Dabbling in Danger

Lights Out

Malina

The trip to the store took longer than expected because of a car wreck. I can feel it in my pounding heart that Adeen is here as I approach the front door. I walk inside, CVS bag clutched in hand and standing at the sliding door is Adeen, I freeze to a halt.

He stands there a few moments, I start to think maybe he didn't notice me come in, but then he turns around.

"Malina..."

Holding my breath, unsure of how he'll react I don't move a muscle.

"What do you have there?" He asks.

Stammering, unable to push coherent words out I remain where I am.

I watch his eyes light up looking me up and down, then a smile touches his lips.

"What's the matter babygirl? Why are you so uptight?" He asks this as he steps toward me.

I clamp down on my lower lip, heart palipitating as he draws nearer.

"Lina?" He asks softly. "What are you so afraid of? I hope it isn't me, you know I'd never do anything to you."

I suck in a stuttering breath, he now stands right in front of me, a hand pressed gently against my cheek.

"I know I've been a little manic lately, but all of that is taken care of now, all of our problems are over."

"I need to talk to Tiana," I whisper.

His eyes enlarge just for a second, he licks his lips and chuckles only once.

"What for? Something concerning this bag? I'll take care of that for you."

He reaches for the plastic bag but I yank my hand away.

"It's... it's something personal, she asked me to do this," I say.

"Something so personal, she can't tell her husband about it?"

I take a breath, unsure of how to get myself out of his grasp and into the room.

"Lina, baby," he whispers, now cupping my face in both hands. "Whatever you think you have to face and take care of, you don't there's nothing that you can do, it's done, it's gone."

What? What is he talking about, what does he mean it's gone?

Knots are forming in the pit of my stomach and I start to panic.

"I have to talk to her right now, please just let me go, you can stand in the doorway if you want," I reply attempting to negotiate.

Annoyance flickers across his face as I continue to insist.

"You know, you can be just like her sometimes. Demanding," he squeezes my face in one hand. "Inconsiderate."

"I'll be quick," I try to say, mouth contorted.

His eyes go dark, "you're cute when you try to play stupid, but- But you know exactly what's going on," he releases my face and turns away muttering and cursing to himself.

Run now, get to the room!

I dash toward the bedroom expecting Adeen to be charging after me but he remains where he stands chastising and cursing.

I push the door open and barely walk in when I notice the pool of blood on the floor by the bed.

"Tiana?" I call out.

My hands are shaking, the bag drops from my hand and I back out of the room shocked and in tears.

"Where's Tiana?" I yell.

Adeen whips his head around, "still keeping up this charade?"

"What did you do to my sister?!" I shout.

He makes a face, "what did I do? Don't you mean, what did we do?"

I shake my head at him, "what the hell are you talking about?"

"I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without you babygirl. You played a key role, you were my superstar!"

My ears are thumping and a flash of intense heat comes over me.

"Wh- where is she?" I force the words to leave my dry mouth.

"The ocean."

"The ocean?"

"Yes sweet girl, I gave our problems over to the deep blue. We are free!" He cheers.

Free

The last word I hear before dropping to the floor, vision blurring and everything going black.