The Black Sheep

Secret Weapon

"No! You can't tell mom and dad about this yet. I haven't opened it yet," Zion sighs. "Look, it's just gonna keep going on until the trial begins and I don't want even more trouble. Let me just open it first."

"Fine," he sits back in my chair and waits for me to open it. Before I do, I stand up and walk over to my blinds and shut them along with my curtains closed just to be safe. I walk over to my bed and sit down as I rip open the envelope. I turn it upside down and at least 5 things slide out. I scatter them out. They're pictures. Of me. There's 10 total. 3 are from today at the carnival. 2 are of me changing in my room. Another 2 are of me walking Lugano. 1 is of Caleb and I at his house from a week ago. And 2 are of me asleep. "Let me see," he stands up and looks at the picture. "This sick fuck has officially lost it," his eyes widen as he examines the pictures. "You think he's outside right now?"

"Possibly. The thing is, the guy at the carnival was shorter than Tyler so it couldn't have been him that gave these to me."

"Then he has someone helping him. Fuck!" He shouts. "We have to tell mom and dad."

"So they can continue to fear for my life and never let me leave the house again? I don't think so."

"Fuck this," he gets up and storms out of my room.

"Zion!" I chase after him, down the stairs. He walks outside and stands in the middle of the street.

"I know you're out here Tyler, you fucking creep!" He shouts. "You're gonna get what's coming to your bitch ass, on God!" I stare at Zion.

"Zion, he's probably not even out here. There's not much we can do. Just give it up."

"Why? So he can make a mockery of the fact that you're too nice to do anything about it? He is mocking us Zaya! He's playing mind games and stalking you and you don't even care. You're giving him the fucking power and I'm gonna fight it even if you don't want me to. I'm not gonna bitch down over this bullshit!" He pushes past me and marches upstairs.

"He seems pretty upset," I gasp as I turn my head. There stands Tyler in a hoodie.

"Why can't you leave me alone already?" A tear slips from my eyes. "You've already put me in the hospital. What else could you possibly want now? You're ruining my life!" I shout.

"Can't you see that we're meant to be together?" He walks towards me and wipes my tear. I flinch at his touch. "We could be so happy together. Just give me a chance to prove myself to you," he smiles.

"I've never been happier. With Caleb," his smile drops. "And you could never ever, ever make me as happy as Caleb does. Ever!" I push him away. "Get the fuck away from me!"

"You're making a big mistake Zaya."

"You heard her. Get the fuck off our property," I turn around to see Zion. With a gun pointed right at Tyler. "Now!"

"Zion!" I shout. "Are you fucking crazy? I can't lose you too. I need you more than ever right now. Put the gun down."

"Not until he leaves. And this will be kept quiet. Tyler was never here," I turn my head to Tyler who has his hands up in the air as surrender.

"I'm gone," he says before running away down the street the way he did when Zion chased him.

"Where the fuck did you get a fucking gun from?" I scream.

"Dad got it for me for protection just in case he or mom aren't home and there's an emergency."

"Does mom know you have that? And specifically that dad got it for you?"

"No and she's not going to."