Epilogue
T he police show up to arrest Liam and Tina. It’s Officer Donaldson and Officer Butcher. “Oh look, if it isn’t Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum-” Liam doesn’t get to finish. Officer Donaldson bitch slaps him. Liam spits out blood.
Officer Butcher lights a cigar. “I told you, this damn kid was up to no good, when we questioned his mother about his brother’s death. Rookies.” He shakes his head and blows a puff of smoke out. “Who the hell goes to Iowa for college? That in itself is suspicious.” He adds.
Officer Donaldson scoffs. “What do you know about the case anyway? Your ass was missing for four whole days.” Officer Donaldson says. “I came back, it’s no big deal.” Officer Butcher shoots back. They put Liam and Tina in the back of their vehicle.
I’m sitting on the back of an ambulance. They’re patching up my wounds. The tears continue to pour out of my eyes. I’m waiting for them to tell me, I can go with Kai to the hospital. After they rounded up Liam and Tina, the paramedics rushed in to get Kai.
I kept screaming for him. He went still, too still. All of the blood he coughed up was all over his face paint and costume. They waited to untie me until they got him out.
They put an oxygen mask on him, and loaded him up onto a gurney. As soon as I was untied, I tried to follow. Officer Butcher held me back. “Let them do their job.” That’s all he said to me. They walked me outside. The paramedics wheeled out Miranda, Finn, and Matthew. They didn’t survive.
Carly made it out, thanks to Kai. I clutch the blanket around me as my leg gets patched up. As soon as they stitch up my thigh they escort me to go to the hospital.
I lay in the hospital for days. They did at least two surgeries on Kai. I couldn’t sleep. Not unless I was brutally exhausted.
I wake up to someone nudging me. Officer Butcher. “Hey sweetie.” I rub my eyes.
I fell asleep in the waiting room again. I groan. “Why don’t you go home?” I shake my head. “Not an option.” I say sternly. “I get it, you want to make sure he’s alright but you can’t take care of him if you can’t take care of yourself.” He says.
I stare at him. I haven’t showered in over a week because I’ve been here. I sigh. “Fine.” I grab a notepad next to us on the table. I scribble my number down. “Call me if anything changes.” I grab my keys and leave before I can convince myself to stay.
I step into my apartment and I collapse to the floor.
They told me Kai would make a full recovery but I don’t know why I don’t believe them.
I can’t lose him too. I force myself to take a shower.
And by take a shower, I mean, I was sitting on the floor, just letting the hot water run over me, until it became frigidly cold.
I didn’t get out until my body was numb. I wrapped my towel around me and I stayed next to the phone. For hours. I must’ve fell asleep again. I gasped for air. My phone started ringing. I quickly answered.
“Kai is awake.” Those three words had me up and out of my apartment. I ran back inside when I realized I was in a towel. I put on a band tee and sweatpants. I immediately ran back outside, got in my car and beelined to the hospital.
I ran inside. Officer Donaldson and Officer Butcher stands outside his room. Tears started falling before I even saw him. They opened the door for me. I walked in slowly.
Kai was awake, drinking water. “Kai.” I let out a squeak. His gaze met mine. “I’m here, baby.” I start crying more. I collapse to the floor. “I stayed alive, for you.” I hug myself on the floor. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if I lost you.” I say in between sobs.
“You won’t ever have to know, baby.” His words were genuine. I take shuddering breaths. “It’s you and me. You’re mine now. I love you so much, Lana. Once I recover, I will give you everything you can ever imagine.” I get up off the floor and give him a kiss. He kisses me back.
A few weeks later
There were back-to-back funerals for everyone who died in what they’re calling, “When Love Kills Massacre.” We attended every single one. Each one harder than the last.
Liam and Tina got sentenced to life in prison. Death penalty pending. Liam pleaded guilty to the death of Blake. Their mother never returned to Portland and I don’t blame her. With his confession all over the tabloids people started talking about him.
I started going to the cemetery to cope with the pain of knowing he didn’t commit suicide. I always knew something wasn’t right, but couldn’t force myself to see it. I sit in front of his grave now. I’m talking to him.
It’s an odd comfort. Sitting in front of a gravestone. Talking to someone who is no longer on this plane of existence. But it feels right. It’s a connection. And Kai lets me have my space. He knows everything now.
He confessed to me that my date that ghosted me in Seattle didn’t actually ghost me. He beat him within an inch of his life, which I already pieced together. Which is why I was mad at him for what he ‘did to me.’
As for my acting career? I’m done. I decided that acting is not for me. Kai is trying to convince me to be a scare actor. I’ve thought about entertaining the idea, but right now? Too close to home.
I don’t know what the future holds. Kai and I are officially together. He’s been teaching me self defense. I often get acting calls but I turn them down. And we have finally talked about our past.
I know about Ember. And ironically she’s my best friend now. Tina and Liam are still on death row. Officer Donaldson and Officer Butcher got promoted for piecing together everything. They are co-sheriffs.
Jen gave me my job back at Storms Brewing. Ember still works at Hot Topic, and Kai still works at Spencer Gifts. Only time will tell us what to look forward to in our future.
Nothing is ever as it seems. We learned that the hard way.