Chapter 12

"It would be well not to lose your family and job because of me. I love you, but love is not about possession. It’s about appreciation. We would be fine if we just divorce now."

Rosalie hugged him and sniffled. "If we divorce, we might not be fine."

Dallas's heart soften, and wept too.

"Don't let us hurt the hearts we can't heal. For twenty-six years, in the Garret, I've learned how to live without my family. But for one day, I haven't learned how to live without you."

Dallas whispered because he didn't want to weep out, "it's fine. I won't let go of your hand forever."

Later that night, Rosalie stayed with her father in the hospital, and Dallas went home, because he will do home chores in the morning.

Once Dallas drove home, he walked to the street, and saw where people were betting for boxing. Two built men were on the stages surrounded by a hailing crowd, as they were bouncing on themselves.

Dallas joined the crowd, watching silently.

The most muscular man broke the neck of the other one and won the game. Everyone was silent for a while, for they didn't expect him to kill his opponent.

Suddenly, a short black Americans jumped up, shouting, "Lion had won."

Some people started hailing the Lion, while some weren't.

A man jumped on the stage and stairs his clothes into pieces, throwing it away and pointing at Lion. "If you fear me, jump off the stage. You gonna jump off?"

Lion smirked and agreed to fight with the man. Everyone started hailing Lion, and betting their money and golden chains more on Lion.

Lion waved to the man, saying, "wanna die? Come near."

The man hurried to him, and they started kicking themselves. Lion didn't feel pain from any of the man's pounce. It scared the man, but he had to continue fighting, so that he won't lose fans.

Suddenly, Lion grabbed his neck, raising him up, and pouncing on his face.

Blood splitting up to Lion's face, making him to throw the man down, and then kicked his throat.

The man died in a second. Everyone hailed Lion till the stage shook. Then Lion started bragging, and calling for another opponent who want to die.

Dallas climped up the stage gently. He knows people won't recognize his face during the day

The crowd started making jest of him because he wore poor clothes.

"Why do you wanna die because you want to buy new clothes?"

"If you win, I will give you $1,000."

"Come down, poor man, he will kill you."

"What's this fragile man doing before Lion?"

"Lion, drink his blood alive."

"That man must be stupid."

Dallas didn't act as if he heard what they were saying. He remains calm before the Lion who was smirking at him.

The crowd started betting on Lion again once he accepted to fight with Dallas.

The black American man pick up the microphone, and said, "yo poor man, you wanna fight with the Lion, what's your name?"

Dallas looked around as everyone remain silent to hear him talk.

"I'm Den."

"Den? Wahoo. A round of applause for Den," he replied mockingly, and everyone laughed.

A bell was rang for the fight to start. Lion hurried to Dallas, ready to pounce on Dallas's neck.

Dallas stopped his hand with a hand and pounced on his neck once.

Everyone was quiet as Lion stood still. The silence was so still, if one drop a pen, it will make noise.

After some second, Lion fell down dead. The crowd stared in shock. They couldn't believe what had happened.

The black American man break the noise again, "Wahoo, the Den, knock the Lion out of the world."

The crowd started hailing and throwing money on the stages. Dallas saw Christian looking at him in the crowd and went down to meet him.

Everyone was amazed because Dallas didn't care about collecting the money he won.

"How do you know am here?" Dallas asked, as he gave Christian a friendly slap on his shoulder.

"Let's get into the car first," Christian said and turned, walking away.

"What happened?" Dallas quickly followed him into the car.

Turning the key in the ignition, Christian speed the car off the highway.

"I saw Cinderella," Dallas said

"Who's she?"

"Cinderella Torrington."

Dallas raised his eyebrows. "Are you talking about my sister?"

"Yes."

"Where did you see her? How did you recognize her? I thought he had died."

"She was in the hospital the day they burned your father's house," Christian said.

"She hit her head on the ground and lost her memories. My wife reveal the truth to me in the morning. She told me your parents didn't tell you that Cinderella was in the hospital because you love her, and they don't want to spoil your mood," Christian added.

Dallas sighed. Half of his deep sorrow fled away without a wing.

"Where's she living?"

"Mrs. Stone is treating her as a daughter. She's her teacher before Cinderella lost her memories."

"And-"

"And," Christian cuts in. "She's Detective Helen."

Dallas raised his eyebrows in shocked. Call it stunning, unbelievable, bad news, or amazing. Dallas couldn't find the right word to express his feelings.

"That's why I shot only Detective Jack," Christian said

"Thank you, Christian. Thank you very much."

Christian smiled. It makes him glad to make the poisonous gentleman happy. He feels fulfilled.

Dallas couldn't sleep that night. He remembers how he and Detective Helen carried Michael and Jack into the car.

He remembers how she had react restlessly in the hospital. And he was glad he hadn't killed his lovely sister.

Dallas recalled their childhood moment when they were matching on dried leaf, and enjoying the sound dried leaves crumbling under their feet.

He also recalled the moment Cinderella snatched his favorite white flute from his hand, and run away. The flute fell and get broken when he was chasing her. She then begged him when he gets angry.

He didn't know how he would tell Helen that he was her brother. And another problem was that Helen had lost her childhood memories.

"I need a special clothes with a new mask. I must protect her like a mother to her only daughter. And if by chance, we point guns at each other's heads, I will allow her shot her bullet," Dallas said to himself.