Page 76 of Just Desserts

"Stop. Don't come near me." I yelled, repositioning myself near Isla, the knife pressing against her pale skin.

"Okay, I'm not moving." My father said, stepping back to stand with my mother.

"Alyssa, please listen to me. I love you, we love you. I remember the day you were born, it was one of the happiest days of my life. A little girl with her mothers face and my eyes. I knew the first time I held you that you would have me wrapped around your little finger. I am so sorry, more than you'll ever know, that we made you feel less than. We have always loved you and always wanted you." His voice cracked with emotion.

"Then why! Why did you always treat her better!" I wailed,the rage pouring out of me after all these years. The walls of the house vibrated with my anger and unanswered questions. Why was he saying this now? Why didn't he say this when I was growing up, when I needed him?

"I don't have a good answer to that, I never for a second thought you would question our love for you. Growing up, you and Isla were so close we never considered that you may have wanted more one-on-one time with us and I'm sorry for that. I'm so sorry that we never talked about this sooner." I dropped my hand that was holding the knife at the look of genuine remorse on my fathers face. It wasn't enough though. This was far too little, far too late.

"Please Alyssa, let's end this. Put the knife down, let's get you settled and the baby checked on. This is a new chance for all of us, we can start over as a family. Let me show you that I can be a good father, a good grandfather." He pleaded, once again trying to approach me.

"There is no fucking baby! There was never a baby! So don't try to use that to distract me. Of course you say you care now, you just wanted to take the baby from me!" Realization dawned on me, reigniting my fury.

Confusion crossed everyone's faces but I didn't have it in me to care. I was so stupid, for a second I thought he actually cared, actually realized what he had done and all the hurt they had caused me over the years. But he only cared about his mythical grandchild, once again I was being shoved aside for someone else. I faced my parents making sure they understood me this time.

"The only thing I want to hear from you is her name or mine. Choose one of us now." Grabbing Isla, I took the knife and cut down her inner arm before slicing my arm open in the same spot.

I barely felt the burn as my flesh split, and I watched with fascination as our blood dripped down to mingle on the floor in a puddle. In the recesses of my mind I could hear Mom gasp but all I could do was grin.

"She's no better than me. She's not some goddess or untouchable being, she bleeds just the same as me. If I'm so unwanted I might as well die right now, but not before I take her with me. Your precious Isla doesn't deserve to live, to get the happy life filled with everything she's stolen from me. If losing me isn't enough to hurt you, then all I have left is making sure she loses everything. But I want to hear you say it first. I want you to admit you chose her over me."

Chapter 54

Wes

I had imagined this Saturday night passing in a multitude of ways. I could go to a bar and try to pick up a random woman to forget that I was spending another Saturday night alone, or do what I usually do. Stay home eating and watching TV with Rosie, my obese english bulldog. I had denied Myles and Isla's invite to their fancy party because there was no way I was getting stuffed into a tuxedo just to watch those two moon over each other all night.

What I did not imagine was getting a frantic call from Myles on the ride home telling me my sister had finally gone off the deep end. I could hear the fear and desperation in Myles' voice as he told me they had video footage of Alyssa forcing Isla and her Grams out of the party. I was grateful that Sully had gone the extra mile with the trackers, I knew they put security up at the bakery but nothing could have prepared us for this.

Maybe I could have though. That thought lingered in my mind as I pressed down on the gas pedal. I couldn't help my revolving thoughts as I sped down the familiar streets heading for my childhood home. I felt like I saw all the signs, I knew about the diary, knew Alyssa was burying feelings about Isla. I wish I had talked to her more, let her know how much I loved her for who she was.

I had dismissed her obsessive jealousy regarding Isla as female growing pains, I imagined it was how any sisters would act when growing up so close in age. It wasn't until thatincident in college that my concern really started to grow. After that though, I did make an effort and I thought Alyssa and I had finally made some serious strides towards a healthy relationship.

When she moved back home, things felt normal for once. We had our separate spaces but all still got together for family dinners. I was lulled into a false sense of security. Letting surface level chatter clear my consciousness of any worries I may have still had. Knowing all of that was still not enough for me to reconcile my little sister with the person she's become of late.

It wasn't just the affair with Jonathan that shocked me, it was her entire perspective on it. I'm not saying an apology would have fixed it but faced with her complete lack of remorse dug open all those buried concerns. I desperately wanted her to do something to redeem herself, leave some sort of crack open to let me in, let me help her. I shouldn't have waited for her to come to me.

As I approached my childhood home I decided to slow down and decided to leave my car parked a street away from the house. I may not have any sort of training but there was a reason I chose a career where I could work alone. People were crazy. They were unpredictable, unreliable and far too emotional. My sister was all of that and more. I had no idea if she would see me as friend or foe, and had no idea what I was walking into.

Instead of going in guns blazing I decided to try and get an idea of what was happening. I didn't want to have to hurt my sister, but I couldn't stand by and watch her hurt anyone. I set out at a slight jog, navigating around the back of the houses using a familiar path from my frequent night time excursions in high school.

Once I reached the yard of my family home, I made my way toward the kitchen windows. Using the overgrown trees there to provide coverage, I was grateful my father had put off the task my mother had been harping on for weeks. From there I could get a good view of the main level of the house. Something broke inside of me as I saw the scene inside.

My parents stood horror stricken as Alyssa held Isla at knifepoint. Blood was dripping from both of them and I could just make out Gram's small form sprawled behind Alyssa on the carpet. Jesus Christ what had she done? I crouched down, needing a minute to gather my thoughts and repressing the urge to vomit.

Looking back in, I took some time to actually study Alyssa. I could hear her yelling even though it was muted by the closed windows. Her gestures were wild, her eyes were unfocused and it was obvious she had completely lost it. She was screaming at my parents who looked like they were trying to do whatever they could to not set her off.

We had a side door that Dad usually left open so he could sneak out for a cigar at night. I made my way over to it, grateful to find it unlocked. The door was across from the main entrance. I was behind Alyssa and Isla but my parents would see me as soon as I got close. I prayed they were able to refrain from giving my location away. As quietly as I could, I slid the door open and stepped into the house.

Staying crouched down so I was somewhat covered by the legs from the dining room set, I closed the door behind me. The mood inside was eerie as I quietly crawled my way in. Alyssa was screaming, waving the knife around. I could see blood dripping from Isla's arms and back, she stood frozen amidst Alyssa's unpredictable movements.

"I want to hear you say it first. I want you to admit you choseher over me!" Alyssa screamed, swinging the knife back to Isla suddenly.

I must have moved too fast because my mothers eyes flashed over to mine. I saw the moment she registered my presence but my father caught it too and turned my mother, shoving her face into his chest to disguise any reaction she may have had.

"Alyssa, we love you. You are our daughter. We don't want anyone hurt, please put the knife down."

"LIAR. YOU'RE LYING. YOU JUST DON'T WANT ME TO HURT ISLA." Alyssa screamed, she raised her arms, slapping her head as she muttered to herself. She finally stopped her frantic movements as she turned towards Isla. Determination crossed over Alyssa's face as she pointed the knife at my cousin. Knowing there was no time left I bolted, tackling Alyssa from the side.

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