Turning Back Time

You can't turn back time. No matter how badly you want to, nothing can be redone. Lives stay lost, feelings can't be replaced, words are left unsaid and memories remain forever, whether you want them to, or not. 1

How long does it take for someone to die? The answer for me was two minutes.2

The memory of the death will always stay with me. I know there are more relationships and feelings than there are days in a month, but I had one that could outrank them all. Because the love of a sister, a member of true flesh and blood, is everything. She is a part of you and when that half of you dies, the other half whithers away, too.3

Two Months Ago4

“Holly, come on!” Hazel yelled. “The guys won't wait forever.”5

“I know, I know.” Holly called back. “One more minute. I have two curls left to do.”6

Hazel sighed and shook her head. Her sister was older than she by two minutes, which Holly never let her forget. Hazel and Holly were the same height of five feet, seven inches and had the same length of red-brown hair. The girls had tiny figures, well developed chests and pale skin. The only difference between the two girls were their eyes. Holly had the greenest, glittering eyes, while Hazel had beautiful, brown eyes that you could stare into until the world fell apart. The two sisters had completely different interests and fought constantly, but they were family and families stick together.7

“Holly! They're going to be here any minute!” Hazel complained. 8

“I'm ready, keep your claws sheathed.” Holly answered, coming down the stairs.9

Hazel sighed, but the sound was cut off as she saw what her sister was wearing. It was a beautiful, dark-green dress that came off the shoulders and clung to her chest and waist. From the waist it flowed out until it reached just past her knees. Her shoes were gold along with her necklace and she had the faintest tints of gold eyeshadow and black liner on. She looked beautiful.10

“W-O-W.” Hazel gasped. “You look-”11

“Awesome? I know, right!” Holly chuckled. “So do you. I never thought anyone could pull off that clingy black dress so well, but you've done it. Plus those silver shoes are stunning.”12

“Thanks,” Hazel replied, blushing slightly. She had never been one for compliments.13

The honk of a horn outside announced the arrival of their dates. 14

“They're here!” Hazel cried, jumping up and down. Holly shook her head at her sister's excitement and reached for her black shall along with her sister's.15

“Now wait just one moment.” A voice called from the doorway to the kitchen.16

Hazel and Holly turned around to face their father. Their mother was once again, away for business. She always worked. The girls guessed it was one of the exciting perks of being a flight attendant. Working long and boring hours, walking back and forth on a plane, catering to snobby guests flying first class. Oh, joy.17

“I won't have my girls running out at the sound of a car horn like dogs. Real gentlemen will come to the door and introduce themselves before taking someone's daughters to their semi-formal.”18

“Dad, this isn't the eighteenth century and we're not acting like dogs. We are sixteen year old girls, almost seventeen and we're going to run out to the car to get a ride with our dates.” Holly argued.19

“They can come to the door.” He said sternly.20

“They're eighteen year old boys, dad! Do you really think politeness and talking to parents is on the top of their to-do list?”21

“Maybe it should be.” He snapped.22

“Look, daddy....we'll see you later. We'll be back before you know it, so don't wait up. We do have keys you know.”23

“Have fun girls. And promise me one thing.” He said, finally giving up the fight.24

“What do you want, dad?” Holly sighed, irritated.25

“Promise me that your dates to your prom will come and meet me before taking you away.”26

“We promise.” Hazel vowed, speaking for the first time. She grabbed her tiny silver purse and handed Holly her gold one, then they left the house and climbed into the limousine.27

“Hey, girls.” Daemon said cheerfully as they entered the limo. 28

Holly took her seat next to Daemon, tucking herself into the crevice of his arm. Hazel sat down next to Travis and he took her hand in his. 29

“You look beautiful.” Travis whispered into Hazel's ear and she overheard Daemon telling Holly she looked “hot”. That was the un-obvious difference between the two guys. Travis was more of a gentlemen – minus the introducing himself to parents – while Daemon was.....well let's just say there's a reason why people call him “Daemon the demon”. 30

