Clarity

CHAPTER FOURTY FIVE

Linda's POV

I woke up before Daniel so that I could make breakfast.

I decided to make scrambled eggs with toasted bread. This place was a mess!

Bottles of alcohol were everywhere. I picked up the bottles and threw them out. I finished with making breakfast and went to wake Daniel up.

"Daniel?" I shook him lightly but he just groaned and turned the other way.

"Daniel?!" I shook him roughly this time but he didn't even move an inch.

You have got to be kidding me. You leave me no choice Daniel.

I slapped him across his face causing him to jump.

"What the hell!?"

"Is this how you live now Daniel?" I asked folding my arms on my chest.

"Look lady, I don't know who you..." Daniel's eyes widened staring down at me.

"Oh. Come on Daniel. Snap out of it." He mumbled to himself massaging his temples.

I sighed.

"Daniel?" I called him but he still was out of it. Trapped in his own world.

"Daniel! Could you just listen to me!?" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I managed to get his attention.

"Please sit down." He sat down. His eyes still wide and fixated on me.

"I faked my death." He didn't respond. He just looked at me like I was crazy.

"You did what?" He asked. His voice a whisper.

"Dad wanted to get me out of prison and away from Melissa. She wanted me dead. So he staged the prison fire."

"So you've been alive this whole time?" He asked and I nodded.

"Who did we bury next to Casey?"

"No one. The casket was empty." I reached for his hands but he pulled them away.

"Get out."

"What?" I asked not believing what he just said to me.

"Get out Linda! I don't want to see your face. Just... Get out."

"Daniel please understand. I didn't..." Daniel interrupted me before I finished my sentence.

"You know what Linda! I don't care! You're selfish! You didn't think about anybody else but yourself. Get out of my house! I don't wanna see you ever again."

Wow. That was harsh but I guess I deserve that.

"Daniel. I know you're angry okay. I get that. But you're being unfair."

"Unfair!?" He chuckled darkly.

"Unfair!? Me losing my sister because of you is unfair! I don't know why that car didn't kill you instead."

I couldn't breath. I took deep breaths. He doesn't mean it. He's just angry.

"Did you just blame me for Casey's death?" I whispered. My heart broken by what he had said.

"Get out." He pushed me out of his apartment. I was about to protest but he slammed the door at my face.

I wiped my eyes. I can't believe he blames me. I wish I didn't give Casey the keys.

I should have resigned when dad asked me. I shouldn't have bought the car in the first place. If only if I took the money and got out of town.

Regrets were filled in my head but there was nothing I could do. What's done is done. I took a taxi back home with my broken heart and spirit down.

"Honey. How did it go?" Mom asked.

"He hates me. He blames me for everything."

"Oh. But he's just angry. He'll get over it." Mom said wiping the tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Love? Have you seen... Oh hey Linda." I rolled my eyes at him.

"What are you doing in my house!?" I asked harshly.

"Linda. He's your father. Know your place." Mom warned.

"No he's not. He killed my father and my best friend. He wanted to kill me! This is all your fault!" I pointed at him accusingly.

"Linda, I regret..."

"You should. But it's too late. I lost everything." I breathed heavily.

"Honey Bunches, you need to calm down." Mom said soothing my back.

"Breathe." I couldn't. It was like my whole body was shutting down. I was choking and my heart was beating so hard.

"Linda!" Dad called his voice fading away.

I struggled to keep my eyes open. I felt mom's arms catching me when I fell.

"Ben call the ambulance. Honey..." Mom's voice faded.