Running, and Running, and Running

Epilogue

"You knew that it was me."

"I didn't," Miss Brenda said, with tears in her eyes. "I knew that there was a chance, but I didn't want to believe it."

Priscilla watched Miss Brenda cry, and it hurt her inside to know that there was nothing she could do to comfort her aside from her words. They were separated by glass, and she had a pair of handcuffs on to make sure she didn't misbehave.

All the time that she had in prison as she awaited trial, Priscilla knew that Miss Brenda was aware that the biggest suspect was her. Miss Brenda was the only one present at home that would have witnessed their violent fights in the week leading up to Delia' disappearance. She would have heard the plates breaking and loud shouting.

"You saw us get violent."

"I did."

"Why didn't you tell the cops?" Priscilla asked.

"You were unconscious in a hospital. You lost your memory. I couldn't do it to you," Miss Brenda admitted, wiping at a tear sliding down her cheek. It looked like she had aged a decade in just a few months. "And I knew that if it were you, you would come forward yourself. Which you did."

Hearing her speak made Priscilla tear up. Here was the one woman who truly loved her and took care of her. She had always placed her wellbeing in front of her own, and believed in her until the end.

"What if I never remembered?"

"Then I also will have never known the truth. I was not there at the pagoda. I could not verify if it was you or not. However," Miss Brenda smiled softly. "I believed in you."

Priscilla returned the smile with teary eyes. Facing up to the truth and finding out what she did that caused her to lose her own memory was tough. Seeing herself in prison was painful. Some nights, she wondered about what would have happened if she never remembered or simply never told anyone about where Delia was. She wondered if her life would still be normal.

However, seeing Miss Brenda here, she knew that she had done the right thing.

It was a violent crime, one done in pure rage and fury that had built up over the week. Therapists have been helping her in case such a scenario arose again. It was nice to know that the one guardian who had brought her up didn't fully see her as a monster, but proud of someone who owned up to their crime the moment that they knew it was them.

"How's mom and dad?"

Miss Brenda looked down, and didn't reply.

"You'll fetch me when I get released?" Priscilla asked.

"Of course. You're basically my daughter. That won't change."