Chapter 3- Where it all went down.

Iris and Damien Lark were having the best day of their lives. Surrounded by their precious children, a warm summer breeze gently caressing their faces, they knew that they were the luckiest couple in the world. Iris couldn't help but let a few tears escape her eyes. Damien noticed and asked, "You okay, love?" pulling her closer to him.

"I am. I just feel so grateful to have everything I need right here with me. You, our children, our life together. I couldn't ask for more," she replied, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.

Damien wrapped his strong arms around her, his love for her overflowing. He was a doctor, a gentle giant with a heart of gold. His imposing figure and serious demeanor often scared people, but those who knew him understood how kind and compassionate he truly was. He went out of his way to help those in need, often paying for the education of underprivileged locals.

Iris, on the other hand, was an accomplished architect and a gifted violinist. She had given up her career to raise their children and support Damien in his work. Her love for her family knew no bounds. As they basked in the warmth of the sun and the love they shared, Damien couldn't help but feel proud of their children. "I am proud of our kids Dame. Athena will change the world," Iris snuggled closer to her husband with a smile. She raised her breathtaking eyes to look into his wonderful ones.

Damien chuckled, "I have no doubt about that. She's got your brains and my heart. A winning combination,” his gaze swept over Athena with a hearty smile.

“That she will. She loves Cleon too much. The other day, she was picking up a fight with the babysitter; she forgot to put socks on Cleon’s feet. She ran over to Delilah, arguing with her that Cleon’s feet would get cold, of course gently,” Iris chuckled.

“She's got a heart of gold, that one. Remember when she gave her ring to that little boy just so he could get ice cream?” Iris couldn’t believe how kind Athena was.

“It is a thank you gift, my rainbow” she loved when he called her rainbow.

“I am so proud of her” Damien’s eyes swelled with pride, looking at his daughter.

“Dame?” Iris punched Damien.

“What, love? She is a good-hearted kid. She and I put quarters in strangers’ parking meters, too” Damien bit his tongue, realizing he had spilled their secret, seeing Iris’s angry stare.

“And that’s why all the quarters in our laundry room disappeared?” Iris looked cute in that anger.

Damien pulled her nose, “don’t be angry, love. It is our little ritual”, he winked.

“Don’t do it, Dame. You are teaching kids to be careless with money,” Iris warned her husband.

“No, love. I am teaching them kindness”, he smiled.

"Quarters in strangers' parking meters, really?" she teased, punching Damien playfully. "Is that what you've been doing with all the change?" Iris shook her head, laughing. Despite their differences, she loved her husband more than anything in the world.

“We made good kids,” Damien bent to kiss his wife’s lips, but little Cleon jumped in between. Iris picked up her son and called out to her daughter.

"Let's go home, Theia. It's getting late." Athena came running to her mother, and as she bent down to pick up a fruit basket, a deafening gunshot rang out. Athena thought it was a firework, but when she turned to tell her mother to take her to the show.

As the gunshot rang out, time seemed to stretch out like taffy, and Athena's world slowed to a crawl. She watched in horror as the tiny red dot appeared on her mother's shirt, spreading out like a macabre inkblot. The sound of her own heartbeat filled her ears, thudding like a drumbeat in slow motion. She saw her mother's smile vanish, replaced by a look of shock and pain. Her body seemed to fall in slow motion, hitting the ground with a dull thud. Everything around Athena seemed to fade into the background as if the world had come to a standstill, leaving her alone in a frozen moment of terror.

Iris’s head hit the ground as a log fell to the floor. Before she could comprehend what was happening, another gunshot echoed through the air, drawing her attention to her father. He fell to the ground with a thud. Athena was too stunned to react, dropping the apple she had been holding.

