
m st
il
langr
yatyou.
..
Hi
m:I '
m sorr
yLali.
..canyoupleasefor
giveme.I
al
readyfeell
ikeshitforwhatIdid.Pl
easefor
give
memyl ove.
Me:underonecondi
ti
on.
..
Hi
m :I
'
mli
steni
ng.
Me:I
fyoucanhel
pmegetmypeopl
efr
om bei
ng
i
mpri
soned.
Hi
m:Lali.
..
Ican'
tdothat.Icannotgoagai
nstmy
f
ather
'sword.I
'
m sor
rylovebutIcan't
.
Me:I
'
m notaf
ool
.Idon'
twantyout
ogoandt
ell
yourf
athert
ofr
eethem.Iwantyourhel
p..
.Iwantt
o
useyouasabaitt
oyourfat
her.
Hi
m:Idon'
tfol
low
Me:Well..
.wewi l
lmakei tl
ooklikeIki
dnappedyou
toyourf
ather.Andinstructhi
mt ofreethem i
fhe
wantsyoualive.AndIknowyourdadl ovesyouso
much.Andhewi l
lneverall
owanyt hi
ngbadt o
happentoyou.Asyou' rethenextAlpha.You'r
e
hol
dingthefutureoftheOegrate.
Hi
m:Yourplani ssmart.ButLal
i.
..
whatyouwantto
st
artwon'
tendwel l.
..Hemayhar m you.
..AndLal
i
Imeanit.
..
pleasejustl
etalloft
hisgo.
Me:Never
..
.yourpeopleareokay,
saf
eandsound.
Butmypeoplearen'
t.AndyousuggestIleavet
hem
ther
etodi
e.Never.Ifitcal
lsforawart
of r
eethem .
ThanI'
mready..
.
Hi
m:idi
dn'
tmeant
hat
..
.ButLal
i..
.
Me:goodni
ghtAust
in.

I
twasnowi
nthemor
ning.
Tony'
sPOV

Wel lwhenLal iandot her scameher e.Myuncl eand

Iwer ebusyf eedingonahuman.Ihavebeenr eal l
y
sick.I'
m struggli
ngt osl eep.Itfeelsl i
kemybodyi s
i
nsomebat tl
ewi thmymi ndandhear t.Mymi nd
keept ell
ingmet oki l
lLal i
.Butmyhear ti
sagai nst
that.Iloveher.Il ovehersomuchandf oreverwi l
l.I
havebeenaski ngmysel fif:Am Iangr yatLali
becausemyuncl etoldmesheki l
ledmydad.Ori tis
becauseIl oveherandshedoesn' tlovemeback.
Myuncl eandIwer ehavi ngbreakfast .Forthef i
rst
ti
mewe' rehavingapr operbreakfast .Weusual ly
drinkagl assofbl oodt hatconti
nuewi t
hwhat ever
wewer edoing.

Uncl
e:Thebasementisnowr
eady.Wenowj
ust
needacageandchains.
(Ikeptqui
etandcont
inuedeat
ing)
Uncl
e:Ar
ewest
il
ltoget
herson.
Me:Idon'tknowuncle.Afteryest
erday..
.Ihavebeen
f
eeli
ngver ystr
ange.Uncleareyousur ethatLal
iis
t
heonet hatkil
ledmyfather?
(Hi
sfacialexpr
essi
onchanged.Hest
art
ed
sweat
ing.)
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
(Hef
akedasmi
le)
Uncl
e:W.
.wel
l.
.I
..
.I
'mf
ine.
(There'
ssomethi
nghe'shi
dingf
rom me.Iwonder
whatisit
.Butal
lIknowishewouldneverhar
m my
dad.Theywereverycl
ose.)
Me:YouknowIhavebeenthinki
ngaboutwhatLali
tol
dme.Ifshereal
lyki
ll
edmydad.Shewouldn'tbe
comingher
e.Shewouldn'
thave..
.
Uncl
e:That
'swhyIdidn'twantyout
otal
ktoher
.
TheAdil
aisful
loft
ri
cks.Shecanmakeyoubeli
eve
somethi
ngthati
snottrue.
Me:Andhowdoyouknowt
hat
?
Uncle:W..
.wel
l.
..
Iknow.I'
m old.Iknowever
ythi
ng
aboutthesepowerf
ulcreat
ures.
Me:Di
dyouknowt hatt
heAdilahasapowert
o
showsomeone.
..
something?
(Wel
lIhavenevert
oldhi
m aboutwhatLal
ishowed
me.
)
Uncle:Yes.
..
Andsomet
imeswhatt
heyshowyou
i
sn'ttr
ue.
Me:Real
ly?
(Henodded)
Me:UncleifImayask.
..
wherewereyouwhenthe
"Adi
la"ki
ll
edmydad.BecauseasmuchasIknow
youguyswer eal
wayst
ogether
..
.
Uncl
e:Well..
.ont
hatdayweweren'
ttogether.Iwas
havi
ngadinnerwith.
..
wit
hmygirl
fr
iend.Lit
tl
edidI
knowthattheAdi
lawasgoingt
oattackhim.
Me:sohowdidyouknowt
heAdi
laki
ll
edhi
mifyou
wer
en'tt
her
e?
Uncl
e:What
'swi
tht
hesequest
ions?
Me:Iaskedaquest
ionuncl
e?
Uncle:Well..
.erm..
OnlytheAdil
acankil
lli
ket
hat.
There'
snocr eaturethatcut
ssomeone'sbodyand
hangitpiecebypi ece.Andevencovert
hewall
s
wit
hbl oodintenti
onall
y?
Me:I
ntent
ional
ly?
Uncl
e:Wel
l..
.
Me:i
tcanbepossi
blethatt
heAdilai
snotbehi
nd
mydad'sdeat
h.Maybether
e'ssomeonet
ryi
ngto
conf
useus.
Uncl
e:Butson.
..
I'
m sur
e.She'
stheonet
hatki
ll
ed
hi
m
Me:No. .
.Ineedtodosomeinvest
igat
ion.Ineedto
fi
ndoutwhoki ll
edhim.AndIswearonmyf ather
's
graveIwon'tsparet
hatper
son.
..
Uncl
e:Andson.
..
howar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
hat
..
.
Me:Fi
rstIneedt
hef
oot
ageoft
hepl
acehewas
ki
ll
edat.
Uncl
e:Buti
thappenedbacki
ntheyear
s.I
'
m sur
e
t
he..
.
Me:Canwejustst
ayposi
ti
ve.AnywayI
'
m goi
ngt
o
t
akeabath.SoIcan
getst
art
edwi
thmyi
nvest
igat
ion.
(Iwentupst
air
sandtookaqui ckbath.Iputonmy
Vneckwhitetshi
rt,
Blackski
nnyJeanand
sneaker
s.It
akethecarkeysthandroveoff.
)

Uncl
e'
sPOV

Fuckt
heAdil
a.She'
sbusymessingupmypl
an.I
qui
ckl
ycal
ledmyrighthandman.

"Hey.
..
bigV"
Me:Ineedyout
ohel
pmewi
thsomet
hing.
"Anyt
hingmyman"
Me:Doyouremembert
heper
sonweki
ll
edatt
he
ol
dbuil
dingbyt
he.
..
"Ir
ememberver
ywel
l.Howyouki
ll
edyourpoor
br
other"
Me:Yeah.
..
Iwantyoutomakesur ethatal
lthe
CCTVfoot
ageiserased.Ican'
trememberifwedi
d
ornot.
"OkayIwi
llgor
ightnow"
Me:Andpleaseusethebackdoort
ogeti
n.Tony
mi
ghtalr
eadythere.
"Hi
sson?
"
Me:yeah.
"Okay.
..
I'
m oni
tri
ghtnow.
"

(Ihungedup.Ij usthopehewil
lmakeitintime.I
can'tletmyplanforyearst
ofai
l.Tonycan'tfi
ndout
thetruth.Ineedtofast
enthepr
ocess.Beforethe
trut
hcomesout)

Tony'
sPOV
Iwentt othisol dbui lding.Themai ndoorwas
l
ocked.Ihadt obr eakmywayt hrough.Iwasbusy
sear chingever yroom f ort hecomput er s.AsIwas
i
noneoft hebedr oomsIsawabl ackMer cedes
dri
vingof f
.Imanagedt ocapt ur
ei tnumberpl at
e.
Someonewasher e.Butwhocoul ditbe.That
personmi ghthavesawmecomi ngandmadehi s
wayi n.Buti tlooksl ikehehasbeenher ef orsome
ti
me.Andt hest ranget hingi sit'
sonl ymyuncl e
andIwhoknewt hatIwascomi ngher e.AnywayI
cont inuedwi t
ht hesear chi ngunt ilIfoundt heroom
Iwasl ookingf or.Theywer esomanycomput ers
showi ngdifferentr ooms.Il ookedf ort heonet hat
wasshowi ngt her oom t hatmyf at herwaski l
ledin.
Lucki lyIstil
lremembert heyearhewaski l
ledand
themont h.Il ookedf orthef ootagebutt her ewasn't
any.Fuck! theymusthaveer asedever ything.I
mademywayt ot hedoor .It hanr emember edthe
personwhowasher e.It riedt olookont hecamer as
whathewasdoi ngbutt heysai dt hef oot agewas
deletedaf ewmi nut esago.Andt hey'real sofreezed
.Theonl yfoot aget hatwasnotnoter asedand
wor kingist heoneshowi ngt hebackyar d.It
showedamandressi
ngi
nal
lbl
ackget
ti
ngi
nher
e.
Andalsodr
ivi
ngof
f.

Me:Whoi
sthi
sguy?Ihavenevermethi
m bef
ore.
(Idr
ovebackt
omyuncle'
shouse.Isatont
he
couchwit
hhim.Thi
sti
mearoundhewasdrinki
nga
beer.)
Uncl
e:Howdi
ditgo?Di
dyouf
indanyt
hing?
Me:NoIdi
dn'
t.
..
somemot herf
uckerwast
her
e
bef
oreme.Heerasedever
ythi
ng.
Uncl
e:Shi
t.
Me:ButImanagedt
ogethi
snumberpl
ate.Ial
so
sawhisfaceont
heCCTVfoot
age.
Uncl
e:What
?Imeant
hat
'sgood.
Me:yeah.
..
tomorrowIwi
llaskAddisontot
ryand
t
rackit
.She'sver
ygoodwiththi
sthings.
Uncl
e:mhhIsee.
Aust
in'
sPOV

ImissLalisomuch.Iwi shthi
ngscanj ustgoback
tothesame.Iwassi tt
ingNickont hecouch.We
werejusthavi
ngdrinks.Itol
dhim aboutLali
'
splan.
TaylerandOndreazwalkedin.

Ondr
eaz:Thel
it
tl
eones.
..
Me:Heybi
gbr
o..
.
Ni
ck:Hey.
..
What'sup?
...
becauseIknowyouguys
woul
dn'
tjustcomeheretovisi
tus.
..
Tayl
er:Nah.
..
wecamet
ochi
l
lwi
thyouguys
Me:MhhIsee.
..
letmegoandt
akemor
edr
inkst
han.
(Itookonebot
tl
eofwhiskeyandbeer
s.Westart
ed
drinki
ng.AswewerebusyLal
iandMatwalkedi
n.I
stoodupandmetthem hal
fway.Il
ookedatLal
i)
Me:Lal
i?Babe.
..
hey
(Iwant
edt
oki
ssher.ButIdon'
twantt
omakeher
angr
y.)
Lal
i:Hey.
..
Me:Pl
ease.
..
pleasecomeandsi
tdown
(Wesatdown.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

WellIdi
dn'tknowweweregoingtofi
ndOndreaz
andTaylerhere.Maybet
heycanalsohel
pinmy
pl
an.ButTaylerhatesme.Idoubt
.

Me:Hey.
..
guys.
..
Tayl
er:Lal
i.
..
Me:Erm.
..
Wel
l
...
Tayl
ercanIspeakt
oyou.
..i
n
pr
ivat
e.
Tayl
er:Why?I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
(Aust
inl
ookedatme.TaylerandIst
oodup.We
wentout
side.I
nthegar
den)
Tayl
er:Sowhat
'sup?
Me:Iwantt
oaskyouaf
ewquest
ions?
Tayl
er:Yessur
e
Me:Wher
ewereyouwhent
hewol
vesat
tackedat
t
heDrugi
omi
n?
Tayl
er:Wel
lIwasher
eint
own
Me:What?Doingwhat
?Whybecauseyouknew
exact
lyt
hatt
herewasgoi
ngt
obeawar.
Tayl
er:YouknowLal
i.
..
Ishoul
dbeaski
ngthat
..
.wherewereyouwhenthewarwasgoi
ngon
Me:W.
..
we.
.wel
lIhadani
mpor
tantwor
kto
do
Tayl
er:Wow.
..
Lal
i..
.what
'smor
eimpor
tantt
hant
he
peopl
eyoucl
aimtobeyourpeopl
e.
Me:Iwant
edt
obet
her
efort
hem .Butsomet
hing
pr
event
edme.
(Il
ookeddown)
Tayl
er:Icanhel
pyout
hough
Me:Real
ly?
...
becauset
hel
astt
imeIcheckedyou
hat
edme.
(Hecamecl
oset
ome)
Tayl
er:Idon'
that
eyou.
Me:Mhh.
..
andyout
hinkIshoul
dbel
ievet
hat
.
(Hecamemor
ecl
ose)
Tayl
er:Yourchoi
ce.
(Hekeptl
ookingatmyeyes.I
twasnowget
ti
ng
uncomfor
tabl
e)
Me:It
hinkweshoul
dgoback.
..
tot
hehouse.
(Hesmi
rkedandmadehi
swayi n.It
ookadeep
br
eat
handjoi
nedhi
m.IsatnexttoAust
in.)
Me:Wel
l..
.whathaveyout
houghtaboutmypl
an
Ni
ck:Lal
iit
'sver
ydanger
ous.I
tcanbackf
ir
e.
Me:Butyouguysar
eher
etohel
pmer
ight.Wecan
doi
t..
.
Tayl
er:Sowhat
'st
hepl
an
(It
oldhi
m)
Ondr
eaz:Wel
l.
..
Yourpl
ani
sbr
il
li
ant
.Comeonguys
wecandoit
.
(Ni
ckandAust
inl
ookedateachot
her
)
Me:What
?
Nick:Ondreazdi
dyouj
ustsay"
we"doyoui
ncl
ude
yoursel
ftoo.
Ondreaz:Yeah.
..whywoul
dn'
tIhel
pmyl
it
tl
e
br
other'
sgirl
fri
end.
Aust
in:Wow..
.Ihaveneverhear
dyout
alki
ngl
ike
t
hat.Areyouokay.
(Het
ouchedOndr
eaz'
sfor
ehead)
Aust
in:Ar
eyouokay?
(Hej
ustl
aughed)
Ondr
eaz:yesI
'
m okay.
..Icar
eaboutyoual
lso
much.
(Ni
ckwasn'
tconvi
nced.Hewasn'
tevensmi
li
ng)
Nick:MatandIar
egoi
ngnow.Lal
ipl
easecal
lto
updateusaboutt
hepl
an.
Me:Sur
e.
(Everyonesai
dthei
rgoodbyes.I twasnowAust in
andI.Istoodupandst artedcleaning.It
hrewaway
al
lthebottl
esandmopedt hef l
oor.Iwenttothe
ki
tchen.AsIwasbusyt akingoutthet hi
ngsI'
m
goingtoneed.Aust
incamei nandpl acedhishands
onmywai st.Hestart
edki ssingmyneck)
Me:St
op.
..
Ineedt
ocook.
(Hedi
dn'
tli
sten.Met
urnedmet
ofacehi
m)
Aust
in:Don'
tbot
hercooki
ng.We'
reeat
ingoutt
oday.
Me:mhh.
..
real
ly?
Aust
in:Yeah.
..orl
etmej
ustsayI
'
mtaki
ngyouona
dat
e.
Me:Youshoul
dhavet
oldme.HowcanIgoona
DATEwit
hmyJean.
Aust
in:Iwi
llf
ir
sttakeyout
oabout
ique.Sot
hat
youcanbuyadr ess.

Ondr
eaz'
sPOV
Iwasonmymayt otheOegr
ate.Ineedtohavea
seri
oustal
kwi
thdad.Myphoneringed.I
twas
Tayler
.

Hi
m:hey..
wher
ear
eyou?.
..
Me:I
'
m onmywayt
otheOegr
ate.
Him:ohh..
.Iwasj
ustwonder
ing.I
fyoumeant
ever
ythi
ngyousaidtot
hem .
Me:Iwouldneverhelpthem .Whenthi
ngsbackf
ir
e.
Idon'
twantthem tosuspectme.AndIwillal
souse
Lal
i'
splanagainsther.Shewil
lnotknowwhat'
s
hi
tti
ngher.
Hi
m:Imustsay.
..
you'
recl
ever
.
Me:Wemustst
ayupdat
edaboutt
hepl
an.
Hi
m:Yeah.
..
Ihavet
ogonow

(Wellf
inal
lyIar
ri
ved.Ipar
kedmycari
nsi
de.And
st
rai
ghtwenttodad'
sbedroom.Hewaswit
hmom .
)
Al
pha:
Ondr
eaz?
Me:Thegr
eatAl
pha.
Mom:Son
(Shehuggedme)
Mom:Howar
eyou
Me:I'
m wellhey.
..er
m. .
.canyoupleaseleaveus.I
havesomet
hingimportanttodiscusswit
hdad.
Mom:
okay.
(shewentout
)
Al
pha:I
tsoundsl
ikesomet
hinghuge.
Me:Yeahi
tis.
(Isatnextt
ohi
m.Isi
ghed)
Me:Aust
inhasf
oundhi
schosenone.
(Hef
acei
mmedi
atel
ybecamepal
e.Hest
oodup)
Alpha:What
?Thatcan'
tbetr
ue.Mysonwoul
d
havetol
dme.Hehidesnothi
ngfr
om me.
Me:Wel
lit
'st
rue.
(Welldadhasal
waysl
ovedAust
inmor
ethanal
lof
us.)
Me:Theyhaveevenmat
ed.
Alpha:What?No.
..
no.
..
not
hat
'snotgood.Mydeat
h
cannotbethi
scl
ose.
Me:Yourdeat
h?
Al
pha:yes..
.Averypowerf
ulsor
cereroncet
oldme
t
hat.Austi
n'smat
ewillbet
hedeathofme.
(Wel lthisoldmani sful
lofsecret
s.Iknowi fItel
l
him aboutLal i
'splan.Hewi l
lmakesur etokil
lher.
AndIwi llonlybeleftwithkil
li
nghim only.Hewill
makeTayl erandI '
sj obeasi
er.SoItoldhimt he
tr
uth.)
Alpha:Inevert
houghtmyownsonwouldhel
pa
str
angerplotagai
nstme.Andgoagai
nstmywor
d.I
needtodosomet hi
ngaboutthi
sgi
rl
.
Me:I
t'
sthesamegi
rlt
hatwashel
dcapt
iveher
e.
Al
pha:t
heonet
hatescaped..
..
Me:Yes.
..
andshe'
stheAdi
la.
(Hi
seyeswi
dened)
Me:What
?
Al
pha:A.
..
adi
la?
Me:Yeah.
.
Alpha:Son..
.pl
easel
eavemeal
one.Ineedt
othi
nk
ofsomething.

(That
'smycal
ltogobackt
otown.Mywor
kisdone
her
e.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Pleasedon'that
eme.Theupcomi ngi
nsertswon'
t
beni ceatall
.Alotwil
lhappent
hatwi
llbr
eakLal
i
andAust i
n'srel
ati
onship.
[
06/
23,
08:
19]Lynne: i
nser
t45
Tony'
sPOV

Not hingI '

m doi ngi swor ki
ngoutf orme.I tseems
l
iket heper sonI '
mt ryingt ofi
ndi salwaysaheadof
me.Wel lIdi dt r
yt ot r
acet hatnumberpl ate.But
guesswhat ?...i
tlocationwasshowi ngsomest r
ap
yard.WhenIwentt her e.Theownersai dt hecar
hasbeenher efor2year s.Thi sisreall
yst ressi
ng
me.Wel lthingsbet weenLal iandIar eget ti
ngther
e.
Ihaver eal i
sedt hatitwasnotherwhoki ll
edmy
father.Butmyuncl est i
lldoubtsherf ornor eason.
Wel lIhaveal soagr eedt ohelpLaliwithherpl anof
maki ngsur et hebeast sar ereleased.Wel lIwason
mywayt oAust in'shouse.We' regoingtomeet
there.Si ncet omor rowi stheday.If i
nallyarri
ved.
Mat ,Nick, Aust inandLal iwerejustsitt
ingi nthe
l
ounge.Thel adieswer ehavingwi ne.Whi lethe
gent swer ehavi ngscot ch.Wel lIsatdown.

Me:Hel
loever
yone.
..
Ni
ck:Hey.
..
(WellAust i
nisn'
treallyfondofme.It hinkit
's
becauseoft hefactthatIoncemadeamoveonLal i.
WellLalit
oldmeAust in'sol
derbrotherandhis
fr
iendwi l
lalsobejoiningus.Wel lIhaveneverseen
himfacet oface.AllIknowi she'sdangerous.Well
aswewer ebusyhavi ngdr i
nksoverasl i
ght
conversati
on.Ihear dt wovoicestalki
ngandt hey
wereevenl aughing.Thesevoi cessoundf amili
ar.
I'
m sureIhavehear dt hem befor
ebutwher e..
.They
madet heirwayin.)

Aust
in:Er
m..
.Ondr
eazt
hisi
sLal
i'
sbr
other
.Tony.
..
Ondr
eaz:Hey.
..
(Heshookmyhand)
Ondr
eaz:Mhh.
..
he'
savampi
re.
..
Ili
kei
t.
Aust
in:Wel
lthi
sisourf
ri
endTayl
er.
..
Tayl
er:Ar
eyouokay?
(Inodded.Mymi ndwasbusypuzzling.Thei
r
voicessoundfamil
iar
.Ithi
nkIheardthem f
rom t
he
Drugiomin.Thedayofthewar.Yes.
..
yesitwasthe
twovoicest
hatwerediscussi
ngaboutattacki
ng
Aust
in.Andtheyalsowantedtokil
lLal
i.Butwhy
wouldOndreazwanthisli
tt
lebrot
herdead?No. .
.i
t
can'
tbepossibl
e.Ineedtotel
lLal
ithi
s.)
Nick:Tony.
..
wehavebeent
alki
ngandyouhaven'
t
saidanythi
ng.
Me:erm..
w..
well.
..
Idoknowmypar
t.L.
..
Lal
icanI
speaktoyou..
.out
side.
Aust
in:Nothappeni
ng.
..
Me:I
t'
sver
yimpor
tant
Lal
i:Comeonbabe.
..
Iwi
llbeback.
Aust
in:No..
.youwon'
tgooutwit
hhim...
whateverhe
want
st osay.Hemustsayiti
nfrontofus.
(Ican'tsaywhatIwanttosayi nfrontofthem.That
canputmyl if
eindanger.ButIreallyneedtotal
kto
Lali
..
.Wecannottrustt
hem .Includingthem i
nthi
s
plancouldbedangerous.)
Lal
i:Wel
l.
..
youcansayi
t..
.i
fyoudon'
tmi
nd.
Me:Wel
l.
..
it
'snothi
ngimpor
tant
.Iwillt
ellyousome
ot
hert
ime.Ithi
nkIshoul
dgetgoing.Wewi llmeet
t
omor
row.
Lal
i:Don'
tfor
gett
het
imeandpl
ace.
Me:Iwon'
t.
Lali:AndTonythankyou..
.t
hankyouver ymuch.
Foragr eei
ngtobepartofthi
s.Thankyouf orf
inal
ly
realizi
ngthatI
'
mi nnocent
.ThatIneverkil
ledyour
father.
(Shehuggedme.Herhugwi llal
waysbet
hebest.
It
'sver
ywarm andf
ullofl
ove.HowIwishIcoul
d
holdherf
oral
lmyli
fe.Sheletgoandsmil
edatme.)
Me:Bye.
..
(Idr
ovest
rai
ghtt
omyuncl
e'
shouse)
Uncl
e:Ar
eyouokay.
..
youl
ookt
roubl
ed.
Me:nah..
.I
'mfi
ne.
..
Ijusthopeever
ythi
ngwi
llgo
accor
dingl
y.
Uncl
e:What
?
Me:not
hingr
eal
ly.
..
(Wel
lIpr
omisedLal
itonott
ell
anyone.Noteven
myuncl
e.)
Uncl
e:Ihopet
her
e'snot
hingyou'
rehi
dingf
rom me.
Me:N.
..
no.
..
not
hing.

Lal
i'
sPOV

WhenOndr eazandTaylerarri
ved.Tony'
sreact
ion
changed.Iwonderwhy.Andwhati sitt
hathe
wantedtot el
lme.AnywayIwasi nthekit
chen
washingthegl asses.It
ookmyphoneanddi al
ed
hisnumber .BeforeIcouldevensayhell
o.Austi
n
snatcheditfrom me.

Me:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng.
..
(HesawwhoIwascal
li
ngt
handeci
dedt
odr
opi
t)
Me:Comeon.
..
Aust
in.
..
Ireal
l
yneedt
otal
ktohi
m
Aust
in:Noyouwon'
t.
Me:Okayf
ine.
..
butcanIhavemyphoneback.
Aust
in:Sot
hatyouwi
llcal
lhi
m agai
n.No.
..
noI
won'
t.
(Youknowsomet imesAust i
ncanber eal
ly
annoying.I
tmustbesomet hi
ngimpor t
antthatTony
want st
osharewithme.Mxm.Ij ustlethi
m be.I
fi
nishedthanwentbacktothelounge.Ondreazand
Taylerhadalr
eadylef
t.Isatnextt
oMat .)
Nick:Youknowguys..
.Idon'
ttrustOndreaz.Iknow
hi
m verywell.Hehasneverbeent hi
snice.Noteven
oncehehaseverhelpedoneofus.Whynow?Why
wouldhedosomet hi
ngt hat
'sagainstdad.
Aust
in:Ihaveal
sobeenaski
ngmysel
fthat
.
Nick:Wereal
lyneedtobecar
eful.AndLal
iIt
hink
heshouldn'
tbetheonetogowithyouandAustin.
(WelltheAlphaandIweregoingt odothe
exchangeataplacethati
ssepar at
ingt
heOegrat
e
andDr ugiomi
n.Iwil
lgi
vehim hissonandhewill
fr
eemypeopl e.Ever
ythi
ngwillhappenbefor
ethe
midnight.)
Me:Wel
lIwi
llaskTonyt
ocomewi
th.
(Wel
ltheot
her
swi
llbet
her
etowat
chmyback.I
don'
ttr
ustt
heAlphaatall
.Hewon'
tjustletmy
peopl
egowithoutaf
ight.SoI
'
m pr
epar ed)
Ni
ck:That
'sevenbet
ter
.
Aust
in:l
et'
sjusthopeever
ythi
ngwi
llgosmoot
h.
Me:Yeah.
..

Kayl
a'
sPOV

Ihavebeenupanddownwi t
hmyweddi ng
organizer .Iwashopi ngLal
iwil
lalsohelpme
chooset het heme, decoandotherthi
ngs.Butshe
seemsbusyt hesedays.Ibarel
yseeher .Si ncet he
Christ
masi snextweek.Theyearwi l
lendsoon.
Meani ngIdon' thavemucht imetoprepar ef orthe
weddi ng.Wel lmyweddi nggowndesi gnerf rom
It
alywi l
lbel andingheretomorrow.Hewi llbr ingthe
fabri
cf rom t here.Iwantsomethingsimpl eyeteye
catching.Andi tmustal sol
ookclassy.AndIknow
he'stheonl yonewhocanmakesomet hingl ikethat
forme.Wel lwiththevenueeverythi
ngisf inalized.
Wewi l
lfirsthaveamat rimoni alatt hegar den.Than
wecanmovei nsidet hehal lwher eallthespeeches
willbedoneat .That '
swhatmyweddi ngor ganizer
suggest ed.Iwashopi ngf orsomet hingsmal l
.Like
goingt ochur cht hanl ateronhaveal unchher eat
home.ButMrKanei swi tht heweddi ngor ganizer.
Hewant ssomet hingbi g.Sof arhehasest i
mat ed
72guest s.Idon'tevenknowasi ngleper sonf rom
them .Hekeepssayi ng"They' remyf ri
ends. .
."
Somehewoul dsay"Wewer ebusi nesspar tners".I
havej ustlethi m be.Hel ookssohappy.Andi fhe's
happy.I 'm happyt oo.Wel lhi sfirstwifehavebeen
givingmedeadl ooks.She' sal waysbusy.It hink
she'sbusypl anningsomet hingt hatwi l
lpreventmy
weddi ngf rom takingpl ace.Butshewon' tsucceed.
Theydon' tcallmeKAYLAf ornot hing.I fshedar es
tri
est oruinmyweddi ng.Iwi llmakesur et omake
herl i
feal i
vinghel l
.

TheAl
pha'
sPOV
Ithasbeenyear ssinceIhavecameher e.Ivowedt o
neveraskhel pfrom him.Butwhatcanido.I '
m
desper at
e.Ican'tdi
esoon.Ineedt omakesur et hat
Austinandhi schosenonear esepar at
ed.Andf or
ever.SoIf inal
lyarr
ived.Istil
lremembert heroad
l
eadi ngtohishousel i
keIlastvi si
tedhim yest
erday.
HowcanIf orgetthepersonwhohel pedmegetr id
ofmyf at
her.AnywayIpar kedmycarout side.I
t's
stil
lthesame.Justaf ewt hingshasbeenchanged.
Likethepaintcolourandt hefence.Wel li
thasn't
beenext ended.Iknockedonceandt hedooropened.
Igoti n.

Me:Hel
lo!
..
.Si
mon!
(
Stil
lnot
hing.Canitbepossibl
ethathenolonger
l
ivesher
e.AsIwasbusyt hinki
ngIfeltahandtouch
myshoulder.Ijumped)
Me:Youscar
edme.
..
Si
mon:Me?Scar
eawhol
eAl
pha.Wow.
(Wel
lSi
monisaver
ypower
fulsor
cer
ert
oever
i
nsi
stonear
th.)
Simon:Sowhatar eyoudoi
nghere.Aft
ersomany
year
s.Ithoughtyouvowedtonevercomehere
agai
n.
Me:IknowbutIneedyourhel
p.
Si
mon:Mhh.
..
Youwantt
ogetr
idofyourSon'
smat
e.
Me:Iwant
edto.ButIcan'
t.I
fIhur
ther.Myson
wi
llal
sogethur
tastheyhavemated.
Si
mon:Sowhatdoyouwantmet
odo.
..
Me:Idon'
tknowexact
ly.
..
Can'
tmat
ingbeundone.
(Hechuckl
ed)
Simon:No...
butwhatIcandoi st omakesur eshe
for
getsabouthim .Complet
ely.Andshewi l
lnever
beconnectedtohim.Theywi l
lnol ongersharethei
r
exper
iences.Thatwayshewi l
lstayawayf rom your
famil
y.Andyouwi llgett
oli
velonger .
Me:Wi
llt
hatbepossi
ble?
Si
mon:Yeah.
..anyt
hingwi
thmei
spossi
ble.so
when?
Me:Tomor
rowi
nmi
dni
ght
..
.Iwi
llbr
ingherher
e.But
thepr
oblem i
sIdon'
tknowhow.
..
she'
sver
y
powerf
ul.
..
Simon:Don'
tworr
yaboutthat.
..
sohowar
ethi
ngs
betweenyouandyourwi
fe..
.
Me:Ever
ythi
ngi
swel
l.
Si
mon:Iknowyoul oveyourwifesomuch.ButIcan
al
soseethatyourheartst
il
lbeatfor
Rosemond(Lali
'
slategrandmother)
.
Me:I
twasbutnotnow.
..
(Wel lRosemondi smyf or
merl over.HerandIwere
soinlove.ThingschangedwhenImetmychosen.
Andsheal somethers.IlovedhersomuchandI
waswi l
li
ngtodoanyt hi
ngforourl ove.Themain
problem was. .
.shewasabeast.Andnoonewoul d
haveaccept edher.Andmyf atherwoul dhave
disownedme.Ourl ovestorywasconcl udedli
ke
that.ThehatredbetweenBeast sandwol ves
i
ncr easedmor e.Andshewasal sosuppor ti
ngher
fami l
y.)
Si
mon:Doyouknowt
hatAust
in'
smat
eisher
gr
andchi
ld.
..
Me:What
?
(Henodded)
Me:wel
lIdi
dn'
tknow.
..
allIknewi
sshe'
sanA.
..
(Myphoner
ingedi
twasOndr
eaz)
Me:Yesson
Ondr
eaz:Dad.
..
isever
ythi
ngr
eadyf
ort
omor
row.
Me:Yeah.
..
thanksf
oraski
ng.
Ondr
eaz:Okay.
..
bye.
(Hehungedup.
)
Si
mon:Ondr
eaz.
..
He.
..
hewas.
..
Me:Hewas?
(Hesmi
rked)
Simon:Not
hing.
..
erm.
..
Wel
l..
.he'
swor
thyofbei
ng
thenextAl
pha.
Me:Don'
tever
..
.andImeaneversayt
hat.He'
snot
t
hechosennextAlpha.
Simon:Ohhcomeon..
.youwerealsonotthechosen
one.Buther
eyouar
e.Thegr eatAlpha.
Me:Don'
tcomparemewi t
hhim.Ideser
vedt
obean
Al
pha.Ideser
vedever
ythi
ng.
Si
mon:t
hat
'swhatheal
sot
hinkabouthi
msel
f.
(Hewentandsatdown)
Simon:Well
..
.Ondr
eaztookaft
eryou.He'sact
uall
y
l
ikeyou.Hungryforpower,
Wi l
li
ngtoki
llhi
s
sibl
ingsf
orpowerandposit
ion.He'
sjustli
keyou.
Canevenkil
lyou.
Me:Whatdoyoumeanby.
..
"wi
ll
ingt
oki
llhi
s
si
bli
ngsf
orpower
..
."
Si
mon:Not
hingi
mpor
tant
..
.
(WellSi
monhasalwaysbeenl
ikethi
s.Hedon'
tli
ke
tel
li
ngsomeonesomethi
ngasi
tis.WellIwon'
t
wastemyti
mebegginghim)
Me:Wel
lIshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
..
Si
mon:Seeyout
omor
row.
..
Thegr
eatAl
pha.
(Iwentst
rai
ghtt
omycaranddr
ovebackt
othe
Oegrat
e.)
-
wher
ethebeast
swer
eimpr
isoned-
Nar
rat
ed

Ever
yonehaslosthope.Thatt
heywi
lleverbefree.
Andtheywer
ebusyt al
kingamongt
hemsel ves

"Wet
rust
edher
.Wet
houghtshecamet
osaveus."
"Iwil
lneverf
orgetthebet
rayalshedi
donus.Not
eveninmynextlif
e."
"Ilostmyson. .
.Dur
ingthewar.Hewastheonly
thi
ngst hatkeptmeali
ve.Andit'
sal
lbecauseof
thatgir
lLali
"
Theoldone:Howisitherf
ault
?..
.She'
snott
heone
whokil
ledhim.She'
snottheonewhoiskeepi
ngus
host
age.
"Areyousur eaboutthat.Af
teral
lshe'
sfr
iendswi
th
thewolves.Youwillneverknow."
"Iwi
shweallli
stenedt
oTayl
er.Thatboywar
ned
usaboutt
hatgi
rl.Iwi
shweli
stenedtohi
m"
Theoldone:Let
'sal
lnotl
osehope.It
rusther.She
wil
lcomeforus.
"What
ever"

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Wil
ltr
ytopostanot
herone.Iwasdistur
bedwhi
le
t
ypingthi
sone.That'
swhyit
'sshot.Sorr
y
[
06/
23,
08:
19]Lynne: i
nser
t46

Wel
liti
snowt
het
ime.MatandIwentdownst
air
s.

Kayl
a:Goi
ngsomewher
e?
Me:Er
m..
.yeah.
..
Kayl
a:Att
hishour
.
Mat
:Wewi
llbebacksoon.
Kayl
a:Ok.
(Goodthingdadisnothome.OrelseIwoul dhave
wastedmyt i
meexplai
ningtohim. WellItookthe
caranddrovetoAusti
n'spl
ace.Nick,Taylerand
Ondreazhavealr
eadywent.From ther
eIwentt o
fet
chTony.Wewer enowonourwayt ot hemeet i
ng
point
.)
Tony:wellLal
i..
.doyourememberwhenIt
oldyou
thatIwasattheDr ugi
omin.
Me:Yes.
Tony:doyour emembert
hatit
oldyout
hatihear
d
twoment al
king..
.
Me:YesIdo..
.t
heone'
sthatat
tackedAust
in.And
t
heyalsowant
edtokil
lme.
Tony:Wel
l..
.Ial
sot
oldyout
hatIhear
dthei
rvoi
ces.
Me:Yeah.
..
(Iwasl
ooki
nghi
m ont
hemi
rr
or.)
Tony:we..
.wel
lthe.
..
voi
cesIheard.
..
a..
aresi
mil
ar
toOndreazandTayl
er'
svoices.
Aust
in:What
?
(What ?Whywoul dOndreazwanthi
sbrot
herdead.
IsitbecausethatAust
inwaschosentobethenext
Alpha?..
.maybeI'
mt hi
nki
ngwayt omuch.
)
Me:Ar
eyousur
e?
Tony:Yes
Austi
n:Li
stenhere.
..
Iknowmybr ot
herandIhave
badbloodtowardseachot her
.ButIknowthathe
car
esaboutme.Hewi llneverdoanythi
ngtohur
t
me.Whateveryou'r
etryingtodowon'twork.
Me:butbabe.
..
Tonymi
ghtbet
ell
ingt
het
rut
h..
.
Aust
in:WowLali.
..
youbel
ievehi
m.Rightnow
Ondreazi
sbusyhelpi
ngyou.Andyetyoubel
ieve
anyt
hingabouthi
m.Youamazeme.
Me:IneversaidIbel
ievehi
m.Butyouguysal
so
don'
ttr
usthim.Youguysknowthathe'
scapableof
doi
nganything.
Aust
in:Canwenotfi
ghtaboutt
hisst
upi
dthi
ng
comi
ngoutofacrocodi
le'
smouth.
Tony:Lal
i.
..I
'
mtell
ingt
het
rut
h..
.whywoul
dIl
ie.
Pleasebel
ieveme.
(IhaveneverheardTonysoser iousandcertai
nly.
Hemustbet el
li
ngthetrut
h.Ineedtofindoutthe
trut
h.AndIwi l
lonl
yknowt hetruthoncethebeasts
arefreed.Theywil
ltel
lmeifTaylerwastherewith
them ornot.)
Me:Ibel
ieveyou.ButIwi
llhavet
ofi
ndoutt
het
rut
h
bef
oredoinganythi
ng.
(WellIhadtogi
veAust
inafewpunchest omakeit
l
ookr eal
.Hi
smouthwasbleeding.Ial
sofel
tthatI
don'
twanttoli
e.I
twashur
ting.Iwipedthebl
oodon
mymout h)
Aust
in:shi
t!Di
dyouhavet
ohi
tmet
hisbad.
(Iwhi
sper
edonhi
sear
)
Me:youcant
aket
hatasapuni
shmentf
orcheat
ing.
Aust
in:but
..
.butIt
hought
..
.
Me:Shhh
(Ipl
acedmyf
ingeronhi
sli
ps.Tomakehi
m keep
qui
et)
Me:
Let
'sgo.
(Icoveredhi
sfacewi
thasack.Idr
aggedhi
mto
wheretheAlphawasst
andi
ng.)
Al
pha:Ohh.
..
you'
rel
ate.
(i
twashim andafewmanst andi
ngbehindhi
m.
AndIwaswithTony.Matstayedi
nthecar.
My
peopl
eweren'
tther
ethough)
Me:Li
stenhereol
dman...
Idon'
thavet
ime.Br
ing
mypeople.AndIwil
lgi
veyouyourson
(Hel
aughed)
Al
pha:Ohh.
..
isi
t?
(Hei nst
ructedoneoft hemanwhowasst anding
behi
ndhi mt obringt hem.Wel laf
teral otofwaiti
ng
wasdonef inall
yt heycame.Theyl ookedsodr ained.
It
'sl
iketheywer er eadytopassout .Immediately
myeyesf il
ledwitht ears.ButIhadt ohol dmyself
andactst r
ong.Ilookedatt hem unt iltheywent
downt hehill
.Iwasnowunabl etoseet hem .I
l
ookedatt heAlpha.)
Alpha:youknowIdi
dn'
tletthem gobecauseof
yourstupi
dactandpl
an.It
'sbecauseIonce..
.wel
lI
haveagoodheart
.Iknewthatt
hiswasanact
.I
knowthatAust
inwasneverki
dnapped.
(Immediatel
yIranoutwords.Sot
hatmeansther
e
wasamol eamongus.Butwhocouldi
tbe.I
thoughtaboutwhatTonytol
dme.Coulditbe
possibl
ethatOndreazt
oldhi
m?.IpushedAusti
nto
him)
Al
pha:TakehimtotheOegr
ate.(Heshout
ed)Nick!
..
.Ondr
eaz!.
..
Iknowyouarehidi
ngsomewhere.So
pl
easecomeout.
(Ondr
eazcameoutfi
rst
.Whydi
dhecomeout.
Mxm.Nickf
oll
owed)
Al
pha:Youbothgohome.Andyouyoungman.I
wantyououtofher
e.(Addr
essi
ngt
oTony.)
(
Wel
lTonyst
oodnextt
ome.Het
ookmyhand)
Tony:I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
ewi
thouther
.
Alpha:r
eal
ly?(Hechuckl
ed)St
opwast
ingmyt
ime
andgo.Orel seyouwi
ll
..
.
Me:Go.
..
goTony.Iwi
llt
akecar
eofmysel
f.
Tony:no.
..
NoIcan'
tleaveyouher
e.
Me:don'
tworryaboutme.Getoutofher
enow.(I
whi
speredonhisear)GetyouandMatoutofher
e.
Tr
ustmeIwillbefi
ne.
(Heslowl ytur
nedbackandst art
edthecar.Wel l
Matnevercameoutoft hecar .Shedoesn'twantt o
beseenbyt heAl pha.Wel litwasnowt heAl phaand
i.Everyonehadal readygone.AsIwasst andi ngI
sawsomel i
ght.Itwasl ikesomeonewasf lashinga
li
ghtonme.Il ookedt here.Itwasmymot her .She'
s
verybeautif
uleveni nthedar k.Shewassmi l
ing.
Shewavedatme.Wel lmygr andmotherwas
standi
ngnextt oher .Iwoul dn'tsayshewashappy.
Butshewasn' tangr yeit
her)
Al
pha:Wel
lit
'snowmeandyou.
..
(Ilookedathim andbackatwheretheywer
e
standing.Theywerenolongert
here.)
Me:sowhat
'supol
dman.
Al
pha:Iwantyououtofmyson'
sli
fe.
(Ichuckl
ed)
Me:Youknowt
hat
'si
mpossi
ble.Aust
inandIwer
e
meanttobetoget
her.I
'
m hi
schosenone.Andt
hat
canneverbechanged.
Al
pha:I
'm goi
ngtowarnyouf
ort
hel
astt
ime.St
ay
awayfr
om himli
tt
legi
rl.
Me:Never
..
.Iwi
llnever
.
Al
pha:nowyoul
eavemewi
thnochoi
ce.
Me:Ihopeyouknowt hatwhenyoutr
ytoharm me.
Hewillal
sogethur
t.Andpleasedon'
ttr
yme.I'
m
sur
eyoudon'twanttofeelt
hewrathofanAdi
la.
(Ismi rked.Het r ansformedint oawol f.Itri
edt o
tr
ansf orm butcoul dn'
t.What '
shappeni ngt ome.
Whyam Ibei ngpuni shedl i
kethis.Ihavedone
everythingIwassupposedt odowhatnow. .
.AsI
wasbusysur prisedbywhatwashappeni ngtome.
Hiswol fr anst raighttome.I tchar gedonmyf ace.
ShitIfell.It r
iedsever altimest otransf orm.Unt i
lI
wasabl et o.Iimmedi at
elyrant ohi m.It hrew
count l
esspunchesonhi sfacel i
vingt hemar ksof
myhand.Iwasnowont opofhi m andIwasabout
tobitehi sneck.Suddenl yIfeltheadache.Ist arted
hearingvoi cesinmyhead.It ransfor medback.I t
waslikethreevoicesweredi
sagr
eei
ng.What
's
happening.Iheldmyheadandsatdownonthe
ground.
Theydi dn'tst
op

"MOM WHYAREYOUDOI
NGTHI
S"

"LOVECOMEON.
..
SHEHASDONEWHATSHEHAD
TODO."

