"Stop," I chuckled out as I could feel someone kissing my neck. I opened my eyes and saw a smiling Carol leaning over the bed. I stretched and smiled up at her. "What are you doing?" I yawned out.

"I'm leaving,"

I sat up and stared at her as my heart was racing. "What?"

She chuckled. "I have to go to work," she motioned towards the clock and I turned to see the time.

6:45

I looked back at her. "I slept in again?" she nodded. I groaned. "Damn it," I wanted to wake up and make her breakfast.

She chuckled. "It's ok babe, I have to be there early anyways because I have a teacher conference to go to,"

I nodded. "Sounds fun," I said sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "I will call you at lunch, ok?" I stared at her as she was looking down at me.

I nodded. "Ok. Have a good day," she smiled and walked out of the room.

I laid back down and stared at the ceiling. I need more sleep. I pulled the covers over my head and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

***

It was close to noon when I woke up with my phone ringing. I groaned and tried to find it on the bedside table with my eyes closed. I think I knocked everything off but I was too exhausted to open my eyes.

I finally grabbed it and answered. "Hello?"

I heard chuckling on the other end. "Someone sounds like they just woke up,"

Genevieve.

"I did," I yawned out and heard her chuckle again.

"Well, get your ass up because we're going out,"

I sat up and remembered that we were meeting up today. I wanted to slap myself for sleeping so late. "Shit, I forgot,"

"Wow, thanks," she chuckled. "I'm getting ready right now, so we'll be at Starbucks waiting for you,"

I told her that I'll be ready soon and we said our goodbyes then hung up. I quickly got up and started getting ready. I glanced at the clock and noticed that it was a few minutes after twelve. I didn't mean to sleep in, but I was tired so it was an exception.

I got done getting ready and I raced downstairs and grabbed my keys. I quickly locked the door after I walked out and went to my car.

Starbucks was only about thirty minutes away, and if the traffic wasn't bad, I could make it before then. I knew a shortcut so I took it, and made it in about fifteen minutes.

I parked in a parking spot and got out. I looked around at how packed this place was and walked to the front door. As soon as I walked in, it was like coffee and pastries instantly filled my nose.

I looked around to find Genevieve and saw her sitting at a table with another girl. I smiled as I made my way to them and when she saw me, she smiled and stood up.

"About time," she pulled me into a hug and I smiled when we pulled back.

"Sorry, Carol woke me up when she left for work and I was tired," she nodded and told me to sit down.

As I sat down, the girl sitting across from me smiled at me and I smiled back. I extended my arm out over the table, "Hi, I'm Terry,"

She smiled and shook my head, "I'm Elysia,"

I stared at her for a moment then looked over at Genevieve who was avoiding eye contact. I looked back at Elysia, "Uh, Genevieve told me that your name was Genesia," I watched as she stared at me then looked over at Genevieve.

"She did?" she kept staring at her but Genevieve wasn't looking. "Genevieve, are you serious?"

Genevieve looked at her and smiled but didn't say anything. I watched as Elysia sighed then shook her head and looked at me. "I'm sorry. She calls me Genesia to everyone else,"

I gave her a confused look. "Why?"

Genevieve chipped in, "Because that's our ship name," she smiled at Elysia but she rolled her eyes.

I chuckled. "Wow. First time I heard that,"

Genevieve wrapped her arm around Elysia's shoulder and smiled. "It's cute though,"

I nodded and watched Elysia look at Genevieve. "You're too much," I chuckled as I watched them for a moment until Elysia looked over at me. "So, Genevieve told me that you two work together?"

I nodded. "Yeah, we met Tuesday,"

She nodded. "She started Tuesday," she looked over at Genevieve, "She was going to get another job,"

Genevieve rolled her eyes. "I wanted to get no job," she smiled at Elysia. "I wanted to stay home with you,"

I chuckled and watched them for a moment. "So, how long have you two been together?"

Elysia looked at me, "Eight years,"

My eyes widened, "Wow, that's amazing," she nodded and smiled at Genevieve. "So, how did you two meet?"

Genevieve looked over at Elysia, "We met at a party,"

Elysia nodded and looked at me, "We were in high school and it was some guys party, and it was also a karaoke party," I nodded and watched her look at Genevieve for a moment. "I saw Genevieve around school but never really talked to her because I always hung out with my friends, and I saw her at the party and she was the third person to sing karaoke so I decided to watch her," she smiled at Genevieve then looked back at me. "I was instantly mesmerized by her voice and I could not take my eyes off of her,"

I smiled, "She was that good?"

Elysia smiled, "Yes, and she was also really pretty," she looked over at her, "She still is,"

Genevieve chuckled, "Yeah and when I got done singing, I walked past her in the crowd and she told me she liked my shirt,"

Elysia smiled, "Well, that wasn't the only thing I liked but I didn't want to come off too strong," Genevieve chuckled and I sat there watching them. They were cute together and I liked watching them.

I heard my phone ring and I pulled it out to look at the caller ID. I saw Phyllis's number and I excused myself as I stood up and walked outside to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Terry, it's Gregory,"

"Oh, hey," I was confused as to why he was calling me from Phyllis's number.

"You need to come to the hospital," before I said anything he continued, "It's Phyllis. Just hurry as fast as you can,"

"Ok, I'll be there in a minute," I hung up and felt my heart start racing as I walked back inside to where Genevieve and Elysia were. "Hey," I looked at them as they both looked at me. "I have to go. My sister is in the hospital,"

Genevieve looked concerned but nodded, "I understand. Go,"

I nodded and rushed out the door to my car. I didn't know what was going on but my heart was pounding in my ear all the way to the hospital. I tried not to let the negative thoughts invade my head though, but I prayed nothing bad happened.

