Since 2nd Grade

Til Death Do Us Part

Dulce POV

   "Illene, we're going to leave you with the kids, okay? I really don't want them exposed to this shit. It'll scar them for life and I don't have no money for therapy."

   I rushed around grabbing my purse and keys, and signaled for Joseph and Ski to follow me. We left out without getting an agreement to babysit from Illene. She'll be fine. As we walked towards the car, both Joseph and Ski rushed towards the passenger seatlike children.

   "Aye bro, this my wife. Hop in the back."

   Ski declared, side eyeing Joseph, and opening the door. Joseph returned the glare and reluctantly opened the door to the back seat.

   I started up the car and immediately pulled off. The radio was silent, which made the eerie vibes of the car apparent.

   "So what's are plan? We go there and we do what?"

   I expressed one of the elephants in the room.

   "Simple. We go in there and fuck that nigga up."

   Joseph said, his voice sounding stern and serious. I played with the idea for a bit in my mind until I came to the conclusion that, no matter what we did to him, he was still a father and a husband. Not to mention he's bat shit crazy. There's no telling what he could do to Luna and Dina afterwards. This thought ran a chill down my spine.

   "We can't do that."

   I spoke up. I looked over at Ski for some input, but he stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched and a weird glisten in his eyes., He didn't look like himself.

   "Why not?"

   Joseph questioned, looking confused and upset.

    "Fucking because, Joseph. Listen, when we leave that house, it isn't a problem solved for Dina and Luna. By the time we leave them, they might as well already be six inches beneath the fucking dirt. Do you understand?"

   I shouted, and he didn't respond. Instead, he sat quietly the remainder of the ride. Something he's never been able to do his entire life.

   "Babe, text Dina and tell her to go to a bedroom with Luna. When we pull up, you wait for my signal to let you know that it's straight to come in and get them. Tell them to lock that door until they know it's you, too."

   Ski finally spoke up, and his words rang in my ears, causing them to turn hot and red. My body began to heat up out of nervousness, and I rolled down a window.

   "Okay."

   I responded, my voice tiny and empty compared to his. I texted Dina and continued to drive, the silence being the only music we heard.

   We pulled up to Dina's house, and even though they hadn't talked or texted each other the enitre car ride, they nodded at each other in agreement. The nod made me quiver, and I suddenly knew what was going on. I turned the car off, and waited for a signal- any signal. My leg began shaking and my heart started to beat faster with every growing minute. I began to massage my temples, and once it finally began to calm me down, the sound of gunshots went off inside the house. I looked up towards the house, and my anxiety returned. Was that supposed to be the signal? After a couple of minutes of pure silence, I slowly got out of my car. I neglected closing my car door, and instead, ran towards the front door. The floor was covered in water and pieces of broken glass. I looked for signs of movement and noise. I spooted feet under a door and ran towards it.

   "Dina, it's Dulce. Open the door."

   I jiggled the doorknob and it opened. Dina sat in a corner, cradling the lifeless body of her daughter. On the opposite side of the room, there lied Ski, clenching his side, and looking up at me.