Travis had short, dark red hair and tiny freckles all over his face. He's the height of a basketball player, light green eyes, almost grey, and his skin is as pale as snow. 31

Daemon on the other hand was tall, heavy muscled, had short black hair and dark brown eyes to the point that they were almost black.32

Both boys were wearing standard suits and ties. Travis wore the traditional black tie while Daemon wore a blazing red one.33

The ride passed by quickly and soon the group found themselves dancing away in the gym to “Dirty Little Secret”. The song is way catchier than it sounds, I swear.34

“Look, I'm exhausted. Can we go get drinks?” Holly whispered into Hazel's ear.35

“Shouldn't you be asking Daemon instead of me?” Hazel asked helpfully.36

“Who cares what he thinks?” Holly chuckled, grabbing onto her sister's arm and tearing her away from her date, onto the corner of the dance floor where the refreshments awaited.37

“Yo, what's going on?” Daemon demanded once they were far enough away from the dancers to hear each other.38

“We're thirsty. We thought we could use some drinks.” Holly replied.39

“But why are we here?” Daemon demanded.40

“We-are-thirsty-so-we-came-to-get-drinks.” She enunciated every syllable carefully, as if she were speaking to someone entirely mentally handicapped.41

Which, in Daemon's case. . . she was.42

“But why are we here?” Daemon repeated.43

Hazel sighed and leaned against Travis. This was going to be a long night. If Daemon didn't smarten up soon, Hazel feared what Holly was going to do to him. She'd probably introduce him to a new game involving her high-heeled shoes and his ass.44

* * * 45

“Some dance....” Hazel chirped, gasping for air. Her and Travis had been dancing for the past hour. Normally it was Holly that danced to no end, but not tonight. Tonight she was the party animal.46

“Yeah, some dance.” Holly replied in a bored tone. 47

“You're not having fun? Why don't you dance with Daemon?”48

“Because he's clingy. I don't like guys that treat my ass like a lifeline on the dance floor.”49

“I see. Well, we'll go soon, okay?”50

Before Holly could say anything else, Hazel raced off to the dance floor again with Travis.51

“Yo, Holly.” Daemon called. “Are you going to dance with me or not?”52

“Uh....” What could she say? He was her ride home. “Actually. I thought we could play a game. It'll be fun. You and I have to find a dance partner for the next song. Our partner must be of the opposite sex and must dance with you to a slow song.”53

“Sounds.......entertaining. What's the challenge?”54

“Whichever one of us dances the best with our 'hot' partner, wins.”55

“What do they win?” He pressed eagerly.56

“I don't know. You choose.”57

“How about if I win, you have to stay my girlfriend until I say otherwise, no complaints. And if you win, I'm your slave for a month.”58

“What?!”59

“I thought you liked a challenge, Holly.”60

“I do, but-”61

“But, nothing. Going once, going twice-”62

“Fine!”63

“That's a good girl. Now let the game begin.”64

Holly turned and wandered out to the corner of the dance floor. She pressed her back against the wall and scanned the crowd for her perfect partner. Her gaze rested on the school's quarterback, Micheal. She was about to approach him when something in the shadows caught her eyes.65

“Who's that?” She murmured under her breath, curiosity eating away at her. 66

The shadow was large as if whoever it belonged to was muscular. Two grey eyes peered out of the darkness at her and she was able to make out the tone of a male as they spoke.67

“What are you looking at, chère?” he whispered, his voice carrying to her.68

“You, the guy in the un-lit corner.” she replied instantly.69

The guy then stepped out of the shadows and slowly the lights lit up his appearance. He was tall, muscular and had eyes the colour of a sea before a storm. The light grey eyes were flecked with bright, tiny bits of silver and blue.70

