In the wake of my destruction, I found beauty.

The sun poured in from the opened curtains, creating shadows from the furniture in our room. I could feel the suns warmth on my skin along with Tony’s body heat. Tony was lying next to me; his hair splayed across his face while his arm wrapped around my waist; a small reassurance of what last night meant. He was beautiful, and I felt ashamed for ever hurting him, for giving him any reason to worry about me.

My eyes felt a little swollen from crying and my head hurt a little from my over thinking ways; however, there wasn’t a pressing weight on my shoulders anymore—my guess is that it was from my confession merely five hours ago. Last night I was completely vulnerable; all my walls that I’ve built over the years of being on my own had come crashing down. I had taken them down brick by brick, revealing the scared, insecure, frightened girl I truly am. Behind my layer of thick skin was me; the girl I try to tuck away from the world. Just as I had shattered all those kitchenware had my barricades crumbled down. I wasn’t prepared for that, nor would I have willingly done so, but it was the pleading look in Tony’s eyes that persuaded me to do so. He was searching for my reason—the reason I’ve always defaulted into shutting people out and taking care of myself. I’ve told so many lies over the years that I believed them enough to get lost in my own façade, but Tony needed to hear the truth—even if I was still trying to figure it out for myself. He deserved those answers at least, and I gave him that. I was worried though, that my admission might have scared him because now he knows what I’m really like, who I really am.

In the middle of worrying that I’ve scared him off I felt Tony stir beside me.

“I love you so much Effie...” He mumbled softly.

He said it so clear that for a second I thought he had awoken, but when I glanced at him, he was simply sleeping soundly. His snores trailed after his sentence that it brought a blushing smile to my face. I was deeply and incandescently in love with someone who deserved so much more than what I could offer.

“I love you too, Tony.” I whispered back in content.

I slowly slipped from his embrace, something I didn’t necessarily want to do but had to due to the broken porcelain and glass that was still scattered all over the kitchen floor. I slipped on a pair of thick socks before entering what could only be described as a battlefield—crescent shaped plates that had jagged edges littered the floor along with destroyed glass cups. I could recall the way my heart was just as broken as these shards when Tony walked out the door. For some reason it felt like a lifetime ago as opposed to it being just last night.

I sighed while grabbing the broom and dustpan from the hall closet, being careful to not step on any of it. I silently swept it all into neat piles, double checking to make sure I got every shard of my demolition. I began chuckling at my mess. It soon grew into a hysterical laughter that I couldn’t control behind my lips, and desperately tried to muffle the sound with my mouth.

“What’s so funny?” I heard Tony ask.

When I turned around I could see the amused smirk on his lips. I continued to giggle while wiping away my tears from laughing so hard.

“What’s so good about picking up the pieces? What if I don’t even want to?” I recited from the song Caraphernelia.

I was still laughing and soon Tony joined in—the both of us cracking up hysterically like two wild hyenas. I couldn’t explain the hilarity of it. Maybe I was delirious from having too many sleepless nights, or maybe it was because I’m crazy; either way I found myself completely content in this moment.

“You know we have to buy new dishes.” I heard Tony say after we had calmed our laughter.

I didn’t know what to say and instead offered an apologetic shrug. I felt bad for destroying our perfectly stocked kitchen.

“It’s fine. I never really liked those dishes anyway.” Tony joked, earning a small laugh from me.

“I’m such a mess.” I sighed while covering my face with both hands.

I heard Tony take a few steps closer to me, wrapping both arms around me before pulling me in close.

“I love that there’s never a dull moment with you.” He said softly as I peeked from my hands.

He quickly bent down and pecked my nose as I giggled softly. He released me and went to inspect just how much of the dishes I had thrown down to the ground. I was just about to go to my purse to extract my phone when I realized that Zeke still had it.

“Dammit.” I muttered under my breath.

“What?” Tony asked, overhearing my mumbles.

“My phone’s gonna be at Lucky’s.” I sighed.

Tony looked at me with a confused expression.

