Loving Ashlynn (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 55 - Frosty Predicament, Bozeman Christmas (Kalenah Conrad POV) Pt. 12

hey all sorry I was MIA for a bit but migraines are not fun. anyways. enjoy. 

Chapter 55 – Frosty Predicament, Bozeman Christmas (Kalenah Conrad POV) Pt. 12

In our world sometimes things aren't what they seem. Hell not just sometimes but more often than not. At times that illusion was a wonderful thing, a way to keep us all protected and shadowed from the cruelty of the world.

"If we just," Angela swallows thickly. "If we just spoke to Shannon how can they say that she's been identified?"

"Can you possibly see who that was confirmed to be the Rosario's?" Jonah asked his daughter. "Use your skills to see?" he juts out his chin towards the laptop. Blinking still in shock my mind struggling to wrap itself around two sets of data, immediately Angela leans forward throwing a glance Ansel's way before her fingers start moving over the keyboard.

"You're thinking that they've faked their deaths?" Angela speaks, but Jonah and my Ansel only tilt their heads.

Ansel shakes his head, "I'm thinking Javier Senior is dead, and that Shannon and Taylor are the ones behind it."

My stomach fills with terrible unease that seem to be connected to my eyes as they sting.

"You think that Taylor killed her father but spared her sister-"

Jonah leans forward. "Shannon let her children do as they wanted, encouraging them when she shouldn't. Javier Senior... he was more authoritative."

It was plausible and in my mind's eye I could see each moment where Javier remained strict. Shannon on the other hand, was ready to roll over and let Devin and Taylor do, as they wanted. I always believed that because of this dynamic; Javier would rein his children in when Shannon let them step out too far.

How different all my assumptions have morphed with just a few new details about Taylor and her actions as a child. "Sonya was meant to help her," I repeat my words. Or maybe I think I am when in reality they've just been playing on my mind in a loop.

"Dad can you start driving again, we need to get Peter and Scotty closer to Lincoln, they'll head down to Texas from there," Ansel commands. I almost believe he's ignoring my comment but when Jonah gets up to walk to the drivers seat, Ansel sighs and takes my hand, holding it tightly in between two of his.

"From what we've learned from Naomi, the way the Elders have people working for them, though Sonya doesn't have one of those anagram names," I nod, knowing where he's going. "It is still possible that she was working for them – why else wouldn't she tell us about Taylor?"

"Taylor started seeing her at such a young age," Ansel continues and all I can do is nod slowly shock taking over now. A war building in my head with all the information and worry yet betrayal is what stings now. "She could have said something – but think of what Naomi said, her belief-"

"What was implied," Jonah adds though his back is to us. "Exactly," Ansel nods.

"Her friend was procured from such a young age, everyone tracking her from high school and then killing off family, her love, creating an environment that led her to be someone that they could easily manipulate. No family to ask questions."

I shake my head, "But Sonya didn't harm-"

"Add Faith's reaction after sometime... and just because Shannon and Javier were alive doesn't mean that Sonya was not doing to Taylor what Naomi's charge went through," Ansel rounds it up.