LOVE BEHIND THE LIES

Chapter one

The argument started before Elena came downstairs. “Don’t let him have the panel.” Kenneth’s voice came from the sitting room.Alice stood opposite him, her arms folded tightly across her chest. “You can’t keep it forever.” “I don’t need to.” “Then what exactly are you planning to do with it?” Kenneth looked toward the wooden cabinet beside him. The small black panel sat on the table. “I’ll activate it.” Alice stared at him.“Kenneth, give it to him.” “No.” “Please.” “I said no, that’s my lifetime work” Alice lowered her voice. “How many things do I have to give off, how many lives do you have to destroy because of that thing?” Kenneth’s jaw tightened. Watch what you say.” “No. You watch what you’re doing.” She stepped closer. “Just let him have the panel, Kenneth.” “I can’t and I won’t.” Alice’s eyes filled with frustration. “You have already destroyed one life. Don’t add another one.”

Kenneth went still. Alice shook her head. “Don’t you remember what he’s capable of doing? You know what happened before all this. You know exactly what he can do when he wants something.” “I’m not giving him anything.” “Then people will get hurt.” “Maybe.” Alice stared at him in disbelief. “Maybe?” Kenneth looked away. “I know what I’m doing.” “No, you don’t.” He turned back to her. “I Martin better than you do even thought the both of you had something.” Everywhere went quiet for sometimes. Then,“That’s exactly why I’m scared.” Alice whispered, “You should have let this go years ago.” Kenneth’s face became so mean this time“I couldn’t.” “And now?” He looked at the panel. “Now it’s too late.”

A faint sound came from the staircase. Both of them turned. Elena stood there. She had one hand resting on the railing, her eyebrows drawn together. “What are you two talking about?” The change in her parents was immediate.

Kenneth reached for the panel and slipped it beneath the newspaper on the table. Alice straightened.“Nothing.” Elena looked from her mother to her father. “You were arguing.” Kenneth smiled. “Your mother and I were discussing something.” “Sounded like an argument.” Alice walked toward her. “Good morning, sweetheart.” She kissed Elena’s forehead. Elena smiled faintly. “Good morning.”

Kenneth stood and opened his arms. “Come here.” Elena walked into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head. “Did you sleep well?” “Yes.”“Good.” Elena looked over his shoulder toward the table.

For a second, she noticed the newspaper. Something underneath it made a small corner stick out. She frowned. Before she could ask, Kenneth spoke. “Breakfast?” Her attention shifted. “Okay.” Alice smiled. “Come on.” They walked toward the dining room together.

Behind them, Kenneth glanced once at the newspaper. The smile disappeared. He knew Alice was right about one thing. The panel was never going to stay hidden forever.

Breakfast began.The conversation moved easily. Exams. School. Teachers and University applications. Everything was normal and safe. At one point, Kenneth leaned back in his chair and studied her carefully."So tell me honestly." Elena narrowed her eyes. "That never starts well." Kenneth ignored her completely. "Anybody caught your attention yet?" Alice nearly choked on her tea."Kenneth." "What?" he asked innocently. Elena groaned. "Dad." "It's a simple question." Elena rolled her eyes and reached for her cup. "No." "Not a single person?" She paused. For some reason, a face crossed her mind. Daniel Lockward. Her seatmate. Quiet and Serious. Always sitting by the window like he would rather be anywhere else. He hardly talked to anyone unless necessary. Most days, Elena wondered if he even noticed the rest of the class existed. The strange thing was that nobody ever bothered him. It was almost as if people naturally kept their distance. Elena never understood why. "See?" Kenneth said immediately, catching the pause. "You thought of somebody." Elena nearly dropped her cup "I did not." Alice laughed. "She definitely did." "Mom!" Kenneth pointed dramatically. "Aha! Evidence." Elena buried her face in her hands. "I regret coming downstairs." Kenneth looked extremely pleased with himself. Alice laughed softly. For a moment, Kenneth simply watched his daughter. His smile softened. Pride filled his eyes. The same pride Alice noticed immediately. "What?" Kenneth shook his head. "Nothing." But it wasn't nothing. He couldn't stop thinking about how quickly time was moving. Nineteen. His little girl was nineteen. Soon she would leave home to University, to A career and to Her own life. The thought made him strangely emotional. Alice noticed. As she always did. Their eyes met briefly. A silent conversation passing between them. One Elena didn't understand. One neither of them wanted to explain. Not yet. After breakfast, Elena grabbed her bag. "Ready?" Kenneth stood. "I'll drive you." "You don't have to." "I know." "So why are you?" "Because I'm your father." Elena smiled. That answer was enough. Outside, sunlight reflected off Kenneth's black SUV. The vehicle waited near the entrance. Kenneth opened the passenger door. Elena climbed inside. Moments later they were driving through the city. Buildings passed. Traffic moved steadily. Everything seemed ordinary. For a while neither spoke. Then Kenneth broke the silence. "You nervous?" "A little." "You'll do fine." "What if I don't?" Kenneth laughed. "Then you'll do fine the second time." Elena smiled. "You're very confident." "I'm your father. Confidence is literally part of my job." The city moved around them Busy and Alive. Then Kenneth became Unexpectedly quiet. Elena noticed immediately "Dad?" "Hmm?" "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "Liar." Kenneth chuckled. Maybe she was too much like him. He tapped the steering wheel. Then spoke softly. "No matter what happens..." Elena frowned. "What?" Kenneth glanced toward her. "No matter what happens, remember something." "What?" "Your mother and I love you." Elena stared. Then laughed. "Dad." "What?" "Why are you talking like you're dying?" Kenneth smiled, A strange smile. Almost sad. "I don't know." The conversation ended there. Neither knew it would be their last. Ahead of them, a truck appeared. Moving fast. Too fast. Kenneth's eyes narrowed and noticed that Something felt wrong. Very wrong. He pressed the brake. Nothing happened. His smile disappeared instantly. Again. Nothing. The brake pedal dropped uselessly beneath his foot. Kenneth's heartbeat exploded. No. No. No. The truck grew larger. Elena noticed his expression "Dad?" Kenneth gripped the steering wheel. "Elena." Fear entered his voice. Real fear. Elena froze. The truck horn screamed. Kenneth jerked the steering wheel. The SUV spun as Metal collided. Glass shattered. Everything became noise. Then darkness. Complete darkness..