The Longest Goodbye

Ten

                          Drake

I found him.

After hours of searching the internet, I finally found him around four o'clock this morning. I've looked up his address and am on my way there now. My anger was stirring last night, but since I've had all night to think about it; I feel like I'm going to turn hulk any moment. I haven't slept since she told me about all this, and I won't be able to until I come face to face with this guy.

It's an hour drive to his house from mine, but that's okay because I don't watch my speed and get there in less than forty minutes. I pull into the driveway and somehow my anger grows. My breathing quickens, my palms sweat, my heart starts pounding and I begin to shack all over. The hatred I feel toward him is overwhelming, and I need to release it.

Jumping out, I walk up the brick steps and to the door. It's a nice place for a rapist to live. It's a rundown double wide trailer with drawn curtains and mold on one side of the house. I can hear the sound of kids on the other side of the door as heavy footsteps approach. I hold my breath as the door opens and a man appears in front of me.

He has dark eyes and a weary expression, he's the same height as me so we see eye to eye.

"Can I help you?" He mumbles.

"Are you Tray Conner?"

He opens the door wider. "Yes."

"I'm Drake Phillips, nice to meet you."

His about to open his mouth, but I don't let him. Instead I throw my fist at his jaw and he falls back. I go in after him as I zone in on beating the man until death takes him.

                          ~~*~~
                           Jade

I frown as I look down at the scale. It's already been a mouth since the news and I've lost ten more pounds. I can't fit in my pants anymore, but instead of buying more I just bought a belt. I look up into the mirror and see someone I don't recognize.

I called the family the other day and told them that I would tell the kids what's going on. But not yet, I want to wait a little longer. I glance over at the air tank that seems to be calling my name. It's been getting harder and harder to breath, but I just can't bring myself to put it on; not yet.

Walking into the living room, I open a few windows to let the September breeze in. It's starting to cool off, but not too badly. I plop down on my couch and turn the TV on to watch the twelve o'clock news. I listen to the weather before the anchor man comes back into view with breaking news.

"There's been an assault today in Cassatt. A man by the name of Drake Phillips was arrested after attacking, Tray Conner in his own home this morning." I freeze. "Someone has sent in a video just now of the man being taken in. We'll warn you, what your about to see may be disturbing."

I watch in shock as the TV screen flips over to a cell phone video. Five police cars line the road, as three men try to pull Drake off of Tray. Tray's face is covered in blood and he appears to be passed out. Drake screams for them to let him go as he fights the policemen to get back to Tray, but another one comes in and they wrestle him to the ground before handcuffing him. I can't believe what I'm seeing. I knew that Drake had been angry last night, but I hadn't thought he would do this.

The anchor man shows back up a moment later. "A terrible scene there, we're going over to Jason who is at the police department right now with more information. Jason,"

The screen flips over to an older man with a mic in his hand and the police station in Cassatt behind him. "Yeah, Scott, this is one case attorneys are scratching their heads over. After they arrested thirty-four year old Drake Phillips, they said that the victim, Tray Conner, confronted the man while he was in his cell. Afterwards, Conner mysteriously dropped the charges and told cops to release the man. When asked why, he failed to answer, or even look our way...."