May 08, 2016
"Love at first sight, huh?"
I came back to my senses as the noises in my surroundings came back as well, when I heard Everson's voice behind me. I turned to him in annoyance. He's wearing an all-black attire as if he'd attended a funeral instead of a church mass. There's a soccer ball in his hand that he swiftly kicked back to the younger boys who were playing a mess-up soccer game.
There are a handful of teenagers here outside the chapel. From what I've heard, the Camden Public School is holding a recollection and retreat for all of their students. They're also going to split the middle and high schoolers. We're not allowed to join since we don't go to that public school.
When I turned back to the girl's direction who caught my attention, I couldn't find her anymore. She's already gone. I sighed in disappointment. It's all Ever's fault.
"I never thought you'd attend the mass," I said, changing the topic. I don't want him to m
August 21, 2021When Sierra vanished from my life, I lost everything. My friends, my interests, my studies, and even myself. My will to live simply disappeared into thin air. It wasn't until then that I came to know that without her; I was nothing but an empty soul. She was my motivator, encouraging me to start and finish each day and the one who inspired me to do everything I want without fear of my parents' thoughts. Ever since my father dictated my future, I lost my will to dream for myself. I imagined that my life would revolve around politics as well, that I would be like them—a boring person who makes empty promises.But then Sierra entered my life. She resurrected my old little self, who used to fantasize about impossible things, and she taught me how to dream and believe in myself agai
"And so we meet again."Sierra surprised me by appearing and slamming a book on the desk before me, which brought me back to reality. She's dressed formally in a light blue dress with a black ribbon in the middle of her collar, and her long ginger hair is braided into three strands. She looks great today without even trying; in fact, I believe she always looks great.Blinking often, I double-checked that I was the one she spoke to by peering around the corner. Everything in Camden town's most central public library is brown from the walls and down to the things around inside here, and every corner of the room exudes the intoxicating aroma of books."Hey, I'm talking to you." She whispered and smiled sheepishly at me.Withou
August 21, 2021When I followed Sierra into the mall parking lot, she walked inside and drove a black car by herself. I suddenly remembered how difficult it was for her to practice driving when she was trying to earn her driver's license. She had no prior driving experience. She didn't even know how to pedal a bicycle. Sierra told me about how her mother used to chastise her as a child for how dangerous it is for a young lady like her to ride a bike. As a result, she never learned to ride one.But now I've learned that Sierra has grown brave and can now drive a car without my help. Because I've always been the one to drive her wherever she wanted to go.I sighed. I'm sitting inside my car, watching Sierra enter her apartment on the second level of a building meters away from me. She removed her cap before going insi
October 19, 2016It took me several days to regain my sense of sanity. And the moment I opened my eyes and had the strength and courage to speak once more, I had no idea that Sierra was already gone once I saw the four corners of the room."I know it will be difficult for you to accept what I'm about to tell you, son." The older man in the policeuniform began, his eyes sympathetically looking at me as if I were a stray pet.He's seated in front of my hospital bed in a white plastic chair. And I spotted another cop standing behind him with his hand on his chin, looking at me with the same sympathetic expression.And here I am, helpless on my bed, perplexed and worried. But I've never given them the impression that I'm about to burst out in tears because of wha
May 22, 2016Today is Sunday. The sun is shining brightly, and the temperature is higher than last week. We're back in Camden's chapel for another mass. I keep telling myself that I need to concentrate on the priest's sermon when he begins, since I don't want my father to reprimand me again. But I can't seem to stop myself from wandering around the chapel, hoping to see Sierra.I was very excited about going to mass last Sunday. I even told my family to hurry up, and they were all taken aback by my unusual actions because it was just not me. They looked at me in disbelief, as if they couldn't believe what they had just seen in me. But, in the end, Mom praised me for beginning to be diligent, and Dad even smiled at me, which is rare to see inhim. Bryon, on the other hand, simply sneered at me. Maybe he believed I was merely putting on a show to receive pra
May 22, 2016"Archer, let's talk." Ever popped out of nowhere at such an inconvenient time? And he's not asking me; he’s commanding me.I gazed at Ever, a frown on my face. Sierra and I were both caught off guard by his unexpected appearance. While he continuedto stand there with no evident expression on his face,I noticed Sierra moving in her seat from my peripheral vision; I didn’t want our conversation to stop abruptly, especially since I waited a week to see her. However, Ever is still standing in front of us, waiting for my response. Even though I'm irritated by his lousy timing, I know I need to talk to him about our misunderstanding. But does he really need to confront me in front of Sierra and interrupt our talk? Can’t he wait until we come home?
