by Mansi Negi
A chill ran through my body as I realized it was the car I'd seen up the road from my house.
"I know I've seen it, it was outside of my house." Panic took over, as I unlocked my car door.
"Do you want me to follow you?" Jack asked, smiling, not realizing the severity of the situation. He didn't know about Tyler or the warning Jonas had given me.
"Do you mind?" I asked sliding into my driver’s seat and turning the key.
"Of course not." He smiled, he was enjoying being the knight in shining armour and I was thankful he was. He climbed into my passenger seat and told me where he'd parked.
I made my way across the parking lot to where Jack's car sat as the sun disappeared completely over the horizon, engulfing our surroundings in the shadow of night and adding to my paranoia.
"I'll stay behind you. We have an hour until my place. Let me know if you want me to follow you all the way home." He said as he climbed from my car.
"I'm actually staying with my friend Casey tonight. I should be fine by then, but thanks." I tried to hide the nervousness in my voice.
I wasn't ready for Jack to know everything. I didn't know if I'd ever be ready to tell anyone about Tyler's violation.
As he fired up his car, I saw the car I'd been nervous about fly by at an unreasonable speed for a parking lot. I was thankful the families had left for the day.
A few moments later another car flew by and almost clipped my rear end as I backed out of my parking spot. I contemplated calling the police as fast as they were traveling through the parking lot, but I was relieved that the suspicious car had left and decided against it.
I drove through the night glancing back at Jack's headlights to make sure he was still there and to make sure they were the only headlights I saw. My phone rang after an hour.
"This is my exit. I haven't seen anyone behind us, but I'll follow you home if you want me to." Jack said.1
"No, I'm ok. Thank you for following me this far. I had a great time today." I said nervously into the phone.
"Me too. I'll call you tomorrow Lyla." His voice was husky through the phone.
"Ok bye." I rushed to get off the line, feeling overwhelmed by his affection once again. I don't know why, but it made me feel guilty.
I drove the rest of the way to Casey's like a crazy person, glancing in the rear view mirror every second, in complete paranoia.
"Hey girl!" Casey beamed as I walked in the door.
"I've missed you!" I slung my arm around her shoulder and let her lead me to her bedroom. After spilling the deets about Jack and I, and getting her unsolicited advice to stick it out, we went to sleep.
I hadn't meant to arrive so late, but I also hadn't planned to watch the sunset with Jack.
I woke up to the sun in my eyes and the smell of bacon filling the space of the small bedroom. I was starving. I'd packed food for all of the kids yesterday, but not for myself.
I walked into the kitchen and plugged my phone in to the lone charger. It had died some time during the night.
After some toast and bacon, washed down with a cup of orange juice, I was a new woman. I sat next to Casey planning our day, when my phone started to alert me to several missed messages. I grabbed it from the counter.
Mom: Tristan drowned in the pool last night. Please call me. She's dead Lyla, she's gone. I don't know how it happened. I know I locked the door. Please call home when you get this. Omg, she's gone... she's really gone.36
I dropped the phone.
"Lyla... Lyla, are you ok?" Casey's voice was distant, like it was playing on TV from another room. She grabbed my phone and read through the messages while my mind tried to comprehend the information.
Tears, so many tears were falling, "oh my god, why?" I heard someone saying, before I registered that it was my own voice. Everything Casey said now was in slow motion and I couldn't understand it.
"Jonas... I have to tell Jonas."
4
It’s my fault
Jonas' Point of view
It had been four days since I'd met with the man who had called himself "Wolf".
He didn't give anyone he worked for his true identity, for obvious reasons. I had heard from him only once since then.
He had called to tell me that he'd tracked Tyler to Lyla's neighbourhood, before losing him after he'd driven his truck through some back yards and disappeared down a trail into a densely wooded area.
I knew the area he'd spoke of, and it was so covered in green foliage in the summer, it would be impossible to track anything through it.
