All Roads Lead Home

TWO

The sound of my heels clicking on the floor echos throughout the morgue. I follow the person into the room where they keep the dead bodies. I was called down to identify my father.

I take in a deep breath whenever my eyes land on him. His body cold and lifeless. I feel a cold shiver run down my spine as my eyes rest on him. A part of me feels relieved that he no longer can torment me or hurt me. After everything he has put me through, I can't say that I forgive him.

"That's him." I state. "How did he die?" I couldn't see any visible wounds.

"He was shot in the back. He appeared to have bled out on scene." He pauses before looking at me. "They think your father had someone who wanted him dead. Do you know someone who would want him to hurt him?"

There's only one person that comes to mind. But would she really do this? Could she end someone's life just like that? With no regret?

"Um, no. I don't know of anyone." I suddenly feel sick to my stomach. "Did they find anyone with him?"

"He was found alone."

My heart drops in sadness but I should have known not to give my hopes up. She will probably never come home. It's been too long.

After signing some papers, I leave the morgue and head back to Aria's house. She's currently at work so I'm alone.

I didn't get a chance to tell her that he was found dead. I do not really feel like putting more of my problems on her than I already have.

Getting bored, I decide to clean up her living room to make it more organized. Time usually goes by fast when you keep yourself busy. I need to do anything I can to keep my mind off of it. Or I'll end up in a bad place again.

There's a piece of paper hanging out of a book that catches my attention. I know I shouldn't snoop into her things but I couldn't bring myself to ignore it.

I missed so much of her life and now I don't know anything about her really.

I open the letter up and look at the top of it. It's addressed to me. From a few months back. How come she never sent it?

I put the letter back, not wanting to read it. She didn't send it for a reason. It takes everything in me to not look at it as I clean the rest of her living room.

___

"Ali?" My eyes open to Aria. "Sorry, I didn't want to wake you but you didn't look exactly comfortable either." She laughs.

I sit up on the couch, my neck a little sore from my sleeping position. "What time is it?"

"It's nine pm."

I've been asleep for two hours. I must have been tired. I don't remember falling asleep.

I nod my head , looking over at her. She looks like she has a lot on her mind. Like something is bothering her.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Everything is fine. Why?" She looks nervous as she plays with her hands.

"You sure?"

"It was just a busy day at work." She shrugs so I let it go.

"I think I need to go see Emily." I quietly say.

"Why?" Aria raises her eyebrows, her eyes questioning.

"I found out that my dad is dead." There it was. A sentence I thought I would never say out loud. The words feel like they are floating above my head with no where else to go.

"What? How? When?" She scoots closer to me and places her hand on my thigh to comfort me.

"They said he was shot from behind. Like it was a hit and run type thing. I just found out this morning. I got the call last night." My eyes stay trained on my hands fiddling back and forth.