Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Oh my God, that has to be insane.”
“Yeah, a broken arm and leg, fractured hand and burns are all a lot to deal with. He’s getting the best care, so I’m hopeful for him.”
“I hope he’s okay too.”
I would love to have him in front of my camera someday. Those eyes, they’d be everything to look at through a lens. I want to ask so many more questions, but I clamp my mouth shut.
Kelex
I have no sense of time or where the fuck I am. Just pain, a whole lot of pain. The morphine wears off faster than I can savor the brief moments of relief.
I’d rather be placed back in a fucking coma. Four weeks of silence and no thought of how fucked up my life has become. Now, all I have is thoughts. Thoughts and pain.
It’s better to sleep. That’s all I want is sleep. However, every time I try, I’m thrown back into that car, and the pain doesn’t help. It’s like it’s all happening again.
At the moment, I’d take being trapped over having this prick in my room. I feel him. He’s here as if he cares.
I told him to get the fuck out and stay out. It’s not like he gives a shit about me. He’s just here to make sure I’m still breathing so he can get what he’s wanted all my life.
No me, no Vander. I should kick the bucket just to spite his ass. It’s not like my life will be the same.
Just as I’m about to black out again, someone else enters the room. I fight to keep conscious. Searing pain racks my body, making it an easy task.
“Why have you called me here?” It’s the same guy from my father’s office that morning.
“This is a safe place to talk. We need to have a conversation,” my father replies coldly.
“We have nothing to talk about.”
“Ah, but we do. I hear you think you’re leaving Bridge Lake and Vander behind.”
“What do I have left here? Why should I stay?”
“I’ve made you an offer. It wouldn’t be wise to ignore it.”
“Or what? You should stop underestimating m—”
“Shut your fucking mouth.”
“Fuck you, Ulysses. I’ve given my all. You have no right to ask me for anything more.”
“I will ask for whatever I need. I’m not done with you. You’re not going anywhere,” my dad snarls.
“Well, I’m done with you. You know, you’re some piece of work. You still have your world. I…I have nothing.
“William is going to be released. They’re sweeping all of this under the rug. There will be no justice. Vander kids are just like their parents. They never have to face the repercussions of their actions.”
“You sound like a whiny bitch. What did you think would happen?”
“Are you fucking kidding me? I’ve lost my license for less, and the only family I have is gone. Yet, these kids are walking away with not even a slap on the wrist. And you…you are the worse part of it all.”
There’s a beat of silence.
“Don’t shrug your shoulders at me, you son of a bitch. Every time I look at you, I’m reminded why I should have left this place behind years ago. Here your son is, alive. Don’t talk to me about not being done because, as far as you all are concerned, I am.”
“Are you sure about that? I can turn this all around in your favor. Let’s say I’m offering up reparations for all you’ve been through.”
“Fuck you.”
“I’ll hand them all over. The Castros, Lester, Marvin, Blake, Zoe and anyone else you feel owes you. All you have to do is be patient. Allow me to get Basil where I need him—”
“You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
“All this time, I thought you knew. I thought that was why you kept reaching out… You know what? Never mind.
“This won’t bring my life back. She’s gone for good. It won’t bring him back either,” the guy seethes.
“What are you two doing in here?” That’s Jeff.
Thank God. Someone I can trust to get these two the hell out of here. My father is forever at something. Asshole. I want to open my eyes to see who this guy is, but I start to lose consciousness.
Chapter 4
The One to Watch
Kelex
Present…
“So you never found out who the guy was?” Blake asks, pulling me from the past.
“No, I never heard that voice again after that. I have no idea who he was,” I reply. I then look to Pit as he rubs his tired-looking eyes. “Do you think you have what you need?”
He bares his teeth. “No—”
“Josh, oh my God, are you okay? You didn’t do this. There’s no way you could have done this,” Shawna breathes as she rushes into the back room.
“I’m not saying that he did, but how are you so sure he didn’t?” Ven asks as she lifts her head from the table to look at Shawna.