Kennedy
I’m exhausted and my face is red, the stain from my falling tears, something that even concealer can’t disguise. Reliving and telling a room of people about my time at the commune drained every ounce of strength from me. I want to get back home and crash. I quickly text Ash and tell him that I’ll come later to see Abbey, after a quick nap to revive myself from the exhaustion of today’s events.
I feel the phone buzz almost immediately in my hands. I can’t figure out how he manages to type out a text so damn quickly.
Ash: Still waiting. Doesn’t look like she’ll be out anytime soon. Get some rest! See ya soon, Barbie!!
I drop my head back against the head rest, my eyes heavy, closing almost automatically.
I feel a hand shake my arm and I jump in a fright, forgetting my where I am. My head frantically turns from side to side, trying to gather my bearings. I inhale sharply before my eyes cast upon Jocelyn’s face. I hold my hand against my chest, willing my heart to slow down as it thumps ferociously.
“Dammit,” I grate out.
“Sorry, sweetie, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, it’s fine. I think I’m just a little jumpy after today.”
Surprisingly, Mr. Peterson turns to me. “Kennedy, you did a great job today. I know how incredibly difficult it was for you, but honestly, you did an amazing job,” he says in his stoic, authoritative voice. I glance up, shooting him a sad smile.
“I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, Mr. Peterson. I’m lucky to have you on my side.”
He smiles, something I rarely see from him, and the kindness in his eyes reminds me of the same I see in Cole’s.
“Always,” he says before turning and placing his hands back on the steering wheel. Jocelyn places a loving hand on his shoulder, smiling at me with pride.
“Go get some rest.” She points to the apartment. “That’s an order,” she laughs.
I unbuckle my seatbelt, lean forward, and kiss her lightly on the cheek. “Thank you will never be enough.”
I push the car door open, grab my purse, and head to the apartment, waving over to Jocelyn and Mr. Peterson as they drive away. I dig into my bag, retrieving the keys to the apartment, and push the key into the lock. I try to twist the key, but it doesn’t turn. I remove the key and try the handle. The door opens. I feel my adrenaline spike at the thought that Cole came back.
I walk in, push off my shoes, and drop down my purse. I call out his name but there is no answer. I guess he must be in the shower. I’m nervous but excited to see him. I hope that since he’s back, he’s ready to talk this all out.
Hopefully this time I can get him to understand that it’s only ever going to be him. I walk into the living room, pushing the door closed behind me.
Within seconds of closing the door, I’m pinned up against the wall, fighting for a breath. I kick my legs, my feet no longer on the floor, my eyes meeting with his.
“I think it’s time we ended this, Kennedy.” His words are menacing and he means every single word.
I can’t speak.
I’m suffocating.
I feel my vision blur and my body becomes heavy. I pull at his hands around my neck until I have no more strength. I feel my weight suddenly drop to the floor, my body limp and lifeless. I gasp and struggle for a breath. I swallow down hard, trying to soothe my throat, clearing it to speak.
“Dennis, no…” my voice fades and is barely audible.
“No what?” he roars. “Get used to the idea, Kennedy. Today you die!”
I press my back against the wall, my eyes never leaving him as I watch him pace up and down the length of the apartment. I need to get to my phone. I need to get out of here. I look over to Dennis, noticing that one side of his shirt is tucked into his jeans. I intently watch as he moves, trying to see if it’s what I think it is in his waistband.
As he walks right in front of me, I get a clear look at the weapon. I cover my mouth, trying to stifle my gasp as I see the handgun tucked inside his jeans. He looks over at me, his eyes dark and permeated with evil.
“How did you get in here?” I ask, confused at how the door could be unlocked.
“Well you made that easy for me.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I say, shaking my head.
“Some fucker left the door unlocked. Don’t you think that’s just asking for trouble?”
“But it couldn’t have been, I locked the door.” I stutter, the thud of my erratic heart causing my whole body to shake violently.
He walks over to me, pulls his hand above his head, and strikes down, hitting me across the face. The force of contact makes me drop to the floor. His feet connect, over and over, with my upper torso and face.
“I ask the fucking questions here, Kennedy! Not you. You know, I finally saw my dad for the first time in a long time today.”
My mouth drops open as he continues to talk about Christopher.
“He’s not the monster you’re making him out to be.”
“You’re wrong,” I cry, pushing myself up from the floor.
“No!” he yells. “You have everyone wrapped around your little fucking finger. Everyone thinks you’re this little angel. When, really, you just run around ruining lives. Somebody has to stop you, Kennedy.”
He reaches down, gripping a handful of my hair, and drags me along the floor. I scream loudly as I try gripping onto something, anything. My nails dig into the carpet as I fight with everything I have.
I watch as he pulls out the handgun, his other hand still painfully gripping my hair. I scream and shout, crying to get attention. Maybe a neighbor will hear me. But my voice is lost and becomes barely audible as I strain to be heard. My heart beats and breaths are rapid. I’m on my knees, the end of his gun pointed at my head. I hear him screaming at me, but his voice is just noise as my brain begins to shut down.
“Answer me, you fucking bitch!” he roars, grabbing my chin and turning my head up to meet his.
I stay in stunned silence, too scared to move, with no energy to speak. I feel the sting of the gun as it hits the side of my head. The trickle of warm blood runs down my face. I lay there blinking, trying to focus, but I just can’t. I feel like I’m drifting in and out of consciousness, willing myself to grasp onto life and never let go.
I hear a loud slam. My eyes dart over to the door. I hear Cole’s voice. I try to shout. I try to warn him not to enter, but he continues to call out for me. He’s saying something about Abbey and hospital, but my brain struggles to process his words. My eyelids drift open and closed. Cole shouts, his voice louder than Dennis. I try to push myself up but I have no strength. I catch a glimpse of Cole racing toward Dennis. I try to keep my eyes open but I’m fading from the struggle and shock.
I feel the darkness become heavy. The shocking sound of gun fire. A thud as a body falls to the floor.
The darkness takes me too. I can no longer hold on.