Love Lasts: Layla's Story

## Summary

Layla attempts to deal with her past chasing her, along with a toxic family member, and her own problems. Along the way she makes some powerful relationships with guardians of all shapes and sizes. But first she must grapple with almost becoming an alcoholic thanks to her abusive father, whom she must work hard to bring to justice.

## Layla's POV

"Dad, why is it that every time Martin does something to me I'm the one that gets yelled at?" "It's not fair, both of us should be equally punished, not just me." I say as Dad picks up my twin brother and cradles him while glaring at me.

"You know what I expect out of you." Dad says sternly.

Mom comes in the living room and looks at me gently.

"Honey, I know it was an accident, but I just need you to be more careful." Mom says as she picks me up and cradles me.

Dad scoffs.

"She hit her brother, don't baby her, ground her." Dad says.

"Chris, I get that her hitting her brother was an accident, but what is punishing going to do? Besides, you let Martin pull her hair and get away with it." Mom says, her voice low.

Martin crawls over to me and hugs me.

"I forgive you." He says.

"Layla, you are grounded," Dad says angrily.

I gasp and look at him.

"But I..." I start to say, but Dad cuts me off.

"GO TO YOUR ROOM!" Dad says loudly as I storm into my room with Martin following me, but I close the door so that he can't enter.

"Chris... Did you have to be so hard on her? She's only eight." Mom says.

"Mara, she hit her brother. Of course I'm going to be hard on her." Dad says.

Mom shakes her head and walks into the direction of my room.

“I’m sorry I let him do that.” She says.

“It’s okay.” I say. I feel anger simmer in the bottom of my stomach. “It’s not your fault he’s always like this. Quick to punish anyone regardless if it’s a minor infraction. Where does he even get this superiority complex of his? You may be protective of us but that doesn’t excuse the fact that he never listens to us. To me.”

“I’m sorry Lila.”

Mom locks eyes with me. “I wish we could split, but I’m just nervous about what he’ll do to us…to you if I try to achieve that.”

“Don’t worry.’ I say. “We’ll find a way out of this.”

“Layla!!” Dad yells. “No talking!”

“Dad!” I yell back. “All you could’ve done is give this to us equally but I always take the blame!”

“You’re the oldest, you have a responsibility.”

“Just…*shove* *off*!”

“If it wasn’t for your coward of a mother, I’d-“

“Chris, enough!!” Mom interrupts. “Just leave Lay alone! You’re only going to make her relationship with you worse!!”

“Fine, I‘m going easy on you for now, but I won’t be so merciful if this happens again.”

“Jesus Christ.” I mutter. With him around, I don’t know if there’ll be a next time for me or my mother and brother.

“Every time he’s here, I wonder, is it even worth being nice to him if all he ever does is make me his scapegoat and finds a garbage reason to treat me badly even if whenever I make a mistake, all I want to do is fix it??” I say sadly.

“That’s just the way he is…” Mom replies. “I want to help you. I just need the courage to do so.”

“Maybe we should stay in touch with Cyrus.” I say.

"Give me their number," Mom says.

She hands me her phone. I type their number in.

Then I tap the icon to call them and hand the phone to Mom.

I hear Cyrus’ voice on the other end.

”Hello? This is Mara, right?”

”Yes.” Mom replies. “We have a problem…’

”Tell me everything.”

”Layla, I think you’d be the best to tell Cyrus.”

I nod.

”Cyrus, I think you’re awesome.”

I hear them smile on the other end. “Thanks, Lay.”

”Anyway, my problems with my Dad are getting worse. I’m a scapegoat for his problems, whenever I’m around him, he finds an excuse to ground me, doesn’t let me fix the problems I cause, babies my brother Martin and he doesn’t let me talk to Mom while I’m grounded.”

Cyrus sighs. “Ay, dios mío. What else happened?”

”He went on a drunken rampage and almost killed me when he threw a beer bottle at me. When I know he’s home after school, I just ask the teachers to keep me in one of SummerWood Academy’s daycare classrooms. He thinks showing love is weakness. I’ve been afraid of him since Martin and I could talk. He once called my Mom a cowardly…”

I pause.

”Cyrus, he called my mom the B word many times.”

”I remember him. When Celeste and Cosmo were doing some chalk drawings on the cul de sac area near his house and he almost hit them throwing plastic lawn ornaments at them. I almost had to arrest him but he kept begging me not to. Still suspicious.”

”Wow. Sad. We need to find a way out of this.” I say.

”Don’t worry, I’ll stop by your place. If anything escalates, I can snack on his magic if you want me to, and call the others.” Cyrus replies.

”Are you…part Basilisk?” I ask, surprised.

”Yes.”

”Well…” Mom says. “Chris is really biased, also kind of sexist as well.”

”I know. I’ve been called…half breed plenty of times as a kid. It’s a terrible thing.”

”You’re also trans, right?”

”Yes, but if he tries to bad mouth me, we’ll show him who’s boss.”

”He doesn’t respect anyone, but we’ll let him know what guardians really do.” Estrella says fiercely.

”Tell you what. Text me, and I’ll be at your place as soon as I can.” Cyrus says.

“Thank you, Cyrus.” Mom says.

”No problem, Mara.”

## Mara's POV

I walk into  the living room where Chris is,  and he's  beating Lila with a beer  bottle.

She screams as  she feels the bottle smack her tail, and  Martin cries at her  side. He feels bad for her.

''I hate you!'' Martin says angrily.

“Chris, stop!”  I yell sharply  and coldly, taking the  bottle away.  He glares  at me  and hits Layla one more  time before  he  shoves her  away.

“Lay, go lie  down, honey.”  I whisper to her.

She nods and takes Martin to his room and rocks him to sleep before lying in her own  bed.

“Hey, I was teaching her  a  lesson.”  Dad  snaps.

“She spilled your coffee.”

“So what?”

“You can make more.”  I say, tying his hands with thorns.

He winces as I drag him  outside and give him burn marks.

“Ouch! Stop that!”  He growls.

I lock eyes  with him.

“I'm breaking up with you,”  I say.

“You can't.” Chris says.

“I am and there's nothing you can do. Face it, Chris. You’re a dirtbag. Everyone knows. Lila knows.”

“We feared you.” Layla says. “Thanks to what happened, Cyrus will be coming in 5 minutes.”

“That half br—“

“SHUT UP, CHRIS! You know better than to disrespect a teacher of Layla’s let alone a guardian!”

I hear a knock at the door.

Layla opens it and runs in to hug Cyrus. They smile, then lock eyes with Chris.

“Seriously? I should lock my house next time.”

Cyrus holds up one hand, silencing him.

“I heard what was going on in here.” They say sternly. Cyrus gently takes Layla’s wounded tail and heals it with a flick of their wrist.

“This is my house. Get out.”

“Actually, It’s not going to be your house anymore. If this keeps happening, I’m having you shipped off to prison and I’m going to have Layla and her mother and brother stay with me until my friends and I can help her find a house to live in. Without you. You’re dangerous, Chris. You’re not fit to have kids, let alone be a parent.”

“I was punishing her!”

“Punishments don’t help anyone. Layla doesn’t do anything bad.”

Cyrus turns towards Layla. “Mind if I hear from you?”

“We make mistakes.” Layla says. “But I’m always the one who gets punished for it regardless of who is to blame. Mom loves us, and cares about us, but now whenever I have to go home from school when da—he is home, I don’t want to go home. Home isn’t safe.”

“I’m so sorry.” Cyrus says sadly. Layla sobs softly and Cyrus hugs her once more.

“WHAT!! Layla, get back here!!”

“I hate you.” Layla says quietly, voice cracking. “Do you hate Mom too? Why? Maybe this is why I told a teacher I felt like I wanted to…to…die!!”

Layla sobs softly.

“I’m sorry, Mara.” Cyrus says. “I think we should get you and the kids a therapist.”

“You’re not getting out of here, Layla! I’m keeping you all to myself!” Chris says. “After all the sense I’ve tried to knock into you.”

