I took the box and walked to the secret space in my bedroom. I opened the panel and placed the box inside. I tried to shut it but I was pulled aside and Cleo pulled out the other tapes. She took all of it. She and the others sat down to watch them all. When they watched all of it. They were grief stricken. I asked them if they need anything. Cleo stared at me, "You said you called the police many times. They just tuned you out. You spoke to the Feds and they disrespected you. How long before you were free from this?" I shrugged, "I had my uncle thrown in jail. Dad was evicted from the house. He died in a car crash. Cheryl used to say she wished he was shoved under a bus or a train. Maybe it would have been better of he was used as a crash test dummy." Cleo's face was serious so I replied, "I was a teenager." She began to cry. I gave her hug, "That is my past. I am keeping it because a part of me believes my dad is still alive. I will burn those tapes once I feel peace. I am sorry you had to see that." She responded, "I am sorry you had to deal with that." I held her close. She asked me if that was the reason I have a dual personality. The others were in shock. I asked her to speak a little louder. I don't think Mars heard it. She muttered an apology. I rocked her back and forth.
I got up and began cooking dinner. Cleo explained how she had lost her appetite. The others agreed. I ignored them as I cooked rotisserie chicken. Once the chicken was cooked I used it to make a couple of burritos. Then I made a dozen breakfast sausages from scratch. I baked biscuits. The entire time everyone watched me like I was wearing a bomb. I asked and they didn't say anything. Cleo took a picture from the video and asked forensic department to age the picture. When they confirmed it was me Cleo lost it. She just cried and the others lowered their heads. I asked them what shameful act convinced them to bow down. They didn't say a word. Tanya and the others recovered and sent someone to collect the tapes. I waited till everyone was distracted to place them all in a box and gave it to Henry. He gave the box to Victor who took it away. Cleo came out to see the tapes were missing. I explained that I sent it to my friends to find out if he is alive. If he is then he is going to die. She promised to torture my dad before I get to kill him. Cleo broke the news and James proved he hid a tape so we still had that elephant in the room. Cleo smiled, "Smart man." I whined, "Don't take it to the police station. I don't want anyone else seeing it." Cleo stared at me incredulously, "Are you kidding me! I am going to make sure that Angela leaves you alone. This tape will shut her up." I rolled my eyes, "Her name is Alison" Cleo mumbled, "Whatever"
I looked at the mirror and Cora was on the other side. She was watching with interest. I noticed that I had stopped hallucinating. Then I remembered it was Cora who made me see them because she was trapped. Now she was free she seems fine. I placed my hand on the pane of glass. She stared for a second before she touched the glass too. She was thinking. Then Zelda appeared instead. She pulled the hand away and tapped her wrist. She was annoyed but composed. I turned around to see Cleo staring. She didn't say a word. Tanya asked if I was communicating with Zelda. I gave her a nod. Then I locked myself in my bedroom to discuss contingency plan in case one of us gets captured. We came up with a symbol so the others would know the bad guys got us so send the cavalry. I asked the guys if there was any bad guys worth shooting. They double checked and told me the earliest one is next week. So I unlocked the door and walked out to see Cleo weeping. It didn't matter what I did she kept crying so I decided to switch places with Zelda. I closed my eyes and Cleo shook me. She begged me not switch places. She didn't want to meet her. She is afraid of her. I promised she has nothing to worry about. I took a deep breath and hugged Cleo as I switched places. No scenery just pushed Zelda out. It felt like mixing colors. I got absorbed while she was pushed out.
I caressed Sus since she was emotionally distraught. She looked up and flinched. I asked her what was wrong. She asked to see Pam. I explained that she pushed me out because she was stressed. She will come out when she is ready. I hugged her like she was a baby. I stroked her hair. I held hand and she was still worried. I saw the tape and realized what happened, "You saw my childhood memories. Dad was so invested. I wished I could return the favor." Cleo hiccuped, "You were helpless. You shouldn't have experienced it. No one should." I asked her how exposing my humiliation would fix anything. All anyone would do is talk. Some would find it funny. Others would wrep but nothing will happen. Nothing ever happens. I took the tape and walked towards the door. Victor took it and left. I frowned, "You think those tapes are bad. I can show you something that will give nightmares." I pulled a secret tape that Sis isnt aware of. I put it and dared her not to look. So I went back to the painting room to finish my art. I sat down and stared at the blank canvas. I used a charcoal pencil to rubbed the canvas black. Then used an eraser to make the image. Once I was done. I sat down to admire my work. The canvas depicted a night scene of a street in Italy. I used the eraser to sign my name. It took several tries to get it but I did. Then I had cover the canvas with a protective layer of clear paint to make sure no one would erase my drawing accidentally or on purpose. When I turned around I saw four very sad faces. I rolled my eyes, "Move on. I have." I went downstairs to the gym and struck the punching bag. Until I was bored then I hopped on the elevator and pushed sis out.
