MYFATHER'

SSI
N:MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
I
NTRODUCTI
ON

I
tissai
dthatt
her
e'sav
eryt
hinl
i
nebet
ween
l
oveandhate
Ahumanhearthar
dlydi
ff
erent
iat
ebet weenthe
t
woespeci
all
ywhenonehasconv incedhersel
f
t
hatshei
sloved
Weallal
way
sseekl
oveev
eni
nthewr
ong
pl
aces
Andwealway
sfeel
theneedt
ojust
if
yforour
mist
akes

Itookoutmybagandj ustt
hrowmyclot
hesi
n
there,
tearsmadeitdi
ff
icul
tformet
oseewhati
wasact ual
lydoi
ng
Li
keamadpersoni
fur
iousl
ywi
pedt
hem away
wi
tht
hebackofmyhand
Butt
heykeptgushi
ngl
i
keaheav
yrai
n

Isatdownandbr
okei
ntoahowl
Whydi
dthi
ngshav
etobesodi
ff
icul
t,
Whydidmyparentshav
etobesopoorasto
notbeabl
etoaff
ordmyschool
andresi
dence
fees
Nowi wasbei
ngev i
cted,andihadl
ostmy
schol
arshi
pbecausei hadfai
l
edever
ymodul
ei
wasdoingthi
syear

"
Heylady,youneedtoleave,st
opwast
ingmy
t
ime"thesecuri
tyknockedroughl
yatt
hedoor

Igat
heredmystr
engthandpackedt
he
remai
ningofmystuf
f
Wheni wasdoneistooduptookmybags,
unl
ockedthedooranddraggedmybagsout
Whenisteppedout,
thesecur
it
yjustcl
i
ckedhi
s
t
ongueinannoyanceandheshookhishead
Ij
usti
gnor
edhi
m
Ist
oodoutt hegateandlookedattheschool
andcampusbui l
dingsonemor eti
mebecauseit
wasthelastti
mei wasev ergonnasetmyeyes
onthem

Whenifel
tful
fi
ll
edi
dr aggedmyheav
ybagst
o
t
hetaxi
rankandboardedat axi
home
Iknewmymom wasgonnabecr ushedseei
ng
me, butihadnochoiceihadl
ostthe
scholarshipandmyparent
swouldn'
taff
ordthe
coll
egef eeseveni
ftheywant
edtoo

MynameisISABELLAFERNANDObutmy
f
ri
endscal
lmeella
Andam notwhi
te,
iknowmynameand
sur
namesoundswhitebuti
am mi
xedr
acei
n
act
ual
fact
Mymom i sablackxhosawomanf r
om
Transkei
andmyf at
heriswhit
e,ijustdon'
t
knowwher ehecomesf r
om becausehenev er
tal
ksabouthisfami
ly

Iam fr
om anotsor i
chsmalltowncal
led
MILLENAwhi chi
ssituat
edintheEast
ernpart
ofSouthAfr
icawhichisoccupiedbymostl
y
col
ouredpeople
Welli
tssosmal
linsuchawayt
hatev
ery
body
knowsoneanot
her
Andthenei
ghbor
sar
eal
way
sonot
herpeopl
e'
s
busi
ness

Mystoryst
artsri
ghtaf
terigotevi
ctedfrom
school
andi hadnochoicebuttoretur
nback
home
Si
tback,
rel
axandl
etmet
ell
youhowmyf
ather
mar
ri
edmeof
ftoadeadman
Ipai
dwi
thmydearl
i
fef
orhi
ssi
ns
*
*

#TYSON

Iwokeupt henextmor
ningwi
thaheav
y
headache
Damni
real
l
yneededt
ost
opdr
inki
ngt
hismuch

Isear
chedf
ormyphoneandf
oundi
tundert
he
bed
I
twasal
ready12:
30pm,
soi
sleptt
hrought
he
whol
emorning

Ist
umbl
edt
hrought
heheapofcl
othesunt
ili
f
inal
l
yreachedJuni
or'
sbed
Hewassti
l
ldeepi
nhi
ssl
eepandwassnor
ing
l
ikeshi
t
Itr
iedshaki
nghi
m count
lesst
imesbutt
he
dudedidn'
tmove,
inf
acthesnoredev
enlouder

Ij
ustl
ethi
m beandexi
tedt
her
oom
Icamebackwithabucketofi
cecol
dwat
erand
pouredi
ttohi
sface
Hejumpedoutgaspi
ngf
orai
randscr
eami
ng
l
ikeali
tt
lebi
tch

"Forgi
vemepleasebr
o,i
didn'
tmeant
ogety
ou
ki
ll
ed"heyel
l
ed

Me:
whoawhat
,dudeam notdead,
am al
i
ve
Hewi
pedhi
sfacewi
that
owel

"Whydi
dyoudothat
,dammi
tit
houghti
twas
hi
m"hemumbled

Me:
him who,
whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout

Hi
m:nooneact
ual
l
y,whydi
dyouwakemeup

Me:
dudei
tspastmi
dday

Hi
m:manr
eal
l
y

Me:
yepi
tspast12:
30

Hi
m:shi
t
Hequi
ckl
yrant
othebat
hroom
Wel
lhewasl
atef
orhi
sexam
Sincei
wasn'twri
ti
ngtodayi
decidedthatam
gonnacleant
heapart
mentbecauseitlooked
l
ikeapighouse

Mynamei sTysonSi
emens,
iam mi
xedr
ace
f
rom capeVino
Iam nowanonl
ychi
l
dofThandekaandJohn
Siemens
Iuset
ohaveabr
otherbuthewasmurder
ed
whenhewas15andhisdeathwasoneoft
hose
col
dcaseswhor
emainedunsolv
ed
Walkwi
thmeasi di
scov
ert
hegr
uesomet
rut
h
ofmybr
other
'sdeat
h

#MFS_
MTAG
Thi
sstoryi
smost
lyfi
cti
on,i
tssuspense,
i
ntr
igueandmost
lyhor
ror
Ever
ythi
nginher
eisficti
on,t
heplace,
the
peopl
e,imeanever
ythingisfi
cti
onwri
ttent
o
i
nspir
eandenter
tai
n
NB:
itsnotf
ort
hef
ainthear
ted

Aswemeetourmai
ngi
rlELLA
[
12/
26,17:
21]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWO

#TYSON

Comi
ngf
rom av
eryst
ri
cthomemymom woul
d
bedi
sappoi
ntedseei
ngmel
i
vingi
nsuchdi
tch
Aft
ercl
ear
ingt
hewhol
eapar
tmentIdeci
dedt
o
j
ustchi
l
l
Imadesur
ethatt
heapar
tmentwasspot
less
though
*
ILai
dfaceupi
nthecouchwit
hmyheadseton,
andsomehiphopdopeshi
twaspumpi
ng
Iwassi
ngingalongt
ojayz'
ssongwhenIf
elta
heav
ypresenceaboveme
It
sli
kesomeonewasstandi
ngov
ermyhead
andstar
ingdownatme
*
Itookoutmyheadphonesanddeci
dedt ol
ist
en
butIheardnot
hingsoIpl
acedtheheadsetback
on
St
il
lrapi
ngl
ikecr
azyandmi
micki
ngl
i
nesI
di
dn'
tunder
stand
Ifel
tthepr
esenceagai
nbutnowwi
thabr
eeze
ofcoldai
r
Ifel
tthenonexi
sti
nghai
rsont
hebackofmy
neckstandi
ngup
Isuddenl
ydev
elopedgoosebums
*
Althoughthi
sencount erhadbecomepartofmy
l
ifeitwassti
lldi
ff
iculttounderst
andwhatwas
actuall
yhappeni
ngt ome
Thi
sor
deal
hasbeenhappeni
ngal
otl
atel
y
*
Iwasstil
lscaredasshi
twhensomethi
ngor
someoner at
herpatt
edmyshoulder
,Ij
umped
uphurr
iedlywithmyphoneScat
teri
ngont
he
fl
oor
Il
ookedar
oundt
her
ewasnobodyi
nther
oom
butme
Somet
hingwaspecul
i
art
houghwi
tht
hef
ramed
phot
ohangi
ngont hewal
lofmybr
otherandi
whenwerest
il
lyoung
Thephot
owasf
aci
ngupsi
dedOwn
Someonemi
ghthav
echangedi
t
*
Imovedbackst
il
lconf
usedast
owhati
nthe
hel
lwasreal
l
yhappeni
ng
Iwasst
il
lmovi
ngbackwar
dswhenIst
umbl
ed
onsomeone
Iqui
ckl
yturnedonl
ytocat
chagl
i
mpseoft
he
ni
ghtmareofmylif
e
IswearIsawaviv
idi
mageofmybr
other
standi
ngbehi
nd
*
Helookedol
dert
hanwhenhedi
ed,
Icoul
dtel
li
t
washim byhi
ssmil
e
Mybr
otherhadar
aresi
gni
fi
cantsmi
l
e
Hehadobt
aint
hatsmi
l
efr
om mymot
her
Wel
lmostofhi
sfeat
ureswer
emymot
her
s
Whil
eIont
heot
hersi
del
ookedexact
lyl
i
kemy
f
ather
*
Mybrot
herwasacal
m soul
,hedi
dn'
thav
eany
beefwi
thany
one
HewasTheol
desty
ett
hesof
test
Ir
emember
edt
hel
astt
imeIev
ersawhi
m
Hewas15y
ear
sthenandIwasonl
y12
Hewasst
ranget
hatf
ait
hful
mondaymor
ning
Thememor ywasst
il
lsof
reshl
i
kei
tonl
y
happenedy
ester
day
I
twasacol
dmor
ningoft
he30t
hofj
une
I
tsl
i
keheknewsomet
hingwasgoi
ngt
ohappen
Hel
eftsoear
lyf
orschool
leav
ingmebehind
whi
chwasoddbecausemybrothernev
erleav
e
mebehind
AndIwasal
way
stheear
lyone
*
"
Tayam leav
ingyoubecausey
ouar
etaki
ng
f
orev
er"hecall
edouttome
Iwasst
il
lget
ti
ngdr
essedi
nmyr
oom
*
"Comeongr
aigsi
ncewhenhav
eyoust
art
ed
bei
ngt
heear
lyone
Youar erushi
ngt
oseeheragai
ndon'
tyou"I
responded
*
"Mxm am not
"hewasact
ual
l
ybl
ushi
ngl
i
kea
gi
rl
*
"Mmhsomeonei
sinl
ove,
grai
gandI
sabel
l
aon
anappl
etr
ee
Kissi
ngandt
ouchi
ngt
il
lthesuncomesdown"I
teased
*
Hejustcl
ickedhi
stongueandsmi
l
edbef
orehe
exi
tedthehouse
Icont
inuedget
ti
ngdr
essedst
il
ll
aughi
ngathi
m
I
fonl
yIhadknownthat,
thatwast
hel
astt
imeI
woul
dseemybrot
her
*
WhenIdidn'
tseehim dur
ingbr
eakti
meitdi
dn'
t
occurt
omet hatsomethi
ngcouldbewr
ong
wit
hhim
Unt
ilaf
terschoolwhenIgothomeonl
ytof
ind
mywholefami l
yther
e
Mostwer
esadmymom wascr
ying
Icoul
dn'
tbel
iev
eitwhent
heyt
oldmet
hatmy
brot
herwasdead
I
twassai
dthati
twasahi
tar
un
Someoner
anhim ov
eranddidn'
tbot
her
st
oppi
ngtoseewhetherhewasdeadoral
i
ve
*
"Am al
way
sher efory
ou"al
oudyetsof
t
bar
it
onedist
urbedmef r
om myt
houghts
*
Isnappedoutoft
hepastandr
etur
nedt
oreal
i
ty
Il
ookedar
oundagai
nbutnoonewasi
nthe
l
ounge
Iwasj
ustbymy
sel
f
*
"Imustbegoi
ngcr
azy
"It
houghtt
omy
sel
f
*
Ibli
nkedthet
earsaway,ev
ery
timeIrel
i
vemy
brot
her'
spassi
ngitbecomeshardnott
ocr
y
I
tspret
tyhar
dtoacceptwhensomeonei
str
uly
gone
I
thasbeenyear
ssincemybr
otherpassedon
butt
othi
sdayIsti
l
l mour
nhi
m
Mywhol
efami
l
yisst
il
lhov
eredbyt
hisdar
k
cl
oud
Maybeifwegotj
ust
icef
ormybr
other
'sdeat
h
t
hingswiLl
bebet
ter
*
Iwentt
othewal
landf
ixedt
hephot
o
Icouldn'
thel
pbutst
areatj
uni
orandhis
gir
lf
ri
end'sphot
owhichwasopposi
teourphot
o
I
tshar
dtobel
i
evet
hathef
inal
l
yendedupwi
th
t
heeEll
a
Thegi
rlmybr
otheroncel
ovedsomuch
*
El
lawasthegi
rlwhol
i
vedt
hreehousesaway
fr
om our
s
Shewastheonl
ydaught
eroft
hef
amous
Fer
nandofami
ly
Li
fewasgr
eati
nMi
l
lenaunt
ilmybr
other
's
deat
h
Ittooksomuchtol
lonusallthatt
hepl
ace
remindedusofnot
hingbutthepai
nwewere
subject
edtoosowedecidedtomov et
otheci
ty
that'
showwemov edtocapev i
no
*
I
twasnotsur
pri
singt
houghtoreali
sethatEl
l
a
di
dnotr
ecogni
semeatallthef
irstti
meshe
metmeonourhousepart
y
Shehadnoi
deawhoIwas
Icoul
dn'
tbl
amehert
hough,
wenev
err
eal
l
y
tal
kedwhengr
owi
ngup
Evenmybrothernevergotachancet
oact
ual
l
y
tal
ktoherev
ent houghhelovedher
*
El
lawasi
nti
midat
ing,
shepossessedsomuch
beaut
y
Anditwasscar
ytot
alkt
oagi
rlwi
thsuch
beaut
y
That
'swhymybr
otherwassoscar
edt
otal
kto
her
*
Il
ookedatt
hepi
ctur
eonemor
eti
me
Idi
dn'
tknowhoworwhyEl
l
awoul
dwannahur
t
her
sel
fastodat
ejuni
or
Imeanev
ery
bodyknewt
hatj
uni
orwasaschool
pl
ayer
Hesl
eptwi
thev
erygi
rlwhowast
hei
nthi
ngat
t
hatmoment

*
*

#ELLA

Fewmoment
slat
erIwal
kedout
sideonl
ytof
ind
mydadal
onewi
thhi
shandshov
eri
ngi
nhi
s
f
ace
Hel
ookedl
i
keat
rai
nwr
eck
*
Me:
daddywhat
'supwher
e'scal
vi
n
*
Heremai
nedqui
et,
Itwaspr
ett
ycl
eart
hathi
s
mindwasmil
esaway
*
"Duheart
htoyouMrfer
nando"Isai
dsnappi
ng
myfinger
sonhisf
ace
*
"Owhheysweet
hear
t,y
ouher
e"hest
utt
ered
Heseemedr
atherunset
tl
edandunwel
l
*
Me:
what
'
swr
ongandwher
eiscal
vi
n
*
Dad:
cal
vi
n,whoi
scal
vi
n
*
Me:uhm cal
vi
ntheguyIl
efty
ouwi
thf
ew
mi
nutesago
Duht
heguywhodr
oppedmeof
f
*
Dad:
owhy
oumeant
hatguy
,he'
sgone
Hedr
oveoutf
ewmi
nut
esagoact
ual
l
y
*
Me:how,Iwasi
ntheloungeandi
nev
erhear
d
hi
scarengi
neroart
hough
Whatr
eal
l
ygoi
ngondad
Whyar
eyousowor
kedup
*
Dad:
not
hingbel
l
zam f
ine,
ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne
*
Me:
whoi
shedad,
howdocal
vi
nknowus,
he
knewev
ery
thi
ngaboutme
AndIsawy
ouear
li
erwheny
ousawhi
m
I
twaspr
ett
ycl
eart
haty
ouknowhi
m
Whoi
she
*
Dad:
hei
sjustanobody
*
Me:
real
lydad,
youdon'
tgetwor
kedupl
i
ket
hat
f
oranobody
*
Dad:
bel
l
zenoughwi
tht
hequest
ionsal
ready
Hav
eyounowbecomeadet
ect
ive
Dr
opi
twi
l
lyou
Andy
oust
il
lhav
esomeexpl
aini
ngt
odo
Whyar ey
oubackhomeatt
hist
ime,
youar
e
supposetobei
nschool
*
Me:i
it
sal ongstor
ydad,
Ilostt
heschol
arshi
p
andIgotevict
ed
*
Dad:owhsohewast el
l
ingt
het
rut
h,what
happenedi
nschool
bella
*
Me:whowastel
li
ngwhattruth,butyouknow
whatcanwetal
kabouti
tlaterdad,r
ightnowI
needtoknowwher
emom andchr i
sare
*
Dad:
am sur
etheyar
eont
hei
rwayback
Theywentt
othemal
lthi
smor
ning
*
Me:
cool
then,
Imi
sst
hem somuch
*
Dad:youdoknowthatyourmom wil
ldi
eof
hear
tattacki
fsheseesyoubackhomeright
*
Me:shewi
ll
under
stand,
Iwill
lookf
oraj
oband
sav
eupthengobacktoschool
*
Dadj
ustst
aredatmesar
cast
ical
l
y
Hereall
ydidn'
tbel
i
evet
hatIwasgonnamakei
t
backtoschool
Andthef
actt
hathedi
dn'
tl
ashedoutatme
conf
ir
medmysuspici
on
Somet
hingdeeperwasbot
her
inghi
m
*
"Am goi
ngout
,tel
lyourmom Iwi
l
lbeback
l
ater
"hesai
d
*
Hewentt
othegarageanddr
oveoutwi
thhi
s
ol
dwornoutni
ssanrol
len
Iwenti
nsi
dethehouse,unpackedmybagst
hen
deci
dedtost
artonthepots
Ipr
epar
edl
ambchopsandpap
*
Iwaspeeli
ngthev eggi
eswhenIfeltan
unf
amil
iarpresenceintheki
tchen
Itur
nedonlyt
obefacedwi
thcal
vi
nandhi
s
heartmel
ti
ngsmi
le
*
Istumbledandshookwi
thfeardr
oppi
ngthe
gravypot,i
tscat
ter
edal
lar
oundtheki
tchen
fl
oor
*
"
Fuck"Isai
d
*
Iclosedmyeyesandopenedthem agai
nbut
therewasnooneintheki
tchen
Iwasal
oneandthedef
ini
tel
ywasnot
racesof
cal
vi
nanywher
e
Iwasr
eal
l
yloosi
ngmymi
nd
Iguesshi
shandsomenesshadsomuchef
fect
onme
*
It
ookt
hemopandst
art
edcl
eani
ngt
hef
loor
NowIhadt
oremaket
hegr
avyal
lov
eragai
n
*
Fewminut
eslatermymom andli
ttl
ebrot
her
camebackcari
ngshoppi
ngplast
icbag
Wel
ltheywer
eal
lfr
om Usav
eandshopr
it
e
most
ly
*
Wedidn'
tHavealotoraf
fordexpensi
vest
uff
butwehadenoughtocarr
yust hr
oughthe
wholemont
h
ThosecheapRi
tebrandpr
oductwer
eabl
eto
saveusfr
om st
arvati
onandhunger
Wewer
easheal
thyasev
eryr
ichdudeout
t
her
e
*
"Woowmom lookwhothegarbagetr
uck
deci
dedtot
hrowatourdoorstep"myli
tt
le
brot
herr
umbled
*
"
Who"mymom askedshewasst
il
li
n
t
hel
ounge
*
"Whoelseifnotmi
ssI
sabel
l
afer
nandoher
sel
f"
mybrosaid
*
Her
anupt
ome
*
"Heybi
tch"hesai
dhuggi
ngmet
ight
ly
*
Me:
heyasshol
e,Imi
ssy
oumyni
gga
*
Hi
m:mi
ssedy
oumor
emybi
i
atch
Soy
ouwer
eser
ious
(
Inodded)
Am sorr
ysis,
Ithoughty
ouwer
eki
ddi
ngov
er
thephone
*
Me:wel
lbel
i
evei
t,am done,
nomor
ecol
l
egef
or
me
Iwasev
ict
ed
*

"Owhmygod,
Isabel
l
a,y
oudi
dwhat
"mymom
sai
dbehi
ndme
*
Herhandscov er
edhermout
h.Byjusthowshe
call
edmywhol enameitwascl
earhow
disappoi
ntedshewas
It
ookadeepbr
eat
hebef
oreexpl
aini
ngt
he
messImade

*
*

#NARRATED

Juniorr
antothelect
urehal
lmi
ndy
ouhewas
thi
rt
ymi nut
eslat
e
*
Bef
orehecoul
dreacht
hehal
ldoorhest
opped
Hi
shear
tpoundi
ngoutofhi
schest
I
twashi
m,j
uni
or'
swor
ldcomecr
umbl
i
ngon
hi
m
*
Hecoul
dn'
tbr
eat
hpr
oper
ly.i
tsl
i
kehewas
suf
focat
ing
Het
ri
edst
ayi
ngcal
m andt
ryi
ngt
obr
eat
h

*
"Nohowareyouher
edudeyouar
esupposet
o
bedead"hesai
dpausi
ngi
nbet
weenwords
*
"Youwer
emybestf
ri
endj
uni
or,
whydi
dyoudo
i
t
It
rust
edy
ou,
whydi
dyoudot
hist
ome
Youhadmekill
edjustbecauseofagi
rl
"the
fi
gur
ethatst
oodinfr
ontofhim sai
d
*
From t
hetoneal
onei
tshowedhowshat
ter
ed
thefi
gurewas
Juni
orl
ookedathi
m,hi
sey
escl
oudedwi
th
tear
s
*
"Am sor
rybr
u,am r
eal
l
ysor
ry"j
uni
orsai
d
*

Butt
hefigureneverr
esponded,hejust
di
sappearedri
ghtinf
rontofjuni
or'
seyes
Juniorwasleftder
angedsoinst
eadof
continui
ngtothehall
heheadedouttheschool
tothecitypub
Heneededtorunawayfr
om t
hegui
ltand
alcohol
wastheonl
ythi
ngabl
etohelphi
m at
thatpoi
nt

#mf
s_mt
ag

Aswemeett
hey
oungerbr
other
,Ty
son
[
12/
26,17:
24]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOGHOST
ENTRYTHREE

#ELLA

Ij
usthadalongdreadf
ulandnotsoni
ce
conver
sat
ionwit
hmymot her
Shecl
earl
ywasdisappoi
ntedinmeforwast
ing
mychancesatabett
erli
feli
keIdi
d
Shewassohurtandcoul
dn'tst
opher
selff
rom
cry
ingwhichmademefeelevenmoreofa
fai
lur
ethanIi
nit
ial
l
ydi
d
Seeingt
hisl
ovi
ngst
rongwomanshedtears
becauseofmemademer eal
i
sehowself
ishI
hadbeen
Ideser
vedt
obepuni
shedf
orbr
ingi
ngsuch
shametomyfami
ly
*
"Am sosorrymom, Iwi
l
ltr
ymybestt
oget
backtoschoolagai
n
Iwi
llgetaj
ob,sav
eupandr et
urnt
oschool
"I
sai
dwi t
hatr
emblingv
oice
*
Iwasbusypl
ayi
ngwi
thmyf
inger
swhenIsai
d
al
lthat
Iwassoscared,
soashamedandso
embarr
assedall
atonce
Butmost
lyIr
eal
l
yneededhert
ost
opcr
ying
I
tsnotni
ceseei
ngapar
entcr
ybecauseofy
ou
*
"It
sohk,what'
sdoneisalr
eadydone,
wecan't
changethepastbutwecanmostlypr
epar
efor
abright
erfut
ure
Wewill
findawayar
oundt
his"shesai
dwi
ping
hert
ears
*
Shewashurtt
hatmuchIknow,sohersay
ing
that
,wasj
ustherbei
ngaparent
Shewasjustt
ryi
ngt
obest
rongandmaki
ngme
feel
bet
ter
*
Somet
imesbeingapar
entmeansf
orgi
vi
ng
whenyoudon'
thavet
o.
Par
ent
slovethei
rki
dssomucht hatt
heywi
l
l
gi
veev
eryt
hingtoseet
hem happy.
Evenifi
tmeanssacr i
fi
cingt
hei
rownhappi
ness
i
nt hemidstofal
lthat
.
I
nthatpar
ent
ingpr
ocesswomanar
etheones
whomostl
ygivei
nevery
thi
ng
Theygi
vesel
fl
essl
yunt
ilt
heyhav
enot
hingl
eft
togi
ve.
Whent
heyhavegi
venever
ythi
ngtheyarer
eady
t
oputt
hei
rli
vesonthel
i
nef ort
heirki
ds
*
Mymom heldmeinforahug,
Ijustt
ucked
mysel
finni
cel
yint
oherwarm,l
ovefi
ll
edchest
It
henbr
okei
ntot
ear
s
NotbecauseIwantedhertof
eelsor
ryf
orme,
butbecauseIhadbroket
hetr
ustshehadi
nme
Ihadhurthersomuchatanext
antofmaki
ng
hershedtears
*
"
It
sohkdodo,
wewi
l
lfi
ndawayar
oundt
his
Youwi
ll
gobackt oschool
,yourf
atherandIwi
l
l
makeaplan"shesai
dsoft
ly
Br
ushi
ngmyback
*
Icr
iedal
ot,
thepurpl
et-shi
rtshehadonwas
dri
ppi
ngwetwit
htears
Icri
edmostlybecauseIknewthatwehad
nothi
ng,andIknewthatitwi
ll
beimpossi
blef
or
them t
ofundmyeducat i
onevenift
heytr
y
*
"Am sor
rymama,
Iwi
l
lnev
erdi
sappoi
nty
ou
agai
nIpromi
se
Fr
om nowownIwilldor
ightbymyl
i
fe"Isai
d
wi
thhiccupsi
nbet
ween
*
Mom:i
tsohk,
ever
ythi
ngi
sgonnawor
koutj
ust
f
ine
*
Webr
oket
hehugandshewi
pedmyt
ear
s
*
"Ncooohmyl
i
ttl
edodo"shesai
dcr
acki
nga
smil
e
*
Ismil
edback,
itwashadnott
osmi
l
ewhen
seei
ngherwarm smi
le
*
"Enooughal
ready
,Iam t
hey
oungesther
e
Ideser
vethepamper
ing"myl
i
lbr
othersai
d
cominginbet
weenus
*
Me:
wowj
eal
ousr
eal
l
ydoesn'
tsui
tyou
*
Hi
m:wel
lam t
hel
astbor
nam j
ustr
ecl
aimi
ng
mypl
ace
*
Me:
youar
eagr
ownasscr
ybaby
*
Il
aughed
*
Mom: don'
tmi
ndherdeary
ouar
est
il
lmy
numberone
*
Chr
ist
uckedhi
msel
finmymom'
schest
pushi
ngmeawaywi
thhi
slef
thand
*
Mom:
ncoohmyl
i
ttl
ebaby
*
Sheki
ssedhi
sfor
ehead
*
Me:moreli
kealit
tl
eman,letmetakeaphoto
andposti
tonfacebooksothatt
heladi
escan
seehowmuchofamomma' sbabyyouare
*
ILit
eral
l
ytookoutmyphoneandattemptedt
o
takeapict
urebutChr
isqui
ckl
ybrokeoutof
mom' sembraceandrant
owardsme
Hequi
ckl
ysnat
chedt
hephonef
rom me
*
Me:hahahawhat'
sthepr
oblem now,I
menti
onedladi
esandyouseizedbei
ngababy
*
Mom:
that
'sFer
nandomenf
ory
ou
Theysur
edol
oveski
rt
s
*
Weal
ll
aughed,
itf
inal
l
ysunki
n
Iwashomeagain,
wher
ether
e'sal
way
slov
e
andhappi
ness
*
Mom:
speaki
ngofmen,
wher
eisy
ourpa?
*
Me:hedrov
eoutearl
ier
,hesai
dtot
ell
yout
hat
hewil
lbebackl
ater
*
Mom:
ohkt
hen
*
Ireal
l
ywantedt
oaskmom whatwasr eaLl
ythe
dealwit
hdadbutIdeci
dedt
oleti
tsl
i
de
Idi
dn'
twannarui
nthehappymomentwi
th
dad'
sstr
angebehav
ior
Besi
desam sur
emymom wasal
soi
nthedar
k
*
"Wellcanweeatalr
eady
,thesmel
lofthe
veget
ablest
ewhasbeenkill
i
ngmeev ersi
nceI
enter
edthi
shouse"mymom said
*
Me:
may
ousur
elov
eveget
abl
est
ew
*
Mom:
onl
yifi
tspr
epar
edbyy
ou
Ij
ustl
ovehowy
oubal
ancet
hespi
ces
*
Me:
thanxma
*
Chris:
whooyouhav
ejustboost
edheregoa
thousandt
imes
*
Me:mxm j
ealousy
,It
snotmyf
aul
tyouar
esuch
al
ousycooker
*
Chr
is:
am not
*
Me:
aret
oo
*
Chr
is:
Iwi
l
lshowyout
hatIcancook,
breakf
ast
i
sonmetomorr
owmorning
*
Me:
wel
lev
ery
bodycanpr
epar
ebr
eakf
ast
*
Chr
is:
notasscr
umpt
iousasIdoi
t,y
oubet
ter
wat
choutbigsi
s
*
Me:
finet
hen,
let
'sgodi
shup
*
Chr
is:
am onl
ygoi
ngcauseIwantabi
gchunk
ofmeat
*
Me:
suchacar
niv
ore
*
Chri
s:Il
ear
nedf
rom t
hebestwhi
chi
syou
of
'cause
*
Me:
Idon'
tl
ovemeat
*
Chr
is:
of'
causey
oudon'
t,y
ouj
ustl
oveeat
ingi
t
*
Me:
sucker
*
Istuckoutmytongueathi
m whi
l
ewer
aced
fr
om thelounget
othekit
chen
Isur
elovedmyl
i
ttl
ebr
other
,hewasabr
eat
he
offr
eshair
Hewasf
unny
,car
ingandabi
gsof
ty
Anywomanwhowasgonnaendupwit
hhi
m
wasgonnabet
hel
ucki
estwomanever
Becausewi
thal
lthoset
rai
tsheal
sohadt
he
l
ooks
Wi
thhi
m ar
oundt
her
enev
erwasadul
lmoment
*
Mybr
otherwasgonnabet
urni
ng18y
ear
son
t
he3r
dofdecember
AndIhadj
ustt
urned22t
hepr
evi
ousmont
h
Ir
eal
l
ylov
edbei
ngt
hebi
gsi
ster
Andhav i
ngchr
isasabr
otherj
ustmadet
hings
aloteasi
er
*
Wedi
shedupwhi
l
emaki
ngj
okes
Het
ookmom'
sfoodt
othel
ounge
wher
eshewassi
tt
ing.
Idi
shedPa'
sfoodandpl
acedi
tint
he
micr
owave
Chri
scameback, wesatontheki
tchenchai
rs
andduginourfoodwhil
eItoldhi
m aboutmy
col
legewi
ldli
fe
*
Wellwewer
enott
het
ypi
cal
fami
l
ythat
gat
herer
sar
oundt
abl
est
oeat
Ev
ery
bodyat
ewher
etheyf
eltcomf
ort
abl
eat
Evenint
het
oil
eti
fyouf
eltl
i
kehav
ingy
ourf
ood
ther
e
*
Af
tereat
ingchr
isandIwashedt
hedi
shes
Thenwewentt
ojoi
nmom i
nthel
oungeand
watchedt
v
*
Mydadcamebackar
ound22:
00pm
Wit
hthest
enchofal
cohol
thatf
il
ledt
hewhol
e
r
oom
Ihadneverseenmydaddrunkacceptforthe
l
astti
mehecamebackwi thsomuchmoney
andtol
dust hathewasr
eleasedf
rom his
cont
ract
*
Itwas10y
ear
sagobutIst
il
lremember
edi
t
clear
ly
Wewerenotal
wayspoor,
onceopenat
ime,
li
fe
athomewasever
ythi
ngIhopedf
or
Ihadevery
thi
ngIwanted,
weusedt
oli
vei
n
Mill
ena'
swellbui
l
ttownhouses
Iwasa12year
sli
tt
legi
rlwhoknewnot
hing
aboutl
i
fet
hough
mydadworkedf
orCot
ezl
oadi
ngt
ruck
company
Hewasamechani
cal
engi
neert
her
ewi
tha
goodsal
ary
Wel
li
twasenought
oaf
for
dusal
avi
shl
i
fest
yle
Andmymom hasal
waysbeenast
ayedhome
mom ev
ersi
nceIr
emembered
Lif
ewasgoodf
ort
hewel
lknownf
ernando
famil
y
Unti
lonenightdaddycamehomef rom wor
k
wit
hal ar
gedentinhisfordranger(the
companycarhedr ovethen)
Hewassodr
unkandwascar
ryi
ngal
umpsum
ofmoney
Hetoldmom thathewasr
eleasedFrom hi
s
contr
actandt
hatthemoneywasf r
om his
bonuses
Wel
lnobodysuspect
edany
thi
ng
Ifonl
yweknewt hati
twasthebegi
nni
ngoft
he
endforourgl
ori
ousli
fest
yle
Thebonuseswer
egonei
nani
nst
ant
Thecompanycarandhousewast
akenaway
fr
om us
Wit
hdadoutofwor
kwemov
edf
rom gr
acet
o
gr
ass
Wefel
lsohar
dt hatget
ti
ngupwasan
i
mpossi
blemission
Dadhadtof
endandmadeendsmeett
ogetus
t
hisf
iver
oom house
Heworkedpi
ecej
obsandmymom becamea
nannyf
orsomeri
chfami
ly
Webecamet
hel
aughi
ngst
ockoft
het
own
Butwithgod'
sgracewemanagedt
ogetoutof
thesi
tuati
onglor
ious
Notri
chli
kebef
orebutwemanagedandt
ook
eachdayasi
tcame
*
That
'swhyIt
oldmy
sel
fthatIwasgonnast
udy
har
d
Beapil
otsot
hatIcant
akemyf
ami
l
ybackt
o
thet
op
Whenweoncewer
e
Wellseemsl
i
keIdi
dn'
ttr
yhardenoughbecause
nowIwasbackhomewithnomeanstofendfor
myself
Onceagai
nIwast
hei
rbur
den
*
"Hel
l
olov
elyf
ami
l
y"mydadmur
mur
ed
*
Hebur
pedabi
tlouder
nooner
espondedt
ohi
sgr
eet
ings
I
nst
eadmymom j
ustst
oodupandwentt
othei
r
r
oom
Sheseemedupset
*
"Wowtwoni
ght
sinarow,pai
sreal
l
yst
art
ingt
o
scar
eme"mybrot
herwhi
sper
edinmyai
r
*
"Youmeantosayt
hatthi
sisthesecondti
me
hecomeshomedrunk"Iwhi
speredback
*
Chr
is:
yep,
somet
hingi
sreal
l
ywr
ongwi
tht
he
ol
dman
*
Me:Iwonderwhateati
nghi
m up,
clear
lyi
ts
somethi
ngbigforhi
mt odr
ownhimsel
fin
al
coholl
iket
his
*
Chr
is:
clear
ly
*
"Gossi
pmeal
lyouwant
,di
srespect
ful
kids
Youreal
l
yhav
enor
espectf
ory
ourel
der
s"he
sai
dtous
*
Me:
uhm wear
enotgossi
pingabouty
oudad
Shoul
dIbr
ingy
ouy
ourf
ood
*
Dad:no,
Ihav
ewaybi
ggerpr
obl
emst
hanf
ood
ri
ghtnow
Si
nsoft
hepastar
ecat
chi
ngupwi
thme
*
Me:
howdoy
oumean
*
Dad:
not
hing,
yout
wogot
osl
eepi
tsl
atenow
Andchr
isy
ouhav
ecl
assest
omor
row

Aft
ersayi
ngt
hathekeptwi
pinghi
smout
hfor
godknowswhat
*
West
oodupandheadedt
oourr
oomsbef
ore
hedeci
dest
obi
teourheadsof
f
*
Igoti
nmyr oom l
ockedt
hedoort
hrewmy
sel
f
onthebed
Ireal
l
ywonder
edwhatt
hepr
obl
em waswi
th
dad
Somet
hingwasdef
ini
tel
ysmel
l
ingf
ishy
*
Imusthavef
all
enasl
eepst
il
li
nthemi
dstofmy
thought
s
Iwokeupi
nthemi ddl
eoft
henightonl
ytof
ind
mysel
fni
cel
ytuckedinmybed
TheshoesIhadonwer
enol
ongert
her
e
Whomev
ert
uckedmei
ntobedt
ookt
hem of
f
Iwokeupt
ocheckt
hedoor
Andst
rangel
yitwasst
il
ll
ockedf
rom t
hei
nsi
de
Thekeywasst
il
li
nit
shol
e
*
Thewei
rdthi
ngi
sIdon'
tremembert
aki
ngof
myshoes
Idon'
tev
enr
ememberget
ti
ngi
nbed
Thi
swasr
eal
l
yamy
ster
y
Itookmyphoneundert
hepi
l
lowandchecked
theti
me
I
twas00:
00am
It
ri
edcal
li
ngjuni
orwitht
heni
ghtshi
ftIhadbut
hi
sphonerangunanswer
ed
It
ri
edagai
n

*
"HeyEl
l
a"astr
angev
oiceanswer
edi
ntheot
her
endofthel
i
ne
*
Ikeptqui
et
*
"El
laar
eyouther
e,talkt
ome,Iwannaheary
ou
voi
ce"t
hest
rangevoicesai
d
*
Thi
swascl
ear
lynotj
uni
or'
svoi
ce
I
twasamal
evoi
cey
esbutnotj
uni
or
WhAtt
hehel
lwasr
eal
l
ygoi
ngonher
e
Iknowj
uni
or'
svoi
ceevenaf
terhehadj
ust
wokenupf
rom sl
eep
Andt
hiswasNoti
t
*
"Whoareyouandwhatdoyouwantwi
thmy
boy
fri
end'
sphone"Iy
ell
ed
*
Ri
ghtt
hent
hel
i
newentdead
Ir
emov
edt
hephonef
rom myear
Andcheckedi
fIr
eal
l
yhaddi
aledJuni
ors
number
Andashocki
ngdi
scov
eryemer
ged
Idi
ddi
al j
uni
or'
snumberbutt
hewasnohi
stor
y
ofust
alki
ng
I
nfactt
hescreenst
il
lshowedt
hatj
uni
ornev
er
pi
ckeduphisphone
*
NowIwassur
ethatIwasl
oosi
ngmymi
nd
Icheckedagainandt
hewasnotimeshowing
thatIevert
alkedt
osomeoneov
erthephone
Icheckedmymi
nut
esandt
heywer
est
il
li
ntact
ButIdi
dhearsomeoneov
ert
hephone
Wast
hisal
li
nmymi
nd,
wasIgoi
ngcr
azy
Iwonder
ed
*
Wit
hsomuchf
earIpl
acedt
hephoneont
he
si
deboar
d
Icoul
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thi
tundermypi
l
low
Whati
fsomeonewasbewi
tchi
ngme
*
*

#TYSON

Iwassit
tingunderabigt
reet
hatwasnear
Mil
lena'
splayground
Iwasf
aci
ngt
hebi
gtarr
oad
Ithr
ewti
nystonesi
ntheroadwhi
l
ebusy
hummingarhythml
esstune
*
I
twassoqui
et,
notev
enbi
rdssang
I
twasasqui
etasacemet
ery
Noki
dspl
ayi
ngar
ound,
nocar
spassedby
I
twasj
ustdeadqui
et
*
Iwasstil
lconcent
rat
ingonthest
oneswhena
carappearedoutofnowher
e
I
twentof
fther
oadandheadedst
rai
ghtatme
Iqui
ckl
yst
oodupandat
tempt
edr
unni
ng
Buti
tchasedme,
Ifel
landi
tcamer
ightatme
*
Iqui
ckl
ywokeupdr
ippi
ngwetf
rom sweat
Il
ookedar
oundandIwasi
nourapar
tment
Juni
orwassnor
ingasusual
inhi
sbed
I
thi
tme,
Ijusthadat
err
ibl
eni
ght
mar
e
*
Igotof
fthebedwi
thmyhear
tpoundi
ngoutof
mychest
Iwentt
otheki
tchenandhadagl
assofwat
er
WhenIret
urnedt
other
oom Ist
eppedon
somet
hing
*
Iqui
cklypi
ckedi
tuponl
ytor
eal
i
set
hati
twasa
ti
nystone
Justl
i
ket
heoneIwast
hrowi
ngi
nmydr
eam
Thiswassoscary,
Iqui
ckl
yranbackt
othe
room andshutt
hedoormaki
ngsuret
olocki
t

#MFS_
MTAG

Aswemeetchr
ist
hebubbl
yEl
l
a'sy
ounger
br
other
[
12/
26,17:
25]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFOUR

#TYSON
Iwokeupt henextmor
ningwi
thav
eryst
rong
headache
Mywhol
ebodywasi
nint
ensepai
ns
Isatonmybedf
orawhi
l
e
Honest
lyIwasaf
raidtol
eavetheroom l
eastI
st
umbledonthestonesf
rom l
astnight
Theni
ght
mar
efr
om l
astni
ghtwasst
il
lst
ucki
n
mymind
*
Iwai
tedf
orj
uni
ortowakeup,
yeahIam t
hat
muchofacowar
d
Fewhoursdownt
hecl
ockj
uni
orf
inal
l
ydeci
ded
towakeup
*
"Heyman"hesai
dsi
tt
ingupst
rai
ghti
nhi
sbed
Hel
ookedmor
emessi
ert
hanIl
ooked
*
Me:
eybr
a
*
Ist
aredathi
mf ort
helongestwhi
l
e,somet
hing
wasreal
lywrongwit
hjuni
or
Lastni
ghthecamebacksodr
unkhedi
dn'
tev
en
rememberhisownname
Idoubtheev
enwentt
othewr
it
inghal
l
Hereal
l
ydidn'
tl
ookl
i
kesomeonewhoj
ust
wr
oteanexam
*
Juni
or:Iknowam handsomeli
kethat,butcan
youstopstar
ingdudeyouar
ecreepingmeout
*
Me:
lol
don'
tfl
att
ery
our
sel
fdude
Iwasn'tevenst
ari
ngaty
ou,
Iwasj
ustl
osti
n
thoughts
*
"Mor
eli
kel
ostImyabs"hesai
d
Heheadedt
owar
dsmybed
Whenhefinal
l
yreachedi
thebr
ushedmy
shoul
der
*
"Don'
twor
ryIunderst
andandIwantt
hisj
ust
asmuchasyoudo"hesaidhishandmovi
ng
fr
om myshoul
dertomyface
*
"Dudestop,
youf
reaki
ngmeout
"Isai
djumpi
ng
offmybed
*
Me:
youar
ereal
l
ywei
rd
*
Juni
or:
Iknow,
Ihav
egot
tent
hatal
ot
Icanbeany
thi
ngy
ouwantmet
obe
Ev
enwei
rd
*
Me:
manst
opokay
,hol
ditr
ightt
her
e
Iam ast
rai
ghtmanandam notat
tract
edt
oyou
Iam noti
ntoguy
s
*
Juni
or:i
tshardt
obeli
evet
hat
,imeanInev
er
seenyouwithagir
l
*
Me:t
hat
'sbecauseam st
il
lfocusi
ngonmy
st
udi
es
Idon'
twantr
elat
ionshi
ppr
obl
emsst
ressi
ngme
Andweshoul
dn'
tev
enbedi
scussi
ngt
his
nonsense
Ai
n'
tyoui
nar
elat
ionshi
pwi
thEl
l
a
*
Juni
or:
aht
hatgi
rli
snotmyt
ype
*
Me:
thenwhyar
eyouwi
thher
*
Juni
or:
thesexdude,
thatgi
rlcanbeaf
reaki
n
bed
Shecantwi
standt
urni
nway
syoucannev
er
i
magine
Herboobsar
eni
cel
yshaped
Andherpussyi
ssowar
m
DamnIcanal
readyi
magi
nemysel
frel
easi
ng
i
nsi
deofher
Iam t
heonewhot
ookawayherv
irgi
nit
yman
*
Iwatcheddi
sgust
ingl
yashemadeal
lthose
nast
yr emar
ksaboutEll
a
Iwantedsobadlytopunchhi
sbi
gmout
hso
thathecanshutthehel
lup
That'
swhyInev ergetwhyEl
l
aendedupdat
ing
j
uniorbecausehewasaschoolj
erkandweall
knewthat
*
Icli
ckedmyt
onguer
oughl
yandst
ormedoutof
theroom
Ir
eal
l
ydidn'
tcareaboutt
hestonesany
mor
eas
l
ongasIgetoutofhi
ssight
Becausei
fIhadst
ayedami nut
elongerIwas
gonnadosomethi
ngthatIwasgoingtoregr
et
l
ater
*
"Jeal
ousmuch"hecal
l
edout
*
Inev
errespondedIcont
inuedtot
heki
tchen
andnot
hingwasont hefloor
Ther
ewer
enost
onesont
hef
loor
May
bewhatIt
houghtIsawl
astni
ghtwasn'
t
r
eal
May
bei
twasal
li
nmyhead
*
Imademy sel
fcer
eal,af
tereat
ingIwentt
otake
ashowerandgotreadyforschool
Imadesur
et ocallmymom andtel
lherall
aboutt
hedream IhAdt
heprevi
ousnightand
shewasassurpri
sedasIwasatwhatitreall
y
meant
*
Af
tert
alki
ngtoherIr
ant
ocl
assal
readyf
ew
mi
nuteslat
e

*
*

#Nar
rat
ed
Af
tert
ysonexi
tedt
hehousej
uni
orf
eltt
he
cr
eepski
cki
ngin
I
tdownedt
ohi
mthathewasnowal
onei
nthe
house
Whi
chwasnoti
deal
forhi
m
*
Tryi
ngtokeephimsel
fbusyhet
ookouthi
s
phoneandcall
edEll
a
I
trangt
wicebef
oreshepi
ckedup
*
"Heybabe"el
l
asai
d
*
Juni
or:eyl
ove,
doyoumi
ndcomingovertomy
dorm Ir
eal
l
ymissy
ouandyoursexybody
*
El
l
a:uhm soundsl
i
keagr
eati
dea
Imi
ssy
out
obutam af
rai
dIcan'
tcomeov
er
*
Juni
or:
whynot
,justski
pclassorsomet
hingI
real
l
yneedt
obewi thyou
*
El
la:t
hat'
sthethi
ng,
Ican'
tski
pcl
assbecause
am noteveni
nschool
I
nfactam noti
ncapev
ino
Igotdismi
ssedfr
om school
andwasev
icted
fr
om theschool
campusam backi
nMil
lenaas
wespeak
*
Junior
:andy
oudidn'
tseethei
mpor
tanceof
tel
l
ingmebefor
ey oul
eft
Whatt
hehel
lEl
l
a
*
El
l
a:am sor
rybabeIwasj
ustst
ressedoutI
di
dn'
tknowwhattodo
*
Juni
or:
youshoul
dhavecametomycri
b,made
l
ovetomeonemor et
imebef
orel
eavi
ng
Whatt
hehel
ldoy
ouwantmet
odonow
Doy ouwantmetogetaf
uckmat
ebecauseam
soooodamnhorny
*
El
l
a:j
uni
orpl
easey
ouknowy
oucan'
tdot
hat
Il
ovey
ouandcheat
ingonmewi
l
lcr
ushme
*
Juni
or:
ifIcheati
twil
lbeonyou,y
ouarethe
onewholeftwit
houtconsi
der
ingmyf
eeli
ngs
*
El
l
a:i
tsnotl
i
keIl
eftonpur
pose
*
Juni
or:ev
ict
edornotIdon'
tcarey
oushoul
d
havecametomebef or
eleavi
ng
*
Juniorsaidwit
hacoldv
oiceal
lhewant
edat
thatpointandti
mewassexandEll
awasnot
theretogivei
ttohi
m
*
"Am sosorr
yforl
eav
ingbabyIwi
l
lmakei
tup
toy
ou"ell
asaid
*
Juni
or:
how,
youar
emi
l
esaway
*
El
l
a:Iwi
l
lmakeapl
an
*
Juni
or:
youknowwhat,webot
hknowthatt
his
i
snotgonnaworksohowaboutwest
op
cont
acti
ngeachot
her
*
El
l
a:whoawhatdoy
oumeanj
uni
or
*
Junior:Imeanexact
lywhatIsai
d,it
soverI
don'
tt hi
nkIcanconti
nuewithalongdi
stance
rel
ationshi
p
*
"Babypleasedon'
tdot
hist
ome,
don'
tdot
hist
o
usplease
YouknowhowmuchIl
ovey
ou
I
tsmeyouspeci
alEl
l
zwecanst
il
lmaket
his
wor
kohk
Icancomet
her
eev
eryweekend"el
l
abegged
*
Juni
or:
sor
ryheyi
tsov
erandst
opbeggi
ngi
ts
real
l
yatur
noff
*
Af
tersay
ingt
hatj
uni
orhungup
*
"
Shi
tnowwher ewi
ll
Igetfr
eepussy"j
uni
or
t
houghtoutl
oudsmashi
nghisf
istonthebed
*
"Youwil
lpayf
ort
his,
youwi
l
lpayf
ormaki
ng
hercr
y
Shewasmi neandyoudecidedt
omessthi
ngs
forusonl
ytohurther
"aloudmalev
oice
echoedar
oundtheroom
*
Juni
orcoul
drecogni
zedt
hevoi
cebutcoul
dn'
t
real
l
ytel
lwherei
twascomingf
rom
Hewast
err
if
ied
*
"
Dudepl
easest
opal
ready
,Isai
dam sor
ry
Youcanhav
ehernowshe'
sal
lyour
s"j
uni
or
begged
*
Hewasmadscar
edandal
lheneededwast
o
getoutoft
hathouse
Sowithouttaki
ngashowerhejustchangedi
nto
cl
eanclothesandexit
edthecri
bwithno
i
ntent
ionsofgoingtoschool

*
*

#ELLA

Hear
ingj
uni
orHunguponmet
ear
edmeapar
t
Il
it
eral
l
yfel
tli
keMyhear
twasbei
ngt
urnedi
nto
shr
eds
Mymi
ndwoul
dn'
tj
ustaccepti
t
I
twoul
dn'
tacceptt
hebi
tt
ert
rut
hthathadj
ust
hi
tmyear
s
*
Itr
iedhundredti
mescal
l
inghi
m agai
nbuthe
neveranswered
Inf
actinmylastat
tempthehadal
ready
switchedhi
sphoneoff
Itossedmineont
hebedandj
ustsatont
he
edgeofthebed
*
Itr
iedstoppi
ngthetearsfrom f
all
ingbutthe
mor eIt
riedhol
dingthem backtheharderit
became
Il
ett
hem f
all
freel
y
Iwashur
tnol
i
e
Thepai
nwassosev
ereIt
houghti
twoul
dnev
er
st
op
*
Thetr
uthofthemat
terwasIhadf
all
ensodeep
i
nlov
ewithjuni
or
Myl
ovef
orhi
m hadbl
i
ndedmef
rom seei
nghi
s
j
erksi
de
Forsol
ongIt
houghthel
ovedmet
oo
Imeanhealsowantedmebyhi
ssi
dei
nev
ery
par
tyheev
erattended
Hewasjustmyhandsomekni
ghti
nashi
ning
amour
*
Iweeplikesomebodyhaddi
ed,i
nact
ual
thoughtsomebodyhaddi
editwasmyli
fe
Myl
i
fewasnot
hingwi
thouthi
m
Icr
iedunt
ilmyt
ear
srandr
y
Whatabadwayt
oStartt
heday,mywhol
e
morni
ngwasj
ustt
urnedi
ntor
uins
*

Asof
tknocksoundedont
hedoor
Ist
ayedst
il
l,
Iwasn'
ti
nthemoodt
oseeor
t
alkedt
oany
one
Theknocksoundedabi
tlouder
*
"Sweetyar
eyouawakey
et"mymom'
svoi
ce
sounded
*
Ididn'
trespondinst
eadIkeptsni
ff
ingand
wipingthetear
saway
Fi
nal
l
yshedeci
dedt
ogi
veup
AndIcoul
dhearherf
oot
stepf
adeaway
*
"Her eal
lydoesn'
tdeser
veyourt
ear
s"avoice
said,
infactitwasamalevoi
ceandi
techoed
thewhol eroom
*
Il
ookedar
oundandt
her
ewasnoone
ButIcoul
dhav
eswor
nIhear
dthev
oice
Ir
eal
l
ythoughtIwasl
oosingmymindwi
tht
he
ev
ent
sthathasbeenhappeni
ngl
atel
y
*
Myhear
tbr
eakt
urnedi
ntof
ear
.Iqui
ckl
ywi
ped
t
hetear
sawayandexi
tedt
her
oom

#mf
s_mt
ag
Sorr
yaboutt
hedelayIhadweddi
ngtoattend
onweekendandnowIhav eaver
yter
ri
bleflu
tar
geti
ngmybones
Am sot
ir
ed

Aswemeett
hemy
ster
ioushandsomepl
ayer
JUNI
OR
[
12/
26,17:
34]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOGHOST

ENTRYFI
VE
#ELLA

Irushedoutt
her
oom nott
ofor
get
ti
ngt
osl
am
thedoorbehi
ndme
Iwentt
otheki
tcheni
twasempt
y
I
nfactt
hewhol
ehousewasgr
avequi
et
nosignofmom ormyli
tt
lebr
otherwhom I
assumehadal
readyl
eftf
orschool
Wel
lmydadwast
hel
astper
soni
nmymi
nd
*
Thehousewasspotl
essthoughmeani
ngthat
mymom hadcleanedfi
rstbef
oreshel
eft
Ideci
dedtomakemy
sel
fteaandf
oursl
i
ced
brownbread
I
twasjustdr
ywi
thnomar
gar
inespr
eador
what
soever
*
Iwentt
othel
oungewi
thmybr
eakf
ast
Iwassi tt
ingonthecouchwi t
hmyf eetonthe
coffeetablebusyenjoyi
ngmynotsoni ce
breakfastwhenIhear dwhatsoundedli
ke
footst
epsi ntheki
tchen
Ist
oppedchewingonmydr
ybr
eadf
orasecond
andli
stenedat
tent
ivel
y
*
I
tindeedsoundedli
kef
oot
steps,
mypul
se
r
ampedskyhi gh.
Icoul
dfeel
myhear
tski
ppi
ngf
ewbeat
s
*
"Ohk,calm downElla,br
eath,shi
tIshouldcome
down, t
hisisprobablynothi
ng"Ithoughtto
my sel
f,wellmoreli
ket r
yingt
oconv incemysel
f
*
Iswal
l
owedhar
datt
hef
oodandagai
nhear
d
cupboar
dsopeni
ngandcl
osi
ng
Myhear
tjumpedatt
hesoundoft
hat
Mytrembl
inghandsloosenedt
hegriponthe
t
eacupanditendedupont hef
loorst
aini
ngmy
mom'sfav
orit
ewhitemat
Lucki
l
yenoughi
tdi
dn'
tpouronme
Wellmay begodsav
edmef
rom sust
aini
ng
unnecessarybur
ns
*
Ifinall
ymaster
edenoughcour agetogetup
from thecouchandwalkedslowlytothe
kitchenwhichwasver
yst upi
dofmer unni
ng
towar dst
hedangeri
nsteadofr unni
ngaway
from it
*
Icouldhearscrat
chi
ngandscroutchi
ngsounds
gett
inglouderasIappr
oachedthekit
chendoor
If
rozeneart
hedooral
lmybr
eat
htr
appedwhen
Ir
eal
i
zedt
hatIwasdef
ini
tel
ynotal
one
Someonewasi
nthatki
tchen
*
Itr
iedhar
dert
oli
stenandfocusbutmyheart
poundedtool
oudformetoactual
lyhearat
hing
Iwasscar
edt
othecor
e.
Thatscar
ypartsuppr
essedandmademe
for
getaboutt
heheartbr
eakIwasdeal
twi
thby
j
uniorwhenIwokeup
*
Il
i
stenedagai
nandi
twasqui
et.Icr
epti
ntot
he
ki
tchen.
i
twasempty..
..Yetmyhear
twoul
dn'
tset
tl
e
somet
hingwasdefini
tel
ywr
ongher
e
*
Icouldfeelt
heheavypresencear
oundmeand
verysharpeyespi
erci
ngthroughmyski
n
*
"
Weapon"mymi
ndscr
eamed.
"Ineedt
opr
otect
mysel
f"
Idartedtowardsthewidecr
ookedment al
cupboards,openedthetopl
eftshel
f,that'
s
wheremahal way spackedt
hemostl ethaland
sharpestki
tchenknives
*
Itookt
hebiggestoneoutandhel
ditupwi
thmy
shaki
nghand
*
"Iknowyouarehere,
ifyoudon'
tcomeoutI
swearIwi
llki
l
lyou"It
riedtobebr
ave
*
Anopposi
tecupboar
ddoorf
lewopen
Iscreamedl
i
keamadchickenbutqui
ckl
ykept
sti
ll
whenIsawwhatl
ookedli
keamaleshadow
Iwhippedar
ound,
acr
ybr
okef
rom my
suf
focati
ngthr
oat
*
Butnoonewast
her
e,j
ustashadowofmy
sel
f
Igl
ancedbackandt
heshadowwasgone
*
Mybr
eat
hwhooshedout
.
*
"Stupi
d"Iyel
led,"am suchabi
gcr
ybaby
,it
s
probablyj
ustwind"
*
Ri
ghtt
henIf
eltahandhol
dingmyshoul
der
If
rozeri
ghtt
henandt
her
eIwasr
eadyt
oshi
t
mysel
f
It
urnedbackonl
ytobemetbyaf
ami
l
iarf
ace
*
"Whatt
heheck,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,y
ou
scar
edmetodeath
Howdi
dyouev
engeti
n"Isai
d
*
"Rel
axwoul
dyou,andputt
hekni
fedown
bef
orey
oukil
lsomeone
Thef
rontdoorwasnotl
ocked,Iknockedafew
ti
mesandnooneanswered"Calvi
nsaidwit
ha
si
desmil
e
St
il
lchar
mingl
i
ket
hef
ir
stdayIsawhi
m
*
Me:well
whatareyoudoi
ngher
eandwher
edi
d
youdi
sappeart
othatday
*
Ipl
acedt
heknif
ebackt
otheshel
fandt
ri
ed
cal
mingdown
*
Cal
:Iam l
ooki
ngf
ory
ourf
atheri
shear
ound
*
Me:noanddon'
taskmewher
ehei
sbecauseI
don'
tknow
*
Cal:
cool t
hensincey
ouarehere,
am aboutt
o
gr
abbr eakfastf
ormysel
fatOuma'sdoyou
mindjoini
ngme
*
Me:
uhm,
thi
ngi
sIhav
eal
readyea.
..
*
"Pl
easeIpr
omi
seIwi
l
lbr
ingy
oubackassoon
aswedone
Justdon'
tl
etmeeatal
one"hebeggedwi
th
puppyeyes
Andasnot
edIcoul
dn'
tsaynot
othi
schar
ming
soul
SoIendedupagr
eei
ng
*
Me:
finel
etmegochangef
ir
st
*
Cal
:nost
ressI
'
llwai
t
*
Ir
antomyroom,
changedint
oalongbl
ack
j
umpsui
tandmynudefl
atsandal
s
Thatsasf
arasIcoul
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licoul
dn'
t
aff
ordmorethant
hat
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i
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i
pgl
oss
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iedmyhairi
ntoaneatupdobunItopped
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eryt
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lcheapspray
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kedbackt
othel
ounge
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thel
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expensiv
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el
bowsandwhitej
ordans
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ustl
ookedexpensi
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scol
ogneowh
l
owddon'
tgetmestart
edonit
*
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am done"Ist
oodneart
hecouch
*
Hel
ift
edhi
sheadandourey
esmetandl
ocked
i
nst
antl
y
Hest
aredf
orawhi
l
etool
ong
*
"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul"hef
inal
l
ysai
d
*
Me:
oowht
hanxf
ort
hef
lat
ter
y
*
Cal
:Igenui
nel
ymeani
t,y
ouar
ebr
eat
htaki
ng
Shal
lwe
*
Heext
endedhi
shandandIsl
i
tinmi
neandwe
wal
kedout
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yt obemetbyager
manmachi
nepar
ked
out
side
I
twasawhi tel
atestnumberofamer
cedes
benzS-
classC43cabriol
et
*
Me:wow,
youdr
ivet
hat
,whathappenedt
othe
Audi
*
cal
:i
tsi
nserv
ice,Ihav
eawhol
elotofmachi
nes,
youwannadr
ive
*
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hel
lno,
Idon'
tknowhowt
odr
ive
*
Cal
:Ihav
etot
eachy
out
hen
*
Me:
noway
,dr
ivi
ngseem scar
y
*
Cal
:i
tsnot
,tr
ustmey
ouwi
l
lsee
*
Me:
cool
then
*
Heopenedthepassengersi
deandIgoti
nthen
hewenttohissi
de
Hestar
tedt
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troar
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ouderl
i
ket
he
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twas
Andwedr
ovet
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ocal
Ouma'
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acewas
beaut
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ul,
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Ihadnev
erst
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oother
e
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abl
eneart
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hpeople
st
ari
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kewewerebeesat
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nghoney
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heyt houghtofmeasahoe
tobegoingaroundwit
haper sonofsuch
cal
ibergi
venmypoorst atus
*
Cal
:whatdoy
ouwannaeat
*
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any
thi
ngcar
amel
y
*
Cal
:Iknowexact
lywhaty
ouwant
*
Hesi
gnal
edforthewait
eranday
oungneat
l
ooki
nggi
rlheadedourway
*
"
Morning,
mynamei
sTer
riIwi
l
lbey
our
wai
tr
ess
WhatcanIgety
ou"
*
Cal:howaboutacaramelappl
efr
enchtoast
,
sir
loi
nsteak,
bacon,
sausageandgri
l
led
vegetabl
e
*
"Shewasbusyj
ott
ingdownonhernot
epad
"Shal
lImaket
hatf
ort
wo"sheasked
*
Cal
:owhnoonlyonef
ormyl
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ing
metheusual
*
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l
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i
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r
etar
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e
It
hinkshef
orgott
hatshewassupposet
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e
*
"
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stheany
thi
ngel
se"Iasked
*
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y,y
ourorderwi
l
lbecomingup"
sheturnedst
umbli
ngontabl
esbef
oreshe
walkedaway
*
Me:
thatwaswei
rd
*
Cal
:ahshej
ustgott
aken
*
Me:
Iseet
hat
,soi
syourot
hernameGr
aig
*
Hecoughedseemi
ngl
ycaughtof
fguar
d
*
Cal
:wher
edi
dyouhear
dthatname
*
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l
edy
out
hatt
hedayy
ou
dr
oppedmeoffremember
*
Cal
:owhj
aht
hat
'smysecondname
*
Me:
andhowexact
lydoy
ouknowmyf
ami
l
y
*
Cal
:youshoul
dasky
ourdad
*
Me:youthi
nkIhaven'
ttr
ied,
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ttel
lmea
t
hingwhat'
sreal
l
ygoingon
*
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:don'
twor
ryy
ouwi
l
lknowsoonenough
Nowrelaxandl
etmeseet
hosespar
klyey
es
pl
eeeaase
*
Ismi
l
edandl
ookedaway
*
Cal
:yoursmi
l
eisj
ustasaddi
cti
ve
*
Iwasaboutt
ot al
kwhent
hewai
tr
esscame
backwi
thourfood
Sheplacedthefoodonthetabl
eandaglassof
amilkli
kethingywhi
chglowedingol
dinglass
i
nfr
ontofcalv i
n
*
"I
sther
eAny
thi
ngel
seIcangety
ou"sheasked
*
Webothshookourheadsno,shestar
edat
cal
vi
nonemoretimebeforeshelef
t
*
Me:
soy
oudi
dn'
tor
deranyf
oodf
ory
our
sel
f
Andwhati
sthat
*
Cal
:somet
hingt
hatkeepsmeal
i
ve
*
Me:
mmhwei
rdi
sitni
cecanIt
ast
eit
*
Cal
:no,
noi
tsbad,
itwi
l
lgi
vey
ouat
ummyache
Am j
ustdr
inki
ngi
tbecauseIwannacl
ean
mysel
f
*
Hi
sresponsewasr
atherdef
ensi
vebutIj
ustl
et
hi
m be
Anddugi
nmyscr
umpt
iousf
ingerl
i
cki
ng
br
eakf
ast
Eat
ingthatmademefeell
i
keapr incessli
vi
ng
i
naf ai
ryt
alet
hefoodwasjustunbeli
evabl
y
del
i
cious
*
Me:
thi
sisgr
eat
*
Cal
:Iknowright
,uset
obemyf
avor
it
e
br
eakfastgr
owingup
*
Me:
sowhatchanged
*
Cal
:not
hing,
Ist
il
ll
ovei
tandIl
ovewat
chi
ng
youeat
*
Me:
youar
esuchachar
merandawei
rdo
*
Cal
:am notam j
ustt
akenbyy
ourbeaut
y
*
Weatewhileengaginginafr
iendl
y
conv
ersat
ion,calwasreal
lyf
unnyinaweir
d
wayandwouldav oi
dansweringanyt
hingt
hat
hadtodowithhisli
fe
*
Af
tereat
ingheaskedmet
ogowi
thhi
mtot
he
mall
AndIsai
dyes,Iwast
ryi
ngmybestnott
ogo
homesoearl
y
WellIdi
dn'twannabealoneinthatcreepy
houseleastIenduparavingl
unatic
[
12/
26,17:
34]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
ENTRYSI
X

#NARRATED

Weall
atsomepoi
ntwi
sht
hatl
i
fewasj
usta
bat
chofr
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Weyearnedfori
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esi
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orev
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asscoul
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ethatt
heyar
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revealed
*
Asini
sbei
ngcommit
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hno
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oundbuty
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Wet endt
othi
nkthataf
tercommi
tt
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mewecancar r
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iv
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becausenoonesawanythi
ng
Weconv i
nceoursel
vesthatwearesafe
becausenooneheardany t
hingsowhowil
l
j
udgeus,kakadethedeadcan'tspeakf
or
themsel
ves
*
Butatthi
sinst
anceMrFernandowasrest
less
assinscommittedi
nthepasthadcometo
haunthim
Thatonegruesomemi st
akehemadehascome
backtomakehi sent
ir
elif
eevenmor
e
compli
cat
ed
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ong,
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hedev
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m
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uati
onbutheletangergett
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ofhim andheactedonthatstupi
danger
withoutget
tingt
hewholet r
uthnowthe
daughterheSworetoprotectsomuchwast he
onet opaythepri
ce
*
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tthenoot
herwaywecanhandl
ethi
s
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tuati
on
Ican'
tdot
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tl
ethersuf
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ormy
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ns
Shewi
l
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emef
orev
eroncet
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hcomes
out
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l
l comeoutevent
ual
ly
,nothi
ng
st
ayshiddenforever
"mrfer
nandosai
d
Hewasi
nhi
scar
,par
kednearaqui
etbush
*
"
Iwisht
her
ewas.Butam af
rai
dIwantt
odo
t
his
I
tsei
thery
ougiv
ehertomeory
oupayf
orwhat
y
ouputmyf ami
lyt
hrough
Iwi
l
ldest
royy
ouandy
ourent
ir
egener
ati
on
Andam sur
eyoudon'
twantt
hatnowdoy
ou
Al
lam aski
ngi
stomar
ryy
ourdaught
er,
Ilov
ed
herbef
oreIdi
eandIst
il
ll
oveherev
eni
ndeat
h
Iaskf
ornot
hingel
sebuther
,Iwi
l
lnev
erhur
t
her
Inev
erdi
dandam notgonnast
artnow
Youreall
yhavenochoiceher
e,i
tsei
therImarry
heroryourenti
regener
ati
onsei
zest
oexi st
".
Grai
gwar nedsharpl
y
*
From hi
sey
esy
oucoul
dseet
hathemeant
busi
ness
Hewasi
nnomoodt
obar
gai
n
Hef
eltl
i
kehewasowedt
hatmuch
*
Whil
eont
hatotherendMrFer
nandof
eltst
uck
bet
weenarockandahardpl
ace
Hewast r
appedi
nadar
kcor
nerwi
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ntof
escape
I
twassounf
ort
unat
eforhi
mthatt
hedeadhas
r
isent
ospeakf
ort
hemsel
ves
Whatwentwrong,
wasital
waysli
kethatf
or
ev
eryonewhocommit
tedthi
sdreadf
ulcri
me
Di
dtheysuf
ferasmuchf
ort
hei
rmi
stakeas
hi
m
Hewonder
edqui
etl
y
*
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egi
veny
ouenought
imet
odi
gestt
his
I
nfactIhav
edeci
dedt
orendermer
cyony
ou
Whatam aski
ngyoutodoi
sf armor
eeasi
l
y
t
hatwhatIhavebeenbr
oughtbackt
odo
Soitsei
thert
hiswayort
hehi
ghway
"Gr
aig
added
*
"Whati
fshef
indsoutwhaty
ouact
ual
l
yar
e
Whati
fsher
eal
i
set
haty
ouar
enotr
eal
Imeany
ouar
edeadhowwi
l
lthi
srel
ati
onshi
p
wor
k"sai
dMrF
*
Gr
aigchuckl
edAbi
tshowi
nghi
sdi
mpl
es
*
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ll
workthesamewayasy
ouar
eabl
eto
seeandtal
ktomenow
Ever
ythi
nghasbeent
akenof
,Iwi
l
lber
eal
inher
ey
es
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rynoonewi
l
lev
erknowt
hatam dead
Asl
ongasmysoul
ist
rappedi
nthi
swor
ldso
wi
ll
mybody
UnlessIdowhatI'vebeenbroughtbackt
odo
thenandonlythenwillIbeabl
etogot ot
he
greatbeyond"gr
aigsaid
*
"
Iloveyourdaught
erandam pr
eparedtobe
t
rappedhereforet
ernit
yeveni
fitki
l
lsme,am
r
eadytodieagainforher
Shei
sthereasony
ouaresti
ll
ali
ve,pl
easel
et
mebewiththewomanIlov
e"grai
gsaid
Itwasthoseemotionsthathewasmeantnotto
feelt
hatmadehim bledforthever
yfi
rstt
ime
eversi
ncehe'sbeenbroughtback
*
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sbl
eedi
ng"MrFsai
d
*
"Hol
l
yshi
t,t
hati
snotsupposet
ohappen"
Hewi
pedt
hebl
oodwi
thhi
shand
"Ihav
etogo,ihav
etoknowyouranswerf
ir
st
befor
eIgo"hesai
dsti
l
lwipi
ngthebloodt
hat
gushedouthi
snose
*
Mrf
ernandot
ookadeepheav
ybr
eat
he
Hewascl
ear
lyi
ndoubt
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youwil
lhaveher
,butj
ustgivemea
chancetoi
ntr
oducethi
sideafi
rst
"hehesi
tant
ly
spoke
*
"Goodchoi
ce,
Iwi
l
lmeetwi
thy
ouont
hir
dful
l
moon
Youbet
terhavegreatnewsf
orme"hesaid
bef
oredi
sappeari
ngleavi
ngMrFabitshaken
*
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ythi
nghasapr i
ceandthi
sist
he
oneIhavetopay"hethoughttohi
msel
fbef
ore
star
ti
nghiscaranddr
ivingof
*
*

Grai
ghadnochoi
cebutt
ogobackt
oOuma'
s
rest
aur
ant
Her
eappear
edi
nsi
det
her
est
aur
antal
ready
f
eel
i
ngweakanddi
zzy
Hegr
acedt
hef
loort
hemi
nut
ehegott
her
e
Anoldwomanr ushedtohi
m wi
tht
hegl
assof
mil
kyli
kegol
dishliqui
d
*
"Justopenyourmont
handswal
l
ow"shesai
d
i
nacr ampyshakyvoi
ce
*
Graiddi
dasi
nst
ruct
edunt
ilhedr
ankt
hegl
ass
fi
nished
Heregainedhisst
rai
ghtt
hedi
zzi
nessand
bl
eedingstopped
Theoldwomanhel
pedhi
m gotupf
rom t
he
fl
oor
Hesatonachair
, hewasstil
lbusyt
ryi
ngt
o
di
gestwhathadjusthappenedwhenahotsl
ap
l
andedonhischeek
*
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hehel
lOuma,whatwasthatf
or"he
scr
eamedr
ubbinghi
scheekst
il
li
ndisbel
ief
*
"
Impossi
ble,
itsi
mpossi
ble
Soy
ouf
eltt
hat
,owhy
oudi
sobedi
entchi
l
d
Whathaveyoudone,you'
velett
hatgi
rlt
oo
deepint
oyourhear
tthatyouarenowweakto
thet
ouch
Youwer
enotmeantt
ofeel
anyconnect
iont
o
thi
swor
ld
It
houghtt
hespel
lwasst
rong,
howi
sitt
hati
ts
br
eaki
ng
Ineedt
onot
if
yyourmot
heraboutt
his.
..
"
*
"No,
pleasedon'
ttel
lher
,shecannotknowor
el
seshewill
sendmeback
Am notr
eadyt
ogoy
et
Ineedsomet
imewi
thher
"Gr
aigpl
eaded
*
"Whatiswr
ongwi t
hyou,t
hisgi
rli
sthereason
youdi
edandyoumeant otel
lmethatyouare
sti
l
lcr
azyaboutherev
enindeat
h
Why,whycan'
tyoujustdowhaty ouwere
meanttodoandthendepartpeaceful
l
ywi t
hout
compli
cat
ingt
hings"theol
dwomansai d
*
"ButIcan'
t,Il
oveher
,seei
ngherbr
oughtback
al
lthosefeeli
ng
Tal
ki
ngtohermademefor
gett
hatIwasnot
humanf
oralit
tl
ewhi
le
Pl
easeOumaTer r
ayoucan'
ttel
lmom,
notnow
pl
ease"Gr
aigbegged
*
Theoldwomanknewt hatthi
swasgenuineand
shejustcoul
dn'
tstandinthewayofloveeven
thoughsheknewt hatt
heconsequencesfor
thi
swillbedr
eadful
Shewaswi
l
li
ngt
ogi
vehi
sgr
andsont
he
happi
nesshesobadl
ydesi
red
"FineIwil
lnottel
lyourmom,butweneedt
o
fi
ndsomet hi
ngstrongert
okeepyouher
eand
stopthebl
eeding
Youneedtobepr
epar
edf
ort
heconsequences
oft
histhough
Weneedtomaint
ainbal
ancebetweenyourl
i
fe
her
eandontheothersi
de"shef
inal
lysai
d
*
"Thankyou,
,,t
hankyousomuch,am pr
epared
tofaceanyconsequencesasl
ongasIwil
lhave
herinmyarms"graigbeamedwit
hexci
tement
*
Ter
ra:
your
eal
l
ylov
eherdon'
tyou
*
Grai
g:morethanl
i
fe,
shehassuf
fer
edenough
andIwanttomakeherhappy
*
Ter
ra:
Isawherear
li
er,
sheseemsl
i
keagood
gi
rl
*
Graig:shei
sagoodhumbl
egi
rlwhodeser
ves
nothingbutgr
eat
ness
*
Terr
a:andherfamil
y,y
ousti
l
lneedt
odowhat
youarebroughther
etodo
*
Gr
aigst
ayedqui
etf
orawhi
l
etool
ong
*
Ter
ra:
don'
ttel
lmey
ou'
vechangedy
ourmi
nd
*
Grai
g:owhnoIhaven'
t,
Iwi
l
ldowhat
everi
tis
t
hatam supposet
odowhenthet
imecomes
Ri
ghtnowIj
ustwannaenj
oyt
hismoment
*
Terr
a:y
ouarenot
hingbutaspi
ri
tsummoned
backfr
om t
hedeadandsheishuman
Howwill
thi
swork,
Imeanyoucan'
tev
eneator
sl
eephowarey
ougoingt
osurvi
vewit
hher
*
Grai
g:Iwil
lmakeitwor
k,i
thastoworkal
lI
knowisthatInev
erwannalooseher
*
Terr
a:f
ine,
Ithi
nkwi
l
lhav
etodot
heGoj
ari
tual
then
Onl
yify
oucant
aket
hepai
nthatcomeswi
thi
t
*
Gr
aig:
Icant
akeany
thi
ngasl
ongasi
tsf
orher
*
Terr
a:fi
nethen,
Ineedt
opr
epar
eal
lthet
hings
neededfort
hat
Thenwecandoi
tint
woweekst
ime
Butknowthatyourmom wi
l
lki
l
lmei
fsheev
er
fi
ndsoutaboutthi
s
*
Graig:Iknowmom l
i
stenst
oyou,
youwi
l
lhav
e
t
ot alktoher
Makeherunder
stand
*
Terr
a:f
ine,Iwil
ltr
y,buti
tsnotgoodtri
cki
ngt
he
younggir
lint
othinki
ngthatever
ythi
ngisasi
t
appear
s
Isawearl
ieron,
shereal
l
ythoughtIwasa
wait
resshit
ti
ngonyou
*
Grai
g:youwer eal
sostar
ingIcanunderst
and
howshet houghtt
hatbecauseinherey
esy ou
aret
hisbeautif
ulyoungwait
ress
*
Ter
ra:
wel
li
fonl
ysheknewt
hatIwast
his
wr
inkl
edandol
d
*
Grai
g:ifonly
, Ir
eall
ywi
shwecanbr
ingmy
youngerbrotherinont
his
Imisshi
m,v
isi
ti
nghi
mli
ket
hatbr
eaksmy
heart
Itbr
eaksmeknowi
ngthatam her
eandIcan'
t
evental
ktohi
mfacet
of ace
Ihav
etokeeppl
ayi
ngal
lthi
shi
deandseek
games
*
Ter
ra:youknowhowweakTysoni
s,wecan'
t
j
usttel
lhi
m somethi
ngsobi
g
Hewil
lgor
ogueandam sur
eyoudon'
twant
t
hat
Let
'sj
ustl
ethi
mfocusonhi
sst
udi
esf
ornow
*
Gr
aig:
fine,
alt
houghIr
eal
l
ythi
nkhecanhandl
e
t
het
rut
h
*
Theyt
alkedabi
tmor
eaboutt
hewayf
orwar
d
Butal
lwascert
ainthoughGrai
gwant
edEl
l
a
deadoral
i
veitdidn'
tmattert
ohim
Ell
awastheonl
ythi
ngt
hatmadesensei
nhi
s
sensel
esswor
ld

*
*

#ELLA

Iwasbusychecki
ngt
hebul
kofcl
othesCal
vi
n
boughtmefr
om themal
l
Ihadf
ir
str
efusedhi
sof
fert
obuymecl
othes
Buthekepti
nsi
sti
ngunt
ilIendedupagr
eei
ng
Theguyal
mostboughtt
hewhol
est
oref
orme
I
twasevenhardtocar
rythedamnedbags
whenhedroppedmeoffanhourago
*
"Bel
l
a!!
!Ar
eyouher
e"mymom cal
l
edout
Am sureshewasfasci
nat
edaboutthegrocer
y
pl
asti
csthatwer
eplacedont
hekitchencounter
Shi
tnowIhadt oexpl
ainwher
eIgott
hemoney
tobuyal
lthatst
uff
*
"Am her
e"Isai
dent
eri
ngt
heki
tchen
*
Mah:andt
hen,
what
'
sthi
s,whoboughtal
lthi
s
st
uff
*
Me:welluhm,I,
,Idi
d,y
esIgotaj obtocl
eanat
someindianstorei
ntownandt heypai
dme
R250,
thenIalsousedt hepocketmoneythat
wasl
eftf
rom myschol
arshi
p
*
Mah:
somuchmoneyf
orj
ustcl
eani
ngf
oraday
Thosei
ndi
answer
esur
elygener
ous
*
Me:
theyar
e,andt
heyar
efr
iendl
ytoo
*
Mah: Isee,
youshoul
dn'
thav
ebot
her
edbuy
ing
al
lthosestufft
hough
I
tisnoty
ourdut
ytopr
ovi
def
ort
hisf
ami
l
y
Youshoul
dhav
ejustsav
edy
ourmoney
*
Me:Iwant
edtoo,
youanddadhav
edoneso
muchforme
Ij
ustwantedt
oatl
eastsayt
hanky
ouguy
sfor
ev
eryt
hingyouhav
edone
*
Mah:ncoooh,y
ouaresosweat,
Ireall
ythank
Godforgi
vingmesuchakindheart
edsoul asa
daught
er
Comeher
e
*
Iwentt
oherandwehuggedt
ight
ly
Webrokethehugandweunpackedt
he
wool
worthspl
asti
csandst
art
edpacki
ngt
he
gr
oceri
es
I
twasn'tl
ongaf
tert
hatmybr
othercameback
f
rom school
*
"Wowwhowonthel
ott
ery
"hebr
aggedupon
seei
ngt
hegr
ocer
y
*
Mah:
yoursi
sterdi
d
*
Chr
is:
wowr
eal
l
ysi
ster
s,nowt
hisIwannahear
I
fyougonnaspoilusl
ikethi
stheny
ouj
ust
mightnotgobacktoschool
*
Me:
lool
iny
ourcr
azydr
eams
*
Chri
s:anywayhif
amily
,nowcanItal
ktoyou
El
lather
e'ssomet
hingIwannashowyou
*
Mah:
t hewayyouaresof
orwar
dImuchdoubt
t
hatyouarenotgay
*
Chr
is:unl
essther
ewer emachi
nesableto
det
ectgaysthenIguesswewil
lneverknow
*
wer ani
ntomyroom andt
hedudejust
screameduponseei
ngthecl
othesscat
ter
edon
thebed
*
Me:geezchi
l
loutni
ggay
ougonnadr
aw
at
tent
ion
*
Chr
is:
notunt
ily
out
ell
mewhoi
sthi
snewATM
machi
ne
I
shehandsomeam sur
eheownsmul
ti
plecar
s
*
Me:
dudehowdi
dyouknowt
hati
tsaguy
*
Chr
is:
wel
lj
ustaguyi
nst
inct
,sowhoi
she
*
Me:wellhi
snameisCal
vi
ntheguyIt
oldy
ou
abouty
esterday
*
Chr
is:
theonewhogav
eyoual
i
ft
*
Me:
yep,
hecamet
odayl
ooki
ngf
ordadbutt
hen
hefoundme, Iguesshesawmydrybreadi
n
theloungesoheof f
eredt
otakemeoutfor
breakfast
AndIhadthemostscr
umpt
iousengl
i
sh
br
eakfast
Aft
ert
hathet
ookmet
othemal
landhebought
thi
s
OrIfor
gott
hemosti mpor
tantdetai
l
, hewas
dr
ivi
ngthel
atestser
iess-
classcabr
iote
*
Chr
is:
omg,
omgIt
hinkam gonnaf
aint
*
Me:
wel
lnoti
nmyr
oom pl
ease,
any
wayher
e
Thi
sisf
ory
ou
*
Ihandedhi
mtwoYDEj
eanandt
woshi
rt
s
Andabl
ackl
eat
heral
l
_st
ar
*
Chri
s:wowsoIwasal
sor
emember
edi
nyour
shoppi
ngspr
ee
*
Me:youar
emyonl
ybr
other
,howcanIf
orget
you
*
Chri
s:y
ouar earealsi
s,nowIhav
esomet
hing
towearforspr
ingpart
ynextweek
Ladi
eswi
l
lbet
hrowi
ngt
hemsel
vesatme
*
Me: y
ouandpart
iesIt
houghty
ouwoul
dhav
e
changedbynow
*
Chr
is:
hahanotachancebi
gsi
es

*
Wetalkedabi
tlongermybr
otherwasr
eal
l
y
ov
erthemoon
Hereal
lyl
ovedt
hecl
othesandseei
nghi
m
happymademehappy
[
12/
26,17:
34]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYSEVEN

#TYSON

Iatt
endedal
lmyl
essonsandby2:
30pm i
twas
ti
meoutforme
Iwasheadi
ngtot
hecaf
eter
iawhenIhear
d
voi
cescal
li
ngmyname
Ilookedbackonl
ytor
eal
i
set
hati
twast
hewi
l
d
twins
Iwonder
edwher
ethei
rfr
iendwasbecauseshe
hasbeawf
ull
yqui
ett
hist
woday
s
*
"Fi
nall
yhestops,
we'
vebeencal
l
ingy
ouf
orl
i
ke
for
everdude
Ar
eyoudeaforpl
ainst
upi
d"Ther
esabr
agged
*
Me:am sor
rybutdi
dyouj
ustcal
lmest
upi
d
r
ightnow
*
Vanessa:
rel
axdudeshewasj
ustki
ddi
ng
Whyar
eyousoupt
ight
*
Theresa:
youmakey ourhot
nessbor
ing
becauseofyourt
ightf
ace
IswearIhav
enev
erseeny
ousmi
l
e
*
Me:
arey
oudoneIwi
l
lli
ket
ogo
*
Vanessa:
mmhf
eist
y,comedownt
iger
*
Thegi
rll
i
ter
all
yranherhandonmypr
ivat
e
par
ts
*
"Damnar
eyoucrazy,whatt
hehel
ldoyouthi
nk
youar
edoi
ng"Ishout
edremovi
ngherhand
*
Vanessa:
don'
tactl
i
key
oudi
dn'
tenj
oyt
hat
Webot
hknowt
haty
oust
il
lwantme
Let
'sf
acei
t,Iwast
hehot
testgi
rly
ouev
ersl
ept
wit
h
*
Me:
damnwomani
twasj
ustaoneni
ghtst
and
Iwassodr
unkIdon'
tev
enr
ememberf
ucki
ng
you
Wesl
eptoncesogetov
eri
tgeez
Besi
desy
out
hrewy
our
sel
fatme
Youpract
ical
l
ybeggedmet
osl
eepwi
thy
ouso
Idon'
tseeanyhot
nesst
her
e
Inf
actIseeafloozywit
hnoselfr
espectand
seemslikeyouenjoy
editmostbecauseyou
j
ustcan'tst
ayawayf r
om me
*
Ther
esa:
damnt
hat
'sj
ustpl
ainr
ude
*
Ahotslapl
andedonmycheek,
vanessa
sl
appedme
Ihel
dmycheekst
il
lshockedandt
ryi
ngt
olet
thesl
apsi
nki
n
*
Vanessa:
don'
tev
ercal
lmeawhor
eagai
n
*
Me:
wel
lsur
ethi
ngt
hen
*
WhenIt
urnedat
tempt
ingt
oleav
etheyhel
dmy
hand
*
"Whyareyoudoi
ngt
his,
youknowhowIf
eel
abouty
ou
Il
oveyou,
whycan'
twebet
oget
her
"vanessa
begged
*
Me:
that
'sbecausey
ouar
eapsy
cho
Ican'
tdat
eapsy
cho
Your
ememberwhaty
oudi
daf
tert
hatni
ght
Youhackedmyfacebook,
thr
eat
enanddel
eted
ever
yfemalef
ri
endIhad
Youar
esi
ckVanessaandy
ouneedhel
p
*
Vanessa:
am sor
ryohki
twi
l
lnothappenagai
n
Iwasj
ustmessi
ngar
oundwi
thy
ou
*
Me:
thenam t
oool
dforj
okes
Am notat
tract
edt
oyoui
nanyway
Besi
deswhit
esl
utt
ybl
ondegi
rl
sar
enoti
nmy
dati
ngl
ist
*
Vanessa:
fine,
jackass
*
Me:
thanky
ou,
cany
oul
etgoofmyhandnow
*
Ther
esa:
pleasetel
lj
uniortocal
lme,Iwi
l
lreal
l
y
l
iket
oknowi fwesti
ll
onf ort
onight
*
Me:soyouar
estil
lsl
eepi
ngwi t
hjuni
orev
en
whenshe'
sdat
ingyourfr
iend
*
Ther
esa:andwhatbusi
nessi
sitt
oyouwhet
her
wefucki
ngornot
*
Me:
IthoughtEl
l
awasy
ourf
ri
end
*
Theresa:wellyouthoughtwr
ong,chi
ll
ing
togetherdoesn'tmakeusanyfr
iends
Wejusthel
pedhergi
veawayheV-
jaybef
ore
shedi
edav i
rgi
n
*
Me:
owhi
sthatso
*
Vanessa:sincey
ouarehel
lbentonknowing
ourbusinesswit
hEl
ladoyouperhapsknow
whereshei s
We'
vetr
iedr
eachi
nghert
hispastt
woday
swi
th
nol
uck
*
Me:
andhowwoul
dIknow,
isn'
tshey
ourf
ri
end
Howabouty
ouaskherboy
fri
end
TheoneTher
esai
sfucki
ng
*
Ther
esa:youar
esuchadeal
breaker
,sodul
l
andi
rri
tat
ing
*
Vanessa:
Ili
ket
hedr
unkv
ersi
onofy
ou
*
Me:
wel
lthenhal
aatmewhenam dr
unk
*
It
henwal
kedaway
*
"
Funsucker"Ther
esasai
d
*
Ij
usti
gnor
edt
hem andwal
kedaway
Ikeepwonder
ingwher
eEl
l
acoul
dbe
Iwonder
edwhet
hershewassaf
ewher
evershe
was
Most
lyIwonder
edwhyIwassowor
ri
edabout
el
l
a
*
Igotatt
hecaf
eter
iaboughtmy
sel
fpi
eanda
canofcoke
Ithenexi
tedt
hemomentIsawt
het
wins
enter
ing
Goodt
hingt
hebui
l
dinghadt
wosepar
atedoor
s
*
Iwal
kedasf
astasIcoul
dunt
ilIgott
omypl
ace
Andi
twasl
ocked,
asusual
juni
orwasnoti
n
Isear
chedf
ormykey
,unl
ockedandgoti
n
Ipl
acedmybagawaybef
oret
ossi
ngmyt
ir
ed
bodyont
hecouch
*
Iat
emypi
ewhi
l
ebr
owsi
ngonmyf
acebook
*
Ideci
dedt
ohal
aatmyl
adyf
ri
end
Shewast heonl
ythi
ngi
nter
est
ingi
nmy
facebook
It
hinkIwasf
all
i
ngi
nlov
ewi
thher
*
Facebookconv
o:
*
Me:
heybeaut
if
ulNont
le
*
Her
:heyy
ou,
doneat
tendi
ngal
ready
*
Me:
yepj
ustgott
omyhouse
*
Her
:hopey
ouhadagr
eatday
*
Me:
itwasf
ine
*
Her
:noi
rr
it
ati
ngr
oommat
etoday
*
Me:
he'
sout
,am sur
ehewentdr
inki
ngagai
n
*
Her
:heseemst
roubl
ed,
her
eal
l
yneedshel
p
Her
emi
ndsmeofsomeoneIwasdat
ing
*
Me:
hewasal
soadr
unkar
d
*
Her
:sor
tofbutmor
eli
keabadi
nfl
uence
*
Me:shem aski
es,
Isti
llcan'
tbel
i
eveyouwer
ein
mycampusandy etInevermetyou
*
Her:wel
lmay
bewewi
l
lmeetsomedaywho
knows
*
Me:Ij
usthopeso,
youst
il
lref
usi
ngwi
thy
our
pi
ctur
e
*
Her:y
ouwillgeti
tnextt
imeIhav
etogonow,
I
needtost
artcooki
ng
I
twasni
cet
alki
ngt
oyou
*
Me:i
twasgreattal
ki
ngtoyout
oo,
pleasecan
wechatbef
oreyousleep
*
Her
:nopr
obl
em,
tal
klat
ert
hen
X0X0
*
Sheloggedoutandmydaywentbackt
obor
ing
agai
n
Iwassl
owl
yfal
li
nginl
ovewi
tht
hisgir
lyetal
lI
knewwast
hathernamewasnontl
e
Idi
dn'
tknowhersur
nameorwher
eshest
ayed
Wel
lshenev
erment
ionsi
treal
l
y
Iwasi
nlov
ewi
thaper
sonIknewnot
hingabout
*
*

#ELLA

Iwassti
l
llayi
ngi
nbed,
Ihadj
ustl
oggedoutof
myfakeaccount
Wel
li
twast
heaccountIcr
eat
edj
ustt
owr
it
e
mydiar
iesandst
alkedj
uni
orunt
ilt
hisguy
i
nvi
tedme
IknewIhadseenhim somewherearoundthe
campusunti
lIrememberedthatIsawhim ata
part
yjuni
ort
hrewonce
*
Il
ikedhim,at
leasthewasfri
endl
yandknew
howt okeept
heconv er
sat
iongoi
ng
Al
thoughIhadnev
erhadaoneononechatwi
th
hi
m
Hewasmyf
acebookcr
ush
*
Ideci
dedtocallmytwinsbit
chesbutnoneof
them pi
ckedupsoIjusttookfewpict
ures
weari
ngthedressesthatCal
vinboughtforme
ThenIpost
edaf
ewi
nmyr
eal
facebook
account
*
Andv
anessawast
heonet
oli
keandcomef
ir
st
*
"Andwhatdoy
ouknowsheact
ual
l
yisal
i
ve"
shewr
ote
*
Me:
haaahaaam v
erymuchal
i
ve
Itr
iedcall
ingy
ouandt
her
rabuty
ouguy
sar
e
notpicki
ngup
wi
l
lcal
lyout
oni
ghtandt
ell
youwhathappened
*
Vanessa:
wil
lbewai
ti
ngf
ort
hatcal
l
*
Ithenloggedout,
placedmyphonei
nachar
ger
beforeexit
ingt
heroom
Ifel
tabi
thappywhent
herewassomeoneot
her
thanmeinthi
scr
eepyhouse
*
Iwasint
hepassagewhenIhear
dvoi
ces
comingf
rom myparent
s'r
oom
*
"Shei
sgr
ownenoughf
ormar
ri
ageRose
Iknowtheboy'
sfami
l
yshewil
lbewel
ltaken
careof
f"t
hatwasmyfat
her
'svoi
ce
*
Il
i
stenat
tent
ivel
y
*
"Wecan'
tjustgi
veourdaught
eroutf
or
mar
ri
age,she'
snothi
ngbutachil
dgorge
Shewillt
hinkt
hatwearesell
ingherof
f
becauseoftheschool
issue
Andwher
eist
hisKr
ugerf
amily,
Ihavenev
er
hear
doft
hem"mymom responded
*
Whothehel
lweretheyt
alki
ngaboutbecause
l
astt
imeIcheckediwastheonl
ydaughterthey
had
AndImenti
onednOt
hingaboutwant
ingt
oget
marr
iedt
othem
*
Ideci
dedtowalkawaybef
oreIhearthi
ngsthat
werenotmeantformyear
sIgotinthekit
chen
andstar
tedonmypots
Icookedpapandchi
ckennot
hingf
ancy
Mybr
otherwasnowher
etobeenseen
If
igur
edmay
behewentt
ohi
sfr
iend
Hal
fwaythr
oughmypot
smypar
ent
scameout
oft
hei
rbedr
oom
*
"Owhy ouhav eal
readyst
artedcooki
ng,
I
thoughtIwasgonnacookt oday"mymom sai
d
witharatherunpl
easantf
ace
Scr
atcht
hat
,herf
acewasj
ustsour
*
Me:wel
litwasget
ti
ngl
atesoIf
igur
edImi
ght
aswel
lcook
*
Mom:
finet
henIwi
l
lcookt
omor
row
*
Me:
arey
ouohk,
youl
ookr
athert
roubl
ed
*
Mom:
am f
ine,
itsnot
hingr
eal
l
y
*
Me:
owhohkt
hen
*
Mom:
wher
eisy
ourbr
other
*
Me:havenoidea,maybehewentt
omeetup
wi
thhisstudygroup
*
Mom:
eishgr
adet
wel
vecanbear
eal
troubl
e,
t
heyhar
dlyr
est
*
Me:
wel
lthat
'st
hedeal
,youwor
khar
dtopass
Butoncey
ougett
roughi
tev
ery
thi
ngbecomes
bet
ter
*
Mom:bett
ernotsimpler
,youst
il
lhav
etosuf
fer
t
ofur
theryourst
udies
*
"Ther
ey ouare,
Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ou"myf
ather
sai
dlookingatme
*
Me:
wel
lhopeI
'
vedonenot
hingwr
ong
*
Pa:notatal
l
,am sur
eyourmot
herhasal
ready
tol
dyou
*
Me:
tol
dmewhat
*
Mom: Itol
dhernot
hing,Icannotbepar
toft
his,
Ican'
tjustsel
lmydaughter
Wel
lfami
l
yornotam st
il
lagai
nstt
hisar
ranged
mar
ri
agenonsense
*
Me:
mom whatar
eyouonabout
*
"Tel
lhergorge, t
ell
herhowyouarr
angedf
or
hert
ogetmar riedtosomewealt
hyboy"my
mom burst
ed, Icannotbepar
toft
his
*
Shest
ormedout
*
Me:
dadwhat
'sgoi
ngon,
whati
sshet
alki
ng
*
Pa: El
l
zpr omisemey ouwon'
tbemad,my
fri
end'ssonsawy ouandwasimmediat
ely
takenbyy ourbeaut
y.
Hewant
stomar
ryy
ou
AndIpr
omi
sedhi
sfat
hert
hatIwi
l
ltal
ktoy
ou
*
Me:
whichf
ri
end,
andwhoi
sthi
sguyt
hatwant
s
t
omarr
yme
*
Pa:t
heyboyisfr
om agoodf
ami
l
y,andy
ou
hav
ealreadymethi
m
Thefamil
yisweal
thyandcanaf
for
dtot
akey
ou
backtoschool
Pl
easedearj
ustsayy
est
othei
rpr
oposal
*
Me:whatthehel
l
,dadhowcany
ouev
en
suggestt
hat
Am onl
y21andnowayr
eadyt
obemar
ri
edt
o
anyman
Am st
il
lachi
l
dandIwannaenj
oymyy
out
h
Idon'
tneedamant
otakemet
oschool
Icangetaj
obandpayf
ormyeducat
ion
*
Pa:
wel
lIt
hinkIdi
dn'
tmakemy
sel
fcl
ear
Youwil
lmarryt
hatyoungmanwhet
hery
oul
i
ke
i
tornot
,thi
sisnotarequest
NowGr ai
gwi
llbeher
einfewdaysandI
suggesty
ougetyour
sel
ffami
li
artothei
dea
*
Me:daddypl
easedon'
tdot
hist
ome,
am not
r
eadytobeanyone'
swif
e
Pl
easedon'
tfor
cemei
ntot
his
*
Pa:
itsei
thert
hiswayory
oul
eav
emyhouse
*
Aft
ersayi
ngthatIst
areddeepl
yinhi
sey
esand
hecoul
dn'tev
enlookatme
Helookedaway,cl
i
ckedhi
stonguebef
ore
exi
ti
ngtheki
tchen
If
eltt
heneedt
ojustscr
eam
SoIj
ustopenedmymout
handl
etmyv
oiceout
Aft
erthatIj
ustbr
okedownandcr
iedsomy
ownfatherwassel
li
ngmetosomerichf
ami
ly
andIhadnosayinthatmat
ter

*
#mf
s_mt
ag
[
12/
26,17:
34]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYEI
GHT
#ELLA

Ir
eall
ythoughtmyfatherwaspuni
shi
ngmef
or
l
osingmyscholar
ship.
Imeanwhyelsewouldhewannasel
lmeof
fto
someweal
thyfamil
y,
Ihadl
ockedmy
sel
finmyr
oom cr
yingmyey
es
out
Wi
shi
ngl
i
fecoul
dbej
ustsi
mpl
er
*
Imayhav
efal
l
enasl
eepwhi
l
stcr
ying.
Asof
tpr
olongedknockwokemeup,
I
twassoannoyi
ngleav
ingmewi
thnochoi
ce
butt
oopenthedoor
.
Idraggedmyassoutofbedandwentt
oopen
thedoor
*
Whatdoyouknow .
itwasmyannoy
ing
l
it
tl
ebrot
her
*
"Noneedtothankmeforbr
ingi
ngyourf
ood"
hesai
d,pushi
ngpastmewit
hapl at
eoffood
*
Me:
Geezwear
eeat
ingal
ready
,whatt
imei
sit
*
Chr
is:
It'
salmost21:
30pm,
Ijusthadt
ogetout
oft
hatlounge.
Themoodissosourouttherewi
thmahandpa
gi
vi
ngeachotherdeadl
ystar
esIswearthey
l
ookli
ketheywannareapeachot
her'
sthroat
*
Me:What
?,t
hatl
ateal
ready
,I'
vebeensl
eepi
ng
t
hatl
ong
Wel
lthenIguessIam l
uckynott
obeoutt
her
e
I
'
llr
atherbeher
ethanoutt
her
e
*
Chr
is:
Ifi
gur
edhungermustbeki
l
li
ngy
ouby
now
*
Me:
Ncooht
hanxbr
o
*
It
ooktheplat
eoff
oodandpl
acedi
tonmy
smal
ltabl
e
*
"Iam sosor
rysi
s,maht
oldmewhatpa
suggest
ed,
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evei
tatf
ir
stsoIaskedhi
m about
i
t
Themanal
mostchewof
fmyhead.
Hesai
dhi
swor
dwasf
inal
Wel
lIcont
inuedpr
essi
ngt
hen
Wegoti
nal
i
lfi
ghtandheendedupsl
appi
ng
mef
ordef
endi
ngy
ou"chr
issai
d
*
Ri
ghtthenIcoul
dfi
nall
yseet
her
edf
ivef
inger
s
embeddedonhischeek
Thatwasabi
tov
ert
hel
i
mitev
enf
ormyf
ather
*
Me:omg,hedi
dthat,howcoul
dhe,ishe
puni
shi
ngmeforloosingmyschol
arshi
p
Di
dIof
fendhi
minanyway
*
Chri
s:am af
raidt
osaythi
sbutIj
ustt
hink
ther
e'smorethanwhatt
heol
dmani sl
etti
ngus
i
n
May
behei
sint
roubl
e
*
Me:andhisusi
ngmet osolv
ehispr
obl
ems,
wel
lthatj
ustsel
fi
shandplai
nkak
Idon'
twannagetmar
ri
ed,
atl
eastnotnow
Am st
il
lyoung,
Iwantt
oenj
oymyy
out
h
Idon'
twannaendupbei
ngatr
ophywi
feto
somerichbast
ardwhowi
ll
notgi
veashi
tabout
me
There'
snot hingmorepai
nful
thanbeingst
uck
i
nal ovelessmarri
agewhereyouhave
ever
y t
hingy ouwantint
hewor l
dyetsti
l
l
unhappy
*
Chri
s:tel
lmeabouti
t,r
ichdudeshav
elot
sof
baggages
Theyaresoarr
ogantandcockyandtendsto
thi
nkthatmoneycanbuythem ev
ery
thing
*
Me:t
ruet
hat
,Ihav
eal
readyhav
eanencount
er
wi
thone
*
Chr
is:
don'
tworryIwil
lkeeponpressi
nghar
der
ondadunt
ilhestopst
hismadness
*
Me:pleasedon't
,Iwil
lhat
etoseey
ouget
beat
enupj ustbecauseofme
Webot
hknowhowdadcanbeatt
imes
I
tsal
way
shi
swayornoway
*
Chri
s:Ican'tst
andasideandwat
chhi
mtoy
wit
hy ourfutur
eli
kethat
Thi
sist
he21stcent
ury
Wedon'
tdoar
rangedmar
ri
agesany
mor
e
Dadhast
ocomedownfrom hi
shi
ghhor
se
comehai
lorhi
ghwat
er
*
Me:Ishoul
dn'
thavecomehome,maybeI
shoul
dhavestay
edinVinoandav
oidal
lthi
s
*
IWi
pedt
het
ear
sthathadnowgav
eway
Di
spl
ayi
ngmysuf
fer
ing
I
fIcouldn'
tfeelpr
otect
edandsaf
efrom my
ownhomet henwhatplacewasIguarant
eedt
o
fi
ndsecuri
tyfrom
I
fmyownfatherhasseal
edmyf
atet
henwher
e
doIr
unt
ofrom here
Ihadnoknowncl
oser
elat
ivesapar
tfr
om my
mom'sfamil
ywhower
emi l
esaway
Ihadt
oacceptt
hef
actt
hatIwasdoomed
*
Itr
iedeat
ingwhi
leengagi
ngi
nawar
m
conver
sati
onwit
hchris
Hereal
l
ywant
edt
ofi
ghtf
ormebutIcoul
dn'
tl
et
hi
m
Idi
dn'
twantanybadbl
oodbet
weenhi
m andpa
al
lbecauseofme
Af
teral
lIwasnot
hingbutj
ustagi
rl
Andint
heey esoft
heworl
dIwasseenasa
pr
opert
yreadytobesol
dtoanot
herf
amil
y
whenti
mecomes
*
Iwasnev
eronetodr
eam ofget
ti
ngmar
ri
edand
havi
ngafami
ly
I
twasnev
eri
nanyofmybucketl
i
st
Ial
waysdaydr
eamedoff i
nishi
nguni
ver
sit
yand
havi
ngagoodpay
ingjob,buil
dmyfamil
yabig
houset
henbuyabigenoughhouseformysel
f
i
nthesubur
bs
Inmydr eamsitwasalwaysmeandmy
successnotjustsomewifet
oar i
chspoi
led
bratwhot hi
nkstheworl
drev
olv
esaroundhim
*
Iguesswecan'
tmakewi
shesoutofanai
rpl
ane
andexpectt
hem t
ocometr
ue
Ihadtofacet
her
eal
i
tyt
hatmywor
ldwas
crumbl
ing
Thewall
swer
ecomi
ngdownt
oof
astf
ormet
o
grabt
hem
Ihadtwounli
kel
ychoices,agr
eet
ogetmar ri
ed
orgetoutofmyfather
'shouseei
therchoi
ce
wasjustasbadforme
I
fIl
eavemyf
ather
'shouseIhadnowher
efor
metogo
WorseIcan'
tgobackt
ocapeVi
nosi
ncej
uni
or
deci
dedtodumpme
*
Aft
ereat
ingmyli
lbr
othert
ookmypl
ateand
exi
tedmyroom
Iwasfor
cedtoexi
tther
oom becauseIneeded
tot
akeabath
Nomatterhowlat
eitwas,
Icoul
dnev
ersl
eep
wi
thouttaki
ngabath
Itookmyt
hingsandwentt
otakeal
ongqui
et
bath
*
It
ookalmostanhouri
nthatbat
htube,so
over
whelmedwithemot
ionsandtr
yingtoput
mymi ndatease
Icoul
dn'
tst
opcr
ying
If
eltabandoned,
lostandal
one
If
eltl
i
ket
hewhol
ewor
ldwasagai
nst
me
Ishutmyeyesandtr
iedtoescapef
rom t
his
bandageIwassubj
ectedtoo

*
*
#NARRATED
*
Whenhewasst rongenoughGr
aigst
oodup
fr
om thefl
oorandwenttother
oom att
heback
oftherest
aur
ant
Her
est
edont
hesi
ngl
ebedand
si
ppedont
hegoldenl
iquidwhi
chtheycal
l
ed
Li
maquawhichmeanttheoi
lofl
if
e
I
twastheonlythi
nghewasablet
oconsume
wi
thoutanydanger
ousef
fect
Theoilkepthi
m al
i
veandst
abl
eint
hewor
ldof
thel
i
ving
*
Nowthathi
sgrannywasgonnadot
her
it
ual
cameasgreatnewstoGr
aig
Hewasgonnabeabl etophysi
call
yinter
act
wit
hElla,hecouldsurvi
vel
ongerwithout
consumingt heLimaquameaningthathewas
gonnabel i
teral
l
yhumanalthoughhest i
l
l
coul
dn'teatnorsleep
t
hegreatdealofpai
nthatcomesasar esul
tsof
t
heri
tualseemedwor t
hitt
ohim becausehe
wasgonnabewi t
hthewomanhel oves
*
Therit
ualhadmanygreatdeal
ofgr
uesome
consequencest
hough
Afterther
it
ual
hewouldbebi
ndt
owhat
'
s
keepinghi
m al
ivewhi
chi
sEll
a
Andmostl
yhewasnotsupposet
oexper
ience
anypai
ncausedbyEl
l
a
Whichmeantt
hatel
lamustneverbreakhis
heartt
omakesuret
hathi
strueselfstay
s
hi
dden
Andmosti
mport
ant
lyEl
lawassupposet
olov
e
hi
m asmuchashel
ovedher
*
Althoughhewassupposetomakesurethatthe
ri
tualremai
nedasecretf
rom hi
smother
becausether
ewasabsolutel
ynowayinhellshe
wasgonnaal
l
owhi
m bewi
tht
hedaught
erof
herenemy
Bei
tlov
eornot
Itwasbett
eri
fhi
smotherf
indoutabout
every
thi
ngaft
ert
her
it
ualhasbeendone
Andt
heyhav
eal
readymar
ri
ed
Thatwayshewouldhav
enochoi
cebutaccept
thei
rmisgui
deduni
on
*
Halfwaytohi
sdri
nksomethi
ngweird
happenedtohi
m,hesuddenl
yfel
tsolonel
yand
betr
ayed
Hef
eltl
etdownandt
hewast
hisur
get
ocr
y
Bef
orehecoul
dcont
rol
it,
hischeeksf
eltwat
ery
Het
ouchedt
hem onl
ytor
eal
i
set
hati
twas
t
ear
s
Hewassheddi
ngtearsf
ornoreasonatal
lasi
f
t
hatwasnotenoughhescr
eamedsol oud
Thef
eel
i
ngofbei
ngf
rust
rat
edt
ookov
er
*
Hisgrannybar
gedi
ntot
her
oom wi
thoutev
en
knocking
*
"Iheardscr
eamswhat
'
swr
ong"shesai
dwi
tha
worri
edface
*
"
I,
,Idon'
tknow"gr
aigsai
dconf
usedtoo"Ifel
t
t
heneedt oscr
eam,If
eelsomanyemotions
t
akingover
Idon'
tknowwhat
'
shappeni
ngt
ome
Someonei
shurt
ingme"hesatatt
hecor
nerof
thebedwi
tht
earsst
il
lfal
l
ing
*
Gr
anny
:owhchi
l
d,i
tsher
*
Gr
aig:
what
,herwho
*
Gr
anny
:thegi
rly
ousoheadov
erhi
l
lsi
nlov
e
wi
th
Shei
stheonef
eel
i
ngt
his
Andbecausey
ousodeepl
yinlov
eandatt
ached
tohert
hat'
swhyy
ouarefeel
ingthi
sway
Youar
efeel
i
ngwhatshei
sfeel
i
ng
Thisthi
ngy ouhav
eforheri
swaymor
eser
ious
thanIthought
Theri
tual
needstobedonesoonerbef
oreyou
per
ishandloosey
oursel
fcompl
etel
yinher
*
Gr
aig:
Icanf
eel
whatshef
eel
s,how,
why
*
Granny
:becausebefor
ewebr
oughty
ouback
youwerejustaspi
ri
t
Youcoul
dwi t
nessandf
eel
ever
ythi
ngwe
humanbeingsfel
t
Butthenwhenwebr
oughty
oubacky
oul
ost
touchwit
hreal
i
ty
Youwerenot
hingbutanemptyvessel
wit
hno
feel
i
ngs,
emotionsorwhat
soever
Youwerej
ustshal
l
owandholl
owwit
hone
missi
ononl
y,t
oavengey
ourdeat
h
Thisgi
rli
sret
urni
ngy
ourhumani
tyandspi
ri
t
backtoget
her
Shei
sli
keasav
iorory
ourweakness
*
Gr
aig:
Ist
il
ldon'
tgeti
t
*
Granny:don'twor
ryyouwil
lunderst
and
every
thingsoon,Ihavet
ogot odaythe
rest
aurantisbusy
*
Grai
g:ohk,y
ouwi
l
lnotf
indmeher
ewheny
ou
cl
osethough
Iwi
l
lgot
othehouse
*
Gr
anny
:Iwi
l
lbr
ingmor
eLi
maquaf
ory
out
hen
Becausenowitseemslikey
ouneedi
tmor
e
thanweini
ti
all
ystar
ted
*
Gr
aig:thanxgr
anny,andpl
easedon'
ttel
lmy
motheraboutanyofthi
s
*
Granny
:Iwon't
,besi
desi
tsnoti
nmypl
acet
o
t
emperwithfai
th
Butpl
easebecar
eful
Takeiteasywi
tht
hatgi
rlbef
oreshebecomes
yourend
*
Gr
aig:
Iwi
l
l
*
Hisgrannyexi
tedtheroom,shecamebackfew
minuteslat
erwithmoreoil
andhandeditt
o
grai
gbeforegoingbacktoatt
endtoher
cust
omer sagain
*
Gr
aigl
eft
,hewenttowher
ehewasst ay
ing
whi
chwastheSiemensol
dresi
dence
MrSiemensandTy sonthoughtt
hehousewas
sol
dbutinthetruesensemrssiemensonl
y
madeitl
ooklikethehousewassold
Afteral
lshewasar eal
est
ateagentsoi
twas
easytopullt
hisoneoff
*
Thehousewassti
l
l hugeandel
egant
,so
beaut
if
ulandbr
eathetaki
ng
Mr
ssi
emensmadesur
ethatGr
aighav
e
ev
ery
thi
ngheev
erdesi
red
*
Hegoti
nthehouseandi
tfel
tmor
eempt
yand
l
onel
y
Ther
ewasonl
yonet
hingt
odot
okeephi
msel
f
busy
Vi
si
tEl
l
aandwat
chhersl
eep
Wel
lthatwashi
sfav
ori
tepar
toft
heday
Heal
waysgother
eandwat chedqui
etl
yast
he
womanhelov
essleepsqui
etly
*
Sohedi
sappear
edgoi
ngst
rai
ghtt
oEl
l
a'shome
Hegott
oherr
oom andEl
l
awasnott
her
e
Hecoul
dsensehert
hough,
hecoul
dsenset
hat
shewasint
hewater
Sohewentt
othebat
hroom
*
Hefoundhimsel
fst
ari
ngasshelaywi
thher
ey
esclosedundert
hewateri
nthebat
htube
Thebat
hwasl
i
ter
all
yful
l
Somet
hingwasv
erywr
ongt
hough
Sheseemsl
i
keshewassoundasl
eep
Andwasundert
hewat
erawhi
l
etool
ong
Unt
ilhesawanempt
ybot
tl
eofpi
l
lsont
hef
loor
*
"Owhno,
,
,nowhathav
eyoudone"hepani
cked
*
Hequi
cklypul
lheroutoft
hewat
er,
shewas
col
dasice

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
26,17:
34]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
ENTRYNI
NE

#TYSON

I
twasalmost22:
h00y
etj
uni
orwasnowher
eto
beseen
Ihadj
ustf
ini
shedeat
ingIwat
chedanact
ion
movie
Imusthav
efal
l
enasl
eepwhi
l
stwat
chi
ng
Al
oudbangi
ngont
hedoorwokemeup
*
Ist
ret
chedabi
tbef
oregoi
ngt
oopent
hedoor
I
twasj
uni
or,
sloshedasusual
Hewaswi
tht
wohooker
s,onebl
ackandone
whi
te
Am cal
l
ingthem hooker
sbecauset
heywore
shor
tski
rt
s,soshortonecoul
dseethei
rbum
cheeks
andcr
opt
opswi
thheel
s
*
"Comeoni nl
adi
es,
thi
sismydorm,andri
ght
her
eismymai nmanTay"hesai
dburpi
ng
i
nbetween
*
"Mmhy
ourf
ri
endi
ssexy
"oneoft
hel
adi
essai
d
*
"Hitay,
am Li
l
y,asinfr
om t
hef
lower
sLi
l
ies"t
he
otheronesai
dwalki
ngin
*
Juni
or:
asy
oucansee,
shei
sasbeaut
if
ulas
l
il
ies
*
Me:
hil
adi
es,
nicemeet
ingy
ou
*
Juni
or:
chi
l
loutbr
o,Ibr
oughtussomeasst
o
chowon
*
Me:sor
rydude,
Iwi
l
lhav
etot
akear
aincheck
ont
hat
Am t
ir
edandsonoti
nthemoodf
orsexr
ight
now
*
Lil
y:comeonTee,whosay
snot
oapussy
,ar
e
yougayorsomethi
ng
Loosenupmandon'
tbesuchasnob
*
Juni
or:
ahhei
ssoupt
ightj
ustl
ethi
m be
Let
'sgol
adi
es
*
Theli
l
ygi
rlbl
ewmeakissbefor
etheywal
kedi
n
ther
oom l
eavi
ngmei
nthelounge
Geezj
uniorwasj
ustsomet
hingel
se,
howcoul
d
hebri
nghooker
sknowingt
hatwesharet
he
sameroom
Wellt
henIhadnochoi
cebutt
owat
cht
he
bor
ingtv
*
Icoul
dhearmoani
ngsoundst
hrought
hehi
gh
pit
chvol
ume
Thegi
rl
swer
escr
eami
ngl
i
kecr
azy
Ir
eal
l
yneededt
omov
eoutofher
e
Bef
oret
hisguydr
ivemei
nsane
*
Themoaningandscr eamingkeptgoingonfor
almost45min,Idoubtjuni
orwast hatgoodt
o
keepthem l
adi
esentertai
nedforthatlong
Ideci
dedtot
akeapeekatwhatwasact
ual
l
y
happeni
ng
Onl
ythenIwasgr
eet
edbyanakedj
uni
orwho
wast
iedont
hebed
Bot
hhi
shandswer
eti
edont
heheadboar
d
Hisl
egsspr
eadoutandt
iedont
hesi
desoft
he
bed
Hi
smout
hwasgaggedwi
thaductt
ape
Hewasbusymumbl
i
ng,
try
ingt
obr
eakf
ree
f
rom t
heropes
*
Themoani
ngandscr
eami
ngwasst
il
lther
e
though
Il
ookedar
oundandt
her
oom wassweptcl
ean
Myl
apt
opwasgoneandsowasj
uni
or'
s
Iopenedt
hecl
osetandal
lourcl
otheswer
e
gone
Theonlythi
ngthatwasl
eftwasourbedsand
emptycloset
s
Mostofmyexpensi
vet
ext
booksandst
udy
gui
deswer
egone
*
Thewindowwaswi deopen,andat
apeofpor
n
l
aidonthefl
oornearjuni
or'
sbed
I
tdownedtomethatthosemoani
ngsounds
wer
ecomingfr
om thetape
Shi
twehadj
ustbeenr
obbed
*
"Whatthehel
l
,wherear
ey ourskunksjuni
or,
i
knewyouweregonnagetusintroubl
eoneday"
Iscr
eamed
Isobadl
ywantedt
opunchhi
sst
upi
dfaceat
thatmoment
*
Iunti
edther
opesf
rom hi
m,her
emov
edt
he
tapefr
om hi
smouth
*
"Damnt
hosebit
chesaresohar
dcor
e,theyt
old
mewewererol
lplay
ingsoIl
ett
hem t
iemet o
t
hebed
It
houghtthegaggi
ngwaspartoft
hegamebut
assoonastheyweredonegaggi
ngmethey
st
art
edcleani
ngouttheroom
Theymov
edev
ery
thi
ngoutt
hewi
ndow
Tur
nsouttwoguyswer
eout
sidet
hewi
ndow
wai
ti
ngforthegi
rl
s
Theyt
ookev
ery
thi
ng,
myphone,
mywal
l
et
Damntheyhavemybankcar dandIt
hinkthey
sawmypinbecauseIwaswi tht
hem whenI
waswit
hdrewmoneyf rom t
heATM"hesaid,he
l
ookedabitsobernow
Al
ltheal
cohol
hadcl
earoutonhi
shead
*
"Seewhereyourreckl
essli
fehasgott
enus,I
don'tcar
ewhetheryoulostyoucar
dornot,
I
wantmyst uf
fback
Iwantmyl
apt
opandst
udygui
desbackman
Iai
n'tf
il
thyri
chli
keyou,myparentswil
lki
l
lme
i
ftheycouldfi
ndoutthatIl
ostevery
thi
ngthey
workedhardtoprov
ideforme
Idon'
tcarehowy oudoitbuty
ouneedtoget
mystuffback"Iwasannoyedandangr
y
Isobadl
ywant
edt
obeatt
henonsenseoutof
him
*
Hi
m:am sosor
ryman,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
ebr
ought
t
hem her
e
*
Me: damnrightyoushoul
dn'
thav
e,l
ookathow
yourcarel
essnessgotus
*
Hi
m:damnIneedt
ost
opdr
inki
ng,
sor
rydude
Iwi
l
lfi
ndawayt
ogety
ourst
uffback
*
Me:
itsbet
terbesoon,
unl
i
key
ousomeofus
hav
etoat
tendcl
asses
*
Hi
m:Iwi
l
lgety
ourst
uffback
*
Igav
ehim adeadlyst
are,
Iknewhimt
obean
assbutt
hisonejustt
ookthecup
Heworet
heonl
ypant
sthatwasl
efti
nthe
cl
oset
I
twasanol
dwor
noutcol
orl
essj
eanandav
est
*
Him:manIlookt
erri
ble,t
hosegir
lsaresuch
shame,howcantheystealal
lourcl
othes
*
Me:
because,
youl
ett
hem i
nourhouse
Justgetmyst
uffbackbef
oret
hisweekends
*
Wi
tht
hatsai
d,Ist
ormedoutt
her
oom,
Iwentt
o
ki
tchenandgotmy
sel
fagl
assofwat
er
At
leastIhadmywal
l
etandphonewi
thme

*
*

#ELLA
*
Iwokeupi
nadeser
t,t
hesunwassohot
Iwaswear
ingawhi
tel
ongdr
esswi
thnoshoes
Ist
oodupfrom t
hegr
oundandcl
eanedt
he
whit
esandoffme
Theplacewassoquiet
,therewasnothi
ngther
e,
notr
ees,nohouses,
nothingacceptwhi
tesand
Thepl
aceseemedabandoned,
nobi
rdssi
ngi
ng
nol
i
vef
orm ofanyki
ndacceptf
orme
*
Ist
artedwalki
ng,
thesandbeneat
hmyf
eetso
hotandhardtowalkon
Icoul
dfeel
thest
rai
nIwassubj
ect
edt
o
HowdidIgether
e,wherewasmyf
ami
l
yand
whatt
hehelli
sthi
splace.
..
.
Thosewer ethefewwordsIkeptaski
ngmysel
f,
pit
ysinceIwasal onet
her
ewasnowayf orme
tofi
ndt heanswersIwaslooki
ngfor
*
Ikeptwal
ki
ngbuteachst
epItookseemedt
o
betaki
ngmebackwhereIbegan
I
tsl
i
keIwasgoi
ngi
nci
rcl
es
Fi
nal
l
yIcoul
dn'
tkeepwal
ki
ngany
mor
e
Iwast
ir
edsoIj
ustsatdownandst
art
edcr
ying
Icr
iedabi
tlouderunt
ilIf
eltanot
herpr
esence
Il
i
ftedmyey
esonl
ytometbyt
hisbeaut
if
ull
ady
Shehadhazel
eyesandsuchaf
ri
endl
ysmi
l
e
Sheal
sowaswear
ingal
ongwhi
tedr
ess
Shehadangel
wings,
shef
li
ppedt
hem wi
de
open
*
DamnIwasscar
ed,
soscaredIhadnev
erseen
sucht
hingi
nmyent
irel
i
fe
Coul
dIbedeat
h
Whathappenedt
ome, t
hel
astt
hingI
r
ememberwasbei ngi
nabat
htube
Idon'
tremembermuchaf
tert
hat
*
"Pleasedon'
thur
tme,
getawayf
rom me"I
cr
iedout
*
"Rel
ax,am notheret
ohurtyou,
youneednott
o
bescaredofme"herv oi
cewassoangel
ic,
so
soothi
ngli
keani cel
ull
aby
*
Shesti
ll
maintai
nedhersmi
l
e,herey
esnow
shonebri
ghtwhit
e
Sher
eal
l
ywasbeaut
if
ult
hough
*
Me:i
fyounotgonnahur
tmet
henwhatdoy
ou
want
,whoareyou
Howdi
dIgether
e
Di
dIdi
e,i
sthi
sheav
en
*
Her:whoahonequest
ionatt
het
ime,
youar
e
notdeadyet
Andnot hi
sisnotheav
en,youar
etrappedi
n
space,
betweentheworldoft
heli
vi
ngandthe
dead
Andifyoudon'
twakeupy
ouwi
l
lbet
rapped
her
ef or
ever
Ihear
dacr
yforhel
psoam her
etohel
p
Acr
yofaspi
ri
tbr
oughtmeher
e
*
Me:
soam nowaspi
ri
t
*
Her
:no,
itsnoty
ourcr
ythatbr
oughtmeher
e
Aspi
ri
tat
tachedt
oyoubr
oughtmeher
e
Icanhearandf
eel
ghost
snomat
terhowf
ar
theyar
e
*
Me:
aghosti
sat
tachedt
ome,
thi
sisabsur
d
I
tscrazy
,am sur
ethi
sisj
ustadr
eam,
am
gonnawakeupsoon
Whoi
sthi
ssoghosty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
*
Her:
sorr
yIcan'
ttel
lyout
hatbutIpr
omisey
ou
t
hisisr
ealandyoudoneedtowakeup
You'
vebeenoutf
ort
ool
ong
Look.
..
*
At
ranspar
entwi
ndowappear
edoutofnowher
e
Isawmy
sel
finat
inyhospi
tal
bed,
Iwassoundasl
eep,
Ihadal
lthosemachi
nes
connect
edtome
besi
demewasmymot herwhol
ookedl
i
keshe
hasbeenhi
tbyat
rai
n
Shewasamess
Mybrot
herst
oodneart
hesidewall
,hi
sey
es
wer
eswoll
enandredfr
om cry
ing
*
"
What
'shappeni
ng,
howdi
diGett
her
e
Whathappenedt
ome"Iwasnowscar
edand
shocked
Whycan'
tIr
ememberwhathappened
*
Her
:your
eal
l
ydon'
tremember
,youdon'
t
r
ememberov
erdosi
ngpi
l
lsi
nthebat
htube
Youwantedt
okil
lyour
sel
fbuty
ourbr
other
foundy
ouinti
me
*
Me:Idon'
tremember,owhmygodsoIputmy
br
othert
hroughal
lthat
Al
lIr
ememberi sthatIwasupset
,myfat
her
want
st omarr
ymeof ft
osomer i
chf
amil
y
whom Iknownothingabout
Hegav emenochoi
cebutanul
ti
matum;
its
ei
therIgetmar
ri
edorl
eavehi
shouse
Idon'
tremembercommi
tt
ingsui
cide
Whycan'
tIr
emember
*
Her
:maybeyourbr
aini
str
yingt
opr
otecti
tssel
f
f
rom t
heshock
Youwi
l
lrememberast
imegoeson
Andam sosor
ryaboutwhaty
ouar
egoi
ng
t
hrough
Iwi
shIcanhel
p
Butrightnowy ouneedt
owake,
lookathow
brokeny ourf
amilyi
s
Theycar
eabouty
ouandt
heyneedy
out
owake
up
*
Me:
howt
odoIwakeup
*
Her
:wewi
l
lhel
pyouf
indy
ourway
*
Me:
howdoy
oumean"
we"y
ouar
eal
one
*
Her
:am notal
one
*
Ri
ghtt
henagi
rlandaboyappear
edbesi
deher
Theyl
ookedl
i
ket
heywer
e10y
ear
sor
somet
hing
Theyl
ookedal
i
ke,
Ifi
gur
edt
heywer
etwi
ns
Theyhadbl
ueeyesandweresobeaut
if
ulunl
i
ke
thewoman,t
heyhadnowings
Butt
heywer
ebot
hwear
ingwhi
te
*
Me:
whatt
hehel
l
,whoar
eyoupeopl
e
*
"Mynamei
sNomawet
huSol
enzobuty
oucan
cal
lmeNoma
Thi
saremyki
ds,
thegi
rli
sAnat
hiandt
heboy
i
sNathi
Wear
eher
etosety
ouf
ree
OnlyIcanbr
eakthewallandmykidswi
l
ltake
youbacktoyourbody
"theladysai
d
*
Ir
eal
l
ythoughtIwasdr
eami
ng,
Ijustnodded
myheadbecauseIwasspeechl
ess
Shehel
dthewi
ndowandst
art
edchant
ing
*
"
li
chti
sdeweg,
hetl
evenkannog
ni
etwor
dengemengdmetdedood,
dusi
kroephetl
i
chtom dezemuur
t
ebr
ekenenhaarv
rij
l
ati
ng,
heti
s
ni
ethaart
ij
d
(
Lighti
stheway
,thel
i
vingcan'
tbe
mi
xedwi
tht
hedeat
hsoIcal
lupon
t
hel
i
ghtt
obr
eakt
hiswal
land
rel
easeher
,it
snothert
imey
et)
"shechant
edi
n
dutch
*
Shegl
owedevenbri
ght
er,
att
heendal
lIcoul
d
seewasabr
ightl
i
ght
Thewi
ndowst
art
edcr
acki
ng,
shecont
inued
r
epeat
ingt
hosewor
ds
Thegr
oundst
art
edshaki
ng,
final
l
yitmov
ed
Iwasaboutt
ofal
li
nbutt
heki
dshel
dme
Nowwewer ej
ustst
andi
ngi
ntheai
rwi
thno
gr
oundbeneat
hus
Wewer
ejustf
loat
ing
Shechantedl
ouderunti
lthewhol
ewi
ndow
shat
teri
ntoti
nypieces
*
"Nowki
ds,
hur
ryupbef
orei
tcl
osesagai
n"she
sai
d
*
Theki
dspl
acedt
hei
rhandsonmyf
orehead
If
eltl
i
keIwasbei
ngshockedbyel
ect
ri
cit
y
Mybrai
nwasbei
ngf
ri
ed,Icoul
dfeel
thecur
rent
r
ushi
ngthr
oughmywhol
ebody
Ist
art
edshaki
nguncont
rol
l
abl
y,Iwasi
n
i
mmensepai
nandIneededi
ttost
op
Mynosest
art
edbleedi
ngbuttheki
dscont
inued
pr
essi
nghar
deronmyf or
ehead
*
"Don'tf
ightitI
sabel
la,j
ustl
etgo,al
lowyour
mindtodot hework,for
getaboutyourdadand
al
lthati
sr equi
redofyou
Justl
etgo"nomasai
d
*
Ii
ndeedfor
getev
ery
thi
ng,Iletmy
sel
fbef
ree,
onl
ythendi
dthepai
nsubsided
Thebl
eedi
ngst
opped
If
ell
asleep,r
ightt
henIhear
dsomeonepul
l
ing
meroughly
*
Iwokeupscr
eami
ng.
*
"OwhmyGodyouareup,
Iknewy
ouwoul
d
wakeup"mymom sai
d
*
Il
ookedaroundonl
ytor
eal
i
set
hatIwasi
nthe
hospi
tal
Thewasnoangel
sandpower
ful
kids
Maybei
twasal
lj
ustt
hedr
eam,
ater
ri
bleand
wei
rddr
eam
*
"Mah, wat
..
.herppppl
eashe"mythroatfel
tdry
andmyheadwasj ustsoheavyandpainfulmy
tonguewasabi tnumbIcouldn'
tpr
onounce
wordswell
*
Mybrotherj
ustr
ushedt
omeandhuggedme
t
ight
ly
*
"Don'
tyouev
erdot
hatt
ome"hesai
dwi
tha
br
okenv
oice
*
Me:
am ssssossshor
ry
*
Mymom handedmet
hegl
assofwat
er
Igul
pedi
tal
latonce
AndIneededsomemor
e
*
"Soyouaredr
inki
ngfort
hewhol
eweeky
ou'
ve
beenher
e"chr
issai
d
*
Me:
what
h,awweek
*
Chr
is:
yesy
ou'
vebeenher
eforaweek
Thedoct
orsai
dyoumaynev
erwakeup
Wewer
eaboutt
odeci
dewhet
hert
oswi
tchof
t
hemachi
nes
Thepi
l
lsy
out
ookwer
edanger
ous
Whydidyoudoi
t,whywoul
dyouwannal
eav
e
mealone
*
Tear
sjustst
reamedsideways,Ir
eall
ydi
dn'
t
rememberwhathappenedinthatbat
htube
Rightt
henmyf
atherwal
kedi
n,hewaswi
tht
he
doctor
Hel
ookedwor
set
hanmymot
herandbr
other
Hel
ookedl
i
kehehasn'
tsl
eepi
nday
s
*
Themomenthesawmeher
ushedst
rai
ghtat
me
*
"Owhangely ouar
eawake,It
houghtIl
ostyou"
hesaidhol
dingmet i
ghtasi
fhisl
i
fedepended
onit
*
Dr
:thi
sissur
elyami
racl
e,mynamei
sdoct
or
mi
ke
mi
ssf
ernandohowdoy
ouf
eel
*
Me: abitdizzyandsweat
y,myheadfeel
sheav
y,
Ican'thearverywel
l,
mytonguefeel
sabit
numbandIwantwat er
*
Dr
:it
sohkt
ofeel
li
ket
hat
,youar
edehy
drat
ed
Andthenumbnessandl
ackofhear
ingar
ethe
ef
fectoft
hemercur
y
Buty
ouwi
l
lbef
inesoon
Youwer
eoutf
orqui
etal
ongt
ime
Youdi
dn'
tev
enhav
eanybr
ainact
ivi
ty
Pl
easeopeny
ourmout
hforme
*
Idi
dasheasked,
heshonehi
stouchi
nmy
mout
handey
es
Checkedmyhear
tbeatandal
lthosest
uff
Thenhej
ott
edsomet
hingdown
*
Dr:seemslikeyouareohk,wewill
needt otake
yourbloodsamplethoughtocheckifther
e's
anyt r
acesofthemercuryst
il
ll
efti
ny our
system
Thepi
ll
syoutookar
emer
cur
ypi
l
lsandt
heyar
e
ver
ydanger
ous
Yout
ookwayov
ert
hel
i
mit
,youcoul
dhav
edi
ed
Adoseli
ket
hatcancausef
etal
deat
h,y
ouar
e
l
uckyt
obeali
ve
Becauseoft
hesuici
dal
att
emptyoumadeam
compell
edtoassi
gnapsychol
ogi
stt
oobser
ve
you
Sowewil
lkeepyouheref
orawhi
l
eanddr
Pet
erswi
l
lbev i
sit
ingy
ou
*
Aft
erawhi
l
et hedoct
orwal
kedoutandIwas
l
eftwi
thmyfamil
y
Ther
oom wasdeadqui
et,
myf
ather
coul
dn'
tev
enl
ookatme
I
fonl
yIcoul
drememberwhathappenedt
hat
ni
ght

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
26,17:
34]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTEN

#ELLA

Aweekl
aterIwasnowbackhome,
mymom
hasbeenwat
chi
ngmel
i
keahawk
Icoul
dhar
dlymakeanymovement
swi
thouther
aski
ngmewhereIwasgoi
ng
Ev
ery
bodywasal
way
sint
hel
ookoutf
orme
Mybrot
herwasnowscar
edofmeIcouldsee
howhelookedatmemaybei
twaspi
ty
Ifel
tsocrampedbutIcoul
dn'
tcomplai
nt hough
becauseIgotmysel
finthi
ssi
tuat
ionalt
houghI
sti
ll
don'tr
ememberwhathappenedthatnight
Butmyl i
lbr
othert
oldmethatIwaslayi
ng
unconsci
ouslyonthebat
hroom f
loorwhenhe
foundme
*
Hetol
dmethathethoughthehear
damal e
voi
cei
nthebat
hroom andwasstunnedatwho
i
tcoul
dbebecausedadwasi nt
helounge
Sohedecidedtopeekthr
oughwhenhesawmy
l
if
elessbodyonthefl
oor
Iwaswetandcol
d
Ithi
nkthatsi
ghthadst uckonmybr other
's
head,hewouldscream atnightandkepthav i
ng
ni
ghtmaresandher efusedtotellanybodywhat
werethoseni
ghtmar esabout
*
Nomat t
erhowhardItri
edtotakemymind
backtothati
nci
dentIst
il
ldon'
trememberwhat
happen
Notev
enasl
i
ght
estgl
i
m
ButIkepthav
ingt
hesewei
rddr
eamst
hough
I
tsl
i
keIwasi
nsi
det
hewat
erdr
owni
ng,
ForasecondIcoul
dseemy
sel
fdeadbutCal
vi
n
pul
ledmeout
Iwasn'tbr
eat
hingandhedidsomet
hingt
ome
thatr
estor
edmybr eat
hing
Butt
henagai
nmaybeit
sjustawei
rddream soI
deci
dedt
oleti
tbebesi
desmybrot
hersaidI
wasal
onei
nthatbat
hroom
Inevertoldanybodyaboutthedream nei
ther
didItel
lthem abouttheangell
adyandher
power f
ulkidswhowokemeup
Iwasnev
ergonnat
ell
them becauseal
lthi
sfel
t
unr
eal
Ididn'
twannaendupbei
ngament
alhospi
tal
case
*
Ihav
ebeenseei
ngashri
nksoy
eahl
i
fewas
basi
cal
l
ynotsonicef
orme
Hewasagoodguyt
hough
Idi
dn'
tknowmuchabouthi
m acceptt
hathi
s
namewasZackPet
ers
Ionl
ymetwit
hhim onceatthehospi
tal
and
woul
dbeseeinghi
mt hefol
l
owingmont h
MydadandIwer
enotonspeaki
ngt
erms
Heav
oidedev
ery
onei
nthehouse,
keptmor
eto
himsel
fandwouldhar
dlybear
oundt hehouse
butIwasgladt
hathemadehimselfscarceI
real
l
ywasinnomoodt otal
kwithhim ei
ther
*
IhadjustgothomeIwasdeadtir
edIhav
ebeen
galav
antingt
hemallandhandi
nginmyCv
Ineededaj
obeveni
fit
sjustmoppi
ngt
hef
loorI
wasgonnatakei
t
Ineededt
odosomet
hingwi
thmyl
i
fe
MaybeIfIgetajobmyfat
herwil
lcal
m down
andstoptr
yingtosel
lmeofft
otheri
chest
bi
dderavai
labl
e
I
twasal
readypastt
hreewhenIgothome
Ij
ustt
ossedmy
sel
font
hecouch
Tookofft
heti
ghtshoeswhi
chwer
eal
ready
bur
ningmyfeet
*
"
Final
l
yYouar
ebackIwasst
art
ingt
oget
worri
ed.Sincey
ouleft6:
30i
nthemorni
ng,
Shem youlooksoti
redhowdidi
tgo"mymom
askedwithaworri
edface
*
Me:
Itr
iedhandi
ngt
hem i
nmostoft
hest
ores
Mostoft
hemanager
spr
omi
sedt
ogetbackt
o
me
Ij
usthopet
heydo
*
Mom:don'
tworr
ytheywi
ll
,j
ustdon'
tstr
ess,
t
her
e'snoneedf
oryoutobeinarush
I
tisnotnecessar
yfory
out
ogetaj
ob
*
Me:
damnam sot
ir
edandhungr
y
*
Mom:
Icanpr
epar
esomet
hingf
ory
ou
*
Me:nomah,don'
tst
ressy
our
sel
fIwi
l
lpr
epar
e
somet
hingmysel
f
*
Mom:
Ijustdon'
twanty
out
oov
erwor
kyour
sel
f
*
Me:chi
ll
mom prepar
ingf
oodi
snotov
er
wor
kingmysel
f
Youneedtost
opt
reat
ingmel
i
keam some
fr
agi
legl
ass
Whathappenedwasami
stakeandi
twi
l
lnot
happenagai
n
*
Mom:
am ov
erdoi
ngt
hingsneh,
am sor
ry
Ij
ustdon'
twannalooseyouyet
,Idon'
twant
whathappenedt
orepeatit
ssel
f
*
Me:andy
ouwon'
t,
Iwon'
ttr
yany
thi
ngl
i
ket
hat
ev
eragai
n
*
Mom:
goodt
hen
*
Ist
oodupandwenttotheki
tchen,mymom
hadal
readyst
art
edcooki
ngdinner
Ipr
epar
edbr
ead,
eggsandj
uicef
ormy
sel
f
Icoul
dfeel
mysel
fget
tingdi
zzy
,Iqui
ckl
ysat
downandatemyfood
Myfat
herwhocameoutofnowhereent
ered
t
hekit
chenwhi
leIwasst
il
leat
ing
I
twasoneoft
hoseawkwar
dmoment
s
Icoul
dseet
hathewant
edt
otur
nback
*
"Geezyoudon'
thav
etoleav
e,y
oucan'
tav
oid
meforeverwel
iv
einasamehouse
Besi
desthisisyourhouseyoudon'
thav
etoran
awayfr
om y ourhousebecauseofmedad"I
sai
ddri
nkingmyj uice
*
Hekeptqui
etandwentt
othef
ri
dget
ookout
t
he2Lbottl
eofcol
dwater
Andpour
edhi
msel
fagl
ass
Het
hensatatt
het
abl
e
Ist
oodup
*
"Si
tdown"hesai
dcol
dly
*
Isatal
readysmell
ingt
hatam notgonnal
i
ke
thi
sconversat
ion
*
"Iwannast
artbysayi
ngthatam sor
ryf
or
dri
vi
ngyoutoasuici
dalpoi
nt
Butyouhav
etounder
standam doi
ngt
hisf
or
you,
am doi
ngi
tforus
Yourmar
ri
aget
othatboywi
l
lsav
eusal
l
Besi
desnot
hingwi
l
lhappent
oyou
Thaty
oungmani
swel
lbehav
ed"hepausedand
si
ppedonhi
swat
er
*
Ist
aredathi
m wit
houtsayi
ngaword,par
tof
mesobadlywantedtopuncht
hebull
shit
comingoutofhi
smouth
*
"
Iwill
notforcey outodothi
sbutjustremember
t
hatbyrefusingthatpr
oposalyourbrotherand
mother'
sli
femi ghtbeindanger
Thei
rli
vesi
siny
ourhands
Youhav ejustaweektodecideandjustknow
thatam notforci
ngyousodon'tgokil
li
ng
yoursel
fagain"wit
hthatsai
dhegotupputt he
glassinthesinkandexi
tedthekit
chen
*
Iwasl
eftwi
thmymout
hhangi
ng.Thi
sman
wasunbel
i
evabl
e
Iwonder
edi
fIj
usthear
dhi
m cor
rect
ly
Howcanhesayhewasnotfor
cingmeyet
say
ingt
hatmybrot
herandmother
'sl
i
fewason
myhands
Hepl
acedmeonat
ightspotonpur
pose
Whatwashereall
ytal
ki
ngabout
,di
dmymom
knowaboutt
his
Whatdidhedot
hatwoul
dputourl
i
vesi
n
danger
Thi
sfel
tmor
eli
keabl
ackmai
lthanar
equest
*
Istoodupandexi
tedt
hehouset
hrought
he
ki
tchendoor
Ineededsomeai
rbef
oreIsuf
focat
etodeat
hin
thi
shouse
Iwal
kedt
oanear
bypar
k
I
twasasmal
lpar
ksogr
een,
soqui
etand
r
efr
eshi
ng
Justaper
fectpl
acet
oputmymi
ndatr
est
At
leastt
aki
ngti
meoutwasbet
tert
han
dr
owningmysel
finmer
cur
ypil
l
s
Iheadedst
rai
ghtt
otheconcr
etebenchandj
ust
satdown
If
acedupwit
hmyey
escl
osedandt
ri
edt
oput
mymindatease
*
f
reshhumi
dwi
ndbl
ewov
ermyski
nandhai
r
Iwassorel
axed,
thesmel
lofnat
uref
il
ledmy
nost
ri
ls
Thi
stookmebacktothef
irstdat
eIhadwi
th
j
uni
or.ThedayIl
ostmyvi
rgini
ty
Het ookmetoapar kneartheoceanitwasso
greenwit
hdiff
erentrosesHereandthere,
we
hadami nipi
cni
c
Heboughtmeany
thi
ngIwant
ed
Itwasmyfi
rstt
imeev
erdr
inki
ngwi
neoreat
ing
str
awber
ri
es
Icoul
dst
il
lfeelt
hesmoot
hnessoft
hose
str
awber
ri
esdippedi
nacream i
nmytongue
Thechocolateboxhegavetomewiththat
expensiv
eperfumewhichIcoul
dn'
teven
pronounceIt
snamebecauseitwasfrom par
is
I
twasmy20thbi
rt
hdayj
uni
orwasaper
fect
gent
lemen
Hedi
dever
ythi
ngr
ight,
thosesweetwor
dshe
whi
sper
edi
nmyear sIcansti
l
lheart
hem
Iwassosur
ethathewasmyf
orev
er
IthoughthewasthemanIwasgonnamarr
y
becausethatdayIsawt
hecar
ingsi
deofhi
m
hewasmyev erythi
ng,Ifel
lheadoverhi
ll
sfor
hi
mt hatIgav
ehi mtheonlythingIhad,
Igave
hi
m mymostt reasuredgif
twhichwasmy
vi
rgi
nit
y
*
Il
ovedjuni
orwhol
ehear
tedl
yandi
tal
lfeel
sli
ke
ali
fet
imeago
Nowam her
efor
cedtogetmarr
iedt
oaguyI
don'
tev
enknowletal
onel
ove
Howcanl
i
febesounf
air
,howcoul
dithur
tso
much
Howcoul
ditkeepst
aki
ngf
rom mewi
thout
gi
vi
ngback
Whendiditbecamesowr
ongt
owi
shf
or
happi
ness
Suddenl
yar
ushofcol
dnesst
ookov
er
*
"Pl
easedon' tdothattoy
oursel
f,not
hingis
wort
hy ourtearsi
nt hi
sworl
d"afamili
arvoice
sai
d,Iwon'tli
eitgavemeascar e
*
Iqui
ckl
yopenedmyey
esandsatupst
rai
ght
Hel
etouthi
shandandwi
pedmyt
ear
s.I
tsonl
y
t
hent
hatIr
eal
i
zedIhadbeencr
ying
SoIwi
pedt
het
ear
s
*
"Goshyougavemeascare,whatarey
oudoi
ng
here,
areyoustal
ki
ngme"Isai
dtryi
ngtosmi
l
e
tr
oughthetear
s
Ir
eal
l
ydi
dn'
twanthi
mtoseemecr
ying
*
"Me,astalker
, nev
erlet
'sj
ustCal
li
ta
conti
nuouscoi nci
dence.Maybef
ait
hist
ryi
ngt
o
bri
ngust ogether
Imeanwhyel
sewoul
dwekeepbumpi
ngi
nto
eachot
her
"hesai
dwi
thhi
skil
l
ersmi
le
Iguessthesmil
ewascont
agi
ouscauseIended
upsmili
ngtoo
*
Me:st
il
l,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
ehowdi
dyou
f
indme
*
Cal
vi
n:Iwasn'
tact
uall
ylooki
ngfory
ou.t
his
pl
acei
slikemyheavenonearth
Icomeher
etocool
offandf
orgetmyt
roubl
es
Il
ovethequi
etnessher
e,i
tjustgi
vey
out
imet
o
chi
ll
out
*
Me:Il
ovethataboutthi
splacet
oo,
Ihav
en'
t
beenher
eforawhi l
ethough.
Weuset ocomeherewit
hmyf amil
yon
wednesdays,
theycal
l
editaf
amilychi
l
ler
sday
Wewouldspendourwhol
eaft
ernoonher
ejust
st
uff
ingourf
aceswit
hfood
*
Cal
:soundsni
ce
*
Me:
yeaht
hosewer
ethegoodt
imes
*
Hest
aredatmef
ort
hel
ongestwhi
l
ewi
thout
ev
enbli
nki
ng
*
Me:
damnmanar
esur
eyouar
eal
i
ve
Howdoy
oudot
hat
*
"Uhm..Dowhat
"heaskedsur
pri
sedorshoul
dI
sayamazed
*
Me:dudeyouhavebeenstar
ingatmef
ora
whi
l
ewi t
houtevenbl
inki
ng
*
Cal
:owhthat
,it
sjustaweir
dthi
ngIl
ear
nedt
o
dowhil
eIwasstil
lyoung
Sor
rybutIt
endt
ost
arewhenIseesomet
hingI
l
ove
*
Me:
wowy
ouar
esowei
rd
*
Cal
:thefactthaty
ousawthatIwasn'
tbl
i
nki
ng
meantthatyouwereal
sostar
ing
*
Me:
yeahmay
bej
ustabi
t,butat
leastIdi
dbl
i
nk
*
Hismouthmov
edl
i
kehewant
edt
osay
somet
hing
*
Me:
whati
sit
*
Cal
:uhm not
hing,
Iwai
tedf
ory
ourcal
l
*
Ihadcomplet
elyf
orgott
enthathegav
emehi
s
numbertocal
lhimthatdaywhenwecame
f
rom t
hemal
l
*
Me:
eishsor
ryIdi
dn'
tcal
l
,somet
hingcameup
*
Cal
:someeet
hingl
i
kewhat
*
Me:
itsper
sonal
butIpr
omi
seIwi
l
lcal
ltoni
ght
*
Cal
:Iwi
l
lagr
eeev
ent
houghIdon'
tbel
i
evey
ou
Youshoul
dhav
ejustgi
venmey
ournumber
*
Me:Ipr
omi
seIwil
lcal
lbef
oreIsleep,
Idon'
t
knowmynumberbyhear
tandIleftmyphone
athome
*
Cal
:cool
then
*
Wetal
kedabitlongerat
leastIgottosmi
l
eabi
t
andf
orgotaboutmymessedupl i
fe
Af
tert
wohour
shewal
kedmehome
*
"Am happyyouar
eohk"hesai
daswest
oodat
thecor
nerofmystreet
*
Me:
dudeI
'
veal
way
sbeenohk
*
Cal
:i
fyousayso,
don'
tfor
gett
ocal
l
*
Wi
thoutanynot
iceHeki
ssedmyf
orehead
Hi
sli
psweresocoldandsower
ehi
shands,
he
wasaref
ri
ger
atorcol
d
Idi
dn'
tcompl
ainedt
hough
Ij
ustsai
dmygoodby
esandwal
kedhome
Andhewenthi
ssepar
ateway
*
Igothomet
omyfur
iousmot
herwhowasbusy
paci
ngupandt
hent
hehouse
*
"
Her
eshei
s"mybr
othersai
d
*
Me:
what
'
sgoi
ng
*
Mom:
Bel
l
awher
ethehel
lhav
eyoubeen
I
'
vesear
chedforyouever
ywhere,
Itr
iedcal
l
ing
y
oubutyourphonei
sintheroom
*
Me:
rel
axmom Ij
ustwentt
othenear
bypar
k
If
orgotmyphone
*
Mom: don'
ttel
lmet
orel
ax,
don'
tev
erdot
hat
shi
tagain
Ial
mostcal
l
edt
hepol
i
ceandr
epor
tedy
ou
missi
ng
*
Me:am sor
rymom, i
twon'
thappenagai
n,I
won'
tgowithoutt
ell
i
ngyou
*
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
he
*
Mom: don'
tev
erdot
hatagai
n,y
ougav
emea
scar
e
*
Me:
am sor
ry
*
Wehuggedbri
efl
y,shebr
okei
tandwentback
t
otheki
tchen
*
Me:
wowt
hatwentwel
l
*
Chr
is:
shewasworr
iedabouty
ou,
tobehonestI
wasalsowor
ri
ed
Am gl
ady
ouar
eback
*
Me:
Ireal
l
ydi
dmesst
hingsupdi
dn'
tI
*
Chr
is:
don'
twon'
tthi
ngswi
l
lgobackt
onor
mal
Justgi
vei
tti
me
*
Wewentt
ot hel
oungewi
thmybrot
herandhe
t
oldmeabouthi
snewgir
lf
ri
end

#MFS_
MTAG

Mi
niski
rt
[
12/
27,
09:
08]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRY11

TYSON

Aweekhaspassedandl
i
fewassouri
nour
apar
tment
Ihadseizedt
alki
ngtoJuni
orbecausehehadn'
t
repl
acedevenasingl
estuf
fofwhatwasstolen
Iwassoworr
iedthough,Ihadnoideahowto
cal
lmypar
entsandexplainthatIl
ostal
lmy
school
mater
ial
s
Ihadgather
edcour
agetocal
lmyfatherso
manytimesonl
ytodevel
opcoldf
eetatthelast
minut
e
butnowIwassocertai
nthatIwasgonnacal
l
hi
mt henextmor
ning
*
I
twasacol dfr
idaynightandforachange
Juniorwasi
nthehouse, i
nfacthewasasl
eep
whichwasabitweirdforhim
Iwaswat
chi
ngamov
iewhi
l
echat
ti
ngwi
th
Nont
le
Shesti
llr
efusedtosendmeherpi
ctur
e
al
thoughIwasf al
l
ingdeepf
orher
Itwasnowl
i
keadr
ugandIwasbecomi
ngan
addict
Icoul
dn'
tcopewi
thoutev
ensay
inghi
toher
*
"CanIcal
lyou,
Ireal
l
ywannaheary
ourvoice"I
beggedwhenwewerechat
ti
ngonfacebook
Iknewshewoul
dref
useIwasj
ustt
aki
ng
chances
Sheneveragreest
oany
thi
ng,wit
hheri
ts
st
ri
ctl
ychatti
ngnomorenoless
Soyoucanimagi
nemyexci
tementwhenIsaw
herr
esponse
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evemyey
es
If
eltli
keIwasdreami
ng,
itsl
i
kemymi
ndwas
pl
ayingtr
icksonme
Ir
eadt
het
extov
erandov
eragai
n
I
twaswhenIreadi
tfort
hef
if
tht
imet
hati
t
f
inal
l
ysanki
n
*
"Yeahwhynot ,
Iwil
lsendy
oumyt
ensi
nabi
t"
herresponsest
ated
*
Ireal
l
ydidn'
tknowwhet
heri
twasl uckorwhat,
butwhatmatter
edmostwasthatshesaidyes
Dammitwhatam Igonnasaytoher
,whati
fshe
hasanangel
i
cvoicethatwil
lj
ustmeltmeaway
,
Damnwhati
fshei
saman,
whati
fIhav
ebeen
t
alki
ngt
oaman
Noway
,Ican'
tbehav
ingf
eel
i
ngsf
oraman
Whatifshehasahoarseugl
yvoice,
wil
li
t
changethewayIf
eelabouther
..
.
Thosewer
eallt
heinsanequest
ionsshoot
ing
thr
ought
heroofofmymi nd
I
tissaf
etosayt
hatIwasi
napani
cmode
It
sfunnyhowweguysal
waysseem l
i
kewear
e
cour
ageousandcool
whenappr
oachi
ngagi
rl
Whil
einallf
actwegetscaredt
oothat'
swhywe
oft
endresstoimpressorment
ionr
ichesand
car
swedon' tevenhave
Wearetr
yingtoimpressandbesi
det
hat
,it
sal
l
j
ustapur
ef earofr
eject
ion
Wear
eaf
rai
dofbei
ngt
urneddown
Onceagirl
givesy
ouacoldshoulderespeci
all
y
i
fitssomeoneyouhavehopedtogiveyour
heartt
o,adamselt
hathasstol
enyouhear t
y
ouf
eel
bel
i
ttl
edandr
idi
cul
ed,
youf
eel
li
ke
someonehasj
ustr
eapedawayy
ourmanhood
Att
hatmomentIwassweatyandj
umpy
,itwas
asi
fnont
lewasri
ghti
nfr
ontofme
Soitwasonl
ynor
mal
formyheadt
obeal
lov
er
thepl
ace
*
Ri
ghtt
hensher
espondedwi
tht
henumber
Thatnumber
,Ist
il
lcanr
eci
tei
tbyhear
tev
en
today
Youseetomethatnumberwaswaymor
ethan
j
ustasimpl
enumber
I
twasl
i
keal
ott
eryt
ickett
oherhear
t
Iqui
ckl
ysav
edthenumberandwai
tedaf
ew
minut
esbef
orecal
l
ing
Thosefewminut
esweremebusypr
act
ici
ng
whatIwasgonnasayt
oher
*
Isatst
il
lwi
tht
het
vvol
umedown,
li
steni
ng
att
enti
vel
ywi
thmyheartbeat
ingoutofmy
chestast
henumberwentthr
ough
I
trangf
orawhi
l
ebef
oresomeoneanswer
ed
*
"Hell
o"sheanswer
ed,herv
oicesosof
tand
angel
ic,
itwasthemostcal
mestvoi
ceIever
heard
I
tdr
ovememor
einsane
*
"
Hell
oareyouthere"shi
t,Iwassupposeto
r
espondback,Ihavebeensolostinherv
oice
t
hatIfor
gotIhadtorespond
*
"Heybeauti
ful
,i
tsTyson"Ij
ustbl
urt
edt
hatout
wit
houteventhi
nki
ng
*
DamnIjustcal
ledherbeaut
if
ul,whati
fshe
doesn'
tl
ikei
t,whati
fshedecidestohangupon
me
Hav eyouev erbeenstuckonastupidi
ty
scenari
owher eyouactual
l
yf i
xyourcl
othesand
facewhi l
etalki
ngtosomeoneont hephoneall
becausey out i
nybrai
nhasbeensoconf used
thatyouforgotthatthepersonontheotherend
ofthelinecan'tseeyou
Thatisexact
lywhathappenedt
omeatt
hat
i
nstant
It
ooktheshoebr
ushonthecof
feetableand
st
art
edbrushi
ngmyhai
rwithmyrighthand
Don'
taskmewhythoughbecauseIhav
eno
i
deawhyIdi
dthat
*
"OwhheyTyson, gl
adyouactual
lycall
edIdi
dn'
t
thi
nkyouwould"shesai
d,shereall
ysounded
l
ikeanout
going,bubbl
yandfreespiri
tedper
son
Alt
houghImustsayherv
oicesoundedso
famil
i
ar
Isweari
tsl
i
keIhear
ditsomewher
ebef
orebutI
j
ustcoul
dn'
trememberwher
e
*
Me:
howcoul
dInotcal
lback,I
'vebeeny
ear
ning
t
oheary
ourv
oicef
orli
keforev
er
*
Her:wel
lwhywoul
dyouwannahearmyt
err
ibl
e
voi
ce
*
Me:terr
ibl
e,noway,youhav
etheemost
sweetestvoi
ceever
Iswearbyj
usthear
ingthi
sangel
i
cvoi
cey
ou
havej
ustmademyni ght
Am gonnahav
ethemostgr
eat
estdr
eamsev
er
*
Her
:wow,
youar
epul
l
ingmyl
egr
ight
*
Me:
am af
rai
dnot
,your
eal
l
yar
ebl
essed.
*
Her
:wel
lthent
hanky
ou
*
Me:youwel
come,
youshoul
dst
opbl
ushi
ng
now
*
Her
:mxm whosai
dam bl
ushi
ng
*
Me:Icanfeeli
t,l
ookathowpi
nky
ourcheeks
ar
efrom al
lthi
sblushi
ng
*
Her:well
am t
otal
lychocol
atebr
ownsoit
s
absol
utel
yimpossi
bleformycheekst
opi
nk
From br
owntopi
nkThat
'sj
ustadr
ast
ic
tr
ansfor
mati
on
*
Me:thensendmethatpi
ctur
ebecauseIdon'
t
bel
i
ev et
hatyouar
echocolat
ebrown
*
Her
:Idon'
thav
eanypi
ctur
esi
nmyphoner
ight
now
Iwel
lsendi
tsomeday
*
Me:
youal
way
ssayt
hat
*
Her
:wel
lImeani
tthi
sti
me
*
Me:ohkIwi
llwai
tthen,
let
'sj
usthopeIwon'
t
wai
tfor
ever
*
Her
:youwon'
t
*
Wecont
inuedt
alki
ngunt
ilmymi
nut
eswer
e
f
ini
shed
Igottoknowhowt alkat
iveshewasandt he
feel
ingsIhadforherfel
tmorerealaft
erthat
call
,aft
erhangi
ngupIf el
tli
kescreamingand
j
umpi ngupanddownwi t
hexcit
ement
Ir
eal
l
yfel
tli
keIhadhitt
hej
ackpotandhadwon
amil
l
iondol
larsmi
le
Af
tert
hatcal
lIwasr
eadyt
ohi
tthebl
anket
s
*
Iswit
chedof
fthetvi
twasaround22:30pm by
then,
tookmyphoneandheadedtotheroom
Juni
orwasdeepasl
eepandsnor
ingasusual
I
twaswhenIwasabouttoputmyheadphones
ont
hedrawerwhensomethi
ngpecul
i
arcaught
myatt
enti
on
Thr
eeofmyst
udygui
deswer
eint
hedr
awer
*
"Whatt
hehel
l
"Isai
doutl
oud
*
Iopenedtheseconddrawerandmyot her
gui
desandt ext
bookswerethere.Thi
swas
weir
d, howdidmyoldori
ginalbooksgotbacki
n
mydr awer
Icouldtel
lthattheywerestil
lmyori
ginalstudy
guidesbecauset heyhavebeenused,theyhad
mynamewr i
ttenwithmyhandwr i
ti
ngandi t
hadhighli
ghtingintheexactspot
sIhighli
ghted
whenstudy i
ng
WhatIdi
dn'tgett
houghishowtheyendedup
t
herebecausethelastt
imeIr
emembert hey
wer
estolen
Ideci
dedt
oopenthel
astdr
awerandmyl
apt
op
bagwasinther
e
Iqui
ckl
ytooki
toutandopenedi
t
Andwhatdoyouknow,all
mystuffwasint
her
e,
mylapt
opandchargerwerei
nther
esti
ll
int
act
*
Ist
oodupandrushedtot
heclosetIopenedit
andtomydi
sappoint
mentitwassti
llemptybut
anotewi
thabrownenvel
opsatthere
*
(
Iknowhowdi
ff
icul
tyourpar
ent
stendst
obe
y
ourfatherwil
lki
lly
oui fhefindsoutthatyou
l
osteveryt
hingsoItookthel i
bert
yt ogetback
y
ourstuffbutIcoul
dn'tgettheclothes,souse
t
hatmoneyt ogetyourselfnewclothes
Ican'
tstandasi
deandl
ety
ougeti
ntr
oubl
e
becauseofJuni
or
Ther
e'senoughmoneyi
nther
e,getanew
apar
tmentbefor
eit
stool
ate
Pl
easebecar
eful
nextt
ime)t
henot
ereads
*
Iwassoconf
usedandamazed, t
hewasno
nameoranyt
hingfrom t
henot
eformetoknow
whowrot
eandl ef
titt
here.
Itr
iedcr
acki
ngmyhead,thinki
ngwhocould
havewrotet
hat
,butunf
ortunat
elynoonecame
tomind
Itcl
earl
ycouldn'
tbej
uni
orbecauseoft
he
contentoft
henote
Iopenedtheenvel
opeandi
thadnewR200
notesst
ackedtogether
Icoul
dtel
lthati
twasf
ewt
housandsbef
oreI
coul
devencountit
NowIwasscar
ed,wasthi
sri
tual
money
,Imean
i
tmadenosenseatal
l
Whooneart
hcouldj
ustl
eav
emesomuch
moneyf
ornoreason
Howdi
dthatpersonev
enknowthatmystuf
f
wer
est
olenorthatmypar
entsar
estri
ct
WasIbeingst
alked,
wast
her
easecr
etadmi
rer
Idi
dn'
tknowabout
Thoseweret
hefewoft
hemill
ionthought
s
rai
si
ngthr
oughmymindbutonethingwas
cer
tai
nthough
Iwasn'
tgonnausethemoneyIhadnoi
dea
wherei
tcamefrom
Whati
fitj
ustsomet
rapofanoccul
t
somewher
e
Somecr eepydev
ilwor
shi
per
swhowi l
ltel
lme
thatam nowamemberbecauseIusedthe
money
*
Ij
ustpl
acedt
hemoneyandnot
ebackt
othe
cl
osett
hencl
osei
t
ButtheminuteIturnedast owalkaway,t
he
l
ightbul
bstartedtwitchi
ng,itmadeatri
ckl
ing
soundsasitglowedonandof f,
thecl
oset
doorsfl
ewopenedasi ftheywerebl
ownoutby
wind
Il
ookedar
oundt
hedr
awer
swer
eopenedt
oo
Isl
owlytur
nedbackthecl
osetwasindeed
openedandthemoneywasoutoftheenvelop
nowpackedneat
lyont
opoft
heenv
elop
*
"Pl
easet
akethemoney"wast
hewor
dswr
it
ten
onthecl
oset
shardback
Seemedl
i
ket
heywer
ewr
it
tenwi
thbl
ood
NowIwasshaki
ngwi
thf
ear
,Iwasf
rant
ic
Myheartr
ateel
evat
edshoot
ingt
hroughmy
chest
Islowlyt
ookf
ewst epsbackst
umbli
ngonthe
table,
Ial
mostfal
lbutlucki
l
yIhel
donthet
abl
e
edge
*
"
Juni
or,
juni
orwakeup"Ical
l
edouthur
ri
edl
y
Butj
ustl
i
keadeadper
sonj
uni
ornev
ermov
ed
*
"Iwon'
thur
tyou,am nother
etohurty
ouTase"
morewordsappear
edalsowrit
teni
nwhat
seemedtobeblood
Whatgotmyt
hroatev
enmor
edr
ywast
he
nameTase
Ihav
en'
thear
dthatnamei
nyear
s
Therewasonl
yoneper
sonwhocall
edmeby
thatnamewhi
lewewerest
il
lki
ds
*
"Owhnoooo"Ifr
oze,dri
ppingwi t
hsweat"i
t
can'
tbe,
itsnotpossi
ble"Ireci
tedthati
nmy
mind
*
"
Gr.
.Gr
aig"myv
oicewassoshaky
,wor
dsf
ail
ed
me
Myt
ongueseemedt
ojustwobbl
einmymout
h
Iswal
l
owednot
hing,
asmykneesl
oosenedup
I
tfel
tli
keIcoul
dnol
ongerst
and
*
"Gr
aig,
isthaty
ou,i
thastobeyou,
ther
e'sonl
y
onepersonwhohasevercal
l
edmeTaseand
t
hat
'sy
ou"Isai
dmyey
eswonder
ingar
oundt
he
r
oom
WasIt
alki
ngal
oneort
oadeadper
son.
NowIwasmor
econv
incedt
hatIwasl
oosi
ng
mymind
Butmyreal
i
zat
ionmoment
swerecutshor
t
whenIsawashadowi
nthecl
oset
Icouldn'
tseeafaceormorethanjustashadow
anditseemedli
keanolderperson'
sshadow
whichwasmor ealar
mingformesi nceIknew
thatgrai
gwasjustayoungboywhenhepassed
away
*
Irubbedmyeyesandlookagai
nonl
ytoseeno
shadowbutanotherwr
it
ing
*
"
Am gl
adyousti
llr
ememberl
i
ttl
ebrot
her,t
ake
t
hemoneyandgetawayfr
om Juni
orbef
orehe
r
uinsy
outoo"i
tread
*
"Howar
eyouher
e,y
ouar
edead"Isai
d
*
"Brot
her
sfor
ever,
remember
"av
oiceechoed
aroundt
heroom
*
Iwasabouttosaysomethi
ngwhenav iol
ent
windfi
ll
edtheroom,t
hedrawersandthecloset
doorsshutcl
oseandtheli
ghtst
opped
twit
chi
ng
Bythet
imei
tal
lst
oppedahugewr
it
ingwason
thewal
l
*
"Juni
ororganizedt
herobber
y,t
heplanwasto
getal
lyourstudymater
ial
sanddel
ayy ouf
rom
study
ing
Youhav
etol
eav
ebef
orehehur
tsy
ou"
*
Aft
erfewmi nutesthewordsdisappeared,Iwent
toopentheclosetandjustli
keont hewal l
,the
wordshaddisappearedTooandsohast he
notebutthemoneywasst i
l
lthere
Icouldn'
tBel
i
evet
his,
soJuni
oror
gani
zedt
he
robbery
Whywoul
dhewannasabot
agemyst
udy
ing
Itookthemoneyandhi
ditundermymattr
ess,
fi
rstt
hingt
omorrowmorningIwasgonnal
ook
foranewplacetost
ay
Itwasclearthatt
hesoonerIgetoutofher
ethe
saferIwouldbe
*
*

