Bloody Hands

Back To Life

At 10 pm, Gwen and I are going to bed.

"What will happen tomorrow?" Gwen asked.

"I don't know, tomorrow is a mystery" I said.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why they call it present. Master Oogway"

"You remember it very well"

"Because that's the truth"

"Really? What about the bad things we face? Is it a gift or a curse?"

"Maybe that's the price to pay for the wonderful time we've had"

"Really? I guess I paid more than I got"

"Have you ever heard of pay first?"

"We both know that's not how it works"

"We both know that everyone will get a reply in due time"

"Well, maybe, what if they don't?"

"Your nemeses will defeat themselves before you get the chance to swing"

"And he's passing by rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky. I didn't know you listen to Taylor Swift"

"Cause you. But that's not the point. You don't need to retaliate against your enemies because they will definitely get their share"

"Unfortunately, we have to wait until they get their share"

"What's the difference between you and them if you repay their evil with evil"

"You talk like you know what I'm doing"

"I don't know, but I know how you handle your problems. Reply to someone the same way they hurt you. Sometimes you even repay them worse than they did. You don't have to tell me everything I know when you want to repay someone who has hurt you. It doesn't mean I don't want to know everything because I still want to know"

"I'm sure I'm not that bad"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes"

"Do you remember Luna, you almost made her fall from the second floor because she purposely made you fall in the cafeteria"

"I don't really want to make her fall, I'm just teaching the girl a little lesson, she should know who she's up against"

"And that's an exaggeration, you frighten her every time she meets you"

"Come on, Gwen. We both know she's just a spoiled kid"

"Still not justifying what you did to her, what if Luna gets traumatized"

"So, Mr and Mrs Carter must teach their daughter how to be nice"

"Use the little pity you have, just a little"

"Well, not for her. She don't deserve it"

"See, just because of a small problem you make someone experience tremendous fear and you feel she deserves it"

"Why not? It wasn't the first time she'd done that, she was obsessed with Regina George and wished she could be like her, but instead of being like her, she looks pathetic"

"But you retaliated worse than Cady Heron"

"Come on, Gwen, it's not that bad. I didn't make the girl break her bones"

"You say it as if it wasn't bad"

"Because they weren't that bad, they were just exaggerating. I won't kill a schoolmate just because of that kind of trouble"

"I know, but what if you let go of your grip and she falls. You know she could have died. Not that I blame you but as a friend I have to remind you when you make a mistake, I won't let you plunge yourself into a hole even if it's a hole you dug yourself"

"I know sometimes I get a little too much, I just can't control myself. You know sometimes I get out of control and become like a wild animal out of a cage, I hope you can understand that"

"I can, but they not. You have to learn to control yourself, I can't be with you forever. There will be times when you have to face the world alone, without anyone and before you get to that point, you have to learn to control yourself before someone else can control you"

I rarely hear wise words come out of Gwen's mouth, this time she's right, I have to control myself before someone controls me or my actions get worse, but on the other hand I have to end what I started, I can't just let this thing go, like leave a book I haven't finished reading. This is not like the problem I faced before, this will affect everything in my life for now, I will find a way out, someday.

The next morning, Gwen invites to exercise in the morning. After breakfast Gwen had to leave, the day after tomorrow was our first day of college, luckily we went to the same college. At first I wanted to take college in another city but I couldn't leave Grandma alone, but now I'm a little regretful about that because in the end Grandma had to go to California and I had to be stuck here with all these problems.

I asked Charlie to watch over Grandma and Gwen and make sure nothing happened to them. After Gwen came home Kevin called me and asked how I was. I don't understand why he calls me almost every day just over a week I've known him and I think he really cares about me, oh, what am I thinking, I'm sure this won't last long and he will act like a normal person.

"Morning, Sharon" he said.

"Morning" I said.

"How are you today?"

"Good, and you?"

"I'm good"

"So you have something to say?"

"No, I just want to hear your voice"

"What?"

"I mean, we shouldn't leave someone who is grieving alone"

"You're right, but I don't think I'm that bad now, last night Gwen stayed and talking to her helped me accept the situation a bit"

"That's great, you know whenever you need someone me or Gwen will be with you"

"I know, thank you"

"Are you busy tonight? If you have time how about we have dinner? Only if you want"

"Okay"

"What?"

"I mean yes, we can go tonight"

"Alright, I'll pick you up at 7"

"Okay, see you tonight"

"Okay, see you"

All right, he took me out to dinner. Why does it seem quite awkward when he invites me to dinner. Don't think about it, he's probably just a little nervous, I guess. All right, what should I wear. All right, I think I'll find a dress in my closet. I hope everything will be fine tonight, I just want a quiet night. At 5 pm, I have to find something to wear tonight. While I was looking for a nice dress, Gwen came followed by Charlie.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I tried to stop her but she didn't listen" Charlie said.