“Me, the guy in the corner?” he repeated, voice husky. “What about now?”71

“You, the guy being illuminated by the strobe lights.”72

He laughed. And, boy, was it ever a nice laugh.73

“What are you looking at?” she challenged.74

“You, the girl that's all alone.”75

That took her off guard. “Excuse me?”76

“Would you like some company little girl?”77

“Little? Who you calling little? And I'm not alone. I came with someone.”78

“You may not be physically alone, but I can sense it. You soon will be. Everything you hold dear will be taken away.”79

“Is that a threat?”80

“Merely a point about to be made.”81

“Well you can have this point!” she retorted, flipping him off before turning around to find a dance partner.82

“Wait, I didn't mean to upset you.” He apologized, catching her wrist.83

“How did you not mean to upset me by telling me that I'm about to lose that which I love?”84

“I merely knew by instinct. What I see, I must acknowledge. Please forgive me.”85

“You're forgiven.” She whispered as if in a trance. His eyes were pleading with her not to be angry or upset and she couldn't help, but bend to his will. 86

“Now, I'm sure you weren't looking for me by choice, but how about we dance?”87

Holly nodded and he took her hand, leading her into the center of the dance floor. He took one of her hands in his and placed his other hand around her tiny waist. Holly placed her free hand around his neck and found herself looking up into his eyes.88

“Who are you?” she asked in a daze. 89

“Kyrian. My name is Kyrian Trousseaux.”90

“Kyrian Trousseaux,” she repeated. “You just made this night interesting.”91

“And what, may I ask, is your name?”92

“Holly. Holly Roszell.”93

“Well, Holly Roszell, it seems I find myself having some fun at the dance after all.”94

Holly simply nodded, lying her head on his chest and drifting as the song continued. She was where she needed to be right now, in the arms of someone who didn't know her. Someone who didn't judge her.95

Okay, so he predicted tragedies, who cares? This night just got a hell-of-a-lot better.96

The song ended and Holly soon found herself still in his arms as the next one continued. She could hear students whooping out loud at something, but she didn't dare to take her eyes off of his. The moment seemed so personal...so intimate that she took as quiet a breath as she could. His hand drifted down just past her waist, lightly brushing her butt, but Holly couldn't find reason to care. With looks like his, he could touch her ass all he wanted.97

The whooping turned into a sound of embarrassment or surprise. Then came a voice Holly knew all too well. “What the hell is this?!”98

Holly looked over to see Daemon as he stared at her and Kyrian with disbelief and extreme anger.99

“What the hell are you doing with my girlfriend?” Daemon demanded from Kyrian.100

“Dancing. Or are you to stupid to know what that is?”101

“Why you son of a b-”102

“Daemon!” Holly snapped, stopping him from finishing his sentence. “You know the challenge. It was all part of it. Now back off. And FYI – For Your Information – I'm no longer your girlfriend.”103

“Care to wager on that?” He contradicted her. “I believe I won the challenge.”104

“Says who?”105

“C'mon, you had to have heard the students cheering me on as I danced with Sasha Reynolds. We were hot and the center of attention.”106

Well whooptie-doo.107

Now that Holly reflected back, the whooping had been for him. Every girl was staring at Daemon with longing, and the guys with envy. 108

“Oh, crap!” Was all Holly could choke out before Daemon grabbed her wrist to pull her away. But, before he could do so, Kyrian leaned over to whisper to her. “Don't get in the car with him. I beg of you.”109

Holly didn't get a chance to ask what he meant, before she knew what was happening, Daemon had picked her up off the ground and was carrying her out to the parking lot.110

“Daemon, Holly, wait up!” Travis called after them.111

“Put her down!” Hazel cried out angrily. “You possessive, testosterone poisoned, jerk!”112

Daemon placed Holly in his jeep – which he had happened to leave at the school earlier to drive her home later – and then he walked around the car and climbed into the driver's side.113

“You're not going home without us!” Travis hissed. “We need a ride, too.”114

“Then get in the damn car!” Daemon snarled, stalling the vehicle in his hurry. It took him a moment to correct it, a moment that took long enough for Hazel and Travis to get into the back of the jeep and put on their seat-belts too. 115