June 13, 2016I took a deep breath after glancing at myself in the bathroom mirror for about a minute. I strapped my backpack over my shoulder and brushed my hair using my hands. I made my way to the living room and slammed my bathroom door shut. Once I reached the ground floor of our house, with great heavy footsteps, I was about to turn the front doorknob when suddenly I heard Mildred, our maid, calling me from the dining room.“Archer! It's still early, so get some breakfast first!" She yelled, and as I turned around, there she was, racing out of our dining room's archway, holding a paper bag of food. "And here's something for your lunch," Mildred added.Mildred is a single lady in her fifties. Since we were kids, Mildred has been Bryon, and I'spersonal maid since we were kids; she acts more like our
The ringing of the bell signaled the end of our class. I haven't seen Sierra and Ever since that morning, Troy stated the two went in the bleachers and ate their lunch there when break time came, which made my brow furrow in curiosity. But I never considered following them or either asking Troy if Sierra and Ever are alone together in the bleachers. Instead, when Troy, George, and Spencer asked me to sit with them in the cafeteria, I joined them. What else will it do to me if I watch them speaking under thesun? And I promised myself not to be jealous of Ever again when it comes to Sierra's affection."Tell me, Arch, when you'll be free again, I miss playing pool in your gaming room!" Spencer said, and he tapped my back."I still don't know, but my father is playing an antagonistic role in my life these days." I joked, but I didn't even crack a smile. I'm
"Where are we going?!" When the light from the lamp post crossed his eyes, I noticed how dark and horrible they were. I attempted to yank Archer's hand away from me, but he became quite violent."You fucking lied to me! And if you can't love me back, I'm going to get rid of you instead " There was no other man, no stalker, and a man with a face mask. It was just Archer and me. But before that happened, I called Emmy to the Meadowoods Library before Archer ever got close to me. When I asked for help for the third time, I told her that I would go with her since there's someone who's threatening to kill me. Of course, she was concerned.I had the entire plan written down before Archer did. But it was never my intent to drag Amalia under her grave."Calm down, Archer; we can talk this through." He was practically twisting my hands and tried to shove me inside his car while I was in pain. But I needed to buy some time because Amalia hadn't arrived yet."Why should we talk
Everyone in Camden Town knows practically everyone else, including the famous Mayor and his family. As I already stated, I did a great deal of reading and pondering before heading to that location. As a person who grew up in a bizarre and aberrant environment, everything must have a reason, or else your existence will be meaningless. My intention to kill myself was pure when I drowned myself, but after I was awakened, I gradually wanted to restart my life because of Jade and Everson, but my flesh was telling me that living a simple life was never for me. I knew Everson was friends with Archer; while I was going around Camden, I would see them together, and there was a whisper in my ear instructing me to do what I wanted to do. And it was to get close to Archer Leviticus. When I thought about him, I told myself that I needed to see a psychiatrist again since everything about me isn't normal anymore. I want to be good, but I also want to be bad. I started hatin
"Thank God, you're awake!" Jade pulled me back to life when I thought I had sunk to numbness. It was a terrible heartache, and I felt like Jade smashed my dream. I was already so close to dying. I was so enraged by her but something unusual happened to me that day when I witnessed a single tear fall from Jade's eyes. It was as if something struck my heart; it was the first time in years that I thought someone truly cared about me. And the fact that she was a complete stranger made me appreciate her even more. Someone risked her life to save a piece of garbage like me while I was alone in the vastness of the water. That day, I couldn't decide whether to be glad that He had kept me alive or angry because I knew that once I was living, something awful would happen in my life again. But now I already know the answer. Being alive is cruel to me. I didn't deserve to have a second life. It took me a week to finally respond to Jade becau
"She left us." I placed my hand on Amalia's shoulder to stop her from walking. "Let's just face it." I told her once again, and when Amalia eventually stopped, I closed my eyes in relief. She turned to face me, her eyes and entire face scarlet from crying. She knelt on her knees and cried even more, panting for breath. "Let's just say she's in good hands now—" "You can't rest assured! Allison, she's just thirteen!" She yelled at me. I looked around and noticed others stopping to stare in astonishment at us. I knelt down, took her hand, and pulled her up, but she quickly swayed my hands away from her. "How can you be so calm? Our sister has gone missing!" She yelled at me again, looking at me in utter disbelief. It had been a year; one day we woke up, Luisa was gone. I knew it would happen soon because Luisa kept talking about asking for help and what may have occurred to us only if we had gone with our sisters. So, I had the feeling th