#ELLA

Iwassodeepi
nmysl
eepwhenast
ingi
ng
sensat
iononmyar
m wokeme
Iqui
ckl
ysatupst
rai
ghtonlytoseewi
nd
bl
owinghar
deronmycurtains
Myr
oom wassocol
d
I
twasjustfi
ll
edwit
hcoldnessandmyli
ghthad
beenswi
tchedoffwhi
chissomethi
ngInever
do
Noteveni
nmywi l
desti
magi
nat
ion,
Iam so
scar
edofthedar
k
Ibecamescar
edi
nthati
nst
ant
,yeahwel
lI
scareeasi
l
y
Whoonear t
hopenedmywindowbecauseI
cl
ear
lyrememberchecki
ngi
tbef
oregoingt
o
bedanditwascl
osed
Igotoutofbed,
switchedt
hel i
ghtonf
ir
st
befor
eiwenttoclosethewindow
*
I
twaswhenIcl
osedt
hewi
ndowwhenIf
elta
t
ingl
i
ngpai
ninmyi
nnerar
m
Icheckedmy
sel
fandIwasr
ead
Ihadareaddot,
isli
keaneedl
ehadbeen
i
nject
edonthatspot
I
twassotendert
othet
ouchandonmypi
l
low
wasafewstr
andsofmyhai
r
Itl
ookedl
i
kei
thadbeenchoppedoutbya
sci
ssor
I
twasnot
hingmaj
ort
houghj
ustaf
ewst
rands
*
Mythr
oatandtheinnerpal
msofmyhands
wer
esoitchyandsowasmyf eet
Iwasst
il
lconf
usedastowhatwashappeni
ng
tomewhenIfeltashar
ppai
ninmychest
Iqui
ckl
yli
ftedmynight
ytopastoseewhatwas
wrongbutIfr
ozeassoonasIsawalarge
wholei
nmychest
I
twashol
l
ow,
isl
i
kemyhear
thadbeenr
eaped
outofi
tspl
aceandIwasl
eftwi
thnohear
t
Iwasbleedi
ngver
yheav
il
ybutf
unnythi
ngi
sI
fel
tnopainandIwasSt
il
lbr
eat
hing
*
Isobadl
ywant
edtoscr
eam butmyv
oice
coul
dn'
tcomeout
Iwasv
oicel
ess
Ijustheadedt
othedoort
hemomentIunlocked
i
tIwasj ustmetbymyfat
herwhowasstanding
there
It
sli
kehe'
sbeenear
sdropping,
hej
umpedi
n
shockt
heminut
eIopenedthedoor
HiseyesranaroundbutIcoul
dn'
tcar
eless
abouthi
sbusinessinmyr oom
Ijustpoi
ntedi
nmychestcauseIst
il
lcoul
dn'
t
talk
*
"What
'swr
ongsweet
hear
t,whati
swr
ongwi
th
y
ourchest
"heaskedconf
used
*
Il
if
tedmynightytopandt
omysurpr
iset
hewas
not
hingIwasfine,t
her
ewasnohol
eIwas
complet
elyf
ine
*
"Ther
e'snot
hingt
her
esweet
y"hesai
d
*
"
But,
butmyhear
twasgone"If
inal
l
ywasabl
e
t
otal
kandIwassoconf
used
*
Mydadhel
dmywr
ist
*
"Am pret
tysureyourhear
tist
her
esweet
y,I
cansti
l
l f
eelyourpul
se
Youknowy
oucan'
twal
kwi
thoutahear
tri
ght
I
tsr
eal
l
yimpossi
ble"hesai
d,i
tfel
tmor
eli
kehe
wasmocki
ngme
*
Me: am notcr
azy
,Icheckedmysel
ffew
secondsago,mychestwasjusthol
low
Ther
ewassomuchbl
ood
Myhear
twasnott
her
e
*
Hi
m: am sur
eit
sj ustacrazydr
eam,
youneed
t
otakeadeepbr eatheandcomedown
l
et'
sgotot
heki
tchenandIwi
l
lgety
ouagl
ass
ofwat
er
*
"Am notcr
azydad,
someonewasinmyroom,
mywi ndowwasopenedandsomeonecutf
ew
str
andsofmyhair
Whatar
eyouev
endoi
ngout
sidemydoor
"
*
Him:
welluhm,Ihear
dscr
eamssoIdeci
dedt
o
comecheckwhatwaswrong
Iwasaboutt
oknockwheny
ouopenedt
hedoor
*
Me:butIneverscr
eamed,Iwant
edtoscr
eam
butsomethi
ngwasr est
ri
cti
ngmyvoi
ce
*
Hi
m:wellyoudi
dscr
eam,
may
bey
ouscr
eamed
i
nyoursl
eep
*
Me:
yeahmay
be
*
Ist
aredathim andf
orsomeonewhowasjust
her
et ocheckonmeheseemednervous
Ij
ustl
ethim be,wegottothekit
chenhet
old
metositdownandt ryt
ocalm downwhil
ehe
pour
edmeagl assofwater
Idi
dashei
nst
ruct
edbutIcoul
dfeel
iti
nmy
gut
sthatmydadwasl
yi
ng
*
Me:
whatt
imei
sit
*
Hi
m:j
ustaf
ter3:
00am i
nthemor
ning
*
Me:
wowIt
houghti
twasbef
ore12
*
Hi
m:wel
li
tsl
ate
*
Me:
yether
ewear
esi
tt
ingi
ntheki
tchen
*
Thewasabi
tofawkwar
dnessbet
weenus
*
"Inevermeantt
omakey ourl
i
feali
vi
nghel
l
"
myf at
hersai
dbreaki
ngt
hesil
ence
*
Me:
what
*
Him:not
hing,
justwanty
out
oknowt
hatIl
ove
you
*
Me:
Ihaveafeel
i
ngthatt
hisi
saboutt
he
mar
ri
agethi
ngri
ght
*
Hi
m:grai
glovesy
ou,
am pr
ett
ysur
eyouwi
l
l
l
ovehi
mt oo
*
Themomenthement ionedt
henameGr
aigmy
nonexi
stenthear
tski
ppedabeat
If
eltt
hingsInev
erf
eltbef
ore
*
Me:
Grai
g?
*
Hi
m: yesGrai
g,t
hey
oungmanwhowant
sto
marr
yy ou
*
"
Grai
g"t
hat
'sal
lIkeptsay
ing,
itsl
i
ket
hename
f
asci
nat
edme
I
twasli
kemusi
ctomyears,
asweetmel
ody
t
hatwoul
ddr
ivemetosl
eep
It
sli
keitwasmyf
ir
stt
imehear
ingt
hatwor
d
cl
earl
y
Andthei
magesfl
ashingi
nmymi
ndwer
ethose
ofcal
vi
nandhi
skil
lersmi
le
*
Somethi
ngwashappeningt
omeacceptIhad
noideawhatt
hehel
litwas
[
12/
27,09:
08]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
ENTRYTWELVE

#ELLA

Icamebackdeadt
ired,
iwascal
l
edf
oraf
lexi
i
nter
viewatt
ruwor
ths
i
justhopeigotthejob,
idi
dmybestont
he
i
nter
viewev
ent houghiwassoscar
ed
i
pray
edt
hatt
heycal
lmeback
ihadjustgott
enofft
hetaxiandwaswalki
ng
home, i
tsbeenawholeweeknowandi haven'
t
hear
dorseenCal v
inandthatbot
heredmeso
much
imi
ssedhi
m, heckhewast
heonl
yper
sonwho
wasi
nmymi nd
i
tsfunnyhowi wentf
rom notgi
vi
ngashi
t
abouthi
mi nt
obemadl yi
nlovewit
hhi
m
y
esi
wasi
nlov
ewi
thhi
m,mykneesgotweakat
t
hement
ionofhi
sname, igotbut
ter
fl
iesi
nmy
t
ummybyjustt
hinki
ngabouthim
ipr
ayedforhi
ssaf
etymor
ethani
pray
edf
ormy
ownsafety
ihadstar
tedst
ayi
ngupallni
ghtj
ustwonder
ing
wherehewasorwhetherhewassafe

"
aibogir
lst
opdreamingonabroaddayl
i
ght
"
thatwasavoi
cethatdi
stur
bedmefrom my
Calmagi
nat
ion

"owhheyNossy
,ididn'
tseeyouther
e"i
respondedi
nar
atherannoyedt
one

nosiphowast hebubbl
ygirlwholi
vedint
he
nei
ghbour hood,shewasalsocol
ouredbutli
ved
onl
ywi thherblackmotherandhadtwoelder
si
sters,t
heyspokeZulu
herfamilywaswel
lof
f,bot
hhersi
ster
shad
reputabl
ejobs
theel
destwasadoct oratourlocalhospit
aland
theotheronewor kedatthetruckcompany
wheremyf atheroncewor ked,shewast he
assi
stantmanagert her
e
theywer ebot
hmarri
edt
otherichesthusbands
andt heyhel
dbui
l
tahugeasshousef ort
heir
mot herwhowasalsoapr
inci
palforthelocal
pri
vateschool
nossywasthesameageasmeshewas
study
ingatapr
ivat
ecol
l
egethatwascl
osert
o
herhome
weonceat
tendedthesameschoolsoiknew
hert
obeaspoiltbr
atwhothi
nkssheownsthe
worl
d

"howcoul
dyouseemewhiley
ourmi ndismi
l
es
away,sowhatar
eyoudoi
nghere,
ain'ty
ou
supposetobei
nCapeVi
no"sheaskedwi
tha
curi
ousface

me:
wel
lcapev
inodi
dn'
twor
kout

her:how,gi
rlyouweret
hebri
ght
estst
udentin
allt
hegrade12scombined,
youwerethatgi
rl
thatever
yteacherl
i
kedandever
ylear
nerenvi
ed
damngi r
lyougottheKOPANOSEFAKATHO
LIMITEDSCHOLARSHI Pandwebothknowthat
theydon'
thandthosetoj
ustanyonebutonl
y
thebest
youwereoneoft
hebestgi
rl
,ial
way
swi
shedt
o
beyou

me:hahahay
oujokingri
ght,howwoul
dyou
wi
shtobeme, am poorwit
hnothi
ngtoof
fer
her:
wel
lyouhav
ethel
ooksandt
hebr
ains,
that
sal
ot

me:
ifonl
ythi
ngswer
ethateasy

her
:wellt
ell
youwhat
,mysist
ersai
dther
ewer
e
l
earner
shi
psatherwor
kpl
ace
i
wil
ltal
ktoherf
ory
ou

me:
thedoct
orone

her
:no,
theonewhoi
sanassi
stantmanager
i
don'tknowwhatthelear
ner
shi
psareabout
t
hough,justgi
vemeyournumberi
will
halaat
y
ouwheni gett
hefor
ms

me:
thatwoul
dbegr
eat
,thanky
ou
mynumberi
s079*
***
***

shesav
edt
henumber

her:
am gladibumpedint
oyou,
itsni
cet
oseea
famil
iarf
acearoundher
e
someonemyagef
ort
hatmat
ter

me:
yeahyoucantell
meabouti
t,t
hispl
acei
s
r
eal
l
yquietandbor
ing

her
:itget
sbusydur
ingt
heholi
day
sat
leastt
hen
weseeal otoff
ami
li
arf
aces
anywayineedsomeonewhowi
l
lbr
aidmyhai
r,i
needtodoàf i
net
wist

me:
wel
licanbr
aidy
ou,
buty
ou'
l
lhav
etobr
ing
y
ourownf
iber

her:
coolnost
ress,
iwasonmywaytobuythe
fi
bervel
e,
youcanaccompanymei
fyounoti
na
hurr
y

me:wellidon'
tmi
nd,
besi
desam i
nnohur
ryt
o
getbackhome

wewalkedupt
her
oadt
othenear
esti
ndi
an
t
uckshop

"sohowsy
ourbr
other
"shebl
urt
edout

me:
uhm he'
sfi
ne

her
:owhohk
shewasallsmi
les,andcoul
dn'
tev
enpr
event
hercheeksf
rom t
urningpi
nk

me:
owhkspi
titoutgi
rl
,whyar
eyoubl
ushi
ng

her
:am notbl
ushi
ng

me:owhr
eal
l
ysoi wasi
magi
ningy
ourcheeks
t
urni
ngpi
nkr
ightnow

her
:may
bey
ouwer
e,i
real
l
ywasn'
tbl
ushi
ng

me:
owhohkt
hen

ideci
dedt
oletherbeeventhoughiknewshe
waslyi
ng,
idi
dntexpecthertotel
lmeher
secr
etst
houghbesi
deswewer
en'
tfr
iends

#NARRATED

i
tsbeenaweeksi
ncet
heGoj
ari
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hadbeen
per
for
med
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mpat
ient
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requi
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obesenttot
heunderworl
dand
onlyonepersonwascal
ledt
odothejob

"i
tsnotsupposet
otakethi
slong,
hewas
supposetobeupthethi
rdday
whyisitt
aki
ngl
ongerf
orhi
mt owakeup"she
askedasshest
oodupandstar
tedpaci
ngup
anddown

"rel
axTerra,heiscomingback,icanfeel
his
spir
it
,heisstil
ltr
yingt
ofindhi
swaybackbut
thememor iesofthaty
ounggirl
wi l
lgui
dehim
back"Nomawhowashol dingGraig'
shandwith
hereyesclosedsaid

shehadjoinedt
hecer emonylater
,herdut
ywas
j
usttomakesur ethatGraighandl
ehis
unf
ini
shedbusinesssot hathi
sspiri
tcanresti
n
per
fectpeace
Ter
ra:whati
fhedoesn'
tcomeback,
hismot
her
wil
lki
l
lme
ishoul
dhaveconsult
edher,
ishoul
dn'
thave
wentthr
oughwit
ht hi
sri
tual
,i
tsj
ustdanger
ous
y
ouhav
etodosomet
hingNoma

Noma:ipr
omi
sey
ourgr
andson'
sspi
ri
tissaf
e
andsound
mydutyistohelpthosewhocantcrossov
er,
thespi
ri
tswhohav eunfi
nishedbusi
nesst
odo
whatisrequi
redofthem sothatt
heycancross
over
icanfeelhowmuchGraigl
ovesthatgir
landif
hecantletgothenhewoul
dneverbeableto
crossoversot
rustmehewil
lfi
ndpeaceonce
hefaceswhathasbeenhol
dinghim backto
thi
swor ld
Nomaf l
appedwi deopenherwingandstar
ted
appeari
ngmor eangell
ike,
shewasstil
lhol
ding
Grai
g'shand.aGoldenCandleappear
edinthei
r
hands

"hehasf oundhisway,heiscomingbackand
thi
sishiscandleofl
if
e,ishall
keepitbur
ning
unti
lheisreadytofi
nal
lydepart,
hewouldbea
partofmenow, wheneverhecall
sformei shal
l
betheretoanswer
butremembernowhehasbeengi venasecond
chanceandi am ofl
ightsoagreatdeal
ofli
ght
wil
lbepresentinhimtoosot hi
smaybenott he
Ini
ti
alGr
aig'
sspirity
our emember
ther
esapartofhim whi
chmaybatt
leand
questi
ont
heinit
ialr
easony
oubroughthi
m
backthef
ir
stplace
heisofl
ightfr
om nowandther
e'sabsol
utel
y
nothi
ngicandot ochanget
hat
"Noma'svoice
echoedaroundtheroom
hereyeswereaswhi
teassnowandl
i
ghtshone
fr
om herhandstoGr
aig'
sbody

Terr
a:owhGodhi smotherwil
lki
llmefor
al
lowingthi
s,shewil
lhatemeforeveri
mean
sheneverwantedthi
s,sheonl
ybroughthi
m
backbecauseshewant edv
engeanceforhi
s
deat
h. .

atthatmomentGr ai
gstartedcoughing
repeatedl
y,hesatupfr
om t hecasketandhis
grannyhandedhim aglassoftheoilofli
fe
hegulpedi
tal
latoncebef
oret
aki
ngadeep
br
eathe

"youar eback,iwassoscar
edthaty
ouwould
neverretur
n"Terrasai
dhuggi
ngherconf
used
andtir
edgr andsonti
ghtl
y
"iwasinsomuchpain,if
eltl
i
kemyhear
twas
reapedoutofmychest
diditwor
k,pl
easet
ell
mei
twor
kedOuma"he
said

Terr
a:don'
twor
rydeary
oubr
oughtherbl
oodi
n
ti
me
y
ouandherar
ebi
ndnow
whatev
erhappenst
oheryouwi
ll
feel
,shei
sa
par
tofyouandherhear
tnowbel
ongstoyou
i
twor
ked

gr
aig:
thankGod,
shei
stheonl
ythi
ngt
hat
br
oughtmeback
i
wast rappedi
nthi
swilddar
kfor
estandonl
y
t
hinki
ngabouthershowedmetheway

Noma:
youmustr
eal
l
ylov
eher
gr
aig:
idowhol
ehear
tedl
y

theyspokeabitbefor
eNomasai dher
goodbyesherfl
ightwasschedul
edtoleav
e
l
aterthatday
aft
ershehadleftGraigandhergr annycleaned
up,duri
ngthenighttheywenttobur ryt
he
casketongrai
g'sori
ginalgrav
e,insidethere
wasabot tl
econtai
ninghisbloodandoneofhi s
favouri
tet
-shi
rtwit
hhi spi
ctureandf ewstrands
ofElla'
shai
rcombinedwi thhi
s
theyhadtoburryt
hisasawaytomaint
ain
balanceandkeepthebondbet
weenhim and
ell
astrong

thefol
lowi
ngdayGrai
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art
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eel
ingl
i
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yloadhadbeenl
i
ftedof
fhi
s
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der
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hegotreadyandt
ookoneoft
hecar
s,hedr
ove
toEl
la'
shouse
El
l
awasout
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ngsomegi
rl

gr
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i
ght
edand
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kedin
t
hegi
rl
swer
eal
readyst
ari
ng
heheadedtothem butbef or
ehecoul deven
reachthem El
l
ar anstr
aighttohim,shethrew
hersel
fathim,herhandsheldtightonhisneck
[
12/
27,09:
10]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTEEN

#NARRATED
Grai
gheldontighttoher,t
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ayedi
nthat
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hel ongestwhil
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Ell
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ncedt
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l
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tdoes
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ightnowi
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Shehadneverseensuchhot
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handsomenesscombinedi
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erseent
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e
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l
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*
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*
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*
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*
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l
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*
Shecouldn'
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rstt
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il
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+
+
+

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*
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aig'
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kedout
side
t
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*
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l
a
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ace
*
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l
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*
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eppedout
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a
*
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ir
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*
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l
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*
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ll
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ngatyourpl
acesosinceyouaregoi
ngt
o
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l
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i
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ogetsome
*
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l
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tIknowi
t
*
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vedbackwar
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anddr
oveupt
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st
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Theydr
oppednossyof
f
*
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ng"El
l
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ent
eredthemai
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*
Grai
g:mypl
ace,
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alf
or
you
*
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l
a:y
oucook
*
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sed
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l
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tyou
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eat
cook
*
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l
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nthef
ami
l
y
*
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aig:
sor
tof
*
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l
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Shecoul
dn'
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aceassoonasshesteppedoutthecar
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ecogni
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ngst
hough
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ghbor
hood,
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ved
ar oundthatpl
acewhenherfami
lywassti
ll
financial
lyst
able
*
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aceisbr
eat
he-
taki
ng"El
l
aspoke
st
il
lbusyl
ooki
ngaround
*
Gr
aig:
thanky
ou,
shal
lwe
*
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etouthi
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m andel
l
asl
i
therhand
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kedi
nsi
de
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acewasdr
opdeadbeaut
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uli
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eti
tfel
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d
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edherhi
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hey
entered
*
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ey ourparent
sin"
askedEll
aastheyenteredthegiganti
clounge
*
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iv
ewi
thmypar
ent
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t
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tsj
ustt
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*
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l
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e
*
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g:t
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eftt
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ti
oneron
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ndoesn'
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lwi
thhot
ness
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ohav
eev er
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ngchi
l
ledout
ot
her
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opater
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elopa
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ier
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icski
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on
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l
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ibl
e
*
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aig:
iti
s,butam usedt
oitnow
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ustneedt
ocont
rol
myenv
ironment
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n
condi
ti
on,l
et'
sgori
ghtthi
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*
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ngar
eawher
eitwas
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omanti
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lydecorated
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eswhichwereon
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hetable
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oletwerespr
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het abl
eandontheflooront
opofthatcl
ear
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tef
urr
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ff
erentdel
i
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acedont
opofthe
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ablewit
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eofRedwineandt
woglasses
*
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sissobeauti
ful
,youdidal
lthi
sby
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f"El
lahadherhandplacedonhermout
h
Shehasnev
erseensuchbeaut
y,shethought
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orwasromant
icbutGr
aigj
usttookthecup
"
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ul"shekeptonsay
ing
*
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Iloveyoursi
mpli
cit
yit
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aigr
esponded
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"Youmaysi
t"hedi
rect
ed
*
"
Thanky
ou"
El
lasatdownst
il
lst
unnedbywhatwasi
nfr
ont
ofher
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i
keherspeci
alwai
ter
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madesur
ethatshewascomf or
table
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art
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l
oumi
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adwas
ser
ved
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heheav
ymeal hehadprepar
edl i
me
chi
ckent
acoswit
hcheesyenchi
l
adast ack
*
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eal
l
ydelici
ous,Youreal
lywannast
uff
meupneh"Ellacomplai
nedasgr ai
gwasbusy
feedi
nghert
hemai ncoursedish
"Youkeepfeedi
ngmebutIhav
en'
tseeny
ou
eat
"sheconti
nued
*
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g:Imadet
hisf
ory
ou,
iwanty
out
oenj
oy
your
self
*
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l
a:Iwi
l
lenj
oyi
tmor
eify
oual
soeat
*
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g:howaboutIhavethewi
neke,
Ireal
l
y
don'
tfeel
hungr
yrightnow
*
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a:f
inebutnextt
imeIwi
ll
cookandIwi
l
llet
youeatal
lthefoodal
one
*
Grai
g:can'
twai
tforthatday,
Iwouldl
ovetoeat
foodthati
spr
eparedbyy ouIreal
l
yenj
oy
watchingy
oueatthough
*
Ell
a:youaresomodest ,am notagoodcook,
so
don'texpectsophi
sti
cat
eddi sheswi
thnamesI
can'
tev enpronounce
*
Grai
g:Icandri
nkboil
edwat
erandst
il
lenj
oyi
tif
i
tspreparedbyyou
*
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l
a:hahahay
ouar
esof
unny
*
Grai
gpour
edhi
msel
fagl
assofwi
neandt
ooka
si
p
*
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nereal
l
ytast
eswei
rd"El
l
asai
dasshe
tookasi
pinhers
*
Grai
g:i
tsav
eryexpensi
vewi
neandIj
ustl
ove
t
hetaste
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eyounev
erhav
eredwi
nebef
ore
*
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la:Ihav
e,butthi
soneisdi
ffer
ent
,funnypar
t
i
sIjustcan'
tstopdri
nki
ngit
*
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aig:
yeahi
ttendst
obeaddi
cti
ve
*
Af
tereat
ingt
heybot
hcl
ear
edt
het
abl
eand
wentt
owasht
hedi
shes
Thedishwasherwast
herebutIguessdoing
them manual
l
ywasmor efunatt
hatinst
ance
fort
hem
Theykeptpl
ayi
ngwi
theachot
her
Boththei
rT-
shir
twerewetbecauset
heykept
pouri
ngwaterononeanot
her
*
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l
a:y
our
eal
l
ynotf
airl
ookathowwetIam
*
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l
ywaswetwi
thsoapbubbl
escov
eri
ng
herf
ace
*
Grai
g:ncooham sosor
ryBoobuty
oust
art
ed
t
his
*
Hehel
dherfr
om behindwit
hhi
swethandsand
pl
ant
edtr
acesofkissesi
nherneck
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highsanddrewhercl
osert
o
hi
m pl
antedfewmor eki
sses
*
"Soam If
orgi
ven"hef
inal
l
yspoke
*
El
l
a:may
be,
Ist
il
lneedt
othi
nkabouti
t
*
Gr
aig:
owhr
eal
l
y,Ineedt
otr
yhar
dert
hen
*
Heturnedhert
of acehi
m,hel
dherwai
stashe
st
areddeeplyi
ntohereyes
El
l
awr
appedherar
msar
oundhi
sneck
Shehasl
ongedtobei
nhisar
msf orthewhol
e
weekandnowitwasf
inal
l
yhappening
Theystaredateachother,
andjustl
i
kea
magneticfi
eldtheyat
tract
edeachotherunt
il
thei
rli
pscoll
ided
Apassi
onat
elongki
sswasshar
ed

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
27,09:
11]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFOURTEEN

#TYSON

Aweekhadpassedsi
ncemycreepyencount
er
wit
hwhatIassumewasmybrother
'sghosti
f
sucht
hingsexi
st
Iwasbusypacki
ngmyst
uffi
ntoboxes
apickupvanwasgonnadel
iv
ermyst
ufft
omy
newapart
mentthef
oll
owingday
I
twasnot
hingf
ancybutwasmanageabl
eanda
bi
tcl
osert
oschool
Ihadconfront
edj unioraboutt
herobberythree
daysagoandi tturnedouthereall
ydidsetthe
wholethi
ngup, wear guedforthel
ongestwhi l
e
andtheargumentendedupwi thmepunchi ng
hi
sface
Sonowwewer enott
alki
ngtoeachotherand
hehasn'tbeenbackt
othehouseeversince
thatday
Ihadnoi
deawher
ehewasandIr
eal
l
ydi
dn'
t
giv
eadamn
*
Af
terpacki
ngt
helastboxIdeci
dedt
ogot
obed
si
nceIfel
tsot
ir
ed
Wellthat
'showIhav
ebeenf
eel
i
ngf
ort
his
passedweek
Sot
ir
edandweakwi
thoutev
endoi
ngany
thi
ng
It
urnedt
het
vof
fandwentt
other
oom
i
tfel
tli
kesomeonewast
her
e
ButwhenIl
ookedar
oundIf
oundnoone
It
ookoffmycl
othesandgoti
nmybed,
br
owsedthr
oughmyphonesinceIwasn'
tyet
sl
eepy
Ihav
en'
tspokent
oNont
lef
orawhi
l
enow
Shedidn'tl
oginf
acebookandIhavetri
ed
call
ingheronsev
eraloccasi
onsbutshenev
er
pickedup
*
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ofallasl
eepandwasinadeep
sl
umberwhenIfel
toxygenbei
ngsuckedoutof
mylungs
Ist
ruggl
edtobr
eathef
orthelongestwhi
l
eand
i
tfel
tli
kesomeoneorsomethingwaschoki
ng
me
I
twassucki
ngthel
i
feoutofmeandIcoul
dn'
t
openmyeyes
Ifoughti
tfort
helongestwhi
l
eunt
ilIwasabl
e
toopenmyey es
WhatIsawont
opofmesendmyl
i
fei
ntor
uins
Myhear
trancol
d,If
roze
Somet
hingsoev
ilanddar
kwhi
chLookedl
i
kea
humanj
umpedtotheceil
i
ng
I
tcrawl
edl
i
keababy,andwaspi
tchblack,
it
wasmorel
ikeaf
igur
emadeoutofstone
l
ikeanambushedl
i
ttl
egi
rl
,Iscr
eamedmyl
ungs
out
i
tturnedint
odar
ksmokeanddi
sappear
edint
o
thi
nairbutawri
ti
ngi
nbl
ackwaslef
tonthe
cei
li
ng
*
"
Yoursoul
forhi
s"i
treads
*
Whatdi
ditmean,
whatsoul
didi
tref
ert
o
Andwhatdi
dIhav
etowi
thany
thi
ng
Wast
hisev
enr
eal
WasIbei
ngbewi
tchedorl
oosi
ngmymi
ndr
ight
now
Ibl
inkedf
oramomentandt
hewr
it
ingwas
gone
Ithasalsov
anishedandthewasnot
raceof
anythi
ngeverbeingi
ntheroom
IwassoscaredIwentt
otheki
tchenandgot
mysel
faglassofwater
Idownedi
tal
latonce
Myhear
twasst
il
lpoundi
ngoutofmychest
Somethi
ngwashappeningt
omeanditf
eltso
unr
ealIwasstar
ti
ngtodecl
aremy
sel
fasa
mentali
nst
it
utepat
ient
*
Iwentbackt
omyroom t
ookmyphoneand
di
aledmymom'snumber
I
trangf
ort
hel
ongestwhi
l
ebef
oreshe
answer
ed
*
"HeyFanowhyar
eyoucal
l
ingmesol
ate"she
answer
edinasl
eepy
*
"Am sor
rymom,
didn'
tmeant
odi
stur
byour
beaut
ysleep
Ij
ustneededsomeonet
otal
kto"
*
Her:i
tsoundssoser
ious,whati
sit
,Ihope
ever
ythi
ngisfi
neatschool
*
Me:am scar
edmama,
am soscar
edIf
eel
li
ke
am l
oosi
ngmymind
*
Her
:owhboyy
ouknowam her
e,t
alkt
ome
Youcant
ell
meany
thi
ng
AndIam yourmotherIpr
omi
senot
hingy
ousay
wil
lsoundcrazyt
ome
*
Me:
am bei
nghaunt
ed
*
Her
:whatnow
*
Me:am seei
ngthings,
Iwasasleepwhena
humanli
kecreatureal
mostchokemet odeat
h
I
twassucki
ngt
hel
i
feoutofme
*
Her:
howdoyoumeansucki
ngy
ourl
i
fe,
am
sur
eitwasj
ustani
ght
mare
*
Me:
nomamai
twasn'
t,
Isawi
twi
thmyown
t
woeyes
I
tcr
awl
edupt
hecei
l
ingt
henv
ani
shedl
eav
inga
messagesay
ing"
yoursoul
forhi
s"
Isawi
t,whatdoesi
tal
lmean
Whatsoul
wasi
tref
err
ingt
o
I
ssomeonebewi
tchi
ngme
*
Her
:cal
m down,
takeadeepbr
eat
hedearohk
*
Idi
dasshei
nst
ruct
ed
*
Me:am notcr
azy
,youhav
etobel
i
eveme
mama
*
Her
:it
sohkFano,
Idon'
tthi
nky
ouar
ecr
azy
Howaboutyoucomehomethisweekendand
wewi
llgett
othebot
tom oft
hisohk
Iwil
lfi
ndoutwhati
shappeningandwewi
l
lget
ri
dofwhateveri
shaunt
ingyou
*
Me:thanky
ouf
orbel
i
evi
ngme,
Iwi
l
lcomet
his
weekend
*
Her
:Ihopeal
lthi
sisnotaf
fect
ingy
ourschool
wor
k
*
Me:
itsnot
,thi
ngsatschool
areper
fect
lyf
ine
*
Her
:let
'shopei
tstaysthatway
,letmesl
eep
bef
oreIwakeyourfat
herup
Wi
l
lseey
ouwheny
ougether
e
Andpleasedon'twor
ryy
our
sel
fwewi
l
lgett
o
thebott
om ofthis
*
Me:thanky
oumama, Il
oveyouandsor
ryf
or
di
sturbi
ngyourbeaut
ysleep
*
Her
:it
sohkdear
,youdon'
thav
etoapol
ogi
ze
Am yourmotherandy
ouhav
etocal
lmewhen
youaretr
oubled
Il
ovey
out
oo
Gobackt
osleepandi
nthemor
ningev
ery
thi
ng
wi
ll
bealr
ight
*
Wesai
dourgoodby
esandIhungup
NowIwasev
enmor
econf
used
Ever
ythi
ngdidn'tsi
tri
ghtwil
lal
lthi
s,whydidmy
mom beli
evemesof astwhenItal
kedabout
somethi
ngwhi chissoimpossi
ble
Whydi
dshesoundedangr
yinst
eadofshock
Lot
soft
hingsdi
dn'
tmakeanysense
Somet
hingdef
ini
tel
ysmel
l
edf
ishyher
e
Ij
usthadt
ofi
gur
eoutwhati
twas
I
tsagoodt
hingIwasgoi
nghome
Mymom washidi
ngsomet
hingandi
neededt
o
f
indoutwhat
+
+
+
#NARRATED

Rightaf
tert
hatcal
lmr
sSi
emens,
car
eful
l
ygot
outofbed
Shemadenonoi
seasnott
owakeherhusband
Shetookherphoneandsneakedoutoft
he
bedr
oom
Shewentdownst
air
stot
heki
tchenanddi
aleda
number
I
trangtwiceandtheper
sonatt
heot
herendof
t
helineanswered
*
"Mot
hertel
lmey
oudi
dn'
t,t
ell
mey
oudi
dn'
tdo
i
tpl
ease
Tel
lmewhatam t
hinki
ngi
snottrue"sai
dmrs
Si
emensassoonashermotherpickedup
*
"Whoacomedown,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
Thandeka
Whatisitt
haty
out
hinki
did"hermot
her
answered
*
Thandeka:don'tactdumpmot
hery
ouknow
whatam talki
ngabout
*
Terr
a:am afr
aidIdon'
tknow,sowhydon'
tyou
enli
ght
enmeandwhi l
eatitst
opyel
l
ingam
yourmothernotoneofyourki
ds
*
Thandeka:
Tysonj
ustcal
l
edmemot
her
,hewas
ter
ri
fi
ed
Hesai
dthatahumanl
i
kecr
eat
urewant
edt
o
ki
l
lhi
m
I
talmostsuckedt
hel i
feoutofhi
m andlef
ta
wri
ti
ngonthewallthatsai
d"yoursoulf
orhis"
Whatdi
dyoudomot
her
*
Ter
ra:
hel
lno,
itsi
mpossi
ble
Idi
dalltherequiredst
eps,
Itookal
lthe
necessaryprecauti
ons
Iwascar
eful
nott
obr
eakt
hei
nit
ial
deal
*
Thandeka:
forwhatmot
her
,whatdi
dyoudo
Didyouperf
ormtheGoj
ari
tual
Ispeci
fi
cal
l
ytol
d
younottoperf
orm.
Di
dyou,
youwentbehi
ndmybackanddi
dit
*
Ter
ra:
am sor
ryohkbuti
twasnecessar
y
Yoursonwasper
ishi
ngandtheli
qui
dofl
i
fe
wasnotenought
omai nt
ainhi
m
Hest
art
edbl
eedi
ng
Andy
ouhear
dwhatt
hatwomansai
dtous
Shesai
dthatoncehestar
tsbl
eedi
ngwear
e
gonnal
oosehimforgoodthi
sti
me
SoIhadnochoi
cebutt
oper
for
mther
it
ual
*
Thandeka:
yousenthim backt
othedead
motherandheret
urnedwi t
hdeat
hit
sself
Thewomanal
sot
oldust
hatmagi
ccomeswi
th
apri
ce
Ali
feforali
fe,whenshebr oughtgrai
gback
shespeci
fi
call
ysaidthatalif
eofsomeoneel se
hastobetakentoreplacehisinordert
o
maint
ainbal
ance
Butinst
eadweaskedhert
ot r
ickt
hebal
ance
wetoldhertol
eav
eGraigsoulint
he
underworl
d
wemadei
tseemedlikegr
aigwasst
il
ldeadso
nol
i
fewastakenaway
Gr
aigwasnotsupposet
ofeel
,eatorsl
eepand
wi
tnessany
thi
nghuman
y
ouandIknowt
hatagoj
ari
tual
changesal
l
t
hat
I
tpullsGrai
g'ssoul
from t
heunder
worldand
ret
urnsitbacktohi
sbodyandthatchangest
he
bal
ance
Nowanotherli
fehastobel
ostbecauseGr
aig
hasbeenbroughtback
andIt
hinkt
hatl
i
fei
sty
son'
s.
Deat
hisaf
terTy
sonmot
her
Youhav
etof
ixt
his,
Ican'
tl
ooseanot
herson
*
Ter
ra:
noi
tsi
mpossi
ble,
itcan'
tbeTy
son
Iknewanotherl
if
ewastobet
akenbuti
twas
notsupposetobeTy
son'
s
*
Thandeka: howdoy oumean,
howwereyouso
surethatitwasnotsupposet
obeTyson'
sli
fe
thatdeathwi l
lcl
aim
*
Terr
a:becauseImadeaspel
lthatwouldsend
deathtotheper
sonwhowasori si
nlov
ewi t
h
thegir
lGrai
gisinl
ovewi
th
Thespel
lwasmeantf
orJuni
or,
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rl
*
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Whi
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*
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*
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Andyouwi
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odo
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ngagi
rlt
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*
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ra:
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etoo
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ect
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unior
*
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fine,
youbett
ermakesur
ethatt
his
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seIwi l
lcomeaf
tery
oumother
Youcausedt
his,
Itol
dyounott
odot
heGoj
a
ri
tual
*
Ter
ra:
Iwi
l
lfi
xitohk
*
Theyt
alkedabi
tmor
ebef
orehangi
ngup
+
+
+
#ELLA

Iwasi
ntheuni
ver
seIhadnev
erbeenbef
ore
Mylegscur
ledti
ghterar
oundhi
sbodyandhe
penet
rat
edharderi
nmycanal
Hi
sshaf tsohardandfir
mi thi
tthewal
l
sand
ev
ent hegreatbeyondbri
ngingmeanonymous
pl
easure
Icoul
dn'
tpr
eventt
hemoanst
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mouth
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hmyeyesburi
edint
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edi
nci
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e,
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oundmysel
flosti
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ytheenj
oymentIf
eltmat
ter
edt
hemostat
t
hatmoment
*
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esureyouar
est
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lohk"heaskedhi
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ce
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tyetmanl
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*
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ustnoddedIcoul
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rai
dthat
myvoicewil
lfai
lme
*
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lywhatIwant
ed,
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ouderandhekepthuf
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ngand
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ndingont
opofme
*
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dn't
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ingmyl owerli
psatthe
process
*
Ididn'
tknowwhatt
odowi
thmy
sel
fast
he
feeli
ngtookov
er
*
"
Youuli
kethat
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oul
i
kei
t"hi
sbar
it
onei
n
myearsendchi
ll
sdownmyspi
ne
Thi
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erofsexandIwashi
s
st
udent
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ledupasIf
eltmysel
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elease
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uggedmynai
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*
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sper
ed
*
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epl
i
edback
*
I
twaswhenthegl
azeofl
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ghtshonei
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ace
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hatIwoke
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nswer
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etchedmysel
fandtheweirdestt
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Iwasabi
twetandi
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tpai
nful
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eamingaboutsexmakesy
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key
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usthadsex
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l
astni
ghtt
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af
terourki
ssingsessi
onwewentbackt
ot he
l
ounge,watchedsomemoviesandj
ustt
alked
Sot
hiswasv
eryscar
yinsomanyl
evel
s
*
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il
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hought
swhengr
aig
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kedin
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andedonhi
m If
orgot
ever
ythi
ngIwast
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ngabout
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thav
estand
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ryi
ngatr
ay
*
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ready
"hespokeheadi
ngmyway
*
Me:
yeah,
whydi
dn'
tyouwakemeup
*
Him:want
edt
osur
pri
sey
ouwi
thbr
eakf
asti
n
bed
Di
dyousl
eepohk
*
Me:
li
keababyandy
ou
*
Hi
m:t
hebestni
ghtev
er
*
Wi
tht
hatsai
dhegav
eoutanaught
ysmi
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e
*
Me:
andwhati
sthatal
labout
*
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hing,
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eat
estni
ghtwi
th
you,
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owedt obehappy
Youar
eamazi
ng
*
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orehead
*
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ethi
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ray
*
Me:
ncoooht
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esosweet
*
Hi
m:Iknowr
ight
*
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ookt
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acedonmyl
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i
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ast
Idugi
nwhi
l
ehewentt
otakeashower
Thi
swast
hebestdat
eev
er
[
12/
27,09:
12]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFI
FTEEN
#ELLA

dayspassedandwi
theachsunseti
fel
lmor
e
i
nlovewit
hGraig
icoul
dn'
tcont
rolmy sel
f,hewasmyworldand
mywholehappinessrevolv
edaroundhi
m
i
hadst
art
edwor
kingasaf
lexi
att
ruwor
ths
iwasworki
ngattheUZZIdepar
tmentbuti
was
st
il
li
ntr
aini
ngforthet
imebeing
iwasenjoyi
ngmynewfoundindependencyand
thefactt
hatiwoul
dbeear
ningmyownmoney
attheendofeachweek

Grai
gtri
edstoppi
ngmef r
om t
aki
ngt
hej
obbuti
wasntgonnahavethat
yesilov
edhim buti
didntwannabef
inanci
all
y
dependedonhim
hespoiledmerottent
hatmuchwasaknown
factbutist
il
lneededmoneytohel
pouti
nthe
houseandi di
dntwannausehismoney
iwassooccupi
edandsobusyi
gott
ofor
get
aboutj
uni
or
well
thatwasbecauseGr
aigwasev
ery
thi
ng
Juni
orfai
ledt
obeandmor e

wheniwaswi
thgr
aigi
tfel
tli
keiwasinanot
her
uni
ver
sewher
eonl
yhim andiexi
sted
hewassweet
,ki
nd,
car
ingandf
unny
t
here'
snosucht
hingasaper
fectmanbuthe
wasperf
ect
hemadeli
feseem unbear
abl
e,i
coul
dlaugh
andbef
reearoundhim
al
lmywor ri
esandhear
tachesdisappear
edi
n
hi
spresence,wi
thhi
m everyr
ideseemed
wort
hwhile
i
twasaround18:
30Gr ai
gwasdr
ivi
ngmehome,
wel
lheusual
lyf
etchedmeatwork
hepar
kedatt
hef
rontgat
eofmyhouse
weki
ssedpassi
onat
ely

"
arey
ousureyoudontwannaspendt
heni
ghtat
mypl
ace"gr
aigsai
din-
bet
weentheki
ss

me:
nopnaught
y,y
ouknowam wor
king
t
omorr
ow

gr
aig:
butyoucangot
owor
kfr
om mypl
ace
pl
easeangel
-f
ace

me:
asmuchast
hatsoundscat
chyi
cantbaby
howabouti
spendt
hisweekendaty
ourpl
ace
grai
g:gr
eattheni
tsadat
e,i
wishi
canspend
eachandeverywaki
ngmomentwi
thyou

me:thenyouwill
gett
ir
edofbei
ngwi
thmeand
t
hingswil
lchange
y
ouwi
l
lcheat,
iwi
l
lbemi
ser
abl
eal
lmyl
i
fe
andyouwil
lbeoutt
her
esear
chi
ngf
or
somethi
ngnew

grai
g:iwil
lnev
erdothatt
oyou,
isweary
ouand
onlyyouaremyfor
ever
icanneverandwoul
dnev
erl
oveanot
hergi
rl
acceptf
oryou
y
ouar
emystrengt
h,myver
ymeansofsur
viv
al,
y
ouar
ether
easonam her
eeachday
andiwil
lneverhur
tyout
hati
sthepr
omi
seam
gonnakeep
me:
ilov
eyousomuch

gr
aig:
andi
lov
eyoumor
e

r
ightt
henourey
esl
ockedandweki
ssedagai
n

wemayhav
esatt
her
eformor
ethant
hir
ty
mi
nut
es

"ihav
etogobaby,am t
ir
edandneedaver
y
l
onghotbat
h"isai
dtaki
ngmyhandbag

graig:
donty
ouwantmet
ogi
vey
ouaback
scrub

me:
ireal
l
ycoul
duset
hat
,guessy
ouwi
l
lsav
eit
f
ort
heweekend

àf
tersomuchgoingbackandf
ort
hhef
inal
l
ylet
mesteppedoutoft
hecar
i
babyki
ssedhi
mthengotoutoft
hecar
i
wal
kedt
othehouse

chr
iswasi
nthel
oungewat
chi
ngsomeact
ion
movie

"heyl
i
lbr
o"i
tossedmy
sel
font
hesi
ngl
ecouch

chri
s:f
inal
l
yy oucamein,
yhoy
ouguyshave
beenheresince6:
30andnowi
tsact
ual
lypast8

me:woowit
sthatl
ate,il
i
teral
l
ylostt
rackof
t
imeandit
sallGr
aig'
sfault
chr
is:
whoasi
sseemsl
i
key
ouar
eint
odeep

me:
howdoy
oumean

chr
is:
youobv
iousv
erymuchi
ntot
heguy
i
hav
enev
erseeny
out
hishappy

me:
hemakesmehappy

chr
is:
andi
tscl
ear
lyv
isi
ble

me:andishoul
dntbedi
scussi
ngmyl
ovel
i
fe
wi
thyou
sowher
ear
ethepar
ent
s
chr
is:
mom deci
dedt
ocal
li
tanear
lyni
ght
she'
snotf
eel
i
ngwel
l

me:
ihopei
tsnot
hingser
ious

chr
is:
shesai
dit
sjustaheadache

me:
andpa?

chr
is:
hel
eftwheni
camebackf
rom school
he'
snoty
etback

me:
ohk,
what
sfordi
nner

chri
s:papandf
ri
edchi
cken,
yourf
oodi
sint
he
microoven
me:
bor
ing,
letmeseemom

chr
is:
ihopeam st
il
lget
ti
ngmyj
eant
omor
row

me:
lol
younev
erf
orget

chr
is:
nev
er,
ial
readyhav
epl
ansandi
needt
o
weari
t

me:
youcanr
elaxt
heny
ouar
est
il
lget
ti
ngi
t

chri
s:y
ounev
erdi
sappoi
nt,
youar
emyher
o
saan

me:
iseewhaty
ouar
edoi
ng,
blackmai
l
er
chr
is:
mybl
ackmai
l
ingi
shar
mlesssowe
shoul
dat
leastcal
li
twhi
temai
l
ing

me:yeahright
,nomat
terhowwhi
tey
oupai
nti
t,
i
tsst
ill
blackmail
i
ngbr
o

iwalkedt
omypar ent
s'room mymom was
al
readydeepundercovers

"soyouf
inal
l
ydeci
dedt
ocomei
n"shesai
das
soonasiwal
kedi
n

i
justsmi
l
ed

me:chri
ssaidyouar
enotf
eel
i
ngwel
lihopei
ts
not
hingser
ious

mom:
itsj
ustheadache,
imi
ghthav
e
ov
erwor
kedmy
sel
ftodayatwor
k

me:
didy
oudr
inkpai
nki
l
ler
s

mom:
no,
idonthav
ethem

ireachedt
omyhandbagandt ookoutt
he
panandoiusual
l
ykeepbecauseofmyconst
ant
headaches
i
gav
ethem t
oher
shedr
ankt
hem

wet
alkedaboutwor
kandst
uff
,lat
eri
lether
r
est
i
wenttoeatt
henwentt
otakeabat
hbef
ore
r
eti
ri
ngi
nmybed
Gr
aigcal
l
ed,
wet
alkedunt
ili
fel
lasl
eep
*
*

#NARRATED

aft
erdroppi
ngel
l
aGr
aigwentt
ohi
sgr
anny
's
house
shewasst
il
lunpacki
ng

"justt
heper
sonineededtosee"Ter
rasai
das
soonasshefel
tGrai
g'sspi
ri
tinherr
oom

"damnoumahowar
eyousogoodatsensi
ng
me
ij
ustwantedt
oscareyouf
oronce"gr
aigsai
d
ashebecamev i
sibl
e
"youaremybloodicansensey
ouev
enmi
l
es
away"Ter
rar
esponded

gr
aig:
owhwel
l
,iwi
l
lgety
ouoneday
sowhyyouwantedtoseemeandwherehav
e
youbeent
hispassedt
woweekandfewdays
icameher
esev
eral
timesbuty
ouwer
enot
around

t
err
a:t
hat
swhati
neededt
oseey
ouabout
i
wasi
ncapeVi
nowi
thy
ourpar
ent
s

gr
aig:why,pl
easedontt
ell
mey
out
oldmy
motheraboutther
it
ual

t
err
a:i
didnt
gr
aig:
owht
hankGOD

t
err
a:wel
ldontthankhi
m asy
etbecauseshe
f
oundoutei
therway

gr
aig:
nooo,
how

ter
ra:
itscompl
icat
ed,
let
sjustsayt
her
it
ual
camewi t
hagruesomepri
ce
onethaty
oury
oungerbr
otherTy
sonal
most
pai
d

gr
aig:
owhnowhathappenedi
sTyal
ri
ght

t
err
a:r
elaxhei
sfi
ne,
itookcar
eofev
ery
thi
ng
i
broughty
ousomet
hing
gr
aig:
what

ter
ra:
somet
hingt
hatwi
l
lfi
xyournoteat
ing
sit
uat
ion
i
tscal
ledMoli
to,
aher
bthatwi
l
ltempor
ari
l
y
hel
p,t
hewomanwhohelpedusbri
ngyouback
gavei
ttous
i
thast
obespr
inkl
edi
nev
ery
thi
ngy
oui
ngest

gr
aig:
how,
whatdoesi
tdo

t
err
a:di
gestthefoodtemporar
y,butyouwil
l
v
omitever
ythingaft
er30minutestoànhour
i
tsjustt
ohel pyoueatinfr
ontofthegirl
becausethelongeryoucomeupwi t
hexcuses
aboutwhyy oudonteatshewillgetsuspici
ous
andstartsnoopi
ngar ound
grai
g:i
tsexact
lywhati
need,
butwhatabout
thei
nti
macypar t
icantkeepmaki
ngl
ovet
oherwhi
l
eshei
s
asleep
shewi
l
lal
sogetsuspi
cious

ter
ra:
dontworryshewont
,becauseaf
tery
ou
madelovetoherfort
hesevent
htimeshewil
l
seenothi
ngwrong
ev
ery
thi
ngi
nhermi
ndwi
l
ljustbeasnor
mal
shewontr
ememberi
tasadr
eam any
mor
e
i
twi
l
lbehernor
mal

gr
aig:
ohkt
hen,
whatwaswr
ongwi
tht
yson

ter
ra:
am af
rai
dicantt
ell
yout
hat
,it
sov
erand
donewit
h
grai
g:y
ouknowi
wil
lfi
ndoutsoonerorl
ater
ri
ght

t
err
a:i
suggesty
ouj
ustl
eti
tgo

grai
g:sohowdi
dmom t
aket
henewsaboutt
he
ri
tual

t
err
a:shealmostki
l
ledme,
sheshout
edatme
l
i
kei wassomekid
shewasr
eadyt
oswal
l
owmewhol
e

grai
g:am sorr
youma,
idi
dntmeant
oputy
oui
n
thatsi
tuat
ion

t
err
a:i
tsnoty
ourf
aul
t,i
madeherseer
eason
i
thi
nkwear
eint
hecl
earnow

gr
aig:
owht
hankgod,
itsgr
eatt
oknowt
hati
ts
ov
er

ter
ra:
yeahbutshest
il
lhel
lbentonmeet
ingt
he
gir
l

gr
aig:i
hopeyoustal
l
ed,
youknowmom she
wi
lli
nti
midat
eell
a
shewi
l
lscar
eheraway

t
err
a:i
knowbutyoudoknowt
hatt
heywi
l
lhav
e
t
omeetevent
ual
l
y

gr
aig:
y eah,ij
usthopei
tcoul
dbei
nthef
ar
awayfuture
l
atergr
aiglef
ttodohisfavour
it
epar
toft
he
ni
ghtwhichquiet
lywatchi
ngEll
asl
eep
*
*

#TYSON

af
terv
isi
tmymot
herev
ery
thi
ngchanged
i
fel
tmor
eli
ght
erandmor
eatease
i
tsbeenaweekandnot
hingst
rangehas
happened
ihaventseenanyghostorhav
eanyt
err
ibl
e
night
mar es
maybemygrannysucceededi
nchasi
ngt
heev
il
spi
ri
taway
i
tissai
dthatmygr
annyi
sthedescendedoft
he
mostpower
ful
sor
cer
erswhoev
erl
i
ved
theypracti
sedwhit
emagicbuttheywere
destr
oy edbythemostpowerf
ulwit
chwho
pract
isedblackmagicshei
sknownbyt he
namemi ssYamakoorYamatoidontreal
l
y
rememberhernamebutshewascal ledmissY
i
nshor t
shedestr
oyedtheenti
recovenandmygranny
's
l
ifewassparedbecauseshewassti
ll
ali
ttl
egir
l
backthen
feari
ngf orherl
i
femygrannyst
opped
practi
singmagicandspel
ls
shenev
erl
ear
ntmostoft
hest
uff
sheonlymast
eredt
hebasi
csandwoul
d
occasi
onal
l
yusehergi
ft

shesai
dt hatiwashaunt
edbysomeev
ilspi
ri
t
whichi
finditodd
butshecastaspel
lsay
ingt
hati
twi
l
lcl
eanse
meofanyev
ilspi
ri
tthatwasf
oll
owi
ngme
what
sweirdisthati
nthatcl
eansi
ngprocessi
ts
l
ikei
lostapartofmymemor yorli
fe
ididntremembermoststuffespeci
allyagi
rli
sawi nmyf acebooknamedNontle,
itshowed
thatihadconv er
sati
onwit
hherbuti dont
rememberhav i
ngit
hel
lidi
dn'tev
enknowt
hegi
rlwhi
chmakest
his
str
anger
whywasi socomf
ort
abl
etal
ki
ngt
oaper
soni
har
dlyknow
am st
art
ingtot
hinkthatmay
beshewast
heev
il
per
sonaftermyli
fe

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
WASDATALESSThat '
swhyi'
vebeensoqui
et
sor
ryf
ornotnot
if
yingyouguys

[
12/
27,09:
15]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYSI
XTEEN

#TYSON

iwasdeepinanoceani
tfel
tli
keiwas
drowni
ng,
buticoul
dtal
knormall
y
ihavenev
erbeenher
ebef
oremysur
roundi
ngs
weresounfami
li
ar
thecol
dnessoft
hewat
erdi
dntdoj
ust
icet
omy
ski
n
i
wasal
readypal
e
al
likeptseei
ngwasat al
lbear
dedwhit
emi
ddl
e
agedmanatt heshor
eofthatocean
hewasj
ustst
andi
ngt
her
eemot
ionl
ess
hewaswat
chi
ngmedr
own
i
cri
edf
orhel
pbuthenev
ermov
ed
hel
ookedabi
tfami
l
iart
hough
i
coul
dhav
eswor
ni'
veseenhi
m bef
ore
wi
theachscream i
swall
owedani
ncr
edi
ble
l
argeamountofwater
i
li
ter
all
ysawmyl
i
fef
lashi
ngi
nmyf
ace
i
thenhear
dal
oudl
aught
er
i
tgotl
ouderwi
theachbr
eat
hit
ook
il
ookedont
heot
hersi
deandther
est
ood
Juni
or,
hewaswi
thsomewhit
ewomanwear
ing
al
lbl
ack
shehadl
ongbl
acknai
l
sandshekeptl
aughi
ng
atme
shewasmocki
ngmysi
tuat
ion

"youwi
llnotescapeyourf
ait
h,mygr
andson
wontdi
eforyoursins
tel
lTer
rashetemperedwit
hf ai
thandam gonna
dealwi
thher"t
hewomani nblackspoke,
her
voi
ceechoedallar
oundthatocean

thebeardedmaninfr
ontofmest
art
edl
aughi
ng,
helaugheduncont
rol
labl
y
t
henhemy
ster
iousl
ytur
nedi
ntoI
sabel
l
a
shewascompl
etel
ynaked,
herbodyf
ull
of
scar
s
shewalkedt
owar
dsme,
shewasj
ustashadow
ofher
self

"el
l
a,El
l
ast
opdontcomeneart
hewat
er
st
opory
ouwi
l
ldr
own
r
un,
pleasegogethel
p"i
tri
edwar
ningher
butsheneverst
oppedshekeptwal
ki
ng,
few
stepsandshewouldbeint
heocean

it
ri
edswi
mmingtotheshorebutmyl
egsand
ar
msweresoheavytheycoul
dntmov
e

"helpme,helpmepleasetyicantst
opwal
ki
ng"
shesaid,
whatwasst r
angerwaswhenshe
cal
ledmet y
,onlymybrothercal
ledmet
hat

i
tookagoodl
ookatheragai
nbuti
twasno
l
ongerEl
l
a,
i
nfactitwasmybrother,
all
grownandl
ooki
ng
sodiff
erenthewasalsonaked

"gr
aig,
grai
gst
opwal
ki
ng"i
cal
l
edout
"icantty
,icanty
ouneedt
owakeup,
shei
s
usi
ngy outogett
ome
wakeuppl
easel
i
ttl
ebr
other
,wakeupandsav
e
me"hecal
l
edout
hesoundedsoscar
ed,
hisv
oicewasj
ustf
ull
of
fear

t
hewomanl
aughedagai
n,andj
uni
orj
oinedi
n
t
hist
ime

"youthoughtyourfamilywastheonlyoneso
powerfulandmightytheny ougotanot
hert
hing
coming"Juniorsai
dstil
llaughi
ng

gr
aigwasal
mostatt
heshor
e,t
wost
epshe
wasint
hewater
hekeptwalki
ng,
get
ti
ngi
ndeeperanddeeperi
n
thewater
"pl
easesavemety
,dontl
ethergettome,dont
l
etherseewher
eiam,wakeupplease"hecri
ed
out

abigt
idalwaveappr
oachedhi
m,i
twant
edt
o
sweephim away
,

"st
op,
stoppl
easey
ouwi
l
lki
l
lhi
m"i
pleaded

"stupi
dboyhowcaniki
l
lapersonwho'
s
al
readydead"t
hewomansai
d

thewav ewasabouttosweephi
m away,i
heard
l
ot sofvoi
cesinmyheadunti
lif
eltsomet
hing
onmyf or
ehead,
itsl
i
keiwasbei
ng
elect
rocuted
andbef
orei
knewi
tipassedout
i
wokeupi
nasoaki
ngwetbed,
iwasdr
eami
ng
i
twasonl
yadr
eam,
buti
tfel
tsor
eal
wasmybr
otherst
il
lal
i
ve
whatdi
dEl
l
ahav
etodowi
thal
lthat
i
wasconf
used,
whatdi
djuni
orandt
hatwoman
r
eal
l
ywanted

isatupst
rai
ghtt
hewhol
ebedandbl
anket
s
waswet
igotofft
hebedonlyt
ost
epont
hepool
of
wateronthef
loor
mywhol
eroom wascov
eredi
nwat
er
butwhatscar
edmemor
ewast
woki
dssi
tt
ing
onthatf
loor
i
tlookedl
i
ket
heycoul
dbeTenorEl
eveny
ear
s
t
heywer
ewear
ingwhi
tecl
othes
"excuseme,whoareyouandwhatt
hehel
lar
e
youdoingi
nmyr oom
ar
eyoudemonssenther
etoki
l
lme"i
shout
ed

t
heybot
htur
nedt
ofaceme,
itl
ooksl
i
ket
hey
wer
etwi
ns
thei
reyesscar
edmet
hemost
,theyhadcl
ear
blueey
es

"owhnowear
enodemons,
wesav
edy
our
brot
her
wewokeyouup"t
hegi
rlspoke,
shehadt
he
sweet
estv
oice

"wearesav i
our
s,mynameisNat
hiandShei
s
Anathi
"theyboysai
d,hewasabi
tshyt
hanher
si
ster
me:whatar
eyouguy
stalki
ngabout
,yousav
e
mybrot
herhow,
mybrotheri
sdead

"i
toldyounott
osayt
hat
"theboywhi
sper
edt
o
hersist
er

"andi
tol
dyounott
ogoneart
hatcandl
e
i
tol
dyout
ost
opf
oll
owi
nghi
scr
ies
i
tsall
yourf
aul
twear
eher
e"t
hegi
rlr
esponded
back

"youal
waysbl
ameme, mom i
sgonnadeal
wit
h
youthi
sti
mearound"t
heboysai
d

"shewont,i
betshewouldbeproudt
hatwe
savedgr
aig'
sli
fe"sheanswer
ed
"hel
l
o,am t
heonewhoaskedaquesti
onher
e,
howdidyouevengetinmyroom"i
sai
dwavi
ng
myhandatthethei
rfaces

"owhshi
tmom isopeni
ngt
hedoorwehav
eto
go"t
hegir
lsai
d

me:
wai
tanswerme

Nat
hi:
sor
rywecant
,wewi
l
lgeti
ntr
oubl
eifwe
dot
hat

wi
tht
hatsai
dtheyv
ani
shed
iwasleftspeechl
ess,
whatt
hef
uckj
ust
happened
*
*

#NARRATED

gr
aigwokeupont
opofhi
sgr
avei
twasal
ready
morni
ng
hi
sheadf
eltsoheav
y
theevent
soft
hepr
evi
ousni
ghtpl
ayedonhi
s
head
howdi dt
hewomanmanaget
ogethi
minthat
oceanandhowonear
thdi
dheenduponhis
grave
howheescapedwassov
ivi
dtohi
m
hestil
lremembersal
mostbei
ngcapt
uredby
thatevi
lsorcer
er
i
tsl
i
kehewascont
rol
l
inghi
m
hecoul
dntst
opingwal
kingtothatoceanwit
h
eachst
ephetookfel
tthedarknesstaki
ngover
t
hough
helostcont
rol
ofev
erypar
tofhi
sbodyaccept
hi
shear t
thatwastheonl
ythi
ngt
hewomancoul
dnt
penetr
ate
hewasusi
nghi
sbr
othert
ogett
ohi
m
her
emember
edal
mostdr
owni
ngi
nthatocean

"what
sgoingon,
whowassheandwhatdoes
shewantwit
hme"hesai
doutl
oud

hedi
sappear
edf
rom hi
sgr
aveandr
eappear
ed
i
nhishouse
ev
ery
thi
ngwasst
il
lthesame
not
hingwast
ouched

"owhgodshesawEl
l
a,she'
sgonnauseher
"
gr
aigt
houghtt
ohi
msel
f

heheadedst
rai
ghtt
ohi
sgr
anny
'shouse
*
*

#El
l
a

iwokeupt
hatmor
ningwi
thmywhol
ebodyi
n
somuchpai
n
i
tfel
tli
keihadkni
fewoundsbutwheni
looked
atmyselfisawnowwounds
i
wasohk
i
sti
l
lcoul
dntmakesenseofl
astni
ght
'
sdr
eam
whywasi
inaoceanandwhowast
hatguy
dr
owni
ngint
hatocean
i
sweari
rememberseei
ngj
uni
orwi
tht
hat
cr
eepywoman
whatdidt
hatwomanmeanwhenshesai
diwas
aperf
ecttool
shecoul
duset
ogett
othemani
l
oved

ist
il
lrememberaf
terl
eav
ingt
hatoceanshe
camet ome
shetouchedmychestandsai
di onl
yhav
ehal
f
aheartmeani
ngthatthemanilovehadt
he
otherhal
f

"ineedtofindtheotherhalfofyourhear
t,i
find
theotherhalfi
gettheperfecttoolt
osend
deathbacktohim"shesai dtome

noneoft
hoset
hingsshesai
dmadesense
butany
wayhowcoul
dit
,besi
desi
twasnothi
ng
butameredr
eam,dr
eamsnevermakesense
am ev
encrazyt
oent
ert
aint
hei
deat
hati
might
hav
ehalfahear
t

itookmyphoneandcal
l
edgraigbuthenever
answeredwhi
chwassuchadisappoi
ntment
i
real
l
ymi
ssedhear
inghi
svoi
ce
igotoutofbed,t
ookpai
nmedsformypains
t
henwentt otakeaqui
ckbat
handprepar
edfor
work

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
27,09:
21]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
ENTRYSEVENTEEN

#NARRATED

GRAI
Gwentst
rai
ghtt
oTer
ra'
shouse
Hef
oundheral
readypaci
ngupanddown
Shel
ookedscar
edandt
err
if
ied
Grai
gcouldseethathi
sgr
annysawwhat
happenedi
nthatdream

"Thankgodyouar
eher
e.Icoul
dn'
tseewher
e
shetookyou
It
ri
edsearchi
ngfory
ou,it
houghtil
ostyou"
Ter
rasai
d,tear
shadalr
eadycl
oudedhereyes

Gr
aighadconf
usi
onl
i
nger
ingonhi
sface
Hewasj
ustphasedseei
nghi
sgr
annycr
ying,
he
hasneverseenhercrywel
lnotsi
ncehi
s
grandf
atherpassedaway16year
sago
Asift
hatwasnotshocki
ngenough,
Ter
rat
ook
abucketneart
hedoor
Shetookabroom,
placedi
tinsi
det
hebucket
andstar
tedt
opourwhatev
erwasinsi
deat
grai
g
I
twasonl ymi
nutesl
aterthatgr
aiggott
o
real
izet
hatwhatwasbeingpouredathi
m was
blood

"Whattheheck,oumawhat
sgoingonwhyar
e
youpouri
ngbloodonme"gr
aigsai
ddiv
ing
undert
hekit
chent abl
e

Ter
ra:
itsmybl
ood,
ithasapr
otect
ionspel
l
Ri
ghtnowi
tist
heonl
ythi
ngt
hatcanhel
p
Imadeanot
herspel
ltomaket
hatgi
rl
'
shear
t
i
nvi
sibl
e
Thatwomanmustnotgett
oyouort
hehear
t
Orel
seal
lhel
lwi
l
lbr
eakl
oose

Gr
aig:
whatdoy
oumean,
whatdoesshewant
s
wi
thme

Terr
a:whoknows,maybeshewi l
lret
urnyou
backtothedeadorworsecont
rolyoutodo
whateveri
tist
hatshewants

Gr
aig:
whoi
sshe

Ter
ra:
av er
yolddar
ksorcer
er,
shewast
heone
whowipedoutmyenti
regener
ati
on
Iwassti
l
l y
oungbackt
hent
hat
swhymyl
i
fe
wasspared
Sheki
l
ledal
lthosewhopr
act
icewhi
temagi
c
Sheisevi
landpower f
ul,ihear
dshediedbutI
guessyoucantreal
lykil
lthedevi
lbecauseshe
caneasil
ybereborn

ThemoreGRAI
Ghear
dthat
,themor
ehef
ear
ed
forEl
l
a
Hewaswor
ri
edt
hatt
heol
dwomanmi
ghtget
t
oher

"Wemustpr
otectel
l
a,whati
fshecomesaf
ter
her
Shewi
ll
kil
lher
,weneedt
odosomet
hing"
GRAI
Gblur
tedout

Terr
a:rel
ax,
asl
ongasherhear
tishi
ddenshe
cantfi
ndher
Gr
aig:
wel
lIhopei
tst
ayshi
ddenf
orev
er

Grai
ghel
pedhi
sgrannyt
osetupther
est
aur
ant
andgetr
eadyt
oopenfortheday

#Ty
lor

Iwi
shtosayt
hati
wasdr
eami
ngbutt
hatwoul
d
beali
e
Iwaswideawakeandi sawt
hoseki
ds
di
sappear
ingr
ighti
nfr
ontofmyeyes
Istumbledi
nthepool
ofwat
er,
mademywayt
o
thekit
chentogetamop
Myjawsdr
oppedt
othef
loorwheni
cameback
t
othebedr
oom
Thewat
erhaddi
sappear
ed,
myf
loorwasdr
y
andsowasmybed
Thewasnosi
gnofev
erbeenanywat
ert
her
e
It
houghtmay
bemymi
ndwaspl
ayi
ngt
ri
ckson
me
Iexi
tedther
oom t
henent
eredagai
nbutt
he
wasstil
lnosi
gnofwat
eranywhere
Idr
oppedthemopont
hef
loort
hent
ossed
mysel
finbed

"OwhGoddon'
tall
owmet
ogocr
azy
,Icannot
bel
oosi
ngmymi nd
Am st
il
lyoung,
ineedt
oli
veal
i
ttl
e"Isi
l
ent
ly
pr
ayed

Ifi
nal
l
ygather
edmy sel
f,wentt
otakeashower
andgotr
eadyforschool
Iwaswal
kingt
omyprogrammingclasswheni
sawawomanwear
ingblackcl
othesstandi
ng
neart
hedoor
Shelookedexact
lyl
i
ket
hewomani
sawi
nmy
dream
Ist
oodsti
ll
notknowingwhet
hert
okeep
wal
kingort
urnback
Ilookt
hroughthedoorandall
isawwasflames,
burni
ngflames,"
hel
l"wasthewordwr
it
tenon
thedoor

"Iwil
lfi
ndhim,andifidonttheniwi
l
ltakey
ou"
thewoman'svoiceechoedloudl
yinmyears
Shet
henl
aughedl
oudl
y
Iscr
eamedandcov
eredmyear
syeti
sti
l
lhear
d
herl
aught
er
I
twassol
oud,
iswearmyear
drumswer
eabout
t
oexpl
ode

"
Stop,
pleasestop,
whatt
hehel
ldoy
ouwant
f
rom me"Icri
ed
Iwasal
readyonmyknees,myhandsbur
iedi
n
myearsbutIcoul
dst
il
lhearher
Myey
eswer
eshutcl
ose,
whatwashappeni
ng
t
ome

Awhil
elateriopenedmyeyesonlyt
ofi
nd
mysel
fsurroundedbyst
udent
s,somewere
l
aughi
ng,av er
yfewwerescaredwhi
leot
her
s
t
ookvideos
Il
ookedatt
hedoorandther
ewasnoone,
ev
erythi
ngwasj
ustnor
mal

"Whyi
shescr
eami
ng"
"It
ell
youhei
scr
azy
"
"Howcansuchahandsomeguybecr
azy
"
Thosewer
esomeoft
hegi
rl
swhi
sper
ingbehi
nd
myback
Myeyeswonder
edar
oundthecr
owd.ist
oodup,
pi
ckedupmybagandmovedbackwar
ds

"Youhavedemonsbruu,
youneeddel
i
ver
ance"
j
uniorsai
dwit
hasarcast
icsmi
le

Igavehi
m ashar
plook,
ever
yonear
oundhi
m
star
tedl
aughi
ng
Ijustmademywayoutoft
hecr
owdandr
anas
farasmylegscoul
dcar
ryme
Aft
erwhathappened,
thewasnowayi
was
gonnagotoclass

Ifi
nal
lycamei
ntoanhaltwhenIreachedacl
i
ff
ofthemount
ainneart
heMonarihotel
Ist
oodt
her
ecat
chedmybr
eat
h
Whywasal
lthi
shappeni
ngt
ome
Tear
sfi
l
ledmyey
esandIf
oundmy
sel
f
weepi
nguncont
rol
l
abl
y
Itwaswhenaver
ycoldhandlandedonmy
shoul
dert
hati
stoppedcr
ying
Iqui
ckl
ytur
nedandt
hef
acethatst
aredbackat
mesentchi
ll
sdownmyspi
ne
Hehadasmil
e,hecoul
dseethati
wasinshock
andif
ear
edhim soher
emovedhishandf
rom
myshoul
der

"Nooo,
younotr
eal
,am j
ustgoi
ngcr
azy
Younother
e,y
ounotr
eal
"isai
dshut
ti
ngmy
eyescl
osed

Ist
oodup,tr
iedt
obackawayunt
ili
tri
ppedon
somerockandiwasaboutt
ofal
lovert
hecli
ff
It
ri
edgetti
ngmybal
ancebuti
twasabi
ttol
ate,
iwasal
readyov
ert
hecli
ff
Ij
ustcl
osedmyey
esandpr
ayedt
hati
diewhi
l
e
st
il
lont
heai
r
Icoul
dn'
tl
andont
hegr
oundst
il
lal
i
ve
Imeanthemountai
nwashighandl
otsofr
ocks
occupi
edthegr
oundlev
el

Ihadalr
eadygav
eint
omydeat
h,wheni
fel
t
thatcol
dhandonmywri
st
I
tpull
edmeupandbef
orei
knewi
tiwasback
ont
opofthecl
i
ff

"Don'
tworr
yli
tt
lebroigoty
ou"hesai
dlet
ti
ng
goofmyhandafterseei
ngthati
was
comfor
tabl
e

Itr
embledawhi
l
etool
ong,
icoul
dn'
treal
l
ytel
l
howifelt
Ir
eal
l
ywasl
oosi
ngmymi
nd
"What'
shappeni
ngt
ome,
youdeadsowhydoi
feel
yourt
ouch
Whydoi
seey
ou,
whydoi
heary
ou
Younother
e,y
ouar
edead,
what
'
swr
ongwi
th
me
Am l
oosi
ngmymi
nd"Isai
dfr
ant
ical
l
y

"Ty,
rel
ax,
takeadeepbr
eat
handl
ookatme"
hesai
d

"Younotreal
,younotr
eal
,younotr
eal
"that
s
whatikeptonsayi
ng
Ir
ockmy
sel
fbackandf
ort
h

Hi
m:am r
eal
bro,
am her
eandy
ounotcr
azy
Lookatmepl
ease
Isl
owl
yli
ft
edmyheadandl
ookedathi
m

"
Nooo,
nooo"Isl
owl
yshookmyhead

Hi
m:am her
e,am r
eal
bro,
am r
eal

Me:
how,
isawy
oudi
e,webur
iedy
ou

Him:i
tsalongst
orybr
obutal
lyouneedt
o
knowist
hatam her
enow
Youar
enotcr
azy

Me:sothatwomani
nthedr
eam wast
alki
ng
abouty
ou
Shewant
syou
Shei
sinmyschool
,whyi
sshef
oll
owi
ngme
Him:isawher,i
sawever
ythi
ngt
hathappened.
Sheistry
ingt
omakeyouloosef
ocusinyour
school
She'
snotr
eal
l
yaf
tery
oubutshe'
susi
ngy
out
o
gett
ome

Me:
idontgett
his,
whydoesshewanty
ou
Whatdi
dyoudot
oher

Him:i
tsal
ongst
ory
,andIcan'
ttel
lyour
ight
now
Ij
ustcameher
etomakesur
ethatyouwer
e
saf
eandyoudon'
tdoany
thi
ngstupi
d

Ij
ustl
aughedabi
t

Hi
m:what
'sf
unny
Me:i
tsgoodtoknowt hateveni
ndeat
hyoust
il
l
myoverpr
otect
ivebi
gbr ot
her

Hi
m:y
ouknow,
Brosf
orev
er

Wetalkedawhil
eunti
lhel
eft,
itookmyschool
bagandwalkedtomydorm whichwashal
fa
mil
efrom wher
ei was

#ELLA

if
inal
l
yknockedofat17:30,
Iwassot
ir
edand
myspiri
twasjustdown
It
ookmybagandwal
kedoutGr
aigwasal
ready
wait
ingf
orme
Hehadhishandonhi
sbackandwasl
eani
ng
agai
nsthi
scar
Hewal
kedst
rai
ghtt
omeandwemethal
fway

"Mywoman"hesai
d,weki
ssedbr
ief
ly

"
Heyy
ou"Isai
daf
terwebr
oket
heki
ss

Hi
m:mal
ady
,Imi
ssedy
ou,
thi
sar
efory
ou

Hehandedbeabunchofr
edr
oses

"Owhmygosht
heyar
ebeaut
if
ulandt
heysmel
l
soheav
enl
y
Thanky
ou, y
ouar
esuchahopel
essr
omant
ic"I
smil
edwidel
y

Him:youdeser
vet
hem,
butt
heyar
enotas
beaut
iful
asyou
Babyy
ouar
ethemostbeaut
if
ulr
osei
hav
eev
er
met

Me:
yousosweet

Weki
ssedagai
nthenwal
kedt
ohi
scar
Heopenedt
hedoorf
orme,
igoti
n
Hegott
ohi
ssi
deanddr
oveof
f

Weweregoi
nghomet ogetsomeofmyclot
hes
si
nceiwasgonnaspendt
heweekendathi
s
pl
ace

#MFS_
MTAG

SORRYFORTHELONGWAIT,IKNOW I
'
VE
BEENQUIETFORFARTOOLONG
BUTICNTREALLYEXPLAI
NWHYIWASN'
T
WRITI
NGBECAUSEITSPERSONAL
IWI
LLJUSTAPOLOGI
ZEFORTHEDELAY

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
27,09:
25]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
CHAPTEREI
GHTEEN

#NARRATED

MrFernandotookanothersiponhisscot
ch,
he
pl
aceditbackonthetablethengazedint
o
space
Hecoul
dn'thelpbutwonderhowdi
dhi
sli
fe
becomethiscompli
cated
Hewasoncear
espect
edman,
richwi
thagood
j
ob
Hehadhi
sdi
gni
tyt
hen
Butnowhewasjustausel
essfatherr
eadyt
o
tr
adehi
sdaught
erforhi
smistakes

Hetookanot
hersi
pwhi
l
ehi
smi
ndwentbackt
o
t
hatpark
Her emember edsmashingharderand
repeatedlyonthatboy
'sskul
lmakingsur
ethat
hewasr eal
lydead
Ther
agehefel
tatthati
nst
ancewassosev
ere,
hewasl
ikeasavagehungr
yforbl
ood
Andl
ikeamanwithnohear
thej
ustdr
oveaway
l
eavi
ngtheki
dtodie
Whatr
eal
l
ypossessedhi
mtogot
hatf
art
hat
day
Wasitt
heaccusati
onslabel
ledont
heboy
,wer
e
t
hoseaccusat
ionseventrue
Whycoul
dn'
thej
ustaskf
ir
stt
henki
l
llat
er
Nowhishandswer
esoi
l
edwi
thbl
oodoft
hat
i
nnocentboy
Heall
owedt
hedevil
innowhisdaughterthe
ver
ysamedaught
erhevouchtoprot
ectso
muchist
heonewho'sgonnapaytheprice

Hegul
peddownt
her
emai
ningscot
ch
Hishandsshookuncontroll
ably
,hewasakill
er,
hethoughtnobodysawhi m,hethoughthehad
gott
enawaywi thmurderbutjustl
iketheBi
ble
say
Ever
ythi
ngthati
sdonei
nthedar
kev
ent
ual
l
y
comestoli
ght
Hetookawayayoung'
sboyfut
ureandnowt
he
pr
icetopaywaseat
ingawayathi
m
Sceneofhi
scarhi
tt
ingt
hatki
dinhi
sschool
uni
formfl
ashedi
nhismind
Hetossedt
hegl
assonthetabl
ebutitsl
i
pped
andfel
lont
hefl
oorshat
ter
ingi
ntot
inypieces
muchl
i
ket
hosebonesheshat
ter
edl
ongago
thatbreaki
nggl
asswasenought
otr
iggeran
episode

Hefur
iousl
yst
oodup, whenhel
ookedar
ound
hewasbackatthatpark
Hi
sgript
ightenedonthesteeri
ngwheel
ashe
pr
essedharderontheacceler
ator
Hi
shear
twasf
il
ledwi
thr
age
Anditwassuchangert
hatdr
ovehi
mtohi
tthat
i
nnocentyoungboy
Hewasjustachi
ldi
nhisschooluni
for
m,onhi
s
waytomakeafutur
eforhi
mselfbutMr
Fer
nandotookt
hataway
Hetookthefut
ureofthatki
dawayashe
hear
tl
esslyr
anhim ov
er

"Noooo,
nooooo,
getoutofmyhead,
leav
eme
al
one"heshout
edmucht
otheshockof
ev
eryonewhowasint
hebar

T'
bost hebart
enderrushedtohim,heheldhi
s
shoulderbutmrFernandoviol
entl
ypushedhim
away ,heal
mostfel
l butqui
ckl
ygrabbedthe
nearbytabl
eforbal
ance

"MrFernandoyouneedtoleavenow,Ithi
nk
youhadtoomucht odri
nksoy oumustleave"
t'
bossai
dwi t
hfearwri
tt
enalloverhi
sface

MrFernando:
don'
tyoudaretel
lmewhattodo
boy,
doy ouwantmetokil
lyoujustl
i
kei
kil
led
hi
m

Tbos:
what
,whodi
dyouki
l
l
Fernandojustt
ookthechai
randthr
ewit
againstt
hewallwhichi
rr
it
atedsomeoft
he
guyswhichwer et
here
Theygrabbedhi
mroughl
yandt
hrewhi
m outof
thebar

"Youshouldst
opdr inki
ng,cl
ear
lyyoucan't
handl
ealcohol
idiot"oneoftheguyssaid
befor
ekicki
nghisgr oi
nandtheyjustl
efthi
m
moaningonthegr ound
Helayther
eforawhi
l
eunt
ilher
egai
nhi
s
sani
ty
Hi
sepi
sodewasov
er,
hest
oodupandwentt
o
hi
scar
St
art
edi
tanddr
ovet
ohi
shouse

*
*
Graiggottohi
splace,par
kedhiscarinthe
garage,hegotout
,openedthedoorforEll
a.She
steppedoutandtheywalkedtothehousehand
i
nhand

"Fi
nal
lyweareher
e,i
missedy
ou"GRAI
Gsai
d
pul
l
ingEl
lacl
osert
ohim
Hethr
ewherbagont
hecoucht
henhel
dher
wai
st
Hesmashedhi
sli
psunt
oher
s
Theyki
ssedf
ort
hel
ongestt
ime

Aft
erawhi
l
etheybr
oket
heki
ss,
thei
rey
es
l
ocked
I
tsli
ketheywer
est
ari
ngdeepl
yint
oeach
ot
her'
ssouls
Gr
aigf
oundhi
msel
flosti
nherey
es
Hest
eadi
l
yst
udi
edeachf
eat
ureofherf
ace
Hewasluckynodoubtt
ohav
efoundadamsel
suchasher
Hecoul
dfeel
tear
sthr
eat
eni
nghi
sey
es

"Whydi dhehav et
odiesosoon,whydi
dGod
robhimt hechancetobewi
ththewomanhe
cher
ishedsomuch
Wasitevenpossi
bleforsomeonetolovethi
s
much"thosewerethefewthought
srunning
t
hroughGraig'
smind

"Imissedy
outoobabe,
andam gl
adam her
e"
el
lasaidwi
thasmil
e

Grai
g:i
lov
eyoubunny
.Youar
et heonl
ythi
ng
t
hatmakesensei
nmyworldr
ightnow
AndIwoul
dlov
etospendmyf
orev
erwi
thy
ou
Iwouldgl
adl
yacceptspendi
nget
erni
tywi
thy
ou
becausey
ouaremyheav en
Ell
aiwantyoutoknowthatnomat
terwhat
happensiwil
lnev
erdeser
tyouort
radeyoufor
theworl
d
Ipr
omi
set
okeepy
ourhear
tsaf
e

El
l
asmi
l
edandki
ssedhi
m agai
n

"Howdidigetsoluckyt
ohav
efoundy
ou"sai
d
El
laaf
terbr
eakingtheki
ss

"Comeoni
hav
esomet
hingpl
annedf
ory
ou"he
sai
d

Theyhel
dhandsandwal
kedt
othebal
conyat
theback
Di
mli
ght
sshoneatbot
hendsoft
hebal
cony
Atabl
einredandwhi
teclot
hlayneat
ly
cover
ingt
hewholet
able
Twor
edcandl
esbur
ntateachendoft
het
abl
e
I
twasqui
test
rangehowtheykeptbur
ningev
en
t
houghi
twasabitwindyout
side

El
l
a:owhmygod,
it'
sbeaut
if
ul
Dontt
ell
mey
oudi
dthi
s

Hi
m:wel
lidi
d,f
ory
oui
candoany
thi
ng
Nowshal
lwe

Heshowedt
hewaywi
thhi
shand
El
lawalkedt
othet
abl
e,heopenedachai
rfor
her
,shesat
Andheal
sot
ookasi
t
Ayounggoodlookingy
oungmanappear
edat
t
hedoorwithatrayonhishand
I
thadabot
tl
eofwi
nei
nicecubes

"Goodeveningma'am, mynameisjoeandIwil
l
beyourchefandwaiterfort
oni
ght
"theyoung
mansaidpolit
ely

El
l
a:am Bel
l
a,i
t'
sni
cet
omeety
ouj
oe

Joe:
wine

El
l
a:y
esof
'couse

Joeopenedt
hewi
neandpour
edf
ort
hebot
hof
them
"
Ist
hefoodr
eadyj
oe"askedgr
aigsi
ppi
ngon
t
hewine

Joe:
yessi
r

Grai
g:damnmany
ouf
ast
,nowi
knowwhy
Oumasentyou

Joe:
thanky
ousi
r,any
thi
ngel
sei
cangety
ou

"Nowef
inef
ornow"t
heybot
hsai
d

Joel
eft

"Babyiwil
lberi
ghtbackther
e'ssomethi
ngi
needtodo"grai
gsai
dalreadystandi
ngup
Hegoti
nsi
det
hehouse,
wentst
rai
ghtt
ohi
s
r
oom
Hequi ckl
ydrankthepoti
onthati
ssupposedto
helphim eatandmaintai
nfoodinhi
sstomach,
thentooktheblackti
nyboxinhisdr
awer
hewentbackt
oel
l
a

Gr
aig:
sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ouwai
ti
ng

El
l
a:i
tsohk

Heki
ssedhercheekbef
oret
aki
ngasi
t
Joeser
vedt
hem di
nner
Theyat
ewhi
l
eengagi
ngi
naconv
ersat
ion

"Thi
stastegood,
joei
sreal
l
yagr
eatcook"El
l
a
sai
dfi
nishi
ngupherfood
Gr
aig:
Icoul
dn'
tagr
eemor
e

Aftert
heyweredoneeat
ingGr
aigst
oodupand
knelti
nfr
ontofher
Hegent
lyt
ookherhand

"Iknowt hi
sseem r
ushedbuti wi
ll
nev
erf
orgi
ve
my sel
ffornott
aki
ngthischance
Icannotspendanot
herdaywi
thouty
oubymy
si
de
Il
ovey
ouwhol
ehear
tedl
y
SoI
sabel
l
aFer
nandowi
l
lyoupl
easemar
ryme"

*
*

#ELLA
Isatt
her
etongueti
edf
oramoment
,thi
sreal
l
y
cameasasurpri
se
Istar
eatthatshi
nysi
lv
err
ingwi
thabl
ue
diamondstoneonit
I
tsl
i
kei
tdr
ewmecl
osert
oit
ForreasonsunknownIr
eal
l
ywant
edi
tonmy
fi
nger
Thisstr
ongv oi
cei
nmetol
dmetor
efuset
he
proposalbutmyhear
tmel
ted
I
tski
ppedabi
tatt
hei
deaofspendi
ngmyl
i
fe
wi
thcal
Myhear
twasr
eal
l
ytakenbycal
Ilovedhim,hewassweet
,ki
nd,
car
ingnott
o
forgethot
Hewast hewhol
epackageanditwasgonnabe
absurdofmetotur
nhisproposaldown
becausemydadwasgonnasel lmetohim
ei
therway

"
Omg, y
esss,
yessssi
wil
lmar
ryy
ou"i
blur
ted
t
hatout

"Owhbabyr eal
l
y"inodded"youhav
emademe
thehappi
estmanintheworld
Il
oveyousomuch"hesl
i
tther
ingonmyf
inger
andi
tfi
tt
edper
fect
ly
Hethenl
i
ftedmeupandspr ungmear
ound
bef
orewekissedpassi
onat
ely

Il
ovedhim andhelovedmet
hat
sal
lthat
matter
edinthati
nstance
Joebr
oughtusdesser
tweat
e
Myhear
twasf
ull
ofj
oy
Andi
coul
dn'
ttakemyey
esofhi
m
Af
tert
hedesser
twedr
ankt
hewhol
ebot
tl
eof
wi
ne
Byt
het
imewef
ini
shedi
tiwasal
readydr
ank
Icoul
dn'
tev
enst
andwi
thoutf
all
i
ng
Buti
twasal
lworthitaf
teral
lwewer
e
cel
ebr
ati
ngourengagement

Iwokeupt
henextmor
ningwi
thmyheadso
heavyl
i
kearock
Ididn'
tremembermuchofwhathappenedt
he
previ
ousnight
Ir
emembert
hepr
oposal
though
Iquickl
ylookatmyf ingertomakesurethatI
didn'ti
maginethatandasexpectedthestone
restedperf
ectl
yonmyf inger
I
twasr
eal
,iwasnowCal
'
sfi
ance

Isatup,
cal
wasnotonhi
ssi
de
Buti
tlookedl
i
kehehadj
ustwokeup
If
eltabi
tofsensat
iononmypr
ivat
epar
t
I
twassot enderli
keihadengagedinsexual
i
nter
coursenotlongagobutididn'
tremember
havi
ngsexwhi chwasabitweir
d

It
ri
edtorecal
lwhathappenedl
astni
ghtbutI
di
dn'
tremembermuch
Alt
houghi
didr
ememberCal
thr
owi
ngupaf
ter
eati
ng
Hesai
dhehadast
omachbug

Isatforawhi
le,
thi
shousewasext
remelycol
d
whichmadeitamissi
onformetogetoutof
thi
shugebed
It
ookmyphoneandbr
owsedt
hroughi
t
Iwasphasedt
oseef
ewmi
ssedcal
l
sfr
om
Juni
or
Ihadn'
tsavedhisnumberbutiknewi
fbyhead,
whatthehell
didhewantfrom me
Ij
ustdel
etedt
henumberandswi
tchedmy
phoneof
f
Isli
titunderthepil
l
ow,i
justl
aidbackand
all
owedmy selft
odaydr
eam
Icanal
readyseeourf
utur
ewi
thcal
I
twasbr
ight
ert
hant
hesun

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
27,09:
25]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

CHAPTERNI
NETEEN

TYSON
i
goti
nmyr
oom andt
ossedmy
sel
finbed
whywasi
goi
ngcr
azy

i
layther
eforawhi
letoolong,
ijustt
oldmy
sel
f
t
hatam notgoi
ngbacktoschoolagai
n
l
eastpeopl
ethi
nki
wasanutcase

whatIdidn'
tknowt houghwaswhydidt
hatlady
decidedtotormentmeandhowwasGr ai
gal i
ve
becauseIclearl
yrememberedseei
nghi
m dead
i
nt hatcof
fi
n

imusthavefal
lenasl
eepbecauseiwokeup
l
ateaft
ernoon,
no,thevi
sionofthi
sgi
rlIdi
dn'
t
knowkeptappeari
ngonmymi nd

i
keptseei
nghereacht
imei
closedmyey
es
f
unnyt
hingi
s,If
eltl
i
kei
knewher
andmyhear thadfal
l
endeeplyinlov
ewi t
hher
regardl
essofthef
actthati
didn'tevenknow
thatsheexi
sted

mywholel
ifewasintur
moi landIcoul
dn'
teven
tel
lmymotheraboutal
lthi
sbecauseifel
tli
ke
shewasal
sohidingsomethingfr
om me

il
aybackinbedwi t
hmyey esclosed,
Ifel
t
someone'
spresencesoIquickl
yopenedmy
eyesonl
ytobemetbyt hecutestandmost
i
nnocenteyesofthoset
wins
t
heywer
ebot
hinmybed

"whatthef
u..
..
.whatar
ey ouguy
sdoingi
nmy
room"iqui
ckl
ygotoutofbedandst
oodnear
thedoor
"It
snotreal,t
heyar
enotr eal
,ineedtotakea
deepbreath"It
ri
edreassuri
ngmy sel
fbuttomy
surpr
isethoseki
dsrantomeandhuggedme

"Wemissyou"theybothsai
d"wel i
key
ou,
and
youar
eourfr
iend"theycont
inued

Iwast
onguet
ied,
Ireal
l
ydi
dn'
tknowwhatt
o
say

"Iknowy
ouar
eaf
rai
dofusbutpl
easedon'
tbe
Ipr
omi
sewewonthur
tyou"t
hel
i
ttl
eboysai
d

Me:owhf i
ne,whatar
eyouguysdoi
ngher
e,ar
e
youspi
ri
ts,di
dmybr ot
hersendy
ou

Anat
hi:
wearenospir
it
s,mymom say
sthatwe
ar
ehuman,j
ustspeci
alt
hat
sal
l
Nat
hi:
wear
egoodpeopl
e

Ichuckl
edabi
tathowhesai
dthat

"Soguyswonty
ourmom bewor
ri
edt
haty
ou
gone"i
asked

Anat
hi:
wet
oldherwewer
ecomi
ngt
oyou
Sheli
kesyou,shesaysyouandI
sabel
l
aar
e
gonnabegreattoget
her

Me:
what
,whoi
sIsabel
l
anow

Nathi
:she'
sgonnabeyourwifei
fthatevi
lguy
don'
tgetherf
ir
st.j
ustr
ightnowyourbrot
her
l
ovesher
Sheneedst
osav
ehi
m

"AhhaNat
himom t
oldusnott
osayt
hatt
o
Tyson
Iwi
l
ltel
lhert
haty
ousai
dit
"Anat
hii
nter
cept
ed
Theywer
ebothreal
lycut
ebutt
heywer
ejust
notmaki
nganysense

Me:
whoi
stheev
ilguynow

Nat
hi:
theoney
ougot
oschool
wit
h

Ijustkeptqui
etcozi
hadnocl
uewhot
heywer
e
talki
ngabout

"Dontbescar
edoft
hatol
dwomani
nbl
ack
cl
othes
Shewon'
ttouchyou,
wewi
l
lpr
otecty
ou"Anat
hi
bl
urt
edthatout

Me:
what
,howdi
dyouknowaboutt
hat

"Canwewatchsomecartoons"t
heybot
hsaid,
clear
lyt
heywer
eavoi
dingthequest
ionij
ust
asked

Itookmyl
apt
opandputonsomecar
toonsf
or
them
Theywatchedwhil
esti
l
ltal
ki
ngthi
ngsthat
didn'
tmakeanysensebuti
twasgreathav
ing
them ar
ound
Theywer
ejustpecul
i
ar​ andf
unt
obewi
th
*
*
#ELLA

myenti
reweekendatcal
'
spl
acewasl
i
kea
f
air
ytal
e
Hetr
eatedmel
ikeanpr
incessandi
fel
tso
l
ovedandwant
ed

LateonSundayiwasintheloungewat
chi
ngtv
whil
ecalwasinthekit
chenprepari
ngameal
foruswhenthedoorbel
lrang

"Cany
oupl
easegeti
tbunny
"cal
cal
l
edout

Iwentt
oopenandapeti
tebeaut
if
ulmi
ddl
e
agedwomanstoodont
heothersi
deoft
he
door
Shehadbagwithherandj
ustfr
om t
hewayshe
car
ri
edhersel
fitscr
eamedcl
ass
Shel
ookedl
iket
hosenononsensebusi
ness
womenioft
enseeonTv

Me:
owhhi
..
.hel
l
o,howcani
hel
pyou

Isai
dpoli
tel
y,butt
omysur
pri
seshel
ookedat
mefrom t
oetoheadwi
thascorni
shf
ace
It
sli
keshehadj
ustseenar
ubbi
shheapor
somethi
ng

"Whatnonsense,
whothehell
areyoutoask
methatquesti
oninmyownhouse"sherudel
y
sai
dbefor
epushingmeasideandmadeher
wayin
Shecl
i
ckedhert
ongueasl
oudasshecoul
d

"Honeywhoi
sit
"cal
cal
l
edout
Ineveranswer
edbecausei
justf
elti
nsul
tedand
ri
dicul
edfornoreason

"Babyi
saidwhoi
..
..
..
"Cal
stoodmi
dsent
ence
whenhesawthewoman

"Gr
aigwhatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
thy
ou
Soy
out
urnedt
hishousei
ntoy
ourf
uckhouse
Youhavethener
vetobri
ngy ourf
loozi
esi
nmy
house"t
hewomanpr act
ical
l
yambushedcal
befor
ehecouldsayanyt
hing

"Whatthehel
li
swrongwit
hyou,
hav
eyougone
mad"thewomanconti
nued

"Mom whatareyoudoi
ngher
eandwhydidn'
t
yout
ell
met haty
ouwerecoming"cal
sai
d
Whoadi
dij
usthearhi
m cal
l
ingher"
mom"
Noway,
Godther
e'snowayinhell
thisr
ude
womancoul
dbemymot heri
n-l
awt obe

"Reall
yist
hatal
lyouhavetosay
,soishoul
d
repor
ttoyouwheneveri
needtocometomy
house
Canyoupleasegetthi
str
ampoutofmyhouse
sothatwecantalk"t
hewomansai
d

Il
ookedatherandshewasj
ustf
ull
ofshi
t,no
l
ie
Itwashar
dtobel
ievet
hatsomebodyashumbl
e
asCalcoul
dhavesucharudewomanasa
mother
Shewasdr
opdeadgor
geoust
hough
Andshedi
dhav
esomer
esembl
ancet
oCal
Cal
:mom pl
easest
opi
t,El
l
aisnot
ramp
Shei
sagoodper
son

Her
:di
dij
ustheary
oucal
l
ingherEl
l
a,asi
n
I
sabel
l
a
Sothisi
sthegi
rlwhohasy
ouwr
appedar
ound
herfi
nger
Shei
sthewi
tchwhoi
sbusyl
eadi
ngy
ouast
ray
.