The car sped out of the parking lot, tires screeching, as they zoomed towards the road, on their way to God knows where.116

“Daemon, slow down!” Holly warned. 117

“What the bloody-hell were you thinking?” He raged, ignoring her warning as he forced the jeep to accelerate. “You are mine and he had his hands all over you.”118

Holly stared at him angrily. “I'm not yours. I was dancing, you did too, now get over it.”119

“You filthy little whore!” 120

“Don't call me a whore, you possessive asshole!”121

Daemon made a sound which could only be labeled as a growl before he turned and slapped her so hard in the face that her cheek flamed red automatically.122

“Don't touch her!” Hazel shrieked. 123

“D-Daemon,” Travis stuttered. “I think you need to pull over right now and apologize. You're not thinking clearly, man.”124

“Don't tell me what to do with the filthy slut!”125

Holly hissed angrily before grabbing the wheel and trying to steer him to the side of the road.126

“You always pick the abusive boyfriends!” Hazel cried out. “I hate you, Holly. Because of you we're going to die!” Her voice rose to a wail as she clung to Travis for dear life.127

Holly screamed in anger, “Some sister you are. You're supposed to stand by me through everything. I didn't mean for this to happen!”128

“You never do.” Hazel retorted. “You don't even think. I don't know how I was stuck with you.”129

“I wish you were dead, too!” Holly cried out in defense. 130

And that's when it happened.
Daemon lost control of the jeep in his rage.
The car gained air as it went over a hill.
Holly and Hazel linked hands, seeking each other's comfort.
The car flipped over and rolled until it seemed like it would never stop.131

The windows shattered, throwing glass in all of their faces and the jeep's sides were pounded in by the impact. Finally the vehicle came to a stop in the ditch on the side of the road.132

That's when all went black and Holly's hand was torn forcefully from Hazel's. 133

* * *134

“Hazel, where am I?” Holly gasped, sliding out of the scratchy bed.135

“Be damned if I know.” Hazel chuckled.136

“What happened?”137

“All in good time, but right now you have to wake up, big sis.”138

“I don't want to. I like this place.”139

“You have to go back, sweety.”140

“I'm scared.” Holly whispered and shook as the truth of her words whipped the breath out of her.141

“Don't be.” Hazel advised, her voice soft and melodious.142

“Will you be there when I wake up?”143

Hazel didn't reply, instead she looked away for a minute. “I'll be around.”144

“Then see you soon, Hay.”145

The monitors beat slowly in a rhythmic pattern as Holly opened her eyes, acknowledging her consciousness and mortality. Her mother was holding onto her hand and her father was perched at the end of the bed.146

“Where am I?” Holly choked.147

“Oh, honey!” Her mom wailed. “Thank, God, you're awake.”148

“You're at the hospital, baby.” Her dad explained. “Do you remember the accident?”149

“Hazel?” Holly suddenly called out. “Hazel?!”150

Her mom's wailing increased and her dad looked away to hide the tears.151

“Where's Hazel? Where the hell is my sister?!”152

“She's. . . honey she's not going to wake up.” Her mom cried.153

“You mean she's dead?!” 154

“Not exactly.”155

What was that supposed to mean?156

“Then what are you talking about?”157

“Comatose. She's in a coma that she will never wake up from. She's brain dead.”158

“NO!” Holly screamed. “You're lying to me! Tell me where my sister is NOW!”159

Her mother and father cried harder and that's when it all clicked in. Hazel was really gone, she was never coming back. 160

“She's can't be gone....” Holly whispered. “I can't have her knowing that the last thing I said to her was 'I wish you were dead'. How could I have been so cruel? Oh, no, what have I done?”161

Then Holly started hyperventilating, the monitors went berserk and she passed out.162