"NO.
..
NO.
..
SHECAN'
TKI
LLHI
M"

"
WHAT?WHY?HE'
SANENEMY.
..
HEMUSTBE
KI
LLED"
"NOTHAPPENI
NG"

(Theycont
inuedt
alki
ng.Thepai
nwasunbear
abl
e.
Suddenl
ymyeyesightbecamebl
urr
y.)
Al
pha'
sPOV

Ithoughtitwasgoi ngtobediff
icult
.WellI
transformedbackandwentt oher .Ishookherbody.
Itseemsl i
keshe'spassedout.It ookherbodyto
mycar.Iwasdr ivi
ngtoSimon'shouse.Imustget
thisshitdonenow.Af t
erdri
vingforsomet i
meI
final
lyarri
ved.Igotint
ohishouse.

Si
mon:Puthert
other
oom Iuse.
(Icar
riedhertotheroom.Theroom wasf i
ll
edwith
somanyt hi
ngsIdi
dn'tknowof.Therewasbl ack
candl
esl i
tonthefl
oor.Makingacir
cle.Iputheron
theci
rcle.Simongotin)

Si
mon:Nowl
eaveus.
..

(Theyhavebeenintheroom forqui
tesomet i
me.It
wasnowi nthemorning.Ist
oodupandst r
etched
myself
.Simoncameout.Hewassweat ingand
ver
yangr
y.Icoul
dsmel
lshi
t)

Me:what
'
swr
ong?Andwher
e'st
hatsmel
lcomi
ng
f
rom?
Si
mon:Ineverwanttoseeyourshitf
aceher
e.I
wantmymoneyt hanwewillnevermeet.
Me:you'
renott
ell
ingmeanyt
hing?Whathappened
i
nthere
Simon:Whyyounevertol
dmet hatshe'sanAdil
a.I
al
mostlostmyli
feinther
e.Howdar eyouhide
somethi
ngli
kethatf
rom me.Orwasi tyourpl
an?
Youwantedhertoki
llme
Me:No. .
.whywouldIwantyoudead.Youhave
al
waysbeensohel pf
ultome.I'm whatIam t
oday
becauseofyou.I
'
m sorryIf
orgottotel
lyouthat
.
WhenIwasaboutt otel
lyou..
.Ondreazint
err
upt
ed
me.
Simon:Whatever
..
.Idon'
teverwantt
oseeyou
here.
..
nort
hatgir
l.
Me:but.
..
didyoudot
hej
ob
Simon:Yes...
It'
sdone.Shewillr
emember
ever
ythingbutwillnotr
ememberyourson.Ihave
changedherdest i
ny.Myspell
sdidagr eatj
ob.They
overpoweredthemat i
ngtheydid.It
hinkthei
rlove
wasn'tstr
ongenoughasyet.AnywayI '
m goingto
putmyl i
feindangerforyou.Goandtakeherbody
fr
om theroom.AndIwantmymoneynow.
(Iwentt
othecarandt
ookoutabagf
ullofmoney.I
gavei
ttohi
m)
(Iwentt
other
oom.Shewaspassedout.)
Me:She'
spassedoutt
hough.
..
howcoul
dshehave
t
ri
edtokil
lyou.
Si
mon:Icanseeyouknownothi
ngaboutbeingan
Adi
la.Ihadt
ousemylastandver
ypowerfulspel
l.
Me:Wel
l..
.I
'mjustgl
adever
ythi
ngwentwel
l
.And
pl
easeman...
goandbath.

(Heshowedmehi smiddl
efinger.Iwentt
othecar
anddroveoff
.Iwi
lldr
opheroffatherhome.WhenI
gott
hereIaskedt
hesecuri
tyguardatthegat
eto
t
akeherinside.Idr
ovet
otheOegr
ate.WhenIgot
t
hereeveryonewasgivi
ngmeweirdlooks.)
Aust
in:Dad.
..
wher
e'sLal
i
Me:Wel
lIt
ookherbackt
oherhouse.
(Hetookhi
scarkeysandwentout.Ni
ckf
oll
owed
hi
m .Imademywayt omybedroom.Ondr
eazgot
i
n.)
Ondreaz:Dad.
..
whatdi
dyoumeanwhenyousai
d
Lal
iisatherhouse.
Me:Imeantexact
lyt
hat
.
Ondr
eaz:But.
..
I.
.It
houghtyouki
ll
edher
.
Me:NoIdi
dn'
t.
Ondr
eaz:but
..
dad
Me:Ithi
nkyoushouldst
ophavingtheidea.
..
that
whenIleavet
hisworl
d.Ofwhichisfarfr
om
happeni
ng.Youwil
lbethenextAl
pha.
(Hedi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingandj
ustl
eftmyr
oom)
Lal
i'
sPOV

WellIwaswokenupbyasof
ttouchonmyforehead.
Iopenedmyeyes.I
twasmom.Isatupst
rai
ght

"No.
..
youshoul
dlaydown."
(Shecont
inuedbr
ushi
ngmyf
orehead)
"I
'
m sorryIf
ail
edt
opr
otectyou.If
ail
edyouasa
mother
."
(onet
earescapedf
rom hereye.)

Me:Noyoudi
dn'
t.
..
andI
'
mfi
nenow.
"noyou'r
enot.Ever
ythi
nghastakenaver
yhuge
tur
n.Yourdesti
nyhasbeenchanged.I
'm sor
rymy
dear."

Me:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
"Ihavet
ogonow"

(Wel lIst
oodupandwentt ot akeaquickbath.Aft
er
Iwasdone.Iputonmycl othes.Myphoner i
nged.I
l
ookedatt hecal l
erI
D.I twaswr it
tenAusti
n.Andi t
hadloveemoj is.Butwhoset hisAusti
nguy.And
whyi shisnumbersavedl i
ket hisonmyphone.I
i
gnor edit
.Itkeptcall
ing.Iwassoi rr
it
atedIdeci
ded
toblockitcall
sanddel eteit
.Iwentdownst ai
rs.
Theywer ehavingbreakfast.Isatdownandst art
ed
eat
ing.)

Kayl
a:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
Kayl
a:YouknowLal
iIwoul
dlovei
tifyouwoul
d
comewithme.
Me:Wher
eto?
Kayla:wel
lIwil
lbemeet
ingwi
thmyweddi
nggown
desi
gner.Iwantyout
obether
ewit
hme.Helpme
choose.
Me:iwi
lldef
ini
tel
ycomewi
thyou.
Kayl
a:wowt
hat
'sgr
eat
.

Si
mon'
sPOV

Ihaveneverf eltthisdefeatedbef ore.Noteven

backi nt hedayshaveIevermetsomeonet his
power f
ul .Wel lchangi ngherdest inywaseasy.
AndIendedupunmat ing.Whi leIwasst i
llati tI
realizedt hatshe' sanAdi la.Idecidedt ouset hat
oppor tuni t
yt ot rapherpower s.Littl
edi dIknow
thatIwasact uallydiggingmyowngr ave.Shef irst
sentmeacr osst her oom.Shemadesur et hatIf eel
pain.Whatmakesmeangr yisthat.Shewasn' t
evenst andi ng.Shekeptchant ingwor ds.Eachand
ever ywor ddidal ottome.Iwoul df eelsomet hing
stranglingme.Thel astonemademeshi tonmy
self.Ifirstfeltlikesomet hingwast wi sti
ngmyhead.
Myneckst artedpai ning.It r
iedtoshoutoutmy
spellsbutmyvoi cewasn' tcomingout .I
tleftmy
headandwentt omybal l
s.Thepai nIwasf eelingI
woul
dn'tevenwishmybi ggestenemytof
eeli
t.I
'
m
j
ustgladI'
m al
ive.Ij
usthavetocleanmy.Iti
s
messedup.

Aust
in'
sPOV

Sowheniwasi nt heOegr ate.Asever eheadache

hitme.Af tersomet imeIpassedout.Iwaswoken
byaver yst rangeandpai nfulfeel i
ng.Itwasl ikemy
heartwasl ivingmybody.I tstartedbeatingsof ast.
Iheldit.Butt hatdi dn'tdoanyt hing.Af t
ert hatIf elt
l
ikeIwasn' tmysel f.Itfel
tlikesomet hingpr eci ous
i
nt omyl i
kehasbeent aken.Forsomet imeif elt
empt y.That 'swhenIr eali
zedt hatLalimi ghtbei n
danger.Wel lwhendadcameback.Iwassur prised
thathesai dhet ookherhome.SoIwasdr i
ving
backt otheci ty.Ihavebeent r
yingt ocallher .She' s
notanswer ingandnowmycal l
scannotgot hrough.
It'
sclearthatshemusthavebl ockedmycal ls.But
why?Ihaven' tdoneanyt hi
ngwr ong.Ideci dedt o
callMat..
.
Mat
:Aust
in.
Me:hey.
..
arewi
thLal
i
Mat:no..
.I
'm athome.Butiwi
llsl
eepoverather
housetoday.Isever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
Me:yeah.
..
wel
l.
..
no.
..
shehasbl
ockedmycal
ls.
Mat:what
?Why?Didyouguyshaveaf
ight
?Have
youcheat
edagai
n?
Me:no.
..
Mat
:thanwhywoul
dshej
ustbl
ockyourcal
ls.
Me:I
'
m al
soconf
usedasyou'
re.
..
Mat:t
hat'
sstr
ange.
..
don'
twor
rywhenIgett
oher
.I
wi
llaskherf
oryou.
Me:Iwoul
dreal
lyappr
eci
atet
hat
..
.
Mat
:okay.
..
Ihavet
ogonow.

(Iwonderwhyi
sLalidoi
ngthi
stome.Il
oveherand
caresomuchabouther.She'
shur
ti
ngmeright
now.
)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Ihadagreatexper iencewithKayl atoday.Iwas

helpi
ngherchoosi ngt hedesign,fabri
candetc.I
mustsay..
.shewillbel ookingsizzli
nghot.Weal so
choseasuitfordad.Ial sochoseadesi gnfor
myselfsi
nceI'm goi ngtobeamat ronofhonor.We
chosethecostumesf orthebridesmaidsand
Groomsmen.Wel lthet hemei swhitewithmaroon.
Sheshowedmet hedecoonherphone.

Me:i
tlooksamazi
ng.
..
aret
hosemar
oonf
lower
s
ar
ti
fi
cial
?
Kayl
a:no.
..
it
'sf
reshf
lower
s.
Me:mhhwowIsee.

(wewer
enowgoi
nghome.Tomor
rowI
'
m goi
ngt
o
Drugiomin.Iowet hem expl
anati
on.WhyIwasn' t
ther
ewhent heywerebeingatt
ackedbyt hewol ves.
Wef i
nal l
ygothome.Theywer ehavingsupper .Mat
wasal sohere.Isatdownandstartedeating.AfterI
wasdoneIwentt omyr oom.Matf ol
lowedme.I
tookal ongassshowerandaf t
erIwasdoneIput
onmypj s.Isatonthebed.)
Mat
:sooutwi
thi
t?WhathasAust
indonenow.
..
(Iwasconf
used)
Me:a.
.Aust
in?
Mat:Tel
lme.
..
whathashedonenow.
..
thi
sti
me
ar
oundIwil
lki
ckhisbal
ls.
Me:okay...
enoughnow.I
'
m conf
used..
.whatar
e
youtal
kingabout.
Mat
:Austi
nsai
dyoublockedhiscal
ls.
..
andyou
wer
en'
tanswer
ingyourphone?
Me:YesIdid.
..
becausehewasannoyi
ngme.And
whoisthi
sAustinyou'r
ebusyaski
ngme
About
?
(Shel
aughed)
Mat:ohh.
..
pleasecomeon.Don'
tpr
etendl
ikeyou
don'
tknowhi m.
Me:Imeani
t..
.Idon'
tknowanAust
in.
Mat:stop.
.pleasest
opwit
hyouract
ing.(shewas
wipi
nghert earsasshewascr
yingbecauseof
l
aughing)it
'senoughnow.
(Ij
ustcover
edmybodywi
thabl
ankett
hansl
ept
.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
20]Lynne: i
nser
t47

Mat
'sPOV

IwatchedLal iasshedrif
tedof ft
osleep.Maybe
she'
sjoking.Iwillaskhertomor r
owagai n.It
'scan'
t
bepossible.Fewdaysagot heywerelovebi r
ds.
Nowshe' ssayingshedoesn' tknowhim.Thi sgame
Lal
iisplayingisn'tf
unnyatal l
.AnywayIal sojoi
ned
her.Iwillaskheragaintomor row.AsIwas
sl
eepi
ngmyphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.I
twasAust
in.
..

Aust
in:Heydidyoutal
ktoher?(Ikeptqui
et)What
di
dshesay..
.didIdosomethi
ngwr ong.
.
Me:ermm. .
.notexactl
y.Ididn'
tgetachanceto...
to
speaktoher.(Hesi ghed)don'tworr
y..
.Iwi
llt
alkto
herfi
rstt
hinginthemor ning.
Aust
in:okaybye.
..
tel
lherIl
oveher
.AndI
feverI
di
dsomet hi
ngwrong.I'
m sorr
y.
Me:Iwi
ll
..
.bye.

(Hesoundedsodown.AnywayIcl
osedmyeyes
andsl
ept.
)

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Thingsar
egoingaccor
dingtomypl an.Iwillbe
taki
ngatri
ptoAustr
ali
a.Iwil
lbelookingforKayla'
s
husbandther
eformyself
.I'
m sur
eIwi llf
indhim.
I'
mjustwait
ingf orChr
ist
mastopass.SoIcan
booktheti
cket.Myhusbandgotin.Iwassurpri
sed.
BecauseeversinceKaylacameherehebarel
y
comeintomyr oom.Hesatnexttomeandsi ghed.

Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Hi
m:Yeah.
..
Me:Whatbr i
ngsyouhere?Becausel
astti
meI
checked..
.younolongercar
eforme.I'
m nolonger
yourwife.
Hi
m:Youknowt
hat
'snott
rue.
Me:I
tis.
..
Him:WellIhavecamet
otal
ktoyouabout
somethi
ng..
.
Me:Whati
sit
?
Him:Kayl
aandmyweddingi
snowcl
ose.AndI
don'
twantanydr
ama.
..
.
Me:Whatdoyoumeanbydr
ama.
Hi
m:Iknowyouver
ywel
ldear
.Iknowyourwayof
thinki
ng.SoI'
m beggi
ngyou.Don'tdoanythi
ng
stupidonthatday.BecauseIwon'tl
ikei
t.
Me:mxm.
..
(Hest
oodup)
Me:I
sthatal
lyouwant
edt
otel
lme.
..
Hi
m:yeah.
..
Me:Wow...
whycan'tyouj usttel
lme.Whenyouno
l
ongerl
ovesme.Iwi l
ltakemychi ldr
enandleave
youwit
hKaylainpeace.Becausei t'
scl
earI
'
m no
l
ongeryourwi
fe.Youdi dn'tevenaskmehowI '
m
doi
ng.HowI '
mf eel
i
ngaboutyourweddi ng.
Hi
m:Goodni
ght
..
.seeyoui
nthemor
ning.
Me:what
ever
.
(Hewentout.Soon..
.Soonmyl
ovewewillbeback
tonor
mal.Ij
usthavet
omakesureIgethi
m .)

Lal
i'
sPOV
Iwokeupinthemorni
ngandtookabat
h.Iputon
myclot
hes.AsIwasbusyt
yingmyhair
.Matwoke
up.)

Me:Goodmor
ningmyl
ove.
..
(sheyawned)
Mat
:Heybabe.
..
howar
eyou
Me:I
'
m wel
landyou.
.
Mat
:Wel
l.
..
Lal
icanIaskyousomet
hing?
Me:Sur
e..
.
Mat
:Di
dyouandAust
inhaveaf
ight
?
Me:Notagainplease.
..
howmanytimesmustIt
ell
you.ThatIdon'
tknowtheAust
inyou'
rebusy
naggingmeabout .
Mat:OkayLali
..
.I
t'
sgameovernow.At
leastt
ellme
yourfr
iend.
..
didhecheat
Me:Ir
eal
lydon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout.
Mat
:Letmeshowyouhi
spi
ctur
e..
.si
nceyouwanna
cont
inueact
ingst
upi
d.
(Sheshowedmet
hepi
ctur
e)
Me:Nah.
..
Ihavenevermethi
m bef
ore.Andhe'
snot
mytype.
(Matl
aughed)
Mat:Type?Wow.
..
justaf
ewdaysyouguyswer
e
cr
azyinlove.
Me:Ithi
nkyou'
remist
akingmewit
hsomeoneelse.
Youknowmever ywell
.AndIwoul
dhavet
oldyouIf
I
'm seei
ngsomeone.
Mat
:Jhoo.
..
Lal
imiwi
llamazeyou.
Me:I
'm goi
ngt
otheDr
ugi
omi
n.Doyouwantt
o
comewithme?
Mat
:er
m..
.No.
..
Ihavesomewher
etogot
o.
Me:okaybyet
han.

(Iwentdownstair
stotheki
tchenandmademyself
asmoothie.Ipour
editinmybottl
ejui
ceandwent
tot
hecar.Idroveoff
.)
Mat
'sPOV

Ijustdon'tknowwhat'
swrongwithLali
.Ireal
ly
needt ofindout.It
ookaquickbat
handputonmy
cl
ot hes.Iwentdownst
air
sandhadbr eakf
astwith
everyone.

Mr
K:Wher
e'sLal
i?
Me:Shehadt
ogosomewher
e.
Mr
k:mhhIsee.

(Wef i
nishedeating.Iaskedthedri
vertotakemeto
Aust i
n'splace.Luckil
yhewaswi thNick.Well
thingsbet weenNi ckandIarenotthesameast hey
wer e.It'
slikethesparkthatourr
elat
ionshiphadis
starti
ngt ofade.)

Aust
in:sodi
dyout
alkt
oher
?Whatdi
dshesay?
Me:erm..
well
(Isatdown)Wel
lastr
angethi
nghas
happenedtoLali
.Shesai
dshedoesn'
tknowyou.
(Aust
inl
aughed)
Aust
in:Ididn'
tknowshewasalsoacomedi
an.But
onaseriousnote.Whatdi
dshesay.
Me:Shesai
dt hat.Ikeptaski
ngher.Ievenshowed
heryourpi
cture.Shesaidshehasnevermetyou
befor
e.
Aust
in:Lal
iisbei
ngchi
ldi
sh.Ineedt
otal
ktoher
.
CanIseehertoday.
Me:no.
..
shewentt
otheDr
ugi
omi
n.
Ni
ck:Doessher
ememberever
ythi
ngel
se?
Me:Ithi
nkso. .
.yeah.Becausesher
emember
sme
andeveryone.TheDrugiomin.
Ni
ck:Mhhisee.

Lal
i'
sPOV
Ifi
nall
ygottotheDr ugi
omin.Idrovei
n.Iwentout
ofthecar
.Wel lnoonewaspayingmeanyat tenti
on.
Ideci
dedtogoi ntotheDrugi
omin.Wellthel
adies
werebusycleaning.IwenttoKanelady.She
bowedalit
tl
e.

Me:I
sever
yoneokay?Whathappened?
"Wel
l..
.ever
yonei
sangr
y."
Me:Angr
y?
"Yes.
..
they'
reangr
yatyou"
Me:Atme?Butwhatdi
dIdo?
"Well
..
.Theysai
dt hatyouknewt hatt
hewol ves
weregoingt
oattackus.That 'swhyyoudidn't
come.Andalsothatyou'r
ef r
iendswit
hthewol ves.
Youarealsoresponsibleforusbeinghel
dcapt i
ve.
"
Me:what
?Butt
hat
'snott
rue.
(Shekeptqui
et)
Me:er
mm.
..
canyoupl
easedomeaf
avour.Pl
ease
cal
lever
yonet
othechamber
.
"Idon'
tthi
nkt
heywi
llcome.
"
Me:Tel
lthem i
t'
sveryimport
ant.Iknowthey'
re
angr
yandall.Buttheywil
lneverdi
sobeyme.
(Shenoddedandwentout .Iwentt
othechamber
andsatonthegoldenchairi
nt hef
ront
.AsIwas
busyadmir
ingthechairIhear
dnoise.Peopl
ewer
e
makingnoi
se.)

"WEDON'
TWANTHERHERE"

"SHEMUSTLEAVE.
..
WEWEREFI
NEWI
THOUT
HER"

"HASSHECOMETOFI NI
SHUSOFF..
.IALWAYS
KNEW THATTHESEPEOPLEWANTS NOTHI
NG
ABOUTUS."

(Theymadet
hei
rwayi
nandcont
inuedspeaki
ng)
"SHEMUSTBECHASEDOUTOFHERE.
"

"SHE'
SAGOODFORNOTHI
NGRI
CHGI
RL.
"

Me:Okayt
hat
'
senough.

(Theydi
dn'
tst
op.Ist
oodup)

Me:I
T'SENOUGHNOW.
..
YOUALLHAVESAI
D
ENOUGH.CANIALSOTALKNOW.

(Theykeptqui
et)

Me:Iknowyoual lar
eangry.Iknowy'l
lar
eblami
ng
mef oreveryt
hingthathappened.Buti
twasn'
tmy
i
ntenti
ont onotcomeher e.
"WHEREWEREYOUTHAN?
"

me:I.
..
Iwas.
.(
whycan'
tIr
ememberwher eIwas.I
hel
dmyheadasIwashavingaheadache.)

"SPEAKUP"

Me:Wel l..
.well
...
Ican'
treallyrememberwhat
happened.ButwhatIcant ellyoualli
sthat.I
wantedt ocome.Ial sodi dn'tknowthattheywer e
goingtoattackher eont hatday.Iswear .Andf or
beingkepthost age.Ihadnot hi
ngtodowi ththat.I
wentextrami l
est omakesur eyouallaresetfree.
IfIdi
dn'twantyoual loutandsaf e.Iwouldn'thave
donealloft hi
s.Iwoul dn'thaver i
skedmyl if
ef or
youguys.

(Theywer
enowqui
te)
Me:I'
m sorr
y.I'
m verysor
rythatyouguyshadt ogo
t
hroughalotwithoutme.I'
m sorrythatwelost
membersoft heDrugiomi
n.I'm deeplysor
ry.

"Il
ostmyson. .
.myonlysononthatday.Whatwi l
lI
bewithouthi
m.Hewast her
easonIdi dn'tki
ll
myselfbackthanwhenwewer estruggling.Hewas
suchaki ndandlovi
ngboy.Theyki l
ledhi m.He
waskill
edbyt hewol
ves.(Shewasnowcr yi
ng.
Thattouchedmealot.Imyselfwasal socrying)"

(
Anot
herwomant
alked)

"Wel ostourbr
other
sandsister
sont hatday.Our
l
iveswon'tbethesamewithoutthem .Theywere
brut
allyki
ll
edandburnti
ntoashes."

(Itwentqui
tef
orsomet
ime.Unt
ilonel
adybr
oke
thesi
lence)
"Just
icemustbedone.Justiceforourl
ovedones
mustbedone.Andyouwillhelpus.Youwi l
lbepar
t
ofthi
scomingwar.
"

(
Theyal
lagr
eedwi
theachot
her
)

Me:No..
.nowecan't.Wecan' tgointoawaragain.
Iknowyouallarehurt
ingrightnow.Butstart
inga
warwil
lresul
tinmoredeat hs.Can'twej
ustheal
andmoveonwi thourlives.

"Nothappening.
..
Wewi l
lal
sogoandatt
ackthem.
They'r
eli
vinghappil
yovert
her
e.Andwe'rebusy
hurt
ing.We'r
esorrybutwewon'tl
ist
ent
oyouthis
ti
me."

"Just
icewi
llbedoneanddonesoon."

(Theyst
art
edagr
eei
ngwi
theachot
her
.Goi
ng
agai
nstt
hem nowwi
llonl
yresul
tint
hem hat
ingme
)

Me:okay. .butfi
rstcanwehaveamemor i
aldayfor
theonest hatpassedon.Thei rdeathsmustbever y
respect
ed.Theydi edwhileprotecti
ngeveryone.
Theleastwecandoi st
oshowt hem thateven
thoughtheyar enomor e.West i
llappreci
ateand
careforthem .Theywi l
lforeverbeknownand
remember edf orthei
rbr
aver y.

(Theyal
lnodded)

Me:Youal
lar
edi
smi
ssednow.

(Ical
ledonel
ady.
)

Me:Idon'
tknowi
fyoucanhel
pwi
thsomet
hing.
"Anyt
hing"
Me:Iwantyoutogetmethepicturesofeveryone
t
hatdied.Ineedtomakesuret hey'
reenl
argedand
f
rames.Forthememorialser
vice."
"whenwi
llt
hememor
ialdaybe"
Me:IfImanagetogetever yt
hingtoday.Tomorr
ow
wecandoi t.ButIwil
lleteveryoneknowbefor
ethe
endoftoday.CanIhaveyournumberbecauseI '
m
goi
ngbackt otheci
ty.
(Shegaveme.Wel lIwenttomybedr oom.Iwill
waitf
orthepict
urest
hanIcangobackt otheci
ty.
AsIwassitt
ingmygr andmotherappeared)

"
Thewar
..
.i
twon'
thappen"
Me:excuseme?
"
Isai
dthewarwon'
toccur"
(
Ist
oodup)
Me:I
twi
ll
.
(If
eltsomet
hingst
rangl
ingme.)
Me:STOP.
..
PLEASESTOP.
(i
tletgo)
"Isai
dthewarwon'
toccur
."
(Shedisappeared.No. ..
noI'
mt i
red.I '
mt ir
edof
everyt
hing.Whydoessheal wayscont rolmylif
e.
Whycan' tIusemypower sfreely.Whydoesshe
alwayshast odecideforme.I'
mt ired.I '
mt i
redof
her.Fr
om nowonwar dsnoonewi lleverstopme
fr
om doinganything.Becausei t'
scl eargranmais
usingme.Mymot herappeared)

"Dear
..
.I'
m sor
rybutyouwi
llhavet
oli
stent
oher
."

Me:no..
.never
..
.t
heywantjusti
ce.Theywant
j
usti
ceforthei
rdeadlovedones.AndIwon'tst
and
onthei
rway.Iwillal
sohelpthem.

"Butyoucan'
tdi
sobeyyourgr
annydear
."

Me:IcanandIwi
ll
.Mom.
..
iloveyouver
ymuch.i
appreci
ateeverythi
ngyou'vebeendoi
ngeven
thoughyou'r
enotal i
ve.Butit
hinki
t'
saboutt
ime
youguysr et
ir
et odeath.Youguysmustl
etmedo
everyt
hinginmyownway.

"Ar
eyousur
e"

Me:Ihaveneverbeent
hissur
einmyl
if
e.

"Doyouknowthatwhenwel eave.Youwil
lno
l
ongerbeal
ert
edifsomethi
ngbadi saboutto
happen.Youwil
lnolongerbeshownanything

Me:I'
mr eadyforanythi
ngthatIwil
lencounter
.It
aboutt
imeIt akecontrolofmyownl i
fe.Ican'
t
al
waysbebossedar oundbygrandmother .No
..
I'
mt i
red.

(Shesmi
ledandcamet
ome)
"Doyouknowwhat
?"

Me:(
smi
li
ng)what
?

"Ihavebeenwaiti
ngforthi
sday.Wher
emy
daughteri
sfi
nall
ygrown up.Tobehonestyou
havepassedallt
hetest
swehavesetyou."

Me:Test
s?

"Yes..
.Andyouhavepassedt hem al
l.You'
renow
readytofacetheworld.Al
one.Withoutour
guidance.I'
m sor
rythatwhil
etest
ingyouyoul ost
somet hi
ngveryspeci
altoyou.ButIpraythatt
hings
gobackt othesame.Whent heti
mei sri
ght."

Me:idon'
tunder
stand..
.
"Youwil
lsomeday.Soher eiswhatwil
lhappen .
Todayat00:
00.Youwillgotothesecr
etroom.
Don'
tworryGl
adiswi
llshowyou"

Me:Gl
adi
s?.
..
ohht
heol
dladyt
hat.
..

"Yesthatone..
.Idon'
thavemucht ime.Youmustgo
i
ntothatroom .Shewillshowyouwhatt odother
e.
Thatwil
lchaseusawayf orever
.Wehavebeen
herefortoolongnow.I t'
saboutt i
meweleave.I
havedoneallmydut i
est owardsyou."

(Iknowit
'spai
nfulbutImustbedone.Ican'
thave
grandmot
herbusythreat
eni
ngmyl i
fe.)

"Seeyoul
aterf
ort
hel
astt
imel
atersweet
y"

(Shedi
sappear
ed.Wel
lIst
rai
ghtwentt
oGl
adi
s.I
knockedandsheopened.)

Her
:Lal
imi
?
Me:Hey.
..
howar
eyou
Her
:I'
mfi
nedear
...
howar
eyou?
Me:I'
mfi
ne.
..
andhappyt
hatIwasabl
etof
reeyou
al
l.
Her:Youhavereal
lygr
ownup.Il
ikedhowyou
handledever
yonether
e.
Me:It
ri
ed.
..
iact
ual
lycamet
o..
.
Her:iknow..
.t
oshowyouthesecr
etroom.Iwil
lbut
notnow.Wemustgot her
ebefor
emi dni
ght
.So
whent heti
mecomeseveryt
hingi
sready.
Me:t
hanks.
Her
:ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
odot
his.
..
Me:Yeah.
..
Her
:okayIwi
llhel
pyout
han.
(Wellthatladygavemet hepictur
es.Butshe
wasn'tabletogetal lofthem .soIaskedt ogiveme
namesi nstead.Wel lIdrovebackt otheci t
y.The
fi
rstIdidIwentt oenlarget hepict
uresandf rame
them.Ialsoaskedt hem wi ththenamest oprint
them andputt hem inf r
ames.Wel li
twillt
akel ong
soIwentt obuycandl es.Iboughtsomanywhi t
e
voti
veandt apercandl es.Iwentt ofetchthe
pict
uresthanwenthome.Iwi l
ldri
vebackt othe
Drugiominlater.Ineedt otelldadabouteverything.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Idon'
twantanydr
amat
iccomment
sli
ke
"whyi
sLal
inotshownwhathappenedt
oher
"
"whyshei snotshownt
hatAust
ini
sherchosen
one.Theyoncedat
ed"

-
Hergr
annyi
sincont
rol
.
[
06/
23,
08:
20]Lynne:i
nser
t48

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwasdr i
vingbackt otheDr ugiomi n.Insteadof
beingsadI '
m actuallygl ad.Thatf i
nallyIwil
lbei n
controlofmyownl ife.YesIwi l
lmi ssthem.
War ningmeaboutdanger s.Wel lwhatcanIsay.
It
'saboutt imeIdealwi t
hdi fferentsituati
onsi nmy
ownway.I '
m alsogl adt hatevent houghwhenIwas
growingmymot herwasn' tt here.At l
eastIgota
chancet obewi thher .Iknowi twasn' tdail
ybutI
l
ikedi twhenshewoul dappeari nmybedr oom.
Appearont hemi rror.Wel lthatwasver ygreat.Wel l
Ialsor ememberwhenIwasst illinschool.Thatgi r
l
whosai dshewasmyt wi nsi st
er .Shewasn' tas
niceasmymot her.ButIal soappr eci
atethatIgot
ti
met omeett hem event hought heywer enotl i
ving.
Grandpa. .
.wellwithhi m ir eal l
ydon' thavemucht o
sayabouthi m.Andt here'smygr andmot her.AyyI
willneverunder standt hatol dwomen.Her
appear anceschanges.Somet i
messhewoul dbe
happy.Somet i
messhewoul dthreatenmyl if
e.But
agai nIenjoyedthosemoment s.I'm gratefulthatI
gott i
met omeett hem .EventhoughIwi sht hey
wereal ive.ButwhatcanIsay.Li f
ehasi t
's
tri
bulations.SoIbr oughteverythi
ngwewi llneed
forthememor i
al.Igott otheIndruig.Iaskedt he
l
adiest ot akethi
ngsf rom thecarintotheI nside.
Wel lIstraightwentt othesecretroom.Wel lGladis
wasal readyt here.

Me:Hey.
..
granny
Her:You'r
elat
e..
.andti
meisr
unni
ngout.
Get
everyoneoutofherenow.
Me:Whyt
hough?
Her
:JustdoasIt
ellyou.
..
(WellIwentdownstair
sandtol
dthem t
hattheycan
l
eave.I'
m gladtheyweredonewit
heverythi
ng.I
l
ockedthemai ndoorsandwentbackt
ot hesecr
et
room.)
Her
:Okay.
..
ever
ythi
ngwi
llbedoneupi
nthe
t
err
ace.
Me:Okay.
.
Her
:Taket
his.
..
(Wellitwasaboxt hathadt hingsIdidn'tknow.
Someofi twasmadeofgl ass.Somecont ai
ned
candles.Therewasal sodif
ferentnecklacesthat
l
ookedol d.Theyallhadasi gnofabeast .Itook
oneandl ookedatitclosel
y.Ithadaname.It ook
moreneckl acestheyallhaddi f
fer
entnames.I
l
ookedatt hem al
l.Onehadmymot her'
sname.
WellIknowhernamebecausei twaswr i
tt
enont he
coverpageofheral bum.Ther ewasal soacl ock.It
wassmal l.)
Me:Andwhati
sthi
scl
ockf
or.
..
Her:i
t'
snotjustaclock.Whent hetimeis00:
00..
.i
t
wil
lmakeaver ybignoise.Thatwillwakeupallt
he
deadwalki
ngpeopl e.Wellwewi l
lusethe
neckl
acestogatherthepeoplewewant.Butyou
wil
lseeeveryt
hing.Let'
sgo...
(Wemadeourwayt
othet
err
ace.Ther
ewasal
soa
bookinsi
deofthebox.Iputtheboxdownandtook
i
t.AsIopeneditawindstart
edblowi
ng.Gladi
s
snat
cheditfr
om me.)
Her:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?.
..
you'
renotsupposedt
o
openitnow.
Me:Wel
lifyout
oldmeear
li
er.
..
Iwoul
dn'
thave.
..
Her:Whent
heclockmakesthenoi
se.Youwi
llr
ead
page29oft
hisbook.Cl
ear
.
(Ir
oll
edmyeyes)
Me:Yeah.
(Wel lshestar
tedplacingallthosemadeofgl ass
thi
ngsar oundtheterrace.Shewoul dplacea
necklacenexttoeachandal somumbl ewor dsI
couldn'tunder
stand.Af t
ershewasdoneshet ooka
familyphotoandputi tonthesmal lt
ablemadeof
wood.Sheputt woglassesthathadcandl esinsi
de
i
nf r
ontoft hephoto.)
Her
:Wel
llet
'swai
tfor00:
00.
(i
twas23:32.Ideci
dedtogoandtaket
hrow
bl
anket
sasiti
sverycol
duphere.Imadecof
feef
or
us.Wel lt
hetimewast aki
nglong.Iwasgett
ing
sleepy.Gladisstart
edwithherst
ori
es.Aswewer e
stil
ltalki
ngitstart
edbecomingwindy.Il
ookedat
thecl ockitwas23:59)
Her
:it
'st
ime.
(Wellshewentandl itt
hetwocandles.Sheputal
l
thenecklacesinsi
dethosegl
asses.Sheputsome
whiteli
quidalsoinsi
de.Theclockstar
tedmaki
nga
veryir
ri
tati
ngsound.Iheldmyear s.
)
Gl
adi
s:Now!
Now!LALI
!..
.r
eadt
hescr
ipt
ure.
(Ihurri
edandtookthebook.Itur
nedtopage29I 'm
supposedtoread.Itr
iedr
eadingitbutIcouldn'
t
underst
andthelanguaget
hatwaswr it
ten.Ishouted)
Me:ICAN'
TREADI
T
Gl
adi
s:WHATDOYOUMEANYOUCAN'
TREADI
T?
Me:IDON'
TUNDERSTANDWHAT'
SWRI
TTEN.
Her
:WHAT?..
.WHATDOYOUMEANYOUDON' T
UNDERSTANDWHAT'SWRITTENTHERE..
.THE
ADI
LA ISTHEALSOPERSONTHATCANREAD
THAT.ANDYOU'
RETHEADILA..
.LALIWE'
RE
RUNNI
NGOUTOFTI
ME.READFAST.
(It
riedr
eadi
ngbutst
il
lnothi
ng.Iwasnownoteven
abletoseet
hehandwrit
ing)
Me:ICAN'
TSEE.
her
:DON'
TIRRI
TATEME.
..
READ.
(Iclosedmyeyes.Suddenl
yIletoutever
ybig
growl.Iopenedmyeyesandtr
iedreadi
ngagain.
ThistimeIwasable)
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
pg29.

TheDr
udoot
ime.

Allthebeastst hataredeadwal kingarecall

ed.As
ofreadingthisI '
mf i
nal
lysetti
ngt hem fr
ee.They
cannowr estinpeace.I'm nowawar eofhowmy
power swor k.Iunderstandever ythi
ngaboutbei
ng
anAdi laandhowIshoul dusemypower s.Inow
callthem al
l.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

(AfterIwasdoner eadi
ngt hat.Aver ybigwind
star
ted.Theclockwasst i
llmakingt hatsound.But
i
twasnowbear abl
e.Thewi ndstopped.Theyal l
appeared.Grandmotherwasst andingt her
ewithher
armscr ossed.Shecamet ome)

"Don'
teverhar
m wolves.Iwantpeacebetweenthe
beast
sandwolves.Ifyouhar
mt hem..
.especi
all
y
theAl
pha..
.Iwi
ll.
..
iwi
ll
."