Cal:
mom pleasest
opit,
Ell
aisnowi
tch,
shei
s
thegir
lil
oveandgonnamarry

Her
:excuseme,
overmydeadbody
Iwon'
tal
l
owt
hatt
ohappen

Cal:wel
lyouar
etool
ate,
cozwear
eal
ready
engaged
Her
:Ithoughtt
hiswasj
ustani
nfat
uat
iont
hat
wasgonnasubsideast
imegoes
Youcan'tbeseri
ous,y
oucouldn'
thav
epossi
bly
proposedtoherwit
houtt
ell
i
ngme

Cal
:wel
lmom i
can,
andi
hav
eal
readydi
d

Her
:shemusthav
edonesomet
hingt
oyou
Youngl
adywhatt
hehel
ldi
dyoudot
omyson
Iknowy
ourt
ype,
yougol
ddi
ggi
nghoe
Di
dyoufeedhi
m somet
hingj
ustt
ogety
our
cl
awsonhisri
ches
Tal
kdammi
t!
!!
!!

Alumpwasal
readyf
ormingonmyt
hroat
.How
t
hiswomani
nsultmeli
kethi
s
Howcoul
dshej
udgemewi
thoutev
enknowi
ng
me

Her:whatt
hehel
ldi
dyoudot
omysony
ou
wit
ch

Sheyel
ledev
enlouderandIcoul
dn'
thol
dmy
tear
sanymore
Ij
ustl
ett
hem f
all

"Nothi
ng,i
didnot
hingothert
hanl
ovi
nghi
m"
thatwasal
lImanagedtosay

Her
:owhpl
easewi
pet
hosecr
ocodi
l
etear
s
Iknowy ourt
ype,
youngl
adyyoubet
terst
ay
awayfrom mysonbefor
eidosomethi
ngyou
wouldn'
tli
ke
Cal
:mom t
hat
'senough!
!!Leav
eel
l
aal
one
Il
oveherandt
her
e'snot
hingy
ousayordowi
l
l
changet
hat

Her:seemsl
i
key
ouhav
eal
readyf
orgot
teny
our
condit
ion
Iwontdoanythi
ng,
iwillj
ustshowhert
hereal
youandseeifshewil
lconti
nuewit
hthi
sabsurd
rel
ati
onshi
p

Cal
:tr
ymemot
herandseewhatwi
l
lhappen
Idar
eyout
ryme

Her
:mxm whatever
,youngladyifIwerey
oui
woul
djustt
akeoffthatri
ngbecausether
e'sno
wayam l
ett
ingyoumar r
ymyson

Icoul
dn'
ttaket
hatany
mor
esoi
justr
anoutof
t
hedoor
Tearsfl
oodeddownmycheeksasi
ranacr
oss
thestr
eet
Ihadnoi
deawher
eiwasrunningtoobutal
li
knowisi
neededt
obeoutofthatplace

Doubt
shadalr
eadyseti
n,maybei
wasnev
er
meanttobewi
thcalaf
ter
all

#MFS_
MTAG

WORKKEEPSMEBUSYTHATSWHYAM QUI
ET
[
12/
27,09:
25]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

CHAPTERTWENTY
#ELLA

Ir
anunt
ilmyl
egscoul
dntcar
rymeany
mor
e
Icameint
oahaltaf
ternoti
cingt
hatmyr
unni
ng
str
angel
yledmeint
oagr aveyar
d
If
oundmy
sel
fst
andi
ngont
opoft
hisnamel
ess
gr
ave
I
tcl
ear
lyhadtheemostexpensi
ve​ t
ombstone,
i
twassobeauti
ful
yeti
thadnonameoni t
If
eltt
heur
get
osi
tont
hatgr
aveandj
ustweep
Theur
gewassost
rongIcoul
dn'
tresi
sti
t
Isatont
hatgr
aveandj
ustwept

Icri
edmyey esoutandIcoul
dfeel
someofmy
tr
oubledi
sappeari
ng
Thi
spl
acewassofami
l
iar
,thet
ombf
eltl
i
ke
home,
ifel
tsaf
ebei
ngt
here
If
aint
lyhear
dacomf
ort
ingv
oice

"I
tsgonnabeohk, y
ouwithmenowand
ev
erythi
ngwill
beohk"itwhisper
ed,t
hose
wordsalonewereenoughtosoothemysoul
Somehowi
knewt
hati
twast
het
rut
h

"Il
ovey ouandasl ongasyouwithmenobody
wil
leverhurtyou"thevoi
cespokeagai
n,nowi
t
wasmor eclearerandIcoul
dtel
lthati
twas
Cal
vin'
s​ voice

Feartookovermybody
,howcoul
dthatbe
Calv
in'svoi
ce
Wher
ewashe
Il
ookuponl
ytof
indhi
m st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofme
Ourey
esl
ockedandi
gotl
osti
nhi
ssoul
Heknel
tdowni
nfr
ontofmeandhel
dmyhands
"Am sosor
ry,
sor
ryi
madey
oucr
y"hef
inal
l
y
spoke

Hisvoi
cesosof
tyetcar
ri
edsomuch
author
it
y​
Icoul
dfeel
thesadnessf
rom hi
stone
Hisf
aci
alexpr
essi
onj
ustdi
spl
ayhowwor
ri
ed
hewas

Hekissbothofmyhandswi
thhiscol
dli
ps,
yeti
year
nedforthosel
i
pstoembracemymouth

"
It
sgonnabeohk"her
eassur
edme

"Howdidyouknowt
hati
washer
e"t
hat
sal
li
managedt
oask
Cal
:Ihear
dyourcr
iesandIf
elty
ourpai
n

Theser
iousnessi
nhisfacemadewhathehad
j
ustsai
dev enmorecr
eepy

Me:
what
,ist
hatev
enpossi
ble

Cal
:am j
ustki
ddi
ng,
ifol
l
owedy
ou

Me:
owh,
wher
eisy
ourmom

Cal
:idon'
tknow,it
oldhert
hatam gonnamar
ry
youwhethershel
i
kesornot
Shewi
l
lnev
ercomebet
weenus
Il
ovey
ouandam gonnamakey
oumywi
fe
Me:howcoul
dshej
udgemel
i
ket
hat
,she
doesn'
tev
enknowme

Cal
:don'
twor
ry,
iwi
ll
showherwhatan
i
ncr
edibl
ewomanyouar
e

Me:i
hav
enev
erbeensohumi
l
iat
edi
nmyent
ir
e
l
if
e

Cal
:iknowandam sor
ry

Hesatnexttomeandki
ssedmyforehead
bef
orepull
i
ngmeinforati
ghthug
Hehummedal ul
l
abyunti
lif
eltasl
eeponhi
s
chestst
il
lont
opofthatgr
ave
Iwokewhencal
gent
leshookme
Isl
owlyopenedmyeyes,r
ubbedthem abi
tand
l
ookedaroundonl
ytofi
ndthatiwasinCal
's
bed
Ihadnoi
deahowi
gother
e

"Youneedtoeatsomet
hing,ipr
epar
edpasta
fory
ou"hesai
dseati
ngont heti
pofthebed
Isatup

"Goshhowlonghav
ei beenasl
eepandhowdid
igether
e"i
askedwhil
estret
chi
ngandyawni
ng

Cal:
Icar
ri
edyou,andyou'
vebeenasl
eepf
or
fi
vehour
snow,that'
swhyiwokeyouup
If
igur
edy
oumi
ghtbehungr
y

Me:
ncoohy
ouar
esosweet
,uhm wher
e'sy
our
mom
Cal:it
hrewherout
,shewil
lnotcomebackto
thi
shouseunti
lshestar
tst
reati
ngyouwit
h
respect

Me:Idon'
twannabeacauseofanyt
ensi
on
bet
weenyouandyourmom baby

Cal
:don'
tworr
ybabyyouar
enot
,nowcany
ou
pl
easeeatsomet
hing

Ij
ustnodded,
hehandedmet
hepl
ateoff
ood
andidugin
*
*

#NARRATED
Terr
awasbusywi ththebookssinceshehad
j
ustclosedtherestaurant
,itwasjustaf
ter9,
shewasal mostthroughwhenshemadea
counterer
roragain,i
twasf orthethi
rdt
ime
now
Shethr
ewthepenagai
nstt
hewal
landcl
i
cked
hert
onguei
nanger
Shegotupf
rom t
hechai
randpacedal
lar
ound
ther
oom
Whywast
hissi
tuat
ionwor
ryi
ngher

Wellev
ersi
nceshesawMI
SSYi
nthatdr
eam
shehasbeendi
str
act
ed
Whywasitsoeasyf
ort
hatdar
ksor
cer
ert
oget
i
nherner
ves

Shewasabouttosi
tdownagainwhenshef
elt
thehai
rfr
om t
hebackofherneckst
andi
ngup
Suddenl
yther
ewast
hisr
ushofofcol
dnessi
n
theroom
Terraf
eltthedar
knessthatf
il
ledt
heroom
whichonlymeantonething,
thedevi
lwasinher
house

"Youhavenoplaceher
e,whatar
ey oudoi
ngi
n
myhouse"shesaid,
hervoi
ceabitshaky

"Nc,
nc,
nc,r
elaxdaughterofZapata,
ihavenot
comeheretoharmy ou,ij
ustneedyoutotel
l
mewhereistheheart
Wher
edi
dyoukeept
hehear
toft
hatgi
rl
Tellmethatandishal
lSpar
eyourli
fe"missY
saidaf
tershehadjustmagi
cal
lyappearedfr
om
thewall

Sher
eal
l
ylookedsodi
spl
easi
ngt
otheey
e,she
car
riedsomuchdarknesswit
hher,thel
ong
nai
lsonherf
ingerdi
dn'tdoherappear
anceany
j
usti
ce
I
tlookedmor
eli
kecl
aws
Andthel
aught
ert
hatf
oll
owedaf
terherthr
eats
showedj
usthowmuchshewasenjoy
ingthi
s.
Sheknewt
hatTer
racoul
dntdef
eather
,she
wasweakandshedi
dn'
tknowmuchabouther
whit
emagi
c

"Wherei
sit
!!
!"Shey
ell
edget
ti
ngmuchcl
oser
toher

Ter
ra:
Idon'
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
,
l
eavemyhouse
Youar
enotwel
comedher
e

"
Pat
het
ichuman,
youdontneedt
otel
lme
Ij
usthav
etogeti
nyourhead"sai
dmi
ssywi
th
somuchanger

Shefl
ewstrai
ghtatTerr
a, shehel
dherbyher
neckandpushedheragainstthewal
l

"Kil
lmei fyoumustbuty
ouwil
lnotget
anyt
hingf r
om me"sai
dTerr
atr
yingt
oputona
brav
ef ace

Mi
ssy
:fai
renough,
am r
eal
l
ygonnaenj
oyt
his

Shepl
acedherhandonTer
ra'
sfor
ehead,
and
Ter
rascr
eamedinpain
Shef
eltl
i
keherbr
ainwasbei
ngel
ect
rocut
ed

"Yessss,
yesssam almostt
her
e,j
ustali
tt
lebi
t
more"Missyspokeloudl
ybutbef
oreshecoul
d
getthrought
oTerr
a'smemor
yshewast
hrown
untotheopposi
tewall
Sheact
ual
l
yfel
tli
keshewasbur
ning
Shesqueakedandsqueemedasshehi
tthe
ground
shel
if
tedherheadt
oseewheresuchgr
eat
powerwascomingfr
om,shewasmetwitha
fami
li
arface

"Pandor
a,i
knewitwasyou,
whyar
eyouher
e"
shecoul
dhardl
yspeak

Ndor
a:l
eaveTerr
aalone,
goanddonotever
comebackher
eoritwil
lbey
ourl
asttr
ip

Missy:orwhat
,yougonnaki
ll
me(l
aughs)we
bothknowIcannotbeki
ll
ed
Notbyherorademont
urnedangel
li
key
ou
Ndor
a:i
maynotki
l
lyoubuti
canst
il
lmakey
ou
bl
eed
Nowl
eav
e

"Thi
sisnotover
,iwi
l
lbeback"mi
ssysai
d
bef
oredi
sappeari
ngi
ntot
hinai
r

"Areyoualr
ight
,didshegetwhatshewant
ed"
Ndoradir
ectedthatquest
iont
oTerrawhowas
al
readyonthefl
oor

Ter
ra:
am f
ine,
andIdon'
tthi
nkshedi
d
Thanksf
orcomi
ngi
ntomyr
escue

Ndor
a:nopr
obl
em,
Nomasentme
Terr
a:shewil
lbebackagai
n,iwi
shiknewhow
tousemymagi c,
sheneedstobeki
l
ledand
onl
ythestoneofTercer
afr
om awhi
tesorcer
er
canreal
lyki
ll
her

Ndor
a:wewil
lfi
ndsomeonet
oteachy
ou,
for
nowyouneedt
obecaref
ul

Theyt
alkedabi
tmor
e,af
terNdor
alef
t
Ter
rawentbackt
oherbooks

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
27,16:
37]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWENTY_
ONE
#TYSON

Thetwinsl
eftar
oundsixpm, orshoul
disay
theydi
sappear
edaroundthatti
me
Funnyt
hingi
sir
eal
l
ydi
dn'
twantt
hem t
oleav
e
Ifel
tsafeandprotect
edar
oundthem pl
usigot
toforgethowmiserabl
emyli
fewasjustfor
thosefewhours
Iwasjustsofondoft
hem ev
enthought
hey
keptsayi
ngthi
ngsidi
dn'
tunder
stand
Itwascrazyhowi sawthem asbei
ngnor
mal
eventhoughtheycouldeasi
l
yappearedf
rom
outofnowhere
Ist
il
lwonder
edthoughwhowast
hatgi
rlt
hey
weretal
ki
ngabout
Wasi
tthesamegi
rlonmydr
eam ormyv
isi
on
Wassheevenreal
,whowassheandwhatwas
t
heconnect
ionbet
weenmeandher
Iwentt
oki
tchenwi
thi
ntent
ionsofcooki
ng
di
nner
Iwasf
ami
shed,
ihav
en'
teat
enf
ort
hewhol
e
day
Tomysur
pri
seiwasmetwi
thapotal
readyon
thet
wopl
atest
ove
Idon'
trememberev
erpl
aci
ngapotont
he
stov
e

"Nooooo,noooo,whatwashappeni
ngher
e"I
mov edbackwar
ds,myheartr
aisedwheni
fel
ta
shadowbehindme
Forami
nut
eist
oppedmov
ing

Someoner oughl
ygr
abbedmyneckf r
om behind,
thecoldnessandsti
ffnessofhi
sfi
ngersIcould
tel
lthatitwasaguy
Hepushedmet
othef
loor
,tur
nedmeov
erand
satont
opofme

"
What
tt
tdoy ouwantman,whatar
eyoudoi
ng
i
nmyhouse"Itr
iedt
alki
ng

Hi
sweightseemedtopr
essonmychest
,
r
obbi
ngmeofbr eat
h
Fearcl
enchedl
i
keat
ightf
istar
oundmychest
Icoul
dseehisey
esli
ter
all
yturni
ngr
ed,aball
of
ter
rorf
ormedinmystomach,col
dsweatshad
alr
eadygl
uedmyshi
rtonmychest
Hestaredatmewithsomuchhat
redandfora
minut
et her
eicoul
dseehi
seyest
urni
ngred
Hepressedharderonmychestpinningme
agai
nsttheground,i
wassosuret hathe
wantedtostopmyheartf
rom beating
"Tellyourbrot
herthathewi
llnotsucceed,
he
cannotkill
me, am ofapowergreat
erthanhim"
hefinall
ysaid
Hi
sjawscl
i
nchedev
ent
ight
er
Ahar
dbl
owl
andedonmycheek
Het
hengotof
fme

Ihav
eknownjuni
ortobeajerkbutt
odayiwas
sosuret
hati
havejustmetthedevi
lhi
msel
f

"Nextt
imei
twi
llbeyourfl
eshboil
ingi
nthat
pot
"hesai
dbef
oreexit
ingtheki
tchen
Icoul
dhearhisbootscl
ackont
hef
loort
il
esas
hewalkedoutthedoor
Iwasst
il
lsur
pri
sedathowhegoti
nmydor
m
Ifi
nal
l
ygat
her
edmyst
rengt
handgotupt
he
fl
oor
Iwal
kedovertot
hepot,openedt
hel
i
donl
yto
fi
ndowlsboi
li
nginsi
de
Bloodwasallovert
hepot,idr
oppedt
hel
i
don
thefl
oorandsteppedback
Myheartthuddedlouderandlouder
,iwantedto
scr
eam butfearhadalreadycl
oggedmyt hroat
Ihadhopedhel
lwaswaybet
tert
hant
hisl
i
fe
*
*
#ELLA

Iwokeupint
hemiddl
eoftheni
ghtdri
ppi
ng
wentwi
thsweatev
enthought
hishousewasas
col
dasice
Ilookedar
oundonl
ytof
indt
hati
wasal
onei
n
thebed
Cal
wasnowher
etobeseen
Wher
ecoul
dhebet
hisl
ate,
imeani
twas
al
most2am
Igotof
fbedandwentt
ocheckt
hebat
hroom
buthewasnott
her
e
Andwhatwasev enmoreoddwasthatt
he
bedroom doorwasst
il
ll
ockedandt
hekeywas
i
nt hekeyhole
Al
lthewi
ndowswer
ecl
osed,
sowher
ethehel
l
wascal
vi
n

Ri
ghtthenthel
ight
sstart
edfl
i
ckeri
ngf
orf
ew
minut
esthentheysuddenl
yst
opped
Iopenedt
hedoorandwal
keddownst
air
s
Whoozysoundsoft
hishugehouset
hreat
ened
memor e
I
twasmor
ecol
dert
hani
tusual
l
yis
Icouldhearper
sist
entdri
p-dr
op-dri
pofa
l
eakingtapcomingfrom t
hev i
sit
orsbat
hroom
Cr
eepyt
hingi
snobodyev
erusest
hatbat
hroom
It
ipt
oedt
othedoorandt
ri
edt
oli
sten
Icouldhearsomeonehummi ngont
heother
sideofthedoor,
steam ev
aporat
edr
ightunder
thedoor
It
ri
edtopusht
hedooropenedbuti
twas
l
ocked

Ist
oodst
il
l,
takenabackf
orawhi
l
e
Ihear
dwi ndwhi
speri
ngthroughthebranches
andrust
ledthel
eavesofthetreesnearthe
house
Thesi
l
enceechoedal
lar
oundt
hehouse
Thelampattheendofthepassagecasti
ts
smokyli
ghtonthecarpet
,it
spalegl
owleftt
he
cor
nersi
ncreepyshadow
It
ookfewst
eps,
try
ingt
omakemywayt
othe
l
ounge
Mi
dwayt
her
eisawhi
sshadow,
hemadehi
s
wayt
owar
dsme.
Hisfoot
stepswhisper
edacr
ossthef
loor
,the
bunchofkeysinhishandsr
att
led
.
"Heywhatareyoudoingher e,
yousupposedto
beinbed"hi
svoicescreechedli
kearustyhi
nge

Me:wel
liwokeupall
alonesoi
deci
dedt
o
comedownandlookforyou
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom

Him:ihear
dsomenoisesi
nthegar
agesoi
deci
dedtogoandcheck

Me:
owhbutt
hebedr
oom doorwas.
..
..

Hi
m:what
,what
'swr
ongwi
tht
hebedr
oom door
Me:uhm wel
lnot
hingbuti
thi
nkther
e's
someoneint
hevisi
tor
sbathr
oom

Hi
m:r
eal
l
y,whocoul
dbet
her
ethi
slat
e

Herant
othebat
hroom whi
l
eif
oll
owedbehi
nd
hi
m

"It
slock,
pleasebecar
eful
"Isai
dashehadhi
s
handonthedoorhandl
e
Hejustopeneditwit
houtafussandi
ttur
nsout
t
hatitwasn'tl
ockedaft
eral
l

"There'
snot
hinghere"hepushedt
hedoorwi
de
openedandindeedtherewasnosi
gnsof
someoneeverbeingthere
Hi
m:y
oumustbedr
owsy
,let
sgobackt
obed

Ij
ustnoddedmyhead,heunexpect
edlyswept
meoffmyf eetandcar
ri
edmebackt ohisr
oom
Hewassocol
dandhadt
hisper
cul
arscent
Ther
ewasjustsomet
hingabouthi
m andi
didn'
t
knowwhati
twas

Hetuckedmebackinbed,
gotonhi
ssi
deand
mademel ayonhi
schestwhi
chmademefeel
saf
e
Wetalkedaboutnot
hingandev
ery
thi
ngunt
ili
dr
if
tedtolal
aland

Iwokeupt henextmorni
ngandgotreadyfor
work,cal
preparedbr
eakfastf
orme.Iateand
hedrovemet owork
Mydaywaslongandbor
ingbuti
stil
lcoul
dn'
t
shaket
hiswei
rdf
eel
ingt
hatsomethi
ngwas
wrongwit
hcal
Orwasi
justbei
ngpar
anoi
d
Anywayaft
eriknockedoffCal
fet
chedme,
he
boughtgr
ocer
iesthendrovemehome

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
27,16:
38]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWENTY_
TWO

#ELLA

i
gothomeonl
ytof
indev
ery
onei
nasourmood
Appar
ent
lymom anddadhadahugef
ight
.On
Fr
idayni
ght
Hecamehomedr unkandst
art
edi
nsul
ti
ng
ever
yoneandwhenmymom stooduptohi
s
i
nsult
shebeather
Sobot
hchr
isandmom wer
enott
alki
ngt
odad

Ipl
acedt
hegr
ocer
ytoi
tscompar
tment
s
Ir
eal
l
ywasinnomoodtoenter
tai
nthi
scr
azy
at
mospher
egoi
ngoni
nthishouse

"Owhsoy oubacki
see,
sohowi
syournewl
y
foundl
ove
Youl
i
vei
nmyhouseandy
oudoasy
oupl
ease
Iwi
ll
nothar
borapr
ost
it
utei
nthi
shousear
ewe
cl
ear
Youhavet
ogobackt
owher
eyouar
ecomi
ng
fr
om ar
ewecl
ear
Youwi
l
lcomebackwheny
ouar
ereadyt
o
marryGraigar
eweclear"t
hatwasmyfat
her
,
thestenchofal
cohol
fil
l
edthewhol
ehousej
ust
assoonasheopenedhi smouth

"
Arewecl
ear
"hey
ell
ed

Me:daddywhati
swrongwi
thy
ou,
justl
ookat
howterr
ibl
eyoul
ook
Si
ncewhenhav
eyoubecomeadr
unkar
d
Whathappenedt
oyou,
youuset
obeagood
f
ather
Youwer
emyher
o

Iwasaboutt
otal
kmorebutahotsl
ap
embracedmycheek
Mywhol
efacefel
tli
kei
twasonfir
e,Ist
ood
t
her
eindi
sbel
ief,
didmyfat
herj
ustsl
appedme
Il
ookedathi
m withsomuchdi
sgust
,gl
asses
oft
earshadal
readyfor
medinmyeyes

"Youareamonster
,ihat
eyou"Isai
dbef
ore
runni
ngoutoft
hekit
chen
Iwentst
rai
ghtt
omyr oom,justt
hrewmysel
fin
bedandcri
edasthepainofthesl
apsunki
n
Withi
nf ewminutesinmysobbingmomentsi
heardmydadscr eamingandaskingfor
for
giveness,
idecidednottopayanyatt
ent
ion
tothenoisebecauseiti
rr
it
atedmeev enmore
Fewminutesofhisscr
eamsi hear
dagl ass
shat
ter
ing,If
igur
edinhi
sdrunkstate,
hemust
havedr
oppedabot t
leofhi
salcohol
Isowi
shIcoul
dmar r
yCal
vinal
readysot
hati
canl
eavet
hishel
lhol
ecal
l
edahouse
Icoul
dsenset
hatsomet hi
ngwasweirdl
y
wrongwit
hCal
vinbutitwasbett
ertobewit
h
himthant
obemi ser
ablewithmyfamil
y
*
*

#NARRATED

Afterslappi
nghi sdaught
ermrFer nandojust
burpedev enlouderbefor
est umbli
nglikea
toddlerlear
ninghowt owalkmakinghi swayto
thefridgehet ookoutanotherci
derfrom hi
ssix
pack
Hedidn'
thav
eanyr emor
seorwhat
soev
eri
n
whathehasjustdone

Justashet
urnedheal
mostpeedhi
msel
f
Wellcomi
ngf acet
ofacewit
haghostcanmake
youdothatsometi
mes,dr
unkorsober
Heshookuncontr
oll
abl
yashef
eltt
heal
cohol
l
eavi
nghissyst
em
I
tlef
thi
mtof
acehi
sdemonsal
one
Itwasthef
ir
stt
imehehasev
erseenGRAI
G
appear
ingi
nthi
sfor
m
Heswal l
owedaspit
,st
il
lal
armedatthis
four
teenyear
soldboyinaschooluni
form
coveredi
nbloodwhostoodbefor
ehim
Thiswast
heexactimageofhowhe
remember
edGraig
Thi
sishowhel
ookedt
hedayher
anhi
m ov
er

"Noooo,
youar
enother
e,y
ouar
enotr
eal
Youcan'
tber
ealyouar
edead"hescr
eamed
movi
ngbackwar
ds

Butt
hey
oungboykeptonappr
oachi
nghi
m
Hi
sfacef
il
ledwi
thsomuchpai
nandhat
red
Wi
thi
nablinkofaney
ehewasr
ighti
nfr
ontof
mrFer
nando
Hepushedhi
m wi
thsomuchf
orce
AndlikeapaperMrFer nandoflewacrossthe
ki
tchenandlandedont hefri
dgeandt hebott
le
hehadonhi shandlandedont heground
shatt
eri
ngintoti
nypieces
Andagai
ntheboywasr
ighti
nfr
ontofhi
m

"Am sor
ryohk.Am sosor
ryIdi
dn'
tmeant
oki
l
l
you
Ididn'
tmeant
ohur
tyou"hepl
eadedbeggi
ng
formercy
ButGr
aig'
sfacenev
ershowedanyr
emor
se

"LeaveEl
laal
one,
nextt
imeyoulayahandon
her,
itwi
ll
beyourl
astdoi
ng"Gr
aigwarned

Mrf:am sosor
ry,
iwi
l
lnotl
ayaf
ingeronher
agai
nipromise
Gr
aig:
youbet
terkeept
hatpr
omi
se

Hethensmi
l
edabi
tbef
oredi
sappear
ingi
nto
t
hinair
MrFer
nandogotof
fthegr
oundandwi
pedhi
s
ey
esindi
sbel
ief
Her
eal
l
ywasi
nforshi
t
*
*
Af
terhehadj ustcamebackf
rom El
la'
shouse
gr
aigreappearedinhi
sroom,st
il
li
nhisdeath
st
ate
Wellt
hisiswhathasbeenhappeningthi
spast
24hours,hehadtendenci
esofjust
tr
ansf
or mingbacktohi
syoungerversi
on,and
hecouldn'
tevencontr
olhi
mself
Thewor
sethingi
shi
syoungerv
ersi
onwasj
ust
morebr
utal
andhear
tl
ess
I
twasj usthell
-bentonj usthur
ti
ngthe
Fernandofamily,i
ncludingEll
aeventhoughthe
goodsi deofhi
m hadf ightsobadlytoprev
ent
hi
mf r
om hurti
ngElla
That
swhyontheweehour
sofMonday
morni
ngwhenthi
sthi
ngt
ookov
erhejustl
eft
El
laal
onei
ntheroom
Hewasaf
rai
dthathewi
l
lenduphur
ti
ngher
Mindyoui
twasthefir
stti
methat
tr
ansf
ormat
ionhappenedandi
tjustwant
ed
bl
ood

Aft
erhewasbackt
ohi
sadul
tsel
fhesatonhi
s
bed
St
il
lbot
her
edbywhathadj
usthappened
Heremember
edever
ythi
ngandheremembered
howhebadl
ywant
edtosqueezet
helif
eoutof
MrFernando,
Thankgodhecamet
ohi
ssenses
bef
oreitwastool
ate

"OwhLordwhatthehell
ishappeni
ngtome"he
hi
ssedhi
tt
inghar
dwi t
hhisfi
stonthebed

Butsomehowitf
eltl
ikehi
smot
herhad
somethi
ngtodowiththi
s
Imeanthi
sst
art
edaf
tershesupposedl
ycame
tov
isi
t
Coul
dthi
sbej
ustamer
ecoi
nci
dence,
Grai
g
wonder
ed
*
*

Ter
ra'
sey
espi
ercedt
hroughherdaught
er'
sski
n
Shecoul
dn'
tbel
i
eveherdaught
ercoul
dbethi
s
evi
l
,Imeanshewasjustasbadasthedar
k
sor
cer
er
Wai
tcoul
ditbe,
coul
dshebeadar
ksor
cer
er
Coul
dshechoosethatpath,
noitcan'
tbe,
not
af
terhowgoodsheraisedher

"Whatdi
dyoudo,howcoul
dyout
akesuch
char
mtoGrai
gGrave
Doyouhaveanyi
deahowdanger
ouscant
hat
be"t
err
asaid

Gr
aig'
smom:
wel
lmamai
didn'
thav
eachoi
ce
Ineededt
oremi
ndGr
aighi
smi
ssi
on
Ihadt
opul
lhi
m awayf
rom t
hatgi
rl
'
sgr
ip
Ihadt
oremi
ndhi
m ofhi
smi
ssi
on

Terr
a:andyouhadtodot
hatbyr
etur
ninghi
m
backtohi
sdyingday
Whatyoudi
dwi
l
ltur
nGr
aigi
ntoacol
dbl
ooded
ki
l
ler
Hewi
l
lnotonl
yav
engehi
sdeat
h
Hewil
lbeabloodthi
rst
ymonst
ert
hatev
eny
ou
woul
dn'
tbeabletocont
rol
Hewi
l
lkeeponki
l
li
ngi
nnocentpeopl
e

Graigmom:hai
mamahewon'
t,
iwanthi
mto
focusonhi
smissi
on

Ter
ra:
wel
lyouhav
ejustunl
eashedabeast
Weneedt
ogett
ohi
m nowbef
oreheget
sbl
ood
i
nhi
shands
Becausei
t el
lyou,hewil
lnotcont
rol
whathe
doesanditwil
lall
bey ourf
ault
Howdi
dyouev
engett
hatchar
m
Gr
aig'
smom:somewomanint
owngaveitto
mewheniwasgoi
ngt
ovisi
tGr
aigonSunday

Terr
a:soawomani ntownthatyoudidn'teven
knowjusthappenedtogiveyouachar mt hat
wil
ldest
royGraigspir
itandyoujustacceptedit
,
canyouhearhowcr azythatsounds
Hownai
vecany
oube

Graig'
smom: Idi
dn'
tthi
nkmama, Iwasn'teven
gonnauset hatchar
m butwhenGr ai
gdecided
tothrowmeoutofmyhousej ustbecauseofa
skanki j
ustlosti
t
Latert
hatdayi
wentt
ohi
sgr
avet
obur
ythe
charm
Iwasangr
yohk,
Ijustwant
edmysonback

Ter
ra:
hei
sdead,
andy
oucantcont
rol
him.He
i
snotapuppet
Andeveni
fhewasal
ivehewassti
l
lgonna
growupandfi
ndagi
rlt
olov
e,whatwereyou
gonnadoke

Gr
aig'smom:Iwasn'
tthi
nki
ng,
sor
rymamai
di
dn'tmeant
omakeamess

Ter
ra:
thedamagei
sal
readydone
Letsgol
ookf
orhi
m bef
oret
hisget
soutof
hand

Theybothexitedthehouse,t
heygoti
nTer r
a's
carandtheydr ov
etoGr ai
g'
shousebutsadly
theydi
dn'tfi
ndhim sotheydrov
etohisgrave
andhestill
wasn'tther
e

Gr
aig'
smot
herwasal
readyscar
edt
odeat
h
Whathasshedone

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
27,17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWENTY_
THREE

#NARRATED

Tysonsatonhisbedl
ooki
ngatt
hisgr
uesome
si
ghtinf
rontofhi
m
Hisfacesoi
l
edwithtear
s,t
hiswasthel
ast
sceneherememberedofhi
sbrother
.How
couldhebeher
e,whywasheback
Coul
dn'thi
ssouljustr
esti
nperf
ectpeace.Why
washisspir
itst
il
lwonderi
ngoneart
h..
..
Thosewer
ethef
ewt
hought
srunni
ngt
hrough
Tyson'
smi
nd
Onethi
ngwasforsur
ethoughhewashel
l
a
scar
edoft
hisi
magehisbrotherwasi
n
Hesur
elypr
efer
redt
heol
derv
ersi
onmucht
han
t
his
one

Thebloodthatkeptdri
ppingfr
om Gr
aig'
sskull
soakedthefl
ooront hespothewassitt
ingat
Hewassi t
ti
ngonthatcoldt
il
esrocki
nghimsel
f
backandforwar
d,l
ookingatTysonwit
hout
evenbl
inki
ng
Het
hencr
iedl
ouderscr
atchi
nghi
sface

"Hel
pmepl
easet
y"hescr
eamedwi
thadoubl
e
voice,onef
oray
oungboyandanot
herf
ora
olderguy

Ty
sonmov
ebackonhi
sbedi
nfear

Gr
aig:
hel
pmepl
ease

Hescr
eamedagai
n,hi
svoi
cef
ull
oft
err
ort
his
t
imearound

Ty:ohkwhatdoyouwantmet odo,
howdi
dyou
gethereGr
aigwhathappenedt
oyou

Grai
g:hekil
ledme, ihavet
omakehi
m pay,noI
can'
t,icanthurther
, y
esihav
etoki
l
lthem i
havetokil
lthem al
l
Ty
:ki
l
lwho,
broy
ouar
escar
ingme

"Ty,
typl
easehel
p,Brosf
orev
err
emember
,
Noooihavet
okil
lthem
Theyareal
lguil
tyi hav
etokil
lthem al
l"he
screamed,
from hisappear
ancey oucouldsee
thathewasbatt
lingwithhi
msel f

Ty
:tel
lmewhot
heyar
esot
hati
canhel
pyou

Gr
aig:
Ican'
tki
l
lher
,Idon'
twantt
oki
l
lher
Il
oveher

Ty:who,
whoi
sshe,
youar
enotmaki
ngany
sense
Whodoy
ouhav
etoki
l
l,andwhosenty
out
oki
l
l
t
hem
Grai
g:al
lthewr
ongdoer
s,t
heyhav
etobe
puni
shed
Theyneedt
obepuni
shed.
..
..
.
Bl
ood.
..
..
ismel
lbl
ood
Am hungr
yineedbl
ood.
..
.Hel
pme.
..Pl
ease
hel
pmet y

Henowhadhi
slegsuphi
schest
Hi
sar
mshel
dri
ghtar
oundhi
sknees
her
oughl
yrockedhi
msel
fbackandf
ort
h
Tysonwatchedi
nter
ror,hedi
dn'
tknowwhot
o
cal
lunt
ilherememberedthet
wins
Maybet
heymighthel
phi
sbr
othersi
ncet
hey
ar
esopower
ful
Sohecl
osedey
es
"Guysineedyourhel
p,Ihopeyoucanhearme"
hesaidwit
hashakyvoice,t
ear
swer eal
ready
onhischest
Her
epeat
edt
hosewor
dsf
oracoupl
eoft
imes
Aft
erheopenedhi
seyeshesawt
hel
i
ght
shi
nni
ngbri
ghtonhiswi
ndow

"Nooo,
whatdi
dyoudo,
whodi
dyoucal
l
Nooooyoubet
rayedmeItrust
edy
ou"gr
aig
sai
dashehurr
iedl
ystoodup

"Pl
easedon'tl
ethi
mtakeme,hel
ll
l
ppp
mmme. .
..
."Wasall
Tysonhear
dbefor
egr
aig
di
sappear
ed
Ev
ent
hebl
oodont
hef
loorwasgone
Therewasnot
racenorsi
gnofgr
aigev
erbei
ng
ther
e
"Wehear dyourcr
ies,
yousai
dyouneedour
hel
p"Nathisai
dassoonastheyappear
edi
n
Tyson'
sroom

Ty
son:
hei
sgone,
hev
ani
shed

Nat
hi:
who,
whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout

Anat
hi:
hei
stal
ki
ngabouthi
sbr
other
Hewashere,
icanf
eel
him butt
hist
imehei
s
di
ff
erent
Hehassomet
hingdar
kinhi
m
Hei
sdanger
ousandhei
sangr
yaty
ouTy
son

Ty
:me,
why
,iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
ohel
phi
m
What
'swr
ongwi
thhi
m,whyi
shenotdead
Whyi
shi
ssoul
tor
ment
ingme
Nat
hi:
wear
enotsupposet
otel
lyou
Wewon'
tal
l
owhi
mtohur
tyout
hough
Wehav
etogobef
oreourmot
herwakesup

Tysonj
ustnoddedandwat
chast
he
di
sappear
ed
Hesatinthatbedl
ikeastat
ueandt
ri
edhi
s
bestt
odigestever
ythi
ng
*
*
*

Terr
aandherdaughterhadl
ookedever
ywhere
forGrai
gbuttheycoul
dn'
tfi
ndhi
m sotheyhad
nochoicebuttogobackhome
"Idon'
tseehowwewi
llgetoutoft
hismess"
ter
rasai
dassoonast
heyenteredt
hehouse

Grai
g'
smom:ihadnoi
deathatt
hiswasgoi
ng
t
ohappenbel
i
evememother
OwhGodpl
easef
orgi
veme,
whathav
eidone
I
fGrai
gki
l
lsi
nnocentpeopl
eiwi
l
lnev
erf
orgi
ve
mysel
f
Iwasj
ust
...
..
..

Grai
g'smom st
oppedmidsentenceassoonas
shesawsomeonesitt
ingonthechai
rinthe
ki
tchen
Shet
urnedandl
ookedatt
hem

"hi
,Sorr
ytojustbadgein,
iknowi
tsl
ate"she
sai
dstandi
ngupf rom t
hechai
r
Ter
ra:
heyNoma,
itsohky
oucansi
t
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
esol
ate

Noma:
Ineededt
oknowi
fev
ery
thi
ngi
sohk
Ican'
tfeel
Grai
gany
mor
eyethi
scandl
eisst
il
l
burni
ng
If
eel
thishor
ri
bledar
knessl
i
kesomet
hingbad
i
scoming

Ter
ra:
wel
luhm.
..
..

Noma:what
'shappeni
ngTer
ra,
wher
eisGr
aig,
di
dmissygetholdofhi
m

Ter
ra:
sor
tof
,notr
eal
l
y

Noma:
Idon'
tfol
l
ow
Ter
ratol
dnomaal
laboutthechar
m ofdeat
h
andhowGrai
gmom buri
editonGrai
g'
sgrave

Noma:
sowhydon'
tyouj
ustdugi
tout

Gr
aig'
smom: soonaf
teri
bur
iedi
t,i
tjust
di
sappear
ed
Wecan'
tfi
ndi
t

Ter
ra:
andnowwecan'
tev
enf
indGr
aig

Noma:
icant
ryandl
ocat
ehi
m

Gr
aig'
smom:
real
l
y,y
oucandot
hat

Noma:
yesam connect
edt
oal
lthebei
ngswho
hasal
readypassedon.
Her
e,si
tdownandhol
dmyhandsbot
hofy
ou

Theybot
hdidasNomainstr
ucted,
Noma
cl
osedherey
esandst
artedchanti
ngi
ngr
eek
Shechant
edawhil
elongerunt
ilshest
art
ed
bl
eedi
ngandthel
i
ghtsjustwentout
Shestoppedchant
ing,
letgooft
hei
rhandsand
openedhereyes

"Omgy ouarebl
eedi
ng,
what'swr
ong,
ist
hat
supposedt
ohappen"Gr
aig'
smom sai
d

Ter
ra:
noi
tsnot
,whathappened

Noma:Icoul
dn'tf
indhi
m,i
nst
eadsomet
hing
dar
kerwastr
yingtopul
lmein
Lucki
l
yif
oughti
t

Ter
ra:
omg,
whatar
ewegonnado

Noma:
ihav
enoi
dea,
andi
canthel
p
Whatevershedi
dtohersoni
sst
rongert
han
any
thing
Letsj
usthopethatthegoodsi
dei
nGr
aigcan
fi
ghtt
hisdarkness

"OwhLor dwhathaveidone"Grai
g'
smom had
herhandsoverherhead,
real
isi
ngthe
concequenci
esofheracti
ons
Shewasr
eadyt
olashout
*
*
*
#ELLA

Iwokeupi
nt hemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ght
,coughi
ng
andsweat
ing
Myneckwassopainful
,soi
twasnotadream,
someoneorsomet
hingwasreal
l
ychoki
ngme
todeat
h

If
eltav
eryheav
ydar
knessar
oundt
her
oom
Iswor
eisawwhatseemedl
i
keal
i
ttl
eboynear
mybed
Iqui
ckl
ygotoutofbedandwentt
oswi
tchon
thel
i
ghtandther
ewasnoone
Mymi
ndwaspl
ayi
ngt
ri
cksonme
Myhear
twasbeat
ingoutofmychest
Iwentbackt
omybed, t
ookmyphoneunderthe
pi
ll
owanddiall
edGr
aig'
snumberbuti
tjustr
ang
st
rai
ghtt
ovoi
cemai
l
Itr
iedtwomoreti
mesandthesamethi
ng
happenedsoIj
ustlef
thi
m amessaget
ocal
l
mewhenwakesup

Iexit
edTheroom andwenttogetmy
sel
fa
glassofwat
erint
hekitchen.

MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
27,17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWENTY_
FOUR

#ELLA
Iwassti
l
lenj
oyi
ngt
hecol
dwat
erwhenIhear
d
noi
ses
Ist
oodst
il
landl
i
stenedat
tent
ivel
y
Buttr
uthbet
oldmyhear
twasr
eadyt
ojump
outofmychest
Andtheweaknessifeltonmykneeswer eso
i
ntenseformetostandwi t
houtfal
li
ngsoihel
d
onthetabl
ecornerwit
hmyr i
ghthandonmy
chestt
ryi
ngtoconsolemy sel
f
Iwasjustscar
edwhichmadeiti
mpossibl
efor
metolist
enwithoutmypoundi
nghear
t
i
nter
rupti
ngme

Itr
iedpulli
ngmy sel
ftogether
,bl
ockedoutall
thefearifeltandonlythenwasi abl
etoclear
ly
hear,butIreall
ycouldn'tt
rustmyears
Il
i
stenedagai
nandt
hist
imei
hadnodoubti
n
mymi nd
Thesoundswereact
uall
yofsomeonemoani
ng
andcry
ing,
itsl
i
kehe/shewaspai
n.
i
wentdownt
hepassage
Eventhoughmybrai
ncl
earl
ystat
edthefl
i
ght
conceptatt
hatmomentbutipai
dnoatt
enti
on
toit
Ij
ustswal
lowedmycowar
dnessanddeci
dedt
o
pl
ayhero,
youknow,
beali
ttl
ebrav
e
Probabl
yfor
gett
ingthatpeopl
ewhoal
ways
fol
lowthenoi
seoftendiesint
hemovi
es
TheGrull
i
ngnoi
sesgotl
ouderasi
passedt
he
l
ounge,al
mosti
nthepassage

Imadesur
enott
omakeanysounds
Myfeetf
loat
edonthef
loor
,thefur
theriwal
ked
downthepassaget
hel
ouderthenoise
Wheni gotnearthebedr
ooms,i
stoodand
l
ist
ened,toclear
lyheari
nwhi
chroom t
henoi
se
wascomi
ngf
rom
ThatswhenIheardthenoisesagai
n,itwas
surel
yaperson'
scriesanditcamefrom my
l
itt
lebrot
her
'sroom
Nowmor
ethanbef
orei
wasscar
edoutofmy
mind
Withnoant
ici
pati
onatallij
ustbadgei
nthe
r
oom andthegruesomesightIwasmetwit
h
l
eftmybrai
nscarredforl
i
fe

"No,
no,
nopl
easeno"i
rushedt
oChr
ist
opher
's
bed
Hewasstret
chout,wi
thhisfeettogether
,one
hañdwasonhischestwhil
ehislefthandheld
ti
ghtont
heduvet,
hestruggl
edt ositupandhis
whit
eduvetwascover
edinblood
Thesi
ghtwasj
ustt
oosor
etot
heey
es
"Nooo,whathappened,
whodi
dthi
stoy
ou,
MOM!!!"ISCREAMED

It
ri
edtomakehim comf
ort
abl
e,hi
sri
bcage
wasjustwi
deopen
Hiswri
stwerealsocutopen,
mostofhi
sbl
ood
vessel
swerejustt
orn

"Omgwhodi
dthi
s"i
sai
dint
ear
s
It
ri
edt
ocoverthebl
oodt
hatwaspour
ingout
wi
thmyhands

"He,
hhhe.
..
..sssai
d..
..
he,wwants..
..
blood"
Chr
isfi
nal
lyspokebetweenbreathe

"Who,whowantbl
ood,
andwhyy
ourbl
ood"i
anxi
ousl
yasked
"A.
..
.a..
.bl
oody.
..
boyy..
..
.i
n..
..
a..
..
..
.schoool
.
...
..
Unif
or m"hethenbreathedheavil
y ,
hestar
ted
shakinguncontr
oll
ably

"MOMMM!
!!
!!
!!
"Iy
ell
edev
enl
ouder

"Pl
ease,
please,
staywi
thme.Best
rong
Youcan'
tdi
eonme,
notnowpl
ease"i
sai
dina
pani
cmode

Hi
sl ungswerej
ustoutontheopen,
andwer
e
al
readymakingawhistl
esounds

"Please,br
eath,br
eath"i
sai
dasisawhow
slowlyhewasf adingaway,
mybr
otherwas
perishingr
ighti
nmyhandsandicouldn'
tdo
any t
hingaboutit
I
tsl
i
kei
wasl
oosi
ngmymi
nd,
isobadl
yhoped
t
hatthi
swasjustani
ght
mareandiwil
lwakeup
i
nthemorni
ngandevery
thi
ngwil
lbeal
right

It
ookt
hesmal l
pil
lowandt
ri
edt
ost
opt
he
bl
oodf
rom pouri
ngout
Rightthenmymom badgedinfol
lowedbymy
dad,theywer
ebot
hintheirni
ghtwear

"Whatstheprobl
em,whyareyouye.
..
..
..
"My
mom stoppedmidsent
enceandrushedtot
he
bed

"Owhno,pl
easecal
lanambulance,CALLAN
AMBULANCEQUICKLY!!
!"her
eferr
edtomydad

Mydadr
ushedout
,mymom satont
hebed

"Whathappened,
whatdi
dyoudot
ohi
m"she
askedwi
tht
ear
sst
reami
ngdownherf
ace

Me:
idi
dnot
hing,
ifoundhi
mli
ket
his
Hesai
dabl
oodyboywant
shi
sbl
ood

"Chr
is,
babypl
easeopeny
ourey
es
Dontsl
eepbabyopenyourey
esandev
ery
thi
ng
wil
lbeohk"
mom begged

"Mmmmom...
."Het
ri
edtotal
kbutt
hist
ime
ar
oundi
twasmoredi
ffi
cul
t

Mom:
shhhh.
..
.
babydonttal
k,sav
ey ourbr
eat
heandIpr
omi
se
ever
ythi
ngwil
lbealr
ight

Myf
athercameback
Mom:
didy
oucal
ltheambul
ance

Dad:
itsoni
tsway

Me:whydon'
twej
ustt
akey
ourcardad.
..
..
itwi
l
l
bef
aster

Dad:mycarbr
okedowny
est
erday
,,
,,
howdi
d
t
hishappen
Howdidsomeonejustcameinourhouseand
shr
eddedmysonintopieceswi
thoutushear
ing
any
thi
ng
Godwhy
,whyi
sal
lthi
shappeni
ngt
ome

Myf at
herpacedaroundt
her
oom wi
thbot
h
handsinhisface
"Hemadenosense,hesai
dabl
oodyboy
want
edhi
sblood"Isai
d

Dad:
bloodyboy
,whatbl
oodybo.
..
..

Hethenstopped,hi
sjawscl
angedheformeda
t
ightf
ist
,andv ei
nspoppedi
nhisfor
ehead

"
Wherethehell
isthebl
oodyambulancewhen
youneedi
t"hesai
dkicki
ngthecorneroft
he
wardr
obewhichgavemeaf r
ight

Iexi
tedt
her oom bl
oodyasi was,Ir
ushedto
myroom tookmyphoneandt r
iedcall
i
nggrai
g
butagai
nhisnumberstil
lrangstrai
ghtto
voi
cemail
Hewasmyl
astchanceatat
ranspor
t
Itossedthephoneawayandr
ushedbackt
o
chri
s'sroom

Mybr
otherwasnowconv
ulsi
ngev
enhar
der
.

"What'shappeni
ng,
what'
swr
ong"myf
ather
rushedtothebedsodi
di
Ihel
dhisri
ghthandwhi
l
emymot
herhel
dhi
s
l
efthand.

"Col
d..
..
..
it
s..
.i
ts.
.col
d"hesai
d,hepr
essed
har
deronmyhand

"Pl
easebestrongbro,t
heambul
anceitsonit
s
way"buthet
ightenedhi
sgri
bbef
oreitbecame
weak
Andthenhi
sey
esshutcl
ose,
hisf
aintpul
se
faded
Mom:
noooo,
nooo,
chr
isbabydon'
tdot
his
Don'
tdot
hist
ome

Me:
bropl
ease,
youcan'
tdi
eonme
Pl
ease!
!!
!!
!

Mydadpl
acedt
wof
inger
sonhi
sneck
Thenhest
oodupwi
thhi
sheadbur
iedont
he
ground

"Pl
easewakeupboy
,pl
easedon'
tdot
his"my
mom cri
ed

Ri
ghtt
henaknockcamethr
ought
hef
rontdoor
,
mydadwentt
oattendt
oit
Hecamebackwi
tht
wopar
amedi
cs,
amal
eand
af
emal
e,t
heywer
ebot
hwhi
te

Theyr
ushedt
oChr
isandcheckedhi
m
TheyWerebusywi
thhi
mforawhi
l
ebef
oret
hey
bothst
oodup

"Whatareguysdoing,yousupposetoputhi
m
onthestret
chercan'
tyouseethatheneeds
medicalatt
ent
ion"Isai
d,t
earswerealr
eady
cl
oudingmyey es

"MrandMrsFernandowearesorr
ybutyour
sonisnol
ongerwit
hus"oneofthepar
amedic
sai
d

Mom:notmyson,
nooo,
nobabypl
easedon'
t
dot
hist
omommy
Shejustbr
okedown,
andIsi
l
ent
lywi
pedmy
tear
s
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evet
his,
Ifel
tsuf
focat
ed
Myi
nsi
deswer
etur
ningsopai
nful
l
y
Mychestwasj
ustonf
ir
e
Iranoutoftheroom,
whenIgotout
sidei
coul
d
actual
l
ybreathe
Neighbor
swer ealr
eadygat her
ing,
ihadnoi
dea
wheretheycamef rom becauseitwasi
nthe
middleofthenight

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
27,17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWENTY_
FIVE
#ELLA

Bef
orel
ongpol
icevansandt
hehear
sehad
par
kedi
nfr
ontofthegat
e
Thepolicemanenteredthehousewhileij
ust
satoutside,i
twasn'
tlongbefor
ethe
paramedi cscameoutpushingastr
etcher
,my
mom layunconsciouslyoni
t
Ir
ant
othem

"I
sshef
ine,
whyi
sshel
i
ket
his"i
asked

"Sor
ryma' am wecan'tsayforsure,al
lwecan
sayi
sy ourmom exper i
encedtoomuchshock
andsheneedsmedi calattent
ion"oneofthe
medicsaid

Me:
am comi
ngwi
thy
ou
Theyl
oadedheratt
heback,
ial
socl
i
mbedi
n
Theycl
osedt
hedoorandt
heambul
ancel
eft
Ihadnev
erbeensoscar
ed
Isatbesi
det
hebedandwat
chedhel
plessl
yat
mymom
Tear
sdi
dn'
twannast
opf
all
i
ng
If
eltl
ikei
wascar
ryingthewei
ghtoft
hewhol
e
worl
donmyshoulders
Mylipst
rembl
edatanat
temptoft
ryi
ngt
o
speak
Mymom lookedsoter
ri
ble,shewassweat
ing
andl
ookedli
keshecouldn'
tbreat
hewel
l

AllIknewisIcouldn'
tl
oosemymom and
brotheronthesameday ,
imightaswel
ldi
e
becausetherewasnowayi wasgonnasurvi
ve
withmydad.Imi ghtaswell
beanorphan
Icompletel
ybl
ockedt
hesi
ghtofmybr
otheri
n
thatbed
Ir
efusedt
othi
nkt
hathewasdead

Wegottot
hemedicent
erhospit
al.Theytook
mymom outandr
ushedhearinsi
dewhi l
eI
f
oll
owedbehi
nd
Thenur
seswheel
edhert
otheER,

"Howi
sshe,
isshegonnabeohk"i
asked

"Wewil
ldoever
ythi
ngwecantosav
eher
,just
wai
ther
e"oneofnursessai
d

Theydi
sappear
eddownthepassage,
whi
l
eisat
anxi
ousl
yonthewait
ingr
oom
Thesmel
loft
hatpl
acewasj
ustunbear
abl
e
Thesurr
oundingsandnoi
sesbroughtbacka
fami
li
arthought,i
wasremindedofthedayi
wastheonelayingont
hathospit
alti
nybed
I
twasnotpl
easantatall
nowIhatedthefact
t
hatmymom wasi nthesamecondit
ion

Fewhour
slat
eradoct
orcameout

"Howisshe,howismymot
her
"Iaskedas
soonashereachedme

Hi
m:hi
ma'
am,
am doct
orXav
ier
Yourmot
heri
sst
abl
eandshei
sawake
Wehavemanagedt
oincr
easeherbl
ood
pr
essur
e
Yourmom hadacar
diogeni
cshockf
rom hear
t
damage
Me:
doct
orhowdoy
oumean,

Him:
thesever
etraumashewit
nessev
oked
somelonghi
ddenhear
tcondi
ti
on
Yourmom hasi
schemi
chear
tdi
sease

Me:
isch.
..
what
,whati
sthat

Him: i
tsahear tail
ment scausedbyt he
narrowingofthecor onaryar t
eri
es.Whent he
coronaryarter
iesarenar rowedtheydecrease
bl
oodsuppl yt
ot heheartwhi chisvery
dangerousbecausei tmayr esul
ttoangina,
heartattacksandhear tfail
ure
Soyourmom wi
tnesst
hef
ir
stst
ageofhear
t
at
tack
Weàrel
uckyt
ohav
eseent
hisi
nsuchanyear
ly
st
age
"Owhmygod, whatwi
ll
happennow,
wil
lshebe
al
ri
ght
"iaskedinapani
cmode

Him:shewil
lbefi
nefornow,i
willgi
veher
somethi
ngthatwi
lll
owerther
iskofanycl
ots
for
minginherbl
ood

Me:
cani
goseeher

Him:of
'cosy
oucanalt
houghshe'
sunderal
ot
ofheav
ymedicat
ion

Me:
thanky
ou

Ij
ustr
ushedi
nthewar
dshewasi
n
Herey
eswer
ehal
fcl
osed,
shel
ookedsot
ir
ed
anddr
ained,
shehadanI
Vat
tachedonherar
m
Isatneart
hebedandshequi
ckl
ywi
pedher
tear
s

"Owhyouar
eher
e"shesai
dwi
thadr
ycr
anky
voi
ce
Ij
ustnoddedandhel
dherhand,
shesqueezed
i
t

Her
:wher
eisy
ourf
ather

Me:hehadtost
aybehi
ndt
otakecar
eof
ev
eryt
hing
(Itr
iedt
ohol
dthet
ear
sthatsobadl
ywant
edt
o
escape)

Her
:soi
t'
str
ue,
Ihav
enosonany
mor
e
Myonl
ysoni
sgone(shesni
ff
ed)

Me:
it'
sgonnabeohk,
ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lbeal
ri
ght

Her:Ishouldhav
efel
tthatsomet
hingwas
wrongwi t
hhim
Am hi
smot
heram supposet
ofeel
thi
sthi
ngs
Goshwhatki
ndofamotheram i
,iwasi
nthe
nextr
oom y
etihear
dnot
hing
Howcouldihav
ebeenasl
eepwhil
emysonwas
bei
ngr
ippedandshr
eddedtodeat
h

Me:
mom nooo,
youcantbl
amey
our
sel
f
I
tsnotyourf
aul
t,thepol
i
cewi
l
lcat
cht
he
bast
ardwhodidthis
Hewi
l
lroti
njai
lfort
hissi
nist
eract
Shekeptweepi
ngqui
etl
yandIt
ri
edtocalm her
downwhil
etryi
ngt
ostopmysel
ffr
om breaki
ng
down
Ineededt
obest
rongf
orherandf
orchr
is
Ijustdi
dn'
twannaadmi
tthathewasgonebut
thebloodonmyclot
hesserv
edasareminder

Ist
ayedawaketherestofthatni
ght,
thescene
ofhowmybrotherwas,keptplay
ingonmy
mind
Icouldn'
tev
encl
osemyey
eswi
thoutseei
nghi
s
l
ifel
essbody
Ar
oundsi
xAM mydadcamei
n
Helookedl
i
keawr
eck,
hisey
eswer
eredand
puf
fy
Hewasf
oll
owedbyt
wopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s
Ij
ustr
ant
ohi
m andhuggedhi
mti
ght
ly
"It
sgonnabeohk"hesai
d,i
justbr
okedown
andcr
ied
Heconsol
edmeunt
ili
wascal
m
Webr
oket
hehug

"Ital
kedtothedoct
or,
hetol
dmeaboutyour
mom' scondi
ti
on"hebr
eat
hedheav
il
y"howis
she"

Me:sheisblami
nghersel
fforChri
s'
sdeath,
She
i
spulli
ngawaydad,sheisbreaki
ngandther
e's
not
hingicando
Shehasbeenasl
eepf
orawhi
l
enow

Hi
m:i
wil
lbeher
eunt
ilshewakesup
Youneedtogohomeandchange,
butf
ir
stt
his
twopol
icemanneedt
ohaveawordwit
hyou
I
fyouar
eohkt
otal
k
Me:
itsf
inei
cant
alk,
mor
ningof
fi
cer
s

"morni
ng,am det
ecti
vevanzykandthi
sis
const
abl
ePil
sner"oneofoff
icersai
d

Zy
k:ar
eyoumi
ssI
SABELLAFERNANDO

Me:
yessi
r

Pil
sner
:weunderstandy
ouwer
ethefi
rstatt
he
scene,
canyoutell
mewhatyousaw

Me: iwokeupf
rom abaddr eam,
itsl
ike
someonewaschoki ngme,Iwokeupwi t
ha
soreneckbutt
herewasnoonei ntheroom soi
decidedtogot
ot hekit
chentodr
inkwatert
hats
whenIheardnoisescomingdownthepassage,
If
oll
owedt
henoi
se
WhenIhearditcomingfrom mybrot
her'
sroom
ij
ustrushedinandIfoundhi
ml ay
ingther
e
cover
edinblood
Ther
ewasbl
oodev
ery
wher
e,Ir
ushedt
ohi
m
Itr
iedt
ostopt
hebl
ood.I
tjustcoul
dn'
tst
op
comingout
I
tcoul
dn'tst
opcomi
ng,
ihav
enev
erseenso
muchblood
Omg,
thebl
ood.
..
..
..

Zy
k:t
akeadeepbr
eat
h,cal
m,i
tsov
er.

Me:
Ical
l
edmymot
her
,Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo

Pi
l
sner
:soy
ourbr
other
'sdoorwasnotl
ocked
Me:no,heusual
l
ydoesn'
tl
ock,
Iguesshe
t
houghtther
ewasnothi
ngtobescar
edof

Zyk:sot
her
ewasnoonei
nhi
sroom ori
nthe
house

Me:
noIdi
dn'
tseeany
one

Zy
k:di
dyourbr
othersayany
thi
ngt
oyou

Me:
hej
ustsai
dabl
oodyboywant
edhi
sbl
ood

Zy
k:bl
oodyboy
,ist
hatal
lhesai
d

Me:yes,
hewasi
nsomuchpai
nsohecoul
dn'
t
saymuch
Zyk:t
hat'
sall
fornow,
pleasedon'
tgoany wher
e
wewillneedyoui
fwehavemor equest
ionsto
ask
Thanky
ouf
ory
ourcooper
ati
on

Me:iwi
ll
begl
adtohel
pcat
cht
hemonst
erwho
di
dthi
smybrot
her

Pi
l
sner
:wecangi
vey
ouar
idehomei
fyoudon'
t
mi
nd

Me:
thatwi
l
lbeni
cet
hanky
ou

Ihuggedmyf
atheronemor
eti
me
Ki
ssedmymom onthef
oreheadthenexi
tedt
he
ward,
theof
fi
cer
sfol
l
owedshortl
y
Wewentoutandheadedtot
hehospi
tal
par
k,
t
heywer
edrivi
ngawhitepol
i
cepri
vat
e
Iwasj
ustgl
adt
hati
twasn'
tav
an
Wegoti
nandt
heydr
oppedmeathome

Iwenti
nthehouseandi
tst
il
lfel
tst
rangeand
wei
rd
Iwentt
oChri
s'
sroom andi
twascl
ean,
the
bl
oodyduv
etweregone
Hisbedwassheet
lessbutt
heroom wassti
ll
col
d,Icli
mbedont
opofthebed,cur
ledmysel
f
andjustwept
.

MFS_
MTAG

UNEDI
TED
[
12/
27,17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
ENTRYTWENTY_

#NARRATED

MrFer
nandoweptqui
etl
y.Hewassi
tt
ingbesi
de
hi
swif
e'sbed
It
sbeenanhournowsi
ncehi
swi
fehasbeen
asleep
Hefel
tgui
lt
yandshamewaswri
tt
enall
overhi
s
f
aceyethecoul
dn'
tbr
inghi
msel
ftot
ell
the
t
rut
h
Asmuchasi tbrokehimtohav el
ostasonand
toseehi
swifelayinghel
plessl
yinthathospi
tal
bedhesti
ll
couldn'tconf
esshissins
Heknewt hathewasthecauseofChr
is'
sdeat
h
theminuteEll
asai
dthatChri
smenti
oneda
bloodyboy
Yethewoul
drat
herkeepqui
ett
hanconf
essi
ng
t
oamur
derandgoi
ngt
ojai
l
Helookedathi
shandsandal
lhecoul
dseewas
bl
ood.Hishandswer
esoil
edwit
hsomuch
bl
ood
Fi
rstt
hebl
oodofgr
aignowt
hebl
oodofhi
s
ownson
I
twashisfaul
tthathi
ssonhadt
odi
ethi
s
pai
nful
death
I
fhehadn'
tki
ll
edGrai
gthatdayt
henGrai
g
woul
dn'
tbehunti
nghi
m andhisf
amil
y

Hecr i
edevenmoreatthet houghtthatnowhe
wasknowi ngl
ygonnasellhisdaughtertothe
devi
l i
nexchangeforhi
sfreedom.Hesni ffed
countl
esstimeandshuthisey esti
ghtlytr
ying
toerasethethei
magehi ssonwasi n.
Coul
ditbethatGrai
gkil
ledChri
sbecauseofhi
s
del
ayedresponsetogetel
lat
omar r
yGraigor
coul
ditbebecausegrai
gwantshimtoconfess
Ormaybeitwasbecausehelayedhi
shadon
ELLA,
perhapst
hiswasGraig'
swayofteachi
ng
hi
m alesson
Hesi
l
ent
lyquest
ionedhi
msel
f.
..
Noitcan'
tbe,
there'
snowayGr ai
gwoul dn'
t
wanthimtoconfesshi
ssinsatl
eastnotnow,
notunt
ilhemarr
iesEll
ahearguedinhismind

"GodwhathaveIgot
tenmy sel
fint
o"he
whisper
edwi
thbothhishandsonhisface
Heneededtogat
herhisthought
ssoitwouldn'
t
hur
ttoleav
ehiswif
e'ssi
ghtforj
ustali
tt
lebit

Hesil
entl
ygotupf
rom thechair
,fi
xedhi
swi
fe'
s
bl
anketbefor
ewal
kingoutoftheward
Hewenttothevendi
ngmachineandgot
hi
mselfabarofchocol
ateandacanofsof
t
dr
inkontheothermachi
ne
Heexit
edt
hehospi
tal
andj
ustsatont
hechai
rs
out
side
Thefreshbr
eezeofai
rembr
acedhi
swor
ri
ed
face
Bef
orelongawomanwi
thhersonj
oinedhi
m
onthechai
rs

"Hi
"thewomansai
d

Hi
m:owh,
hel
l
o

Woman:
am Dai
sy,
thi
sismysonPet
e

Hi
m:owhhi
,am Ki
ngsl
eyFer
nando

Her:ij
ustneededsomef
reshai
r,hospi
tal
scan
getundermyskin
Mydaught
erisi
nthelaborwar
d,i
justcan'
twai
t
f
orhert
ogivebi
rthal
ready
Ij
ustwishicanhel
phi
m wi
tht
hepai
ns,
coz
l
aborpainsaret
hewor
st

Hi
m: am sureshewill
befi
ne,
itsabl
essi
ngt
o
br
ingnewl i
fetothi
sworl
d

Her:
suchapai
nful
blessi
ng.
..
.Lookatmebusy
bl
abbing
Ar
eyouher
ewi
thsomeone

Him:mywife,
shehadaheartat
tack,
ourson
passedawayear
lyt
hismor
ning

Her
:omgsuchat
ragedy
,am sosor
ryt
ohear
t
hat
I
twi
l
lpass,
ilostmyhusbandt
hreey
ear
sago
andithoughtthepai
nwouldnev
erpassbut
event
uall
yitgetsbet
terwi
tht
ime
Ican'
ti
magi
nel
oosi
nganyofmyki
ds
Am notsur
pri
sedbyt
hest
rai
nyourwi
fe'
shear
t
i
sunder
Ourki
dsaresupposedt
obur
ryusnott
heot
her
wayround
Butwi
thGodi
prayy
ourwi
fewi
l
lpul
lthr
ough

Hi
m:t
hanky
ou,
ijusthopeshedoes

Theycont
inuedt
alki
ngev
ery
thi
ngaboutl
i
fei
n
gener
al

*
*
*
Grai
gwatchedatt
hedistanceasmrFer
nando
engagedi
naconversat
ionwitht
hatwoman
Hecoul
dn'
tgett
ohi
m,noti
nfr
ontoft
hem
Yethecoul
dn'
tcont
rol
hishungerandt
hir
stf
or
bl
ood
Her
ushedinsi
dethehospi
tal
andwentst
rai
ght
t
omrsFernando'
sroom
Helookedatherasshesl
eptsoundl
yint
he
hospi
talbed

Hegotcl
osertoher
,hecouldn'thel
phi
msel
f
t
hebloodscentwasjustst
ronger
Heplacedhishandsaroundherneckthej
oyof
squeezi
ngtheli
feoutofherfel
tgreet
er
Hesmil
edasmr sFer
nandoopenedherey
es
andwasinshockbywhatwasontopofher
Shet
ri
edki
cki
ngandshaki
ngbutGr
aigdi
dn'
t
st
opsqueezi
ng
Shescr
eamedbuti
twasi
mpossi
ble
Shel
ookedatt
hisy
oungboywi
thbeggi
ngey
es
Tearsf
ell
ont
hesi
desofherey
esal
lthewayt
o
herear
s
ButGraignev
ercar
ed,
itdi
dn'
tbot
herhi
mtosee
thosetear
s
Hisgoodsidewastr
appedwaytoodeepinsi
de
sohecouldn'
tevenf
ightt
hisdar
kersi
de
Thecharm wasbl
ocki
nghi
sgoodsi
def
rom
emergi
ng
ThiswasnotGrai
gatall
,thecharm had
rel
easedabloodsucki
ngmonst erwhichuses
thebodyoft
hedeadasani ncubator
Whenittookov erGrai
g'
sbodyitactual
l
ysaw
t
herealreasonwhyGr aigwasbroughtbackt
o
t
helandoft heli
vinganditwasdetermi
nedto
f
ulf
il
lthatmi ssi
on
Hiscl
awsdugi
ndeeperonmr
sFer
nando'
s
neck
Andshest
art
edbl
eedi
ng,
ashef
inal
l
ytor
eout
herski
n
Hestar
tedsucki
ngt
hebl
oodandMr
sFer
nando
coul
dntfi
ghtany
more
Shelai
dhelpl
essl
yasshef
eltherl
i
febei
ng
drai
nedoutherbody
Shehadal r
eadygavein,
maybedyingwas
bet
terforherthanhav
ingtodeal
wi t
hthedeat
h
ofheronlyson

Thebeastsuckedhar deronherneckbutitsti
l
l
coul
dn'tquenchit
sthirstsoitst
artedt
eari
ng
herr
ibcageapart,t
hiswast heonlywayitcoul
d
gett
oherhear tandgetenoughbl ood
#MFS_
MTAG

UNEDI
TED
[
12/
27,17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWENTY_
SEVEN

#NARRATED

TerraandGr
aig'
smom wer
eter
ri
fi
edatwhat
theyhear
datthemal
l

"I
tshim Thandeka,
it'
sgot
tabehi
m howel
se
wi
lly
ouexpl ai
nwhatthosewomensaid
Theysai
dthatt
heFer
nandoboywasbr
utal
l
y
at
tackedandki
l
ledwhi
let
hehousewasl
ocked
Ther
ewasnosi
gnsofanybr
eaki
ns
Am t
ell
i
ngyouit
shim"Ter
rasai
d,f
earand
wor
ryfi
ll
edhermind
Theywerej
ustcomingbackfrom t
hemall
wheret
heylear
nedaboutchr
is'sst
rangedeat
h

"Mom whathav
eIdone,Idi
dn'
tmeanf
or
thi
ngst
ogetoutofcont
rol
Howdoi fi
ndhim,howwil
lireverset
hiscur
se
t
hatibroughtuponmyson"Graig'
smothersai
d,
t
earsfi
l
ledhereyes
Reali
tyhadjusthi
ther
,shefi
nal
lyreal
i
zedthat
shecreatedamonsterandnowinnocent
peopleweregoingtodi
ebecauseofher
stupi
dit
y

Ter
ra:
am af
rai
dthi
sisonl
ythebegi
nni
ng
Thatmonst
eri
nsi
deGr
aigwon'
tst
opki
l
li
ng
unt
ilt
hiswhol
etowni
sdead
I
tisnev
ersat
isf
ied
Af
teri
tisdonewi
tht
hemi
ssi
oni
twon'
tst
op
I
twi
l
lwantmor
ebl
ood

Thandeka:
hhay
ini
mama,
ther
emustbeaway
,
ther
ehastobeaway

Theyweresti
l
ltal
kingwhenThandeka'
sphone
rang,
itwasherhusbandcal
l
ing
Shepi
ckedupont
het
hir
dri
ng

John:
heydear

Thandeka:
hihoneyhowar
eyou

John:
am good,
ijustgotadi
stur
bingcal
lfr
om
Ty
son
Hesai
dthi
ngst
hatdi
dn'
tmakeanysense

Thandeka:
owh.Thingsli
kewhat(sheputt
he
phoneonal oudspeaker
)

John:hecall
edmethismorni
nghewas
fr
ight
ened,hesai
dhisbr
otherwant
edt
oki
l
lhi
m
Hesai
dhisbrot
herwasst
rangl
i
nghim but
st
oppedassoonashesawthetwi
nscoming

"Whoah,didhesaybr ot
her
,whichbr ot
her
becausethelastti
meIr emembert heonly
brot
hertysonhaddi ed,sowhichbrotherishe
tal
ki
ngabout "Thandekasaid,shereall
yknew
howt opl
aydumb, t
hewayshef akedbeing
dumbst r
ickenbywhathi shusbandwas
sayi
ng​ justtookanoscar
John:t
hatswhatconf
usi
ngme,
hedi
dn'
tmake
senseatal
l
Hesai
dhewassav
edbymagi
cal
twi
ns

Thandeka:
whatt
wins,
Johny
oursoni
soutof
contr
ol

John:mythought
sexact
ly,
Ithi
nkhehas
star
tedsmokingdr
ugs
Ineedt
owat
chhi
m cl
osel
y

Thandeka:don'
twor
rydeariwi
llgocheckon
him,i
fhe'sreal
l
youtofcont
rol
theniwill
lety
ou
know

John:
ohkdear
Theyt
alkedabi
tbef
orehangi
ngup

"
HowcanGr ai
gbeaf
terTy
son"Thandekasai
d
l
ooki
ngatTerr
a

Thandeka:
hewoul
dn'
tgoaf
terhi
sbr
other
wouldhe

Ter
ra:
hewi l
l
,thatt
hingisnol
ongergrai
g,i
tis
j
ustabeastusingGrai
g'
sbodyasav essel
Sobel
iev
emewheni sayt hati
twi
l
ldef
ini
tel
y
ki
l
lTysontoquenchi
tthi
rst

Thandeka:
no,
wehav
etodosomet
hingmot
her
Wehav
etof
indhi
m nowbef
orei
tst
ool
ate
Ter
ra:
Ihav
eapl
anonhowt
ofi
ndhi
m
Let
'shopei
twi
l
lwor
k

Thandeka:
whati
sthepl
an

Ter
ra:l
etsgo,weneedt
ogett
hatgi
rl
'
sot
her
hal
fofherheart

Thandeka:
wher
eisi
t

Ter
ra:
justf
oll
owme

Theyrushedoutthehouseandheadedstrai
ght
towheretheotherhal
fofELLA'
sheart,
that
keptGrai
gali
ve,washidden
*
*
*
*
*
*

#TYSON

i
hadlockedmysel
finsi
demyroom.Iwasst
il
l
t
err
if
iedmyheartr
aceduncont
rol
l
abl
y
Myneckst
il
lfel
tal
i
ttl
ebi
tsor
e
Isti
llcoul
dseetheimageofmybl
oodybr
other
tr
yingtosqueezethel
if
eoutofme
Hekeptsayi
nghewashungr
yandneededt
o
f
eed,iwasfacet
ofacewi
thhimthat
swheni
r
eal
isedthati
twasnotmybr
other
ThatMonst
erwasnotmybr
other
Somet
hingsoev
ilwaspar
adi
ngar
oundt
own
pr
etendi
ngt
obemybr
other
Imeanthethi
ngwasreadyt
or i
pmyneckopen
wit
houtshowi
ngali
tt
leremorse
I
fihadn'
tcal
lthet
winsi
woul
dn'
tbeal
i
ver
ight
now

