Four more days to go. Four more days and everything should supposedly be alright. I gazed out of the window solemnly, the light drizzle splattering on the windowpane. Occasionally the harsh sound of the thunder pricked my ears and a shudder ran through my body. It wasn't raining heavily, but the dark clouds and the grey sky were foreboding a storm."JJ, let's go," Shaun called out and I turned around, clasping my tote bag in one hand consisting of food for Logan.Due to the rain, Shaun was dropping me off at the lighthouse in his car because the roads were slippery and my bicycle wouldn't be appropriate. Besides, he was going to hang out with his friends at a nearby pub and the lighthouse was on the way. Shaun was expected to pick me up in two hours since we couldn't risk getting stuck in a summer storm.I was going to smuggle the bag of food outside the house since I didn't want mum to get suspicious. Just as Shaun and I slipped into our boots and prepared ourselves to move out, my m
Third person's POV [Logan]Logan scampered towards the bathroom and his eyes widened at the ghastly sight. Joy was bleeding severely and even coughing up a bit of blood in the sink. She meekly glanced at Logan and held her handkerchief to her nose, trying hard to cover her face. Logan didn't know whether she was pinching her nose to stop the bleeding or trying to cover her face. If it was the latter, it was dumb of her to hide since it was obvious. The handkerchief served no purpose because it was soaked with blood.Joy's knees buckled and her legs seemed to give out. She clinged to the sink, preventing herself from falling. Logan was frozen with shock and as soon as he came back to his senses, he quickly lifted Joy by her arms and placed her on the floor."I-I'm fine," she croaked while trying to dismiss him, but the blood was flowing profusely. It was red everywhere, on her clothes and now on the floor. She was losing a lot of blood and panic swamped Logan as he stupidly rubbed her
I squeezed my eyes open and squinted, the light blinding me. Noticing my discomfort, someone drew the curtains back. I rubbed my eyes and slowly sat up on the bed. Bile rose in my throat and I immediately grabbed the nearby bucket. This was usually how I woke up in hospitals, nothing new. Massaging my head, I looked up at the smiling face of the nurse and asked hoarsely, "What time is it?""One pm," she said glibly. "This is the second day you're here. You remember what happened last evening?"I gave her a perplexed look as she continued smiling dolefully. Realization sank in me and seeing my expression change from confusion to sorrow and shame, she patted my shoulder lovingly. My mouth felt dry and I licked my lips. "My head's still hurting.""Of course it is darling. Tell you what, I'll bring you food and water to eat and drink. Doctor Lee will check up on you later." She strode out of the plain room after I assured her that I would be fine without her presence.The whitewashed blea
I instantly regretted the moment I stepped into the flower shop. Last night itself I was discharged from the hospital and today here I was, trying to go back to normalcy. Mum adviced me not to, but I wanted to do something. I wanted to stop thinking about Logan- I wanted to stop thinking about where he was or what he was doing or how he was feeling. It was selfish of me and I did feel guilty, but the more I thought of Logan, the more my chest tightened.However, the flower shop reminded me of nothing but him. The way he would lumber outside the flower shop, the plastic bag containing his lunch box (Mac and Cheese) dangling on his finger. I would watch him through the glass sheathed walls and grin brightly at him once our eyes locked into each other's. Most days a playful or even an arrogant smile naturally occurred on his lips, small dimples appearing. Other days he would force a lopsided smile just out of politeness or dry mock humour.Each time a distressed customer barged in throug
Third person's POV [Logan]Logan tucked his chin under his collar and stared at the juicy burger in front of him. From under his eyebrows, he saw his uncle looking at him in contempt as he took a long sip of his coffee. The breakfast consisting of a large burger, salted fries and creamy coffee looked appetizing, but Logan didn't want to eat it. Although he was really hungry that he could gobble up a week's worth of food, his pride was still intact. He refused to eat anything bought by his uncle's money.The practical voice in his brain was nagging him to eat every bit of food offered because knowing his uncle, he wouldn't care. He would do his duty of providing him with food as long as they were here so the child services wouldn't be suspicious. Once they would arrive at Scotland, he would torture Logan and make him work ten times harder for every penny he spent on buying food for him."Anything else?" A care-free voice broke his reverie and Logan looked up. It was Jamal, Joy's Jamie.
