The cold air of the prison cell wraps around Harris Crawley like a second skin, sharp and unforgiving. He sits on the edge of the narrow cot, staring at the stained, cracked floor. The cement feels like ice beneath his bare feet. His shoulders sag, heavy with exhaustion, yet his eyes remain fixated on nothing, hollow and unmoving. The rattling of keys at his cell door breaks the suffocating silence. A guard’s voice echoes down the corridor, sharp and impatient. “Harris Crawley! You got a visitor!” Harris doesn’t move at first. His head tilts slightly, brows drawing together as if he hasn’t heard right. Then, the weight of the words sinks in. He shifts sluggishly, his joints aching as he pushes himself to stand. The chains around his ankles clink with each slow movement. “Let’s go, Crawley. Don’t keep them waiting,” the guard barks. Harris shuffles toward the cell door. The corners of his mouth twitch, neither a smile nor a frown, but a grimace of unease. His forehead creases
The road stretches endlessly in front of Damien, a shimmering ribbon of asphalt bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. The soft whistle of wind slipping through the slightly open window carries with it a soothing rhythm, brushing against his skin like a gentle caress. His fingers tighten briefly around the steering wheel, his thoughts drifting toward the hospital. Toward Carol. Toward Aria. His chest tightens, a bittersweet ache that somehow feels both painful and grounding. The hospital parking lot is quiet, the dimming sunlight casting long shadows across the concrete. Damien steps out of the car, his movements purposeful but tinged with hesitation. Each step toward the building feels like a triumph, a declaration that he’s still here, still fighting for the life he thought he’d never deserve. When he pushes the door open, the sight that greets him stops him in his tracks. Carol is sitting on a chair near the window, her head tilted down, a soft cascade of hair framing he
Eunice- "Is everything alright?" Cindy places a coffee on the desk as she sits next to me. Her beautiful ginger-red hair cascades down her waist as she pulls her chair closer. "Yeah. Why?" I hold the cup of coffee. The smell of roasted beans always helps with my migraines. "We've been noticing you seem low. Is everything okay?" I didn’t know I was showing any signs of distress. "Yeah. Must be work stress," I reply, taking a sip. My lips touch the edge of the cup, but my attention drifts to the surface of the coffee. Being away from home, from the people who love me, in a foreign land always feels suffocating. Not to mention the reason I ran away in the first place. It lingers in my mind, rent-free. Never in my life did I think I’d feel so foolish for loving someone. When I tried to rid myself of that love, my heart rebelled against every thought. I always admired his dedication to working hard, but in his pursuit, he forgot someone was waiting—to be called,
James-Damien once said that for family, he could destroy the world. It was his determined resolve to protect his own. When his sister died and he believed the woman he loved was responsible, I saw him crumble like a sandcastle washed away by relentless waves. At that moment, I wondered if a person could truly become a monster because of grief. What would happen if I lost my parents? While these thoughts churned in my mind, life handed me the answer. One day, I stood before my parents’ lifeless bodies, covered in blood. The red didn’t feel vibrant—it felt gray, colorless, devoid of life. My younger sister clung to my legs, sobbing endlessly, asking over and over what we would do now. I felt myself shatter into pieces, like fragile glass crushed underfoot. When I finally resolved to protect the only family I had left, to become a monster like Damien if necessary, fate laughed in my face. I stood by my sister’s hospital bed, watching her weak gaze meet mine. Her frail hand reach
"Mommy!" Aria stands on her parents' bed, her tiny arms crossed tightly against her chest. Her long hair sways as she shakes her head, her expression a mix of disapproval and dramatic disappointment. She glares at the two figures nestled under the blanket, the soft rise and fall of their breathing the only answer to her protests.Damien shifts slightly, a soft grunt escaping him before his arm tightens protectively around his wife, pulling her closer. "Mommy! Papa!" Aria's voice rises an octave, her pink lips curling into a pout. "Why are you doing this to me? My boyfriend—" she stomps her foot for emphasis, the mattress bouncing under her—"refused to eat my ice cream yesterday! And here you are, snuggling like it's the most romantic thing ever. Hump!"Her wide, almond-shaped eyes narrow in disdain as she huffs, her face the perfect picture of betrayed indignation. "My Julie doesn’t even talk to me! Mommy! Stop sleeping!" Damien’s eyelid twitches open, one brown eye lazily peeking
In the dining room, Aria sets up her tea party with great enthusiasm. She places tiny teacups, saucers, and a teapot which she filled with her favorite banana milk on the table. She even adds her stuffed animals—Mr. Carrot, Miss Bunny, and Sir Bearington—to the mix. When Julian finally trudges downstairs, wearing the frilly shirt over his pajamas, Aria beams at him. "You look perfect, Julie!" Julian looks like he wants to crawl back into bed. "Let’s just get this over with. I have school today." Aria gestures grandly to the table. "Welcome to Queen Aria’s Royal Tea Party! Please take a seat, Mr. Butler." Julian sits down with a long-suffering sigh. "Do I really have to do this?" "Yes! And you have to pour the tea!" Aria points to the teapot. Julian picks up the teapot and pours the apple juice into the tiny cups. Aria claps her hands in delight. "Wonderful! You’re a great butler, Julie!" "Thanks," Julian mutters, clearly not meaning it. Aria picks up her teacup and ta