Wolf had taken on Alfonzo's responsibilities, assuming the only way to track down Tyler was by maintaining a constant watch over Delilah, since she was the object of his obsession right now.
I didn't like it. I didn't like this guy, this bad man who made a living from murdering people, too close to my girl, but I didn't see any other way.
So, I'd been driving by her house almost daily to keep an eye on things.
I was surprised this afternoon when I received another text. Tyler hadn't shown face since he'd realized he was being followed the first time.
Wolf: tracked your mark to Miami beach. He's here watching her. She's with another guy and her family. The mark hasn't made a move yet, but I'm going to try to lead him out of here and make the hit tonight.
The thought had my head spinning. Tyler watching her, so close to her, so close to my daughter. I began to pace, checking my phone incessantly to hear the news.
I was going to have my own brother murdered tonight. It wasn't a good feeling, none of this left a good feeling. None of it should be fucking happening.
I dialled Alfonzo. "I need you at Casey's tonight, in the event that the mark falls through."
"On it." He replied and hung up.
Hours passed and I heard nothing. The sun began to set.
Christ, how late was she going to stay out with this douche. Taking this into night would make it more dangerous for Delilah.
I knew her family had to have left by the time darkness crept through my apartment, forcing me to turn on the lone lamp.
Finally, what I'd been waiting for.
Wolf: tail is gone, the mark is following south on I-81. I'll lead him into an alley and make the hit. Will send confirmation afterward.
My heart beat picked up and a cold sweat moistened my palms. I sat on the sofa and closed my eyes, inhaling a drag from my cigarette deep into my lungs.
This was it. This would end everything and Delilah's nightmare would finally be over, and she didn't even know or realize it was going on.
I could only hope she'd take me back and had not developed feelings for that Jack guy yet. I'd fucked Britt and I had no feelings for her, so I had to believe it was the same for Lyla. It had to be.
I wouldn't take no for an answer from her. As soon as Tyler was gone, I was going to make her mine, whether she still wanted me or not.
She would love me again. No one could come between us, no one would after this, not ever again.2
Hours passed again and I looked at the time—Two in the morning. Where was he and why hadn't he confirmed?
Maybe he'd been caught by the police. He had told me never to text him back, but as another hour passed I couldn't bring myself to calm down enough not to.
I had to know! I needed confirmation. I knew Lyla was now at Casey's, Alfonzo had informed me of her arrival hours ago.
Jonas: please tell me it's over.
I sent the text and waited some more. Staring at the phone for an eternity. Another hour passed, dragging for what felt like ages, making this the longest night of my life.
I picked up my empty pack of cigarettes and hurled it across the room. This was not the ideal time to run out of smokes. I dragged a hand down my chin and tried to relax.
Finally, just after five my phone lit up. I grabbed it immediately.
Wolf: did you actually put a hit on me? On your own flesh and blood?7
Fuck!
It was T
yler. Which meant only one thing if he was texting me from this phone. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I sent a text to Alfonzo.
Jonas: the hit failed, be ready for him, I'm on my way.
I grabbed my keys as my phone lit up again.
Wolf: That's heartless brother, I always thought family was off limits. I can't believe you took it there. I don't relish the idea of hurting children. You can thank yourself for what happens next.2
Tristan6
My heart entered my stomach as I rushed to my car. I'd left her unprotected. I sped down the roads, darkness clung to the early morning. A mist seemed to coat the air, making it dense and humid.
My lungs ached for a deep dry breath. I swear to god if he touched a hair on my little girl's head. My foot was led on the pedal. I made it to Lyla's street just as the sun began to rise over the horizon, casting the slightest light through the exorbitant darkness of night.
I crested the hill and slammed my brakes. The blue and red lights flashing in front of Lyla's house made my heart sink further.
My worst fears were confirmed in the rhythmic flashing from the ambulance.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" I cried out loud, like if I wished it away it wouldn't be happening.
