Chapter 16 #3
Once upon a time, Jupiter was my world, but now, she’s a fucking roadblock.
“Did you kill Rebecca?” There’s no point in sugarcoating anything.
We’re past that. And we’re running out of time.
Jupiter clucks her tongue. “Not really my MO, babes.”
I was anticipating a confession. But I got sarcasm instead.
“Don’t bullshit me! What the fuck do you want?”
A change soon occurs in Jupiter.
I can see it.
I can smell it.
Before I have a chance to fight back, Jupiter slams my back into the vending machine. When I try to push off, she shoves me, pinning my back to the glass.
She gets into my face, arm over my throat. “I’m here because I want you to remember who you are. You are nothing without me. When I met you, you were nothing but a scared little mouse. I helped you. I protected you. And this is how you thank me.”
“I don’t want to be that person anymore,” I wheeze as her grip on me is tight.
“You think you’re better than me, is that it?”
“No. You’re right. I was nothing. I was broken. You helped me heal, and I’ll forever be grateful. But this isn’t healthy. We can’t continue hurting people.”
“Why not?” she yells into my face. “They have no issues hurting us.”
“So when does it end? It’s just a vicious circle. Let’s be the bigger person.”
“Oh, fuck that!” she cries, finally releasing me.
I sag, gasping for air.
Jupiter begins to pace. She’s finally snapped. Usually, she’s so composed. I’ve never seen her this way. One of her braids has loosened, and she whispers to herself as she walks back and forth.
“Did you kill Rebecca?” I ask again, needing to know the truth.
“Of course I fucking did! I had the balls to do what you couldn’t,” she screams, pressing up nose to nose.
Any love between us is long gone.
“There was a reason I needed her alive!”
With a nonchalant shrug, Jupiter says, “Oops.”
That one word triggers something inside me, and I explode.
I catch her by surprise and shove her backward. Her back slams into the brick wall. She stumbles, her eyes wide in surprise, but that soon turns to excitement.
It’s game on.
I launch at her.
She launches at me.
This is a long time coming.
She slaps my cheek.
I elbow her in the stomach.
The force drives her back, and she slams into the vending machine. The contents rattle inside.
She rushes for me, punching me in the jaw.
My head jerks back, sending a pulsating current through me. I bite my tongue and taste blood. She tries to punch again. I duck and hit her ribs, hearing a crack.
My soul sings.
She staggers, clutching her side, but it only fuels this fire.
“I wish you were the one who was dead!”
Instead of sadness, her lips twist into a vicious snarl. “I feel the same way! Maybe I should do the world a favor and end your miserable life. You’re pathetic and a joke, trying to fit in. Everyone sees you for the little coward that you are. You need me. You’re nothing without me!”
“Fuck you!” I scream, launching for her throat.
She yanks at my hair.
I yank at her braid.
I hate to resort to catty hair-pulling, but I’m at an advantage with Jupiter having longer hair than I do. I’m about to punch her in the stomach when I hear my name being called.
It’s Kit.
Anger quickly turns to concern.
I let Jupiter go, standing between her and Kit. We’re both breathless. She smirks, peering over my shoulder.
“Don’t you dare look at him like that,” I warn, never taking my eyes off her.
“He’s cuter up close.”
Possession consumes me. “Oh, fuck you.”
“Hallie?” Kit asks, his voice colored with distress. “What’s going on?”
I knew this moment would happen sooner or later. I just wish it was later…or never.
I twist in time to see the horror on Kit’s face as he looks between Jupiter and me. I hate that I am the one to evoke those feelings in him.
“Kit, this is Jupiter.” I point over my shoulder.
Kit waits for the punch line, but there isn’t one.
She’s here, and she’s out for blood.
“She is the one who—”
“Maybe we should have this conversation in private,” Jupiter suggests.
She’s right.
“Let’s go back into the room and talk.”
Kit stands rooted to the spot. I understand this is a lot. But she’s here now, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get rid of her for good.
Eventually, Kit turns around and heads for the room. Jupiter and I follow. I make sure to keep my distance from her.
When we enter the room, I close the door, sealing our fates for good. Kit stands by the dresser, looking at Jupiter and then me.
“Your face,” he says with concern.
I wipe the blood away with the back of my hand. “I’m fine. Kit, Jupiter was the one who killed Rebecca.”
Jupiter waves.
It gives me great satisfaction to see Jupiter looking a mess. Her braids are lopsided, and she has scratches on her face and arms.
