Jermaine:

I walk out of the prison without looking back. The piercing rays of the sun blinds me for a moment; my solitary confinement cell denied me of any light. No ride is waiting to take me back to civilization, so I start down the main road. Without even being asked to, my feet lead me to the one person that I still love: my sister. She, after all, was one to save me from the death penalty. A mistake that I need to thank her for. Though, she wasn't the only one I need to see. Long ago deaths need to be avenged. I will avenge them. Things are different now. I'm getting my revenge. Haven't I waited long enough?

"Do you hear me, Night? I'm going to kill you,"

Mary:

We huddle together, sharing a single blanket. Paramedics rush to the injured, but some wounds can't be healed. I tremble, but not from the cold, from what I am forced to see. My precious town reduced to nothing but rumble. Sobs, painful moans, and the sick stench of death fill the suffocating air. I pull my brother closer, clinging on to the only family I have left. The rest of my family is stuffed into body bags.

"I'm going to kill her," I hear my brother mumble to himself.

"Jermaine?" I ask, hoping I heard him wrong.

"I'm going to kill her," he repeats, loud and clear. He locks eyes with me, his brown eyes drained of any warmth. The coldness in his voice sends shivers down my spine. I feel my chest tighten and my eyes begin to water. I pull him into a tight hug, embracing him with all the love I can give. He lays limb in my arms.

"Night took everything away from me, but she can't have you," I whisper in his ear.

I bolt awake, the dream still fresh in my mind. Sweat glistens on my forehead as I clutch my knees to my chest. The memory, determined to be remembered, pays me a visit every night. I glance at the letter by my bed. They've probably released Jermaine by now. I hope someone gives him a ride... His words from that night echo in my mind. How do I tell him about Night? Will he...try to kill her? The question revokes a fear in me. I never thought I'd be scared of my little brother. I sigh, making a decision.

"I don't have to tell him. Its for his own good," I say, trying to convince myself.

Jermaine:

Cars flash by me in drones, never paying me a second look. I continue the down the road, my feet burning and the sun never stopping its torture. This isn't going to work. I need a ride. I find a good place to stop and stick out my thumb. I prepare my mind, banishing any blood lust. I need to seem friendly. I flash a smile; the smile no girl can resist. That sparkle in my eyes hides the madness. Soon, someone has already fallen into my trap. A car pulls up beside me; an old woman gives me a grin.

"Where you heading, son?" she asks.

"Washington DC," I smile in response.

"Well, I guess its your lucky day! Hop in," the woman exclaims cheerfully. I graciously sit in the front seat, my feet throbbing. In moments, we are back on the road, speeding down the highway. I glance at the driver; an old woman with eyes that shine for adventure. Her short hair greying with age and despite the wrinkles, she is beaming with youth. "So what's your name, son?" she asks.

"Jeremy," I lie. Best not to give out my real name.

"I'm Charlotte, its a pleasure to meet you," the woman greets.

"The pleasure is mine," I reply politely.

Silence settles over the car. Charlotte focuses on driving and I listen to the blaring music of the radio. The lyrics of 80's music and the drone of car lull me to sleep. The cruel memories that haunt me force my eyes open, not allowing a moment of sleep. I awake panting, that unchained hate rising up to drown me, but I quickly suppress it. Don't mess this up, Jermaine. You need this ride.

"Bad dream?" Charlotte asks, concerned.

"Yeah, " I say, laughing it off. She looks as if she wants to say more, but decides to change the subject. I give her a grateful look.

"Is there something waiting for you in Washington?" she questions.

"My sister," I answer. "I'm giving her a surprise visit. Man, its been so long since I've seen her."

"I see, that's sweet," Charlotte says, patting me on the shoulder. "I'm going to Washington for my son's wedding." I argue with myself about if I should give out more information. Why not? If she becomes a problem I know what to do.

"Well, my sisters not the only reason. I've got a score to settle," I smirk. Charlotte glances at me; her eyes betray her concern. The way her body tenses reveals that she's had experience with revenge.

"Revenge? I just hope you know what you're doing, son," she sighs, her eyes looking at something I can't see.