"Aaaaahgghhh!!!! Fuuuuuccckkkkk! Nooooo!!" My broken voice filled the small space of my car. Heavy sobs rocked my body. I had been so concerned about protecting Delilah that
I'd left my little girl unprotected. I'd left her to be hurt, to possibly meet the same fate as her mother and brother. I was her father! I should have done more to protect her. I should have saved her. I should have been here tonight waiting!2
I watched a stretcher pushed by two men enter the ambulance, followed by a distraught Mrs. Moore. The flashing lights turned off. Slowly, the ambulance made its way up the road. That could only mean one thing.
I fisted my hands and brought them down on my wheel. Wiping tears vigorously with arms, I felt myself break completely and I let it happen.
I welcomed the burn of pain, the loss of all of the hopes and dreams I'd had for my daughter. Her life was meant to be better than my own. She wasn't supposed to have had to deal with all of the shit I had faced.
She was supposed to have sleepovers and go to college and be somebody.
Slowly the pain began to morph into something else. A dark pit engulfed the sadness and left only anger and rage in its wake.
"Aaaaahhhhhhh!!!" I screamed as I pulled my hair. I was going to murder him myself, with my bare fucking hands. I would laugh in his face as he took his last breath.
God had cursed me with a monster for a brother and I would send him straight back to hell.
I threw my car in reverse and drove toward Casey's. I didn't have a plan. I just needed her right now. I needed the last person alive who I cared about, the only person on this earth who gave a fuck about me. I needed her.
I pulled into the driveway, throwing my car door open.
"DELILAH!!" I roared from behind my door. She stumbled out the door. Her eyes completely blood shot and swollen from crying. She already knew.
Fresh tears streamed down her face and I climbed into the car, staring at her.
Her feet carried her forward. Casey appeared on the porch. "Lyla!" She looked out sadly.
"Don't try to stop me." Lyla held up her hand toward Casey as she climbed into my car. I threw the car into reverse and floored the gas.
We took off down the road like a bullet. I had her now. I could take her far away from here. She left with me. She chose me.
She wiped her eyes and grabbed my hand, giving it a squeeze, but not looking away from the road. She would go anywhere with me right now. I could drive across the country.
We could run away until Tyler found us and run away again.
I looked up at her and her brokenness matched mine. I don't know when it had happened, but Delilah had become like me.
The innocence and purity she had once possessed were replaced with hurt and betrayal. Had I caused this? Of course I had. I had scooped her essence out fight by fight, and refilled her with my dark insecurities and hate.
The worst part about it was that I liked what I'd done. It made her more mine. It meant that she would likely not find another and selfishly I didn't want her to.
She loved Tristan too. Her tears fell like a storm down her face, and the pit inside of me grew by the minute. I hoped Tyler had followed us so I could kill him right now.
My hand twitched under hers and she squeezed harder. She always knew just what I needed.
I could feel the thrum of her pulse as we pulled down the lane of my childhood home. I needed this peace. I needed to know my daughter was with her mother.
I stopped the car and cut the engine. In a moment Lyla's seatbelt was off and her hands wrapped around my neck. The sound of heavy sobbing filled the space of my car as her forehead rested against my cheek.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry Jonas... I love you, I loved her. I'm so sorry." She whispered against my face as her body shook. I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat, pulling her across the car and into my lap, I let go with her. We wept that way, holding each other for a long time.2
There weren't words for the amount of pain. Soul crushing anguish was what I felt. I pushed open the car door and stood up, cradling Lyla in my arms as she sobbed into my neck.
My shirt was wet around the collar with a mixture of both of our tears.
I walked over to the small headstones I had made for Della and Daniel and placed Lyla in the grass in front of them, before joining her.
I needed to have another made. They wouldn't lay her to rest here, but this is where I'd come to remember her.