"I fucking despise myself!" Amalia sobbed and smacked her head. I took a nervous breath and bit my bottom lip before taking Amalia's hand in mine and embraced her. She sobbed, burying her head in my arms to avoid looking at our sisters, who were being taken by the cops. While Luisa was sitting on the ground hugging her knees avoiding looking at our sisters. I watched them from a distance, hiding behind trees, as they were perplexed and puzzled of what was happening, their eyes wandering around, attempting to find us everywhere while they sobbed. We didn't have a choice but to leave them or turn them over; we didn't have the money to feed them any longer, and we all knew that keeping our younger sisters in our care wouldn't get us anywhere. The proprietor of the previous motel we were in was starting to get suspicious of us, first, we were just a bunch of kids, and he was perplexed as to why we only stayed in a room with one bedroom, and he probably also
Carrie was right the entire time because as I grew older, I learned that mama was more than just the mother figure we all want. She wasn't ordinary; she was above and beyond everyone else. She was observant and had finesse, and she knew how to bend straight lines without getting caught. She knew everything about evil, and she also taught me everything. Like Allison, I took Carrie's advice to gain Mama's trust. It wasn't easy, as she had warned me. I didn't know where to begin since whenever I approached Mama, all I could feel was nervousness, and she was always mad and strict with me. Facing her was like facing Satan himself. And what's worse was I had forgotten that I had once been Allison, and I had simply forgotten how to be like her. Allison, as I recall, was a crybaby who was always afraid but yet did things she was afraid of anyhow. But, as time went by, I grew accustomed to lying and became a professional, just like my mother. I felt like I had inherit
"Why are you crying? You should be happy that mama didn't punish you," Carrie said as she rubbed Allison's shoulder, prompting Allison to glance up at her sister. Carrie was eighteen years old and could live on her own, but their "mama" would never allow her or any of them. Allison sniffed and brushed her tears away, but they still wouldn't stop falling. Her eyes suddenly fell on Carrie's bruises on her bare arms and legs; she had received them just weeks ago when she attempted to flee and seek help from authorities. She was their mama's most trusted child, not just because she was the oldest, but also because she was the best at lying, but now she was just another piece of trash that their mama hid under the basement. "I simply didn't like what I did to Nathalia and her mother," Allison said as she shook her head and sobbed again. Their mother always told them not to cry because it only makes people weak, but Allison was only seven years old and couldn't kee
"Mama, I think what we're doing is wrong." Allison muttered as she looked at her mother, who was putting on her earrings while checking herself in the mirror. Allison's heartbeat raced faster as her mother stopped what she was doin; she already knew her mother was going to chastise her, one of her mother's dislikes are them talking back at her or being against or questioning her actions. She embraced the doll that Nathalia gave her, because she finds comfort in it whenever she is afraid, which she is all the time. Dahlia's mother was dressed in a black long-sleeved dress, scarlet stilettos, and her hair was carefully done into a bun. Her lips were as red as blood, and she was really going for a stunning look since she was going out to dinner with Grace's wealthy friends. Dahlia would never say no to Grace's invitation to an expensive dinner. Dahlia has been acting as Grace's friend for two weeks now. She couldn't help but giggle inside her head at
"Oh my god, thank you so much! This is the finest gift I have ever received in my life! I really love it!" Exclaimed Dahlia, Susie's mother, as she gazed at the embroidered hoop of flowers Grace had made for her. "Oh my! My ears would be clapping," Grace sheepishly said as she shook hands in front of Dahlia, but on the inside, she was ecstatic that Dahlia liked it. "No, honestly, you are really wonderful at this," Dahlia said as she set the embroidery hoop on a vacant chair to her right. "Thank you so much; I learned to embroider from my mother," Grace said, looking at her mother beside her. Grace's mother, Merriam, teased her, saying, "Grace loves delivering her embroideries to her new neighbors, and you would probably know what she would give you when holiday comes. On top of that, she would really spend her day only doing this, no doubt since our house is extremely filled with her works." They all laughed. "Oh, come on!"