(
Ichuckl
ed)

Me:youwillwhatgr
andmot
her
?..
.becauset
odayi
s
yourl
astdaydeadwalki
ng.

(Shef
adedaway)
.Wel
lmymothercamef
orwar
dtome.Shehugged
me.Shehadt
ears.)

"Byemyl i
tt
lepr i
ncess.Il
oveyou.Ther
e'sal
ot
aboutyourfatheryoudon'
tknow.Butsoonyouwi
ll
fi
ndout.Her eisagoodbyevisi
on.
"

(WellIcl
osedmyeyes.Iheardtwowomencryi
ng.
Il
ookedcloseri
twasNomhl eandherMom.They
wereti
edbychainsonthei
rnecksandonel
egeach.
Iopenedmyeyes)

Me:n.
..
Nomhl
e?

"Yes..
.yourf
ri
endneedsyouthemost.Sheneeds
you.Iknowshehaddoneyouwr ong.Andwill
again.Butshe'
syourfr
iend.Youneedtohel
pher
out."
(Thesoundoft
hecl
ockwassl
owl
ycomi
ngdown.)

"Ihavet
ogonow.Iwi
llf
oreverl
oveyou.Bye.
"

(Sheslowlyfaded.Thesi st
erIwastalki
ngabout
camet ome.Shehuggedme.Af t
erthataverybig
windcameagai n.Itt
hanwentawayver yfast.
Wheni twasover.Al lthethi
ngsthatwereplaced
onthet er
racewer enolongerther
e.If el
tGladis
touchingmyshoul der.Itur
nedandshewi pedmy
tears.Ididn'
treal
izeIwascr yi
ng.Ij
usthuggedher )
Her:You'
rever
ybraveLal
i.Ihavenevermet
someonethisyoungandbrave.
(Shebr
ushedmyback.)
Her:Gother
e(Poi
nting)
.That'
swhereyourmother'
s
neckl
acewasplaced.Shelef
tyousomethingt
here.
(Iwipedmyt ear
sandwentthere.I
twasal ocket
.It
hadherpict
ureandmysist
er's.Welli
t'
sli
kemy
pi
ctureandhers.Wel
lwedol ookali
kewit
hmy
si
ster
.Wel
lIputi
tonandki
ssedi
t.)
Her
:Let
'sgoI
nsi
de.
(wewentt
osi
tnextt
othef
ir
epl
ace.)
Her:Youmustkeept hi
sbookverysafe.Someone
canjustendyourli
fewithi
t.Thereisapagethat
contai
nyourdeath.Soyoumustmakesur eit
'ssaf
e.
Andnoonemustknowabouti t.
(It
ooki
t)
Me:CanI
...
li
keopeni
tnow.
Her
:Yeah.
..
Itwasonl
ythatt
imeyouwer
en'
tal
lowed
t
oopenit.
(Shesi
ghed)
Her:wheew...
Iwi
llal
sogetrest
.Yourgr
andmot
her
usedtotroubl
emeeverynighthey.
Me:why?
Her:Wewer
efr
iends.Iwoul
dbebusyt
ell
inghermy
st
ories.
(Il
aughed)
Me:youandyourst
ori
es.(Iyawned)It
hinkI
shoul
dgoandsleepnow.
(Iwenttomybedroom .Ikeptt
hinki
ngabouthow
Nomhleandhermom.Iwonderwhatt r
oubl
ethey
havegotthemsel
vesi
n.AnywaysIdr i
ft
edofft
o
sl
eep.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

Iwasstil
lnotfal
li
ngasl
eep.Iwasbusythi
nking
aboutLal
i.It
ookmyphoneandstar
tedl
ookingat
herpi
ctures.

Me:Imi ssyou...
Imissyoual otmylove.Butwhy?
Whywoul dyoupunishmel ikethi
s.Ever yt
hingwas
greatbetweenus.Whathaschangednow?. .
.You
knowt hatIlove.AndalsothatIcan'tli
vewi t
hout
you.Youcamei nt
omyl if
eunexpectedly.Yougave
measecondchancei nl
ove.WhenIl ostmywi fe.I
tol
dmysel fthatiwil
lneverdateanyone.Butyou
came.Youchangedal
lthat.Youbr
oughtbackt
he
hopeofhappi
nessi
nmyl i
fe.

If
elttear
sonmycheeksIwi pedthem .Iwenttot
he
ki
tchenandt ookabott
leofwhi
skeyandstart
ed
dr
inkingitf
rom thebot
tl
e.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Itwas10o'
cl
ock.Iwokeup.It
ookabathandput
onmyblackvel
vetdr
essandsandal
s.Il
etmyhair
l
oose.Iwentdownst
air
s.Aladymadeherwayto
me.

Her
:ever
ythi
ngi
sdone.
..I
nthegar
den.
Me:wow.
..
thanks.
..CanIaskyousomet
hing?
Her
:Yes.
..
Me:ont
hedayoft
hewar
..
.wasTayl
erher
e.
Her:yes.
..
hewasher
e.Andwasbusybadmout
hing
you.
Me:mhh.
..
isee.
(Soi fTayl
erwasher ethatmeanst hatheliedto
me.Andal soTonywast el l
ingthet r
uth.Igotyou.
AnywayIwentt othegar den.Ever yt
hinglookedso
peacef ul
lyandbeautif
ul.Ther ewer egoldenchai r
s.
Isatont heone.Eachpi cturehadacandl ei
nf ront
ofit.Welltheystar
teddoi ngt heirspeeches.A
personwoul dl
itacandlet hatisinf r
ontofhi sorher
rel
at i
vethandoaspeech.Af tertheywer ealldone.
Itwasmyt urntosayaf ewt hings.)

Me:Ermm .
..
Mydeepestcondol
encest
oeachand
oneofyouwhohadlostafamil
ymember.

(wellididn'
thavemucht osay.Mymi ndoccupied
aboutNomhl eandhermom.Andal soaboutTayl
er.
Li
ghtf oodwasser vedaft
erthatIdrovebackhome.
Idon'twantthem busytel
li
ngmeaboutt hewar.
WellIgott her
e.Theywer einthelounge.)
Me:heyever
yone.
Zi
a:ohh.
.heyLal
i.
..
youj
ustar
ri
vedatt
her
ightt
ime
.
Addi:soweweredisagreei
ngaboutwher
ewe
shouldspendChr
istmas.
Me:Okay.
Addi
:Iwast
hinki
ngwecoul
dgobackt
oCapet
own.
Zi
a:buttheboyswantust
ogot
oDur
ban.Sowhat
doyouthink.
Me:l
et'
sspendourChrist
mashereathome.I
twi
ll
besomuchfun.Lateronwecanhaveaminipar
ty
i
nourofourrooms.Itwil
lbesomuchfun.
Kayl
a:t
hatevengr
eat.Iwi
llhi
redchef
stocookf
or
us.
(Wel
lMathadbeenqui
te.Ipul
ledhert
omyr
oom.
)
Me:f
ri
endar
eyouokay?
Mat:yes..
.butAu.
..
yeah.
..
I'
mfi
ne.Sohowdi
d
ever
ythi
nggo.
(wel
lIt
oldherever
ythi
ngandevenshowedhert
he
l
ocket
)
Mat:wow.
..
it
'sver
ybeaut
if
ul.Ihaveneverseenone
l
ikethi
s.
(It
oldheraboutNomhl
e)
Mat
:Shedeser
vesi
t.Leavehert
her
e.
Me:no.
..
Ican'
t.She'
smyf
ri
end.Ican'
t..
.

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

WhatcanIsay.Thi ngst ookaqui ckturnwhenwe

wer esti
llenj
oyingour selves.Idon' tevenknow
howwegother e.Butal liknowi sMi ke'
suncl eis
behindthis.They' r
et hreemenguar dingus.And
theydowhat evertheyl i
kewi thourbodies.Not
evenasi ngledaypasswi t
houtt hem forci
ng
themselvesonus.Mymot herhaslosthopei fwe
woul deverbef reeagai n.Wel lnotevenpr ayerhas
helped.Wear enowj ustr eadyt odie.Wecan' tbare
thepainanymor e.Theyal sobeatusupandst arve
ust odeath.Wheni t'
scol dt heywoul dsplashcold
wateronus.Wewoul
dsl
eepshaki
ngi
nourwet
cl
othes.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Wi
llpostagai
ntoday.

Goodni
ghtever
yone
[
06/
23,
08:
20]Lynne:i
nser
t49

Lal
i'
sPOV

MatandIwer esti
llinmyr oom.Wewer ebusy
tal
king.Hercel
lphoner ang.Sheexcusedher
sel
f
andwenttothebal cony.Aftersometimeshecame
back.

Mat
:er
m..
.Lal
i.Don'
tyout
hinki
twi
llbeni
cei
fwe
goout.
Me:Goout
?
Mat:Yeah.
..
tohavesomedr
inks.Wewi
llt
aket
he
gi
rl
salong.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkiwi
llbeabl
eto.I
'
m ver
yst
ressed
r
ightnow.
Mat:That
'st
heexactr
easonwhyiwantusal
ltogo
out
.Youneedsomef r
eshair.
Me:Okayi
fyousayso.Letmegoandf
reshenup
f
ir
st.
Mat
:Okay.
..
int
hemeanwhi
leI
'
llgoandt
ellt
hegi
rl
s.
Me:Sur
e.
(Itookaquickshower.Aft
erIwasdoneIputona
skinnyJean,whi
teNi
keairfor
cesneakersanda
blackcroptop.It
ookmyJeanj acketandbag.Mat
gotin.)
Mat
:Wecangonow.
(Matdeci
dedt
odri
ve.Ofwhichi
sstrangebecause
I'
mtheonewhoal
waysdri
ves.Wellshedrovei
nto
aver
ybi
ghouse.
)
Me:It
houghtwewer
egoi
ngt
oacl
ub.
Mat:Nah.
..
Wel la.
..
Myf
ri
endi
nvi
tedusher
e.He'
s
havi
ngami nipart
y.
Me:He?
Mat
:Yeah.
..
let
'sgowe'
real
readyl
ate.
(Itookmybag.Wewenti n.AsIwaswalki
nginI
suddenlyf
eltawindblowmyhair.Ifel
tastr
ange
feel
ing.Iwasfeel
ingIhavebeeni
nthispl
ace
before)
Mat
:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
it
'sj
ustt
hati
t'
stoowi
ndyi
nher
e.
Mat
:Wi
ndy?
(shepul l
edmetowhatl
ookedli
kealounge.Ni
ck
wassitt
ingwit
hsomeguy.Theyl
ookedali
keali
tt
le.
Isatdown)
Ni
ck:HeyLal
i.
Me:Hey.
..
howar
eyou?
Ni
ck:I
'
mfi
ne.
Me:It
houghtMatyousai
d..
.t
her
e'sapar
ty.
Mat
:Er
m..
yeah.
Ni
ck:Lal
ithi
sismybr
otherAust
in.
Me:okay.
..
youguysl
ookal
ikeal
it
tl
e.
(That
'sst
range.IhaveknownNi
ckforsomet
ime.
ButhowcomeIdon'tknowhisbr
other
)
Aust
in:Hey.
..
Me:Hi
..
.
(Wel lhedi
dn'
tremovehi seyesfrom myeyes.We
l
ookedateachot herforsomet i
me.Hiseyeswere
tal
king.Theyweresayingalot.Myeyesandhi s
werehavingaverydeepconver sati
onofwhichI
don'tknowof.WellIwasinterr
uptedbyMat)
Mat:Er
mm...
Lal
ithegi
rl
sandIhavet
ogo
somewher
e..
.wewil
lbeback.
Me:what?I
'
m al
socomi
ngal
ong.Howcanyou
guys.
..
Mat
:wewi
llbeback.
..
we'
regoi
ngt
obuyaf
ew
dr
inks.
Me:Okay.
..
pleasedon'
tst
ayl
ong.
(Theywentout.Ni
ckf
oll
owedthem.Itwasnow
thi
sAusti
nguyandme.WellIcoul
dfeelhi
seyes
l
ookingatme.)
Me:Er
m..
.canIuset
hebat
hroom.
..
(Hekeptqui
et.Actual
lyhewasbusyst
ari
ngatme
.Icl
ear
edmyt hroat)
Aust
in:Sor
ryl
o..
.er
mm.
..
wer
eyousayi
ng
somethi
ng?
Me:yeah.
..
canIseet
hebat
hroom?
Aust
in:Sur
e..
.secondr
oom upst
air
s.
(Itookmybagandwentupst airs.Igotinsi
det he
room andstrai
ghtwenttot hebat hr
oom.Idi dmy
j
obandwashedmyhands.Il ookedmysel fatthe
mi r
ror
.WhydoesIf eelli
keIhavebeeni nthis
housebefore.I
t'sl
ikeI'
mr eli
vingmyl i
fe.Maybei t'
s
Dejavu..
yeahitcouldbeit.It ookmybagandwent
outofthebathroom.Ther ehewasst andingont he
closeddoor.Iwenttowardshi m)
Me:Er
m..
m..
canIpass?
(Sof asthepi nnedmeont hedoor.Hepl acedhis
handonmywai stwhiletheot heronewas
balancingont hedoor .Hist ouch.Wasver ywarm
andintense.I tlikehehast ouchedmebef ore.He
start
edt ouchingmyf ace.Inst eadofbeingangr yI
wasr espondingt ohi
st ouch.Ofwhi chisst r
ange.
HowcanIal lowast r
angert ogett hi
scloset ome.I
pushedhi m .Itriedtoopent hedoorbuti twas
l
ocked.)
Me:W.
..
wh.
.what
?Whydi
dyoul
ockt
hedoor
.
Aust
in:Iwantust
otal
k..
.
Me:Idon'
tgetyou.
..
tal
kaboutwhat
?
Aust
in:Pl
easedr
opyouract.
..i
t'
syouandInow.
Me:Whatact
?Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
..
.Ihave
j
ustmetyou.
..and
Aust
in:LALI
MI.
..
DON'
TIRRI
TATEME!
..
.I
FIDID
ANYTHINGWRONGTOYOU.IAPOLOGIZE.NOW
CANTHI NGSGOBACKASTHEYWEREBETWEEN
US.
(Hi
swasvoicewasver
yInt
imi
dat
ing.Ihadt
ear
s
onmyeyes)
Me:Whatt
hings?Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Aust
in:ISAI
DDON'TI
RRITATEME...
DON'T
PRETENDASI FYOUDON'TKNOW ANYTHING.
(Idecidedt okeepquiet
.BecauseifIcont
inue
tal
kingImi ghtendupget t
ingver
yangryandhurt
him.Heal sohadt ear
sinhiseyes.Hesatdown)
Austi
n:Lali
..
.don'
tyouremembertheti
meswe
spenttoget
her?(Hisvoi
cewasnow polit
e.)Don'
t
youremembert hefir
stdayImetyou.Don'
tyou
rememberthatnightwhen..
.
(Hecontinuedtal
king.Ashewast al
kingIf
elta
sharppainonmyhear t.I
tst
artedbeati
ngsof ast
thatIwasslowlylosingmybr eat
h.Suddenlyaver y
badheadacheat t
acksme.Myvi sionbecamebl ur
ry
andIfellonthefl
oor.)

Aust
in'
sPOV
WhenLal imadeherwayt othel ounge.Icoul dn'
t
stopl ookingather .Themomentshest ar
ted
l
ooki ngatmeback.Myhear tstartedbeatingso
fast.Wel litwasNi ckandMat '
spl antospendsome
ti
mewi t
hLal i
.Maybeandj ustmaybeshecant el
l
mewhat '
swr ong.Ideci dedt of ol
lowhert omy
room It oldhert ogot o.Wel lIlockedt hedoorand
decidedt or estmybackoni t.Shemadeherwayt o
me.Icoul dn'tst opmysel f.Myhear twasincont r
ol.
Istartedt ouchi ng.Shewasal sor espondingt omy
touch.Wel laftert hatshest artedt el
li
ngmet hat
shedoesn' tremember .Igotver yangr y.ButIsoon
calmeddown.Ist artedr emi ndingherofhowwe
fi
rstmet.Wel lIdon' treallyknowwhathappenedt o
heraf ter.Shej ustfainted.Ir antoher.

Me:Lal
i!Openyoureyesbabe
(Icheckedherpulseitwast here.Icarri
edherto
mybedandcover edherwi thabl anket.Iwentand
tookmydoct oralki
t.Ist
artedchecki ngherheart
beat.Andalsohert emperature.Itwasver yhi
gh.I
gaveheraninjecti
onbecausei t
'slooksli
keshejust
hadaheartatt
ack.Iwentdownst
air
stheywere
backal
ready.ButitwasMatandNickonly)

Me:wher
ear
eot
her
s..
.
Ni
ck:Shedr
oppedt
hem of
fatt
hei
rhouse.
Me:Okay.
..
Mat
:Wher
e'sLal
i.
..
whatdi
dshesay.
Me:Wellshewasbusysayi ngshedoesn'tknow
whatI'
mt al
kingabout.WhenIstar
tedreminding
herofhowwef i
rstmetshepassedout.
Mat
:What
?Wher
eissher
ightnow?
Me:She'
sinmyr
oom upst
air
s.
(Matwentupst
air
s.)
Ni
ck:Erm.
..
Aust
inIhavet
ogosomewher
e.I
t'
sver
y
ur
gent.
Me:Wha?But
..
.
(Befor
eIcouldsaymor ehewentoutandIhearda
cardri
vingof
f.Iwonderwher
ehe'sgoingt
hislat
e.
AnywayIwentupst
air
s.Lal
iwasst
il
lpassedout.I
satnextt
oher.)

Ni
ck'
sPOV

Dad. ..
I'
m sur ethathehassomet hingtodowi t
h
Lali'scondit
ion.Bef oreLalistart
edact i
ngt hi
s
strange.Shewaswi thdad.Coul di tbepossible
thatdadwentt oSimon.Si moni stheonlyper son
whocanmakeaper sonf or
getabouthi s/herlove.
Wel lmom oncet ol
dmeabouthowdadnewhi m.
Andt hethi
ngst heydi dtogether.AnywayIwas
drivingtotheOegr ate.Yest hislate.Ineedanswer s
from dad.I fhe'stheoner esponsibleandwhy
woul dhedot hat.Becauseasf arasIknow.He
doesn' tknowt hatLaliisAustin'
schosenone.Wel lI
arrivedverylate.Ever yonewasasl eep.Iwentt o
dad' sroom .Iknocked.

Hi
m:Comei
n.
(
Igoti
nsi
de.Tomysurpri
sehewasn'tsl
eepi
ng.
Andmom wasn'
tint
heroom.Iboweddowna
l
it
tl
e.)
Me:Thegr
eatAl
pha.
Hi
m:Son.
..
whatbr
ingsyouher
e..
.andatt
hist
ime.
Me:Dad.
..
Iwantyout
otel
lme.Why?
Hi
m:Whywhat
?
(Wellfort
hefi
rstI
'
m notscaredofdad.Iwasn'
t
i
nti
mi dat
edbyhim.It
hinkit
'sbecauseI'
m angr
y.)
Me:Whatdi
dyoudot
oLal
imi
?..
.
Hi
m:l
ali
mi?
...
Aust
in'
schosenone?
(Howdoesheknowt
hat
.Becausewekepti
tasa
secr
et)
Me:Ch.
..
chosenone?Whot
oldyout
hat
?
Hi
m:t
hatdoesn'
tmat
ter
.
Me:Whatyoudi
dtoher
?
Hi
m:Wel
l..
.Idi
dnot
hingt
oher
..
.whathappened?
Me:Dadpl
ease.
..
Iknowyouver
ywel
l
.You'
ret
he
onewho.
..
Him :Okayokayokay.Yes.
..
Idi
dwhatIhadtodo.I
hadtomakesur eAusti
nandIaref
ine.Andsaf
e
fr
om her.
Me:Saf
e?.
..
whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
..
.
Hi
m:Shei
sthedeathofme.SoIcan'tl
ethercl
ose
t
omysonnormyf amil
y.ThatwayIwil
lli
vel
ong.
Me:What
?Whatdoyoumeanshe'
sthedeat
hof
you.
Hi
m:Themoreshebecomesclosewi
thAust
in.The
l
essmydaysar
eonthisear
th.Shewil
lbetheone
t
okil
lme.
Me:Butwhy.
..
Hi
m:That.
..
Ican'
ttel
lyou.
Me:Soyouwentt
oSi
mon?
Him:Wher
eelsewoul
dIhavewentt
o.Si
moni
s
ver
ypowerf
ul.
Me:Dadyouneedtoundowhateveryoudi
dtoher.
Aust
ini
snottaki
ngitr
ight
.He'
sbrokenandhur
ting.
Helovesher.Helovesherwit
hhiswholel
if
e.By
youseparat
ingthem .You'
rehur
ti
nghim more.
Hi
m:Don'twor
ryaboutAust
in.Hewi
llcome
ar
ound.
Me:Wowdad..
.It
houghtyoucar
edf
orhi
m andhi
s
happi
ness.
Hi
m:hi
shappi
nessdoesn'
tlaywi
tht
hatgi
rl.
Me:Dadyoudon' tunderstand.Her eiswhati
s
goingtohappen.Ifyoudon' tgobackt ot
hatWizard
ofyoursandundowhat everyoudi dtoLali
.Iwil
ltel
l
Austinthetrut
h.Iwi
llt
ellhimt hatyou'
ret
heone
responsibl
e.
Dad:i
t'
sfineyoucangoaheadandt
ellhi
m .Buti
t
wil
lneverchangeanyt
hing.
Me:Okay.
..
okay.
(Iwentandlookedformom.Iaskedoneof1t
he
ser
vants.Theytol
dmeshe'satthefi
repl
ace.I
wentther
eandsatnexttoher
.Shewashaving
cof
fee.)
Me:Youf
ir
eandcof
fee.(Shesmi
ledandI
chuckl
ed)youwi
llneverchange.
Her
:It
'ssowar
m her
e.Whendi
dyouar
ri
ve.
Me:Afewminut
esago.Ihadsomet
hingi
mpor
tant
t
odiscusswi
thdad.
Her
:mmm.Isee.Howi
sMat
il
da?
Me:She'
sfi
ne.
Her:ihopeyouknowthatIdon'
tapproveyour
r
elati
onshipwi
thher.She'
syourcousinaf
teral
l.
Me:Farcousi
ns.Itnotl
ikewegrewuptoget
her.
Dadnevertr
eatedt
hem l
ikepar
tofourf
ami l
y.
Her
:Butt
hatdoesn'
tgi
veyout
her
easont
odat
eher
.
Me:Ourf
ather
sar
ecousi
ns.That
'sver
yfar
.
Her
:Mxm.
..
what
ever
.
Me:er
m..
.mom.
..Ineedyourhel
p.
Her
:Anyt
hingmyson.
..
Me:Wel
ldoyouper
hapshaveani
deawher
eIcan
f
indSi
mon.
Her
:What
?Whatdoyouwantf
rom t
hatol
d
conni
vingsor
cer
er.
Me:Ineedhi
m.I
t'
sforagoodr
eason.
Her
:Tel
lbewhati
sitt
hatyouwantf
rom hi
m.
Me:Ican'
ttel
lyounow. .
.butwhenever
ythi
ngis
al
ri
ght.Iwil
ltel
lyou.Ij
ustneedhisaddr
ess.
Her:Idon'
twantyouneart
hatman.Hecannotbe
t
rusted.
Me:Comeonmom. ..
I'
m notli
kedad.Idon'
twantt
o
har
m anyone.Ij
ustneedhishel
p.
Her
:ifyousayso.Givemeyourphone.Ij
usthope
hehasn'tr
elocat
ed.
(Shegavet
hedi
rect
ionsandt
headdr
ess.)
Me:Thankyou.
..
thankyouver
ymuch.Ihavet
ogo
now.
Her
:becar
efulmyson.Takecar
eofyoursel
f.
(Iki
ssedhercheekanddr ovebacktothecit
y.
Duri
ngthedayIwilldr
ivetoSimon'shouse.Ican'
t
dri
venow.It'
sverylat
e.)
Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupint
hisst
rangeroom.IheldmyheadasI
washavi
ngasharpheadache.Istoodupandwent
downst
air
s.IsawMattalki
ngtoNick'
sbrot
her
.
Whenshesawme.Shei mmediatelywentt
ome.

Mat
:Ar
eyouokay.
(Inodded)
Mat
:Let
'sgohome.
(Shedr
ovehome.Theywer
ehavi
ngbr
eakf
ast
.We
al
sojoi
nedt
hem)
Kayl
a:Yourdadli
kedthei
deaofspending
Chri
stmashereathome.Soi
twil
lbelikethat
.
(Ismiledfai
ntly.Af
terIwasdone.Iwentupstai
rs
andtookaqui ckbat
h.Iputonmytracksui
tsand
pushins.Isatonthebed.Matgoti
n)
Mat
:I'
m goi
nghomet
oday.
Me:Why?Pl
easest
ay.
Mat:Dadsaidhemissesme.Andweal
soneedt
o
pr
epareforChri
stmas.
Me:Comeon..
.youguyscancomeoverher
efor
Chr
ist
mas.Itwil
lbesomuchf un
Mat
:Iwi
llaskdad.I
fhewoul
dli
ket
o.
Me:okay.
..
I'
mthinki
ngoffindi
ngNomhl
eandher
mom toni
ght.IwanttospendChr
ist
maswit
hthem
t
oo.
Mat:Okay...
you'r
esokinddear.Ihavenevermet
someoneaski ndasyou're.Youputyourlif
ein
dangerforsomeone'ssafety.Iwouldn'
taskforany
fr
iend.You'rethebestpersontoeverexi
stinthi
s
l
ife.Andf ort
hatmayGodkeepf i
ll
ingyourl
ifewit
h
happiness.
(Wehugged)
Mat
:okaybye..
.wewi
llt
alkont
hephone.Cal
lme
t
oni
ght.Iwil
lcomewi
thyou.
Me:Real
ly?
Mat
:Yeah.
..
Me:it
houghtyouhat
edher
.
Mat
:don'
tmakemet
hinkot
her
wise.
(Ismi
ledandr
aisedbot
hmyhands.Shehel
dthem)
Mat
:bye.
..
seeyou.
Me:bye.

Ni
ck'
sPOV

WellIsleptforafewhour s.Iwasnowonmyway
toSi mon'
shouse.Ihavebeendr i
vingforlongnow.
Idr ovetoapetrolstation.If i
ll
edt hecarwi t
hpetrol
andwentt obuyapi eandcol ddri
nk.Af t
erthatI
continuedwithmyj our ney.Aftersomet imeIf i
nall
y
reachedmydest iny.SoIpar kedmycarout sidethi
s
house.Wel lt
hegat ewasn' tlocked.Iwenti nand
knockedont hedoor .Itopened.Iwenti nside.
Ther ehewas.St andingandl ookingatme.

Si
mon:owhh..
.Ni
ckmyboy.Whatanhonort
obe
vi
sit
edbyyou.
(Ir
aisedmyeyebr
ow)
Si
mon:Come.
..
comet
hisway.
(wesatont
hecouches)
Me:Iwantyout
oundowhatyoudi
dtoAust
in'
s
chosenone.
(Hel
aughed.)
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkanyofwhatIsai
disaj
oke.
(Hecont
inuedl
aughi
ng)
Me:WhenItel
lhereveryt
hing.Andal
sogiveher
t
hedir
ecti
onstohere.Wewi l
lseewhowi
llhavet
he
l
astl
augh.
(Hest
oppedl
aughi
ng.It
hinkhef
ear
sLal
i)
Simon:well.
..
thespel
lIusedonher.I
t'
svery
powerful
.Undoingitwil
lmeanIhavetodiefi
rst
thati
tcanbeundone.WhenIdi e.Thi
ngswil
lgo
backthesame.anddyingisfar
From me.Meaningherandbecomi ngnormal
agai
nisfarfr
om happening.Soit
hinkyoushoul
d
j
ustlett
hisgo.Goandfindyourchosenone.She'
s
outt
her
eli
vingani
ght
mar
eofhi
sli
fe.
(ist
oodup.Idon'twantt
oli
stentohi
m.Mom told
mehe'sconni
ving.Idon'
twanttofal
lint
ohi
strap.
anywayIst
oodupandmademywayt othedoor.
Hespoke)
Simon:Andpl
ease...
stoptr
yingt
oremindher
.By
doingt
hatyouaredoingalotofdamage.Austi
n
mustnottr
yanythingtoremindher
.Shewil
l
becomeharmfultohim.
(Ij
ustcl
osedt
hedoorandwentt
omycar
.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Don'
tyouallwor
ry.Iwi
llpostagai
nbef
oret
heend
oft
hisday.
[
06/
23,
08:
21]Lynne: i
nser
t50

Lal
i'
sPOV
Iwenttodad'
soff
ice.Ineedtoupdatehi
m about
what'
shappeni
ng.Ienteredandsatonthecouchi
n
ther
e.

Dad:Lal
i.
..
isever
ythi
ngokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
Ijustneedt
ospeakt
oyou.
(Hestoppedwhathewasdoi ngandpaidatt
enti
on
tome.Istartedtel
li
nghim aboutever
ythi
ng.Ial
so
tol
dhimI'm goingt
of i
ndNomhl eandhermom.
Theiri
ndanger.)
Dad:Imustsay..
.you'
reki
nd.Justl
ikeyourmom.
Shealwayscaredforever
yone.Sheusedt ocare
forot
hersmorethanshedidforhersel
f.I'
m gl
ad
youtookaft
erher.
(Ij
ustsmi
led)
Me:Ihavet
ogonow.
(Wehugged.Iwenttothegarageandtookacar.I
dr
ovetoMat'
shouse.Shewasal r
eadywaiti
ngfor
meatthegat
e.Shegoti nsi
de.Wedrovetoaplace
abitf
arf
rom t
hecit
y.)
Mat
:Sohowar
ewegoi
ngt
ofi
ndher
..
.
Me:Wel l
..
.Nomhl eandIshar edaver ystrongbond.
Wewer ef r
iendssinceourchi ldhood.Andher
mot her..
.wellbeforeshechanged.Shewasl ikea
mot hertome.Shecar edalotforme.Shet reated
mel ikeherowndaught er
.SoIdon' tthinkitwillbe
di
fficulttofindthem.Iwi l
lusemyAdi lapower st o
fi
ndt hem .Andt hatcanonl ybepossibleiftheyar e
sti
llali
ve.
Mat
:Okay.
..
let
'sdoi
tthan.
(Iwentoutoft
hecar
.)
Me:Ijusthopether
e'snoonei
nthest
reet
snow.I
don'
ttofreakpeopl
eout.
Mat
:It
'sal
mostmi
dni
ght
.I'
m sur
eever
yonei
sat
t
hei
rhomesnow.
Me:Ihopeso.
..Okay.
..
(Icl
osedmyeyes.
)
Me:Mat
..
.
Mat
:Yesdear
.
Me:Iwil
lmoveataver
yhighspeed.Soi
twi
llbe
bet
teri
fyoutr
ansf
orm now.
Mat
:Sur
e.
(iopenedmyeyes.Shetransf
ormed.Iwentt
oher
wolf
.Ibrushedi
thead.)
Me:
Hey.
..
Imi
ssedt
ouchi
ngyou.
(Shebr ushedherheadonmi ne.Ismi led.Ist ood
nexttoherandcl osedmyeyes.Andcal ledthe
Adilapowerst otakeover.Itbecamewi ndy.I
transfor
med.Ever yt
hinglookedr ed.Iwasn' tin
controlofmybody.Ist artedmovi ngver yfast.In
suchawayt hateverytr
eet hatwasbl ockingmy
wayf ell
.Aft
eralotofmovi ngar oundt heci t
y.Fi nal
ly
Istopped.Itransformedint omysel f.Iwas
standinginfrontofaverybi gbuilding.Ever yr oom
l
ookeddar kfrom here.Ther ewasonl yoner oom
thathadal i
ghton.Mat '
swol farr
ived.I tlooked
ti
red)
Me:Youdi
dgr
eat
.
(Shet
ransf
ormedtohersel
f.Andsodr
amat
icas
shei
s.Shegaspedforair
.)
Mat
:Ial
mostdi
ed.Ihaveneverr
anl
iket
hatbef
ore.
(Shet
hrewher
sel
fonmyar
ms.
)
Mat
:wer
eyout
ryi
ngt
oki
llme.
(Ij
ustl
aughed.
)
Me:Let
'
sgoi
nsi
de.
Mat
:Ar
eyousur
ethi
sist
hepl
ace?
Me:Yeah.
..
Mypowercanneverl
eadmeast
ray.
Mat
:Let
'sgoandki
cksomeasst
han.
Me:Let
'
ssearchthatr
oom f
ir
st.(Iwaspoi
nti
ngat
t
heroom t
hathadli
ghtson)
Mat
:Let
'sgo!
(Gosgshewassoexci t
ed.Wewenti nt
othis
buil
ding.Thedoorwasl ockedsowedecidedtouse
thewindowt hatwasopen.Wegoti n.Wedecidedto
useal i
ftupstai
rs.Wellwemadeourwayt othat
room.Wel ist
enedondoor.Awomenwascr ying.
AndaMal ewast al
king.
"Keepqui
et!Qui
etandst
opi
rr
it
ati
ngme"

(MatandIl ookedateachother.Webot hnodded.

Wepushedt hedoor .I
twaslocked.We
transf
ormedintoourcreat
uresandbr okethedoor
.
Wegoti n.Itransf
ormedtomysel fandwentto
Nomhl e.WellMatwasbusybi ti
ngt hatman'
s
throat
.Whenshewasdone.Shet ransfor
medand
camet ous)

Nomhl
e:L.
..
l.
..
Lal
i.you.
..
you.
Me:Shh.
..
(Shehuggedmeandsobbed.)
Nomhl
e:L.
.Lal
i.
..
m..
mom.
..
Me:Wher
eisshe?
Nomhl
e:They.
..
theyt
ookheraway.Mi
ke'
suncl
e
t
ookheral
ongwithhi
m.
Me:what
?..
.Di
dtheysaywher
etheywer
etaki
ng
her
.
Nomhle:Iheardt
hem t
alki
ngaboutt
hegraveyar
d.
Gr.
..
graveyar
dnextt
othenewpark.Lal
ipl
easego
andsaveher.
Me:don'
twor
ry.
..
(Il
ookedf
ort
hekeyst
oremovet
hechai
nst
hatt
ied
her
.)
Me:Er
m. .
.Matplease.
..
pleaset
akeherhome.Iwi
ll
goandlookforhermom.
Mat
:ar
esur
eyouwi
llbeokay.
..
Me:Yeah..
.Ermm..
.Nomhledon'
tbescar
edofMat
.
Shewil
ltakeyoust
raighthome.
Nomhl
e:I
n..
int
hatf
orm?
Me:Justcl
oseyoureyes.I
nashor
twhi
leyouwi
ll
behome.
Nomhl
e:N.
..
noI
..
.
(BeforeshecontinuedMatt r
ansf
ormedandt ook
herbyhermout h.Shet hanranaway.It r
iedtouse
theAdilapowers.ButIkeptwonderinginthecity.I
stoppedbyt henewpar kthatNomhl etol
dme
about.Itr
ansfor
medt omysel f
.Istartedwalki
ngt o
thegraveyar
d.Ienteredthegate.Therewasacar
parkedfaraway.Imademywayt her
e.Itl
ookedli
ke
hewasdi ggi
ng.Ifinall
ygottohim.Hest opped
whenhesawme.Wel lnicet
hingaboutbeinga
beast.Ist
hateveninthedarkyoucanst il
lsee.You
don'tneedli
ght
.)

Hi
m:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eli
tt
legi
rl?
(i
twasnotMi
ke'
suncl
e)
Hi
m:Goawaybef
oreIhur
tyou.
Me:Iwoul
dli
ket
oseeyout
ry.
Hi
m:ar
eyouchal
lengi
ngme?
(Hemadehi swayt ome.Idi dn'thesitat
e.Iki
cked
him sohar
dandhef el
lonthegr ound.Iwentt ohim
anddraggedhim byhisclothes.Ipi nnedhim on
thecarandstartedthr
owingpunchesonhi sface.
WellIknowI'
m notmyselfrightnow.Hi smout h
wasnowbl eeding.Hewascr yinglikeaboy.My
clawscameout .Iri
ppedhischestdownt ohis
stomach.Mor ebloodcameoutofhi smouthand
noise.Hedi edimmediately.Whi l
eIwasst il
l
sear chi
ngthecar.Isawapl astic.Whi teplasti
c
nextt owher ethatmanwasdi gging.Itlookedli
kea
person'sbodywasr apped.Iwentt here.Itor
nthe
plastic.Iheldmymout hasIsawwhatwasi nside.
Myl egsf ai
ledme.Isatont hegr oundandsobbed.
Itouchedherf ace.I
thadbr uises.Ir emovedt he
plasticfr
om herbody.Shewasnaked.Andher
bodyhadbr uises.Herthighswer ecover edinblood.
Icried.)

Me:I
'm sor
ryIwasn'tabl
etosaveyou.I
'm sor
ryI
camelatet
oyourrescue.Youdidn'
tdeser
vetodie
l
iket
his.

(Icri
edevenmor e.It
ookherbodyi nsideofthecar
thatmanwasusi ng.Itookoffmyj acketand
coveredher.Idrovet
oahospi talsot heycanput
herbodyintothemortuary.AfterthatIdrovetothe
Owenmansi on.Iparkedt hecarout si
de.Iwentin.
Ibrokethedoor.Myt ear
swer estreami ngdown.I
st
art
edsearchingeveryroom.Ifi
nall
yfoundhi
m.
Hewassleeping.Idi
dn'thesi
tat
e.Icharged
st
rai
ghtt
ohi m.Iheldhim byhisthr
oat.)

Hi
m:Wh.
.whoi
sthat
?Whatdoyouwant
?

(Ipushedhard.Bef
oreIIcoul
dri
phi
sst
omachhe
sentmeacrosstheroom.)
Him:TheAdi la.
..
finall
yyoucameandshowed
your sel
f.Butli
stenhere.Ihavenoprobl
em with
you.Nei t
herdoIhavedoneanyt hingwrongtoyou.
Soi twouldbebet teri
fwejustli
veeachother
alone.
(Ichuckl
edt
hroughmyt
ear
s.)
Me:Youkill
edaver
yki
ndandl
ovi
ngwoman.She
wasinnocent.
Him:no...
no..
.noshewasn't
.Herdaughterandher
ki
ll
edMi keandKiara.Theysentt
heirmom toa
mentalasylum.Theyclaimedeveryt
hingt
hat
bel
ongt omyf amil
y.
Me:Iknowwhatt
heydidwaswrong.Butt
heydi
dn'
t
deser
vesucht
ort
ure.Shedi
dn'
tdeser
vetodi
eli
ke
ananimal
.
Hi
m:list
enhere..
.Idon'
twantanyf
ightwi
thyou.So
pl
easeleave.
..
(
Itr
ansf
ormed.Ir
ant ohim.WhenIgotther
eand
t
ri
edtohar
m him .Iwasn'
tabl
eto.Helaughed.)
Hi
m:I
'
m notl
ikeMi
ke'
sdad.
..
I'
m Mondr
ee.
Me:
Whatar
eyou?
(Myvoi
cesoundeddoubl
ed.)
Hi
m:somet
hingver
ypower
fulandcanhar
m you.
Me:Real ly.
..
isthatwhatyouhavebeenbl uffing
yoursel fwi t
h.(IusedmyAdi l
apower s.Andt his
ti
meIwasabl etoharm him.Ist uckmycl awsdeep
i
nt ohisskul l.Heimmedi atel
yf el
ldown.Ist epped
onhi sf ace.I tbecamethinrightatthisinstance.
Hisbr ainwasscat ter
edont hef l
oor.Itr
ansf ormed
tomysel f.Iwipedmyhandswi thaduvett hanwent
out.Iwal kedmywayhome.WhenIgott here.They
wer enotsl eeping.Theywer ebusycomf orti
ng
Nomhl e.WhenImademywayt othem.Nomhl e
stoodupandwentt ome. )
Nomhle:Di
dyoufi
ndher
?Didyouf
indmymom?
...
I
knewyouweregoi
ngtof
indher
.
(Tear
sst
art
edst
reami
ngf
rom myeyes.)
Nomhl e:Lal
i.
.whyar eyoucryi
ng?Iseveryt
hing
al
ri
ght...
and...
andwher e'smom.Wher e'
smom
Lal
i.
(Ikeptqui et)Lal
ipl
easespeakup...
where'
smy
mom. (Shestar t
edshakingme)Laliwhere'
smy
mom. .
.
Me:I '
m sor
ry.
..
Itwasalr
eadytoolate.Whenigot
there.Hewasdi ggi
nguphergrave.Shehadal
ready
died.
(Nomhl efel
ldown.Shewasn' tcryi
ng.Shelooked
l
ost.Isatdownwi thher.Iknowthingsbetween
Nomhl eandIar en'
tokay..
.butri
ghtnowican
i
magi nethepainsheisf eel
ing.Iheldhercl
oseto
me.)
Me:Pl
easecr
y..
.cr
yital
loutsot
hati
twi
llpass.
(Shewasn'trespondi
ng.Shekeptlooki
ngatt
he
ri
ghtdi
rect
ion.Shestoodup.Itr
iedtofol
lowher
Kayl
amom gr abbedmyhand.)
Kayl
a:Sheneedst
obeal
one.Letherbe.
(Inodded.)
Me:Erm..
.l
etmegoandf
reshen.Goodni
ght
ever
yone..
.
Zi
a:I
t'
s4o'
cl
ock.
(Ij
ustwentupst
airs.Ideci
dedtogot othe
guest
room t
hatNomhlewasi n.Iopenedthedoor
.
Shewasn'ti
ntheroom.)
Me:
Nomhl
e?
(Imademywayt othebathroom.Ifoundher
si
tti
ngdownbusytr
yingtocutherpulse.I
snatchedt
hekni
fef
rom her.Imadeherstandup.)
Me:why?Whywouldyouhar
m your
sel
f?whyar
e
hur
ti
ngyour
sel
fli
kethi
s..
.
Nomhl
e:Lal
ithere'
snothi
nglef
tformeint
hiswor
ld.
Mymotherhadleftme.Theonl
yfamil
yIhad.
Me:pl
easedon'
tspeakl
ikethat
.I'
m her
eforyou.
AndIwil
lal
waysbehereforyou.Nowcome.
(It
ookhert
omyr
oom.Matgoti
n)
Me:pl
easeguar
dherwhi
leIbat
h..
.shet
ri
edt
o
har
m her
sel
f.
(Shenodded.Icl osedt hebathroom door.And
wentinsidetheshower.It ookaverycoldshower .I
cri
edmyl ungsout.Af
terIwasdoneIdr i
edmyhai r
andbody.Ineedt obest ronggotNomhl e.Iputon
mypj s.I
t'
sal r
eadymor ningandIhaven'tslepta
wink.)
Me:l
et'
ssl
eepgi
rl
s.
(Welli
mmedi
atel
yIdri
ftedofft
osleep.Iwas
wokenupbyNomhlecrying.Matal
sowokeup)
Nomhl
e:pl
ease.
..
pleasest
op.St
op.
..
mom.
(Wewokeherup.Shewokeupandlookedver
y
scar
ed.Shewasevensweat
ing.)
Me:ar
eyouokay?
Mat
:wer
eyouhavi
ngani
ght
mar
e..
.
Nomhl
e:Yeah.
..
yeah.
..
Iwashavi
ngani
ght
mar
e.
(Icheckedthet
ime.I
twasnow10o'
cl
ock.Went
downstair
s.)
Kayla:Thef
oodisint
hemi
crowave.Idi
dn'
twantt
o
di
sturbyouguys.
Me:t
hankyou.
(
Neit
herofushadanappet
it
e.Butwehadt
oeatso
t
hatNomhlecaneatt
oo.)
Me:Iwi
llaskdadt
oor
gani
zeherf
uner
al.
Nomhl
e:Thanks.
Me:di
dyougett
hecarf
rom t
hepar
k..
.
Mat:yeahIdi
dandyourphonei
schar
gedi
nthe
l
ounge.
Me:t
hanks.