“No.” Cyrus says. “You have no power over anyone, dirtbag.”

“I smell trouble.” Martin says quietly. “Mom, are we leaving?”

Layla cradles Martin softly while singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

“Yes, mi hijo.” I reply. “And Chris…I smell the sickly sweet stench of a fucking DIVORCE! Fuck you, Chris!”

I laugh loudly.

“Good riddance!” Cyrus and Layla both say.

Chris growls. The four of us walk out the door with him silently and angrily watching.

“You may have won this time, but I will be back for you.” He says.

“No you won’t. Because we will be there.” Sandy says, materializing next to me and Layla.

“And we promise to put you in prison where you belong. Mara and her kids don’t deserve someone like you.”

“Ungrateful bitches.” Chris mumbles. “I’ll show you who’s boss!”

“And right now, the boss is me.” Cyrus retorts firmly. “Sorry, Chris, but I’m not letting a deadbeat alcoholic near my friends here.”

“You have friends??”

“Of course I do. If I hadn’t known these three, they wouldn’t have been able to escape you.”

I look up at Cyrus, and they smile back at me.

“I’ll stay with you guys for a bit. My kids are with my mom for the week.”

## Martin’s POV

I walk into Layla's room and see that she's crying.

She hasn't cried since Mom told Dad she was divorcing him so why is she crying now?

Is she hiding something she doesn't want me to know about?

My heart quickens as I twist her doorknob.

"Lay, open the door for me." I say gently.

She pauses for a second then twists her door knob.

I walk in and sit next to her.

"Lay, what's wrong?" I ask.

Layla sobs quietly before she looks at me.

"I'm bisexual." Layla whispers.

I smile softly.

"Why is that a problem? Everyone in our family loves each other, no matter what." I say.

“Grandma will hate me.” Layla sobs.

“She won't. She loves both of us the same." I say gently. “Lay, do you want to talk to Cyrus?”

“S-sure.” She replies, hugging me. A strange bitterly tangy smell comes out of her mouth.

“Lay??” I ask. “Your breath…It-It smells funny. Not in a good way.”

Layla sobs. “Martin, don’t tell Mom this, but—“

”I *know* that smell. Dad smelled like that but all over. Layla, have you been drinking??”

”Yes, but not very much.” She sniffles. “I’m experiencing too many feelings all at once and I want them to just go away. I can’t sleep at night and I have dreams of Dad kidnapping and beating the crud out of me.”

”I should tell Mom.” I say.

”No! She might tell Cyrus!” Layla pleads.

One week later

## Layla’s POV

Now that I'm living with Cyrus along with Mom and Martin, now might be the time for me to tell Mom that I'm part of the  LGBTQ community. I hope she doesn't take it wrong or treat me like Dad did.

I open my door slowly, and walk into the living room and spot Cyrus playing guitar on the couch.

“That’s…really nice music. How’d you learn to play?” I ask.

“I’ve been playing for years. My mother taught me.” They reply.

“That’s awesome, dude.” I say, mumbling slightly. “Hey, at least yours isn’t too afraid to stand her ground like mine was, and even though you got your self esteem battered to pieces by a bunch of buttheads, at least you had someone out there who could actually help you!!”

My voice rises without me noticing.

“Cyrus, I’m messed up. I had barely anyone. My mom couldn’t help because of my dad’s enormous superiority complex.”

“Layla, you’re going to be okay.” Cyrus sets their guitar down and kneels in front of me. “Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.”

I retch softly. “R-Really? But how will everyone react if they hear I’m Bi?”

“You are loved.” Cyrus says. “Layla, I have faith in you. I’m glad you had the courage to tell that to me.”

“But Dad’s side of the family will practically rip me to shreds if they hear about it.”

“Layla, you don’t have to worry.” Cyrus says. “If they’re unkind about it, stand your ground. Be strong. You’re brave, you’re fierce, perfectly you, no matter what anyone says or thinks.”

