The Team

by J L Raven

  Music strikes up outside. Dad’s smile blooms, brighter than ever. “It’s time,” he says, holding out his arm.

  “One last thing,” I say quickly. “I’ll be right out.”

  He chuckles and shakes his head. “Okay, but hurry. You don’t want to be late to your own wedding!”

  As soon as he’s outside the tent, I rush to my purse, which is half buried in the chaos left behind by my bridesmaids. I dig inside for two objects. One is the picture of my adoptive parents.

  The second is a lighter.

  I light the scented candle Janice brought as part of her gift, then touch the picture to the flame.

  No one ever believed me when I said I’d do anything for my sisters. I might not have been able to protect Dorie from Agonarch’s poison pills, but at least I’d been able to protect her and Janice from my adoptive father.

  After I reconnected with our bio-dad, Dorie and Janice would sometimes spend the night at my house. On the third visit, I saw the way Charlie had started to look at them. He didn’t try anything that night, but I knew it would only be a matter of time.

  The gas leak was easy to stage. I chose a night I’d be staying over with Dorie and Janice, and set everything up just before I left. By the next morning, both my adoptive parents were dead. Such a tragedy, all the papers said. But how fortunate I was to have escaped. To have another home to go to.

  The picture curls into ash, taking the last of the past away on its smoke. Feeling lighter than I have in years, I gather my skirts and step outside to take Dad’s arm. The music is playing, and my bride waits at the altar, ready to begin our happily ever after.

  It’s the perfect day for a wedding.

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  About the Author

  JL Raven loves to hike, but hates cold weather. They currently live in North Carolina with their wife and several cats. You can find them online at jlravenbooks.com, or at the following: