Rhys left both of them upstairs and went to the kitchen to boil some water. He knew what was going to happen next; once they were done in their bath of emotions, their physicality set in, reminding them of the ice-cold water they had both soaked themselves in. He went through the process, making the coffee just like Sophie had always wanted it at the bakery, and not sure of how Veronica liked it, he just decided to make it the same way she made her daughter’s. He couldn’t help but wonder how one man had caused so much pain to a family, affecting two different generations with his actions. He waved his head and poured the coffee beans into the kettle, allowing them to brew on the low-heat stove. Meanwhile, the two women in the house bonded in their hug, disengaging from each other only when cold had started to set in and Veronica could feel her daughter shivering even though she didn’t want to let go. She changed her clothes and volunteered to help her daughter, intentionally giving
“It was like a suspenseful horror thriller movie to all of us when she went away, leaving the little baby in our care. Of course, my father left it in my mother’s care and had no choice but to reinstate us from the barn back to the house. “Everything seemed to be going well, smooth, and fine for a couple of weeks, but we all knew it was a delusion. Learning his lesson, my father had tried his best to be a good man until my mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness. “The doctor informed her, along with my father, that she had less than three years to live, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly when the death bell would ring. I was too young to understand what was going on, but instead of my father staying with my mother in her last days, he spent it at fun centres, claiming to drink away his sorrows. “Then, on a rainy Sunday morning, when I was nine years old and Eliana was five, we were preparing to head to the neighborhood church when the grim reaper came to take its next victim. It
At this time, Sophie’s curiosity was like that, leading the cat to uncharted territories. Even though they had both been seated for hours and the coffee that was served to them had become cold, they both sat on the bed, the evening slowly creeping in on them. Rhys, who had decided to give them enough space, knocked lightly on the ebony oak doors of Veronica’s room; it was unlocked, and he let himself in, seeing both of them woven together with the invisible strings of long-lost love and twenty-four years of longing. He wanted to go prepare dinner, and he wanted to ask Sophie if she would follow him to the central market to get things for dinner. “Hey Veronica, hi Sophie,” he waved from outside the door. “I’m going to the market to get supplies and groceries for dinner. Do you want to tag along?” “No, not now. Can you say a little bit more?” she pleaded. Rhys acknowledged and went outside, knowing fully well that if he didn’t go now, there would be no one at the market if he waite
Rhys stood on the edge of the cliff and watched as the evening’s warmth began to wane and the countryside underwent a tranquil transformation. The sky, a kaleidoscope of pinks, purples, and oranges, slowly deepens into a soft twilight blue. The sun, a burning ember, had now dipped below the horizon, casting a gentle glow across the rolling hills and verdant fields. He stood still as night’s veil descended, the stars beginning to twinkle like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse. The moon, a silver crescent, rose like a glowing scythe, casting an ethereal light upon the landscape. The air, filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, grew cooler, carrying the whispers of nocturnal creatures awaking from their daytime slumber. In the distance, the chirping of crickets and the hooting of owls created a soothing melody, punctuated by the occasional bark of a dog and the rustle of leaves as unknown creatures stirred. The world suddenly seemed bathed in a soft, lunar glow,
They walked back home, his hand curled up on Sophie’s waist. It was a little too late for dinner, but Veronica insisted that she was hungry, spreading the feeling among them all. As soon as they got home, they resorted to calling Eliana first and asking her for updates. The call beeped once, and she picked it up as if it were automatic. “Hey there,” her raspy voice came over the phone. “Hey, how are you feeling?” “All good. How’s everything over there?” “We’re good. We just wanted to check up on you and see how you’re faring.” “I’m good. You still won’t ask about him, right? After all these years, you still won’t let go of your pain.” “Don’t preach to me about letting go. Don’t you try it? I just wanted to know if you'd be coming home for the night. End of discussion.” “I won’t,” she said, sounding a little bit sad. “I’m having a doctor come over to check him, and I have to be around in case the doctor needs anything.” “Okay then, see you in the morning.” The call disconnect
“Despite the football guy being the handsome guy and the nerdy guy being a little below average kind of guy, Eliana was still jealous of our relationship. Her boyfriend was like a guy that was specially carved by God; his features were extraordinary, and his skill set was amazing; he was everything a woman ever wanted. “My guy, Drey, was just the perfect type for me. He was not too nerdy or too naughty; he was just standing somewhere in between, but when talking about looks, he wasn’t really the one, but where he lacks in looks, he makes up for it in brilliance. “Drey, my guy, and Fontaine, Eliana’s guy, were both friends from middle school; they lived in the same neighbourhood and were like impossible twins; but when Eliana’s jealousy started to manifest, she instigated Fontaine to pick fights against Drey. “Fontaine, being gullible, readily believed anything she spewed out of her mouth and acted on it, including picking a fight with his best friend. When I learned what happened,
He took a deep breath, his breathing ragged like stones dragging on the jagged side of rocky mountains. He rolled his eyes in his socket, not focusing his gaze on anyone in particular before speaking out. “This isn’t enough punishment for my sins; I’m just hoping that hell wouldn’t be hotter if you just found a way in your heart to let it go.” Sophie and Rhys wondered if it was still the abuse she reported to Veronica that spurred this palpable tension in the air, or had he done something worse than he did to her? Sophie tried to take her mind off it, daring not to even think in that direction. Veronica faced Eliana and said, “Now that we are all here and the eyes are complete, I was regaling Sophie with stories of our childhood, and I was just arriving at the point where Adrian came in. Since you’re here and you’re always accusing me of feeding Sophie false stories, if I say something off-the-point, correct me here and now. And then,” she said, facing Adrian with mocked anger on he
“I struggled under his grip, all to no avail. When I realised he had already overpowered me, I pleaded with him with all the remaining strength in me, but he was far too consumed. All my pleas fell on deaf ears, and he defiled me brutally, traumatising me ever since.” There was a moment of unsure emotions in that instant. The wall clock chimed the hours of three in the morning, but none of them felt sleepy; this was a time of resolution, a time to settle matters, and no one wanted to be left out of it; this was way beyond one person’s issue now. “He had his way with me, his eyes widening as he reached orgasm. Even after that, he was not done; he went in again and again, turning a deaf ear to my pleas. When he was satisfied, he stood up, adjusting his trousers, while Eliana walked in; the door had been unlocked. “She saw him and instantly ran to where I was crumpled, my body covered in a pool of my own blood. I was crying uncontrollably, regretting why I had come home for the break,