✯ North Star ✯

14 - The Aftermath

I sit in the living room with Sarah, Wheezie, Rafe, and rose.
No one speaks.
The only sound is the quiet click as the video begins to play.

Dad appears on the screen.

"A great man once said that if you're born poor that's not your fault but if you die poor well that's on you.

I think in the end it was my fear of going back of losing everything I have that made me lose sight of everything I am... everything I wanted to be.

I killed Big John Routledge. I murdered Sheriff Peterkin. I shot Gavin Barnstead.

I know there's nothing I can do to ease the pain I've caused. Many will say I took the easy way out. But I leave this world with the terrible pain of knowing that I leave behind my family shattered by grief broken by my sins.

I don't expect you to forgive me for leaving you this way. I just pray you understand that... I can't go on ruining your lives anymore. This had to end.

To all of you I leave my estate to be divided equally and I leave a love deeper than I could ever express. Take care of each other." Dad said

The video ends.
Wheezie lets out one trembling breath and rushes out of the room in tears.
Sarah slams the laptop shut, her jaw shaking.

No one moves for a long moment.

Finally Sarah and Rafe walk away in opposite directions.

I stand.

"Stella-" rose starts gently.

"No- please. I don't want to hear it right now" I whisper, and head outside.

I grab my bike and start down the driveway when I hear footsteps behind me.

"Stella. Hey wait." Rafe calls, running toward me.
"Wait wait wait wait wait. Slow down. Slow down." He said

He reaches for my shoulder.

I whip around and shove him away.

"You touch me one more freaking time!" I shout, voice breaking.

"We can't keep ignoring each other. Dad would want us to talk" Rafe said

"When I tell you, you are the last person I want to talk to- I mean it Rafe" I snap

"I know you hate me. I know you hate me-"
Rate started

"You tried to kill me Rafe." I said

He freezes. Breath catches.
"I know. I know. I know. I know Stella. I just-" he drags his hands through his hair.

I climb back onto my bike.

"Please! Stella, please don't leave okay?" Rafe begs, voice shaking.

I sigh and pause.