In the Dark Chapter 22

The two just stared at each other for a moment, not sure of what to say. Shilo was still sitting down with her knees pressed up to her chin and Graverobber still only had his head poked in the doorway. Finally he stepped fully inside and crouched down next to her and the set the lantern down as well. He tried to reach out to her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She quickly turned her head around and jerked her shoulder away. "I'm fine." She hissed.

"Are you sure? You look like you've been crying."

Shilo wiped her eyes. "I wasn't crying." She lied but he knew better. She hated others to see her weep. "What do you care anyway?"

"I care about you." He stated.

Shilo scoffed. "Well you have a very funny way of showing it. Look, I really don't need this right now. Don't you have some corpses to dig up?"

"Will you just hear me out for a second? You never gave me a chance to explain what happened."

Shilo rose up and shot him an angry glare. "I don't want to hear your damn explanation! Just leave me alone!" With that she walked pass him and stormed out of her mother's tomb. As she stomped off he caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder and forced her to turn around.

"C'mon, Shilo! Can't we at least talk about this?"

"There's nothing to talk about!" she yelled as she slapped his hand away.

"I'm sorry, damn it! How many more times do I have to say it?"

"I don't care about your stupid apology, okay? You manipulated me into doing things with you and then you just went and hooked up with Amber. You went crawling back to her like you always do!"

"It wasn't like that! She came onto to me!"

"Oh, and I suppose she forced you to sleep with her too?"

Graverobber fell silent for a moment. It was true. He could have easily walked away instead of giving into his lust. He gave into temptation instead of being the bigger man.

"I knew it. I should have known better than to get involved with you. You and she have a history. It's always been the same."

"Yes, okay. She would give me sex in exchange for zydrate. It happened more than a few times. She and I were fuck buddies. I let it happen again."

Shilo shook her head in disgust and turned on her heels again was about to walk away but paused when he spoke again. "It was the biggest mistake I've ever made. Getting involved with her in the first the place was just plain stupid. I never should have let it happen but, hurting you is what I hate the most. You've been nothing but amazing to me and I betrayed you. I fucked up, Shilo."

Shilo gulped and crossed her arms, determined to keep the stern expression on her face. She would not allow herself to be swayed by his words. She could tell he was trying to be sincere but she just couldn't bring herself to trust him. Finally she sighed and turned to face him.

"You really hurt me."

"I know I did, and I can't tell you how sorry I am."

"Just stop saying that. The more you say it, the less it means."

Graverobber sighed. "Well, I do regret what I did. I was an idiot, a complete idiot. I do care about you, Shilo. Do you think you can ever forgive me?"

Shilo averted her eyes for a moment and bit her lip. She shrugged. "Whatever. What's done is done, I guess."

"Does that mean you forgive me?"

"I can't blame you for being you, so yeah, sure."

Graverobber smiled in relief and moved forward to embrace her but she stepped back, her arms still crossed. "This doesn't mean that I'm getting back together with you. I just think it's only fair that we reach a common ground. Only because of all the things you've already done for me, like keeping me hidden from GeneCo for so long and giving me a place to stay." Again she averted her eyes and restrained herself from crying. She gulped. "I just can't believe involved with you like that. You broke my heart." She finally admitted.

Graverobber stuck his hands into his pockets and looked down in shame. "I'll try and make up for it. I swear."

Shilo wasn't sure how to feel. Relieved maybe? He apologized and she accepted it but it still hurt. She sat back on a large tombstone and looked at him, wondering what was going to happen now. Graverobber walked over and took a seat next to her.

"So." He began. "Are you going to tell me why you were hanging out in your mom's tomb?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to visit since I haven't in a while."

"Correct me if I'm wrong but it seemed like a bit more than that."

Shilo sighed and shrugged. She may as well tell him. "I guess it's like you say, a lot of bad shit has been happening."

"Meaning?"

"It's Jillian."

"What about her? Did she do something to you?"

Shilo shook her head. "No. No, she didn't do anything. It's what her mother did."

Graverobber raised his brow. "Care to explain?"

"Mag slept with my dad."

Graverobber's eyes widened and made a noise that sounded like a mixture of a laugh and a scoff. "Wait, what? How could possibly know something like that?"

"Well earlier this morning, I went to go grab some things from my old house and went into my dad's room. I was looking around and found a note in one of his old jacket pockets." She omitted the part about missing them both as she went on to explain the content of the note to Graverobber.

When she finished he ran his fingers through his hair and took a breath. He didn't know what to say. Shilo's dad did the same thing to her mother as he did to her. He couldn't blame her for being pissed.

"Holy shit, that is crazy." He finally said.

"I just don't get how he could do that to my mom. How Mag could have done that to her supposed best friend. They did it when she was pregnant too. What were they thinking?"