I laugh. “Heh. That’s like, the most inspirational thing anyone’s said to me since Dad told me I had an ‘adequate aim’ while practicing archery and said ‘at least you’re not the worst but you could’ve gotten 100% during that competition…”

I belch mid sentence. “But still. What the fuuuuuudge!”

“Layla, are you okay? You sound funny.” Cyrus says earnestly.

“F-funny? I don’t see nothin’.” I say slowly.

“You’re mumbling, you’ve tripped over yourself a few times, and belched at least twice. Is everything alright?”

“Anyway, forget Dad, he’s a forking dirtbag!” I say. “Hahaha I’m so fuggin dumb.”

“Layla!!”

Cyrus’ voice temporarily startles me.

“Huh? What.”

“Are you even okay?” Cyrus asks again.

I look down. “Fine…I snuck Dad’s beers.”

“I’m worried about you. You’ve been showing up late and falling asleep in class.”

“Yeah…’cause of all these stupid feelings, that’s why!” I say angrily. “What more could he want?? What’s the point of all this if all I do is fail people. Perhaps I’m better off an empty void!”

I sob softly.

“Layla…I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

“I wish I could stop, but I can’t. It’s too hard. The haze is my only escape. My head’s reeling, the world’s spinning, I—“

I feel something collect in my mouth. Then run down the corners of my lips.

“Layla!!” Cyrus says worriedly.

Then all my problems spill in front of me.

I collapse backwards.

“Please. J-Just make it stop…”

“Layla, I won’t leave you.”

I hear a knock at the door.

“Oh no. I know that knock. My aunt and grandma from my dad’s side. I can’t let them see me like this.” I say. “Cyrus, do you think you can help me wash off all this sick?”

“Sure.” Cyrus replies.

They lead me into a nearby bathroom. It is a sprawling room with marble finishing, shelves lined with soaps and shampoos. To my right is a stack of towels, a wide built bathtub with ornate showers and faucets, and the sink is stark white, but has a clean look to it.

“Wow…” I say, astonished by everything surrounding me. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Our house has only 3 bathrooms, but Dad always finds a reason to hog them and just tells us to crap outdoors.”

“Hate to break it to you, but crapping outdoors is kind of unsanitary.” Cyrus snorts.

“Well he tries smacking me and chewing me out if I dare touch a shovel to the barren wasteland that is his backyard. I don’t know what this guy’s problem is.”

“If he doesn’t let you so much as do a basic bodily function, your guts are probably screwed.” Cyrus says. “Never in my life have I met someone so outwardly cruel…aside from Anubis.”

“Speaking of cruel, some of the Vex kids who pass by are pretty bad. Before my family moved into the house that we just left hours ago, we lived in this dirty little town with a bunch of tiny lab buildings. People still have masks. Even though it’s been under considerable control for some time now. some of us still worry that people will fall ill again like what happened in 2020. I was practically a baby at the time, but my town kept having people drop like flies, and everyone was scared. Except me, being 2 years old at the time didn’t even know what the heck was going on. I kept asking Dad why people were worrying so much and he told me to shut up and go into the closet.”

“That’s messed up. He should’ve told you how to stay safe.” Cyrus says.

“Of course I was young at the time. They let the 2 - 6 year olds go maskless but Mom still taught me how to protect myself from the gust spores because this particular COVID strain was droplets from peoples’ coughing or sneezing but it was attracted to spores. Like the little dandelion thingies. Thank God I knew how to suit up for this. If Mom wasn’t even with us, I’d be toast. Where we live now, the gusts have already ravaged it, but they’ve managed to get back up again, albeit more protected now, but there’s a bunch of testing labs planted everywhere. If an uninjected breathes in the spores, they’re more likely to get sick. Sometimes die, but that only happens with the old, the chronically ill, and the careless. Of course there was a worse version of the gust that was called ‘the alpha spores.’”

I sigh. “Aaaaaaaanyway, I’ll I’m saying is, Dad never cared. He’s always gonna be the same bigoted person he always was, but of course you have a soul of steel and a team who cares.”

