The Shadows We Hide

Chapter 3

CODY’S POV.

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Sometimes I wish life was written in pencil so we could erase it and write it all over again.

Thoughts like these ran through my head as I watched Cassidy bleed out on the bathroom floor.

I was in a state of shock as Cassidy's blood pooled around my feet. I could not move, nor could I speak.

I was brought out of my stupor by Zak's voice.

"Serves her right! She was a useless piece of rubbish. After all, Cathy, we will have a newborn soon, and they will make me proud!"

Before I can register what is happening, I see Cassidy's body fly across the floor as Zak kicks her lifeless form.

Afterward, I see red.

With all the anger in my body, I charge toward Zak with one of the sharp pieces of metal that broke off the stool when Cassidy collapsed.

But before I can strike, Zak deflects my attack and grabs me in a chokehold. He wrests the weapon from my grasp and mocks me.

"Oh, Cody dear. You should know better than to try to kill me twice! You almost ruined my birthday," Zak says with mock concern.

"So I will have to punish you."

He stabs my hand with the shard of metal, and the pain is excruciating. The piece pierces clean through, and I scream in agony, my voice echoing in the small room.

"Zak! Stop! Please, stop! We need to get Cassidy help. Please, Zak!"

Mom's desperate voice cuts through the haze of pain, and Zak finally pulls the metal from my hand, letting my blood mix with Cassidy's. I immediately forget my injury and rush to her.

I check her pulse with my good hand—it's faint, so faint it nearly breaks me.

"Mom! We need to get her to a hospital!" I cry, my voice breaking.

Zak chuckles darkly, as if this were all some sort of game to him.

"Cody, you can go. Catherine, you will stay here with me. I have something for you."

I look at Mom, pleading silently for her to come with me, but she forces a broken smile through her tears.

"Go, Cody. Just go," she whispers.

Torn between fury and fear, I glance at Cassidy's pale face and know what I must do. Summoning all the strength I can muster, I lift her onto my back and run.

I run faster than I ever have, my injured hand throbbing, Cassidy's lifeless weight growing heavier with each step.

When I finally burst through the hospital doors, my voice is hoarse but frantic.

"I NEED HELP! SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP ME! MY SISTER’S BEEN POISONED! PLEASE!"

Doctors and nurses rush forward, taking Cassidy from my arms. Someone tends to my injured hand, but I hardly notice. My thoughts are with Cassidy.