Dedicated to HeavensPearl

Lana Pipes

My gore-stained hands were shaking while Roger was growling and battling to keep his breath even. Hanging onto his dear life, like a fish struggling to survive on land when it was taken out of water. 

"Lana Mary Pipes, please. You are not only your Mom's daughter, you are also your Dad's daughter. Do not forget that. Now, please, please let me help him. Drop the knife. Let us take him to the infirmary maybe he can still make it out alive," Jaro convinced me. 

You killed Roger Roach. You dirty little killer.

I glanced at his stomach, where I pierced a knife aggressively. "What happened to me? This isn't me. Am I becoming my mother?" I bawled. "You, you twat, you better not die or I will kill you again," I gurgled at Roger. 

Jaro looked at me as if he saw a mental patient. He and I dragged Roger into his car while Roger swore at us the whole time. 

I don't know what Jaro is thinking of me. I am not even sure what to think of myself. If Roger dies, I will be a killer. A murderer. I can think of all this as an act of self-protection but I can't turn a blind eye to my impulsive behavior. Most of all, I can't shrug off that blood-curdling voice that persuaded me into doing this malicious thing. 

That voice, is that what happens to Michelle? Does it prevail on her too? Is that why she acts the way she does? My grandfather, whom I never heard of in my entire life was sentenced to prison for killing my grandmother, did this happen to him too? Is this any mental illness that is chasing us?

"Lana, Lana. Are you alright?" Jaro looked at me driving his car, dread filling his eyes. "You weren't yourself back then. You frightened me. I am just-" He cut off the sentence, unsure how to put it out. Roger is lying in the back seat. 

"I don't know what happened. I didn't mean to," I cried finally feeling something in my cold heart. Regret hitting me hard. "I just wanted to scare him off, so he wouldn't come but there was this, this something inside me a serpentine voice urging to me do this all," I sobbed. 

"I didn't know from where he came so abruptly. I didn't even notice him following. He ruined my relationship with Glendora and Paxton through Neil and he still wanted to kill me," I broke. "He was never gonna stop. So, I, I-" I brought my hand to my mouth, burying my face with my palms. Irritated and mortified and unable to justify myself. 

"Let's hope that he lives," Jaro said, plainly. 

"I should go to the cops. My Dad is a cop and his daughter is a murderer. Such a twisted fate," I let out a sarcastic laugh and we reached the local hospital.

"You still aren't. Do not jump to conclusions," He said calling the emergency department to attend to Roger. They took him on a stretcher while his brown eyes looked at me with hatred. 

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I never intended to. I only wanted you to pay for your sins, so I sent you to jail. But I am no saint either and I will pay for my sins but please live," I told him genuinely. The compounder and nurses took him to the hospital. 

I and Jaro followed him. We sat in the waiting room, expecting better news at the same time preparing for the worst news. I glanced at my watch, it was 2 pm. Jaro left to get something and I barely noticed his absence. 

"You should eat something. You will feel better," Jaro handed over a burger. 

"I am not hungry," I lied. 

"So, if you starve he will be alright?" Jaro arced a brow. 

I made a frustrated face and took a bite. Well, I will be lying if I say, I am not feeling better. That's when I realize, no matter how fucked up you are, your system always needs food to survive. 

"Do you think, I am a bad person, Jaro?" I questioned taking another bite. I am famished. 

"I am no one to judge you Lana, it is your life and you should decide it for yourself."

"Classic Jaro."

"By the way, you should go home, your parents will be thinking you are at school. Go home. Unfortunately, I can't drive you, the police will be here soon and they will be getting a statement from me," He said running a hand through his beautiful shiny raven hair. 

Shit. Of course, there will be investigating and shit. Roger got stabbed and the hospital will report it to the police, it is mandatory. "I am so sorry. You got dragged into this mess because of me. I will clear your name. You go home," I said with guilt. 

"Lana, please. You are still a kid and I can manage it. Your parents will be worried if you don't show up. Now let me handle it, go home safe kid. Can you promise that?" He requested. 