Mary:

I take a long sip of my coffee, my thoughts running wild. I am dressed and ready to go, but my energy has dropped. I even think of calling a sick day, something I've never done. I try to drown my worry with another drink of coffee. I glance at the clock. If I'm leaving, I need to go now. I sigh, hardening my heart. I put my worry behind a mask. Weakness will kill you. I grab my keys and walk out the door, slamming it behind me. In the car, I hear my phone ring.

"Hello?" I say into the phone

"It's Julie. Where are you?" she says, her voice dripping with concern.

"I'm on my way," I reassure her. There is silence on the other end.

"Mary...are you worried about Jermaine?" Julie finally speaks.

"What? Why are you asking that?"I demand, a little stunned by her sharp ears.

"You always do this. You get worried, than you don't want to do anything, but worry," she says, her voice gentle, but firm.

"I'm coming, aren't I?"I snap, hanging up. My anger soon fizzles out and I run my hand through my hair. I squeeze the steering wheel tighter, my worry slipping through the cracks of my mask. She doesn't know what she's talking about. Worry is putting me on edge, reminding me that trust is breakable. Distrust clouds my mind, making me question my actions. Can I really trust anyone? A name appears in my mind, answering my question. Jermaine is the only one I can trust. He wouldn't betray me, would he?

Jermaine:

"Can I use your phone?" I ask causally.

"Sure," Charlotte smiles, handing me the phone. The stuffy atmosphere from a few minutes ago is gone, replaced with a comfortable silence. We are nearing Washington, I can feel it. It would be best if I call her now. I punch in the numbers and the phone begins to ring.

"Who is this?" demands a rough voice.

"Not even a hello? I'm hurt," I tease.

"Who is this?" the voice repeats.

"Delta, you know who this is," I laugh.

"No, I don't," Delta says.

"Fine, its Jeremy," I sigh, pretending to be depressed.

"Jeremy? Nope, don't know you," she says bluntly. There is silence, until finally I hear recognition in her voice. "Wait! Are you...Jermaine?"

"Yep! See? I knew you remembered me," I reply. "I'm almost in Washington DC."

"I don't know why you're telling me. I already told you I want no part of this," Delta growls bluntly. I let out a sigh. Is she still playing that card?  This is so bothersome. I lower my voice, afraid of foreign ears.

"What about your son? Your ex-husband? Are you satisfied with not avenging your old life?" I say, playing my cards carefully. The next thing I say is risky, but it needs to be said. "Because I'm not satisfied. I'm going to kill her, with or without you. Sorry to tell you this, especially since I've grown quiet found of you, but if you quit now I'll have to kill you."

"Don't threaten me, kid," she scoffs. I don't scare her. That's one of the reason I chose her.

"Are you with me or against me?" I ask. There is a long silence; she must be thinking it over.

"I'm with you," Delta say gruffly.

"Great! I have a feeling that we'll be great partners," I smirk.

"Whatever, this is strictly business. We're not friends, got it?" she replies.

"Of course, wouldn't want it any other way," I say, pretending to be serious.

"I don't trust you," Delta says, then she hangs up. This is going to be fun.

Charlotte glances at me, obliviously curious about the phone call. I spout some nonsense about calling my girlfriend; lying is becoming more and more like second nature. Smirking, I look out the window. The road signs confirm Washington is close. I can feel my blood lust rising. I yearn for my fantasies to come true. Everything I've worked for will finally pay off. Night will die.

Mary:

I stumble into my house, exhaustion making me weak. Flopping on the couch, I don't bother changing my clothes. I look out the window, watching the sun sink below the horizon. The beauty almost brings a smile to my face. Memories of today pile up in my brain, blocking out the beautiful sunset. It reminds how everyone looked at me, like a ticking time-bomb. I'm an human being not a bomb. A knock on the door rescues me from my thoughts. I climb off the couch and walk towards the door, wondering who could be wanting me at this hour. Opening the door, I am faced with the origin of my worries.

"Jermaine," I say, speechless.

"Hey," he says casually. His brown hair sweaty and uncombed, brown eyes as cold as the night air. The fragile boy from yesterday is gone, replaced by an man trained to perfection by the prison system. The tattoos that coat his arms don't scare me, I give him a hug. This time I'll fix him.

"Welcome home," I say.