One by One

Chapter 6- Explained (Part 2)

I sit there, stock-still. I said I was ready for any surprises, but, this surprise. This was what I was afraid of hearing. Once upon a time ago, I thought this would have been great news that my father was still alive but no, not after what my mother has said. He's alive. After all those years.

"But... we went to his funeral.. a-and," I sobbed. I didn't care if my tough act was falling apart, my insides had fallen apart the day my life was taken away. What have my parents gotten me into? My mother, now, pale in the face, sighed a very loud sigh as I try to recollect myself. "All my life, all I ever wished for was a normal life. I loved you up until the point dad died and left me with you. He left me to fend for myself against your crazy demands and how you tried to fucking take my life away! Everything is a lie! Now, after 9 years, my boyfriend for all you care might be suffering like hell right now because of you and dad's actions! It's all your fault! How could you do this to me?" I screamed, I was anguished. I was mad that my life revolved around a lie, my life was never an improvement after I was brought into a new leaf, nothing had changed, I was believing a lie this whole time. I needed more, this wasn't going to do.

"Em, please try to understand, I did what I did for your sake! If it weren't for me, you would be gone!" she cried.

"No! If it weren't for you, I'd be spending my life in a different hellhole! You are the one that was going to set me on fire! That was what you intended on doing! You were going to kill me! If that's not crazy, I don't know what is!" I fired back.

"Look! I'm not crazy! Your mother was never crazy! I'm not crazy! It was the only way! Why won't you understand?" She screamed.

"Why... just tell me. Why did they have to take Devon? If he dies... I will never forgive myself, especially you", I mutter.

"You still don't get it do you? I'm not the enemy! Your father is! He made me do what I did! I thought I killed him that night when I shot him! I thought wrong because 6 years later, he comes at my doorstep demanding the drive. I only did what I could to protect you, I admit, I was not in the best state of mind when I was going to set us on fire but, after that, I realized how you deserved a life away from all this shit I had to bear. All I ever wanted was a normal life but life is never that easy! You have to do what ever you can to survive and that's what I have been doing! They have your boyfriend because of my mistakes, and that sick bastard you call your father! I only came back because they are after you! After all these years I thought they would drop it, drop the whole proof thing but they were threatened because if I ever went to the police, they would be done for good. I know they were planning on killing me but I have stayed hidden all this while and the money I'd been paying them earlier stopped going out. I was done. I came back, risking everything for you. Only you," she said, sobbing.

After everything, I wanted to be angry at her. I wanted her to feel the pain of having to grow up with that big of a burden. That big of a past. All the bullying, laughing, I made it out alright but every day I wonder if things would have been different, would I have been the same? I forgive her. I couldn't stay angry forever. I was done with this. Done.

"I forgive you", I whispered.

"Thank you. That's all I ask", she sobbed. The sudden ring of my phone brought me back to the real world. Afraid of looking, I answer it because I don't want to believe anything is true right now.

"Brady?" William said, from the other side of the phone.

"William? Is that you? I don't really have time to talk now," I said, voice wavering as I tried to subdue the rises of nausea. I felt like breaking apart, but I couldn't, I had to be strong for Devon. That was all I needed to be right now.

"I know, it's about Devon," he said. I almost drop my phone at the sound and tone of his voice.

"Will, tell me. What is it?" I ask. I honestly didn't want to know. Adrenaline spiked up in my veins and I could hear my heartbeat thumping as loud as ever. My pulse was racing and as I glanced over to my mother, she had that worried look on her face and I feared the worst.

"He's here and he's been beaten up pretty bad. He's with me, I found him at school. I was heading there to collect my Chemistry book I'd left there and I saw him. In the parking lot, he was on the floor and there was blood everywhere. He's unconscious but he just passed out, maybe because of the trauma he's been through but it would mean a great deal if you could come now," He said, tired. I breathed out a sigh of relief yet confusion. Why did they let him go? I thought they were after the drive, what changed their mind? As I glance over, my mother looked at me, intrigued as to what I'd just heard over the phone.

"Where are you, Will?" I ask, carrying my bag over my shoulder.

"I'm at home, come fast".

"I will, and Will?"

"Yeah?"

"Fucking look after him, I trust you".

"I promise".

I look over to my mom who starts to gather her things. "Devon's alive and well and he's in Williams's house. He's a friend from school. He found Devon in the parking lot. I don't understand why they let him go", I said, ready to open the front door. My mother looked to the floor, around her house, then back to me. Staring straight into my eyes, she says very quietly.

"They know I'm here".

~~~ 

Hi guys! I've been writing a lot and well, I hope you're enjoying the chapters so far.This is a short chapter but don't worry, the one coming up next is pretty long so, keep your eyes peeled :) If you do enjoy it, tell your friends or family or both! Or VOTE, COMMENT OR/AND FOLLOW so I once again know this story is getting somewhere and if you have any suggestions whatsoever, pray tell ;) 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND GUYS, I'LL BE POSTING UP A NEW CHAPTER SOON. I AM ON A ROLL. LOVE YOU GUYS! <3