* * *163

Holly woke to find herself, still lying in the hospital bed, a doctor perched above her shining – in an annoying way – a light into her eyes. 164

“How do you feel, Holly?” he asked. 165

Holly didn't answer. It's not that she couldn't, she just chose not to. Her sister was gone?166

“I need you to speak to me, Holly. My name is Doctor Lee and I can't help you if you don't help yourself. Now I know you're upset, but you're going to get through this. I can promise you that much.”167

“W-w-when can I see her?” Holly finally choked out in a voice lower than a whisper. Her throat was raw and her jaw hurt.168

“Soon. Right now I need you to talk to the police about what happened.”169

“Oh, lord.” Holly gasped. “What happened to the others?”170

“The red-headed boy is in Trauma while the other is back at home.”171

“You mean Daemon is fine?!” Holly screeched with rage. How could it be that her sister was going to die and the person who caused Hazel's death was going to survive?172

“Yes, he walked out with barely a scratch. The three of you got the majority of the glass. He was lucky. That boy has God to thank.”173

“He better have someone,” Holly whispered. “Because he's going to need them once I'm through with him.”174

“Sorry, what was that?” The doctor asked.175

“Nothing. Where are my parents?”176

“With Hazel.”177

“Can I see her now?”178

The doctor seemed to be debating the answer in his head before finally agreeing. “Just let me get you a wheelchair and a nurse to give you some painkillers.”179

“Thanks, Doctor Lee.” Holly mumbled as he left the room. As soon as he was gone, she pulled the breathing tube out from under her nose and tore the IV cord out of her arm. The tape that held the suction things to her chest was harder to pull off, but she managed. 180

Every inch of her body seemed to be covered in cuts and bruises. She caught sight of her face in a crystal vase and cursed. Her face was cut up, a bandage wrapped around her head, but worst of all was the bruise on her cheek, just below her right eye.181

The bruise that Daemon had given her. 182

I'll be sure to return the favor.183

“I'm back-” The doctor stopped mid sentence as he saw that she was sitting up and the machines were beeping like mad, marking her being without a pulse.184

“I'm not dead.” Holly sighed. “I just don't like having cords attached to my limbs.”185

The doctor shook his head in exasperation before helping her out of the bed and into the wheelchair. The nurse came with a needle to remove the pain, but Holly refused. She just wanted to feel something other than sadness. She wanted the pain to distract her from the reality she was about to face.186

Doctor Lee took her to see her sister personally – which given how busy he must be, was sweet – and Holly had to fight back the waterfall of tears about to escape.187

“Holly!” Her mom cried, throwing her arms around her. Holly winced at the touch. “We were just saying our goodbye's. The doctor says it hurts her the longer we leave her.”188

“Mom, dad....can I have a minute alone with her, please?”189

Holly's dad nodded and her mom and him left the room without another word. Holly looked at the doctor and stopped him from leaving.190

“Please, tell me....is there any way she could wake up? Is there even the slightest chance?”191

“I'm afraid not, hun.” 192

Holly nodded her understanding, but she didn't understand at all. She couldn't absorb the severity of what had happened.193

She looked at the clock. Two o'clock.194

Holly reached for her sister's hand and the words tumbled out. “I'm so sorry Hazel. This is all my fault. You are the best sister anyone could ever ask for. All the times you covered for me, the times you held me as I cried. The times you held me back when I was moments away from a fight. You were the one thing that kept me calm. You were the mellow part of me that kept me grounded.”195

Holly could feel her parent's and the doctor's eyes on her in the doorway, but she ignored it. All that mattered was Hazel. The deep cuts covering her body. The bruises and fractures and broken bones. But worst of all, Holly's broken heart. Because that's what was happening, her heart was breaking and half of it was leaving with Hazel.196

“I never wanted you to die.” Holly whimpered. “I didn't mean it.”197

Two tears dripped down her cheek, but she fought back the gutt-wrenching pain. She shrugged her mom's hand off of her shoulder and watched as the nurse went to stand beside Hazel. 198

