Outlawed Love

Chapter 21

Me and Layla were finally allowed to go back home, we opened the door and an eerie silence filled the house. This was no longer a home, no laughter only tears, no light only darkness. I grabbed onto Layla's hand and walked her through to Gracie's old room. We both knew how hard this was going to be. We both knew we had to pick out a beautiful outfit for the funeral. We never dreamed of this. I put my hand onto the door handle and Layla's soon followed after, her hand was cold against mine. With a deep breath and a twist of a handle we slowly opened the door. The room that used to seem safe, happy and child-like. Turned into a death scene, the pink and yellow on the walls seemed no longer happy. I broke down into tears as many memories came flooding back to me. All the days out, nights in. All the games we used to play with these very toys in front of me. The shows and movies we used to watch when Layla would stay out and work a night shift. I still couldn't believe that it was all over.

I spoke to Layla later on in the day. "Where. Where do you think would be best to lay our baby?" I wiped the tears off her cheeks whilst she spoke "Why not next to your sister, she lived in memory of her, and died..." I could hear the pain in her voice breaking through. Not long after, she broke back down into tears. I held my arms out wide and let her cry onto my shoulders. Deja vu. I loosed my grip of her arms to wipe her cheeks. This was our worst nightmare coming true. I knew after everything that had happened, it was my fault. I should've never let Darcy come back into my life, she should've never been allowed in the first place. I knew what I had to do. I wouldn't be able to bare the thought about loosing more of the my somewhat seemed perfect family. I knew it meant I set off tonight, maybe write a note. But I knew I had no time to wait.

Layla went to bed quite early that night, I could hear her softened little cries through the shallow walls. I knew she was hurting and I really wish I would've been able to be comforting her but I really cant stay. After an hour or two I heard the cries stop, I went to the room and my baby was curled up in bed. I left the note on the bed. I hoped that she would read it. But after all, I hoped that she wouldn't find a way to follow me into this deep plan. This was my mess and I happened to get the two closest girls in my life into deep shit. I reached out onto the covers to cover her up more, with a goodbye kiss on the head and I was off, like the wind. It wasn't meant to end this way, but I guess we don't all really know what's gonna happen and where things will go... I stepped out of the door and closed it for what might be the last time, I really hoped I would be back. I grabbed my keys and gave them a long stare, I posted them back through the door and got into my car. Goodbye home...

I sat in my car whilst scrolling through my contacts. "Darcy..." I muttered under my breath. I tapped on her name and heard the phone buzz on through. She picked up and I told her to meet me in the forest that borders the bad side of town, to finally settle things, for good. I turned my keys in the ignition and set off for the forest.

I arrived at the forest, I almost forgot how dark it gotten here. I grabbed the flashlight from the passenger seat, I texted Darcy to tell her I was here. And with that I turned my phone off. I turned on my flashlight and started heading towards where I found Layla all those years ago, I never wanted to come back here again but I guess I was wrong about everything. I saw a figure dressed in black move in and out of the trees. I moved my flashlight upwards to see Darcy's face, it seemed long and unfamiliar. Maybe after all she did go back to the drugs as a final escape. I saw a small smile paint across her face "It's so good to see you after all these years, Shawn." I shook my head "Darcy, I want to settle things between us. Our issues had nothing to do with my family." She swung the backpack she had on over one arm and opened the zip, she got out a poster of her face and it had wanted on it. "Bail me out Shawn, hand me in, bail me out. And whatever is left is yours. And I will promise to stay away from you and your family." I didn't want to believe her, but what did I actually have to loose, Layla was safe and sound at home, Gracie is already gone, I guess I cant save them all. I nodded and Darcy had a mischievous grin on her face. "What is the look on your face for, you better not be lying about the details." She let on a small giggle. "I hand myself in tonight I expect to be out by Sunday. My bail is 14,000 pounds. You get 10,000 for handing me in. All you have to do is find another 4,000 in the next 2 days." This brought back memories of how me and Darcy were partners in crime. I knew to protect Layla, I had to fall into old habits. Starting with Barty on 34th Malons Street..

I walked until night turned into day, I watched the news keep popping up about how Darcy has been handed in and that I got an email that the money has been transferred. I knew this meant one thing, I had to get to Barty's and I had to get there fast. I ran until I got to his house I knocked on and shouted the code word. One of this old minions opened the door for me. They almost seemed shocked that I was back, especially with Darcy. I told them what was going on and Barty came out immediately, He gave me disguise and four people on a list. "Hitman Shawn, haven't seen you in time my boy." He gave me a hard tap on the shoulder as if to say okay now go. I looked on the list. I didn't know any of these people but all it took was a shot from a pistol and I would have an extra 1,000 in the bank per person. I didn't know at the time, but this was the worst mistake of my life.

I went to the first address on the list, 4512 Loubont Street, Emma Stone I knocked on and put on my ski mask. Soon as she opened the door I shot two bullets right through her head and ran like my life depended on it, because it practically did. I got the red pen out and crossed out her name. One down three to go, maybe this wasn't going to be that bad after all. Murder after murder it was like a drug, the addictions came back to how much I loved the thrill of the blood splatters, I was a bit upset to kill the final person but I was also glad that I would be able to get back to my life like nothing ever happened. I turned in all the equipment to Barty, he seemed sad I was only going for one round, but I knew if I did anymore it would've made this worse. I went to the police station and anonymously bailed Darcy out. I turned back on my phone when I got out of the police station. All the notifications popped up on my phone. It was as thought I would be scrolling for days. 7 missed calls from Layla, 8 missed calls from her mum. And most importantly 20 missed calls from the doctors. Yet I only had two voice mails. I opened them and listened to them, hanging onto every word.