RAVEN.
Chapter 42: Raven Is Holly!

Chapter 42: Raven Is Holly!

Ten Years Ago

Neither James nor Raven had any idea of what had just happened to their mom. Raven was asleep while James couldn’t get himself to sleep.

What happened today has rattled him. After his father’s death, he made it his responsibility to care for his family.

But he could do nothing when Raven was assaulted. He was disappointed in himself. He got thirsty for a drink and he took the elevator down the hospital’s lobby.

There, he found a vending machine and got himself a drink.

The news on the large TV got his attention as people were crowding to watch. He moved further to investigate.

"... that Kacey Moon and her daughter Layla Moon tragically died tonight in a fire outbreak." The news reporter was saying and James’ knees buckled under his weight.

No, no, this can’t be right! He told himself.

He was in denial at first but as the news reporter continued, he couldn’t deny it any longer.

"The cause of the fire outbreak is said to have been caused by a leakage in the gas," the reporter continued, "The whereabouts of Kacey Moon’s two other children, James Moon and Raven Moon are still unknown. We’d like to offer our condolences to..."

James felt his world tilt on its axis. This can’t be right! This can’t be right.

Tears streamed down. His mom, his sister... they’re dead... just like that!

And whose fault is it?... Raven! It was her! This all began with her! If she hadn’t gone to the damn college, none of all this would have happened! It’s all her fault!

"Are you okay?"

People around began to ask him in worry. But he wasn’t hearing them; all he heard was the incessant bump of his heartbeat.

He quickly got to her feet and ran up the hospital stairs to Raven’s room. She was now awake, tears streaming down her face.

She had watched the news from the TV in her room. She gazed at her big brother, expecting consolation from him, but rather, he yelled at her.

"This is all your fault!" He hollered, gathering people’s attention. "You caused Mom’s death! Her death is all on you! I will never forgive you!"

The pain stung and tears still flowed Raven’s face. He was right. It’s her fault.

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She was going through a plethora of emotions.

"I hate you!" He snarled through gritted teeth, "You don’t listen to anyone but yourself! I warned you! You brought this upon yourself! Upon us! I don’t ever want to see your face again!"

"What’s the matter?" A nurse burst in, "This is a hospital, sir. You can’t be constituting noise!"

Without so much as a glance at the nurse, James turned and left.

After that day, Raven never saw him again. She was lost and miserable. Alone.

She hated herself. She hated the world. If Lara had let her be, her mom and sister would still be pretty much alive.

What’s there to live for anymore? Wouldn’t it be better to end it all?

***

Present Day

Raven stared at the screen. Her brother’s face was a mess.

"Raven..." James managed to let out.

Fear clutched Raven. Her whole family died because of her, now, if her remaining brother dies too, how on earth is she going to live with herself?

"James!"

Larry appeared on the phone, once again. "Your big brother isn’t looking so good, is he? I should have done this a long time ago. Bring my Millie to me, unharmed and your brother would get to live."

"But you’ve already harmed my brother," Raven said slowly.

"I don’t care." Larry said, "And if you ever touch a single strand of hair on her head, I’ll send your brother’s head in my sister’s grave. Now get here with Millie. Or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!"

And then the line went dead.

"Are you okay?" Adam asked, golden her by the waist, so she wouldn’t fall.

Millie, who had noticed the call, came up to them. "What happened?" She asked, glancing from Adam to Raven.

"Larry has her brother," Adam told her.

"Oh no!" Millie’s hand went to her mouth. "Oh my God, I’m so sorry."

Both Adam and Millie led her to the living room and sat her down.

"What do you plan on doing?" They asked her. "Is there any way we could help?"

Raven’s mind worked quickly. Nothing should happen to James and if anything do happen to him, she’ll mop the floor of the whole of Chicago with Larry’s face!

He dare not touch him!

Raven’s phone beeped a message. She stared at the phone’s screen to see that it was the address she was to bring Millie to.

She got to her feet. "I think I know what to do."

***

Ali was still recovering from the hit from Raven. Her head ached and she held an ice to her face to relieve her the pain. Even though there were still bodyguards outside, she still didn’t feel quite safe.

Then one of the bodyguards walked up to her. Even though he was handsome and the type of man she normally goes for, right now, all she cared about was for her head to stop throbbing.

"There’s a woman outside." The bodyguard said. "She said her name is Holly Pringle."

Ali rolled her eyes.

What does she want now?

"Let her in."

"Yes ma’am." The bodyguard answered and then left.

In a few seconds, Raven... or Holly Pringle, with her red hair and fake freckles walked through the door and locked it behind her. Ali saw her locking the door.

"What the hell do you lock the door for?" Ali snapped glaring at Raven. Right now, all she wanted was to take out frustration on someone. Anyone, in fact. And Holly seemed to perfect person for that.

"So I get to spend some quality time with you," Raven answered.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Ali snapped again, getting to her feet.

Now come to think of it, Holly does resemble someone...but who? Ali thought. She looks oddly familiar.

"I meant what I said," Raven deadpanned. "I thought it was time we spent time together..." She gave her that smile, "As friends."

Then it clicked. Realization struck Ali.

Raven is Holly! And Holly is Raven! She’s a fake!

"You remember don’t you?" Raven smirked at her.

Shock materialized on Ali’s face. She opened her mouth to speak, but a blow on her face silenced her, and she fell to the floor.

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