*Aurora*
The day after my hospital visit, I decide to continue my search at home so I can better concentrate. But just as I'm about to start, someone rings my doorbell. I open it in exasperation before seeing my best friend burst into my living room with a panicked expression.
"Hello to you too, why do you look so worried?"
"Didn't you see the news?"
"Well, I was busy..."
"The serial killer imprisoned three years ago just escaped."
"Excuse me?"
I turn on my television and listen carefully to the news before sighing in annoyance.
"With what's going on with my cousin, there had to be that too. Wait..."
I pause the video showing a photo of the killer and suddenly my thoughts go dark, the house suddenly seems silent.
"Aurora? Are you okay?" - He's... he's... my older brother. The serial killer is my older brother.
Sandy scrutinized her for a moment before looking at the TV, and she looked back and forth as if she were hallucinating.
- You're not serious?
- I wish I was, but I am.
I quickly grabbed my purse and headed toward the jail. But on the way, a car hit mine, and the driver got out to drag me from my car. Everything happened so fast that I barely had time to protest. Now I'm in the same car as California's most wanted serial killer. How lucky I am.
- Hilton?! Can I ask what's going on?
- Hello, little sister. Good to see you again. I wish it had been a better reunion, but fate had other plans.
- Talk about fate! Can you explain to me how you went from admirable big brother to a city-renowned killer?!
"It's a long story, but in short, I became known for murdering an entire family."
"What family? And you talk about it like it's something completely ordinary."
Hilton gave her a brief glance before turning into an intersection.
"Dad's second family. After he divorced Mom."
"And does Mom know about this?"
"About the murder, yes, since it was on the news, but about my murderous impulses, no, not really."
She took a breath before grabbing the door forcefully.
"Let me out."
"Aurora..."
"I said, let me out."
"Aurora, I kidnapped you for a reason."
"Oh, so you know this is a kidnapping?"
"Yes, but please, I need you to listen to me. I need your help. Do you remember our cousin Charlotte?"
"Do I remember? She's the first person I want to kill as soon as I wake up in the morning."
"She killed my girlfriend a year ago and framed me for it by making it look like sexual abuse. But I assure you, I didn't do anything."
"Oh my god, I believe you, Hilton... But running away from prison isn't really the way to get revenge on that woman."
"That's why I want you to help me get revenge. I can't do it alone because, as you can see, I'm a fugitive wanted all over town."
"And you really think you can run away like this for long?"
"I know you can't. That's why I asked for your help."
"I beg your pardon?"
A few hours after being dropped off at her house by her brother, when she opened her door, she was greeted by Tyler's menacing stare and Sandy's worried gaze. So she decided to tell them everything because it was her principle to always be honest with those close to her. But their reaction wasn't really what she would have liked to see, even if she'd expected it.
"Can you repeat what you just said?" Tyler asked once more, giving her a dismayed look.
"I know what I'm asking you is illegal and absurd, but we can always try."
"Aurora, he's a prisoner wanted by the whole city. If Tyler gets involved, he'll be considered an accomplice in his escape."
"I know, Sandy, I know that. But did you hear what I said at the beginning of my story? Charlotte framed him. He's not guilty of what he's accused of."
"And how do you know if he's telling you the truth? What if he said all that to gain your compassion, your family love?" He still admitted to killing an entire family.
Aurora stood up and put on a serious face before moving closer to Tyler. One of the things she hated most in a person, even a friend, was slandering a family member.
"My brother is a murderer, I admit that. But he would never kill a member of our family. He has dignity."
"And what about your father?"
"He killed his second family except for him. He's still alive. And besides, everyone deserves a second chance at life, right? He didn't deny his mass murder. That's proof he regrets it, don't you think? All he wants is revenge for his girlfriend, who was killed out of family jealousy. He promised me he'd go back to prison after this. He gave me his word.
Tyler and she stared at each other for a while before she decided to break the staring game with a small clearing of her throat. Tyler, for his part, continued to stare at her and took a breath before running a hand over his face.
Once the leader of one of the most powerful mafias in the country, he had made it his code to always punish criminals his way, regardless of the police, but now he has to help a wanted criminal for a dear friend of his.
"All right, I'll help you. I'll help you."
"What about the fire case? Your aunt's temporary loss of sight? And the cause of the explosion at your aunt's house? All these cases..."
"Don't worry, Sandy, I haven't forgotten any of that. Everything will come in its own time. That's what I'm here for."