The drive back home is all silent but that of detective's hand tightening around the steering wheel occasionally. For some odd reason I couldn't help the feeling it was my fault, this was supposed to be a night of no distractions but somehow the jungle man has me on radar and showed up ... with his crew? As much as I wanted to believe I'm the reason behind it, it just didn't add up. I never sent anyone any messages especially not to that blonde lizard.

Never The less he came, and he wasn't happy. I winced. "I -I'm sorry." I hope he heard me the first time because I don't want my voice being the icebreaker. Dark Intense eye contact focused out in the clear road, but with a deep sigh I watched his shoulders free a heavy burden.

"I get it OK; I ruin everything. I swear I didn't know he was going to show up or even be around." I can feel tears bringing when he didn't acknowledge me, did I just ruin months' worth of his plans? I never thought I'd be sad not hearing his obnoxious comments or his failed attempts at me. First Rowan, now him? The two men working hard to catch every bullet thrown at me.

I felt a tear drop fall when I suddenly watched him make a call. My ear drums nearly shattered from the ringing through his speakers, when sitting in a car you're not familiar with you can never predict the circumstances, if you sit in the backseat, you'll freeze from the A.C. or blown away by the open windows. But when you're up front, yea ... say hello to hearing aids. After four rings came a man's voice, soft yet deep as if precarious of his surroundings.

"Jonathan sir."

"Stage one complete, assemble team to the estate by midnight and keep the Mantis in holding until I arrive."

"Yes sir." The line ends, Tanika scoots in before both are eyes lock on question.

"Stage one?" I sniffled.

"Coneja" he chuckled. "There is nothing worth spilling tears over. In fact, if anyone needs to shed a tear, it is me for how grateful I am in this particular moment." He speaks in one breath focused on the road.

"Y-you are?"

"Despite my efforts, I never made it this far." Thick breathy accent.

"You make it sound like you finally got in the club." Tanika laughed. I get it, leave it up to Virgos to find light in every tunnel. I chuckle.

Catching onto the pun he shrugged with a smirk "Some might say yes. All the way in."

"So tonight, wasn't ruined?" A peak of sunlight in my darkest storm.

"Not even close Coneja, in fact you're bringing me right to the source." I never thought I'd be happy to have him peer over to me with a gentle smile. That's one down, but I had another one to go.

The conversation rested in silence but there was still a twist in my gut. "I-I'm sorry about Rowan, I swear I didn't call him or anything. I know just how important this night was so having him anywhere near me wouldn't work."

"Do not worry about that Mama, I believe you."

The dark clouds were clearing but there were still unanswered questions. "Really? thank you, I just don't know how he found me."

"Yea cause Man's came right on time. I finally put a face to his grandma. She's Not what I expected, the way you described her was rude, but she seems different."

"She really is horrible, or at least to me. She had this entitled attitude with her when I went over for dinner, almost like claiming a superiority." Somehow me and Tanika ended up diving deeper into the topic, putting pieces to a puzzle we didn't know were arranging.

"A trait like that and she finally found people higher," Tanika laughs at the irony "But why would she put her head down? Especially To Cameron and his people? Shouldn't she try and fit in?"

More And more it didn't make sense, no connections, until I remembered the rings. "Wait though, did you catch their fingers? They each had a ring, all similar even Christine's wedding ring was reconstructed to look alike."

So lost in the conversation we didn't even notice we were pulling into Tanika's home, my phone than suddenly buzzed, I had a minor heart attack before I glanced down at the name, Justine. Been so long since I've heard her voice, or even spoken to her, I couldn't deny the soft spot in my heart for her but then Phillips face came into my view. How She stood up for him and how things are proceeding now, speaking to her would be a downfall, if it's important she can text me, I want to leave her on read just so she can see how serious I am.

Why Do I keep giving her easy access back to my life? Curse this toxic habit of choosing to remember the good in people.

I didn't know we already stopped in front of the main entrance, "Is that important?"

Clicking off my phone, "No, it's nothing, thank you for the ride, we'll get packing right no - "

"Esperar, rosas."

"What?"

"It means wait," he chuckles. "There is one thing I need to say." He sighs deeply before breaking the ice. "I was the one who sent that text to alert Rowan."

Did I hear that right? "W-what?"

