Tonight is the night we die

Chapter Eighteen

JAKE'S POV

Before leaving the hospital, Gloria told me multiple times that I did not have to go to the cabin tonight if I was not comfortable with being alone with all of them. But I wanted to make an effort, for Gloria. Act normal and capable of handling social situations, for Gloria. I wanted to go to spend time with Lilly and Hannah too. It was a chance I did not expect to have one day to be this close to family. Being around so many people I barely know is far from my comfort zone, nevertheless, I want to give it a try.

Despite dreading the moment, I arrive at the cabin quickly. I took advantage of the quiet foresty road to go over the speed limit. A rush of adrenaline I needed, a perfect way to evacuate all the frustration my body has been feeling for days. The speed, the danger, the possibilities of getting caught, the chase, and looking above my shoulder to check if they were still behind me, I learn to enjoy all of these details. I had nothing to lose at the time so might as well enjoy those moments where my body was on such a high alert that I was feeling alive, I was feeling something. It was a life-or-death situation every time, but it was good to feel something before the worse could happen to me. I have tested my luck many times, I thought I was invisible for a long time until the day the bullet reached me and pierced my skin. It was a close call, on the edge of dying, I had never felt so alive.

Now, it is another thing that was giving me this feeling. It was a person and it was safer, in a way but still risky and deadly in another way.

I take off my helmet. It is weird to see the cabin with my own eyes. It is well hidden but you still have a good view of the city from here. Gloria will love it. She will love being around people. And I will love it if she is by my side. Right now, I regret more and more my decision. I wanted to impress Gloria, and show her that I can be normal but I will probably just make a fool out of myself. I sigh as I walk towards the main door, taking off my black leather gloves and shoving them in my pockets. I quickly brush a hand through my hair. I hate this ! Let's just get it over with ! I ring the doorbell and I do not have any time to run away cowardly, the door opens almost instantly. I see Lilly but not for long, she throws herself against me :

" Jake ! " She exclaims, tightening her arms around me. Be normal, Jake ! I hug her back, uncomfortable at first with the sudden contact with her but I end up enjoying it. She steps back and looks at me, I can tell she is surprised as her eyes go up and down on me :

" Hi, Lilly ! Nice to finally meet you, half-sister ! " I smile, genuinely happy to see her and her face brightens as she hears this term. It sounds weird, it is not something I would have imagined using one day.

" Nice to meet you too, half-brother " Lilly chuckles, her cheek turning a bright red color " Come in ! " She grabs my hand and pulls me inside with excitement.

I am barely inside that I can already feel all the eyes on me. I have met most of them separately, except for Lilly, Jessy, and Thomas, who does not seem happy to see me passing the front door. Hannah leaves his side to hug me too. Her injuries are still visible despite the thin layer of makeup she put on. Learning that I was her half-brother was a big surprise for her. We talked a lot on the phone during her stay at the hospital, I had a lot to explain and it was hard for her to accept everything, she told me about her feelings at the time and it was awkward to think about it now that we are related. She moved on a long time ago, thankfully, and she told me she was glad we could be part of each other's life :

" I didn't know if you would agree to come tonight, thank you for doing it Jake. It means a lot ! " Hannah caresses my cheek with the palm of her freshly manicured hand. She is still the same girl I spend months talking to all these years prior. I am glad to have her back :