The chill of the night seeps through the walls as I sit curled in the corner of my couch, hugging my knees to my chest. James lies sprawled on my bed, his long frame looking oddly at home in a space that’s no longer his. His face is turned slightly to the side, his dark lashes resting against his pale skin, and his breathing is even. Peaceful, almost serene. It’s infuriating.Why is he here?Why now, after all these years, does he think it’s okay to walk back into my life like nothing happened? He should have left me alone. He should have never found me in the first place. I watch him silently for a long time. My fingers itch to reach for him, to brush the stray locks of hair from his forehead. The faint scent of his cologne lingers in the air, tugging at memories I’ve spent years burying. My hand hesitates mid-air before I let it drop back to my lap. I should tell him to leave. The thought has been circling my mind since he showed up last night, unannounced, soaked to the bone
Carol sits on the edge of the desk, her hand still loosely gripping Damien's collar. She studies his face—the soft curve of his smirk, the playful glint in his eyes, and the way his hair falls slightly over his forehead. He always has this maddening ability to disarm her with a single look, as if he holds all the cards to a game she doesn’t even realize she’s playing. “Damien,” she begins, her voice softening just a touch. “We’ve talked about this. Another baby is a big commitment.” He leans in closer, his lips brushing against her ear as he murmurs, “You mean the best kind of commitment.” His hands find their way to her waist, gently pulling her closer. “Besides, you already handle everything so perfectly. I know you can handle another little one running around.” Carol groans and leans back slightly to look at him, her brow furrowed. “Perfectly? Have you seen our daughter? She’s practically glued to me 24/7. I can’t even finish a cup of coffee without her demanding something or
Eunice, The morning sunlight drapes across the living room, casting a golden warmth over the space. Everything feels too still, too peaceful, as if the world itself is oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. James moves around the kitchen with ease, sleeves rolled up, flipping pancakes like it’s second nature. I watch him, mesmerized by the way he hums under his breath, his presence so familiar yet so foreign at the same time. It should be comforting—this domesticity, this quiet moment between us. But instead, my chest tightens, because I know that soon, everything will change. Since we have returned home, I have been fighting with myself for a decision that I thought was simple a month ago. However, his appearance, me falling in love with him again made that simple decision one of the hardest decisions ever. I haven’t told him yet. “You’re staring,” James teases, his voice smooth, pulling me out of my thoughts. He glances over his shoulder, flashing that boyish grin that u
With a long-suffering sigh, he nods. “Fine. I promise.” Aria beams, hugging him tightly. “Yay! My Julie forever!” Irene smirks, crossing her arms. “We’ll see about that.” Julian groans, rubbing his temples as Aria and Irene continue their tug-of-war over him. He has had enough. “Can you both just stop?!” He snaps finally, his patience finally breaking and wearing off. Especially to Aria who is clinging onto him like a slime. Silence falls. Aria blinks, her grip on his shirt loosening. “J-Julie…?” Her voice is small, uncertain. Julian exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Irene, you always mess with me and now her, and Aria, you act like a spoiled kid whenever I talk to anyone else!” His voice is firm, frustrated. “I can be friends with other people! You don’t own me, Aria!” His sharp cold eyes shudders Aria who looks confused with Julian's cold and indifferent gaze. The room suddenly feels too quiet. Aria’s fingers tremble as she stares at him,
Julian narrows his eyes before walking towards the door, " What's their name!?" He asks. " Julie! You got friends. What about me?" She follows him hugging her plush. " I don't know her name but she is here to play with you!" Julian walks downstairs while Aria skips the staircases one after one. " Why do you have friends? I don't have friends. I want to be friends with your friend!" She keeps whining while running towards Julian. " Hi! Julian!" A girl wearing a beautiful dress shyly waves her hand. " I am here to play." " Irene! Why are you here?" Julian asks, frowning a bit. " To play -!" Julian barely takes two steps forward before Aria latches onto his arm, her plush carrot squeezed against her chest like a battle shield. Her big, round eyes lock onto the girl standing before them, her lips pursed in a deep frown. Irene blinks, then smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Is this your little sister, Julian?” Aria gasps dramatically, releasing Julian just to s