He nods, "Si Mami, I had my team send out an untraceable message to everyone's phone number in that household."

"B-but h-how? Wh-when? We were right next to you?"

"You had your hand on my legs." Tanika adds on.

"It was an automatic message that I set up in advance," his voice trailed but I heard it. So here I was blaming myself and his jungle senses, but it was only because of a text? He still came on time though my brain adds on, I'm sad but refuse to hate him.

"In advance? So, you anticipated his arrival? In fact, planned it?"

"That's what he said Jane."

"Sorry, I'm just in shock. Why? How and -"

I'll answer all questions in a better time but for now -"

"No, tell me now. You got us all involved so now let's hear it. Are we not a team?" Even I'm shocked at the outburst, but my pussy and relationship are at stake here. My phone buzzed again, Justine. The hell? Ignore.

"Very well, I - just needed to move forward with everything just in case you guys got Como se dise? ... cold feet."'

"Why would we get cold feet?"

"It hurt me seeing how I couldn't protect you guys the way I wanted to, I wouldn't have Blamed you all if you had left. So, I sent out a signal for the backup plan."

Within the silence, the lightbulb above my head clicked. "Rowan? Rowan is your backup plan?" He nods slow. "Ho - how is he your back up plan?"

"This a lot of information Conejo Bebe, get some rest, we will talk about it when you have all rested."

"None of us will Sleep now, might as well finish it."

He debates with himself before pinching the bridge of his nose, before eventually sighing in defeat, "Remember The partner I had helping me decode the accounts?"

"Yes?"

"They have been decoded. It seems it goes straight into a network encrypted account, after a few hours of digging of my own I found an account that matched. Same numbers as His guardians checking account."

"Onomatopoeia?"

"Who?" Detective and Tanika say in sync.

"Her name, I tried to say her name, but my brain refuses to keep it stored in my memory. But money, is going to her?"

"From What he was able to decode and from what I see in her bank statements, they deposit like chunks every week or so."

"So, she does know them personally? Or is it just business?"

"That's Why I sent that message to see it for myself. How Are they acquainted. She isn't my target, yet somehow is connected."

"It makes sense now how she can afford luxury. I mean no shade but no way at her age could she work and afford such things in a short amount of time."

"But I continued on with research, those payments didn't officially start until after your boyfriend became in the years. I dated back further, and it turns out after his first birthday, they started and even until now, recently.

Chills ran down my spine for some odd reason, but so did remorse "His mother did pass away in a car crash." It was a spoken statement to myself but then again, I am in a quiet car inches away from everyone.

From the corners of my eyes, I watch detective take his time turning his head to me, "Who told you that?" A heavy concern weighing on each word.

"His grandmother."

"Hmmm, interesting." His eyes trailed away in thought, I can tell he was about to dive into some more research tonight, though he is all things, a pervert with flirty ways to get what he wants, but there is no denying he is a phenomenal detective and serious at his career.

"Ladies this is where we part, please rest and tomorrow you can pack. Think about me when your pussy gets wet." He winks. We watched the silver-plated tires roll away, a metallic shine shimmering under the streetlight before rounding the corner, all was left was the engine roaring to life in the middle of the night. Sound fading before coming to a complete silence, a breath I didn't know I held was let out as my shoulders slouched.

That really just happened, I really came face to face with Cameron's family, I was arm's length from a killer and watched a cop physically assault two drunk women. A story time that could skyrocket my views on TikTok. Oddly enough watching him drive away was as if the burden left with him, phase one complete but the next level is in his home. Phase two.

I nudged at Tanika, her expression stoic as she stared into the void forest across the street. "How are you feeling?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm alright just a lot to think about." I could see an annoyance in her eyes. My unhealed childhood trauma peeked its ugly head when I was tempted to apologize.

"Thank you for coming tonight." We began the stride upstairs; I found myself trying to catch up. There was an anger brewing, I felt the heat. Tanika will always let you know what is on her mind whether you are going to like it or not. So far, she isn't yelling at me so for now, I was in the clear. Behind her I remain making sure to keep a very respectable distance in case she stops out of the blue, the silence was becoming a nuisance and frankly building up an anxiety.

I watch her fumble with her keys in aggression before sighing, "Jane."
She's always used my government name but as for right now it scared me. "Thank You for being brave tonight." That Actually caught me off guard, so the anger isn't directed towards me, sweet.

