The coroner goes on to explain details about Melissa's death. She crashed her car – her vehicle collided with a tree, and dies on impact. She was heavily under the influence, and she probably didn't feel a thing.

A small part of me hoped she suffered. At least a little bit, and I feel awful for even thinking that.

"Are you her only living relative?" An officer asks me.

I shake my head, my mind going straight to Faith.

"Who else?"

I pull out my phone, typing the details before showing him the screen.

"Do you know where her daughter is?"

With her dad, I think. I don't know where he is though. I type, my chest tightening.

"Thank you for your time. We're very sorry for your loss."

I nod, surprisingly not crying yet.

This morning, I couldn't stand the sight of her, and now she's dead. Gone. Forever.

I didn't mean it so literally when I wished her out of my life. Now I feel like the most horrible person on the planet. Like it's my fault she died.

Mrs. Swaz doesn't let go of me as we go through all the hoops to deal with her body. I barely remember any of it. She's a big help, going into mom mode and taking over when it becomes too much for me.

"Should we drop you home? Where are your parents?" Mrs. Swaz asks me as we drive off.

"I- My parents-" I take a deep breath when I hear my voice crack. I don't want to see that house ever again, but I can't stay with the Swaz family forever. I'll be eighteen in a couple weeks and I'm sure I can evade social services until then, but I'm scared to be alone right now. There are so many things I have to do and I have no idea where to start.

Instead of talking, I pull out my phone. Can I just stay with you this afternoon?

Mrs. Swaz immediately agrees when Dustin asks her and I exhale in relief. I can't think straight right now. By tonight, I'll be able to get myself together.

Dustin gives me his room, and I'm too tired to fight him on it. He changes the bandage on my arm, and brings me a glass of water.

"C-can… you stay please?" I whisper out hoarsly. I haven't cried yet, but it's only a matter of time before I do.

"Of course." Dustin sits beside me and rubs my back until I fall asleep.

****

It's dark out when I wake up.

When we got back from the police station, I was more tired than I thought, and I knocked out for a few hours. I don't feel so bad anymore, but I also feel like I'll be sad forever. Dustin isn't next to me when I wake up.

I sit up, rubbing my eyes as I wake myself up. I hug one of his pillows to my chest, wishing it was Faith and not some inanimate object.

Faith…

She'll never get to see her mother again. Never get to know her mother.

Melissa wasn't a good person, but she tried to be in the end. She wasn't all bad.

I still hate her. As much as I try not to. It's not good to think or speak ill of the dead, but she destroyed my life. I don't think I can ever forgive her for what she did – dead or not. I guess I should be grateful that Faith will never be subjected to the uncertainty of that woman, but I still wish that it worked out in the end: Melissa getting better, and Faith getting the life she deserves.

Now, I don't know if I'll ever see her again.

"Hi, sweetie," Mrs. Swaz greets me when I come downstairs. "How are you feeling?"

"Okay." I say quietly. Even though I'm talking again, it's hard for me to say more than a couple words at a time. I've hidden in silence for so long I don't know how to do anything else.

"I saved you some food. We had spaghetti and meatballs. Would you like me to heat you some up?"

I nod.

"Hey," Miriam wraps her arms around me. "Are you okay?"

I sigh, already getting agitated by everyone asking me. I know it's because they care, but it's exhausting having to keep saying I'm fine when I'm clearly anything but.

Am I going to try killing myself again? I don't think so.

Do I want to curl into a ball and cry to death? A little bit.

Miriam sits next to me at the dinner table with milk and cookies.

"So like… who is Melissa?" Miriam asks.

I don't answer right away, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. "My aunt."

"What happened to your parents?"

I wipe hold back my tears, and sniffle. When I don't respond, Miriam sighs.

"Okay." Is all she says.

I should probably head home tonight.

Miriam shakes her head when she sees the text on my screen. "You can stay here for as long as you need. My parents won't mind."

I shake my head. I've overstayed my welcome. I type out, showing her the screen.

"God, you're stubborn," Miriam sighs. "If you want to stay you can, but if you want to leave that's fine too. At least let one of us give you a ride home. It's late." She yawns. "I'm pretty tired, so I'll head to bed. You can stay in my room if you want, but don't worry about kicking Dustin out of his bed again."

I smile tiredly, waving her goodbye as she heads upstairs after putting our dishes in the sink. I wash up the few dishes left then go find Mrs. Swaz who is on the couch with her husband.

"Hi, Blade." They say when they see me.

I give them a wave, smiling slightly. "I'm heading home. Thank you." I tell them.

"Of course! You're always welcome here. Let us give you a ride."

I shake my head. "It's okay." I've already inconvenienced them enough with my drama.

Mr. Swaz speaks up. "Nonsense. I'll have Dustin drive you. He's just helping the neighbors move some stuff around." He pulls out his phone and taps on the screen. "He'll be over in a few minutes. Just make sure you've gotten all your stuff."

I nod, turning to leave.

A few minutes later Dustin is driving me home. As usual, he's playing music and the melodic sounds are a welcome distraction from my brain.

"It doesn't look like anyone's home," Dustin points out when we pull up to my house. I don't answer, giving him a smile, choosing to ignore his observation. I open the door and get out

I hear the door close as I walk up my driveway and I turn to see Dustin coming up behind me. "Are you staying here alone?"

I sigh, nodding my head.

"Where are your parents?"

"T-they're…" I can't bring myself to say it. I can't say I ever made peace with their death, but I had accepted it. With everything that happened over the past weeks, the wounds feels too fresh.

I've never had to say that they're dead. Gone. Forever. Everyone already knew. Everyone else said it. I never had to, and I it's so hard to say it.

I pull out my phone typing in what I can't say and showing Dustin the screen.

His eyes widen and breathes in shakily. "I'm so sorry, Blade."

"It's okay." I say softly. "It was a long time ago."

"Who are you staying with now?"

I look at the ground. "No one."

"You can stay with us. My parents would be super pissed if I left you here by yourself. You're going through a lot right now. You shouldn't be alone."

Might as well get used to it. I type out in an attempt to make a joke. Dustin doesn't look impressed when he reads the screen.

"Blade. Just… Come back with me. I can talk with my parents and we can figure this out. You don't have to do it alone."

It's okay. I assure him in text. Your family has helped so much. I'll be fine.

"You're so stubborn." He sits on the ground in front of my door. "But I am too."

What are you doing? I type out.

"I'm sitting."

I roll my eyes at him and he continues. "I'm going to sit here until you decide to get back in my car and come home with me. Until you let us help you."

I cross my arms. "This is stupid."

"I am a teenage boy."

I stifle my laugh, not wanting to give in to his stupid joke.

"Dustin." I sigh.

"Blade." He mimics. "Come on. You know I'll sit out here all night."

I don't doubt he will.

I sigh deeply, giving. "Okay."

He grins triumphantly. "Okay."

***