"It's okay, go away" I said.

Charlie walk away.

"What is this? Are you going on a date tonight?" Gwen asked.

"Hell no, it's just a dinner" I said.

"With who?"

"Kevin"

"Just Kevin?"

"Yes"

"It's a date"

"It's not"

"Really? If it's just a dinner you won't be bringing out your collection of dresses which are quite rarely seen"

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm curious"

"Come on, Gwen"

"All right, I'll help you, what are you going to wear?"

"I don't know"

"This red dress will be good"

"Not red"

"Pink?"

"How about white?"

"Great, it will match your black high heels"

"How about boots?"

"It would look good, but high heels are better"

"I don't care"

"Of course, you would say that"

"You know that"

"So, when are you leaving?"

"Before 7"

"So, we have less than 2 hours, move or you'll be late"

"I won't be late, believe me"

"I believe, but you have to look perfect, so, start preparing"

"I don't need to look perfect, it's just dinner"

"Okay, it's just dinner, okay"

Gwen helped me out, but I think she's overdoing it a bit.

"You don't have to do all this" I said

"Make up is something normal" Gwen said.

"I know, but you know I don't really like doing all this"

"I know, of course I know, I just want to help, because I know you'll definitely be wearing a t-shirt and a leather jacket if I don't come"

"Well, you're right, okay"

"So, let me help you"

"Okay"

So, Gwen, she helped me get ready. It was almost 7 pm, I went to my grandmother's apartment. Why did I go there, because Kevin thinks that I live there and I will let it stay like that. When I arrived I immediately headed for the elevator to go to Grandma's apartment, but I saw Kevin coming, I got out of the elevator and walked over to him. I hate that look, he's looking at me like something's wrong.

"Hi" I said.

"Hi, you look beautiful" he said.

"Thank you"

He opened the door, I got in the car and we left. A few minutes later we arrived. He held my hand gently. Inside, he keeps looking at me, okay, this is starting to get a little weird.

"So, how's your day?" I asked.

What did I say, I feel strange.

"Good, there was a little problem in the office but everything is fixed, and you?" he said.

"Good, I'm just getting ready to go to university"

"That's good, so you will go?"

"No, I will stay. I promise to stay here while my grandma is still here"

"Your grandma?"

"Yes, she went to California"

"You promised to stay but your grandma left instead"

"Unfortunately, yes, she had no choice, she had to go"

"Why?"

"It's complicated"

"I know, sometimes life is very complicated"

"Yeah, you're right, life is very complicated"

And we fell silent again and looked at each other. We chuckled.

"What's wrong?" I said.

"Nothing, just, you look different tonight" he said.

"Is that bad?"

"No, no, of course not, you look beautiful"

"You too, you look handsome tonight"

"Thank you. I hope you are better than before"

"Yeah, I guess, I'm better"

"Good, cause I can't see you in that situation"

"You care too much"

"Is that bad?"

"No, of course not, just a little unusual"

"What?"

"No, I mean, that's good"

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable"

"No, you don't make me uncomfortable, it's just that I'm used to being someone who ignored and I think only Grandma and Gwen are paying attention to me"

"Okay, but why?"

"Because I'm a person who doesn't like to attract attention"

"It's unique"

"For some people it's weird"

"No, it's not weird, not at all"

"Are you trying to make me better?"

"Of course, you should be proud of yourself"

"I'm proud of myself"

"I can see it"

Moments later our order arrived. We talked about many things. After dinner I thought he would drive me home, but I know this is not the way home.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I think it would be good if we wandered around for a bit, if you don't mind" he said.

"That's good"

"I want to ask you something, you don't have to answer it if you don't want to"

"What is that?"

"Have you ever had a boyfriend? You don't have to answer it if you don't want to"

"No, I've never had a boyfriend before"

"Okay"

He stopped at an office building, I don't know what office this is.

"Why we here?" I asked.

"Let me show you something" he said.

He took my hand and we entered. He took me to the top of the building, to be more precise to the roof of the building. The view is quite good, the city can be seen quite clearly from up here.

"It's beautiful" I said.

"I know, do you like it?" he asked.

"I love it"

I don't know how he got me here, but it's beautiful. I used to sit at the top of the apartment when I was exhausted from life, I forgot how it felt when I could cry on the roof alone. I turned around when I heard Kevin playing a song. He smiled and took my hand.

