Her promise

Realization

The apartment felt too quiet.

Two weeks passed by since Samantha died. Two weeks since rain soaked her hair, her skin, her clothes as she held her sister's body in her arms. Two weeks since her last breath.

And two weeks since she whispered that name.

Roberto Moretti.

A name that was now the center of all her thoughts, sitting in her chest heavy as a rock.

Judith sat beside her taking her arm, releasing her fingers that were twisting the hem of her oversized sweatshirt — Samantha's sweatshirt. Steven settled on the floor in front of them, resting his chin on Selena's knees.

"What are we going to do?"

Judith looked at Selena's pale face with concern in her eyes. She has been so worried about her friend. She is not eating, sleeping, talking. Ever since she told them about that guy, Roberto, she has fallen even deeper in her thoughts and grief.

Judith and Steven exchanged glances when Selena remained silent.

Her blank stare somewhere in the distance suddenly changed into something different, it almost looked like a spark, a spark of realization.

"I need to find him."

Those words slipped from her mouth and tongue silently, her eyes still radiated so much determination and strength that her friends, for a split second, thought that she went crazy. They also knew she needed them now more than ever before, she was there for them as well. Steven exchanged glances of agreement with Samantha.

"Okay. We will figure this out. Together."

Steven said as he wrapped his arm around Selena's shoulder, welcoming her head on his chest.

Her breathing was shakily, the weight of losing her sister was pressed against her ribs, her heart ached, but having her chaotic, irreplaceable best friends made it easier to handle.

And then, as she rested her head on Steven's chest, her mind took her back. Back to the last day, she saw her sister alive.

ONE MONTH EARLIER

The bar was packed, loud music and chaos surrounding them. Music pulsed through the floorboards, flashing lights coated everything and everyone in pink and blue and the smell of cocktails invited them furthermore.

"Move peasants! Gay with a mission coming through!"

Steven held the cake box like it was an Oscar.

Judith rolled her eyes, tossing her curly hair dramatically.

"I swear one day you will get us kicked out of every bar in Chicago."

Steven gave her his best smile and winked at her while placing the cake box on the table they reserved especially for that night. Selena laughed.

"Guys, please. She is probably already here."

Her sister had not been around that much lately. Assignments, investigations, traveling. Constantly on the move chasing some story. But today was her birthday and for that she would always come home.

After some time looking for Samantha, they found her leaning against a bar, scrolling through her phone, her long black hair falling in soft waves over her shoulder. When she looked up and saw three of them with the cake, sparkling candles and big smiles, her face lit up.

"Are you kidding me?"

Samantha laughed as Selena rushed forward and wrapped her in a hug.

"Happy birthday, Sam!" Selena shouted, trying to overpower the loud music in the club.

Steven approached them, bringing up the cake. Samantha closed her eyes, made a wish and blew out the candles.

For a moment she looked peaceful and calm. All the shadows Selena had noticed lately disappeared from her face.

Hours passed, vodka replaced wine, which replaced tequila. Shots were lined up all night long. Steven forced everyone onto the dance floor and Judith flirted with half the bar.

At one point, Selena looked at her sister. Her face was bright, cheeks flushed, and her laugh was louder than ever before.

It all lasted until near the end of the night, when the music softened and the crowd thinned. Samantha went outside for air.

Selena followed her and found her on the sidewalk leaning against the brick wall.

"You okay?"

Selena looked at her with worry in her eyes and asked her softly.

Hesitation, her eyes flickered, fear, exhaustion and something heavier covered Samantha's face.

"I haven't been around lately."

She said quietly, avoiding looking at Selena.

"I know."

Selena stepped closer.

"Work has been crazy, right?"

"That is part of it."

Selena blinked, an uneasy feeling taking over her stomach.

"And the other part?"

Samantha opened her mouth. Closed it and looked away. A car drove by, headlights sweeping over them.

"Sami?"

Samantha shook her head.

"Not tonight. You are drunk, I am drunk. If I say it now I will regret it."

Even though, yes, she was drunk, she was fully aware that something was wrong with her sister. Something is bothering her.

"Say what?"

"I just."

Samantha swallowed and sighed heavily.

"I need more time."

Selena didn't insist, but she should have. God, she should have. But, instead she pulled her sister into a hug.

"It is okay. You can tell me whenever you are ready."

Samantha nodded against her shoulder.

"Yeah. Whenever I am ready."

But she never got the chance.

PRESENT

Selena jerked awake on the couch. Deep inhale, the room was dark now. Steven and Judith had fallen asleep beside her, one on each side like they were protecting her.

She wiped the tears she had not realized were there.

If she had pushed Samantha that night... If she had demanded answers... If she had not assumed it was just work stress... Maybe things would have been different, maybe her sister would still have been alive.

Selena pressed her palms covering her face, whispering into the silence of the dark room.

"Roberto Moretti, who the hall are you?

A heavy sigh escaped from the bottom of her soul.

"Did you kill her?"

She wiped the tears that were rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. Guilt was eating every part of her heart, her soul and conscious.

If she had pushed Samantha that night... Maybe things would have been different, maybe she would still be alive...

His name slipped from her trembling lips again and again, a new idea forming in her head. Plan to uncover the truth Samantha died for.

And she wouldn't stop — not until she finds out everything. Not until the name that lived inside her finally made sense.