Reminder: Josiah is Tarryn's BFF and her cousin. He hasn't been in the book for quite a while so I thought I'd remind you :)

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Tarryn ..." Haisley whispered, "tell them to leave. Tell them to leave me alone." I crouched down, reaching out to touch him. He shrugged away, shaking his head. "Don't, don't touch me. Everything I touch ... it, it doesn't end well."

"Not true. I know you might not think that right now, but it is the farthest thing from the truth."

Haisley shook his head, refusing to believe it. "No. I am just like him. I wanted to only help. I thought, I thought that he wanted to find you to be a family. He never hit me, he had tendencies for manipulation but - but I didn't know he'd do this ... she's dead because of me."

I shook my head fiercely. "Haisley, it's not your fault. It's all Wayne's. Don't let that evil man make you miserable with guilt when this is his own doing. Please, please let us help."

He stayed quiet, tears slipping down his cheeks. He held the bottle of whiskey tighter. I reached out and took his hand, ducking my head to meet his gaze. "Let us help you, Haze."

"Okay. Okay. Help me, please."

Carson descended and snatched the bottle from him, handing it back to Trey. "Hey buddy," he kneeled down, "did you take anything else or just drinking?"

"I took more of my anxiety medication."

"Okay, how many do you think?" Carson asked, checking his pulse. "Your heart is good."

"Just two or three," he mumbled, shrugging. Carson nodded and said that he would be okay but to never do it again. Skyler took his place and cupped my twins face, wiping the fresh tear that ran down his cheek.

"Haisley, you are one of us now," he spoke with kindness and love. "We are your family. You have us now, forever and always."

June knelt beside Skyler, offering her hand. "C'mon, dad brought home some chocolate cake when he went grocery shopping today. Chocolate cake makes everything a little better."

Haisley nodded and took our sister's hand. I stood as they did, glancing at Matthew. He smiled but it faltered and he quickly looked away. I felt a pang in my heart, worry seeping into my veins.

He walked out of the room ahead of June and Haisley but I followed him, taking his hand. "Matty, what's wrong?" I whispered, giving him a sidelong glance.

"Nothing, Tarryn."

"Matthew, don't lie to me," I snapped quietly, squeezing his hand. "What's wrong?"

"I wish I could have protected you and Haisley. I don't know, I just feel sad and angry and ... and helpless. Fuck, I hate feeling helpless."

I squeezed his hand. "I know how you feel, Matty. Helpless ... but you're not, you know? You are here for me and everyone else. Sometimes that's all you can do."

He pulled me closer, gently, and kissed the side of my head. "I love you, bub. Never ever forget that."

"I love you too, Matty."

"And I promise to look out for Haisley too."

"Good, I think he'll need it."

+++

In the quiet of my room, the walls seemed to close in with each restless step, the air heavy with the weight of an unspoken turmoil. Anxiety, like a relentless shadow, coiled around my soul, constricting with each passing moment. The dim glow of midnight cast elongated shadows, dancing in macabre patterns across the room.

I paced back and forth, a rhythmic pattern that mirrored the chaos within. Fingers entwined in my hair, I pulled, as if trying to anchor my unraveling thoughts. The silence was deafening, broken only by the erratic beat of my own heart, a percussion of madness echoing through the chambers of my mind.

Somewhere past midnight, the world outside existed in a realm of silence, but within the confines of my solitude, the cacophony of anxiety reverberated. Each step on the cold floor seemed to amplify the voices that whispered doubt and fear. I longed for an escape from the clutches of my own restless thoughts, a respite from the madness that threatened to engulf me.

In the solitude of the night, I grappled with the unseen forces, the weight of the unknown pressing upon me. The walls absorbed the echoes of my internal struggle, a symphony of dissonance that painted the room with the shades of my unrest. Midnight's embrace felt like a cruel mistress, accentuating the isolation that had become my constant companion.

As the hours passed, the shadows deepened, and the relentless march of time fueled the spiraling madness within. The world outside slept, unaware of the silent battle waged within the confines of my solitude. In the embrace of the night, anxiety became a palpable force, crushing the boundaries of reason and plunging me into the abyss of my own restless mind.

"Tarryn, what are you doing up?"

I spun around to see Trey leaning on the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. "I ... I can't sleep, the pain ..."

Trey was by my side in a few short strides. "Did you tell Carson?"

"No, Trey. He's asleep. I can't wake him."

"Don't be an idiot. He's the one that volunteered to be responsible for your medication, he'll wake up anytime for you." He grasped my hand, gently pulling me into him. "C'mon, I'll wake him up for you."

We travelled down the hallway to Carson's room, Trey pushing the door open without so much as a knock. "Carson, wake up. Carson," he half-shouted, flicking our oldest brother on the back of the head.

Carson grumbled, rubbing his eyes before opening them. His gaze flicked from Trey to me, and he shot up. "Tarryn, are you okay? What's wrong? Are you in pain?"

I nodded, biting my lip to keep from sobbing. I was on so much pain, I wanted to drop to the floor and scream in agony, it took all I had not to. Carson must have recognized this because he was at my side in seconds. "What's wrong? Is it the pain?"

I nodded again. "I can't sleep, it hurts so bad."

Carson's concern softened the edges of my turmoil, his steady presence a balm to the chaos within. Trey stood in silent support as Carson guided me to his bed, the darkness now less oppressive in their company.

The flickering bedside lamp cast a warm glow, revealing the lines of worry etched on Carson's face. "Let me get your medication," he said, his voice a gentle reassurance that echoed through the room. As he measured out the dose, Trey found a chair and settled beside me.

In that small circle of light, surrounded by the soft hum of concern, the walls of anxiety began to crumble. The room, once a battleground of shadows, now hosted a fragile truce, a sanctuary forged in the shared vulnerability of the night.

Carson handed me the medication, and I swallowed it, feeling the first tendrils of relief winding through my body. Trey's gaze never wavered from me, . As the medication took effect, the relentless whispers of anxiety began to fade, replaced by a gentle hush.

"Tarryn, you good now?" Trey reached forward and brushed my hair out of my face. I hummed, the pain fading, and Carson covered me with his blanket.

"Go to sleep, bub," Carson murmured, lying down beside me. He stretched his arms over his head and Trey stood.

"I'm going back to bed, bub," he said and squeezed my hand. "Come get me if you need me, okay? And it doesn't matter if I'm asleep."

"Goodnight," I mumbled, half asleep, eyes closed, exhaustion pulling at my consciousness. Not long after, I fell into a deep sleep, filled with nightmares.

+++

The next morning, I woke up, the pain in my back had eased but it still burned and stretched. It would forever be a reminder

"Hey, you're awake."

I turned my head and noticed Josiah in Carson's spot, facing me. "Have you just been staring at me, you creep?" I smirked. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. How ... shit, I don't even know what to say. I'm sorry, about your mom. She was one hell of a woman."

"I don't know what I'm going to do without her. She was my rock, my person to go to when I was hurt or in trouble ... who am I going to go to now?"

"Me, I will always be here for you. Family over everything," he said, sticking up his pinky finger and I did the same, interlocking pinkies. He smiled before letting go. "But you also have your brothers and sister, a twin, and your dad."

"My dad and Carson and I talked last night after you all went back to bed," I said to Josiah. "Dad told me about what really happened with my mom, how Wayne had been stalking and threatening her for a long time. I can't believe she went through that alone, feeling so scared but trying to protect me and well, everyone really."

Josiah took my hand in his gently. "She was so strong. But she didn't have to go through it alone - she had your dad, and all of us. We would have done anything to help her."

I nodded, feeling tears well up in my eyes again. Josiah squeezed my hand in comfort. "Why do you think Wayne targeted her? What could he have possibly wanted?" I asked.

Josiah sighed heavily. "I don't think someone like Wayne needs a reason, not a good one anyway. My guess is he was obsessed with her, and when she rejected him, his obsession turned toxic. Some people just want to own and control others."

"I wish we had known, then maybe..." My voice trailed off, not wanting to think about what could have been. Josiah shifted closer to me on the bed.

"Try not to go down that road," he said gently. "Your mom loved you so much, and I know she wouldn't want you living in the past. All we can do now is stick together and take care of each other, like she would want."

His words comforted me, even through the grief. Josiah always knew how to make me feel better. I leaned my head on his shoulder, grateful for his steady presence.

"Come on, Tarryn, Skyler is making breakfast and you're the last one up." He hoisted himself out of bed and onto his feet and walked around the bed to
my side, holding out his hand.