Ni
ck'
sPOV

Idon'
tknowi fishouldt el
lAustinaboutwhatfat
her
di
dornot.I fidon'
ttellhim hewi l
lcont
inuetotr
y
andmakeLal iremember .NoIwi l
ltel
lhim.Butl
et
mef i
rstaskwhatMatt hinks.Ical
ledher.Shedi
dn'
t
answer.Itri
edheragai n.Thi sti
mesheanswer ed.
Me:hel
lo.
..
Mat
:hi
..
.
Me:yousounddown.
..
areyouokay?
Mat
:yeah..
.i
t'
sjustthatLal
i'
sfr
iendNomhleandher
mom werekidnapped.Andhermot herdi
ed.
Me:what
?..
.ohhol
yshi
t.Icani
magi
newhatLal
iis
goi
ngthr
ough.
Mat:She'
str
yingtobestrong.ButIcanseet
hat
she'
shurt
ingalot.Theywerever
yclose.
Me:Mhhshame.
Mat
:sowhydi
dyoucal
lme.
..
Me:welliwant
edtotellyout
hat..
.(It
oldher
ever
ythi
ngthatdaddid.Andalsoaboutmegoingt
o
Simon)
Mat
:Idi
dsuspectthatsomethi
ngwasnotr i
ght.
Howcoul
dsheforgetaboutherchosenone.And
r
ememberusall
.
Me:
SoIdon'
tknowi
fIshoul
dtel
lAust
inornot
..
.
Mat:Tel
lhi
m..
.sot
hatt
het
hreei
fuscant
ryt
oki
ll
Si
mon.
Me:Ihopeyouknowki l
li
ngSi
monwon' tbeeasy.
He'sverystr
ongandhavedi
ff
erentpor
tionsand
spell
sthatprot
ecthi
m.
Mat
:at
leastwecant
ry.
Me:okayIwi
llt
ellhi
m.Bye.Passmyr
egar
dtoLal
i.
Mat
:Iwi
llbye.
..
(Ihungedupanddr
ovetoAusti
n'spl
ace.Igotin.
Hewassi t
ti
ngont
hestai
rsbusydri
nki
ngbeer .)
Aust
in:br
other
..
.I
'm gl
adyoucame.
..
(Isatnextt
ohi
m)
Me:Ihopeyouknowal
coholi
sn'
tthesol
uti
on.
Aust
in:nott
odayMrl
ect
ure.
..
(Ichuckl
ed)
Me:Iwantedt ot
alktoyouaboutsomething
i
mportant
.Butsi nceyou'
redrunkIdon'tthi
nkso.
Di
devensl eep?
Austi
n:nah.
..
Ican'tsl
eep.Everyt
imeIcl
osemy
eyes.Iseeherface.Imi ssher.
Me:iknow.AndIunderstandver
ywel
l
.Butst
il
l
al
coholwon'
tbr
ingherbacktoyou.
Aust
in:whatcanIdoNi
ck.
..
I'
m outofopt
ions.
Me:Ithi
nkyoushoul
dsl
eepnow.Iwi
llsl
eepwi
th
youj
ustl
ikewhenwewereki
ds.
Aust
in:I
'
m gr
ownnow.Iwi
llsl
eepal
one.
Me:ohhr
eal
ly..
.butIwantt
osl
eepwi
thyou.
..
(If
akedawomenvoi
ce.Webot
hlaughed.)
Aust
in:f
uckyou.
..
anywayl
etmegoandsl
eep.
(Hest
oodupandwentt
ohi
sroom.
)

Si
mon'
sPOV

Iwasl ookingatever
yoneonthecrystal
bal l
.Ineed
todisappearforsometi
me.Ican'thavethese
chi
ldrentrytokil
lme.Never
.Ineedtogat hermy
st
rengt
h.Icannotf
ightt
hem now.I
'
m notpr
epar
ed.

Tobecont
inued.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
21]Lynne: i
nser
t51

Ni
ck'
sPOV

Ihavedecidedt omovei nwithAustinsincehehas

notbeentakingt hi
sLalii
ssueverywel l
.Ihaven'
t
toldhimthatfatherist
hebehindit.Iwokeupand
tookaquickshower .IwentdownstairsandIsaw
Austinbusydrinkingcoff
ee.Hewaswear i
nga
blacksui
twithwhi tetshi
rt.Helookedformal.

Me:Goi
ngsomewher
e?
Hi
m:Yeah.
..
I'
m goi
ngt
othef
uner
al.Ineedt
obe
theref
orLali
.I'
m sur
eshe'
sdown.Theywer
ever
y
closewit
hthatwoman.
Me:I
..
.er
m..
.Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatagoodI
dea.
Him:Why?..
.t
here'
saf uner
al.I
'
m sur
eshewi
llnot
beputt
ingupheract.
Me:Er
mm.
..
youcan'
tgo.
Him:Why...
she'
smygi
rl
.Shewil
lneedashoul
der
tocryon.I
t'
smydut
yashisboyf
ri
endtocomfor
t
her.
Me:Youdon'
tunder
stand.
Hi
m:Wewi
llt
alkl
ater
.I'
m get
ti
ngl
ate
(Ireal
lydon'twanttotellhi
m.Idon'twanthi
m and
dadhatingeachot her.Hutthi
sIar ealpr
obl
em.
Becausehecan' tbeclosetoLali
.Ihitmyhead.
Thi
si sallf
uckedup.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Daddeci
dedt
otakeal
lther
esponsi
bil
it
iesof
buryi
ngNomhl e'smom.Theser vicewasgoi ngt o
behel datthehal l.Thenpeopl ecangot oNomhl e's
housef orfood.Wel lNomhl e'saunt sandot her
famil
ymember swer et here.Nomhl ehasbeenver y
quiet
.Sher efusedt ositont hemat tr
essf orthe
pastdays.Shehasbeenl ocki ngher selfupi nher
bedroom.Idon' tblameher .Iwoul dal sobehavet he
samewayi fIwer etolosemymot her .She' sthe
onlyper sonthatshehad.Whosuppor t
ed, l
oved
andcar edf orher.Ispentani ghther eatherhouse.
Sowewokeupi nt hemor ni ngapr eparedf orthe
funeral.Iwaswear i
ngabl ackbodyhuggi ngdr ess
thati
st helong.Iputonmymar oonst il
ettosand
tookmymar oonbag.Wel lNomhl ealsol ooked
good.Nomhl ehadaskedmet ositwi t
hheri nthe
carthathashermot her'
scof f
in.Igl adlyagr eed.It
wasaver ybeaut if
ulcasket.I twascover edwi tha
homechoi ceblanket .Iheldbot hNomhl e'shands.

Me:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
(Shej
ustshr
uggedhershoul
der
s)
Me:Youneedt oletgoofher .Sheneedst ogo.You
needt oopenupyourchestandt alk.Soyoucanbe
abletopasst hroughthis.Iknowi t'
sgoi ngt obe
dif
ficul
t.ButI'm yourmot herwoul dn'twantyout o
l
ookt hisbroken.There'
sst illmucht imeyouhavei n
thi
swor ld.Spendtothef ullest.I'm notaski ngyou
toforgetabouther.Ijustwantyout ol ethergoand
l
iveyourl i
fenormal.I'm alsoher ef oryou.(Il ooked
down)IknowyouandIhasbeent hr oughal ot.In
suchawayt hatwewer esepar at
ed.ButIt hinkyour
mot her'
sdeathhasbr oughtusbackt oeachot her.
Ofwhi chiswhatsheal wayswant ed.
(Tear
sst
art
edt
ofor
minhereyes)
Me:Leti
tallout
.Int
hatwayyouwil
lbeabl
etopass
t
hroughthi
s.Cryyourl
ungsoutf
orthel
astti
me.
(Shehuggedmeandcr
iedevenmor
e.)
Nomhle:ThankyouLali..
.t
hankyouverymuch.You
aret
heonl ythi
ngthat
'skeepi
ngmesane.Ifit
wasn'
tforyou.Iwouldbelongdead.Thank
you.
..
thank.you.
(Fi
nal
lywegott
othehal
l.Nomhl
eandIwer
e
sit
ti
nginthefr
ont.Thepastoropenedwi thpr ayer.
Whenhewasdonesomeonewal kedin.His/Her
shoesweremakingnose.Weal ltur
nedt oseewho
i
twas.ItwasAustin.Ijustconti
nuedt olook
for
ward.Wellthepastorconti
nuedpr eaching.I t
wasnowt imeforspeeches.Wel li
twasNomhl e
andIonlywhower egoingtodospeech.West ood
upatthesamet i
me.Istoodnextt oherandhel dher
handasshewasbusyt al
king.)

Nomhl e:Mot her.

..
Shewasever ythi
ngtome.A
fri
end,afatherandasi ster.Shewast hebestt hing
thathadeverhappenedi nmyl ife.Wehavebeen
throughalotwi t
hher.Wehavebeeni ndif
ficult
sit
uations.Butshepr ayedourwayt hrought hem.
Shet aughtmehowt opr ay.Sher ai
sedmeby
prayer.Andsheal waysr emindedmet obescar ed
oflord.Wor shiphim andpr ayeverysingl
eday.She
wasast r
ongwoman.Aver ystrongwoman.Ther e
wer eti
meswher eshewasf eel
inganext r
emepai n
physicall
yandemot i
onally.Shenevergaveup.I
guesswhent hey'r
espeaki ngaboutimbokodo.They
aretrul
yspeakingabouther .Sheneverevenonce
hadsheshownmei ft
herewasanyt hingbotheri
ng
her.Shewassogr eat.Shewant edtoseeme
becomi ngsuccessfulinli
fe.IguessGoddeci dedto
takehersaintwaysooner .Iwillal
waysl oveand
respecther.Shewassoki nd.Ijusthopeher
kindnessremainslikethatuntilwemeetagai n.

(Iwi
pedhert
ear
sandt
ookt
hemi
c)

Me:Wel lIdon'
twheretost art
.Icoul dwr i
teawhol e
bookaboutt hi
swoman.Becauseoft imeIwon' tbe
l
ong.Shewasal soamot hertome.Shet r
eatedme
exactlyasherowndaught er.Actuall
yshel ovedand
caredf ormemor et
hanshedi dforherdaught er.
Sher aisedme.Wel lwithNomhl eobviously.She
taughtmehowt opray.Andt hanever yt
hingwi l
lbe
alr
ightasl ongasyoupr ay.IrememberIwasgoi ng
somewher e.Todosomet hingthatwasgoi ngtoput
myl i
fei ndanger.Iwenttoher .Itol
dher .Andwe
prayed.Icamebacksaf eandsound.WhatI 'm
tr
yingtosayis.Shewasaver ystr
ongbel
iever
.And
shealsotaughtusherdaughter
stobebeli
evers.
AsNomhl esaid.Shewasaver ystr
ongwoman.Her
soul..
.maysher esti
npeace.

(Peopl est art

edsingi ng.Nomhl eandIwentt osit
down.Wel ltheser vicefinishedwewentt othe
cemet ery.Wel lthat '
swher eNomhl ecried.She
criedherl ungsoutandevenwant edtojustinsi
de
hermot her'sgrave.Peopl ewer enowhol di
ngher.
Thatwasaver ysadmoment .Everyt
hingwasdone
wemadeourwayback.Att hegatetherewasa
dishwi thumswaneandanot heronethathadwat er
withgr eenpet alsini t.Wel lIwashedmyhandsi n
bot h.Ihelpedever yonear ound.Iwentt oNomhl e's
room asIwant edtouset het oil
et.WhenIwas
washi ngmyhandsihear ddoorcl osi
ng.Iwentout
oft hebathr oom.)

Me:Aust
in?Canihel
pyou.
..
Aust
in:icanIunder
standyourpai
nri
ghtnow.I
'
m
sor
ry.I
twi
llal
lpass.
(Ijustl
ookedathim.Hispr
esencej
ustmakesme
si
ck.Iwasnowbal anci
ngmyselfwi
ththewal
l.He
start
edmovingclosetome.)
Me:wai
twhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
(Hecameevenmor
ecl
oser.Iwassl
owl
ylosi
ng
mybreat
h.)
Aust
in:Lal
i?Ar
eyouokay?
(Hetriedt otouchmyf ace.Ifel
ttr
iggered.Isaw
myselfstranglinghimt odeat
h.Mycl awswer eout.
Iwasr eadytoat tackhim.Iwasdisturbedbyt he
knock.Ifixedmysel fandwenttothedoor .Iopened
i
t.ItwasMat .)

Mat
:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah.
Mat
:Wel
llet
'sgohome.Icamet
ofet
chyou.
Me:t
hanks.
(Iwentandsai
dmygoodbyet
oNomhl
e.She
wasn'
thappythatIwasl
eavi
ng.Imisshome.Well
fi
nal
lywegothome.Asitwasver
ylateIj
ustwent
tomyroom andtookaqui
ckshowerandwentto
bed)

Aust
in'
sPOV

Whathadhappenedt oLal i
?Iknowsomet imesshe
becomesmadf ornor eason.Butshenevereven
oncehassheusedherbeast i
alpowersagainstme.
Iheldmyt hroat
.I twasi npain.Iwentstr
aightt
o
mycaranddr i
vetomyhouse.HowcanLal iharm
me.Imeanshel ovesme.AndIf eelt
hesameway
abouther.Shehadchanged.She' snolongerthe
gir
lIfel
linlovewith.WhenIl ookIntohereyes.I
canhardlyseeherf eel
ings.Whenigott omy
house.Nickwasbusycooki ng.Helookedatmy
neckandhi seyespoppedout .

Ni
ck:what.
..
whathappenedt
oyourneck?
Me:er
m..
.i
t'
snot
hing.
(Hewentcl
osert
ome)
Nick:it
'snot
hing?Yourneckisswol
lenandyet
you'resayi
ngit'
snothi
ng.Didsomet
hinghappen.
Wer eyouattacked?
Me:nah.
..
Lal
i.
..
(Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)itwasLal
i.
(Hi
seyeswi
dened.)

Ni
ck'
sPOV

It
hinkit
'saboutti
meIt
ellhi
m.IfIdon'
thewil
lkeep
ongoingtoLali
.Ofwhi
chwillputhi
sli
feindanger
.

Aust
in:whyar
eyouqui
et?
Me:Ihavesomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
otel
lyou.
Aust
in:Goon.
(Ist
art
edtell
inghi
m everyt
hing.Andevent
oldme
aboutwhatSimonsaid)
Austin:andyou'reonlytel
li
ngmenow.Inever
thoughtdadwoul dbet heonetohurtme.Howcan
hedosomet hingliket
hattome.I'
m hi
sson.He' s
supposedt obesuppor ti
ngmei nmyrelati
onshi
p
withLali.Yethewant stodest
royi
t.Youknow
somet i
mesIdon' tgethowthatol
dthinks.
Me:Sowhatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?
Austi
n:weneedt
ofi
ndthatSi
monyout
oldme
about
.Weneedtoki
llhi
m.
Me:he'sver
ypower
ful
.Taki
nghi
m downwon'
tbe
easy.
Austi
n:Wecandoi t.
..
Iwonderhowdiddadf
indout
aboutLal
i.Becausewekeptitasecr
et.
Me:t
hat
'swhatIhavebeenaski
ngmysel
ftoo.
Aust
in:anywaywecandoit
.You,
Ondreaz,
Mat
,
Tayl
erandI.Wecanki
llt
hatSi
monguy.
Me:(Icl
ear
edmyt hr
oat
)Cani
tjustbet
het
hreeof
us.Thismatt
eri
sveryi
mport
ant.
Aust
in:but
..
.
Me:Weneedt
obecar
efulwhowet
rustandt
ell
thi
ngs.Whenyouwantust oki
llSimon.Thanwe
needtobesmart.Andt
rytothi
nklikehim.Ij
ust
needtotel
lMataboutt
hiswhol
et hing.
Aust
in:weneedt
odoi
tsoon.Imi
ssLal
ial
ot.
(Ipar
tedhi
sshoul
der
)
Me:Iknowyoungone.

Si
mon'
sPOV

Il
aughed.Whoar et
heyagai n?.
..
Noone. .
.andI
meannoonecaneverki llme.Thei rgrandfat
her
tr
iedtokil
lme.Buthedi dn'tsucceed.Theywon't
beabletokil
lme.Andt heycanonl ydeclareawar
againstmeonceI'
mr eady.

Me:weneedt
opr
epar
eour
sel
ves.
Emili
a:We'r
efull
yprepared.Whydon'
twegetri
dof
them onceandforal
l.Thanwecanbelef
twit
h
kil
li
ngtheAdil
a
Me:Weshouldn'tr
ushthi
ngs.We'r
enotprepar
ed.
Theymaynotbever ypower
ful
.Buttheyalsoknow
afewspel
ls.Thatcantur
nusalldown
Hermom:sowemustwai
tunt
ilwhen?.
..
I'
mti
redof
t
hiswai
ti
ng.
Me:ifyouwanttoachi eveagoal.Youneedtobe
pat
ientandsincerel
y..rushi
ngthi
ngswil
lonl
yresul
t
i
nourdownf all
.Ican'
taf for
dthat
.

(Year sbackIl iedt ot heAlpha.ThatAust i

n's
chosenwi l
lbet hedeat hofhim.Wel lallIwantist o
revengemysel ft otheAl phaandhi sf ami l
y.Iused
tostayt here.Iwast hemostr espect edsor cerer
there.Wi t
honemi stakeIdid.Theybur ni
shedme.
Afterthatmyl ifebecameani ghtmar e.Ihad
nothing.Isuf f
er edal ot.TheAlpha'sdadwasal so
aftermyl if
e.Att hattimeIwasn' tthatpower ful.
NowI '
mr eadyt ot aket hem down.I '
mr eadytor ul
e
theOegr ate.Wel lImetwi thEmiliaandhermom
l
ongt imeago.Wehadasamegoal s.Sowecl icked
andbecameonest rongt eam.
Mat
'sPOV

AsmuchasIknowt heAlpha.Inevert houghthe

coulddosomet hingli
kethis.Especiall
ytohis
favouri
teson.Nicktol
dmeever ything.Ijustf
eel
sorryforLal
ishame.HerandAust inlovedeach
other.Theyl
ookedper f
ecttogether.AnywaysNi ck
saidwemustmeett omorrowtodi scusshowar ewe
goingtotakethi
sevilSimondown.

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupi
nthemor
ningandwentdownst
air
sto
hel
pKayl
amom makebreakf
ast
.

Kayla:weneedtowrit
eal i
st.Ofthethi
ngswe
goingtoneedprepar
ingforChri
stmasday.Ihave
foundachef.Wenowl ef
twi t
hbuyingthi
ngswewi l
l
usetodecorat
ethehouse.Andal sobuypresent
s
f
orever
yone.
Me:Wecanbuyt hethi
ngst
odecorat
etoday.I
f
you'
renotbusy.Lat
eronIwi
llgoandseeNomhle.
Kayl
a:Okay.
..
weal
soneedt
ofi
ndat
hemef
ort
he
day.
Me:ButChr
ist
masthemehasal
waysbeen
r
ed,
greenandwhi
te.
Kayl
a:howol
dar
eyouagai
n?
(Ij
ustchuckl
ed)
Kayl
a:Ourthemewillber
ed.Weasladi
eswil
lwear
reddr
esses.Thantheboysandt
hei
rfat
herwil
l
wearbl
acksuits.
Me:soundsbet
ter
.
Kayl
a:Let
'sf
ini
shupsowecango.Iwi
llal
sohi
re
t
heMakeupar t
istf
orever
yone.
(Ij
ustlaughed.Sheissodramatic.Wewi llbe
i
ndoors.Thereisnoneedformakeup.Wef ini
shed
wit
hbreakfast.Ihel
pedhersetthetable.Everyone
camedownst air
s.Weallstar
tedeati
ng.Kayl amom
al
sotoldeveryoneaboutt
hethemecol oursandal l
.
Aft
erIwasdoneIwentt
otakeabath.Af
terIwas
doneIputonmyclot
hesandwentdownstai
rs.)
Mat:Lal
idear
..
.iwi
llseeyoul
ater
.Im goi
ngoutwi
th
Ni
ck.
Me:mhh.
..
okay.
..
enj
oydear
.
(Shej ustsmiled.Mom KaylaandIwentt othemal l
.
Weboughtever ythi
ngandt ooktothecar .We
decidedt odoabi tofshopping.Ihaveal otof
cl
ot hes.Therearesomanycl ot
hesIhaven' teven
wear .Whenwewer edonewegr abbedtakeaways
fr
om Macdonal d.IalsoboughtforNomhl e.Kayla
droppedmeof fatherhouse.Herr elat
iveswer e
sti
llhere.Iwentupstair
stoherr oom.Iknocked
onceandgoti n.Shewasbusyl ookingoutt he
windowwi t
hagl assofwineonherhand.)
Me:Ibr
oughtyouf
ood.
Nomhl
e:t
hanks.
..
Iwi
lleati
tlat
er.
Me:no..
.youwil
leati
tnow.Youwi
llbecomesi
cki
f
youdon'
teat.
Nomhl
e:I
'
m nothungr
yLal
i.
Me:pl
easeeatf
ormysaket
han
Nomhl
e:okayt
han.

Tobecont
inued

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
21]Lynne: i
nser
t52
CHRI
STMASDAY

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupi nt hemorni
ngandhelpedKayladecorate
thedi ni
ngroom.Thechefshavealreadyst
arted
prepar i
ngfood.Af
terweweredone.Fewl adiesgot
i
n.Eachandoneoft hem wer
ecaringblack
suitcases.Theywereweari
ngmat chingcl
othes.
It'
slikeaunifor
m.
Kayl
a:Thi
swaypl
ease.
(Shedir
ectedthem t
oanempt
yroom upst
air
s.
Thathascouchesonly)
Kayl
a:Pleasesi
ther
eint
hemeant
ime.Iwi
llgoand
cal
lthegir
ls.
Me:
whoar
ethey?
Kayl
a:They'r
egoingtoful
lmassageourbodi
es.Do
outhai
rst
yles,nai
lsandmakeup.
Me:Mhh.
..
can'
twai
t.
(Iwentandwoket hegilrsup.Weal ltookbat hs.
Af t
erwewer edoneweputonourr obesand
sleeper s.Kayl
acal ledust hatwecannowgof orthe
treats.Theyst artedwi t
hourbacks.I twasver y
relaxing.Weal lhadgl assesofwi ne.Thei rhands
wer edoi ngmagi conourbodi es.Iwi shNomhl e
wasal sohere.ButwhatcanIsay.Shei stryi
ngt o
keepher sel
fbusywi t
hdoi ngwor k.Shehasbeen
runningherf ather'sbusinesses.Shewant edtosel l
alltheOwen' sbel ongings.ButIconvi ncedhert o
nott o.)
Mat
'sPOV

I'
m enj
oyingthemassagesomuch.Mymi ndhas
beenoccupied.IjusthopeNick'splanofki l
li
ngt hat
Simonguywi llwork.Ihavemixedemot ionsoveral l
ofthi
s.Ijusthopewewi l
lsucceedsot hatLal ican
fi
nall
yregainhermemor i
essheshar edwi t
hAust i
n.
Wehaveal sof oundoutthat.Therear etwowomen
he'
swor ki
ngwi t
h.It
oldmydadaboutt hiswhol e
enti
rethi
ng.Hesai dhewi l
lhelpus.Het oldust hat
Simonisverydanger ous.Sotomorr owmi dnight.
Wewi l
lgoandhuntt hem downwher ehel ives.

Lal
i:Ar
eyouokay?
(Inodded)
Lal
i:Butyoudon'
tlookokay.I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
(
Ifakedasmi
le)
Me:Y.
..
yes.Ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.
Lal
i:Ar
eyouhi
dingsomet
hingf
rom me?
Me:W..what
?N.
..
no.whywoul
dIhi
desomet
hing
f
rom you.
Lal
i:Youbeendi
str
act
edl
atel
y.Ar
eyousur
eyou'
re
okay.
(Inodded)
Lali
:YouknowthatI'
m al
waysthereforyou.Ifyou
needsomethi
ng.Youcant el
lme.Orifthere'
s
someonebother
ingyou.Youknowt ogetherwecan
overcomeanyobstacl
ethatcomesourway.
(IwishIcoul
dtel
lher
.Tel
li
ngherwi
llmaket
he
si
tuati
onworse.)
Me:Iknow.
(Shehel
dmyhands)
Lal
i:Icar
eaboutyouMat
.Al
ot.
Me:Iknow.AndIalsocareaboutyou.That
'swhyI
won'
ttel
lyouanyt
hingfornow
Lal
i:Sot
her
e'ssomet
hingyou'
rehi
dingf
rom me.
Me:N.
.no.
..
yes.butIj
ustcan'
ttel
lyou.
Lali
:Mat
..
.si
ncewhendowehi
det
hingsf
rom each
other
Me:it
'sf
oragoodcause.Ipr
omi
set
otel
lyouwhen
ever
ythi
ngi
sbacktonormal
(Shel
etgoofmyhands)
Me:Lal
imi
.

Aust
in'
sPOV

Wewer eallattheOegratetocelebrat
eChrist
mas
day.Ever
yonei sbusypr epar
ingforit
.Oursuit
sfor
thedaywer edeli
ver
edt odayinthemor ni
ng.Nick
gotin.

Ni
ck:Hey.
Me:What
'sup?
(Hesi
ghed)
Ni
ck:Doyout
hinkwewi
llbeabl
etobr
ingSi
mon
down?
Me:Yeah..
.wecandoit.Thet
hreeofuscandoi
t.
AndMat'sdadisgoingtobet
heresother
e's
not
hingtoworryabout.
Ni
ck:Ij
usthopeever
ythi
nggoesaccor
dingl
y.
Me:I
thast
o.Ican'
twai
ttof
inal
lyspendt
imewi
th
myLali
.
Ni
ck:Letmegoandgetr
eady.
Me:Sur
e.

(Itookashower.Af terIwasdoneIwentbackt o
mybedr oom.It ookmyphoneandl oggedinon
Instagram.Ist artedlookingatLali'
spictur
es.She's
beaut i
ful.Therewast heonewher eshewaspout ing.
Ilaughedandki ssedi t.Aft
erthatIgotdressed.I
wentt owher ethelaunchwi llbeserved.Everyone
wasal readyt here.Dadst art
edt al
king.Thi
sol dman
cant alkhey.Iwasst arti
ngtogetbor ed.Ipour ed
mysel fagl assofwhi skey.)
Al
pha:Mer
ryChr
ist
masdayt
oever
yone.

(Finall
yhe'sdone.Wel lwestar t
edeating,l
aughi
ng
andt al
king.Itaver ygreatday.It'
sbeenawhi l
e
sincewespentt i
met oget
herasaf amil
y.Wedida
toast.Itwasagr eatdayindeed.Wel lmusicwas
playi
ng.Mom t ookmyhandandwest art
eddanci
ng.
Everyonewasdanci ng.Aft
erat wir
lwewoul d
changepar tners.Itwasver ynice.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Aft
erthepassage.Wedidourmani cure,pedicure
andmakeup.Matonl ydidmakeup.Afterthatweal l
wenttoourroomst oputonourdresses.Wet han
wentdownstair
s.Averypolit
emusi cwaspl aying.
Ever
yonewasdr essedtokill
.Kayl
amom i nstructed
al
lofustositdown.Dadl ookedhandsomei nhi s
sui
tImustsay.
Kayla:Asaf amil
y.Wehavebeent hroughsomuch.
Wehavel ostourlovedones.Wehaveshar edt ears.
Imustsaywear eonestrongfami ly.WhenIf i
rst
cameher e.Youallacceptedmewi thwar m hands.I
neverfeltli
keanout si
der.Weal lgotal ongver ywell
.
AndIwantt othankyouMr sKane.Iknowwehave
hadournotsogooddays.Wher ewewoul df ight
verball
y.ButI '
m al
sothankfulthatyouevent ually
acceptedme.SoIwantal lofust odayt oforget
aboutever ythi
ngthingwehavebeent hroughand
enjoythisspecialday.Mer r
yChr i
st masever yone.

(West ar
tedeating.ZiaandKayl awouldthrow
j
okeshereandt here.I
twasver ygood.Af t
erwe
fi
nishedeati
ng.Weal ldanced.Everyonelookedso
happy.Thegirl
sandIdeci dedtogot othepatio.
Wellwehavepr eparedasmal lpart
ythere.They
wereball
oons, boozeandsnacks.Theguys
decidedt
ojoinus.I twassomuchf un.)

Zayn:Iwi
shTonywasal
soher
etocel
ebr
ate
Chr
ist
maswi
thus.
Zi
a:Yeahhey.
..
Me:Letmecal
lhi
m.
(Iwentawayf
rom ever
yone)
Tony:Lal
i?
...
hey.
Me:Hi
..
.howar
eyou
Tony:I
'
m good.
Me:It
houghtyouweregoi
ngtocoverover
.To
cel
ebr
ateChri
stmaswit
hus.
Tony:Nah.
..
Ijustwant
edt
ospendi
twi
thmyuncl
e.
Me:Mhh..
.Isee.Anyprogresswi
thf
indi
ngt
he
per
sonthatkil
ledyourdad.
Tony:Nah.
..
yousee.Ihavebeenhavingdr
eams
aboutmyfather
.Hekeeptell
ingmethatyou'
ret
he
onewhocanhel pmefindthetr
uth.
Me:Tony.
..
Ishowedyouever
ythi
ng.Butyouchose
nott
obeli
eveme.
Tony:Lal
i.
..
canwepl
easenotgot
her
e.Iknowmy
uncl
ever
ywel
l.
Me:Tony.
..
peoplear
enotwhot
heyappeart
obe.Or
whotheysaytheyar
e.
Tony:Hesai
dyoucanhel
pmecommuni
cat
ewi
th
hi
m.
(Iseehei
gnor
edt
hatst
atement
)
Me:What?..
.Icannolongercommunicat
ewithmy
owndeceasedfamil
y.Howwi llImaket
hatpossi
ble.
Tony:Idon'
tknowman.
..
Buthekeepst
ell
ingme
that
.
Me:whycan'
thecommuni
cat
ewi
thyout
hrougha
dr
eam.
Tony:Ever
yti
mewhenhe'saboutt
osaysomet
hing.
Hesuddenlybecomesmute.
Me:What
?
Tony:I
t'
sli
kesomeonei
str
yingt
oshuthi
m up.
Me:Isee.
Tony:Sopl
easet
rysomet
hing.
Me:Iwi
llsee.ButIdon'
tpr
omi
seanyt
hing.
Tony:pl
easet
ry.You'
remyl
asthope.
Me:Iwi
llt
ry.
(Gladi
sseemstoknowalotabout
nthi
sthi
ngs.Iwi
ll
vi
sithert
omor
row.Iwentbacktoever
yone)
Addi
:Whatdi
dhesay?
Me:er
mm..
.hesai
d.Hewant
stospendt
her
estof
t
hedaywi
thhisuncl
e.
Zi
a:whenwi
llhecomebackhome.
Me;Idon'
tknow.

(Anywaywest
art
edpar
tyi
ng.I
twasver
yni ce.I
t
wasnowlat
esowedeci
dedtogoandsleep.)

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Iwokeupinthemor ning.Ipackedallmythi
ngsina
sui
tcase.Wellever
ythingisready.MyVisaandall
.
Iwentdownst
air
s.Theywer
ehavi
ngbr
eakf
ast
.

Mr
K:Goi
ngsomewher
e?
(Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)
Me:yeah.
..
I'
m goi
ngtoParis.Justtospoilmysel
f.
I
t'
sbeenawhi l
esinceIhaven'tgonether
e.
Mr
K:Ohh.
..
okay.Iguessbye.
(Itookmysui tcaseandwentt othecar .I
tdropped
meof fattheairport
.Myf l
ightisin15mi nutestime.
Isatdown.Ican' tbeli
eveI'm doingt hi
s.Ijusthope
Iwillgethi
m.Idohaveaf ewcont actsinAust r
ali
a.
Sof i
ndinghim won'tbethathar d.Final
lythet i
me
came.Iwenti nintotheaeroplane.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Me:I
'm goi
ngt
otheDr
ugi
omi
n.Doyouwantt
o
comewithme.
Mat
:nah.
..
Iwantt
ospendt
her
estoft
odaywi
thmy
dad.
(WellMat
'sdaddi
dn'
tcomeyest
erday.Idon'
tknow
why.)
Me:whydi
dn'
thecomeyest
erday?
Mat
:wel
l.
..
Iwi
llaskhi
m.
Me:OkIhavet
ogonow.
(Iwenttothecaranddr ovetot hemall
.Igotafew
thi
ngs.Iwasnowont heroadtotheDrugiomin.
Aft
ersomet i
meIar r
ived.Istr
aightwenttoGladi
s
house.Iknocked)

Her
:Comei
n
(Igoti
n)
Her
:Adi
la.
..
whatagr
eatsur
pri
se.Howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
mfi
neandyou?
Her
:I'
mfi
ne.
(Wehugged)
Me:HowwasChr
ist
mas?
Her:I
twasver
yni
ce.Nextt
imeyoushoul
dspendi
t
wit
hus.
Me:Yeah.
..
Iwi
ll
.Ineedhel
pwi
thsomet
hing.
Her:Okay.
..
comesi
ther
e.Iwi
llbr
ingt
eaandsome
cakes.
Me:Thanks.
(Shebr
oughtt
hem)
Her
:Sowhati
sit
?
Me:wel
l.
..
abr
otherofmi
neneedsmyhel
p
Her
:I'
mli
steni
ng
Me:Wel lhewantstocommuni catewithhis
deceaseddad.HisdadsaidIwi l
lhelphim wit
hthat
.
What'sconfusi
ngisthat.Icannol onger
communi catewit
hmyownf amily.HowcanIhelp
him
Her:Mhh..
.wit
hyou.Yousentthem away.Youput
them i
ntorest
.Youcanhelphim witht
hat.It
hink
hisfat
her'
ssouli
ssti
llwonder
ingaround..
Me:buthow?
Her
:Doyour
emembert
hebookIgaveyou?
Me:yes.
..
theonet
hatyousai
ditcont
ainsmydeat
h.
Her:yes.
..ican'
treal
lyrememberwhichpagei
tis.
Butlookthere.Youwi l
lbothgot
ohisfat
her'
sgrave.
Youwi l
lreadwhat '
swr i
tt
endownthanhewill
appear.Youwi l
lbetheonlyonetoseehim.Buthe
wil
lbeabl etohearhim.
Me:i
sthatal
l?
Her
:youmustal sol
itt
wowhi t
ecandl
es.He
mustn'
ttel
lanyoneaboutal
lofthi
s
Me:okay.
..
thankyouver
ymuch.
Her:
youseeLali
.Youmustkeept
hatbookver
ysaf
e.
Becausei
fitl
andsinwr
onghands.Youwil
ldi
e.
Me:Butwhycan'
tIj
ustt
earoft
hepagewher
emy
deat
hiswri
tt
en.
Her
:Thatbookcannotbet
ear
edof
f.
Me:Buti
t'
smadeofpaper
s.
(Shel
aughed)
Her
:you'
rest
il
lyoungmydear
.Itappear
stobe
madeofpaper
s.Buti
t'
sact
ual
lynot
.
Me:Whywoul
dmydeat
hbewr
it
tendown.
Her
:youseeLal
i.You'
rethefi
rstAdil
a.I
twas
wri
tt
enbefor
eyourgreatgr
andparentswer
eeven
bor
n.
Me:
Butwhowr
otei
t?
Her
:Idon'
tknowr
eal
ly.
(Westar
tedt
alki
ngaboutr
andom t
hings.I
twas
now6pm.)
Me:It
hinkIshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Her
:Now?
...
whydon'
tyoul
eavet
omor
row.
Me:Ermm.
..
Ineedt
ofi
ndt
hatpageyouwer
etal
king
about
.
Her
:youcandot
hattomorrow.I
t'
sveryni
cet
alki
ng
t
oyou.Whenyougo.Iwi
llbeverybor
ed.
Me:Okay..
.i
t'
sfi
neIwi
llgot
omorrowmor
ning.I
r
eall
ylovespendi
ngti
mewithyou.
(Shest
art
edwi
thherst
ori
esunt
ilIf
ellasl
eep.)
Mat
'sPOV

DadandIspendt herestofyest erdayt ogether.We

cookedandenj oyedour selves.Wel lIwokeupand
tookabat h.Ihavebeenf eeli
ngdown.Ihavet hi
s
shar ppainonmyhear t.Itfeelslikei '
m abouttol ose
someonewhomeanst hewor ldt ome.Wel lIgulped
agl assofwi ne.Todayi st heday.Iputonmybl ack
Jean, vestandadeni mjacket .Wel lmydadandi
aregoi ngt oAust i
n'shouse.Ti llthemi dnight.Af ter
wewer edonewedr ovet ohispl ace.Whenwegot
thereNi ckwasbusymaki ngbr eakf ast
.Af t
erhe
wasdonehedi shedupf orever yone.Wear eal i
ttle
sinceweal readyhadbr eakf astinourhouse.I
washedt hedi shesandhel pedt hem bycl eaningt he
house.Af terIwasdonewesati nthel ounge.

Aust
in:Howi
sLal
idoi
ng?
Me:She'
sfi
ne.
Mydad:Si monisaver
ysmartguy.I
'm sur
ehe
knowst hatwe'
recomi
ngf
orhim.I'
m surehe'
sbusy
prepar
inghimself
.
Ni
ck:That
'swhyweneedt
obecar
eful.

(Ideci
dedt
otakeanap.Af
tersomehour
sNi
ck
wokemeup.)
Ni
ck:Wear
egoi
ngnow.
(i
twasalreadydar
koutside.Iputonmysneaker s
wemadeourwayt othecar .
Nickwasdrivi
ngsince
heknowswher eSi
monlives.Acallcamethroughit
wasLali
.Iclear
edmythroat)
Me:Hel
lo.
Lal
i:Heywher
ear
eyou?
Me:Er
m..
m..
mydadandIar
eout
.We'
rehavi
ng
di
nner
.Atar
est
aur
ant
.
Lal
i:whi
chr
est
aur
antsoicanal
socome.
Me:Wel
l..
.ij
ustwantedtospendsomequali
tyt
ime
wi
thhi
m .Wecanal lgoouttomor
rowifi
t'
sfi
ne
wi
thyou.
(Shekeptqui
et)
Me:Ihavet
ohungupnow.Bye.l
oveyou.

