20 Reasons to Let Go

[ Reason Fifteen ] - Wishes

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains mild themes of sexual assault, please refrain from reading if you are sensitive to such topics.

Kendal's POV

When Kendal stepped out of the car, the air was warm, humid. Almost like a storm was brewing. The sun had begun to set, and its fading light seemed to set the horizon's edge on fire. Kendal watched with drooping eyelids as the mountains were engulfed in a warm orange hue. She breathed, imagining the color filling her lungs, and then exiting her body as a beautiful lavander.

Her mother was suddenly beside her, holding her hand. Together, they turned to face the house. The exterior seemed to have degraded since Kendal had last been there, which was probably a result of the broken condition her parents held since the night of the murder.

"C'mon, honey."

Kendal glanced up at her mother's soft-featured face, which had collected quite a few wrinkles over the past couple of days. Her lips formed a thin, set line across her face, and her forehead was patterned with creases. Feeling a stab of pain in her chest, Kendal squeezed her mother's hand and walked with her to the door.

They entered the mudroom with caution, Kendal half expecting a police officer to jump out and drag her back to the prison. But there was nobody, only the sound of wind outside and the tick of the living room clock.

Greatly relieved, Kendal hung up her sweatshirt on a copper hook and walked slowly to the kitchen. She ran her fingers down the countertops, and counted the barstools lining their edges. Despite the neglected exterior of the home, the interior seemed rather the same.

"Where's Dad?" Kendal asked, upset by, but not surprised by the empty household.

Her mother sighed, "He had to work late tonight. He said he was sorry, honey. Truly."

From across the room, Kendal shrugged her shoulders, "Life goes on, you guys are busy. I understand." When her mother made no attempt to reply, she clicked her tongue, "Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

Mrs. Winters said nothing, and sat quietly on a bar stool, unblinking, staring at the flashing numbers on the microwave. A few seconds later, she finally seemed to hear Kendal's words, "Oh. Right. Goodnight, honey. Sweet dreams."

But that night, Kendal's "sweet dreams" turned to nightmares.

♦ ♦ ♦

Kendal's shoes pitter-pattered on the icy concrete beneath her as she scrambled to keep up with Cady. The winter air burned her throat and her eyes, and she nearly slipped on the frozen curb.

Suddenly, she found herself crouching beside Leyla, telling her it would be okay, and that she should go find her mom. Leyla nodded before bolting off in the direction that they had come. Struggling to find her feet, Kendal ran to help Cady. The man stood with dark eyes over her friend, who scooted backwards in one last effort to escape. Hurling herself at the man, Kendal caught him by surprise and knocked him to the ground. She frantically tried to pull the knife from his hand, but was instead thrown onto the road. She felt her head crack against the pavement, and a sharp, panicky breath escaped her.

This isn't how it's supposed to end.

The man rose from the ground and stalked towards Cady, who was now on her hands and knees, crying at the sight of what he had done to Kendal. With an enormous fist the man grabbed Cady by the hair, and pulled her to him. She screamed in agony.