FicWad

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Thursday came quickly, leaving Kendall sitting alone at a table in a restaurant across town from her home and where she was used to being. It was where Frank had asked her to meet him and so here she was… without him. Where was he?

She sat for over twenty minutes before standing up. She felt as if she was being watched by the staff, and it was horribly embarrassing. Stood up…

The city was beautiful and Kendall walked calmly towards her car, not wanting to leave just yet. She wanted so badly to see Frank and she knew if she left now then she probably never would, though if she stayed she could just end up embarrassing herself further.

Just as she started her car she felt the buzz of her cell phone. Summoning all of her self-restraint she didn’t look. She didn’t want to know the excuse. All that mattered was she’d been stood up, and now she was going home. She wouldn’t wait around for anyone.





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(Frank’s POV)



My dad grinned at me, a full happy grin and for a second I saw true happiness cover his face… which was something rare. He was always so worried but now he wasn’t. Did this really mean that much to him? “Well done son.” He glanced at a picture upon the wall. It was Kendall and she was smiling. “She’s quite a looker.” He noted.

I nodded as well, though I knew that wasn’t exactly why I’d chosen her. She was strong, that much was displayed in her words. I’d watched my mother fall apart and now she was just a shell of what my father wanted… I was hoping Kendall was strong enough to still stay alive inside, and be what I wanted. “Dad-“ I paused, glancing at him. He looked so happy, with the blood staining his rough hands. “Why do we do this?” I’d asked him before but now that I had actually killed… well maybe he’d give me an honest answer, one that made sense.

He froze for a moment, frowning. “It’s just how our family is.” He finally said. “It’s what my father did, and his father… and it just keeps on Frank. It’s tradition son. Our family doesn’t live by the books. We can’t settle down without this- women… they don’t just stay, not unless you make them stay.”

I didn’t say anything as he went towards the back door, “Get this cleaned up. Your mother and I will pack- we are leaving to Florida Thursday. I assume you’ll be following after us once she’s ready.”

“Yes.” I smiled at my dad, gathering left over courage that I didn’t even know I had.

Soon enough he disappeared.

I glanced down at my bloody hands and then moved effortlessly throughout the dark house. I could smell the blood. I could still hear their panic, though I’d cut them off before either could even scream.

Kendall’s parents were upon the couch in the living room- bound and bloody… and now dead.

I had always been the son of a murderer- but now I was a murderer. Now I’d taken over in place of my dad. I’d taken everything he’d taught me and put it to use because it’s what we needed to continue on. I’d heard the stories. His brother had decided to break away from tradition. His brother then killed himself after his wife left him. He thought that he could make a woman stay all on his own. He thought he could have it all but he couldn’t- my dad was right… you had to make your own life, and women were out of control. They needed to be controlled, for their own happiness- and in this case, for mine. Kendall and I would be very happy. She would just have to be retrained. The world had poisoned her mind but I could fix that.

I began spreading the gasoline quietly, grateful that my father had taken the packed bag of Kendall’s things to where we would be staying. It was helpful to have a partner in what others would consider a crime. Society didn’t understand our family; we were much more traditional though we were forced to murder because tradition had been thrown out like trash.

I paused in place as I heard the front door open. What? I fought the urge to check my phone, knowing already what had happened. Kendall didn’t wait for me. Fuck.

“Mom! Dad!” Kendall’s innocent tone of happiness rang through the house and I knew it would just be seconds before she saw her parents. I could do nothing. I wanted to shelter her from the image of death that was her parents. “I’m sorry I was late! Mom, you won’t believe this but I got asked out by a guy and more realistically he stood me-“ I listened as the happiness melted from her voice and her words faded. “Mom?” She was whispering now and the pain and horror was obvious. “Dad?”

I quietly walked towards the living room, entering from behind her as she threw the house phone against the wall. Now I understood why my father had insisted we unplug it from the wall. Kendall was shaking as she turned to look at her parents and I felt terrible guilt pull at me- not for my actions but towards the fact that she had to witness her parents’ dead. I never wanted that for her.

I had placed the container of gasoline at the doorway. Awkwardly clearing my throat, I made my presence known and threw some acting skill in to it. “K-kendall?” I whispered her name, portraying complete and utter horror as I gazed at her parents.

“Frank?” She never even suspected me. “Frank, oh my god- they- they… are they dead?” She was tongue tied and a second away from collapsing in grief. Terror hadn’t even hit her yet.

“I’m afraid so.” I opened my arms as she ran in to them, collapsing. I held her up and holding her against me felt so nice. I knew it would be the last time for a long time, but hopefully she would come to understand why I had to do this in a somewhat short timeframe.

“I-we, I need to call 911.” Kendall didn’t let go of me though. I had a feeling that she couldn’t.

“I did.” I assured her as I ran my fingers through her hair. “It’s okay. I already called them Kendall.”

I felt her stiffen. “F-frank… when did you get here?” Now I could hear the apprehension in her voice but she still had yet to pull away.

“I went to the wrong meeting place and couldn’t remember the address I gave you so when I realized I came to your place, thinking you’d be here.” It was a stupid explanation.

“Why didn’t you just call?” Now she was pulling away.

“I tried to.” Lame, I know.

“No- no you didn’t.” Kendall had now fully pulled away.

“I’m sorry Kendall.” I whispered the words again but this time the emotion was not faked. I did want her, and I did need her to understand. “Please understand when I say it’s not my aim to hurt you. This is how it has to be- this is how it’s always had to be… society has stripped us of our nature and it’s unnatural and wrong, and we need this- you’ll come to understand, we both need this. I will protect you, and provide for you-“

I knew she would be mad but I didn’t expect the stinging slap as she angrily brought her hand down upon my right cheek. I took a deep breath, attempting to calm myself. I didn’t appreciate being hit though. I was prepared though. I was prepared for Kendall to push my buttons. I loved the flame inside of her- I loved that she was so bright, and full of life. She went to hit me again but I grabbed her wrist, “Stop! You have to listen to me.”

Kendall shook her head and pulled away.

I went to grab her but she slipped in blood and fell against the floor.

“Kendall?”

She didn’t respond, and I didn’t have very long.

I had to finish what I’d started.

She would understand.

She had to.