Page 227 of Soul So Dark
“What’s your name,Mariposita?” he murmurs too low for the mics to pick up.
“Dallas…” I whisper, swallowing again, “Dallas…Barrera…”
I’ll always play Alex’s games, and I might reach the finish line first, but in the end…
The house always wins.
The cameras go dark an hour later, after Alex exacts more revenge that I don’t even pretend to argue with.
“How the fuck did you do that back there—beat the Rider of Rohan?” he asks, still salty about my win.
“Just lucky I guess,” I grin as I stretch my arms over my head. “Sounded like a successful night.”
“I don’t want it going to your head,” he smirks, “but it was good enough that I’m taking you tomorrow to get that cute little Mazda you wanted.”
My eyes light up. I hope it’s still there; a custom black body with bright purple detailing and a tint job. It’s perfect.
Alex leans over and opens the side table drawer, returning a moment later. He slides his black band onto his finger and then takes my hand, sliding the amethyst ring and its matching band down mine. He never wastes time. It doesn’t matter that I’m sleeping next to him tonight, and every night after; as soon as the cameras turn off, the rings go back on.SilentStormandGhostW@keare gone, and we’re Dallas and Alex again.
Our name isBarreraagain.
???
“If it’s too much trouble to drop them off,” my mom says as she shuts my car door, “I can do it before I go to my showing tomorrow.”
I’m only on campus a couple times a week since I’m ahead on credits, but I still feel like I’m responsible for this.
“No, it’s alright.” I glance at the three totes of folded clothes lining the backseat.
Evie’s clothes.
I found out the student crisis center on campus takes gently used clothes. Homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault,unforeseen events…
Maybe Evie’s clothes can help someone else during the worst moments of their life. It’s funny, I walked past their posters on campus every day, but it never occurred to me that I should use their services myself. Maybe one day I will…after I reduce Bowen Garrison to a bloody carcass somewhere on a nameless patch of earth.Imight not personally end his life, but I plan on being the one who makes the call.
And I feel like I’m close.
“Scott talked to the FBI last week.” Mom’s tone doesn’t sound hopeful. “Evie’s case has been reassigned—again.Maybe this time it’ll end up with someone who’ll bring a fresh perspective.”
“We already know who did it, Mom.”
For as long as it’s been the elephant in the room, I’ve never said it out loud to my parents. My mom only lets out a sigh, gazing at the last items left from Evie’s room.
“But I think it’ll happen,” I continue, “I don’t think Bowen will get away with it.”
“I hope not,” she says softly, acknowledging the suspicion that’s simmered for years.
I tug open the door of my new Mazda and I’m about to duck inside when my mom sets her hand on it, giving me pause.
“Dallas,” she says firmly, “I admit that I had no idea how to deal with something like this—Evie’s murder—and I still don’t, but it’s no excuse. You shouldn’t have had to find out the way you did,” she hesitates, almost painfully, “alone.And I’m sorry. I am so sorry I wasn’t there when I should’ve been.”
“Yeah…” I look down at the concrete, knowing there’s not much left to say about it, “it really sucked. But I also realize that no one knew what to do. It’ll never be OK, but one day, it’ll be better.” I glance down at the canvas tote bag slung over my shoulder. “But you helped me with this, and that’s what’s important right now.”
“It wasn’t easy,” she smiles at my bag, “but that’s the point, isn’t it—taking something broken and making it whole again? It’s not the same, but it means something different now.”
We look at one another, contemplating the last six years of trying to piece broken parts back together. But, this time, I don’t mind the silence that lingers between us. She leans in, giving me a hug like she does every time I leave my childhood home.
“Oh!” I remember as I start the engine. “I found Sergei.”