Cyrus grins as they close the door behind them. I strip off my stain covered clothes and let the water run over me.

‘’Ahhh, much better.’’  I laugh.

## Years later

### Christina's  POV

“Lay,  are  you alright?”  I ask my client, who nods but I know the truth.

She  turns away from me and sobs quietly, so I turn her face to mine and lock eyes with her.

“Christi,  I can't  do this  anymore!”

"It's  so damn frustrating whenever I bring Star around and my racist and homophobic grandma just makes fun of her and insults her because her ex girlfriend Lexi broke up with her!” Layla sobs  and  sniffles as I hug her close.

“Shh, babe.... She can't hurt you, not when I'm around.”  I say.  I touch her forehead and heal her cuts.

“Relax  for  me.” I say. I look into her eyes and nuzzle her forehead.

''Okay,  Christi,  I love  you.” Lila says softly.

She nods  and  hugs  me.

“You know  I've gotcha  on   everything.” I say softly as Lila starts to fall asleep.

“Christi?” Layla asks. “I want to do something crazy.”

“Go ahead.”

“Well, my dad, er—Chris is a terrible parent. I get beaten up a lot, and while I’m legally an adult now, have been for 4 years now, I wanna run away even though he claims ‘split custody’ but that’s a lie he made up to keep me to himself.”

“Hate to tell you this, love, but running away from him and hacking his electronics may be the only way.” Christi says sadly.

“If it’s the only way, I’ll take that chance.” I say. “And here’s one more terrible thing he did to me.”

“Tell me.”

“He left me with a drinking problem. I know it’s bad to drink constantly, but I couldn’t stop. I wanted to, but couldn’t. All the pain and the thoughts were too much. I recall overdosing, being dead for 15 minutes, meeting Alex’s uncle Roue and Cyrus’ ancestor Dusk, and they’ve given me a considerable amount of hope. I still drink, but I have more control over it now. I feel clearer, but my problems aren’t over yet. The good thing is, Cyrus helped me get into Alcoholics Anonymous and my dad is in it too, but in order to prevent him from hurting me during sessions, we have separate times.”

“At least you’re getting help.” I say.

“Yeah.”  Layla smiles at me and I smile back.

“I hope you know  that you can always talk to me, love.”  I  say.

Layla looks  into  my soft green  eyes  and  starts  laughing.

‘’What’s up, Lay?’’  I  ask.

‘’Oh, nothing….Except for the fact that I got accepted into Summerwood Academy!’’ She  smiles.

”Oh,  my goodness! I’m  so happy for you!’’ I  say  happily.

 Layla  nods,  but then  sighs  as I  look carefully  at her  neck  and  see  that she has what we fox cats  call ‘’love  marks’’  and  I  take  her  paw in  mine, a soft but serious expression on my face.

 ‘’Lay, you’ve  got…marks on your neck. Can you tell me how they got there?’’  I  ask.

For the first time, I don’t know how to tell her this.

## Martin’s  POV

I  hear screaming and what sounds like fake moaning coming from my mom's room so I  zoom   to the door to check out what's happening and when I see through the peephole makes me almost throw up and I pull out my phone to text Mom since she's at work.

“Lay, hang tight, sis.”  I whisper.  She flashes me a thumbs up.

When I get back, the house has devolved into chaos.

“MOM!”  I yell.

“Dad’s assaulting Lay!”

“Call  Cyrus!’’ I scream into the little microphone on my phone. I hit send on my phone and  call  911.

“What’s your emergency?” A dispatcher on the other end asks.

“Assault!” I say loudly. “My twin is getting assaulted and the assailant is my father Chris!”

“Stay on the line, sir. We’re coming.”

I tap another contact and dial Cyrus’ number.

“Martin, what’s wrong?” They ask. I nearly cut them short.

I see someone force the door open. Layla is covered in blood, with Dad wrapped around her. The window is broken.

Layla spits venom on him and throws him off of her.

She grabs my phone.

“Cyrus, get me out and bring the Kit with you!” She yells.