"Will you dance with me?" Kevin asked.

"Why not" I said.

We danced to the song, among the hustle and bustle of the city. For a moment I can forget that I have many problems waiting for me, at least I had a good night today. At 11 pm, he drove me home. I think he's quite nice and fun. I start like him.

The next day, I woke up because my cell phone kept ringing, it was Gwen, she called me many times.

"Sharon, I called you many times" Gwen said.

"And I'm sleeping" I said.

"So, how's your night?"

"Good"

"Just good?"

"So what?"

"About you and him"

"We had dinner, and then he took me to a building and we danced on the roof"

"And?"

"Nothing more"

"I mean, what are you guys talking about, how does he look, how does he talk, and more"

"Why should I care about all that"

"You don't care?"

"No, of course not, maybe I care, a little"

"Tell me everything"

"That's all"

"Okay"

I showered and changed, then returned to Aunt Cate's house. There Zoe Terrence was waiting for me.

"Morning, ms. Terrence" I said.

"You can call me Zoe" she said.

"Okay"

"I've come to give you a list of Renaldi's properties that will be converted into your name, just as Cate wanted"

"Alright, I'm sure Aunt Cate's lawyer has explained all that"

"Good, so I don't need to explain everything"

"But I have to tell you something about the family business"

"If it's about drug trafficking, I'll stop all that"

"Thirty percent of the money you receive comes from there"

"From now on it becomes zero percent"

"You can't just stop, there's a lot you have to do to get out of there"

"I will start from now"

"You can't just stop this, imagine how many people will lose their jobs if you close this"

"Do you benefit from all this?"

"Yes, of course"

"From the profit you got how many lives were sacrificed? How much future is being sacrificed? Have you ever thought about that?"

"That, you know, this, it's not as easy as you think"

"I want a list of the employees who work here and their skills"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, you don't believe me?"

"Well, you know, this is the first time we meet and the first time I work for you"

"Okay, You hear what I say, I'm waiting"

"Okay, so, I gotta go, see you tomorrow"

And he left, how could that woman ask me to continue all that, how much profit she got, pathetic. I went to my room, and Kevin called, I think calling me started to become a daily habit.

"Morning, Sharon" he said.

"Morning, Kevin" I said.

"I hope I don't disturb your morning routine"

"Of course not, I don't have a morning routine to do. How about you?"

"No, I'm free, you know, it's sunday"

"Yeah"

I just remembered that it's Sunday, I think Zoe is the workaholic type. Suddenly I heard someone's voice calling Kevin.

"Yes, dad. Wait my daddy calling" he said.

Wait? What? He's daddy? I was a little surprised. After a while he returned to the phone.

"I hope I didn't make you wait" he said.

"Of course not" I said.

"He doesn't usually come here"

"Is there anything important? Should you talk to him, maybe?"

"Yeah, I have. I'll call you later"

"Okay"

Why did he call me when his dad was there. Since it's Sunday I think I can relax, I hope there's no other drama to deal with, I want a peaceful Sunday. I remember when my parents and I went on vacation to Paris, we toured the city and of course to the Eiffel tower, a beautiful memory that will never be repeated. I'm starting to miss them, maybe things would have been different if they were here it could have been better or worse, I don't know, no one knows. Grandma calling.

"Hi, Grandma" I said.

"My dear" Grandma said.

"I miss you so much"

"Me too. How are you? I hope Cate has finished all that"

I forgot to tell her about Aunt Cate. What should I say.

"I have to tell you something, but don't panic" I said.

"What happened?" Grandma asked.

"Aunt Cate, she's gone"

"What do you mean gone? She should be with you"

"She's died"

"What?!"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I don't want you to panic. Trust me I'm fine, nothing to worry about"

"What happened? Tell me everything"

"Someone poisoned her, she was in the hospital for a few days, but she couldn't survive"

"Who poisened her?"

"I'm finding out, I don't know either"

"I'll be back now"

"No, please don't, I'm trying to fix things and soon everything will be back to normal, but please don't come back, not for now. I will pick up grandma when everything is back to normal"

"How are you going to solve all that? Even Cate couldn't clean up the mess. What if something happened to you? Who will help you, grandma will be back"

"Trust me. I know how to fix it"

"Sharon, stop acting like you can sort it all out, so far this mess is only getting worse and it's only a matter of time before you'll be the ones affected"

"I know I'm the cause of everything, I promise I'll fix it, I'll make things right. Trust me, I'll be fine"

"Oh Sharon, my dear, please stop. I know you more than anyone, I know you won't be able to survive all this"

"I can, I can do this. Trust me"