"But," He gave me a stare indicating to go. 

"Thank you," I mouthed and left.

I took a bus home and that's when a notification popped on my phone.

It is a text from Dad indicating that he would pick me up from school. Now, I gotta go to school.

...........

I went to the school hallway to at least attend the last period. My least favorite subject is Chemistry but my Chemistry mam is on leave and that leaves as a leisure period. 

"Lana, god I was so worried about you as you didn't show up to school," Scott hugged me, indicating his care. As he suffers from an illness that restricts height growth, he could barely wrap me into a hug. 

"Scott," I hugged him back. Right now I can use a shoulder to lean on and weep for hours after everything I have endured and been through. 

"What happened?" His voice shivered. 

"I went to," I didn't finish. "Is that Callie, Glendora talking to? Why is Callie that close to Pax?" My tone went high. 

What the fuck?

I rushed near them, where Callie was holding Paxton's hand and Neil whispering something in Glendora's ear. 

"Glenny? What are you doing with that wicked wench,  Pax?" I crossed my hands. 

"You have no right to question us. We can do whatever the hell we want," Niel drawled  gaining attention when I ignored his presence. 

"Shut the fuck up, you imbecile," I chided. 

"Careful how you speak with my boyfriend," Glendora finally answered. Callie smiled. 

"How could you be with her? Don't you remember? She pushed me into a swimming pool once and I didn't even know swimming back then. You know how long it took me to get over my swimming trauma. You even plonked her for me and stood by me," I reminisced. 

"That's when I thought that we were best friends and didn't know you were a backstabbing bitch," Glenny sniffled.

"Glendora, don't you forget who were your real friends when you were in danger. It was Lana, who saved you when Roger tried to rape you. It was her who always got your back. And now you give up your childhood chum for your new muddy muckers," Scott spat. 

"Oh, she was my bestie until she never told me about her one-night stand with Neil. What does that mean? Does she have feelings for him? She knew I loved him. Why hide the truth?" Glendora demanded. 

"Sometimes, you will be unsure how to let out stuff. That doesn't mean that you are hiding something," I breathed. 

"I don't understand how can you believe others over us?" Scott questioned. 

"Oh come on, Scott. Cut the crap. Don't act like you are all saints. I know you have a crush on me. You are just salty that I am with Neil and not with you. You got me that pink ribbon and wanted to propose to me, didn't you? I know you asked this hoe's help to get me. I heard you guys talking," Glendora said.

Did my best friend just call me a hoe?

"Glendora, mind your words," Scott shuttered. 

"Oh, shut up. Do you think, I would like you? How did you even think? That very thought of us together is making my insides sick. Did you think, I would love a dwarf like you?  I was kind enough to be your friend but not dumb enough to be your girlfriend," Glendora criticized. 

Before I could control myself, my hand hit her rosy cheek. Causing her to almost fall to the ground, Neil grabbed her before she could fall.

"Lana," Neil shouted. Glendora's eyes were filled with water. I know I hit hard and her cheek is bloody red. 

"If you don't love Scott, then it's fine. It's your choice and we will respect it. But know this his love for you is real and also know this, you are surrounded by snakes. And snakes always bite, that's their nature. Beware," I declared. 

"And you Pax, you told me you love me. Does that even mean anything now? You never loved me, did you? Not even 3 days since we broke up and you are with this Callie? You know what? You all deserve each other," I said coldly and left with Scott. 

Scott silently left for his home before I could talk to him. 

"How was your day?" Dad asked while I was getting in the car. 

"Dad, Jaro got stuck with something I did. We need to help him," I uttered. 

"What did you do?" Dad frowned. 

"I think I am  mere inches away from becoming a murderer," I ended. 

Q/A

Q. Do you think Lana was right to stab Roger?

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Q. Do you like crime books? If so what's your favourite?

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Author's Note:

I can't believe I'm posting my 30th chapter!!! I swear this story is gonna take many wild paths and parts of many people. Please stay tuned. Please vote if you like and comment your views. It would mean a lot.

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