Here I Come | ✔

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen - James Estrada

Friday, 13th November 2020

KRYSTALLIA

The only thing going through my mind was something I wanted to believe.

This isn't my dad.

But I couldn't believe that fact, because the person standing in front of me right now is indeed James Estrada himself.

The same father I watched die with a bullet lodged into his chest.

I wanted to turn around and run. I wanted to scream that he wasn't my dad, but an impersonator. I wanted to go home and get away from him.

But my body stood still.

It disobeyed every command I threw at it and stayed completely frozen.

"Sweetheart?"

I looked down, my fists clenching and unclenching. I could only mutter a word.

"No."

You're not him.

"Tallia, I'm here," the man reached out but I pushed his arms away, "No, you're not. You're dead."

"Please, my sweets, let me explain-"

I pushed past him and ran. I could hear two pairs of feet running and calling after me, but I ran as fast as I could.

The car unlocked and I rushed to get in, slamming the door shut. Zach came in too and he knocked on the window, "Tallia, sweetheart, please. Just let me explain, please."

"Diamond?" Zach placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Let's just go home."

He nodded, "Of course."

He started up the car and drove off, leaving him behind. Zach reached over to hold my hand that was on my lap and gently rubbed my palm. He kept quiet the whole ride home to let me arrange my thoughts before talking to him about who we saw.

***

We arrived home and I got out of the car, pulling my purse with me. I had unclipped my earrings and took off my choker, keeping them in my purse. I closed the door and went to Zach. He wrapped an arm around my waist and we walked to the front door.

I pulled out my key and opened the door, walking in. I heard the sounds of the television and went into the living room with him.

"Kris?"

He looked behind to see me standing at the doorway and got up, coming up to me, "Krystal, what happened? You're tense."

Zach took my purse from me and stepped back, leaving me with my brother. I wrapped my arms around his neck, "He's back. I don't know how or why, but he is."

Kris immediately held my waist, looking down at me, "Who?"

I buried my head in his chest, "Dad."

He stood still.

Very still.

He pulled away and held me by my shoulders. I saw the twitch in his right eye and knew Landon was in control.

"Who?"

"Dad."

"Don't be hysterical, kitten. He's dead. We saw it."

I pried his hands off my shoulders and turned around, "I want to believe that too, but he was standing there in front of me. It's definitely him."