“No.” I shook my head vigorously. “No, no it’s not true.”
“I’m sorry Alexa, but it is.” I saw the pain in his expression as he continued to deliver this information of heartbreak.
“How could it be true?! I was just speaking with him last night – he was fine! He was getting milk, and talking about cheerios–” My voice broke off. The phase of denial seemed to sweep away, and all I was left with was the truth. The cold, hard truth. “How did this happen?” I spoke looking down, trying to swallow the huge lump in my throat.
“He was driving just down the road from your house. A truck ran a red light and ploughed into his vehicle. The driver of the truck was missing when police arrived at the scene, but your father – I should stop.” He ran his hand over his face.
“No, I want to know what happened. Tell me.” I pushed on, no matter how much it hurt.
Mr. Lockwood hesitated, but eventually continued. “He was found, in the driver’s seat of his car. The impact the crash had with his skull – it was fatal. I’m so sorry this has happened to you.” His voice seemed to crack just slightly.
“This wasn’t an accident.” I muttered looking down at the floor. “Whoever – whoever’s after me, they did this.” I closed my eyes and swallowed hard in an effort to push back tears. I wasn’t going to cry – I couldn’t. Not when it was the one thing my dad hated most. They filled my eyes to the brim, but I wouldn’t let them fall. He wouldn’t have wanted me to. Crying is weakness. I repeated it in my mind. Crying is weakness.
“I agree with you.” My head jerked up to Mr. Lockwood. “I don’t believe this is an accident either. It’s too much of a coincidence to be just a simple accident.”
“Do you know who did it?”
“I believe Daemon is the cause of your misfortune. Or his people at least.” He spoke through gritted teeth. “He’s taken another life to carry out his will. When will his torment stop?!” He slammed his fist on his desk and looked up at me.
“Daemon?” My voice sounded filled with sorrow. My mind flashed back to Eva on the stairwell. “Mr. Lockwood; he’s experienced it firsthand.” Her statement lingered in my mind.
“Yes, I’m sorry for my outrage.” He looked down and then back up at me. “Alexa – don’t hold your emotion inside of you.”
My eyes narrowed on him. “What?”
“You’re not crying, not showing a single ounce of emotion. Why is that? Everyone has to relieve their pain in some way.”
I tucked my hair behind my ear and sniffled, still holding back the tears that fought even harder to fall out. “Because, crying – crying is weakness.”
Mr. Lockwood took a deep breath through his nose. “I see your beliefs, but you must understand that holding all of that emotion – all of that hatred and sadness inside of you – it will tear you apart from the inside out.” He seemed to be awaiting my response, but I made no reply. He shifted his posture in his chair so that he was leaning forward towards me. “Alexa, I don’t believe I’ve ever told you what Daemon did to me.”
“I don’t think you have.” I whispered quietly.
“Then let me tell you it. It will help you get a better understanding of Daemon’s malicious behavior – and now that you’re a Protector – that’s something you need to know.” He looked away, hesitated, and then continued speaking. “This is the story, of how Daemon ripped my heart from my chest, and took away everything I ever lived for.”
YOU ARE READING
Destiny
Teen Fiction"Another new school. Another new life to get used to." This is hardly a change in routine for fifteen year-old Lexi Martin. For as long as she can remember, her and her father have always moved non-stop due to his job, and it's no surprise that it...
