Damien ShawI pull up in front of the unfinished building and slam the brakes. The place is an eyesore with crumbling concrete and, rusted steel beams. The air smells like damp wood and decay, mixed with blood, maybe. Someone’s been bleeding in there. I kill the engine and step out. My jaw is tight. I stride toward the entrance, my men flanking me. I can already hear the low and guttural groans echoing through the empty corridors. Gerald. I recognize the sound of pain, and his is unmistakable. My patience is razor-thin as I push through the half-collapsed doorway, stepping into the darkness. A single, flickering overhead bulb swings from exposed wiring.In the middle of the room, Gerald is slumped in a chair, wrists and ankles bound, his head hanging forward like a broken puppet. His face is a mess with blood crusting around his nose and lips. One eye is swollen shut. One of my men, Martin, straightens as I approach, giving me a respectful nod. “Where’s Lila Stangard?” I ask.
Imogene Scott For the next few days, I’m stuck at the hospital. I’m only allowed to take walks and Damien, Sheila and Lily come to see me at evenings. For some reason, Damien and I haven’t talked about what happened—about Lila, about the attack, about anything that actually matters. He only asked me about the key which I guess Lila told him about and he got rid of it. At least that’s what he told me.There’s still this weird tension between us and it’s almost like when you know something is wrong but you choose to believe it’s not and just not talk about it. I know something is definitely wrong.I’m on one of my evening walks again around the hospital environment. The nurse told me to make friends so I won’t be taking these walks alone but I tell her I’ll be out of here in a few more days so why make connections that’ll end eventually?I take a seat on a bench under a tree to gather my thoughts. Damien and Sheila and Lily will be here to see me soon. They’re so supportive but I h
Imogene ScottI tilt my head. “Next world?” She lifts her gaze to the sky, like she’s imagining something far away. Something I can’t see. When she looks at me again, there’s a kind of eerie confidence in her eyes. “Yes. I want a better life in the next world. I don’t want to be reincarnated as a woman who has to work ten jobs to survive, someone with no roof over her head. Someone who has suffered all her life. Someone who has never been loved properly.” A chill slips down my spine. She’s talking about herself. She’s gone through so much? I immediately feel bad for her.“With the help of our leader, I’ll be reincarnated as someone with a better life in my next one,” she finishes. I stare at her. Reincarnation? A leader? The way she’s talking, it’s like she’s fully convinced this is real. That someone has told her exactly what to believe, and she’s clinging to it like it’s the only thing keeping her afloat. I force a small smile. “That’s… really good. I’m happy for you.”
Imogene ScottI watch as Georgia storms off and my heart sinks. It’s not just pity I feel for her. It’s grief. The kind of grief that comes when you see someone walking straight into destruction and know there’s nothing you can do to stop them. Georgia has fallen victim to a cruel lie, a lie that’s taken root so deep inside her that she’s willing to mutilate her own body for it. I let out a slow breath and glance down. Something catches my eye near the bench where she was sitting. A piece of paper flutters slightly against the pavement, likely having slipped from Georgia’s pocket. I reach down and pick it up. “The Blues Heavenly Gate” I read.The name alone makes my skin crawl. Below it, their motto is printed in bold, black letters: Another Chance at a Better Life.I scoff. The audacity. So this is who’s deceiving people like Georgia? Filling their heads with fairytales, convincing them they need to ‘sacrifice’ something to earn a better existence in their so-called next
Damien ShawI take a deep breath as I stare at Imogene. She looks pale, still too fragile for my liking, but at least there’s more color in her cheeks now. She’s getting better. That should be the only thing that matters. But I know we can’t ignore the conversation that’s been hanging over us, the one I’ve been avoiding. I hate that I’m still angry with her, hate that I can’t just let it go, but the image of her collapsing, covered in blood, won’t leave my head. She almost died. The twins almost died. All because she couldn’t leave things alone. I finally speak. “I’m glad you’re getting better.” She nods, offering a small smile. “Me too.” I rub a hand over my jaw, glancing at the floor before meeting her eyes again. “I’m sorry I’ve been… distant.” Imogene tilts her head slightly, studying me. “I understand.” Of course she does. She always does. That doesn’t mean I’m going to let this go easily. “You know I care about you,” I say. “I never want anything bad to happen to y
Imogene ScottThe moment Sheila and Lily leave, I throw off the blankets and reach for my laptop. My fingers tremble as I type in The Blues Heavenly Gate into the search bar. I know this is reckless, but I need to do something. This isn’t just about Georgia anymore. It’s bigger. The law is on their side, any attempt to bring them down through legal means will be slow, possibly ineffective. The only way to destroy them is to expose them for what they really are. My screen floods with articles, news reports, and a few conspiracy theories. But one thing stands out which is that every month, they hold a three-day retreat to bring in new members. The attendees are transported to an undisclosed location, a place where they’re ‘taught the ways of their religion’. More like brainwashed and conditioned. And tonight is one of those nights. A bus leaves at 10 p.m. sharp to take new recruits to the retreat center. I glance at the hospital clock. 9pm. This is my only chance. I swallow h
Do Y'all think Imogene is being too nosy?she never listens.