"Mama!" she shouted, running toward her mother's body. "Mama, wake up, please!" Little Thena begged next to her mother's body, but Iris made no move, her breath ragged, and Athena's dress drenched in her mother's blood. Before Athena could understand what was happening, another ear-piercing shot burst through, grabbing her attention; her father fell to the ground with a thud. Athena was stunned to respond. She dropped the apple from her hand, “Mama” she shouted, running toward them. “Mama,” she pushed her mother’s body. “Mama, wake up, please,” little Thena begged next to her mother’s body, but she made no move. Her breath was ragged, and Athena’s dress was drenched in her mother’s blood, “Dad,” she moved to her father.

“Dad, please ask mom to wake up; she has to feed Cleon. Look, he is crying” Athena picked up his brother, bringing him close to their dead bodies. He started crying due to the loud noise he had heard earlier. “Mom, dad,” Athena pleaded to them, “please don’t close your eyes, mom,” the little girl was helpless. She wasn’t sure what else to do. Slowly people began gathering around.

Athena sat there with Cleon in her hands, “Don’t cry, toro; mom will wake up if she knows you are crying; hold on a second” the little girl moved to her mother and father, pushing their bodies. She didn’t want to accept that they were gone, the people around her tried to pull her up, but she wasn’t letting it go, “No, mommy should wake up. Toro is crying. She has to feed him,” she thrashed frantically.

How fickle is human life? One minute the little girl had everything she wanted right before her, and the next, her life turned upside down Maybe it is true what they say. Maybe God does like torturing poor souls for his enjoyment; otherwise, he wouldn’t snatch their happiness in a second. In a mere minute, her life changed into a tragedy. Athena sat there looking at everyone. The pain she felt was unexplainable. She hoped it was just an illusion, but their lifeless bodies were right before her eyes.

Athena sat there with her little brother in her arms. She couldn't believe what had just happened. It was like time had frozen, and the world had turned silent. All she could hear was the sound of her own heart beating in her chest, thumping loudly like a drum. Her mind was numb, and she couldn't process the reality of the situation. Her parents, the ones who had always been there for her, who had nurtured and protected her, were now lying lifeless before her eyes.

Athena's throat tightened, and she felt a lump forming as tears streamed down her face. Her little brother's cries echoed in the background, and she hugged him closer, trying to soothe him, even though she herself was in need of comfort. It was as if her world had come crashing down, and she was powerless to stop it. She wished she could go back in time, to that moment just before the shots had rung out, and warn her parents to run away, to protect themselves.

As people started gathering around, Athena pushed her parents' bodies, hoping that they would wake up. She wanted them to comfort her and tell her that everything was going to be okay, but they remained still, lifeless. The people around her tried to pull her away, but she wasn't ready to let go. She needed to be with her parents, to feel their presence, even if it was just their lifeless bodies.

Athena's mind was in turmoil. She couldn't understand why this had happened to her family, why they had been taken away so suddenly and cruelly. She wondered if it was some sort of punishment if they had done something to deserve this.

The people around them began to shed tears, looking at the two little children. Soon, police officers came by to inquire about what had happened. Her parent’s bodies were sent to the morgue for post-mortem. One of the police officers took Athena and Cleon to the police station. Little Athena sat on the bench at the station while the media gathered to question them. This was the first crime that had happened there in years. They were ruthlessly torturing Athena for their stories. The little one had no idea what was going on. She stood there looking at the microphones and reporters with her brother in her hand, who wouldn’t stop crying. “Little girl, what happened to your mom and dad?” reporter one asked. “Do you know who would do this?” another man asked.

A police officer came by, pushing the media over and taking her inside, “Get the fuck out,” he yelled at the press. “Fucking vultures,” he mumbled under his breath. Leading her inside, he instructed her, “wait here, okay?” he slowly sat next to her, “I will send someone to bring you to the graveyard.” He patted little Cleon’s back.

Soon, a social worker came by to pick her and her brother up. Soon, they buried their bodies, and the little girl didn’t want to see her parents' faces. It was sad for her to see the happy smiles on their faces disappear. She didn’t want their lifeless facial image to be plastered in her mind forever. If she remembered her parents, she would remember them as happy couple with smiley faces.

