An Eye For An Eye

Epilouge

Six Months Later

"Hey, Casey, it's Dad. I know you probably got my message about you guys coming down already, but I just wanted to tell you how excited I am."

The rough, dirt road I had dreaded so much when Casey's truck had first driven over it six months ago now sent nervous anticipation tingling through my bones.

I absent mindedly stroked Chief's smooth fur as I listened to the voicemail.

"I'm excited to see you both again, I'm excited to put this whole thing behind us. It was all nonsense, really. The absurdity of it all baffles me, still. It'll be a nice distraction to be with my kids again. I've missed you and Lola so much."

Casey turned the car right. That green street sign I'll never be able to wash from my mind flashed by my window.

Reflection Drive

I'll never forget what it says, even though I can't read it anymore.

"I think you were right, Casey. Selling the house in town was the right call. There's nothing left for our family there. The lake house is where we began, it's only fitting we go back, right?"

I heard Casey scoff in the drivers seat next to me. I held back a laugh of my own.

"Too many memories at that house I don't want to give up yet. I'll start a new practice in Mirror Lake. We can all be together again. We can be the family we were supposed to be."

Casey turned left, and the large blur of the old house loomed over us like a storm cloud.

He parked and killed the engine.

"Anyways... Tell your sister I love her. I don't think she's been listening to my messages. She hasn't called me back at all. Um... So, I'll see you guys when you get here. Thanks for helping me move back into the old house. I think this will be a really good thing for us. Bye, Casey. Love you."

After the message ended, Casey lowered his hand that had been holding his phone up. His clothing rustled as he shoved it back into his pocket. "Are you ready?"

Before I could answer, there was a knock on my window. I turned in my seat and took in the all too familiar blurry form on the other side.

The door opened, and the same voice that had just been playing through Casey's phone greeted me. "Lola, hey sweetie!"

"Hi, dad."

"How are you?" His hand cupped my shoulder, and I went rigid.

His deep voice, his strong hands...

"Lola! Come help me with the bags." Casey called out, saving me from my spiraling thoughts.

"Thank you." I whispered as he handed me my duffle.

A new set of footsteps from across the street sent my heart soaring; not in fear, but in happiness.

"Hey, Beckett!" My Dad chimed. "Thanks for helping us out this weekend. We really appreciate it."

"No problem, sir." Beck said, coming to a stop by my side.

"Please, Beckett. Call me Jason."

Beck didn't say anything back to my dad. Instead, he spoke to me. "I'll take your bag."

I handed it to him. "Thank you."

"Anytime." Beck slid his warm hand into my cold one.

I held out my free hand behind me, and after a moment, Casey locked fingers with me. Chief came to sit by my feet, his fur just barely brushing my legs.

"You three ready for a fun weekend?" My dad asked as he turned to walk back towards the house. "I bought beer. I know it's still early in the day, but..." He chuckled softly. "I promise I won't tell if you don't!"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Dad." Casey squeezed my hand. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Beck let my hand go and reached into the bed of Casey's truck as my dad's steps faded away. A metal scraping sound screeched in my ears. "Where do you want the shovel, Case?"

"Just keep it out. We'll need it soon." I said before Casey could give him an answer, and then I grabbed onto Chief's leash and told him to go forward. "I'm going to go help Dad put up the new shower curtain."

Casey squeezed my hand. "I'll help you."

Beck threw the shovel back into the truck, "I'll start a fire."

I smiled.

In a few hours, there would be another grave set deep into the ground of the ridge that overlooks Mirror Lake.

Just like last time, the body laying 6 feet under the soil will never be forgotten.

However, unlike last time, this grave will be planned. The body laying six feet under will surely never be forgotten, but for different reasons.

And God willing... It will forever remain unmarked.