The Identity Crisis

Fix Me

Chapter 18

"Please. Please you have to believe me."

"Erica,"

"I don't- I don't want to-"

"Stop crying,"

"I- I'm sorry..."

"I said. Stop crying."

"Just please- please promise me you-"

"I can't promise anyth-"

"Promise me. You won't- you won't hurt him."

"Erica. Calm down."

"Please don't- please don't hurt him..."

"Fine. We won't. Just stop crying."
"Promise!"

"Erica. Stop."

"Please-"

"Erica. You are embarrassing us."
"Dad. I'm sorry. Please. God. Forgive me."

"You won't be forgiven unless you confess,"

"B-but I can't..."
"That's not our problem,"

"Dad-"

"Erica. Do it. Confess."

"I said I can't!"

"You will,"

"Please- Please stop!"

"Erica, they're going to kill you if you don't."

"I- I know..."

"So do it,"

"I- I just..."

"Say it,"

"I did it. I tried to protect him... I tried to protect my brother."

Silence.

"See. That wasn't so hard now, was it?"
"N-no..."

"Good. We will make this right."

"Y-yes. Yes just please... Fix me."
"We will. I can promise you that." My dad gets up. He turns and walks out. The tiny room is cramped and hidden. No light. No sound. No movement. I see nothing in the dark. My throat is dry and scratchy. I hug my arms around my chest. I close my eyes and rest my head against the wall behind me. My finger traces around my neck. I feel tears stream down my face. I pull my knees up to my chest and take a breath. My fingers shake violently as they grip my knees. I blink away burning tears. Get over it Erica. There's nothing you can do now. I take another breath, my heartbeat slowing down. I look upwards into the dark. My hands feel numb from the cold, empty room. I reach down and touch the cold, smooth floor beneath me.

"Fix me..." A whimper escapes from my lips.

"Please. Fix me."

Author's Note: I'm having trouble with the end, I won't lie. But I think I'll figure it out eventually. Toodles!