“Remember that friend I met up with the other night?” I asked rhetorically and added “Well he was tracing the ‘anonymous’ number that’s been texting me and said that he’ll drop it off at Lucky’s.” I explained.

Tony nodded silently. “We can stop there before restocking the kitchen.” He offered.

I leaned into him and planted a sweet yet innocent kiss to his lips. “That would be lovely.” I whispered before leaving the kitchen to get ready.

I hopped into the shower, allowing the warm water to coast down my tense shoulders. I washed away my worries while scrubbing my skin. I was smiling like an idiot when Tony hopped into the shower next to me. I blushed crimson as Tony reached for the soap in my hand.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” I asked, regaining my thoughts.

Tony naked is a distraction to me, and I usually can never think straight like this.

“I’m being environmentally friendly.” Tony answered.

A smile tugged at my lips, growing as each second passed between us.

“Since when did you care about the environment?” I asked skeptically.

“Since it involved me taking a shower with my beautiful girlfriend.” He replied while cocking his eyebrow at me.

I shook my head at him while letting out a soft giggle. Tony leaned in and captured my smile into a kiss. It was deep with desire and hunger. I felt the fire ignite in my stomach as I wrapped my arms around his neck, brining him closer to my body. The water was beating down on our heads, soaking our hair. Tony’s hands roamed over my curves—now that I’ve finally put on enough weight to have them, stopping at my hips. I could feel his nails dig into my skin while his member pressed against me.

I wouldn’t mind doing this every morning. I thought to myself before I decided to get lost in Tony’s embrace.

---

We got to Lucky’s before noon which was surprising since our detour in the shower lasted longer than I had expected. The bar’s door was open and I walked in with Tony in tow. Lucky was wiping down the counter tops when he spotted, shooting me a lopsided grin.

“Hey, feeling better?” He asked.

I nodded a sheepish yes. I almost forgot about the lie I told him to get out of working last night so I could meet up with Zeke.

“I was wondering if someone dropped off my phone.” I said hesitantly.

I was worried that Zeke would skip out on me, like I did all those years ago. Another part worried that Lucky would ask questions that I wasn’t ready to answer. But most of all, I was afraid that I’d have the answers I was searching for and still feel completely clueless on what to do next.

Lucky scratched his chin before his eyes lit up. “Yeah, some guy came by and said that you dropped this the other night. Nice enough kid, but he seemed a little worried.” Lucky said while grabbing out the small lock box from beneath the counter.

The lockbox was usually where we kept our tips or phones in the case that I didn’t bring my purse.

“Worried?” I asked.

Zeke wasn’t one to worry easily. He was usually a mastermind; practically five steps ahead of anyone. Hearing that Zeke was worried got me worried.

“Yeah.” Lucky answered while handing me my phone.

I unlocked the screen quickly, but everything seemed normal. Nothing looked like it had changed. I quickly scrolled through my text messages and found that there were more messages from the unknown number.

“Did he say anything?” I heard Tony ask. I had completely forgotten he was with me, for I was too busy trying to find any type of clue from Zeke on my phone, but there was nothing.

“Not really unless you call giving me some kind of riddle as saying something.” Lucky replied with a small scoff.

“A riddle?” My eyes lit up.

When we were younger, Zeke and I would communicate through riddles. It was a code of ours, so no one knew what we were saying. At first they were easy to connect, but as the years progressed we found harder and more enigmatic ways on communicating with each other just in case authorities were around to eavesdrop.

“Yeah, he was blubbering about Rome or something.” Lucky answered as he tossed the rag into the bucket just off to the side.

“Lucky this is very important. What were his exact words?” I asked seriously.

Lucky eyed me suspiciously. “Are ya in some kind of trouble kid?” He asked.

Other than my own father, Lucky was the closest thing to a father figure I could have. He looked out for me and genuinely cared for my well being.

“No…well maybe. I just need to figure out a few loose ends.” I answered with a sigh.
It was too complicated to get into.

“Give me a minute to gather my thoughts.” Lucky said as he pondered quietly to himself.

I glanced nervously at Tony who shrugged in response.