Even though Athena was surrounded by people, she felt completely alone. She couldn't process the fact that her beloved parents were gone forever. She tried to cling to her memories of their happiness. She wondered if she would ever be able to smile again as they used to or if the pain would always be with her. As they laid her parents to rest, Athena felt like a part of her was buried with them. She clung to her brother, who was the only family she had left in the world, and silently promised to protect him no matter what.

After the formalities were done, the police officer sat her down and brought over some milk for little Cleon and food for Athena.

“Have something to eat, little one,” he urged, nudging the plate towards her.

But Athena shook her head, “Cleon is hungry; I need to feed him first,” she responded, taking the milk and trying to feed her little brother, who couldn’t drink it without a bottle.

The police officer gestured to a policewoman to bring a bottle. Athena poured the milk carefully into the bottle, tested the temperature on her wrist, and began feeding her little brother. She had seen her mother do it multiple times, but this was different. Her heart felt heavy with sadness and worry, and she wondered how she would take care of her brother and herself without their parents.

The entire police station stood there feeling numb for the little kids. The policeman felt heartbroken for the little girl who had to take this huge responsibility at a young age. After she put little Cleon to sleep, the police officer asked gently, “do you have any living relatives?” Athena lifted her head, tears streaming down her face.

She nodded yes, “my mother’s sister lives in Paris. I have her address; she used to write to my mother. I have them at home,” Athena said, remembering the letters her mother used to receive and how happy they made her.

“Okay, let’s go,” the officer got up, trying to take Cleon from Athena’s hands, but she clung to her tightly.

“I can carry him,” she refused to let her brother go. He is precious to her. The police officer nodded in understanding.

As Athena walked through the halls of her childhood home, memories flooded back with vivid clarity, as though she were reliving them all over again. She saw the place where her mother used to sit and oil her hair, singing lullabies until she drifted off to sleep. She remembered the cozy corner where her parents would sip their coffee, talking for hours on end as the world outside buzzed by. Everything felt so familiar, yet so achingly distant, and Athena's eyes stung with tears as she tried to hold onto every precious moment.

She walked over to Cleon's playpen, placing him gently inside as she continued to take in the surroundings. It was like each corner of the house held its own special memory, from the smell of her mother's cooking wafting from the kitchen to the sight of her father reading in his favorite armchair. And now, everything felt still and empty, a silent witness to the tragedy that had befallen her family.

The weight of it all bore down on Athena, and she felt her strong facade crumble away. Her cheeks were wet with tears of numbness as she longed to hold onto the memories, to keep them close and never let go. But the reality was harsh, and her parents were gone, leaving her with only their cherished memories to hold onto.

She moved over to where there were letters; she took them, handing them over to the police. The policeman was in tears when Athena came back. He made calls and informed her mother’s sister. Athena sat at the edge of the table, looking lost; her once bright purple eyes were dim with sadness and grim.

“Sweetie,” the police officer called. “I called your aunt Blanche; she will be here soon. Do you need anything else?” he asked, patting her head and sitting next to her. She shook her head negatively, looking down into her lap.

The police officer's voice trembled as he spoke. "I am so sorry for what happened, Athena. I know that sorry doesn't bring them back." Tears streamed down his face as he pulled back, taking a deep breath. "But I want you to know that your mother and father will always be in your heart. They will be watching over you every step of the way."

Athena looked up at him, her own eyes brimming with tears. She wanted to believe his words, but they felt like empty promises. Still, she appreciated his effort to comfort her.

The officer continued, "Remember, life can be difficult and unfair, but you are a strong little girl. You can get through this. I want you to know. Someday your life will change according to your liking; until then, be a strong little girl " He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. "Just take it one day at a time, okay?"

Athena nodded silently, unable to find the words to respond. She was grateful for the officer's kindness, but it did little to ease the pain of losing her parents.

