The Daughter Extraction

The sound of guilt

•LUNA•

Guilt was a shitty feeling. I never thought this day would come when I'd be terrorized in my own body by this damn feeling.

For the past three hours, I tried convincing myself that I didn't just take someone's life, but guilt remained, digging a hole inside me and taking over my thoughts.

Even though we're miles away from Lana's place and Emiliano's guys aren't on our tail, I couldn't stop fidgeting in my seat.

Fear and anxiety were my unwanted companions at the moment, making me nuts while still scaring the crap out of me. The scene kept replaying in my head, and no distraction seemed to work.

Finally, I noticed a big house up ahead. Double story, glass windows everywhere, and a massive electric gate with a button outside.

Alec pulled into the driveway and pressed the button, smoothly opening the gates. This was the safehouse he mentioned, where he planned to take me. He said his crew was here, but the place looked deserted.

After parking, I took a minute to compose myself before stepping out. Nervously intertwining my hands, I looked up at the imposing building.

I should be excited, right? This was one step closer to getting home. But all I felt was fear, gripping my heart like an iron fist.

Alec closed the backseat door, grabbed his backpack, and shot me a warm smile, motioning for me to follow. We reached the front door, and there was another push-button thing above the doorbell. Alec punched in a code, and the door clicked open.

Inside, the house was pretty empty. No one around. I kept my eyes on the floor, not caring about the details of the interior. None of it interested me right now, even though it could've been a distraction.

"Do you need something?" Alec asked suddenly, and I glanced up at him.

"Hmm?"

"Want food, a drink, or something else?" he clarified. My mind immediately screamed 'bathroom.'

"Can you show me where the bathroom is?" He stared at me for a few seconds before pointing down the hallway.

"That way. First door on the left. Do whatever you need; I'll be out here making some calls."

I slowly nodded and started heading toward the bathroom. But barely three steps away, when something on his arm suddenly caught my eye.

"Your arm is bleeding again," I told him. He looked down at the bloodstained bandage around his arm that he used to stop the bleeding.

"Don't worry about it. I'll get it fixed later."

I gave him one last concerned glance before going into the bathroom. Once inside, I locked the door behind me and leaned my back against it.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I took a deep breath, making my way to the counter to gaze at my reflection in the mirror.

The girl staring back at me seemed like a survivor who had just been through hell. I couldn't believe this was what I looked like now.

At that moment, memories of Lana's lifeless body and the gun in my hands flashed in my mind. I gripped the sink tightly, my hands shaking.

I did it to save Alec's life, but I never expected things to go this wrong.

Tears streamed down my face as I turned on the tap to wash my hands, trying to wash away the guilt.

Lana...

Lana...

Lana...

Her lifeless face haunted my thoughts. I scrubbed my hands harder, hoping to erase the image of me holding the fatal weapon.

The pain was overwhelming, but the mental image tormented me even more. I couldn't bear it any longer.

I turned off the tap and began to undress. Turning towards the shower, I stepped in and let the water flow. I scrubbed my body, hoping to rid myself of the overwhelming sense of dirtiness.

I hate it. 

I hate everything. 

I just want it to stop. 

Please, someone, make it stop!

I slowly find myself sinking onto the bathroom floor. My legs can't hold me up anymore, and my knees start giving way beneath me. A choked sob escapes my throat, tears mixing with the water sprinkling down from my face.

Dragging myself towards the wall, I lean my back against it. Pulling my knees to my chin, I wrap my arms around them, letting the tears, fear, anxiety, and stress take over.

My vision blurs as I close my eyes and rest my head on my knees. Right now, all I want is to be back home.

I wish I could turn back time to the day I went out to the club with Brooke. If only I had trusted my instincts and left early. If only I had listened to Danny and stayed home.

If only I were anywhere else but here right now.