Melinda came back the next day. Her eyes were vacant. I felt guilt filling me up from the inside. Melly lay down,facing the wall. I had nothing to say. In that moment i

wish i was mute and it would keep me from hurting people.

I couldn't get no sleep. My thoughts were in complete disarray. I was staring at the ceiling,trying to figure out why i ended up that way. My life was such rollercoaster

from the day i was born.

- Why is everything about you? - Stahl's quiet voice seemed louder than ever.

I opened my eyes and saw him sitting right infront of me. We were in the same cafe,where i hit him as hard as i could before his boss-Baker. The only difference was

that cafe was empty.

- Because i'm egotistical... - I whispered irritably.

- Yes,you are...Harlee. - Stahl sipped coffee,frowning at me.

- I remember the moment of satisfaction...that precious look on your face when you got caught right here. - Malice took over me.

- Oh,Harlee,and i savored every second in the court...i crashed you...- He emphasized every word,spitting it in my face.

Somehow that hateful exchange made me laugh. I started to giggle uncontrollably.

- Harlee... - Stahl hissed reproachfully through his teeth.

- I just can't stop thinking about...one thing...why you were the agent that was assigned to my deal...why it had to be...why... - I still couldn't stop giggling

hysterically.

- Justice...it happenes that i'm the only one who could get you,Harlee...- Stahl's voice became soft as silk. I could notice even some kind of tenderness in his tone.

- Your favorite topic...perverted justice of Agent Stahl... - I finally caught my breath and looked right in his cold blue eyes.

- Harlee,why don't you call me by my name...i remember that the only time you used my name was when you needed something from me...some favor...- His face

was ghostly pale, while his eyes burned up with mischief.

- Yeah,but you won't hear it again...never again...- I hissed with anger. Disgusting memories of that time i spent tied up in his house filled my mind.

I remembered how i tried to get to his conscience by calling him "Robert". The worst day of my life.

- Never say never. - He exhaled and stood up from the table. Stahl walked out of the cafe. If i could kill him in my dreams. If only i could...

-Melly?! - I woke up and saw Melinda's shadow standing above me. It was dark in the room so i couldn't see her face.

- I had a son. - She mumbled emotionlessly.

- What? - I was completely smitten.

- You were laughing in your sleep...i wish i could have some nice dreams like this. - Melly's tone was distant and indifferent.

- It was another nightmare...my nerves got the best of me... - I whispered,trying to see her face.

- He was so smart...i could pay for his university. I could... he would become a doctor or a lawyer. He was so smart... - Melinda slowly shuffled to her bed.

- What was his name? - I sat up,completely awaken.

- Maximillian..."long ass name,Mom" he used to say. - Melly's voice started to get louder.

- Rare and beautiful name... - I was afraid to ask the main question.

- I always saw him as an Angel...my only child. I dreamed about him. My husband left us for another woman...my sister. She was always so caring... We had a tough

childhood and we had to stand up for each other like sisters should...sisters should. - Melly's mumbling was fast and i had hard time keeping up with the

information,that she was pouring on me.

- I'm so sorry,Melly... - My heartbeat was pounding in my ears.

- "It's all your fault! Dad left us because of you" he would scream at me. He hated me and...he loved his father so much that he couldn't blame him for anything. His

father was his hero...he used to be such a good boy...- Melinda's shoulderes were shuddering.

- What happened,Melly? - I finally asked.

- He was doing everything opposite of what i taught him...rebelling against all the rules and morals... he wanted to hurt me...and it hurt like hell. - Melinda's voice

was unstable,shaky and raspy.

- I understand. Teenage years...almost everyone goes through it. - I was trying to comfort her.

- No...it was different. He became violent and cruel. The more i tried to be kind and loving,the more he was aggresive...one time he spit on me...right in my face. He

was such a good boy...why... - She started to choke on her tears.

- Melly... - I stood up and sat down next to her,taking her cold shaky hand.

- Police came to my house...It was friday. I used to cook his favorite apple pie on Friday. These men told me that my son was in the gang. My son!- Melinda jumped

up and rushed to the window like she was gasping for air.

- I didn't know what to do. He was beating,racketeering people...i tried to talk to him...therapy sessions with psycologists... but it was all in vain... I couldn't

recognize my son anymore. I called his...father and i begged him...i cried for help..."You failed him,Melinda. What can i do now?"... - She was stuttering nervously.

I could feel shivers down my spine.

- It was Sunday...i remember...i bought some bread and vegetables. When i came in,i heard the noise of a washing mashine...it was so loud... He was standing at the

kitchen sink... He had a knife in his hands...my son was washing blood from the knife...- Melinda was franticly shaking.

- He hurt someone... - I mumbled quitely.

- I tried to get him talking but he just screamed profanity and left...2 days later police came in again...they...told me - She was choking on tears.

- Melly,sit down...please...- I came up to her and took her hands.

- Harlee,listen!They told me...he killed 2 kids...children of the leader of a rival gang...kids...two kids,Harlee... - Her voice cracked like a broken string. Melly grabbed

me by my shoulders. Her face was distorted by grief and horror.

- I'm so sorry! - I could feel her pain. It was so palpable.

- I couldn't believe it...i just refused to believe...he was nowhere to be found...my son...3 days later i woke up at night...i heard someone shuffling.

He was eating at the table like nothing happened...I...started begging him to tell me the truth...he was smiling...smiling..."Mom,you will cover me.

Just say that i was here that day with you. You love me,right? I'm your son no matter what"...I couldn't...i was speechless..."Just like i thought"... he came up to me

with so much malice in his eyes...I couldn't breathe... - Melly slid dwon on the floor in agony.

I was right next to her,holding her tightly. Tears were streaming down my face.

- He wasn't...my Maximillian...it was a stranger...evil stranger...I...I...- Melinda rested her head on my shoulder,shaking hysterically.

- Tell me,Melly! - I knew she needed it.

- He turned to go to his room and...i took a knife...i stabbed him...my son...i killed my son! - She cried in immense agony.

- Shh...i'm here for you...Melly... - I hugged her as tight as i could. My heart ached for that poor woman. I was cuddling her,while she was finally facing her pain and

grief.

I don't know how much time passed. Melly fell asleep on my shoulder. My mind was consumed by the image of my daughter. My Cristina.