Athena had no understanding of whatever the police officer was telling her. She is too young to be in this situation or to understand philosophical words, but the police officer knew a girl this innocent and beautiful would attract monsters like a moth drawn to a flame, especially now that she didn’t have anyone to protect her, and she is all alone in the big evil world. Though she doesn’t understand it, he knows she will understand his words when the time comes.

“I hope god gives you strength to withstand your struggles, Thena” he moved to the door.

“Wherever you are, please remember that your mother and father are your guardians; they will never left you,” but Athena did not move to say anything. “I will stage two officers here; they will help you if you need anything,” he said, leaving Athena to her sadness. Athena had no idea what would happen to her and her brother now. She hadn’t seen her mother’s sister ever. From what her mother told her, they loved each other so much and that she was married and had a daughter and a son. She didn’t know their names or what they looked like.

Athena hoped her mother’s sister could love her as her mother did. After all, she is her family, isn’t she? Soon, the night fell, and sadness pooled in her eyes and drizzled down as water. The girl always loved nights, they brought her comfort, and for the first time in her life, she hated nights. They made her feel lonely. She wailed her heart out, holding her mother and father’s pictures.

Little Cleon woke up demanding his mother’s warmth. Athena walked over to the crib; the little boy smelled horrible; he must have pooped. She tried to reach the high table to change the little boy, but she couldn’t. So, she put him on the floor. She emptied the dirty diaper, hoping that he would stay still, but little did she know, babies ran at every chance they got. The kid’s movement made the entire place dirty. She struggled to keep him at bay; somehow, she put him into his new diaper and laid him down in his crib.

She brought a mop and cleaned the place with incredible difficulty. She took his brother out of the crib as he was crying. “Don’t cry, kiddo; I am here” she rocked him, but Cleon wasn’t ready to calm down. “I will be your mommy from now. I love you, Toro”, she kissed her brother’s head. “The policeman said mother and father are always watching us,” she cooed little Cleon to sleep. But as if the boy sensed the absence of his mother, he began to cry harder.

“Shh, Toro. Don’t cry”, she tried lulling him to sleep using the tune her mother used to sing, but the boy wouldn’t budge. She made him sit in his arms and let him cry. That night, she cried for everything, the loss of her life, the beginning of her loneliness in her world. The little boy cried after a while, but Athena’s heart felt no relief. Her life has turned upside down. Will she ever get over this? Probably not. How can she? She lost the most important people in her life. “Will I be okay, mommy?” she looked up to the sky and asked the stars.

The guards outside the house shed tears in broken hearts looking at the little girl. “Mommy and daddy, I will keep Toro safe. I will always love you. He is my son now. Please take care of each other”, she let her tears flow. Who knows when she will get this chance again?

The worst part is that she never got to say goodbye, and the silence around the house scared her more than anything. Where there used to be a burst of happiness, there is just an absence now, a sudden abrupt silence, which was louder than any voice could ever be. She looked at the sky. she bit her lip to control her tears, but they weren’t under control. After crying for hours on end, she decided to pack her things for herself and Cleon. If her aunt showed up, she didn’t want them to wait.

Morning rolled in, and a car stopped in front of Athena’s house. A woman who was just as beautiful as her mother got out of the car and ran inside the place to find Cleon and Athena. To her, Athena resembled her sister in every single way except for her hair; while Iris had dusty blond hair, her husband had the darkest hair, dark as the raven’s feathers. Her eyes narrowed at Athena, and something flickered in her eyes, and little Athena had no clue what it was. “Did you pack your bags?” Blanche asked Athena, who had little Cleon in her arms.

“Yes, auntie Blanche,” Athena responded. Blanche bent down to Athena's level and spoke in a commanding tone. "First of all, don't call me 'aunt.’ Call me Blanche, or if you prefer, 'madam.’" Athena was taken aback but composed herself and replied, "yes, ma'am."

“And secondly, I will give you food and shelter, but don’t expect me to shower you with missing love. You won’t get it from me” she took her shades off, zeroing her eyes on little Cleon, who was on Athena’s shoulders.