(Idr
oppedt
hecal
l.
)

Me:itwasLal
i.Ihopeshe'
snotsuspect
ing
anyt
hing.

(Finall
yNickparkedi nfrontagat e.Wegotout .We
madeourwayi n.DadandAust inwentt otheback
ofthehouse.NickandIbr oket hef r
ontdoor.We
madeourwayi nsidethehouse.Aust i
nanddad
alsogotin.Wesear chedever yr oom buttherewas
noone.Aswewer estil
lsearching.Suddenl yt he
room becamedar k.Aver yst r
ongwi ndstart
ed
blowingeveryt
hingint hehouse.Af t
ersomet i
mei t
stopped.Aswewer eallstandingint hemiddleof
theroom wesawsomet hingwr itt
enont hewal l.We
allmadeourwayt here.Itl
ookedl ikeanaddr ess.
Bl
oodwasusedt
owr
it
eit
.)

Me:whenwegoti
nher
e.Ther
ewasnot
hingont
he
wal
l.
Aust
in:Ithi
nkweshoul
dgot
othi
saddr
ess.Maybe
wewillf
indhimt
here.
Me:doyout
hinki
t'
ssaf
etodot
hat
.
(Heshr
uggedhi
sshoul
der
s)
Ni
ck:Let
'
sgo.Maybei
t'
swher
ewewi
llf
indhi
m.

(Austintookapict
ureoft
hataddress.Nickstar
ted
dri
vingthere.I
twasveryf
ar.Lal
icall
edagain.)

Lal
i:Wher
eareyouguys?It
hinkyoushoul
dgo
backhome.
Me:We'refi
ne.Dadbookedthewholerest
aur
ant
.
Soit
'sonlyt
hetwoofus.Stopworryi
ng.We'ref
ine.
Lal
i:Mat
..
.Idon'
tknow.I
'
m havi
ngshar
ppai
nsi
n
myhear
t.Myhear
tfeel
scol
d.
Me:Ial
sof
eltl
iket
hati
nthemor
ning.ButI
'
mfi
ne
now.
Lal
i:Pl
easet
akecar
eofyour
sel
f.
Me:Iwi
llbye.

Mydad:i
sever
ythi
ngokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
Lal
iisbusywor
ryi
ngf
ornor
eason.

(Anywaywegott othi
splace.I
twasadoubl estor
y
house.I
tlookedol
d.Notevenonel i
ghtwason.We
madeourwayi nandusedourphonet ouchesfor
l
ight
.Wegoti nandstar
tedsearchi
ng.)

Nick:SI
MONYOUCOWARD.COMEOUT!
WEKNOW
YOU'REINTHERE.

(not
hing.Wehear
dal
aughcomi
ngf
rom t
he
kit
chen.Weal
lmadeourwaythere.Whenwegot
theret
her
ewasanote.I
thaddi
rectswri
tt
enoni
t.)

Me:It
hinkhe'
str
yingt
ofoolus.Whyi
sdoi
ngt
his.
Aust
in:It
hinkweshoul
dgot
othi
spl
ace.
Mydad:It
hinkitwil
lbebestifwejustgoback
home.Wewillcont
inuel
ookingforhimtomorr
ow.
Nick:Wecan'
tgi
veupnow.Let
'sgot
othi
spl
ace.I
f
he'snott
her
e.Thanwecangoback.
Mydad:But
..
.
Me:Let
'
sgo.Maybehe'
sther
e.

(Wewenttothecar .Aust
inwasbusyreadi
ng
di
rect
ionst
oNi ck.I
twasnowmi dnightandwe
havebeendri
ving.)

Ni
ck:Thi
sist
heendoft
her
ead.Ican'
tdr
iveany
f
urt
her.
Aust
in:What
?Butt
hedi
rect
ionscont
inue.
Ni
ck:It
hinkweshoul
dwal
kfr
om her
e.
Mydad:I
'
m notfeel
ingalloft
his.I
t'
sli
kehe'
s
t
ri
cki
ngus.He'
scontrol
li
ngoureverymove.
(Wegotof ft
hecarandstar
tedwalki
ng.There
tr
eesallover
.Wewalkedveryfar.Suddenl
yallof
ourphonesbecameoff.Wetri
edtoswitcht
hem on
buttheycoul
dn'
t.)

Me:What'
sgoi
ngon. .
.It
hinkweshoul
dgobackt
o
t
hecar.Wewil
lcont
inuetomorr
ow.
(Weallagreedonthat.West
art
edmakingourway
back.Wehavebeenwal ki
ngbutwehaven'
treached
ourcarasyet.Nei
thercanweseet
heroad)

Me:Nonoguys.I
t'
sli
kewe'
removi
nginci
rcl
es.
Wekeeppassi
ngt
hesamebaobabtr
ee.
Ni
ck:Ihaveal
sonot
icedt
hat
.
Aust
in:Whatdowedo?
Mydad:Youkidsdon'
tli
sten.It
oldyoual
lthatwe
shoul
dgobackhome.Seenow?
Me:Dad.
..
bysayi
ngt
hatyou'r
enothel
ping.Aust
in
doyoust
il
lhavet
hedi
rect
ions?
Aust
in:Yeahandt
heyendher
e.
Me:Fuck.

Si
mon'
sPOV

Iwasl ookingatthem ont hecr ystal ball

.Ilaughed
sohar dthatInowhadhi ccups.IwasatEmi li
a's
house.Wel lthey'
reintheDor uhrf or est
.Ihaveled
them there.Thereisnowayt heycangooutofi t
ali
ve.Whatwi l
lhappenisIwi llgot othem i
nt he
midnight.Iwi l
lkil
lthem onebyone.Af t
erthatIwil
l
kil
ltheAlpha.Thanl astbutnotl eastTHEADI LA.I
knewmypl anwasgoi ngtowor k.Ihavet ri
cked
them.Theycancont i
nuebusywal kingfool
ing
themselves.Ther e'
snotwayt heycangetoutofi t.
Unlessifthere'ssomeonewhoi sver ypowerful
.
Whocangetthem out
.Ineedtobefastwit
h
ever
ythi
ngbef
oretheAdil
aevensuspectanyt
hing.

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Ihavej ustlandedinCapet own.Ihaveabusi ness

i
ni ti
ationwi thMrKhul ekaniNzama.Ihavedonea
resear chabouthi m.Hei saver yrichyoungman.
Heownsbusi nessesacr osst hebor der.Atthe
airportt her
ewasal readyacarwai ti
ngforme.I
checkedi nataver ycl assyandexpensi vef i
vest ar
hot el
.Wewi l
lbemeet ingf ordinner .Hetextedme
theaddr ess.Wel lIgoti nt other oom ibookedand
orderedsomef ood.Af t erIwasdoneeat i
ngIt ooka
ver ylongassbat h.Aft erIwasdone.Iwr appedmy
bodyandunpackedmyt hings.Il ookedfor
somet hingtowear .Ihadf ourdr essestodeci de
from .I twasar edlongdr esst hathadasl i
ghtslit
andi twasbackl ess.Acr eam whi tedressthathad
blingsi twaskneehi gh.Abl ackdr essitwassi mple.
Itdidn'thaveasl i
tbuti twasof fshoul der.Ifitt
ed
al
lofthem.It hinkIwi l
lgowi ththeredone.I tfi
ts
mesoper fectly.Itshowsal lmycur ves.AfterI
havedecidedmydr essIdi dmyf ace.Ididn'tput
muchmakeup.Idon' twanti ttobetoomuch.I
needtolookcl assyandal sobeaut i
ful.Ineedt o
gi
vehim aver ygoodf ir
sti mpr essi
on.Wel litwas
nowal i
tt
ledar koutside.Iputonmydr essanda
neckl
ace.Iputonmygl adiatorheels.Ispr ayedmy
neckwithaper f
ume.Idi dn'tputmuch.It ookmy
handbagandwentdownst airs.Thecarwas
al
readywai t
ingf ormeout side.

Me:Her
eist
headdr
ess.
"Okaymem"
(Aft
eralotofdr
ivingwasdone.Hepar
kedinf
ront
ofaverybeauti
fulrest
aur
ant
.Igotin.I
t'
swasn'
t
sobusy.Aladymadeherwayt ome.)
Her
:Mi
ssNomhl
eKhumal
ori
ght
?
(Inodded)
Her
:Thi
swaypl
ease.
(If
oll
owedher.Shetookmeupstai
rs.I
tlookedl
ike
apri
vatepl
ace.Shepull
edachai
rforme)
Me:Thankyou.
Her
:Jui
ceorWi
ne?
Me:wi
nepl
ease.
Her
:Moetor
..
.
Me:
Moet
..
.i
twi
llbef
ine.
(Shewentawayf orsometime.Af
terthatshecame
backwi thit.Ist
art
edtaki
ngasipofit.Verynice.I
hadfinishedthewholeglassnow.I'
m star
tingtoget
borednow.Hehasn' tcomeasyet.AsIwasabout
tocallhim hemadehi swayin)
Hi
m:Sor
ry.
..
I'
mlat
e.Iwascaughtupwi
thsome
wor
k.
(Istoodupandshookhi shands.Hesatopposite
me.Icoul dn'
tmovemyeyesf rom hi
m.He'stoo
handsome.Het ookoffhissuitj
acket.Andl
etone
butt
onl oseonhisshir
t.Helookedevenmor e
handsome.I sitmeorthewi neismaki ngmefeel
l
ikethis.
Hi
m:Ar
eyouokay?
(inoddedr
epeat
edl
y)
Hi
m:Let'
sor
dersomet
hingsowecanst
artwi
tht
he
meet
ing.
Me:Sur
e.
(Thewai
tr
esscame.Weor
der
ed)
Hi
m:Whil
ewe'resti
llwaiti
ngforourfood.Youcan
t
ellmemoreaboutyourselfi
fyoudon'tmind.Ineed
t
oknowthepersonI'm abouttost
artabusiness
wit
h.
(Ismi
led)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

Thankyousomuchf or3kli
kesandfollowers.Iwi
ll
tr
ytopostanotherinser
tlat
er.I
'
m sorryfornot
posti
ngforthepastfewdays.Wi t
hschoolssai dt
o
bereopeni
ngont he1stofJune.I'
m busywit h
schoolwork.ButIpromiset
opostfortherestof
t
hisweek.
[
06/
23,
08:
21]Lynne: i
nser
t53

Lal
i'
sPOV

I'
m athomeinmyr oom wit
hTony.Hei svisi
tingme.
Ihavebeenfeel
ingver
ystrange.Ifeell
ike
somethingbadi
sabouttohappen.Ihavebeen
tr
yingtocal
lMatbutshe'snolongeransweringmy
call
s.

Tony:Haveyouf
oundt
hepage?
Me:No.
..
I'
m st
il
llooki
ngf
ori
t.

(Mymi ndwasn' ti
nthisbook.Mati sapartofme.
Wemetf orar eason.Icanfeelthatsomethingis
notri
ght.IneedtohelpTonyf irstthanIcanvisi
t
them .Andmakesur et hey'
reokayandsaf e.This
bookhas4000pages.Iwasr eadi
ngpage2789.I t
wasr
eadi
ngasf
oll
ow:

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
Pg2789

TheDor
uhrFor
est

Skgovkfushusheufj
ogkgj
duhsydhfugkgjgkmthrhrue
hr7f
fjf
kfmdusbsysveydhfufj
c7cj
fbdushe7ffycycycu
chfi
fkdj
sbsy7ffhcuf
ufi
fi
fkfht
hyucycycy.

(Theforestofevi
l.Whereallt
heevi
lpower
swere
bornat.Whenyouent eritt
here'
snowayofcoming
outofi
talive.Onl
yoneper sonwhocanoverpower
i
t.TheAdi la.
)

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
(AsIf
ini
shedr
eadi
ngi
t.Hear
tpai
nsst
art
edagai
n.)

Tony:Lal
i..
.ar
eyouokay?Shoul
dIbr
ingyouwat
er?
(Inodded.What
'shappeni
ng.Tonycameback)
Tony:Her
e.
Me:Thankyou.
(Idr
ankt
hewat
er)
Me:No.
..
Ihavet
ogo.Ineedt
oseeMat
.Somet
hing
i
snotri
ght.
(Tonyhel
dbot
hmyhands)
Tony:Canwedot hi
sfi
rst
.Canwegot omyfat
her
's
gravefi
rst
.Thanaft
erIwi
llaccompanyyout
oher
house.
Me:Okay.
(Thisbookissoi
ncr
edi
ble.AnywaysIcont
inued
readi
ngit.)
Me:It
hinkIhavef
oundt
hepage.
Tony:Real
ly?
Me:Yeah.
..
letmecal
lGl
adi
sfi
rstandconf
ir
m.
(Ical
ledherandt
oldherwhati
tsays.)
Gladi
s:That
'st
heone.Nowhur
ryupbef
oret
he
sunri
se.
Me:Okay.
Gl
adi
s:Don'
tfor
gett
hewhi
tecandl
es.
Me:Thanks.
..
sor
ryf
ordi
stur
bingyoursl
eep.
Gl
adi
s:Anyt
imemydear
.
(Ihungedup.)
Me:Let'
sgetgoi
ng.Doyouknowwher
eyour
f
ather
'sgravei
s?
Tony:Yeah.
Me:okay.
..
youwi
lldr
ivet
han.
(Wewentt othecar.Hewasdr
ivi
ng.Ihaveaver
y
ter
ri
bleheadache.)
Me:Doyouhaveanypai
nki
ll
ers?
Tony:No.
..
areyouokay?
Me:i
t'
sjustaheadache.
Tony:Her
e..
.dr
inksomewat
er.
(Idranki
t.Aft
ersometi
mewegottothecemet
ery.
Wegotout.Iwascarryi
ngmybookandhewas
carr
yingcandl
esandali
ght
er.Iwasf
oll
owingwit
h
behi
nd.)
Tony:Ther
eisi
t.
(Wemadeourwayt
her
e.)
Me:I
t'
slooksbeaut
if
ul.
(It
ookthecandlesf
rom Tonyandputthem ontop
oft
hetombstone.Ihel
dmychestast hepains
werecomingback.)
Me:What
'st
het
ime?
(Het
oldme)
Me:Okay.Gi
vemet
hel
ight
er.
(Ili
tbothcandlesandst
art
edreadi
ngwhat'
s
wri
ttenonthepage.AsIwasreadi
ngsuddenl
yi t
becamewi ndy.Ther
eweresomanyvoicest
alking.
Thereweresomanydeadsoulsbusywondering.)
Me:Yourf
ather
'snamepl
ease
(Hetoldme.Af
terImenti
onedhi
snamewhi
le
readi
ng.Thewi
ndratebecamenor
mal.)
"Son"
Tony:D..
.Dad.
..
that
'smyf
ather
'svoi
ceLal
i.Dadi
s
thatyou?
"
It
'smeson.Howar
eyou?
"
Tony:Dad.
..
why?Whydi
dyoul
iveme?
(Hehadt
ear
sonhi
seyes)
"Soni
twasn'
tmyi
ntent
iont
odoso.Iwasbr
utal
ly
ki
ll
edmyson.
"
Tony:Butdad.
..
whowoul
ddosuchhor
ri
blet
hingt
o
you?
"Nonot
hert
hanmyownbr
other
.Youruncl
e."
Tony:What
?Whywouldmyuncl
edot
hatt
oyou.
Youguyswerever
ycl
ose.
"Ithoughtsotoo.Unti
lthatday.Ihavebeent
ryi
ng
totel
lyou.Shealsoshownyou.Butyouchosenot
tobeli
eveher.
"
Tony:Inevert
houghtt
heper
sonIt
akeasmyown
fatherwouldki
llmyf
ather
.Iwasbl
indedbyhi
s
pretense.
"I
'
m gl
adyouknowt
het
rut
hnow"
Tony:He'
sgoi
ngt
opay.He'
sgoi
ngt
opayf
orwhat
hedid.
"Idon'
tli
kevi
olencebutt
hist
imeIwon'
tst
opyou
fr
om ki
ll
inghi
m."
Tony:Imi
ssyoudad.Imi
ssyousomuch.
(Thet
imewasr
unni
ngout
)
"SonIhavetogonow.Fi
nall
yIwi
llr
esti
npeace
nowthatyouknowthet
rut
h."
Tony:Can'
twet
alkanyl
onger
.
"Noson.Il
oveyouandwillf
or everwi
ll
.Iwi
ll
al
wayslookaft
eryouandprotectyou.Mysouli
sat
peacenow."
Tony:Il
oveyoudad.
"Iloveyouson.Takecareofyourmot her
.Theroad
she'staki
ngisverydangerous.She'
sputti
ngher
l
ifeindangerfornoreason."
Tony:Mom?
Me:Mr
sKane?
"Byesonandt akecar
eofMat
il
da.Thankyoumy
dearf
orhel
pingme."
Me:Mat
?
"Ipr
ayt
hatwhat
everyou'
regoi
ngt
hroughpass."
(Hewavedt
handi
sappear
ed.)
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
(Hej ustt
hrewhi
msel
fonmeandhuggedme.I
rubbedhisback)
Me:Iknowthefeel
ingofloosi
ngaparent
.I
underst
andyourpain.Nowpleasest
opcryi
ng
befor
eIcrytoo.
(Iwi
pedhi
stear
s.Hepl
acedhisfor
eheadonmy
andhel
dbot
hmycheeks.Icl
earedmythroat
.He
l
etgo)
Me:It
hinkweshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
(Bef
orewecoul
devenr eacht
hecar.Ther
ewere5
menstandi
ngi
nfrontofourcar
.Theywereal
l
wear
ingbl
ack.)
Tony:Lal
i..
.iwantyououtofher
e.Now.
Me:Doyouknowt
hem?
Tony:Yeah.
..
they'
revampi
res.
Me:SowhymustIgo?
Tony:Youwi
llgethur
t.
Me:I
tseemsyouhavef
orgot
tenwhatIam.
(Ifull
ytr
ansf ormedandchargedatthem.Istar
ted
ri
ppingtheirstomachs.Tonywasalsof i
ghti
ng
them.Onemangotaway.Her antohiscarand
droveoff.Itr
ansfor
medback)
Me:Shoul
dwef
oll
owhi
m.
Tony:No..
.l
et'
sgot
omyuncl
e'
shouse.Iknowhe
sentthem.
Me:Okay.
(wegott
othecaranddrovetohisuncl
e'shouse.I
tr
iedt
ocal
lMatagain.Herphoneisswi
tchedoff.
)
Tony:I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
Me:Mat'sphonei sswit
chedoff.Howaboutyou
dr
opmeof fatherhouse.Iwi
llcatchupwithyou
af
tercheckingifherandherf
atherareokay.
Tony:Okay.
..
(WedrovetoMat'shouse.Wear
ri
vedt
her
e.Tony
par
kedoutside.)
Tony:Iwi
llwai
tforyou.
Me:Okay.
(Iwentin.Iknocked.Not
hing.Iwentt
othe
secur
it
yguy. )
Me:I
sMarar
ound?
"Theyl
eftt
hedaybef
oreyest
erday"
Me:What
?Wher
eto?
"t
heydi
dn'
ttel
lme"
Me:Okaythanks.
herei
smynumber
.Pl
easet
ell
me
whentheygetback.
"Iwi
llmam "
(Iwentbackt
othecar
)
Tony:Di
dyouf
indt
hem?
Me:No. .
.t
heguar
dsai
dtheyl
eftt
hedaybef
ore
yest
erday.
Tony:Wher
ecoul
dtheybe?
(Theheart
aches.Theyst
art
edmet hedaybefore
yester
day.Ihavebeennotfeel
ingwellsi
ncet
hat
day.Somethi
ngiswrong.Matisindanger
)
Me:They'
rei
ndanger
.Icanf
eeli
t.
(Thi
sisallfuckedup.Itisnowinthemor
ning.I
can'
troam aroundasabeast .Peopl
ewil
lbe
fr
eakedout.Shit.Andnighti
ssofar.
)
me:Shi
t.
..
whydi
dn'
tIseet
hatcomi
ng.
Tony:Whatdowedonow?
Me:wewillhavet
owaitf
orthenightti
metocome.
Inthemeanti
melet'
sgoanddealwit
hthatuncl
eof
yours.
Tony:Ar
eyousur
e.
(Inodded.Wedr
oveof
f.
)
Nomhl
e'
sPOV

I'
m backathome.Ihadaver ygr eatti
mei n
Capet own.Khul eshowedmear ound.He' sa
gentlemanImustsay.Wel lthef ollowingdaywhen
wewentout .Iendedupconf essi ngmyl ovef orhim.
Hesai dhi sheartistakenbysomeoneel se.Itri
edto
askmor eaboutt hatluckygi rl.Hesai d...hehasn't
toldherasyetasshehasaboyf r i
end.Idon' twant
toliethatbrokemyhear tonet housandt imes.I
knowIhavemethi mf oraf ewdays.ButIcansaf el
y
sayI '
m deeplyinlovewi t
hhi m.Whenhewas
droppingmeof fattheai r
por t
.Weshar edaver y
l
ongandpassi onat eki ss.Iaskedhi m whydi dhe
kissme.Hej ustsmi rkedandsai d"saf
ef l
ightMs
Khumal o".Mylovef orhi m gr owsdaybyday.I
wonderwhoi sthatl uckygi rlthatt ookhishear t
.
AnywayIdi dbreakfastandt ookabat h.I'm goingto
theof fi
ce.Ineedt omakesur ethingsar eokay.I
haven' tbeenatitfort wodays.
Mat
'sPOV

WHATHAPPENEDBEFORETHEMI
DNI
GHTTI
LL
MI
DNIGHT

Wewerenowti
red.Deci
dedtosi
tdownbecausei
t
seemsl
iket
her
eisnoexitf
rom t
hisf
orest
.

Mydad:Whatnow?We'
regoi
ngt
odi
eher
e.Andno
onewi
llf
indus.
Me:Canwenotl
oosehopepl
ease.
(Iwasver
yhungr
y.)
Me:I
'
m ver
yhungr
y.
Nick:Isawamangotr
eewhenwewer
ewal
king.
Let'
sgoandgetsome.
(Wewentthere.Wetookal
otofthem andthanset
down.Aswewer eeati
ngsuddenl
yitbecamewind.
Itwasnotj
ustwind.I
twasverydark.)
Me:What
'st
hat
?
(West
oodup.Thewi
ndst
art
edsepar
ati
ngi
nto
manyf
igur
es.)
Me:Ohhol
lyshi
t!
Aust
in:WTF?
(Thosefi
guresst art
edmaki ngthei
rwaytous.We
tr
ansfor
medi ntoourcreaturesandmetthem
half
way.Wewentt here.Thewindstar
tedcoveri
ng
us.Wewereal lnowunabl etobreat
he.We
tr
ansfor
medi ntoourselves.Thewinddisappear
ed.
Wewer eal
lcoughi nghysteri
cal
ly.West oodup)

Austi
n:Weneedtogetoutofher
e.Thi
spl
acei
s
beyondourl
imi
t.
(Sil
lyofuswestart
edr unni
ngbef
oret
ir
ing
oursel
ves.Becausethere'
snowayoutoft
hispl
ace.
Isatdown)
Ni
ck:St
andup.
..
don'
tgi
veupl
et'
sgo.
Me:WHERETOEXACTLY?TELLME?
.YOUALL
KNOW THATTHERE'
SNOWAYOUTOFHERE.CAN
WEPLEASESTOPMAKINGFOOLSOFOURSELVES.
WE'
RETRAPPEDINHERE.THERENOWAYOUT.
(Theyallkeptquiet.Theysatdown.Ever si
nce
thanwehavebeenat tachedbydif
ferenti
ll
usi
ons.It
wasnowmi dnight.Wewer esit
ti
ngtogetherlosti
n
ourthoughtswhenwehear dfoot
stepsandvoi ces
comingdiffer
entdirecti
ons.Westoodup.)
Me:Coul
dthatbeSi
mon?
Aust
in:Maybe?
(Weal lpr
epar
edourselves.Westoodnextt
oeach
bl
ockingthei
rway.Fi
nal l
ytheymadethei
rwayt
o
us.I
twasSi mon,Emil
iaandanoldwomen)

Aust
in:Ohhsoyoubi
tch.
..
you'
rewor
kingwi
thhi
m?
(Emil
iajustsmi
led.Aust
inwasveryangry.Hewent
andtr
iedtochar
get oherbutcoul
dn'
t.Hecame
backt
ous)
Me:Whathappened?
Aust
in:Icoul
dn'
tgett
oher
.
Me:TF!
Simon:Listenhere.Youallar
einourterr
it
ory.You
cannothar m usinourownpl ace.Thispl
acewas
madef orpeoplewithimpurehearts,
evi
l,
connivi
ng
andwhosehear t
sar ef
ullofhatr
ed.Ofwhi chthat
's
us.Thisplaceisus.We'retheonlyoneswhocando
anythi
ng.
(Idon'tknowwhathappenedaf tert
hat.Iwasinthi
s
darkhouse.I thadverylongwal l
s.Myar msand
l
egswer eti
edagai nstt
hewal l.Icouldn'
teven
moveani nch.Itri
edtotransform butcouldn'
t.
EversincethanIhavebeent ort
ured.Mywhol e
bodyhasbr uises.Idon'tevenknowwher eare
others.)

NOW .

(Ican'
tdoitanymor e.I
t'
slikemysoulisslowly
l
eavingmybody.Ihavegi venuponl i
fe.Ihavet
ri
ed
growli
ngbutsti
ll.Ihavescr eamedmyl ungsoutf
or
helpbutst
il
l.I
t'
slikeI'
mi nahol ewher
enoonecan
hearme.Emi
li
agoti
n)

Her:Mhh...
Iseeyou'
rest
rong.Ot
her
sar
enot
coping.Yourdadist
heworst.
Me:Whatdoyouwant
?
(I
'
mti
redofbeggi
ngher
.)
Her
:WellIcamet
otel
lyout
hatwel
l
...
yourdadi
sno
more.
(Foramomentmymi ndstoppedfunct
ioni
ng.My
hear
tbeatroseup.Ibl
inked.Ever
ythi
ngmovedin
sl
owmot i
on.Ipassedout.)

Ni
ck'
sPOV

YesI'
m amanbutt hepainI'
mi nnowisj ust
ext
reme.EverydayI '
m bei
ngtort
ured.Mybi g
worryri
ghtnowisMat .Iwonderhowshe' shol
ding
up.IhavebeenhopingthatLal
iwouldcomeand
hel
pusout .I
tseemsherpower sonlyfavoursher.
Wear eherebecauseofher.Wear eher
ebecause
wewant edtohelpher.I
tseemsshei snotbot
hered.
IthoughtwithMatbeingindangershewouldhave
cameher erunni
ng.ItseemslikeIwasonlyfooli
ng
myself.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

It
'sbeenawhi
lesi
nceIhavebeenher
einAust
ral
ia.
Iwasinmyhotelr
oom wi
ththi
sITguy.

Him:Heisawellknownman.He'
sveryrespect
ed.
Andalsoabusyman.Makinganappoi
ntmentwith
hi
m won'tbeeasy.
(Wel
lIhavebeenspyi
ngonhi
shouse.Hecomes
homever
ylat
e.)
Me:can'
tIseehi
m whenhegoesbackhome.
Hi
m:St
il
l.
..
youneedt
ohaveanappoi
ntmentf
ort
hat
.
(Aswewer
est
il
lthi
nki
ng.Wehear
dadoorknock.I
wenttocheck.Iopenedi
tali
ttl
eandaguyki ckedit
openinsuchawayt hatIf
ell
.Theydidn'
thesit
ate.
TheyshottheITguywhowashel pi
ngme. )
Me:Whoar
eyou?Whatdoyouwantf
rom me.
..
I.
..
(AsIwasst
il
ltal
kingt
wohel
dmyhandswhi
leone
sedat
edme.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
22]Lynne: I
nser
t54

Mr
sKhumal
o'sPOV

Iwokeupi
naver
ydar
kroom.Ist
art
edshout
ed.

Me:I
sther
eanyonewhocanhel
pme?
...
Hel
lo.

(It
ri
edtomovebutmyhandsandl egswer
eti
ed.
Thedooropened.Thel
ightwenton.Twoman
wal
kedi
n)

"Andnow?What
'st
henoi
sef
or?
"
Me:Pl
easel
etmego...
whatdoyouwantf
rom
me?.
..
Whosentyou?
...
isi
tKayl
a?
"Bossisonabusinesstr
ip.Hewi
llcomebackthe
dayaft
ertomorr
ow.Hegaveuscl eari
nstr
ucti
ons
thatweshoul
dn'
tletyougo.Weshouldtor
tur
eyou
unti
lhecomesback"
Me:Boss?.
..
who'
syourboss?
...
Whatdoeshewant
f
rom me?
"Isn'tyouhavebeenbusystal
kinghim.Didyou
thinkhewasnotgoi ngtofi
ndout .
(Hechuckl
ed)
You'reluckythatyou'
rest
il
lal
ive.Weusual
lydon'
t
keepaper sonf orl
ong."
(Iswal
lowedhar
d.)
Me:B.
..
butI
'
m her
eto.
..
"Enoughwi
tht
het
alki
ngnow."
(Hecamet
omeandputat
apeonmymout
h.Shi
t!
.
IfonlytheyknewthatI
'
mt ryi
ngtohelphim her
e.
Sot hathecangethi
swifeback.I
tseemsl i
ke
comi ngherewasabadplan.IguessIhavetowait
unti
lhecomesback.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwasbusyput t
ingonmycl ot
hes.AndIwasal so
feel
ingl
ethar
gic.I
tfeel
sli
kemysoulisslowly
l
eavingmybody.AsIwasdonedr essi
ngTony
walkedi
n.Heisgoingtohelpmef i
ndMat .

Tony:Ar
eyouokay?
(Inodded)
Tony:Yourface?
...
itl
ooks...
(Heclearedhisthroat
.I
wenttoseemysel fonthemi r
ror
.Ir ecei
vedashock
ofmyl i
fe.Myskinwasr oughandi twasal so
turni
nggreen.Myeyeshadbl ackbagsandar ound
them.Myeyeswer ever
yred.Isl
owl ytouchedmy
face.)
Me:What
'shappeni
ngt
ome?
...
Whyi
smyf
acel
ike
t
his?
Tony:Er
m..
.di
dyoumaybeeatsomet
hing?
(Inoddedno.
)
Me:It
hinkwe'
rer
unni
ngoutt
ime.Weneedt
oget
goi
ng.
Tony:I
t'
sbett
erthateveryonei
sasleeporel
set
hey
wouldhavebeenfreakedoutbyyourface.
(AsIwashal f
waytot hedoor.Suddenl ytheroom
becamecol d.Tonywasal readyout .Windstar
ted
bl
owi ng.I
tstart
edfl
ippingpagesoft hatbook
Gladisgaveme.Iwentcl osetoi tandthewi nd
stopped.Ilookedatthepaget hatwast ur
ned.It
waspage2789-TheDor uhrforest.Isthisaclue
maybe?.AsIwast akingthebookmyphoner angit
wasGl adi
s.)
Me:Hel
lo
Gl
adi
s:L.
..
Lal
i!Wher
ear
eyou?
(Shewassni
ff
ing)
Me:Er
mm.
..
I'
m athome.Ar
eyouokay?
Gladi
s:I
'
m okay.ButMatisn'
t.Youneedtohurryup
befor
eit
'st
oolate.Herbodyi
ssl owl
ygivi
ngin.Lal
i
youneedtosaveher.
Me:Yeah.
..
Iwasabouttolookforher
.Andsuddenly
t
heroom becamewindy.(Itol
dherwhathappened)
Gladi
s:TheDoruhrforest
..
.Got
her
e..
.I
'm sur
ethat
happenedforareason.
Me:Okay.
..
butwher
eisi
tlocat
ed.
Gl
adi
s:What?Areyouki
ddingme?.
..
you'
ret
heAdil
a
.Youcanuseyourpower
st of
indi
t.Nowgo..
.go.
(Shehungedup.Il
ookedatthepageandr
eadi
t.
Aft
ert
hatIwentstr
aightt
othecar.)
Tony:Ohh.
..
wai
tLal
i
!
(
Hiseyeswer
epoppedout
)
Me:What
'supdude?
Tony:Yourface?
...
It
'st
urni
ngdar
kerandi
thas
vi
sibl
eveins.
Me:What
?Weneedt
ohur
ry.
..
(Igotoft
hecar
.)
Tony:Butwher
ear
eyougoi
ng.
Me:Fol
lowmewi
tht
hecar
.
(Myvoi cewasnowdeeper .Ist ar t
edr unningata
veryhi ghspeed.Ididn'tknowwher emyl egswer e
l
eadi ngme.Usual lyIwoul dt ransf orm butt histime
Ididn't.It
'sl
ikeIwasn'tincont r
olofmyownsel f.I
wasr unningpassingthet rees.Icoul dseet hem
scratchingmybodybutIwasn' tf eeli
nganpai n.
FinallyIstoppedinthemi ddleoft hejungl e.Itwas
verydar k.AsIwasst il
lcat chingmybr eat haver y
darksmokecover edme.Idi dn'thesi tateI
tr
ansf ormedi mmediately.I tclear ed.Isawabeast
standi ngfarfr
om me.Ir ant owar dsit
.I tmetme
halfway.West art
edpunchi ngeachot her.She
wasn' tsostrongsobr i
ngi ngherdownwasver y
easy.Shet r
ansformedt oher self .Andhel dherneck.
Tomysur pri
seitwasEmi li
a.It ransfor med.)
Me:You?
...
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?!
Emili
a:Ishoul
dbeaski
ngyout
hat
.Thi
sismy
ter
ri
tory.
(Ichuckl
ed)
Me:Youbett
ert
ellmenowwhereyouheldmy
f
ri
endcapti
vebefor
eIri
pyourheadr
ightatt
his
moment.
Emi
li
a:Iwoul
dli
ket
oseeyout
ry.
..
(Webot htransformed.Aswewer ebusyfi
ghti
ng.I
heldherneckwi thmyf angs.Shestart
edmoving
butIneverletgount i
lshetookherlastbr
eath.I
transf
ormedt omyself
.IcouldsmellMat'
sblood.I
foll
owedthesmel l
.AsIwasgoi ngsomething
tappedmyshoul der
.Iturnedbackbuttherewasno
one.Ithi
nkit'saboutti
meImakeuseofmypower s.
Istrai
ghtawaychant edthewor dsdeepfr
om my
stomach.Af tert
hatIgrowled.TheAdilapowers
wer ei
nmot ion.Isawanol dman.)

Me:Whoar
eyou?
(Myvoi
cesoundedt
woandwasver
ydeep)

"TheAdi
la!
..
.Fi
nal
ly."
Me:Andwhoar
eyou?
"Wel
l..
.I
'm Si
mon.
..
thebestandgr
eatsor
cer
er.
"
Me:Mm .
..
Isee.Wel
lIgot
tago.Idon'
thavet
he
whol
eday.
(Istar
tedwal
king.AsIwasbusywal ki
ngaveryhot
thi
nghitmyback.Mybodyshook.I twasl
ikeIwas
j
usthitbyel
ect
r i
cit
y.It
urnedback.
)
"Idon'
twantt
ohurtyoul
it
tl
egir
l.Soiwi
llbebesti
f
yougi
vemeyourpowersnow.Befor
eIki
llyou."
(
Ichuckl
ed)
Me:Youdoknowt hatwil
lneverhappen.Iwas
chosentobetheAdil
a.Andnoonecant aket
hat
awayfrom me.
"Yesnoonecant akeawayfrom you.Butyoucan
givesomeoneyourpowers.Andi fyougi
veaway
yourpowersyouwilldi
e.Ofwhi
chi swhatIwant
."
(Il
aughedsar
cast
ical
ly)
Me:Sothat'
swhatt
heoldmanhasbeenthi
nking.
ThatIwi
llgi
veyoumypowers.Wel
lyoucankeep
dreami
ngbecauseIwon'
t.
(Hest
art
edt
hrowi
ngwhatl
ikel
ight
ningt
ome.I
alsoattackhim.Whyi sTonynother easyet .
Anywaywewer ebusyf ighti
ng.Hewasnow
throwingdarkbigci rcl
esatme.Whent hatcir
cle
hitsmyf ace.Iimmedi atelyrunoutbr eathe.Iwas
coughingver ybadnow.Ihel dmyt hroat.AsIwas
tryi
ngt oalsoatt
ackhi m het hrewaver yredbal l
thatlookedlikefi
re.Itriedtopr eventfrom reaching.
Hekeptt hrowingthem unt i
lonel andedonmy
stomach.I twasbur ningmyski nsobad.Ist art
ed
cursing.

"Ni
ceri
ght
..
.gi
vemeyourpower
snowbef
oreyou
di
e."

(Isatdownonthegr oundasIwasendur i
ngthe
pai
n.Ipull
edupmytshi r
tandyesmyski nwas
bent.I
twassopainful.Islowlystoodup.I
i
mmedi at
elyt
ransformedandchar gedathi
m.He
fel
ldown.AsIwasaboutt obi t
ehisneck.Ifel
ta
veryshar
ppainonmyshoul der.Iturnedmyhead
anditwasabeast.Ithaditfangsdeeponmy
shoulder.It urnedandt r
iedtopushi tawayfrom
mebuti tdi dn'
tletgo.Tonymadehi swaytous.He
start
edf ight i
ngt hebeast.Fi
nallyitletgo.My
shoulderwasbl eedingsobad.It urnedandsaw
Simonbusyt r
yingtorunaway.Ir ant owardshim.
Beforehecoul devendoanyt hingt ome.Idi gged
myf angsonhi sneck.Thef orestbecamemor e
darker.Ihear ddiff
erentsounds.I tstart
edstorming
andr ainingatt hesamet i
me.Het ri
edtochant
somespel l
sbutIdi dletgoofhi sneck.Hewas
sl
owl ylosi nghi sbreathandmor ebl oodwas
fl
owingf rom hi sneck.Iletgoofhi sneckand
tr
ansf ormedt omysel f.

"You..
.youmayha. .
.(Hestar
tedcoughi
ngblood)
Youmayhaveki l
ledme.Butwhat '
scomingforyou
i
smor ebiggert
hanthis.Theendofyourli
tt
leli
fei
s
near
.

Me:Youseethatdoesn'
tscar
eme.I
'
mtheAdila.I
candef
eatandevilcomi
ngmyway.Not
hingcan
har
m menorki
llme.

(Hel aughed.Heclosedhi seyes.AsIwasst i

ll
l
ooki ngathimtakinghislastbreat
h.Ast r
ange
thinghappenedtome.Ihel dmyheadasIwas
havingaheadache.Isatdownont heground.I
start
edhavingflashbacks.ItwasAustinandI .The
headachebecamesever ethatIwasstruggl
ingto
breathe.Ipassedout.)

Tony'
sPOV

ItookLal
itothecarandst art
edlookingforMat .I
couldsmellsomanybl ood.Itdoesn'tseem like
Matisalonehe.AsIwaswal ki
ngIsawf ourhouses.
Theywereadi stanceapartf
rom eachot her.They
hadlongwal l
s.Imademywayt ooneoft hem.
Boththetwodoor swerelocked.Istartedbreaking
i
t.Igotin.AsIgoti nIsawAustinhangedup.He
wascoveredinbl oodandwasal sopassedout .
Me:WTF!

(Imademywayt ohi m.Thi schai nsar eattachedt o

thewal l.Ther ewasaver ybigst eelonmyf loor .It
hadbl oodit hi
nkt heywer eusi ngitt ohithim.I
startedbr eakingthewal l.Itwasn' teasybutf i
nal l
y
thechai nsl oosened.It ookAust inandt ookhi mt o
mycar .Ididt hesamet oever yone.Theyal lhad
pulsesbesi desMat '
sf ather.Coul dhebedead? .
Mat 'shear twasbeat ingsl owl yli
kei twil
lst opr ight
atthisi nst ance.Wel lIst arteddr i
vi ng.WhenIgot
hereIf oundoutt hatwhenyouent ert hi
sf orest
therei snowayout .ButIdr oveoutofi twithoutany
struggl e.AnywayIt ookever yonet ot hehospi tal.
Nur sesanddoct or swer egivi ngmewei rdlooks.I '
m
suret hey' rewonder i
ngwhyIhavesomanyi nj
ur ed
peopl ei nmycarandam unconsci ousgi rl
.Thei r
war dswer enexttoeach.Iwassi tti
ngont hechai rs.
Anur semadeherwayt ome.
Her:Wehavestar
tedexamini
ngthem.Theol
dman
i
sdead.Theother
sconditi
onsarever
ybad.The
chancesoft
hem waki
ngupar everyl
ow.
Me:Andhow'stheot
herone.
..
theonet
hatwas
unconsci
ous?
Her
:We'r
ebusytr
eat
ingherwound.Wasshe
i
nvol
vedinaf
ir
e?
Me:Fi
re?
Her
:Yes.
..
herwoundl
ooksver
ybad.She'
sincoma.
Me:Er
mm.
..
Ihavet
ocal
lthei
rfami
li
es.
Her:And..
.Wewi l
lbecall
ingthepol
ices.Theylook
ver
ybad.Ithinkthi
sisapolicematt
er.Theylook
l
iketheywerekidnapped.
Me:No.
..
No.
.l
etmecal
lthei
rfami
li
esf
ir
st.
Her
:Okay.
(Shewentaway.If i
rstcal
leddadandt ol
dhim
whathappened.SinceIdon'thavetheAlpha'
s
phonenumber.Icall
edOndr eazandtol
dhi m.Wel
l
l
uckyenoughhewasatt heOegratewit
ht heAl
pha.
Theysai
dtheyarecomi ngrightnow.Iwentand
boughtmysel
facoffee.Thet
imewas5am.Dad
walkedwi
thwithot
hers.)

