Page 2 of Reverie

Father swipes his scotch from the bar. He takes a long sip, draining the glass, before he turns back to me.

Leaning against the counter, he crosses his ankles and arms in a casual pose.

Another bolt of lightning cracks across the sky.

One. Two. Three. Four.

Thunder.

“Let’s start over, Hunter,” Father says in a rush. He jerks his body straight and rubs his hand across his jaw as if in deep thought. “Perhaps I was a little…hasty in my discipline.”

My entire body pulses.

“I’m sure you’re scared, having to hold such a big secret.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have any secrets,” I whisper. The lack of strength in my delivery should be from the waning energy in my body. Instead, it’s from the force of my lie.

Father continues as if I didn’t say anything. “Let’s try this again.”

He pulls a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and takes three seconds to light one.

I coil tight. After he inhales the tobacco smoke and exhales in a haze, he begins to speak.

“Tell me what your mother has planned.”

I stare at him, ashamed that tears spring into my eyes. Mom trusts me. She needs me.

I force myself to lock my gaze on my father, but I don’t allow myself to see him. I see through him—to the past.

To all the people he’s hurt and killed.

The thick tropical air seems to vibrate, swirling around me.

There are so many people he’s made me hurt.

There are so many things he made me do.

I want it all to stop.

Stop. Stop.Stop.

When I’m silent for too long, Father sighs again and shakes his head.

“All right. Have it your way, Hunter.” Rolling his eyes, he reaches over the bar and pulls out the cordless phone. After a few taps, he brings the phone to his ear.

“Do it,” is his only command.

As he disconnects the call, there’s another strike of lightning.

One. Two. Three.

The breeze kicks up.

Get up. Don’t die on your knees, Hunter.

Johan’s face before I put a bullet in his brain flashes before me.

I pull myself to a sitting position. As I do, Father saunters over to me.

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