Misunderstood - A Katherine Cimorelli Love Story

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

    **It was a picture of my cousin.**

    "Emily, are you alright?" Katherine took my hand in hers, giving it a light squeeze.

    I didn't respond. I  just stared, my eyes not once leaving the photo.

    "Miss Michaels, is everything okay?"

    Shaking my head slightly, I looked up, my eyes meeting the detective's.

    "No," I choked out. "It's not."

    Pulling the picture away from the other ones, I handed it to Detective Darren.

    "Do you recognize this girl, Emily?" He placed both palms flat on the table, leaning across the table, closer to me.

    I nodded, the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach growing stronger.

    "Yes," I choked out, feeling as though my lungs couldn't possibly get enough air. "I do."

    Everyone was listening closely. Detective Darren pulled his notepad out of his pocket with a pen, ready to write down anything I say.

    "Who is it, sweetie?" Mrs. Cimorelli questioned.

    "My cousin."

    "What is your cousin's name, Emily?" Detective Darren asked softly.

    "Samantha. Samantha Tindall." My voice was shaky, and I felt as though I would pass out at any second. I took in a deep breath before continuing.

    "She's 21. She um... She lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with her boyfriend, Devon. Her cell phone number is 555-457-1434 and her email address is 'samii_tindall.gmail.com'."

    As he was writing down Sam's information, the room kept progressively getting hotter. I eventually couldn't take it.

    "I... I have to step outside... Please... Just- Give me a minute."

    I limped my way to the front of the station, going out and sitting on the bench that was next to the front door. Everything felt light and it felt as though I was looking through a tunnel. I honestly didn't know whether I was about to pass out or be sick. Probably both.

    It was only when I felt somebody sit down next to me when I looked up, seeing that it was Katherine. She handed me a cup of water, and I don't think I could have been more grateful at that moment.

    I mumbled out a 'thank you' before taking a sip of the water.

    She nodded and took one of my hands in hers, gripping it firmly.

    "Emily," She began softly. "Are you alright. I mean, really alright? Your lips and face are pale."

    "I'm fine, don't worry." I dismissed. I knew I had felt off, but... I didn't know I physically looked it as well.

    "If you say so." Katherine sounded skeptical. Pulling me into her embrace, she held me tightly, rubbing my shoulders comfortingly.

    "I just can't believe it..." My mind was flowing with so many thoughts and questions. Those pictures were really disturbing. With that being said, I don't know if I even want to come close to seeing what is on those flash drives.

    "Try not to stress about this too much. Everything is going to turn out okay. The police are going to do what they need to do to put your dad away. They have more than enough to do that. It's going to be alright." Katherine comforted.

    I nodded, gently leaning into her shoulder.

    "I think I'm ready to go back in. I have to get this over with sometime. Might as well be right now."

    Standing up, Katherine took my hand in hers, interlocking our fingers as we made our way back into the detective's office.

    "Sorry about that, Detective. I just needed a moment to wrap my head around everything."

    "It's alright, Emily. Shall we continue?" He replied, preparing the last of all of the evidence.

    We began by going through the photos together, one by one, before moving on to the huge and heavy material contained on the tiny flash drives.

A/N: Since the update, I guess you can't dedicate it to people who don't use wattpad or whatever, so here is my dedication for this chapter. This dedication has nothing to do with this specific chapter, or vice versa. It's just...straight from the heart. So, here it goes: Your birthday is in two days, and in eight days it makes a year since we lost you...it doesn't seem like it's been that long...it feels like just yesterday. I'm dedicating this chapter to you. I love you, and Happy Birthday. Rest Easy, DJ...<3