Itsurpri
singhowi tscr
eamedi npai
ntheminut
e
botht hetwinstouchedit
,itcri
edandkept
sayingthet wi
nswer eburningit
Theonlypr
obl
em i
sidi
dn'
tseeanyfi
resoI
don'
tknowhowitwasbur
ningwi
thoutanyf
ir
e
I
tcri
edsoloudunt
ilt
het
winsl
eti
tgot
heni
t
j
ustdi
sappear
ed
Thetwinssai
dthel
i
ghti
nthem i
swhatwas
bur
ninghim

Theyhadstay
edabitj
ustt
omakesurethati
wasohk,butt
heyl
eft15minut
esago,
theysai
d
t
hei
rmom woul
dbewor
ri
ed
Iguessaft
ertheyl
eftiwasstil
lsoshakeni
coul
dnttel
lmymot herbecauseIcouldfeel
that
shewashidingsomethingfr
om met hat
swhyi
endedupcalli
ngmyf at
her
Ihadhopedthathewasgonnaunder
standbut
hethoughtIwascrazy
Icouldhearinhi
svoi
cet
hathewaswor
ri
edand
disappoi
ntedinme
Icoul
dfeel
howhethoughtiwasnut
ssoI
endedupdroppi
ngt
hecall
Ir
egr
ett
edcal
l
inghi
mint
hef
ir
stpl
ace

Nowhereiam si
tt
inginthiscorner
,Ifeel
t
rapped,
ikeepheari
ngthingsthatarenotther
e
Apartofmeisst
il
lscar
edt
hatImi
ghtnotbe
sol
uckynextt
ime
Becausesomehowi
knewt
hatt
hisbeastwi
l
l
comebackandf
ini
shmeof
Icl
ingedt
ightunt
othekni
fet
hatwasonmy
hand
Itwasakitchenkni
fe,i
twasprettysharp
alt
houghIdoubtitwil
lpenet
ratethatbeastski
n
butihangedont oi
tbecauseitgavemesome
sortofr
eassurance
Withi
tinmyhandIfeltabi
tsaf
eatl
eastifi
t
comesbackimighthaveafi
ghti
ngchancewit
h
thi
skni
fe
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA

Ihadl
aidi
nChr
is'
sbedunt
ili
fel
lasl
eep
Iwokeuponl
ytof
indt
hati
twasal
most
af
ter
noon
Isatup,
checkedaroundt
her
oom andi
twas
sti
ll
emptyandcold
Ihadhopedt
hatt
hiswasal
ladr
eam
Ihady ear
nedtowakeupandf indmybrother
al
iveandwel l
.buttheempt
inessint
hisroom
provedthathewasr eal
l
ygoneandiwasnev er
gonnaseehi m agai
n
Ir
ememberedhi
ssmi
l
e,howbubbl
yandl
oud
heusedt
obe
Hewasafreespir
it
edsoul,t
her
eneverwasa
dul
lmomentwithhim ar
oundandnowitshad
tobel
i
evet
hatheisreall
ygoneandiwil
lnever
seet
hatsmi
l
eagai
n

Ist
eppedoutoft
her
oom andmademywayt
o
myroom
Ineededt
obathandr
emov
ethebl
oodycl
othes
iwasweari
ng
Thehousewassoquietwhi
chmeantt
hatmy
dadwassti
ll
atthehospi
tal
Ihadpl
annedt
ogoj
oinhi
m af
terbat
hing

Iwal
kedinmyr
oom onl
ytoal
mosthav
eami
ni
hear
tat
tack
Istoodst
il
lwi
thmyhear
tpoundi
ngoutofmy
chest
Ay
oungboywasst
andi
ngnearmybed
Theroom wassocol
danddar
k,onewoul
d
thi
nkthati
twasatni
ght
Theboyst
aredatmef
ort
hel
ongestt
imeev
er
Bl
oodwasdr
ippi
ngf
rom hi
sfor
ehead

"Pleasepleasedon'thur
tme, j
ustt
akeanythi
ng
youwantandl eave"Isai
d,alumphadformed
i
nmyt hr
oat,mybladderwassocompr essedI
fel
ttheneedt opeebutitri
edtoholdmyselfby
all
means

Me:
please,
takeany
thi
ngy
ouwant

Hebustedoutlaughing"i wantyou"hepoint
ed
atme,hishandswer efull
ofblood,hisvoi
ce
wasscratchyandloud,itwasdefini
tel
ynota
youngboy'svoi
ce

Me:don'
thur
tme,
pleasedon'
thur
tmei
begof
you
Hi
m:am hungr
y,Icansmel
lyourbl
ood

Heshotst
rai
ghtatmeandjumpedontopofme
ifel
lonmybackhit
tingt
hef
loorsohar
ditf
elt
l
ikemyskull
justcr
acked
Hechokedme,
hisnai
l
scl
i
ngeddeepi
nmy
f
lesh
Iki
ckedandcr
ied

"Please,
pleasedon'
tki
l
lmeIwil
ldoanyt
hing
youwant"Ibeggedbuthenev
ersmil
ed
I
tsl
i
keheenj
oyedseei
ngmehur
ti
ng
Hislaughterr
upturedmyears,Iwant
edt
odi
eat
thatinst
ance,Ididn'
twannafeelt
hepai
n
anymor e
Myeyesmetwit
hhis,hewasjustf
ull
of
dar
knessandi
ffel
tli
kehehadnosoul
"Pl
easejustki
llmeinst
eadofmakingme
suf
fer
"isincer
elymeantever
ywordisai
d

Heplacedhi
shadonmychest
,andIfel
tso
muchpain,i
tsl
i
kemyhear
twasbeingtorni
n
hal
f,i
twasbeati
ngsof
ast
Suddenl
ytheboyl
oosenedhi
sgr
iponmyneck
I
tsl
i
kehewaslist
eni
ngt
othecr
azyr
hyt
hm of
mypai
nful
hear
t

"I
tsyou,am sor
ry"hesai
d,hi
svoi
cewasnow
di
ff
erent
I
twasmuchgent
let
hist
imear
ound
Hegotofme,t
hepai
ninmyheartgotsosev
ere
l
ikei
wasbeingst
abbedwi
thaknif
e
Theboyhel
dhi
schestal
so,
het
oowascr
ying
i
npain
I
twasst
rangebecausei
tfel
tli
kehewasf
eel
i
ng
mypai
n

Thepai
ngotsoi
ntensei
coul
dntt
akei
t
anymor
e
Iwassl
owl
yloosi
ngconsci
ous
Wit
hablur
ryv
isi
onicoul
dseetheyoungboy
col
l
apsi
ngonthegr
ound,he'
scri
esfi
ll
edmy
ear
s

"Help,somebodyhel
pppp"ical
l
edoutbef
ore
ever
y t
hingwentcompl
etel
ydark

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
T
[
12/
27,17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
ENTRYTWENTY_
EIGHT

#ELLA

Iwokeupi
nanunf
ami
l
iarsur
roundi
ngs
Thebeepi
ngmachi
nesbesi
demegav
emea
fr
ight
Ihadadri
ponmyarm,i
mov
edmyheadbutmy
neckwassopai
nful
Soi
layst
il
l,
rightt
henmydadwal
kedi
n

"Heybabyyouar eawake"hesai
d,hegotnear
thebedandjusthuggedmesot i
ght
Hesni
ff
edsi
l
ent
ly

"Ouchnotsot
ightdad"Isai
dashesqueezed
me
I
tfel
tli
kehewasaboutt
ocr
ushmybones

"Sor
rydear
,am j
ustsohappyyouareawake,
youscar
edme"hesaidbreaki
ngthehug

Iwassodumbst ri
cken,
ihadnomemor yof
whathappened,
allIr
ememberwassleepi
ngon
chr
is'
sbedsohowdi diendupinahospit
albed

Me:
whathappeneddadhowdi
dIgether
e

Him:Grai
gbroughty
ouhere,hesaidhefound
youunconsci
ousonthef
loorinyourroom
Itlooksli
keyouwer
eat
tacked.butGr
aigsai
d
hedi dn'
tseeany
one​,
hesai dyouwerej
ust
alone
Me:idon'
trememberanyt
hing,
igothomeand
sl
eptandiwokeuphere

Hi
m:i
tsohk,
am j
usthappyy
ouar
eohk
Iguessy
ouhav
esomet
hingt
otel
lme

Me:
somet
hingl
i
kewhat

Hi
m:theri
ngonyourlef
tfi
nger
,am pr
ett
ysur
e
i
t'
sanengagementr
ing

Ismi
l
edabi
t
"Somuchhadhappenedwi thusandourfight
,
thenchri
sandmom bei
ngi nthehospi
tal
Ididn'
t
getthechancet
oexpl
ain"Isaid

Hi
m:expl
ainwhat
Me:
cal
vi
n,
,,
,orGrai
gasyoucallhi
m askedme
t
omarr
yhim ov
ertheweekendandisaidyes

Hi
m:woowr
eal
l
y,t
hisi
sgr
eatnews

Hi
sf acewasf
ull
ofpai
nthoughi
nsteadofr
eli
ef,
af
teralli
wasdoi
ngwhathewanted

Me:what
'swr
ong,youdon'
tl
ookhappy,
I
t
houghtmemarr
yingGrai
giswhatyouwant
ed

Him:i
tis,
am sopr
oudofy
ou,
andam t
hri
l
led
youar
ewi t
hhim

Me:
owh,
howi
smom
Hekeptqui
etf
orawhi
l
e

Me:
dad,
ismom al
ri
ght

Him:she'
sfi
nej
ustgetbet
terandgetoutof
here
Am sur
eshewoul
dlov
eseei
ngy
ougetbet
ter

Me:
dadar
eyousur
e

Hewasabouttospeakwhenthedooropened,
Grai
gwalkedi
n,hel
ookedgoodbutabitthi
n
andpal
e

"OwhhimrFernando,
Ididn'
tknowyouwere
her
e,i
canj
ustgoandcomebackl at
er"Gr
aig
sai
datt
empti
ngtoleave
"Owhnoyoucanstay
,iwasal
readyl
eav
ing
any
way,
,
,,
,"
dadsai
d
Hest
oodupandki
ssedmyf
orehead

"Iwil
lseey
out omorr
ow, getbett
erf
orme"he
whisper
edthenexi
tedthewar d

"Hey
,howar
eyoudoi
ng"Gr
aigmadehi
swayt
o
me

Me:
wel
lam f
ine,
Imi
ssedy
ou

Grai
g:Imissedy out
oo,youscaredme,seeing
youonthatfloorsol
if
elessscar
edtheshitout
ofme
Me:
thanky
ouforhelpi
ngme,
Idon'
treal
l
y
r
ememberwhathappened

Him:it
sohk, whatmat
tersi
sthefactthatyou
arefi
ne,
,,,
am sorr
yaboutwhathappened,I
real
l
ywi shIcantaket
hepainawayfrom you
I
tmustbehar
dloosi
ngt
wopeopl
eatonce

Me:mymom wil
lbefi
nethedoct
orsai
ditwas
j
ustami
norhear
tatt
ack

"Uhmmm, owh,
ohk..
..
."Hereal
lyl
ookedli
ke
ther
ewassomethi
nghewant edtosaybut
coul
dn'
tbr
inghi
mselftosayit

Me:what'
supwithever
yonet
oday
,whyy
'al
l
keepact
ingst
range
Hi
m:st
rangeme,
Idon'
tthi
nkso
Am f
ine,
am j
ustgl
ady
ouar
ewel
l

Hetri
edsmi
l
ingbuthi
sfacewasj
ustf
ull
of
sor
row
Ideci
dedtol
ethi
m beandst
oppedaski
ngso
manyquesti
ons.
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NARRATED

MrFer
nandowasl
eani
ngagai
nstt
hedoorof
t
hewar
dhi
sdaught
erwasi
n
Hishear
twassoheavy,hewasinpai
n,Imean
howcouldhenotaf
terwatchi
nghi
swifedi
e
thi
smorning
Hewastheonewhof
oundhi
swi
fer
ippedopen
i
nherward
Hequickl
ycalledthedoctor
s,theyrushedi
n
anddi
dev er
ythingtheycoul
dwhi l
emr
Fer
nandowat chedthroughthewindow
Thedoctor
stri
edever
ythi
ngt
osav
ehi
swi
fe'
s
l
if
ebuttheyfai
led
Theycoul
dn'
tsav
eher
NowHewaslef
twi
tht
het
askofbr
eaki
ngt
he
newst
oEl
la

Godknowshewassoscar ed,
hehadnoi dea
wher
etostar
t,heknewverywellt
hatEl
l
awoul d
becr
ushedtolear
nthathermotheri
snomor e
Butheknewt
hathehadt
otel
lhersoonerr
ather
thanl
ater
Ifonlyhehadn'
tl
eftt
hatr
oom hi
swi
fewoul
d
sti
llbeali
ve
Whydidheleav e.Itbr
okehi
mtoknowt hathe
wasoutsi
dehav i
ngsomecasualconv
ersati
on
wi
thsomest rangerwhi l
ehi
swif
ewasbei ng
t
orntoshreds.

Whatbot
her
edhi
m mostwast
oseeGRAI
Gat
t
hehospi
tal
Hewasall
grownandwellandcer
tai
nlydi
dn'
t
l
ookl
ikearut
hlesski
l
ler
Hewassoshakent
olear
nofchr
isandELLA'
s
mom'
sdeath
Heact
edl
i
keheknewnot
hingaboutt
hei
rdeat
h
Washej ustpl
ayi
ngdumb,didhethi
nkthatt
his
wasjustsomesickgames.
..MrFernando
wonderedtohimsel
f
Theworstpar
twasf
indi
ngoutaboutt
he
engagement
Sohisdaught
erwasabouttomarr
yakil
lerand
hecoul
dn'tev
endoanythi
ngtosaveher
Thi
smanwassodetermi
nedtokeepthetrut
h
tohi
mself
,notev
ent
hedeathofhi
swifeand
sonwasgonnamakehi
m conf
esstobeinga
murder
er
Thiswasthet
hesecr
ethewaswi
l
li
ngt
otaket
o
theGrav
e

Fi
nal
lyhegat
heredthest
rengthheneededand
wal
kedawayfrom t
hedoor,heheadedhome
Heneededt omakearrangement
sforthe
funer
al,
thesoonert
hispassthequi
ckerhewas
gonnaforget
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Ter
raandherdaught
erweref
inal
lyatease,
they
wer
egladthatt
hestuntt
heypull
edworked
I
twasonlyELLA'
sheartt
hatwasabl
etomake
Grai
ggai
nhisbodyback
I
twasthatsamehear
tbeatt
hatGrai
ghear
dthat
hewasabletobr
eakt
hroughthecharm
Thatfamil
iarsoundmadehi
m def
eatt
hat
darkness
Hi
slov
eforEl
l
abr
oughthi
m backt
oli
fe
I
tgav
ehi
m st
rengt
htof
ight

Thandeka:
howdi
dyouknowt
hatwasgoi
ngt
o
wor
kmama

Terr
a:Ididn'
tknowbuti
knewhowGr
aigf
elt
aboutthatgi
rl
Hi
slov
eforheri
ssoext
reme
Iknewt
hatifi
pull
edthathear
toutoftheope
andhur
tithewasgonnafeelt
hepain
Iknewthathewoul
dsenset
hatEl
l
awasi
n
danger

Thandeka:
am j
ustgl
adt
hatt
hiswor
ked
Andevenmor
erel
i
evedthathedi
dn'
tremember
any
thi
ngwhenhewokeupfrom t
hatcemet
ery

Terr
a:hemaynotr
ememberanythingfornow
butam suret
hememor
ieswi
llsurelyr
esurf
ace
event
uall
y
Whathedi
dwi
l
lcomebackt
ohi
smi
ndoneday
Thandeka:
am j
ustgl
adwe
wer
eabl
etogethi
m back

Ter
ra:
Ithi
nki
tsbestt
hatwel
etGr
aigdi
e
Weshoul
dlethi
sspi
ri
tresti
npeace

Thandeka:
nomama,
Ican'
tl
ethi
m go,
atl
east
notnow
Whenam r
eadyam gonnar
eleasehi
ssoul
RightnowIwannaspendasmucht
imewi
thmy
son
Ial
mostlosthi
m andIwon'
tal
l
owt
hatt
o
happenagai
n.

Terr
a:heisnohumanThandeka,
heneedst
ogo
backtothel
andofthedeat
h
Hei
snohuman

Thandeka:
iknowheisnotmama,butyousaid
thatEl
l
agirlmakeshi
m humansoiwil
lal
low
himtobewi t
hher
Iknowi don'
tl
ikethegi
rlbutam wi
l
li
ngt
o
tol
erat
eherforthesakeofmyson

Ter
ra:
whataboutmi
ssyandhermi
ssi
on

Thandeka:
wewi
l
ldeal
wit
hherwhent
het
ime
comes

Ter
ra:youdoknowthatt
hist
hingwi
l
lsoon
spi
ral
outofcontr
olr
ight

Thandeka:
iknowmama,
am wi
l
li
ngt
otaket
he
ri
sk
Ter
ra:
hhay
i.
..
.ndi
thul
e

Thandekashi
ft
edabi
tfr
om herchai
r
Deepinsi
desheknewt hatwhatshewasdoing
wasgonnadestr
oyev eryt
hingshehas,
itwas
gonnadestr
oyherfamilyandhermarri
age

#MFS_
MTAG

UNEDI
TED

LI
KE,
COMMENTANDSHARE

Thisi
stomakeupf
ort
hemessedupi
nser
tI
sentear
li
eron
[
12/
27,
17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTWENTY_
NINE

#NARRATED

Graigleftthehospi
tali
ntheevening,hel
ooked
sohurtandt r
oubl
edmost l
ybecausehewas
withellatheenti
reti
meandcoul dnteventel
l
herthathermom wasnomor e
Hewashur tbecausehewasn'
tther
ewhenEl
l
a
neededherthemost
HefelthowharditisforEl
lat
ohavelosther
brot
her,anditwi
l
l probabl
yki
l
lhert
oknowt hat
hermom i sal
sodead

Whatt
roubl
edhi
m ev
enmorewashowtwo
day
sofhisl
if
ewascompl
etel
ydar
kfr
om hi
m
Hecouldn'
trememberany
thi
ngt
hathad
happened
Al
lher ememberedwast
akingell
ahomeaft
er
workthenwakingupi
nhisgrav
elatert
he
pr
eviousnight
Afterwaki
ngupal
lhesensedwasELLA'
s
tr
oubledhear
t
Sohejustrushedtoherhouseonl
ytof
indher
l
if
elessbodyont hatcol
dfl
oor
That
swhenher
ushedhert
othehospi
tal
Andwhenhegottothehospi
tal
hebumped
untomrFer
nandowhotoldhi
m aboutt
he
passi
ngofbot
hchri
sandELLA'smom
Yethef
earedmost
lyt
hel
ookt
hatmrFer
nando
hadonhisface
Hecar
ri
edt
omuchhat
redt
owar
dshi
m

Af
terl
eav
ingt
hehospi
tal
Grai
gwentst
rai
ghtt
o
hi
sgranny
'shouse,
hisplanwastot
ell
his
gr
annyabouthi
sproposaltoel
l
a
Heneededhisgr
annyt
ost
artwi
tht
heweddi
ng
pr
eparat
ions
Hegotther
eonlyt
obet akenbysur
pri
seatt
he
pr
esenceofhi
smot her

"
Evening"hesai
d,apartofhi
m wantedtojust
l
eavebecausehedidn'
twannadealwit
hhis
mother'
srot
tenat
ti
tudetowar
dsthegirlhe
l
oved

"Heyy ou,
,,
,
,youlooksodrainedandt
ir
edi
s
ever
ythingalr
ight
"ter
raasked

Grai
g:am fi
ne,i
justcamebackfrom t
he
hospi
tal,
Ell
ahasbeenhospi
tal
izedandher
motherandbrotherar
ebot
hdead, br
utal
l
y
murdered
Ter
ra:
owhgodt
hati
ssosad,
poorgi
rli
feel
sor
ryf
orher
Icanal
readyi
magi
newhatshe'
sgoi
ngt
hrough

Grai
g:sadpar
tisshehasnoi
deahermot
heri
s
dead
Ij
ustwishIcanmaket
hepainshefeel
s
di
sappear,
itbr
eaksmetoseeheri
nsomuch
pai
n

"Wel l
weal lexperi
encepainatsomepoint.She
wil
lgetov eritsoonenough"Thandekasaid,
hopingthattheycouldchangethetopicandtal
k
aboutsomet hingelsebecauseshefel
tsomuch
gui
ltoverthei ssue

"Shei
sjustl
uckyt
ohav
esomeoneascar
ingas
y
ou"Thandekacont
inued

Gr
aigl
ookedathi
smot
herf
ort
hel
ongestwhi
l
e
Hecoul
dn'thel
pbutwonderi
fhi
smom had
somet
hingtodowithhi
ssuddenbl
ackout

Thandeka:
stopwit
hthest
ari
ngalready
,ify
ou
havesomethi
ngtosaytomejustgoaheadand
sayit

Grai
g:Ihavenothi
ngt osayt oyoumother
acceptf
orthefactthatiloveEll
aandam gonna
marryherwit
horwi thoutyourconsent

Thandeka:
wellthenseemsli
keyouhav e
al
readypai
ntedmeasabadguyher e,butyou
shoul
dknowt hatIhavenot
hingagainstt
hatgir
l
I
fshemakesy
ouhappyt
henwhoam i
tost
and
i
nthewayofyourhappi
ness,
youcangoahead
andmar
ryher

Grai
g:i
sthi
saj
oke,
arey
out
ryi
ngt
obef
unny
ri
ghtnow

Thandeka:doilookl
ikeam j
oki
ng,ihavecome
toadmitthaty
ouhav echosenherovermeso
goaheadmar ryher

Grai
g:Idi
dn'tchooseanyt
hingam j
ustf
oll
owi
ng
t
heheartthatihave,Andi
twantEll
asowhoam
it
odenyit,i
tsdesires

Thandeka:yeahri
ght,
Ithi
nkinowunderstand
thephrase"lovei
sbli
nd"becausei
thasreall
y
bli
ndedy ouri
ghtnow
Terr
a:ohkenoughwi
thy
outoo,
cany oust
opi
t
al
readybef
oreyougi
vemeaheadache

Grai
g:sor
ryOuma,Iact
uall
ycameher
e
becauseihav
eal
readyproposedt
oel
l
a,I
wannamakehermywi f
e
Iam goi
ngt
omar
ryher

Ter
ra:soyouwantaweddi
ng,
doy
out
hinkt
hat
wil
lwork

Gr
aig​:
ithast
owor
k

Ter
ra:
finei
wil
lseewhati
cando

Gr
aig:
andanot
hert
hing,
iwantmybrot
herat
myweddi
ngsoam gonnatel
lhi
m ev
ery
thi
ng
Thandeka:
.Nowthat
smadness,
icanseey
ou
arewayaboveyourhead

Gr
aig:nomother,Tyismyblood,
hei
smy
br
otherhei
saffectedbyt
hisasweal
lar
e
Hedeser
vest
oknowt
het
rut
h

Thandeka:
NoooGraig,
iwi
l
lnotal
l
owy
out
o
rui
nyourbrot
her
'sf
utur
e
Ihav
eagreedt
othi
smadnessofar
elat
ionshi
p
butiwi
l
lnotal
l
owyout
or ui
nmyson
Hei
stooy
oungt
ohandl
ethi
s
Ify
our eal
lywannabewiththatgir
l t
henI
suggestyouleaveTy
sonoutoft hisorel
sei
wil
l
havenochoicebuttorel
easey oursoul

Gr
aig:
soy
ouar
ethr
eat
eni
ngme
Thandeka:
itsnotat
hreati
tsy
ourchoi
ce

Terr
a:Thandekayouneedtost
opdoingt
his,
youdoknowt hatatsomepoi
ntpeopl
ewil
l
knowthetrut
h

Thandeka:mom pl
easestayoutofthi
s,Grai
g
needstounder
standthathecan'
thavehiscake
andeatit
Thetr
uthwi
l
lev
ent
ual
l
ycomeoutonmyt
erms
nothi
s

Gr aiglookedathismothershar
ply
,hewas
furiousbutt r
iedhi
satmostbesttocontai
nhi
s
frustrati
on,sohejustl
eftwit
houtsayi
ng
goodby e
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NOBUHLE

THREEDAYSLATER

Alt
hought
hedri
veseemedl ongbutwefi
nal
ly
gothome,
itwaspacked,peopl
epacedupand
downtheyar
ddoinglor
dknowswhat
Mydadparkedthecarout
sidethegat
e,a
coupl
eofcarswereal
soparkedther
e

Hesatbackandt
ookadeepbr
eat
hbef
ore
l
ooki
ngatme

"Dadissomethi
ngwrong"Iaskedbecausehi
s
facewasful
lofpai
nandconcern

"Babywhatam abouttotel
lyounowmayseem
unbel
iev
abl
ebutitsthetr
uth
Andr
egar
dlessofevery
thi
ngjustknowt
haty
ou
ar
enotal
one,am her
eforyou
Daddylov
ey ousomuchandhat
estoseey
oui
n
pai
n"fewtearsdr
oppedonhi
schest
Hewi
pedthem awayandbi
thi
slowerl
i
ptr
ying
t
osuppr
essthepain
hi
scheeksandnosewer
enowr
ed
Myheartsunk,
Ifel
tscar
edev
ent houghhe
hadn'
ttol
dmewhatwasactuall
yeatinghi
m up
Deepdownihadthi
sfeeli
ngthathewasabout
tosaysomet
hingsobad,myst omachwasi
n
knotsandmykneeswerejustcol
d

"Youarescari
ngmedaddy,whatisi
t,whats
wrong"Icoul
dfeel
tear
sthr
eateni
ngmyey es

Him: asyouknowwear ebusyprepar

ingf
ora
funeral(inodded)well
,i
tsnotgonnabeyour
brother
'sfuneralonl
y

Me:whatdoy
oumean,
whoel
sei
sdeaddad,
who

Hel
ookedatmesor
rowf
ull
y
"Wher ei
smom dad,i
ssheoutoft
hehospi
tal
al
r eady"tear
swer
ealr
eadystr
eami
ngdownmy
cheeks, whil
emydadbur
iedhi
sheadonthe
steeringwheel

"Wher
eisshedad"myv
oicewasbr
eaki
ng

"Am sosor
rybaby
,ther
ewasani
nci
dentatt
he
hospi
tal
Whoev
erki
l
ledy
ourbr
othergoti
nyourmot
her
's
war
d
Thedoct
orstr
iedever
ythi
ngbuttheycoul
dn'
t
sav
eher"hi
svoicewasf i
l
ledwi
thsadness

"No.
..
.nodadwhatar
eyousay
ing"

Hi
m:am sor
ryy
ourmot
herpassedawayf
our
day
sago
SHei
snomor
e

"
YOUARELYI NG!STOPLYI NGPLEASEDAD!"I
f
eltanger
,sadness,t
hissuddendi
scomf
orti
wasjusti
ndisbeli
ef
Iwassofur
ious,i
tcoul
dn'
tbe,i
sawmymother
andshewasfine,
thedoct
orsai
dshewas
gonnabefi
ne
Mydadmustbeapl
ayi
ngasi
l
lyj
oke,
mom cant
bedead
Shej
ustcant

Ihur
ri
edl
yopenedt
hedoorandr
ushedoutt
he
car

"BELLA!
!!WAI
T,WHEREAREYOUGOI
NG"he
cal
ledaf
terme
Ineverresponded,
i j
ustenter
edthey ar
dand
ranstr
aighttothehouse,icouldhearmy
fat
her'
sf oot
stepsrunni
ngbehindme

"Mom,mommm wher eareyou"Ical

l
edoutas
soonasIopenedt
hekit
chendoor
FewLadiesthatwerether
est
aredatmel
i
kei
wascrazysomel ookedatmewit
hpit
y
Ij
ustr
anpassedthem andheadedst
rai
ghtt
o
myparent
s'bedr
oom
Thedoorwassl
i
ght
lycl
osed

"Momm...
."Istor
medint
heroom onl
ytobe
metbyf
ewel derswhi
chwer
eseatedonthe
matr
ess
Theywer
eal
lj
ustol
dwomen
Ihadnev
erseent
hem bef
ore,
thr
eewer
ebl
ack
andonewasamixedr
ace
"Nooooo!I
tcan'
tbe,
shewasf
ine,
shecan'
t
l
eavemealone
Theycan'tj
ustleav
emealone"Isl
owl
yst
epped
back,
ijustbrokedownandcri
ed

Myf
atherhel
dmef
rom behi
nd

"Am sor
rysweet
y,am sosor
ry"hewhi
sper
edi
n
myear

"Why..
..
.why
...
..
GODWHYME. ..
whynow,
coul
dntyoujustwai
tedabi
tbefor
etaki
ngher
Whyarey oupunishi
ngmeli
kethi
s"myvoi
ce
wasjustcrackyandsomewordsj
ustdi
dn'
t
wannacomeout

"OwhThi
xo,
yint
omb'
yakhel
he"oneoft
he
el
der
lywomansai
d

"Yeahsheis,
althoughshewasjustatoddl
er
thel
astti
mei sawher"thecol
ouredwoman
answer
ed.

"Akasemhl
e"anot
herwomansai
d

"Thi
sissosad,
shei
sst
il
lyoung
Deadbenotpr
oud"t
hef
ir
stwomansai
d

Ijustr
ushedoutt
heroom andheadedst
rai
ght
tomyr oom andj
ustl
ockedmyselfi
n
Myfat
herknockedforawhi
l
ebutidi
dn'
topen
t
hedoor,i
nsteadIgoti
nmybedandj
ustcri
ed
mysel
ftosleep
Iwokeuplaterwithaheadach,t
hememori
esof
whatihear
dcamebackpour i
ngandist
art
ed
cr
yingagai
n,ther
ewasr eal
l
ynouseformeto
beali
ve
Ihadnoonetol
i
vef
or,
iwasal
lal
onei
nthi
s
l
onelywor
ld.

"Sincey
ou'
vet
akenthet
womosti
mport
ant
peoplei
nmyli
fepl
easeibegy
out
akemetoo
Kil
lmet oo,Ihavenothi
ngtoli
vefor,iwantt
o
di
e,pleaseGODl etmesleepandnev erwake
up"isaid,If
eltnot
hingbutsadness
Howwasi tpossi
blef
oraper
sont
oexper
ience
suchpai
n
Idoubt
edi
fthi
spai
nwasev
ergonnagoaway
memor
iesofallt
hepreci
ousti
mesi spentwi
th
bot
hmymot herandbrot
herf
loodedmymi nd
Itwasonlyi
nthosememori
esthatigotto
cheri
shedever
ymomentispentwit
ht hem
Iwasbl
essedt
ohav
ehadt
hem asapar
tofmy
l
if
e
Mybrotherwastheemostfunni
estandopen
mindedpersoni
hadev ermetandmymot her
wastheemoststrongestwomanever,
hewas
ful
lofhopeandjustknewwhattodoto
bri
ghtenmyday
[
12/
27,17:
01]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY

#ELLA

Fewmont hshadpassedsincewe'
veputmy
motherandbrot
hertorest
.
IwasalwaysathomeIhadst
oppedwor
king
becauseIwasn'
tcopi
ng,
mymindwasjustful
lofsui
cidal
thought
s,Isaw
nowaytogett
hroughthi
spain.
Iwasal
way
sinmyr
oom
Grai
ghadcamet oseemeonf
ewoccasi
ons
butIr
efusedt
olethi
min
Ihadt
oldhi
mtost
ayawayf
rom me
Ij
ustwant
edtobeal
one,Iwant
edt
oshutmy
sel
fawayfr
om t
heworl
d
Mydadhadt r
iedt
alkingt
omeonf
ew
occasi
onsbuthefai
led
Ij
ustdi
dn'
twannahearany
thi
nghehadt
osay
Al
liwantedwasforGodt ohearmycriesand
j
ustacceptmysoulbecauseam readytodi
e
Ihadst
arvedmysel
fforacoupl
eofweeks
hopi
ngthatmaybeimightdi
eofst
arv
ati
onbut
myplandidn'
twor
kbecauseherei
am sti
l
lal
i
ve
Ihadt
ri
edt ogetahol
dofsomepi
l
ls.It
hought
maybeifIswal
lowedacoupl
eoft
hem Imight
at
leastdi
ebutt
hehousewasspotl
essther
e
wasnothi
ngint
hemedicat
ioncabi
net
Theyhadremov
edevery
thi
ngt
hatt
heyt
hought
Imightuset
ohurtmy
self
Soi
hav
efi
nal
l
ygi
venupont
ryi
ngt
oki
l
lmy
sel
f
Ij
ustsi
ther
eandpr
ayeachni
ght
,iaskGodf
or
onl
yonethi
ng
Iaskhi
mt oj
usttakemysoulbuti
tseemsl
i
ke
myprayer
sarefall
i
ngondeafears
I
tsl
iket
heLor
dhast
urnedabl
i
ndey
eonmy
r
equest
Hehast
urnedadeafearonmycr
ies

Igotupthebedandwentt othekit
chentot
ake
foodbefor
ethatol
dladycomesher ewit
hthe
foodandmakemeeati tforcef
ull
yEvenwhen
am ful
l
"Wowyoust
il
lweari
ngthatni
ght
dressatt
his
ti
me"t
heol
dladysai
d.
Aftert
hef uneral
twooldwomenst ayedbehi
nd,
theotheronewasmygr andmot herf
rom my
mat er
nalsidewhilet
hecol our
edonewasmy
fat
her'scousinorsomething
Theywerejustsot al
kat
iveandwerealwayson
mycase,iwasj ustfedupwi t
hthei
rnonsensei
sowishedtheycoul dj
ustleave

Il
ookedattheti
meonthecl
ockthatwasonthe
wall
itwasaft
er3pm y
ett
omei tfel
tli
kei
twas
st
il
lint
hemor ni
ng
Toav oi
dunnecessar
yconversat
ionanddr
y
smalltal
ksij
usttookthepl
ateoffoodint
he
tabl
eandwalkedaway
Igoti
nmyr
oom andj
ustcl
osedt
hedoor
Ipl
acedt
hepl
ateoff
oodont
het
abl
e
Andwentt
ost
andi
nfr
ontoft
hemi
rr
or
Ir
eal
l
ylookedl
i
keshi
t
Myhairwasal
l messedupandmyf acewas
j
ustfat,
myeyeswer epuffyandr
ed,iwasa
t
err
iblemessyetIdi
dn'tcare
Mylooksdidn'
tbothermeatal
l,t
heywer
ethe
act
ualref
lect
ionofwhatif
elti
nsi
de

Isatonthebedandtr
iedeati
ngbuti
coul
dnt
getpasttwospoonsipl
acedthef
oodbackon
thetabl
e,It
hentri
edt
osleep
Iwasalmostdeeponmysleepwhenihear
dthe
dooropened,
shiti
musthavefor
got
tentol
ock
i
twheni camein
Ikeptqui
etandli
stenedt
othef
oot
steps
headingt
owardsmybed
Someonesatatt
heedgeoft
hebed
Hepl
acedhi
shandonmyshoul
derandshook
me
Thattouchal
onecar
ri
edwi
thi
tsomuchcar
e
andlove
Icoul
dfeel
itsf
ami
l
iar
it
y

"Honeypl
easedon'
tshutmeout
,Iwannabe
wit
hyouinthi
s
Al
l
owmet
ogr
iev
ewi
thy
ou
Letmefeel
thi
spai
nwithyou,
openupy
our
hear
tandshar
eyourt
roubl
eswit
hme
Youdon'
thavet
ogot hr
oughthisal
one.
Toget
herwewil
ltacklethi
ssit
uati
on"hespoke
wit
hthewarmestvoiceever
Icoul
dn'
tcont
inuei
gnor
inghi
m ev
eni
fiwant
ed
too

"Pl
easebabel
ookatme,
don'
tshutmeout
"he
sai
d
It
urnedandf
acedhi
m wi
tht
ear
sinmyey
es,
t
heyj
ustdi
dn'
twannast
opf
all
i
ng
Hegotcl
osert
ome

"Hey..
.heypl
easestopcr
ying,
itmaynotfeel
l
ikeitnowbutIpromisey
ouwi l
lgett
hrough
thi
s
AndIwill
bewi thyouineachandever
ystepof
theway"glassesoftear
shadstar
tedfor
mingi
n
hisey
es

"Whyme, whyam asubj

ect
edt
osuchpai
nand
suf
fer
ing
Di
dGodreal
l
yhadt
otaket
hem bot
h"i
soaked
i
ntear
s

"Itwil
lal
lbeal
ri
ght,comeher e"isatupandhe
pull
edmei nf
oratighthug.West ayedinthat
embraceforawhil
eandi justsobbedinhis
chest
Icr
iedunt
ilmyt
ear
srandr
y
Hebrushedmybackgentl
e,hi
shugjust
r
eassuredmethatev
ery
thingwasgonnabeohk
Aft
erawhi
lewebr
okethehug,Ifeltmuch
bet
ter
,Iwi
pedmytear
sandjuststaredathi
m

"Tell
youwhat
,howaboutwej
ustgot
othe
park,
Somef
reshai
rmi
ghtdoy
ougood"hesai
d

Me:GraigIcan'
t,
Imeanev
ery
onewil
lbe
l
ookingatmewi t
hsomuchpit
yandidon'
t
wantthat

Hi
m: wel
ltheniknowj
ustaspeci
alpl
acewher
e
i
twil
lbejustt
hetwoofus
Wewi
l
lhav
enodi
stur
bancet
her
e
Me:wel
lthen,Imightuset
hef
reshai
r,t
his
housei
ssuffocat
ingme
Ineedt
ofreshenupt
hough,
ihopey
oudon'
t
mindwait
ing

Hi
m:nonotatal
l

Hekissedmyf
oreheadt
henleftt
heroom andi
tookmycosmet
icsandheadedtothe
bathr
oom
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NARRATED

Gr
aigwentt
othever
andawher
ethet
wool
d
womenwereseat
ed

"Sodidy
ouspeakwi
thher
"thecol
our
edl
ady
asked

Gr
aig:
yes,
shei
staki
ngabat
h,wear
egoi
ngout

"ThanksGod,
atl
easti
tsast
art
,sheneedst
he
fr
eshair
Shehasn'
tl
eftt
hishouseev
ersi
ncet
hef
uner
al
Ihadtri
edsev
eralt
imest
otal
ktoherbutshe
didn'
twannal
ist
en
Mydaught
erlef
tabighol
eint
hishouseandi
t
wi
l
lbehardtofi
lli
t"t
heot
herwomanadded

Theyspokeforawhi
l
e,af
ter45mi
nut
esel
l
a
wassti
llnotout

"Arey
ousureshe'
sst
il
lbat
hing,
imeani
t'
s
beenl
ong"sai
doneoft
hewomen

Grai
g:wel
lyouknowl
adi
es,
theyt
akef
orev
ert
o
bath
Sheusual
l
ytakesanhourbutatt
heendi
tal
l
becomes.
..
.

Gr
aigcoul
dntevenfi
nisht
hatsentence,
his
mouthwaslef
thangi
ngatthesightofEll
a
Shewasbreat
htakingi
nherl
ongredbody
huggi
ngdr
esswhi chhadav-
neckandanude
back
Herhai
rwast
iedi
naupdopony
tai
l
Shel
ookedst
unni
ng

"Omgy
ouar
esobeaut
if
ul"Gr
aigsai
d

"Thanky
ou"El
l
asai
dwi
thaf
aintsmi
l
e

"Umhl
eny
annt
ombi
"hergr
annysai
d

El
l
a:t
hanky
ouMakhul
u

"Nowi seetheresemblance,
youlooksomuch
l
ikey
ourgr andma,yourfat
her'
smother,she
wasjustli
keyou"saidthecol
ouredlady
El
l
asmi l
edatt
hat,shehadneverhadsomeone
ment
ioni
ngherfat
her'
ssideofthefami
ly

"
Arey
our
eadyt
ogo"Gr
aigasked
El
lanodded,hehel
dherhandandt
heymade
waytothecar

"Youreal
l
ylookdazzl
i
ng"Gr
aigsai
dashe
drov
eoff

"Thanky
ou,
Ial
sof
eel
abi
tbet
ter
"shesmi
l
ed

Gr
aig:
imi
ssedt
hatsmi
l
e

Shejustl
ookedathi
m andcoul
dnthel
pbut
bl
ushed
"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng"shef
inal
l
yasked

Gr
aig:somewher
especi
al,
itst
hel
astpl
acei
ev
erfeltr
eal

Hedrovet
ot hesecludedarea,
itwast
heold
par
knearthefootballgr
oundwherenoone
pl
ayedany
mor e
Heparkedhi
scaratt
hedi
stance,
theybot
h
st
eppedout
Hetookt
hef
leecebl
anketandt
hebasketatt
he
back

"Woowsoplannedapi
cni
c,howdidyouknowi
wasgonnaagr
eetogoout
"ell
aaskedwit
ha
sur
pri
sedl
ook
Gr
aig:
iwasgonnabegy
ouunt
iluagr
eed

El
l
alaughedatt
hat
,theymadet
hei
rwayt
othe
bi
gtr
ee

"Ir
ememberthispl
ace,iusedt
opassher
e
wheniwasgoingtoschool
I
tusedt
obeabusypl
aceunt
ilt
heschool
shut
down
Ihav
en'
tbeenher
einawhi
l
e"El
l
asai
d

Gr
aig:
Ial
way
scomeher
ewhenev
eri
feel
down
I
tst
heonl
ypl
acet
hatf
eel
sreal
forme
I
tgi
vesmeapi
eceofmi
nd

El
l
a:howdi
dyouknowaboutt
hispl
ace
Grai
gcoughedf
orawhi
l
e,hewasn'
texpect
ing
t
hatquest
ion
Hepl
acedthefl
eeceblanketont
hegr
eengr
ass,
andt
ookoutthesnakshebought
Theybot
hsat
.

"Sohowdi
dyouknowabouti
t"El
l
acur
iousl
y
asked

"Wel
liuset
ocomeher eandwat
chsoccer
wheniwasyoung"Gr
aigsai
d
Helookedawaybecausehehatedly
ingtoher
butthi
swastheonlythi
nghecouldsay
Hejustcoul
dn'
ttel
lherthatthi
swast heexact
spotwherehi
sfatherr
anhi m overwi
thhiscar
Andbr
utal
l
yst
onedhi
mtodeat
h
Hecoul
dn'
ttell
herthatthi
swast
hel
astpl
ace
her
emember edaf
terhisdeat
h
I
tfel
tfami
li
arbecausei
tst
hel
astpl
acehesaw
bef
orehepassedaway

Theysatther
eandtal
kedabouthowt hey
acci
dental
lymetandhowtheyfel
li
nlove
I
tal
lseemedl
i
keaf
air
ytal
ereal
l
ybuti
twasal
l
wor
thwhi
le
ToEll
aitwasbet
tert
oli
vei
nthemomentt
hat
quest
ioni
ngwhatwoul
dbe.
..
.
Toherthi
sfel
tli
kei
twasmeanttobe,shehas
beengri
evi
ngsomuchthatshehadf
orgott
en
howluckyshewast
ohavefoundsomeonelike
Grai
g

Fort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nweeksshewassohappy
Shegott
ofor
getaboutt
hepai
nshef
elt
Shefi
nall
yreal
i
zedt
hatsheact
ual
l
yhadn'
tl
ost
ever
ythi
ng
Shest
il
lhadGrai
g,t
heonl
yguywhomadeher
l
if
eworthli
vi
ng

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
11]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY-
ONE

#TYSON

Thesefewmont hswentbysoqui ckl

ybutIwas
j
ustgladthatmyl i
fewasdramaf r
ee,Ihaven'
t
seenmybr other
'sghostl
atel
y,nei
therdi
dIsee
thatst
rangewomani nblack.
Ihadst
art
edat
tendi
ngcl
assesagai
n.
Ihadawhol el
otofwor
ktodosi
ncei
'
vebeen
outofschoolf
orawhil
e,
Ihadsubmitt
edsomef
ewassi
gnment
sov
er
thepastweek

Alt
houghmylifewassl
owlyget
ti
ngbacktoa
normalonet
hingwassti
ll
thesamethough..
..
Thedr
eam aboutt
hatmy
ster
iousgi
rl
wasf
requentandal
mostal
lthet
imei
tlef
tme
wi
thmorequesti
ons.
I
tmademeacur
iousper
son,
Ijustf
eltt
heneedt
ofindoutwhothegirl
was
becausesomehowitfel
tli
keal
lthi
swas
connectedtomybr
other'
ssuddenret
urnfrom
thedead.
Maybethi
sgir
list
heonewhokil
l
edmybrother
ormaybeshehasknowl
edgeastowhodi
d
butIwasbatt
li
ngwi
thmyhear
t,i
twassot
aken
bythatgi
rl
.
If
eltl
ikeIknewher
,it
'sl
i
kemyhearthad
al
readylabel
l
edherasagoodper
son.
Ihadunf
ami
l
iarf
eel
i
ngst
owar
dsher

Iwokeupthatmor
ningf
eel
i
ngr
athert
ir
edwi
th
aheavyhear
t,
Iwentt
otakeaqui
ckshower
Wor
eaj
eanandv
est
,Imadecer
eal
andat
e
aft
erthatIt
ookmyschool
bagandl
apt
opand
headeddownstai
rs.
Igrabbedanappl
ebyt
hegat
e,It
hencaughta
taxit
othecampus,
Myf
ir
stcl
asswasal
readyf
ivemi
nut
esi
n
Igoti
nthehal
landal
ley
eswer
eonme,
Iqui
ckl
ymademywayt
othebackandt
ooka
seat
Thel
ect
urercont
inued
It
ookoutmyt
ext
book

Si
tt
inganhouri
nthatl
essonfel
tli
kefor
ever,
it
wasbori
ngandibarel
yunder
stoodanyt
hing
Aft
eral
l mycl
assesi wenttotheSchooll
i
brary
andgather
edbooksaboutghost s,
andrel
igi
ous
booksaboutl
i
feafterdeath.
Ireal
l
yneededt
oknowhowmybr ot
hercame
backtol
if
eandifghostr
eal
l
ydoexi
st
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA

Aft
ermydayoutwi
thGr
aigi
fel
tawhol
elot
bet
ter
Iact
uall
ybel
i
evedIhadar easont
oli
ve,Ihad
somethi
nggoodtolookforwardt
ooandthat
wasmymar r
iaget
oGr ai
g.
Yeswehadact ual
l
yagr eedt
osetaweddi
ng
dat
eandinsteadofdoingthi
ngsli
keonmy
mother
'ssi
deofpay ingdowr
yandallwewer
e
j
ustgonnagetmar r
ied,j
ustl
ikemydaddi
dto
mymom

Grai
gsaidhehadal readytal
kedtomydad
abouthi
sintenti
onsandt hewedding
arr
angementsanddadwasokaywi t
h
ever
ythi
ng,Ialsoneededtotell
himt oo,
justto
seeifhewasr eal
lyonboardbecauseeversince
t
hefuner
alhehasbeenqui
etaboutmeget
ti
ng
mar
riedt
oGraig.
Hehardl
ytalksaboutany
thingreal
ly,hehas
beensoquietanddist
ant
, i
sawt hathe,l
ikeme
wasalsohurti
ngyethetr
iedhisatmostbestto
bestr
ongforme
Ihaven'
tseenhim dr
unk,
ifIdi
dn'tknowany
bett
erimightsayhehasstoppeddrinki
ng

Aweekhadgonebyandihavebeengoi
ngout
al
otwit
hGrai
g.Wewereplanni
ngthewedding
most
lywhi
chwasgonnabei nt
hreemonths'
ti
me
Bothmygranny
'shadl
eftt
wodaysbef
orebut
theypromi
sedt
heywouldbebackf
ort
he
wedding
Ihadtalkedtomydadaboutthewedding
preparat
ionsandhewasonboardwit
h
everyt
hing
Hesai
dhecoul
dn'
tbehappiert
hant
hedayhe
wi
ll
walkmedownthati
sle

Iwasmostlygl
adbecauseGr
aig'
srudemot
her
hadsof
tenedupabit
Shewasokwi t
hGrai
gmar ry i
ngme,andhis
grannywasjustsosweet,sheownedt hetown'
s
mostupclassandsophisticatedr
estaur
antand
hadhelpedalotor
gani
singt heweddi
ng

Bei
ngbusywi
ththeweddi
ngpreparat
ions
hel
pedmefor
getaboutt
helostihaveendur
ed
I
tshif
tedmyf ocusforabi
tal
thoughthef
act
t
hatiwasgonnagetmar ri
edwithoutmy
motherst
il
lbother
edme
Iwant
edbot
hoft
hem t
obepar
toft
hisspeci
al
day
Iwasn'
tsur
ewhethergetti
ngmarr
iedwaswhat
ir
eall
ywantedoriwasjustusi
ngi
tasa
scapegoatf
ormypai
n

"Daddyi
'
mreal
l
ynotsur
eifi
wannamar
ry
Grai
g
Am notevensur
ewhetherIwannagetmar
ri
ed
atal
l"isai
d,i
twasFr
idayEveni
ngandwewere
havi
ngdinner
Thehousewassohugeandqui
et.
Wehavebeenhavi
ngdi
nnert
oget
herev
ersi
nce
t
heweekstar
ted
Andwehadt
alkedal
ott
hanweev
erhadi
n
year
s

Dad:
Thosear
ejustner
vest
alki
ng
Youwi
l
lmakeagr
eatwi
fet
oGr
aig
Andheisagreatguy
,hewi
l
lmakey
ouhappy
,
thatmucham sur
eof.
Me:ButdadIhav
edoubt
s,Ihav
eunanswer
ed
quest
ionsbot
her
ingmymind

Dad:
Whatki
ndofquest
ions?

Me:AboutGr
aig,yesidol
ovehi
m butIdon'
t
knowawholelotabouthi
m
Ij
ustf
oundoutthathi
sreal
sur
namei
s
Si
emensnotKruger
AndIcan'
tshaket
hefeel
i
ngt
hathei
shi
ding
somethi
nghugefr
om me.
If
eel
li
keIknownot
hingabouthi
m.
Hi
swhol
eli
fei
samy
ster
ytome

Dad:It
hinkt
hat'
sagoodthi
ng,at
leastoncey
ou
getmarri
edyouwil
lhav
eyourwholeli
feto
knowhim
ButIknowGr
aig,
hei
sagoodboyandseei
ng
y
ouget
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
ohi
m wi
l
lmakemehappy
Heist
hekindofason-
in-
lawanyf
atherwi
l
lbe
pr
oudtohave
Andabouthi
ssur
name,Kr
ugeri
shi
smot her
's
sur
nameandSiemensi
tshi
sfat
her
'ssur
name

Me:Youseem t
oknowal
otabouthi
mthanI
act
ual
lydo

Dad:That
'sbecausei
wasoncef
ri
endswi
thhi
s
fat
her

Me:Ij
ustcan'
thel
pthi
nki
ngt
hati
hav
emet
Gr
aigbefor
e

Dad:
wher
e
Me:WhenIwasy oung,it
sli
keIhav
eseenhi
s
f
acebefor
e,butonlyyounger

Dad:
Itmi
ghtbepossi
bley
ouhav
emethi
m
Heusedtovi
sitwhenhewas10,
hisf
amil
y
l
iv
edhereandhewasl i
vi
ngi
ncapevi
nowit
h
hi
sgranny
Soheof
tenv
isi
tedher
edur
ingt
hehol
i
day
s.

Me:
Wel
lmay
bei
sawhi
mthen.

Dad:Don'
tbeaf
rai
d,mar
ryi
ngGr
aigi
sther
ight
t
hingtodo
Hei
sther
ightmanf
ory
ou.

Me:
Yeahwel
liguessy
ouar
eri
ghtI
am j
ustdev
elopi
ngcol
dfeet
Wetal
kedabi
tmore,wi
thmyf
athert
ell
i
ngme
mor
eaboutGr
aigandhi
sfami
l
y
Af
terdi
nnerGr
aigcal
l
edaski
ngi
fhecoul
dpi
ck
meupandIagreed

Itookaqui
ckshower
,wor
etr
ekpant
sanda
vestwi
thsl
ipper
s
Therewasnoneedformetowearanyf
ancy
cl
othesi
twasalr
eadylat
e
Ipackedanov
ernightbagandwai
tedforGrai
g
whoknockedatthedooraft
er30minutes
Iopenedt
hedoorf
orhi
m,wehuggedbr
ief
ly,
befor
ehecamein

Hegr
eet
edmydadwhi
l
eiwentt
ofet
chmybag

"Yahsoy
ouj
ustneedt
ost
ickt
othatst
ory
"my
dadsaidbutqui
ckl
ykeptqui
etassoonasI
walkedin

"Uhm whatstor
y..
..
..
whatarey
ouguys
gossi
pingabout
"iwasjustcur
ioust
oknow

Dad:i
tsmen'
sbusi
ness,
ithasnot
hingt
odo
wit
hyou

Me:owhwell
Idi
dn'
tknowmenal
sogossi
pli
ke
l
adi
es..
..
..
.
wecangohunam done.
..

"
By emrFernandoitwasni
cet
alki
ngt
oyou"
Graigsai
dstandi
ngup

"By
edad"i
kissedhi
scheek
Dad:
bye,
pleasedr
ivecar
eful
,i
tsal
readyl
ate

Gr
aig:
don'
twor
ryMrFer
nandowewi
l
l

Weexi
tedt
hehouse,
goti
nthecarandGr
aig
dr
ovet
ohispl
ace

Me:
isy
ourmom st
il
laty
ourhouse

Hi
m:whydoy
ouask

Me:
wel
lshej
ustscar
esmet
hat
sal
l

Hi
m:don'
twor
ryshei
satmygr
anny
'spl
ace
Hewoul
dbet
her
efort
hewhol
eweekend
Me:
atl
eastt
hat
'sbet
ter

Hi
m:y
our
eal
l
yneednott
obescar
edofher
Sheisharmlessandhasaccept
edour
rel
ati
onshi
p

Me:
wel
lIguessf
ir
sti
mpr
essi
onl
ast
s
Ever
yti
meithi
nkofherIjustt
hinkoft
hatday
shefoundmeinyourhouse
Shewassomean

Hi
m:y
ouhav
etogetusedt
oher
Shecanbel
i
ket
hatatt
imes

Me:
yeahwel
liguessi
twi
l
ltaket
ime
"Well
iloveyouthat
'sallt
hatmatt
ers,noteven
mymot her
'scr
azyatti
tudecanchangethat"he
hel
dmyhandandki ssedit

Wefi
nall
ygottohi
shouse,hepar
kedt
hecari
n
t
hegarageandwewentin
Thewhol
epl
acewasj
ustamazi
ng
Redandwhitecandl
esr
est
edf
rom t
hedoor
way
upthest
air
s
Redrosepet
alsrest
edonthef
loormaki
ngthei
r
wayupthestai
rs,ev
ery
thi
ngwasonpoint
Event
hehousewasabi twar
mert
oday
comparedt
ootherday
s

"Owhmywor
ld,
whati
sthi
s"i
wasj
ustt
akenby
sur
pri
se

"Iwant
edt
odosomet
hingspeci
alf
orus"he
sai
dscoopi
ngmeup,
Iscr
eamedt
hinki
ngt
hat
hemightdr
opme

"Rel
ax,
iwil
lnev
erl
ety
ouf
all
"hesai
d,hi
svoi
ce
j
ustassexy

Me:
itsnotev
enmybi
rt
hday

Him:iknow,i
tsour6mont
hsanni
ver
sar
y,and
consi
deritapr
eweddinggi
ft

Me:
omg,
ihav
eabsol
utel
yfor
got
tenaboutt
hat

Hi
m:i
know,
alothashappenedt
oyoul
atel
y
Toni
ghti
justwanty
out
obehappy

Hecar
ri
edmeupt
hest
air
stohi
sbedr
oom,
I
f
eltl
i
keachi
l
d
If
eltsol
ovedandcar
edf
or

I
nhi
sroom wasmorer
osesinhisbed,
mor
e
r
edandwhi
tecandl
esonthefl
oor
Andapercul
arredandgol
dcandl
ewasi
nthe
middl
eoftheroom
I
tbur
ntbr
ight
ert
hant
her
estoft
hecandl
es

Abucketofi
cewit
hr edwinei
nsidei
twason
thebl
ankett
hatwasspreadoutonthef
loor
,
besi
deitwasachocolat
ebox

Heplacedmeonthebed,
andi suddenl
yfel
t
l
ikei
wasnotdressedf
ortheoccasion
Iwasn'tweari
ngsexyorappeasi
ngsoI
defi
nit
elyneededachangeofunder
wearand
brabutitwastoobadbecausether
espar
eI
br
oughtwasst
il
lnotf
ort
hisoccasi
on

Hemadesureiwasper f
ectl
ypl
acedonthebed,
hewentt
otheclosetandtookoutabl
ackbox

"Thi
sisf
ory
ou"hehandedt
heboxt
ome

Iopenedi
tandf
oundar
edsexyl
acedl
i
nger
ie

"Youcangochangei
nthebedr
oom"he
cont
inued

Me:
your
eal
l
yhadal
lthi
spl
annedout

Heletoutanaughtysmil
e,Iwentt
othe
bat
hroom andquickl
ychanged
Thi
swasexact
lymysi
zeandi
tfi
tt
edme
per
fect
ly
Iwalkedbackoutandhel
ookedatme,
hisj
aws
dropped

"Woowt
hisi
didnotexpect
"hesai
d

Me:
what
,isi
tthatbad

Hi
m:bad,gi
rly
ouareonf
ir
e,i
tsl
i
ket
hiswas
j
ustmadeforyou

Ismil
ed,
hemadehiswayt
owar
dsmeandwe
ki
ssedsopassi
onat
ely
Webr
oket heki
ssaft
erawhi
l
eandhehanded
meaglassofwine
Wesatont hebl
anketandi
ndul
gedont
he
chocol
ate
Icoul
dfeeli
tinmybloodt
hatt
oni
ghtwas
gonnabethebestni
ghtev
er

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
11]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY_
TWO

18LSV

#ELLA

Wesipont
hewi
ne,
wewer
eonourf
our
thgl
ass
now
"
Goshy
ouar
esobeaut
if
ul"hesai
dlooki
ngat
me

"Ij
ustl
ovehowy oureyesgl
ow,
theyar
equi
te
bi
gandcute"heconti
nued

Me:i
sthaty
ourwayoft
ell
i
ngmet
hati
hav
ebi
g
ey
es

Hi
m: maybe,
butam tel
l
ingy
out
hatam
at
tract
edtoyourbi
geyes

Me:
mmmhr
eal
l
y

Hi
m:y
ept
heyt
urnmeon
Hegotcl
osert
omeandki ssedmyli
ps,I
coul
dn'
thel
pmy sel
fbutki
ssedhi
m back
Thekissgotheatedup,
itwentonforawhil
e,I
fel
tli
kethewholeroom hadchangei
ntoheaven
Iwasoncl
oudnine,
hiscol
dli
psdi
dwonder
sto
mytummy..
..
..
Butt
erf
li
esfl
ockedaroundsendi
ngt
hatchi
l
ly
andexci
ti
ngsensat
iondownmyspine
Ihadwishedthi
swillneverend,
event
hewi
ne
i
tssel
fstart
edkicki
ngi n
Iwassoafr
aidtoopenmyey
esl
eastal
lthi
s
becomesadream
Grai
galwayskissedmebutt
hist
imear
oundi
t
wasdif
ferent
I
tfel
tmoret
hanj
ustaki
ss,
itmademey
ear
ned
f
ormore

Hemov
efr
om myl
i
pst
omyneckr
ightupt
omy
ear
,heteasi
ngl
ybitmyear
lobewhi
ch
weakenedmykneesevenmore
Icouldf
eelmyni
pplesget
ti
nghar
der
,Iwant
ed
him moret
hananyt
hing
Hi
slef
thandwentexact
lyf
ormyal
readyf
ir
m
br
east
Hesqueezedi
tgent
lewhi
l
est
il
lpl
ayi
ngwi
thmy
ear
lobe
Il
etoutasl
i
ghtmoan,
andpul
l
edhi
m cl
osert
o
me
Ifel
tmyhor
nypotget
ti
ngwet
terwi
theach
touch
Hest
rokethebabyhai
ratt
hebackofmyneck
andi
tfel
tsogood

Iwantedt hi
s,ineededthis.Ihaveneverreall
y
madel oveBefore,notrealloveapartfr
om the
fi
rstt
imeJuni orbrokemyv ir
gini
ty,
hewasso
gentl
et hatday,butaf
terthatwej usthadsex
Roughsex,
hewant
edi
troughl
yev
eryt
imewe
wenttoapart
y
Comet ot
hinkofi
t,i
twasneverevenspeci
al
real
l
y,wejustf
uckedathi
sdorm,twiceaquicky
i
nhiscar,
andonceathisfr
iend'
scar
Henev ertooki
tsl
ow,Iguessforepl
ayandal
l
thatstuf
fwereneverr
eal
lyhisthi
nghewasjust
strai
ghttothepoi
nt
OnethingIknowt houghi sthathewasasex
fr
eak,that
sal lheeverwantedEv er
yti
mehe
cal
ledme, evenwhenhei nv
itedmet oapar
tyI
al
way sknewt hatwewi ll
endupl eavi
ngatt
he
middleofthatpartyjustt
ohav esex

"Ar
eyousti
llohk"heasked,
inoddedshy
lywi
th
myeyesst
il
lclosed

Hegent
lel
aidmedownandgotont
opofme
Wecont
inuedki
ssi
ng,
thi
swast
her
eal
deal
,i
t
wasmuchbettert
hant
hesexdr
eamsIal
way
s
hadaboutGr
aig
Wei nt
ensel
ykissedwhil
ehi
shandr ubbedmy
nippl
es,t
heywereextr
emelyhard,
andeach
touchheexert
edmademef eel
li
kei wasgoi
ng
crazy
Iwassohor
ny.
Hetookoffmyli
ngeri
eandhisl
ipsmov edfr
om
mymout h,
downtomyneck.Hepl antedf
ew
ki
ssesinmychestunti
lher
eachedmybr east
,
hesuckedonmyhardnippl
esgentle

..
..
.oowhgodthatf
eel
ingmademewannaj ust
scream tot
hewholeworl
dabouthowgoodit
fel
t..
..
..
..
Isweari
hadneverbeentoPar
adi
sebuti
was
sosuret
hatt
hisi
showi twas
Hi
srighthandmoveddownmyt ummyunti
li
t
r
eachedmyhor ny
pot,
hestar
tedrubbi
ngi
twit
h
hi
sindexf
inger
Thankgodial
way
sshavebecausei
fididn'
the
wouldhav
ebeenwonder
ingi
nabushrightnow

"Uhhmmmmm"i
moanedl
ouderasher
ubbed
fast
er
Hehadal
readymov
edt
omyot
herbr
east
Iwassowet
.Itf
eltl
i
keaponddownt
her
e
Hi
sfi
ngerwonder
edunt
ilher
eachedmycanal
Ihadal
readybentmyl
egsina90degr
ee
posi
ti
onandhewasr i
ghti
nbet
weenthem
Heinser
tedhi
sfi
ngerandsl
owl
ymov
edi
tin
andout
Icoul
dnthel
pbutscr
eamedihadneverf
elt
somethi
ngthi
sgoodinmyenti
rel
if
e
Idi
dn'
tknowsexcoul
dbet
hisamazi
ng
Ihel
dhishardbor
nerandst
art
edbr
ushi
ngi
t,
anditgotev
enmoreharder
Heuppedt
hepacehisf
ingermov
edatandi
moanedev
enlouder

Heplant
edf
ewkissesfrom mybr
east
,down
mytummyunti
lhereachedmypussy
Hest
artedli
ckingme,heshovedhi
stonguei
n
mycanal.
..
..
..
damnhistonguedidmagi
ctomy
cl
i
ts.
..
.

"Yesssss,
owhyesssbaby
"ibl
urt
edout,i
had
neverhadsomeonegoi
ngtomufftownonme
befor
e

Hemuffedmelikehi
sli
fedependedoni
twhi
l
e
hi
shandsqueezedonmybr east
Iwasal
readymov
ingi
nci
rcl
esnotknowi
ng
whatt
odowi t
hmysel
f
If
eltal
lthi
sint
ensi
tyl
eav
ingmybodyandi
was
sl
owl
yget
ti
ngr
elaxed
Iwasinheav enforsure,
justasi
feltmywal l
s
l
ooseninghest opped,movedtomybr eastand
suckedthem againthenhecamet omyf ace
andweki ssedhungril
y

Hemademespr
eadmyl
egsabi
twi
der

"Areyousureyoust
il
lfi
ne"heasked,
inodded
againt
histi
memyey eswereopenedandhad
star
edintohi
seyeswhichwerenowsmalland
red

..
..
..
iknowIcoul
dhav esai
dcondom..
..
.Butat
thati
nstanti
wantedtofeelhi
minsi
demeand
condom wasthelastt
hingi
nmymi nd

Hesl
owl
ypenet
rat
edme,
hisshaf
tsohar
dand
sobi
g,Imov
edabi
tbecausei
twaspai
nful
"Am ihur
ti
ngyou"ishookmyheadno,
itwas
hur
ti
ngbutidi
dn'twanthi
mtostop
Hepushedi
ngent
leunt
ilhewasent
ir
elyi
nsi
de
Hest
art
edmov
ingsl
owl
y

"Aaaaaahhhhh"iscr
eamed,
hestopped,t
hen
movedmor eslowlyandmor
egentl
euntil
my
wall
sstart
edopeninguponl
ythendidheupped
thepace
Fewmorestr
okesandpleasureSt
art
edtoki
ck
i
n,hemovedfast
,hehadlif
tedmyleguptohi
s
shoul
der
I
tfel
tmore..
..
..
..
..
thef
eel
i
ngi
sjust
unex
plai
nabl
e..
.
Harderhesl
i
dthr
ough,
andt
hel
ouderi
scr
eamed
Mount
ainsofpl
easur
ewer
esl
owl
ybui
l
dingup
"Yesss,
oowh,
,
,,
,yessss"her
oar
edashewent
i
nfaster

Hewenti
nforaki
l
l,t
henturnedmetotheside,
hewasst
il
lont
op,
myl egsonhisot
hershould
now
Hest
art
edgr
indi
ngonmeagai
n
Hehuffedandpuff
ed,mylevel
ofenj
oyment
hadshootthr
oughtheroof

Webot hmoanedsimul
taneousl
y,i
feltmywall
s
sti
ff
ined,
hewentinhar
derandfasterhi
tt
ing
ri
ghtatmypleasur
epoi
nt
Icl
ungedmynai
l
sint
hebl
anketandhowl
ed
l
ouder
Andbeforel
ongi
hadr
eleased,
mywall
s
rel
axed,
hewenti
nhar
der,andhi
sbr
eat
hing
pat
ter
nschanged

"Fuuuuuccck,,
,,
,
,shi
ii
i
ii
itt
ttt
"heroar
edlouder
,
hi
slegsstif
finedicouldfeelhi
swarm cum i
n
me
Heloosenedupandcol
l
apsedont
opofme
soi
l
edi nsweat
s

"Damnyougood"hespokef
ort
hev
eryf
ir
st
ti
meki
ssingmyforehead

"Andyouar
egreat
,ihav
enev
erf
eltt
hisway
bef
ore"i
sai
dhonestl
y

Hi
m:r
eal
l
y

Me:
yes,
Iguessi
justnev
erhadagoodsex
Him:woowitsgoodtoknowiwasablet
odo
r
ightbyyoueventhought
hiswasact
ual
l
ymy
r
ealfi
rstt
ime

Me:
real
fir
stt
ime,
howdoy
oumean

Him:eish.
..
.Not
hingr
eal
l
ylookatmer
umbl
i
ng
nonsense

Hequi
ckl
ygotof
fme

Me:
arey
out
ell
i
ngmet
haty
ouwer
evi
rgi
n

Ij
ustcoul
dn'tl
ett
hisgo,iwasactual
l
yshocked,
howcouldtheemosthandsomeguyj ustsayhe
i
sav i
rgi
n,imeanwithhisl
ookssurel
yGr ai
g
hashadgir
lshott
erthanmethrowing
t
hemsel
vesathi
m

Him: v
irgi
nme,,
,
,,
,
hellno,
,
,,
,Imeanty
ouwer et
he
fi
rstpersonwhoreal
l
ymeantt heworl
dthati
hadsexwi th
Thi
swasspeci
al,
youarespeci
al,
Iwanty
out
o
al
waysr
emembert hat

Me:
pleasest
op,
youwi
l
lmakemecr
y

Him:aslongasi
twi
l
lbet
ear
sofj
oyi
wil
lbe
sat
isf
ied
Comeher
e..
..

Weki
ssedagai
n,hel
i
ftedmeupandt
ookmet
o
t
hebat
hroom
Wehadonemor
eroundi
ntheshower
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#TYSON

Ideci
dedtospendmySaturdayattheli
brar
y,i
hadgott
enaholdofanint
erest
ingbook,Nora
gavei
ttomey est
erdaywheniwashere
Nor
aist
hel
i
brar
ianandav
erygoodf
ri
endof
mine,shewasy
oung,
abi
tol
dert
hanmebut
st
il
lyoung
Juni
orhadmockedmebef
oret
ell
i
ngmet
hat
Norawasat
tract
edt
ome

"Dudeyouwil
lneverhavearealgi
rl
fr
iendas
l
ongasy oust
il
lhavethatl
i
brari
angir
lfr
iendof
your
s"heusedtosay
Ihadneverr
eal
l
yt ookhi
m ser
iousl
y,Imean
Norahadaboyfr
iendandadaughter
Shewasnev
eri
nter
est
edi
nme
Shesai
dshejustl
ikedhowdedicatediwason
mystudi
esbecausebackthenIalwaysspent
mostofmyfreeti
mei nt
helibr
arystudy
ing
Shewasjustabooksper
sonandwasgl
adt
o
fi
ndsomeoneli
keher

Ipagedt
hrought
hebi
gugl
ybook
I
twassodust yandwasclear
lyvi
sibl
ethati
t
hasn'tbeenusedinawhi
le,outsi
deitwas
wri
tten
.
..
.Al
laboutmagi
candi
tswonder
s..
..
I
twasabookaboutwi
tches,
spel
l
sandot
her
r
eal
lydar
kst
uff
Iwasn'tSur
ewhetherev
ery
thi
ngwri
tt
eninther
e
wastruethough,
Imeanitwasal
lj
ustgi
bberi
sh
Talki
ngaboutl
ovepot
ionsandhowtobr
ing
peoplebackf
rom t
hedeadandstuf
f
I
tal
sotalkedaboutacov
enofwi
tcheswhouse
t
opract
icewhitemagicl
ongt
imeago
I
twasagoodcov
enuntiloneoft
hesor
cer
er
f
oundt
hebookofthedead
HernamewasYamat
ovent
reguez
Shestart
edpract
ici
ngbl
ackmagi
cinsecr
et
andformedherowncoven
Whent
hel
eaderoft
hei
rcov
enf
oundout
,she
banishedherandt
hoseot
herwi
tcheswhohad
j
oinedher
Thatwit
chbecamesoangr
yandv
owedt
oseek
forr
evenge
Soshelear
nedmoreaboutdarkmagicand
whenshewasundefeat
abl
eshewentbackt o
thecov
enandkil
l
edallt
hemember softhat
covenl
eavi
ngonl
ytheyoungestdaught
erofthe
l
eader

Il
ookedatthenameoft hedaughtershelef
t
andmyey esalmostpoppedbecauseitread"
Ter
rangezipi
ngo"il
ookatthenameagai n
AndIwasn'
tdreami
ngi
twasi
ndeedmy
gr
andmother
'sname

Theremustbeami st
ake,
may
bet
hiswasn'
t
real
l
ymygr anny
'sname
"Wel
l
...
wel
l
...
wel
ll
ookwhowehav
eher
e
i
fitisn'
tthecr
azyweirdohi
mself
"thatwas
j
unioralr
eadystandi
nginfr
ontofmewi t
hhis
morons
Ideci
dedt
oignor
ehi
m andcont
inuedwi
thmy
book
Seei
ngt
hatiwasi
gnor
inghi
m andhi
susel
ess
comments
Her
oughl
ytookt
hebookf
rom meandt
hrewi
t
ont
hefl
oor
Hi
susel
essf
ri
endsl
aughedandcheer
edhi
m up

"Dudehaveyoulostyourmi nd,
whatthehel
ldo
youthinky
ouaredoing"Isaidstandi
ngupand
picki
ngmybookf r
om thefloor

"Whatf
uck,
youhav
ethemout
htot
alkbi
tch
Youar
eal
ady
,abi
tch"hesai
dpushi
ngme
"Uselessst
upi
ddog,y
ouarej
ustasst
upi
das
yourdeadbrot
her
"hesai
d

Hisr
emarksaboutmybr
otherjustmademe
angr
y,wi
thsomuchener
gyi gotupfrom t
he
fl
oor
Ishotr
ightathi
m, andmyf
istl
andedonhi
s
cheekhealmostfell
Heheldhi
scheeki
ndi
sbel
i
ef,
hismout
hwas
al
readybl
eedi
ng
Hi
sfri
endshel
dhi
m,hey
ankedhi
msel
foutof
t
hei
rgri
p
Andspatt
hebl
oodt
hatf
il
ledhi
smout
h

"Soy
ouhav
egr
ownabackbone"hesai
d

Me:
Idi
dn'
tj
ustgr
owabackbone,
ment
ionmy
br
otheragai
nandi
wil
lsur
eyouf
lames

"Mxm,usel
essbit
ch"hemumbl ed,ist
oodther
e
andwat
chedashet uckedhi
stailbet
weenhis
l
egsandwalkedaway

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
11]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY_
THREE

#TYSON
Ipi
ckedupthebookfr
om t
hefl
oor
,placedi
t
backonthetabl
ebutj
ustt
heni
tsl
ipped
throughmyhandsandlandedont hetabl
ewi
de
openedint
oapagei hadn'
treadyet,i
thada
pictur
eoft
heemostbeautifull
adyever
Shelookedli
keagoddess,
wit
hwhatlookedl
i
ke
angel
'swingshadspr
eadoutfr
om her
Ist
aredatthepi
ctur
eforawhi
l
etool
ong.Who
wasthi
slady
"AnAngel
inaMy
sti
cal
For
est
From sev
enthheavenshedescendedAnd
becamet hesav
iouroft
hepeople
Hersoulpur
eandherwingssowhi
te,
bel
oved
byherfat
hershei
nher
it
edthegi
ft
.
Shebecamethekeeperofgat
esofthemortal
andimmort
al,shebecamethepassagef
rom
theworl
doftheli
vi
ngtotheaft
erli
fe
Herpowersogreatshewi
ll
rul
eeveni
nthe
mostseemingl
yenchant
edfor
est
Herimagewil
lbesomagicalal
lthosewhoare
wickedwi
ll
feelhaunt
ed"apassagereadnear
t
hepi
ctur
e
Icoul
dn'tr
eal
l
yunderst
andwhatwaswrit
ten
ther
e,howcanthi
syoungladybeasav
iourand
whatnot
"She,t
hegreat
estoft
hem al
lcanonl
ydest
roy
thedar
kness
Shehast hepowertodefeatthedarksor
cer
er,
andwithonlythedescendantofthewhit
e
sor
cererbyhersidecanshet rul
yemerge
vi
ctor
ious.
Thewhiteangel"NOMAWETHU"wi l
lshebe
knownandshewi l
ljudgefai
rl
yandkindl
yto
thosewhom seekhelpfr
om her"t
hepassage
conti
nued
Iturnedov erthepage,andtomy
disappointmentapagewasmi ssing,isomuch
want edtor eadmor eaboutthi
sNOMAWETHU
angel andhowsheandt hedescendantoft he
whitesor cerercandestr
oythatevilsor
cererbut
iguessIwasn' taboutt
odiscoverthatyet
Iopenedtothenextpageandther
easpel
l
about"Revengeofthedead"waswri
tt
en
Thespellwasaboutwaki
ngsomeonefrom t
he
deadwiththepur
poseofmakingt
hem avenge
thei
rdeath
Thiswasadanger
ousthingtodobecauseonce
thedeadwasawakeneditwashardtomake
them t
ofocusi
nthei
rpurpose,
theycanendup
acti
ngonthei
rowninst
eadofabidi
ngbyy our
rul
es
Andgi
ventheoppor
tuni
tyandt
heyst
umbl
eon
somechar
m
Theymi
ghtgoonaki
l
li
ngspr
ee
Butthisspel
lwasdi
ff
icul
ttodobecausei
t
requi
redalif
e
"Al
i
fef
oral
i
fe"i
twaswr
it
ten.
I
tmeantthatonceaper sonhasbeenbr
ought
backtol
ife,someonecl
osetothem i
ssuppose
totaket
heirplace,
thi
sisdoneasanattempt
t
omaint
ainbal
ancebecauset
her
eal
trut
hwas
magi
ccameatagreatcost
Idi
gest
edwhati
hadj
ustr
ead,
wast
hisbook
tel
l
ingt
het
rut
h
Di
dwer
eal
l
yli
veamongstwi
tchesandangel
s
Wasanyofthespell
swritt
enhereevenreal
.
Mostimport
ant
lywasTer r
angezapatamy
gr
anny,coul
dshereal
lybeaf ewcentur
iesol
d,
i
fthenwhydidshesti
lll
ooksoy oung
Couldt
hefactt
hatsheisthedescendantofa
wit
chescovenl
eaderbethecause
Couldi
tbet
hatwear
ethedescendantof
wit
ches
Wasmymot heral
soawitch,Imeanwasshe
evenawareofanyofthi
s..
..Thosewere
unanswer
edquestionsr
oami ngthr
oughmy
head
Itookthebookandpl
acedi
tbackt
otheupper
shelv
e
thenexi
tedt
hel
i
brar
ywi
thmor
equest
ionst
han
answers
Iwentstrai
ghtt
omycr i
b,Igott
her
etossedmy
schoolbagOnthecouch
Iwassohungr y,iwentt
obarfri
dgetookouta
pizzabox,di
shedthreesli
cesf
ormy sel
f,
war meditandtookoutthetwoli
tr
eofsprit
e
thatwasalmosthalf
Iwentt
ocouch,satdownt
ookoutt
hel
apt
op
fr
om myschool
bag
putonanacti
onmov ieandwatchedwhi
le
i
ndulgi
ngonmyf ood,wheniwasdonei wentt
o
putthepl
atei
nthesink,iwasgonnawashit
l
ater
Ithenst
oppedt
hemov
ieandsur
fedt
hrough
theneti
nst
ead
Igoogl
edever
ythi
ngt
hathadt
odowi
thghost
s,
wit
chesandangel
s
Mostoft
het
hingsi
foundwer
eci
rcumst
ant
ial
real
l
y ,
therewasjustnotenoughevi
dencet
o
provethatsuper
natur
albeingsl
iv
edamongst
us
Butt
henagai
ni r
emembered;t
hetwi
ns;
how
coul
dihav
eforgott
enaboutt
hem
Imeant
heywer
eal
sosur
eashel
lwer
en'
t
nor
mal
Theyappear
edf
rom outofnowher
eandt
hei
r
eyesgl
owedandchangedcolor
s
Whatwer etheyreall
y,i
twasquitecl
earthat
theyknewsomet hingaboutghostsand
supernat
uralbei
ngsbecauset heoft
entalked
aboutcandleofl
ifeandwhatnot
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#NARRATED
NOMAWETHUsatuneasil
yinhercouch,her
husbandwal
keddownt
hestai
rsbusyfixi
nghis
ti
e
Ri
ghtawayhecoul
dseethatsomet
hingwas
wr
ongwithhi
ssweethear
t
Hefel
tbadforher
,shehasbeendi
stantand
t
roubl
edlat
ely
Hestoodhal
fwaythestai
rsandl
ookedather
sadl
y,hej
ustwishedhecoul
deasehertr
oubl
ed
mind
Heknewthatt
her
ewasnot
hinghecoul
ddo,yet
hef
eltt
hatatt
imest
her
esponsi
bil
i
tygi
vent
o
herwaswayt
oomuch
Eacht
imesomeonepassedawayandhast o
passt
hroughher
,iteat
sawayathersoul
Shehardl
yisherbubbl
yselfany
more,
itsl
i
ke
shewascarry
ingtheweightoft
heworl
donher
shoul
ders
"Heyhoney
bear
"hebentdownandki
ssedher
for
ehead
"Owhheysweet"shef
orcedasmil
ebutitwas
cl
ear
lyv
isi
blet
hatshewascaughtoffguar
d
Si
zwe:
arey
ouohk
Noma:yeah,
yeaham supposedt
obef
inebut
am not
Si
zwe:
what
'swr
ongnana
Noma: Iknowam supposedt obet hehappi
est
womanonear thbecauseam blessedwit
ht his
i
ncredi
blegiftbutit
'st
akingatollonme,,
,,
,
,,it
s
Grai
g,hissit
uationisj
ustsoheav y
Iknowheisagoodboyandhi
shear
tisi
nthe
ri
ghtpl
ace
Hemeanswellandhelovesthatgi
rl
whol
ehear
tedl
ybutthen.
..
..
Shekeptqui
etandj
ustswal
l
owedal
ump
Shecouldn'
tdi
gestwhatGrai
gdi
dwhi
l
ehewas
undert
hatcharm'
sinfl
uence
Mostimpor
tant
lyshewashur
tbecauseshef
elt
l
iket
hiswasherfaul
t
I
fshehadreal
l
ydest
royedmi
ssyfrom t
he
begi
nni
ngnonoft
hiscoul
dbehappeni
ngto
grai
g
Shewasconv i
ncedthatshehaddestroy
edt hat
evi
lsor
cererbutfr
om thelooksoft
hingsit
seemsli
keshewaswr ong
Andri
ghtatt
hati
nst
antshehadnoi
deahowt
o
getr
idofher
Shedi
dn'tknowhowt odest
roymissy,shefel
t
power
lessandhel
plessbecauseshehadtri
ed
aski
ngPandoraandDrangel
aforhel
pbutt
hey
wereal
sointhedark
Theydi
dn'
tknowhowt
odef
eatt
heev
ilsor
cer
er
"Babepl easeDon'tdothat,noneoft
hisi
syour
faul
t,Iknowy ouwillgett
hroughthi
sandiwil
l
bewithy oueverystepoftheway
Wewil
lgetthrought
hist
ogether
,justl
i
kewe
di
dbef
ore"Sizwesai
dwipingawayhert ear
s
Shehadn'tr
eali
zedshehadbeencry
ing,she
smiled,
herdimpleswer
eclear
lyv
isi
bleonher
cheeks
Hehuggedhertight
ly,
heknewj usthowmuch
shewashurti
ngbutwasj ustgl
adthatev
en
thr
oughthepainshestil
lmanagedtosmile
Herwarm smil
ewasenought
omel
tev
ent
he
har
destofheart
s
Theybrokethehugandhestar
edather,
She
st
il
llookedsobeaut
if
ulandcapti
vat
ingj
ustl
i
ke
hefi
rstmether
Sti
l
lascar
ing,al
thoughabitolderandmat
ured
nowbutherfaceremainedthesame
Ful
lofy
out
hful
nessandex
uber
ance
"St
opstar
ingal
ready
,youarepi
erci
ngthrough
mysoul
,makingmeallshy
"shesaidst
ill
smi
li
ng
Sizwe:howcani st
opstar
ingwheny
ougett
his
beauti
fuleachandever
yday
Noma:
youandy
ourwor
ds
Si
zwe:il
oveyoubabyandi
knowy
ouar
e
st
ronger
,youwi
ll
dothis
Youar
eawar
ri
orMr
sSol
enzo
Noma: owhGodwhatwoul
dIact
ual
l
ybe
wit
houtyou,
thanky
ousomuchfort
his,
i
neededit
Il
ovey
ousomuchMrSol
enzo
Theyki
ssed
"Wher
ear
etheki
ds"si
zweaskedbr
eaki
ngt
he
ki
ss
"Idr
ovethem toschoolal
ready"nomasai
d,she
wasalr
eadyfeelingbet
ter
,havi
ngsizwei
nher
l
if
ewasj ustablessi
ng
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Grai
gwokeupt
henextmor
ningf
eel
i
ngl
i
kea
newbor
n
Hehadnev
err
eal
l
yhadsexbef
oreacceptwhen
Ell
awasasl eep,thiswasdi
ff
erent,hefel
tever
y
touch,heenjoyedev er
ymomentunl i
kewhen
sheisasleepwher ehewouldjustdoallthe
workandEl l
awi l
l wakeupt
hinki
ngt hati
twasa
dream
Hewat
chedasshesl
eptsoundl
y.
..
..
..
o
wh,evenwhenshewasasleepshesti
l
llooked
j
ustasbreat
htaki
ng,heki
ssedherfor
ehead
bef
orecaref
ull
yget
ti
ngoutofthebed
Hemadehiswayt othebat
hroom andt
ooka
shower,
averycol
dshower,hestoodst
il
land
fel
tthewat
erdri
ppingdownhisbody
Hewasget
tingbackt
ohi
sstat
e,ast
atewher
e
hewashal
fdeadandhal
fal
i
ve
Buthewasgl
adt
obeal
i
vej
ustf
ort
hatday
Hetookadeepsigh,
hereall
ywantedt
obealive
for
everbutt
hatwoul
dcomeatahugecost ,
if
heweretobeali
vehi
sbrotherwi
l
lhavetodie
Tywoul
dhav
etot
akehi
spl
ace,
andhewoul
dn'
t
dot
hatt
ohi
sbr
other
Hewil
lneveral
l
owany
thi
ngt
ohappent
ohi
s
l
it
tl
ebrot
her
Hequickl
ywi
pedthetearst
hatreachedhi
s
cheeks,
hest
il
lquest
ionedGod
.
..
whydidheall
owhimtodi
esoyoung,
whatsi
n
di
dhecommi tt
odeserv
edeat
hasa
puni
shment
..
..
.Heasked
Thoughheknewhewouldnev
ergetany
answers,
wasther
ereal
l
yaGod,hi
smi nd
confl
i
cted
EvenifGoddoesn'
tordoesexisthewassti
ll
gl
adandcherishedeachsecondshegotto
spendwithEl
la.Hi
ssweetandl ovi
ngEl
l
a
Howhewi
shedt
heycoul
dgr
owol
dtoget
her
Hismindwonderedint
othedar
k,.
..
.Whatwil
l
happenwhenEll
afindsoutt
hatheisdead
Whatwil
lshedoafterknowi
ngt
hatherhear
t
wastheonlyt
hingmakinghi
mreal
I
twast
heonl
ythi
ngt
hatkepthi
m al
i
ve
I
twill
brokeherknowingthatshegotmarri
edto
adeadman. .
..
.Hequickl
yshookthosethought
s
of
f,heshif
tedthem i
ntothebackofhi
smi nd
Thefutur
edi dn'
tmatt
er,hewasgonnali
vefor
themoment ,hisj
obnowwast omakesurethat
ell
aneverlacksanyt
hing,hewasgonnamake
herhappy
Eachmomenthewi l
lspendwit
hherwil
lbe
speci
alandwoul
dbet r
eatedasabl
essi
nghe
convi
ncedhi
mself
Hestoodundert
hatwat
erandl
eti
tfl
owl
i
kea
wat
erfal
l
.
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA
Iwokeupalonei
nbed,
ifel
tsol
i
ghtand
ref
reshed
Gr
aigwasnoti
nther
oom
Ilayfacedup,istaredatthedazzl
ingwhi
te
glassli
keceili
ng,itwassobeautif
ul,mymind
racedbackt othepr evi
ousni
ght,t
hecandl
es,
theroses,andthatst eamysessi
on
Ev
ery
thi
ngwasj
ustper
fectandt
othepoi
nt
I
twast
hemostgr
eat
estt
hingev
er
Il
ookedaroundther
oom andi
twascl
ean,
the
candl
esandroseswher
egone
Gr
aigmusthavewokenupear
lyandcl
ear
ed
ev
eryt
hingi
thoughtt
omysel
f
Wher
ewasheany
way
Justt
henIheardrunningwat
eri
nt hebathroom
andIfi
gur
edhewast aki
ngashower, Ij
ust
coul
dn'
tst
opt hi
nkingaboutt
hepreviousnight
Hi
stouch,
Hiski
ss.damnhei
ssogoodi
nbed
Iwasbasi
cal
l
yr el
ivi
ngy est
erday
'smoment
s
whenahardreali
tycheckhitmymind
'
condom'
ithought
,shi
twedi
dn'
tuseacondom
ButIcoul
dn'
tgetpregnantcouldi
,itwasj
ust
onceandam surenothi
ngwi l
lhappen
Imeanwemostl
yhadunprot
ectedsexwi
th
j
uni
orandi
nevergotpr
egnant
Iwasevenconvincedt
hatam i
nfer
ti
le,
so
not
hingwil
lhappen
Ij
ustl
iedt
omymi
ndt
omakemy
sel
ffeel
bet
ter
..
#MFS_
MTAG
#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
11]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY_
FOUR
Recap

Onthelastchaptertysonfoundsome
di
stur
bingandconf usinginfor
mationonthat
ol
dbooki ntheli
brary.Her eadabout
nomawethuandaspel laboutbri
ngingt
hedead
backtoli
fe
.
Nomawethu'
sgif
twastakingatol
lonherand
shewasworri
edaboutGraig.
.
Grai
gwasslowlyt
urni
ngbacktohistr
ueself
aft
erhehadbeenarealhumanjustf
oranight
tohavesexwi
thEll
a.
.
El
l
awokeupaloneinbedsti
l
lexci
tedaboutt
he
pr
evi
ousni
ght
'sencount
erbutt
henshe
remember edthatt
heydidn'
tuseprotect
ionbut
sheconvincedhersel
fthatshewon'tbe
pregnant
*
*
*
*
#NARRATED

ThatsamenightGraigwasabletomaint
ain
physi
calappear
ance,TYSONl ost
consci
ousnessforthatent
ir
enight.
Hel
aidf
lat
lyonHi
sbed,
as
Thefreshbreezeofai
rquickl
ygr
ewi ntogusts
ofcoolwindthatseemedtocomef rom
beneathhisbed.(
Odd,becausei
twasa
ty
picall
ysti
ll
,col
dandmuggysout hernjul
y).
Suddenly,
theairwasfi
ll
edwitht
hescentof
dyingJasmi neandear
th,al
mostlikeaftera
heavyrain.Eachti
methewi ndwouldgust ,
a
shadowwoul dpassov
erhisbed.unti
li
tf inall
y
stopped.Adar khumanli
kef ogwasont opof
hi
m slowl y
,,
,,v
erysl
owlybutsurel
ydrainingt he
l
ifeoutofhi m

"Ali
feforal
ife"
,itsai
dinahol
lowcr
ackyv
oice.
Itwastheangelofdeathandi
thadcometo
coll
ect
.
Asitshoul
d.Seeeacht
imeGrai
gbecomesal
i
ve
someoneclosetohimi
ssupposet
odie
Sotheangel
ofdeat
hhadcomet
ocol
l
ecton
TYSON

Itsuckedonhi m unt
ili
twasdone, i
tlefthi
m
wi t
hthemar k.I
tcouldn'
treall
yleav
ewi thhi
s
soul t
hough,it
sli
kesomet hingwasst oppi
ngit
from leav
ing.Somethingorsomeonehadused
apr
otect
ionspel
ltopr
otectt
yson.
Sotheangelheadedt
owher
ethespel
l
or
igi
nated.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Terrasetupheraltari
nthesout hofherr oom,
overthemant l
etoperform aprotecti
onspel l
forGraigandherfamilysi
ncetheyhadact ual
ly
brokenthelawandbr oughthi
m backt ol i
feon
thateveni
ng.Afterdoi
ngtherit
ual ,
shel eftt
he
candletoburnout.Whensher eturnedtocheck
onit,t
her oom wasuncommonl ycool foraJuly
nighti
nthei
rsmal
ltown,
alsocompar
edt
othe
restoft
hehouse!
Shewal kedtot hemant let olookcl oselyatt he
candlef orawhi l
e,and,asshedi d,wasdr awnt o
thewi ndow.Shegazedoutuponaseemi ngl y
normal ,lovel
yni ght.But,
asshet urned, shef elt
acool breezethatseemedt opasst hroughher .
Allthehai ronherar msst oodstraightup, andin
thesout heastcor nerofherr oom, l
oomeda
blackf i
gur esot al
litappear edtobendf orwar d
asitreachedhi gherthant heceiling.She'd
neverexper i
encedsuchat hingbefor e,and
l
iteral
lyt hewor dsthatfil
ledhermi ndwer e,"Oh,
shit,i
t'
st heangel ofdeat h!".

