Devil

-15-

-Esla-

After we had helped Dad into the shop. He had insisted on hobbling around the place to check it out to make sure it was still in shape. "I probably can still handle business here. Paperwork, greeting customers, offering car advice," he suggested from the front of the building.

I had stationed myself in a back room, scrolling away on my phone as I waited for us to go home. I briefly considered sending the number Rick gave me another text, but I wasn't going to bother this time. I like Coco's plan a whole lot better and I think it would work out way better compared to what I had been planning to do.

"Esla, you ready?" my mother asked, coming into the room. "Yea," I stood up, following her out. I waved to Olivia, seeing her working on an older truck. "We're going home after this?" my father asked my mom as she helped him towards our car. "We'll see," she shot him a secretive look.

I plugged in my earbuds and listened to music in the back row as we drove away from the mechanic shop. I closed my eyes, trying to let my heart adjust to everything I was dealing with. It had seemed like all my life I was searching for something to set me apart form everyone else- something exciting, I suppose, and now that moment was here.

I guess you could say I wasn't used to dealing with exciting. This felt more like "threatening" or "scary", and less like "fairytale". "We're here," my mom announced. That was new. I opened my eyes and started wrapping my earbuds around my phone without looking. When I finally glanced up, I realized we were at the mall.

I looked at my father, then my mother, for answers. "We know a lot's been going on, but today is still your birthday and you're turning 18, Esla." My mom gave me a warm smile, tears crowding around her eyes. "My baby's growing up." I blinked back my own tears and slid my phone into my back pocket.

"Y'all didn't have to do this. Dad's just released and-

"It's worth it Esla," my dad told me warmly. They opened their doors and got out from the back. My dad leaned against my mom as we walked towards the entrance of the large mall. I felt guilty to be using money that could be going towards our family. We weren't poor or anything, but money was definitely needed. I felt selfish when my mind was on Nicotine and what I'd probably have to do to get our money.

I made the most of our time spent together as a family and tried to stay humble with the things I was able to get today. We left the mall later on in the day and we were heading back to our car when I was the first to spot glass on the ground near the vehicle. I froze, alerting my parents. Could this be an intentional attack? My mom practically handed Dad to me, allowing him to lean against my body, and went closer to investigate.

As my father and I cautiously approached, I realized that it hadn't been our car broken into, but the one next to us. Their windows were smashed out and glass littered the seats of the Tahoe. I saw a cracked phone and a spilled drink, and a few dollars scattered.

"Should we report it?" I asked my mom, seeing her take everything in too. "We don't want to involve ourselves in anything more. Let's just go," she said stiffly. I helped Dad into his seat, numbly wondering if what we were doing was the right thing.

Once we got home, I shot Kiersten a text. It seemed like all the people I once talked to on a daily basis, or even occasionally, were ghosting me now. I was worried about returning to school and finding everyone staring at me. What if this was all a big joke to everyone and my temporary grief and fear was something they ridiculed? Or worse, what if they pitied me?

I nervously played with my hands as we finally reached my house. It felt like it had been forever since I had been here. I peeled my eyes away from the driveway and the trash still not put out on the curb. Maybe Kiersten would be a loyal friend and still associate herself with me...or maybe she would be afraid someone would go after her next. She had basketball going for her and her smarts, I couldn't ruin that.

Our procession out of the car was quiet and the chilly neighborhood seemed to magnify each sound. I'm sure the neighbors were looking out their windows watching us now. As long as it's no one bad. We slowly walked up the walkway, and entered our house. My mom went to check around to see if anything was missing, then helped my father up the stairs of our townhome.

"I'm going to make us a light lunch," Mom told me. "If your father needs anything, can you please help him Esla?"

I nodded and went to my room to stretch out and relax. It felt good knowing that I could relax now. That my father was safe. But I didn't like the fact that the people who did this to him could be watching, if any of them were left. Or that the police were watching us for any signs of disturbances. I'm sure we were the talk of Perry Island.

Hopefully that would change and something else would steal the attention of its residents.

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