Page 20 of Rhet

He moves so swiftly he hits his shoulder on his way out. My mom chuckles as she sees him scramble. “Just like his father.”

I look at the black and white picture of my father. Alphonso Mitchell was a great dad. From the looks my mom used to give him, he was a great husband too.

He was the best daddy a girl could ask for. He was fun, charming, and smart. One Thursday night almost five years ago, he had a heart attack and died right next to my mom in their bed.

His death still haunts her to this day. She may act like it’s all right, but I hear her cry at night sometimes. His death broke her.

I look at my mother and I feel for her. So much has changed. I admire her strength to try to deal with it all.

Two hours later, I’m up in my room holding my book close to my chest. My eyes are shut and I’m praying for a man who will love me like the hero in this book. He has to be badass. I exhale, knowing it may never happen, but a girl can dream, right?

RHET

I drive my car on the long path leading up to the beautiful modern craftsman home. As I stop the engine, I can’t help but appreciate the clean lines of this house. The strong tapered columns and the slate triangle roof. I’d thought I would be coming here for BBQs or maybe a housewarming. I never got the chance. Until today, I’ve never stepped inside.

As I get out the car and walk up the stairs onto the large wide porch, I look back. All there is, is darkness and gray clouds gathering. The next neighbor is about ten miles away.

Reaching forward, the knob is cold to my touch. Twisting the door open, the house doesn’t disappoint. There are wooden floors, large, exposed beams sit proudly in the ceiling, and large windows let the light from outside come in.

The place is an open concept contemporary style. That’s what Trent called it. He would have decorated it with rich colors and dark tones. I’ll be decorating it with blood.

My phone rings, taking me from my thoughts. I grab it out of my pockets.

“Are you there?” Father grunts over the phone.

“Yes, I am,” I reply.

“Take care of it and come home.”

“Yes, father.”

“Your new life begins today, Rhet. Embrace it.” My father sounds like I’m about to win a trophy. I don’t bother to say goodbye, I hang up.

As I walk further into the great room, I find my packages, squirming on the floor with their feet, hands, and mouth bound with duct tape. One single wooden chair sits in front of them.

I unknot my tie, unbutton my first two buttons, and I take off my jacket. Then throw the jacket over the back of the chair.

“Welcome to my brother’s house,” I say out loud. I spread my arms and make a full 360 circle.

The three guys stare back at me, their eyes filled with fear. The one with inky black hair, tries to move back slowly on his butt.

“It’s amazing, we’re all guests at my brother’s home at the same time.”

I stroll slowly to the one trying to inch his back to the wall.

“Stop moving,” I command.

Instantly he does, but his body shakes with fear. I reach in my pocket to take out my switch blade.

I stoop and slice the tape over his mouth. He is hyperventilating. I rise and go to the other two and do the same.

“Hey man, I don’t know what’s going on. But please let us go.” The boy at the end pleads with me. His shoulders are broad. He looks like he would tower over me if he stood up. He has dark skin with deep wide eyes.

“Yeah, man please.” The red head in the middle supports his friend.

“Come on, man, I don’t even know what we’re here for,” the inky haired friend comments.

“Whatever it is we can fix it. Right, guys?” the dark one says.

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