“This is bad. Very bad.” Cyrus says. “Assault. I need to get here now.”

We wait.

Cyrus materializes in front of me and hugs Lila.

## Cyrus’ POV

‘’Chris, you’re under arrest for assault.’’  I  say  firmly as  Zeke, my partner, zooms up and tackles Chris from behind.

“I hate  you, Layla.” Chris  says.

Lila cuts him short.

“My name is *Lila!* It is and always has been! It was the name Mom gave me, and I’m honoring her by taking it. She deserves better. I'm glad that you hate me, because now you're getting arrested and Mom can finally live her life with Zach.’’  Lila says.  “Goodbye, Chris. Enjoy sitting your sorry butt on a prison bench.”

‘’Yeah, you scumbag. You’re dirt, poop and hell!’’  Martin adds.

“Chill, Martin.” Zoe  murmurs.

“As for you, Christopher, you're going to be in jail for a very long time.”  I tell Chris as Zach knocks on  the door.

 “Hello, Cyrus.” He smiles warmly at me as he goes to the bedroom to fix the broken window.

“H-How did you meet Zach? Or…who is he?” I ask.

“My childhood friend.” They reply. “But I am happy you have him. You can be free.”

## Flashback: Layla’s POV, 4 years ago.

Today was terrible.

Even though I’m living with Cyrus, Mom, and Martin, things haven’t improved.

Cyrus may be a father figure to me, but I can’t escape Chris.

The nightmares, the sleepwalks, both have gotten worse.

The drinking has gotten worse.

The headache pounding inside of me, the hangover, both haven’t escaped me.

My phone pings. The message is from a friend I met at a party a year ago.

*Hey u wanna party, get high and taste the liquid confidence?*

*Hell yes.* I type back. Anything to get rid of my thoughts about Chris.

I put on makeup, change into a crop top and a flowy skirt, and combat boots.

I don’t care how messed up this is, but at this point, I’ve screwed myself over more times than I can count.

As I walk out the door, kiss Mom goodbye, she stops me.

“Are you alright?” She asks. “I’ve been worried about you. You’re changing. It’s not good.”

“Mom, it’s fine, I’m fine!” I say, not bothering to notice the slight slur in my speech.

“Well…if you say so.” She says sadly.

I hope she didn’t smell anything on my breath.

Little did I know that the night on the town I’m about to experience is going to be more dangerous than I thought.

I walk away from the house, and start the 1 mile journey to  Harriet’s.

And there she is, with a bottle of Absinthe and several cans of beer.

“Laaaaayyyy!” She says excitedly. “Good to see you. Welcome to my boozy paradise!”

“Haha…yeah.” I say nervously. “Good to see you too, Harriet.”

“Here, take this Absinthe.” She pours me a small shot glass. “But be careful. It’s strong stuff.”

“Okay.” I say.

I take a can of Sprite, and the Absinthe, pour them both in a glass, pour in some ice, and mix them together.

I gulp it down. The taste is like a swirl of rainbows and euphoria in my mouth.

“Wow, this stuff is good.” I say,

Thoughts ring in my head.

*Dad would destroy you.*

“Not if I beat him first.” I whisper as I pour another and gulp it down once again. The process repeats itself 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 times.

My head spins. The headache shows itself once again.

I laugh raucously. A belch escapes my mouth.

“Wooooo!” I yell. “Harriet, this is amazing! Holy heck! Can I buy you a drink?”

I stumble over to a chair. I can feel the intoxicating effects of my mix kicking in.

*I fucked up, big time. At this point I don’t care. Everything is dead to me. Besides if Chris wants my soul, he’ll have to pry it out of my dead body.*

I see you Chris, you want to break me, don’t you? Well forget it. I heard talk of the spirit realm, and that’s where I’m going.

Far away.

Far *far* away.

I hear Harriet grab the glass out of my hand.

“Be careful!” She says fearfully. “Please! You don’t know what too much of this will do to you!”

Anger and sorrow mangle with the alcohol in my system.

