Prank Gone Wrong Chapter 18

Prank Gone Wrong Chapter 18

Thanksgiving. One year later. Connor’s mother called.

She was sobbing so hard I could barely understand her.

Connor had lost his mind.

The felony record destroyed him. No college would touch him. No decent job would hire him.

He worked at an auto body shop now. Drank every night. Cheap weed to numb whatever was left.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw me. Covered in blood.

He’d tried to find me in Seattle. The restraining order stopped him cold.

Last week, he finally snapped.

He saw a girl in Walmart. From behind. She looked like me. He tackled her. Hugged her. Sobbed “Maya, I’m sorry” into her hair until the cops pulled him off.

He was involuntarily committed. 5150 hold. Severe depression. Psychiatric ward.

“Maya, I’m begging you. Just one FaceTime call. If he can see you’re alive, he might not…”

I watched the Seattle rain. Steady. Gray. Endless.

Long silence.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Brooks.” My voice was calm. Like discussing a stranger. “He’s been dead to me for a long time.”

I hung up. I blocked the number. Permanent.

Connor went insane.

That was his price.

If he’d set aside even a fraction of his arrogance. If he’d treated me like a human being. Just once.

But here’s the thing about consequences. There’s no reset button. No do-overs.

Damage done stays done.

**[End]**