"I can not. I can't pretend you're going to be okay. I can't lose anymore, you're the only thing I have left, I don't want to regret anything"

"Trust me, I won't let you down. I'll do everything and stay safe, I've decided what I'm going to do, I've arranged everything. I just need some time until everything goes well and we'll get back together. I promise"

"You know the line your father always used to say. Take care of Sharon, she doesn't know what she is doing, she is careless but stubborn. Those were the words your father said when you were seven years old and he had to leave you with me, and now those words are still true. You don't know what you're doing, you're careless but stubborn. I know you Sharon better than anyone, your every action always scares me. I can't let you get hurt even if it's just a strand of your hair, I won't forgive myself if something happens to you"

"I'm sorry for everything, but I need you to trust me, so I can do this, please"

"What can I say, I can't stop you"

"I'm sorry grandma, I just, it's complicated. I will fix this mess. I promise"

"I trust you. But if something happens to you"

"Nothing will happens to me"

"Don't put yourself in a situation you can't handle"

"Nothing I can't handle"

"Okay, okay. Promise you will call me everyday"

"I promise"

"Okay, I miss you, my dear"

"Me too"

"Good bye"

"Good bye"

Grandma hangs up. I know this will happen, I hope grandma isn't worried, I know she will be worried but what can I do, bringing her here won't solve the problem, she shouldn't be here till I finish everything. Maybe this will get worse, I know Oswald is up to something and is biding his time to put his plan into action. I will protect everyone I care about, if anything happens to them, I will destroy Oswald until he is completely messed up and destroyed.

Alright, I need to relax a bit, it's Sunday and Sunday is chill time, I hope nothing else will disturb my time. I need to clear my head, maybe I'll pass the time by reading a book, or playing a game, or maybe getting ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow is my first day and I will try to be a normal human for a while, before I finally return to the crazy world I accidentally entered.

At lunch, Charlie always reminded me not to go out unless it was essential, because Oswald was looking for an opportunity to kill me, that's what he said or might guess, it made no difference. After lunch Zoe came back and gave each employee a list. There are dozens of people who work for us in that field.

"I'll redirect them, I see Aunt Cate just made a hotel in Hawaii some of them could work there, could be hotel clerks, or maybe hotel chefs" I said.

"You mean we'll send them there?" Zoe asked.

"If they want. I'm sure many of them will, because from this list many of them don't have families"

"If we send them there we have to provide shelter for them"

"We will make an offer, we will finance their accommodation for 3 months and after that they will find their own place to live"

"I'm sure they won't accept that"

"Then give them another choice, we have a bar in the corner of town, a salon and spa, give them the choice to work there, or recommend them according to their skills. We can help them leave this dark world"

"Look, you can't run a business with an angel's heart"

"I'm not running a business with an angel's heart, I'm just trying to attract people from this dark world"

"You changed everything"

"I change to fix it not to destroy it"

"How long do you think things will be like this, you know the reason they work here, because they don't like it, don't want to work where you say they fit in here and they want to stay here"

"They had no choice when they chose to work here and this is their chance to be better, let them choose. We will let the supplies run out and then we will ask them to choose their path, if they refuse let them go"

"Are you sure this will work?"

"Of course. Why not?"

"Honestly I'm not sure, not everyone will leave their job, even to get better"

"How do you know? What if I asked you to leave your job to become president? Are you going to refuse?"

"That's different"

"It's the same, it's different when you want it to be different"

"I'm sure I don't need advice from an 18 year old teenage"

"That 18 year old teenager is your boss from now on"

"You're stubborn as told, we'll see how much this holds up. I'll give you some advice that you might need later, don't go too far because you'll regret the repercussions later"

"Thank you for your advice, but I always think about every action I take including the impact it will have, you could say I've thought about the impact that will happen for the next 5 years or maybe more"

"Okay, so you predict the future, but unfortunately the predictions are not always right and it can be wrong, be careful. I have to go maybe we can talk later, see you later"

"See you"

Zoe leaves, how can she talk to me like that, if not for her Aunt Cate's assistant I would have fired her for sure, for now I have to face her like it or not, because she knows a lot about the company, I stick with her. Everything will be fine, back to a peaceful Sunday, I will have a peaceful Sunday and nothing will bother me anymore, nothing will. I sat in the backyard and enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate. After that I go back to my room, at 4 pm, I will exercise, maybe a little jogging would be good. After jogging I take a shower, at 7 pm, Ms. Clark had already prepared dinner. After dinner, I make sure what I need tomorrow is ready and then get ready for bed. Tomorrow I'll start college I hope I can get away from all this trouble, at least for a moment.