Page 256 of As the Rain Falls
“And after that, we’re going to have a talk, you and I. Okay? I’ll fix you right up.”
“No. No, Nathaniel, I didn’t mean to—” I freeze, feeling his hands move to the top of my head, petting my hair softly. “I’m so sorry!” I start to cry softly. “Please, don’t hurt me! Please, I said I’m sorry!”
“Not yet, you’re not.”
My brother breathes out, and that’s when I notice his pupils again, how dilated they are. He’s high, but it’s not just that. His behavior is different this time, more explosive than ever before.His hands are shaking, fingers pulling violently as he grabs me a little tighter.
“But you will be.”
Nathaniel is going to kill me tonight.
My voice, whatever was left of it anyway, dies in my throat.The Matrixis now playing on television.
“Pay attention, okay?” Nathaniel leans back against the couch, yanking me towards him. “The next scene is a really cool one.”
LUCIA'S DIARY ENTRIES: MARCH 2013
Page 1
Mom got drunk last night. Beckett was asleep, and I didn’t want to wake him up, so I took care of it.
She seemed so sad. I don’t know what to do to makeher feel better. I just want everyone to be happy again like we used to be when I was little
Page 2
I keep having nightmares about what I saw, but I’m not even sure anymore. Some days I think I made the whole thing up because she seems okay to me. No one will believe me because I’m not a good person, and I’ve been mean to other kids sometimes. I was really mean to Alice. I’m mean to Angelina sometimes, too.
I just hate everything.
Especially him.
Page 3
I talked to Mr. Leblanc today but he didn’t think I was telling the truth. He laughed at me.I know what I saw through the window. It was real. I know it but it doesn’t even matter anymore. No one is listening to me.
Page 4
Antony told me he doesn’t know if he loves me anymore.
SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS
Beckett
JANUARY, 2017
I haven’t seen Cassandrain two days.
Me: Cass?
Hi
You haven’t talked to me in a while.
***
Me: Baby
I’m really worried about you :(
