LOGINWhen we finished lunch by 12, I went to my scheduled manicure-pedicure at Tenoverten Nail Salon. I decided to have my previous blood-red nail polish removed and replaced it with expensive French tips.
When that was over, we headed over to Harlem for the magazine signing for the Times. I was ecstatic when I heard I'd be on the cover of Times Magazine this month. From the Most Influential Woman of New York to World&rs
I heard things from the darkness when the pain in my chest stopped. I didn't understand it. The words time and death were the only ones that registered. After that there was a commotion. That familiar voice was screaming, and another voice answered. Everything was in distress and I just wanted to yell for them to be quiet. I needed to think. I needed to know where I was. Why was I in darkness?Suddenly, the pain returned. The one in my throat. With cold hands, I grabbed my neck, hoping that whatever was causing the pain would go away. But it didn't. I started coughing. Then the light slowly returned. Not the blinding one, but the right one. Warm, vivid—real.~*~The fluorescent light on the ceiling was the first real thing I saw before I felt the pain in my throat. My eyes stung from the tear
Lucas~*~It has been four slow, cruel and torturous days and I stayed beside Mari every second of it, only leaving when I needed to go change or wash. The rest, I was a guard dog watching over its food.On the second day after Mari was settled in her room, Chase arrived, bloodshot eyes, and a little skinnier than the last time I've seen him. The fact that I was a little bit relieved that he was here for Mari dissolved when I learned that Gian still wasn't getting any better.On the third day, Mari jolted off her bed and the machines went overdrive with beeps. I fucking shit myself when I heard her gag over the tube that was in her throat to help her breathe. The nurses and the doctors that rushed in were frantic and also relieved at the same time. I almost choked the nu
I see nothing.I feel nothing.I can move nothing.But I can hear everything."You have to wake up, Mari," the voice pleads. It was...eerie and familiar, but I can't seem to remember who.The darkness was everywhere. And I was in a never-ending fall towards it. The first thing that crossed my mind was sleep paralysis. I was having an episode of sleep paralysis but this one I can't fight. I remain still, unmoving, dead. With all the energy that's left of me, I tried to reach and follow the voice. But it was no use. Instead, I let the darkness eat me up.~*~
Lucas~*~14 hours.Mother and father left for a quick purchase of food as Harriet lay asleep on her bed. Her even breathes, her pulsing heart and the slight movement of her eyelids; I take them in for a moment, thankful that she's alive. I don't know what I'd do if I got there too late—if Mari got there too late. Jack had arrived a few hours earlier and brought me my clothes. Washing my face from the sink in the bathroom, I momentarily stare at the fucked up in the mirror. Tight jaw, dark bags and five o'clock shadow. Anger filled me as I stared at my reflection. The superficial flaw of my face is nothing compared to what Mari and Harriet have. They had bruises and wounds and stitches while I got fucking eye bags. I should'
Lucas~*~8 hours.Mari has been in the surgery room for 8 motherfucking hours. Felix was done with my bullet wound, I washed my face, paced the floor exactly 16...17 times and there's still no word of what the damn shit is going on.I'd called my parents and told them that Harriet was in the hospital. I called Chase to tell him about Mari. I called Jack and told him to bring me a change of clothes. They were on their way. But that was 4 hours ago. Now I'm just a fucking mess pacing the floor praying for...a fucking miracle. God! What's wrong with me?I sank to the floor, frustratingly gripping my hair with my fingers. Betting my luck, I dialed Sigmund's number again."Wh
Lucas~*~All I see is red. Red from anger, red from panic and red of my Mari's blood, pooling under her body as she lay weak on the floor. I heard every gunshot behind the damn door, all eight of them now in Mari's body. Handing over my sister to the big man, who I learned is Thomas, I told him to call for the choppers. I then ran towards Mari. She was a paper coated in red, limp and pale. Her eyes heavy and tired, her focus in space."Mari," I said, slumping to the ground beside her, out of breath as blood drools down her chin. I grabbed her head, carefully bringing it on my lap for comfort. She grunts in pain. From there I saw a few bullet holes on her body. Heart thumping and face steaming, I calm myself. "You're going to be fine."Her face is wet with sweat and tear
"Run, Harriet. Fucking run!" I yelled as I struggled to free myself from Freddy's arms. I felt the warmth of his breath by my neck, and smelt the stink of the air coming out of his mouth. "Lucas will get you, just run!"
Mexico was heavy. It was like entering a room with a stuffy and suffocating air. Not to mention the fear that was crawling up on my spine that at any moment, someone might shoot at me. The warehouse is large, glass windows, and steel doors. It wasn't the typical wa
I honestly don't know where I'm going. I was just walking towards the gleaming lights of the airport. The pain was just making me walk, walk, walk and walk some more. I was a wreck! My head throbbed from crying too much and this alien part of the world is taking me
At dusk, Lucas and I were in his study. He was making and taking calls about her sister if there were any leads. But no. And Chase still hasn't replied if there's anything in the surveillance that would help. And I, still flushed and floating from the kiss earlier,







