Chapter 3: Revenge Follows Me Home

But some people didn’t want me to have it easy.

Trouble followed me everywhere. I started noticing shadows in the alleyways, whispers behind my back. I’d get this crawling feeling at the back of my neck.

Soon I realized Lauren’s revenge was spreading to my school.

Books went missing. Lockers trashed. Rumors spread like wildfire.

Homework disappeared every few days.

Sometimes I’d find dead rats or snakes in my desk.

Once, I was locked in a bathroom stall. When I finally got the door open, a whole bucket of dirty water dumped on me.

No one ever admitted who did it.

People at school started looking at me differently. I could feel it—like I was contagious.

I knew why.

Rumors about my mom were everywhere.

If I hadn’t always been top of my class, they would’ve kicked me out long ago.

I thought I could tough it out until the SATs.

One night, after a late study session, a group of thugs jumped me in an alley.

I barely managed to escape.

Outside the alley, I saw a familiar car. And a familiar face.

Lauren leaned against the car, watching the alley like a queen on a hunt. Waiting for her prey. Just like when I was a kid—crawling and kneeling before her.

Her eyes glinted in the darkness, cold and triumphant. My stomach twisted.

I shoved a pocketknife into her hand. Pressed it to my chest.

My hands shook as I forced the knife into her palm, the blade cold against my shirt. All I could think was, just do it. Just end it.

"Isn't this what you want? Go ahead, stab me!"

The words echoed in the empty street. My breath caught. I was shaking all over.

I’d lost it.

I was unraveling, thanks to the mess my mom left me.

My mom drove out the first wife. She deserved what she got.

But what about me? What did I do wrong?

Lauren’s eyes were cold and terrifying. I felt myself shrink back.

She said, "Eli, don't make me dirty my hands."

She tossed my hand away. Her voice was flat. I felt the old shame burning in my chest.

After that night, I stopped going to school.

I was ready to take a leave. But the school let me come in for exams only.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Harringtons ruined my education, I’d never get another chance.

I pinned all my hopes on the SATs.

Studied day and night. Practice tests nonstop. Tuned out even my mom’s curses.

Her leg hadn’t been treated in time. It was ruined.

Honestly, I was glad. At least now she couldn’t run off and beg the Harringtons again.

Her temper got worse. Her ruined face grew more twisted and terrifying every day.

One day, picking up broken dishes, I finally spoke up.

I crouched on the floor, sweeping up shards of porcelain. My hands shook, my voice barely above a whisper. I wondered if she’d even hear me.

She laughed at first. Then started crying, like she’d lost her mind. Grabbed a pillow from the bed and hurled it at me.

So I left, just to get some air.

After all this time under pressure, my mind started to unravel. Just like hers.

I was scared I’d end up crazy like her one day.

Two months left before the SATs. I didn’t know if I’d make it.

When I came back later, I found the bed empty.

I froze. Then ran out to look for her.

I searched everywhere. She was nowhere.

She could barely walk. How could she just disappear?

I called the police and asked the neighbors for help.

But she was just gone.

Days passed. Then weeks. No word. No sightings. Nothing.

I went to the Harringtons’ to look for her. Wondered if Lauren had sent someone.

I hid outside their mansion, waiting until nightfall for Lauren to come home.

I overheard her on the phone.

"Just get rid of her."

My nerves snapped. I rushed over. Grabbed her arm.

"Are you even human?"

For a moment, I forgot to be afraid.

I caught Lauren off guard. She stumbled, slamming into the car door. Her high heel twisted.

She glared at me. Then pushed me away.

"Psycho."

The bodyguards dragged me off.

I shouted, "You'll get what's coming to you!"

No one paid any attention.

How ridiculous. A homewrecker’s son shouting about karma.

I didn’t really pity my mom. I just…

I suddenly remembered that first night at the Harringtons'.

It was dark in that little room. I was hungry. My own mother didn’t care. But that princess who wanted me gone pried open the window and tossed me a dinner roll.

I’d thought she had at least a little conscience.

I went back to my rented room in a daze. Found money hidden under the bedding.

Cash—about eight hundred bucks.

It wasn’t mine.

My mom had left it.

But where did she get it?

I finally took the SATs.

During the test, I vaguely heard something had happened at school.

Someone was beaten so badly they were crippled. The gang of thugs got hit too.

I figured it was karma.

After the exams, I kept my little rental room. Whenever I had time, I went to the police station to ask about my mom.

Nothing.

It was like she’d vanished from the face of the earth.