BETWEEN THEM

SIX

What's the point in screaming? No ones listening anyway~ROLEX

Artemis...

"Are you sure you have to go now?" I asked Welsey while Wiley loaded the trunk with their luggages.

"Yes, Lia. The sooner we go, the faster we return"

I really didn't want them to go now.

They were going to Hawaii to do some job stuff.

Stuff I really didn't understand or care about but they had planned to go the following month and all of a sudden they had to go now.

I know how hard they both worked to get an opportunity to work in their office's headquarters but they were going so soon.

"Don't miss me too much, Lia" said Wiley before wrapping his arms around me in a warm embrace.

I smiled sadly when I realized how much I was going to miss that name.

Three months ago, I never really liked that name but the twins would always ignore my rant anytime I tell them how I feel about the name; Lia.

According to them, the name Artemis was too outdated.

Welsey gave me a hug after Wiley pulled away.

"Be good, okay?" Welsey asked making me nod my head with a smile.

"Okay boys, get out" said Uncle Jim making us yell out in laughter.

*********

Today in the town was like any other day for everyone.

Well different for me.

It's been two weeks since the twins left and I really did miss them.

Uncle was at home resting while I stood in the kitchen of the diner.

I was trying out Uncle Jim's recipes in the kitchen when I heard the bell.

Wiping my hands quickly, I went up to the front.

"Good morning and welcome to..." I stopped midway when I found Uncle Jim seated with his hands on his laps and his head bowed.

Something was wrong.

Uncle never came in through the front door.

The back door was for employees only and that's the door he ALWAYS uses and now...

"Uncle Jim? Is everything okay?" I asked and all I got in response was his silence.

I tried again, "Uncle?"

"I'm leaving for Hawaii tonight"

Wait, what?

My eyes went wide with fear as I stood there taking in all of his sentence.

Uncle sniffled before staring up at me with red rimmed eyes, "They're being tried for murder"

Murder?

Welsey and Wiley wouldn't do such a thing, right?

"It's not possible, Uncle. Welsey and Wiley would never do such a thing"

"I don't know, Artemis. But I've booked a flight to Hawaii and I'll be leaving tonight"

His shoulders shook as he cried.

Tears fell down my eyes as I stood awkwardly in a corner.

I was cursed.

I don't know why this always happens to me.

Every single time someone decides to help me, they always suffer.

First it was Ari, then Aunt Catherine and now Uncle Jim.

Why is it so hard to live a normal life?

More tears fell down my eyes.

Why do bad things always happen to good people?

Where do I go from here? Will I did from hunger? or perhaps natural causes?

Thoughts swirled around my mind as I thought of what to do next.

There is a shack down the road and that may serve as a place where I can lay down for a while until I die of hunger or pneumonia.

Whichever one comes first.

Uncle Jim's hand on my shoulder snapped me back to reality.

His eyes held so many emotions making me smile sadly at him.

I knew what he wanted to say before he says it.

He was going to shut down the diner.

"I'm sorry, Artemis. But since I'm going over to Hawaii, I have no idea when I'll be back and the diner..."

I cut him off, "It's okay, Uncle. I'll find a place where I can stay for a while"

Uncle Jim shook his head slowly at me, "There's no need for that"

He squeezed a piece of paper in my hand making me look up at him in confusion.

It was a plane ticket to Texas.

I couldn't believe my eyes as I went through all the paperwork.

My passport had 'Lia Anderson' and I could only blink in surprise.

The time for departure was at five and staring at the wall clock, it was 3:50.

An hour and ten minutes before the plane would depart.

"Uncle..."

"It's yours, there's a cab outside. The driver will take you down to the airport. You will board the plane to Texas where you will meet my younger sister. She'll take it from there. According to a friend, this case may turn out bad and I don't want you in the middle of it" said Uncle Jim all in one breath.

He squeezed a wad of cash in my hand, "Be safe"

It was a blur afterwards.

We hugged for a while and then next place I find myself is in an airplane about to depart.

One thought crossed my mind.

I was never going to see Uncle Jim again.

I cried all the way to Texas.