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Apparently, they’re all keeping quiet about it, but from what she learned by eavesdropping, the police still don’t have a body or enough remains to create a profile.
I’ve been praying the person is only badly injured and not dead.
Despite my tough talk, I can’t live with the fact that I witnessed someone’s murder and did nothing about it—or worse, participated in it.
With heavy feet, I walk to a stone bench in the corner. For some reason, it seems familiar.
Way too familiar.
I retrieve a napkin and wipe the dust and soot from the surface then sit down. It feels right to sit here.
So, so right.
My fingers trail over the back of the bench, my brows furrowing. It’s right to be here, but there’s something wrong.
Or rather, something missing.
My eyes widen.
It’s not something. It’s someone.
I inhale the pine scent coming from outside as the memory hits me like sparkling fireworks on the Fourth of July.
* * *
Night of the incident
I sit on the bench, my eyes filled with tears. All the way here, I’ve been hardly holding on.
Now that she’s sitting right in front of me, it’s nearly impossible to stop the onslaught of emotions.
Her hair is a bit shorter than mine and she’s got it up in a ponytail. She has the same deep blue eyes, the same full lips with the teardrop at the upper lip, the same tiny nose that fits the shape of her face.
Reina.
She’s finally here. We finally found our way back to each other after nine years.
She stares at the engagement ring on her finger. It glints under the cottage’s soft light as she grins.
I cross my arms over my chest. “Are you here for me or for that engagement ring?”
“The ring. Definitely the ring.”
I huff. “Whatever.”
“You’re just being jealous.” Reina hits my shoulder with hers. “It’s not my fault I got all the looks.”
“Oh, puh-leeze.” I flip my hair. “Are you even looking at me?”
“Yeah.” Her grin is a little sad this time. “I see me.”
“I see me, too. Rei…” I grab her hands in mine. “I’m going to make things right for the both of us. I’m making that promise come true. You saved me. It’s time I save you.”
She shakes her head, expression calm and wise. “I don’t want you involved. Dad was, and we both know where that led him. I won’t lose you, too, Rai.”
I jerk up, running a hand through my hair as I pace the length of the cottage. “You can’t expect me to sit and do nothing. Dad would’ve understood.”
“Rai.” She stands up and slowly approaches me, as if she’s afraid of setting me off. “Listen to me. Dad knew why I had to do this. Why do you think he kept it a secret? Besides, I have someone who’ll help me, but you have nothing, okay? You don’t know these people as much as I do. They’ll murder you and bury your remains at a new construction site. They’re dangerous people.”
