Aisle Thirteen

Chapter 10

I looked for my Fusion at the huge parking lot. It took me some time to find it because I was not with my mom when she parked my car.

I went inside the car and I took a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry, Mom. I'm sorry, Micaela. But I'll do whatever it takes to keep you both safe. No matter if it will cost my own life." A tear escaped from my eye.

I know I'm ready to do this. I need to save the lives of the ones I love. I won't ever let Deborah touch them.

Before I start the engine, I looked for pieces of papers inside the car. I also looked for a pen.

I'll leave my Mom and Micaela something that will help ease their pain. I won't leave them like hanging at the brink of a cliff.

I wrote a letter for my best friend, Micaela.

Dearest Micaela,

I know you'll be able to find this letter, because I know that you won't ever stop looking for me. So here I am, telling you the truth about my sudden disappearance.

I need to disappear, so that you and mom can live your lives normally. I don't think I'll be able to stop Deborah if I won't do this. And she threatened me that she'll kill you and mom if I don't become submissive to her. And my conscience can't do what she wants me to do.

So I decided to just disappear. To leave you and mom, not because I don't trust you both or anything like that but because I want to protect you from that monster. And from myself as well.

I just want to say how grateful I am for you. You were with me since we were little. You are more than a sister to me. I know I'm not that showy when it comes to how I really feel but I really do appreciate you.

Please don't tell my mother or anyone about Deborah. I know they won't believe you. People will only laugh at you and they might think you're crazy or you're just making up stories. I don't want that for you. Keep this truth to yourself.

Take care of my mother for me. You know I love her more than anything else in this world. Treat her as your own. Take care of yourselves. I'll always be here, guiding you.

Love, Cal.

I folded the paper and another tear escaped. I started to write the letter for my mom.

Dear mom,

First, I want to apologize for leaving you. You don't deserve to be left alone. But I'd rather leave you than cause you any trouble. I'm sorry because unlike how I promised you before, when dad left us, that I'll always be by your side, I decided to leave. I'll still be by your side but not physically. Always know that my heart is always with you.

I can't tell you the reason why I left because I don't think you'll believe me. You might find my reason ridiculous. But I want to assure you that I'll be fine. And I want you to be fine as well. Keep yourself busy and happy so that you won't think too much about me. I don't want you worrying.

I just wanted you to be happy. So please, start your family again. Build a happy family again. I want you to grow old with someone happily. Your happiness is all that matters to me.

Always know that even I left you, you and I are always with each other's hearts. And that will be forever.

Love, Cal.

"I'm so sorry, Mom." I sobbed.

I threw the letters outside the car's window. Sooner or later, when they realized that I'm gone, they'll be conducting an investigation and they'll start searching for me. They'll look for evidences for my disappearance. The hospital was the last place where I was seen so they'll search the whole area, and they'll find these letters.

I started the engine and started driving. I'm crying as I'm driving. I honestly don't know where to conduct my plan but I want it to be as far as possible.

I was driving when I realized that someone was watching me from the back seat.

I looked at the rearview mirror and saw Deborah, sitting at the back, smiling creepily.

"You won't ever touch Micaela or my mother! I won't ever let you!" I spat.

She didn't said a word but she rushed to me and started gripping my neck. I couldn't breathe. It's suffocating.

I can barely see the road. I'm starting to mess up my driving.

Few moments later, my vision started to go poor. I couldn't breathe anymore. Deborah is still gripping my neck, not letting me breathe.

The last things I saw were her eyes swimming in pure rage and her creepy smile after I lost all my senses.