"I don't know what to tell you, kid. I'm so-"

Shilo shot a glare at him and he cleared his throat. "Anyways...I'm sure they didn't do it with malicious intent. From how you described the note it sounded like Mag was pretty sorry about it. I doubt either of them did it to deliberately hurt your mom."

"It doesn't matter why they did it or what their purpose was. It was wrong."

"Yeah...it was. Hold on a second. So if Mag and your dad um, spent the night together, and Jill is Mag's daughter…that means..."

"Yeah, she's my sister, half sister anyway."

"Isn't that a good thing? I mean you thought that you lost your whole family but it turns out you didn't after all."

"I know. I should be glad for that I guess but, this whole situation kind of makes it hard to be happy."

"That's understandable."

"Plus, I doubt she'll want anything to do with me now."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, I was angry and when I rushed out of the house, I sort of took my anger out on her."

"Uh-oh. What did you do?"

"I slapped her and told her that her mother was a whore."

"Geez, Shilo. That was a bit harsh don't you think? It's not Jillian's fault."

"I know! I shouldn't have done it but I was so mad. I needed to take my frustration out and she was right there."

"What happened after that?"

"I ran away from her and jumped on a garbage truck. Then I ended up here."

"You didn't tell her about the note at all?"

"I threw it in her face before I ran. She must have read it by now."

"Oh." They sat there in silence until Graverobber spoke again.

"Maybe you should apologize." He offered. Shilo raised her brow to him, as if to say "Are you really lecturing me right now?"

"I know I'm not really one to talk right now but it would be the right thing to do. For what its worth you guys are family and maybe you two can help each other get through this. Be sisters."

"But what if she doesn't want to be my sister? I'm not even sure I want to be her's."

"Why not? She's been pretty nice to you hasn't she?"

"She's been really nice. I did like having a friend who's the same gender for a change."

"And she did help you and I both."

"Yeah and she did when she's had her own problems."

"Like what?"

"It's not my place to say." Shilo sighed. "I just don't know, Graves. What if she hates me now?"

"I doubt she hates you. I'm sure she understands how you must feel. She's probably not too happy about it either."

"I guess so."

"So you haven't talked to her since?"

"No. She has tried calling me a few times though. She probably gave up after I didn't answer."

"Maybe you should call her back."

"You think she'll want to talk?"

"It's worth a try."

Shilo shrugged. "Alright, here it goes." Shilo began dialing the number on her wrist communicator and waited for an answer. They waited for a few moments until the beeping stopped. "Jillian, are you there?" No answer. "Jillian?" Still nothing. Shilo hung up and dialed again, and again. There was still no answer. "She isn't picking up. I guess she doesn't want to talk after all."

"Maybe you could try going back to her place. She gave you an open invitation didn't she she?"

"Yeah but she might be mad."

"You could still try. You two need to talk about this sometime. Who knows it may turn out worse if you don't."

"That's true. Okay." She jumped off the gravestone. "I'll start heading over there."

"I'm going with you. I don't want you walking the streets alone."

"I'm a big girl, graverobber. I can handle myself."

"No offense, Shilo but you're still pretty puny. Besides, I should be there just in case I need to break anything up."

"Fine. Just keep your hands to yourself."

"I will."

Meanwhile, Pavi finally rose himself off of Jillian, breathing heavily. He couldn't believe that he lost control like that. It had been a while since he had to use such force with her or feel the need to strike her like that; and he never knocked her out, not since the first time anyway. He buttoned up his trousers and straightened out his shirt and hair. He gazed down at her. He still couldn't understand how one woman could have such power over him and make him act so crazy. Sometimes it scared him how much he still wanted her. If ever by some strange miracle she ever came to him willingly, gave herself to him on her own accord, he would surely lose his mind. He thought it was a shame what a mess she looked like at the moment so he fixed her hair and pulled up her shorts. He then wiped away the remains of the tears she cried in her sleep. He softly brushed her cheek and bent down to kiss her again when he heard the muffled sound of voices outside. In a panic he cursed and proceeded to sneak out the window, leaving her unconsciously tied to the bed.

Shilo and Graverobber were approaching the house outside and Shilo knocked on the door. "Jillian are you home?" She knocked again when the door blew open. "That's weird, it's already unlocked." Shilo slowly stepped into the house and Graverobber followed. "Jill?" she called out again but was greeted by silence. They both looked around and saw no one. The house was far too quiet.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Said Shilo.

Graverobber nodded. "Me too. We should be cautious." They carefully looked around the house. They found nothing in the kitchen or the living room. That's when Shilo noticed Mag's picture was face down on the small table in the hall. 'She must be home.' Shilo thought.

"Shilo." The said girl turned around where Graverobber was pointed to small dent in the wall. It was but a tiny detail but it was definitely a sign of a struggle.

"Let's check her room." They quickly headed in the direction and sure enough the door was open. Shilo hesitantly walked up and slowly poked her head inside the doorway.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, horrified to see Jillian tied to the bed with the sheets muffled up. She quickly ran inside and proceeded to untie her.