Kayl
a:Wher
ear
ethey?
(Ist
oodupandshowedthem.Shelookedthr
ough
thewindowoft
hedoor
.Shestar
tedcryi
ng.)
Kayl
a:Ohhmypoorbaby.Wher
eisMat
?
(Ishowedher.Ialsolookedather
.Theywereso
manywiresatt
achedt oherbody.Str
angeenoughI
fel
tmyheartbreak.)
Kayl
a:Whodi
dthi
stot
hem?
!
(Il
ookedatdad.)
Dad:Theywer
eki
dnapped.
(Lalioncetol
dmet hatdadknowsshe'sabeast.
Sot el
li
ngItol
dhim ever yt
hingt
hathappenedt
here.
Sinceothersdoesn'tknow.Thatsaidwemusttel
l
them thatt
heywer ekidnapped.
!)
Kayl
a:Honey.
..
youneedtof
indthem andkil
lthem.
Theydeser
vetodie.Asweweresti
llt
alki
ng.The
Al
phaandhi
ssoncamet
ous.
Al
pha:Wher
ear
emysons?
!
Me:Ipoi
ntedatt
hewar
dst
hey'
rei
n.
(Theymadethei
rwaytothem .Af
tert
hatt
heAl
pha
wentst
rai
ghttomeandthrewapunch.)
Me:WTF!
Al
pha:Youbet
tert
ellmewhodi
dthi
stot
hem.
(Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)
Me:out
side.
(Wemadeourwayout side.Ondreazalsocame
with.Itol
dthem everythi
ngthathappenedt her
e.
Ondreazreact
iondidn'tsurpr
ise.Helookedhappy.
I'
m surehewillt
rytokillAusti
nonceagai n.)
Al
pha:Simon?.
..
Simoni
sdead?
...
buthow?
...
howi
s
t
hatpossibl
e?
(OkaythatIdi
dn'texpectfr
om t
heAl
pha.Tobe
worr
iedaboutvil
lai
ninsteadofhi
sowntwosons.
)
Al
pha:Yousai
dLal
iki
ll
edhi
m?
(Inodded.)
Alpha:Thatgi
rl
...
thatgi
lri
sdanger
ous.I
'
m sur
eI'
m
next.
Me:Nextwhat
?
Al
pha:Canyoushowmeherwar
d?
Me:Okay.
(Wewentbackinsi
de.Ishowedhim .Daddi
dn'
tlet
hi
min.TheAlphalookedscared.)
Alpha:Er
mm...
Iwil
lsendguardst
omakesur
emy
sonsaresaf
e.Ihavetogo.)

TWODAYSLATER

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iknowwhathappened.Iremembereverysi
ngl
e
thi
ng.Iwassti
lli
nhospi
tal
.Theysai
dmywound
i
sn'tnor
mal.WhenIwasst i
lli
ncomatheysai
dit
wasexpandi ng.ButwhenIwokeupi tst
opped.
Andit'
shealing.IvisitMatever ynowandt han.Her
andTonyhavebecamecl ose.Theothersaresti
lli
n
coma.Wel lIhaven'tvisi
tedAust i
n.Itookabat h.
Whent hewat erhitmywound.Mywhol ebody
wouldshiver.AfterIwasdonet henursegotinand
putabandageoni t
.Iputonmycl othesandwent
toAustin'
swar d.Igotin.Iwentt ohim andplaced
myhandsonhi sface.Onet earescapedmyeye.
Theystart
edf lowing.

Me:Er mm. .
.Idon'tknowwhatt osay.Iknowyou
wer etr
yingtohel pmer egainmymemor i
es.Thank
you.Itshowst hatyoul ovemet rulyand
passionatel
y.I tshowst hatyoucar eforme.Ilove
you.Iloveyousomuch.Doyour emembert hatday
whenyoual mosthi tmewi thyourcar ?(no
response.)Iknowyour emember .Doyou
rememberwhenyouhel pedmeout .You'
retrul
ymy
hero.I'
m nothingwi thoutyou.Sopl easemyl ove
wakeup.Wakeupf ormeandourf uturethat
'sis
sti
llwait
ingf orus.Imi ssyou.
(Iki
ssedhi
m andwipedmytears.Ideci
dedto
sl
eepnextt
ohim.Iplacedmyheadonhi schest
.)

Mat
'sPOV

Tonygotin.Hewascar ryingabasketf ulloffrui

ts
andsomesnacks.Idon' tknowwhat '
shappeni ng
betweenus.Wehavebecomef r
iends.ButIt hink
i
t'
smor ethanthat .Hi
m andLal ihasbeenwi thme
eversi
nceIwokeup.Theybecamemyt herapists
asIwashavingament albreakdown.Ist il
lcan't
beli
evemydadi snormor e.EverytimeIt hi
nkabout
him.Iendupcr ying.AndTonywoul dcuddl eme.
He'sagreatfr
iend.

Tony:Howar
eyou?
Me:I
'
m get
ti
ngbet
ter
..
..
Tony:Iwentt
oLal
i'
swar
d.Butshe'
snott
her
e.
Me:She'
swi
thAust
in.
(Hekeptqui
etandl
ookeddown)
Me:Doyoust
il
lloveher
?
(Hesmi
led)
Tony:Youknowhowlovei
s.YesIst
il
lloveherand
car
ef orhersomuch.
(Idon'tknowthatsomeonebrokemyhear
t.If
elt
theurgetocry.Nonoowhat '
shappeni
ngtome.
Whywoul dTonylovingLal
iaf
fectme.
)
Tony:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah..
.yeahIam.
(Hemadehi swaytome.Hewi pedmyt ears.Si
ll
y
tears.Ashewasbusywi pi
ngthem myhear t
start
edbeatingfast
.Hewascl osetomeIcoul d
alsofeelt
hathiswasalsobeatingfast.Hishands
weresowar m.Oureyeslockedforsomet i
meunt i
l
anur sewalkedi
n.Sheclearedherthroat.)
Her
:Haveyoueat
enbr
eakf
ast?
Me:Er
mm.
..
Iwasaboutt
o..
.
Her
:Pl
easeeatsoyoucant
akeyourmeds.
Me:Sur
e.
(Tonypassedmet
hebr
eakf
ast
.Ist
art
edeat
ing.)

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Iwasinmyhousewi thKhule.YesKhul e.Somehow

for
tunefavoredme.Khul etoldmet hathef eelst
he
samewayaboutme.Iaskedhi m aboutthegi r
lhe
tol
dmeabout.Wel lhi
sresponsewas"Il ove
her.
..
andwi l
lforeverwil
l.ButIalsoli
keyou" ..
.SoI
wasbusypr eparingbreakfastforus.Hecame
downstair
sandsatont hecount er.Af terIwas
doneIdishedf orthebothofus.

Khul
e:Ni
ce.
..
(Asiwaseati
ngaphonecallcamethr
oughi
twas
Kayl
a.Lal
i'
sstepmom.Ianswered.)
Kayl
a:Hey.
..
ermm howar
eyou
Me:I
'
mfi
neandyou?
Kayl
a::
ermm..
.notr
eal
ly.Iwaswonder
ingi
fyou
knowthatLal
iisi
nhospit
al.
Me:What
?
Kayla:Yesshewasadmit
tedtwodaysago.Lately
youandLalihasbeenver
yclose.It
hinkyoushoul
d
alsogoandseeher.
Me:Okay.
..
Whi
chhospi
tal
?
(Shet
oldme)
Me:Okayt
hanksf
orl
ett
ingmeknow.Thatmeans
al
ot.
Kayl
a:Ihavet
ogonow.
..
bye.

khule:I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
(Hi
seyeswer
egl
uedon
hisphone)
Me:Yeah..
.i
t'
sjustt
hatmyf
ri
endLal
i..
.she'
sin
hospi
tal
.
(Heputhi
sphonedown)
Khul
e:Lal
i?
...
Hospi
tal
?..
.Whathappenedt
oher
?
Me:Doyouknowher
?..
.
(Hei
gnoredmeandwentupst
air
s.If
oll
owedhi
m.
hewasgett
ingdr
essed.)
Khul
e:whi
chhospi
tali
ssheadmi
tt
edt
o?
Me:Iaskedyoudoyouknowher
?
Khul
e:Canwet
alkaboutt
hisl
ater
.Ri
ghtnowIwant
t
oseeLali
.
Me:youdon'
tevenknowwhi
chLal
iI'
mtal
king
about
.
Khule:Lal
imii
saver
yrar
ename.Iknowi
t'
sher
.
Let
'sgo.
(Itookmybag.Thi
sthingofKhuleknowi
ngLal
i
doesn'
tsi
twellwi
thme.Howdoesheknowher .
AnywayIwil
laskhim al
lthatl
ater
.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
IWi
llpostagai
ntoni
ght
.
[
06/
23,
08:
22]Lynne: I
nser
t55

Lal
i'
sPOV

Af t
erspendingal
otofti
mewi thAustinhest i
lldi
dn'
t
wakeup.ButIwi l
lkeeponvi sit
inghim.Ihear dt
hat
whenpeopl eareincomat heycanher eyou.So
from nowonwar dsIwillmakesur etovisithim
eachandever yday.Iwasnowi nmywar d.Iwas
j
ustst andi
nglooki
ngout si
de.Thedooropened.I
turned.ItwasKhule.Hedi dn'thesi
tate.Hegave
meal ongwarm hug.Ifl
inchedasIwasst art
ingto
feelpainonmywound.

Khul
e:Sor
rysor
ry.
!Letmesee?
(Ishowedhi
m.Hest
art
edsof
tl
ybl
owi
ngi
t.)
Khul
e:I
'
m sor
ryhey.
..
thi
slooksbad.
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.Sowhatbr
ingsyouher
e?
(Hel
ookedatNomhl
ethancl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.)
Khul
e:Wel
l.
..
Ihaveanewbusi
nessI
'
m st
art
ingher
e.
Wit
hNomhle.
Me:Mhh..
.t
hat
'sgood.AndyouNomhl
e..
.whyar
e
youst
andi
ngbythedoor.Comeandgi
vemeakiss.
(Shecameinandsatont
hecouch.Shedoesn'
t
l
ookfi
ne.)
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
(Shel
ookedatKhul
e)
Nomhl
e:Yeah.
..
yeahI
'
mfi
ne.
(Ithi
nkther
e'ssomet
hinggoi
ngonbet weenthem.I
doesn'
tseem li
ket
hey'
reonl
ybusinessini
ti
ati
ves.
AnywaysIsatonthebed.Khulesatnextt
ome.)
Khul
e:Soar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
otel
lmehowyougot
hur
t?
Me:Wel
l.
..
it
'sal
ongstor
y.AndIdon'
tthi
nkIwant
t
otal
ktoanyoneabouti
t.
(Hehel
dmyhand)
Khul
e:Iunder
stand.Sowhencanwegoout
?..
.Ar
e
youal
lowedtoleavet
hispl
ace?
Me:Yeah.
..
wecangot
omor
row.
Khul
e:Soundsgr
eat
.
(Suddenl yNomhlestoodupandl ef
twi thouteven
sayinggoodbye.Shemustj ustchil
l.KhuleandI
arefriends.Andthat
'sstayl
ikethat.Anywayswe
start
edt al
kingaboutrandom thi
ngst i
lli
twasdar k
outside.)
Khul
e:I
t'
sver
ylat
enow.
..
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Me:Thankyouf
ort
hevi
sit
Khul
e:Bye.
(Heki
ssedmycheek.)
Khul
e:Byecut
eface.
(Il
aughed)
Me:Real
ly?
...
am Ir
eal
lycut
e?
(Hecuppedmycheeks)
Khul
e:You'
rever
ybeaut
if
ul.
Me:Ok.
..
thanksIguess.Byemyhandsomef
ri
end.
Khul
e:Bye.
(Hewentout
.Ideci
dedtocal
lNomhl
e.She
answer
edandkeptqui
et.)

Me:Hel
lo.
..
Hey.
..
Nomhl
e?
Nomhl
e:Lal
i.
..
(Shewassni
ff
ing)
Me:Nomhl
e?.
..
Areyouokay?
...
Whyar
ecr
ying.
Nomhl
e:I
'
m notcr
ying.
Me:Comeon.
..
Icanhearyousni
ff
ing
Nomhl
e:I
'
mfine.
..
(Shecl
ear
edhert
hroat
)Iwas
j
ustmi
ssi
ngmymom.
Me:Owhh.
..
(Whywouldshesuddenl
ymisshermom.I
t'
sbeen
awhi
lesi
nceshepassedon.
It
hinkNomhl
eshe'
shi
dingsomet
hingf
rom me.)
Nomhl
e:Er
mm.
..
Ihavet
ohungup.
..
byeandget
Wel
lsoon.
Me:Tha.
..
(Shehungedup.)

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

Mymout hhasbeent i
edupEver sincethatday.My
whol ebodywashur ti
ngfrom allthet ort
ur e.So
todaythebossi sback.Oneguycamei nt othi
s
room thatIwasat .Heroughl
ygr abbedbymy
hands.Andt ookmeout.Wewer ewalkingupt he
passage.Fi nall
ywereachedthet op.Het hrewme
ont hefl
oor.Amanwasst andingf aci
ngt heother
side.

"Ibr
oughtherboss"
(Het ur
ned.Hewassmoki ngandhadagl assof
whiskeyonhishand.Hewaswear i
ngasui t.He
camecl osert
ome.Hel ookedsoscar y.Hehada
ver
ydar kaura.Looki
ngathimj ustsentshiver
son
mybody.IwonderhowKaylawasmar r
iedtothi
s
scaryman.Hei
nstr
uctedtheguytoremovet he
tapeonmymouth.Itwasverypai
nful.I
t'sl
ikehe
waspeeli
ngmyskinoff.)

Me:Imeannohar
m..
.Icomei
npeace.
(Herai
sedhi
shand.Ikeptqui
et.Iassumedt
hat
maybehewantedmetokeepquiet.)
Him:Whatdoyouwant ?(Wellhehadast rong
Austr
ali
anaccentunl
iketheotherguys.Iswall
owed
hard.Myheartwasbeatingsofast.
)
Me:Well
..
.Iknowwher
eyourf
ormerwi
fei
s
?.
..
K..
.Kayla.
(Hegavemeadeadst
are)
Hi
m:Cont
inue.
Me:Well
..
.She'
sinSouthAf
ri
ca.Andshe'
sbusy
dest
royi
ngmymar ri
age.
Hi
m:what
?
Me:Shehasasonwi
thmyhusband.
(Hel
aughedandstar
tedstr
angl
ingme.Icoughed
somuch.Hishandsweresohard.)
Hi
m:Whoareyouworkingf
or?.
..
Whosentyou?
(He
l
etgoofmyt
hroat
.Itwasverypai
nful
.)
Him:Iwon'tr
epeatmysel
fagai
n.Whot
hef
uck
sentyou?
(Icaughtabr
eat
hthanst
art
edt
alki
ng)
Me:Noone.
..
noonesentme.Bel
ieveme.
Hi
m:Whywoul
dIbel
ieveyou.MyKayl
acan'
thave
ki
ds.
Me:What?No..
.no.that
'sl
ies.Icanshowyouthe
pi
ctur
esofthepersonI'
mt al
kingabout
.They'
rei
n
myphone.
Hi
m:Andwher
eisyourphone?
Me:Backatt
hehot
el.
Hi
m:Getherphone.Andbr
ingachai
rforme
(itwasver
ycol
d.ButwhatcanIsay.Hesatont
he
chair
.)
Me:Doyoust
il
lloveher
..
.
(Ther
ewast ot
alsi
lenceaf
tert
hat
.YeahImustI
havecrossedt
heli
ne.)
Me:I
'
m sor
ry.
(Hejustkeptqui
etandcont
inueddr
inki
ngf
rom hi
s
gl
ass.)
Me:Unt
ieherhands.
(Hedi d.Mywr i
stsweresopainful.Hegaveme
myphone.Ist art
edlookingf
orKayla'sphot
o.After
IfounditIshowedthem .Thepictur
eitwasherand
I.Aft
erlooki
ngatithestoodup)
Hi
m:Takeherbacki
nsi
de.Wewi
llt
alkt
omor
row.

Mor
ning

Ondr
eaz'
sPOV

Iwasi
nmyhousewithTayler.Weweredi
scussi
ng
howwe'r
egoi
ngtokil
lAusti
n.It'
sgoi
ngtobeso
mucheasysi
ncehe'
ssti
lli
ncoma.
Tayl
er:Sowhenar
eyougoi
ngt
odoi
t.
Me:Iwouldhavehiredsomeone.Butt
hey'
reguar
ds
ensur
inghissaf
ety.AndifIdoi
ttheywil
lknow.
Tayl
er:Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo.
Me:Iwi
llbr
ibeanur
setojustswi
tchofft
he
machi
nesthatar
ekeepi
nghim br
eathi
ng.
Tayl
er:Thatsoundsl
ikeagoodi
dea.
Me:Iwonderwhytheydi
dn'
ttel
lust
hist
ime.That
t
heyweregoingaf
tersomeone.
Tayl
er:Soyout
hinkt
hey'
resuspect
ingus?
Me:Notachance.Wehaven'
tshowedthem
anyt
hing.Norgavet
hem ar
easontodoubtus.

(Mydr eam aresl

owlycomi ngtor
eali
ty.Mybr other
willdead.Fatheri
snext.IbecomeanAl pha.Iown
allthefamilybusi
nessmysel f.Wel
lkil
li
ngLal iI
'
m
starri
ngt odoubti
t.Shekil
ledsomeonewhowas
verypower ful
.Goingafterherwil
lonl
yl eadusto
death.ButIwon' ttel
lTaylert
hat.Isti
llneedhim by
mysi de.Hisdream ofr ul
ingtheDrugiomin.Idon't
seei tcomi ng.Ican'tputmylifeindanger.Isaw
thatdaddoesn' tl
ikeher.Maybehe' stheonewho
willkillher
.)

Tony'
sPOV

Ihavebeentryi
ngt ocallmom' sphoneyester
day.
Butshe'
snotanswer ing.Iwokeupandt ooka
shower.Iwil
lcallheragaintoday.Aft
erIfini
shed
gett
ingr
eady.Ical l
edher .Againshedi
dn'tanswer.
Ical
ledheragain.Thistimearoundsheanswer ed.

Me:M.
.Mom?
Her
:Tonymyson.
..
Me:Howar
eyou..
.andwhenar
eyoucomi
ngback
Her:I
'
mfine.DearIwil
lbecomi
nghomesoon.The
missi
ngicameheretodoisnowaccompl
ished.
Me:Whatmi
ssi
on?
Her
:Iwi
llt
ellyouever
ythi
ngwhenigetback.
Me:Okay.
..
Bye.
Her:Takecar
eofyour
sel
fbye.Whenar
eyougoi
ng
backhome?
Me:Iwasthi
nkingoftaki
ngmyt hi
ngsandgoback.
(icl
earedmythroat
)Sinceuncl
ehaslef
tthe
count
ry)
Her
:Hel
eft
?Why?
Me:Wellyouknowhi
m..
.Ther
ewer
epeopl
eaf
ter
hi
sli
fe.Sohehadtogo.
Her
:Ayyhewi
llneverchange.Byeson.

(Ihungedup.IcannottellherthatIkil
ledhi
m nor
she'
sdead.Mom issoi ntell
igent.IfIt
oldhershe
wouldhavefi
guredoutt hatIkil
ledhim.Soit'
s
bett
erthi
sway.Ipackedal lmyt hings.Iwil
lsel
l
thi
shouse.Aft
erIwasdoneIdr ovebackhome.
Theywerehavingbreakfast.)
Kayl
a:Son.
..
You'
reback.
Me:Yes.
(She'
ssoni
ce.Iwonderwhymom hat
esherso
much.)
Me:I
'
m backt
ost
ay.
Zi
a:That
'sgood.Becausewewer
emi
ssi
ngyou.
Zayn:Yeahman.
..
maybel
aterwecangoandgr
aba
fewdrinks.
Dad:Haveyouhear
df r
om yourmom?Shehasn'
t
beenansweri
nghercal
lsl
atel
y.
Me:Ispoket
oherthi
smor
ning.Shewi
llbecomi
ng
backhomesoon.
Dad:Ok.
..
that
'sgood.Ihavet
ogonow.
Kayla:Si
tdownandeat
.Iwi
l
ltakeyourt
hingst
o
yourroom
Me:Thankyou.
(Isatdownt
hanst
art
eddi
shi
ngf
ormysel
f.)
Lal
i'
sPOV

Ihaven' tf
or gott
enwhatTayl erandOndr eazdi d.
Theyt ri
edt okillAustinandf orthatt
heywi llpay.
Ondr eazisevi l
.Howcanhet rytokil
lhisown
brother.Justf orwhat ?..
.f
orpower .Iwasget ting
ready.Wel lKhul eandIaregoi ngoutforbreakf ast
.
Ireallyneedf reshher .WellIputonaJeananda
bigtshi rt
.Idon' twanttohur tmyself.AfterIwas
doneIwentt oAust i
n'sward.Isatont hechai rand
heldhi shand.

Me:Goodmor
ning.Iwashopi
ngp
youwouldbeawokebynow.Aust inwhyar
eyou
doingt
his?.
..
Youreall
yneedtowakeup.Anyways
I'
m goi
ngout.Iwi
llvi
sityoul
ater
.

(Iki
ssedhisfor
eheadandwentout
.Khul
e'
scar
wasalreadypar
kedoutsi
de. )
Hi
m:Hey.
Me:Heybest
ie.
(Heopenedt
hedoorf
orme.
)
Me:Thanks.
(igoti
nsi
de.Heal
sodi
d.Hest
art
eddr
ivi
ng)
Me:Sowher
ear
ewegoi
ngt
ohavebr
eakf
ast
?
Khul
e:I
t'
sasur
pri
seyouwi
ll
see.
(Af
terawhi
lewedr
ovei
ntoahouse.
)
Me:It
houghtyouwer
etaki
ngmeout.
Khule:No.
..
Ipr
epar
esbr
eakf
astf
oryouher
e.I
nmy
house.
Me:Yourhouse?
Khul
e:Yeah.
..
Me:er
mm ...
letmecal lmymotherandl
etherknow.
Soshewon'tstartpanicki
ngwhenshedoesn'
tfi
nd
meinthehospital.
(Henodded.Shi
tIf
eltmyphone.
)
Me:Caniuseyour
s.
Khul
e:Sur
e.
(Icall
edKaylaandl etherknow.Wegoti nsi
de.
Boththeinter
iorandexteri
ordesignsarevery
beauti
ful.Wegoti ntheywererosepetalsonthe
fl
oor.Ok.Wef ol
lowedthem.Theyl edupstai
rst
o
thebalcony.Hepul l
edachai rf
orme.Thesunwas
hit
ti
ngsoni cehere.)
Me:Thi
slooksgood.
Khul
e:Ipr
epar
edi
t.
Me:Real
ly?l
etmeeat.
I'
m ver
yhungr
y.
(Ist
art
edeat
ing.I
twasver
yni
ce.Hi
seyeswer
e
l
ockedonme)
Me:DoIhavesomet
hingonmyf
ace.
Khul
e:Yes.
(It
ookahandker
chi
efandst
art
edwi
pingmymout
h
andface.)
Me:I
sitgone.
Khul
e:No.
..
Ithi
nki
t'
sper
manent
.
Me:What
?..
.whati
sitexact
ly.
Khul
e:Beaut
y.
(Il
aughed.)
Me:Real
ly?
...
Thanks.
(Idi
dn'
texpectt
hat
.Hecanbef
unnysomet
imes.
Wefini
shedeati
ng.
)
Khule:Howaboutwewat
chamovi
e.Iwi
llt
akeyou
backlater
.
Me:ok.
..
(It
ookt
hepl
atesdownst
air
sandwashedt
hem.
)
Khule:Howaboutyoupr
eparesomet hi
ngnicef
or
dinner.Thanwecanwatchmovies.Ihave
somewher etogot
o.
Me:Er
mm.
..
ok.
(Hekissedmycheekandleft.Istar
tedpr
epari
ng
Sti
rfr
yandagril
ledchi
cken.AfterIwasdoneI
deci
dedtodoatourofthi
shouse.Iopenedaver y
bi
gone.Ithi
nki
t'
shis.Iswit
chedont heli
ght
s.)
Me:WTF!
(Ther ewasmypi cturesallovert hewal l
s.Some
pict
ur esl ooksli
kewer etakenwi thoutmenot ici
ng.
Whywoul dKhul ehavemypi ctures.Iwentoutof
theroom.Iwentt ohi soffi
ce.Itwasl ocked.I
l
ookedf orthekey.If ounditinoneoft hedr awersin
hisbedr oom.Iopenedandgoti nside.Istart
ed
searchi ngf oradiary.LuckilyIf oundi t
.Istart
ed
readingi t
.Ireadf r
om t hedat ewewer einMaur it
ius.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Mybr othersandIwer eouthavingdr i

nks.When
thr
eel adiesgoti n.Myeyeswer egluedt ot
hatone
gir
l.Hercompl exionwaslight
.Shel ooksli
kea
coloured.Myeyescoul dn'tmovef r
om her.When
shest artednot i
cingt
hatIwasl ooki
ngatherI
movedt hem.Ti mepassesherf ri
endswer eallover
myf riends.Iwentt oher.Wedanced.Myhear twas
beatingsof ast
.Ihaveneverfeltl
ikethis.There
wassomet hingabouther.Hereyes.Theywer eso
beautif
ul.Notfor
gett
ingherwar m smil
e.We
exchangedwor dsandsatdown.Whenshet oldme
thatshehasaboyf ri
end.Ifeltmyheartbleed.If
elt
i
tbr eakint
opieces.ButIwillnevergi
veuponher .

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

(Myheartwasraci
ngri
ghtnow.Iwassoconfused.
It
houghthewasmyf ri
end.Hehasnevershown
methathelovesme.Ir
eadthenextpage.)

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

TodayIhadawetdr
eam aboutLal
imi
.Iwi
llsend
peopl
eto.
..

(AsIwasr eading.Ihear
dacardr
ivi
ngi
n.Iputt
he
di
aryback.IlockedtheI
of
fi
ceandputt
hekeybackwher
eIf
oundi
t.Iwent
t
otheki
tchen.Hegoti
n.)

Khul
e:I
tsmel
lsni
cei
nher
e.
Me:Er
m..
yeah.
..
I'
m donec.
..
cooki
ng.
(Idecidedt
odr
inkagl
assofwi
ne.
Myvoi
cewas
sharky.)
Khul
e:Iboughtsnacks.Wecannowwat
chamovi
e.
Me:Sur
e.
(Wewentt oaroom thatabigscr
een.And
comfor
tablematsont hefl
oor.Wesetdown.Idr
ank
anot
herglassofwine.)
Khul
e:Ar
eyouokay.
Me:y.
..
yeah.
(Shoul
dIaskhi
m?.
Noishoul
dn'
t.
)
Khul
e:Sowhatt
ypeofmovi
eyouwantt
owat
ch.
Me:er
mm.
..
Hor
rorwi
llbef
ine.
Khul
e:Nah.
..
let
'swat
chsomet
hingRomanceand
par
anormal
.
Me:Okay.
..
fi
nebyme.
(Themoviest
art
edplaying.I
twasveryawkwar
d.
Especi
all
ywhenthesexscenespl
ay.Thebot
tl
eof
winewasaboutt
of i
nish.
)
Me:Er
mm.
..
canIaskyousomet
hing?
Khul
e:Sur
e.
(Hegavemehi
schar
mingsmi
le.Icl
ear
edmy
thr
oat
.)
Me:I
sitpossi
bleloveaf
ri
end?
...
Imeant
heper
son
whoi
syourf r
iend?
(Het
urnedqui
ckl
y.Yeaht
hewi
ne.)
Khul
e:Er
mm..
.Idon'
tknow.Butmymyf
ri
endi
s
marr
iedt
osomeonewhowasoncehisf
ri
end.
Whyar
eyouaski
ng.
Me:I
t'
snot
hing.
(Hepl
acedhi
shandonmycheeks.
)
Khul
e:Tal
ktome.Why?
(Ij
ustkeptqui
et)
Khul
e:Doyoual
sof
eel
thesameway?
Me:What
?
Khul
e:Doyoual
sof
eel
thesamewayaboutme?
Me:Ihaveaboy.
..
(Heshutmeupwi
thakiss.Myst
upi
dsel
fret
urned
i
t.Aft
ersomet
imeIst
oodup.)
Me:It
hinkyoushoul
dtakemebackt
othehospi
tal
.
Khul
e:Let
'shavedi
nnerf
ir
st.
Me:er
mm.
..
youcan
Khul
e:Di
nnerpl
easebef
oreyougo.
(Iwenttot
hekit
chenanddishedforthebothofus.
Iwaseati
ngsofast.Iwantt
obeoutofher eri
ghtat
thi
smoment.Ichoked.Hest oodupandbr ought
waterf
orme.Idrankitashewasbrushingmyback.
)
Khul
e:Eatsl
owl
y.
Me:Er
mm.
..
I'
mful
lnow.Pl
easet
akemeback.
Khul
e:Youhadwi
ne.Idon'
tthi
nkt
henur
seswi
llbe
.
..
Me:no.
..
Iwi
lldr
inkwat
er.
Khul
e:Comeon.
..
youwi
lluset
heguest
room.
(Ist
oodupandwentt
otheki
tchen.Idr
ankaglass
ofwater
.Hewr
appedhi
shandsaroundmywaist.)
Me:Showmet
heguest
room.
Khul
e:okay.
(Heshowedme.)
Me:Goodni
ght
.
(Il
ockedt
hedoorbef
orehecoul
devenst
artt
alki
ng.
)

Mat
'sPOV

IwonderwhoLal iwentoutwith.Maybeshewent
outwithhim.Sheevenleftherphone.Iwant
edto
tel
lherthegoodnews.Aust inhaswokenup.And
hewant stoseeher.
Aust
in:How'
sNi
ck?
Me:Hei
sst
il
lincoma.
Aust
in:Lal
iisnotbackyet
?
Me:Yeah.
(Il
ookedatt
het
ime.I
twas8pm.
)
Aust
in:Whodi
dshegooutwi
th?
Me:
(Icl
earedmyt
hroat
)Af
ri
end..
.shewentout
wi
thafri
end.
Aust
in:Nomhl
e?
Me:Nomhl
e?.
..
Yeah.
..
yeahher
.
(Ican'
ttel
lhim shewentoutwit
hkhul
e.Guysget
j
ealouseasil
y.SoIdon'twanthimtogetmad.
)
Me:er
mm.
.l
etmel
eaveyout
orest
.
Aust
in:Okay.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
23]Lynne: i
nser
t56

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

YesterdayIwentt ovisitbutshewasn' tint he

hospi t
al.Matsai dshewentoutwi thaf riend.As
wewer est i
lltalkingAust i
nwal kedin.Heaskedme
wher eisLal ibecauseMatsai dshewentoutwi th
me.It oldhim whenIl astspoket oLali
.Ial sot old
himt hatmaybehe' soutwi thKhul e.Wel lhe
becameangr yr ightatt hatinstance.Matkept
givi
ngdeadl ooks.I '
m sur eLalihassomet hingwi th
Khule.Lal ii
ssobeaut i
fulshecangetanymanshe
want s.Butwhydi dshechoosemyKhul e.Shehasa
veryhandsomeboyf ri
endAust in.Andyetshe' s
busywi thKhul e.AnywayIwokeupandt ookabat h.
AfterIwasdoneIgotdr essedthanwal ked
downst airs.Imadeaqui ckbreakfastformysel f
.I
thanwentt ot heof fice.Financiall
yI'
m doi nggr eat.
Mybusi nessesar er unningsmoot h.Igott ot he
offi
ce.Ever yonenowr espectme.Atf i
rstt heywer e
l
ike"Wewon'
tber
uledbyki
d."

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandtookabath.Iwentdownst
air
s.Khul
e
wasbusyprepar
ingbr
eakfast
.

Me:Hey.
..
Khul
e:Goodmor
ning.
(Ther
ewast
otalsi
lenceaf
ter
)
Me:Canyoudr
opmeof
fatt
hehospi
tal
?
Khul
e:Okay.
..
let
'shavebr
eakf
astf
ir
st.
Me:No.
..
Ireal
lyneedt
ogonow.
Khul
e:I
sitaboutt
heki
ss?
Me:Ki
..
.ki
ss?
...
whatki
ss?
(Iknowaboutt
heki
ss.I
twasami
stake.
)
Khul
e:Yest
erday.
..
weki
ssed.
(Il
aughed)
Me:What ?
...
whycan'
tIremember
.Imusthavehad
al
otofwineyester
day.Anywayswe'
ref
ri
endswe'r
e
notsupposedtodothat
.
(Hi
sfacedropped.Hestar
teddi
shi
ngup.Afterwe
weredoneeat
inghedroppedmeoffatthehospi
tal
.
Iwenttomyward.Ichangedmyclot
hes.)
Me:LetmegoandcheckuponAust
in.
(Igotinsidehi
swar d.Hewasn'
tonthebed.AsI
wasst i
llconf
used.Hegotoutofthebathr
oom.
Withat owelwrappedonhiswai
st.Hisabswere
outthere.Helookedsohandsome.Ithr
ewmyself
tohim.)
Me:Wow!
..
.Iknowyouwer
egoi
ngt
ocomebackt
o
me.
(Itri
edtoki
sshi
m buthepushedmeandgot
dressed.)
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Aust
in:Wher
ewer
eyouyest
erday?
Me:Iwasataf
ri
end'
spl
ace.
Aust
in:Fr
iend?
...
Whi
chf
ri
end?
Me:Khul
e..
.wemetwhenIwasi
nMaur
it
ius.
Aust
in:Ohh.
..
soyouspentt
heni
ghtwi
thhi
m.
Me:Yes.
..
he'
smyf
ri
endaf
teral
l.
(Hekepthi
sfacef
ir
m.)
Me:Whyar
eyousoangr
y?
Austin:YouknowwhenIwokeupf rom thecoma.I
thoughtthefir
stpersonIwasgoi
ngt oseewasyou.
Iwasver ydisappoi
nted.Andt
hefactthatyouwere
withaguyt hewholenight.
Me:Iwasn'
t.
..
Aust
in:SAVEI
TLALI
!Justsavei
t.
Me:Idon'tr
eallyunder
standwhyyou'
reangr
y.You
knowexactlythatIl
oveyouwit
hmywhol ehear
t.I
l
oveyou.Andonl yyou.YouandIaresoul
mates
thatcanneverbechanged..
.
(OndreazandAlphagotin.TheAl
phalookedatme
thanhestar
tedsweati
ng.Hehelphischestt
hanset
down.Austi
nwenttohim. )
Aust
in:Dad?
...
areyouokay?
(TheAlphanodded.Meanwhil
eOndreaz'
seyes
werepoppedoutandgluedonAusti
n.It
'sl
ikehe
coul
dn'
tbeli
evethathe'
sali
ve.Ist
oodnexttohi
m
andwhisper
ed)
Me:Hey.
..
areyouokay?
(Hedi
dn'
tanswer
)
Me:Iknowt
hatyouandTayl
ert
ri
edt
oki
llAust
in.
(
Hel
ookedatme)
Me:AndI
'
m comi
ngf
oryoubot
h.
TheAl
pha:Canwehavepr
ivacyasaf
ami
ly.
Me:Sur
e..
.Iwi
llcomebackl
aterAust
in.

Khul
e'
sPOV

Af
terdr
oppi
ngLal
iof
fIwentbacktomyhouse.I
wentt
omyroom.Iwasl
ookingatherpi
ctur
eson
mywall.
Me:WhyLali?Whycan'tyoubemine?.
..
Iloveyou.
AndIal
soknowt hatyouloveme.Thekisswehad
pr
ovedthatyoualsofeelthesamewayaboutme.

(AsIwasst
il
ltal
kingt
oLal
i'
spi
ctur
emymot
her
cal
led.
)

Her
:Lel
e!
Me:Mama.
Her
:Howar
eyou?
...
Me:I
'
m good.
Her
:Whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackhome?
Me:Idon'
tknow.Notanyt
imesoon.
Her
:Haveyout
alkedt
oher
.
Me:Notasyet
.
Her
:Youneedtotal
ktoher
.Idon'
twantt
oseeyou
i
nthatcondi
ti
onyouwerei
n.WhenEmihl
erej
ect
ed
you.Youneedt
ositherdownandl
etherknowhow
muchyouloveher
.
Me:Iwi
ll
.
Her
:Okay.
..
byemyson.Hopet
oseeyousoon.
Me:Bye.

(Mymot herandIshareaver ystrongbond.Itell

hereverythi
ngaboutmyl i
fe.Ialsot ol
dherabout
Lali
.Ievenshowedhert hepicturesofher.Shel i
ked
her.Andsheal socompli
ment edher .Lal
iisvery
beautif
ul.Herbeautyatt
ractedme.Myphoner ang.
ItwasNomhl e.Iignor
editatfir
st.Af t
ert
hatI
decidedtoansweri t)

Me:MsKhumal
o.
Her
:Khul
e..
.hey.
Me:HowcanIhel
pyou?
(Shekeptqui
etf
orsomet
ime.
)
Her
:I'
mjustchecki
nguponyou.
Me:Okay.
Her
:Iwaswonder
ing.
..
ifwecangooutf
ordi
nner
.
Me:er
mm.
..
I
Her
:Pl
ease.
Me:Okayf
ine.
Her
:Atmyhouse.
Me:Okay.

(Shedroppedthecal
l.Il
ikespendi
ngti
mewi t
h
Nomhle.She'ssobubble.Herbeaut
yisnot
hing
comparedtoLali
'
s.)

Aust
in'
sPOV

Iwasr eal
lyangrywhenIf oundoutt
hatLaliwasout
wit
haguy.Iknowshe' sverybeaut
if
ulandevery
guywant sher.SoIgetjealouseasi
ly.Butaft
er
tal
kingtoher.Ifel
tlessangry.
Andthef
actthatshet ol
dmethetrut
h.Anywaywe
deci
dedt
ovisitNick.Hewassti
lli
ncoma.

Me:He'
sst
rong.Iknowsoonhewi
llbebr
eat
hingon
hi
sown.
Al
pha:Yeah.
Me:Dad.
..
it
'sal
lyourf
aul
t.
(Dad'seyespoppedout.I
'
m sur
ehet
houghtI
di
dn'tknow.)
Me:Iknowthatyouwer eresponsibleforLal
i'
s
memor yl
oss.Weal lgothur
twhilet r
yingtof
ixthe
damageyoudid.Whydad? .
..
whydi dyoudoi t
?
Knowingexact
lythatshe'smymat e.
(Hekeptqui
et)
Me:Whydoyouhat
ehersomuch?.
..
whati
sitt
hat
shedi
dtoyoutomakeyoumat
eher.
(Hewentandl
ookedoutt
hrought
hewi
ndow.)
Me:Dad.
..
she'
ssokindhear
ted.Idon'
tunder
stand
whyyouwouldhat
eher.
Dad:Son.
..
Youwon'
tunder
stand.
Me:Makemeunder
stand.
Dad:Backt
hen.Si
montol
dmethatyourmat
ewil
l
bethedeat
hofme.Hesai
dshe'
sgoi
ngtokil
lme.
Me:Andyoubelievedhi
m.WowdadIt houghtyou
weresmart
.Youknowwhenhehel duscapt i
ve.
Hetoldmeeverydecepti
vet
hingshehasdone.He
eventol
dmet hathefool
edyou.Hethoughtwe
weren'
tgoi
ngtomakei t
.
Dad:What
?
Me:Yes.
..
hesaidhewantedr
evenge.Youal lki
cked
hi
m outoftheOegr
ate.Hewantedrevenge.
Dad:Hebr
oket
heOegr
ater
ules.Wehadt
obani
sh
hi
m.
Me:Wel
l.
..
thatdoesn'
tmat
ternow.He'
sdead.
(Hechuckl
ed)
Dad:Di
dsher
eal
lyki
llhi
m?
Me:Yeah.
..
event
houghwedi
dn'
tseeherdoi
t.
Dad:She'
spower
ful
andst
rong.
Me:Shesur
eis.
Dad:Son.
..
I'
m sor
ry.
..
(Ondreazclear
edhi
sthroat
.He'
sbeenqui
tet
hatI
for
gotthathewashere.)
Ondreaz:Ihavetogosomewher
e.I
t'
sur
gent
.Iwi
ll
seeyoualllat
er.
Me:Okay.
(Hewentout
.)
Dad:Asiwassayi ng.I'
m sorr
yforever
ything.I
haveputyout hr
ough.Il
etfearcont
rolme.Ialso
tr
ustedthatscumbagSimon.Ihopeyouf inda
placet
of or
giveme.
Me:If
orgi
veyou.
Dad:Iwouldl
iket
omeetLali
.Maybelet'
shavea
di
nnerattheOegr
atet
haninvi
teherover.
Me:Shewi
llbever
yhappy.Thanksdad.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV
Tomor rowI'
mf l
yingbackt oSout hAfr
ica.Mr
ElsomeandIar eont hesamepage.It oldhim
everythingandal sogavehimt headdressofwher e
west ay.Hegavemehi snumbersoIcankeephi m
updat ed.Aboutt hevenueandt imeoft heweddi ng.
Somet hingi
sstrangewi t
hhim .Hehast hesame
eyesandnoseasmyhusband.I fIknewhi solder
brotherIwoul dsayit'
shim.Butt houghhe' s
surnamei sEl
somesot hat'
simpossible.WhenI
toldhim aboutmyhusbandhi sfaci
alexpression
changed.Maybeheknowshi m orsomet hi
ng.
AnywayIwasbackatt hehot elbusypackingmy
clothes.