Imogene Scott I’m able to make it past the gate with just the burner phone hidden under my flowing dress. My heart pounds so loudly in my chest I half expect the guards to hear it. The moment they wave me forward, I exhale, forcing my feet to move. I just hope this phone works when I need it.The air is filled with smoke. I step forward into the yard, my eyes darting around, trying to take it all in without looking too obvious.The place looks like an old monastery with stone walls. Lanterns flicker along the pathways. But it’s the fire in the center of the yard that makes my stomach clench.An open flame is glowing and around it, people in dark robes move in a slow circle, chanting. Their feet drag against the dirt, heads bowed as if in deep prayer. It doesn’t feel like worship. It feels like a ritual. A cold shiver rolls down my spine.“Keep moving.” I nearly jump out of my skin at the sharp voice behind me. One of the escorts—an older woman with severe cheekbones and dark ey
Imogene Scott The first thing I notice when I wake up is the empty space beside me. The sheets are still warm, carrying the faint scent of Damien’s cologne, but he’s already gone. I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes. The morning light filters through the curtains. The scent of something cooking drifts through the air—eggs, maybe omelets. I push the duvet off and slide my feet into my flip-flops. As I walk out of the bedroom and down the stairs, the soft sounds of laughter and clinking utensils become clearer. In the kitchen, Damien is standing by the stove, a spatula in one hand and an apron lazily tied around his waist. Lily is perched on a high chair, her small hands clapping together as she cheers him on. “Good morning, Mummy!” she says excitedly when she sees me. A tired smile pulls at my lips as I walk over. “Good morning, baby. How are you feeling?” I gently brush a strand of hair out of her face, studying her carefully. “I feel better now!” she announces proudly, her
Imogene ScottIt’s midnight, and I still can’t sleep. I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling because my mind refuses to quiet down. The room is dark except for the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the curtains. The house is silent. I curl my arms around my stomach, my fingers lightly tracing the curve of my belly. Two months. That’s all the time I have before the twins arrive, and yet I don’t feel ready. I barely feel capable of handling Lily some days. How am I supposed to take care of two more babies? I exhale slowly, willing the thoughts away, but they keep creeping back in. Damien was right about one thing—I’ve been forgetful lately. Not just little things like where I left my phone or if I locked the front door, but important things. I should have cleaned up the broken glass earlier. I should have been more careful. What if it had been worse? What if Lily had gotten seriously hurt because of me? My throat tightens. I know I should see a doctor, but the very
Damien ShawI let out a slow breath, my fingers pressing against my temples as I watch Imogene walk out of the room. The door doesn’t slam, but the sound of it clicking shut is just as final. My jaw tightens. Of course, she walked away. That’s what she does when she doesn’t want to hear something, shuts down, closes herself off. I loosen my tie, feeling the frustration settle in my chest. I hadn’t meant to start an argument. But how could she act like this wasn’t serious? It’s not just about her anymore. She’s been forgetting things more and more lately, and now Lily’s gotten hurt because of it. Just a small cut, sure. But what if it had been worse? What if she had stepped on something deeper, something that couldn’t be patched up with a bandage and a sticker? I exhale through my nose, rubbing a hand down my face. Fighting with Imogene never gets me anywhere. She’s stubborn. Too stubborn. But damn it, I don’t want to wake up one day and realize something terrible has happened be
Imogene Scott I carefully press the small, pastel-colored sticker onto the bandage covering Lily’s tiny foot. A smiling cartoon bear grins back at me, as if that alone can erase my guilt. I kiss her forehead, inhaling the soft, baby-powder scent of her hair. "I'm sorry, baby," I whisper, brushing a stray curl away from her face. Lily shifts on the couch, pulling the plush blanket over her lap. "It's not Mummy’s fault," she says in her small, serious voice. "Lily wasn’t careful." My heart clenches. Even at four, she’s trying to take the blame for something that’s entirely mine. I should’ve cleaned up the glass right away. I should’ve been more careful. I lift her tiny hand to my lips and kiss it. "Do you want me to get you anything?" Lily’s eyes brighten. "Chocolates!" I shake my head, smiling despite myself. "You know you can’t have sweets past seven, baby. It’s almost eight." "Please, Mummy?" She pouts, her big brown eyes glaring at me.I sigh. "Fine," I relent,