IthadTysonscental
loveri
t,shehadtodo
somethingbecausei
twasclearthati
thad
alr
eadystar
tedtaki
ngTyson'
sspiri
t.Buti
t
madet hebi
ggestmist
akecomi ngtoherhouse.
"Ar
it
usa,
miy
ola,
visht
ash"shechant
ed.
"Youspir
itofdeatharenotwelcomedher e,
l
eaveatonceandl eavehissoulaloneforhis
ti
mehasnoty etcome"shey ell
edsprinkl
ing
overawhitepowderatit.Wit
hinfewmi nutes
shefel
tveryprot
ectedandsheknewt hespell
she'
dperformedwouldsucceed.AndI tdid!

Itwasatt
hatpoi
ntthatt
hespi
ri
tsbegant
o
showthemsel
vestoher.
..
Thefol
lowi
ngdayshewokeupt
obl
owoutt
he
candl
e.
Shewasi nthemi dstofhercl eansing
ri
tual.
..Whenshesenseda" gate"openingtoher,
throughwhi chmanyspi r
itscameand
i
nt er
act edwi thher.
..
Then, allofasuddenHe
appear edatt hedoor way .Hispresenceblocked
outev ery t
hingelse,tal
lerandbl ackert
hant he
nightbef ore.hoodedwi t
hacl oakorsomet hing
thatseemi nglyfl
oatedbehi ndHi m.Hewal ked
outthe" door"and"through"her .Shefeltl
i
ke
shewashav i
ngphy sicall
yBei ngfi
lledwi t
hice
coldwat er,el
ect r
ici
tytingl
edf rom thebaseof
herspi netothet opofherhead.Thesensat ions
ceasedf rom heraf t
erf ewseconds.Thatexact
momentHepassedt hroughcompl et
ely.He
walkedov ert
oherf ire-
pit,whichwasr educed
toember sbyt hatti
me.Heappear edtohav ea
stafforstickasHest ir
redt heember swi thi
t.
Het urnedt olookstraightather ,
butshesawno
face,justashadowshr oudedbyHi scloak.

Hesaid,"al
if
ef oralif
e.iwi
llcomef orhim.I
shall
takewhat'sbeingowedt ome"hi svoi
ce
sentshiv
ersdownTer ra'
sspine.Shewasf i
ll
ed
withsomuchf ear.Comingfacet ofacewit
hthe
angelofdeat
hcandot hatt
oy ou.Aftersay
ing
thosewordsHesi mplymergedi ntothedawn
andwasgone, andt er
rawasleftstandingwit
h
herkneesshaking.
Shegat
her
edherst
rengt
hthenf
ini
shedt
he
r
it
ual
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#TYSON

Iwokeupar
oundei
ghtam.mybodywasonf
ir
e.
Ihadsever
echestpai
ns.I
tsl
i
kei
hadbeen
runni
ngall
night
.
Iwassot
ired.
isatupandi
sawsomet
hingodd
onmychest.
Ahandl
i
keshapewasembeddedonmychest
.
Ij
umpedoffmybedandwentt
ostandInf
ront
oft
hemir
ror.Andt
her
eitwasi
ndeed.
I
tlookedl
ikeahumanhandbuti
twasmuch
bi
ggerandhadthr
eeLongfi
nger
s.

Thethi
ngwasl
i
keabl
ackt
att
oodr
awnonmy
chest
.
Iwasscar
edandconf
used.Howcanisl
eep
nor
mall
ythenwokeupli
kethi
s.Whocoul
dhav
e
i
nkedsuchaweir
dtat
tooonmychest.

Ist
oodthescaredandl
ost,
Icouldvi
vi
dlyr
ecal
l
adream i
hadlastni
ght
.Inthatdr
eam i
was
fal
l
ingi
ntoaver
ydar
kpi
tchwhi
chseemedt
o
havenoend.
Ikeptfal
li
ngbuti nev
erreachedi
tsbott
om.I
screamedandcr i
edforhelpbutnobodycame
tomyr escue.Iwasalone,i
twasjustmeand
thedarkness.

Icri
edunti
lIcouldn'
tanymore,
ifel
tcoldand
scared.Mybloodwasf i
l
ledwit
hfear.
Rightthent
hedarknessstart
edsuckingt
heli
fe
outofme.Iwassl owl
yperishing,
fadi
ngwit
h
ti
me, mymemorieswer estri
ppedawayfr
om
me.
If
eltl
i
keDeat
hst
oodabov
eme,
whi
sper
ingl
ow.
Iknownotwhatint
omyear
;ofHi
sst
range
l
anguageal
lIknow
i
s,t
herei
snotawor
dthatcandescr
ibet
hef
ear
i
fel
t.
Iwasr
eadyt
ogi
veupunt
ili
hear
dmygr
anny
's
v
oice.
Icoul
dn'
tseeherbuticoul
dhearherv
oice.It
washervoi
cethatscaredawayt
hedarkness.

Iwalkedawayfrom t
hemi r
ror
,tookmyphone
ontheheadboardanddiall
edmygr andmot
her
's
number.Ineededanswers.
Butmostofal
lineededhel
p.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#ELLA

i
alsotookashoweraf
terGr
aig.Wethenwent
t
otownf orsomegr
oceri
essi
ncehishousewas
l
i
teral
l
yempt y.
Ibroughtawhol
elotofgrocer
y,enought
olast
forthewhol
etwomont hs.
I
twasGr
aigwhoi
nsi
stedi
itakesomuchst
uff
.
Healsoboughtmecl othes.Expensi
vedresses
thatihav
enev erwor
ni nmyl i
feandjustsome
coupleofjeansandl
eggings.Ialsotookfew
pair
sofheel ssi
nceihadnone.
Aftert
hatiwenttoseesomeofmyf r
iendsand
coll
eaguesattr
uworths,t
heywereallsohappy
toseeme.Somef el
tbadthatist
oppedworking
,themanagerev ensaidicansti
l
lcomebacki f
iwantedto.
Af
tergal
avant
ingar
oundthemal
lforsol
ong
wefi
nall
ydeci
dedtoleav
e.
Wedr ovet
ohisgrandmot
her
'spl
acet
otal
k
abouttheweddi
ng.

#mf
s_mt
ag

#unedi
ted
[
12/
28,09:
11]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY-
FIVE

#ELLA
*
THEWEDDI
NGDAY
Mygr annypulledtheblanketsawayf r
om me,
shewaswi t
hanot herwoman, theywereboth
ull
ulati
ngandsi ngingweddingsongs.I twas
fi
nallytheeday.Septembert he1st ,
iwashav ing
thespr i
ngweddi ngIalwaysdr eamtaboutev er
sincei wasachi l
d.Thesunshonebr ightl
yon
myWi ndow,Icouldfeeli
tinmybonest hatt
his
Saturdaywasgonnabespeci alandepic.
Icoul
dheart
henoi
sesandt
hehy
par
oundt
he
house
"Wakey
,wakeynont
ombi
,i
tst
ime"mygr
anny
sai
d
Shel
ookedsomuchlikemymot
her
.Theway
shet
alkedandwal
kedspel
l
edmymom

Isatupandst
ret
ched,i
li
ft
edmyhandsuphi
gh
tr
yingt
orel
axmystif
fmuscles.
Ij
ustcoul
dn'
tbeli
evet
hatt
odayi
wasgonnabe
someone'
swife.
"Youmustbet ired,it
oldyout ogot obedear l
y
l
astnight"sheopenedt hecurtainsand
windows,andaf reshbreezeofai rblewin,
now
Icouldperfectl
yheart hebi
rdssi nging
glor
iousl
ywi ththeirmelodi
cv oices,muchl i
ke
thewomenwhosanghar moniousl youtsi
dethe
house

"Ihardl
yslept
,ikeptt
ossi
ngandt
urni
ngt
he
wholenight
Mystomachisinknotsandmyheadi
sspi
nni
ng
makhul
u"isai
dsitt
ingup

"It
snerveskal
okunana,mostwomanwhoare
aboutt
ot i
etheknotusual
l
ygoesthr
ought
hat
Am sur
eyourhusbandi
sal
sor
est
lesswher
ever
hei
s.
Aweddi
ngi
sabi
gdeal
,ist
il
lrememberhow
ner
vousi
wasonmyweddi
ngday
.
Ievenchangedmymi ndforaminut
eort
wo"
shesaid,
Iactual
l
ylaughedatt
hat

"Li
kereal
lymakhul
u,youwantedtol
eav
ey our
husbandatt
healt
er"Il
aughedevenmore

Her
:iwasreal
lyscar
edbuti
waswaybet
ter
t
hanyourmother
Yourmot
hergotarunni
ngt
ummyont
he
morni
ngofherweddi
ngday
Sheactuallywaslat
ef orherownwedding.She
evenwant edtopostponesayingthatmaybethe
tummyachewasasi gnthatsheshoul
dn'
tget
marri
edy et

Iwasalr
eadyinst
it
ches,
Ihadneverheardthi
s
st
orybefor
e.Imeanmymom didn'tseem l
i
ke
t
het
ypet
hatchi
ckenedout
.

Ri
ghtthenmydad'
ssi
sterwal
kedi
nwi
thabowl
ofcer
eal.

"Youneedtoeatandgai
nyourst
rengt
hyoung
l
ady,t
oday'
sgonnabealongday"shesai
d

"Lookather
,she'
sgl
owi
ng"

"Shel
ooksl
i
kear
eal
bri
de"

"She'
sgonnabemor
ebeaut
if
ulonherweddi
ng
gown"

Thewomenwer
etal
ki
ngamongstt
hemsel
ves
It
ookt
hebowl
from myaunt
,andat
e.
Wheniwasdonetheytookthebowl,
mygr anny
mademybed.Iwastreatedli
keaqueen,
so
f
ragi
l
eli
keanegg.

Ihadaskedf
ewofmycousi
nsandf
ri
endsf
rom
worktobemybr
idesmai
ds

Thet
imef
lewqui
cki
ethani
hadexpect
ed
Icoul
dn'
tcompl
aint
hough,
Ireal
l
ywant
edt
o
seemyman.
Icoul
dal
readypi
ctur
ehi
ski
l
lersmi
l
e.
MyphoneKeptonr i
ngingnonstop,i
twas
Juni
orcall
i
ng,
istil
lknewhi snumberbyhear
t.I
hadnoideawhathewant edfrom mebuti
i
gnoredmostofthecalls.

Ar
oundni
nei
gotr
eady
.Iwentt
otakeal
ong
asssal
tbat
h,Ineededt
orel
axmybody
Afterbat
hingmydr
esswasal
readyont
opof
thebed,
Thedr
esswascust
om made
byther isi
nghouseofDr eamsandwasv ery
moder n, t
hatistosayi thadatubularbodice,a
gathereddr essthathuggedmet ightl
yand
spreadoutl ikeamer mai dont
hebot tom,wi t
h
fl
aredlaceov ersleev
es,lowsweetheart-
shaped
neckli
ne, andaf inechiff
onvei
lwith
embr oiderededges.
Iappl
iedl
oti
onandwor
emywhi
tel
acedpant
y
andit
'smatchi
ngbr
a
Theni
goti
nmydr
ess.
Ifel
tli
keapri
ncessassoonasAnnamymai
d
ofhonorzi
ppeditup
I
tfi
tt
edper
fect
ly
It
oppedi
tofwi
thmygl
assl
i
keheel
Myhai
rwast
iedi
ntoaneatupdobun.Suzzy
di
dmymakeup
Bythetimeshewasdonei lookedl
i
keanangel,
theonlythingthatwasmi
ssingwer
ewingsso
thati
coul dfl
y.

Mygr annygav
emesomethi
ngnewandbl
ue,
it
wasdi amondear
ri
ngswi
thi
tsmat
chi
ng
neckpiece
Myauntgavemesomet hingborr
owed,
ani
ce
shi
nnysil
verbel
t,Iwr
appeditar
oundmywai
st
anditj
ustmadethedresspopped.
I
taddeddazzl
etot
hedr
ess

"Youlookamazi
ngbaby,l
ookaty
ou"my
grannysai
dwi
pinghert
ears
Me:
thanky
oumuchmakhul
u

Her
:youl
ooksomuchl
i
key
ourmot
her

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutshedt
ear
s

Her:
don'
tcrynana,iknowwhereevershei
s.
Sheisl
ooki
ngaty ouandshessmil
i
ng
Shei
spr
oudofy
ou

Me:i
fonlyshewasher
etoseemewal
ki
ng
downtheisl
e.
Imi
ssher
,imi
ssbot
hoft
hem.

Her
:it
sohk,y
ougonnabeohk,youar
emarry
ing
t
hemany oul
oveandyougonnabehappy
Me:
thanky
ou

Wehuggedt
ight
ly,
rightt
henmyf
atherwal
ked
t
hrought
hedoor
Helookeddashi
nginhi
sbl
acksui
tandni
cel
y
combedbrownhair
.

"Sorr
ytodi
stur
b,canIbor
rowherj
ustal
i
ttl
e
bi
t"hesai
d

Gr
anny
:Iwi
l
lber
ightout
side,
don'
ttakel
ong
Wehav
etobeatchur
chbyel
evenr
emember

Inodded

"Pr
incess"hesatont
hebed,
Ismi
l
edathi
m
Hi
m: y
oul
ookst
unni
ngmyangel
,ar
eyour
eady
f
orthi
s

Me:readyasiwi
ll
everbe.Todayi
sthe
happi
estdayofmyli
fe
Godmi
ghthavet
akenmom andChr
isbuthe
gav
emeGraig
Hebr
oughtmet
hemant
hatdef
inesme

Hi
m: am sohappyf
ory
ou,
her
e,Ibr
oughty
ou
t
his

Het
ookoutasi
l
verbr
acel
et

"I
t'
ssomet
hingol
d,i
twasy
ourmot
her
's
Shewor
eitonourweddi
ngday
"
Me:
owhi
tssobeaut
if
ul,
thanky
ousomuch

Wesharedat
ighthug,t
henhepl
acedt
he
br
acel
etonmyleftwri
st
Wesatt
her
e,t
alked,
laughedandcr
iedt
oget
her
.
I
twast
hegr
eat
estt
hingev
er.

Aroundt
ent
hir
tyweal
lgoti
nourcar
sand
headedt
ochur
ch
Mybri
desmaidsl
ookeddazzl
i
ngi
nthei
rsky
bl
ueandsil
verdr
esses.

Thevenuewasoutofthi
sworl
d, ist
oodint
he
hal
lway.thechur
chwasli
tbylanter
nsand
candl
es,wit
h125lov
edonesfacingeachot
her
.
Icoul
dfeel
myheartpoundi
ngoutofmychest
asthefl
owergi
rl
,whowasmycousin'
s
daught
ermadeherway.Shewasweari
nga
beauti
fulpuff
ywhi tedress.Shel ookedli
kea
l
itt
lepri
ncess.Thenf inal
lyther
ewast hat
momentofsi lence.Thecust omar y"her
ecomes
thebri
de"songpl ayed,theyallstoodup,most
ofthem paidtheiratt
entionont hedoor

"Thi
sisi
t,ar
eyour
eady
"myf
athersai
d.

Me:
am ner
vous.

Hi
m:rel
ax,youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Thi
sisy
our
moment,enj
oyi
t

Hehel
douthi
shandandisl
i
tinmineandhel
d
f
ormydearl
if
easwewalkeddowntheai
sle.
..
..
.
Ofcoursemyey es,werefi
xedonGrai
gwho
wassmi l
i
ngnerv ousl
y.Hewassweati
ngandi
wasjustgladt
hathewasj ustasner
vousasi
was.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#GRAI
G_POV

Myhear
trat
espi
kedt
hemomenti
sawher
,my
wi
fe.
Shelookedli
keagoddessi
nthatdr
ess.Ihad
neverseensuchbeaut
y.
Herdr
esscompl
i
ment
edmywhi
teandskybl
ue
t
uxedo.
Aguyihardlyknewstoodbesi
demeasmybest
man.Idi
dn'tknowevenoneofmygroomsmen,
mom hador gani
sedt
hem forme.
Howiwi
shedTYSONwasher
etoenj
oyt
hisday
wi
thme.
Heshoul
dbetheonekeepi
ngt
her
ingsnott
his
Der
rekguy.
Ist
il
ldi
dn'
tunderst
andwhymyMom di
dn'
t
wannatel
lTyaboutme.
Shekeptsay
ingshewaspr
otecti
nghim,i
wonderedi
freal
l
yshewasprotect
inghi
m or
her
self
.

Theyfi
nal
l
ygoti
ntot
heal
ter
.Herf
atherhanded
hert
ome

"Pl
easedon'
tki
l
lmydaught
er"i
swhathe
whi
sper
edbef
oregi
vi
nghi
sdaught
ert
ome
Iswall
owedhard,
thosewordscuti
ndeep.I
t
washardtoknowthathethi
nksicoul
dharm
Ell
ainanyway.

"Youmayal l
beseated,Dearl
ybeloved,weare
gatheredt
odaytowitnesstheUnionofthis
coupleinaholl
ymatrimony"thepastorsai
das
soonasev er
ybodyhadsat.

"Iti
ssaidthatwhat ev
erisbi
ndonear thisalso
bindinheaven,whatGodhasbr oughttogether
l
etnomant earitapar
t"heconti
nued,hewent
onandonpr eachesandstuf
f,unt
ili
twast i
me
fortheri
ngst obeexchanged.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#ELLA

Wehadwr i
tt
enourownv
owssoGr
aiggott
he
chancet
ogof i
rst
.

"Ell
a,youaremybestf riend.Ipromisetolaugh
withy ou,cr
ywithyou,andgr owwi thyou.Iwil
l
l
ov eyouwhenwear etogetherandwhenwear e
apart.Ipromisetosuppor tyourdreamsandt o
respectourdiff
erences,andt olov
ey ouandbe
byy oursidethr
oughall thedaysandni ght
sof
ourlives."Hesaid,heblinkedrapi
dlyprobably
st
oppingtear
sfr
om f
all
i
ngbutIcoul
dn'
thol
d
mytears

"SoIgiv
ey outhi
sri
ngast hesymbolofmy
l
oveforyou,Iwoul
dl i
ket
or emai
npartofyour
l
if
efrom nowandev enontheGravebeyond
Iwantyoutoknowt hatevensomet
hingas
ser
iousasdeathwon'tkeepusapar
t,il
oveyou"
headdediwasalreadysoakedwetwitht
ears

Ismi
ledt
hrought
het
ear
sbef
oresay
ingmy
vows

Me: i,
Isabell
aFer nandochoosey ouGr ai
g
Krugertobenoot herthany our
self.Lovi
ng
whatIknowofy ou,tr
ustingwhatthingsIwil
l
discover.Iwil
lrespectyouasaper son,a
partner,andanequal .Thereisl
itt
letosaythat
youhav en’tal
readyhear d,andl
it
tletogivet
hat
i
snotalr
eadyfreel
ygiven.Bef or
eyouaskedme,
IwasyoursandIam devot edtoyouinever
y
way.Imarr
yyouwi t
hnohesi t
ati
onordoubt,
andmycommi tmenttoy ouisabsolut
e.Andi
Dotakeyoutobemyl awf ull
yweddedhusband
*
*
*
*
*
#Gr
aig

Afterthevowsthepastorcont
inuedwiththe
ceremony.Itwentonsmoot hl
ywithno
distur
banceunti
lthepartwherewekissed.
Beforeweclosei
tof
fandheadedt
othe
recepti
on.
Mygr
annyr
equestt
odoal
i
ttl
eri
tual
say
ing
t
hati
twasaf
ami
l
ytr
adi
ti
ont
odoi
t.
Fort
hem i
tishowtheywel
comedanew
memberinthefami
ly.
i
nt wosemi ci
rcl
es,ahand-tyi
ngceremonywas
perfor
medi nwhichfourfamilymember s
placedri
bbonsov erourhandswhilethe
celebr
antreadoutwhatt heyrepr
esented.

"LOVE,LIFE,RESPECTANDHONESTY, This
ri
bbonsar ethesymbol ofuni
ty,wewel come
youtot hefamil
yIsabell
aandi wantyout o
knowt hatyouarenowpar tofthisfamily,
obstaclescomeandgo.somewor sethan
othersbutiwanty outoremembert hatyou
madeav owt ol
ovehimr egar
dless.
Sofr
om nowonwardsyouar
epar
tofhi
m as
muchashe'
spartofyou.
Yout
woar
enowbi
ndedt
obecomeone
Mayt
hisUni
onl
astf
orev
er"Oumasai
d
Shethenchantedabi
tinananci
entl
anguage
bef
orerel
easingbot
hourti
edhands.
Aft
ertheceremony,wetookf
ewpi
ctur
est
hen
headedtotherecept
ionar
ea.

#mf
s_mt
ag
[
12/
28,09:
15]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY_
SIX

#GRAI
GS_
POV

Asshesl ept
,Ilai
dawakelooki
ngather ,she
wasasbeaut if
ulasasorcer
ess.ifel
tso
tauntedandbewitchedbyherbeauty.IwishI
couldli
veinthi
smomentf oreverbutitwas
i
mpossi bleiwasdead, aghost,justamere
spi
ritroamingaroundr estl
essl
ybecausemy
familyhadrefusedtoletmer estinpeace.
yet
herei was,mortalIf
eltinherpresence.so
dauntedbyhercal m spiri
tandsuchagent l
e
soul.Canthislovebeaspower ful.
I
st her
eanythi
ngmoreter
ri
fyi
ngthanfall
i
ngi
n
l
ove?Yourheartst
art
stopound,yourpal
ms
begintosweat,
youcan’
tsl
eep…
Muchl
i
ket
hosespeci
alfeel
i
ngst
hatcomewi
th
anewr
omant
icdal
li
ance.

"Ipromi
setobewithy
ouf
orev
er"Iwhi
sper
ed
soft
lyi
nherl
eftear
.
I
naheart
beatImadethatdi
ff
icultpr
omise.It
wasmywishtopr
otectherl
i
ket hemy t
hical
Hor
us.
Asifbysomeextr
aordi
nar
yalchemyImight
comebacktol
ifeandwewill
remainthi
shappy
f
amilyandi woul
dbeabl etowatcht heseed
t
hatihadplantedinherwombbl ossom into
t
hisbeaut
ifulf
lower.Ihadpray
edt hatwe
r
emainloversforeter
nit
y.
Over
whelmingemot i
onst ookoverme,that'
s
whatili
kedabouther,shemademef eelhowit
wasli
ket obehuman.Heruni queness
complementedmyempt i
ness.
Sheheldont i
ghtt
ot hehugefl
uff
yteddy-
bear
,a
gifti
hadgivenheronValenti
ne'
sday,our
preci
ouskeepsakes,it
sbeen5mont hsnow
sincewewedded, andikeptl
ovi
nghereachday
thatpassed
Ifidi
dn'
tknowanybet t
eri wouldsaythatthis
l
ov ewasseemi nglyconjuredupbysorcery.But
i
twasnot hingofthatsor t
,itwasherheart,i
t
heldmetoget heralt
houghIcouldfeelmy self
slowl
yperishi
ngsi ncethismonthhadst art
ed.

Iwasget
ti
ngweakereachdayt
hatcame,
I
couldfeelthattheendwasnear ,mypathwas
comingcl osertoanend.Myj ourneywas
supposedt oendt hr
eemont hsbackYetherei
wasstillholdingoneventhough
si
s'Nomawet huhadtoldmet hatmycandlewas
burni
ngout .

“t
hisisyourv
eryownunexplai
nedmyster
y”
si
s'Nomawethuhadprocl
aimedatthe
beginni
ngofthi
smonth.
Shewassurpr
isedt
oseethecandl
est
il
l
burni
ngev
enthoughit
sti
mehadpassed,my
ti
mehadEnded.
Igather
edEl l
a'
slovei
swhatkeptmeher e,
her
beati
nghear ti
swhatkeptmeal i
vethesepast
twomont hs.sheandiwouldremaintheonly
charact
ersinthiswhi
msicalt
ale.IguessIn
eachother’sarmswewouldalway sfi
ndthat
cri
ti
calsolace.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

TYSON

Shebi
tatmyl
owerl
i
p.SheBi
thar
der
.
Myf i
ngersdraggeddownhershoul derandshe
l
etgoofmyl i
p.Igroanedagain,
mycock
growingpai
nfullyhardi
nsi
demyj eans.I
reachedbetweenourbodiestoloosenmybel t
andpullt
hezi pper,
thenpushedherjeansand
pant
iesdown.
Herey
esweredar
kandunr
eadabl
e.“
Ithought
weweredone.
”
Shesai
dsl
owl
y.
Ismil
edslowl
y“Assoonasyouknowwhatit
feel
sli
ketobeused.Thenwe’
ref
ucki
ngdone.
”
Isai
dwithanger
ShegrabbedmyT-
shi
rtt
henr
ipi
tther
estoft
he
way.
Wet henki ssedr
oughl
y,i
wasaboutto
penetrateherwhenshesuddenl
ytal
kedi
na
ver
yst rangeway.

Il
ift
edmyey estohersonlytobemetbya
str
angeandunfamili
arface,shehadchanged,
shewasnolongerthatgir
lihadhopedtoget
i
ntimat
ewith.
Iqui
ckl
ymov
edawayf
rom her
"Whatthehel
l
,whoar
eyou"i
askedst
il
l
shocked

Shestar
tedl
aughi
nguncont
rol
l
abl
yli
kea
l
unati
c.
Herf
acewassopal
eandwrinkl
y.Nol
ongert
hat
t
eenagegi
rli
hadpi
ckedatt
heclub.

"VI
OLA,
,
PANTRONA,,
,
VICTI
TUMUS,
,
,,
SERERE,
,
,,
,
MITI
TUS"
sheyel
l
ed.
Andr
ightawaythosewordssoundedf
ami
l
iar
,i
hadr
eadthem i
nt hatol
dbook.

I
twasaspellaboutgai
ningone'
smi
nd.I
twasa
mindcont
rol
l
ingspell
.
Wasshet
ryi
ngt
openet
rat
emymi
nd,
why
though,whywouldt
hisol
dwomanwannahav
e
control
ofmymi nd.
Iquicklyremember edhowt oblockthespell
,i
readitinthatbook.IfIwantedtoblockthespell
ihadt othinkofamemor yandfocusoni t
,a
happiestmemor y,sost r
ongthatitwoul
d
preventherfrom getti
ngcontroloverme.

Shekeptonchant
ing,
themoreshechantedthe
morehervoi
cesoundedsofamil
i
ar.Ihadheard
i
tbefor
e.
Icoul
dn'
trememberwher
e,buti
knewt
hat
voi
ce.
Shebr
oughtfor
thherhands,
hernai
l
swer
eso
l
onganddist
urbi
ng.

Ihadfi
nal
l
yfoundthatmemorythatwasso
deart
ome, t
hehappiestmomentofmyli
fe.
(I
twasmy12t
hbi
rt
hday
,thel
astbi
rt
hdayi
had
actual
lycelebratedwit
hmybr othersi
ncewere
bornont hesamedat eandmont h.Hewas
tur
ning15whi l
ei wastur
ning12, i
twasaweek
beforehi
st ragicdeat
h.
Myparent
sthrewustheeBi
ggestpar
tyever
,i
st
il
lrememberhowhugethosetwocakeswere,
l
oadsofsnacksandsomanysoftdri
nks.
Wehadinv
itedallourf
riends.Tot
opitall
my
par
ent
shador der
edaj umpingcast
leforme.
Isti
ll
rememberhowhappywewere.Theyhad
boughtusbi
cycl
es,
hiswasredandminewas
blue.
Laterthatdayweraceddownt heroadwithour
bicycl
es,of'
cozGrai
gwouldalwayscomewi n
becausehewasol derandmor eexper
ienced
thaniwasbutwewer ehappy,
it'
sli
kehewas
sayinghisfi
nalgoodbyestome)

"Noooo,
,
,,
,noool
,howar
eyoudoi
ngt
his,
how
ar
eyoust
oppi
ngme"shey
ell
edi
nfr
ust
rat
ion.

Shechantedlouderhopi
ngthatmay
beby
chanceshemi ghtgetagl
impseofmymi
ndbut
Iwouldn'
tlether
"It
snotpossi
ble,
itsnotpossi
ble"she
screamed

Nowirememberedwhereihadheardthatv
oice,
i
twasthewomani oncedreamtaboutwhowas
dr
aggi
ngGrai
gintotheri
ver.
Ir
ememberedher
,sheappear
edi
nmydr
eam
wi
thJuni
or.

"Iknowyou.
..
..
youar
ethatwomanfr
om the
ri
ver,
whatdoyouwantfr
om me.
"Iasked.

"Owhsoy
our
emember
,Ist
il
lwantt
hesame
t
hingIwant
edf
rom y
oubef
ore.
Iwanty
ourbr
other
"shespoke.

Me:
can'
tyougeti
t,mybr
otheri
sdead.

"That
'swer
eyouar
ewrongchi
l
d,y
ourmot
her
bl
ockedamemoryf
rom y
ou.
Adream y
ouusetohav
eaboutagir
l.Agi
rlyou
hav
egrowntolov
eeventhoughy
ouneverknew
her
.
Thatgi
rli
sthekeyf
ormetogett
oy ourbr
other
"
shesai
d,shewasn'
tmaki
nganysense

Me:
whatgi
rl
,whatar
eyouonabout
.

Her
:somehowy
ouandherhav
easpeci
albond.
Ichangedmy
sel
ftol
ookl
i
keheri
nthatcl
ub
andy
ouchoset
otakeherhomewi
thy
ou.
Butwhatconf
usedmeisthatyoudi
dn'teven
rememberhername.Agi
rlyouknewallyour
l
ifeyett
odayshewasast
rangertoyou.
Ast
rangery
ouwant
edt
osl
eepwi
th.
Thenithi
tme,theymusthav
edonesomet
hing
toyoutofor
getabouther
.

Me:
who,
whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
.

Her
:Isabel
l
aFer
nando,
thegi
rly
oul
oveso
much.

Me:who?,
Am i
supposet
oknowt
hatI
sabel
l
a
ofaper
son.
Wher
eisshef
rom.
Her
:dammi
t,
..
..

Shepacedar
oundt
her
oom.
"Imustgetinyourhead,youhavet
oletmeinif
youwannaknowt hetrut
h,yourmot
her
bet
ray
edy ou,shetookouryourmemory"she
sai
d

Shechantedandslowl
ybutsur
elyicoul
dfeel
mybarri
erbreaki
ngdown,shewasalmostin
wheniheardmyphoner i
ngi
ngfrom adi
stance.
I
trangl
our
derandi
t'
svi
brat
ionsi
swhatwoke
meup.

Iquicklysatupandmyheadwaspounding.I
wasal oneintheroom,t
hatswhenir
eali
zed
thatihavebeendr eami
ng,
butthi
sdream f
elt
soreal.
Icheckedt
hephoneandi
twasamessage.

"Iknowthi
sislongoverduebutweneedt otal
k,
Iknowwhathappenedtoy ourbrother
"the
messageread,
itwasfrom anumberi di
dn't
know.It
ri
edcalli
ngi
tbackbuti tsaidi
tdidn'
t
exi
st.

Nowt
hiswast
hewei
rdestt
hingev
er
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#El
l
a

Iwokeupt
oGr
aig'
ssof
tgaze,
hewasst
ari
ngat
me

"Owh.Hey,
howlonghaveibeenasl
eep"
i
yawnedt
henst
retchedmyarms.

"Notl
ong"heki
ssedmyfor
ehead,
hisl
i
psst
il
l
ascol
dashissof
tski
n.

Somethingwasdef
ini
tel
ywrongwit
hmy
husband.I
tsbeenf
ivemont
hssinceour
weddi
ngandt hi
ngswer
eperf
ectfort
hefi
rst
t
hreemonths.Aft
ert
hatHesuddenl
ychanged.
Maybeithassomet
hingt
odowi t
hthat
beaut
if
ulwomanwhohadv i
sit
edhimtwo
monthsago.
Irememberwehadahugefi
ghtaf
terherv
isi
t.
Grai
gwouldn'
ttel
lmewhoshewasandwhat
shewanted.
Sincet
henhehaschanged,henolongereatt
he
foodiprepar
eforhi
m.Hehardlystay
shome
andwhenhei shomeheavoidsmel i
keiam a
badrash.

Hewassosneakyandi coul
dfeel
thathewas
keepingsecr
etsfr
om meandihat
edthefact
thathewaslyingt
ome.
Wasmyhusbandcheat
ingonme.Washe
gonnal
eav
emewi t
hthi
spregnancy
.
Yeah,iwassixmont hspregnant
,Iguessthat
daywef orgotaboutthecondom iact
uall
ydid
fel
lpregnantbutwef oundoutaboutthe
pregnancyaftert
heweddi ng.
Hisgrannywaswei rdedoutwhenwef i
rsttol
d
heraboutthepr egnancy .Hismom was
shockedtosayt hel east,theirr
eacti
ont ot he
newswasv er
yt roubling.Althoughafterthe
shockhermom hasbecomesoobsessi ve
aboutthepregnancy .ShechosewhatIshoul d
eatandwhenIshoul deati t
.What '
swor sewas
howhor r
ibl
ethef oodshegav etomet asted.
Eventhesmel lalonewasunbear abl
e.
Shewant
edmet
orest
.

"Youshouldstopthi
nki
ngtoomuch,
itsnot
goodf ort
hebaby"Grai
gdi
stur
bedmef r
om my
thoughts
Me:
wit
hhowt
hingsar
e,i
tshar
dnott
othi
nk.
Someti
mesi wonderi
fiwontbel
eftt
orai
se
thi
sbabyal
one.

Grai
g:babypleasenott
hisagai
n,canwenot
t
alkaboutit
.

Me:
whyt
hef
ucknot
.

Gr
aig;
becausei
tol
dyout
hatam notcheat
ing.

Me,
:soshoul
dibel
i
evet
haty
ouwontl
eav
eme.

Hepl ayfulst
uckouthistongue,hewasi n
l
aught erandwashav ingali
ghtheartedf un.My
husband, Heteasi
nglysaid,
"whyar eyouso
afr
aidofl oosi
ngme, whatifdeathcomesand
snatchmeaway ?"Suddenly,
Ifel
tany t
hingbut
pl
ayf
ul.If
elthur
tandangr
y,andIdi
dn'
tknow
why.
IknewGr ai
gwasn'
tbeingseri
ousortryi
ngto
hurtme.IknewIshouldhavebeenlaughi
ngand
giv
inghim asmart
-l
adyanswer,butIfel
tli
ke
explodi
ng.I
twastotal
l
yirr
ati
onal.
Graigcouldtel
lsomethi
ngwaswrong, butI
wasn'treadytotal
kabouti
t—Idi
dn'tunderstand
whyIwasf eel
i
ngthesestr
ongnegativ
e
emot i
ons,soIcert
ainl
ycoul
dn'
texplai
nt hem.
Inst
ead, t
herewasasuddenuncomf ort
able
sil
ence

"Uhm, l
etmegogety ourf
oodam sureit
s
warm now,andyoumustbefamished"hesai
d
get
ti
ngupf rom t
hebed

Iknewi
shouldhaveatl
easttr
iedtosmi l
eand
madeSmall
talkswit
hhim butijustcoul
dn'
t,
notwi
thdeat
h.
Notaf
teri
ttookmymot
herandbr
otheraway
f
rom me.

Heexi
tedt
her
oom andi
justbur
iedmy
sel
fon
t
hepil
l
owandwept
.

#mf
s_mt
ag

#unedi
ted
[
12/
28,09:
15]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY-
SEVEN

#NARRATED.
Terr
atookanothersi
pofhercoffee,
Graig'
s
motherwasbusywi t
hthebeefstew.Sheadded
themixedveggi
esthenclosedt
hepot .

"Mom howsur eareyouthatthi

swillwor
k,I
can'
tloosethatbaby,
itwil
lbetheonlyr
eal
reminderofmyson"shesatandwi pedher
handswi t
hthedishcl
oth.

Ter
ra:
trustmeitwi
ll
work,thatl
iqui
dofl
i
fewi
l
l
makesurethatt
hebabyremainshuman.
Wearej
ustl
uckyt
hatt
hispr
egnancyt
ookpl
ace
whi
l
ehewashuman.

Thandeka:at
leastsomet
hinggoodcameoutof
thei
rUnion.

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
"Ij
ustwisht
hewasawayt obri
ngmysonback
wit
houtl
oosi
ngmyot herson"shespoke,
her
voi
cefi
ll
edwithsadness

Terr
a:Itri
edever
ythi
ngbuteachtimeitr
yto
messar oundandtemperwiththi
ngs,
Theangel
ofdeathalwayscomesrightonti
metocoll
ect
.
I
thasgiv
enTysonthemar
k,i
fi makeone
wrongmover
ightnowi
twil
ltakeTysonf
orev
er.

Thandeka:
butmah,t
herehastobeanot
her
way,awaywehaven'
tfoundyet

Terr
a:no,there'snoot herway,r
ememberi only
am all
owedt opr acti
cewhiteMagi c,t
here'
sa
l
imitonwhati cando, unl
essyouwannapur sue
darkmagicwhi chwebot hknowt hatthe
consequenceswi l
lbedreadful
.Not hi
nggood
ev
ercomesoutofdar
kmagi
c.

Thandeka:
owhGod,
whyi
sthi
shappeni
ngt
o
me.
Whydi dGodall
owmysont odi
e.Justl
ookat
him,heclear
lywasgonnagr
owintoagreat
responsi
bleman.

Terr
a:wecan'tBlameGod,wehav eal
ready
disr
espectedHi
m bybringi
ngGrai
gback.You
neednottocompl ai
nbutgiv
ethanksbecause
yousti
llhaveTyson.

Shej
ustwept
.

Terr
a:thandekapleasedon'tdothat,
atleast
Tysonissti
llal
iv
e, whynotgivehimthe
aff
ecti
onandl ovey ouhav
edear l
yinvestedon
y
ourdeadson.
Tysoni
sal
soagoodboy,
andhei
str
oubl
edhe
needsy
ou,
Heneedsthet
rut
h.

"Nomom.Wecan' tt
ell
him,
wej
ustcan'
t,
he
wil
lnotunder
stand.
Whatifit
ellhi
m andhejustrunsst
rai
ghtt
ohi
s
f
atherandtell
him ev
ery
thing.
Johnisalr
eadysuspect
ingthatsomet
hingis
wrong,wecantri
skhimf i
ndi
ngoutthetrut
h"
thandekasai
dwipi
ngawayhert ear
s.

Ter
ra:
forhowl
ongar
ewegonnakeept
his.
Itol
dyoutotel
lyourhusbandf
rom t
hestart
aboutwhatyouwereplanni
ngtodo.Youshoul
d
havetol
dhim.

Thandeka:
youknowhowst
ubbor
nJohncan
get
,hewoul
dhav
est
oppedus.
Hewoul dn'thav
eal
l
owedmet obr
ingGr
aig
back.Hewasgonnat el
lmet
olett
hepoli
cefi
nd
Grai
g'skil
ler.

Terr
a: maybeweshoul
dhavel
etthepol
icedo
thei
rjob.Weshoul
dhavel
etGrai
gresti
npeace.

Thandeka:am gl
adi br
oughthi
m back,at
least
somet hi
nggoodcameoutoft hi
s.Soonam
gonnabeagr anny.Iwoul
dbeabletoholdmy
grandson.

Ter
ra:
evenso,
ist
il
lsayweshoul
dhav
elett
his
be.
NowTy soni
ssufferi
ngmor ethananyofus
becauseofwhatwedi d.Hecall
edmethenight
aft
erwemadeGr aighuman, hewassoscared,
I
di
dn'tbl
amehimthough
Iwi
l
lalsobescar
edwaki
ngupwi
thamar
kon
mychest.
Ihadtol
ietohim,i
hadt opr
etendl
ikei
knew
nothi
ngabouthi
sstrangedr
eam .
Heal
sotoldmeaboutanol
dbookhef
oundi
n
t
heli
brar
y.
Hereadaboutmeandourcoven.If
eltbad
denyi
ngknowledgeofev
ery
thi
ng.

Thandeka:am sorr
ymom butIcan'
ttel
lTy
son
aboutthi
s,at
leastnotnow.

Terr
a:buthewillf
indoutevent
uall
y.I
fyoudon'
t
tel
lhim MissYwil
l usehi
mt odest
roy
every
thingyouhol
ddear .

"Nomamai cant
,ijustcan'
t"shest
ood​ up
andat
tendedtothepotswhi l
eTerr
akeptqui
et
andst
aredather
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#Gr
aig_
POV

Isatont
opofmygr
avel
i
keader
angedman.
I
tswhati
havebeendoingl
atel
y.If
eltmor
eat
homeher
ethanifel
twheniwasinthehouse.
Ifel
ttheemptinessinsi
demegetti
ngst r
onger.I
di
stract
edmy selfwit
hthought
s.Thoughts
aboutthel
if
ei couldhavehadifi
hadn'tdie.
Iwouldhavegr
aduat
edfrom school bynow,
I
wouldbeworki
ngoratl
eastowningmyown
company.Iwoul
dhaveEll
abymysi deand
toget
herweweregonnarai
seourf ami l
y.
Iwasgonnahav efourkids,
twoboy sandt
wo
gir
ls.Theboyswer egonnal ookli
kemewhile
thegirl
stakesafterthei
rmot her
.Lif
ewas
gonnabeper fectforme.

Rightt
henifel
tmycheeksgett
ingwat
ery
,my
heartwassaddened.Iwasi
npaint
hat
'swhyi
shedtear
s.
If
eltmysadnessslowlytur
ningint
oanger.I
t
wasall
Junior
'sfaul
t,i
fhehadn'tdonewhathe
di
dIwouldsti
llbeali
vetoday.
Butt
heni
fMrFer
nandowasn'
tashear
tl
esshe
woul
dn'
thav
eranmeoverr
epeatedl
ythatday
.
Heist
heonewhoi
ssupposedtobedeadnot
me.

If
eltmyinsi
destur
ningdar
ker,Ineededt
o
makehim payf
orwhathedid.Ineededtomake
hi
mf eel
thepai
nhecausedme.
Hewastheonewhowassupposedt
obel
yi
ng
her
edead,notme.

Ist
oodupandf
ewdr
opsofl
i
qui
ddr
oppedf
rom
myhead.
Itouchedt
hebackofmyheadandmyhand
camebackcoveredi
nsomuchblood.
Iwasbl eeding,
theinjur
yihadobtai
nedt hatday
wasback.mynosewasal sobleedi
ng.Ifeltt
he
needforv engeancegetti
ngstr
onger,Iheaded
str
aighttoMrf ernando'
shouse.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA

Myphonev i
brat
edagai
n,ihadj
ustfi
nished
taki
ngabath,il
ookatt
hetimeanditwas
almost20:
30pm andGrai
gwasstil
lnoty et
back.
Helef
tthehousear
ound18:30pm af
terwehad
di
nner,
hesaidheneededt
ost r
etchhi
slegs,
wel
lheal
way
sdoest
hataf
terweeat
.
It
houghti
twashimtexti
ngsoi
openedt
he
messageal
readywear
ingasmi
le.
Trut
hisimissedhim al
ready
.Thet
houghtof
notseei
nghim ev
enf oraminut
ebother
edme
somuch.

Thatwast heprobl
em, myhormonesdroveme
crazy,
onemi nuteiwantedGrai
gsomuchand
thenext,
iwillwantnot
hingtodowithhim.But
alli
nalli
lovedhim somuch.
Hehadapologi
zedi
nthemorni
ngf orupset
ti
ng
meev ent
houghwebothknewthathedid
not
hingwrong.
If
eltst
upi
dforthi
nki
ngthathecoul
dcheaton
meorworseleaveme.
Imeanhehasbeensosuppor
ti
veandcar
ing
eversi
ncewegotmar
ri
ed.
Ihadev
ery
thi
ngi
everwant
edandneeded,
from
desi
gnercl
othest
omyv
eryownper
sonal
i
zed
car.

Iwast r
eatedl
ikeaqueeninthishouse,
my
presencewasworshippedl
ikeagoddess.My
wordwasal waysfi
nalsoapartfr
om myhubby
acti
ngallweir
dourli
veswasper fect
.

Ir
eadt
hemessageandmykneesr
ancol
d.
Ifel
tchi
ll
sdriv
ingdownmyheav
yspi
ne,
my
heartr
ateshotthr
ought
her
oof.

"Keepignori
ngme, butIknowthatyougetmy
messages,Iswearaslongasyouaremar ri
ed
tothatdeadmanofy oursyouwil
lneverf
ind
peace.
Iwi
llmakesurethaty
oupayforl
eavi
ngme"t
he
messageread,
whatdidhewantfr
om me.
Hehasbeenhar
assi
ngmewi thcal
l
sand
messagesev
ersi
ncethedayofmyweddi
ng.

Ireall
ydidn'
tknowwhatJuni
ormeantbyhis
threat
s,imeanItri
edtomakeourr
elati
onshi
p
wor kbuthewouldn'
tl
etme.Hewast heone
whodumpedme.

Thisthr
eatswer eget
ti
ngscari
erbytheday.
Thiswasget t
ingoutofhand,
Ifi
guredmay bei
t
wast i
mei tel
lmyhusbandaboutallthi
s.And
may beineededtoaskhim whyJuniorkept
ref
erri
ngtohim asaDeadman.
Mymi ndracedbacktothecallhemadethe
pr
ev i
ousweek,ipi
ckedupbecausei twasa
pr
ivatenumbernotknowingthatitwashi
m.
Heli
ter
all
ytol
dmet hatiwassoongonnajoi
n
mysocalledhusbandifIdidn'
tdi
vor
cehim.He
sai
dhewasgonnabur nmeal i
vewhi
lemy
husbandwatchedhelpl
essl
y.Aft
erhear
ingthati
qui
cklydr
oppedt hephoneandihavebeen
rej
ecti
ngal
lpriv
atenumbersfrom myphone.

Iwasnowliv
ingi
nfear
,theconst
antmessages
hekeptonsendi
ngmademyl i
ferest
less.
Icoul
dn'
tevengot otheshopwit
houtwor
ryi
ng
abouthi
m stal
kingme.Ifel
tli
kehewas
watchi
ngmef rom adist
ance.
Iworemygownandwentt
olockal
lthedoor
s
thenwentt
owat
chtv
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#TYSON

Ispentmywholeafter
noonindoor
s,Ihad
spokentomyfatherearl
i
eron.
Wehadabr i
efdi
scussi
onaboutani
ssue
concer
ningGr
aig
Sinceev eryonewast urni
ngablindeyeonmei
decidedt hataft
erthatdream i
wasgonnacall
myf at
herandt el
lhim aboutal
lthi
sweird
thingsthatwer ehappeningtomel at
ely
.

Itwasagr
eatthi
ngt hatmyMom wasnotther
e
soihadaproperconversat
ionwi
thmyf
ather.
Hetoothoughtthatsomethi
ngwasnotright
.
Hehadswor nthatheoncesawGraiginMill
ena
andtr
iedtotel
lmymot herabouti
tbutshe
compl
etel
ybl
ewhi
m of
f.
Sohehadagreedtohel
pmegettotherootof
thi
s,wehadpromisedt
hatwer
egonnakeep
thi
sawayfrom mymother
.

Myphonebeepedagain.I
twasont
opoft he
coff
eetabl
e.Ipl
acedt
heplat
eofdinneronthe
tabl
ethent
ookthephone.
ItwasanMMS,
Iopenedthemessageandwhat
Isawscar
edmetothecore.

Itwasavideo,averyvaguevideoofacar
chasi
ngmybr otherandfinal
l
yr unni
nghi
m
down.Iwatchedinhorrorasthecarranhi
m
overr
epeatedl
y.
Hetr
iedget
ti
ngoutoft
hewaybutt
hatcar
f
oll
owedhim.
Icoul
dn'
tseewhowasdr
ivi
ngort
hepl
atesof
thecar
.
#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
28,09:
15]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY_
EIGHT

#NARRATED.

NOMAWETHUkeptont ossingandturningon
herhugemat ri
moni al
bed.Shekeptati tfora
whilethatsheendedupdi sturbi
ngher
husband'speacefulsl
eep.Sizwequicklyopened
hiseyes,hesti
llf
eltabitdrowsy.Hesatupand
rubbedhiseyes,hewasabi tworkedupbyt hi
s.
Hest aredathi
swif
ef orthel
ongestwhil
euntil
shest art
edweepi
ng,shewasst i
ll
asleep
though.Whatscar
edSi zweisthebloodthatf
ell
outofhereyes,
shewascr
yingbl
oodi
nst
eadof
normaltear
s.
Hegotsoscaredthathestart
edshakingher
butsheneverwokeup,Inst
eadshewasnow
wail
ingont
opofherv oi
cewhilstst
il
li
nher
sl
eep.

"Baby,
Wet hu,
,,
,Wethu!Pleasewakeup"he
shookher
,hewasnowi napani cmodeasthe
cl
earwhit
epi l
l
owsgotal lbloodysomebl
ood
stai
nswereont hesheets.

Hequicklygotoutoft
hebedandr
andown
st
air
slikealunati
c​.

"Pandora,
Drangel
a,pleaseineedsomehel p"
hescreamedattheguar di
ans'
bedroom door
whil
ebanginghardonit,onewouldthi
nkthat
hewantedtobreakitdown.
Thenoisehemadewokethetwi
nsup,
they
bothgotoutoft
hei
rroomsandst
oodatthe
stai
rway
Theywerebothsoscar
ed,t
heyhavenev
er
hear
dtheirdadscr
eamingl
i
kethat
.
Anathihel
donti
ghtt
oNat hi
'
shand.She
squeezedonti
ght
erhol
dingforherdearl
i
fe.

Sizweunawareofthetwi
ns,hekeptonbanging
andy el
l
ingatt
hedooruntil
Pandoraopenedfor
him,shewasinherhumanf or
m andsowas
Drangelawho,af
terwear
ingagown,steppedto
thedoor

"GoshSi
zwewhat'swrong,whyal
lthi
snoi
sei
ts
00:
30am forGodsake"Pandor
asaid.
"I
tsWet
hu,
,
,,
,i
tsmywi
fe,
Ndor
a"hebr
okedown.

"Whatd..
..
."Ndor
acouldn'
tevenfi
nisht
hat
sent
ence,Ngel
achangedintoherangel
for
m
andri
ghtthensheknewsomet hi
ngwaswrong.

"Ican'
tfeelher,
whatdidy oudot oher"said
Ngela,
hervoiceechoedsinceshewasal ready
onherangel f
orm,shecoul dn'
tevenwaitfor
sizwetoanswer,shejustfl
ewupst ai
rspassing
thetwi
nswhower enowi nt r
ance.

Theybot hstartedcr y
ing,t
hewail
edontopof
theirv
oices,theireyeschangedtoyel
l
ow.A
colortheyhadnev erchangedi
ntobef
ore.

"Omgmykids"Si
zwer
ant
othem,
Pandor
a
fol
l
owedhi
m.
Si
zwe:thei
reyes,
whati
swr
ongwi
tht
hem,
whati
swr ongwit
hmyfami
l
y

hehel
dont i
ghttoanat
hiwhokeptonwail
ing,
i
t'
sli
ketheywereshadowsoft
hemselves.

"Ithi
nkIknowwhat 'swrong,l
et'
stakethem
upstai
rst
oy ourroom"Ndor asai
d,shepicked
upNathiwhileSi
zwepi ckedanathi
,theyt
ook
them t
ohisbedroom.f earandpani
cwas
alr
eadywri
tteninhisface.

Whentheygoti ntheroom, Drangelawas

al
readyther
e, shewasst andingbesidet
hebed
hol
dingNoma' shand,shewast r
yingtorev
ive
herwit
hnol uck.Apool ofbloodwasnearher ,
shewasst i
l
l cryi
ng.
"Putthem nexttot
heirmot
her"di
rectedNdora,
theyplacedt
het wi
nsonthebed,Nathionthe
LeftandAnathiontheri
ght
.

Theyt
oost
art
edcr
yingbl
oodi
nst
eadoft
ear
s.

"Theyarecr y
ingblood,whati
sgoingonwi th
them"Sizweasked, hi
seyeswerealreadytear
y.
Hecouldn'tstandsti
ll
,hekeptPaci
ngar ound
theroom.

"Omg"Ngel
asai
d,shest
oppedt
ryi
ngt
orev
ive
Noma.

"I
ts.
..
"

Shel
ookedatNdor
a,andshej
ustnodded.
"What .
....
whydidyoustop,youneedtowake
herup, pleaseDr
angela,youcan'tl
etmywif
e
di
e, don'tletmyfami
lydie"hepleadedwi
tha
brokenv oice.
"Whatisi
t,whydon'
tyouhel
pthem, doy
our
damnjob"heyel
ledf
eeli
ngfr
ustr
ated.

"Wecan'
t,
Ican'
tpul
lthem out
"Ngel
asai
d.

Sizwe:whythehellnot
,soy
ounowgonnal
et
them di
e.I
st hati
t.

Ndora:
theywon'
tdi
e,y
ouknowhowst r
ong
yourwi
feis,
shewon'
tl
oosethebat
tl
e.

Si
zwe:
whatbat
tl
e,whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
.

Ndor
a:i
tst
heangel
ofdeat
h,Nomai
shav
ingan
encount
erwit
htheangel
ofdeat
h.Andt
he
twi
nswentintohel
pher.

Si
zwe:
how,what
'st
hatandwhatdoesi
twant
wi
thmywif
e.

Ndor
a:wedon'
tknow,onl
yshe,
cant
ell
us
whenshecomesback.

Sizwe:whatifshedoesn'
tcomeback,what
happensthen,andwhydon'tyouguy
sgoi nand
helpher.

Ndora:wecan'
t,oncewegoi n,
theangelof
deat
hcaneasilytur
nusagainstNoma.Ifwego
wheretheyar
e,wemi ghtendupbeingtheones
toki
lly
ourfamily
.
Wemi
ghtbet
urnedt
othedar
ksi
deandwe
won'
tbeabl
etocomeback.

Si
zwe:Whyisallt
hishappeni
ng,Godplease
pr
otectt
hem andbri
ngthem backsaf
e.

Helear
nedagai
nstt
hewall
looki
ngdef
eated.
Lor
dknowshewouldn'
tsur
viv
eifhel
osesthem
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
I
twasdar
kandqui
etatt
heFer
nando
househol
d.
Sincehenowli
vedal
one,
itwascl
eart
hatMr
Fernandohadgonet
obed.
Hewasdeepi
nhi
ssl
eepunt
ilt
hedoorbanged
sol
oud.
Itscaredhimthathequickl
ywokeupf rom his
sleep,abottl
eofahalfemptywhiskeywason
hisrighthand,hegotoutofbedandstumbl ed
ont heheapofclothesonthefl
oor.Thealcohol
wasst il
linhi
ssy st
em.
Hehasneverbeensoberev
ersi
nceEl
l
a's
weddi
ngday.
Hehaddrownhimsel
final
cohol
toeasehi
s
gui
l
tyconsci
ence.
Theroom hadastenchofalcohol,
itsl
i
kehe
bat
hedinit.Justl
i
ketheroom, t
hehousewas
di
rt
y.Itwaslikeapig'
shouse.
Hesomehowmanagedt
oreacht
hedoor
,he
exi
tedhi
sroom.
Hestoodinthemiddl
eofthelounge,wi
tht
he
bot
tl
estil
li
nhishand,st
il
lconfusedandabi
t
sur
pri
sedatthewideopenfrontdoor
Het
ookfewst
epsasanat
temptt
ogocl
ose
t
hedoor
.
..
hemusthav
eforgott
entolocki
twhenhe
camei
n..
.Hethoughttohi
mself.

Butbef
orehecoul
dev
enr
eacht
hedoorhe
fr
oze.
Hi
sey
esmustbepl
ayi
ngt
ri
cksonhi
m.
Her ubbedthem andl
ookedagainandi
twasno
tr
ick,hewast her
e,Gr
aigwasstandi
ngatt
he
doorstari
ngathim.

Hequickl
ytur
nedonthel
ight
.Hefear
edmor
e
t
hestateGrai
gwasin.Hewas.Cover
edi
n
bl
oody
ethedi
dn'
tseem bot
her
ed.

"Owhson,whatar
eyoudoingheresol
ate"he
st
utt
ered,
scar
edoutofhi
smi nd.
Hi
skneeswerewobbl
yandt
heal
cohol
slowl
y
l
efthi
ssyst
em.

Grai
gneverspoke,hej
uststoodt
hereand
star
edathi
m.Hi seyesweresodarkandevi
l
somethi
ngsini
sterwasgoingonwithhi
m.
Het ookfewst
epsheadedtowher
emr
Fernandowas.AndmrFernandot
ookaf
ew
stepsback.

Him:son,
wher
e'smydaught
er,
whyar
eyou
here.
I
sn'
ti
ttool
atef
ory
out
obev
isi
ti
ngatt
hishour
.
"Youtookawaymyl if
eandam her
etoend
yours"hefi
nall
yspoke.Hi
swordsechoed
aroundtheroom.

Him:no,
,
,no,
,
sont
hisi
snoty
ou,
pleasesnapout
ofit
.

Grai
g:i wàssoyoung,
aninnocentyoungboy
.I
hadaf utur
eandyoutookitawayfr
om me.You
aresupposedtobedeadnotme.

Him: youdon'
tmeant
hat,Idi
dn'
twanttohurt
you.Iwasangry,
iwasangrybecauseofwhat
Juniortol
dme.

Grai
g:youshoul
dfeel
howpainf
uli
tist
ohav
e
yourl
if
estri
ppedfr
om you.
Him:pl
easeyoudon'
twannadot
his,
thi
nk
abouty
ourli
fe.

Gr
aig:
idon'
thaveal
i
fe,
yout
ooki
tawayf
rom
meremember.

Hi
m:thenthinkabouty
ourwife,y
oucan'
ttake
t
heonlypersonshehaslef
tinthi
sworl
d.
Shewil
lhat
eyouforeveri
fyoudot
his.Areyou
wil
l
ingt
olooseherall
inthenameofrevenge.

Grai
gstoppedonhistracks,notbecauseof
whatMrFernandosaid,butbecausehef el
thi
s
heartr
aci
ngfrant
ical
l
y,whichonlymeantone
thi
ng.
El
l
awasi
ntr
oubl
e.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#TYSON.

Icoul
dn'
tmov
e,t
hisshadowdi
dn'
twannal
etgo
ofme.
Iwassoscar
ed,i
tgotcl
osert
ome,
itwant
edt
o
takemeaway.

"Al
i
fef
oral
i
fe"i
tsai
dasi
tmov
edcl
osert
ome.
Ihadnoideawher ei
tcamefrom, whatwas
evenworseisthatiwasi
nthemi ddleof
nowher
eandi twasalmost00:00am.
Whatwasi
thi
nki
ngcomi
ngt
omeetaper
sonat
ni
ght
.

Ihadcomeherearound7:
30pm whenanother
smscamef rom t
hatnumbersay
ingweshould
meetsothaticanfi
ndoutwhathappenedto
mybrother
.
Iguessi
hadl
etmycur
iosi
tyt
ocont
rol
me.
Idi
dn'
tst
opandconsi
derthedanger
sthat
coul
dbeinv
olv
ed.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkaboutmyli
fe.

Wheni gothere,
thespotwheret
hesms
dir
ect
edmet ocome,theguycal
l
edandt
oldme
towai
t.
Iwai
tedunt
ili
fel
tasleeponthatbenchand
waswokenbyav er
ycoldbreezearoundme.
Wheniopenedmyey esitwashere,thishuge
t
err
ibl
et hi
ngwasstandi
ngrightI
nfrontofme.
I
tsl
ikeithasbeenwatchi
ngmesl eeping.
I
twasj
usthol
l
owandf
ull
ofdar
kness.

It
ri
edsi
tti
ngupbutmywhol
ebodywasnumb,
i
tsli
kei
wasdrugged.
Iscreamedt othet
opofmyvoi
cebeggi
ngi
tto
stopbutitkeptonsucki
ngmybr
eat
h.
If
eltmyl
i
fesl
i
ppi
ngawayf
rom myhands.

Iwassoweak, iwasreadytogi
veuponli
fe
unti
lsomeoneinter
vene,i
twasaladywi
th
beauti
ful
fluf
fywhit
ewings.
Shelookedli
keanangel
.It
ookagoodlookat
herandi r
ememberedwher
eihadseenher
facebefor
e.
Shewast
heangel
ireadabout
,Theangel
int
he
my
sti
cal
For
est
.ShewasNOMAWETHU.
Shel
ookedsoYoungandbeaut
if
ul.

Shepushedt
hehuget
hingawayf
rom me.

"Youangel
ofdeat
hhasnopl
acei
nhi
m.
Hissoul
bel
ongst
othewor
ldoft
hel
i
ving"she
sai
d.

"Well
..
..
wel
l.
..
wel
l
...
TheWeepi
ngWi
dow,
thi
sis
unex
pected
Sotheangeloft
heportalbet
weenbothworlds
wantstost
artwarwit
ht hepr
inceofdar
knessi
see"t
heholl
owthingsaid

Her
: am st
arti
ngnowar,
yournotneededher
e,
am aski
ngy outol
eav
e.
Him:leave,
youbr oket
helaw,youaresupposed
tokeepbalance.Youarenotsupposedtotake
anysides.
Youbr
okethelawwhenyoul
ett
hosehumans
bri
ngt
hatboybackt
oli
fe.
Am j
ustcol
l
ect
ing,
whatam bei
ngowned.
Thi
sboyhasal
readybeenmar
ked,
hebel
ongs
tome.

Her:
theni
guessy
ouhav
etogot
hroughmet
o
gett
ohim.

Hi
m:bemyguest
.

I
tchar
gedtowardsher,al
lIcoul
dseewasblack
f
ogbutshestoppeditbef
oreitcoul
dreachme.
Iwat
chedasshef
oughti
t,i
gotscar
edupon
seei
ngt
hati
twasov
erpower
ingher
.
I
twasslowl
ygett
hroughher.Iwasmorethan
t
err
if
iedunt
ilt
het
winsappearedoutofnowher
e.

"Mom!
"Theybot
hscr
eamed.

Ithoughti
hear
dthem wr
ong,
didt
heyj
ustcal
l
hermom.
Wast
hemy
sti
cal
angel
thei
rmot
her

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
15]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYTHI
RTY-NI
NE
#ELLA

Isati nt hatcouchunt il22:

30pm, Icouldn't
sleepwi thoutmyhusband.mi dnightarrivedso
qui ckl
yl ikeat hi
efinthenight,iheardal oud
noi sethatwokemeup, imusthav ehaddozed
offont hecouch.Atf irst,i
assumedi twas
Grai g,Ithoughthehadcomebackandwasi n
theki t
chenf orsomet hingtoeat,howev erthat
wasn’ tthecase.Af t
eraf ewmor eunusual
sounds, i gotupfrom thecouchandwentt othe
kitchent oseewhatwasgoi ngon.

“JUNIOR?”i
sai
dinshock.Theguyhadar opein
onehandandabagi ntheot
her.“Whatar
ey ou
doingher
eanddressedli
kethat
?”ij
usthadt o
ask.
“
Icomet otakeyouawaywi
thme.Ican’
tgoto
l
i
vewithoutyou.
”Juni
orsai
dwit
haev i
lgl
eam
i
nhiseyes.

“
Whatarey
outal
kingabout?
”it
ookast
epback,
l
ooki
ngatt
heget
-upJuniorwor
e.

Hewasi
nablacksui
tandt
ieandwear
ing
mat
chi
nggl
oves.

“List
entome, ”hesaidabr
uptly,
“Grai
gstoley
ou
from me.YouandIwer esupposedt obe
together.Notthetwoofyou.DOy ou
understandme?Answerme, damni t
!”he
screamedf ri
ghteni
ngmei ntheprocess

Lordknowsi coul
dn’tunder
standhim;ihad
peedonmy self,
Icouldn'
tholditi
nanymore,
that
'st
hethingwi t
hbeingpregnant,
yourwomb
pushesy ourbladdersoy oucanthol dpeeforso
l
ong. Myni ghtgownr evealedt
hest ain.Iwanted
tomov e,exceptmyf eetwouldn’tcarryme.
Juniorcanbev i
olentattimes,andl ooki
ngat
him att hi
smoment ,
hewascr eepingmeout ,
andi thoughthewasi nCapev inonow, but
apparent l
yhecameher eandhunt edmedown.

“
Whatareyougoi
ngtodotome,
”ihadf
ound
t
hest
rengt
htospeakup.

Idi
dn’
tknowhowl
ongi
woul
dbeabl
etokeepi
t
up.

“Ij
ustwantyouallt
omy sel
f,El
l
a,baby
.”Hewas
comingcloser
.“I
fIcan’
thaveyou,t
hennoone
can!”
Me:butam mar
ri
edandpr
egnant
,il
oveGr
aig,
he'
sbeensogoodtome.
"Soyouar ecar
ryi
nghi
schild,
Ineverknew
ghost
sshoot sr
ealbul
l
ets"hesai
d,getti
ngev
en
morecloser
Mybr eathi
ngbecameheavi
er,myt houghts
werecloudedwitht
heunknown; whatwoul d
thi
spsy chodotomethisti
me.Lastt i
mehe
wantedsexf r
om me,whati
fher apesme….and
whatdidhemeanby‘ I
fIcan’thaveyou,thenno
onecan’ ?

Ifel
tli
ghtcramps, It
riedbr eat
hingi nandout
calmly
.Icouldn'tl
ooset hisbaby .Onet hi
ngwas
onmymi nd, Ineededt orushtot hel oungeget
myphoneandcal lGraig,i
twasgonnabeeasy
becausehisnumberi sonspeeddi al.

Usual
l
yam toughandil
etnoonet
akemedown,
however
,thi
sdaywasdi
ffer
ent
.It
ri
edr
unni
ng
buti
wasweak,Fearcont
rol
l
edmeli
kenot
hing
el
se;i
tkeptmenumbandhopel
ess.
Juni
or,
beingthestr
ong,over
poweri
ngmanthat
hewas,lungedaf
termeandt hr
owthebagover
myhead, t
henti
edtheropearoundmyhead.
Itr
iedscr
eami ngbutiwasweak,t
hecramps
gotabiti
ntense.SoIknewnottofi
ghtthi
s
man—i wasgoi ngtolosemybabyforcer
tai
nif
idi
d.Theonlyt hi
ngicoulddowassweat
from myarmpits,
myf oreheadandallovermy
body.Icont
inuedbreathi
ngi nandout
, ev
en
thoughthebagstart
edsuf focat
ingme.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NARRATED

Juni
ortri
edl i
fti
ngherupbutbei ngpregnant,
shewast ooheav ysohef orcefull
ydraggedher
tohiscarandpushedheri nthet r
uckwi t
hease.
Juni
ordrov eallt
hewayt ot hebushygr ound
whereGraigwaski l
led,hetookEl laoutofthe
carandlaidheront hecold,hard,groundwith
thebagstil
l t
iedoverherhead.
“
TakemebackEll
a,
”hesaidwitht
hunderi
nhi
s
v
oice.“
Doi
toryou’
ll
regr
etit
.”
Ther
ewassi
l
ence.
“
Answerme,
answermepl
ease,
baby
,”Juni
or
kneel
eddownandhuggedher
.

Somet hi
nglikemetalhi
therhead.From t hat
momentsheknewwhatwasgoi ngt ohappent o
her;Juni
orwasgoi ngtoki
llher
.Thinkingi n
hushedtones, El
l
atri
edtoconvinceher selft
o
speakupi fshewantedtosurvi
ve,though
nothingworked;hervoi
cehadgoneent i
rely.

“Fi
ne.Maybeyou’
l
lli
kei
tifIcal
lyourdead
hubby”hesai
d.
"Iwi
llki
l
lhi
m,may benowhewi lldi
eforgood,
andyoucanwatchwhil
ei scat
terhi
sbrainst
hat
i
sifhehasany
"hecontinued

Ell
a'
sheartraceduponhearingthat
,sheknew
shecoul
dn'tlooseherhusband,sheneededhi
m
tobeabl
et oraiset
heirdaughter
.
“
No!
”Fi
nal
l
y,shespoke.“
Please,
don’
tbr
ing
Gr
aigi
ntot
his.Nothi
m.”shebegged

“I
t’saboutti
me,”Juni
orsai
d,t
aki
ngoutEl
la'
s
phonewhi chhegrabbedonhi
swayoutand
start
eddiali
ngGraig’
snumber
.

“Heybabyarey
oual
ri
ght,
areyouohk.Am
alr
eadyonmywaytothehouse?
”Graig
answered.
“Hi
Grai
g,i
t’
sme,
Juni
or.Doy
ouknowme?
”He
sai
d
“Yes.It
houghyouareinCapevi
no.What
happened?Whatareyoudoingwi
ththi
sphone
Wherei
sel
l
a,wher
eismywi
fe?
”Gr
aigwasona
pani
cmode

"Well
am her
enow"hechuckl
ed.“
AndIgotmy
pri
zetoo.
”
“What’st
hat
,ar
ey ouwi
thher
,Ipr
omiseify
ou
hurtheriwi
l
lki
lly
ou"Gr
aigsai
dwithaseri
ous
tone.

EveryoneknewaboutJunior’
sobsessionwit
h
Ell
alately.Ev
ery
one!Especi
all
ythestudent
sat
thecollege.

“
IgotmeEl l
aandyourunbor nghostchi
ld,i
sit
r
eall
yachil
d,areghostevencapableofplanti
ng
aseed,
am gonnatellherevery
thi
ng,That’
s
r
ight
,ever
ythi
ng”hesaidwithasmi r
konhi s
f
ace
“Lethergo!
”Grai
gprepar
edhimsel
font
he
otherendbutJuni
orwastoosmart
.

“Iwoul
dn’
trushedhereifIwerey
ou.Imean,
if
youknowwhat ’
sgoodforyou.Mygrandmot
her
hasasurpr
iseforyou”hesaid
“
Thenwhatdoy ouwant?Tel
lmeandI’
ll
givei
t
t
oy ou.Any
thi
ng!”Thef
earwashear
dinGrai
g'
s
v
oice.

“Graig!
”Ell
ayell
edbutwi
shedshehadn’
t.Juni
or
kickedherinthest
omachandtol
dherto
‘
shut up’
.

Talkingbacki ntothephone, Juni

orsaidina
haunt i
ngv oi
ce, “
Thereisnot hingyoucando,
myman.I t’
sal it
tl
etool ateforsorry
.Youstole
mywomanandnowI ’mt akingherback.We’ll
bet ogetherforever,
you’llsee.Andy oucan
wit
nessi ttoo.May bewewi l
l meety
oui n
heav enorhell,whichevergoes”
Juniortur
nedthephonecameraonand
recordi
ngthenast
yev enthewasaboutt
odo.
"Youcanki l
lmei fy
ouwantbuti wanty out
o
knowt hatidon'
tlov
ey ouJuni
or,iwi
llnever
l
ovey ourpathet
icexcuseofaman"Ellasaid
wit
htear sstr
eamingdownhercheeks, herf
ace
ful
lofhatredanddisgust,
shereal
lyhated
Juni
orwi thever
ythi
ngfibr
einherbody.

Shewishedshehadn'
ttal
kedwhenaheav
y
bl
owlandedonherhead.

"Bi
tch"Juni
orsai
daf
terhi
tt
ingher
.
Hestoodandwat
chedasshecol
l
apsedont
he
gr
ound.
Shelai
dthereunconsci
ouswhi
l
ehecont
inued
taki
ngavideo
Heheldupthephoneandai medthel
ensat
El
la'
sunconsciousbody.Thescal
ewouldn'
tbe
ri
ght
.Youwoul dn'tbeabl
etoseehowbigshe
waswithoutanythingt
ocomparewit
h.He
ai
medoutov erthebigtreeandthel
onggrass
agai
n.Thiswasit;anicewideangl
e–a
panoramali
kenothinganyonehadseenbefor
e.
HeglancedatEl
latomakesur eshewasstil
l
outandthenbackatthecamer aagai
n.
Hesmi
ledbr
oadl
y,sopr
oudofhi
msel
ffor
doi
ngt
his

“Ithoughtitol
dyounottodot hatki
ndofthing
toher ,
andnotouthere?”saidMissYwho
appear edf
rom nowhere,st
andingri
ghtbythe
treejustafewstepsaway .
Juniorjumped.Hehidthephonebehi
ndhis
back, t
ookast epawayfrom El
l
abuthet
ri
pped
andf el
llandi
ngonar ock.
Hecouldn'
tunder
standhowhisGr annyfound
hi
m orseenhim.He'dbeensocar ef
ulandshe
hadseenhim anyway.She'
dbeangryandy el
l at
hi
m.She'dtel
lonhim andeveryonewouldbe
di
sappoint
ed,hi
sfatherwil
lgr
oundhimf orli
fe.
andhe'
dhav
etol
i
vei
nshame.

“I
'
m sorry.Idi
dn'tmeant o.Ididn'
tdoanyt
hing.
Shefell
andhi therhead.Ididn'tl
ayafi
ngeron
her”hefumbled,Hisarm hurt.

“
Areyouokay
?"Sheasked,shecamearound
t
hebenchandlookeddownathim wher
ehe'
d
f
all
en.
Hest aredather ,hismout hdr y.Withhermouth
alit
tl
et oowi deandanosel ikeapot atoher
facewasn' tmucht olookat .Herhairont he
otherhand–r eddert hanaut umnl eaves,
standingonal lendsandhal fcover i
nghereyes
–wassomet hi ngelseent ir
ely.Hernai l
swere
l
ongerandshar peront heedges.I fithadn'
t
beenf orthef adedbl ackdresswi t
hl it
tl
e
fl
ower soni tshe' dhav efitri
ghtinwi ththe
punksout sidet het rainstat
ionbackhome,
Juniorsil
ent l
yt houghtt ohimsel f.
Heswal l
owedaspit,“
I.
..I'
m sosorr
y.Please
don'tbeangr
y.”Thewordscameoutawhi sper
andhehadt otakeanotherdeepbreat
ht omake
surehewouldbeheardov erthepoundi
ngofhis
heart.

“
Pleasedon'
ttel
lany
one.
”
Shelaughed.“WhowouldItell
?”Shepushed
thehairoutofherf
aceandsmi ledathim.Her
eyescur i
ousandal
ertshedidn'
tlooktoobad
aft
erall.“Ar
eyouokay?Thatlookedli
keabad
fal
l.
”
“Fal
l?Yes.Yes,I
'm okay.”Hesatupandf l
exed
hisarm.Ithur
t,butdidn'
tseem broken.He'
d
probablyknowifhe'dbrokeni
t.“You'r
enot
angry?”Helookedupatheragai n.
“
No.”Shereachedoutahandtohel
phim up.
“
I'
m notangry
,butyoushoul
dbemor ecar
eful
.
Alotofpeopl
eher
etaket
hatki
ndoft
hingv
ery
ser
iousl
y.
Someonecoul
dhaveseeny
ouher
e,y
ouwi
l
l
messupourpl
an.
It
oldyout
oleav
ethatgi
rlal
one,l
etmedeal
wi
ththeSi
emensmyownway .
WhatifGr
aigwastheonewhof
oundy
ouher
e,
whatwereyougoi
ngtodo”

“ButIwas.
..
”Hegr abbedherhandandshe
pull
edhimtohisfeet.“Iev
enwalkedaroundt
he
enti
retr
eetomakesur enoonewoul dsneakup
onme.Ididn'
tseey ou.”

“ButIsawy
oucl
ear
ly?Ievenwavedt
olety
ou
knowIwascomi
ngupy ourway.
”

Hest
aredather
.“No,
Iwoul
dhav
eseent
hat
.
I
'm sur
e.You'
remessi
ngwi
thme.Isawnot
hing
butsheep.
”

“Nownowmi ster
.IknowI'
m nott
hepret
ti
est
l
adyaround,
butifyoucal
lmeasheepagainI'
l
l
kicky
ouoffthehil
l.
”Shegr
innedathi
m.

“
I'
m ser
ious.Ireall
ydi
dn'tseeyou.Idi
dn'
tmean
t
osayyoul ooklikeasheep.”

Her
:wehav
etogo,
someonei
scomi
ng.

Hi
m:who,
wher
e?.

Her
:thescenti
sfami
li
ar,buti
cantt
ell
whoitis,
wehavetogonow.Orelseyouwil
lgotoj
ail
for
Ki
dnappi
ngandassaul
t.
Hi
m: whatabouther
,dowel
eav
eherher
e,l
i
ke
t
his.

Her:
yeslet'
s,j
ustprayt
hatt
heyfi
ndherinti
me.
Butfi
rstl
etmecastaspell
,somethi
ngthatwil
l
hel
pwi t
hourplan.

Shecastaspell
onher,asimplespellt
hatwi
l
l
hel
pwiththei
renti
repl
anifitworks.

Theygoti
nJunior
'struckanddrov
eaway
l
eavi
ngEll
alay
inglif
elessl
yontheground,
bl
oodhadstar
tedtoflowbetweenherlegs.

