How long must I wait until the thought of them no longer hurts? It’s been over a year and nothing has worked. It’s all his fault. He probably doesn’t even remember their names. He has to pay for what he did… The steam flows and caresses her damp eyes as she stares at her reflection in the cup of black coffee. The smell alone invigorates Allie’s crippled mind. Leaned back on the kitchen counter, she looks up to see the morning sun peaking and shimmering through the trees in her backyard. She takes a sip while staring at the empty swing set, guiding the coffee around the lump in her throat. She can’t stop thinking about what that woman at the bar had told her last night. I’m going to make this right, her voice played over and over in her head.
Bfff.. Bfff.. Bfff… A loud knock startles Allie and pulls her mind back into the present. She sets her cup on the counter and scrambles toward the front door. She opens it, expecting an interaction but no one is there. She sticks her head out, looking each way, until she finally looks down. A present sits alone on her doormat. The sight of it brings her heart to an abrupt stop. The blood in her veins become cold as she bends down to pick it up. Allie carefully grabs the box, steps back inside, and closes the door- all without blinking. She bolts toward the dining room table and sets the box on top. Her heart begins pounding so hard that, that is all she can hear. She stands there with her eyes locked onto the red covered boxed and white bow. The anxiety fills her chest as her body stays frozen. She begins to recollect the conversation with the mysterious woman at the bar.
“I know what you’ve been through. You can drink as much as you want to numb the pain but nothing in this world will take it away. But, there is a way to put your mind at ease,” said the woman.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” Allie replied.
“No, I’m actually new in town and trust me when I say that I know everything about you. But none of that matters right now.”
“Look, I’m not sure what you think you know but…”
“Let’s cut the shit. That rich asshole rammed his Bentley through your family, disintegrated them, and got away with it by paying everyone off. There’s only one way to bring him to justice.”
“I’m listening.”
“All I need from you is an answer, and I’ll handle the rest. If you had the power to make the man responsible for the death of your husband and daughter really pay – would you?”
“Yes. Yes, I would. That drunk bastard deserves a punishment worse than prison.”
“I couldn’t agree more. That’s all I needed to know… Tomorrow I am going to send you a little gift. Something I’m sure you will enjoy. I’m going to make this right.”
Allie steps back into reality and unties the bow wrapped around the box. She has no idea what to expect. She holds her breath as she slowly opens the top. A note is the first thing she sees, and underneath is a flip phone. Allie quickly opens the note and all that is written is:
Text answer to 6-785-384-4646
1- hang from neck
2- drown
3- burn
4- mass hemorrhage
5- beating
6- let live
Make this right.
Her hands are shaking uncontrollably. She begins entering the number to send her answer to. The options circle her head endlessly. She quickly enters a number, presses send, and snaps the phone closed.
One month later:
*BREAKING NEWS* “WIFE GUILTY FOR THE MURDER OF FAMILIES KILLER BY DROWNING”