The Kids In Gold

Gone Girl

Baby's POV

The next morning I wake up in Zamani's home. I turn to my left and she's laying there, staring up at the ceiling. I turn and look at her as she lets out small breaths rapidly. "Hey, what's on your mind?"

She doesn't respond, just turns on her side and looks at me. I return her gaze and reach out grabbing her hand. Her green eyes have a sad look about them and I can't help but frown a bit.

"Talk to me" I insist. She continues her looks but instead of words, she grips my hip and pulls me to her. I look at her and pout a bit. "Zamani, talk"

She looks at me and then sits up and turns facing the door. I sit up and scoot behind her, wrapping my arms around her bare stomach. "Fine. You don't have to talk" I add, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"They're down there" she spits out.

"Huh? Who?"

"The police. Ambulances. Down at the house"

"What? How do you know?" I reply, removing my arms from around her.

"I.. I kind of called them and let them know I heard screaming from that house" she says, quietly.

I back up and stand on the opposite side of the bed. "Why would you do that? Why Zamani?"

"What do you mean why? If I didn't, then their mom would have whenever she came home" Zamani screams, now standing up. "You killed somebody. Actually not somebody, two people. And here I am, cleaning up the situation to make sure your ass doesn't get caught up"

"I didn't ask you to get involved!" I shout.

"Really? Why else would you show up to my door, hands bloodied up? Why?"

I get quiet and look away. "You didn't have to get involved"

"Yes I did"

"No, you didn't"

"I did. Because I look out for people I love. This isn't the first time I've looked out for you and shit went sideways. But here I am, again. Fixing your messes, Baby. Why is it always on me? Why am I the one you chose to bring this shit to. Again"

"Fuck you, Zamani!" I scream, storming out of her house. I hear her shouting my name as I leave but I don't look back.

I slam her door shut behind me and get in my car, driving off and out of the neighborhood.

For some reason I have tears falling from my face. And that's always how it ends with her. Any situation. Ends with me crying.

"I didn't drag her into it" I mumble to myself, trying to convince my mind that she was wrong.

I did

Fuck

I pull over into a Wendy's parking lot and drop my head onto the steering wheel.

I get a buzz on my phone and I pull it out of my pocket.

*Its on the news* from Zamani

My hands start to shake and I drop the phone between my legs on the car floor. My emotions are running everywhere and I start to panic. My heart starts to race and I look around outside. I feel like everyone is looking at me as if they know what I've done. But there is no one there. My legs start to tremble so I step outside to stretch them and catch my breath. I walk inside of the Wendy's and sit in the back of the store, alone. I place my head down on the table and let the remaining tears I have fall out. Everything is just going so wrong.. and it's all my fault.

"Excuse me, are you okay?" I hear someone say. I don't lift my head up to see who.

"Yeah" I try to stop my leg from twitching.

I hear the chair screech and move so I know she had just sat down. "You sure?"

I lift my head up and see a brown skinned girl with many thin dreads tied up above her head. Her dark brown, almost black eyes meet.. one of them is lighter than the other, way lighter and it catches me in awe. She stares at mine as I look up at her. "Are you sure? You look like you're going through it. Want something to eat? Or drink?" the girl asks. I shake my head no and she continues to look at me. Her bottom lip is wet as if it was just licked or there is a few coats of lip gloss on it, but she doesn't look like she wears lip gloss. Her lips part and her pearly white teeth shine as she smiles at me. "Saw your beautiful self come in here, crying and thought I'd might ask"

"I'm okay" I sputtered. Her hand reaches out and she places it on top of mine.

"Sometimes venting to a stranger is better than venting to a friend. Then you don't have to worry about them potentially telling your feelings to the people you know" she smiles after that statement and lightly grips my hand in a comforting way. "I'm Ashley"

"Baby"

She gives me a look but doesn't stop smiling. Her eyes bounce from my face to my stomach to my shoes then back to my eyes. "That's unique" she replies, biting her bottom lip.

"Thanks"

"I can tell you don't want to be bothered" she let's go of my hand and stands up. "Just keep your head up, love" she walks back to the counter and exits my view.

I roll my eyes to myself and walk to my car.

————————

I pull back into Zamani's driveway. I sit for a few minutes and think over my words but nothing seems to make sense in my head.

I walk up to the door and it's cracked open so I walk inside. All the lights are off and it seems as if time is standing still. "Zamani?"

There's no answer. I walk to her bedroom and the dressers are opened and cleaned out, closet too. I start to panic and call Zamani.

She doesn't pick up. I try a few more times before hearing the ringing of her phone come from under the bed.

I walk out of her room and into her living room. Her dog is gone too. I lift my head and see a note taped to the back of the living room door. I turn on the light and rip the note off to read it.

Baby, don't worry about any of it. I took care of it. It's all good. You're safe. I called the police and told them I did it. I told them about being beat up and raped and that it was for revenge. That's why I'm leaving. Guilty people don't run. I should've told you my plan in person. And I'm sorry for snapping on you. I care about you, alot. Honestly, I love you too. I should've said that in person too, huh? But you're free. You probably won't hear from me.. for awhile at least. Take care of yourself - Zamani

I start to scream and cry while reading.

This is my fault. And now she's gone.

My girl is fucking gone..

For me.. Protecting me.. For the third time now..