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“And how long will that take?” I yell down the phone to the dickhead that can’t follow simple instructions. “I was told they would be ready, what the fuck am I supposed to do now?” I hang up. For fuck’s sake! The new passports were meant to be ready. What do I do now? I can’t go back to the shitty motel I have been staying in, and I can’t go back to my place. They will be looking for me, and without the new passports, I can’t stay at a hotel. Luckily, a few weeks ago, I stashed some money and personal items at a secret location. It's a long drive from here though, and I need those passports first. I need to think. Think, think, think, God damn it.

Why could things not go as planned? Raine was supposed to come with me, I needed to take her away from him; from them. I lost my temper with her, I don't even know if she’s dead or alive. I panicked at what my temper made me do, and left her on the floor. To be honest, she would be better off dead than anywhere near that family. Why didn't I pursue her sooner? She was always meant to be mine; I promised my mom I would marry Raine. I was only fourteen at the time, but a promise is a promise. I thought it would all come in time, that I would get my revenge, then I would claim her. Revenge always had to come first, it was what I wanted most of all: for my mom and for my sister. I have lost all my research that took me years to gather, and I have lost my family, and Raine. So, I have nothing left to lose, but it can’t be over yet. I just need to figure out where I’m going. I need a new plan.

I wonder if the police are finished at Raine’s? I should be able to get in undetected, especially since I’m wearing a police uniform. Years ago, I bribed it off a very corrupt officer and it has come in handy a few times since. It will be a piece of cake, even if she is alive, it’s not like she would go straight back to her apartment, not after everything that happened.

There’s no one outside Raine’s apartment when I get there, but I stay hidden for a little while to make sure. Once I’m sure the coast is clear, I cautiously make my way to the door, stopping every couple of seconds to scan the area. The window has been boarded up, someone must have broken it to get in. Hesitantly, I try my key in the lock, hoping the locks haven’t been changed yet, and by a stroke of luck, they haven’t. I carefully creep inside, listening, but it’s silent, thank God!

I sneak into all the rooms one by one, searching through them carefully, and holy fuck, someone made short work of the bathroom door, it’s in pieces. I suppose I did lock her in there. With a malicious smirk, I shrug it off, and keep searching.

After searching the place high and low, I feel confident enough that the place is empty. You can never be too careful. A loud grumble echoes from my stomach, and I go to the kitchen to make something to eat, but before I can even open the fridge, I hear the front door open and close. Shit! I dash and hide behind the kitchen door, listening for the sound of footsteps, but they don’t head this way, whoever it is, is on the way to the bedroom.

I tiptoe my way out of the kitchen. Curiosity gets the better of me, could it be Raine? I couldn’t have imagined her returning, but it could be possible, and if so, I can continue with my original plan to take her with me. As I listen, I can hear whoever it is rummaging through the bedroom. I quietly come up behind them, it’s not Raine, but her mother. I’m taken aback for a second, is Raine dead? Did I kill her?

Rose hears me behind her, and turns around quickly, covering her mouth with a loud gasp. “Wha...what are you doing here?” She stutters, fumbling over her words. “You have no right; you should be locked up after what you did.” I stiffen, unsure on what to do. “You could have killed her; do you know that? After everything we have done for you, this is how you repay us, why, Jack?”

She’s angry, with tears forming in her eyes, but I can’t answer her, I don’t know what to say. “I’m calling the police, right now!” She yells, pulling out her phone, but I can’t let her do that and I go to snatch it off her, but she grips it tight, and I struggle to get it. With a shove, she pushes me back and I lose my footing, tumbling over. She takes her chance and attempts to run. Shit! No! I can’t have her running her mouth to the police.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I jump up and chase her. Coming up behind her, I grab her hair tightly, just before she reaches the front door. I drag her into the living room, and she screams in pain when I grab the phone from her and shove her to the floor. My first thought was just to tie her up and leave, but she gets up and starts screaming. I’m unable to get her to shut up, so I punch her, but I must have put more power than I thought behind it, because she stumbles back. With the world starting to turn and spin, I watch as she hits her head on the wall, her body falling to the floor with a thud. No! No! What have I done? I take steps toward her, and bend down to check her breathing, hoping she’s not dead. There is too much blood, she’s just lying there with her eyes wide open. No! No! What should I do? Gently, I close her eyes and rise up. I have to get to Raine, she’s still alive and I have to get her to come with me before anyone finds out about this, I need to...Shit! I need to get to Raine.

I go through Rose’s phone looking for information on Raine. Thankfully, I see a text; it’s to one of the girls Raine works with, saying that she’s still in the hospital and will be getting discharged later. This is my chance, if I can get there before she’s discharged, I can take her with me. Yes! That will work. Pleased with myself, I chuck the phone onto the floor. My heart feels slightly heavy at the sight of Rose, yet the feelings vanish as quickly as they appeared. I look back as I leave, and whisper ‘Sorry Rose,’ before closing the door. Honestly, I never wanted anyone getting caught up in this, but I have to do what needs to be done in order to get this finished.