Graverobber followed and was shocked as well. "Jesus." He whispered and began to help Shilo untie the other girl.

"Jillian!" Shilo cried out to the girl and shook her but her eyes remained closed. Graverobber put his ear to the sleeping girl's chest. He was relieved to hear her heart still beating and the faint sound of breathing. "She's alive. Let's get her to the bathroom."

"Why?"

"Cold water might wake her up."

Shilo nodded and they carefully picked her up, she grabbing Jillian's shoulders while Graverobber got her feet. They carried her to the bathroom and set her in the bathtub. Shilo set the water as cold as it could get and turned on the shower. It only took a few seconds for the ice water to rain down on Jillian's body before she gasped and came to. Her eys shot open and she yelped, turning to see Shilo and Graverobber staring down in relief. "What's going on?" she shivered. Shilo reached down and trapped Jillian in a tight hug, the water now wetting both of their hair.

"Thank God, you're okay."

Jillian stood there stunned. "What happened?"

"I tried to call you back and when there was no answer we just came here. The door was unlocked and we found you in your room, tied to the bed."

Jillian's stomach clenched. Did they see Pavi? "Was there anyone else in my room?"

Shilo shook her head. "We didn't see anyone. I'm just glad that you're alive."

Jillian sighed in relief. "It's so cold." She muttered. Graverobber turned off the water and grabbed the towels hanging on the rack, offering them to the girls. "Here. You should both get dry."

Shilo finally let go of Jillian and helped her up and out of the tub. "C'mon, let's sit down. We have to talk."

"Do we?"

"Yes we do."

Shilo led Jillian to the couch. She turned to look at Graverobber. "You're here too. I guess you two made up?"

"Um, sort of." He muttered.

"Forget about it." Said Shilo. "We have other things to discuss. First thing's first. Who did this to you?"

Jillian stayed silent and averted her eyes to the floor.

"It was him wasn't it?" asked Shilo.

"Him who?" asked Graverobber.

Jillian panicked and shook her head. "Don't." she begged Shilo.

"No, now that I know what's been happening I can't let him get away with this, and neither can you."

"What are you talking about?" Graverobber asked again.

"Pavi Largo did this." Shilo stated.

Graverobber's eyes widened. "Pavi Largo? That weirdo?"

"He's been messing with her for years."

"Goddamn it, Shilo! I told you not to tell anyone!" Jillian buried her head in her hands and begun to cry.

"I'm sorry, Jillian but this is just too much. This has been going on for far too long. Something has to be done about this."

"Damn right something has to be done." Graverobber said angrily. "Do you want me to kick his ass for you? I'd be more than happy to take care of that sick fuck." He cracked his knuckles.

Jillian shot her head up. "No! Stop! Just stop it okay? There's nothing either of you can do. You would just get yourselves killed. Just drop the subject okay? I don't want to think about it. This day just keeps getting worse and worse."

"I know. I won't say another word about it. Neither of us will." She gave Graverobber a meaningful look. He gritted his teeth but he nodded.

"There is something else we should talk about though. Like how I treated you earlier. That wasn't right of me. I'm sorry."

Jillian shrugged. "It's okay. I saw the note. I don't blame you for being shocked. "

"Still I shouldn't have taken it out on you." Shilo said, still feeling ashamed.

"It's okay." Jillian whispered.

"So…should we talk about it then? The note I mean?"

"To be honest, I'm exhausted. It's a lot to process right now."

"Yeah, it is. I'm pretty exhausted myself. I guess we can talk about it tomorrow. If you want to that is."

Jillian nodded.

Graverobber rose from his seat. "Well, I can see you girls have some thinking to do so I'll just go now."

Shilo nodded. "Thank you for coming with me."

He nodded. "Of course. If you need me, you know where to find me. Just...be careful okay? Lock up, seriously."

"We will."

Then he turned to Jillian, giving her a stern look. "And Jill, Shilo's right. You don't deserve this." With that he headed out and shut the door behind him. As Shilo made sure all the locks were secure, Jillian changed the sheets on her bed and threw the old ones away. She changed out of her wet clothes as well. Shilo stepped into her room when she was finished. "You should get some sleep." Jillian nodded. Before Shilo left the room, Jillian placed a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you."

Shilo turned and hugged Jillian again. She couldn't possibly be mad at the moment. Right now her sister needed her.

"I know this is going to sound stupid of me but, can you stay with me tonight?" Jillian asked. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep alone."

Shilo smiled. "Too be honest, I was going to ask the same thing."

The two girls crawled into the bed and clenched the blankets tightly around themselves. They stared at each other for a moment and Shilo gently squeezed Jillian's hand. Shilo yawned. "Goodnight, Jill."

"Night, Shilo." Then they closed their eyes and dreamt of a better future…if it was possible.