I'd Sell My Soul

Chapter 20: Someone knows something

Allison Monroe's pov

"What update?" I blink, releasing my grip on my strawberry milkshake. Levi shifts uncomfortably in the booth beside Katie.

"They're gonna announce tonight that they have another victim." Katie whispers just loud enough for us only to hear. My heart sinks in my chest and I fall backwards, slumping in the booth.

"What the hell." Levi breathes.

"I'm just gonna lock Sophie in her bedroom until I die." I shrug and sip my milkshake. Katie snorts.

"How fucking long is it gonna take to catch this guy?" Levi shakes his head in anger.

"You mean how many bodies is it going to take." Katie finishes for him.

"Is it another teenage girl? Does this guy have an M.O?" I blink.

"I'm not sure, I didn't get much more information." Katie shivers. "I want to get the hell out of my grandmas house though. Strange things have been happening."

"What do you mean?" Levi turns in the booth to face her.

"Someone went through my room when I wasn't gone and it definitely wasn't my family." Katie replies.

"If I can convince Sophie to let me move into the master bedroom...you can have my old room." I suggest. Katie whips her head back to me.

"For real?" She blinks.

"Yes of course. I just gotta get Sophie on board." I sigh and sink back into the booth, staring up at the ceiling.

"What did Farrah say to you when your mom died?" Levi asks, folding his hands on the table.

"I mean...that was different. She'd been locked up and I hadn't seen her in years. We also weren't close. Losing Farrah is probably closer to losing a mother." I explain returning my eyes to my melting milkshake.

"But what did she say to you at the time?" Katie presses.

"I don't even remember. Farrah didn't like our mother even." I shrug and take the straw, stirring it.

"What was your mom's name again? Wasn't she in the same graduating class as Katie's mom?" Levi asks.

"Angelina Carol Monroe. She went by both names depending on who you asked. Carla called her Angelina, Farrah called her Carol mostly because that's what her revolving door of boyfriends called her." I snorted. "She was a poor excuse of a mother."

"Angelina and my mom were friends in high school. They stopped hanging out when Angelina went off the rails. I think we were like what? Six?" Katie shifts uncomfortably in the booth.

"Yeah. Then she went away five years later and three years after that she died. So honestly o didn't even know her that well." I muttered.

"Whatever you decide about Sophie, Al, it's your decision. There's no right or wrong here. You're in charge now and throwing in the towel isn't an option. You CAN do this. Farrah knew it and so do we." Katie grabs my hand. I stare at it for a moment and look up at her face.

"I'd be grateful for the help if you move in." I smile.

"I will be the best co-soccer mom this town has ever seen." Katie winks to which Levi chuckles.

That evening I was sitting on the recliner in the living room and Sophie was stretched out lazily on the floral couch next to me. One of Farrah's hand crocheted blankets was strewn across her. We were absent minded watching the Seahawks play the 49ers. Sophie was paying more mind to scrolling on her phone.

"Hey can we talk about this morning?" I ask turning down the volume on the television. 

"Yeah. I'll go first. I was a little crazy this morning, yelling at you like that....I'm sorry." She shrugs after setting her phone down on the glass coffee table.

"You have every right to feel the way you feel, kid." I offer a half smile.

"No for real though Aunt Ali. Take Mom's old room if you want." Sophie sighs and sits up so she can give me eye contact.

"Well I have a new idea... how would you feel about Katie moving in my old room?" I ask cautiously. I start gnawing on the hangnail on my right thumb anxiously.

"So like a roommate?" Sophie questions.

"Exactly. She'd help with getting you to school when I go back to work and help us up keep the house." I explain. Sophie thinks for a moment.

"Okay." She says finally. "It'd make me feel safer having another person here."

"Really? Are you sure?" I smile.

"Yes I'm sure! It'll be fun, I love Katie." Sophie looks back down at her phone and resumes texting.

"Alright. I'll let her know. And I'll start packing up your Mom's things." I nod.

"Here's my only caveats." Sophie tosses her phone aside.

"Okay I'm listening." I say straightening my posture.

"You keep Mom's handmade quilt on the bed, she said it was sown with protection qualities. Secondly, if Katie moves in, she has to move out when Levi moves in." Sophie shrugs.

"What?" I blink, not following her.

"All old couples move fast, I'm sure he'll move in soon too."  Sophie rolls her eyes.

"You think Levi and I are a couple?" I laugh slightly.

"I'm young not dumb Aunt Ali. Plus I know you and Levi have a past, mom and aunt Carla used to talk about it. Honestly I'd rather have him as your coparent than Katie. He's a little more responsible." Sophie explains.

"Levi and I aren't together." I shake my head.

"Why not?" Sophie asks.

"Because-" I start.

"Is it because you like girls?" Sophie interjects.

"No. It's complicated." I purse my lips trying to come up with a better response.

"That's what everyone says. It doesn't have to be. Why don't you ask him out?" Sophie suggests.

"Because I don't know that I want that...a lot happened between us...it's all so abnormal." I sigh.

"You just dated when you were kids right?" Sophie tsks.

"No we were engaged." I correct her.

"YOU WERE ENGAGED?!" Her eyes look like they could pop out of her skull.

"Yes. I was eighteen. Don't get any ideas, you're not allowed to be engaged til your late twenties." I narrow my eyes at her.

"So what happened?" Sophie demands.

"Well...I...we...we broke up." I struggle to come up with a lie.

"Liar. Mom had something to do with it. And always looked guilty when talking about Levi." Sophie jabs her finger in my direction.

"Soph, why does any of this matter?" I sigh and slump in the chair.

"Because Aunt Ali, you're getting old. You're not gonna be able to have kids soon...I'd be thinking about that." Sophie warns me.

"Now you sound like Aunt Carla. I don't want kids." I say without thinking. I quickly realize what I said and sit up. "Because I already got the most amazing kid from my sister."

"Nice try." Sophie sighs, looking glum and it sends a ping of sadness and guilt through me. I get up and sit next to her on the couch and tuck a lock of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Just because kids weren't in my plans doesn't mean I didn't want you. You are the greatest gift Farrah ever gave me and I'm proud to be your aunt. And believe it or not I'm stoked to be your guardian. I love you Soph." I smile at her. She looks up at me and half smile forms on her face.

"You're not so bad yourself." She shrugs. We both giggle as I pull her into a hug.