I got ready to go out. The others followed me as I bought clothes and accessories for orphans. I stop by a restaurant to buy pizza and ice cream. When I entered the building the kids came running. I gave them all hugs and kisses. Then I started distributing everything. They took their stuff and sat down to eat. Alexandria came at the opportune moment with the parents. I made sure they were all adopted. I waved goodbye as I walked back to my car. I got in and my husband slipped in too. Cleo knocked on the window and she was told to get in his brother's car. He was staring at me as I drove to a Thai restaurant and got a thousand orders. I paid for it and distributed to the homeless people on the street. I sat down to listen to their story. I tapped my heel as Brandon came with doctors. They got their medical checkup and I waved goodbye as I drove to a steakhouse to eat. James happily sat with me as I tried to figure out which cut to get. I ended up with a rib eye cooked medium. Cleo asked why I didn't eat it medium rare. I explained how my dad has a friend who like to eat people. When I see the red liquid I feel like I had switch places with him. I remember how he threatened to cut me and fed him if I misbehaved. He gave me this little slit. He would belt me because it was stress relieving. He would be normal one moment and then suddenly he would lash out. We don't know the reason his temper would flare up.
I looked up to her eyes went empty. She asked me in hollow voice, "Why didn't you run away?" I asked, "If I run away who will defend my mom? I told you I evicted him from the house when I was old enough. He apparently died in a ball of flames. Dark days are gone. New day has begun. I remember waking up at eleven and mom made us spaghetti for breakfast. She called the school and told them we were sick. We were excited as we played videogames, went shopping and burned all of dad's stuff. The only thing we didn't demolish was his office. Some primal part of us felt it would cause problems. So we left it alone. Did Zelda show you the secret tape yet?" Cleo shivered, "I am afraid to see what is in it." I frowned, "It is a recording of the day dad decided to hunt me like I was a deer. Five of his buddies joined the hunt. Some had guns and a had a bow and arrow. I survived a full month before dad called it quits" Cleo covered her mouth to stop from crying. She ordered the same thing as and so the others did. I smiled, "Don't worry. I will show you the recording of us as we demolished his stuff. The three of us behaved the lost boys in Peter Pan. We were wild. I miss waking up one in the afternoon. I miss war painting my dear mom's face with glow in the dark paint. We warned the neighbors that we demolishing stuff so they won't call. They still called SWAT on us." They stared without a word. Cleo asked, " How did everyone get away with it" I shrugged, " Isn't it obvious. He was charming so no one in their right mind would believe he was a bad guy. Until I banged on the neighbors while he was hurting mom. Then the tide and wind moved in our favor."
After dinner we went home and Cleo pulled out the tape and gave it back. Tanya demanded. She believes Zelda will understand. I took the tape outside and Victor picked it up. I went inside and played the tape where we smashed everything. It showed the teenage me calling the neighbors asking them to call the police because we are systematically redecorating the house. Some of the stuff is permanently glued to wall so they will hear hammering so don't think much of it. Then Adam and I started acting like we were nuts escaped from an asylum. At first mom was apprehensive. She tried to stop us but we won with a few words of encouragement. To our surprise she joined us. I took paint and drew on mom's face. Then we happily cleaned most of the house. I slid across the corridor screaming like a maniac. The door was unlocked so SWAT walked in and they saw us. They froze as we explained in unison, "We woke up this morning and hated everything" they stayed for ten minutes before leaving and the insanity continued. A cleaning crew came to remove the debris as mom cooked. Adam supervised the cleaning while I stood guard to protect mom. I held on to a metal baseball bat. After the cleaning crew left we ate and passed out on the couch. I laughed as I saw my sleeping position. I turned around to see them watching me instead. I promised them that I am fine. They didn't say a word. Then my phone buzzed. It was a red alert. I excused myself as I walked out the door.