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But as time went on and the years slipped between our fingers, it became something I didn't want to share because of fear. I was afraid of how she would react. I was afraid she wouldn't look at me the same and I wasn't sure I could deal with that.

It didn't matter. Cyprus found out. What she knew exactly I still wasn't sure, but regardless, she knew more than I had ever spoken out loud to anyone other than my father.

The fear I felt began to spiral and transform. Panic was setting in and my mind began to race with all the things she could use against us. With just her testimony she could put my father and I away for life.

“Let me fix this, Cyprus. Let me tell you the truth, all of it.”

“No,” she barked, cutting the air with her hand. “I don't want anymore lies. I'll find the answers myself, I'll see it in my head and learn it on my own. I don't want to have anymore lies shoved down my throat. I'm done with this shit, Birch. I'm out, I'm not one of you, I never was.”

With quick steps, Cyprus stormed back towards the house, her arms stiff and rigid as they swung in tandem with her feet. She didn't look back at me, she never turned to give me one last glance. She just walked with purpose.

In that moment I knew everything just got a whole lot harder.

I was losing her.You fucking lost her.

I needed her back.Good luck, you might as well have killed her parents yourself.

I won't let her go.That's not your choice to make.