Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters . . . ~ Margaret Peters

Sydney's POV

We rode back in silence. Though Aaron hadn't said a word to me since the hoods were placed over our heads again, his shoulders stopped tensing everytime was in his vicinity. When we returned, Mom and Dad disappeared somewhere in the large house and I headed straight to the home gym. After popping in my earbuds, I went to the treadmill. Starting with a light jog, to a stride, and then a near sprint until my body almost collapsed.

When I caught my breath, I moved to the punching bag, trying to focus on speed and form. But with most of my energy drained from my run, I soon tired and took out my earbuds while I stretched.

"What'd that punching bag ever do to you?" Aaron asked, from the doorway before walking over.

"The way it hangs there offends me."

He let out a half-hearted smile, "Listen, Syd. About earlier...I'm sorry. I thought you ran when things got bad. I was wrong. You'd never do that, and I'm just glad you're back."

My heart swelled, "I'm glad I'm back to. And thanks, Aaron."

He sat on the weight bench next to me, "So how many tats do you have?"

A smile tugged at my mouth, "Well, if you count the tally marks as one, then I have five."

"What are they? Why did you get each one?" he asked, prompting an explanation.

I nodded to my left arm, "Each tally mark is a life I've taken. The black ones are all the terrible scum I've rid the world of. The one red mark-" I twist my arm to show him "-was the one innocent life I took by accident. They remind me of the good I've done taking out the worst of the worst, but also the evil I'm capable by taking another human being's life. Especially the innocent one."

I nod to my right, "My sleeve has a few meanings as well. The four sides of the diamonds represent the members of our family as well as acknowledging how good we are under pressure...well most of the time." I playfully nudge Aaron, "The flowers overlayed over the diamond pattern are anemone. Anemones can represent bad luck, forsaken of forgotten love, or the death of a loved one. They can also represent protection against evil or harm, the anticipation and excitement for the future, or hope."

Aaron nods, dutifully listening to my impromptu speech.

"The Roman numerals on the back of neck mark the day I was taken and the day I came back," I stand up with my back to him so he can see before taking a step away and lifting my shirt momentarily to show him the grim reaper in my back, "The grim reaper is a reminder of the death I've caused, how it surrounds me, and how it follows me."

"Damn, I didn't realize you were so deep," Aaron says, sounding mildly impressed before his brow furrows in confusion, "Wait, what about the fifth one?"

I let out a chuckle, "Let's just say that's the only bet I've ever lost,"

Aaron chuckles before turning serious, "That's some deep shit and all, but you can't possibly expect me to believe that."

I furrow my brow, "What do you mean?"

"I know what you did. You get kidnapped and do all this badass shit while doing some good for the past two and a half year. And then get these tattoos knowing Mom and Dad won't give a shit because they'll be too happy that you're back," Aaron narrows his eyes at me in a fake look of accusation.

I chuckle before throwing my still taped hands up, "Damn, you got me. I just can't get anything past you."

Aaron nods in satisfaction, like a child that just proved to his parents he knew that they were the tooth fairy, "No, you can't."

We laugh together before he nods his head in my direction, "What about those scars though, Sydney?" We both quickly sober up. "Who the hell did all of that to you?" His voice quivers with rage.

"A lot of people," I sigh, wishing we could go back a few seconds to where we were laughing.

Aaron clenches his jaw and swallows hard, causing his Adam's apples to bob.

"I know Dad didn't ask because he knew a little more about your situation and is beyond relieved that you're back, but the night you came home-" Aaron lets out a low whistle, "-Mom and I had to physically restrain him from storming into your room and demanding you tell him who did that to you so he could kill them."

"I'm not surprised," I grin, "I've always been his little girl. I knew them seeing me would elicit a lot of emotions—and not all good. But, I wanted to see you guys one last time." I pause a smug smile curls onto my lips, "Besides, most of the people who've done this to me have been taken care of."

"And the others?"

"They may not be dead, but they probably wish they were."