But she had no
L
defense. Her changing expression was all the confirmation they needed. Their rage
exploded. Dad kicked her repeatedly, his face contorted with fury. Mom clawed at her face,
leaving deep scratches. Chloe bit Mom’s
wrist. Mom, screaming, tightened her grip on
Chloe’s throat. “Let go! Let go!” They
struggled. Then Chloe went limp. She wasn’t
breathing. Mom, clutching her bleeding wrist,
looked up at me, her face a mask of grief and
something else. “Ashley…we avenged you.”
I picked up the folder and hid it. My parents were taken away. Chloe’s body was wheeled
out.
My phone buzzed. Evidence delivered. I
<
replied with a thank you and transferred the
money. I’d hired a private investigator. I knew
Chloe wouldn’t give up. I’d set a trap. My
investigator delivered the evidence to her at
the perfect moment. My parents were at
work. She rushed home to destroy me. She’d
walked right into the trap. Into a house where
my parents, freshly aware of the truth, would
unleash their fury on her. Like a rabbit
walking into a tiger’s den.
Every step had been carefully planned, a gift
to them, a return for what they’d done.
The day of their trial, the lawyer called. My
parents wanted to see me one last time. They
were guilty, facing the consequences. They
L
wanted to see their daughter. I hung up
before he finished. They would understand.
What you do to others, comes back to you.
Early the next morning, I hiked up a mountain,
the darkness giving way to starlight, then to
the first rays of dawn. I reached the summit,
pulled out the folder, and set it on fire. The
flames danced in my hand, mirroring the
sunrise. I thought about the school, the
torture I’d endured. I’d always been defiant. They couldn’t break me. I’d come back for
revenge. The school hadn’t survived the
scandal. The director, the instructors, all facing justice. I avenged you, I whispered to the lost souls, Rest in peace.
The folder turned to ash, scattering on the
wind. The sun rose. The End.