"Of course, thank you for having my back." The clicking sound of keys unlocking the door and in we walked leaving behind the Negative energy of that dinner, a warm temperature glides by my skin, face to face with a worried Alex as her glossy eyes look up at us.

"I was so worried about you guys."

A Warm welcome from Alex as her half smile diminished my creeping anxiety and depression, I smile graciously in return drinking in the warm and friendly confinement, the chorus of Halo by Beyoncé streamed into my head while a gratuitous smile stretched onto my face.

"Why The hell did you apply at Cameron's gas station?" The record than scratched, what? My smile slowly dropped realizing the atmosphere has changed. It was a concerning question that demanded an answer, and hopefully a good one.

I watched Alex's expression slowly change. Like a child caught by an adult the expression of happiness she emanated faded out and so did her smile. "Wh-what?" Her brows furrow in concern but the heaving of her chest betrayed the calmness she was aiming for.

"You applied at a Gas station? Knowing they owned it?"

"Who?"

"Alex, please, don't play dumb. The one owned by that family."

Could this be what a deer looks like, when they are caught in the headlights? The atmosphere weighs thick with anger and awkwardness, my cue to leave. "Uh, Goodnight," like an idiot I curtsy to excuse myself, The hell. Hastily I make it to the room in time for the conversations to begin.

Might as well have left the door open, these walls were thin. As much as I tried to tune out the conversation, they were clear as day.

"You think I can just sit here and watch you throw your life away like this?"

"No one is throwing anyone's life away, I'm doing fine. But you on the other hand when will you get it?"

"Tanika, at this point I don't even care anymore ok. I just want us to not end up on the streets, I need to do something."

"Trying to work for the very people that did this to us was the best idea? Should I prep the shackles to your masters liking?"

I winced from the comment. I was supposed to be minding my own business but there I was with my cheeks planted against the door.

"Watch yourself girl, mind you I'm older." Alex's voice grew dark, reminded me of my mom.

"Do you not see how messed up that is?"

"No Tanika, I don't. Ok, I don't. My entire reputation disintegrated with a blink of an eye; I'm paying a price for something I didn't ask for. Everyone Is so quick to blame the woman who was raped but not the rapist, I can't even cross the street anymore without sunglasses. Receiving a thousand death threats and appeal letters from the children's families," her voice began to break. "Blacklisted from everything and not welcomed everywhere, groceries kicking me out of everything and beyond. You think I don't hear when you talk to the landlord? I know we're running out of money, pretty soon we'll be in the streets Tanika. I didn't know they owned that gas station and frankly I was just desperate." She sniffles, broken breaths of sobs finally break out.

"I'm sorry Tanika." She gasped. "I know your trying to help - but I just can't deal with this depression anymore. I'm inside all day and night, we're hungry. We have no one and broke. You're my little sister, you came here for me and I'm just helpless."

I could feel a weightlifting from her shoulders, finally able to spill what she stores inside for months. My teeth dig into my tongue, I'm careful not to draw blood while a debate swirled into my head whether or not to comfort her out there, the way she hugged me when I first came. But then I'd be admitting that I was listening to the whole thing, should I risk the awkwardness?

"Y -your receiving death threats?"

She sniffled thickly, "Everyday Tanika. One tells me that my future children will be cursed with a mother like me. Others say I'll never amount to anything and to just end myself and the others threaten to do it themselves."

"Here? At this address?"

There Was something about Tanika's voice that made me furrow my brows, in turn I pressed my cheeks harder.

"Yes." She sniffed, "I can show them to you Tanika. They just - they just got so much and - " her words were suddenly cut short.

"It's ok" I heard Tanika whisper, the hostile atmosphere died down leaving nothing but sniffles and reassurance. "It's ok" Tanika repeats trying to hush a sobbing Alex, I could never relate to what Alex went through and I wouldn't wish it for my worst ... Wait would I? Focus Jane.

Silently I peel the door open, there the two sisters were, crouched on the ground in each other's arms. When it comes down to it, they will never be alone, unlike me who just keeps running into obstacles and people that just smile in my face but not truly want the best for me. I wipe a tear before sniffling silently and closing the door, my mind far as I continue to undress. Funny how life can turn quickly when you lose control of it, and you sit there wondering how to get it back. I glanced at my phone uncertain of my next move, I need to catch up on updating, but what? And how?

