Page 21 of Dancing with the Devil

My steps came to an immediate halt as I watched paramedics rush out of the men’s bathroom with a stretcher. Everyone was gathered around, staring at the scene in terror.

I glanced down at the man with a bullet hole between his eyes as they passed me and my heart dropped.Nic.

* * *

“Dad, are you home yet?” I called out but nothing. He was usually home by now, either passed out on the couch or watching the game in his bedroom.

I checked the entire house but he was nowhere to be found. I called his cellphone but no one answered.Where is he?

I finally got to his bedroom and when I stepped inside, an eerie feeling slithered up my spine. The room was dark, andcold. I walked over to his bed, spotting a white piece of paper.What’s this?

Picking it up, I unfolded it. A handwritten letter.

CHAPTER 5

Nirah

Nirah, my little girl.

I’ve done many things in life that I’m not proud of, wishing I didn’t have to do and this is definitely the worst. Before I explain myself, just know that I love you, dearly, and always will. This has absolutely nothing to do with you, it’s all because of me.

Someone made me realize that my actions have consequences that don’t only affect me, but you as well.

My behavior is causing you stress, and problems, and it’s preventing you from living your young adult life and I’m sorry.

I’m the parent. I should be taking care of you but I can’t even do that right. I can’t seem to do anything right these days.

My vision blurred with tears as my hand trembled. A single tear drop slipped from my eye, landing in the bottom right corner of the paper. Taking a deep breath in, I continued.

I’m going to do the right thing. For you.

I booked myself into a rehabilitation facility in Spain, back home. I need to get better in order to be a better father to you. You deserve that much from me after all these years.

My gasp filled the silence as my hand slammed over my mouth in denial.

I don’t know how long I’ll be there, but I’d spend the next ten years locked in rehab if that’s how long it takes to better myself.

I’m doing this for you. You’re my little girl and seeing all the hurt I’m causing you pains me.

I love you, Nirah.

My eyes frantically darted around the room, and I rushed over to his closet. With a loud thud, I swung the door open. It was empty.

I hurried over to his drawers, the bathroom, the laundry room, the kitchen, the living room. His things were gone. They were all…gone.

Sinking my teeth into my quivering bottom lip, I scrunched up the little white paper in my left hand.

I shook my head, feeling my heart ache in my chest.You can’t leave me like this. You can’t leave me all alone—you’re the only family I have left.

I brought both hands up to my throat as I tugged my t-shirt away from my neck repeatedly. I could barely get any oxygen into my lungs, and my legs were numb. It felt as though my ribs were closing in on my heart.

I’m all alone now. No mother. No father. No Nereus.No one.

* * *

I had let go of last night’s moment withMr. Jackass, and was finally ready to just get my shift over and done with tonight.

Waking up alone in my father’s bed this morning was all the painful confirmation I needed, that this was real.