Insecure {AUGUST ALSINA}

21.

CATALINA

"If we're doing this. We have to do this on my terms." I explain to my mentally ill brother as we walk along the trail way in the town park.

It's a little odd to be walking around with a murderer or whatever he is, but I have no choice. I've thought about ways I can tell August, but in none of those scenarios he was calm about it.

How could I expect him to work with me and just wait it out until I make sure everyone is safe when he's the one that everyone wants dead.

"Your terms?" He chuckles like I made an unbelievable statement.

"Yes. My terms or I'm not doing this at all."

I don't know if he needs to stay on my good side or if I need to stay on his, but I do know that we need each other. If he doesn't want to go to jail for the rest of his miserable life he needs me and if I want to keep alive the woman who raised me plus the woman who gave birth to me, I need him.

The only thing August needs right now is a miracle that will turn this whole situation around.

I've worked my way around this for two whole days until the third day came and Christian sent me a picture of the hospital my mother works at.

'Chateaux Hospital' read the bring red sign. It's honestly never looked so scary. Then I started to think of what I would do without her, even though she's not my real mother I'd go insane if I lost her.

So here I am. Compromising my innocence and sanity to keep her alive; because in both cases I'll lose it.

"You're psychotic."

"Well I obviously wasn't born this way and I'm not psychotic. I just do what I have to, and one day you'll learn that the hard way." He speaks to me and I comprehend what he's saying for once.

"Oh please. If this is 'understanding', I don't want to. I'm also not doing anything if you don't tell me why. What'd he ever do to you?"

Christian glances at the ground, but averts his attention back to me. I didn't know murderers could get nervous.

"I feel like it's better if you don't know." He shrugs.

"Better for who? This certainly has nothing to do with me, so spare me the act."

"I never said it had something to do with you. I'm just warning you to mind your business."

I just roll my eyes, deciding to drop it for now. It's true that the things you know won't hurt you.

I feel guilty just talking to Christian. Like I'm somehow plotting someone's death- which technically I am, but I'm not at this very moment. I know I said I'd only do this on my terms, but I think I'd rather not know what's going to happen.

"Okay I just have one request."

"Whatever you want." He responds in a monotone voice.

"Just make it quick, please. Nothing slow and painful." I wince at the thought of it.

I know August and I haven't been 'friends' for more than a week before Christian showed up and ruined any chance of it, but I don't want him to be in any kind of pain. Especially if I'm one of the reasons he's been put in that situation.

I'm not sure I can even do this. I can't pretend to be his friend knowing what I'm doing to him. It goes completely against my morals, but I know I have to if I don't want anyone else to get hurt.

"Okay, whatever. It doesn't matter much to me." He shrugs.

Right. I forgot that he just wants him dead and doesn't really care how.