Deadly Double Love

Deadly Double Love 41

When I realized Scott wasn’t going to reply, I moved over to my dad. I held his freezing hand and wished he were still with me. But I thought about how happy he probably was in heaven with my mom and it made me miss him a little less. But only a little.

I thought about how different life would be if we ever got out of here. I’d have to live somewhere else. I’d probably go into foster care. I’d never have a real family again. I’d never have someone to love me again. Except maybe Scott. But since I hadn’t said those three words to him, I didn’t know if he still loved me.

Quietly, I crawled over to him and touched his hand.

“Do you hate me?” I asked.

“What?” Scott sounded shocked. “Of course I don’t.”

“But I didn’t say it back,” I whispered.

“It’s okay,” Scott said. “I was disappointed at first, but I know that you need some time.”

“Thank you,” I said, tears of relief pooling in my eyes. “I thought you hated me.”

“No,” he assured me. “I could never.”

A single tear rolled down my cheek and I let my head fall onto Scott’s shoulder. He held my hands and rested his head gently on mine.

Suddenly, someone came bursting through the door. Scott and I looked over, expecting Rory, but seeing someone else. Addie.

“Where’s dad?” she asked frantically, looking at me.

“He’s over there,” I whispered as Rory entered into the little building.

She ran over to him and placed her hands on either side of his face.

“Daddy!” she cried. “Wake up, daddy!”

“He’s dead,” I said coldly.

“No!” she said. “Oh no no no no no!”

She collapsed onto our dad’s chest and began sobbing. Then she sat up and turned towards Rory.

“How could you just let him die?” she yelled as she stood up.

“I- I didn’t mean for it to happen,” Rory said, his face pale. “I just couldn’t take him to the doctor.”

“Why not?” she asked angrily.

“He would have told people about what I was doing!” Rory told her. “I would have been arrested!”

“I don’t care!” Addie shouted. “At least he would have lived, you jerk!”

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that!” Rory growled, pushing Addie to the floor.

“You’re my girlfriend as you’d better listen to what I say!” he said as he kicked her. “It was my choice and you will not question it!”

Addie whimpered in pain.

“Get up,” he commanded. “We’re leaving.”

Slowly Addie rose to her feet, clutching her side. Rory grabbed her arm and pulled her out the door. I heard Addie start crying. Rory told her to shut up or she’d be in trouble.

His threats grew softer and softer as they walked further and further away until they disappeared completely.

“Oh my gosh,” I breathed, shocked by what I’d just witnessed.

“He’s a monster,” Scott said.

“Addie’s never going to stand up for herself,” I said.

“Yeah,” Scott agreed. “But I wish she would.”

“Me too,” I said. “Even though I don’t like her, I hate to see her hurt like that.”

“No one deserves to be abused like that,” Scott whispered.

“I know,” I said.

All of a sudden, Rory was back at the door.

“Where’s Addie?” I asked. “Is she okay?”

“Shut up,” he said. “She’s fine.”

“Why are you here then?” Scott said.

“Because this has got to end,” Rory said. “It’s getting out of hand.”

“You’re letting us go?” I asked hopefully.

“No,” Rory said. “I have to kill you both.”

Scott and I looked at each other, terrified.

“You have one day to live,” Rory said.

And then he was gone.