The Beach

16

"Shit just wasn't simple enough"

Aylin Russell

All of this is too much to handle. What the fuck is even going on?

All of this information is just sinking in as I walk home, trying to process anything before I put up a fake smile in front of my dad. How the fuck am I gonna pretend I didn't just hear the most life-changing information?

What would they do with me if they find out I know that much?

There's no way they would kill me...right?

I mean, I expect anything from Robert now, because I never really knew him, but would my father take it that far?

I try to shake these thoughts off my brain as I see I'm almost there. It's pretty warm outside and normally I would go out for a walk if I wasn't thinking so much stuff. This whole day feels like a week. Robert, then Ethan, then me breaking down in front of both of them.

Usually I've never cried in front of Robert, or any man ever. Yes, I've shred a tear in front of Robert, but never fully cried. Now I did it, in front of a man I don't even know that well.

There are no guards in front of the house. That's weird. But I guess I'm lucky.

I take a deep breath and quietly get into the house, almost walking on my tiptoes in the front yard. I'm trying to be as quiet as possible, because the last thing I want is my father finding out about the thing Robert told me and questioning me. I just need to go to my room, listen to some song about a breakup and forget about this.

I carefully open the door and immediately peak my head in to see around. I can only see the living room, a small part of the kitchen and the staircase, but I still get relieved when I see it's clear.

I almost hold my breath as I walk across the living room and up the stairs. The floor is creaking a bit and I cringe my face each time it does, hoping nobody heard that.

When I reach the top of the stairs, I look around the hallway. It's clear.

But then I hear a voice.

"Yes, I told her. I'm sorry."I hear Robert's voice.

I hold my breath again and move backwards to hide behind the wall next to the stairs. I don't know where the voice is coming from, but I'm guessing it's my father's so he won't be able to see me here.

"Do you know what trouble this will get us in?"my father raises his voice.

"Okay, I said I'm sorry. Plus I didn't tell her that much. I only told her he's a murderer. By the way, did you know she was cheating on me with Ethan?"I hear his annoying voice again. If I wasn't so scared I would roll my eyes at that.

Of course, he won't mention how he cheated on me for years.

"Now it's not the time for this. You told her he's a murderer, what if she goes to the police? They'll question you."

"So? I won't tell them anything."

"Oh really? Then how would you tell them you know this information?"my father asks with sarcasm in his voice.

I can't believe they're doing this. It makes me sick just hearing their voices after the things Harry told me. Part of me still hopelessly believes that this is all some messed up joke they made. They're about to pop out and stay "Surprise!" and everything will be back to normal.

Expect me and Robert.

"Um...he tried to murder me? I don't know."

"This is risky, Robert."the voices stop for awhile before he speaks again "You know we have to kill him soon before he fucks up our business. And the other one, Elliot."