Living With The Emerson Girls

Chapter 21

Who likes the new cover? :) 

***

~Zac's Point of View~

I get out of that one easily. Relatively. 

I don't know who or what is looking out for me, but a couple hours after the officer makes the phone call, a man in a suit comes for me, and I'm free. He tells me he works for Mr. Hills, and instructs me to get in his car. I hesitate, but he quite literally threatens me with a gun. The lack of sleep doesn't allow me to be an idiot, so I climb into the car. 

There's another guy in the backseat with me. He tells me his name is Tom. Tom hands me a contract. I read it to understand. 

There will be no charges pressed. I never speak to Carolyn again. I never speak about Mr. Hills again.  

I know that I can't agree to this, because a girl was more than likely raped. But right now, I need to get out of this situation. I imagine myself signing this. I feel disgusting. 

Was what Brooklyn did to me rape? I was intoxicated, out of my wits. I thought she was Ariel. 

But I willingly did it. And I'm a guy? I know what Ariel would say: 

"Men can be raped too. They just won't admit it or deal with it! That's why we need feminism, Zac." 

I know that in-my-head-Ariel is right. If I sign, I'm indirectly covering up the sexual abuse of another human forever. I could be in trouble. It's not right. I shouldn't sign. 

"Carolyn goes to therapy. I won't sign unless that's part of the agreement." 

Tom raises an eyebrow at me, and reaches for his gun. He pulls it out slowly, and I feel sweat forming everywhere. Fear, pounding through my chest cavity. So visceral, so real. Think, Zac, think. 

"I'm of no value to you dead. Just imagine it. I'm found dead and then what? You're just the help," I say, and kick myself for using a phrase I've heard my mother use when she's scolding one of our maids. But I continue, "You don't have the time or the money to cover up your tracks. You'll be connected to the crime. And they'll eventually come for Hills." 

Tom has shriveled up throughout this speech. Every word I've conjured thus far is has been spat at the poor guy. I'm telling him that he's nothing, reminding him even, because he probably believes it. He drops his gun abruptly. So I pick it up. 

"You know what happens when they come for Hills? They come for you. And if they don't get you, Hills will. Believe me. Even if he's locked up, Hills can and will destroy you." 

I'm bullshitting at this point, but I need to get out of this and do what's right. He doesn't call my bluff. He nods. I cock my head towards the contract. He adds my request in. Carolyn goes to therapy. In the next five minutes, we arrive at the Emerson house. I check my watch. It's five in the morning. I wonder if my mother knows what happened. I think she would be proud of the way I handled things with Tom. 

***

~Ariel's Point of View~

I see him get off the black car. I know he's been returned by forces outside of the law. How wouldn't I? I've been on the roof of the house since they took him, and I've been doing what I do best. Thinking. The stars are a thousand little lights and reflections of their past bright lives. I wonder how they got like that before they burned out. What did it take? If I could, for just one moment, shine that bright, I wouldn't mind if that was the end of me. I am not shining, and yet it feels like I am ending. 

He stands in the parking lot for what seems like hours, then heads to the house. He's holding a packet. I want to scream. Want to get his attention and get him to climb up here and talk. But I don't. I let him ring the doorbell and edge into safety.