“If you're ready, I'll turn off the machine now.” She offered, a sympathetic look in her eyes.199

Holly's father and mother exchanged a look before agreeing. The two of them cried and trembled, but Holly just stared in horror as the machine stopped beeping and her sister continued to breathe in the last of the air in her tube. Continued to breathe her last breaths.200

“Bye, Hazel. I swear on the Gods, Daemon will pay for this. I won't stop until he does.”201

No one even payed attention to her, the doctor and nurse had already murmured their apologies, announced the time of death, then left and her parents were beyond words. Holly looked at the clock.202

2:02.203

How long does it take for someone to die? The answer for Holly Roszell was two minutes.204

Two minutes is a lot of time and yet so little, too. And that particular number was the time in between the births of Holly and Hazel. You can gain and lose everything in mere minutes, but for Holly, she lost more than most. From the death of one girl, it tore the heart of another. Two girls forever lost because of an accident that took two minutes to occur. One hundred, twenty seconds to be precise.205

This number gave the clock two full rotations of the second hand and her.....loneliness.206

On the second day of the second month, during the second hour it took two minutes to take Holly's sister away from her forever. A pair of hands, clasped together during a great tragedy until one was pulled away as its owner was flung through the car window when her seatbelt gave away.207

Forever is a long time to be missing half of yourself. Your better half to be exact.208

* * * 209

Holly spoke, her voice strong and steady as she said the final words at her sister's funeral. “Hazel Roszell lived life in a way very few people ever did. She lived life to its fullest.”210

She took a breath and flashed through the memories of her sister before continuing.211

“She also loved her life in a way very few people ever did. She was kind to those who didn't return the favor, generous in sharing her spirit, and always courageous of heart. Hazel loved lots of things. She loved school, her friends and family, cats, but most of all she loved the sun. I guess that was suitable considering her personality.”212

Holly locked eyes with Travis and the surrounding people, then continued.213

“She cared about her boyfriend, more than I care to share right now. She was a trustworthy friend, a dutiful daughter, a hardworking pupil and student, but most of all....a loving sister. She will be missed, but I promise you, she will not be ignored. Her death will be acknowledged and her life will be remembered.”214

Holly held back the tears and hissed slightly into the microphone at the gut-wrenching pain in her stomach.215

“Can you please, all stand for a moment of silence.”216

The crowd rose from their chairs and Holly pressed play on th CD player. The song Missing You by Tyler Hilton came on and everyone stood until it was over. Hazel and Holly loved Tyler Hilton, she would have wanted him to sing at her funeral. Lord knew, they both had wanted him to sing at their weddings.217

When it was done playing, people began to make their way to the grave and place flowers on the coffin. Holly waited until the end and then she moved forward. She bent down, whispered her promise for revenge and then placed the silver star necklace that her sister had given her in the grave.218

Everyone watched as a machine came and began to cover the coffin with dirt. Her mother tried to pull her away, but Holly refused to move. She vowed to herself then and there that she would block out all emotions for her sister's death. She wouldn't shed another tear in front of anyone until Hazel's death was avenged.219

The crowd broke apart as they left to go to the buffet to feast, but Holly sat down and watched as the stone was placed on her sister's grave. 220

* * *221

“C'mon, Holly. It's time to go home.” Her dad whispered, pulling her up off the ground at the foot of the grave and guiding her back to their car. Holly refused to eat or speak for the next few days. Then one day her parents threatened to take her to the hospital if she didn't eat. 222

Holly ate with defeat, she would never go back to that place of death if she could help it. She never left her room except to use the bathroom, and when she wasn't in the bathroom you'd find her curled into a tight ball on her bed. She appeared to be in a trance to those who weren't her, but in truth, Holly was plotting revenge.223

Friends had come by to see her, but every time she had ignored them and her parents had been forced to show them to the door, leaving her in peace once more.224

