Page 14 of Black Wave

I think about my sister Evie. My twin sister was an artist. She saw the beauty in everything, except Julian. She knew he was inherently evil. I just wished I had heeded her warning.

Evie suffered her trauma when she was attacked at age fifteen. She was almost sexually assaulted, but someone had heard her muffled scream and struggle attempts. A Good Samaritan killed the men, and the cops arrived shortly after.

The Good Samaritan, my grandfather’s private security detail, as we later found out, didn’t stay when the cops arrived, but at that point, nothing could be done to make my sister talk. After she reclaimed her life through the help of therapy and self-defense classes, she became highly intuitive to people with ill intentions. She could almost sense their predatory nature and was always on guard, determined never to become another victim. Her last present to me was a gift certificate to Krav Maga classes. In memory of Evie, I promise myself that I will take those damn classes and become strong like she was.

The night of the fire that killed my parents and sister, Evie pleaded with me not to go out with Julian and his parents to the restaurant, not knowing how I had tried not to. It was only one more night, and then we would leave Texas. I go through scenarios in my head trying to answer questions that would yield different outcomes from the current one I am forced to live in. Would he have continued to threaten me by attacking myfamily’s livelihood? Would having money and crooked political ties ensure those threats were carried out? Would my parents really have lost their jobs and my family be homeless? Whatever the outcome, I know he would do his best to ruin our lives. I had laid all my cards on the table when I finally came clean. They ultimately decided I was more important. I wish they thought I wasn’t; maybe I would still have my parents and Evie around.

It’s surreal how in just one day everything can change. They had planned to get us out of there and send me away. Julian must have found out. I also suspected that he had watched me. The tingling of the hairs on my neck was always the telltale sign he was nearby. It was almost as though I felt the evil close by. The sensation that your body warns you to move. That your life is in danger. The intuition that something is just not right.

That cost them their lives. I cost them their lives. The fire happened so fast, they were trapped inside, and it left their bodies unidentifiable. Now, penniless and familyless, I am utterly dependent on Julian, just how he wanted it.

Julian had told me in the car that the fire was being investigated. The preliminary report blamed the cause of the fire on faulty electrical wiring–the fire chief was paid to say that. I wouldn’t put it past Julian’s family to falsify a report.

I start to think about my mom’s family and wonder when they will come and get me. He didn’t count on my mom’s estranged brother from Mexico coming to my rescue. Uncle Andrés is ‘the Mexican cartel,’ albeit a rival adversary. He took over from my grandfather. I can’t even imagine Grandpops as a ruthless cartel leader. My mom left that life behind when she married my father, a teacher at the local high school. This is why Julian is unaware that her family is a problem for him and his plans.

I loved hearing stories about when my parents met in college in Denton, Texas. They both found jobs in Brownsville andworked together at the same high school. It wasn’t a coincidence they could gain employment at the same facility. It is sometimes hard to retain teachers and staff nowadays. That was one of the motivating factors for relocating to the Valley, as the locals called it. My mom was a school nurse who sparked my initial interest in healthcare. That had been my career path–that is, until I had no path.

I lie back on the bed and extend my arms out. What was the turning point for my mother? I suppose hearing about how Julian threatened me made her see red. The mafia life never left her.

I haven’t heard anything from Uncle Andrés, but I suspect I will hear from him soon, especially given the visitor I had at the cemetery. I know they were strategizing and didn’t want to wait too long before moving to my rescue. That wouldn’t surprise me. Time is of the essence. Perhaps Julian will underestimate him. That’s what happens when you're an entitled, narcissistic prick, after all.

What does surprise me is the note I receive under my door, pulling me out of my memories. I get off the bed and bend down to retrieve it. It’s my uncle. My heart rate kicks up, beating with anticipation. The note says,“I’m coming now.”This time, I will be ready. I don’t have anything to prepare. All I have is me along with my determination to be free. I don’t have time to process this. Something flashes up ahead, and I blink as the realization sets in.

Seconds later, I hear a commotion from downstairs and loud footsteps approaching my door. The door flies open, and I see my cousin. “Come on, Emma. We have to hurry,” I hear Adrian say.

“Well, if you’re not a sight for sore eyes, Adrian.”

“Cute, Emma, but we’ll catch up later, huh?”

We get outside, hop onto an ATV, and rush out from the property. Adrian must know this area well because shortly after, we are dropping into a tunnel below. He reaches his hand back, grabs my wrist tightly, and pulls me forward.

“Hurry, Emma.”

“I’m trying, Adrian.” I trip on my Converse as we whip around the corner at max speed. I quickly regain my composure as he looks back at me.

“Almost there. Pick it up.” His voice carries on the hot, sticky air.

My lungs are screaming for air, and my hair is plastered around my face, slicked with sweat. It must be one hundred-plus degrees down here. I can barely see in the dimly lit tunnel. Yet I trust my cousin completely. Besides, I would already be dead inside if it wasn’t for him and my uncle risking their lives to get me out of Julian’s imprisonment. I was constantly being watched and restricted in my outings now, more so since I was staying at his house; I barely had time to react before my family’s plan was implemented.

I can’t hear anyone following us, but that doesn’t mean they have given up trying to find me. I doubt Julian will ever give up until one of us ceases to exist. As we speak, Julian is losing his shit at the thought of losing his favorite possession. That's exactly what I am to him—a possession. He is a spoiled sociopath with a narcissistic personality to boot. He is the eldest son of a revered politician and our city mayor. His family is as crooked as they come. His father seems to have several elected positions in town in his back pocket, as well as other influential organizations due to generous contributions which were only made to serve his agenda.

I see the light ahead, and my cousin’s encouraging words pull me out of my memories. We come to an abrupt halt, dust kicking up around us. He grabs two bags and hands me one.I immediately fling it around my back, securing it around my waist. He racks back a Glock forty caliber and gives it to me. I take it from him and place it in my back pants waistband.

He knocks three times and opens the hatch-like door just as we hear the sound of a vehicle’s ignition starting close by. He jumps out quickly, and his hand goes back down through the hatch to help me out of the tunnel. A van is idling as we haphazardly throw our items in through the back door.

“Come on, Emma,” he says again, offering me his hand to push me in first.

I get in, barely situating myself, as he follows behind me.

Before we can think of closing the door, the vehicle lurches forward, and we take off through the brush into the night, leaving a trail of dust and caliche behind us.

I sit back and take some deep breaths to calm myself.

Adrian closes the doors and then spins around, facing me. He looks me up and down, quickly assessing for injuries. He doesn’t realize that most of them can’t be seen. That was Julian’s MO. He’d leave bruises occasionally, but nothing screamed abuse, unlike the emotional ones he inflicted daily.

“You’re all right, Emma.”

It comes out more like a question. Adrian is eyeing me with skepticism. I won’t show him any weakness.

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