Porcelain

Chapter 20

My last words will for sure be;

- Hey, guys, wanna see a dead body?

Chapter 20

"So, now it's your turn." After countless minutes of being snuggled into Trey's arms, with measly tears dripping down both our cheeks, Axton let his voice be heard. I looked up at him and frowned, though a part of me understood completely.

Emeka added. "You know what we mean. Never mind how but we already found out about the kidnapping, the trashed case, and your parents. Not in that particular order, but yeah, you obviously know that." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck while I continued staring blankly at them.

"So what is it that you wanna know? We already talked about my drug abuse which came from that stage." During recovery, my body couldn't handle the change in drug intake, that continuously had been forced into my bloodstream for months, so I gave it back it's routine.

There was so much more than what they had brought up but playing dumb was apparently my only way out of this lightly. I'd answer their questions honestly but nothing out of the frame.

Those memories were on the edge of the earth and I didn't wanna face them for a second round. I had already tapped out.

"Why? I mean your parents... I understand that part but why you?" Joshia finally made himself heard and I once again sat down on the dusty couch and wished that I could change the channel from the pictures that vividly made their way back to my mind.

Memories are like bullets. Some whiz by you and only frighten you. But others tear you apart piece by piece and leave you with nothing.

"Well, to cut it short, there wasn't only evidence against Zach in my parent's files but also in my will. As soon as they died I got a note from their secretary that I had to take the will to the police as soon as I got it. It didn't say why but considering my parent's workaholic ethics it just made sense I guess."

I sat crossed legged with my elbows resting on my knees while I slouched forwards.

"Why didn't they have a spare at their office or something if they were aware of the risk of getting eliminated?" Emeka asked confused. I was about to answer before Trey shoot in.

"The Thornton obviously got a hold of their personal copies so that wouldn't have been a problem either. I mean even I can hack into their clouds and search criminal records and so on. Professionals can surely do it as well." They all nodded in understanding and I continued.

"A couple of days before the guards had left I lived alone for a few days, 'cause they still hadn't had time to put me in foster care, too much paperwork they said. I guess that Zach had some guys watching the house, 'cause as soon as I got my will and walked out to the porch they-" A deep sight left my lips and I tugged at a loose thread hanging from the end of my shirt. "I honestly don't know, it just went black after that so I guess it's where it all started. The rest you said you knew so..."

"But why not kill you after that, or straight away when they came to your house?" Josiah asked and closed his eyes shortly at the way he phrased it. "I didn't mean-"

I interrupted him. "No it's okay, I've wondered that too. To put it simply I'd say that Zach is a nutcase and the diagnosis he'd get if he ever visited a shrink are endless. Mind games are like his hobby and a guess I was a fun game to play."

It was quiet for a while though my mind didn't seem to be able to shut up, it was on the high drive.

"Though at the beginning I get why he did what he did. There was so much evidence on The Thornton and especially on the founder; Zach himself and even though taking the will would prevent an immediate case against them they would still look for new possible clues to take him down. So killing an endangered teenager wouldn't have been a benefit on his side, or mine."

I mumbled the last part quietly though Emeka apparently heard and copied my whisper in my direction which made me smile wickedly.

"So making it seem like I just disappeared obviously fooled the cops." The light sarcasm in my voice went unnoticed and silence followed.

The guys all looked down at the floor, embarrassment and guilt portraying their faces. I realized that they knew something they thought I didn't, which felt like a whole new level on fucked up since it was my life that took these turns.

"Never mind how..."

They had put together puzzles in this game and it only made sense since they knew much more than otherwise possible. I understood what they were referring to with their deep in thought looks and smirked. "You talked to Jack Condram, didn't you?" I laughed silently when they all looked up expectantly. My rhetorical question made it known that I already knew.

"How-" Trey started.

"Don't you think I would've wondered why everything was let down considering where the stakes were at? I always knew who were in charge of this whole plot so if you knew all of this it had to have been from him."

We continued to talk about the details and didn't stop until everyone was beat and ready to call it a day.

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