Holly didn't know how much time had passed when she was finally forced to get up by her parents. She didn't speak, just got dressed, grabbed her stuff and left for school. Her classmates looked away from her when she walked by knowing that they wouldn't get a response and the teachers seemed to take pity on her. They all offered her more time on her assignments which she refused with frustration.225

The worst part of her day was sitting beside an empty desk in all of her classes, knowing that Hazel used to sit there. The two of them used to pass notes and giggle their way through business class and they would groan together in math. Holly always took Hazel's company for granted, but not anymore.226

Holly was walking home when she was first pulled from her trance.227

“Hey, shadow-girl!” A very familiar male voice called. 228

Holly spun around to flip off whoever dared to speak to her, but she froze as soon as she recognized Kyrian.229

“I thought I told you not to get in the car with him.” He said disapprovingly.230

Holly took a step forward, slapped him and then ran off, leaving her bag on the sidewalk behind her.231

She climbed into the tunnel at the park and curled up. She brought her knees to her chest and buried her face in her knees. Then she cried.232

She cried for her sister. For her families pain that could have been avoided if she had listened to Kyrian. She cried for a home that she couldn't seem to find to her liking anymore and she cried for someone to hear her pain.233

“Holly?” Kyrian called out from somewhere. The sun had set awhile ago, her parents would be worried, but Holly couldn't force her legs to move. She couldn't make her body function right now. 234

Holly wiped the tears away from her eyes and held her breath. Maybe he'd go away.235

“There you are!” He said in a relieved voice. “Everyone is looking for you.”236

Apparently not.237

Holly didn't say anything.238

“Look, I didn't mean to upset you earlier. I just. . . I didn't want anything to happen to you and then I heard about the accident. Why didn't you listen to me, Holly, why?”239

Holly looked up at him and spoke her first words in weeks. “I tried.”240

He reached out to place his hand on her arm, but she moved away.241

“Holly, you wouldn't tell the police everything. All you said was Daemon was angry and speeding and then crashed the jeep. What else happened?”242

Holly shuddered and glared at him. “Are you trying to hurt me, Kyrian?”243

“Of course not, why would you think that?”244

“Maybe because you keep bringing up the death of my sister!”245

“Holly. . . look, I don't want to hurt you. I just want to know. Maybe it'll help if you tell someone about it. Maybe me?”246

Holly whimpered and then nodded. “Daemon forced me into his jeep, okay. And then Travis and Hazel got in. He sped out of the parking lot and continued to accelerate. I tried to stop him, but....he got angry. Then he-”247

“He what?”248

Holly shook her head, touched her bruised cheek and then continued. “We all started arguing and the jeep got faster and faster. I told my sister I wished she were dead and then the car went off a hill, caught air, crashed and rolled and knocked me out.”249

“Oh.” Was all Kyrian managed to mumble. 250

Holly shrugged and slid out of the tunnel then broke into a run across the playground, straight to the forest. If she hurried, maybe she'd make it to the dock before he could catch up. She needed time to think. She needed the bright stars that shone over the lake. The sparkling reflection they cast on the water. She needed peace and serenity.251

She needed her sister.252

* * *253

“Oh, Holly!” Her mom cried as she entered the house around three o'clock in the morning. “We were so worried. Where on Earth have you been?”254

“I just needed some time, mom. I'm sorry. You don't need to worry. I'm going to bed.”255

Mrs. Roszell called the police to let them know that Holly had come home safely. Her father however went around the neighborhood announcing to everyone that there was no need to search anymore.256

Holly closed her eyes after her shower and lay her head back on her pillow. She drifted and dreamed. Only this was the one dream she didn't want to ever wake up from.257

“Hazel, why won't you come back with me?”258

“Cause, Holly. My time is up.”259

“Then mine should be, too.” Holly mumbled.260

“No, you have great things ahead of you. I experienced love with someone, you haven't. You will never be finished with life until you learn to trust again.”261