It had been three days since Logan had gone missing. He was already eighteen now, an adult. I was genuinely clueless about his disappearance and maybe that was evident on my face because the police believed me during the interrogation.I tried to not let my thoughts wander towards Logan. Logan missing . . . Logan alone . . . Logan by the bridge . . . I shook my head vigorously. The Logan I knew would never do that, but I couldn't stop myself. I imagined his pale face devoid of any emotion as he plummeted down the bridge and into the fast flowing river. His thin body lifeless and washed away by water. And the horrifying part was that I could imagine it vividly like I witnessed it. Like I was there with him, watching him helplessly. Perhaps it was because of how we met. We met in the oddest of circumstances with his feet dangling by the railing, his mind prepared to plunge in the river.No, no, no, Logan had come a long way and although he hadn't recovered completely, I was sure that he
"Logan? Logan! Oh my God, it's really you!" I threw my arms around him and started to kiss his cheeks, jaw and forehead as relief and happiness flooded through me. I couldn't control my own movements as I peppered hot, little kisses all over his face. I wasn't embarrassed, I was too happy to be embarrassed. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I whispered, "It's really you.""I know." Logan chuckled softly, his chest rumbling and I felt it in my body- we were that close. It was weird, but it felt good in an assuring way that he was here-right here in front of me. His arms were securely wrapped around my waist. Still he pulled me further, pressing me closer and tighter to him like he couldn't get enough of me. "I know Joy, I know."I swept my hands all over his face, touching, caressing and maybe even analysing his skin for I still couldn't believe. "Where were you? Are you alright? You went missing these days, where were you hiding? Who helped you? What about--- ""Hush now . . . We c
"That would be eight dollars ma'am," I said politely as she gave me a ten dollar bill."You're JJ, aren't you?" The soft eyes of the woman was twinkling. I nodded while returning her the change. "Take care honey, I hope things are turning out good for you.""It is and thank you." I smiled as she left. This was regular, blessings from strangers or acquaintances and I was used to it. A constant reminder that I was dying, but I knew that their intentions was to not upset me. It was merely to show that they cared. The bells dinged again and in came Uncle Desmond. I beamed at him. "Good morning Uncle Desmond! Here are your lilies!""Aye JJ, efficient like always." He fished the money out. "How's the old man?""Grumpy like always, still a big softie in the inside," I replied casually and he nodded in agreement. "How's your wife uncle?""She's . . . good. She still misses those little, naughty brats that used to fool her for more ice cream," he said wistfully."I'll bring them around to the
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]"What the hell do you mean you have a baby? Shaun, what on earth are you blabbering about?" Joy's mum was yelling on the phone as Logan stood outside at the door. "Who's Marilyn? What do you mean you have a baby? Don't cut the call- damn him!" she cursed and looked wearily at Logan. "He cut the call! He's been talking nonsense about a baby and this-this girl Marilyn- If he's implying what I'm thinking . . . Logan dear . . . I think I'm going to faint . . . "She did pass out then and there and Logan quickly held her before she fell face down.He half dragged her inside and laid her down on the couch. Gemma who was eating by the dining table hastily rushed to him for assistance. She asked nervously, "Did she die?""No, no, Jesus no," Logan muttered, reaching for a glass of water from the coffee table. "She heard some shocking news from your brother.""Yes, Shaun told me he became a father. I can presume why that is shocking, but considering the time he
Third Person's POV :Jamal slipped into Joy's signed Katy Perry sweater, wore bunny flip flops and ignoring his stepmother's incessant pestering to eat his lunch, he headed to his mother's dingy apartment. There he found her sprawled haphazardly outside the door in the empty corridor, wasted. It was one in the afternoon and he wasn't surprised to find her knocked out. He fished for the duplicate keys from his pocket and opened the door. He picked her squirming body up with difficulty and carried her inside."Antonne you asshole . . . Fucking that white ass girl would get you nowhere . . . I curse you and that-that bitch---""Mamma, I'm your son, Jamal," he said in a clear voice, placing her on the unmade bed. "And it's over now. He's married to her, you can't do anything.""Fuck you! I can! You know nothing about what lies underneath this . . . " she slurred and Jamal tiredly averted his eyes at the ceiling when she unabashedly pulled her dress up. "Look here Antonne, look what your b
Shaun's POV :It had been five months since Joy passed away and here I was, back in the city of lights, Paris. It was late in the night, but the people were acting wild in the pub like the night had just begun. I didn't even know why I was here instead of editing some clips in my small hotel room. All I could think of was . . . Why exactly was I here? What was my purpose? I should have been with Joy all those weeks I came here . . . I should have stayed at home. I should have fought for Marilyn. I shouldn't have let two strong women slip from my life just like that.From across the room I saw Alice who was seated on the couch, one of my many friends I had made here. Without thinking twice, I glided to her with a cheeky grin and ruffled her platinum blonde hair from behind. She glanced up at me confused and then bit back her smile. Feigning irritation, she exclaimed, "Hey, ne touche pas mes cheveux!"'Hey, don't touch my hair! Keep your greasy fingers away!' Joy would say the same and
