SUMMER.“You know I love that one!” I exclaimed, looking into the photos that my mum ran through with her fingers. “Oh no, I look ugly in it” Lily shot me a stare and we both burst out laughing. I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed the way I did. Well, the last time before Vincent anyway.“You can never look ugly” I said to my mum and watched her scrunched up nose deflate. “Aww” She held me with an arm as we walked down the Oregon pavement. Behind us was the largest mall in the whole place and it was where we spent the majority of the day.From the infamous photo booth to the bowling alley, the sip and paint and shopping—I had a gazillion bags in my right hand. She held the photos and the paintings. The day didn’t seem to end, I didn’t want it to.But finally, the sun began to set and we decided to take a rest on a bench, left idle in the corner. We sat on it with ice cream in both our hands. As I squinted my eyes in the distance, I couldn’t help but notice the little quick gla

SUMMER.“How could you still let her to be on her own after everything?!” My dad raised his voice at my mum but she was well prepared for his tantrum. Wedging into him, she looked him straight into his eyes.“Give her a break, Davis” Lily urged. He panted heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. I caught his lackluster stare as I giggled my way up the stairs. Most especially whilst covering my scarred arms. At least it was healing but it was only about an hour since I got the tattoo.“You’re going to spoil this girl…”“Taylor, please.” My mum replied. I heard a couple more back and forths before I reached my room door. I slammed it, immediately finding my way into the bathroom. I stared into the mirror, looking down at my arm, across which was a little V inscribed into my flesh. It was scarlet red in color so as maybe small as it was, it was still so visible.I fell in love with the experience, I was definitely getting another after this. I squealed in front of the mirror, the most a

VINCENT.“Fuck!” I screamed into the skies, ramming my fist into the side of my bike until my knuckles bled. But there was no use, I couldn’t even feel it beneath the pouring rain. My hair was drenched and soaked across half my face. Only after a while did I run my hands through it and I sucked in air through my lips. My hands fell to my waist as I tried to figure out what the fuck just happened. Summer was mad, I didn’t think she’d be after everything, especially the time she told me she loved me.A moment that had been replaying in my head ever since. I rattled my brain as to why I couldn’t have just said it back. I mean I’d said it a countless time to women I probably didn’t mean it to. It was so easy to lie but this was different. It felt different.Summer wasn’t just any woman, she was Summer.Or maybe the actual reason that I couldn’t say it was deep down, I knew it was true. And I knew the moment I said it, it would all just become real. I would be vulnerable and it scared me.

VINCENT. "Are you okay?" Stella's shriveled voice was barely audible over the phone. Davis's car had only just come to a halt and it wasn't upon alighting the vehicle that I was face to face with the police station. A hard lump went down my throat as I realized what this could mean.And even if I didn't, Stella was there was to remind me."Where are you?" She asked. "I'm at the police with Davis, we have to turn him in before he hurts anyone else" I said, referring to Gustavo and I heard a couple of sobs on her end. "Are you out of your mind?" It was predictable that she'd be distraught."That could put you in a lot of trouble—""But he has Summer!" I yelled through gritted teeth. It had been hours but he still had Summer, I didn't care if I had to go to prison or make an enemy of Gustavo if it was the only way to get her back. She was all that mattered and he crossed the line abducting her."Put us, Vincent" Stella whispered. "This could put the both of us in serious danger. I'm sca

DAVIS.The corridors inside the building was well intertwined and dark. Barely any lights were working, about half of them flickered, a pattern which we followed until we got to the stairs. Then both Vincent and I came to a halt.“Which way now?” I lifted my eyes and the walls echoed by my words. “I doubt he’s taken her upstairs” He replied. It was completely dark up there, not even a twitch or a flicker.“He always talked about a basement around here. I’ve got to find it” He took his feet, scavenging his pocket for a torchlight. “Well I’m going to head upstairs, you stay here” I croaked. Vincent immediately stood to his feet, he turned back to me.“You really want to split up, now?” He asked and honestly, I just didn’t want to be anywhere near him now. I was beyond furious each time I thought about his hands on my daughter. Vincent was a mess and as much as he was my friend, we were nothing alike. He was bad news, nonchalant and reckless most of the time and this just proves my eve