Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica stared unblinking, her vision filled with nothing but those bloody marks.

She'd known he was hurt that day, but she hadn't realized there wasn't a single patch of unbroken skin left on his back.

As Zachary stepped out of the house, he found a crowd gathered at the front door. He walked over and saw the stripes of blood covering the entire expanse of Timothy's back.

Sallie's voice trembled as she looked at Jessica. “He's injured. I asked him how it happened, but he wouldn't say. We're twins-I can sense a little of what he's feeling. Besides you, who else could make him get hurt like that?"

The world went black for Jessica. Her body went limp as she fainted, but Vince, his entire focus on Timothy's wounds, didn't notice.

“Salome!” Zachary shouted when he saw Jessica about to collapse, ready to rush forward.

Yates was closest to Jessica. Reacting quickly, he caught her around the waist and pulled her into his arms before she could hit the ground.

Timothy spun around in alarm, catching sight of Jessica in Yates' embrace. Clutching his chest, he tried to go to her, but his legs gave way and he nearly fell.

Sallie and Sandra managed to steady him just in time.

the hospital! Vince, bring the car around!" Zachary's mind raced with panic. His daughter had only just returned-nothing could be allowed to happen to

Timothy called her name softly, forcing himself to take another

Sandra

get Jessy to

Yates carried Jessica to the

the car

"Take me

medical attention too. The three

and Sallie sat on either side of Timothy in the back, while the driver took

skin was icy cold. She instructed

quietly beside

been whole was now in pieces. One by one, each of

keeps up, there'll be no going back with the Zimmerman family. Mrs. Zimmerman has always treated you well. How could you have been so foolish? You knew Jessy was Salome, and you kept it from everyone. Just that alone-it's going to be nearly impossible for the Zimmermans to

never meant for any of