Two days ago, Julian told her that he hated her for touching his homework. Now she is yet to get over from that shock. Julian barely stirs under the warmth of his blanket, his face half-buried in his pillow. The room is quiet except for the faint rustling of fabric as he tries to sink deeper into sleep. But Aria stands frozen at his bedside, her tiny fists clenched, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "He said he hates me…" Her lips tremble, but not from sadness—from determination. She knows Julian better than anyone. He can say all he wants, but the moment she starts crying, he’ll melt like an ice cream cone in the sun. Taking a deep breath, she clenches her plush carrot and prepares for battle. She sniffs. Loudly. A little whimper escapes her lips, followed by another dramatic sniff. Then, with precise control, her lower lip wobbles as she blinks rapidly, allowing fat, glistening tears to pool in her big eyes. Julian shifts slightly under the blanket. She s
The ending of the vacation is coming soon. Throughout the days with James, everything starts feeling like before. His warmth, his flirtatious tease and sometimes stealing glances, it makes her heart more warm. At some point, I have started worrying about the matter of me transferring to Australia. I haven't told him about it. Not yet. I am not ready for this. The farmhouse is quiet, the night settling over us like a warm, comforting blanket. Outside, the crickets sing softly, their rhythmic melody blending with the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. The silver light of the moon streams in through the sheer curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. I sit on the edge of the bed, staring down at my hands, unsure of what to do next. My heart feels like it’s carrying too many emotions all at once—excitement, fear, longing, and something I can’t quite name yet. James is sitting on the small armchair by the window, his gaze fixed on me. The weight of his eyes is almost unbearab
The morning air is crisp and cool, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers as I step out onto the porch. The mountains loom in the distance, their peaks kissed by soft streaks of sunlight. For a moment, I let the tranquility wash over me, the weight in my chest easing ever so slightly. “You ready?” James’s voice startles me, and I turn to see him standing behind me, a lopsided grin on his face and a woven basket in his hand. He’s wearing a loose white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the sunlight makes his hair look almost golden. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I reply, brushing past him toward the dirt path leading to the fields. We’re harvesting watermelons today. Margaret had asked us last night, her kind eyes twinkling with excitement as she explained that the ripe melons were waiting just beyond the river near the base of the mountain. James falls into step beside me, his strides easy and unhurried. “Do you think you’ll manage to carry a watermelon all the w
And, he tagged along...The hum of the plane’s engine fills the quiet space as I glance out the window, watching the horizon shift from fiery orange to muted pinks and purples. The first-class seat feels too large, yet somehow suffocating. I didn’t even want to be here with him. James, sitting beside me, stretches his legs, his presence filling the space like an anchor I can’t seem to escape. He taps his fingers rhythmically on the armrest, his gaze fixed ahead. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice soft but insistent, like he’s trying to sound casual. I keep my eyes on the clouds. “Fine.” “You’ve been quiet,” he presses. I let out a sigh. “What do you expect me to say, James? You weren’t supposed to be here.” He shifts in his seat to face me. “And yet here I am.” His voice carries that infuriating confidence that used to make me swoon—but now it only grates. I don’t reply, turning my attention back to the window. James doesn’t let the silence linger. “Eunice, I ju
Eunice, The hum of activity fills the office as I sit at my desk, tapping away at my tablet. My messages with James flicker on the screen, a mixture of casual banter and the occasional helpful advice about a recipe. He’s been staying with me for a while now, and honestly, he’s taken over my small apartment like it’s his. Cooking, cleaning, rearranging things—I can’t decide if it’s annoying or a blessing. How did I let him get so comfortable? “Hm? Bed and breakfast? How lucky!” Lea’s teasing tone pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance up just in time to see her leaning over my shoulder, her mischievous grin wide as she peers at my messages. I immediately turn the screen off, rolling my eyes. “Stop staring at other people’s messages! It’s nothing.” Lea smirks, unbothered by my annoyance, and pulls up a chair beside me. “Not ‘other people.’ My dearest colleague. Who, by the way, is leaving us soon. Got a boyfriend who’s tagging along, hmm?” I shake my head, gripping the tablet t
The sun streams through the large bay window of the living room, painting everything in a soft, golden glow. Aria is perched on the floor, her legs folded under her as she busily colors in her sketchbook. Her curly brown hair bounces every time she hums to herself—a random melody she makes up on the spot. Julian, sitting cross-legged a few feet away, is flipping through a book about dinosaurs, though his focus wavers. Aria’s humming is getting louder. He glances up from his book, arching an eyebrow. “Aria, what are you so happy about?” he finally asks, setting the book down on the coffee table. “You’ll never guess what!” she declares, her brown eyes wide with excitement. Julian raises an eyebrow, setting his book aside. “You found a unicorn in the backyard?” “No!” she giggles, shaking her head. “You finally learned how to fly?” he guesses again, his tone teasing. “Ugh! You are a bully, Julian!” She pouts, crossing her arms in mock annoyance. Julian smirks. “Okay, fine.