chapter 6: on that fateful night pt. 1

I knew there was no other way. I had tried time and time again to revert her back into that innocent girl who just wanted to explore the world. Now she wants so much more, too much even.

I'm the only person who can stop her now. I'll have to kill my own daughter.

Lexy ran up behind me and wrapped around my legs, almost causing me to fall. She had a worried look on her face as her big, red eyes welled with tears.

"Grandma, what's wrong?" She asked, her sweet little voice reminding me of the young innocence that my own daughter once displayed.

I reached down and wiped a tear with my thumb. Then I picked her up and sat her on the kitchen counter.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it, you need to go to sleep, you have an important day tomorrow."

It was obvious that she knew something was up. I swear she can pick up on the slightest negative feeling from someone else and somehow it affects her as well.

"Are you lying? You always say it's bad to lie. Where are you going?" She asked.

She's so smart. "I'm just going to handle some business, don't you worry."

"You are lying..." she said as tears started to fall.

"You're right. I'm going to end the war before it begins." I said while smiling.

"Let me help you, please grandma!" She begged.

"Not this time Lexy. I have to do this alone, your aunt Teresa will look after you." I said.

"But-"

"I'll be back, I promise. Now go to sleep." I said firmly.  

Lexy reluctantly accepted that I was serious and stormed upstairs. Tears rolled down my face as her little footsteps receded.

I made my way over to the mantle over the fireplace and stared at an old photo of my husband, vanessa, and me. It was from over twenty years ago but it felt like just the other day when I was standing in that park holding her tiny hand. 

I sat down on the couch and dialed Teresa's number on the house phone. She answered almost immediately.

"Kathrine?" She answered groggily.

"Teresa, I need you."

"Is everything ok?" She asked worriedly.

"I'll explain when you get here."

"Ok I'm on my way."

I let out a deep sigh as I placed the phone on the table next to me and closed my eyes, reminiscing on the last 30 years since Vanessa was born. I couldn't help but wonder where I went wrong while raising her. 

Teresa arrived 10 minutes later looking the most worried I've ever seen her.

"Kathrine, what's going on? It's eleven at night!" She yelled.

"Shhh! Lexy is upstairs but I doubt she is asleep and she doesn't need to hear this. I need you to watch her for a while, I have to take care of something."

"Ok? Are you going to give me something else to go off of?"

"I'm sorry teresa, I don't want you to worry. Just do me this favor, please?" I asked pleadingly.

She looked at me with a sad look plastered on her face, "Kathrine..."

I smiled sadly, "it's better that you don't know, trust me. Everything will work out, I promise you."

I don't know if i'm trying to convince her or myself, but I already knew how tonight would end. I let Vannessa get too strong and tonight is my last chance to stop her.