Take Me Away

by Jenn Nguyen

The memories pass through me like a flood and I am unable to breathe. As I watch the casket being lowered into the ground, uncertainty clouds my mind. Uncertain if my tears are due to mourning or if my tears are due to finally being free. I watch everyone huddle together in the cold air under their umbrellas and I see there are so many unfamiliar faces that show loss. What did you all lose?

I’m suddenly ambushed by a horde of voices offering me empty hopes of well wishes and condolences.

“Lucy, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Sorry for what? What are they sorry for? There’s nothing to be sorry for. He’s just.. Gone.

*Tap Tap Tap*

Panic rushes through me as I turn and spy a badge along with two detectives.

“Detective. Is there a problem?” I said.

“No ma’am. We need you to come down to the station for questioning,” he said.

“Uh, um, yes. I’ll be right down. May I ask for your names?” I asked.

“I’m Detective Tyler Stark. This is my partner Detective Avery James,” he said.

“See you soon,” I said.

I just buried my father and I’m being brought back in for questioning. They caught the killer. What more do they want? I have nothing left to say.

I watch them walk away and a massive rush of emotions start to drown and suffocate me.

“Get the fuck down bitch,” he said.

I watched through blurred eyes and a gag in my mouth. Fearing for my life once again. He walks over and caresses my legs with a burning desire to satisfy himself.

“Do you like it when daddy touches you here?” he said.

The fear in my eyes rising at every passing moment.

“How about when I rip your clothes off and have my way with you?” he said.

Then I’m brought back by a clap of lightening and a blaring horn.

What. Is. Happening. To. Me.

Sweat starts to pool upon my face and that’s when I realize I’m in a full blown panic attack. This can’t be happening to me. It’s all over now. He can’t hurt me anymore. Right?

“I’m losing my fucking mind,” I said.

As I make my way out into the pouring rain, I am brought back to a place where there was once laughter. Happiness. Back to a place where I was safe and I felt good. Back where I had him to keep me safe. He promised to keep me safe. I believed him. It’s funny how quickly all of that suddenly dissipates into nothing.

I’m snapped back into reality when I’m escorted into the interrogation room.

“Why am I here detective?” I said.

“Miss Montgomery, we just want to make sure we arrested the right man for the murder. Your father deserves justice. I’m sure you can understand that,” he said.

          “Detective, with all due respect. I just want this to be over. Which I thought it was once you told me you had caught the killer,” I said.

          “I understand but we only need a few moments of your time. Do you know anyone that would want to hurt your father?” He said.

          “My father and I weren’t exactly too close but I don’t know anyone that would ever want to hurt him. He wasn’t the best father because of his absence throughout my life but he wasn’t the type to hurt anyone,” I said.

          “Despite your father’s absence in your life, what do you know about his business?” He said.

          “I actually don’t know much about his business. That was a part of his life I was never included in. Family was family and business was business. He never mixed the two,” I said.

          “Were you aware of the threa…”

          “Threats? What do you mean, threats? My father wasn’t a bad man,” I said.

          “I apologize if I made you uncomfortable but these questions need to be answered. I’ll finish up here with one last question. Where were you the night your father was killed?” He said.

          “I was out of town for work. I was devastated when I returned home to find out my father was murdered. If you don’t mind, I am late for work,” I said.

          “Absolutely. I apologize again. Just getting answers to routine questions. If we have any more questions, we know where to find you,” he said.

As I make my exit, the realization that he is gone has made itself apparent in my mind. I can’t help but smile as I walk down the cold hallway.

Sitting by the fire with a glass of whiskey in hand, it doesn’t cease to amaze me how well this entire revenge plot has turned out. With the help of my childhood love and countless days and nights of plotting, it has worked out in my favor. The “killer” was a nobody that had no one in his life. It was too easy setting him up for the murder. How pathetic that no one knew what I was doing throughout my life.

*Knock Knock Knock*

I opened my door and there he was. My eyes lit up and I went into his arms. He held me for a moment and gently kissed me.

“Hi,” I said.

“Hi beautiful,” said Detective Stark.

“Have you come to take me away Detective?” I said.

He gave me that smirk that made me fall for him so many years ago. I can’t believe this is finally real.

I have lived a life of pain and over the years, I’ve plotted against my father. I’ve lied. I’ve cheated. I’ve manipulated. I’ve had scandals. Everything leading up to this moment in time.

It was all too perfect. Tyler planning to become a detective and help me in my revenge plot. Love never dies.

There was a moment though. Where everything almost went up in flames. Luckily, I took care of her before she could ruin me. She won’t be saying much to anyone these days.

With revenge no longer driving me to survive another night of horror, I can finally live the life that I, no that Tyler and I deserve. Especially with that generous insurance payout from my father’s untimely death.

As I lie in bed in the arms of my hero, completely lost in thought, I can feel the moisture start to build in my eyes. As they begin to fall, that’s when I know I’m free.

And to think my father never saw this coming.

I hope you rot in hell where you belong you fucking bastard.

“You can’t hurt me anymore,” I whisper.