Chapter FiftyTwo Michael’s Point of ViewLeaving the apartment I had been renting, I took the short and familiar walk down to the cafe on the corner. I liked St Cloud so much, I just decided to stay here for a little longer and renting motel rooms was not only NOT cost-effective, but did not have as much privacy as I wanted so.. Renting seemed like a good idea. It was only a short term lease, but for now, it was perfect. Every morning, I went down to the cafe for a coffee and breakfast. It was my little routine and I enjoyed it. I ordered my usual and went to take a seat at the table to wait. Since I came in here every morning, the staff knew me now. I just sat, scrolling through my phone. Another little daily ritual thing I did was google if there were any new news articles about missing women or body discoveries around the town or even state. I like to be on top of things, but so far, nothing. Good. ‘Here you go, Mr Smith’. Becky, one of the employees who wasn’t so subtle about
Chapter FiftyThreeJoey’s Point of ViewI looked around the room. The guys were just slumped over the chairs. It was so warm today, the weather was lovely and we were all just inside wasting it. I had come back home quite a while ago now and I was honestly shocked at what the hell had happened to the gang. Michael was gone, Peyton was as big as a house, Ella was nowhere to be seen, and apparently, she and Peyton don’t even see each other anymore. The guys never go out killing anymore. It was like the little world we built up here had vanished! ‘What are you guys doing today?’ I asked them, getting sick of the silence. ‘Nothing much, Just probably stay in. I groaned, causing both Luke and Damon to look at me, oddly. ‘Come on guys! We live in LA, we can do anything, let's go out!’ ‘Where?’ Damon asked. I shrugged. ‘I don’t know, let's go get Ella and take the girls to the fair or something? Just something fun!’. This time, Luke groaned. ‘Yeah, I don’t think that's a good idea. Pey
Chapter FiftyFourLuke’s Point of ViewWe wandered over to the baggage claim. We had arrived in Minnesota and now we were just waiting for our bags so we could head out and to the hotel. We were meeting Peter later. Joey had filled us in on the fact they kept in contact. Naturally, me and Damon weren’t happy about that, but I suppose in this instance, it kinda worked out…But there certainly needed to be a group meeting about Millie. If I had known she was here, I certainly wouldn't have brought Peyton. I had to make sure to keep her away from this drama. I just.. Couldn’t risk her seeing her sister! I could lose her… and our child… and I refuse to let that happen. We collected our bags and headed out to grab the car. Thomas and Demon went to get it while Joey went to the bathroom and I stayed with Peyton, she said she wasn’t feeling very well, Of course, I wanted to make sure she was ok, but also, maybe I could use this to my advantage and get her to stay at the hotel while we go an
Chapter FiftyFivePeyton’s Point of View As soon as I walked out of the hotel, I stopped and looked around. I had no idea how to get around this City and honestly, it was so cold and I hadn’t brought a Jacket. I just sat down on a bench outside the building. I couldn’t believe it. How is this possible!? .. and then I gave myself a strong dose of reality. Ella was right to get away from these guys. I didn’t have that option anymore, I was heavily pregnant with a man's baby, a dangerous man, a man who was part of the reason why my whole family blew up in the first place.How could I have been so fucking stupid!?‘Peyton?’ Hearing Luke’s voice I got up and started walking away from him, but I could hear his footsteps following me, ‘Please, just hear me out!’. ‘There is nothing you can say that could possibly make this better’. ‘I know there isn’t but please, just stop’. I did and turned to look at him, my hands balling into fists at my side. I loved him so much but this… this was un
Chapter FiftySixPeyton’s Point of ViewWe stood in front of what Luke said was Millie’s front door. I couldn’t believe it. I never thought I’d see my sister again and now... I was about to. I felt guilty I was doing this without my parents and Ella, but.. How could I not do this? I could feel my heart beating so hard it felt like it was going to burst through my chest. I was so nervous and… honestly, a little scared, but I had no idea why this was MY SISTER!‘Just relax, you’ll be fine. Knock the door’. Luke told me, trying to calm my nerves. I just shot him a dirty look and told him to be quiet. I didn’t want or need his support right now. I raised my fist to knock on the door, but it froze mid-air as I thought back to my family at home. Everything was about to change. None of us ever openly said it, but we all thought Millie was dead. We grieved for her, we cried, It all really affected us… and now she was on the other side of the door… with a husband and two children… Taking a
Chapter FiftySeven Luke’s Point of ViewThe whole way back to the hotel, Peyton was silent. I tried to make conversation, ask if she was ok, if she wanted some food, anything, but... She wouldn’t talk. I felt totally helpless. When I noticed she was crying, It broke my heart. I didn’t want to make a big deal, because she was clearly trying to be quiet about it but I just wanted to stop the car, grab her and hold her close. …but all of this was an insanely big wake-up call. Peyton and the baby are my second chance, a second chance I didn’t deserve but got nonetheless and I wasnt going to fuck it up. I knew exactly what I needed to do to show her how much she meant to me, and as soon as we got home, I was going to do it. We’ll move out of the house, get our own place, I’ll propose to her… and I will give up killing. I loved it, my god, I did, but I loved Peyton's move and I was going to prove that to her… if she lets me.Arriving back at the hotel, Peyton ignored everyone and went s
Chapter FiftyEight Peyton’s Point of ViewI was more than a little surprised when Luke told me we were going home already, but apparently, Mike had agreed to come back and since that's the only reason we were here, I suppose it made sense… I was confused about how I felt though, about Millie and how she acted with me. I wanted some time to sort through stuff and make up for lost time, but I also realize having some time after the fact is probably for the best too. While I had a good idea about what she went through, I never went through as much as she did, which from her scar, I’m guessing is a lot. I asked Luke to give Peter my number to pass on in case she ever wanted to get in touch again, I suppose that's all I could do. God knows how Ella will react when I tell her, but then again… I haven’t spoken to her in a while, so… Arriving at the airport, the saying ‘’seems like just yesterday’’ we were here, but in this case, it was true. There was definitely tension in the air, and y
Chapter FiftyNine Michael’s Point of View** A Few Days Later **Grabbing my keys off the side and the shopping list that was left on the kitchen counter with everyone's requests, I headed to the car. Any excuse to get out of the house, I take. Sometimes I just go for walks or drives just to get away from it. I’ve only been back a few days and it's unbearable already. Peyton hated me, like.. Really really hated me! Luke is doing anything to keep her happy. Thomas is never home so I can’t hang out with him and Damon and Joey just do their own thing. Things are so different, it's weird… and then there's the obvious… Ella. I want so much to just go and find her and make up, but what's the point? I can't give her what she wants, She deserves better. That's never gonna change. I checked the shopping list, reading through it;Rob wanted Pepsi and chips. Peyton wanted cheesecake, Smoked Bacon and Chocolate… apparently, that's her craving right now. Weird, Very weird… …and then Joey, T