Taking the Blame

A few familiar faces approached, and I heard my mother’s voice from beside me.

“I admit that we hid the truth from you. Charlie wanted to beat Jenny. That’s why she took your children hiking.”

My body grew cold. History was repeating itself.

Jared knelt in front of me with concern and whispered, “These families forgave you because they thought it was an accident, but with the new evidence and stories surfacing online, they’re angry and came here to ask for an explanation.

“They couldn’t find you, so they found Jenny instead. I was worried something would happen to Jenny, so I…”

My vision blurred, and I smiled at him. “So you want me to take the blame for Jenny again?”

“Enough! How dare you! You were the one who killed those kids! What does that have to do with Jenny?!”

My father hit my back with the hiking pole.

My mother cradled Jenny against her chest and glared at me.

“These are the consequences of your own actions. I won’t let you drag Jenny down with you! I’ll never forgive you if this triggers her bad memories and sets Jenny’s healing journey back!”

Jared dabbed at my cold sweat and took my hands. “Just let them take their anger out on you, then we can start a new life! I’ll never leave you alone, I promise. I’ll be with you this whole time.”

My father threw his hiking pole at me. “None of this would’ve happened if you weren’t obsessed with hurting your own sister!”

My mother held Jenny close and screamed, “Do you know how much Jenny’s suffered all these years because of you?! She’s finally gotten her chance to start a new and hopeful life! Why are you so determined to ruin it for her?!”

‘Starting a new and hopeful life? What about me? Do I have to live as a murderer for the rest of my life instead?’ I asked myself.

My parents looked unsure when they met my incredulous gaze, and Jared’s eyes grew red.

“Let’s get married after this, Charlie.”

Jenny glared at me resentfully, then closed her eyes and ‘fainted’ in my mother’s arms.

“Jenny!”

Jared whipped his head backward. Hesitation and conflict swirled behind his eyes at the sight of Jenny fainting.

“Jared! You’re the only one who can stop Jenny from hurting herself! Come with us to the hospital!”

“But…” Jared looked at me instinctively. After a moment’s struggle, he tightened his grip around my hand.

“They just want to know the truth about what happened. They won’t hurt you. I’ll be back before you know it. Jenny needs me now, and I can’t let anything happen to her.”

I watched Jared and my parents rush away and closed my eyes hopelessly.

When I opened them next, all that was left was cold indifference.

With a smile, I looked at the families of the three victims and asked, “Do you want to know the truth about what happened?”