“Jupiter killed Rebecca?” Kit asks, looking at me in case he’s misheard me.
Jupiter sighs. “And you love this dumbass? Oh my God. I’m embarrassed for you.”
Her dropping the L-bomb is the least of my concerns.
“Why would she do that?”
“Hello, you asshole, don’t talk about me like I’m not in the room.”
“Jupiter—” I warn, turning to glare at her.
She smirks, thoroughly enjoying this.
“She did that because in her fucked-up way, I think she cares about me and wants to punish those who harmed me.” I hate to admit it, but that’s why I think Jupiter did what she did. She did the same with Smokes.
“Is that true, Jupiter?” Kit asks, addressing her for the first time.
She folds her arms, a shield to keep him out. She too has suffered at the hands of evil, which is why she is the way she is. It’s hard to remember that sometimes.
“Yes. Those assholes who hurt Hallie don’t deserve to live. They destroyed her. You wouldn’t know, since you weren’t the one to pick up the pieces. I was the one who protected her. Not you.”
Kit lowers his eyes, ashamed. “I know that. I’m grateful to you, Jupiter, but you can’t go around hurting people.”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s not how life works.”
“According to you, perhaps,” she rebukes. “As I see it, an eye for an eye…”
Kit appears to be taking it all in.
To be honest, it’s a relief that they’ve finally met.
“Why are you doing this?” he asks Jupiter.
She takes a moment to process his question. “Because I know how it feels to be helpless, to fall victim to monsters who change you forever. I’ve only done what Hallie can’t. I pick up the pieces when Hallie falls apart.”
My tongue feels heavy. To hear her confession changes everything.
“I protected her, Kit, so don’t look at me like I’m the monster. Wouldn’t you do the same thing?”
Kit lowers his chin, shrouding his beautiful face behind his hair. It’s like a halo, which seems appropriate, as he is nothing but an angel.
“Yes,” he replies softly. “I’d do anything to keep her safe.”
I’ve never felt more loved.
“What happens with Jack?” Jupiter asks, revealing she knew it was him all along. “He needs to pay for what he did to Hallie.”
“And he will,” Kit replies, suddenly appearing plagued. “We just have to play it cool. The cops will be out in full force after Rebecca’s death.”
“You don’t think he’ll run?” I ask. “I mean, even though Rebecca was our collateral, we still have the confessions of the girls. Why can’t we go to the police with the evidence?”
“Because the Blooms own this town. I’m sure the evidence will be lost. Or perhaps the girls will be paid a friendly visit to retract their claims. They’ll instill the fear of God in them. They’ve stayed silent because victims fear disbelief the most.
“They fear that what happened to Rebecca will happen to them. Their confessions now mean nothing. They finally gathered the strength to confess, only to be called liars. They will recant their confessions, one by one.
“That’s why my way is best,” Jupiter says without feeling, as she’s clearly done her research.
“And that’s thanks to you,” Kit says angrily.
He has every right to be mad because Jupiter is right. With Rebecca dead, the girls will be scared they’ll soon follow suit. Our plan was solid, but with Rebecca dead, Jack is now in control.
Jupiter shrugs, unbothered.
“So you’re basically the Robin Hood of murderers, is that what you’re saying?” Kit questions Jupiter, trying to wrap his head around Jupiter’s motives.
Jupiter bursts into laughter. “I suppose so. Taking out the garbage, as I see it.”
Kit mulls over what she said.
“I haven’t been caught yet. Let me take care of it. Hallie and I have done this before.”
I lower my eyes, ashamed. It’s not something to be proud of.
“Hallie, what do you want?” Kit asks, watching me closely.
I bite my lip, feeling invisible hands siphon off my air supply.
“I just want this to end. Maybe Jupiter’s way is the best way.
You even said there’s no guarantee the girls will confess.
And now, the chances are even slimmer. If they don’t, then what case do we have?
Jack goes free, and all this would have been for nothing. ”
Jupiter smugly purses her lips because, as insane as her plan is, it’s actually the only one we now have.
Kit runs a hand through his snarled hair. “Let’s go home. You’re welcome to come, Jupiter. Actually, I think we should stick together. Until we figure this out.”
I know this is Kit’s way of keeping an eye on Jupiter. Now that she’s made herself known, I doubt Kit will let her out of his sight for fear she’ll do something that’ll get us all into trouble.
Regardless of this impasse we’ve reached, I still don’t trust her.
Jupiter nods with an impish grin. “One big happy family.”
Kit remains unmoved.
This is going to be fun…