Chapter 73 The Smile Which Hides The Pain (2/2)

”It's ok,” he whispered back as he held her.

”You know... there is so much I've never told you.”

Laz didn't respond with words, but instead just tightened his arms once as though encouraging her with his actions.

”I want to kill someone, that's why I need the money,” Kennedy said, her voice growing a bit stronger.

”Five years ago, my mom met someone. My dad died when I was still a baby, so I don't remember him. My mom ended up with a bit of money because of that, but she wasted it on boyfriend after boyfriend. In the end, she got a job and was working like a normal person when she met him. His name was Roger and they dated for over a year before they agreed to move in together. He was always really nice to me and we got along well. I didn't know what it was like having a dad but for the first time, I felt like Roger really was my dad. It was great.”

Kennedy was speaking a bit fast, but Laz could feel the coldness in her voice. It felt like she was mocking her younger self with her words.

”One day, my mom had to go out of town and left him with me. She was gone for maybe an hour when he told me to follow him upstairs. He took me into their bedroom and asked me if I wanted him to be my dad. I was really happy since I had always wanted to have a dad like the other kids and I told him yes. He said then that i had to be a good girl and do what he told me to and asked me to undress. Since I didn't know any better, I did. I then did everything he asked me to do as he raped me repeatedly, all the while saying that we would now be a family. He made me promise not to tell my mom though as it was going to be a surprise.”

Laz could feel Kennedy start shaking again as she told her story to this point. He didn't know if it was because she was afraid, scared or embarrassed. Either way, Laz just held on tight as if he could comfort her with the warmth from his body. Her next words are what shocked him the most.

”He left the next day after my mom came back saying he was called away on business and wouldn't be back for a while. My mom didn't think anything of it and I just thought this was part of the surprise for her. It was a surprise though, for both of us.”

”He never came back and my mom couldn't get a hold of him. At first, she just made excuses to herself about why she couldn't call or text him. Finally, over two weeks after he had left, she found out that he had won the lottery and figured out that he was never coming back.”

”That's right, that fucking bastard had actually won the lottery even before she had left on her business trip. When she told me that he wasn't coming back, I couldn't help but tell her she was wrong. He was coming back. He promised. It was going to be a surprise so don't worry. She didn't try to fight me about it since she thought I was just in denial. After over a month passed though, she finally sat me down to explain once and for all that he was a horrible person and wasn't coming back. He had abandoned us, just like that.”

Kennedy was once again shedding tears at this point but she kept going.

”This time though, I yelled at her. I was still hanging on to his promise that we were going to be a family and that if he wasn't coming back, it was because of something she did. I started blaming her like it was her fault if he wasn't coming back and told her that I was a good girl and did everything he told me to. I then started telling her all the good things I did for him as though I was proud of myself. I didn't understand it when she started crying.”

Kennedy turned over to face Laz and was actually smiling. In the pale moon light, Laz could only see an endlessly broken and sad smile. It looked almost no different than the smile he had seen her wear numerous times before.

”We went to the police, tried to bring up charges and eventually found someone who would represent us. My mom used all the money she had left to bring the whole thing to trial and you know what happened? He didn't even show up and his lawyer convinced the judge that we were just gold diggers. There was no evidence at this point since so much time had passed and there was no way to prove it. In the end, the whole case was thrown out. My mom was devastated and started to break. Everything went downhill from there.”

”In the end, we ended up here. Once I was old enough, I wanted to find a way to get back at him. Once I gained this power, this speed of mine, I saw a chance. I just need to money to actually go and find him. Then, when I do, I will kill him myself.”

At this point, Kennedy brought her hands up to Laz's face and brought him close.

”I hate guys. All guys. They are all the same. But then I met you. I didn't like you, but I also found I didn't hate you. And time after time, you didn't question me but just did what I asked and went along with it. I know you must have your own reasons, but for the first time in my life, I found that there was someone I could actually rely on.”

”I.. I... I want you, but I can't do it. I don't want to feel good. Not yet. Not until he is in a hole, six feet under. Then, when I am finally free and can let go of this hate, then... we can..” Kennedy looked up into Laz's eyes as though she was asking for forgiveness and pleading him to stay with her at the same time.

Laz's mind was a bit jumbled with this whole revelation, but he finally felt like things were a bit clearer. He wanted to say something, but nothing really came to mind. Instead, Laz just leaned forward, brought up her quivering lips and gave her a soft kiss. He didn't know if this was the right answer, or what would happen in the future, but for now, this seemed like the right thing to do.

After that, Kennedy didn't say anything else. She just snuggled into his warm embrace as they both fell asleep.