I scanned for hours over the drive Kyle gave me, it gave insight on the guests leave time, camera footage of everything that transpired from beginning to end. It was getting boring though, until I saw a woman slip something into Victor's drink at the end of the party.
"Now who are you?"
Pausing the video, I looked up Victor's family on my phone since her name sounded familiar, finding it was his sister Helen. I had to get this flash drive to the police. Pulling the drive out of my computer, I grabbed my keys, and ran to my car. Climbing in, I put the flash drive in my coat pocket. Turning my engine over, I started to drive on the highway. Halfway there, a car was following me, intently too. Had a strong feeling it was the sister, then I didn't have to guess as we made eye contact, she tried to ram me.
"She's persistent alright-"
Her hood hit my own, as I barely straightened out my car, and put my foot to the floor. Drifting in and out of lanes, she was a better driver than me, but I can at least stall her until I get there. 2 blocks from the police station, she clipped my bumper, sending my car spinning. Then dropped into a ditch before becoming still. I didn't even realize I was half unconscious before starting to move.
"You should have let him go to jail."
Helen dragged me out of the car as I winced, starting to stand up she shoved me back down. She reached and pulled the flashdrive from my pocket, then threw it into the woods, but the police surrounded her.
"Freeze!"
She did so, as Helen was arrested, I looked for the flash drive. Flashlight on my phone, I found the drive, as an officer approached me.
"Ma'am are you alright?"
"Oh yeah don't worry about me, here someone needs to analyze this."
I said passing him the drive, as he gave me a look before taking it inside. Part of me wanted to make sure they knew what to do with it, but I decided not too considering I said I didn't know anything about it. As I winced rubbing my lower back.
"Did she have to ram me?..."
"Hey, need a ride?"
It was Kyle's voice, but Victor was in the backseat. But he quickly got out and headed into the police station. Giving me a solemn look with his ocean eyes before pushing through the door. I wanted to smile, but I just couldn't.
"Aren't you supposed to be with him?"
I said to Kyle, pointing a bit.
"Yeah, but I can least drive you to the hospital-"
"I'm fine, go with your brother."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, go, he needs you right now."
Walking home seemed really far with my back sprain, and it was, but I made it inside. Quickly locking the door before sliding onto the ground.
"Ugh, this isn't ideal."
The pain in my lower back was almost unbearable now, so I had to move quickly. Popping an Aleve into my mouth, I only made it as far as the couch, before passing out completely.
"Um, Tris, are you okay?"
Inhaling I stood up a little too fast. Seeing my pained expression, Victor gently led me back down onto the couch, as I eyed him with icy hot in his hand. The pain was back, but it wasn't as bad as before.
"Thank you..."
I said gently taking the icy hot from him. He noticed my slumped position and where my hand was reaching. Opening the pack, Victor gently took it from my hand lifted my shirt, then slid into on my lower back. A slow groan of relief escaped me, as Victor moved his hand to my shoulder. After a small silence he said.
"I um..."
I could tell he was struggling with an apology, though it was misplaced.
"You don't have to-"
"No no I got to get this out, you deserve that much."
"Do I?"
Locking eyes with Victor, it was the first time I ever said anything demeaning to myself since forever. Sucking my teeth, I leaned back onto the couch, as Victor took my hands into his own.
"Yes you do, I'm sorry."
Blinking, my gaze went down, as I swallowed slowly before saying.
"I'm sorry too. I've treated you harshly, men harshly my whole life. I just don't want to be hurt."
"Hurt how?"
"I don't know..."
Pushing some hair behind my ear, a dim ringing filled my ears, as Victor lifting my gaze distracted me from it.
"Tris, are you okay?"
"That's what I've been asking myself every day since I was 10. My life has been relatively perfect."
"Maybe not."
Victor had a point, as his phone notification went off he checked it cursing under his breath.
"I have to go back to the police station, to confirm my sister for murder. Kyle just texted me."
"Godspeed, I'm sorry about that too."
Patting his back, I got up slowly then walked toward my door. Opening it, Victor suddenly pulled me into a hug, as I hugged him back. He pulled away as I tapped his nose with my finger. We shared a smirk, as I asked.
"Wait how did you get in here?"
"Oh you're sister let me in."
Rolling my eyes Emily slid past me with a smirk, as I closed the door.
"So who's that?"
"Nobody-"
"You like him don't you?"
"Shut up and cook me something."
Emily gasped as I sat on the counter chair, scratching my head.
"I'm not a slave ya know."
"But you make the best steak."
"That is true, but why can't you cook?"
"Back sprain."
"From our mystery guy?-"
"Don't even kid like that, I had a car accident."
As Emily cooked me some steak, I changed my icy hot pack, but it was harder without some help. Emily noticed and held slide it onto my lower back. By now the sprain was turning into a small sting, as I ate the steak she made. It was delicious as always, while a yawn escaped my throat.
"Oh come on, you like to greet our family before they come in."
"No I do not, tuck me in."
Emily chuckled while tucking me into my bed, pulling the covers up to me chin. After a bit of squirming, I was fast asleep.
