Page 50 of Papers Don't Lie

“So how did you two meet?" Lacey asks after we take a break from shopping to eat ice cream the next morning. The corners of her mouth are smudged with a combination of chocolate and vanilla, her lips parting for another taste of it.

I take my time swallowing my strawberry-flavored one while I try to come up with a proper answer for her. “He stumbled upon me when I was waiting at a red light,” I say, mixing the truth with a little of my imagination.

There’s no way I’m telling a twelve-year-old that her brother and I met because I was running away from a wedding, and he hit me with his car when all I wanted to do was take my shoes off.

She moves her nose, rolling her eyes. “It’s a little bit boring.”

Excuse me? I try to hold in a gasp, not believing that she actually said that. I put the cup down, crossing my arms over my chest as she enjoys her ice cream. She doesn’t pay me any attention though, so I clear my throat, her eyes finding me.

If she wants something that’s not boring, then the way we met is definitely not. “He ran me over with his car,” I tell her, tilting my head to the side and tracing my upper lip with my tongue.

Lacey almost spits out her food, her eyes widening at my words before she bursts out laughing. I have to admit, it’s quite contagious, and that’s exactly why I join her.

“You’re funny.” She points her little spoon at me, nodding her head.

Well, that’s one point for me for today. Maybe I’ll eventually win her over. I know why she’s so reluctant toward me. I remember the time Naveah got married and I was utterly jealous that someone was taking her away from me. So it might be the same case for Lacey with her brother.

“What if I find something to do in the house tomorrow and you and Kai can spend the day together?” I ask, hoping she’ll like the idea.

A huge grin covers her face, and I know I’ve hit the jackpot. “Yes, please.” She claps her hands together.

With a shake of my head, I look into the distance, a smile stretching my lips.

She’s actually nice when she doesn’t hate me.

TWENTY-EIGHT

KAI

She’s tied on the bed, screaming for my help while fast tears river down her cheek, gathering in a pool on her chest. Blood rushes from her wrists from how hard she’s been fighting to set herself free, and I try to walk towards her, but I can’t move.

I’m stuck with her as a presence that can’t speak or move, not as a person.

My heart beats erratically in my chest when I hear steps approaching, the fear in her eyes growing by the second. She shakes her head so fast I’m afraid it will snap.

And I try, I try, I try until it’s too late.

The man appears in my vision, showing me his broad back as he walks towards her with slow movements as if he has all the time in the world.

What is happening?

Esmeray, I want to say, to assure her that everything will be fine, but my words are sucked out of me before I can.

The silhouette stops at the edge of the bed, watching Esmeray as perspiration drips on her forehead. With her mouth covered, her eyes and muffled scream tell more than enough. She’s afraid.

One of his fingers caresses her cheek, and she lifts her chin to get rid of his touch, turning her head in disgust.

A sick and cold laugh stumbles upon the stranger’s lips before he talks.

“Je sais tout.”

The words seem familiar to me, but I can’t remember who they belong to.

Je sais tout. Je sais tout. Je sais tout. Je sais tout. Je sais tout.

I repeat it in my mind over and over until I realize.

This is a dream.

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