A Light in the Dark

I found my father easily, sitting alone with his back faced to me. I wanted to hurt him the way he threatened to hurt me, but I didn’t. instead I cleared my throat, capturing my father’s attention.

“Ah little Effie, it’s nice to see you…alone.” My father said with a devilish grin.

I rolled my eyes then tossed him the paper bag of money.

“I couldn’t get you ten grand under such short notice, but I do have some news that’s you’ll enjoy.” I said in a clipped tone.

“And what would that be?” My father asked, cocking an eyebrow at me.

“I looked into that settlement bullshit and it turns out there’s money from the accident just like you said.” I answered.

“Good, now get the million and bring it to me.” My father replied expectantly.

Greedy fuck. I thought to myself as I controlled the part of me that wanted to reach over and hit him.

“Well you see that’s gonna be a problem. You and mom have my real birth certificate and social security card, so I’d need them in order to receive the money and even then the process might take a few months.” I replied, repeating Tonya’s words that were burned into my memory.

My father pondered for a while, thinking about how much truth I was actually saying.

“How do I know if you’re telling the truth?” My father asked skeptically.

“You don’t, but if you want your money I’m gonna need at least those two pieces of paper.” I remarked in irritance.

“If I were you, I’d watch your tone around me.” He warned in a low voice, revealing the 9 mm Jericho strapped to his waist.

I shuddered because I knew my father wasn’t afraid to use it. He spent a tour in the war when Emily and I were still in grade school, so he knew how to handle a handgun.

“How much will you be getting from the settlement?” He asked after smirking at my reaction.

“Altogether, two million.” I answered. I was gonna lie and tell him one million, but I didn’t want him to find out the truth and decide to hurt Tony. Besides, the money didn’t matter to me anyway.

Just then I could feel my phone buzzing in my pocket, but I ignored it. I figured it was Tony, and I didn’t want him to anywhere near my father; it’d make the chips fall into place for my father’s plan.

“My offer still stands; we’ll only take the million.” My father said sternly. That surprised me. I figured he’d want it all. “Don’t look so surprised baby girl, just think of your portion of the settlement a departing gift if you don’t fuck everything up.” He added condescendingly.

My hands gripped my purse, but I kept the angry thoughts from spewing out of my mouth.

“I’m gonna need the documents.” I reminded him with an impassive expression.

My father stood up and began to walk towards the parking lot. “The car’s this way.” He said over his shoulder.

I was hesitant to follow him because anything could happen if I veered off the original plan, but I didn’t have a choice so I followed him to his car. All these years of being wary of getting into cars with strangers that this—getting into a car with my own father—seemed far more scarier. My phone buzzed again, and again, and again. My father glanced at me with an irritated expression.

“Just answer it and tell him that you’ll be back soon.” My father said in a clipped tone.

I looked down at my phone, 7 missed called and 8 unread messages. It was only right to let Tony know I was okay even if it meant I was no longer in the safety of being in public.

“Tony?” I asked as I picked my phone up.

“Effie, thank God you’re alright.” He said in relief before asking “Where are you?”

“I’m…well I’m with my father. We’re going to get my birth certificate.” I answered hesitantly.

“WHAT?!” Tony shouted; it was loud enough that my father heard him as well. “You can’t trust him Effie! What the hell were you thinking?!” He asked. I could hear the anxiety, the concern drenching his voice.

“Tony I’ll be fine, honestly. And I’ll even be back before you know.” I said although I’m not sure if he heard me because he was still somewhat yelling.

“Stupid girl!” I heard Mike say in the background, making me scowl with annoyance.

“Just promise me that you’ll be okay.” Tony pleaded.

“I promise.” I answered then hung up before I got emotional. I needed focus on getting my documents then leaving.

We arrived to my father’s house; a two story home with a clean cut, lush green yard. It didn’t seem like he needed the money, but I wasn’t about to say that out loud.

“You live in Seattle?” I asked.

“It’s a temporary thing.” My father answered concisely while unlocking the front door and stepping in. “Your mother kept your things in a box in her study.” My father commented while walking to the wooden double door adjacent to the front door.

“I’m surprised you kept anything of mines.” I muttered while trailing behind him.

“I knew it’d come in handy one day.” My father replied while scanning through the office, looking for the box that supposedly had my things in.

It was then I heard someone else enter the room. When I turned around I saw my mother. She looked the same; immaculate and ice cold. She looked at me, eyeing me up and down as if I was the scum of the earth.

“Well, hello mother.” I said sourly.

“Don’t call me your mother.” She replied in an icy tone while wearing an impassive expression.

I rolled my eyes then turned my back to look at my father. It was ironic to think that my father happened to be the more compassionate person at the moment.

“Ah, here it is.” My father said while pulling out a manila folder from the dusty box.

“Robert what are you doing?” Vanessa—since I was no longer permitted to call her mom—asked in a cold tone. Vanessa was the ice queen after all.

“I’m giving Effie her birth certificate and social security card so she can make a claim on the settlement.” My father answered.

She nodded, accepting his answer with gratitude. “And has she paid her first payment?”She pressed.

“Yeah, here.” My father replied while tossing her the bag of money.

My mother opened it, counting out the bills I had wounded together by rubber bands. The small smile on her face slowly slipped. She then looked at me with a hard stare; her eyes burning with fury.

“You’re short.” She stated in a brusque manner.

“Yeah, I couldn’t get ten grand within the short time frame, but I can give—“ I tried to explain but my mother cut me off.

“Do you think I want to hear excuses?” She asked rhetorically. “When we say we want ten grand, we expect it. This happens to be short of three grand you incompetent idiot!” Vanessa snapped; her voice escalating. I felt like a child under her wrath.

“But I can get you the million.” I pleaded.

“Effie! Your first payment was for ten grand.” She annunciated carefully. “All I have in this bag is a measly eight grand. Now tell me how is this supposed to be suffice?” She asked in a clipped tone.

I couldn’t find the words I needed to say at the moment, for my voice had vanished from me.

“Vanessa, she can get us the million.” My father reminded her.

Vanessa sighed while rolling her eyes at me. “It seems as if you won’t be leaving our sight until we have the money in hand.” She muttered.

“What do you mean I can’t leave your sight?” I asked in confusion.

“Well it seems as if you can’t be trusted. I asked for ten grand and you show up with eight. What makes you think you’ll be able to make that claim for the settlement by yourself?” She asked surly.

“I won’t short you.” I said angrily.

“And I can’t trust you.” She retorted icily. “Now get comfy baby girl because you’re gonna be with us for a while.” She added with a wily smirk.

Notes

Sorry for taking forever to update! And believe me writing this chapter was hella hard because I had writers block which explains the lack of quality in it as well as the shortness of it. For that I apologize. Unfortunately, my schedule is pretty packed this semester. I'm registered as a full time student while working part time. It's hell right now, but hopefully it'll cam down enough where I can update quicker.

@lostinthemusic I hope I gave you enough to go off from. I tried babe, so GOOD LUCK FRIEND!! haha.

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave comments! I just love reading them :D

**This song really has nothing to do with the chapter, it's just that I was listening to it and it helped me write. haha