Finishing The Deed (Book #2 of Trails of a Psychopath)

Time to Step Up

"Happiness often sneaks in a door, you did not know was open."

Chapter Twenty-Four

~Rachel's POV~

   I didn't realize how much relief flooded through me. It felt as though a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I could feel Reid's eyes on me as his hand rubbed my back. It was silent as we walked, until we got into his car and started driving away from the hospital. I wiped away the petty tears running down my face and took a deep breath.

"You did what was right, Rachel." I heard Reid exclaim, his eyes on the road.

   I nodded, I knew this. I couldn't help the sadness that crawled into my heart. I officially had no parents. Charlotte had no mom or dad anymore, just me. Our relatives and cousins didn't even know we were alive. We had no one but ourselves. I felt my chest tighten up and my breaths becoming quick and shallow.

"Rachel, I need you to lay back and take a deep breath. Hold it in, then let it out. Close your eyes if you have to."

  I tried nodding, but my heart beat sped up and my hands started shaking. I let out raspy gasps, my eyes wide open. I couldn't move as I sat in the seat, my vision going fuzzy. I nearly jumped out of my skin once I realized someone was holding my hand. I forced myself to look over at him, seeing him nod at me.

"You're going to get through this, I promise. I had them all the time when I was just starting out at this job. I had them more at my house, where my mother would have her moments. They continued to get worse until I was forced to get help. I know what to do Rachel, and you do not need medication to help you. I will help you."

Throughout his story, my heart slowed, my muscles relaxed and my breathing went back to normal.

I nodded at him, feeling sweat trickle down my face. He smiled at me lightly, gave a small squeeze of my hand, and turned back to the wheel. I realized he had pulled over for me to help. I was still shaking, but I knew that would eventually go away. He checked on me from time to time as we drove, soon making it back to his house. I could see Charlotte in the window, dancing to music I couldn't hear around the living room.

"Oh no, Penelope..." Reid groaned, shaking his head and making his way to the door.

   I followed behind him, but first taking a look around. He lived in a quiet neighborhood, no one seeming to be up and about. The houses looked abandoned and empty. Shadows covered the lawns and tainted the windows. I shivered and walked into the door, where I started to hear music.
   Charlotte came bounding up to me, giggling and spinning around. I laughed along with her and watched as her and Penelope held hands and danced. Reid shook his head but a ghost of a smile touched his lips.

"You two are such squares!" Penelope giggled.

"Squares can be quite interesting." Reid argued.

"They can not, they are shapes. BORING!" Penelope shouted.

"They can be!"

"Can not!"

"Can too!"

"Can not!"

Reid groaned and gave up trying to argue with her, he should know that by now. Penelope did a victory dance and I got to get a look at her new outfit today. Her hair was in curly pig tails, a bright green and pink ruffled blouse, and tight black skinny jeans. She still had on those pink stilettoes, how in the world is she dancing in those? After their little dance, Penelope got a call from Morgan.

"Yes, my burning love hunk?"

   I bursted out laughing at her nicknames she had for Agent Morgan. They were quite amusing. She talked with him for a moment until she hung up and grabbed her bags.