Page 82 of Dark Notes, Volume Two

“No, not against you. I’m trying to explain to you that all this shit, we’re in it together. We are not on opposite sides.”

Her eyes look sad and I hate it but once again my therapist's voice is in my head.

‘The only way out is through.’

“Twelve.” She says and my rage builds but I still try to keep it hidden, for her sake. One word, the most fucking disgusting thing I’ve ever heard. She was a child.

“Does your mother know?”

She nods, “Yeah, she knows.”

I know all too well what it’s like to be abused by the people that are supposed to protect you. People think once you’re out of the situation that somehow you can feel safe. They’re wrong. The damage done in our childhood lasts for a lifetime. Even when there’s healing it never truly stops because child abuse changes the way our brains are wired.

“He was convicted but now he’s getting out?”

She’s slow to respond but eventually does.

“I don’t know for sure but my lawyer said parole is likely. He has been a model prisoner, even helping inmates learn to read.”

I can’t stop myself before blurting out, “A model prisoner? While he has been harassing you? Isn’t there a no contact order?”

She barks out a laugh as if my question is ridiculous.

“Of course there is. He has called me under so many different inmate names. Then he got a cell phone and called me with that for a while. They found it in his cell mate's possession and everybody knows this Roger guy was covering for him but they can’t prove it. He’s never going to leave me alone, Jett and if he gets out, he will kill me.”

Mia stares at me in shock when I say, “Not if I kill him first.”

I don’t know if she believes I’ll do it but I will. When it comes to her, I will do anything to keep her and keep her safe. There are no boundaries. There’s no place too far for me to go. Even if it meant life in prison, which it won’t, I’d still do it.

17

Chapter Fifty-Seven

MIA

We flew back to California a few days ago and while I’ve been nervous about being even closer to the paparazzi it’s been okay for the most part. Have they taken my pictures? Of course but I’m avoiding it. According to Jett, I’m no longer allowed to check the gossip sites or google my name. He calls it self harm and while I laughed initially he’s not wrong. I never looked at it that way but I think he has a point. I know if I go look there I’m going to find unkind things. Not everybody is rude. Some people say amazing and supportive things but with the way my brain works, I don’t see it. I could see one hundred nice things and one nasty comment and I’ll focus on the negative.

Jett went to get his tattoo finished today and I’m going to meet McKinley for lunch. My step-father got released from prison. Originally Jett said I couldn’t go due to the risk it would present but, after a long discussion he finally agreed. I have a driver so I’m sure everything will be fine.

My phone chimes and I pick it up to see who it is. It’s a text from an unknown number. I open it and immediately my spine tingles with fury.

Unknown Number: Mia, this is Samantha. You don’t owe me anything but I’m hoping we can meet up and talk. I’m so sorry for everything and I want to apologize face to face.

My initial thought is fuck no. Yet, she’s an addict and maybe she got clean. I know one of the steps is making amends, maybe that’s what this is.

Me: You’re right. I don’t owe you a damn thing but I’ll meet you at the corner of Steadman and Right Ave at the coffee shop but I won’t have long. I have to meet someone at noon.

Jett bought me a knife and a sheath so I decide I’ll put that on. I really don’t think I’ll need it but if he finds out I went to meet her without at least that, he’ll be pissed. We’ll be in a public place so I really am not expecting trouble. I’m going to hear her out and tell her to stay the fuck away from Jett. Then I’ll be done with this. It’ll be time to properly move on.

The power goes out. Dammit I bet the storm I hear outside has done some damage. Hopefully I can still get to this meeting on time. I’m ready to get it over with and spend some much needed time with McKinley.

I slide my knife into the sheath strapped around my calf and adjust my pants so it’s concealed. I’m wearing black dress pants so that way I can access it if needed but they’re loose enough so there won’t be a way of seeing the imprint against my leg.

Once I’m ready, I grab my purse and head to the door. I open it and scream.

Not only is Samantha standing on the other side of the door but my step-father is beside her with a slimy grin on his face.

The panic climbs up my skin, and I can’t move. Everything in my brain is screaming, slam the door shut and call the police. But I stand immobile. I can’t think. Opening my mouth to speak, no words come out. It’s as if my vocal chords are frozen when he reaches his arm out and places his hand around my throat as his brown eyes peer into mine. I step back as he squeezes hard, cutting off my air as I spot Samantha walking through the door and coming behind me. I don’t know how the two of them are connected, without a doubt I know Jett will come back and find my body.