Ignited ✔️

1:19

"Emery? Honey?" My mom's voice rings through my room.

Since she told me about my dad I haven't left my room. That was four days ago. Since then I've been curled up in River's hoodie not leaving my room except for when I needed to pee.

I haven't eaten and I haven't talked.

My bed dips as my mom sits down on it and places her small hand gently on my back. I hear paper rustling and mom let out a deep breath before she leans down and kisses my hair.

"I found the letter your dad left me, I thought you'd like to see it."

I don't budge. I couldn't. I was frozen.

"I know it doesn't seem like it, but he loved you so much."

"If he loved me he wouldn't have left" my voice cracked as I spoke.

"Oh sweetie"

She squeezes my shoulder before standing up and heading to my door.

"I really think you should read it. It might help you understand" is all she says before she leaves.

I don't move until I hear the latch softly click shut.

I twist towards my end table and see the crumpled paper left behind by my mother. I glance at the picture of my father and I before picking up the paper and reading it.

Penny,

Last night was incredible. I know I didn't deserve it, but you still gave me one more chance. I hate to be the one to break your heart again, I hate to be the one that makes those beautiful emerald eyes feel the pain and sorrow that they will when you wake.

I know running without saying goodbye is a cowardice way to leave, but I know if I had to face you I would stay. I can't stay Penny. I got myself in some pretty messed up stuff and I don't want you or Emery involved.

I love you my dear Penny, forever and always. My heart will always belong to you. Someday I will come back to you and we can be a family. I promise someday I'll come back.

Tell Emery that I love her. I love her so much. And tell her I'm sorry I couldn't be the father she wanted or the one she deserved. When she was born I wasn't prepared to be a father, but the first time I held her in my arms I fell in love.

You both will always have a piece of me and I will always be with you no matter how far away I may be. I love you both more than words can express.

-Will

Tears were pouring down my face as I read my dad's letter. This whole time I thought he had abandoned me. When in reality he was trying to protect me. He promised he'd come back to us. The promise he made soothed me and calmed me in a way I didn't know I needed.

The unfamiliar feeling of wetness drilling down my cheeks was quickly wiped away. I throw my blanket off of me and stand up before running my fingers through my hair and rushing out of my bedroom.

I slip on my converse and say a quick goodbye to mom before running out the house.

My feet pound against the ground as I run towards the garage. I needed to see him. I needed to know what he knew.

The sign for DeLuca's Autobody appears in front of me in a matter of minutes. I sprint to the big metal door and throw it open causing it to bang on the wall behind it.

Everyone's attention was on me, but my only focus was on finding one particular brown haired boy.

I can hear the other guys in the shop mumbling and whispering about the 'crazy psycho girl' but I didn't care. I needed to find him. He knew my father, and he knew why my father left.

"Sweetheart? What are you doing here?" Carter says coming over from a orange sports car.

"I needed to talk to you" I pant

Carter chuckles and brings me to the back room.

"Can I get you some water? You look -um how do I put this?"

"I know I've been having a rough few days but I really needed to talk to you"

Carter sits in the desk chair and leans back, placing his hands on the back on his head.

"What's up sweetheart?" He asks with a smirk playing on his lips.

"I need you to tell me about my father"

His smirk falters just slightly before quickly coming back full force.

"What do you wanna know?"

"Carter please. I don't have the time or energy to play these games just please tell me"

"Do you wanna know everything? Because I'm sure you're not going to like it" he says dropping his hands to his lap.

Without hesitation I nod my head.

"Your father wasn't a good man Emery. He was a part of the gang. He got in to some bad stuff and had to leave town. A few years back he showed up again and some members found him. He owed a lot of money to us and if the boss doesn't get his money back" he pauses.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

"William got beat up pretty damn bad. He was told to never come back to town if he did then he'd regret it."

Carter drops his gaze from mine as a guilty expression takes over his face. He drags his eyes back up to meet mine and the next words he says catch me off guard.

"Boss found him Emery. He was killed a few years ago by a member of the gang. Your father is dead"

A giant lump forms in my throat as a sob escapes my lips.

He can't be dead. He promised he'd come back to us, to me. He has to come back.

I collapse to the floor and silently sob in to my hands. This couldn't be happening. Carter has to be lying.

I felt my heart shatter into a million tiny shards inside my chest as a pain took its place. I didn't want to believe it. Not when he promised us.

My mom needs him. My mom needs to get out of the hell hole she lives in. She can't stay with John. I can't stay with John.

Carter squats down to my level and wraps his arms around me before pulling me into his chest. He runs his large hands over my back and as much as I needed the comfort, I didn't want it from him. I wanted to be wrapped in River's arms.

But we can't be around each other. I wish we could. There's just something about him that comforts me and makes me feel so safe.

I know I shouldn't, but I couldn't help but miss him.