Epic Sins (Epic Fail #1)

I don’t know how to calm her down, and the memories of the days that follow are so vivid and clear.

“June McAllister, reporting live from 842 Hickory Avenue in Newtown. The scene of an apparent murder-suicide. Benjamin and Katherine Weston, unsuspecting parents of a teenaged girl, were overtaken in their own home by John Horton. We’ve since learned that Mrs. Weston was several months pregnant, expecting their second child. Family of Mr. Horton was unavailable for comment, but his former wife Claire Armstrong released a statement through her representative.

“’My heart goes out to the family of Benjamin and Katherine Weston. I can’t erase the pain John has caused all of you, but I can tell you I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. I don’t ask you to understand his actions but that someday you find it in your hearts the power to forgive him. I’m so sorry.’

“John Horton’s son was also unavailable for comment, and his whereabouts are unknown. John’s former wife, Claire, asks that you respect her family’s privacy at this time and focus on offering prayers for the Weston’s orphaned teenaged daughter.”

“I’m so sorry, Sam.” I pull her shaking body into mine. “I don’t know what else to say. I didn’t know. Oh my God. I didn’t know.”

“Don’t touch me,” she screams as if I’m stabbing her repeatedly. “Get away from me!”

I release her from my grip and she bolts out of the bed.

“Sam?” I say as she pulls on her clothes and runs for the door.

“Sam!” I yell after her as I hear her running down the hall and the stairs. The front door opens and slams shut and tires squeal as she tears down the driveway.

I’m unable to move from the bed. I’m frozen in place with the vision of her family home charred and burned to the ground.

An ash-filled house of death where our families are forever entombed together.





Sam

Present

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Age 24



I HIT SPEED DIAL OVER AND OVER again. It goes to voicemail every single time.

“Aunt Peggy,” I cry into the phone. “Please pick up.”

I bang my hands on the steering wheel and merge onto the interstate. I don’t know where I’m going and I don’t care.

How is this happening?

Garrett’s father killed my family?

GARRETT’S FATHER KILLED MY FAMILY.

I press my foot to the floor and accelerate as fast as I can.

My cell phone rings and I look down at the Caller ID.

Garrett.

I send the call to voicemail and throw the phone into the back seat. I slam my foot to the floor and drive.

And then I scream.

My tears flow through my wails. It’s hard to see, but I keep going. I grip the wheel; my knuckles turn white. Is this my fault? If Ben hadn’t died, I wouldn’t have ever met Garrett and Kai, and things would be normal. Right? This is a sick twist of fate that I don’t deserve. I realize I’m being selfish, but who fucking cares. I don’t deserve this. I fell in love for the first time in my life with not just one person, but two. Garrett and Kai. The reel keeps playing in my head, and I fast-forward to a future vision when Kai’s a toddler, running around and playing with his father. And me. I have no right to envision what could have been. They aren’t my family. Garrett’s father took that away from me.

My sobs fill the car playing a sad, sick tune to the emptiness. Memories continue to flash through my mind as if I’m re-living every single moment. Every piercing cry from Kai’s small body. Every touch and yearning look from Garrett. All of the highs and all of the lows. We spent the better part of six months forming a support structure to help protect and nurture his son. It all came crashing down today in a burning pile of ash.

I wipe my eyes and see a highway sign.

Hershey.

I’ve been driving for at least an hour and a half. I look down at my gas gauge and see I only have about a quarter of a tank left. And I don’t have my wallet or purse with me.

Fuck.

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