Alicia’s voice filters in, brittle and shaky. “Claire…I just…I just found out Jonathan wants me dead. He’s been poisoning me all this time. He wants to kill me. I…I don’t think I can make it. I wanted to take you and Aiden and go, but…I don’t think I can. He’s after me. Remember when I told you to only call him in emergencies? Don’t. Ever. Run, baby sister. Run from all of them.”
I gasp as her words creep into my head like doom.
No.
No.
Jonathan didn’t…he couldn’t…
And yet, he did.
It’s just like when Dad told me on that day I was crying when Alicia didn’t come to see me.
“You’re born alone. You die alone. Why do you keep leaning on other people?”
My mind shuts down. I turn numb as all the events from today slam back into me. Dad’s interview. Sarah’s attack. Alicia’s warning.
I kick the car into gear and do as she said. As I did eleven years ago.
I run.
I disappear.
TO BE CONTINUED…