I got past all the nurses without them seeing, even the one at the desk who knew me. I didn't want anyone to know where i was headed. All i knew was, i was going to end this. I may be hurt, and in some serious pain, but no way was I letting anymore of my friends or family die because someone wants me and my brother dead. I walked in the parking lot until i came across Cole's truck, please be there. I opened his drivers door and slid my hand under his seat. Bingo! I pull the his keys out and get in. He always keeps his keys there, that way he won't ever lose them, no one will find them, and in case of emergencies we know where they are. Starting the truck i get out of there as fast as I can without making a scene.
I get to my house and carefully slide out of the truck, I am not joking when I say the pain i had was unbelievable. It killed on so many levels, but I don't care. I got inside using Cole's house keys and went right to my room to look around. I set the keys on my dresser and pulled out my old photo book. This book held pictures of Cole, Me, and anyone from our childhood in it. My dad just gave it to me a few weeks ago, he kept it hidden for years so we would forget about Sam and the others. Opening it i look at the pictures. I hold me emotions down as memories flood back. A picture of Cole and I at the beach in Miami was the first picture, followed by a family one with the sun setting behind us. Flipping the page there is a picture of Talia, Molly, and I when we were still in diapers. We all had smiles on our faces and little bows in our hair. The next page held pictures of Cole, Jason, Devin, Keegan, Sam, Josh, and TJ. TJ and Josh were a few years older than the others but they were all friends. I smiled as the next picture was the whole group: Me, Cole, Sam, TJ, Josh, Keegan, Talia, Molly, Maria, Alex, Jason, Devin. I examined the picture because this was all the people in the whole book. Looking at it i notice something odd. Keegan was glaring at Sam and I. I looked closer, Sam and I were holding hands and smiling, but we had to be only around three or four in the picture. Why did Keegan look so angry?
A sudden ring of my phone made me drop the book and my heart race. I looked at my phone and it was Talia's number so i picked up.
"Talia listen..." I began but was cut off by that same male laugh over the phone.
"Talia is a little busy at the moment sweetheart. Have you figured it out yet?" the voice says. I close my eyes and think, this voice sounds familiar too. Thinking back to the picture book i flip through some more pictures. Every picture Keegan is glaring at Sam and I. But Keegan was a family friend, always looking out for us, why would he be behind this all?
"Keegan?" I questioned making the person laugh.
"Keegan, good guess but no..... Keegan is away in Spain on a school trip... But since you guessed wrong and it's been an hour..." He pauses before i hear a scream, but not Talia's. It was Allison's scream.
"Stop! Allison isn't even my friend!" I say in a panic.
"But you talk to her, and we all know you and your caring nature, you wouldn't want even someone who hates you to die," the person says. "One more hour or another friend goes," He says before hanging up the phone. I flip through more pictures holding back tears. Allison may be someone I hate, but she doesn't deserve this. I get to a picture of something familiar, who is that kid i asked myself. A new kid in a picture with Black hair and Green eyes was standing beside me. We had our hands linked and we were no older than six now. I look at the picture a little longer before pulling it out. Mom always wrote ont he backs of these. I turn it over, 'Cassidy six, Austin seven' Austin? I don't remember this kid at all.
I stand up and walk around looking at the picture. I deside that i wasn't getting anywhere so I get on my laptop and on facebook. I look at the back of the picture and type the name.
"Austin Reyes, who are you?" I say to myself as i search him. A profile pops up of the same boy in the picture, only he is 19 now. I click on it and it takes me to the profile. I look at the picture, the boy still has the same black hair and green eyes, he was attractive but I still barely remember him. I look at the information about him, it says he was born here but moved several times. I click on his pictures and see someof him and friends and family. Then I come across one of me and him, back in middle school. Looking at it, i remember that white dress. I went to the snowball with this kid, he was a friend way back in the days. When he moved i forgot about him because i just figured he disappeared like everyone else, so what was the point in remembering someone who was gone forever? Picking up the phone i call Talia's number.
"Half hour to go," Austin says on the phone.
"Austin, Austin Reyes," I say in a rush. There was a pause before he spoke.
"So you do remember me after all," he said with a bit of shock.
"You took me to my first dance.... My first kiss," I whisper remembering full on that night as well, and all the memories of Austin. How did i forget about him, why couldn't I remember anything.
"That's right... Until your parents cut me out of your life... Finding out who my dad was, then threatening me to leave town and never speak to you again.... And you went along with it," He says with so much anger and emotion. I shake my head and let out a breath.
"I didn't know... I didn't know about any of this... Austin please, you need to stop this," I beg him. Now that i knew who was behind it, maybe I can stop it. He laughs and I squeeze the phone tighter.
"Stop.... I don't think so, your family ruined my life.. I was happy with you, you were happy with me. Then your dad came into the picture, your brother was on board with it to, without your knowing. I watched you for years until someone noticed me. Then Sam and the boys were back in the picture, and the worst is you fell for Sam. He wasn't there when you broke your arm Freshman year, or at the homecoming dance with Heath. He wasn't there, but I was. I paid Heath a visit that night, Sam didn't.... Now tell me, why should I let any of them live?" Austin says with anger clear in his voice.
"Austin please....No one has to know it was you, we can just forget it and be friends again," I say hearing him laugh again.
"Friends? Oh Cassidy, you lost that chance a long time ago, now i am going to make your life hell, or kill you..." he says making me mad.
"Where are you?" I say hitting the door with my fist. I ignore the pain and all the other pain i already have.
"Come to the old warehouse at the edge of the county line, Alone." He says hanging up. I set my phone on my bed, placing the picture of Austin and Me next to it.
"Cole, if there was ever a time to remember the past, it's today." I say grabbing the keys and walking to my bedroom door. I look back at the phone and picture before walking back. I get a sticky note and write 'I end this tonight.... Please keep everyone safe, no matter what happens... I love you all ~Cassidy' I place the note beside the picture and walk out. Going right to my parents room i find my dads knife. He keeps it under the matteress in case someone breaks in. I carefully slide it into my boot and walk out. I look back at the room, it was untouched for days now, without a trace of my parents being there. This has gone to far, and If dying is what it takes to end this, then that's what it will have to come down to.
