Page 64 of Pushed Through The Dark
"Trouble? Why is he in trouble?" My brows dipped hard, head tilting to my shoulder. "What is going on?"
"Look, this man right here—" Tapping two fingers on Alek's face, he said, "He's dead."
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you want me to say."
"I want you to tell me where Koa is. I want you to tell me what you know."
"I don't know anything."
"You do know."
"No, I don't!" I yelled, raking my hands through my hair.
"You do." His voice was firm and harsh. "I know you do."
"If Koa wanted me to know anything, he would have taken me with him. He would have taken me just like he did the first time! But he didn't! He left me!"
He sat back in his chair, tapping his pen against his chin. "The first time. . ." he said, eyeing me curiously. "What does that mean?"
Hanging my head, I rested my face in my hands. "Nothing, it means nothing."
"It means something. Otherwise, you wouldn't have said it." Leaning over, he laid his arms on the table and spun the pen in his fingers. "Look, this is your time to tell me everything. I know you're holding back, I can see it in your eyes."
"I'm not holding anything back."
"I've been doing this a long time, Aubrey." He pressed his chest against the edge of the table and brought his face a little closer. "Your eyes tell a different story, Aubrey. It's time to be honest. And not just with me, but with yourself too."
Lifting my eyes to his, I darted them around his face. A single tear broke free, rolling down my cheek and hitting the back of my hand. I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him everything.
But I just couldn't.
"I'm sorry, I don't have anything to tell."
Pushing away from the table, he picked up the notebook and stood up. "Fine, I don't need a statement from you anyway. Knox has given me more than enough to close this case."
Inhaling a sharp breath, I kept my eyes on him. "Then you don't need me, do you?"
"You're right. I don't. Immigration will be here shortly for you."
Flaring my nostrils, I clenched my fists, digging my nails into the soft skin of my palms. "Immigration?"
"You don't have papers, you won't give me your last name, you have nothing to help me." Arching his brows, he shrugged a shoulder. "I have no use for you. Have a nice day, Aubrey."
A flutter of fear washed through my body. I couldn't leave Koa. I didn't want to go back to the country that broke me in the first place.
I can't leave. . .
Parting my lips, I was about to speak. His hand was on the door, ear tilted in my direction. The detective's eyes were looking back at me over my shoulder. He was waiting for me. He could feel the words about to spill from my mouth.
I can get everything back.
My family. My life. The person I used to be.
All of this could be worth it if I could get my life back. But, I knew I'd never be the same person. I had changed. I was different. Maybe I could find a semblance of what I lost again, some form of peace.
Letting out a sigh, I fold my arms over my chest and look down at the table. "Detective Thompson?"
A sliver of excitement flashed on his face. "Yeah?"
