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" If I were you, Evelyn, I would put that gun down and stand back. "
Her sickening voice traveled to my ears. I turned around to look at her dead in the eyes. She gulped and cowered a little at the direct eye contact. Keeping my eyes locked...
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I was scared.
Standing there, looking up at my parents' old house, I was terrified of what I might find in there.
Ryan's fingers were wrapped around my trembling ones and I was leaning into his side clinging onto his forearm with my other hand, my head laying on his shoulder and my eyes zoomed in on the house in front of us.
" It's gonna be okay, baby. I'm right here with you. You've been so brave so far, you can do this, " Ryan whispered slowly in my ear. His words were encouraging but they weren't helping. I was paralyzed with fear and anxiety at the thought of what was possibly waiting for me at the other side of the door.
This was it. This made everything real. The small part of my heart that had still been holding onto the false hope of my parents still being alive somewhere out there, was to die today. This was the final wall between me and knowing what happened to my parents that night. This was my first step towards getting them the justice and the peace they deserved.
But I was scared.
I was terrified. Who wouldn't be?
Turning my head towards Ryan, I looked up into his ocean eyes through my blurred ones. " I'm scared, " I whispered. I knew if I tried to speak now I would break down. Ryan's eyes softened and he gently pulled me closer to his side.
" I know, Sunflower, " He said in a calm soothing voice, " I know this is scary. I know you're terrified of the idea of what you might find on the other side of that door. But remember what you told me at the rooftop that day? You told me I had to let Clara go. That I needed to move on and stop blaming myself and the only way to do that was to go inside that room. That was my closure, Eve. This is yours. You need to let them go too, honey, and the only way to do that is by entering this house and finding out the last pieces to your puzzle. "
A small involuntary sob escaped my dry lips, " I... I don't wanna... I don't wanna let them go, Ryan. " Ryan moved his hand over to my face and cupped my cheeks gently. " I know, sweetheart. But remember, they want you to do this. They want you to fight for them, one last time. They need you, baby. You can't lose now. "
I looked up and he passed me a small crooked smile. Crossing my shoulders, I stood straighter in my place. My face hardened as I pushed my tears back. My throat was clogged up with raw emotions, but I held back.
They need me.
They need their daughter today.
They need me to find them their final peace and I'll be damned if I fail them.
" I can do this, " I said. A steely resolve lacing my words. " I have to do this. For them. " My resolve was stronger than ever. Ryan's words had given me the final boost I needed and now I was ready.
" I'm always here for you, " He said, a proud smile taking over his features. My smile widened. He was my rock. " I love you, " I whispered. He smiled and leaned down. With his lips lightly brushing mine, he whispered, " I love you more, " and then he kissed me.
