Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

The air was stuffy and the smell of alcohol burned my nose. It was understandable since I was in a bar. Herb's bar was filled with drunken college students. I am probably the only sober student here. It's been two or three days since I've seen Laura Cavanaugh. For her sake I hope she's not mixed up with Trick. I've been there and look where it has gotten me. I am a lonely freshman in college, that works part-time as a waitress. It's pathetic, really but it pays the bills.

Why am I here? I should be in my apartment building, reading Pride and Prejudiced or Wuthering Heights. But instead I'm at this lousy bar drinking Coca-Cola.

It's been a rough four years. It took me all my savings from working for Trick to get here. And may I say it was not worth it. Because in the end, it cost me my family. I didn't have a little sister anymore. So, Sadie was not there to bother me when I'm reading. My drunken father, Ray, cannot burst into my room and throw around my book shelf, yell at me and then kiss me goodnight anymore. All these things were routine. Routine I had gotten used to after my mother died, ten years ago, giving birth to Sadie.

Trick, also known as Patrick Nolan killed my family, a year ago. And it's all my fault. I was useless and chained to a chair, handcuffs secured my arms and ankles together. So there was no way I could break lose. All I could do was stare at Trick place a gun to Sadie's temple and pull the trigger. Blood and brain matter splattered everywhere, and on the living room floor, just where Sadie's limb body lay strewn, my father was being stabbed to death. Repeatedly. You could hear him cry out for help. But I couldn't do anything. I was... useless. I thought that that would be it. The End of everything. I could feel the metal of the handcuffs dig into my wrists and ankles. But I didn't care at that moment. I just wanted to help them. But it was too late.

Before I knew it, they were just lifeless bodies on my linoleum floor. They lay in their own pool of blood and I was left there to watch my family's bodies decompose. Until, our neighbour came over and helped. Our neighbour was then killed the next day.

The images that scattered through my head left an aching almost gnawing feeling at my brain. I clutched my head and breathed out slowly.

Breathe Wendy. Breathe. It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay. You will find Trick and end this once and for all.

I kept on telling myself this for a whole year. But I knew it wasn't true.

Nothing was going to be okay.

Trick is probably looking for me so he can end me off. But I'll find him first.

Then again, I doubt I can end it once and for all. I'm too weak.

I wish I could.

More than anything in the world. I need to avenge my families death. But I need Lau to help me. Lau knows Trick inside out. She has to help me. Trick used her to steal cars. And he used me to sell drugs. And at the time I was very desperate for money.

My father was basically dead to Sadie and I. And Sadie was getting really sick. We needed money for food. Mostly for her. But in the end I didn't help her at all. I got her killed instead. I gulped.

I need something stronger.

"Herb?" I called out to a guy with bushy black hair and a bushy black beard. "Can I get some whiskey? On the rocks."

He gave me a nod and a smirk. "Sure thing, Red." He called me Red because of my hair. It was auburn, a deep red color and it reached my waist. Now, it was in a braid down my back.

"Here you go," he set the brown liquid in front of me.

I thanked him with a smile and paid him.

As I took a sip, the liquor burned its way down my throat. Leaving its mark. But I was used to it. Lau and I used to break in Dad's old liquor cabinet and drink all his booze before he could. That way he could stay sober for the week. But, even though we had no money. He managed to replace the whole cabinet before I got home from school.

"That's a big drink for a small girl," said a deep, honey sweet voice. It was unfamiliar to me, but I didn't bother meeting his eyes.

"I am not a little girl," I say with disgust.

Who is this guy?

"Hm, are you sure?" I could feel his eyes boring into me. But I didn't dare look. "How old are you then?"

"That is none of your business," I huff. "Hasn't your mother taught you not to ask a woman her age?"

"No..." his voice sounds firm. I regret what I said and look up to meet his eyes.

Under the low light of the dingy bar, I can see that he has unruly dark copper colored hair. I don't see his eyes, though. It's a bit too dark.

"Who are you?" I ask narrowing my eyes at him. Studying him carefully. His features are perfect, angular. Almost too perfect. He is flawless. Beautiful. He seems familiar. I think I've seen him a few nights ago.

"Zachary Martin," he says extending a strong, too-big hand towards me. "You are?"

I shake his hand and it swallows my small hand, my skin seems so pale towards him.

"Wendy Bingley," I inform him.

"Wendy..." he tests it on his tongue. "Like from Peter Pan?"

I almost laugh. "Yes."

"Do you have a Peter Pan?" he props his chin on his palms and gazes at me. I feel my skin burn.

"Is that your way of asking me if I have a boyfriend?" I arch a brow at him.

"Yes, actually."

I roll my eyes and take another sip from the alcohol. "No. Do you have a Jane?"

"Jane?"

"Tarzan's Jane. I just assume because you're a party animal."

"That makes no sense." He laughs.

"It doesn't?" I smile. "Those girls over there have been shooting me daggers ever since you've came over here. You know your drinks and you're a regular here. Plus your friend over there has been talking about how much of a Casanova you are to those freshman girls." I point out. "They're ogling at you."

He gapes at me. "You..." he clears his throat. "Um. You are very intuitive." He flashes a Colgate-worthy smile in my direction and I just roll my eyes.

I down my drink and suppress a smile. "It's a blessing and a curse." I walk towards the exit.

I couldn't stay in there any longer. The busy environment was growing in me. And one thing is for sure I do not want to be like my dad. A bar was like a second home to him.

I get into my Dad's old Chevy and drive home. It's been an eventful day.

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