"She should be here... with her mother and her brother." I whispered to Lyla, my voice cracking in disbelief that my baby was gone. If I'd have known this would be a possibility I'd have killed Tyler years ago, consequences be damned.2
"I didn't know what I was doing when she was born. I didn't know how to warm a bottle, or change a diaper, but Della refused to care for her at first. She couldn't even look at her, she was a reminder of the prison we had created for her. I remember being thirteen, and so tired, I'd sleep through all of my classes at school. I hated her then. I hated that she were even born. She deserved so much better." Tears ran down my face anew.
"Ssshhh" Lyla rubbed my back. "You were a child yourself. She knew that you loved her. She still talked about you all the time." She brought her lips to my cheek and pressed them against me.
"I won't let him do the same to you." I turned my head toward her and cupped her cheek to meet her eyes.
"What? Jonas... what are you talking about? Are you saying that Tyler did this?" Her swollen eyes widened in realization.
"You have to go to the police Jonas! Oh my god! He can't get away with this." Her face fell in horror.
"W-was he looking for me? Is it my fault?" She whispered, as her body began to quake and guilty tears flowed down her face and over my hand, dropping into the grass.
"I should have listened to you... I'm so sorry Jonas."
"Baby... this isn't your fault... it's mine. I'm her father. I should have protected her. I only blame myself. I never should have covered for him the first time. I didn't know then. I didn't know what he was." A heavy breath made its way from my lungs. Tyler was the one who had killed her, but I had sat idly and let it happen. I'd never forgive myself for that.3
The final goodbye
Lyla’s point of view
I sat quietly, shocked at what Jonas had just revealed to me.
"The police, we have to go." I said again, imagining how terrified Tristan must have been if she were truly murdered.
"I can't." Jonas said, casting his eyes to the grass. "I have to protect you."
"What do you mean you can't? How do you know it was him? Jonas..." I brushed my hand over his cheek and gripped him behind his neck, "...I need you to tell me everything."
He looked at me seriously before pulling his phone from his pocket and
clicking on his messages. He placed it in my hand. I read through them, trying to understand.
"You hired someone to kill him... he really did it... this is all the evidence you need Jonas." I held the phone out to him.
"I hired a bloody Hitman Lyla. I'll be arrested. He sent me photos of you, he has been in your house. If I'm arrested that's it. He will get to you."1
"So why hasn't he just gotten it over with and killed me?" I asked. He huffed like it should be obvious, and I was just not listening well enough to anything he was saying.
Finally, he shook his head and continued.
"I don't want you to be pissed, but I've had someone following you. They chased him...he was at your house Lyla. He's not going to stop coming for you." He let out a breath.
"The car..." I said to myself more than him. I thought about the car outside of my house and at the beach.
"It was the guy I hired, Wolf... but I have another guy watching too. His name is Alfonzo. He's my friend Theo's brother. I've even kept watch myself, but I couldn't stay away from you, I couldn't do it myself." He looked embarrassed.
"You've watched me?" I asked, wondering if he had watched me with Jack.
He would be more angry I imagined, if that was the case. I kept my hand on the back of his neck comfortingly.
I needed his honesty, I wished I had known how serious this was, I'd have stayed home instead of involving Casey. I'd have been there in place of Tristan.
"Only once, I couldn't violate your privacy like that again." He closed his eyes.
"You said you shouldn't have covered for him, what did you mean?" I asked, needing to get to the bottom of it all.
"Yes..." he ran a hand down his chin and glanced to Daniel's grave.
"With Della and Daniel, I wasn't totally truthful, I'm sorry. I should have told you. Della didn't actually kill herself. Tyler caught her and Daniel trying to leave, he killed them. I set the fire to cover it up. We were kids and I thought we would get in trouble. I thought I was returning the favour to him by covering it up. He took all of the abuse for me when we were in England and it fucked him up. I got off free. I think he hates me for it. I think he resents the fact that I'm not like him." He blew through his lips and traced a finger over where the name Daniel was etched in the small stone in front of us.