My Star

Chapter 18

As I entered the county jail, thoughts continued to plague my mind, uncertain of my next move. While most would seek to break out of jail, here I was breaking in. And not just breaking in, but with a tour guide leading the way. The only sound echoing through the halls was the rhythmic echo of our footsteps against the linoleum floor.

I had grown accustomed to glancing to my right before taking action, but with her presence there, I found the strength to confront the pain head-on. Inhaling deeply, I waited. He lay sprawled on his bunk, gazing ahead. The keys jingled as the guards unlocked the door. Stepping inside, I seized a chair from the desk and positioned it in front of his bed.

He looked at me and set up. It was fear but something else staring back at me was it remorse? " I didn't mean to kill her! I loved her!" He said in a whisper.

"I am going to kill you with these." I lift up my two hands. "That's not the issue. Ima do it slow. That's not my dilemma. Ima place your burnt ashes on your momma's doorstep and set your ass on fire again. My thing is the twins what should I do with the twins?"

I observed him intently, eager to witness the fear etched across his face, realizing the gravity of his actions. A chuckle escaped me; he showed no concern for the twins, displaying a blatant lack of care. What satisfaction could I get from this? Glancing to my left, I noticed A'Rio, my demon, fixated on me, holding a frown that penetrated my soul. "You didn't think I'd let him off the hook that easily, did you?" I smirked, the smiled that greeted me back was pure evil.

"Who the fuck are you talking to?" Tino's voice trembled with a mix of defiance and regret, his words a desperate plea for an end. As he goaded Chance to take his life, beneath the bravado lay a well of sorrow and repentance, aching to be released before his inevitable demise.

Chance's voice quivered as he spoke, "A'Rio," indicating his left, "my 12-year-old brother, taken before I could rescue him." With a solemn gaze to his right, he added, "And my angel. They both wish for you to understand that your death will be a slow, agonizing journey."

Tino's lips curved into a faint smile, a glimmer of peace amidst the impending darkness.

In that moment, I realized Tino believed he would reunite with her in death. The first blow echoed with the sickening crunch of bones shattering in his face. Tino offered no resistance. His blood splattered the cell wall with the second strike. As I delivered an uppercut to his ribs, I felt them give way beneath my fist. Tino crumpled to the ground, and I mercilessly stomped on him. By then, he had succumbed to the pain. Each stomp on Tino's hands crushed any remaining semblance of bone. Exiting the cell, I left Tino still breathing. A'Rio prepared to enter, but I halted him. "I want him to live," I declared to them.

"Hell no, he doesn't deserve to live!" Lucky exclaimed, attempting to push past me.

"He believes that in death, he will finally see her," I murmured softly, just as the guard appeared with Gage. Gage made a deal to admit to Tino's demise in exchange for A'Rio caring for his child. We had already retrieved the child from foster care and settled him in the youth center.

"Do you want me to finish it?" Gage inquired, noticing Tino's chest rising and falling.

"Your son will be looked after, but circumstances have changed. I needed your assurance to protect him from any harm that could lead to his death. I want him to survive," I explained.

"A life of misery!" Lucky interjected.

"I can make it happen," Gage affirmed.

"Find another person to take the blame," A'Rio instructed the guard.

"I know someone," Gage mentioned. "He's already facing a life sentence."

"Get it done."

As the trio of friends walked out of the jail, each lost in their own thoughts, the desire to unleash their hurt and anger still simmered within them. A'Rio smiled and said, "Stacy!"

You could easily mistake us for three friends leisurely exploring Saginaw's nightlife, rather than three young men teetering on the brink of avenging the death of my love; by targeting anyone remotely involved.

As they pulled up on Airport Road, their hearts sank at the sight of Star's father standing in the middle of the street, with a fire blazing in front of him.

I dashed towards him before A'Rio could bring the car to a complete halt. "What have you done?" I shouted at him, my voice filled with anguish, as I witnessed Stacy's house engulfed in flames before us.

"Nobody loved her more than me!" he exclaimed, his voice resonating with a mix of anguish, hurt, and anger.

I could smell the pungent odor of blood on him. I pulled him away from the fire, practically dragging him. With A'Rio and Lucky's assistance, we managed to get him inside. I called for Mrs. Gibson, her name tasting like vinegar in my throat. "Clean him up and bring back everything he's wearing," I instructed.

For once, she didn't argue. Lucky observed as the fire engulfed the neighbor's house. We waited, hoping for time. Time to sedate Mr. Gibson, time to depart before the police arrived, time to let the burning anger inside us smolder out like the flames we witnessed.

Mrs. Gibson had packed everything in a bag, including her own belongings. "I gave him something to help him rest," she mentioned, handing over the bag.

As I turned to walk away, she grabbed me. "I was afraid of the wrong monster, and it cost me the last few days of my daughter's life. Terrance, I pleaded with Star to come home today. She made it clear that her home was with you."

She didn't need to tell me. I already knew, hearing her confirm that Star had the chance to return home but chose me shattered me.

Feeling her embrace me, she whispered, "Thank you for teaching her the true meaning of a man's love. I will always be grateful to you." She kissed my cheek and urged us to hurry. She reassured us that precautions had been taken to ensure no other house would burn except Stacy's.

As we drove away, I settled into the backseat of A'Rio's car, my head gently resting on the headrest. "Chance, are you ready to head home?" A'Rio's voice broke the silence. "Not yet," I murmured. The thought of facing those empty rooms still felt too raw.

Since that fateful night, I haven't stepped foot in my house. The idea of returning remains daunting, uncertain if I'll ever find the strength to go back.