Page 16 of Ashes to Ashes
“We’d beat them up, push them around,” Daze clarifies.
Hunter goes on, “We just watched, taking care of you, until one night we followed you, wondering why the sweet girl we fell for was wandering around. And we watched as you took your first life.”
I gasp, “My first life?”
Peck pipes up, “Decker West. He broke your leg one year. So we broke his, but then you stabbed him in the heart and laughed.”
I laughed at taking another person’s life? I’m crazy.
You did it for the right reasons. He hurt us.
Again, shut up.
I gesture for Hunter to continue, “So we started helping you by cleaning up the crime scenes. Lily, well you at night, were wild and free and we like that.”
“We also like the sweet side of you,” Daze nearly shouts and we all have to shush him because parental figures, if they can be called that, are down the hall.
Our dad is gambling our college fund away.
He’s what?
I have to look crazy as my eyes drift back and forth as if I’m lost in thought, but really I’m arguing with a crazy person—me.
“It’s time for you to take back your life,” Hunter says softly and something comes over me almost like a spiritual awakening. Yeah, maybe it’s time.
That’s the spirit.
“That’s enough out of you," I say as I pat the doll’s head and go to dress, “What do we wear to an awakening?”
The guys just gesture to themselves—black. Got it. And wanting to embrace everything, I dress head to toe in black. Black jeans, black long sleeve shirt and combat boots.
I wore heels to my kills.
Looking at the doll I shrug, “Well this is the new us. New me.”
For some reason, I feel a rush of energy, almost like if a fog was lifted.
“So I guess my father figure likes to gamble like his step-brother. Can you get him?” I ask the guys and they just grin.
“We will make it happen.”
We drive to this run down hotel that probably used to be hopping in the old days. The guys slide out and open a door, stepping in. I can hear some shouting and then a few minutes later, they have Dad tied up and are dragging him towards the car. Our eyes meet and Dad tries to send me a pleading look. Too late for second chances. It’s time to take out the trash.
They throw him in the trunk and then get back in the car, “We have a place.” Hunter places a hand on my thigh as he says it and all I can think of is the car race. That was fun. I hope we can do it again, maybe using dad’s blood as lube.
You’re sicker than I thought.
All I can hear is laughter in my head and I don’t find it annoying anymore. It’s like having a best friend, one I don't have to share.
We’ve always been friends. And so are the Shadows.
I’m guessing that’s what she calls the guys—The Shadows. I like it.
Hunter drives to an abandoned warehouse on the river, the air smelling like dead fish, maybe even people. Uncle Tom was found floating. And his brother will be next.
Peck takes my hand, helping me out of the car like a gentleman and leads me inside while the other two get Dad. The doors open and I take in the warehouse which has a certain appeal to it if you like haunted houses. Maybe I'll start liking them.
Peck brings a chair out from somewhere and they tie Dad to it. He’s looking at me as if I’m his savior. He’s wrong.
