Chapter 38
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
DIXIE
W alking into the restroom, nerves prickle at the base of my neck.
I'm nervous to see Tripp.
But I know I need to make this right.
Need to fix what I have broken. Again.
Washing my hands, I look at myself in the mirror and give a haunted smile back to myself.
I miss him.
I needed him.
I didn’t know how to breathe without him.
And now I know the threat is gone, I can be with him wholeheartedly.
They would never let anyone hurt me.
Like Riggs said, I couldn't protect them. But this is the problem with being left the way I was. My mom died. I did everything to protect my sister Lainey, but I failed. I did everything to protect myself and only ended up being hurt.
Splashing my face with cool water, I was hoping it would make me feel a little fresher. I had been slowly dying inside, I was miserable, and it was because I was away from the ones who have loved me like a family should have. Because I was away from the only man I have ever loved, the only man who has showed me what love should feel like.
Grabbing a paper towel, I pat it against my skin before discarding it.
“Time to be a big girl, Dixie,” I whisper to my reflection before giving myself a smile.
It was time to take back control on my life.
Walking towards the door, my fingers wrap around the handle as I tug it open and as I do, I bump into a body.
Head tilting back, my brows pinch when I see Sheriff Kelcie standing there.
“Kelcie?” worry pricks at my skin, and I find myself stepping back.
“Hello Dixie,” a smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth. He steps towards me, cornering me. “Lucian wanted me to give you this, a final goodbye I think he called it,” he scoffs a laugh as he hands me a piece of paper.
With trembling fingers, I take it from his grasp and unfold it.
I'm putting an end to your running, Dixie. It's over. I'll see you in hell.
- Lucian
Swallowing the thickness, I feel bile swirl in my stomach, and I shake my head from side to side as I try and decipher the cryptic message.
“What does this mean?” I ask and Kelcie just shrugs his shoulders.
“I hope you kissed your beautiful daughter goodbye,” and with that, he turns and walks out of the restroom.
I give myself a moment, chest rising and falling as I reread the note. See you in hell?
Slipping it into the back of my jeans, I tug on the handle of the restroom, but it won't open.
“Kelcie!” I shout, banging on the door.
“It's over Dixie,” he calls back just as I see soft smoke drifting under the door.
“No, No, No!” I bang harder, “Please don't do this, please let me out,” I scream, banging again but I hear nothing back.
Looking around the room, there is no other way for me to escape.
Shit.
Banging again, the smoke is getting heavier.
“Please, someone help me!”
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Tears stream down my cheeks as I cry, knowing this is it for me.
I am never escaping.
It doesn't take long for the smoke to eventually take over the small restroom so I lay myself down and close my eyes, and before I am plunged into darkness, memories flood me of Tripp and Lainey and what our life could have been.
They say your brain lives for seven minutes after you die.
What would my seven minutes look like?
Lainey.
Tripp.
Orla.
Jorge.
Riggs.
Aspen.
Pacey.
Tripp.
Lainey.
At least I know she'll be loved.
He will bring her up as his own, love her with all he has... that's all I want.
The smoke consumes me whole, and I wait for the flames to lick my skin and with one last exhale of breath, I whisper, “I love you.”