“I don’t care!” I yell. “My dad’s a dirtbag. I don’t even freaking *care* if his oldest daughter is found dead! I don’t care! I have no worth to anyone! So leave me alone…please.

“I’m your friend. I’m worried about you. Everyone is. So I’m not going to leave you.”

Star joins me.

“I think you drank too much.” She whispers. “Lila, I can feel you fading. Slowly. It hurts.”

I feel my energy falter.

I lie down and stare up at the warm lighting.

Somehow a wave of tranquility washes over me.

I hear Cyrus enter the room.

I feel their hand rest on mine.

I feel silence.

All the thoughts in my head swirl, then slow.

“Star…” I whisper. “Just so you know…I love you. I always will.”

I feel my heartbeat fade.

“Keep everyone safe.” I whisper. “Tell my Mom good luck for me.”

“No…” Cyrus says, their voice shaking. “Lila, please stay with us.”

“It’s okay.” I say. “I need to talk…with someone…Just let me have some time, okay?”

I close my eyes.

I see the faces of all the people I love, and the ones who love me, float in front of me one by one.

My breathing slows.

Holy Mary…

Mother of God

Pray for us sinners.

Now and at the hour of our…

I feel myself slowly sink. Like I’m underwater, but…not.

Then float up.

*…Death.*

I open my eyes.

I’m lying in a pool.

Surprise crawls down my nonexistent spine.

“AAAAA!” I yell. “Where did I go?”

I see a fox with a white guardian’s uniform and silver buttons approach me. They look similar to Alex, but with darker fur, and light spots in their hair. One of their eyes has a glassy look to it. Their hair is slightly messy. They have a scar on their face.

“You’re in the spirit realm, love. You died from an overdose.”

“W-Wow. I didn’t know it would happen. At least I’m far far away from my dad.”

I see someone else approach me, wearing the same white uniform.

I look down at myself and see that I’m wearing flowy white clothing.

The person in front of me looks like Cyrus, but with brown fur, and two small horns. His silver eyes glint in the light. He has a prosthetic on part of his left leg.

“Oh! Um…Hi?” I say hesitantly. “Quién eres tú?”

“My name is Dusk.” He says. His voice is calm, and sounds similar to Cyrus’, but older, and slightly more husky, and with a soft accent to it.

A small tear streams down my face.

Mom.

How would she react when she finds out I died?

“What’s wrong, mija?” Dusk asks gently. “You can tell me and Roue, okay?”

“W-well, I…” I begin. “My da—Chris is a terrible person.”

“We’ve been watching from above.” Roue says. “I think he’s hurt you more than you think, with these alcoholic tendencies of yours. I’m not mad at you. I feel a lot of sorrow. I want to help you. But first, you have to let me show you what’s going on back in the world of the living.”

He flicks his wrist and opens a window portal.

There I am. Laying against the hardwood floor sprawled out.

Eyes closed. A look of serenity on my face.

I see Mom rush towards my body, crying.

“I didn’t realize how much Chris hurt you…” She whispers. “Lila, I’m so sorry…”

I sob. Tears stream down  my face, which I bury into Dusk’s chest.

“I-I’m sorry…” I say, voice breaking. “I’m so so sorry, Mami …”

“Shhhh.” He whispers. “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.”

“But…what about Cyrus? They…cared about me.” I say.

“I’ll dream travel and tell them.” He says. “Lila, listen.

Life can be complicated sometimes.

There are people out there with hate and prejudice in their souls, and no remorse,

but for all those people out there, there is always someone, or people out there who love you.

Lila Cruz…I’ve been watching you, and I can tell that you are one of the strongest, bravest, most loving people I know.

Your family *needs* you.

I know what you are feeling can hurt so much.

The thoughts can be overwhelming.

Dying isn’t the way to go, but I will stay with you every step of the way.

You have Cyrus, too. I can sense it. And it warms my heart how much they care about you.

Persist.

If anyone tries beating you down, *persist*. Be strong. But at the same time, it’s okay to cry.

Feel sorrow. Pain.

Show vulnerability, because that is what makes you strong.

