ter

lo

I can not seem to find the strength to return there. Not yet. I spend the entire night

t was, it was an unb

ive times to be precise, and n

ve her? Is

And that has to count for something, right? I mean, I agreed

what has she go

Putting on my old sneakers and placing my cell in my pocket, I start the trek to Helen's place. She's living with a friend, and it's not too far from where I live, but we still hardly see

t about

But it doesn't matter, I like running

more open apartments, this one is a block, and Helen lives on the third floor. T

he front confirms my previous thoughts. Taking the stairs two at a time until I reach the third floor, I walk to her door and notice it's

ex says w

hat-you can guarantee it com

ks past me, then starts to

ven't s

e rainbow, covers her face as she goes to light it. I wonder how o

e, but when you do, tell her rent is overdue.

r for her to begin

doesn't have much he

ave me around her little finger, and I know it. And now look where the fuck that has gotten me. It's als

ack. Will this sister of mine ever grow the fuck up? She has to. Helen's twent

t her

even her

that hur

her when she reached twenty-one, when she showed me she wasn't pl

be an

d my alcoholic father, and in th

not be

been since you've

ks up and smiles. "Ummm..." She scratches her head, and I can see

comes from behind me, and my heart takes a leap in my chest. My

you know

high, doesn't even look up, nor d

ep it that way. How about you take a walk with m

o turn around to face him. It's slow and awkward,

eans are rolled up at the bottom-they are ripped and hugging his legs

nerve to look me in the

uthfully, my eyes si

r so softly, and pushes up so I have to look at him. When my eyes meet his, his hand drops, and he wipes his fingers on h

lk?" He turns then and

g him. Looking back over at Alex, she's now lying on t

e comes impatien

have Helen with you?" I yell. I can't see him anymore,

e her. You

g, I feel its cold metal between my fingertips and look down. He's there, standing halfway down the next flight of stairs, looking u

until he starts to move again. I can smell him. The scent is of s

my face as it starts to set. Turning back to look at him, he's watching me, eyeing me up and down

like this

e side of the road to head back toward my place. I pause, thinking if that's a smart idea, then realize he

toward your house, but then you rea

cks back to

eless. He steps in front of me until he reaches a car that is similar to the one my boss owns. I know it's expensive because when she purchased it

aggy clothes before he waves to his door. "Let me take you to g

I ask, realizing he's

eant to give it to you?

open door and his non

bout me, but I am not allowe

Melody, we have t

forehead where a bruise is sti

hen focuses back on my eyes. "N

n't know why, but f

he shuts the door behind me. Looking forward, I see the car is even flas

ap me again?" I ask whi

irst, no other words are spoken, and my leg starts to involuntarily bounce as I wait. He can't seriously

ated a lot?" he asks with his hands

idnapper," I retort while scrunc

s amusing. "Maybe you should ta

k he is? All I have ever done is take care of Helen. In the end it got tiring, and I couldn't keep doing it. The fact it was brin

together, and I sit there waiting for him to tell me off, to tell me he's planning to punish me for the way I've just spoken

't want to ta

"You'll accompany me tomorrow night to a function. Your payments start then," h

am to go to whatever function he wants me

hat I hope isn't shaky. I do

will be sent to your

ave

before you leave

, and when I turn back, he's watching m

th

what sc