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,
09:
15]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFOURTY

#GRAI
G_POV

IleftmrFer nando'shousewi t
hnothingmuch
asanexpl anati
on,Irushedtothehouse.Icould
feel thatsomet hingwaswr ongwi t
hElla.Iran
straightt omyr oom, withmyey esshutclosed
hopi ngt hatshewi l
lbet her
e,sl
eeping
peacef ully,Iopenedthedoorslowlythen
wal kedi n.
Iopenedmyey es.Inthedarksti
ll
ness,I
couldn'
tseemuch, butt
hedim glowoft he
bedsideclockandt hevagueshadowoft he
l
ampnextt oit
.Fil
ledwithsomuchuncer tai
nty
,
Ifumbledthrought heheapofclothesthatwas
onthef l
oor,i
twasmywi fe'
sclothesandi
stumbl
edtothebat
hroom.I
twasempt y
,she
wasnotther
e.It
ri
edcall
i
ngherphoneagaini
t
keptonri
ngi
ngbutnooneanswered.
Onmywayouti caughtaglimpseofmy
refl
ect
ioni nt
hemi r
ror
.Thehauntedeyesand
darkcir
clesunder neat
hthem madet helong,
drawn-i
nf acealmostunrecogni
zable.There
wasnobl oodt hough,mynosehadst opped
bleedi
ngsohadt hebackofmyhead.Iwav ed
myhandandt
heper
sonwav
edback.Good,
I
si
ghed,
I
'
m st
il
lme.
Adozenneedlesdancedtheirwayacrossmy
f
orehead.Isearchedt
hecabinetabovethesi
nk
l
ookingforGodknowswhatanddi dn'
tfi
nd
muchbutaf ewsmal l
barsofsoap.Right,my
wi
fehardlykeepsanythi
nginthere.

Iwashedmyhandsandf
ace.Iswi
tchedof
fthe
bathr oom l i
ghtandwentbackt other oom.
Aftermyey esadjust edtot hemur kiness, I
glancedt owar dthebed.Ev enbef oremymi nd
registeredt hef l
atness,Iknewshewasn' tthere.
Fli
ppi ngont heov erhead,Iscannedt her oom.
Herpur seandkey speekedoutf r
om t he
j
umbl edpi lethatov erf
lowedf rom anov er-sized
handbagt urnedoni tsside.Iglancedatt he
opencl osetneart hedoor .Ev er
y t
hinghung
straightandl evel
,exceptf oragapwher eher
dark, leat
hercoatshoul dhav ebeen.
Icheckedmywat
ch.Almostmidni
ght
.Wher
e
couldEll
ahav
egoneatthi
slat
ehour?
Qui
ckl
y,Iputonmyjacket
,changedmyshoes
andworesneaker
s,i
rusheddownstai
rs.

Justwheniheldt
hedoorhandlemyphoner ang,
i
twasher,Iansweredint
hefi
rstri
ngandi fr
oze
uponheari
ngJunior'
svoi
ceattheotherend.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#TYSON

Iwasfill
edwi t
ht r
epidation.Myhear twas
thumpingsol oudt hatIwassur eeveryone
aroundmecoul dhearit.Infrontofme, Icoul
d
seethelightfi
ghtingwi t
ht hatdarkthing.The
twinswer ehelpi
ngt hatbeautifulangellady
who' smout hwasmov ing, buti never
under stoodasi nglewor dshesai d.Shespoke
i
naf oreignl anguage.Al anguagei nev erheard
before.Thedar kthingwasal sochant i
ngi na
diff
erentl anguage, i l
aidst i
llaswor dsf l
ewpast
myhead.Ther ewasj ustonequest ionpoppi ng
upinmymi nd.Whatdi dIdot odeser v
et hi
s?I n
myl ogical mi ndIknewt hewat erwascal m, but
myi magi nat i
onwasr unni ngwi ld,wi t
hr ough
wav est umbl ingangr i
ly,poundi ngt heshor es.
Also, withabundantmount ainsal l
ar oundme, I
t
fel
tlikeIwasbei ngcor neredandt rapped, with
nowher et ogo.

Thefightcont
inuedf
orawhil
e,wit
hthetwins
hel
pingthefai
rladyt
heyf
inal
lydef
eatedthe
dar
kcr eat
ure

"Thi
swarisnotover
,hi
ssouli
smineandiwi
l
l
notr
estunt
ili
recl
aimit
"thecr
eat
uresai
d
bef
orei
tvani
shedi
nthedar
knessoft
heni
ght
.

"Itsohk,i
tsov
er"t
hel
adysaid,
shewalkedover
tome, shehel
dmyhandandpul l
edmeup.I
stoodup,mykneesst
il
lfel
tabitwobbl
y.
"Tyson,youareohk"thetwinsrantomeand
huggedmet ightl
y,t
heirt
inyhandssqueezed
mywai st
.Iwasdumbst r
uckatfir
st,
theni
fi
nall
ypattedthei
rbacks.

Me:
heyguy
s,i
tsgoodt
oseey
ou.

Webr
oket
hehugandIst
aredatt
hem
It
ri
edtogathermysel
fastomakesenseof
whathadj
usthappened.

"Youar
esaf
enow"Nat
hisai
d.
"Wewill
protectyouf
rom hi
m,hewon'
ttake
youaway"Anathi
added.

"Guys,
am nothappy,whydi
dyoufol
lowme.
Whatdidi
sayaboutputti
ngyour
sel
vesin
har
m'sway"theladysai
d.

"sorrymommy ,i
twon'thappenagain.Daddy
wassoscar ed.Wewant edt obringyoubackso
thathecanstopbei ngscared"theybothsai
din
unisonbusyfindl
ingwiththeirf
inger
s

"Waitsoi
wasn'
tdreaming,
howist
hispossi
ble.
Yourmom i
sanangel,
isthi
sev
enreal
.
Whoarey
oupeopl
e,what
'
swr
ongwi
thme"i
sai
d.

Theyal
lshi
ft
edt
hei
rat
tent
iont
ome.
"Youshallknowi
nduetime,r
ightnowyouneed
torest
,youhavebeent
hroughalot"t
helady
sai
dwi t
htheesoft
estv
oiceever

Me:no,
Idon'
tneedanyrest.Howcanir
est
whenmyli
fehasbeenturnedupsi
dedown.
Ihav
ebeent
hroughhel
lthi
syear
.
Ihaveseenghost
,ihaveseenr
eal
lyscar
y
thi
ngsnowam tal
kingtoanangel
.Whatist
his
whatthefucki
sgoingon.

Theyal
lkeptqui
etandl
ookedateachot
her

Anat
hi:
mom y
oushoul
dtel
lhi
m.

Her:no,
itssti
l
l ear
ly,
hei
snotst
rongenought
o
handlet
hetruth.
Nathi:buthei
sagoodperson,
hehasagood
heartandheisourf
ri
end.Hewill
begoodt
o
Sist
erIsabel
la

Her:howdoyouknowthat,wai
thavey
ouguy
s
beensneaki
ngoutaf
terit
oldyounott
o.
Whatdi
disayaboutt
hat
.Whatdi
dyout
ell
him.

"Nothi
ng,weswearwenev
ersai
dany
thi
ng"
theybot
hsaid.

Me:wel
lam st
il
lher
e,somebodybet
terst
art
t
alki
ngbef
oreil
oosemycool.

"Relax,
verysoony
ouwillgetal
ltheanswer
s
youseek.Fornowyouneedtogot oyour
granny.
Thecandl
ewillburnoutsoon,youneedt obe
ther
efort
hatgirl
.Sheisyoursoulmate"she
spoke,
shegrabbedmyhandandwi thinabli
nk
ofaneyeiwasbackt omyr oom

Iwasalone,t
heywereal
lgone,myphoner
ang
andafamili
arvoi
cesentchi
l
lsdownmyspine.
Asuddencol
dness(
dread)hi
tsatthecor
e
Reachi
ngupahandtoli
ghtl
yclaspthet
hroat
Splayi
ngthefinger
soutinafanagainstt
he
breast
bone.Ifeltl
i
keiwasbeingdraggedint
oa
dream orshouldisayni
ght
mar e
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NARRATED

TERRArushedtoEl
la'
sli
fel
essbodyhopi
ngt
hat
shewasnottoolat
e.

"Omg, sheisbleedi
ng,weneedt
ogetherback
tothehousef ast
"shesai
dtoThandekawho
rushedtowardsthem.

"Nomama, no,
shecan'tl
oosethebaby.Please
torhomamadon' tal
l
owmygr anddaughterto
die.Promi
semet hatyouwil
lsaveher
"she
crieduponseei
ngsomuchbl oodonthegr ound
TERRA:
hel
pmecar
ryhert
othecar
.
Ihopeam nottoolat
ebutipr
omi
se,
iwi
l
ldoal
l
icantosaveherandthebaby
.

Theyt
ri
edl
if
ti
ngherupbutshewastooheavy.
Shewasst
il
lunconsci
ousbutwasst
il
lal
i
ve.
Thepri
ori
tywasthebaby.Theycoul
dn'
tri
sk
taki
nghertot
hehospital
sogoingbacktothe
housewasthei
ronlyopti
on.
Ter
rabl
amedhersel
f,i
fonl
yshewoul
dhav
e
hi
ndedt
hewarni
ngsignssooner
.
Shedidf
eel
thatsomet
hingwaswrongwi
th
Grai
gwhenshewastaki
ngabath.
Andsheknewthati
fsomethi
ngwaswrongwi
th
Grai
gitmeantt
hatsomet
hingwaswr
ongwith
El
la'
shear
t.
Shehaddonet
hel
ocat
ingspel
lsol
atebutwas
gl
adt
hatshef
oundheral
i
ve.

Theyf
inal
lywer
eablet
ogetheroft
hegr
ound.
Theyl
i
ftedhert
othecar
,heav
yasshewas.

"Wher
eisGr
aig,
howdi
dhi
swi
feendupher
e
Mamadoy
out
hinkhedi
dthi
s.
Couldhehavehadanot herepi
sodeandtr
ied
ki
ll
inghiswif
e"thandekasaid,
fearhadt
ook
overherhear
t.

TERRA:no,don'
tevent
hinkofsuch.Eveni
nhis
dar
kestofstat
eGraigwi
llnev
erhurtthi
sgi
rl.
Hedi
dn'
tdot
his.

Thandeka:
butyousai
dityour
sel
fear
li
er,
you
sai
dsomet hi
ngwaswrongwithhi
m.
I
fthisbabydi
esandhei
sresponsi
ble.Iwi
l
l
neverf
orgi
vehim.

TERRA:st
opt hi
nki
ngl
ikethat
,iknowwhat
Grai
giscapableof
.Hedidn'
tdothis.
It
elly
outhi
shast
hedar
ksor
cer
esswr
it
tenal
l
overi
t.

Thandeka:
missy
,whatdoesshewant
swi
th
El
la.

TERRA:weknowsheonl
ywant
sonet
hing,
to
cont
rol
Grai
g.

Thandeka:
thenwhydi
dshel
eav
eherher
e.
Shoul
dn'
tshehav
etakenher
.
TERRA:
Idon'
tthi
nkshej
ustl
efther
,It
hinkshe
pl
acedaspel
lonher
.
Weneedtodoacl
eansi
ngcer
emonybef
ore
any
thi
ngel
sewhenwegethome.

Thandeka:ihav
ehadenoughwi
tht
hatwoman,
can'
tshejustdi
eal
ready
.

TERRA:y
ouneedt
obewar
eoft
het
hingsy
ou
wishf
or.
I
fyouarenotcar
efuly
oumightendupinthe
darkpat
hmydaughterandiwi
llhat
efort
hatto
happen.
Bewary,
angerandhat
ecanconsumeaperson,
i
tcanchangeevent
hepurestofhear
tst
odo
evi
l
.

Thandeka:
owhpl
easemot
her
,noty
ourl
essons
agai
n,pl
easedon'
tst
art
.

TERRA:asyouwish,buty
ouwill
remember
thesel
essonsoneofthegooddays.
Webet
tergobef
orei
tget
stool
ate.

Terr
agotonthedriv
er'
ssi
dewhi l
eThandeka
stay
edatthebackwithEl
l
a,shewasbusyt r
ying
tostopt
hebleedi
ngandtheydrovet
othe
house.

[
12/
28,09:
02]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFOURTY_
ONE

#NARRATED
Ell
aheldont
oherstomach.“Ithi
nkshe’
s
coming,
”shesoundedhyst
erical
.
“
Noway .
”Thandekacouldn’
tbel
i
eveit
;thebaby
wasn’
tduef
oranothertwomonths.
“
shescoming,
ahhhhh!
”El
l
abar
elycoul
dst
and
t
hepain.
Theyhadarri
vedear l
i
eron,cleanseEll
athen
tookhertoTerr
a'stemple.
Theywer elucky
; t
hat
theroom wasclean.Noonehasusedt heroom
i
nov erayear
.Itwasst er
il
e,cleananditwasf or
Ell
a.
Layi
nginthebed, thepainwascl earonherface.
Shescreamedev eryfi
v eseconds,hopingthe
babywouldshootouteasi ly
.Though, t
hat
wasn’tt
hecase.El l
atri
edbr eathi
ngexerci
ses
l
ikeTerrasuggested,yet,
stil
l,t
hecontract
ions
cont
inuedtowearherdown.
Then,
itcame.Agushofwat
ercameoutofher
body
,causi
ngTer
ra,
andThandekat
oshr
iek.

“I
t’
sti
me,”theTer
rasai
d.“
Isabel
l
a,I
’
m goi
ngt
o
needyoutopush.
”
Andshel i
stened…Shepushedandpushedl ong
andhar d.Anhourpassedandt herewasstil
l
nothing.ToEl l
a,t
hepainresembl eda
wat er
mel onbeingpushedthroughahol ethe
sizeofal emon.Goodt hi
ngshewasn’ thaving
twins.Final
lyTerr
acouldseet hebaby'shead.

“Thisisn’
tgood,
”Terraexcl
aimed.Shewidened
hereyes.“Itl
ooksli
kesomethingisn’
tri
ghtwit
h
her.It
’stheumbil
icalcor
d…it’
swrappedaround
herneck.”
“Shit
!”Thandekagrabbedherchestandst
art
ed
breathi
ngheav i
l
y..
“Whatdoest
hatmean?
!”El
l
ayel
l
edt
hroughher
pushi
ngandpai
n.
“
Ifwedon’
tgett
hebabyoutnow,
shei
sgoi
ng
t
odie.
”Ter
rasai
d
“
Dosomet
hingmama”t
handekasai
d.
“It
’stoolate.Bythet
imeIgetreadyt
odo
any t
hingthebabywillbedead.I
’
m sor
ry,
but
we’ r
egoingt ohavet
or el
yonfai
thal
onefor
this.
”
,
someonewhost udiedmagicandonl
ybeli
eved
i
nt hefacts,hadtonowr el
yonwhatshecould
notpredict,
onsomet hi
ngt
hatmagicalone
couldnotsol v
e.This,myfr
iend,wasal
sopart
oftheprophecy .

"Pl
ease,pl
easesav
emydaught
er"El
l
aletupa
smallyel
p.

Theyhadmanagedtobri
ngherbacktoli
fe,she
wasconsci
ousnowbutabigpartofherwished
shewasn'
tbecauseoft
heunbearabl
epainshe
f
elt
.

"Pleasedearloosenupabit,youarealmost
there"Ter
rasaidtry
ingtogetEll
atoloosenher
sti
ffenedpost
ureandr i
gidmuscles

"Itshur
ti
ngme, pl
easemakei tst
op,it
spai
nful
mamapl easemàkeitstop"shescreamed,
tearswereal
readyst
reamingdownhercheeks.

Shehashadl abourpai
nsforfourhour
snow,
theyhadlai
dherinthebed,shefacedupwar
ds,
herupperbodywasbeingelevatedwit
ha
pil
low.
Shehasbeencryi
ngeversi
nceshewokeup
aft
ert
hecleansi
ngcer
emonytheyper
formed
onherear
li
eron.
Al
lthi
swhileThandekawasbyt
hedoor
,shet
oo
wasintear
s
Shef
eltaheavyfeel
i
nginherstomachasi
fshe
wast
heonel ayi
ngonthatbed
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA
“Igott
othr
owup,
”isaid.Mybodywashot
,
heavyandi
npai
n.If
eltli
ket
hisni
ght
mare
woul
dnev
erend.
Itwasasi fihadgonet ohellandback,though
thefi
recontinuedt oburn.Yes,t
hismoment
wassupposedt obesweetandmemor able,
exceptitwasn’t.Iwantedallt
heagonizingto
end.Righthere.Rightnow.
Gr
aig'sgr
annyandhismotherhoveredaround
melikewil
dani
mals.Ineededspace.Ineeded
ai
r.

“Gett
histhi
ngoutofme! ”i
shouted,squeezi
ng
thepi
ll
owt i
ght
ly.I
fthi
sbabydidn’tl
eavemy
bodysoon,imi
ghtfaint
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Terr
aandThandekaexi
tedt
her
oom.Theywent
toTerr
a'sr
oom.

"Mom weneedtodosomething,
what'
swrong
whycantshedel
i
ver
"Thandekapacedupand
downtheroom

Ter
ra:
her
e,t
ell
hert
odr
inkt
his

Ter
ragav
eThandekat
hel
i
qui
dofl
i
fe.

Thandeka​:
doy
out
hinki
tmi
ghtwor
k.

Ter
ra:
let
'shopei
tdoes,
Ihav
eani
dea.
Thandeka:
thatdoesn'
tsoundgood.

Ter
ra:
that
'sbecausei
tsnotgood.
Ineedtoper
for
m aspell
,playatr
ickwit
hher
mindbymakinghert
hinkthatsomeone
i
mpor t
anti
nherli
fei
swithherthrought
his.

Thandeka:
Idon'
tgeti
t,whatar
eyougonnado.

Ter
ra:
justwai
tandsee.

Ri
ghtthenGrai
gwalkedin,
Hewasdrai
nedand
al
lsweaty,
itl
ookedl
ikehehasbeenr
unni
ng.

"Icameassoonasigotyourcal
l
,wher
eisshe,
i
sshefine,
ist
hebabyohk.
Pl
easet
ell
met
heyar
efi
ne.Ican'
tl
ooset
hem"
hewascl
ear
lyt
err
if
ied.

"El
la,
babyareyoufi
ne"heyel
l
ed"i
sshefi
ne
cansomebodysaysomethi
ng"hescr
eamed.

Ter
ra:
youneedt
ocal
m down,
theyar
efi
ne
Yourwi
fei
sint
het
empl
e.Shei
sinl
abor
.

Grai
g:butt
hat
'simpossi
ble,
itst
oosoon.She
can'
tbeinl
abor.She'
snotdueforanothert
wo
andahalfmonths.Howisshedoing.
I
smybabygonnabeohk.

Ter
ra:
there'
sjustal
it
tl
ecompl
icat
ion.Butam
doi
ngallmybesttosavet
hebaby.

Gr
aig:
owhmyGod,
pleaseOumasav
emybaby
.
Het
henrushedoutt
her
oom andr
anst
rai
ghtt
o
t
hetempl
e.
Hefel
tbrokenuponseeingthel
oveofherl
if
e
l
yi
nghelplessl
yanddefeat
edonthatbed.
Herushedtothesi
deoft
hebedandhel
dher
sweatyhand.

"Don'twor
rybabyam herenow,
every
thingi
s
gonnabeohk"hesai
d, El
l
asqueezedhishand
ti
ghtl
y.

"Ineededy
ou,ithoughti
wasgonnadi
e,he
wasgoingtoki
l
lme.
Ineededyouandyouwer
enotther
e"her
brokenvoi
ceshut
ter
edGrai
gev
enf ur
ther

Gr
aig:
am sor
rybabyam sosor
ryi
wasnot
t
her
ewheny
ouneededme.
Ipr
omi
sef
rom nowi
wil
lnev
erl
eav
eyoursi
de
Justhangi
nther
e,y
ougonnabeohk.

El
l
a:i
fil
ooset
hisbabyi
wil
lnotf
orgi
vemy
sel
f.
Am sor
rybaby
,am sor
ryi
placedourdaught
er
i
ndanger.

Grai
g:shhhhnoneofthi
sisyourfaul
t,y
oudi
dn'
t
choosetogetabduct
edbythatpsycho.
Pl
easedon'
tbl
amey
oursel
f.Thebabyi
sgonna
befi
ne.

RightthenThandekacameback, shegaveEl la
theli
quidofli
feandt ol
dhertodrinki
t,al
though
shehesitat
edatf i
rstbot
hThandekaandGr aig
convincedherthatthi
swasf ort
hegoodoft he
babysosheendedupdr inki
ngit
.
Wit
hinf
ewmi
nut
esTer
raent
eredwi
thmor
e
t
owels.
Shesmel
ledawful,
thesmokef
rom t
heport
ion
shehadj
ustcookedsmell
edsohor
ri
ble.

"Dri
nkt
his,i
tsgonnahel
pwit
hthepai
n"Ter
ra
sai
dhandingherasmall
bot
tl
e.
El
l
atooki
tanddowni
tal
latonego.

"Yhewthi
stast
essohorri
bleandsmel
l
sawf
ul"
shemadeadisgust
ingf
ace

Shescr
eamedagainasshefel
tashar
ppai
n
cut
ti
ngthr
oughherabdomen.

"Doyouneedwat er,
”Grai
gchanted.Hef
elt
helpl
essanduselessfornotbei
ngablet
ohelp
hiswifegett
hroughthis.
“I
stheposi
ti
oncomfyenoughf
ory
ou?
”Ter
ra
askedf
ortheei
ght
iet
htime.
“
Keeppushing,
you’
real
mostt
her
e,”she
r
emindedher.
Nooner eall
yknewwhathappened.AllEl
la
reall
ywantedwasforthem t
o….“Shutup!!
”she
screamed,sti
ll
heav
ingandpushingsteadi
ly.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA

Icoul
dn'
tpushanymor
e,i
wassot
ir
edand
weak.Iwasreadyt
ogi
veup
Then,ent
eri
ngtheroom wasMymot her
.Iknew
shewassupposedt obedeadbuti
twasr eal
l
y
her.Shewashere.
Shecamebyt
hebedandhel
duponmyl
egst
o
hel
p.
“
Mom,
”isai
d,r
eli
evedandcov
eredi
ntear
s.

Gragandhisfamilystar
edatmecr azi
ly.Icoul
d
seepainandpitywrit
tenall
overmyhusband' s
face.Buti
couldn'
tcarel
ess.Iwashappyt hat
myMom washer e.
Ifanyonecoul
dbr i
ghtenmy
dayitwouldbeher.
“I
t’
sfi
ne,al
lyouneedt
odoi
skeepbr
eat
hing.
”
shespokesoft
ly

“
Theysai
dhehasa—”
Mymot hershushedme.“ Ial
readyknow,”she
sai
d.“Justkeeppushing.Don’tquitnoworal
l
oft
hiswasf ornothi
ng.”shecontinued

Wewentonl ikethisforawhi l
e.Breat
hing,
chanti
ng,
andpushi ng.Itwasar epeatedcycl
e.I
,
feel
ingdr
owsy ,wasbegi nni
ngtopassout .Who
knewhowl ongi hadlefttoconti
nueonl i
kethi
s.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#TYSON

Mymouthwaslefthangi
ngaf
tert
hatcal
l
.How
wasi
tpossi
ble.
Wasthi
sev
enreal
orsomeonewaspl
ayi
nga
pr
ankonme.

"HeyTyIknowyoumaynotwannabel
i
evet
his
buti
tsmeGrai
g.Ineedt
oseeyou.
Weneedtotal
k,pl
easecomebacktoMi
ll
ena"
t
hecal
lerhadsai
dwhenIpickedupmyphone.
Theper
sonquicklycutthecal
lbef
orei
could
sayany
thi
ng.Hesai dsomethi
ngli
ke"igot
tago
Oumaiscall
i
ng,thismightbeaboutmywif
e.
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoubacksoon"

"Wait
,whoi
sthi
s..
..
"Buthehadal
readyhung
up.
It
ri
edcal
li
ngbacksev
eral
timesbutt
henumber
wasbusy
.

Ist
oodupfr
om mybed,swal
l
owedair,my
mouthsodr
yli
kesomeonehadsuckedal
lthe
sal
i
vainme.
Ipacedar
oundtheroom.HowwasGrai
gal
i
ve
andwhendidheevengetmarr
ied.

It
ookt
hephoneanddi
all
edmyDad'
snumber
.
I
trangf
orawhi
l
ebef
orehepi
ckedup

"
Heyson,
iwasaboutt
ocal
lyou"hesai
d

Me:
owh,
iguessgr
eatmi
ndst
hinkal
i
ke.

Hi
m:Ir
ecei
vedsomet
hingdi
stur
bingt
oday
.

Me:
soundsser
ious,
whati
sit
.

Hi
m:i
t'
saboutyourbr
other
,myPIspot
tedhi
m
i
nMil
ena.Hegavemehisphot
os.
Hel
ooksol
dernowbuti
tshi
m.Iknowi
tshi
m.

Me: ical
l
edy oubecauseIrecei
vedacal
l.The
personsaidhewasGr ai
g,hesaidimustcome
backt oMil
ena.
Him: t
hisdoesn'
tmakeanysense.Howi
she
al
ive.Iburi
edhim.Ihel
dhi
scoldbodyonmy
handsthatday.Mysonwasdead.

Me:it
hinkmom knowssomethi
ngaboutthi
s.
ShespendswaytoomuchtimeatGrandma'
s
pl
acethi
sdays,somet
hingshenev
erdidbef
ore.
Andapparent
lyt
hisi
sconnect
edtot
heonce
ri
chandfamousFernandof
amily
.

Hi
m:howar
eyousur
eaboutt
hat
.

Me:
lhadani
ght
mar
e,i
tfel
treal
.
Thewomani nmydr eam sai
dmymom bl ocked
amemor yfr
om me.Shesai dthatmemorywas
aboutI
sabel
laFernando.Shesaidsheneedsto
gettoheri
nordertogettoGraig
Hi
m:thatdoesn'
tmakeanysenseatal
l
,may
be
i
twasjustadream

Me:idoubtdad,
Ithi
nkt
hisi
sbi
ggert
hanwe
t
hink.
Mom i
sthemast
erofal
lthi
s.

Him:youknowwhat,wewi
ll
got oMil
lenaatthe
endofyoursemest
er.Wewi
llgett
othebottom
ofthi
s.

Af
tert
alki
ngt
omydadi
hungandwentt
otake
aqui
ckshower.

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
28,09:
03]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST
ENTRYFOURTY-
TWO

#ELLA

“Pleasecomeoutbabygi
rl,
IthoughttoMysel
f,
Iheldyouwar
mi nmelongenough.It
’sti
meto
comeoutandseetheworld.
Whydi dIhav etodri
nkinthefir
sttwomonths
ofmypr egnancy?Thi
sisallmyfault
.Notonl
y
i
sshepr ematurebutshehasacor dchoki
ng
her.Ifshedoesn’tmakeit,Iv
owt oendmyown
l
ife.Idon’tdeservet
oliv
ewi t
houther.

Irememberedget
ti
ngdr
unkl
ateratt
he
recept
iononmyweddi
ngday
.
Ial
sodrankatourhoneymoon,Ididn'
tknowi
waspregnant
,itj
ustdi
dn'
tregi
stertomet hati
wascarry
ingahuman.Nowi haveplacedher
l
if
eindangerwit
hthereckl
essli
feihadchosen
f
ormy sel
f.

"Pl
easedeardon'
tbl
amey
our
sel
f,y
ouneedt
o
bestrongf
orher
Sheneedsy
ounowmor ethanev
er"asifshe
coul
dreadmymind,
mymom sai d,
hersweet
voi
cewasalway
scomfort
ing
"Justkeeponpushi
ngsweet
y,y
ouar
eal
ready
ther
e"shecont
inued

Ipushedashar dasIpossiblycouldbutthe
babydidn’tseem l
ikeshewantedt ocomeout ,
anyway.IcouldfeelHerheadpoppi ngbackint
o
mybodysoqui ckl
y.Becauseoft hebloodbei
ng
sli
ppery,
Gr ai
g'sgr
annycouldn’tgetagoodgr i
p
onthehead.I twasn’
tunti
lthenextlongpushi
tookthatgotthejobdone.Halfthebabyexited
mybodyandthenGrai
g'
sgrannywasabl
eto
pul
loutt
herestoft
hebody
.
I
mmedi at
elyaf
tershecutthecordfr
om ar
ound
herneck,
shestart
edwail
ingfrom t
hetopofher
l
ungs.
Grai
g'
sgr
annypl
acedt
hecr
yingbabygi
rlonmy
chest
.

Gr
aigst
oodcl
ose,
smi
l
ing.
“Il
oveyou,
”isai
dholdi
ngbacktears,l
ooking
deepint
othebaby’
seyes.Andwi t
hthat,
the
babywentsil
ent
.Nomor ecry
ing,j
ustsil
ent.I
t
wasasifsheunder
stoodwhati wassayingto
her.
Shewassocut
eandti
ny,
sotinyi
evenf
elt
scar
edt
hatimi
ghtdr
opher.

Irai
sedmyey esandlookedatever
yonei
nthe
room,theyal
llookedbackatuswit
heyesful
lof
j
oyandhappi
ness.Ev
ery
onewasst
ari
ngatus
acceptf
ormymom.
Shewasn'
tther
e,myeyeswonder
edallar
ound
ther
oom andshereal
l
ywasneverther
e.
Sheindeedwasdeadandgone, t
hepai
niwent
thr
oughmusthav ebeensoseveret
hati
tmade
meseet hi
ngsthatwerenott
here.
Yetpartofmewasgladthati
sawherev
en
thoughshewasn'
treal
l
yhere.

"Thankyousomuchmom"Iwhi
sper
edt
o
myself
Ist
aredbackatt
hisangel
faceandsmi
l
edt
o
myself
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NARRATED

Ami nutewentbyandTer ratookthebabyto

cleanherupandchecki fshewasr eal
lyohk
andheal thy.Meanwhil
e,Ell
aandGr aig
rekindledthei
rrel
ati
onshipasGr ai
g'smother
tookpi ctur
es.
Bythet
imetheyt
ri
edbreast
feedi
ngt
hebabyin
Ter
ra'
sbedr
oom,Grai
ghadgoneoutsi
detoget
someair
.

El
l
aandherdaught
erwer
eli
keone.Theyhada
perfectbond,somethi
ngt hati
srar
eonthi
s
harshandcr uelpl
anetthatwassai
dtobe
decomposi ng,ToEll
athisbabywashernew
beginning
Herbabywouldchangeherwor
ld,
shewoul
d
br
ingpeaceandhappinessi
nherl
if
e.
ThiswasGod'
swayofconsoli
ngheraf
terHe
tookhermot
herandbr
otherawayfr
om her
.
Thisbabyhasjustr
eassur
edherthatl
i
feis
worthli
vi
ng.Shewasreadytol
iveorevendi
e
forheri
fneedbe.

Whi l
etoTer r
aThebabyr esembledev eryt
hing
holyinthewor ldofmagic.Lightbrowncol ored
skin,l
argebrowney es,bl
ackcur l
yhai rwith
goldenstreaks,andherpoi nt
ynose…l i
ter
all
y.
Thisbabywasconsi der
edbeaut i
fulont he
planetofMagi c.Youearthli
ngswi l
lknow
nothingabouti t
.Iguessitdoesn’tmat t
erreall
y.
“I
SABELLA”TERRAsai d,comi nginwithahuge
gri
n.“Whathaveyoudecidedt onameour
fut
urequeen?”shesaiditmor e​ li
keajoke
whil
einactualf
actssher eal
lymeanti t
.Seethe
babyhadamar konherbackj ustabitabove
herwaist
,themarklookedl i
kesomet hi
ngofa
fl
yi
ngbird,Ter
rahadseent hatMar kwhenshe
wascleani
ngthebaby
Sheact ual
lyr
ecogni
zedthemarkatthefi
rst
glancebecauseshehasseenitbefor
e.Herl
ate
mot hertheQueenofthei
rcov
enuset ohave
theexactsamemar kontheexactsamespot.

"OnedayIwoul dber ebornnotasmebutas

someoneelseandi wi l
lbuil
dourcovenbackt
o
whatitwas"thosewer ethelastwor
dsofthe
queenbeforeshebreathedheronelastaft
er
bei
ngattackedbyMi ssY
I
t sclearthatthequeenknewwhatshewas
talki
ngaboutbecausei tlookedli
kethenew
queenhadj ustbeenborntoday.Ter
rawasso
gladt hatthi
sdayhasf i
nall
ycome, t
heircov
en
wasf i
nall
ygonnahav ealeader.

El
lasatupinherbedandnodded,sayi
ng,“Gr
aig
andIhavedecidedonthenameAngela,shei
s
ourli
tt
leangel
andwill
bringuspeaceand
harmony".

"
That
'sabeaut
if
ulname"Thandekasai
d

"It
sbeautif
ul i
ndeed"Terr
aadded"andi wi
ll
nameherTi yonawhi chmeansbothli
ghtand
darkness,
becauset hosetwothi
ngswill
rest
ore
ourli
fes.Weneedbot ht
obebalanced.
”she
conti
nued
“wooowsuchar
areandbeaut
if
ulname,
ili
kei
t”
Ell
asmil
ed

“well
thenameiswhatmakesmygr
andchi
l
dso
speci
al.”Ter
rasai
d

“
Mot
her
,don’
tbesi
l
ly,
”Thandekabegan.

"Buty
ourmotheri
sri
ght
"sai
dNOMAWETHU
whoenter
edt
hedoor.
Sheletoutawar
m smi l
eandgr
eet
edEl
l
a,t
hey
bot
hexchangedgreet
ings,

"Imetyourhusbandi
ntheki
tchen,
hewasov
er
themoon,heseemshappytobeadad"noma
spoke.

El
l
a:soam i
,am gl
adwegonnabeaf
ami
l
y.
Noma:
ncooh,
am sohappyf
ory
ou.
CanIhol
dherpl
ease.

El
l
a:nopr
obl
em.

Shehandedt hebabytonoma,andwhenNoma
hel
dthebabyshef eltt
heli
ghtandpeaceinher
hear
t,hersoulwassopureandshefeltnofear
.

“Yousee,Ti
y onaistheonlybabygirl
bornali
ve.
I
thasbeentwent yyears,si
nceababygi r
lhas
beenconcei
vedint hishousehol
dandhasbeen
four
tyf
oursinceababygi r
lhasbeenborn.
Haveyouforgott
en? ”Nomasai dtoThandeka

Thandekahadtear
scomi
ngoutofherey
es.“
I
have.If
orgot
.Why…whyhav
eIforgot
?”
Shehadfor
gott
enaboutt
hecur
set
hatmi
ssY
oncepl
acedint
hei
rfamil
y.
Shehadcur sedall
theirwombt hataft
er
Thandekawasbor nnof emalechil
dwilleverbe
borninthei
rbloodl
ine.Shedidallt
histo
preventt
hewhi t
eQueenf rom bei
ngbor n.
Howdi dsheforgetsomethingsofragi
l
e, how
didsheforgetaboutthesti
l
lbornshegav ebi
rth
totwentyyearsago.Shelostherbabyjust
becauseshewasagi rl
.

"She'
sasl
eep"Nomasai
dhandi
ngTi
yonaback
tohermot
her

Ell
atookher,
shelookedathowcut
eand
chubbyherangel
was
Shepl
acedTiyonanextt
oherandcov
eredher
wit
hablanket
.
Nomast aredathersti
ll
,shehadf eltherpowers,
sheknewt hatthebabywasawhi tesorceress
andsheseemedunphasedandhappy .The
prophecyhasonlybegun.Whatmor ecoul
dt hi
s
chosenonepossessofpower .Mor eover
,how
will
sheobt ai
nit?
.Andwi l
ltheyfi
nal l
ygetridof
missY.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#GRAI
GS_
POV

isatont
opofthekit
chencount
er.Fearhad
sunkindeepenough.
Iwasscar
edthatImightnothav
eachanceto
seemydaughtergr
ow,Imightnotseehert
ake
herf
ir
stst
ep.
Imi
ghtnotbet
her
etohearhersayherf
ir
st
wor
d.
Idefi
nit
elywon'
tbet
her
eonherf
ir
stdayat
school.

Tearsgavein,whynow.Whymusti
peri
shwhi
l
e
Godhadj ustbl
essedmewit
hsomethi
ngso
beauti
ful
.
Iswall
owedt helumpt hatwasstuckonmy
thr
oat.Icoul
dheart heladi
estal
kingand
l
aughinginthebedr oom.Isobadlywant
edt
o
j
ointhem butijustcouldn'
t.
Icoul
dn'tl
ookEll
aintheeyesknowingthati
mightsoonleav
eherwi tht
heresponsi
bil
it
yof
rai
si
ngourdaughteralone.

Rightt
hensomeoneknockedatt
hedoor
,Iwent
toopenandtomySurpri
seitwassi
sNoma.

"Hi
"Isai
dpavi
ngawayf orhertocomei
n.She
wal
kedinandicl
osedt
hedoor .

"Hey,youareohk,Ifel
thowy ouwerel
astni
ght
buticouldn'
tcomehelp,Ineededt
ogettoyour
brot
her"shesaidaft
erwebr okeahug.

Me:what,i
ssomet
hingwr
ongwi
thTy
,what
happened.

Her
:seemsl
i
kemi
ssYdeci
dedt
osendt
he
Angelofdeat
haf
terhi
m.Butdon'
twor
ryhe'
s
fi
ne.

Me: gosh,
Ishouldgo,mybr otherissuf
feri
ngall
becauseofme.Ineedt oleavethisworld.Let
mej ustdi
sappearr
ightnow, am ready,
youcan
bl
owoutt hecandle

Her:youcan'tl
eavesosoon, spentaf ew
monthswi t
hy ourdaughterf
ir
st,thenexplai
n
every
thi
ngt oyourwife.Don'
tjustleave,t
hatwi
ll
breakher
.It'
sbettershehearsever yt
hingfr
om
younotfrom someoneel se.

Me:am scar
ed,Idon'
twannahur
ther
.Idon'
t
wannaseehersheddi
ngtear
sonmycount.

Her:shewil
lheal
,andaf
tery
ouar
egoneshe
wil
lbeinsafehands.
Theybot
hwi
l
l.

Me:
howcany
oubesosur
e

Her
: becauseyouhav
ealreadytakent
hefir
st
bol
dst epbycall
i
ngyourbrother
.Heisgonna
betheonet ot
akecareofthem.

It
ookadeepbreath,i
t'sbet
terhavingmy
br
otherl
ooki
ngafterthem t
hantohav eher
marry
ingast
rangerthatwil
lneglectthem.

Me:i
t'
sbett
ert
hanl
eav
ingt
hem i
nthehandsof
ast
ranger
.

Her
:tr
ustme,
theyar
egonnabef
ine.
Webot
hsmi
l
ed

Me:
wai
twhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e.

Her
:am her
etoseet
hel
i
ttl
eoneof
'coz

Me:
howdi
dyou.
..Youknowshegav
ebi
rt
h

Her
:of
'cozIknow,t
hebabyi soneofus,
she'
s
ofl
i
ghtsoifel
therpresencemil
esaway.

Me:
whatdoy
oumean.

Her
:shehasagr
eatdeal
ofl
i
ghti
nsi
deher
.

Me:
owhwow,
andIdi
dn'
tev
enknowt
hat
.
Her:
well
that
'sbecausey
ouar
enoangel
,we
knowoneofourown

Webothlaughed,wetal
kedabi
tbef
oreshe
exi
tedt
hekitchen,
shewenttoj
oint
heladi
es.

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
03]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFOURTY_
THREE

#ELLA
Ihadf al
leninlovethisprevi
ousweek.Not
somet hi
ngIwasexpect ingatmyage-butIf eel
asdel i
ciousl
y,deli
ri
ouslyhappyasIwaswheni t
fi
rsthappened, wheni star
teddati
ng.Iwas
strangel
ynervousaboutmeet ingmyfir
stbaby,
mypr eciousli
ttl
edaught er,
butthemomentI
heldheri nmyar msandhert i
nyfi
stt
ightened
roundmyf i
nger,Iwasl ost
.
IknowIwi l
lbeherslavefortherestofmylife;
myf acewil
lli
ghtupwhenev erIseeher,Iwill
cooov erev
eryphotographwet ake,bethr
il
led
byev er
yachievementandIwi l
ldropevery
thing
forachancet obewithher.

Ihopedweshal lbebestoff r
iends.Ihopedwe
wil
l sharesecr
ets,r
eadpictur
ebooks, cook,
paint,dothegardenandgof orwalkst ogether
.I
wishedwecanpaddl einthesea,exploreand
dosi l
lythi
ngswewon' tdaretel
lherdaddy
about .
Il
ongedforust ospendalotoftimeholdi
ng
hands,l
aughingandhavi
ngf un.AndIhopeit
wil
lbear el
ati
onshi
pthatwil
l enr
ichherl
if
eas
wellasmine.
Butmay beIam put tingthecartbeforethe
horse.Angel TiyonaKr ugerisnoty ettwoweeks
old,andhermai ninterestsseemedt obe
feedingandf i
ll
inghernappy .Sheisn'tqui
te
readyforTheSel fi
shGi antorevenTheHungr y
Caterpil
lar-alt
houghgi venherfather'
s
precociousandv oraciousappetit
ef orbooks,
I
am surei twon'tbel ong.

Ist
areddeeplyi
nhereyesasshegazedi
nto
mine,shehadmybigroundeyes.
Shesuckedhungr il
yonmyni ppl
e,herlipsso
softandpinkjustli
kethoseofherf ather'
s.We
weresti
llatTerra'
splace.Theytreatedmel ike
aneggher e.Theyalwayspr ovi
dedev eryt
hingi
needed.AndTer raalwaystookTiyonaf ir
st
thi
nginthemorningfort
hepastt endays,
I
real
lydon'
tknowwhybutt otel
lthehonesttr
uth
Terr
awassost rangel
yatt
achedt omydaughter.
I
tsli
keshewast hedaughtersheneverhad.
Justt
heot herday,shehadgivenhertheemost
beaut
if
ulbutst r
angenecklace,i
thadredand
goldr
ubbieswhi chsurpr
isi
nglygl
owed
wheneverTiyonawascr yi
ng.Shesaiditwasa
speci
alnecklace.
"I
tsamagicalneckl
ace,
itwouldpr
otecther
whenev
erevil
spiri
tst
rytoat
tackher.
Mymothergav
eitt
omewheni
wasachi
l
d"
shesai
d.
Inevertookherser iousl
ythough, sheoft en
sayscrazyt hings.Sheact uallybeli
evedin
witches,coven, ghostandangel ssomet hing
thatevensci encewi llt
arnish.Iam notaf anof
those,iam apr acticalpersonwhobel i
ev esin
factsandt hingsthatwecanact ual
lyprov e.
Ient
ert
ainedherst
ori
est
hough,
theywer
e
amazingandfunnyt
oli
stenat
.Ibetshewasa
goodstoryt
ell
erormay
beoldagehadgotten
thebett
erofher.

Ismil
edathowcut emydaught
erwas,shewas
thespi
tti
ngimageofGrai
gandi,shewasso
beauti
ful
,Iguessi
tsal
li
nthegenes.
Iknewitwouldn'
tbelongbef oreshecansi
ton
myl apt
owat chBagpussorTheMagi c
Roundabout;
butshest i
l
l hadagoodf ewyears
offl
icki
ngrawcakemi xturefrom t
hebowlor
spil
l
ingpowderpaintal
lov erthefl
oor
.ButIcan
wait.
Icanbuyhert oysi nthemeantime-fl
oppy
earedrabbit
sandshaggyt eddybear
s-allt
hose
soft,
squishyfurryanimalsthatiwi
shedihad
yearsago,butwhi chInevergrewoutof
wantingtobuy .AtlastIhavesomeonetobuy
them for
;andpul l
-alongtr
ainsandji
gsawsand
funnyhats...
Butonsecondt
hought s,maybeIwon'
t...I
rememberhowmyf atherusedtodri
vememad
whenChri
sandiwer ekids.
Chriswashi ssecondbor nandi washisonly
fi
rstdaughterandheshower edhi m wit
hgi f
t
mor ethanhedi dtome, andinduecour se,he
shower edChr i
swithhuge,wonderfulpresents-
farmor eexpensivethananythi
ngt hey,
him and
mom, couldaf for
d-andt eet
h-rot
ti
nglolli
pops
andsweet s.LikePavlov'
sdog,heknewt o
expectChristmasev eryt
imehesawhi m, which
-alt
houghf leeti
ngl
y-wasatl eastonceaweek.

DidChrisl
ovehim ordi
dhel ovewhathe
brought?I
'
m notsureheev erdaredf i
ndout
which.But
,now?Wel l
,I
'm beginningto
underst
andhim.Ithi
nkhewasj ustdesperat
e
todemonstrat
ehisloveforhisonl yson,
andhe
diditi
ntheonlywayheknewhow.
Mymot
her
,ont
heot
herhand,
arr
ivedwi
th
nothingmateri
al.Whatshegaveuswasmuch
mor eval
uable;pri
cel
esseven.Shedevoted
hoursofhertimet ous.Shewasendlessly
pati
ent.
Shenev erseemedbor edbyourr epet
it
ive
questi
ons,wasnev ercrosswhenwebr oke
somethingprecious,
nev ert
oobusyf orus,
neverir
rit
ableormoody ,happytoshowus
againandagainhowt ohi tatennisbal
l,r
idea
tr
icycl
eorpushasetofshapesi ntoabox.
Isnappedoutofmythoughtsandfocusedon
mydaughter.Wit
hhopesthatIshal
lsomeday
bethatki
ndofamot hert
oher.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#GRAI
GS_
POV

Thereshewas, mychil
d,mypr eciousl i
ttl
egir
l-
amaj ormi r
acleinit
sel
f-apar tofme, i
nsome
magical way,droppedint
omyl i
fe,akindof
perf
ectpr esent:t
ohaveandt ohol d,toloveand
tocherishandal lt
hatsortofthi
ng, andt oenj
oy
wit
hnoconst rai
ntsofanykind.

"Mytwofavor
it
eladi
esint
heworl
d"isai
d
wal
ki
ngintheroom,El
lawasbr
east
feedi
ngher
.
Iwat
chedt
hem wi
thsomuchadmi
rat
ion.
"
She'
ssuchahandf
ul"el
l
asai
dlooki
ngatme.

I
twasmysecondt imewal ki
nginheret
his
week.It
snotbecausei didn'
twannabondwit
h
myf amil
yoranyt
hing,i
t'sbecauseouma
for
bademef rom comingi nher
einmost
occasi
ons.

"Owhbaby
,youmustbet
ir
ed"i
sai
d

Her:v
ery,sheonlysl
epttwohourslastnight,
l
ucki
lyyourgrandmotherwasawake, shetook
hert
oherr oom andonlybr
oughtherbackt hi
s
morning

Ifel
tsobadforher.iwasgett
ingweakerby
eachdaywhileShewaswor ki
ngsohar d,
and,
withTiy
onabeingabadsleeperfr
om thestar
t,
shelookedexhaust
ed.
"Owhbaby
,youshoul
drestabi
t,br
ingherher
e"
isai
d

"Pl
easeGrai
gbecar
eful
,don'
tdr
opher
"she
sai
dhandi
ngmethebaby

Me:
Don'
twor
ryl
ove,
iwon'
t.

Soitookher,wr
appedherup,shestart
ed
wail
i
ng, i
pacedwit
hherupanddownt heroom
gent
lyrocki
ngherback.Shef
inal
lykeptquiet
.
Ihummedasongmyf at
herusedtosi
ngf
orme.
Havi
ngtohol
dmybabysocl oset
omychest
mademyheartsunk.
Suddenl
ythi
smomentseemedl i
keadr eam,
welli
twasadream,consi
der
ingthefactthati
mightbegonesoonandimightnothave
anot
hermomentl
i
ket
his.
Ifel
ttearsthr
eat
eni
ngmyey
es,
itr
iedst
oppi
ng
them atall
cost.
Iwaswit
hmyf
ami
l
ybuti
hadnev
erf
eltso
al
one.

Ihel
dmybabyevencl
osert
ome,
herhead
rest
edonmyshoul
der
.
Idi
dn'texpectwhathappenedatt
hatmoment,I
sweariheardav oi
cewhisperi
ng"i
t'
sgonnabe
al
ri
ght"iquickl
yremovedthebabyandst
aredat
herbutshewassoundasl eep.
Imi
ghthav
ewi
tnessedamomentofcr
azi
ness.
Ipul
ledmy
sel
ftoget
herandpl
acedheri
nher
cot.
El
lawasalr
eadyfastasl
eep,
sher
eal
l
ymust
havebeensoti
red.
Iexi
tedt
her
oom anddr
ovet
othenear
by
chemistt
obuyall
theext
rat
hingst
hatanew
motherneeds.
Idr
ovear
oundt
ownj
ustki
l
li
ngt
ime
Ihopedt
hatTi
yonawouldst
il
lbeasleepsot
hat
Ell
acoul
dhaveanhourorsotorest
.Apreci
ous
momentforme;abreakf
orher.

Idroveuphi
ll
,adustyroadleadi
ngoutoftown
whenashadowappear edf
rom thewoods
runni
nginthemiddl
eoft heroad,i
tlookedl
ikea
humanf i
guresoitr
iedbyallmeanst oavoi
d
hit
ti
nghim/her
Isteppedonthebrakesharderbutihadalready
l
ostcontrol
oft hest
eeri
ngwheel somycar
swervedouttheroadintot
hedar kfor
estitsped
downt hehi
llunti
li
tcoll
i
dedintoahuget r
ee, my
headhitsohadont hewheel anditwasl
ights
outforme
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NARRATED

Terr
awasi nthekitchendri
nki
ngcoff
eewhen
sheheardTiyonawai l
ingf
rom t
hetopofher
voi
ce,suddenlyherstomachrancol
d.
Shewasov
erwhel
medwi
thsomuchf
ear
.
Shest
oodupandr
ant
oEl
l
a'sr
oom,
Thandeka
wasalreadyt
her
ehol
dingTi
yonat
ryi
ngt
ocal
m
herdown.
El
l
awasonherf
eetal
socr
ying.

"What'swr
ong,whathappened"Ter
ra
excl
aimedrushi
ngtothebaby.

"Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng,
iwasal
seep,
hercr
ies
wokemeup.
Itri
edbreast
ingherbutshedoesn'
twantt
o
feed"El
l
asaidinapanicv oi
ce.

Ter
ra:
didy
ouchangeherdi
aper
.

El
la:Ichangedi
tbef
oreshesl
ept
,andi
checked
i
t,i
tsstil
ldry
.
Idi
dn'
tdoanythi
ng,
Ionlyr
est
edforf
ew
minut
esbecauseGrai
gtol
dmetorest
.
Thandeka:
sowher
eisGr
aig.

El
la:
Idon'
tknow,
hewasnother
ewheni
woke
up.

Terr
a:hedr
oveoutawhil
eago,hesai
dhewas
gonnabuyf
ewstufff
orEl
laandthebaby

Thandeka:
mom iswearifhedi
dsomet
hingt
o
thi
sbabytheni
will
..
..
..

Ter
ra:
owhpleaseThandekat
hat
'
senough,
he
di
dnothi
ng.
IcheckedonTiyonaanhouragoandshewas
soundasleep.
Tiy
onawai
l
ingev
enl
ouder
,shewasl
oosi
ngher
voi
ce
Ter
rat
ri
edcal
mingherdownbutshef
ail
ed
di
smal
ly.

El
la:
somet
hingi
swr
ongwi
thher
,theneckl
ace
i
sglowi
ng

I
twaswhenEll
asai
dthatwhenTerr
achecked
t
heneckl
aceandi
twasindeedgl
owing.
Fearhi
tthecor
eofherspi
newhenshesawt
hat
.

"Whatdoesi
tmean,what
'swrongwit
hher"El
l
a
askedwhenshesawhowtroubl
edTerr
a'sf
ace
was.

"I
sabell
ayouneedtostayher
e,Iwi
l
lber
ight
back,Thandekapl
easecal
lNOMAWETHU"she
sai
d.

Thandeka:
hhay
ini
mama,
kwenzekant
oni

Ter
ra:
stopaski
ngquest
ionsandj
ustdoasi
say
.

El
lawasaboutt
osaysomet
hingbutqui
ckl
y
deci
dedt
okeepqui
etwhenshesawhowangry
Terr
awas.

"Iwi
llt
akeherwi
thme,
justr
est
"Ter
rasai
dto
El
la.

Shethenexi
tedt
heroom wit
hTiyonawhi
l
e
ThandekaandEl
last
aredateachdumb
St
ri
ckenandconf
used.
#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
28,09:
05]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST.

ENTRYFOURTY-
FOUR

#NARRATED

Terrawentstr
aightt
oherroom wi
thTi
yona,st
il
l
cryi
ng,shepl
acedheronthebedandreached
forherspel
lbook.
Shepagedt
hroughunt
ilshestumbl
edon
somethi
ngt
hatcoul
dbeusef ul
.
Shereci
tedthespel
l,
sof
tl
ywhi
sper
ingt
he
wordsinTiy
ona'sear
.
Sherepeat
edthespel
lthr
eet
imesandf
inal
l
y
l
it
tl
eTiyonadozedoff
.
Ter
rahadj
ustusedasl
eepi
ngspel
lonher
.

"It
sbet terthi
swaymyqueen,
iwill
wake.you
whent het i
mecomes"shesai
d,asifshewas
tal
kingtosomeonewhocanhearand
understandher .

Shet ookoutallherspel
lbooksandstart
ed
browsingthr
ough, sheneededtogetreadyf
or
therewasawarcomi ng.Shewashalfway
throughthethir
dbookwhenherdooropened.
Thandekawal kedinfoll
owedbyNoma.
Theyexchangedgreet
ingsthenNomawent
overt
osleepingTi
yona,shenoti
cedt
he
Glowi
ngnecklace.
Shetouchedt heneckl
aceandherbodyshook.
Herey esbecamewhi t
e,shefacedupand
st
art
edchant inginanancientl
anguage,
she
waslikesomeonewhowaspossessed
"Mom don'
tjuststandt
her
e,dosomet
hing"
Thandekay
elleduponseei
ngthat
.

Nomaconti
nuedchant
ing,
hernosewasnow
bl
eedi
ng.

"Mom please,
she'
sinpai
n,getherawayfrom
thebaby
"Thandekasai
d,shetri
edseparat
ing
Noma'shandfrom t
heneckl
acebutan
i
mmensepowerpushedheraway ,
shelanded
onthewall.

"She'snoti
npain,
justkeepqui
etandl
ether
fi
nish"Ter
rasai
d.

Nomashookviolent
lybef
orel
ett
inggoofthe
neckl
ace,
shestoppedshaki
ngandhernose
st
oppedbl
eedi
ng,
herey
esr
etur
nedt
onor
mal
.

"Theygothim"Nomasai
dwipi
ngt
hebl
ood
fr
om hernosewit
hati
ssue.

Ter
ra:
No.
..
.Isi
treal
l
yher
.

Noma:yes,isawev
erything,
Tiy
onamusthave
seeni
ttoo.Iwaswatchingever
ythi
ngt
hrough
herey
es.

Terr
a:youmeanshebindedherbondi
ngwith
herdad,butshe'
sst
il
lsoyoungt
odot hat
.

Noma: webothknowshe'
scapableofmuch
more.She'
sthewhit
eQueenafter
all
.
Ter
ra:
sti
l
l,shei
stooy
oungt
oknowanyoft
his.

Noma:seemsl i
keherpowersar
egr eat
ert
han
youcanimagine,canyoubel
i
evethatshe
act
uall
ycantelepath.

Ter
ra:
No, i
knewmymom coulddot
hatbutshe
wasold,
Tiyonai
sst
il
lanI
nfant
.

Noma:
wel
lshe'
smor
epower
ful
.

Thandeka:
sothatwi
tchhasmyson,
she'
s
goi
ngtokil
lhi
m mama.

Ter
ra:
don'
twor
rywear
egoi
ngt
ogethi
m.

Noma:
weneedt
ogonow,
iknowwher
ethey
t
ookhi
m.Wehav
etobr
ingTi
yonawi
thus.

Theytookt
hei
rst
uffandgotr
eadyf
ort
hebat
tl
e
ahead.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#ELLA
Isl
owlybackedawayf
rom t
hedoor
,mymout
h
hanghal
fopened.
Iwasst
il
li
npur
edi
sbel
i
eveast
heshocksank
i
n.
Asuddencol
dnesshi
tsatt
hecor
eofmy
st
omach.
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evewhati
justsawandhear
d.

Iwasneart hedooreavesdroppingwheniheard
theconversati
onbetweenTer r
aandNoma,
whatdidtheymeanwhent heysaidmy
daughteri
sawhi tequeen,whataboutthethe
tel
epathything,
wasitevent r
ue.
Sotheneckl
acereall
yhadmagic,
wherewas
myhusband,whohadhi m,washeindanger
.
whatwasreal
lygoing.onher
e
Iqui
cklyheadedbackt
omyr oom wheni
hear
d
them appr
oachi
ngthedoor
.
Igoti
nbedandpr
etendedt
obeasl
eep.

"I
sabel
l
a"Ter
rasai
dshaki
ngmesof
tl
y.

"Mah"Isl
owlyopenedmyey
esandr
ubbed
them abi
t.

"Wehav
et ogosomewher
e,am t
aki
ngTi
yona
wi
thme"shesai
d.

Me:butai
n'
tshest
il
lyoungtogoout.Andi
t
l
ooksli
keshe'
sasl
eepcan'ty
oujustl
eaveher
.

Ter
ra:
i hav
et otakehersomewher
e,i
tsv
ery
i
mportantthatshegoesther
e.
Me:
owh.
..
.

Terr
a:Don'
tbetr
oubl
edi
promi
senot
hingwi
l
l
happentoher
.
Youneedtor
estabi
t,wewi
l
lseey
ouwhenwe
getback.

Me:
kthen.

Shewal
kedout
,Iwait
eduntili
heardt
hecar
engi
ner
oari
ngout
side,i
quickl
ygotoutoft
he
bed,
woremytr
ackpantsandsleeper
s.
It
ookmycarkeyt
henexi
tedt
hehouse.
Igoti
nmycaranddroveouttheyard,i
fol
l
owed
them f
rom asaf
edi
stanceastheydrov
euphi
l
l.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Mrfer
nandot
ookanot
herl
ookatt
hepi
ctur
e
El
l
asenttohi
m.
Hezoomedi
tinandt
ookacl
oserl
ook.

"Shelookshuman"shethoughtoutloud,
itwas
apict
ureofTiy
ona,El
lahadsentittohim af
ter
shegavebir
th.
Hebreathedasignofrel
i
ef,
hewashappyto
seethathisdaught
erwascarr
yingahuman
bei
ngaf t
eral
l.
Hegulpeddownonhi slastwhiskey
.Hel aid
f
acedupont hecouch​ battl
ingwiththoughts.
Heverymuchwantedt ocomecl eantoEl l
a.It
wastimehetel
lshisdaughterwhathedi d17
year
sago.
Heneededtof
acet
heconsequencesofhi
s
br
utal
acti
ons.

Hishear tpoundedlouder
,fearcr
eepedi
n.hi
s
facehadf lushes.Howwoul dhebegi
n
explai
ningt hi
s.Howdoeshegoaboutt el
li
ng
hisdaught erthathesol
dhertoadeadman.
Howwouldheexplai
ntoherthatshegot
i
mpregnatedbyaghost
.Mostlyhowwouldhe
t
ell
herthatheisacol
dbloodedmurderer
.
Heclosedhiseyesandtearsgavei
n,heal
ready
coul
dpi ct
ureEl
l
a'sdi
sappoint
mentstowards
him.Hecouldseeherdisowninghi
m.Hecould
seetheangerandhatr
edhisdaughterwi
ll
have
towardshim.

"Am sosorrybabygi
rl
,am sor
ryam t
her
eason
foral
lthi
s.
Iam thereasonyourmotherandbrot
herdi
ed,i
f
Ihadn'tki
ll
edthatboynoneofthi
swouldhave
happened"hebrokedownandcr i
ed.

Yetnoamountoftear
swouldfi
xwhathehad
done.Noamountofregr
etswi
llbr
ingbackhis
wif
eandson.Hewasamonst erandaheartl
ess
ki
ll
erandhi
senti
refamil
yhadpaidforhi
ssins.

Heopenedhi
sey
esandhecoul
dseehi
swi
fe
standi
ngbythedoor,i
twast hef
if
thti
mehe
hasseenherthi
sweek, wasshehaunti
nghim
orwashejustseeingt
hings.Maybehi
sguilt
y
consci
enceandtroubl
edmi ndwerepl
aying
tr
icksonhi
m.

"
Babyyouar
ehereagai
n"hesai
dsit
ti
ngup,hi
s
wi
fej
ustst
aredathi
m wit
htear
sinherey
es.

Hi
m:am sor
rybaby
,iam sosor
ryabout
ev
ery
thi
ng.

Sti
l
lsheneverut
ter
edasingleword,
inst
ead
shetur
nedherbackandwalkedoutthedoor

"Wait,honeypl
ease"saidMrfernandoget
ti
ng
upfrom thecouch,buthef
ell
rightback
becausehewasdr unk.
Hestruggl
edtostandrightbackupunti
lhe
coul
df i
nal
l
yregai
nhi sbalance.Hest
umbl ed
outt
heredoorsti
l
l begginghiswif
etostop.
Butassoonashegotoutsi
detherewasno
si
gnsofhiswi
feeverbei
ngthere.
I
tsl
i
keshej
ustv
ani
shedi
ntot
hinai
r.

Hesatont
hegr
oundf
eel
i
ngdef
eat
ed,
hej
ust
wept
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#TYSON

Ihadtr
iedcal
l
ingthatnumberoncountl
ess
occasi
onyeti
tsti
l
l r
angstr
aightt
ovoicemai
l.
..
..
Itooktheoldbookandcaref
ull
ywentt
hrough
theinstr
uct
ionsabouthowtobri
ngsomeone
backf r
om t
hedead.
Thi
sspel
lseemeddar kanddanger
ousandi
t
haddr
eadfulconsequences.
I
freal
l
ymymotherbroughtbackGr
aigt
hen
whatwast
her
eason,andwhywouldshehi
de
t
hatfr
om myf
ather
,iwondered.

Ideci
dedtotakeabr
eakf
rom al
lthi
sbecausei
t
wastir
ing.
Iwenttotakeaquickshowerandgotr
eadyf
or
mymi ddayclass.
Itookmybooksandl
apt
opt
henexi
tedmy
room.

Iwalkedt
oclass,t
helessonbegan,i
twas
bor
ingasusualbuttodayiwasgladthatt
here
wasnosignofJunioraroundcampus,atl
easti
wasgonnahav eapieceofmind.

Aftercl
assesiwenttothelibr
aryandsurf
ed
throughcount
lessofancientbookand
searchedthei
nternetaboutsuper
natur
al
stori
es

Lateriboughtt
akeaway
sf ormyselfthenwent
backtomyr oom.Wheni gott
herei was
stunnedtoseemydoorslight
lyopened
Themi
nut
eIwal
kedi
niwast
akenaback.
Thewholehousewasamess,
myclot
hesand
whol
elotofstuf
fwasont
hefl
oor
.
It
sli
kesomeonewassear chingforsomet hi
ng,I
checkedmyst ufft
oseei
fsomet hi
ngwas
missing.Ever
ythi
ngwassti
lli
ntact
,eventhe
moneyont opofmystudytablewasstil
lthere.

Itookachai
randcheckedont
opofthecl
oset
andmyheartraceduponseei
ngt
hattheol
d
bookwasgone.Someonehadbrokeninmy
houseandstol
ethebook

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
28,09:
06]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFORTY-
FIVE

#NARRATED
MissYheldthecari
ntheai
r,
itfl
oatedal
lthe
wayup.Shepulledi
tbackt
ot heroadand
pl
aceitdown.

"ishestil
lali
ve"Juniorasked.Sti
llabitpuzzled
abouthowhi sgrannyjustpull
edt hecarfrom
thecli
ffwit
houtev entouchingit
.Heknewt hat
hisgrannywasasor cererhejustdidn'
tknow
thatshewast hatpower f
ulandcoulddosuch
amazingthings.

"yesheisst
il
lwit
hus,
let
'sgethi
m outoft
he
car.
"Missysai
d.

Theyopenedt hedoor,pul
l
edhi m out
.Graig
wasstil
lout.Hisheadhadsmashedpr et
tybad.
Hewasbl eedingfr
om thenoseandhadahuge
cutonhisforehead.Theyplacedhimintheircar
anddrovedeepi nthewoods.Mi ssyparkedin
f
rontofhercabi
n.

"damnhe'sheav
y "j
uni
orfelthi
smuscles
tear
ingast
heyli
ftGrai
gintothehouse.

"stopbeingacr ybaby
,woul
dyou.I
t'
sti
mefor
youtot oughenup.Beamanandstopsobbi
ng"
addressedmi ssyshar
ply
.

Juni
orknewbet
tert
hant
ocompl
ain
uponseei ngthatgaze.Heremainedquietand
theyplacedGr ai
gont opofthet
ablethatwas
neartheol dwarnoutf i
repl
ace.
Hecouldhar
dlybreat
hinher
e.Howdi dhis
grannyl
iv
einsuchadustyandrustypl
ace.He
wonderedmoretohimsel
fbecausehecouldn'
t
dareaski
ngher.
"Wear
eal
mostt
her
e.Youneedtogetmethe
BOOKOFSHADOWSfrom t
hatboynow.
Taket
hecarkey
sandbequi
ck"mi
ssysai
d

Juni
or:
am oni
t.
..
..

"owh!andJunior,
don'tcomebackher
ewi
thout
thatbook"shewarned
Juni
orfear
edmor
ethatl
ookforhi
slif
e.Het
ook
thecarkey
sandr
ushedoutt
hecabin.

"youar eal
lminenow.Final
l
yIhav eyouall
to
my sel
f"shewhisperedi
nGraig'
sear.Thesmil
e
thatgracedherfacewaspri
celess.
Thi
swast heemostepi
cmomentofher
exi
stence.
Shewokehi
m upwi
thaspel
l
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#GRAI
GS_
POV

Itr
iedmybestt
oopenmyey esbutt
heywere
soheavy
.Imanagedtogett
hem hal
fopened
andIwasmetwitht
hefaceofmyhell.
Shewasther
est
ari
ngatmewi
thasmi
l
e.She
st
oodaboveme.
Iqui
ckl
ytr
iedt
osi
tupbutIcoul
dn'
tfeel
any
par
tofmybodyapar
tfr
om myf
ace.
Iwasnumb.Icoul
dn'
tmov
e.

"hey
...
hey.
.si
tst
il
l.Youdon'
twannabe
subj
ectedi
nawheel chai
rnowdoyou.
Ihaveparal
ysedyourwhol
ebody .Youwi
llnot
doanythi
ng.Youaremine.If
inall
yhavet
he
upperhand"shesai
dsmili
ngwi del
y.

"whhhhh"Iwantedtoshoutandscream I
wantedanswersbutmyt onguef
ail
edme.IWas
i
mpai r
ed,Ir
eal
lycoul
dn'ttal
k

Her
:owhIf
orgott
oment
iononet
inyi
mpor
tant
det
ail
.
Youcan'tt
alk.Ihav
etempor
ari
l
ynumbedy
our
tongue.
I
tsgr
eathowmagi
cwor
ksi
sn'
t.I
tsj
ust
wonder
ful
howIcandoany
thi
ngIwantt
oyou
wi
thasnapofmyfi
nger
.

Sheactual
lysnappedherlef
tfinger
sandray
s
ofl
ight
ningsprangout.Shelaughedagai
n.
t
ear
sst
ungmyeyes.Iwasafr
aidnotf
ormebut
f
ormyf
amil
y,f
orEl
laandTiy
ona.
Il
ookedatherhelpl
essl
yandal
lIcoul
dseewas
pur
eclassi
cevil
wi t
ch.
Shehadj
et-
blackhai
r,i
ce-
blueey
esandmoon-
whit
eski
n.
Shehadonalongfl
owingblackdress.Hernai
l
s
abitl
onger
.Shej
ustlookedunpl
easantformy
l
iki
ng.

Thishouselookedli
keahel
l
hol
eandi
tsmel
l
ed
l
ikeanancienthouse.
Att
hef
arendwasanal
ter
.Itwasf
il
ledwi
th
bott
lesandoldbooks.Ipr
esumeditwaswher
e
shekeptherspel
lsandrit
ualt
ool
s.
Ontheopposi
tewallwasapent
agr
am.An
enci
rcl
edfi
vepoint
edstarwi
tht
hefi
veWi
cca
el
ementswrit
tenonit
.
Shewor
eaneckl
acewi
tht
heexactpent
agr
am
onit
.
Ontheotherwal
lwaswr
it
tenThe8wi
cca
sabbat
s
Iknewt hem byhear tatthispointbecauset hey
wer ewr i
tt
enonouma' sjournal,
yule(wi nter
solsti
ce),imbole(f
eastoft hecandle),spri
ng
equinox,Beltane(mayday ),midsummer ,
l
ugnasadh(August1st ),autumnequi noxand
fi
nallytheSamhai nwhi chwashel dont he31st
ofOct ober-i
twast hewi ccannewy earthat
honor edthei
rr ebi
rt
h.
Ialwaysr
eadthi
swhenev
erIwasatmy
grandma'
splace
Igather
edal
lthecandl
es,
oil
s,i
ncense,and
herbswaswhatsheusedtocastspel
ls.
Sher eal
lywasi nt
odar ksorcer
ery,al
lthe
symbol swrit
teninthewal l
swer eancientand
dark.Iwasaf rai
doft hescenelaidbeforeme.
InallhonestyIfel
ttrappedanddef eated,If
elt
l
ikeitwast heendofme.Iwasi nthi
sgl oomy
placewi t
hnohopesofev erescaping.Andwi t
h
no
Hopeofmyfami
lyfi
ndingmebecausei
tlooked
l
ikeIwasi
nthemiddl
eofnowhere
*
*
*
*
*
*
MissYstoodi
nsi
dethecir
clet
hatwasdr
awn
onthef
loori
thadthedar
kLord'
sheadi
nit
Shestar
tedreci
ti
ngsomethingwhi
chwas
rat
herst
rangeanddist
urbi
ng.

"Omyl ord.Mylove.Howwhol lydelectabl

ey ou
are!Letyoukissmewi ththekissesofy our
mout h.Foryourl
ovewoul dbesweet erthan
wine.Howl ovel
ywillbethi
scount enance!How
pleasantwil
lbeyourembr aces!Myhear tleaps
forjoy.
Ican'
twaittohearyourvoi
cemyl ord,mylov
e.
Wheny ousaytomysoul thatam yoursal
vat
ion.
OmyGod, myking,whatam Ibutdust!Awarm,
arebelandthi
neenemyIuset obe.I ,
wall
owing
i
nt hebl
oodandf i
lt
hofthismor t
als.
Ri
seandcastt
hedar
kestcount
enanceupon
me.Whenyouspr
eadovermethelapofyour
l
oveandsaidestt
hatweshoul
dli
vef
orev
er"
shechant
ed

AllalongGrai
gwat chwi t
hhor r
or.She
continuedchanti
nguntilhereyest urnedblack.
Ther oom wasnowcov eredinfog.The
pentagram appearedonherf oreheadi twas
i
nsideaney e.Itwasbloodr edasi fembedded
i
nbl ood.

"
Rise!Ri
semydar
klor
d"shey
ell
ed

I
twasnowdar k,i
twasn'tlongbeforetheangel
ofdeathappear ed.Dressedinit
slongbl ack
rope.Grai
gcoul dn'
tseei t
sface.Thisthingwas
j
usthollow.Ithadnof ace.Itwasjustadar k
holeofnothingness.Graigshookwi t
hf ear,
tearsgavein.Couldthisbehisend.
"myLor d,
myl
oveIhav
efoundt
hee,
aper
fect
vessel
.
Youshallt
akeoverhisbody"(shepoint
edat
Grai
g)"heisaperf
ecthostforhissouli
sno
l
ongerwiththel
iv
ing"shesaid

"Iknewyouwon'
tdisappoi
nt,f
inal
l
yIshal
lri
se
andthi
sworl
dwil
lfeelmywr at
h.
Ishal
lruleov
ert
hisworl
d"hesai
d,hi
svoi
ce
sentchil
l
sdownGraig'
snumbspine.
Thi
smonst
erwaswor
set
handeat
hit
sel
f.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

"Magicflowsi nyourv einsTer r

a".Terra'
s
mot herhadwhi speredt oherbef oreshe
breathedheronel ast.Shehadn' tworkedout
whathermot hermeantbackt henbecauseshe
wasnot hingbutachi ld.Shewasl ostand
scaredshewasaconf usedlit
tlegir
lwi t
hno
clari
tyofhermot her'swor ds.Itwasonl ylat
er
whenshegott of i
ndoutt hathermot herwasa
witchandt hatshet oowasbl essedwi ththe
samegi ft.

"runmychi l
d,fi
ndasafehaven,apl
acetohelp
youdiscoveryourgi
ft
,donotshedtear
sforme
forIshal
lberebornnoti
nthi
sf or
m butIwi
ll
be
backandIwil
lrebui
l
dourcov
enbackup"her
motherhadsai
d.

Terrawasi ndeept houghtswhenThandeka

drov euphil
l.SheandNomawer ehavi
nga
seriousconv ersationy etTerraheardnotev ena
singlewor dofwhatt heyweresaying.Shewas
l
ooki ngoutt hewi ndowwi thbabyTiyona
sleepingsoundl yonherchest .Hermi ndhad
decidedtot akeat ripdownmemor ylane.
May beifshedi dn'
tr unawayf rom her
responsibil
ityallthiswoul dn'
tbehappeni ng.
Butshedi dn'taskf orallt
his.Shewant eda
normal li
fe.Shewant edanor malfamilyand
normal chil
dr en.Wast hattoomucht oask.

Sherememberedhowhereyesusedtogl
ow
pur
plewheneversheusedmagi
c.Shewas
di
ff
erentf
rom hermother
.
Sher
emember
edl
eav
ingherhome,
thepl
ace
sheeverknewinsearchofthatsafeHav en.She
sear
chedforfull
threemonths.Shewasabout
togi
veupt hesearchwhenshest umbledupon
anoldchurch,
that'
swhenev er
ythingchanged.
That
'swhenshef oundhernewcov en.
I
tslikeshewasdrawnt othatchur ch.She
remember edwal
kinginthetallrustysteelgates.
Amy st
eri
ousandstrangelookingwoman
wear i
ngonlywhi
tefl
owycl othesst oodinfr
ont
ofthechurchent
rancewat chingherappr oach.
"Alegendhasi
tthatanelfwonder sthelandsin
searchofanhonorarymistr
ess.Onlythenshall
herevealhi
str
uehumanf or
mt husmaki ngthat
personthei
rmate"thecovenleaderexplai
ned
toTerra

Shehadfi
nall
yfoundthecovenandithadher
uni
queabil
i
tyofeyeschangi
ngt othecolor
pur
plewhentheyusedmagic.Shehadnoi dea
whatthel
egendmeantbackt henunti
lshe
actual
l
yfoundoutweeksl
atert
hatshewast
he
chosenone.
Shewast heonewhowassupposet omar rythe
elf
.Shewassupposedt ogiveupherl ifeandbe
dedicatedi ntoser
vingtheel fandl eadt hei
r
tri
bebyhi ssideashisqueenbutTer racouldn't
l
ivewi ththat.Shedidn'twantt hatlif
esoshe
ranaway .Shecamet oMi l
enaseeki ngf ora
betterli
fe.Shewast akeninbyaki ndf amily.
Shest ayedt heanddev elopedi ntoay oung
woman.Shewasl atermar ri
edt heoldestboyof
heradopt ivefamil
y.Shehadt heper fectlif
eshe
alwayswant edandnev erev ent ri
edlooking
backt owher eshecamef r
om andwhatshel eft
behind.

Ter
radidn'
tknowtheconsequencesf orher
act
ionsconcer
ningherabandoningtheelfking.
Shedidn'
tknowtherestofthel
egend.Itwas
sai
dthatoncetheel
fkinggetsreject
edbyt he
wit
chhewasgonnabeboundi
ntoet
erni
tyof
dar
kness.
Hi sdarkestsidewasgonnabeunl eashed.And
i
ndeedt hathappened.TheEl fki
ngbecame
ruthlessandunl eashedhelluponhispeople.He
spilledsomuchbl ooduntilt
hepeopledecided
togetr idofhim.Theycoul dn'
tkil
lhimthough,
onl yhischosenwi fecouldkil
lhi
m, sothe
peopl etrappedtheElfkingintopurgat
ory.They
trappedhi mintoet er
nit
yofcondemnat ion.

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
28,09:
06]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFORTY_
SIX

#NARRATED
theladi
esparkednearthedustygravelr
oad.
Theyallgotoutofthecar.Terr
aquickl
ywiped
hertear
sawaybef oreproperl
yhol
dingthebaby.
Shewasgl adthatnoonesawhersheddi ng
tear
s.
Nomawethul
ookedatherandshefel
tbadfor
her
.Shecoul
dseethatshewastr
oubled.
Shetoowasdrowni
nginherownwor r
iesand
bl
ames.Ifonl
yshehadtakencareofmissY
ear
li
ertheywoul
dn'
tbeheretoday.

Seetothewor l
dshewasgi venthi
sbeautif
ul
gi
ft.I
thadbeenawhi lesi
nceshehadgai ned
somethingamazing.Somethingpureandtrue.
Somethingthatpeopl
ecansomet imescall
eda
guardi
an.
Shemanagedtobecomeanangely
etshewas
st
il
ll
ear
ninghowtoli
veuptoherpl
ate.
Beingaguardi
anangeli
sadif
fi
cul
tli
fechoi
ce.
Especi
all
ywhenyouwerechosent
odot hej
ob
i
nsteadofbeenborntoi
t.

Nomahadbeenanangel f
orawhilenow.And
shehadlostwhoshewas.Shedi
dn'tknowwho
shereal
lywasanymor
e.Shekeptquesti
oni
ng
her
self.
..
.

"di
dshereal
lywannabeanangel.Orwasi
tli
ke
wasli
febet
terwhenshewasjustahuman"

Thesequesti
onskeptgoi
ngthr
oughhermind,
shecoul
dn'tst
opthem.Itwassohardbei
ng
abl
etoseebot hworl
dsofthel
iv
ingandthe
dead.
"shall
we"Thandekasai
d.Shewasinahurr
yal
l
shewantedwastosaveherson.Shej
ust
wouldn'
tbar
etoloosehi
m now.

"wehavetot
hreadcareful
ly
,youguy
sknowi
canonl
yusefewspell
s."Terr
asai
d.

"andwehavetobealert
,missYcanbe
danger
ousandsneaky"nomasai
d

Ter
ra:t
hisi
sthet
imeIwi
shIhadmymot
her
's
j
ournal
.

Thandeka:
youmeany
oust
il
lcoul
dn'
tl
ocat
ethe
Bookofshadows.

Ter
ra:Ihav
elookedever
y wher
e,ther
e'sno
l
ocati
onspell
Ihaven'
ttr
iedyetIsti
ll
can'tf
indi
t.
Thatbookhasv
erypower
ful
spel
l
s.

Noma:
let
'shopewecandef
eather
.

Ter
ra:
thandekataketi
yona,
staywi
thheri
nthe
car
.Wewi l
lgoinfi
rst
.

Thandeka:
butmom Icanhel
p.

Terr
a:y
ouneedtokeepTi
yonasaf
e.Wecan'
t
al
lowMissYgett
oher.
St
ayher
eandl
ookaf
terher
.

Thandeka:
butmom.
..
.

Ter
ra:
nobut
s..
..
thandekay
ouar
est
ayi
ngher
e.
Shegaveherthebaby.Thandekahesi
tant
ly
tookTi
yona.Shewasupset.Shereall
ywanted
tobewheretheacti
onwas.

Ter
ratookthebagwhi
chhadherst
ufft
hent
hey
ent
eredthewoods

"weneedaplanwecan'tj
ustbadgei
nt her
e.
Besi
desIreal
l
ydi
dn'
tpracti
ceallmywicca
powers.
Iranawayfrom t
hatli
febef
oreIl
ear
nt
anythi
ng"Terr
asaid.

"Ibeli
evewit
hourpower scombinewecan
defeather
.Ihavefoughtherbef
oreIknowwhat
sheiscapableof"Nomasaid

Ter
ra:
thatwomani
sev
il
.Shehasnohear
t.I
wat
chedherki
l
lmyent
ir
efami
l
y.

Noma:
don'twor
ryt
oni
ghtwear
eput
ti
nganend
t
oherr
ein.

Ter
ra:
let
'shopeso.

"qui
ckhide,
someoneiscoming"theybot
hhid
behi
ndthetr
eesandpeekedasjuniormadehi
s
waytothecabi
n.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
ELLA

Ipackedakil
omet
reawayf
rom wher
ethei
rcar
hadparked.
Isati
nsi
demycarandwatchedfr
om adist
ance.
Theygotoutoft
hecar
.Terr
awassti
l
l car
ryi
ng
mybaby.Mystomachrancol
d.
Whatki
ndofaf
ami
l
ydi
dIgetmar
ri
edi
nto.

Iwasscar edf ormychi l

d.Whatifthispeopl
e
wereoccul ti
standtheyar egoingtosacri
fi
ce
mybabyi nexchangef orri
ches.Comet othink
ofitallofthem wererich,evenGraigwasf i
l
thy
ri
chy etIhadnev erseenhi m goi
ngtowor kor
tal
kingaboutwor k,wher ewer et
heygetti
ngall
thi
smoneyf rom.
Nowmor ethanev
erIwasconv
incedt
hatt
hey
deal
tinhumansacri
fi
ces.
"Godpl easesavemybaby,don'
tall
owthi
s
vul
turestokil
lmychil
d"Isaidali
tt
lepr
ayer
.
Tearswer eal
readyst
reamingdownmycheeks.
Icouldn'
tloosemychil
d.Iwoul
dn'
tsurv
ive
anotherlossnotaf
termymom andbrother
's
death.Iburi
edmyheadinthewheelandwept
si
lentl
y.

"mom pleasewatchovermychi
l
d,pr
otecther
forme"Isaidwi
thhiccups.

Ist
ayedther
eforawhi
l
eunt
ilmypai
nsl
owl
y
tur
nedint
oanger.
It
ookmyphoneonthepassengerseatt
hen
di
aledmydad'
sno.I
trangf
orawhi l
ebefor
ehe
pi
ckedup.
"e..
.ey.
..
hiangel
"heanswer
ed.Hesounded
scaredandEllacoul
dpickt
hatupi
nhistone.

"dadifany
thi
nghappenstomychil
dIswear
am gonnahel
dyouresponsi
ble.
Whatt
hehel
ldi
dyougetmei
ntodad.
Whatkindofaf ami l
ydidyoumar rymeoft o.
Youbetterpraythesebastar
dsdon' tki
ll
my
chil
dorIswearam gonnaki llyouforrui
ningmy
l
ife"Iwasnowy ell
ingandcrying,Iwasreall
y
fr
ustrat
ed.Ihadev enforgot
tenmyr espect.

Dad:
whoawai
tBel
l
acomedown.

Me:don'ty
oudar
etel
lmetocomedown.Don'
t
pat
roni
seme.Am nott
hatnai
vel
i
ttl
egi
rl
any
mor e.
Dad:whatar
eyoutal
ki
ngabout,
wherear
eyou.
Am onmywayt oy
ourhouseIneedt
otel
lyou
somethi
ng.

Me: am i
nthemiddleofnowher e.Wat chi
ng
Terraandherdaughterwit
hanot herstrange
l
adywhocal l
sherselfnomawet huaboutt otake
mybabyi nt
othewoods.Theyar egoingt oki
ll
her.Thesepeopl
edeal i
nhumansacr ifi
ceandI
thi
nktheyhavealr
eadysacrif
icedGr aig.

Dad:
howdoy
ouknowal
lthat
..
.wher
eexact
ly
ar
eyou.

Me:hal
fwayt
hegr
avel
roadt
hatbegi
nsont
he
uphi
l
l.
Iheardthem say
ingsomeonehasGr ai
g.The
otherwomani sawitchorsomet
hing.Shedi
d
somethingtomybaby .
IsawTerrahandingthandekamybaby .Then
Thandekagotbackinthecarwi t
hher.Terr
a
tookwhatseemedl i
keabl ackbagt
hensheand
Nomawet huwalkedintothewoods.

"dadIhav
etogo,
Ineedt
oseet
hei
rshr
ine"I
sai
d

"Bel
lawait
,atleastwai
tformeam coming.
Don'
tgetyoursel
findanger
.Ican'
tl
ooseyou"
hesaid.

Me:toolatedad,Igoti
ndangert
hesecondI
sai
dy estoGrai
g.
Ihav
etogoby
e.

"
Wai
t.
..
."Idr
oppedt
hecal
lbef
orehecoul
d
f
ini
sht
hat
.