“Rome, Rome a basket took him far from home, in the desert he is the sun.” Lucky recited hesitantly.

He seemed unsure if that was truly it.

“Those were his exact words?” I asked.

“Yeah, makes no sense right?” Lucky replied while he walked in the back room with the bucket and rag.

I said the riddle over and over again, concentrating deeply on what it could mean. My thoughts were quickly interrupted when my phone started to ring. I glanced at it in hopes it would be Zeke, but instead saw it was Cassie calling me.

I answered it reluctantly. “Hello?” I greeted with a passable cheery voice.

“Ms. Harper your new hours sheet is ready for you. Could you please come by and pick it up, you’re time at Hope Services starts at 2.” Cassie informed me.

Shit! I thought to myself.

“Yeah, I’ll have my boyfriend swing by there.” I replied before bidding her goodbye.

“Perfect.” Cassie replied. I knew she had a pleased smile on her face.

“Was that Laurel?” Tony asked hesitantly.

“Cassie.” I answered. “And she wants me to pick up my new hours sheet before I go to Hope Services.” I added with a sigh.

“So, my guess is that we won’t have enough time to pick up new dishes.” Tony said.

“No, not today. I’m sorry babe.” I replied sheepishly. “We can go tomorrow.” I offered.

“Yeah.” Tony replied.

I hated that my life seemed all too busy to actually get any quality time with him.

“Do you know what the riddle means?” Tony asked after a few moments of silence engulfed us.

“No idea, but I’ll figure it out eventually.” I answered as we headed back to the car. “Zeke was usually cryptic when it came to riddles.” I shrugged.

The riddle kept playing over and over in my head. It sounded oddly familiar, but I couldn’t quite place my finger on it.

---

Hope Services was crowded today. There was a swarm of kids filling up the play room while crying mothers were ushered to the back—where the counseling took place. I never pried on their personal lives, but I knew enough to feel sympathetic. Most of the women that came through here—especially the ones with children—came from an abusive background. There was evidence on their face; the way the bruises shadowed over their pale skin. What made me feel a pang of sympathy was when I looked at the kids. Their innocent faces that held a level of candor and oblivion is what made me want to be there for them.

“Effie!” One of the little girls, Gillian, exclaimed when she spotted me.

She was an adorable little girl. Gillian had pale skin and rosy cheeks that were peppered with faint freckles. She had dark ringlets that framed her small, heart shaped face that made her blue eyes strikingly stand out. She was utterly adorable, and also a foster child. She gravitated towards me during my first day at Hope Services. She was new here, just like me and extremely shy, keeping to herself while the other kids laughed and played. I went up to her with a box of crayons and color paper. That first day we drew everything, and soon enough Gillian opened up enough to talk a little. It wasn’t full sentences and they weren’t loud enough for me to hear fully, but it was the first time she spoke since she was taken away from her mother just six months earlier.

“Hey Gilly bean!” I smiled while taking her in for a hug.

She was so tiny in my arms.

“Today I got to go on the swings!” Gillian said enthusiastically with a wide smile taking up half of her face.

“That’s so cool. Did you touch the sky?” I asked with excitement.

Gillian was the only child I grew close to. The other kids liked me well enough, and I them, but Gilly reminded me so much of myself that I wanted to assure that she was okay, that she will find a home soon.

“Almost, but I think I’m still too short.” Gillian sighed.

“Nah, it looks like you grew a little since the last time I saw you.” I replied.

“Really?!” Her voice was bright and filled with innocent excitement.

“Definitely.” I answered.

“Effie, can you read me a story?” Gillian asked while lightly tugging my arms near the small collection of books that Hope Services offered.

It was a church based program, so most of their books had to deal with biblical stories. However, it was sugarcoated enough to not scare the children from the gory details. I sighed while Gillian pulled me down to the small chair and handed me beaten up story book. Parting of the Red Sea. I quickly scanned the book, noting that it mostly had pictures in its twenty-five pages. It didn’t surprised me that Gillian found it interesting, for it had the image of the Red Sea splitting while the Egyptian villagers walked through it.

“You want to read this?” I asked doubtfully.