Lila, if you’re having a hard time, just know that you’re going to be okay.

Everything is going to be okay.”

He locks eyes with me. “Text me or Roue any time you want. Right now…this is not your time to leave this world.

Keep on fighting, dear one.

It will be worth it.”

He plants a kiss on my forehead.

“Be safe, Lila.” He says.

“Okay.” I say softly. “How long have I been here?”

“15 minutes, but Dusk, is it okay if I look around for a bit?”

“Okay. Let me know when you’re ready to come back to the living world, and I’ll call Cyrus and Alex to help guide you.”

I nod.

 I smile  at Dusk as  he nuzzles my forehead, his voice soft.

I walk around. The sky is warm and pinkish yellow, like an eternal sunset.

Trees everywhere.

The sound of a creek babbling floats through my head.

I sit down and take in my surroundings.

Flowers. Wispy clouds everywhere.

The sweet smell of lavender hits my nose.

The thoughts in my head are…still.

No more cacophony.

This place is beautiful.

I look up at this world, then I feel something tugging my insides.

I walk over to Dusk.

“I think I’m ready.”  I say quietly.

He takes my hand.

“Have a good journey.” Dusk says. I see the astral forms of Alex and Cyrus as they take my hand.

“We’re here for you every step of the way.”

I close my eyes, and feel myself floating.

''Thank you, Cyrus, thank you, Alex.'' I say gratefully as they nod.

## Star's POV

I get in my car, but the keys in the ignition, wait for the car to start up, and start driving. I hope Lila's okay. It's been a couple days since I've heard from her and I'm slowly starting to get worried. Sure, we took Chris to prison, but even that can't settle me long enough for me to think about her. Her life used to be so perfect and she and her twin Martin used to get everything they wanted until Mark sexually assaulted Lila and got thrown into prison.

My phone vibrates.

Lila is back. She’s alive.

I stop my car.

Alive?

But how?

I get out of my car and enter Harriet’s house. There I see Lila laying on the ground, squeezing Cyrus’ hand.

She gestures towards me.

“H-how are you…alive?” I ask.

“Dusk made me realize that the people I love make me strong.” Lila says quietly.

“Who is Dusk?” I ask.

“He’s  a spirit guide.” Lila says.

“He’s also my ancestor. He’s been around since probably the mid 1600s.” Cyrus says.

“Oh.” I say. “Wow, I didn’t know anyone could live for like…*400 years.”*

''Yeah.'' Cyrus says.

''Mi amor, I have to go.'' I tell Lila, who starts to sniffle.

''Come back for me tonight?'' She asks.

I nod gently and kiss her forehead.

''Love you.'' I say.

''Love you more, my awesome star.'' She chuckles.

## Martin's POV

I walk into Lila's room and see her looking out the window with a worried look on her face.

“Lila.. Talk to me.'' I say gently.

"I love you.” I say softly.

“Lila, seriously, what's wrong?” I demand.

“Oh, well, this girl named Zara was flirting with Star!” She growls.

“Ouch.” I say understandingly.

“Yeah.”

”But Lila, sometimes that’s just how relationships work. People do that a lot. My previous girlfriend did the same, but still didn’t leave me. We did choose to go our separate ways a while ago, but we’re still friends.”

"I just want Star to just tell Zara that she's taken." Lila sighs.

"Don't worry."

## Nayah's POV

I'm just playing with Stars and my bracelet beeps furiously, so I set Stars in the mudroom and close the door behind me as I go to my room.

"Hello?" "This is Nayah speaking." I say.

"You have until sundown to save Xavier or he's being fed to the dogs.'' Darcy growls.

"Why can't you just leave me and my twin alone?" I growl.

"I love him, but you stole him from me!" Darcy says angrily.

"He's my freaking twin!" "I'm supposed to love him!" "That's what twins do!" I say sharply.

Darcy laughs as I start to cry, hanging up the phone. I've gotta save Xavier. Fast!

I instantly realize I can call Cyrus. I quickly pull out my phone and type in their number.