2016.
Earlier, Nico texted me that Carmen was at the party, being carried into a bedroom by Axel, and that she had to be drugged. I rushed from the hospital to get her.
Something snapped in me at the thought of him touching her, especially after the rumors at school came through that Knox and Axel had been doing this to girls for a while. I pulled the white ski mask on.
I knew what had to be done. So I did it. I made sure he never touched her again.
I took her from Axel and carried her downstairs, holding her tight against my chest. Her eyes were closed, but somehow the only name on her lips was mine.
I texted Nico what happened so he and Harper could sneak out of the party and bring the car around back, where I waited for them. When they pulled up, I guided her into the back seat of Nico’s car.
“Is she okay?” Nico asked as I sat down beside her, closed the door, and motioned for him to drive. I pulled the white ski mask off.
I shook my head and signed.He tried to rape her.
“Fuck,” he shouted, slamming his palm against the wheel. “Are you okay, man?”
I am, but Axel won’t make it. I made sure of that.I signed.
He nodded and drove. I held Carmen close in my arms. Her red lipstick was smeared, her eyes completely shut. She still shook, her lips forming a broken whisper. “No.”
“She’s still in shock,” Harper said, looking back at us.
I stared out the window. I had promised myself I would do anything to protect her, even if it meant killing someone. I was eighteen. If they found out I was the one who stabbed Axel, I wouldn’t face juvenile charges, but jail time. I had no plan ahead. I only knew I wanted to stay with her.
We stopped in front of the driveway. Nico turned to me.
“You’ll have to run, man,” he said. “We have to figure something out.”
I nodded and opened the door.
“We’ll wait here,” Harper said.
I walked toward the house. With every step, I held her tighter, knowing Nico was right. I would have to leave her here and disappear.
I opened the door and went inside. The smell of blood hit me, and I felt numb to it. My hoodie and black jeans were soaked. I carried her upstairs to her bedroom and sat her on the bed, pulling her dress off. I went to the closet and took one of the black shirts I had gotten her, sliding it over her head. I had made the maids replace her pastel clothes with the black-and-white she liked, so she would always have something that felt like her.
I laid her down. As her head touched the pillow, she murmured, “Judas.” Her eyes fluttered open. “Hey,” she whispered.
I typed the message and held the screen up for her to see.
I’m sorry, little sister. I’m sorry, I have to leave.
“No,” she whimpered. “Don’t go.”
I couldn’t reassure her that I would stay. I leaned in and kissed her forehead. Just before her eyes closed again, she whispered, “When we turn eighteen, we will drive so far away from here.”
I nodded, my chest tightening.
I promise. I promise we will.
I stepped away and went to the balcony, my phone still in my hands. I reset it, erasing every message, every photo, every trace as if none of it had ever existed. I climbed over the railing and back to my own balcony, leaving the phone behind on the table.
I had to go, I had to.
I moved back onto the balcony, crossed the railing, and jumped down onto the grass. As soon as Nico saw me, he turned the car back on. I ran toward him.
Let’s go,I signed.
