Chapter 15 – Secrets Revealed

1/29/2020 --:--

Ryan woke up in the middle of the night without quite knowing why. Quietly, he tiptoed to the door of Robert’s room and entered the hall. Ryan noticed the door to the room Lucy was sleeping in was opened a crack, Ryan stealthily snuck to the living room and checked the front door. Still finding it locked, Ryan crept into the kitchen.

Standing in the doorway, Ryan saw Lucy sitting with her back to him, crying. “Lu?” Ryan whispered softly.

Hearing him, Lucy straightened and turned to see him. “Oh, hey Ry. Please come and sit down.” She said quietly, her eyes wet with tears.

Ryan came to Lucy and sat down next to her. Placing his hand on her shoulder, Ryan gently asked. “Lu, what’s wrong?”

“Remember, a long time ago, when I was left in charge babysitting our sister Isabel?”

“Yeah, and when I came home, I found a police car and an ambulance parked outside our house. The police told me our dear little sister had died, but they would not tell me much else.” Ryan said with a slight waver in his voice.

“Yes, I think it is time to explain what really happened.” Lucy said sadly, tears running down her face before she wiped them away.

“Okay, go ahead.” Ryan said, grabbing her hand to let her know he was there for her.

“I was left in charge of babysitting Isabel. You, Mom, and Dad were off shopping.” Lucy began with a dull monotone voice. “Anyway, I was feeling really tired that day.

Isabel began fussing. No matter what I did, I could not get her to stop throwing a temper tantrum. It was driving me crazy, and I felt like I just had to get away. I went upstairs to get away from all the noise.

It was such a stupid, selfish decision. While I was up in my room, I decided to do some homework. I intended to go back downstairs in just a few minutes, but I fell asleep. When I woke up, an hour had passed.

I realized that the house was quiet. It was too quiet. I hurried downstairs to try to find Izzy. After searching through the house for her, I noticed the door to the backyard was cracked open.

One of us had left it unlocked, and Izzy must have opened the door and went outside. I rushed into the backyard where the pool was and there-” Lucy’s voice broke as she started crying again. Choking out the words, Lucy continued, “There fl-floating face down on the sur-hur-hurface of the water was Izzy’s body.

Sh-she must ha-have been playing by the pool and sli-hi-hipped into the pool and drowned!” Lucy heaved out. “She drowned, a-and I-I was sleeping upstairs! She-he died because I was ti-tired and choose to be an Idiot!” I do-don’t even deserve to live!” Lucy gasped out between her heavy sobs.

Angrily swiping at her tears, Lucy continued, “I should have died, not her!” Lucy said as she began beating at her face. Quickly standing up, Ryan moved behind Lucy’s chair and grabbed her wrists firmly, pulling them away from her face to keep her from hurting herself and holding them there.

Lucy broke into a new fit of sobbing. Ryan let go of Lucy’s hands, and tightly wrapped his arms around Lucy’s shoulders, hugging her from behind. “Shh, it’s ok. You are going to be okay.” He said tenderly with a slight waver in his voice as tears filled his eyes.

“Wait, I’m not finished.” said Lucy. “After Izzy died, I promised myself I would keep my last sibling safe; I vowed I would protect you. But I could not even do that, I failed and now we are both trapped here and in danger! This is all my fault, and you blamed yourself. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay Lucy, really. You should not blame yourself for something I did. Even if you were in some way responsible, I would forgive you in a heartbeat. You’re my sister and I love you and you love me. I could not possibly ask for more than that.”

“Okay.” Lucy said softly.

“Anyway, we should get back to bed.”

“Alright” Lucy replied as she stood up. Suddenly, she grabbed Ryan and pulled him tight into her embrace. “Thank you” she said into his shoulder. “Thank you so much.”