�

"i'm her cousin."

i lied to get past the doors. i lied because her brother wasn't there yet. i lied, and two police officers were standing there. a solemn looking nurse led me to the "quiet room". i lied some more, this time, to myself.

'it's ok. no. it's not this way. she's fine. everyone is ok. it looks bad, k., it looks really fucking bad...'

i wondered how much of the lie i would have to tell. i wondered what her cousin would react like...react when told what i knew was coming.

richard came into the room soon after i had been seated.

"no, no, no, no, no not this..."

the quiet room again betrayed itself.

two police officers.

they tell us. they tell us about her husband. they tell us about the others in the car. they tell us about her, while her brother screams on the floor.

i sat and shook.

i'm not her cousin. i lied.

this all has to be a big fucking lie.