For what felt like moments I sat on the bed in my sports bra and shorts before Tanika walks into the room. Eyes glossed as she slouched on the door defeatedly, just when they could catch a break there was still another ways to go.

"They are sending my sister death threats" she whispered in disbelief. "I know you heard Jane it's ok, I trust you."

"I am so sorry Tanika" I could feel the tear brimming, my heart was getting heavy not knowing what to say that could make anyone feel better after that.

She huffs, "literally, none of this is your fault ... it's mine" her voice trail as she brings her knees to her chest. In a nano second, I'm on the floor with her staring into her red orbs. The once almond eyes I knew were droopy and tear stained. "All of this because I couldn't control my temper, and ... and ... and I assaulted him and -"

"No, calm down Tanika. You were at your sister's best interest at heart because no one messes with the people you truly care for. It's something I have come to admire about you since we have met."

She sniffles to slowly look up at me, angrily wiping her face; refusing to let the tears fall. "In doing so people are sending my sister death threats and you with the book and -"

"This book is our ticket to proving the real monsters that are walking the same streets as us, attending our churches and blending in with the people, they were once invisible but because of you being my push now we can easily point them out."

"That Was a nice Metaphor" Face blush as she sniffles with a ghostly smile.

"You should have heard one that I heard recently from the detective. He compares them to ants, kick down the ant house and watch them all scatter to attack. Cameron's image is being destroyed and now they are all running rampant."

"Ohh shoot, that's a good one. I get it" she laughs, "it makes sense, but tbh now I don't even know where we are anymore. It's like we're running in circles, I mean I know it won't be easy but a part of me just wants to go back to the beach again with my sister, have a margarita and have things go back to the way they were."

"How were things before?"

Her glossy eyes gaze in the distant, Reminiscing "I'd go to school, and she'd go to work, the only time we'd have a real moment together were on Saturdays. But now on the weekends I just stay in my room or go for a walk, haven't looked forward to a Saturday in months."

I stare into her eyes Looking directly at her shattering soul, they were distant and lifeless on the outside, but broken inside. Never knowing who to trust, in reluctance I peer down to her arm gathering the strength to soothe her, would she be ok with touching in such a fragile state? I threw that idea to the back of my head. Now isn't the time, she needs me.

"This Will be over soon Tanika. I'm here for you until the end." My ashy Palms met a warm delicate skin. When She didn't pull away, I squeezed a bit firmer in reassurance.

"What's The end Jane? Even If we can complete this or not, you're my sister now and always."

"We will, we're so close."

"How?"

"I don't Now, I just - kind of wanted to lighten the mood."

"Girl" she huffs. We remain in a calm moment of silence, "What's the next step?"

"Hmm?"

"This Was a-lot of information, what is the next step? How Can we document all of this?"

"Good question." No seriously, it was a great question. There is no way I can update for a while. Now, they are onto me on the lookout for any sequence of tonight's episode. "I can't help but shake it now,"

"Shake what?"

"Forget it, let's get some rest, come on." I strained.

"Yea, we better get packing."

"Uh - who's we? No, you need to be here for your sister Tanika. You Did a lot coming out tonight, now get some rest and try to have a cuddle moment with your sister, watch some classics or something like that. I'm going into this alone ... Well not alone, alone but you know what I mean."

"Jane - I -"

"No girl, please. Relax. I got this."

"That's What I'm afraid of. "

"Uh - what? Well, jeez, thanks."

"No, it's just - Jane, I love you but ..."

"I get it, alright. Don't worry I've got the detective to help me."

"With Rowan in the same room?"

My chest turned cold, Son of a bitch. The Angry jungle man, "Its ok, I'll talk to him." My lips quivered. "Enough now, get some rest. Time For me to take care of you. Don't worry I will be ok." Fluffing her pillows, I guide her to bed before closing the lights and making my way to my side.

"Jane?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you." She dozed off shortly after, honestly people like these deserve medals, I literally can never just fall asleep once my head rests on the pillow, not that I can anyway. My mind spirals for answers, I was so afraid of failing for any traps during dinner ... but what if? What if the trap was already set, the minute I accepted the invitation?