I took his hand, the warmth of his touch grounding me. As we walked down the hallway, the scent of breakfast wafted through the air, a comforting aroma that eased the lingering tendrils of anxiety. The walls, once confining, now seemed to expand with the promise of a new day.

In the kitchen, Skyler's control over the room unfolded, pans sizzling, and the rhythmic clatter of utensils providing a soundtrack to the morning. The room, bathed in the soft glow of sunrise, offered a stark contrast to the shadows of the night.

As I took a seat at the table, surrounded by the familiar faces of my brothers, a sense of gratitude washed over me. The morning light carried with it a renewal of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest hours, there existed a dawn where shared warmth and support could dispel the shadows of the night.

In the dinning room that was attached to the kitchen, Haisley was sitting next to my dad, talking with him over his sketch book with a passion I hadn't noticed in my twin before. I smiled as Matthew flipped through another sketchbook, nodding along, making an effort with his new little brother. June talked to Carson, leaning into his shoulder as he rubbed circles on her back. They spoke in whispers while still paying attention to what happened around the dinning room. Trey walked through the other archway, grabbing Matthew in a headlock.

"I'll mess you up, Trey, so back off," Matthew grumbled, maneuvering to get out of the headlock. I chuckled, rolling my eyes as Trey backed up, laughing himself.

"Come sit down, bub," my bad said, gesturing to the seat beside him. I squeezed Josiah's hand as we parted ways and he took the seat beside Carson and Trey. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Better, thanks. How are you feeling?"

"Sore but I am happy to be with my family so little complaints coming from me."

"Tarryn, I know it's been ... hard lately," June said, smiling gently at me, "but I was thinking we could go out together soon. Maybe to a movie and shopping? If you'd like to, have a sister day out."

"June, I'd love that." I smiled, looking forward to spending time with my sister. "No boys allowed though."

"Definitely."

Our brother erupted in protest even though they would complain at every corner. June told them to shut up and behave, the two of us sharing an eye roll. Brothers will be brothers.

"Settle down, settle down," my dad said, chuckling. When everyone stilled, he smiled. "I've been speaking with the university. They will be building a new criminal and forensic science building and it will be named in honour of your mom. Is that okay with everyone?"

"Of course," Carson and June spoke at the same time. I looked around the room, at each of my siblings. Haisley nodded and smiled. Matthew nodded with a pained expression.

"I think that's great," Trey murmured, nodding and then glanced at me.

"It's the least she deserves," I said, nodding too. Skyler entered just then, taking off his "whisk me away" apron.

"I agree." He smiled, his eyes crinkling. "Breakfast is done. Twins first." 

Haisley and I got up, along with Carson and June. Haisley walked by my side, letting me grab a plate first. "Haze, wanna go for a walk with me later?" I asked, piling on the bacon and fruit.

"Yeah, anywhere in particular?"

"There's trails in the woods that will take us to a waterfall. It's gorgeous. Maybe you can sketch it."

"Sounds like a plan."

"You two will have to let us know when you're going and keep your phones on you," Carson said behind us. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

Haisley nodded. "We will. There's a lot of reporters out there still but don't worry, if any of them get in our faces, I will not hesitate to punch them in the throat."

June snorted. "Love you, Haze."

"No, you won't punch anyone," Skyler said, but he had a smile playing on his lips too. "Let us know when you leave and like Carson said, keep your phones on."

Breakfast continued on and I felt sad but being around my family helped ease the physical and mental pain. After breakfast, I went to change into a pair of leggings and a loose fitting tee, topped off with Matthew's college sweater.

I knew for a long time I would be sad and angry about my mom's murder, but I also knew that she'd want me to heal and keep going, of not for me, but for her. And I would. Carson agreed that until I turned eighteen, he'd stay my legal guardian because dad had too much physical therapy and appointments after being shot and in a coma. Skyler would stay Haisley's guardian. We all agreed to go to individual counselling and family counselling, because we all had a lot to work through.

Things would never be the same, but I'd get through it, and eventually, I'd be okay.

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I am sorry it took me so long to update.
I really hope you enjoyed this story.
I hope it ended in a way that gave everyone closure.
Thank you so much for reading, you are the best.
- Charlie 🧡