The Sin

Chapter Eight

Present.....

The dim light of Ivy's apartment cast long shadows against the walls, amplifying the tension that hung in the air. Ivy fidgeted on the couch, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt while Dash sat on the edge of her worn-out couch, eyes locked on her, the weight of her silence hanging heavy between them. The weight of her story pressed heavily on her chest, and she finally spoke, her voice trembling.

"Dash, my parents... they were killed in a hit-and-run." Dash's breath caught in his throat, his heart racing. "What? Ivy, I-"

"-I was there," she interrupted, tears brimming in her eyes. "I survived, but they didn't. I need to find the culprit who caused the accident." The words tumbled from her lips, but the memories clawed at her throat. Flashbacks surged-the screeching tires, the blaring horn, the sickening thud.

He leaned forward, the urgency in her voice igniting a fire in him. "What do you remember? Anything at all?"

Ivy clenched her jaw, her eyes narrowing as she recalled the night. "Just a flash of headlights... the helmet and then... nothing. I keep hearing that sound, like a thud."

As Ivy speaks, Dash's mind drifts to an accident involving his friend Ben, a connection he hadn't made before. He grapples with the implications of this revelation, torn between his loyalty to Ben and his burgeoning feelings for Ivy.

"I want justice," her voice a low growl. "And I'll find the person who did this, no matter what it takes." A moment of silence passed, filled only by the low hum of the street outside, as Ivy searched his eyes for reassurance. She found it, but doubt still lurked in the corners of her mind. Dash reached out, gently placing a hand on her arm. "You didn't have to go through this alone. We can find out who did this."

"I was there, you know," Ivy whispered, her voice trembling. "The night they died." She took a shaky breath, her hands clenched into fists. "They never even saw it coming. One moment, we were laughing, and the next..."

"Stop, Ivy. You don't have to do this," Dash urged, stepping closer, but she shook her head fiercely.

"Ivy, you're not helpless anymore," Dash said softly, his heart aching for her. "You're stronger than you think and I'm with you-always." Ivy opened her eyes, meeting his gaze with newfound resolve.

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The next morning

Dash jolted awake to the relentless beeping of his alarm clock, the sound slicing through the haze of sleep. He sat up in bed, the remnants of Ivy's story from the night before swirling in his mind like a storm. The way her eyes had glittered with unshed tears haunted him.

"Ugh, not again," he muttered, slapping the snooze button. His mother's voice drifted from the kitchen, warm yet persistent. "Dash! You're going to be late! At least eat something!"

"Can't! I'm late!" He called back, pulling on his shirt, the fabric rough against his skin. The thought of leaving Ivy alone sent a shiver down his spine. She had begged for time alone, but he felt a gnawing unease.
As he dashed out the door, a memory of Ben flickered across his mind. I need to talk to him.

"Dash!" his mother's voice yelled again. "Breakfast!"

He sighed, guilt tightening in his chest. "I'll grab something on the way!"
The door slammed behind him, leaving the warmth of home and the lingering shadows of Ivy's pain in his wake. Outside, the city buzzed with life, but all he could feel was the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him