“No, I want you to read it silly.” Gillian giggled while making herself comfortable on the carpet in front of me; her legs neatly crossed over one another while she waited patiently for me to read.

A few other kids had gathered in the story area, waiting for me to read. I opened the book and began reading. It was then that the story of Moses began to piece together my riddle.

Rome…Rome…a basket took him far from home, in the desert he is the sun.

I quickly read through the story, finishing it off where Moses brings the Egyptian people to the promised lands, and quickly bulleted to the back room—where the volunteers and staff would gather for lunch and whatnot.

I quickly pulled out my phone and called Tony. I figured it out. The answer was Moses.

“Hey babe.” Tony answered, making me smile.

“I figured it out!” I said abruptly.

“The riddle?” Tony questioned.

“Yeah, it’s Moses.” I replied happily.

“Moses?”

“Yeah, Moses!”

“And what exactly does that even mean?” Tony asked.

Shit! What does it mean? I asked myself.

“Maybe that Zeke is going to some kind of Moses convention?” I asked doubtfully.

I could hear Tony chuckling on the other line.

“I’m glad you figured it out babe, but I seriously don’t understand what your friend means by Moses.” Tony replied.

“You and me both.” I muttered. “Well, I’m back to square one.” I mumbled before saying my goodbyes to him.

Tony was most likely at the studio with the rest of the guys, so I probably interrupted him from that. I sighed while looking down at my phone.

Moses. It has to mean something. I thought to myself before heading back to the kids.

I was in the middle of helping a few three year olds when I got a text. I sighed because when I glanced at it, it was from an unknown number. I grimaced while checking it.


From: Unknown Number

You shouldn’t have someone looking into me. You won’t like what’ll happen.


I wasn’t entirely sure, but I felt scared. Maybe Zeke was in trouble, and it was my fault for dragging him into it. Maybe it’s the reason for him defaulting to cryptic riddles that had me hit a dead end.

“Just leave me alone.” I mumbled to myself before returning my attention back to the paint covered toddler in my lap. I laughed; glad that I was surrounded by these kids. They usually brightened my mood when I began to feel sour.

After a few more stories involving classic fairytales, I called Tony to let him know that I had just finished my time at Hope Services and would be waiting for him in the front. The sun was lowering itself to the horizon when I stood next to a freshly painted bench just off to the side. The kids that had once filled the building of Hope Services had left nearly a half hour ago, leaving with their parents—or in Gillian’s case, with their caretakers. I could see the beginnings of dusk settling in the sky while I went over the riddle again. It was definitely about Moses, but what could it possibly mean. I kept pondering on it and what Moses could mean symbolically. He was Hebrew. And just like that a light bulb clicked on in my brain. The archaic Hebrew meaning of Moses is ‘son’. When we were younger Zeke mentioned that his “son” could be found at any bus station men’s bathroom. Zeke would draw on the bathroom stall walls—a swirly, intricately designed sun—that would tell me if he had left something for me in the air vent. I smiled broadly while getting overly excited.

Zeke, you are a mad genius! I thought to myself. By now I was fidgeting from side to side when I saw Tony pull in. I smiled in relief.

“Hey babe.” I smiled while hopping into his car.

Tony had a small smile on his face. It worried me though. That smile seemed like a warning smile, rather one of affection.

“What’s the matter?” I asked hesitantly.

Tony sighed while rubbing the back of his neck. I didn’t like where this was going.

“The authorities found a person’s body at the pier.” Tony informed me.

My brows knitted together in confusion.

“His name was Zeke Fieldman.” Tony sighed.

My eyes grew wide as sheer panic laced my bloodstream.

“Is he okay?” I croaked out.

Tony looked away. “No, he’s dead.”

I felt the wind in my lungs get knocked out of me.

You won’t like what will happen.

She warned me. Zeke must’ve know just how crazy Laurel was, and now he was dead.

Notes

Shit. Just. Got. Real!

So my internet was down for a while which explains why I haven't updated sooner. Sorry guys! Do you forgive me? If not then I still love you (:

Thanks for reading :D