Marilyn's story began on this muddy land where twenty three years earlier, her single mother- Emilia gave birth to her in presence of a midwife and no family. Emilia's partner had disappeared as soon as he learned she was pregnant. But Emilia's spirit never broke, she raised her baby with all the love she had never got.Marilyn remembered her childhood days as fun and carefree where she got everything she desired with either tantrums or buttering her hardworking mother. She wasn't allowed to do any chores so she could play and study with her friends. Not a day went by without her belly filled with food and her body in the most comfortable, warm clothes.Emilia with her meagre salary as a waitress could afford only sufficient food, but still she bought her daughter all the toys and pretty dresses she had never got as a child. She only wanted her daughter to grow like all the other kids. Her life's purpose was to keep her daughter happy, to keep the only person who loved her close to he
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Four days after Christmas, Logan was trying to sleep in the sleeping area, but his eyes remained wide open. He tossed and turned on the bed, his thoughts drifting to Joy. He hadn't slept a wink in the last three days and had stayed next to Joy, talking to her until her mum asked him to rest. Logan curled himself in a small ball, forcefully squeezing his eyes shut.Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.Dream. Dream. Dream.Suddenly, he heard unsteady footsteps approaching him and he held his breath."L-Logan . . . J-Joy," Shaun said forcefully, barely spilling the words out.He immediately shot up from the bed and stared aghast at Shaun who nodded mutely, his eyes red-rimmed.Logan didn't recall the next few moments vividly- he had followed Shaun to Joy's room and his arms and legs felt like they weren't his. They felt oddly heavy as if he was dragging himself to face the inevitable. They quietly entered the room where Joy's mum held Joy's bluish hand and talked softly
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Logan adjusted his costume, took a deep breath and barged in through the door. "Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!"A deafening silence followed and in his head crickets chirped at a distance. Everyone in the room- Joy's mum, dad, Shaun, Gemma and grandpa's eyes darted from him to Joy bemusedly. Logan awkwardly tugged at his fluffy, red sleeves, wanting for the floor to open and swallow him whole.Finally, Joy's mother cut through the silence, "Oh my God, it's Santa!"Everyone broke into a wild cheer, grabbing Logan and patting him on the back. Logan's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as he shyly glanced at Joy. She was wide awake, laid on bed with blankets draped over her and an impish smile slowly formed on her dry lips.When he had walked in this place, the nurse Jasmine had winked at him. Joy had made it.Logan shuffled closer to her when she beckoned him towards her. He leaned down and she rasped, "You're the skinniest Santa with the biggest heart I have
Shaun's POV :I was delaying to go back to France. Joy wanted me to go, but how could I leave her? She was so frail like a china doll and all I wanted to do was snatch her pain away, bundle her up in the thickest blankets and take her safely home."Gem, maa will come to pick you up before bedtime," I said softly, concentrating my attention on her after taking a glimpse of my watch. "Grab your things, we don't want to create a mess in this place."Gemma nodded vaguely, her gaze travelling the liquid trickling in the tube next to the urine catheter."Can I stay please?" she asked suddenly in a pleading tone."Yeah . . . Okay. Maa will understand, I'll tell her," I said gently, not wanting to say no to Gemma. She had already suffered through many mental breakdowns this month and it hurt me to see my other sister go through so much misery. It hurt me to be rendered useless, not knowing how to help them.She murmured, her voice sounding lost, "Thank you."I didn't say anything, only reache
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Logan met Gizmo on the way to the hospice care centre, bought him snacks and petted him for a while. Then he strode to meet Joy- at the hospice care centre. She had been in there for many days now and Logan didn't know what to feel anymore. The dread and impending, heart-wrenching end was close. Too close, he forgot how to breathe sometimes.He greeted the nurse politely at the lobby area and knocked on Joy's room. Joy said, without looking, "Come in Logan.""You have superpowers wow," Logan jested, advancing towards her. She was seated on the plush sofa by the window with her long skirt tucked under her legs, gazing at the harsh ocean. He kissed the top of her head and inhaled deeply, her hair smelled of herbal shampoo. "You look nice today."Gemma who was seated beside Joy stood up abruptly. "I'm going to the library to bring your books."Joy clicked her tongue. "You can stay here Gem, it's only Logan.""No, I'll go." Her eyes darted between Logan a
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Logan was discharged from the hospital and although the doctors advised him to rest, he barely could afford to do that. He had to make frequent trips from college (to catch up on notes), his job, police station for enquiries and Joy's house where he finally felt like home. At the station, the cops were searching for the criminals based on Logan's descriptions about them.Logan wanted them to be punished, but he didn't care any longer. He knew karma wouldn't let them get away or his cruel uncle. He also knew that because of the police investigation, his uncle wouldn't dare to touch him for some months now. Besides, he felt invincible, like no force on earth could even blow a strand of his hair. The power in him was more spiritual than physical and all the events leading him to the brink of death taught him that stressing out caused him to only die a little bit everyday.For the first time in his life, he truly believed that he was strong.Logan ate the