Athena was expecting love from Blanche since she is her family but listening to her words. She decided that at least she should be happy she would get food and shelter. “This pest can stay with us again. No love from my end” Blanche’s words hurt Athena, but she said nothing; she was in no position of power to do anything, so she nodded like a doll.

“You remind me of your sick father, and I hate it. If only Iris hadn’t…….,” Blanche stopped at that spewing words of hatred at little Athena, and Athena saw sadness in Blanche’s eyes. It disappeared as quickly as it came.

“I have a daughter, Sophie, and a son Arthur; they are my world, and you will stay away from them,” Athena saw a hint of pride in Blanche’s eyes.

“I don’t have all day; grab your bags and put them in the car,” Blanche ordered Athena.

“Yes, mam,” she wanted to call Blanche by her name, but somehow her heart wasn’t okay with it. She stood there hoping Blanche would help her, but she ignored them. “What? I am not going to help you carry all that,” she pointed to their luggage and said flatly. She walked out the door, turning around, “Hurry up, I don’t have all day.”

Athena carefully placed Cleon in the crib and hurried to Blanche's car with her bags in tow. She didn't want to keep her aunt waiting and risk making her angry. As she rushed back into the house to retrieve Cleon, she couldn't help but take one last look around. But what she saw now was different from what she remembered - the once-familiar rooms now felt cold and empty without her parents' warmth and love. With a heavy heart, she locked the door, leaving behind her memories and the only home she had ever known. But perhaps it was for the best; as much as she cherished those memories, living in that house without her parents would be too painful. She couldn't bear to cry herself to sleep every night surrounded by their absence. It was time to leave and start anew, no matter how daunting that prospect may be.

As the car gained speed, Athena cradled Cleon in her lap, knowing that her life would never be the same again. Despite her fears and uncertainties, she was determined to make the best of the situation for her and her brother. She carefully fed and entertained Cleon, hoping not to irritate Blanche. Although she had no illusions about the woman's love or kindness, she knew that she could provide for her brother and protect him from harm.

Gradually, Athena's eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep. Cleon, ever the good baby, remained calm and quiet. When the car finally came to a stop at the airport, Blanche offered to hold Cleon to spare Athena from curious looks. With sweaty palms, Athena handed over her brother, praying that Blanche wouldn't drop him out of anger or spite.

As they boarded the plane to France, Athena closed her eyes and tried to imagine a future where she and Cleon could thrive. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to be strong for her brother and make a new life for themselves.

……………….

Back in Greece..

A person in a black coat walked to the site of the murders, “there are two more bodies in the dumpster,” he moved the bodies with his feet while still talking on his phone.

“The Larks are gone. Why murder someone else?” he asked the person on the other side of the phone.

“I can’t tell for sure. I don’t think one person committed this, but something is missing. These bodies are tortured like the person derived some kind of pleasure from killing them. It didn’t look like an ordinary kill either. Felt personal. These bodies are unidentified,” he squatted close to the bodies.

“I will look more into this and get back to you,” he disconnected his call.

He bent closer to the bodies and began to observe them with intent and intellect. “Do you see these marks in their chests?” the person in the black coat pointed to the hole in the dead body’s chest.

“Yes,” his partner responded.

“Looks like whoever did this was a grade-A sadist,” the person in the black coat said.

“How do you know?” his partner questioned.

“He made sure that they felt pain in every single fiber of their body. He didn’t just kill them. He cut most of their body parts,” the person in the black coat moved the bully’s body to the side, and the blood from this heart spilled out, falling on the black coat.

“He punctured most nerves. The knife work is exquisite. He cut their fingers. It looks like this one is missing a tongue” he opened the dead body’s mouth to see that there was an empty space where his tongue used to be. He couldn’t help but admire the skills of the culprit.

“Gather the evidence and pin these pictures; we will take this back to the den” the person in the black jacket and his partner walked out, sending the bodies to the morgue.