Imogene ScottI jolt awake, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. For a moment, I don’t know where I am. The room is dimly lit, the heavy curtains keeping most of the daylight out. My heart is racing, my body damp with sweat. I sit up slowly, pressing a hand to my chest. The dream is already slipping away, but I know what it was about. Georgia. It’s always Georgia. My dreams are always about her. Mostly about that night she died.I exhale shakily and push a damp strand of hair from my face. My nightgown clings to my back, sticky with sweat. The dream lingers, making my skin prickle with unease. Why won’t these nightmares stop?I reach for the glass of water on my nightstand, desperate for something to soothe my dry throat, but my hand meets empty space. I blink, frowning. It’s always there. I always leave it there. And then I remember—I moved the jug before my nap. But where? I try to picture it, but my mind feels sluggish, foggy. Did I put it in the kitchen? On the dr
Damien Shaw I’m at my desk, working through a contract revision when Kia steps into my office. I don’t look up immediately, still focused on the document in front of me. “Sir, someone’s here to see you,” she says. I finally glance up, rubbing the bridge of my nose. The first thought that comes to mind is the damn principal. I hope he hasn’t shown up here to grovel in person. I already made it clear—either they fix their behavior toward Lily, or I pull every last cent I’ve donated to that school. I don’t need another pointless apology. But when the door opens wider, it’s not the principal. It’s Sheila. I frown, leaning back in my chair as I take her in. She looks… fine. Not sick. But Imogene told me Sheila was unwell and wouldn’t be coming in for a few days. So what the hell is she doing here? “Sheila,” I say, watching her carefully. “Mr. Shaw.” She nods in greeting. “What are you doing here?” My tone is sharp.She offers a small smile, shifting on her feet. “I was
Imogene ScottI take my time getting Lily ready for school the next morning. With Sheila still sick and not coming in, the task is entirely mine, and I don’t mind. I cherish these moments—though today, my mind feels sluggish. I’m bothered by Georgia’s bracelet I found yesterday and the strange sense of forgetfulness creeping into my life lately. Lily sits on the edge of my bed, swinging her little legs back and forth as I button up her white blouse. She tilts her head back to look up at me.“Mommy, what’s wrong?” she asks. I pause for a second, startled. “Nothing, baby.” I smooth down her collar, making sure it sits perfectly. “I just want to remind you that if anything happens at school, if you feel sick or if someone makes you uncomfortable, you have to tell me, okay?” Lily nods, her curls bouncing with the movement. “Yes, Mommy.” “That’s my good girl.” I kiss the top of her head and take her small hand in mine, as I lead her out of the house. The drive to school is fi
Imogene Scott Lily giggles as she picks at the last piece of her banana pancake. Her tiny fingers are sticky with syrup. I watch her as I rest my head against the back of the chair. But my mind is somewhere else. The bracelet. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, staring up at the ceiling as if the answer is hidden somewhere in the cracks. Did I put it there? Had I forgotten? That’s the only logical explanation. Lately, I’ve been forgetful—missing appointments, losing track of time, misplacing things. Maybe this is just another slip, another thing lost in the chaos of my mind. But it doesn’t feel right. I inhale deeply, my fingers curling into my lap. I need to see it again. “Lily, baby, I’ll be right back,” I say, pushing my chair back. She nods, too focused on her food to question me. I walk upstairs slowly, each step. When I reach my bedroom, I hesitate for a moment before stepping inside. The room is dim. I make my way to the dresser. The drawer creaks
Imogene Scott Lily swings her legs under the table, her tiny feet barely brushing the ground as she happily digs into her mint chocolate ice cream. A small smear of green is at the corner of her mouth. She hums quietly as she eats, completely lost in her own little world. I should be able to enjoy this moment. Watching her be this happy should bring me peace, but it doesn’t. My stomach twists as I stare at her even though my own ice cream is melting in the cup. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let things get this far. I shouldn’t have let my past mistakes bleed into Lily’s life. She’s just a child, my child, and she deserves to grow up without the weight of my sins pressing down on her. She looks up suddenly, “Mommy, are you okay?” I force a smile, even though my face feels stiff. “Of course, baby.” Lily nods, satisfied with my answer, and goes back to her ice cream. “Very good, Mommy,” she says in her soft, sweet voice before taking another spoonful. I w