Chapter 3

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Mother??? Oh God, Mommy. It's you! It's really you! I grab onto her arms and tug on her shirt as she starts to tuck me into bed. I can only see from her mouth down and when I look up at her eyes, there is a bar of static covering them. I feel her look at me, she tries to comfort me as she sits by my side and bends over to kiss my forehead.

"Shhhhhh it's okay,______" her lips are moving but nothing is coming out. It's silent yet she's still speaking. The sound comes back, "be a strong girl like I taught you to be." Her smile is bright and everlasting. She looks at me and gets up from the edge of the bed, still smiling. She leaves the room and as the door closes, screaming and yelling follow. The arguing gets louder and louder until the slurred words are interrupted by glass breaking. The glass breaking is followed by screams of terror. All I see is shadows moving under the door.

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I wake up to my alarm blaring in my left ear on my dresser next to my bed. I stop the alarm and sit up straight. It was 5:30 am. The dream resides in me as I still see bits and pieces in my head. I miss you so much, mom. Why'd you leave me all alone? I get up and stretch my arms and legs out. I still have to write that letter from "auntie" saying she's...on vacation. She left in the middle of the night and left me in charge of everyone that worked for her. It looks like her bank account automatically funnels out and pays the bills while also paying her workers. Plus I'm pretty sure I know the pins to all her cards. 1975, the year mom was born.

I write down things pertaining to money along with some other fluff to make it sound believable and I forge her signature at the bottom of the letter. I get dressed for school and walk outside after eating breakfast with the letter in my hand. Ezekiel is waiting there like usual and I hand him the letter. It takes him a minute to read but then he looks at me with slight concern.

"Is she okay? Is everything okay? Are you okay?" He looks like he's somewhat worried. That's not good.

"Yeah, Ezekiel, I'm fine. And I'm sure she's fine. She just needed space. And that's okay. But I'm in charge now apparently, cool?" I look at him and he's still worried.

"Yeah..."

"Can you pass it to the others that worked under my aunt? Ya know, the maids, the butlers, anyone she's employed."

"Okay, I can do that."

"And tell them I said that they're fired. And I'm sorry to say this Ezekiel, but I'm going to have to let you go too. I don't need the assistance my aunt did and I don't want to waste your time. I'm sorry." I'm letting them all go because they all worked and cared for my aunt. They can get curious and ask questions, I don't need that.

"But how will you get to school?" He asked. His face looked so sad as he frowned. "I've been with you since you got here."

"I have my driver's license so I'll use one of my aunt's sports cars. And I know and appreciate the way you took care of me, but I have to do this by myself and be independent." He was attached. You can see it in his eyes how much he cared about me. But that care brings problems I don't want. "I'll be okay. I'm safe."

"...alright." We both get in the car and he drives me to school in complete silence. The atmosphere was heavy and awkward. We arrive at school. And I open the car door. Before I get out, I look at him. "Goodbye, Ezekiel." I get out and walk into the school. You've done so much to me but...it's time for you to go.

It was early so I was standing outside of my class, waiting and leaning on the wall. Someone's hands wrap around my ribs and tighten around me, moving and hugging my chest. The grip loosened and it was Zen.

"Hiiiii!!" He said. He was happy to see me. His voice was higher and softer.

"Yes, yes, hi cutie." I pat his face with my hand and smile back. "Everything, okay?"

"Yea, what were you doing last night?" He asked. He seemed concerned as he tapped on the wall next to him.

"Oh, when I wasn't texting you? I told you, I was hiding a body."

"Okay but seriously."

"Don't worry about it, okay?" I squeeze his face and walk into class as he follows. A wave of students flooded in and my friend, Malcolm walks in and sits next to me. Malcolm was of average height with brown hair, shaved sides and brown eyes. He was a pretty boy and he knew it. He had a charm.

"So how was the trip?" His voice was smooth and soothing. "You and Zen together yet?"

"Yea, actually."

"Good job. That is a good looking boy. Keep him close."I give him a strong glare after that. ...Really? "What?"

"You can't say things like that." I reply.

"It's cause I'm bisexual."

"It's because you sleep with everyone, Malcolm! You can't have him." That was his charm. He was able to date and sleep with anyone he wanted to. He was a player.

"I know, I know."

"No jokes about Zen."

"No jokes."

The day went on and on till dismissal...shit, I have no way of getting home. Um. Fuck. Oh, Zen has a car! I wait for him outside so he can drive me home. He eventually comes out and I tell him that Ezekiel Quit and I needed help to go home. Without a question, he tells me to get into his black 5 seater car and he drives me home after I give him the address. The drive was about fifteen minutes, and that entire fifteen minutes I stared and Zen's serious face as he was focusing on the road. He would rub my thigh at times to make sure I wasn't falling asleep.

He pulls over to my house and stops the car then looks at me. "Okay, there you go. Do you need me to pick you up in the morning, too?" He asks. "Or buy you breakfast, I notice you don't eat much. That's not very good, how do you focus in cl-"

"Zen, it's okay! I'm okay." I cut him off. He seemed concerned a lot, especially since I didn't talk to him much last night. I smile and rub his cheek.

"Are you sure??"

"Yesssssssss."

"Okay, will you talk to me this time instead of disappearing?"

"Yes. Pinkie Promise." I put my pinkie up and he does the same. We lock pinkies and I stretch over the car seat to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I promise."

I get out of the car and I enter my house. I immediately go for the garage to get one of my aunt's sports cars. Well, I guess it's mine now. I pick the white car. It was sleek and smooth with four seats and a big trunk. It's a good thing I have my drivers license. I don't care for an expensive one, I just need it to do what I need it to do. I open the door and the keys are on the dashboard. I take them and put them in my pocket. I go into the basement and grab the duffle bag along with the shovel. I take it to the garage and put it in the trunk of my car. I get in the driver's seat and turn the car on. I leave the house and drive off into the woods. Let's take a ride, Auntie.

I drive for 30 minutes, then pull over and take the duffle bag deep into the woods where I walk for another thirty minutes until I pick a spot good enough. I drop the bag and push my foot down on the shovel and into the dirt. I start to dig a hole. This is to ensure my safety. I won't let you ruin my life, Auntie. You won't stop me, you won't. You won't take me from my friends, you won't take me from Zen. He's the only one I have now. I will keep him close. Forever and always. I won't mess up like mom, I promise. I'll be happy with him. I'll have his kids and We will grow old together. But to do that, I had to remove you and all the abuse you put me under. You mentally and emotionally bullied me until I had enough. I'm sorry....bye auntie.

The hole was Ten feet deep. I climb out using my knees and grab the duffle back and drop it into the hole. For my future with Zen, he can't find out about you. I bury the bag but all I think about is Him while I do it. He's my everything. I would give him a star if I could, he deserves it. His eyes are my world and his arms are my comfort. He makes the pain and static go away. I honestly think I love him. With all my heart. I would do anything to please him and to keep him to myself. So sweet and so kind. All I want is him. I crave Every part of him, mentally, physically, and sexually. I want his hands to feel and grope my chest and thighs while his lips on my skin as he's pressing down on me. I want him to love and make love to me as much as I want to do the same for him. The dirt was back in its place. The sun was setting and sunlight peeked through the trees. I walked back to my car with a huge smile on my face.

I love you, Zen. You are mine, Forever and Always.

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