I parked in the parking lot and quickly got out and walked inside. I walked to the front desk and quickly explained to the lady who I was looking for. It took her a while but I didn't have to wait any longer because Gregory came to me.

"Terry," Gregory got my attention and I turned to look at him.

"Is she ok?" I asked as he sighed but didn't say anything as he grabbed my hand and led me down the hall. We passed by several rooms until we walked into one.

Phyllis was laying on the hospital bed and when she turned to look at me, her face was bruised.

I sat down in a chair next to her bed and looked her over. "What happened?" I watched as she stared at me for a moment before sighing.

"Someone attacked me,"

I stared at her for a moment. "What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath, "I was walking down the street to get some exercise and this car pulls up next to me, and before I even have time to think, they pull me into the car and starts hitting me," I could tell she was on the verge of tears so I grabbed her hand and she continued, "I didn't know who they were because they had a hat on and hoodie, but it was a male,"

Gregory chimed in, "We got the police involved but they said they couldn't do anything since she couldn't see who it was,"

I looked over at Phyllis, "Did you get the car information?"

She shook her head, "No. After they hit me several times, they pushed me out of the car and I couldn't move so I didn't see them when they left," I sat there feeling pain in my chest until she squeezed my hand. "Terry," I looked at her as she was staring at me.

"I lost the baby,"

It felt like someone kicked the wind out of me because I couldn't breathe. I sat there staring at my sister feeling numbness throughout my body and it felt like I was paralyzed.

I laid my head down against our intertwined hands and I tried so hard not to cry. I could feel pain rising up through my chest and I couldn't breathe as I sat there feeling Phyllis rub her thumb on my hand.

I leaned up and looked at her with tears in my eyes, "I'm sorry Phyllis,"

She faintly smiled, "Don't be. After I found out, I cried for an hour or so because I couldn't believe it was real, you know? I couldn't understand why this happened or who would want to hurt me, but I just think that it's God's way and I dismissed the thought,"

I took a deep breath and breathed out. I sat there staring at our hands, trying to figure out who would do this shit. Who would want to hurt Phyllis? I mean, it couldn't be anyone we personally know, could it?

I looked up at her, "You don't have any enemies?"

She shook her head, "Not that I know of. But who would hurt me knowing that I was pregnant? Even though I'm not showing any, but still,"

I sat there and thought and as I thought back, I instantly felt my chest tightened and I surely couldn't breathe now. I let go of Phyllis's hand and she stared at me while I stood up. I told her that I would be right back and I rushed out of the door and down the hall away from the room.

I quickly pulled my phone out and called Richard. It took a few rings until he answered. "Hello?"

"Richard, I need you to listen very carefully, ok? I need you to come to the hospital right now," I didn't want to sound too panicky but it came out that way.

"Why? What's wrong?" I could tell he was starting to sound concerned.

"Phyllis is in here and I will explain everything to you, but you need to come now," he didn't say anything else as he said he would come here as quickly as possible.

I went back to the room and told Phyllis that Richard was on his way, and that I needed to talk to him about something. She didn't press any questions as she nodded. I didn't want her to ask any questions because I didn't want her to know anything.

I heard my phone vibrate and it was Richard telling me he was here. I excused myself from the room and went to the front desk and found him waiting there.

When he saw me, he walked to me, "Is she ok?" I shook my head and he stared at me. "What happened?"

I sighed. "We better go somewhere and sit. I have a lot to tell you," he nodded and we walked outside away from the building a little. We sat down on a bench and I turned to him, "Phyllis was attacked and.." I paused, feeling my throat closing up from what I'm about to say, "She lost the baby," I saw something in his eyes and he stared out into the distance for a minute until he looked back at me.

"I'm so sorry," he pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back.

"But, that's not why I called you here," he gave me a confused look and I took a deep breath. "When she told me that she didn't see who it was, but she was sure it was a male, she couldn't figure out who would want to hurt her and neither could I," I paused and swallowed the lump in my throat. "When Harge ran into me at the store the other day, and when he told me that I would get what was coming to me," I paused. "He started saying and I quote, 'Everyone around you. Your loved ones, family, friends, acquaintances, anybody that you associate with', and that's all he said before he left," he stared at me for a moment.

"Richard. He was the one who attacked Phyllis, and he's coming for everyone that is close to me because he wants me to leave Carol,"

He stared at me, "Why the hell would he hurt everyone who was close to you because he wanted you to leave Carol?"

I sighed, "Because, he wants me to get the hint and he's willing to hurt everyone the way I hurt him when I supposedly took Carol from him,"

Richard chuckled, "He's fucking crazy," he stared at me. "You need to get the police involved,"

I shook my head, "No," he gave me a confused look. "This is my fight against him, not the damn police. And knowing him, he probably has the police on his side,"

He sighed, "I don't know, Terry,"

"Richard, please," he stared at me as I stared back. "This is my fight, and I will not let him get to anyone else,"

He shook his head, "You can't take him on your own, Terry. You're going to get hurt, or most likely killed. This guy is no joke, and the best solution is to get the police involved,"

I couldn't do that. That's what Harge most likely wants, and no doubt they'll be on his side. It's useless.

"I can handle him, Richard," I most likely couldn't but I had to do something.

He didn't say anything as we sat there, staring out in the distance. I knew he didn't like my idea, but I had to stop him from hurting anyone else. I will end his life if I have to, or make sure he suffers from the damage he's already caused.

He will not win, and I will not let him.