The Shadow

Chapter 4

With trembling hands I pick up Matthew's note and stick it in my pocket. I rip open Van's letter and start to read it.

My best friend, Leah:
First of all, just know that I love you. you are more than just a best friend to me, you're the sister I never had.

ok, time to get back to business. I know this will be hard for you, but read until the end. Promise me you will. Here we go...Tom, the guard, is my dad. He's been one ever since I was little and I knew how much you hated them so I never told you. Only Jeremy knew, because he knows more about you then you know.

I drop the letter, and feel panic swell in my chest. Calm down. I order myself. I know I can't panic now. I shift my weight onto my good foot, sitting cross crossed. I force myself to take deep breaths so I can keep reading.

I know you're gonna be shocked at this, but he knows about the night your dad died. He knows because he was the one to tell my dad to kill him. Leah, look at Jeremy. think. you're a smart girl, think back to that day, remember Jeremy was acting different? he knew it was gonna happen. Your dad was an extremely smart person, and like Davis, he had a different view of society. He was the leader of the Resistance. He never told you because he didn't want to drag you into it. But he told Max (Jeremy's dad) because he thought he would join. Max ended up telling his wife, and Jeremy overheard. Jeremy told my dad, the closest guard he could find and that fateful day, they sent him out to kill him. I'm so sorry Leah, I tried everything I could to stop him. I begged him not to, but he didn't listen.

So Leah, now listen to me carefully. if you're reading this letter then that means Davis told you already. You're the key. Why? Because you have you're dad's kind heart and brains, and your mothers good looks and acting skills. 

So, tomorrow, at the Announcements, they will be looking for you. pack a bag with necessities and leave town. they will find you if you don't. there's no place to hide in this hell of a city. I know you're hurt, and I know it's hard, but leave it all. you HAVE to. I will be more than willing to come with you if you still want me to. corner on 8th street, I'll be there. if you don't want me to come, then I guess this is goodbye. Leah, you mean the world to me, and I want you to be safe. thank you for everything you pretty girl.

Xoxo, Van

Tears run down my face as realization sets in. 8 months ago Jeremy sold me dad in. Jeremy, who I thought was my friend. Glancing at the watch, I see that it's 9:15. That gives me 45 minutes to make it home. I know I should leave but right now isn't the time. Pressure builds up inside of me and I repeatedly scream to try to let it out. My voice becomes hoarse with all the screaming, and when I hear someone calling, "Hello?" from outside, I know it's time to go. I slowly stand, and grab the painting that saved my damn life. Gently, I drape it over Matthew. Leaning in, I kiss him on the forehead, like my father used to do all those years ago.

"I promise you I will win. I'll free you Matthew." I say firmly. Pocketing both letters, I stand and climb out the window. Without looking back, I go home.

I knock on the main door, too tired to climb up through my window. My mother opens the door as she looks at me with disgust. Can't say I blame her. My black hair is running down my shoulders: tangled, dirty, bloody. My usual bright green eyes are dark and swollen. I'm bloody, my clothes are torn and I'm still crying.

"The hell happened to you?" My mom spits at me, cringing when I step on her carpet with my dirty boots.

I ignore her, walking straight upstairs and into the bathroom. I rip off my clothes and jump into the water without bothering to wait for it to warm up. I treasure the cold water running over me, numbing my burning back and broken heart. I stay in the cold much longer than I should, but I don't care. Once the water starts to warm up, I turn it off. Putting on a pair of clean sweatpants and a big t-shirt, I get into bed. Carefully taking out Van's letter and Matthew's note, I clutch them to my chest, falling asleep like that.