Nomhl
e'
sPOV

Iwasdonecookingandsetthetable.Thetheme
wasredandwhite.Iwentupst
airsandt ookavery
l
ongbubbl ebat
h.AfterIwasdone.Iputonmyr ed
si
lksheat
hdress.Idi
dmymakeupandappl i
edred
l
ipsti
ck.Iheardi
tdrawst heat
tentionofaman
ver
yfast.Iwon'
twearshoessoIwentdownst ai
rs.
Thedoorbellr
ang.Iopeneditwashi m.Hel
ooked
atmefrom headtotoe.Ij
ustsmiled.

Me:Hey.
..
Khul
e:(Hecl
earedhi
sthr
oat
)Hi
..
.you'
re..
.you'
re
l
ooki
ngbeaut
iful
.
Me:Thanks.
..
pleasecomei
n.
(Icl
osedt
hedoor.Wewentt
othedi
ningt
abl
e.)
Khul
e:I
tlooksbeaut
if
ulher
e.Butnotmor
ethanyou
.
(Ibl
ushed.Westar
tedeat
ing.Hewoul
d
compli
mentmeeverysi
ngl
emi nut
e.Wewer
enow
havi
ngadeser
t.)
Khule:Doyourememberthegil
rIt
oldyou
about..
.t
heoneitol
dyouilove.
(Myheartst
art
edraci
ng.Inodded.Idi
dal
it
tl
e
pr
ayer
."GodcanitnotbeLal
i)
Khul
e:I
t'
sLal
i.Il
ovehersomuch.
(If
eltl
ikeabombwast hr
ownonmyf ace.If
elthot
andpouredagl
assofwineformyself
.Igulpedit
down.Myt i
meprepar
ingthi
sdinner
.WhywhyLal i
.)
Me:Er
mm.
..
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Khul
e:Ar
eyouokay?
(Inodded.Hestoodupandwentt
ome.Ist
oodup
hewipedmytear
s.)
Khul
e:Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
(Bl
oodyt
ear
s.Howcant
heyembar
rassmel
iket
his.
)
Me:I
t'
snot
hingpl
easel
eave.
(Hecuppedmyf aceandstar
tedki
ssi
ngme.I
ki
ssedhi
m back.Istophi
m)
Me:Whyareyoudoi
ngt hi
stome.Whyar
eyou
pl
ayi
ngwit
hmyf eel
ingsli
kethi
s.
(Iwasl
it
eral
lycr
ying.Heputmyheadonhi
schest
.)
Me:Am Inotbeaut
if
ulenoughf
oryout
olovehi
m.
Khule:Hey.
..
don'
tdot
hatt
oyoursel
f.You'
re
beauti
ful
.You'r
eever
yguy'
sdream.
Me:Butnotyou.
(Hecuppedmyf
aceagai
n)
Khul
e:Il
ikeyou.
(Hesmashedhi sli
psonmy.I twasaver ylong
ki
ss.Hecarri
edmeandIwr appedmylegsar ound
hi
m.Hecar r
iedmet omyr oom.Whenwegott here.
Hestart
edundressi
ngme.Ial sodi
d.Ilayedback
onthebed.Hewentont opofmeandst arted
ki
ssingmefrom necktomybel l
ybut
ton..
.No. ..
i
won'tl
ethi
m playmeagain.)
Me:pl
easest
op.
Khul
e:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Pl
easel
eave
Khul
e:It
houghtyouwant
edi
ttoo.
Me:Nopl
easel
eave.
Khul
e:Okay.
(Hegotofmeandst
art
edget
ti
ngdr
essed.Af
ter
thathel
eft.Iwenttot
heshower
.It
ookaver
ycol
d
one.Icr
iedmyl ungsout
.)
Me:Il
ovehi
m..
.whycan'
thel
ovemeback.
(Aftert
hatIdr
iedmysel
fandt
ookmyphone.I
cal
ledMax.)

Hi
m:Hey.
Me:(isni
ff
ed)Hi.
..
canIhavei
t.
Hi
m:Ar
eyousur
e
Me:Yes
Hi
m:okayiwi
lldel
iveri
ttoyourhouse.
Me:Thanks.

(WellwhenIwasst i
llgri
evi
ngmymot her
'sdeat
h.
Coke(cocaine)
helpedmesomuch.Iqui tt
editwhen
Iwasf i
ne.ButIneedi tagai
n.Af
tersomet
imemy
doorbellri
nged.iwentdownstai
rs.)
Max:
Her
e.
Me:Thanks.
..
Iwi
llt
ransf
ert
hemoneyt
oyou
t
omorrow.
Max:
Okay.

(Itooki tandwentt
othekitchencounter.Ipoured
i
tther e.Iwentandt
ookmypur seupstai
rs.Itook
mybankaccountandst ar
ted.Makingitfl
at.Aft
er
thatIr ol
ledahundr
edrand.Andst ar
tedsniff
ingit.
Itfel
tsogood.ForamomentIf or
gotaboutmy
problems.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
23]Lynne: I
nser
t57

Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwokeupandt
ookaver
ylongbat
h.Wel
lAust
inis
goi
ngtopi
ckmeup.We'regoi
ngt
otheOegr
ate.
Ther ewillbeaf amil
yandguesswhatI '
minvited.
Wel lIdon'treall
yknowhowIshoul dfeelaboutal l
ofthis.TheAl phahatedme.Hehat edmewi t
hal l
hisgut s.Nowhe' si
nvit
ingmef ordinner.Ihope
he'snotupt osomething.Theweddi ng
preparationsar egoi
ngver ywel l.MrsKanei sback.
She'sal wayshappyandal sol ooki
ngf orwardtot he
weddi ng.Shewasal sohel pingKaylat ochooset he
dressesf orbridesmaids.Af terIwasdonebat hingI
putonmywhi teswingdr essandi twasbel owt he
knees.It ookabl ackhandbagandwent
downst airs.Theywer ehavi ngdinner.

Dad:Passmyr
egar
dst
oMat
'
sdad.
Me:Iwi
llbyeever
yone.
(ItolddadthatMat '
sdriverwil
lpi
ckmeup.Mat
andIar egoingout.Ihaven'
ttol
dhim aboutAust
in
asyet.Wel lIwasstandingoutsi
dewhenAust i
n's
carpull
edup.Iopenedt hedoorandsatont hefr
ont.
Het handroveoff.)
Aust
in:You'
rel
ooki
nggood.
Me:Thanks.
(Hehel
dmyhand.)
Aust
in:Ar
en'
tyouner
vous?
Me:Aboutwhat
?
Aust
in:Wel
l.
..
aboutmeet
ingmyf
ami
ly?
Me:Whywoul
dIbener
vous?
...
Am Isupposedt
obe
?
(Hechuckl
ed)
Aust
in:You'
reonewei
rdgi
rl
fr
iend.A nor
malgi
rl
woul
dbescar ed.
(Ij
ustl
aughed)
Me:Itseemslikeyouhavefor
gott
enthatI'
m not
j
ustar andom gi
rl
fr
iendnorar
andom beast
.I'
m an
Adi
la.
(Wel
ookedateachot
hert
hanbust
edi
ntol
aught
er.
)
Me:What
?..
.I
'm nott
hreat
enedbysmal
lthi
ngs.
Aust
in:Ar
eyoucal
li
ngmyf
ami
lysmal
lthi
ngs?
Me:No.
..
that
'snotwhatImeant
..
.
(Hepar
kedt
hecaront
hesi
deoft
her
oad.
)
Aust
in:Whatdi
dyoumeant
han?
(
Okay.
..
what
'swi
tht
hesuddenchangeofmood.)
Me:Er
mm.
..
Iwasj
ustsayi
ng.
..
(BeforeIcoul
dconti
nuehesmashedhisli
pson
mine.Itwasn'
tasl
owki ssbuti
twasdeepand
passionat
e.Hestopped.)
Aust
in:Imi
ssyou.
(Ipushedhi
m)
Me:(Smi
li
ng)pl
easedr
ive!We'
real
readyl
ate.
(Hest
art
edt
hecar.Hewasdr
ivi
ngfastatt
he
samet
imebusyr
ubbi
ngmythi
gh.)
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Aust
in:YouknowI
'
m not
..
.sodon'
taskmepl
ease.
(Ijustlaughed.Al
othashappenedlat
ely.My
rel
ationshipwit
hhi
m movedsof asti
nsuchaway
thatwemat edonourf i
rstdat e.MaybeSi mon
messi ngwi thmydest inyandal sounmat i
ngus
happenedf orar eason.Ineedt ogetmyl if
e
toget her.Pur suemydr eams.Beasuccessf ul
person. Maybewecanmat eagai nafterallofthat.
Afteral lhe'smysoul mat e.Iwi l
lspendt herestof
myl ifewi t
hhi m.Sowebet t
ernotr ushthings.Khul e
hasbeensendi ngmemessages.Thel astonehe
senti nt hemor ni
ngwassayi ng."Haveyou
remember edaboutt hekiss...
".Hehasbeen
sendi ngmessagessayi nghowmuchhel ovesme.I
don'tknowwhyhe' sdoi ngt his.Heknowsexact ly
thatIhaveaboyf ri
end.Iwonderwhatmadehi m
fal
lf orme.Becausewewer egoodf ri
ends.
Anywayswear ri
vedatt heOegr ate.Icameoutof
thecar .Itwasabi tcoldsoAust i
ngavemehi s
j
acket .Wewenti n.Theywer esi t
tingataver ylong
table.Ther ewasdi ffer
entf oodpl acedont het able.
Wewenti n.Austinpulledachai rformeandIsat
down.Awomenspoke)

"Fi
nal
lyt
hey'
reher
e.Canweeatnow."
Aust
in:Er
mm.
..
mom.
..
Thi
sisLal
imi
..
.mygi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:Hel
lo.
(Sheignor
edmeandst art
eddi shi
ngforher
sel
f.
Wellshehasanatt
it
ude.I'm notaboutt
oenter
tai
n
her
.Ondreazwasn'
tpresent.)
Al
pha:Iwishmyothersonswer
eher
e.Tohave
di
nnerwit
hallofus.
(Nickhasn'
twokenup.Butwest
il
lhaven'
tlost
hope.)
Al
pha:SoLal
idear
..
.pl
easet
ellusaboutyour
sel
f?
(Dear?.
..
Iwonderwhenwi l
lpeopl
ereal
izethat
aski
ngsomeonet ot
ellabouthisorher
selfreal
ly
annoys.Icl
earedmythroat.)
Me:Iyoual
readyknow me.Idon'tt
hinkt
her
e'sa
needformetoint
roducemysel
f.
Aust
in'
smom:Wher
eisEmi
li
a?
(Wasthatevennecessar
y.Howcansheaskt
hat
whi
leI
'
m her e.Il
ookedatAust
in)
Aust
in:Emi
li
aandIbr
okeup.
Mom:mmh...
that
'sashame.Ir
eal
lyl
ikedher
.
Maybeyoul
etyourmat
ego?
(Weal
llookedather
.)
Mom:Maybeshei
syourmat
e.
Aust
in:she'
snot
.
Mom:
Andhowdoyouknowt
hat
?
(Aust
inkeptqui
et)
Me:BecauseI
'
m hi
smat
e.
(Shestartedcoughing.It
hinkshechoked.She
drankwaterthanstoodup.Shewentupst ai
rs.The
Alphafol
lowedher.)
Aust
in:Iwi
llbeback.
Me:What
?..
.Howcanyoul
eavemeher
eal
one.
Aust
in:Ineedt
otal
ktomymom
Me:Hell
o(Iwavedi
nf r
ontofhi
sface)i
tseemslike
youhavefor
gott
enthatI'
minaplaceofwolves.
Austi
n:You'r
etheAdi
la.
..
I'
m sur
eyoucant
akecar
e
ofyoursel
f.
(Hewal kedaway.Icli
ckedmyt ongue.What ever.
WellIstaff
edmyselfwithfood.It
'sbeenawhi le
si
nceAust inhasn'
tcomeback.Ideci dedtocallMat
.Mat '
sdadwascr emated.ImustsayI '
m pr
oudof
her
.Sheheal edsofast.She'sastrongyoung
woman.)

Mat
:Heygi
rl
...
howi
sitgoi
ng?
(It
oldherever
ythi
ng.)
Mat
:What?.
..
That
'sunl
ikeher
.She'
stheki
ndestof
t
hem al
l.
Me:MaybeI
'
m notwor
thofhi
sson.
Mat:Butyoudi
dn'
tchooset
odat
ehi
m .Fat
emade
youhismate.
(Ij
ustsi
ghed)
Me:Ar
eyoui
nthehospi
tal
?
Mat:No..
.Iwenttovi
sithi
mi nthemorni
ng.It
hinkI
wil
lstopnow.Itfeel
spointl
ess.He'
snotwaki
ngup.
I
'm st
arti
ngtolosehope.
Me:don'
t.
..
.hewi l
l.(Aust
incamedown)Ihavet
o
gonowdear .Bye.
Mat
:Bye.
(Ihungedup.)
Aust
in:Come.
Me:Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Aust
in:Tosl
eep.
Me:Oookay.

Tony'
sPOV

I'
m nowbackathome.I 'minmyr oom.Addi sonwas
fastasl
eep.Herheadwasonmychest.Idon' t
knowwhathashappenedt ome.Ican' tstop
thi
nkingaboutMat.Ever ysingleday.WhenI '
m with
her.Ifeeldif
ferent.Everyt
hingseemsr ight.WhenI
hugher .If
eellikeholdingherfortherestofmyl i
fe.
Hercutesmal leyes.
Addi
:Whyar
en'
tyouasl
eep?
(Hervoi
cewasshar
ky)
Me:I
'
m havi
ngi
nsomni
a.
Addi:Mhh.
..
sor
ry.
(Shedrif
tedof ftosleepagain.Itookmyphone
andloggedinonI nst
agram.IsearchedMatand
yesIfoundher .Istart
edlookingatherpict
ures.
Whatam Idoi ng?Iclosedmyeyesf orsomet ime.I
putadditoapi l
lowandwentt othewindow.I
openedit.Itwascol dbutatthisti
meIj ustneed
thi
scoldness.Whyam Isuddenl yfeel
ingthi
sway.
What'shappeningt ome.Ideci dedtocallher.It
rangforsomet ime.WhenIwasaboutt odropit
sheanswered.)

Mat
:Tony?
(
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)
Me:hey.
..
Mat:Ar
eyouokay?
Me:Yeah.
..
Iwasn'
tfeel
ingasl
eepsoIdeci
dedt
o
cal
lyou.
Mat:Okay.
..
(i
ffeel
sli
keI
'
m noti
ncont
rolofmyownsel
f.)
Me:howi
sNi
ck?
(Shesi
ghed)
Mat
:He'
sst
il
lthesame.I
'
m st
art
ingt
olosehope.
Me:Nicki
saver
yni
ceandst
rongguy.I
'
m sur
ehe
wi
llmakei
t.
(Wel
lwet
alkedf
orsomet
ime.)
Mat
:It
'snow3am andwehavebeent
alki
ng.
Me:Sor
ryhey.
..
Mat
:No.
..
it
'sf
ine.
Me:It
hinkyoushoul
drestnow.I
t'
slat
e.
Mat:Bye.
Me:Bye.
(Shehungedup.Iwassmi
li
ng.Iwentt
obedand
sl
ept.
)
Al
pha'
sPOV

Idon'treal
lyknowwhymywi fedoesn'tl
ikeLali.
YesterdayAustinandIt r
iedtocalm herdown.I
wentt othebathroom andtookabat h.AfterIwas
doneIwentdownst ai
rsforbreakfast
.Mywi fe,
AustinandLaliwer ealr
eadythere.
Me:Goodmor
ningever
yone.
Aust
in:Mor
ning.
Me:Di
dyoual
lsl
eepwel
l
Lal
i:Yes.
..
wedi
d.
Aust
in'
smom:Son.
..
wheni
sshel
eavi
ng?
Aust
in:Af
terbr
eakf
ast
..
..
we'
regoi
ng.
Me:Pl
easeLal
i.
..
dovi
situsagai
n.
(IhaveseenthatLal
iisact
uall
yagooddaught
er.
ShedeservestobewithAusti
n.Imeanshe'
s
powerful
,Str
ongandbeautif
ul.Havi
nganAdil
aas
apartofourf ami
lywil
lver
ygood.Wewil
lbe
pr
otect
ed.Ever
yonef
ini
shedeat
ing.)
Aust
in:We'
regoi
ngnow.Byemom.
(Heki
ssedheronhercheek.)
Lal
i:Byeever
yone.
Me:Byemydaught
er.
(Hereyespoppedout
.)
Me:What
?..
.you'
remydaught
er.
(Shel
ookedatmef
orsomet
imet
hant
heyl
eft.)
Aust
in'
smom:Youl
ikeherr
ight
?
Me:Whywoul
dn'
tI?
(Shekeptqui
et.)
Me:Myl ove. .
.Austi
nl ovesher.Hel ovesherso
much.Theyl oveeachot her.Ihaveseentheway
theylookateachot her .Canwenotst andonthe
wayoft hei
rhappi nesspl ease.Itri
edtoseparat
e
them .Butlookthey'rebackt ogetheragai
n.They
belongtogether.Justl ikeyouandI .
(Shest
oodupandl
eft
.Ineedt
ofi
ndout.What
's
r
eal
lyeat
ingher
.Iknowher
.She'
snotl
iket
his.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Wewer
eont
hewayback.

Me:Yourmom doesn'
tli
kemehey.
..
Aust
in:Shel
ikesyou.
Me:(Ichuckl
ed)Real
ly?.
..
butt
hewayshewas
t
alki
ngatthetabl
edoesn'
tshowthat
.
(Hekeptqui
et)
Aust
in:Let
'scheckNi
ckup.
..
thanIcandr
opyouof
f.
Me:Okay.
(Wedr ovei
ntothehospit
al.Wewenttohisward.
Whenwegoti nitwasdark.Austi
nswitchedthe
l
ighton.Theroom f
eltcol
d.Ifel
tthehaironmy
backstandup.)
Me:Canyouf
eelt
hatt
oo?
Austi
n:Yeah.
..
it
'sver
ycol
dinher
ebutt
heai
r
condi
ti
oningi
sof f
.
(WewenttoNick.Itouchedhishand.Suddenl
ymy
hear
tbeati
ncr
eases.Ithanhaveaheadache.)
Aust
in:Lal
i?Ar
eyouokay?
(Iwassl
owlyl
osingbal
ance.Aust
int
ookme.We
satont
hecouch.)
Aust
in:Dr
inkwat
er.
(Idr
anki
twi
thmyeyessl
ight
lyopened.)
Aust
in:Don'
tcl
oseyoureyes.
..
pleasebabe.
(Af
tersomet
imeIf
eltbet
ter
.)
Ni
ck:A.
..
ust
in.
.La.
li
(West
oodupsoquickandwentt
ohi
m .Hi
seyes
wer
ebl
oodshotr
ed.)
Me:Ni
ck?
...
Areyouokay.
..
Ni
ck:The.
.They.
..
arecomi
ngf
or.
..
ever
yone.
Aust
in:whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
.
Me:What
?WhoNi
ck?
(Aswewer estil
ltr
yingt
oaskhi m.Hiseyespopped
out.Hewasl ooki
ngatthecorner.Austi
nandI
turnedbutwesawnot hi
ng.Whenwel ookedbackat
Nick.Bl
ackli
quidwascomi ngoutofhismouth.His
eyeshadblood.Hewasnol ongerbr
eathi
ng.)
Me:Ni
ck.
..
Nickno!.
Cal
lthedoct
orpl
ease.
Aust
in:Let
'swi
pehi
mfi
rst
.
(Wedi d.Afterthatwecall
edthem .Theycameand
askedust owaitoutsi
de.Therewassomet hingin
Nick'
sroom.I '
m sureofthat
.Somet hi
ngvery
powerfulbecauseIwasn'tabletoseei t.Nicksaid
"Theyare"...
whichmeansi t
'sabunchofpeopl e.
CoulditbeOndr eazandTayler?
...Idoubt.ButIwill
askthem.Thedoct orcameout.Wer ushedt oher.
)
Doctor:I
'
m verysorry.He'snomore.Whenwe
checkeduponhi m .Itseemsli
kehediedlongt
ime
ago.Hisorganswereevenst ar
ti
ngtodecompose.
Me:what
?..
.buthespoket
ous.Hespoket
ous
bef
orewecall
edyouall
.
Doctor
:Idon'
thaveascient
if
icexpl
anat
ionf
ort
hat
.
Buthe'
snomor e.Pl
easeexcuseme.Wehaveto
t
akehi
mtot
hemor
tuar
y.
(Thedoct
orl
eft
.)
Aust
in:I
tcan'
tbe.
..
hespoket
ous.
.webot
hhear
d
hi
mr i
ght?
Me:Yeah.
..
I'
m al
soconf
used.
(Wewentt
othecar.Hedr
ovemehome)
Me:Icansl
eepatyourhousei
fyouwantt
o.
Aust
in:no.
..
I'
mfi
ne.I
'
m goi
ngt
otheOegr
atet
oget
mom anddad.
Me:Okay.
.bye.
(Wekissedt
hanIwenti
nsi
de.Iaskedt
hehel
ping
aunt
)
Me:wher
e'sever
yone.
"Theyallwentout
.Butmi
ssZi
aisi
nherr
oom.
She'
ssleepi
ng."
Me:I
ssheokay.
"Shehasbeenf
eel
ingsi
ckl
atel
y."
Me:l
etmegoandcheckuponher
.
(Mymi ndhasbeenver yoccupi
edtoevennot i
ce
thatZi
awasn' tfeel
ingf
ine.Iwenttoherroom.She
wasasl eep.Isatnextt
oher.Herfacelookedpal
e.
Likeshewascr ying.Iwokeherup.)
Me:Sor
ry.
Zi
a:It
'
sfi
ne(Shesatupst
rai
ght
)Ihavebeen
sl
eepi
ng.
Me:Ar
eyouokay?
Zi
a:Yeah.
..
Iwasj
ustf
eel
ingt
ir
ed.SoIdeci
dedt
o
sl
eep.
Me:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
(Shechuckl
ed)
Me:Youreall
yareglowi
ng.
..
.di
dyousomehow
changeyourfacecr
eam.
Zi
a:No.
..
I'
m st
il
lusi
ngt
hesameone.
(Sher
eal
lyi
s.)
Me:Anyway..
.Letmel
eaveyout
orest
Zi
a:Bye.
(Iwentt
omyr
oom .Ical
ledMat.
)
Mat
:fr
iend.
Me:Hey.
..
Ihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
Mat
:Okay.
..
itsoundsser
ious.
Me:Canyoupl
easecomeover
.
Mat
:OkayI
'
m comi
ng.Iwi
llbr
ingmycl
othes.
Me:Sur
e.

(Theyl
ovedeachot
her.AndI
'
m aboutt
odr
opa
bombonher.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
24]Lynne: I
nser
t58
Del
ayedpost
Lal
i'
sPOV

IhaveneverseenMatt
hisbr
oken.Shehasal
ways
beenaverystr
onggi
rl.Atthi
spoi
ntIdon'
tknow
howIshouldcomfor
ther.Wewereonourwayto
theOegr
ateforNi
ck'
sfuneral
.Shehasbeenvery
quiet
.Iclear
edmythroat.

Me:Ar
eyouokay?
(Shewasl ookingout
sidet
hewi
ndow.Shej
ust
nodded.Ibrushedherhand)
Me:Thi
swi
llpasst
oo.Youj
ustneedt
ost
ayst
rong.
Mat:Youknow. ..
whenIl ostmymot her.Ithought
aboutcommi tt
ingsui cide.Eventhoughdadwas
ther
ebutIjustcoul dn'timaginemyl i
fewithouther
.
Shewasever ythi
ngt ome.Dadwast hereforme.
Wegr i
evedtogether .Ihavenowl osthimt oo.When
daddiedItaughtmysel fhowt olivewiththepainof
l
osinghim.Andnowi t'
sNi ck.
(Shesni ff
ed).The
saddestparti
sIdi dn'tseehi m .Ididn'
tevengeta
chancetosaygoodbyet ohim.Hewassuchagood
boyfr
iend.
Me:Ni
ck'
sdeat
htookmebysurpr
ise.Ithoughtby
nowIwoul
dhavefoundt
hepeopl
ethatkil
ledhim)
(Idi
dpayOndr eazandTayleravi
sit
.Iwas
suspecti
ngt hatmaybetheyaretheonesthatki
ll
ed
Nick.Ihavetriedusi
ngmypower stofindout.ButI
foundnothing.Andit'
sstar
tingt
owor ryme.
Anywayswedr ovei
nsi
detheOegrate.Ipar
kedthe
car.Onel adycamet ous.)
"Thi
sway"
(Wef ol
lowedher.Shet ookust owhatl ookedl i
kea
cemet ary.Itwassof ul
l.Wewentandst oodatt he
front.Nick'scof finwassl owlymovi ngdown.Af ter
thati tbecamever ywindy.Iturnedbackandsawa
menwear ingal lblack.Hewaswhi t
eandhad
glasseson.Ther ewasal adyandamenst anding
nextt ohi m.If eltmyhai ratthebackst andi ngup.
Exact lyhowIf eltwhenAust inandIwer ewi t
hNi ck.
Allthewol vesst artedroari
ng.Itthanst arted
raining.Ever yonewasnowgoi ngaway.MatandI
foll
owedNi ck'sfami l
y.Thosepeopl eIsawmade
theirwayt oacar .Ithadnonumberpl ate.Itwas
maki ngmever yuncomf ort
able.It'
sli
ket here's
mor eaboutt hosepeopl e.Anywaywewenti nsi
de.
Foodwaspl acedont hetabl
e.Wesatdown.I
haven'
tseenOndr eaz.Coul
ditbethathedi
dn'
t
comet oNick'
sfuneral
.West ar
tedeati
ng.
Ondreaz'
swi f
egotin.)
Her:Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lhi
m.Hi
sphonei
s
swi
tchedoff
.
Al
pha'swife.
:Ihavealsobeent
ryi
ngtocal
lhi
m.I
wonderwherehei s.
..
whywouldhenotcomeforhi
s
br
other'
sfuneral
(Austi
nhasbeenver yqui
et.Helookssobr
oken
andshatter
ed.AsIwassti
lleat
ingmyphone
rang.
..
itwasGladi
s.Ist
oodupandwentupstai
rs.I
wenttoabalcony.)
Her
:Lal
i.
Me:Gr
anny.
..
howar
eyou.
Her
:Idon'
tknow.
Me:Why?
...
isever
ythi
ngokay?
...
areyouf
eel
ing
si
ck.
?
Her
:No..
.Ican'
treal
lydescr
ibehowI'
mfeel
ing.Lal
i
t
here'
ssomethingIneedtotel
lyou.
Me:Okay.
Her:Yousee.
..
dearsi
nceyourdest
inywasmessed
up..
.Thi
ngswon'tgoaccor
dingtohowyouwere
tol
d.
Me:whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?
Her
:Well
..
.whateveryouwer
etol
daboutyourl
if
e..
.i
t
won'
tgoli
kethatanymore.
(Ikeptqui
et)
Her:Li
ke..
.maybeyouwer etoldthatyouweregoing
tohaveason...
therearemor echancesthat.
..
that
wil
lnothappen.SeeLal idear.
..
Simontri
edto
changeyourdestiny.Bythathemessedupso
manythings.Somanyt hingsare..
.
Me:Hel
lo!
..
.hel
lo!
(Ihungedup.It
hinkit
'sbecauseoft
hebadweather
.
Iwentbackdownst ai
rs.Ever
yonewasdoneeat
ing.
Theywerejustt
alki
ng.IsatdownnexttoMat.)
Al
pha'
swi
fe:SoLal
itel
lme.
..
whatdi
dyougai
n?
Me:Excuseme?
Al
pha'
sw:Whatdidyougai
nbyki
ll
ingmyson.Why
di
dyouki
llNi
ck?
(Ever
yonel
ookedatme)
Me:W.
..
what
?
Al
pha:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Alpha'
sW:Yes...
Austi
ntol
dmewhathappenedon
thatday.Youki
ll
edhim.Hewasf ineunt
ilyou
touchedhim wi
thyourevi
lhands.Youki
lledhi
m
youlit
tl
ewi t
ch.
Me:Austin.
..
whywoul dIkil
lNi ck.
..
hewassoki
nd
andsupporti
ve.Hewasf r
iendlytoever
yone.Why
wouldIevenkillhi
m.Ididn'tkil
lhi
m.Austi
ntel
l
her
..
.tel
lherthatIdi
dn'
tkil
lhi m.
Aust
in:Lal
i.
..
Ithi
nki
twi
llbebesti
fyoul
eave.
(Hest oodupandwentout .Hismotherf
oll
owed
him.Insteadofbr ingsad.Iwasangry.Angryatthe
factt
hatAust inwasn'tsayinganythi
ng.Wewer e
bothwi t
hNi ckthatday.Hesawwhathappened.
YesIdi dtouchNi ck.Butthatdoesn'
tmeanikil
led
him.)
Al
pha:Er
mm.
..
I'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
.
Me:
Noi
t'
sfi
ne.Matar
eyoust
ayi
ngbehi
nd?
Mat
:No.
..
I'
m comi
ngwi
thyou.
Al
pha:Tr
avelsaf
e.
(Myf acefel
tsohot
.Iwasveryangry.Iwentt
othe
carandstart
edit
.Iwasdri
vingveryfast.)
Mat
:Don'
tyout
hinkIshoul
ddr
ive?
Me:I
'
mfi
ne.
(icont i
nueddri
ving.Afterawhileistoppedt hecar
.
Iwentoutandr eleasedaveryloudroar .MatandI
changedt heseats.Shewasnowdr iving.Ihave
neverbeenangr yli
kethis.I
sitbecauseIl ove
Austinalot.Hewassi t
ti
ngtherenotsayi ng
anything.)
Mat
:Iknowyoudi
dn'
tki
llhi
m.
Me:Aust
in.
..
.He.
..
he
(If
eltanur
get
ocr
y.)
Mat:he'
sst
il
lhur
ti
ngaboutNi
ck'
sdeat
h.For
give
hi
m.Theywereverycl
ose.
Me:Iknowbuthecoul
dhavesai
dsomet
hing.
Mat
:yeah.
..
thathewaswr
ong.Butf
orgi
vehi
m.He'
s
st
il
lgr
ievi
ng.
(Afterawhi lewegothome.Iwentst r
aighttomy
bedroom.It ookacol dshowerasiwascr avingf or
blood.Af t
erIwasdoneIputonmypj sandsl ept.
AsIwassl eepingIsawt hosepeopl eIsawatNi ck'
s
funeralinmydr eam.Theywer est
andingand
l
ookingatme.Af terawhi letheystar
tedlaughi ng.
Theirlaughingf el
tsor eal.Itwasveryloudt hatI
heldmyear s.Ifeltsomeoneshaki ngme.I twasMat .
Islowlyopenedmyeyes)
Mat
:Ar
eyouokay?
...
(
Ithoughtaboutt
hedr
eam Iwashavi
ng.)
Me:Yeah.
..
(AfterthatIcouldn'
tsleep.SoIdecidedt oreadthe
bookt hatGladisgaveme.Mathasal readydrif
ted
offtosleep.Ireaditunti
lIreachthelastpage.The
pagewast orn.Howcome? ..
.BecauseifIremember
cl
ear l
yGladissaidIcan'ttearitof
f.Itookitandput
i
nt hesafe.Iwi l
laskGladisaboutittomorrow.)
Ondr
eaz'
swi
fePOV

Iwokeupanddr ovest
rai
ghtbacktothecit
y.WellI
needtofi
ndoutwhyOndr eazdidn'
tcomet oNick'
s
funer
al.Aft
erhoursIfi
nal
lygottothecit
y.Ibought
McDonaldsandwenthome.Ipar kedthecarand
wentinsi
de.Ishouted:

Me:Hunny!
..
.HunnyI
'
m home.
(Nothing.Iwentt otheki tchen.Iputt hetakeaways
ont hecount erandwentupst airs.Ther ewasat rai
l
ofbloodont hefloor.Myhear tst artedraci ng.I
fol
lowedi t.Itdirectedmest raightt oOndr eaz's
offi
ce.Iwentt herewi t
hmyhear tpoundi ng.Wel li
t
hadbeenf ivedayssi nceIhaven' tseenOndr eaz.I
l
eftf i
vedaysagof orNi ck'sfuner al.Iopenedt he
door .Iwenti n.Iheldmymout hasIsawTayl eron
thef l
oor .Hi sheadwassepar atedf rom hisbody.
Thesmel lwasver ybad.Whi chmeanshewas
kil
ledl ongt imeago.Isl owl yclosedt hedoorwi t
h
myhear tst il
lracing.It urnedbackandt her ewasa
blackl i
quidont hef l
oor .Itwasalsol
eadi
ngsome
wher e.If
ollowedit.I tledmet ot
hemainbedroom.
Theonet hatOndreazandIuse.Iopenedt hedoor.
WhenIwenti n.Iimmedi atel
ythr
ewup.Tears
start
edmaki ngtheirwayoutofmyeyes.Ihel dmy
chestasIf eltli
ghtmyhear twasstar
ti
ngtost
op.
Myl egsf ail
edme.If ellonmyknees.)
Me:No.
..
thi
scan'
tbe.
(Ondreaz'sbodywascuti nt
opieces.Hi sheadwas
hangedont helight
.***
Wer ecomi ngoutofhis
mouth.Thesmel lwasunbearable.Istoodupand
wentdownst air
s.Ipouredmyselfaglassofwine.I
deci
dedt ocallAusti
n.)
Hi
m:Hey.
Me:A.
..
Aust
in.
Hi
m:whyar
eyoucr
ying?
...
isever
ythi
ngokay?
(It
oldhi
m ever
ythi
ng.)
Hi
m:We'
recomi
ngr
ightnow.
(Hehungedup.Istart
edcryi
ng.Whocouldhave
donet
his.Af
teracoupleofhour
s.TheAlpha,Hi
s
wifeandAustinwalkedin.Ishowedt hem
everythi
ng.Mom passedout .Wecar ri
edhertothe
room downstai
rs.Aust
instartedcheckingherup.
Aftersometi
meshewokeup.Wewer eal
lsi
tt
ingon
thebed.)
Alpha'
sW:who. .
.whocoul
ddothatt
omyson.
..
we
havejustbur
iedNick.
..
nowthi
s.
(Shewascr
ying.)
Al
pha:Whenl
astdi
dyouseehi
m.
(It
houghtforsomet i
methanrememberedt
hat.
WhenIwasgoi ngtotheOegr
ateLal
icameheret
o
seeOndreaz.It
oldthem)
Alpha'
sW:Iknewit
..
..
whathavewedonet
o
her.
..
Whyisshedoi
ngallt
his.
(Aust
inbecamepaleatthesamet
ime.Hewentout
.
Ihear
dacardri
vingoff
.)
Al
pha:Ar
eyousur
eaboutwhatyout
oldus?
Me:Yes..
.Shesai
dther
eissomet
hingi
mpor
tant
sheneedstoaskhim.
(TheAl
phanodded.)
Lal
i'
sPOV

Iwasbathi
ngandlist
eningtomusicatthesame
ti
me.Myphonest art
edr i
ngi
ng.Iwipedmyhands
andtookit
.ItwasAusti
n.

Me:Aust
in.
Aust
in:Ineedt
oseeyou.
Me:Okay.
..
Aust
in:Iwi
llpi
ckyouupi
n15mi
nut
es.
Me:Okay.

(Idriedmybodyandputont racksui
ts.Iwentout.
Hiscarwasalreadypar
kedout si
de.Iwentin.He
drovetohispl
ace.Helookedver yangry.He
parkedthecarthanwewentinside.Heclosedt
he
doorbehindhim.)
Aust
in:wai
tformei
nthel
ounge.
(Iwentt
her
e.IhaveneverseenAusti
nli
ket
his.He
camebackwit
habottl
eofwhi skeyandt
woglasses.
)
Me:Idon'
tdr
inkwhi
skey.
Aust
in:Thant
odayyouwi
lldr
inki
t.
(Hepour
edforhi
msel
fandI
.Hehandedmet
he
gl
assandIt
ookit
.)
Aust
in:Fi
vedaysago.
..
.youwentt
oseeOndr
eaz
ri
ght
?
Me:Yeah.
..
Ihadt
oaskhi
m somet
hing.
Aust
in:andwhat
'st
hat
Me:Ican'
ttel
lyou.
Aust
in:mh.
..Iwantt
oknowsopl
easet
ellme.
Me:Youwon'
tbel
ieveme.
..
Aust
in:Tal
k.
(Hisvoi
cewassof
ir
m andi
nti
midat
ing.Il
ooked
down.)
Me:wel
ldoyourememberwhent
herewaswarat
t
heDrugi
omin.Andyouwer
eharmed.
(Henodded)
Me:Theywer eresponsi
bleforthat
.Theywantedto
kil
lthebothofus.SoonthatdayIwentt oask
them...
ift
heyweretheone'sthatki
ll
edNick.And
theydenied.
Aust
in:CanIaskyousomet
hingLal
i?
(Ir
aisedmyheadandl
ookedathi
m.)
Aust
in:Ift
heyadmit
tedt
hatt
heydi
dki
llNi
ck.
..
wer
e
yougoingtoki
llt
hem?
Me:Yes..
.absol
utel
yyes..
.Iact
ual
lywant
edt
oki
ll
t
hem fortryi
ngtokil
lyou.
(Hest
oodupandwentt
othekit
chen.If
oll
owed
hi
m.Ihuggedhi
mfr
om behi
nd.)
Me:I
'
m angr
yatyou.
..
Whydi dn'
tyousayanyt
hing
t
oyourmom...
whydi
dn'tyoutel
lhert
hatIdi
dn'tki
ll
Ni
ck.
(Her
emovedmyhandsandf
acedme.)
Aust
in:Ondr
eazandTayl
erar
edead.
Me:What
?..
.When?
Me:Whathappenedt
othem?
Austin:CANYOUPLEASESTOPACTI NG.Iknow
thatyoukil
ledthem.Why?WhyLali
?..
.Whywould
youbr ut
all
ykil
lsomeone'
ssonl
ikethat.
Me:Wow..
.wowAust
in.Youknowwhatbye
(It
ri
edt
owal
kawaybuthehel
dmyar
m)
Aust
in:You'
renotgoinganywher e.Unti
lyoutel
lme
whyyoukill
edthem?...
I'
m evenstart
ingtothi
nkthat
your
eallyki
ll
edNick.IthoughtIknewyoubet t
er.
Buti
t'
sclearIdon'
t.
Me:Yest hat'
strue.Youdon'
tknowme.I
t'
sclear
youdon't.Becauseifyouknewmewell
.You
wouldn'
tbeaccusi ngmeofsomethi
ngIdidn'
tdo.I
didn'
tki
llanyone.
(Hisphoner ang.HewentoutandIhear dhiscat
dri
vingodf.Iaskedt
hedrivertotakemeto
Ondreaz'
shouse.Iwentthere.Igotin.Thehouse
fel
tverycold.Imademywayupst ai
rsbei
ngledby
atr
ai lofbl
ood.Iwentt oar oom.Itl
ookedlikean
of
fice.IsawTayl er
'sbodyi nthefl
ooraft
ert hatI
wentt otheroom whereadar kli
qui
dwasl eadi ng
met o.Igoti nandthedr eam Ihadstart
edpl aying
i
nmyhead.Coul dtheyber esponsi
bleforallofthis.
Butwhyam Inotabl etousemypower s.