“I love you!” Holly pointed out, quite loudly you might add.262

“And I will always love you, sis, but you need to love a male. You need to trust someone that isn't a part of your family. Then you can join me someday.”263

“No! Not until I make Daemon pay.”264

“Holly, please don't. If you do that. . . there's no guarantee you'll ever get to come to me after death. Please, just let it go.”265

“I'm not going to let him get away with this.”266

“You have to go now, Holly.”267

Everything started to blur. 268

“Not yet!” Holly cried. “Please, Hazel, why can't I stay?”269

Everything seemed to get brighter and blurrier until finally,270

Holly woke up.271

“Holly, there's someone here to see you.” Her dad called from the other side of her door.272

“Tell them to go away!” Holly called back irritatedly.273

“Holly, come here and speak to this kind boy right now!” Her mother snapped. 274

Ugh. “Fine! I'll be there in a minute!” Holly shouted back.275

By the time Holly came downstairs, her “guest” was in the kitchen, eating pancakes.276

“What in the name of all things holy, are you doing here?” 277

“I came to see how you were and drive you to school. I didn't know where you went after you took off yesterday.” Kyrian replied.278

Holly walked over to the table, grabbed Kyrian by the arm, and pulled until he stood up.279

“You. Out. Now!” She ordered, giving him a hard shove in the direction of the door.280

Kyrian shook his head and crossed his arms. “Go. Get dressed. I'm not leaving this house without you.”281

“I'm not getting in a car!” Holly hissed. What she meant to say was, 'I'm not getting into your car', but in all honestly, cars scared her now.282

“Then we'll walk, Holly. We have time. Now hurry your butt upstairs and get dressed for school. You have ten minutes.”283

Holly scowled at him. “You're not the boss of me, psycho-dude.”284

“Holly!” Her mother snapped. “Go get dressed and be down here in ten minutes.”285

What choice did that leave her?286

Holly went upstairs to change for school.287

“So you're sure you won't let me drive us to school?”288

“Positive.” Holly said surely. She wrapped herself up in her cotton sweater-jacket and began the long walk to school.289

“We're going to be late.”290

“No,” Holly corrected. “I'm going to be late. You're going to get into your fancy little car and drive you pretty butt to school.”291

Kyrian pulled Holly to a stop and placed his hands on her shoulders.292

She shrugged them off.293

“Holly. If I leave you alone, what reason do you have not to turn around and go back home? What will stop you from ditching school again?”294

“Nothing,” Holly chirped. “That's the point.”295

Kyrian shook his head, gabbed her arm and began tugging her towards the school.296

“C'mon, little dragonfly. I'm going to get you into that school, if it's the last thing I do.”297

Holly smiled blackly. 298

Well, at least he knew there was a high possibility that it would be the last thing he ever did. Now she wouldn't have to feel guilty for killing him.299

The trip to school was long and. . . refreshing. The walk helped clear her head. She'd been locked inside for so long that she'd forgotten what fresh air felt like. She'd forgotten what peace felt like.....300

That's when she remembered Hazel. 301

How her sister would never feel this peace again. 302

“Holly?” Kyrian murmured. “Don't think about her. She's okay. It wasn't your fault. And she's fine. You have to let go. Do it, if not for yourself, than for her. She'd want you to be happy.”303

“It was my demand for happiness that put her in the ground!” Holly screamed. 304

Tears threatened to escape, and her nails dug into the palm of her hand. She wouldn't shed another tear over Hazel until her death had been avenged. She wouldn't show weakness right now.305

“Why are you doing this to me?” Holly whimpered slightly. 306

“Because someone has to. It's not going to do you any good sitting around and feeling sorry for yourself.”307

“Yeah?”308

“Yeah.”309

“Well, what would you know?!”310

Kyrian's eyes softened. “More than you know.”311

TO BE CONTINUED..............NOT BY MUCH MORE. No, I haven't written a pleasing ending yet. I continued to leave it as is. Let me know what you think.