Itossedthephonebackontheseat,If
ixedmy
sneakersandworemybenny .t
hentookt he
tabl
eknifeIhadtakenint
hehouse.Igotoutof
thecar.Andcaref
ull
yrani
nthewoods.
Ifoll
owedt hem ontheot hersi
deunt i
lthey
camei ntoahalt.Theylookedliketheywere
planningsomet hi
ng.Isawanabandonedcabi n
i
nadi st ancefrom wheret heywere.Whatwasa
cabindoi nginthemi ddleofnowher e

Iwassti
llwonder
ingwhenIsawt hem qui
ckl
y
hidi
ngbehindt
hetrees.Isawjuni
orwalki
ngi
nto
thecabi
n.hewascar r
yingabagpack.
Nowmor
ethanev
erIwasconf
used.
Whatwasr
eal
l
ygoi
ngonher
e.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

TYSON

Icoul
dn'tcall
thecopsbecauseIdi dn'
teven
knowhowt orepor
tami ssingol
dbookofspel l
s.
Icl
eanedt hemesst hentookabath.Ineededto
gotoMi l
ena,Ithi
nkitwast imeIfi
nall
yhada
tal
kwithmygr anny.MaybeImi ghteventel
lher
aboutmybr
other
'ssuddencomebackf
rom t
he
dead.

Itookmybagpackthr
ewi nmyaccessori
es
thentookmyl
aptop.Icaughtametert
axitot
he
taxir
ank.
Onmywayt hereIcall
edmydadandt oldhimI
wasgoingt oMi l
ena.HetoldmeIwasgoi ngt
o
meethimt herebecausehewasal readyonhis
waythere.Apparentl
yhisPIhadtoldhim
somethi
ngdi stur
bingthatheneededt ocheck
out
.

Aft
ercall
ingmydadIpluggedi
nmy
headphonesandl
ist
enedtorapmusi
c.
Isuddenl
yfel
taf
rai
danddown.Ireall
ydi
dn'
t
underst
andwhatwashappeni
ngtomebutit
fel
tli
keIwasgonnacr
y.Ifel
tsadfornor
eason.
Igott
other
ank,
pai
dthedr
iverandgotof
f.I
boughtsomet
hingt
oeatbef
oregoi
ngt
othe
taxi
rank.

Iboardedataxitomi l
enaaf
teranhourdr
iveI
coul
dseeMi lenafrom adi
stance,
orwhatwas
supposetobeMi lena.
Ourt
axij
oinedthel
ongqueueofcars,ahead
wassomethingwhi
chlookedli
keastorm,it
wasdar
kerandmor escar
ier
.

"whatthehel
lisgoi
ngonupther
e"t
hedr
iver
askedoneofthesaf
etyof
fi
cer
swhocamet o
ourwindow.

"wecan'
ttel
lyout
hatsi
r,y
ouneedt
ogoback
towher
eyoucamef r
om.
Nooneisall
owedt
ogoi
nMi
l
enar
ightnow"t
he
of
fi
cersai
d
"damndon'ttel
lmethatnonsense.Myfami
lyi
s
i
nmi l
ena,mywifeandkidsareinther
e,y
ou
eit
hert
ell
mewhat '
sgoingonoram gonnagoin
ther
ebyforce"t
hedri
versai
d.

Off
icer
:ify
oudon'
tobeymyor
der
swegonna
havetoarr
esty
ou.

"y
eyt
ell
uswhat
'sgoi
ngon"

"wehav
efami
l
iesi
nther
eforChr
istsake"

"youbett
erhaveenoughhandcuffstoarr
estall
ofusthenbecausewearegoinginthere,hitt
he
cardri
ver
"thosewerethepassengerst
alking
theyal
lst
artedscr
eamingandmaki ngnoise.
Off
icer
:fi
ney ouwantt
oknowwhat
'
sgoi
ngon
t
henIwi l
ltel
lyou.
SomethingdarkhastakenoverMi l
ena.Anevi
l
wit
chisinpowerandi sdestr
oy i
ngthetown.
Mostpeoplearedeadal r
eady,someonewho
cal
lshi
mselfanElfkinghastakenov erthe
wholetown,hehasintendedtodestroythe
wholetown.

Dri
ver:what
..
..ar
eyoucr
azy
..
..
soy
oubel
i
evei
n
far
iesandwitches.
Of
fi
cerst
opwast
ingourt
imeandl
etuspass.

Passenger
1:t
hismanhascl
ear
lyl
osthi
smi
nd.

Passenger
2:andthent
heycal
lsuchpeopl
e
off
icer
softhelaw.
Thi
sisar
racknonsense.
Passenger
3:hemightbet ell
i
ngthetr
uth,
Ihav
e
readaboutt
hisEl
fkinglegend.Maybeheis
backtoavengehi
suntimel ydemi
se.

Dr
iver
:cl
ear
lyy
ouar
eascr
azyt
oo.

P4:
mymot
heruset
otel
lmeaboutt
hatt
oo.

P5:
clear
lyy
ourmot
herwasament
alcase.

P4:
heydon'
ti
nsul
tmymom y
oudon'
tknowher
.

P2:well
Ialsowoul
dn'
twannaknowher
.She
wascrazy.

Theyst
art
edar
gui
ng.Ij
ustopenedt
hedoorand
gotout
Ir
anintothewoodswhi l
etheycal
l
edme.Ir
an
i
ndeepintot hewoodsandmademywayt o
Mil
ena.Ifdeathwasther
ethenIwasr
eadyto
di
e.

#MFS_
MTAG
[
12/
28,09:
07]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFORTY-
SEVEN

#GRAI
GS_
POV

Iwasstil
ltongueti
dewhent hedoorfl
ew
opened.Juniorwal
kedincarry
ingabagpack,
he
l
ookedatmeandsmi led.HowIwishedIcoul
d
j
ustgivehim oneblowtowipethesmirkonhis
f
ace.

"Ihopey
ougoti
t"shesai
d.

Juni
or:
of'
cozgr
annyIgoti
t.

Theyopenedt
hebagandtookoutanol
dugl
y
book.I
twaswideandt
hick.

"i
tsr
eal
lyi
t"shesai
dwi
thsomuchj
oywr
it
ten
al
lov
erherface

Her
:fi
nal
lyt
heWhit
eQueen'
sbookofshadows
i
smine,mylor
dnowweshal
lbegi
n.

"good,Ican'
twai
ttobehumanagain,whenI
takeov
ert hi
swor
ldyoushal
lsi
tbesidemeas
myqueen"t
hemonst
ersai
d

Isomuchwant
edt
oscream,Iwantedtocr
y.I
want
edtobegt
hem t
oleav
emeal one

Shepagedthr
ought
hebookunt
ilshest
opped
onacertai
npage

"Ifoundi
t,t
hisisaper
fectspell
,Iknewthi
s
contai
nedevery
thi
ngIneeded."Shesaid

Sheshowedt
hespel
ltot
heangel
ofdeat
h.
Theybot
hnodded.

"Juni
oryouneedt
ogoandf et
chmor
ewood,
I
needtoprepar
eapot
ion"shesai
d
Juni
orobey
ed,
het
ookanexet
henexi
tedt
he
cabi
n.

"f
inal
l
y,wecanbegi
n"shetookoffherl
ong
dr
essthengotont
opofthetabl
e.

Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo,
shewasr
ightont
opof
me.

"st
aysti
l
l,Ineedtopuri
fythi
sbodysot
hatmy
l
ordcaninher
iti
t"shewhisper
edinmyear

Whenshei nvadedmymout h,Iheavedwi t

h
nausea,f
orthef i
rstti
me, Iunderstoodthe
viol
ati
onofrape.Iwasl ayingtherestil
lwithher
ontopofme.Af t
erthatkissIcoul dfeelmy
bodyagainyetIst i
l
lcouldn'tmov e.She
weighedmoret hanIdid.Shewaswayheav i
er
thansheappeared.Herhandsl i
di nt
omypant s.
Asshet ouchedme, Ireali
sedthatIwas
doomed, Iwastrappedi napl acewi thno
escape.Nomi ddlegr oundofsur vi
v i
ngi nt
he
harem wasaccept abletome.Idon' tknow
whereIgainedmyst rengthbutIhi therwithmy
l
efthand,akill
i
ngbl owt othethroat,she
gurgl
edandar cedl i
keawomani nor gasm and
wentlimp.Iwouldratherdi ethantosl eepwit
h
anotherwomanwhoi snotEl l
a.

"youpat
heti
cfreak"angerwaswr
it
tenonher
face"
Itr
ieddoi
ngitaneasyway"shesai
d

Her
:he'
syour
smyl
ord.

Thedarkl
orddi
dn'twast
eanytime.Hef
lew
ri
ghti
ntome.Ihadneverfel
tsomuchpain.
..
.
Ifel
tli
kesomeonewasreapi
ngoutmyinsi
des.I
screamedsoloud.Mi
ssytri
edt
obinduswitha
spel
l

"avadakadav
ra.
..
..
avadakadav
ra"shekept
chanti
ng

"ri
se.
..
..
ri
se..
.r
isemylord"shekeptsayi
ng,I
tri
edfi
ghti
nghim ofbuthewast oopowerful
.I
wasslowlydri
fti
ngawaywhi l
ethedarkness
tookoverme.

#NARRATED

"fi
nal
ly"theangel
ofdeathsai
d,hewasbusy
famil
i
arizi
nghimselfwi
thbei
ngfleshandbl
ood.

"mylor
d,mykingIam aty
ourmer
cy"mi
ssy
bowedathi
sfeet.
"ri
se,r
isemyqueen,l
eti
tal
lbegi
n.Weshall
rul
ethi
sworl
dtogether
"hehel
dherhandand
hel
pedherup.

"hishear
tissopure,Icanf
eel
it,
itsmi
ssi
ngi
ts
otherhal
f"hespoke.

Mi
ssy
:it
sthehear
toft
hatst
upi
dgi
rl
"icanfeel
itspur
it
yandbr
aver
y"t
heangel
of
deathsai
d
Hetookf
ewst
epsandwat
chedhi
msel
fatt
he
mir
ror
"nowl et'
sthet
errorbegi
n,l
etthem f
eelmy
wrath,lett
hem f
eelmyanger,l
etthem know
thatthere'
snootherGodacceptforme"hesai
d
Missy:yesmylordIhav
ewaitedf
ort
hisdayI
knewthatyouwouldbebackandwewould
recl
aimthi
sworldasours
Ki
ng:
wewi l
lrul
ethi
swor
ldt
oget
herwi
thy
ouby
mysi
de.
..
.comehere

Hedrewhercl osert
ohim andthei
rli
ps
col
lapsed.Thewholeroom tur
neddarkasthei
r
l
ipscoll
ided.Onecouldfeel
thepresenceofev
il
ri
ghtintheair
.

Af
tersomet
imet
heybr
oket
heki
ss

"Iwanty out
omakemypr esencef elt
,bri
ng
miseryandsor r
owupont hismor tal
s, l
ookat
them busygalavanti
ngandpar ading
themselvesi
nmyownt own.Showt hem whois
i
nchar ge.Makemypr esencef el
t"hesai d
l
ookingatMi l
enaandi tspeopl ethroughthebig
magicalmirr
ort hatwasont hewal l
.

"y
ourwi
shi
smycommand"mi
ssysai
d
Shepagedt
hrought
hebookofshadowsunt
il
shest
oppedatacer
tai
npage.

"y
es,
thi
sisi
t"sheshowedt
hedar
klor
d
"Yesmyl ovepaintthiswhol etownr ed,l
ett he
bloodoft hishumansr unont hestreets,l
ett hei
r
housesbef il
l
edwi thpain.Lettheirhopeper i
sh.
Maket hem beli
evet hatthere'
snoanyot her
Godacceptme.Theymustknowt hatIam al l
thatthereis.Iam theirreckoningandIhav e
broughtwi thmehel l .
..
..
..
"Hey ell
edandt he
heavensf elthispresencet hedarklordwas
backf orrevenge.Hewasbackt opuni sht hose
whopl acedhi mint hatplaceofsol ace.
Hedidn'tcaret
hatmostofthosepeoplewere
nowdead.Al lt
hispeopl
ewereinnocentbut
theyweregonnadiebecauseofsomeot her
peopl
e'ssins.
Missyplacedtwoblackcandl
esoneit
herend
oftheal
lseeingey
edr awnonthef
loor
.Sheli
t
them andr edsmokef i
ll
edtheai r.Shest arted
chantinginananci entlanguage.Shechant ed
l
ouderherv oi
cef i
ll
edtheski es.Thecl ouds
beganchangi ng.Blacksmokef i
ll
edThe
atmospher e,thunderrumbledandl ightni
ng
strokethewhol etown.Theywat chedwi t
h
l
aught erandf ul
fil
mentast hewhol etimewasi n
chaos.Peopl estartedrunningar oundinawe.
Thel i
ghtningstrokemostoft hem.Somer an
forshelterwhilesomel eftt
hei rhouses.The
whol etownwasi nchaos.
Asifthatwasnotenough.Somet hingwhich
seemedl i
keahurri
canetookov eritwasdark
andcarri
edwithitsomuchanger .Housesand
carswereblownaway .Everyt
hingwasamess
thetownwascov eredinblacksmokei twas
consumedi nsor
rowandt hekingenj oy
edevery
momentofi t.

"nowt
heywi
l
lknowt
hatIexi
standam her
eto
cl
aim what
'smi
ne"hesai
dwi
thsomuchj
oy.

Missyhel
dhishandandtheybot
hshar
edt
his
si
nful
thi
ngthatt
heyhaddone.
Tothem thi
swasj oywhil
et otheworldi
twas
pai
n,paingreat
erthananythingthesmallt
own
ofMil
enahasev erwit
nessed.Thi sf
eltl
i
kethe
endofthewor l
d.
waristhemostdespi cablethi
ngever,it
destroy
sl i
feandtheear thiteatsawayatour
soulsli
vingusvulnerable.Andtheangelof
deathknewt hat
,hewasr eadytobringhell
uponMi lenaandhedi dn'tcareaboutthe
casualt
iesthi
swillcost
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

"OwnmyGod, l
ookatthesout
hoftown"
exclai
medTer
raastheysawthecl
ouds
gatheri
ng,
Theybothgaspedi
nshockandfearf
orthey
bothknewthatdar
knesshadf
all
enuponmilena.

"Godthi
sisbad,
Icanf
eel
thedar
kness,
thi
sis
beyonddark
Shehasbr
oughtbackt
heangel
ofdeat
h"Noma
sai
d.

Ter
ra:howdoy oumeanbroughthi
m back,
can
agri
mr eaperbebr
oughtback.
I
sn'
thej
ustamer
espi
ri
tofdar
kness.
Noma: Icanfeelhim,he'
sf ul
lofdarknessand
i
slookingforrevenge.He'sal
ive,he'
shuman.I
canfeelhim butIcan'
tfeelGrai
g.

Terra:ownno..
.no.
.no!(
Sheshookherheadi
n
fearanddisbel
i
ef)shekil
ledhi
m

Noma:notreall
y,hi
scandl
eisst
il
lbur
ning,
f
aint
lybutburni
ng.

Ter
ra:thent
hiscanonl
ymeanonet hi
ng,
she
hasthebookofshadows.Shesummoneda
spi
ri
tandusedGr ai
gasav essel
.
Shi
t!Wit
ht hatbookitwoul
dbeImpossi
blef
or
ustodefeather.Thi
sishopel
ess.

Noma:
Ter
ray
ousoundl
i
keonewho'
sgi
vi
ng
up
Wecan'
tl
oosefait
hyet
,rememberwehavethe
heav
ensi
nourside.Wi
thGodther
e'sal
waysa
way.

Terr
akeptquiet
,sher
eal
l
yfel
tli
ket
heyhav
e
al
readyl
ostthewar

Af t
ersever
alminutesofdiscussi
ngtheirpl
an,
theyclosedinonthecabin.Nomawal kedinthe
frontwhil
eTerramadeherwayt otheback.
Nomabadgedinsidestar
tl
ingbot
hmissYand
theki
ngwhoquicklyl
etgoofeachot
her'
s
handsandbr
okethekiss.

"y
ouagai
n"t
heAngel
ofdeat
hsai
d

Nomast
aredathi
m,st
il
lswal
l
owi
ngt
hef
act
t
hatt
hisdev
ilhadt
akenov
erGr
aig'
sbody
.

"shereal
l
yknowshowtospoi
lthef
un,
thi
sti
me
Ineedtokil
lher
"mi
ssYsai
d.

"youwi l
lnotkil
lme,y
ouarenotkil
li
nganybody
today.St
opt hi
snoworyoubewi pedoutf
rom
thefaceofthisear
th!
"Nomasaid.

Miss:(l
aughs)whowil
lwipeusout,
who, you.
Mxm y oumustbejoki
ng.Youfai
l
edtokillme
t
hef i
rstti
me,whatmakesyouthi
nky oucankil
l
menow.

Noma:am notakil
l
ersoIwon'
tki
l
ly ou.Iwi
l
l
sendy
oubackt ohell
wher
eyoubelong

Mi
ssy
:Iwi
l
lli
ket
oseey
out
ry.
..
.
"ki
ndramivat
o"missychantedsendi
ngNoma
fl
yi
ngacrossthecabi
nshelandedon
pent
agram onthewal
l.

Missyhadsparksofgreenl
ighteni
ngcoming
outofherhandsshoot
ingst
raightatnoma,i
t
keptherupthewall
.

"noooo"Nomascr eamed, l
i
ghtsparkledfr
om
hereyesandhandsandhi tbackatmi ssywho
l
andedont hemirror
.Nomaf ell
ont heground.
Sheattemptedtostandbutthekingcharged
towar
dsher .Hegrabbedherbytheneckand
thr
ewheratt hetabl
e.Nomawai ledinpainas
hegotontopofherandst art
edsuckinghersoul.

"am gonnagetr
idofy
ouonceandf
oral
l
"he
bol
ted
"Riena,Mateo,
sul
ema"Terr
acamef rom behind,
shehi tt
hekingwit
haglowingmagical
ball.The
kinglandedonthefl
oorandTer
rarushedto
Noma

"br
eat
he.
..
.br
eat
he"shesai
dhel
pinghersi
tup.

"ar
eyouohk"Ter
raasked.
Nomanoddedandwi pedherbl
oodynose.She
gotofthet
abl
e.Ter
rawasbusyhelpi
ngherto
standwhenmissyhi
tthem wit
hachairfr
om
behind.
Theybot
hfel
ldown.

"l
ookwhodecidedtoj
ointhepar
ty"excl
aimed
missYkicki
ngTer
raonthestomach.She
gaspedandscr
eamedinpain
"youthinky oucandefeatme, y
ouar enothi
ng
butacur andera(someonewhousesmagi c
andherbst oheal)ahealer
,that
'sallyou'
l
lever
be.Youar enof i
ghter
.Youdon'tknowhowt o
userealmagi cli
keIdo"shesaid,thekingwho
wasalreadyupf rom t
hef l
oorstoodnextto
missy.

Hef el
thi
sinsi
desburnthemomenthi sey es
l
andedonTer r
a.Hestil
lrememberedher .Even
thoughshewasoldernow, hest
il
lrecognized
her.

"
You!"Hesai
d,hisvei
nspoppedout,hi
seyes
wer
eallbl
ack,heli
ter
all
ywasbreat
hingfi
re.

"cal
m downmyl ord,
shedoesn'
tdeser
vey
ou"
missYbrushedhisshoul
der
.
"Nooo"hescreamedsoloudhisv oi
cetur
ned
i
ntothunderandhi
sangerint
olighteni
ngwhi
ch
st
rokemostofMi l
enadwell
ers.

"shedi
dthi
s,shemadet hem sendmeintot
hat
pl
ace"her
oared,hi
sangerwasenought o
el
evat
etheal
readyburni
ngfir
eont hef
ir
eplace.
Theflamescaughtont
ofasti
twast
ocl
oset
o
consumethecabin.
I
ftheelfki
ngdidn'
tcont
rol
hisangerhewas
gonnaburnthecabi
ndown

"mylordpleaseyouar
egonnaburnusal
l
"
pl
eadedmi ssyseei
nghowHowf astt
hefl
ames
wereri
sing.

"
Thenbur
nwemusti
fitmeansshe'
sgonnabe
consumedwi
tht
hatf
ir
e"hesai
dwi
thnocar
ein
hi
sey es

Thefl
ameseruptedfr
om ever
ywhere.Eventhe
woodsstar
tedburni
ng.Smokefil
l
edthe
at
mosphere.Mil
enawasonf i
reandmi ssy
di
dn'
tknowhowt ostopthatf
ir
e.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA
Isawandhear
dev
ery
thi
ngt
hatt
ookpl
acei
n
thatcabi
n.
Whatscaredmet hemostisseeingmyso
cal
ledhusbandbeingsocoldheart
edand
vi
olent
.
Somagicwasrealandwewer
eli
vi
ngamongst
wi
tchesi
nMilena.
Wor stofall
,Imarr
iedintothef
ami l
yofwit
ches.
Ifsomeonewoul dhav ehadnarr
atedthi
stome
Iwoul dn'
thavebel
ievedthem.Ifel
tli
keIwasin
adr eam andwasy ettowakeup.

Iwasst i
l
lpeeki
ngthr
oughthatsmal
lhol
eon
thewallatt
hebackofthecabi
nwhenIfel
tthe
presenceofsomeonebehi
ndme.
It
urnedtothebi
ggestf
earofmylif
e.Juni
or
st
oodtherewit
hanexeinhishand.
Igi
venhowcrazyhecanbe,Iwasconv
incedhe
wasgonnachopmeintopieces.
If
eltmyunder
wearget
ti
ngdumper
.Ihadpeed
mysel
f.

"
Wel
l
,wel
l
,wel
l
.Whodowehav
eher
e.
Perhapsmal adyyouwoul
dli
ket
owat
cht
he
showpr oper
ly"hesai
d.

"uhm,
hi,
Iwasjust
..
..
Iwant
ed.
..
.Ihav
etogo"I
sai
dat
tempt
ingtol
eave.

"hey..
.l
eavingt
hepartysosoon.
..
..
wheredo
youthi
nky ouaregoi
ng,Ipr
omiseyou,y
oudon'
t
wannami ssthi
s.
Comelet
'
sgoin,
Iwi
lli
ntr
oducey
out omy
gr
anny
"hehel
donti
ghtonmywr i
st.

"y
ouarehurt
ingme, Ineedtogo,
IpromiseI
di
dn'
tseeanythi
ng,
justletmegoplease"I
pl
eaded

"bi
tchhhh!
"Hesl
appedmesohar
disawst
ars

"let
'sgo"hedraggedmebutbef
orewecoul
d
reachthedoorimmenset
hunderrumbl
edand
l
ighteni
nghitusbothwel
andedonthe
ground..
..
.

Ifel
tli
kesomeonehadj ustroastedme.Myhai r
wasnowamess.Onaf ardistancel
aidjunior
heseemedt ohav eenduredt hesamef ai
thasI .
Hewasunconsci ous.Isot hisasachancet o
escape.Igotupfrom thegr oundandrunf ormy
l
ifebutbeforeIcoul
dev enr eachanyfurtherI
wassur r
oundedbyf i
re.
Thewoodswereonfi
re,
smokewasev
ery
wher
e.
Iwast
rappedwit
hnowheret
orun.
#MFS_
MTAG
#LI
KE_
COMMENT_
SHARE
#COUNTDOWN_
TWO_
ENTRI
ES_
LEFT
#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
08]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N;
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFORTY_
EIGHT

#TYSON
Iwasdeepi nt hebushwhenf ir
eer upted.Itwas
comi ngfr
om al l
angles.Itr
iedout r
unni ngitas
fastasIcouldwhenapi toflavalikef i
re
appearedfrom nowher e.It
riedjumpi ngi tbutI
felli
nacellitwashi ghandnar row.Iwas
trappedinit
.twof oul-
smelli
ngbeastappear ed
Infrontofmet heywer eful
l ofter
ror,andt hey
spokei nablasphemousl anguage.Iscr eamed
astheyr i
ppedt hecellapartl
ikeitwasnothing.
Thecreat ureshadstrengthapproximat
elyone
thousandt imesgreaterthanaman' sst
rengt h.
Theyfinallygotaholdofme, grabbedmebyt he
neckthent hrewmeagai nstabigmarulatree.I
fel
tmybonesshat t
eri
ng.Theycamecl oser
thenrippedmyf l
esh.
Idon'tknowhowbutIsomehowdi dmanaget o
crawloutofsight.Ihadcr awl edami lewhen
suddenlyIwassur roundedbydar knesst hat
seemedt ogoonf orever.Icouldmakeout
fi
guresofagr oupofy oungpeopl enear byand
blurt
edout,"Oh,wemustbet hesuicides. "I
knowt hat'
sinappropri
at e,butatthesamet ime,
i
t'ssti
llpr
ettygreat.Al
sogr eat:t
hef actt hati
didn'
tactuall
yhav etospeakt osayi t.Irealizedi
couldcommuni cateusi ngt houghtalone, but
alsothatnomat terhowmuchi t
ri
ed, i woul d
nevermakeaconnect ionwi t
horelicita
responsefrom anyoft hedamnedsoul sar ound
here,
Atonepoi nt,iwasbanishedtoadi f
ferentpart
ofthishel
l l
ikeencounter.Iwasinapl acet hat
resembledsomet hingmor eli
keanopenf i
eld,
andinwhi chlostsoulsroamedabout ,ful
lyable
tocommuni catewitheachotherbutt oo
consumedbyt heirownmi ser
ytoengagei nany
sortofhumani nt
eract
ion.Iswearwhatt hesoul
enduresisfarwor se.I
nthishellsoulswander
aimlessl
y,tooconsumedbygr i
efandangert o
everknowl oveorhumanconnect ion.
managedt ocr awl outoft
heirsight.Il
impeda
mil
ebefor eIhear dscr eamsofsomeone.I twas
afemale.Theper sonkeptscr eami nginhorr
or.I
fol
l
owedt hescr eamsunt il
Icoul dsee
somethingl ikeacabi ninadistance.Icaught
mybreat ht henwi pedthesweatdr i
ppingonmy
for
ehead, thisfir
ewascausi ngal otofheat.
Ihear
dthescr
eamsagain.WhenIlookedupI
sawsomeonewholookedli
kejuni
orit
slikehe
hel
dsomeoneontheground.
"hel
p,j
uni
or"Isai
dmaki
ngmywayt
othem
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#ELLA

Iwassti
lltr
appedl osti
nmyownf ear
sthatI
di
dn'tev
enseej uniorgett
ingupfr
om wherehe
was.AllIf
eltwasahar dblowont hebackof
myheadt henIcolli
dedont hegr
oundhitt
ing
har
dwi t
hmyf ace.Heturnedmeov er
"youslut
,wher
ethehel
ldoy
out
hinky
ouar
e
going.
Iwi
l
lnotal
l
owy
out
oleav
eher
eal
i
ve"hesai
d

Me:juni
orpl
easel
etmego,
Ihav
eababy
,she
st
il
lneedsme

Hi
m: ababy,youcal
lthatthingababy.That
t
hingisnot
hingbutapr oductofadeadman
Me:
deadman,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?

Him:am tal
kingaboutyoursocall
edhusband,
heisdead,andhasbeendeadf orfi
ft
eenyears
now.youhavebeenf ucki
ngwithaghost.

Me:noooono.
..
..
.y
ouarely
ing,yousobi
tt
erand
youhavenoshame,Il
ovegrai
gandnoli
ey ou
cookcanev
erchanget
hat
.

Hi
m:am notl
yi
ng,doyouremembert
hat
Si
emensboywhodiedfi
ft
eenyear
sago.He
wasr
anoverbysomerandom guy
.Wholef
t
hi
mtodie.
Yourpr
eci
ousgraigi
sthatboy.Sur
elyyouar
e
notpat
het
icenoughnottoseetheresembl
ance.

Ikeptqui
etandswall
owedalump, mywor l
d
shatt
eredmyheadwasspinning.If
eltt
rapped
i
nagr uesomehorr
ormovie.
Mymi ndracedbacktofi
ft
eeny ear
sago.I
rememberedtheboy,Idi
dn'
treall
yknewhim
butIrememberedtheacci
dent.Hisdeat
h
shookthewholetown.Peopl
ewer escar
edthey
didn'
tknowthatMil
enahadwickedpeoplethat
canrunpersonoverandnotevenstopaft
er
that.
Iremember edmyf amil
ygoingt
woat tendhis
funeral.Iremember edt
hememor ial
servi
cewe
hadatschool .Irememberedseeinghisfaceon
thatphot otheyhadputi nhismemor i
alservi
ce.
Thatf ace..nowi tsunki
n..
..
Theuncanny
resembl ancet hatwasther
ebetweengr ai
gand
thatboy .Graigmaybeol dernowbutt he
resembl ancewast oomuch.

"noitcan'tbe..
..
..hecan'tbe.
..
..
he'
s.
.."Ibroke
down.Myv oi
cef ail
edme.Mymi nddidn'
t
wannaregi st
erthishorrormybodydi dn'
twanna
di
gestthisnightmar e.
Thismustbeadr eam, Imustbedr eaming.But
thenagainwhoam Iki ddingthesignshas
alwaysbeent here.Hisnoteat i
nghabits,he
hardlysl
ept,hewasal wayscold,hewasj ust
weirdanddi f
ferent.Iknewsomet hingwas
weirdlywrongwi t
hhi m butIdidn'
timaginethat
Iwasmar riedtoadeadman.Godno, thi
scan't
betruemaybeit
sajoke.Hecan'
tbedead.My
kneesweakenedIf
eltl
ikeIhadbeenst
abbed.
Mybowel
stur
nedt
oicewat
er…
Igasped…
Ist
aredi
ndi
sbel
i
ef…
Asuddenchi
l
lsweptt hroughmybodyasi
fa
col
dwindhadjustcutthrough…

"ncooh,f
eeli
ngsorryforyoursel
far
ey ounot
"
j
uniorsai
d.Icouldseefrom hisf
acethathe
wasenjoyi
ngthis.

Me:
youar
esuchal
ooser
,getawayf
rom me.
Him:sti
ll
beingbitchyIsee.Iwastheper
fect
manf oryou.Youshouldhavestayedwit
hme,
i
nsteadyour anbacktoMi l
enali
kethesl
utthat
youalwayshav ebeenyouendedupmar ryi
nga
deadman.
Tellmehowdoesi tf
eel
.Howdoesi
tfeel
fucki
ngaghost.Hereal
l
ymustbegoodinbed
becauseheknockedyouup.
Areyousuret
hechildi
sev enhis.May
beyou
cheat
edonhim becausethelastti
meI
remembereddeadpeopledon'tmakebabi
es.

Hesmi
l
ed.

"Ihat
eyou"Ispatonhisfacet
henheslapped
meacrosstheface.If
eltmycheekbur
ning.

"Ishoul
dkill
yousothatyoucanj
oinyour
hubby"wit
hthatsai
dhestart
edsqueezi
ngt he
l
ifeoutofmeandallIcoul
ddowascr yforhel
p.

Myprayer
smusthav
ebeenanswer
edbecause
Ihear
dsomeonecal
l
ingj
uni
or'
sname.Hemade
hi
swayt
ous.
..

"whatt
hehel
li
sgoi
ngonher
e"

Juni
orl
etgoofme.

"whatt
hef uckareyoudoingher
eTyson"juni
or
sai
d,Il
i
ftedmyey esanditwasreal
l
yTy son.
Whatwashedoi nghere.Howdidheevenget
her
e.
Hel
ookedl
i
keamessandcoul
dbar
elyst
and.

"whatareyoudoi
ngt
oher
,getofherman"
Tysonsaid.

"soyoucameher
e,didy
ouf ol
lowmeorwhat,
youcamefory
ourbookdidn'
tyou"j
uni
orsai
d.
Ty
son:soi
twasy
ou.
..
.y
out
ookt
hebook.
Wher
eisit
.

Juni
or:
bei
nguseful
,i
tsi
ncapablehands.Or
andyouar
ejusti
nti
metoseey ourdead
brot
her
.

Ty
son:
whatar
eyouonabout
.

Juni
or:y
ourbrotheri
sfinal
l
ygonnadieforgood,
andi
sseemsl ikeyouhavecometojoinhi
m
i
ntothelandofthedead.

Tyson:
y ouar
etal
ki
ngaboutGr
aig,
wher
eishe,
whatdidyoudo.

Juni
or:
me.
..
not
hing.
..I
twasy
ourf
ami
l
ythat
broughthim back.Yourfami
l
ywantedmetodi
e
i
nhi splacebuttheyfai
ledmygr
annyisway
powerfulthanyours.
Nowyoual
lgonnadi
eshamef
ull
yst
art
ingwi
th
her
.

Hest
art
edsqueezi
ngmeagai
n.

Iscreamedandkickedunti
lTysontookahuge
sti
ckandhi thi
m onthehead.Helandedonthe
ground.Tysonconti
nuedbeati
nghim overand
overagain.
Hewasnowbl
eedi
ng.

"st
op.
..Pl
easest
op"Ibeggedhi
m.

Hethrewthest
ickont
hegr
oundandgotaway
f
rom him.
"whathappenedher
e,whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nthe
bush"hesai
dhelpi
ngmegetup.

"it
sal
ongstor
y,howdi
dyougether
eTy
son"I
sai
dassoonasIwasonmyfeet

Hi
m:y
ouknowme.

Me'geezof'
cozmanIknowy ou.Wewenttot
he
sameschool.Iwasdat
ingj
unior
.Youguy
s
wereroom mates.

Hest
aredatmebl
ankl
y.

Me: r
eal
lyi
sthi
sasickj
oke,
nowyougonna
pret
endli
keyoudon'
tknowme.Wer
eyoupart
ofthi
stoo.
Hi
m: par
tofwhat,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
,I
r
eal
lydon'tknowy
ou.

Me:youknowwhat
,youar
easpat
het
icandev
il
asy
ourstupi
dfami
ly

Withthatsai
dIwal
kedaway,
hefol
l
owed
behindmebusyaski
ngwhatIwast
alki
ngabout
.
Her
eal
l
yknewhowt
opl
aydumb.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#NARRATED

Thingsbegant ogosout hwhenbot hTer raand

nomashackl edatt heirwr ist
sandankl es,
suspendedi nmi dairov eradeep, gl
owingr ed
pit
.Insidet hepit,four-leggedcr eaturesr oamed
thefloorwhi lesmokebi l
lowedupf rom the
magmabel ow.Eachpl umeofsmokecont ained
exactlyonet orturedsoul comi ngr i
ghtatt hem .
..
theisolation.Allaroundt hem t heycoul dhear
thescr eamsofmi l
lionsofdamnedsoul s,but
thei
rcompanywasmeani ngless,becauset hey
underst oodthatt heywer ebyt hemsel vesand
thatthiscoul dlastf oreter ni
ty.
Soal
otl
i
kehowy
oul
i
veonEar
thr
ightnow.
Theki ndofov erstati
ngthatl oneli
ness, t
hough,
becauseatonepoi nt,
at eam ofdemons
showedupt oeattheirfl
eshr ightfrom thebone,
onlytohav eitimmedi atelygr owbacksot hey
couldst ar
tov eragain.All al
ongtheangel of
deathwasl ookingdownont hem, hehad
decidedt ocondemnt hem i nthei
rownhel l
.He
sentthem backt opurgat orywherehi ssoulwas
oncet rapped.Mi ssyr ej
oicedatt his.shewas
j
ustHappyt hatt hefl
ameshadmanagedt odie
out.Theki nghadf i
nall
yst oppedt heflames

Terr
aandNomawer etr
appedinthe
Underwor l
d,guidedbytheirownfai
ththatther e
wasst i
llhope.Thehelli
shbitwasfri
ghtening.
From hencet heyheardthegroansofghost s,
thepains/Ofsoundi nglashesandofdr agging
chai
ns."Theunr epenti
ngwer emadetoconf ess
thei
rcrimes,andsentdowni nt
oapit,guarded
byt
heHy dr
a,wherethedemonswal
l
owi
n
i
mpotentvi
olence.
Theyt ri
edt heirbesttofindawayout ,they
walkedamongstt herottenlivi
ngcorpsewho
tri
edt oat t
ackt hem.Untiltheysawwhatt hey
thoughtasawayouti naf ardist
ancebutt hen
apav ement ,strewedov erwi t
hgolddustand
saffron,exhaledsosubt leanodourasal most
overpower edt hem.At hrongofGeni iandot her
fantasticspiri
tsofeachsexdancedi ntroops,
atthesoundofmusi cwhi chissuedf r
om
beneat h."May bewear ecloset heythink".But
thi
si sHel l
,wher etheywi l
lbe"preytogr i
ef
withoutend" .
Thist
ort
urecont
inuedf
orawhi
l
e"t
heOat
hOf
tr
uce"
Terr
asaid.sheandNomawer ebadlyinjur
ed
fr
om thebattl
ewiththedemonsassasinsand
Nomawasonest rokeawayfr
om deathwhen
Terr
aaskedf oraduelfr
om t
heelfki
ng.The
demonsl aughedatt her equestast heynev er
consider edwomenaswar r
iors.Theel fking
foundi tcowar dlytodenyt hisinjur
edwoman
whatsheaskedf or.Terrafoughtoneandki l
l
ed
him, t
henanot herandt henanot her.Theelfki ng
j
umpedi ntotheduel andwasmesmer izedwi th
theski l
l,determi nationandst r
engt hoft hi
s
womanwhosebodywasf aili
ngherbuther
heartwasn' treadyt ogi veup.Ther e'saf amous
tradit
ioni ntheWi ldernessaboutaman' slast
kill
.Lastki l
l i
saper sonaf terfighti
ngwhom y ou
cannev erfightanyoneel se.Yourhear twon' t
allowit.Theki ngr ealizedthathecoul dnev er
fi
ghtany oneanymor eandt hiswassupposed
tobehi sl astki l
l.Thewomanst andingi nfront
ofherwasnoor dinarywoman, shewasat r
ue
war r
ior,
Duri
ngt hefi
rstblows, Ter
raconcent
rat
edon
herdefenseandl ethermagicsettl
eint
othe
rhy
thm ofswor dplay.Shehadn'
tbeen
completel
yhonestwi t
hexhusband.She'd
practi
cedfighti
ngwi thaswor dusingmagict he
veryfir
stti
meshewasmar riedtotheking,but
shehadn'treall
yf oughtinawhi lenow,theking
wasaGal axy -
classfighterwithmostweapons,
whodi dn'
treli
shmur deri
nghi scommanderi n
anunf ai
rfi
ghtbutt henshe' dgottenmuch
betterasti
mepassed, butshedidn'tt
hinkshe'd
eversurpassawar l
or dli
ketheelfking.
Aftersever
alminutesofattempti
ngt ostab
terr
aintheheart,t
hekinglosthi
stemperand
begant obatt
eratherasiftopoundheri ntothe
ground.Thekinghadexpect edaquickdefeat
andeasyhumi li
ati
on,notanequalopponent ,
andhissimmer i
ngangeraboutTer r
al eavi
ng
him nowboiled.
Ter
rabegantofi
ghtforherli
fe.Theki
ng
wouldn'
tbecont
entwithpret
endwoundsand
vi
ctory;
hewasoutforblood.
*
*
*
*
Aftermanyl ongmi nut esoff ighting, Terrawas
weak, shehadusedt oomuchmagi ctowi l
lthe
swor d.Seeingt hi
smi ssycameupwi tha
perfectplan, t
hiswasaduel shewasnot
supposet ointerf
erebutshedi dany way ."
Monasunt e, Monasunt e"shewhi sper edwitha
voodoodol landaneedl einherhand, shehad
got t
enahol dofTer ra'sf ewst randsofhai rand
sheusedi tt
ocont r olherusingt hev oodoodoll.
Ter r
awasst arti
ngt or ecognizedmor eofthe
strategyinvolvedint hef ight
ing.Bot hoft hem
wer eobviouslycar eful nottogeti njuredbyt he
two-edgedswor ds, nomawasst il
l ont hepit
bleeding.Missypi er cedt heneedl eont he
Voodoo' schest .
Terrawi
thall
theener
gyt hatwaslef
tswung
towardtheki
ng.whoturnedtorecei
vetheblow
withhi
sshiel
d.Heovercompensatedbalance
andfell
forward,hi
sswor
dthrust
ingt
oward
Ter
ra'sChest.Andthr
ust
edherri
bcagegoi
ng
i
ndeep.
Bl
oodoozedoutasshecol
l
apsedongr
ound.

"
Noooo.
..
..
."Nomascr
eamed.
[
12/
28,09:
09]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOAGHOST

ENTRYFORTY_
NINE

#NARRATED

"OMGwhatki ndofababyisthis,
stopplease"
Thandekawasscaredoutofhermi nd.Shewas
sosurethatTi
yonawaspossessed.Wel li
ts
been10mi nut
esnowsinceTiyonamagi cal
ly
wokeupf r
om thesl
eepi
ngspell.I
twasev en
weirderhowshewasabl etobr
eakthatspell
.
Herey esglowedagainandshestart
edwai l
ing,
nowl ouderthanthefir
stti
me.Hervoi
ce
corrodedthandeka'seardr
ums.I
twassol oud
thatev ent
hewi ndowsofthecarst
arted
breaking.

"keepquietpl
easeyouar
ehur
ti
ngme"
screamedthandeka.

ButbabyTiyonaneverstoppedi
nst
eadshe
star
tedcr
yingblood.Shewasslowl
yloosi
ng
hervoi
ce.

Acarpar
kedafewt r
eesfrom wher
eThandeka
andTi
yonawere.Thandekaal
mostpee'd
her
sel
fuponseeingwhosteppedoutofthecar
.

"soy
ouar
ereal
l
yher
e,whatt
hef
uckdi
dyou
andt
hatwi
tchy
oucal
lamot
herdo.
Whatishappeni
ngher
e"hesai
dassoonashe
r
eachedthei
rcar.

"y
ou.
..
.y
ouar
eher
e,,
,howdi
d
Yougethere..
Imean,
,
,,t
her
ethi
ngi
s"she
st
utt
ered.

"thandekayoubett
erstar
ttal
ki
ngrightnowor
am call
ingt
heauthori
ti
esandIwil
ltellt
hem
thatyouandyourmotherarebehi
ndt hi
s"he
roared.

Thandekashr
unk,
sher
eal
l
ywasscar
edofhi
m.

"johnIcanexplai
n,i
tsnotwhaty
out
hink.We
arenotresponsi
blef
orthi
s,mymom di
dn'tdo
thisshe'
sagoodperson".
Johnl
ookedatheri
ntot
aldi
sgustandhat
red.

"whereishe,,
,wher
eismysupposedl
ydead
son.Grai
gwasdead.Ihel
dhiscoldbodyi
nmy
arms.Iburi
edhim.Hewasdead.
Whatdi
dyoudo,wher
eishe"hisj
awscl
i
nched
andwri
nkl
esf
ormedinhi
sforehead.

Thandekawasaboutt otal
kwhenTiyona
star
tedwaili
ngagain.Ri
ghtthenEl
l
aemer ged
fr
om thetreesandmadeherwayt othem,
Tysonfol
lowedafterher
.Hewasbadl yhurtand
couldhar
dlywalk.

"dev
il
s,
youwanttokil
lmychil
d,howcoul
dyou
l
etmemarryyourdeadson.
Youar
eal
ldespi
cabl
e.Ihadababywi
thadead
manandy
a'l
lkeptqui
et.
"El
l
asai
d
Shewasf umi
ngwithanger
.WhileTysonand
hi
sfatherwelef
thangi
ng.Sti
l
lshockedbywhat
El
lahadsaid.

"Ihat
ey ou.Youandy ourdeadsonshouldgo
j
umpatt henearestbri
dgethismarri
ageisover,
am fi
l
ingfordiv
orceandam t aki
ngmydaught er
wit
hme, youwillnev
erseeheragain"conti
nued
El
la.
"youwouldn'
tdar
e,Iwil
lnotal
l
owy outot
ake
mygrandchil
dawayfrom me"t
handeka
i
nsist
ed.

El
l
a:wat
chme

Ell
alit
eral
l
ysnatchedt
hecr
yingTi
yonaf
rom
thandeka'
shands.
Ti
yonacont
inuedcr
ying,
shenowhadhi
ccups.

El
la:animals,
whatdi
dy oudotoher
,whyisshe
cryi
ng.Isweartogodifany
thi
nghappenstomy
daughteryouwil
lpay.
.

Thandeka:don'
tyoudareswearatme..
..
yout
he
onetotalk,
yourfami
lystar
tedal
lthi
s.
I
fy ourevil
fat
herhadn'
tki
llmysonwewoul dn'
t
beher e.Mysonwouldsti
l
lbeali
ve.Yourf
ami l
y
tookawaymyson.

Thandekawasnowemot ional
,sheheldtear
s
whichwassodeterminedtogetout.El
lafel
t
l
ikeshewasjustbeenstrokebyli
ghtni
ng

"
Whatdidyoujustsay,
,
,,
,"sheaskedi
nashaky
v
oice.Shef
eltl
ikeherearsweredecei
vi
ngher
.
"youhear
dmecor
rect
ly,
yourfatherki
l
ledgr
aig.
He'st
heonewhor
anhim overthatday
"
"
No...
.noyouarel
ying,myfat
herwouldneverdo
t
hat.
..
.Howcany oul i
eagai
nsthi
mlikethat
.My
f
atherisnotev
il
..
..
."Ell
asai
d.

"whoawhatthehelli
sreallygoingonher
e,
thandekay
oubett
erstarttalki
ngnowbeforeI
l
oosemyt emper
"johnintervene.

Thandekasawt hattherewasnoneedhi di
ng
thetr
uthfrom herhusbandany mor esoshe
narr
atedev ery
thingthatsheandTer r
adid.She
tol
dhim howt heybr oughtGraigbackt oli
feto
seekforrevenge, shetol
dhi m about
nomawet hu'spartinallthi
sandhowmi ssY
comei nt
ot hepicture.
"am sosorryj
ohnIdidn'
tmeantohurtany
body
,
Idi
ditforourson"shesai
daft
ernar
rati
ng.
Johnwasi nt
otaldisbeli
ef,
hestaredathiswife
angri
l
y.Hecouldntbelievesuchthingcouldbe
possi
ble,
howcoul dtheybringbackt hedead.

"Sot hatwomaninmydr
eam wast
ell
i
ngthe
truth,your
eal
lydi
dsomet
hingt
omyhead"
Ty sonasked.

Thandeka:
Ihadt
omakeyouf
orgetabout
her
(shepoint
edatEl
l
a)y
ouweresoinlove
wit
hher.
Icoul
dn'
tletmyonl
ysonf
all
inl
ovewi
tht
he
daught
erofakil
l
er.

Tyson:whynot
,,
buty
oudi
dletGr
aiggetmar
ri
ed
toher,
why.
Thandeka:It
ri
edstoppi
ngtheUnionbutt
hat
madet hi
ngsabitmorecomplicat
edsoI
al
lowedthem togetmarr
ied.
Bel
ievemeIdi
dev
ery
thi
ngbecauseIwast
ryi
ng
toprot
ecty
ou.

Tyson: nomot heryouwer ebei ngself

ish,you
hadnor i
ghttodot hat
.Whatki ndofahuman
beingar eyou.Yourlovefory ourdeadson
madey ouneglectme.Iwasher e,
ali
ve,buty ou
keptpushi ngmeout .Youhav enoideahow
muchshi tIhavebeenthrough.Att imesI
thoughtIwasl oosingmymi nd.Icouldn'tsleep
mot herandmyst udi
essufferedbecauseoft hi
s.

Ty
sonwi
pedawayhi
stear
s

"sor
rymyson,
am sosor
ry,
Iwasbl
i
ndedby
hat
redandIletmyneedf
orrevenger
uinour
Li
ves"shet
ri
edtouchi
ngTysonbuthebacked
away.

Shewasaboutt
ospeakwhentheground
st
art
edshaki
ng.I
twasli
keahurr
icane.
Theyheldontoeachot
herandTi
yonast
art
ed
breat
hingheav
il
y

"owhmyGod,bl
ood,
ther
e'sbl
ood"El
l
awason
apani
cmode

"
Wher
e"t
heyal
lsai
dsi
mul
taneousl
y.

"she'
scr
yingbl
ood,
Tiy
onai
scr
yingbl
ood"El
l
a
sai
d

Thandeka:
what
..Br
ingherher
e
El
l
awashesi
tant
.

"youneedt otr
ustmeorweal
lgonnadi
eher
e"
thandekasaid

El
lasl
owlyhandedt hebabyt
oThandeka.Her
bodywasboil
ing,shewassohotandhereyes
hadchangedtored.

"whatt
hehel l
isgoi
ngonwi
thher
,Ican'
tl
oose
hert
oo"thandekasai
d.

"
Weneedt
ogethert
othehospi
tal
"Johnsai
d.

Ty
son: buthow,t
hewholetownisunderat
tack.
Am notsurethehospi
tal
isst
il
li
ngoodshape.
John:
whatdowedot
hen.

El
la:Idon'
tcarewhatwedobutpl
easehel
pmy
babyIcan'
tlooseher.

Thandeka:
let
'sgeti
nthecarandgot
hecl
i
nic
downtown,i
tsthecl
osest
.

"no...
..
Sheneedsnohospi t
al,sheneeds
someonet oli
sten,sheneedsahostorelse
she'sgonnadie"bothUnathiandNathisai
d.
Theyappearedf r
om nowhereandt heywere
dressedinal
lwhi t
e.
Theireyeswerealsopurewhite,t
heywere
glowing.j
ohn,
thandekaandEl l
abackedaway
scaredbyhowt hetwinslooked.Tysonr
ushed
tothem.
"
Tysonno,
theymi
ghtbedanger
ous"j
ohnsai
d

Tyson:r
elaxf
ather
,theymeannoharm.They
havehel
pedmei nsomanydiff
icul
tsi
tuat
ions.

Hewentandknel
tinf
rontoft
hem.

"y
ouguy
sknewev
ery
thi
ngdi
dn'
tyou"hesai
d.

Nat
hi:
of'
cozweknew.

Unat
hi;
sor
rywecoul
dn'
ttel
lyousooner
.

"y
ouar
ehur
t,weneedt
oheal
you"Nat
hisai
d.
Theyplacedbot
hthei
rhandsonTy
son'
s
brui
sedandbrokenbody
.
Li
ghtcameoutoft
hei
rhands.Theyst
art
ed
chant
ing.

"Tysonno. .
.getawayfr
om them"johnsai
d,he
thoughtthetwinsweretry
ingtoharm hi
m,he
tri
edrunningtothem butt
handekaheldhis
hand.

"j
ustl
ett
hem bemydear,
Idon'
tthi
nkt
heywi
l
l
hur
thi
m"Thandekasai
d.

Johnstoodbackf
eel
i
nghelpl
ess,hi
shear
twas
aboutt
opoundoutofhi
schest.

Aft
erawhi
let
hetwinsst
opped,
Tysongotup,
hewasnowheal
ed.Notevenascr
atchwas
v
isi
blef
rom hi
sbody
.

"nowweneedt ohurr
y ,
ourmot
herandyour
grannyarei
ndanger
,ifwedon'
thur
ryt
hey
mightdie"t
het
winssaid.

Theywal
kedt
othandekaandt
ookt
hebaby
.

"sheseesthedangerhergr
eatgr
annyi
sin"
unat
hisai
d

Theywhisperedsomethi
nginherearandshe
stoppedcry
ing.Aft
erhol
dingherf
orawhile
theygavehertoTyson.

"youar
ethehost.shecangett
hroughtoyou.
Youmusthavereadthebookofshadows.
Foll
owheri
nstr
ucti
onanddoev er
ythi
ngshe
say
s"Nat
hisai
d

"butshe'
sjustababy
,shecan'
tevenspeak,
howwi l
lIhearher
"Ty
sonwasclearl
yconfused
bythi
s.

Unathi
:j
usthol
dhercl
osert
oyourchestand
l
ist
en

Ty
sondi
dashewast
old.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
.
*

#TYSON

"ITshal
lbewel
l,
don'
tbeaf
rai
d"Ihear
dasof
t
voicei
nmyhead.

Ij
ustnoddedAndev
ery
onel
ookedatmel
i
keI
wascrazy.

"wehavetogonowbefor
eit
stool
ate"t
he
voi
cewhisper
edagai
n.

"weshouldgo,
Iwi
l
lleadt
heway
"Isai
dto
ever
yone.
Theyknewbet
ternott
oaskanyquest
ions,
so
theyf
oll
owedme.
Isetouttothewoodsandasi crossedthe
wil
dpotato-
fiel
d,cameinsightoft hecabin,
whosewi ndowswer eablazewi t
hl i
ght,t
hat
seemedt oturntherussetleav
es, sti
ll
cli
ngi
ng
tothecrabtreebranches,i
ntogol d.
Hal
ti
ngi
nthegr
oveatonesi
deoft
her
uin,
"Stop"Icommanded,t
heydidasIsaidi
li
stened
totheelfi
nrev
elr
y,andtheyel
l
ingand
screamingmadememor edet
erminedt
o
proceed.
Ipushedopenedt
hewar
noutcr
ingydooroft
he
cabi
nandbehold
Number sofli
tt
lepeople,t
helar
gestaboutt
he
sizeofachil
doff i
veyearsold,
werechanti
ng,
celebrat
ingwi
thfiddl
eswhi l
eother
ssatand
feastedonthelostsouls.
I
tsl
i
ket
hemi
nut
eweent
eredt
hecabi
n,we
wer
etransf
eredi
nanot
herwor
ld.I
twasl
i
kea
por
tal
tohell
.
IcametoseeWhyt hi
screat
ureswere
cel
ebrat
ing,mygrannylai
dli
fel
esslyonthe
fl
oor.Whil
ethei
mageofwhatl ookedl
ikemy
ghostbr
otherst
oodabov eher.

"mother..
.mom..
..
"Mymot herr
ushedtogranny
onthefloor,
sheheldheronherar
msandt ri
ed
acoupleoftimestostopthebl
oodthatgushed
outfr
om herchestwit
hherhands.

"Graigwhathav eyoudone,howcouldyou"
mom l ookedatGraigwit
htearsandpai
n
wri
ttenalloverherface.

Gr
aigj
ustsmi
l
ed
"shethoughtshecoul dchall
engemeandwin,
I
fi
nal
lyhadt hepleasuretorunmyswordint
o
hermiserablechest"Grai
gsaid.Hi
svoi
ceso
Scar
ryandhusky .

"theel
fkinghasusedyourbr
other
'sbodyasa
vessel
"thevoi
cewhisper
edinmyhead.Nowi t
madesense.Thiswasnotmybr ot
her.
..
.j
usta
demoni ndi
sgui
se.

"youki
ll
edher,y
oukil
ledmymother
,Ishoul
dn'
t
havebr
oughtyouback"cr
iedmymother,
shehi
t
Grai
g'
slegsi
nfrust
rat
ion.

"I
tsnothi
m, he'
snotGr ai
ganymorebutifwe
don'
tgethim outofyourson'
sbody,Gr
aigWil
l
di
e"av oi
cesaid,i
tcamef rom t
hepi
t.
..
.
Wel
ookeddownandt
het
winsj
ustj
umpedI
n.
"Mom,areyouohky"theybot
hsai d,
thei
r
motherwasinabadshape, i
tlookedli
keshe
coul
dn'tev
enstand.

"ki
ds,whydidyouguyscomehere,
youmi
ght
hur
tyoursel
f"shespokeweakl
y.

Someoneclapedhandsthri
ce"wel
l,
,
,wel
l,
,
,well
,
l
ookatthi
s.Af ami
lyreuni
on"t
hedevi
l'
swife
her
sel
fsai
d.
I
twasmi
ssy
.

Missy:cametojoi
nthepar
tyIsee.Tosad
becauseyouall
gonnadie.
Myking,
burnthem al
lsothatwecanl
eav
ethi
s
pl
ace,wehavetheworldt
or ul
e.
Gr
aig:
wit
hpl
easur
e..
..
..
.
Ifel
tmyheadbur ni
ng,
itsli
kemybr ai
nwas
el
ectrocut
ed.Iscr
eamedsol oud,
til
lwasf
inal
l
y
notincontr
olofmybody .

"Tabi
tha"Isai
d,onlyitwasnotmespeaki
ng,
I
coul
dn'tev
encontrolmymout h.I
tsl
i
kethe
babywasspeakingthroughme.

"
What,
,
,whosai
dthat"mi
ssysai d,
shel
ooked
l
i
keshewassurpr
isedorshocked.
"Idi
dTabit
ha,
Iwil
lnotal
l
owyoutorui
nthi
s
worl
dlikey
ouDidourt
owncent
uri
esago"I
sai
d..
.
Missywascl
ear
lyi
nshock.Shewal
ked
t
owardsme.

"thewhit
equeen,howisthi
spossi
ble,
Ikil
l
ed
youIdestr
oyedyou"shesai
dlooki
ngatthe
baby.
"wellIt
oldyouthatIwoul
dber
eborn,
am back
nowandam gonnamakesur et
hatIwipey
ou
outofexist
ence"Isai
d.

Missy :
butImadesur
e,Imadesur
ethatno
generati
onofy
ourswoul
devergi
vebi
rthtoa
gi
rl.
You.
..
.i
tsy
ou.
..
.(
shepoi
ntedatEl
l
a)

Mi
ssy
:youmustpayf
ort
his.

Shethr
ewEl
laagai
nstthewal
landshe
scr
eamedbef
orecol
lapsi
ngonthefl
oor
.
Myf
atherr
ant
oherai
d.

"welly
ouaresti
l
l butachil
d,Ihavethebookof
shadowswhichyoustil
lyett
or ead,
Iwil
leasi
ly
dest
royy
ou,
"shesai
d

"youlie.
..
thisbodyknowsevery
thi
nginthat
book,hehasst udi
edev er
yspel
landevery
port
ion,thatbookwill
notsaveyou"Isai
d

Shetr
iedunleashi
ngal
i
ght
ningspel
lonusbut
Ti
yonablockedit.

"onlyl
i
ghtcandef
eatdar
kness,
youwillnot
win"Ti
yonasendt
hespel
lBacktoherandshe
l
andednearthepi
t.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
I
nthepi
tthetwi
nsj
oinedhandst
henheal
ed
t
hei
rmother
Thecreat
uresanddemonsi nthepitstar
ted
att
acki
ngthem, t
heyfoughtback.Nomawas
nowhealedandshewasi nherangel f
orm.She
fl
appedherwingsthenshootli
ghti
ngballsto
thedemons.

"Iwil
lhol
dt hem off,gotoTerra,
takethis(she
gavethem oneofherf eather
)seei fy
oucan
rev
iveher,
Hur r
yguy s,weneedher ,onlyshe
candestr
oyt heelfki
ng"Nomasai d.

Thet
winst
ookt
hef
eat
herandwentt
oTer
ra.
"cany ouhel
pher
,canyoubri
ngherback"
Thandekasaidwi
thtear
sandmucuscov er
ing
herface.

"we'
l
ltr
yourbest
,st
epasi
de"t
het
winssai
d
Thandekamov ed,
theykneltbesi
deTerra'
s
l
ifel
essbody .Theybothheldthefeat
her,t
hey
placeditonherchest,wherethewoundwas,
theypresseditwit
htheirhandsthenthey
start
edchant i
ng.

Meanwhileuponseeingt
hatNomahad
destr
oyedalmostall
thedemonsandcr
eat
ures
theel
fkingjoi
nedinthef
ight
.
Hest
art
edhit
ti
ngNomawi t
hfir
eball
sbutNoma
wasmorest
rongernowsosheblockedt
hem al
l
.
Theycont
inuedf
ight
ingeachot
her
.
El
l
awasstil
lont
hef
loornotdeadbutshehada
br
okenr
ib.
"cany
ousi
tup"j
ohnasked
Sheshookherhead,
shewasi
nter
ri
blepai
n.

Missysawthatasaperf
ectoppor
tuni
ty,
she
candestr
oyt
hewhitequeenbyhur
tingt
hose
shelov
eandcarefor
.

Soshequi cklyshootali
ghtningboltstrai
ghtat
Ell
abutjohnhadseeni tsohequi cklyjumped
i
nfrontofEllaandtheli
ghtningelectr
ocuted
hi
mi nstead.Hewai l
edlouderbeforehe
coll
apsedont opofEll
a.

"Noooo!
"Scr
eamedTi
yonat
hroughTy
son.

"
Nimona,
sinke,
nimonasi
nke"shechant
edWi
th
muchfur
y,t
hespel
lhi
thar
donmi
ssybr
eaki
ng
herl
egandarm.

Tysonthenrushedtojohn,
her
oll
edhi
m ofEl
l
a,
hecheckedhim butther
ewasnopul
se.He
weptsi
lentl
y.

"i
she.
..
no"El
l
asai
d.

"hi
de,
findasaf
epl
aceandhi
de"Ty
sonsai
d.

"pleasebesaf
e,bot
hofyou"El
lasai
d.She
crawledandhi
dBehindabi
grock.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA

Ihi
dbehi ndthatr ockli
keascar edli
tt
lechild
hi
dingfrom abogey man.Istil
lhadaper f
ect
vi
ewt houghsoIsawev eryt
hingthathappened.
Terr
awasnowawake.SheandNomawer e
fi
ghti
ngt heelfkingwhi l
emybabywasbr utal
ly
destr
oyingmi ssy ,shehadbr okenmostofher
bodypar t
s,r
ef usi
ngt ogiveupmi ssywasst i
ll
fi
ghti
ngback.

"areyouready"Ti
yonaaskedTer
ra,
Ter
ra
nodded.
"i
tst
ime"Nomasai
d

Iheardsoundsofgal l
opinghooves,
andtwo
ri
dersinacl oakofdazzl
ingwhit
estoodat
ei
thercornerofthecabin.Il
ookedclosel
yandi
t
wasthetwi ns.
Theyfacedeachot herthenraisedboththei
r
hands,theyst
artedchant i
ngandagat eway
appearedonthewal l
.Itlookedlikeaport
al,but
i
twasmuchdar kerthatthehellwewer ein.

Terr
agotclosert
otheelfki
ng,sheheldhi
s
shoul
derandstar
tedchanti
ng.Hescreamed
l
ikesomebodywhowasonf i
re.

Nomast eppedinandt hr
ewherangel wi
ngat
hi
m andhef inal
lygotoutofGrai
g'sbody
.Graig
col
lapsedont hefl
oor.Theel
fkingwasnow
not
hingbutadar kshadowhov eri
nginalong
cl
oak,Terr
at ookhermagi
cswordandpi
erced
i
tthroughit
schestanditwai
l
ed.SheandNoma
pushedhimintothegat
ewayandhe
di
sappearedintothi
nai
r.

Ti
yonaalsochantedaspel
lthatpushedmi
ssy
i
ntothegateway.
Shealsolookedlikeshewasdead.Af
terthey
wereboththrought hetwi
nsqui
ckl
yclosedthe
gateanditdisappearedfr
om t
hewall
.They
changedintotheirhumanfor
m.

Uponseeingt hati
twasallov
er.Icr
awledoutof
therock.Sti
l
lwal l
owingi
npain,t
handeka
rushedtojohnwhi l
eNomaat t
endedtoGrai
g.

"no.
..
nohisnotbr
eat
hing,
he'
s..
.he'
s,nodo
somethi
ng,hel
phi
m pl
ease"shecri
ed
Thetwinsr ushedtohim.Theyt
ri
edtoreviv
e
hi
m butt heycouldn'
t.Nomagavethem t
he
angelwingbuti tdi
dn'twor
k.

"am sorry
,histi
mehaspassed,
hecan'
tbe
broughtback"Nomasai
d.

Thandekabrokedownandcr
iedbi
tt
erl
ywi
thher
deadhusbandinherar
ms.

#MFS_
MTAG

#UNEDI
TED
[
12/
28,09:
09]Ron:
MYFATHER'
SSI
N:
MARRI
EDTOTHEGHOST

ENTRYFI
FTY(
FINALENTRY)
#NARRATED

NOmamanagedt owokeGr ai
gup.Hestoodup
andwasclear
lyconf
usedandlost
,hecouldn'
t
rememberwhathappenedorhowever
ybody
gotther
e.

Hequickl
yfr
owneduponseei
nghermot
her
cr
yingonthefl
oor
.

"whathappened,
what
'sgoi
ngon"heaskedbut
qui
ckl
ygothisanswer
sthemomenthesawhi s
fat
her
.

Gr
aig:
dad.
.nowhathappened,
whodi
dthi
s.

Noma:
itsov
ernow,
comedown.
Nomanar
rat
edev
ery
thi
ngt
ohi
m.

Meanwhil
eEllawasstar
ingathi
m wi
thso
muchdisgustandfur
y.Shewasangr
yand
bi
tt
ertowardsGrai
g.
That'sbecauseTer rahadf inall
ytoldherwhat
reall
yhappenedandt hef actthatthehadused
halfherhearttobringGr aigbackt oli
fe.She
alsotoldherthatthey oungerv ersi
onofGr ai
g
wasr esponsibl
eforhermot herandbrother'
s
deathandt hatmissYwast hecause.

"babyyouar
ehere,
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing
"Grai
gsaidt
oEl
la.

El
la:youknowwhat
,sav
eit
.Ihopey
oubur
nin
Hell
forwhatyoudi
d.
Gr
aigl
ookedatnomat
henatTer
ra.

"
Sheknows,
wet
oldherev
ery
thi
ng"Ter
rasai
d.

"youkil
l
edmymot herandbr
other
,howcould
you,howcoul
dyouhurtmeli
kethat"shebr
oke
down.

Gr
aig:
butIdi
dn'
t,
Oumat
ell
herIdi
dn'
t.

Terr
a:am sor
ry,
itsal
lwasourf
aul
t,we
shoul
dn'
thavebroughty
ouback.
Showhi
m..
.

Tysonbr
oughtTiy
onatoher,
tiy
onaplacedher
handonhisheadandheremembered,
everyt
hingthathappenedwhi
l
ehewasunder
thatcursecamebackt ohi
m.

Bythet
imeTiy
onaletgoofhim hehadal
ready
br
okedown,hecr
iedbit
ter
ly.

"am sosor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
odot
his"Gr
aig
sai
d.

Ell
a:Ihatey ou,Iwi
shIshouldhavenev ermet
you,youusedmet ogettomyf amilyandfor
what,justbecausey oubel
i
evedmyf at
herki
ll
ed
you.Hedi dn'tdoit
.Heisnotamur der.

Grai
g:buthedid,Isawhi
m,Ibeggedhimto
st
opbuther anmeov err
epeat
edly,
asift
hat
wasnotenoughhegotoutofthecar,bat
ter
ed
myheadwi t
hst onesr
epeat
edl
y.
Ri
ghtt
henGr
aigst
art
edbl
eedi
ng.

"hi
scandl
eisaboutt
oburnout
,hi
sti
mei
s
al
mostover"Nomasaid.

"nIhavetor
eleaseTysonnow,butGr
aigIwant
youtoknowthatnonofthi
sisy
ourfaul
t.
Isabel
l
a,y ouhav etofor
givehi m someday ,f
ait
h
anddestinybroughty outwot ogether,itwas
reall
ove,genuineandspeci al
.Her eal
lydidl
ove
youbesidet hecircumstances.Terratakecare
ofthem andpl easekeepmyj ournalsafe.I
ts
notmyt i
mey et.
Iwil
lgrowupandIwi llnotremembert hi
sday,I
wantyouall
t obet heretor emindme.Youar e
al
lgreati
nyourownspeci always.Andnoma
don'
tdespai
r,don'tlosef ait
hdear.Yousti
ll
havealongjourneyaheadofy ou.Youmayf eel
l
iket hi
st askhandedtoyouistoomuchat
ti
mesbutIassur eyouther
ecannev erbear i
ght
personf orthisj
obthanyou.Begreatand
whenev ery oufeel
li
keyoucan'
t ,
thetwinsandI
wil
l bether et
ohelpyou.
Il
oveyoual
l
"wi
tht
hatsai
dTi
yonal
etgoof
Tyson.
Tysonregai
nedhisbodyandmi nd.HeWasso
happytoseehisbrot
heral
thoughheseemed
weak.Ell
atookTiy
onafrom hi
m

Aft
erever
ythi
ngtheyl
i
ftedj
ohn'
sli
fel
essbody
andexi
tedthecabi
n.

Ever
ythi
ngwasbacktonormal,thedar
kcloud
andcreepystor
m wasgone.Thesunwas
al
readysett
ingandj
uni
orlai
ddeadadistance
fr
om thecabin.
Theylef
thimther
eandmadet
hei
rwayt
o
wherethecar
swere.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA

Ifeltnumb.Honestl
yIfel
tmoreofaghost
my self
.Il
ookedatAngelaandshewassti
llmy
chubbyt i
nybaby.Iwasscar
edofhernoli
e.
Iwi
l
lsel
dom l
ookatGr
aig,
andbyeachgl
anceI
couldseethathewasperishing.Iwasscared
andupset,apartofmedidn'twannaloosehim
andapar tofmewasst i
ll
shockedatt hefact
thatIsl
eptandmar r
iedadeadman.

Ir
eall
ydidn'
tknowhowIwil
lcont
inuel
i
ving
af
terall
thi
s.Howwill
peopl
elookatme.Wil
lI
ev
erfindpeace.

Fr
om adistanceIsawmyfat
her
'scar
.Itwasa
wreckbutnotmuchdamagewasdonet oi
t.
Hest
eppedoutt
hemomenthe
Sawus.

"heyyouf
ine,
,
,,
thankgod"hesai
drunni
ng
towar
dsme.

Il
ookedathi
m andal
lIf
eltwasr
esent
ment
.
Coul
dthi
smanber
esponsi
blef
orour
pr
edi
cament
.

"i
sittr
ue,di
dyoudoitdad"Isaid,t
ear
swere
al
readywell
i
ngupmyey es.Ineededtohear
hi
m sayitwasal
lal
ie.

Hel
ookedatGr
aigt
henev
ery
oneel
se.

Heswal
lowedhar
d"am sor
ry,
am sosor
ry"he
f
inal
l
ysaid.

Me:nodad,
tel
lmei
tsal
i
e,t
ell
mey
ouar
enota
ki
l
ler
.

Hekeptqui
etf
orawhi
l
etol
ong.
"
SAYSOMETHI
NGDAD!
"Iy
ell
ed.

"
Itwasami
stake,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
oki
l
lhi
m.
ItwasJuni
orandhi
sfat
herwhowasmyboss
atthatt
ime.
Juni
ortol
dmet hatGr
aigrapedy
ou.Heev en
hadpict
uresofhi
m ontopofyounaked.
ThemomentIsawt hosepict
uresIlosti
t.Itri
ed
obser
vingyouathomeandy ouwerequiett han
usual
,youseemeddiff
erent
,Iguessmymi nd
sawwhatitwantedtosee.
Icoul
dn'tletthatboyconti
nuewhathehad
donesoIonl ywentt oconfr
onthim butwhenI
sawhim ont hatsideofTheroadmymi ndl
ost
i
t,Iwantedt opunishhi
mf orwhathehaddone
soIranhim ov er,
Iwassoangr y
"hesai dwit
ha
shakyvoice.

Iwasl
ostf
orwor
ds.
"butIwasnev erraped,Idi
dn'
tevenknowGr ai
g
backthen,j
uniorhadaskedmeoutacoupl eof
ti
mesbutIr ef
used, Iwassti
ll
youngandIdidn'
t
knowany t
hingaboutdat i
ng.
Iwasonlyquietandsadbecausejuni
orandhis
fri
endskeptt
easingmeatschool.Theywould
makef unofmewhenev ert
heygotachance
j
ustbecauseIrefusedt
odatehim.Graignev
er
rapedme."Iwassosad.

"Iknowthatnow, seeyearsaftertheincidentI
fi
nall
yfoundoutthetruth.Junior
'sdadhad
hi
redanI Tguytophotoshopt hepictures.He
wasapr othat
'swhyev erythi
nglookedsol egi
t.
Theyhadtakenrandom pi
ctur
esofy
ouand
Grai
gthenfakedthem.
I
fonlyIhadknown.Iconf
rontedj
uni
or'
sfat
her
buthethr
eatenedmethenfir
edme.Ifonl
yIhad
knownbet
ter"hesai
d

"youdi dallthat,youdest royedourf amilyand

youl etmepayf ory ourSi ns,it
st ruewhatt hey
sayisn'tit
,soTHESI NOFAFATHERARE
VISITEDONHI SKI DS,nowam pay i
ngf oryour
carelessness.Whatwi llIsayt omydaught er,
thatMYFATHER' SSI Nl edmet omar r
yadead
man.Youhav edest royedmef ather.Iam
personallygonnar epor ty out othepol icefor
thi
s.Ihopey our otinjail"Isaid

"Ideserveev
er y
thi
ngcomingmywayam so
sorr
yGraigpleasefor
giveme"i
twasafterhe
hadsaidthat
.ThatGraigst
art
edbreat
hing
heavi
ly.
Hisnosebledheav
ier
.Hehel
donnomaf
or
balance.
"nopleasedon'
tgoyetIsti
ll
needyou"Igav
e
thebabytoTerr
athenrushedtohi
m.

"myheadis..
..
isspi
nni
ng"hesai
d,bl
ood
gushedoutofhismout
h.
I
nhisheadwasabi
gbl
oodywound.Hewas
wassweati
ng.

Nomal
aidhi
m ont
hegr
ass.

"what'
sgoi
ngonwhyi
shi
sheadbl
eedi
ng"I
asked

Noma:
he'
sdepar
ti
ng,
thi
sishowhedi
ed.

Me:Grai
gyoucan'tl
eavenowpl ease,what
aboutme,whataboutAngel
a,Ican'tr
aiseher
al
one.Can'
tyoumakehim stayabi tl
onger
.
Noma:am af
rai
dIcan'
t,
hist
imehascome.He
hast
ogo.

"nooo.
..
..
."Ibr
okedown.

"shhhh..
."Hespokeinaweakt one"
you..
.wwwill
lbbbesaf
e...
.Typl
easeeetakecar
e
ofthem.Begoo. .
dtothemmm.Lov ethem for
me"hespoke.

"Iwil
lbrot
herIpr
omi
se"t
ear
srol
l
eddown
Tyson'
scheeks.

"Il
oveyouuuual
way
ssss.
..
"Wi
tht
hatsai
dhe
wasgone.

"no.
..
.no.
.nooooo,
,
,Gr
aigpl
easedon'
tl
eav
eme,
pleasetakemewi
thyou"myheartsunk.I
tfel
t
l
ikesomeonehaddri
venasharpknifeonmy
chest.
Iheldhi
sbloodyheadandpl
acedi
tonmyl
ap.I
rockedhi
m backandfort
hhummingt
he
mockingbir
dsong

(
Hushl
i
ttl
ebabydon'
tyoucr
y
Momma'
sgonnabuyy
ouamocki
ngbi
rd,
.
Ift
hebirddon'tsi
ngandt heri
ngdon'
t
shi
ne,.
.Am gonnabreakthatbir
dy'
sneck,
and
sendtheri
ngbackt othejewelr
ywhosolditt
o
you.
..
..
)
Ikepthummi
ngt
hatsongov
erandov
eragai
n.
Iwasnumbandst il
lrocki
ngbackandf ort
h
whenmyhusbandgl owedbr i
ghter
.Theblood
hadstoppedfl
owingandhisheadwasNow
heal
ed.Heglowedunt i
lheperi
shedfrom my
arms.Iwaslef
tholdi
ngnot hi
ngbutairyetIst
il
l
coul
dn'
tmov
eIwasi
ntr
ance.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#TYSON

Iwatchedmybrot
hersl
i
pawayr i
ghtbef
oremy
ver
yey esl
eav
ingmewitht
hisheavybur
den.
Finall
yIknewwhokil
ledhim andwhy
.Isti
l
l
can'tbel
ievehedi
edbecauseofsomeone'
s
j
eal
ousy
.

"He'sgonenowsisiyouneedt
ol ethi
m go"
grannysaidtoTer
rawhowasst ari
ngint
ospace
rockingbackandfor
th.
Sheseemedl
ostandIf
eltsor
ryf
orher
.

"She'
sinshock,t
hismighttakeawhil
e,y
ou
guysneedtolethergr
ieve"sisNomasai
d.

Hi
sdadpickedherup.Weal
lwentt
othecar
s
dr
ovebacktotown
*
*
*
*
*
Threeweekshadpassedaftert
hatinci
dent .My
dadhadbeenl aidt
orest
.Mom haddeci dedto
mov eusbackt oMil
enaandsel
lthehousei n
Capev i
no.Ell
a'
sdadhadbeenarrestedthe
previ
ousweek.Hedecidedtohandhimsel fto
thepoli
ce,Iguesst
heguil
thadgottenthe
bett
erofhim.

Wewereatgranny'splace.GrannyCameoutof
t
hespareroom withthetrayofsoftpor
ri
dge,
it
wasst
il
luntouched.

"ev
ent
oday
"Isai
d.

Terr
a:y
es,
am get
tingwor
ri
ed,it
sbeentolong,I
knowNomasaidwemustlethergri
evebutthi
s
i
stoomuch.She'
sgonnadieofhunger
.
She'sst
il
lhummingthatsong,
,she'sst
il
l
rocki
nghersel
fbackandfort
h.ItookTiyonat
o
herthi
smor ni
nghopingthatseei
ngher
daughtermightmeansomet hi
ngbutther
e'sst
il
l
nothi
ng.Shecouldn'
tevenlookatherown
daughter.

Gr
annywipedawayhert
ear
s.Shewasr
eal
l
y
wor
ri
ed.

Me:
ismom st
il
lasl
eep.

Her
:yes.She'
sbet
ternowmuchbet
tert
hanEl
l
a.

Me:
letmecheckonEl
l
athen.

Her:
ohkthenmay
bei
fsheseesy
oushemi
ght
comearound.
Grannypr
oceededt
otheki
tchenwhi
l
eIwentt
o
t
her oom.
Iwal
kedinandtheechoesoft
hehummi
ng
embracedmyears.
Iwenttosi
tnexttoher
.Iheldherhandandfor
asecondshestoppedmovingandhummi ng.

"youneedtocomebackal r
eady,Angelaneeds
you,
,,
,weneedyou..
..
Ineedyou"IBrushedher
hand.Shel
oosenitabit.

"it
sbeent
olongnow,
pleasecomebackt
ous"
Isaid.

Tearsr
oll
eddownhercheeksandIwi
pedt
hem
wit
hmyt humb.

"
It
sohky
,,
,i
tsgonnabeohky
"Isai
d.
"he'
sgone.
..
.he'
sreal
l
ygone.Hel
eftmeal
l
al
one"shebr
okedown. .
..

Me:youarenotal
one,hel
efty
ouwi
tha
beaut
if
uldaught
eranangel
.
Grannyi
shereforyou,
mom i
sher
efory
ouand
Iam her
eforyou.
Iwi
l
lnev
erl
eav
eyou.

El
l
a:hisgrav
e,Iwanttoseehi
srest
ingpl
ace
pl
easetakemethere.

Me:don'
twor
ryt
omor
rowmor
ning,
Iwi
l
ltake
youther
e.

El
l
a:nonow.Ineedt
ogonow.
Me;
kthengetr
eadysot
hatwecango.

Shest
oodup,
andIexi
tedt
her
oom.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#ELLA

If
eltl
i
keawi
dow,
soIwor
eli
keone
i
tsfunnyhowTy
son'st
ouchr
emi
ndedmeof
Grai
g,i
tgavemehope.

Iworeablacklongbal
l
gowndr esssli
ppedi
na
blackar
ml engt
hhandglov
es,blackankl
eboot
s
andablackhatwithal
acethatcov er
edmy
face

Iexi
tedtheroom.Bytheti
meIgottothe
Kit
chenalleyeswer
eonme.Shockwaswr i
tt
en
wellal
loverTerr
aandTyson'
sface.

"am done,
weshoul
dgo"Isai
d

Ty
son:
owhj
ah,
letmegett
hecarkey
s.

Hel
eft
Ter
ra:
am gl
ady
ouar
eupandabout

Me:
yeah,
thanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ng

Ter
ra:
yourwel
come.

Shest
oodupandhuggedmet
ight
ly.If
eltsaf
e
i
nherarms.

"Let
'sgo"Ty
sonsaid.Webr
oket
hehugandwe
exit
edthehouse.

"wewi l
lpassbyt
hef
lowershop,
Ineedf
lower
s
forhi
m"Isaid

Hi
m:ohk
Aft
erbuyi
ngtheflower
swedr ovetot
he
cemeter
y,hepackednearthegat
e.Wegotof
f
andhetookmet oGrai
g'sgrav
e.

(
INMEMORYOF
GRAI
GSI
EMENS
A
SONANDAbr
other
1990-
2005
MYYOURSOULRESTI NPERFECTPEACE)t
hat
waswhatwaswr
it
tenonthetombst
one.

"y
ouwi
l
lfi
ndmei
ncar
"Ty
sonsai
d.

Ij
ustnoddedandwi
pedmyt
ear
s.

"t
her
e'ssomuchIshoul
dsay
,ther
e'ssomuchI
wannasay
.
Imi
ssy
oual
ready
,youweresogr
eat
,br
oughta
smi
l
eonmyfaceondai
lybasi
s
Il
oveyousomuchandi twouldbesodi f
fi
cult
Tomov eonwithoutyou,whydidn'
tyoutell
me
sooner
,youshouldhavesaidsomething.
Rightnowthesorrowf i
ll
smyheart,butnow
thatyouhavedepartedIcannotst
opbr i
nging
upy ourname,y
ouwi l
lbemissedforal
lthatyou
taughtmeandf oral
l t
hosebeauti
fulmoment s
thatyoumademel i
vewithyou
Iknowt hatIwil
lnotfi
ndsomeonelikey
ou
again,
sohappy ,somot i
vat
ing,
ingoodti
mes
andinbadt imesalwaysyouweredrawi
nga
smileandwer ether
etosupportme.Iwil
l
alwaysremembery ou.

Thismomentbr
ingswi
ththeheavyreal
i
zati
on
thaty
ouwil
lnol
ongerbepresentt
oguideand
protectmeandourdaught er.Mayyoursoul
restinpeace.Thi sfarewelli
snotjustafarewell
forthekindper sony ouwer ebutal
soev er
ything
youst oodfor.Iwillalwaysloveyou,nowand
forever"Icoul
dn'ttalkanymor esoIletmyt ears
dot hetalki
ngforme

Afterawhi
leofsil
ence,
Iplacedthefl
ower
sin
hisgrav
ewiththepromiseofalwayscomi
ngby
tocheckonhim.

IwipedmytearsandWal kedbacktothecar
.I
neededt
obeal iv
ef orourdaught
er.Hewoul
d
havewantedthat.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#THREE_
YEARS_
LATER.

"
arey
ouguy
sdoneal
ready
"Ty
soncal
l
edout
.

Me:weareal
mostthrough.
..
.Angi
edoesn'
t
wannagetdr
essed,
she'sbusypl
ayi
ngaround.

It
ri
edgetti
ngAngi
edr
essedasf
astasIcoul
d.
Shereal
l
ywasahandf
ul.
Shewasnowr unni
ngar oundandshetal
keda
l
ot.Shehadj ustt
urnedThreeyear
sthe
previousweek.Shelookedsomuchlikeher
father.
Iwasfi
nal
lydone,Idi
dafewt
ouchupsmy
sel
f
thenweexi
tedtheroom
Ty
sonwasal
readywai
ti
ngf
orusdownst
air
s
Helookedsohandsomei
nhi
sbl
ackchi
noand
gol
ft-
shir
t.

Igottohim,
wekissedbr
ief
lyt
henhet
ook
Angiefr
om me.

"heybi
ggi
rll
ookaty
ou,
you'
vegr
ownsobi
g"
hesai
d.

"am apri
ncess,
apr
ett
ypr
incess"she
sai
d,,
,
ncoohmybabywassobig.

"let
'sgobef
orewebel
atef
orourown
rehear
saldi
nner
"Ty
sonsai
d.
Of'
cozwewer eget
ti
ngmarri
edinamonth.He
hasbeengreatt
ome.IhadLearnedtol
ovehi
m
merci
lessl
yandhelovedmedearl
ytoo.

"youlookbeaut
if
ulMrsSiemens,
youl
ookl
i
kea
queen,myqueen"hesai
d.

me:younott
oobady
our
sel
f.Myhandsome
hunk.

hehi
tmyshoul
derpl
ayf
ull
yandAngi
esmacked
hi
sface.
"
Taaapapa"shesai
d
Il
aughedathi
m al
lthewaytothecar
.Hetried
chasi
ngaft
ermebutIranasfastasIcoul
d.

"soy
ougi
rl
sar
egangi
nguponme,
Ineeda
par
tner"hesai
d.

Me:
shamesucki
tupandbeaman

Istuckoutmyt
ongue.Ir
eal
l
ywasatmy
happiest
Iwashappyandatpeace.
Grai
gwasst i
l
l apartofmyev erydayl
i
fe.We
vi
sit
edhim everysecondmont h.Myfatherwas
st
ill
inj
ail
doingal if
esentenceIhadnev er
vi
sit
edhim.Ididn'twannavisi
thim.Ihad
er
asedhimf r
om myl i
fe.
Terr
aandThandekawer est
il
lpartofourli
ves.
Theyweresogreatandsocarry
ing,Ineverfel
t
l
eftout
.Ihadeveryt
hingIev
erneeded.

THEEND