Mr
sKane'
sPOV

IwasinZia'
sroom wi
thher.Shehasbeenver
ysick.
Thatshewasevenvomiti
ng.Shecamebackf rom
thebathr
oom

Me:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?
zi
a:wor
se.
..
Me:Youhavebeensickf
orqui
tesometi
me.
..
.don'
t
youthi
nkyoushoul
dconsul
tadoctor
Zi
a:I
'
mfi
nemom.
Me:Youhavebeensayi
ngt
hat
..
.butyougetwor
se
ever
ysi
ngl
eday
Zi
a:Mom I
'
mfi
ne.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
24]Lynne: I
nser
t59

Lal
i'
sPOV

Thi
sisget
ti
ngoutofhand.Iwasbackathomewi
th
Matinmybedr
oom.

Mat
:Tomor
row.
..
it
'syourbi
rt
hday.
Me:Yeah.
..
IthoughtIwasgoi
ngt
ospendi
twi
th
Aust
in.
Mat
:Weneedt
ofi
ndt
hem.Thepeopl
ethatki
ll
ed
t
hem.
Me:Ihavebeentryi
ngt othi
nk.Ihavet
ri
edusi
ng
myeveryt
hing.Ican'tseem t
ofi
ndout.
Mat
:Whocoul
ditbe?Maybei
t'
stheAl
pha'
senemy.
Me:Themostpainf
ult
hingi
sAust
int
hinksI
'
m
behi
ndthei
rmurder
.
(Asweweresti
llt
alki
ngZi
awal
kedi
n.Shehas
gai
nedwei
ght.She'
sevengl
owi
ng.)
Zi
a:Kayl
aiscal
li
ngever
yonedownst
air
s.
Me:We'
recomi
ng.
(Weputonourshoest
hanwentdownstai
rs.Mat
andIsatont
hesamecouch.Tonykeptst
eali
ng
gl
ancesofMat.)
Kayl
a:Lal
i.
..
it
'syourbi
rt
hdayt
omor
rowr
ight
?
(Inodded)
Kayl
a:Sincet
heweddi ngi
sinfi
vedays.Maybewe
cantakeaminivacat
iontocel
ebrat
eyourbi
rthday.
Me:Ermm..
.That
'st
oomuch.Li
ker
eal
ly.Wecan
j
usthaveafamil
ydinner
.
Kayl
a:No..
.t
hat
'snotupfordi
scussi
on.Yourdad
andIhavedeci
dedthat
.Wehavebookedapr i
vat
e
j
ettoDurban.Wewillf
lyat6pm.
Me:Ireal
lyappr
eci
atet
hat
..
.butl
ikeIsai
d.Wecan
j
usthavea...
Zayn:ComeonLal
i.
..
wewantfreshair
.Andsomeof
uscangetour
sel
vesbeaut
if
ulgirl
s.
Jase:yeahman.
(Idon'treal
lyf
eell
ikegoingwitheverythinggoing
on.Ifeelli
keIneedtohere.Especiall
ysinceit'
smy
bi
rthday.IwantedtospenditattheDr ugiomin.But
whatcanIsay.Kayl a'
swordisfinal.)
Me:Okay.
..
fi
ne
Kayl
a:Nowyougi
rl
sgoandpackyourcl
othes.

Aust
in'
sPOV

IwasatOndreaz'
shousewi thhiswi
fe.Shehas
beencryi
ngsinceyester
day.Idon'
treall
yknow
whattosaytoher.Theylovedeachot her
.

Her
:Ihaveal
waysadmi
redLal
i.It
ookherasmy
ownsister.Andnowshedoest hi
s.Howcana
woman...especi
all
yayoungwomanki l
lsomeone
l
ikethat
.IhaveneverthoughtLal
iwoul
dcauseme
thi
smuchpai n.
Me:I
'
m sor
ry.
(Mom wal
kedi
n.)
Mom:Shewi
llpay.Shewi
llpayf
orki
ll
ingmysons.
(Att hi
spointIdon'
tifIshoul
ddefendLal iornot.I
l
ovedhersomuch.Butaf t
erwhatshedi d.I'
m
start
ingtodoubtmyl oveforher.BeinganAdi lais
maki ngherancoldheart
edperson.Inevert hought
LalicouldbethereasonIlosemybr others.)
Al
pha:What
'
sifi
t'
snother
.Wehaveenemi
est
oo.
Mom:Iwonderhowshehasbl indedyou.Youhear d
foryour
self.ThatLal
iwasher e.Sheisthelast
personwhosawOndr eazandhi sfr
iend.Idon't
knowwhatel seIshouldsaytoyou.Soyoucansee
thatLal
iisn'
tagoodper son.Justli
kehergr anny.
Sheenjoyscausingpeoplepain.
(Weal
lkeptqui
et.Fat
herl
ookedather
)
Alpha:NowIseewhyyouhat
eher
..
.sot
hisi
sal
l
abouthergr
anny?
(Mom stoodupandwentupst
air
s.Dadwentout.I
wonderwhathappenedwi
thLal
i'
sgranny.)
Ondreaz'
sW:Youknow.
..
heusedt
owar
nmeabout
Lal
i.
(Ij
ustl
ookeddown.)
Me:Er
mm.
..
Shoul
dIgetyousomet
hingt
oeat
?
Her
:No.
..
I'
mfi
ne
Me:Iwi
llbeback.
(Ist
oodupandwenttomycar
.It
handr
oveof
f.I
needsomef
reshai
r.)

Mr
sKanePOV

Iwasont
hephonewi
thMrEl
some.

Hi
m:Ihavej
ustl
anded.Whi
chhot
eli
sthebest
.
(It
oldhi
m.)
Hi
m:wheni
stheweddi
ng?
Me:I
nfi
vedays.
Hi
m:Thevenue?
Me:Iwi
llsendyout
hedi
rect
ions.

(Hehungedup.Justf ivedays.Fi vedaysmydear

Kayl a.Youcameher ethi nkingyoucanj usttakemy
husbandf rom me.Yout houghtIwasgoi ngtokeep
quiet .Iwashavi ngagl assofwi neandpacki ngmy
clothes.Af t
erIwasdoneIwentt othewalkin
closet .Ilookedatt hedr essIwi l
lbewear i
ngont he
weddi ng.Iti
sper f
ect.Per fectfortheeventsthat
willtakepl ace.I'
mj usthopi ngforeveryt
hingtogo
accor dingt omypl an.Iwentbackt omybedr oom.I
tookt hesui tcaseandwentdownst air
s.Isatonthe
couchsi nceIguessI 'mt heonl yoner eady.It
'snow
almost6pm.MrKanewal kedin.)

MrKane:Hey.
Me:Hi
..
.
Mrkane:I
sever
yoner
eady?
Me:Idon'
tknow.
(Hewentupst ai
rs.Fewdaysleftmyl ove.Af
tera
whiletheyal
lgat
hereddownstairs.Weused
di
fferentcar
s.Wet hangott
ot heairpor
t.Wemade
ourwayst othej
et.Wegotin.)

Mat
'sPOV

Il
ookedatLali
.Shedidn'
tlookwel
l.Zi
a,Lal
iandI
weresit
ti
ngtoget
her.Well
Addisonhasleft
.Her
parent
stookherwit
h.Sinceshehasfini
shed
school
.

Me:Ar
eyouokay?
(Sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.)
Me:Hey.
..
tal
ktome.
Lali
:Idon'
tknowhey.Isomehowf eell
ikeI'
m doi
ng
thewrongthingbyleavi
ng.I
t'
sli
keI'
mlivi
ngsome
peopleindanger
.It
'sli
kesomeoneneedsmyhel p.
Me:Iknowt
hatf
eel
i
ngt
oohey.
Zi
a:If
eell
ikevomi
ti
ng.
Me:Her
edr
inksomewhat
.
(Shedid.There'ssomet
hingstr
angeaboutZia.She
hasbeenactingverystr
angelat
ely.Ifshe'
snot
sl
eepi
ngoreat ingshe'
sbusyvomi t
ing.)
Me:Howar
ethi
ngsbet
weenyouandOdi
n?
(Shecl
ear
edhert
hroat)
Zi
a:He'
sbackwi
thAvani
.
Lal
i:what
?..
.andwhataboutyou?
Zia:Rememberwewer
en'
tdat
ing.Wewer
ejust
havingfun.
Me:Butyoul
ovehi
mri
ght
?
Zi
a:Idi
d..
.notanymor
e.Iwantnot
hingt
odowi
th
hi
m.
(Shesaidlooki
ngathertummy.Lal
iandIl
ookedat
eachother.Af
tersometi
meshedrif
tedof
ftosleep.
IwhisperedtoLali
.)
Me:Coul
ditbepossi
blet
hatZi
aispr
egnant
?
Lal
i:No.
..
Idon'
tthi
nkso.Iwoul
dhavef
elti
tift
her
e
wasgoingtobeanewbabyi nt
hefami
ly.
Me:ar
eyousur
e?
Lal
i:Yeah.
..
whenkayl
awaspr
egnant
.If
elti
t.
Me:Thanwhyi
sshebehavi
ngl
ikeapr
egnant
woman.
(Sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Wef inall
ylandedinDurban.Itwasearlyinthe
mor ning.Sowecheckedi nt
ot hishot
el.Zi
a, Mat
andIwer eshari
ngtheroom.It ookmyphoneand
tr
iedt ocallGl
adis.Herphoner angunanswer ed.I
willt
ryheragainduringtheday.Kaylawal kedin.
Kayl
a:we'
regoi
ngt
othebeach.Thatl
aterwecan
havedi
nner.
Mat
:Okay.
(Shewal
kedout
.)
Me:Yousee.
..
thi
str
ipi
sveryusel
ess.Weshoul
d
havej
ustst
ayedathomeandhaddinnert
her
e.
Zi
a:Let
'sgo.
..
bef
oreshecomesback.
(Wewentdownst
air
s.Iwasj
ustwear
ingmydeni
m
pant
sandwhit
etshir
t.)
Kayl
a:Di
dyoubr
ingswi
mwear
?
Me:No.
..
Kayl
a:Okay..
.youwi
llbuyone.
(Idon'tknow.Iwasn'tenj
oyi
ngal li
fthis.Wedi dgo
tothebeach, museum andallthoseplaces.
EveryonelookedhappybutIjustdidn'
tf eell
ike
bei
nghappy.)
Sommer
'sPOV(Ondr
eaz'
swi
fe)

Wewokeupandpr epar edt ogototheOegr ate.

Wel lOndr eazoncesai dthathewant shisbodyt o
becr emat edwhenhedi es.Wewi l
ldot hesame
withTayl ersincehehasnoone.Thei rbodieswer e
took.Ical l
edt heclearedcompanyt ocleanallthe
blood.Wewer enowonourwayt ot heOegr ate.We
fi
nal l
yar rivedanddi dal lthenecessi ti
es.Af t
ert hat
wehaddi nner .Icouldn' tr
eallyeat.Ijustdranka
glassofwi neandwal kedt oOndreaz'shouse.I
don'tr eallygetthis.AndIwi l
lnever.Nick,Ondr eaz
andAust inhavet heirhousesi nhere.Wher east he
Alphal i
vewi thhiswi feint hemansi on.Imeant here
arepl entyofr oomsi nther e.AnywayIgoti nandI
satont hecouch.Aust inwal kedin.Hehadapl at e
fulloff ood.

Aust
in:Ibr
oughtyout
his.
Me:youshoul
dn'
thave.
..
I'
mfi
ne.I
'
m nothungr
y.
(Hesatnextt
ome.)
Aust
in:Youneedt
oeat.I
fyoudon'
tyouwi
llgetsi
ck.
Wedon'twanttol
oseyoutoo.
Me:Atthi
spointIdon'
thavether
easontol
ive.I
f
eell
ikether
e'snot
hinglef
tformeint
hisworl
d.
(Wel lOndr
eazandIdidn'
thaveanybaby.Af ter
tr
yingalott
ogetpregnantandfail
ing.Wedeci ded
toseeadoct or
.AndIdiscoveredthatIcan'
thave
babies.Iwasveryheart
broken.Ifeltl
ikeI
'm
uselesstohim.Butt
hanhesuppor tedme.)
Austi
n:Don'
tspeakli
kethat.Youknowwhenmy
wif
edied.Ial
sofeltl
ikethat
.
Me:Howdi
dyoumanaget
hepai
nofl
osi
ngher
.
Austi
n:Itwasdi
ff
icul
t.Butt
hanLal
i(Hecl
ear
edhi
s
t
hroat.)
Aust
in:Eatbef
oreyourf
oodget
scol
d.
(Ist
art
edeat
ing.
)

Lal
i'
sPOV
Iwishwecoul dgobackhomenow.Wewer e
havingdinner.Ther
ewasal soabi gcakeont he
tabl
e.Wef ini
shedeati
ngthant heystar
tedsingi
ng"
Happybirthdaytoyou".Wel lt
heydidtheirsmall
speeches.Iwasn'treal
lyi
nterested.

Kayl
a:Yourgi
ft
sar
eathome.
(Ij
ustsmi
led)
Me:Whenar
ewef
lyi
ngback?
Dad:Tomor
rowmor
ning.
Me:Okay.
..

(Everyonewasenj oyi
ngthemsel ves.Iwent
upstai
rs.ItookmyphoneIt ri
edcal l
ingGladis
againthisti
mei tt
ookmest rai
ghtt ovoicemail.I
hopeshe' sf
ine.Theroom becamecol d.Il
ookedat
thewindowst heywereopened.Icl osedt hem.It
fel
tabitbetter.Iwenttobed.IlookedatAust in'
s
number .ShouldIcal
lhim?..
.itookadeepbr eath
thancalledhim.Atfi
rsthedidn'tanswer .)
Me:Hel
lo.
(Hekeptqui
etf
orsomet
ime.)
Me:Aust
in.
Aust
in:Lal
imi
.
Me:Howar
eyou?
Aust
in:Whatdoyouwant
?
(If
eltmyhear
tbr
eakat
housandt
imes.)
Me:Not
hing.

(Idroppedit.Amessagefrom Khul
ecamet hr
ough.
ItwassolongIjustr
eadthelastpar
tthatsai
d"
Happybirt
hday".Hecall
ed.)

Khul
e:Happybirt
hdaytoyou(Hewassi
ngi
ng.I
wasn'
treal
lyhavi
ngit
.)
Me:Thanks.
Khul
e:Iwashopi
ngt
hatwecoul
dgoout.
..
to
cel
ebr
ateyourbi
rt
hday.
Me:I
'
minDur
ban.
Khul
e:Whenyoucomeback
Me:Okay.
..
bye.
(Ihungedupanddeci
dedt
osl
eep.)

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment
[
06/
23,
08:
24]Lynne: i
nser
t60

Lal
i'
sPOV

Todayi t
'stheweddingday.Wedi dn'tsl
eepawink
asKayl amom wasn' tf
eeli
ngwel l
.Whenwecame
backf r
om Dur banIcal
ledGladisandwedi dtal
k.
Shet ol
dmeshewasf i
neandever yoneelsewas.
Unfortunatel
yourconversati
onwascutbyt he
network.Butaf tert
heweddingisoverIwi l
lgoand
vi
siteveryoneatt heDrugi
omi n.Iwasdoneget t
ing
dressed.Andmymakeupwasdone.Iwentt ot
he
room Kayl
amom wasget ti
ngreadyi
n.Iknocked
andwentinside.Shelookedsobeauti
ful
.Thelady
whowasdoi nghermakeupwasal mostdone.So
sheaskedhert oleaveusforafewminutes.Iwent
toherandhuggedherf rom behi
nd.

Me:Youl
ook.
..
breat
htaki
ngmydear
.
Kayl
a:Thanks
Me:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?
Kayl
a:I
'
mfeel
ingbet
ter
.
(Shest
oodup.
)
Kayl
a:YouknowLalidear.
..
ever
yti
mewhen
somethingbadi
sabouttohappenIfeelli
ket
his.I
j
ustfeelsi
ckbutdon'
tknownorunderstandt
he
si
cknessIhave.
(Il
ookedconf
used)
Kayl
a:YeahIknow. .
.i
t'
sconfusi
ngr i
ght.
..
Ijustf
eel
weakandr estless.YouknowwhenIwasget ti
ng
marr
ied..
.Ifeltwor sethanli
kethis.Thenightbefor
e
Iwasvomi ti
ngbl oodandhadar unningstomach.
Me:Iwi
llmakesur
eever
ythi
nggoeswel
l
.
(Shesatdown)
Kayl
a:Lalipleasepr
omiseme..
.promiset
hatyou
won'tt
ellanyoneandyouwil
ldiewit
hwhatI'
m
abouttotel
lyou.
Me:Ipr
omi
se.
..
Kayla:Wel
ltheper
sonIwasmar
ri
edt
owasan
Arnest.
Me:Andwhati
sthat
..
.
Kayl
a:Iknowi
t'
sgoi
ngt
osoundwei
rdbutpl
ease
don'
tfr
eakout
.
Me:Okay?
Kayl
a:HeisanArnest.Hefeedsonhuman.Hei
sa
combinat
ionofdi
ff
erentcr
eatures.
Me:D.
.Di
ff
erentcr
eat
ures?Howi
sthatpossi
ble?
Kayl
a:Wellhetol
dmet hat.
..
year
sbackwhenhi m
andhisbrot
herwerest
illcl
ose.Theygotinvolved
wit
hdangerouspeopl
e.Thosepeoplewipedt he
wholefamil
yup.Theyl
osteveryoneint
heirfami l
y.
Andt hestrangestthingistheydiedinaver y
strangeway.Thei rskinwouldjustbecomedr yand
blackli
quidwoul dcomeoutoft heirmouth.Than
theywilldi
e.Itwashi m andhisbrotherleft
.Theonly
optiontheyhadwast obecomeAr nestssot heycan
defeatthosepeopl e.Theywer emadeAr nests.
Me:How?
Kayla:Idon'
tknowhowexact
ly.
..
butallIknowis.i
t
tookthem amonthonhowtocontroltheArnest
power s.Andanot
hermont
honhowt ousethem.
Me:Yousai
ddar
kli
qui
dwoul
dcomeoutoft
hei
r
mout
h?
Kayl
a:Yeaht
hat
'swhathet
oldme.
(ButNi ckdiedal mostt hesameway.Coul ditbe
thatthosepeoplear eresponsi
bleforNick'
sdeath.I
needt ofi
ndout .Anywayt hatmakeupladycame
back.Shedi dtouchupsonKayl a'sface.Af t
ershe
wasdonewemadeourwayt othevenuewher et
he
weddi ngwasgoi ngt ot akepl
ace.Mymi ndwasn' t
here.Iwasst i
llthinkingaboutwhatKayl amom told
me.Wear r
ivedasong"Her ecomest hebride"
Start
edplayi
ng.Iwasholdingthetailofherdr
ess.
Aswewer ewalki
ngtothefrontpeoplewere
standi
ngup.Theywer ealsothrowi
ngf l
owerpetals
atus.Dadmetherhal fway.Het ookherhandand
theybothwenttostandinthefront.Imademyway
tothefr
ont.Isatnextt
oMr sKane.Shewashol di
ng
Troy(Dad'
ssonandKayl a)

Me:Youl
ookhappy.
Mr
sK:Real
ly?
Me:Yeah.
Mr
sk:Iam ver
yhappydear
.Whywoul
dn'
tIbe?
Me:No.
..
Iwasj
ustsayi
ng.
(Ever
yonewasher
e.Exceptf
orZi
a.)
Me:Wher
eisZi
a?
Mr
sK:Shest
ayedbehi
nd.
..
shewasn'
tfeel
ingWel
l.
Me:okay.
(Thematr
imonialstar
ted.Fewver
seswereread.I
t
wasnowtimeforthevows.Dadsaidt
hefoll
owing
whil
ehol
dingapur ediamondri
ngagai
nstKayla
mom'sfi
nger:

Dad:iknowwehaveknowneachnof orlong.ButI
canwr i
teabookaboutyou.You' reever yt
hinga
manwant s.You'resokind,caringandl oving.You
treatmychi l
drenliket
hey'r
eyourown.WhenIf ir
st
llaidmyeyesonyou.Myhear tbeatincreased.I
couldn'tevenherewhatyouwer esaying.Nei ther
wasIabl etoremovemyeyesf rom you.Ijustknew
itthatyouwer ethewomanf orme.

(Mr sKanekeptchecki
ngt
ime.I
t'
sli
keshe'
swai
ti
ng
forsomeonetoarri
ve)

Dad:Whenwef i
rstmet.Wewerebot hgoing
thr
oughalot.Yoursmileandvoicemademef or
get
aboutmypainandpr oblems.Af
tersometimeI
couldn'
tgett
hroughtoyou.Iwashear t
broken.I
wasal sounabl et ostopthi
nkingaboutyou.But
desti
nybr oughtusbackt ogether.Wefoundeach.
Weexpr essedourf eeli
ngsforeachother.That'
s
whenourl ovest orystart
ed.You'ret
hebestthing
thathaseverhappenedi nmyl i
fe.Wi
ththisri
ngI
promiset ol oveandt akecar
eofyou.Ipr omiseto
makesur eyoul iveyourli
fetotheful
lestandalso
suppor tyourdr eams.Makesur eyou'real
ways
happy.

(Hesli
dtheri
ngonherfi
nger.Andkissedher.
Thi
smancan'twai
they.Ever
yonelaughed.Itwas
Kayl
a'
sturnnow.)

Kayla:Idon'
tknowwher et
ostart
.(Shekeptqui
et
forsometime.It
'sl
ikeshewasinsomekindof
pain)When. .
.

Kayl
a'
sPOV
Idon'treall
yknowwhyIf eelli
ket his.Couldi
tbe
thatmyf ormerhusbandi sher e.AnywayI
continuedspeaking.JustwhenIwasaboutt oputa
ri
ngonhi sfi
nger.Thehal lbecamewi ndy.The
windowsandt hetwodoor sstartedmaki ngnoise.
Everyonewasconf used.Theweat heroutsi
de
changed.I tstar
tedrai
ningandt herewasst or
m.

"What
'shappeni
ng?
"
"Wehaveneverseensomet
hingl
iket
hisbef
ore"
"
Letl
eave"

(Peoplest
art
edtal
kingt
othemsel
ves.Somewere
l
eaving.Iwashavi
ngsharppai
nsinmystomach.
Lal
icametome.)

Lal
i:Ar
eyouokay?
(Inoddedno.Shebroughtmewater.Idr
ankit
.
Everyonehadl
eft
.Kanewasbehavingstr
ange.He
wasmaki ngwei
rdsounds.Lal
iwenttohim)
Lal
i:Dad.
..
dadar
eyouokay?
(Hedi dn'
tsayanything.Hewassl owlymovi ng
towardsthedoor.Weal lf
oll
owedhi m.Whenwegot
outamanwasf acingt hesi de.Hewasst andingin
themiddleoftherainandst orm.Justbylookingat
hisback.Icoul
dseet hatit
'shim.MrEl some.My
exhusband.Ipassedoutt heverysamemoment .)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Idon'
tr eallyknowwhati sgoingon.Ir ant oKayla
whohasj ustpassedout .ZaynandTonyt ookher
i
nside.Ist oodal i
tt
lefarfrom dad.Thecl oudswer e
verydar k.Theper sonwhowasst andingt here
tur
ned.Whenhi seyesmetwi thmyf ather's.
Somet hingver ystr
angehappened .Isawt wo
smokel ikedar kfi
guresfighti
ng.Thest orm was
ext
remel ybad.Thi ngswer egetti
ngwor se.Idi
dn't
understandwhatwasgoi ngon.Ididn'tevenknow
howmyf atherchangedintothat.Couldi tbewhat
mymot hertol
dmeIwasgoi ngtof i
ndoutabout
dad? .
..whatishe?.Thingsweregettingver
ybad.I
transformedandr oar
edveryloudf r
om deepinsi
de
myst omach.Theskybecamecl ear.Isawdadand
thismanst ari
ngi
ntoeachother.Itr
ansformedto
mysel f.

Dad:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
(Hisvoi
cesoundeddi
ff
erent
.Itwasl
ikeagr
oupof
peopl
esaidt
hat.
)
Dad:WhatdoyouwantSt
ein?
...
"Ididn'
tki
llyou.
..
becauseyou'
remybr
other
.Icame
totakewhat'smine"
.
(Br
other
?)
Dad:What
'syour
s?
"Kayla.
..
she'
smywi
fe.Il
oveherandIwi
llf
orever
wil
l.)
(Sothat'
sKayla'
sexhusbandshewast el
li
ngme
aboutandhe'smyfat
her'
sbr ot
her.Meaningdadi
s
al
soanAr nest.Whydi
dn'tIseethat.
..Nowiknow
whyhedi dn'tfr
eakoutwhenItoldthatI'
m abeast
.
Butifso..
.ifhe'sal
soacreat
ure.Whydi dhekil
l
mom.Ther eissomethi
nghe'
shidingfrom me.They
weresti
lltalki
ng.)
Dad:Youdraggedmeintoyourshit
..
.becauseof
yourdumbnesswelostoutfamil
ymember s.
BecauseofyouI'
mli
kethis.I'
mthisthi
ng.
"Youhadachoi
ce.
Dad:Choi
ce?
...
Don'
tfuckupwi
thme.

MrKane'
sPOV

Thisisthewor stdayofmyl if
e.Ineverthoughtnot
eveninmywi l
destthoughthaveIevert houghtI
wouldeverseeSt ein.Imadeanoat ht hatwhenI
seehim.Iwi l
lkil
lhim.ButIcan't.He'smybr other
aft
erall.Theonlypersonf r
om myf ami l
ythati
sstil
l
ali
ve.ButIwillneverforgi
vehimf orhis
carel
essness.Ihatehi m.He'sthereasonIbecame
anAr nest.HegotinvolvedwiththeLushiens.Those
peoplear
everyheartl
ess.Thesaddestpar
tist
hat
theydon'
teventouchyoutokil
lyou.Theyusethei
r
powerswhereevertheyare.Wehadt odef
eatt
hem
orelsewewerealsogoingtodie.

Me:IthoughtImadei
tcl
eart
hatIneverwantt
o
seeyou..
.

Tobecont
inued..
.

Pl
easel
ikeandcomment

-
-SorrymylovesIwil
lcont
inuewr i
ti
ngt
omorr
ow.
Thereisnoelect
ri
cit
ywher eIam andmyphone
batt
eryisl
ow.Iwillpostt
omor r
owagain.

Ver
ysor
ry.
[
06/
23,
08:
24]Lynne: I
nser
t61
Nar
rat
ed

Everyonewasnowi nsidet
hehal
l.Kayl
awasstill
unconscious.MatwenthomeasZiacall
edher.She
sai
dshewasn' tfeel
ingwel
landwasalsounableto
walk.

St
ein:Li
stenhere.Im her
etotakemywi f
ewithme.
Darkorbl
ueI'm goi
ngbackwi t
hher.(Hesai
dthat
wit
hhisvoicefi
rm andInti
midat
ing)
MrK:Kayladoesn'
tloveyou.Shenolongerl
oves
you.She'smineandnoonecansepar at
eus.You
fai
ledtotakecar
eofher.Youcheatedonher.You
don'tdeser
veher.
(St
einchuckl
ed)
Stei
n:Sayssomeonewhowascheat
ingonherwi
fe.
Idon'
thavethewhol
eday.
(Hestart
edwalkingt
owar
dswhereKayl
awas
l
aying.Befor
ehecouldr
eachhi
m Tonytr
iedto
at
tackhim.Stei
nwastoopower
fulf
orTony.He
senthi
m acrossther
oom.Tonyhitt
hebackofhi
s
headonthef l
oor
.Hisheadst
art
edbleedi
ngt
hanhe
passedout.MrsKanerantohi
m)
Mrk:(Shouti
ng)Donotstar
tsomet
hingt
hatyou
won'
tend.I'
m warni
ngyou.
St
ein:
List
enher
e..
dearbr
other
.
Mr
k:I'
m notyourbr
other.Ibur
iedyoual
ongwi
th
myfamil
y.
Stein:Bl
abl awhatever
..
.Kayl
aismineandshewil
l
foreverwil
l.Iknowyou'r
eweak.Youhavealways
beent heweakestinthefamil
y.Soyourthr
eat
sare
j
usthar mless.
MrsKane:Thi
swasnott
hepl
an.Looknowyou
havehur
tmyson.
(Ever
yonel
ookedather
.)
Mr
sk:W.
..
wel
l.
..
what
..
whatImeanti
s..
.
(Befor
eshecouldutt
ermorewordsMrKanebl ewa
dar
ksmoket oher.Wheni
treachedher.Shest
art
ed
suf
focati
ngandwasbarel
yspeaking.)
Mr
sKane:H.
..
honey.
..
I'
m sor
ry.I
(Iwasli
ght
soutf
orher.ItwasnowLal
i,Herf
ather
andStei
nst
il
lwal
king.)
Stei
n:Impr
essi
ve.
..
Iseeyoucanst
il
luseyour
powers.
MrKane:Getl
ostbef
oreIki
ll
..
.
(St
einl
aughed)
Stei
n:K.
..
kil
lme.Iknowyou'
renotcapabl
eofdoi
ng
that
.
Mr
K:Iseeyoudon'
tknowme.
(St
eini
naveryhighspeedwentt
oKayl
a.He
car
ri
edherbr
idalst
yle.)
MrK:PUTHERDOWN!
(Hesai dt
hatrunningtowardshim.Stei
nputKayla
downandmethi m hal
fway.Theyturnedi
ntothe
darksmokesagain.Theweat herchanged.It
star
tedrai
ningsohar dther
ewasal soastorm.Aft
er
awhi l
eMrkwasl ayingonthefloorwit
hblood
comingoutofhismout handnose.)
Lal
i:Dad.
..
knowthatI
'
m notdoi
ngt
hisf
oryou.I
'
m
doi
ngitforKayl
amom.
(Shet hant ransf ormedandwentst r
aightt oSt ein.
Whenshewast ryingt oat tackhi m.She
tr
ansf ormedandst artedcoughi ngast hesmoke
wassuf focat ingher .Asshewasst i
lltr
yingt ocat ch
herbr eat hSt einst artedbl owi ngsmokeonher .She
fl
ewacr osst her oom.Lucki lyenoughshedi dn't
hurther sel f
.Shest oodupandt ri
edt ogat herher
power s.St einsawt hatandt ri
edt oat t
ackagai n.
Thist i
mehewashi msel f.Al argedar ksmokecame
outofhi smout h.Itmadeacycl e.Itwasmovi ngt o
Lali
'sdi rection.WhenI twashal fwayher .MrKane
stoodupandr anandst oodi nf r
ontofLal i.The
smokehi thim.Hef ellonhi skneesandsl owl ylost
balancehef ellwi thhi sst omach.Lal ididn'thesitate.
SheusedherAdi lapower s.Inlesst hanami nute.
Steinwasst rangl edi ntodeat h.Lalikeptmovi ngher
handsasSt ei nwasbei ngst rangl ed.Hef i
nallylost
hisbr eatheanddi ed.Lal isatdownandcaughther
breath.Tonywokeup.Hewentt ohismom st i
ll
holdinghi sheadasi twasbl eeding.Shewasn' t
breathing.)
Tony:Lal
i.
Lal
i:Let
'st
aket
hem t
othehospi
tal
.
(TheytookMrandMr sKane'
sbodyintot
hecar
anddrovetothehospi
tal
.Whentheygott
her
e.Mr
Kanewast ooktot
heexamineroom.)

>>Meanwhi
leNomhlewascurl
edupinacorneri
n
herbedr
oom.Shewasshaki
ng.Shetookherphone
andcall
edt
hepersonwhowassell
ingcoket
oher.
Nomhl
e:Er
mm.
..
Hey.
"You'
renowlef
twit
h3dayst
opay.Ifyoudon'
tpay
Iwil
lbefor
cedtot
akemaj
orst
eps.
(Nomhl
eswal
lowedhar
d.)
Nomhl
e:Y.
..
youwi
llgetyourmoney.
"When?
"
Nomhle:Ermm..
.Ihavetakenal
oan.Theyar
est
il
l
pr
ocessingit
.Iwil
lpayyouwhenIgetit
.
"Iwi
llbewai
ti
ng"
Nomhl
e:Erm..
.c.
.ca.
.canyoupl
easegi
vemesome.
Youwi
lladdontheamountIoweyou.
(Thepersonshewast al
kingtohungedup.Shehad
averybadheadache.Shekeptmovingaround.Not
knowingwhattodo.Thebusinesseshavebeen
doingverybad.Shehasalsol
osttoomany
employeesastheyhaven'
tbeenrecei
vingany
sal
ary.Shedial
edLali
'snumber.I
trang
unanswered.Unti
lshegaveup.)

Lal
i'
sPOV

Wear r
ivedattheHospit
al.Tonyparkedthecarand
wenttocallt
henur sest
ocomewi ththestr
etchers.
Theycameandt ookDadandMr sKane'sbodies.
Wef ol
lowedthem .Tonywenttotherecept
iontodo
thenecessi
ti
es

Nur
se:pl
easesi
ther
e.Whi
let
hedoct
orcheckt
hem
up.
(Isatdown.Tonycameback.
)
Me:Yourhead.
..
itshoul
dgetbandaged.
Tony:I'
mfine.
..
I'
mjustwor
ri
edaboutmom.What
happened?
Me:Iwil
ltel
lyouaf
teryouhavet
reat
edyour
bl
eedi
nghead.
(Tonystoodupandwentt
oanurse.Thenur
setook
hi
mi nsomeward.Af
terawhi
lehecameback.)
Me:I
sitpai
nful
?
Tony:Al
it
tl
e..
.Ihaveal
readydr
ankt
hepi
ll
sfor
pai
ns.
Me:Okay.
..
(Itol
dhi
m ever
ythi
ng.Idecidetocal
lMat.Iwantt
o
knowhowZiaisdoing.I
trangunanswer
ed.)
Me:She'
snotanswer
ing.
Tony:Tr
yheragai
n.
(Thi
sti
mesheanswer
ed.)
Mat:Wherear
eyouguys?
...I
'
m att
hevenuewhere
theweddi
ngwastaki
ngpl
ace.Butt
her
e'snoone
here.
Me:We'
rei
nthehospi
tal
.
(Shekeptqui
etf
orsomet
ime.)
Me:Hel
lo.
..
areyouokay?
Mat:Iwi
llcal
lyouback.Abl
ackcarj
ustdr
ovei
n.
Me:Abl
ackcar
..
.
(It
houghtoft
heoneIsawonNi
ck'
sfuner
al.)
Me:Mat
..
.It
hinkyoushoul
dleave.
Mat:Wai
t.
..
letmegot
othem.
..
Me:MATLEAVE.
..
NOW!
..
.
Mat:I
'
m onmywayt
oit.Wai
tami
nut
e.
Me:MATI
LDA.PLEASELI
STENTOME.DON'
TGO
TOTHEM.
Mat:Doyouknowt
hem.
..
Me:Idon'
t.
..
butt
heycoul
dbet
heoppr
essor
s.
Mat:Hol
don.
..Iwi
llcal
lyounow.
Me:MAT!
(Shehangedup)
Me:Sheneverl
ist
ens.She'
stoost
ubbor
n.TonyI
wi
llbebackr
ightnow.
(AsIst
oodupt
hedoct
orcameout
.Wewentt
ohi
m
)
Doc:Er
mm...
MrKaneisoutofdanger.Buthi
s
bodyi
snotr
espondi
ng.Hi
swholebodyhasstroke.
Me:What
?
Tony:Andmom?
...Mr
sKane.
(Thedoct orl
ookeddown.Idi daveryshortpr
ayer.
Iknowshehat esmeandall.Ialsoknowthatshe
wasr esponsiblef
orwhathappened.ButIdon't
wantanyt hi
ngt ohappent
oher .Thedoctorcl
eared
histhroat
.)
Doc:unfort
unatel
y..
.whenshecameher e.Shewas
al
readydead.Butwe'reunabletofi
ndnorseet he
causeofdeath.Butwe'r
estil
ldoingtest
s.I'
m ver
y
sorr
y.
(Il
ookedatTony.Hisf
acialexpressi
onshowed
pai
n.Tear
sweref or
ming.Ibr oughthi
m closeto
meandhuggedhi m.Heletitallout
.It
'sr
eally
pai
nful
.Tonyisnotapersonwhoshowshi s
emot
ions.Het
hanl
etgo.
)
Me:AndK.
.Kayl
a..
.
Doc:She'
sfi
ne.I
tseemsshehadaheartat
tack.
Andherpul
seisver
yweak.CanIgonow?
(Inodded.AsIwasaboutt ositdown.Amancame
outanot herward.Hewaswear ingallblackand
hadabl ackmaskon.Hewasal socarryinga
briefcase.Idon'
tknowbutIfeltmyf angscomi ng
out .Ashewaswal kinghelef
tdr opsofbl oodont he
fl
oor .Thebloodwascomi ngoutofhi sbr i
efcase.I
stoodup. )
Me:T.
..
Tonycanyouseet
hat
?
Tony:What
?
(Ipoi
ntedont
hef
loorandt
heguy.
)
Me:B.
..
Blood.
Tony:Bl
ood?
...
whatbl
ood?
Me:Ther
eTony.
..
ther
e'sbl
ood.
Tony:(Cal
mlysai
d)Lal
ipl
ease.
..
it
'snotf
unny.I
'
m
noti
nthemood.
(Het hanst
oodupandwentout.Am Iseeingt
hings
again.Butt
her
e'sbl
oodther
e.Iwenttotheward
thatmencameoutfrom.Iopenedthedoorand
wentin.AndZi
awasl ayi
ngonthebed.)
Me:ZI
A!
(Iwenttoher
.Ihel
dherhandtr
yingtocheckher
pul
se.Shemovedandopenedhereyes.)
Me:Z.
..
Ziaar
eyouokay?
Zi
a:L.
..
Lal
iw.
.weal
lgoi
ngt
od.
..
(Bl
oodcameoutofhereyeasat
ear
.)
Zi
a:Di
e.
(Shesai
dthatandadar
kli
qui
dst
art
edcomi
ngout
ofhermout
h.)
Me:NO..
.NONOTYOUAGAIN.!ZI
APLEASEDON'
T
CLOSEYOUREYES.PLEASEDON'TLEAVE.
(Isaidt
hattryingtowipehermout h.Butshe
i
ndeedclosedhereyes.Asobescapedmymout h.
Suddenl
yther oom st
artedbecomingwindy.Andi t
bl
ewasheett hatwascover i
ngZia'
sbody.Andher
st
omachwasopened.Shehadnot hi
nginside.No
i
nt estines.Not hing.Iheldmymout h.Andscr eamed
myl ungsout .AsIwassi tti
ngdown.Ther ewasa
glassofwat erneart hewi ndow.I tstartedshaking
i
tf ellont hefloorandbr oke.Iwentt ot hewindow.
Andt hesameguywasst andi ngoutside.Hewas
l
ooki ngst rai
ghtatme.Hesmi rkedthangoti nside
hisbl ackcaranddr oveof f.Ididn'
thesi t
ate.Iwent
tot heexitdoor .Iwentt oourcar .Luckilythekey
wasonmypocket .Ist art
edt hecaranddr oveaf t
er
thecar.Iwasf oll
owi ngit)
Me:I
'
m comi
ngf
oryou.
..
youmot
her
fucker
.
(Wewer eont hehi
ghway.Iwasf ol
lowi
ngit.My
mindwasf i
ll
edwi t
hal
lthecl
osestpeopletomeI
havel
ost.ItookmyphoneandtriedtocallAust
in.I
wasintears.Heanswered.

Hi
m :I
'
minameet
ing.Whatdoyouwant
?
Me:A.
.Aust
..
.
Hi
m :Iwi
llgetbackt
oyou.
(Hehungedup.It
ri
edtocal
lhi
m again.His
numberwasnowtakingmestr
aightt
ovoicemai
l
.)
Me:Heswi
tchedi
tof
f.

(Ifoll
owedthi
scar.Idon'tknowbutaf l
ashof
thoughtcameint
omymi nd.IthoughtofGl
adis.I
don'tknowbutIfel
tanurgeofseeingher.It
'sli
ke
myhear twasmissi
ngher .)
Me:Iwi
llcal
lherl
ater
.

(Thecarsl owingdown.Idr ovenextt oi taswe

weren'tont hebusyr oadnow.Ilower edmywi ndow.
Icouldn'tseeinsideofitasthewindowswer e
dimmed.Ist ar
tedhoot i
ng.Thewi ndowwassl owl
y
goingdown.Hewasconcent rat
ingonhi sdri
ving.I
kepthoot i
ng.Het urned.Oureyesmet .Idon'
tknow
whathappenedt ome.I t'
sli
kemywhol ebody
couldn'tmove.Thecarwasal soloosingcont rol.I
l
ookedathi m againunabletodoanyt hing.He
smirkedanddr oveoff.Ashewasdr i
vingof f
everythingwentbackt onormal.Ifoll
owedhi m.I
won'tgiveupeasi ly.Ineedt of i
ndjusticef orNick
andot hers.Hecan' tkil
lmyl ovedonesandget
awaywi t
hi t
.Never.Ispeedupandf ol
lowedi t
.It
wasdr ivi
ngver yfast.Het hanpar kedfr om far.I
l
ookedout si
det hewi ndow.I twasanopenspace.
Therewasal sograss.Ipar kedthecarandwentout .
IfIknewIwoul dn'
thave.Iwoul dhavedr ovebackt o
thehospi t
al.Iwoul dn'thavef ol
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