Epoch (Transcend Duet #2)(60)

Okay, Daisy, finish this.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN




Griffin


I lost her.

It’s a special kind of Hell. But I can’t compete with something that took place before I took my first breath.

I’m not sure what will ease the pain. Something tells me this isn’t the answer, but for lack of a better idea, this is all I’ve got.

“Griffin …” Professor Took Something That Was Mine doesn’t even pretend to be surprised to see me waiting at the door to his office. “I have a class in fifteen minutes.”

I glance around at the hallway congested with students. “This won’t take long.”

He nods at me. It’s slow, like he knows exactly why I’m here. “I’m sure it won’t,” he mutters, opening his office door. He takes three steps inside. I shut the door behind us. The second he turns, I land one fist into his gut. As soon as he buckles over, I land another fist into his face. Stumbling back a few steps, he presses his fingers to his bloodied lip.

Not an ounce of shock on his face.

Not a bit of rage in his posture.

Not a single balled fist.

Not the breath of a word.

“You want her to be someone she’s not.” I shake out my fist and ball it again because I’m not sure if I’m done bloodying his face. “So you can kiss her. You can fuck her. You can pretend she’s your baby’s mama. But it won’t bring her back. She’s dead. You’re chasing a ghost. One day Swayze is going to wake up and realize she settled for a borrowed life. And that’s the best case scenario.” I shake my head, clenching my jaw. “If you let that shrink try to bring back memories … it will destroy her. And that’s on you.”

Thunk!

I land a final hook into his jaw. He bounces back like he’s taken more than a few jabs to the face. “Fuck you for taking my whole goddamn world.”

I turn and grab the door handle.

“She doesn’t love me,” he says.

Gripping the handle tighter while pinching my eyes shut, I let his words die behind me. “I know.”

*

Swayze

“Hey, Sweetie. What a surprise—”

The second my mom opens the door, I fall into her arms. I let every single emotion go. “I-I lost h-him.”

“Oh, Swayze …” She hugs me, stroking the back of my hair.

“Why …”

She pulls back, cupping my face that’s contorted into an ugly cry. All of my heartbreak reflects on her face. “Why what?”

“Why can’t I be normal?” I choke on another sob. “M-my whole l-life … I just wanted … to be normal.”

Kissing my forehead, she hugs me again. I used to think she could make everything better with a magical hug.

I used to think the same thing about Griffin’s embrace. But the demons inside of me are untouchable. They demand my attention. I’m a slave to their intentions.

“Sit. Let’s figure this out.”

If only …

I sit in the leather recliner, and she kneels in front of me, handing me several tissues before resting her hand on mine. When she squeezes it, it wrings out more tears.

“Sherri told me about Griffin finding the picture.”

I nod. God, I love her for not giving me the I-told-you-so look.

“He’s moving.” I sniffle, blotting my eyes.

“Sherri said he wants you to go with him.”

Another nod. “But I can’t.”

“Swayze … you can. I don’t want you to move, but after talking with Sherri, I think Griffin’s right. If it’s going to work, you need a fresh start. You need to choose a life.”

“I can’t. Doug Mann murdered me. And he’s going to do it again if I don’t do something.”

She cringes. I know talking about myself as Daisy in first person must sound crazy. But I can no longer separate the two.

“I have to let Dr. Albright try hypnosis on me. If I can remember all the details, then they can arrest him.” I shake my head. “I can’t live my life looking over my shoulder. I can’t run.”

She lets out a slow breath. “We’re not talking about catching a thief, Swayze. If the pieces of what you remember are true, he’s a serial killer.” Squeezing my hand again, she leans into me. “If he murdered Daisy and her soul resides in you, then you’re asking Dr. Albright to bring back memories of someone murdering you. My dear child, do you get that? People commit suicide because they have memories of abuse, rape, war, and torture stuck in their heads.”

“Then she hypnotizes me and takes away the memories after Doug is in prison.”

Mom frowns. “Griffin said Dr. Albright can’t guarantee that will work.”

“It worked for her.”

She sighs. “Please. I’m begging you. Let Griffin take you away from all of this. Let him keep you safe.”

I pull my hand from hers and lean back in the chair, hugging my arms to my body. “This isn’t a switch that can be flipped. This isn’t a bad experience in school. This isn’t a missed opportunity. This isn’t anything you, or Sherri, or Griffin, or anyone can even begin to understand!”

Her forehead wrinkles. “Swayze, calm down. I wasn’t—”