Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Suspense/Mystery

"April! Thank goodness you picked up. Where are you?" April was ten minutes away when William had called her.
"Oh, I'm almost there. Why, is everything okay?"
"I wish. Jenson broke into the police department yesterday night. Audrey and L were in there and she did not have anything nice to say."
"Is everyone alright?"
"L got a minor injury and Audrey's fine, just a little......well, she's terrified. She's been waiting by the door for you since last night."
"I'll be home soon"
                        .....................
"April!" Audrey yelled, running up to her with slight tears in her eyes. April held her tightly, fighting back a sob as she remembered how Audrey wasn't her sister, but was her own daughter.
"Nice to see you back." William said from behind Audrey, glancing at the window. She followed his gaze and saw two police officers standing outside their house. William crouched down beside her and whispered:
"They came here to keep an eye on the house, and Audrey. I've also got a couple watching L." April's eyes widened in surprise. She had almost forgotten about him.
"Hey Audrey, would you like to visit L?" She asked, looking down at her. She smiled and yelled happily:
"Yeah! I wanna make sure he's okay. There was a scary lady yesterday."
"I know, but you don't have to worry about her anymore. We'll take care of her."
                       .....................
"A-April. You're back." Lucifer said, slightly nervous from his cell. April had left Audrey with William in the front so she could talk to him.
"Hi Lucifer." April said, smiling at him. He sighed and sat on the floor, avoiding her gaze.
"Heh, I haven't been called my real name in a while. So, you know?"
"Yes. Everything."
"I'm surprised Carl told you. He was so against you knowing the truth in the beginning. I guess he missed you."
"Did you agree? To keep it a secret?" 
"Of course I did."
"But why?" Lucifer sighed when she asked this.
"It was better that you forgot me. That you and Audrey did. It was safer for you."
"How was it safer?"
"Because, April, the day you found me and Scarlet was the day we ran from my so called mother. I knew that one day she would find us, and she did."
"Then why did you come to this town? You knew I was here, yet you still came."
"She had found out where we were hiding. She came and confronted Carl, then ran away before he could call the cops. I didn't know you and Audrey were at this specific town. The reason I killed all those people wasn't just because they deserved it. It was also to draw Judy's attention. It worked."
"I-I can't believe you were here the whole time, and I never knew the truth."
"Not the whole time. You've only been with me for 24 days." 
"Pfft, yeah. It seems longer though." They sat there in silence for a moment before Lucifer asked hesitantly:
"Do you.....remember me?" April stared at him for a moment.
"Yes. I do."
"Not any bad memories I hope?" She smiled as he nervously twiddled his fingers.
"None at all." And he looked up, surprised as she suddenly grabbed his hand, holding it tightly. Suddenly, William burst into the room with Audrey right behind him.
"April, we have a problem." 
                       .....................
"What happened?" April asked him as they got into the car. They had left Audrey and a very reluctant Lucifer behind.
"Your dad. He came home and was attacked by Jenson. He's still alive, but barely. He was able to call the police, but, April.....it's really bad. He's in the hospital. I'm taking you to him." April looked out the window silently.
It was strange how everything had changed in just 24 hours. Just 24 days ago she was happy. She was happy being a daughter, happy being a sister. It was still hard to believe that her whole life was a lie. 
They had reached the hospital in a very short amount of time. By the time they got there John had already been treated as much as they could. The only thing left to do now was wait.
"Hey there." April said to the man laying on a hospital bed. He looked up and smiled at her weakly.
"I'm so glad your okay." April stepped into the room and sat down on the chair beside him.
"Just a...just a little worried."
"Heh, I heard you went to that town."
"Yeah. I did."
"How's my brother doing?"
"He-He's good. He misses you. A lot. And Marge, and everyone."
"April, I'm so sorry. I should have told you sooner but...but I couldn't."
"It's fine, really. I know you were doing it to protect me."
"Heh....you know, it was strange. Being called a dad. I thought I would never hear that name." April grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently as he winced in pain.
"You know....I had a little girl. But she died with her mother."
"What happened?"
"What always happens. Life catches up to you. When my brother called, explaining what happened to you and Audrey, I had to do something. So me and your grandma took you in, but she wanted to tell you the truth."
"I was selfish. I didn't want you to go, but I also didn't want my brother to feel the pain of losing a child. I'm...I'm so sorry." And then tears began to form in both their eyes. April leaned down to rest her head on his chest, and he patted her head gently.
"I forgive you." She said, the tears starting to fall. She heard him sigh in relief.
"Thank you." Was all he said before the monitor beside him started to go off.