- CAMERON - I've been going through these files and nothing adds up. I scoff, looking at the papers in front of me. The Lawyer was right. Everything is wrong here. How does someone vanish into thin air without a single trace? Who is this child of my father and why don't I know about his birth? Why can't I trace him? No matter how much I think about this, it doesn't make any sense. My eyes trace the documents before me and I groan. Doing paperwork is exhausting. And no, I don't know the child's gender and I won't refer to a human as 'it', so for now, I'm assuming this mystery person the pronoun; he. Till I find out myself, that's what I'll stick with. I sigh. The morning has only begun yet I'm this distressed. I might as well continue my days by sitting at a corner in my usual cafe while drinking coffee. All alone. There's still much preparation to be done regarding distributing father's properties amongst ourselves so I can't let this child's disappearance be my proble
- ISOBEL - Have you ever felt stuck? Trapped in your life and the only escape you have from reality are the thoughts in your head? That's where I am right now and the only thing I have going are the slutty thoughts running through my head. There are some benefits to being alone in one's room at night. My mind replays the scene of my night six months ago, only this time, it has someone else's face in my mind. A very familiar face. Cameron's. I gasp, leaning my head to the side as the audio plays in my ears. My vibrator is doing its work down there. "Good girl." The deep masculine voice from the audio plays and I'm suddenly reminded by that one line. 'You're such a good girl.' I bite my lower lip. This activity is aiding me to forget everything else and it's working perfectly. My mind is not thinking about Nina, nor what we talked about last night nor is it worried about Cain. Or is it? The fact that I'm able to remember their names proves that I haven't fully f
- CAMERON - He didn't have anything but bad news. I sigh, walking out of the inn. It's one at the outskirts of the city we live in. A good choice of place to meet while going undetected, but the news wasn't favourable. Just when I thought I was over my father's death... The Lawyer had other plans. I swallow, getting to my car. I pull the door leading to the driver's seat open and crash on the seat. My fingers hit the steering vigorously as I barely manage to make myself comfortable. My head is messed up. Every single thing I felt when I got the news that my father died months ago is resurfacing through my mind again and I feel like shit. Why did The Lawyer have to do this to me? Drain me back to zero? My eyes redden and my body falls forward to the steering. A scream morphs out my lips. I feel like I can't breathe. My head is clouded by what I saw and I can barely think properly. Another scream leaves my lips as I bang my hand on my dashboard continuously, trying to infli
- ISOBEL - I sigh, scrolling through Instagram. I double tap my screen, liking the reel then scroll again. I'm jobless so I don't have anything to do all day. Maybe I should look for a job. I look across the living room. The family photo on the television stand irks me. It's one of me, mom, step dad and that asshole of a brother. The main reason I left my job in the first place was because of him. I won't let that happen again if I do intend to get a job and actually get one. I sigh, dropping my phone on my thigh. I'm bored. I've done literally everything to keep me unbored but I've literally bored myself out of each and every one of them. Netflix? Done that. Prime? Same. Tiktok? Ditto. YouTube? How do I say 'same thing' in french? Because I can't stress this enough. I am bored out of my wits. I lean my head backwards against the sofa and groan. I need anything at this point to save me from boredom. Anything aside from sleep, I didn't get much sleep all morning but I don't
- ISOBEL - I swing by a cafe, one of my favourite, with James tagging along by my side. We couldn't beat running into Cain back home but for the first time in my life since I knew Cain, he let me leave home without a possible ulterior motive or an argument. And he's not following me. As shocking as that is to imagine, he's at home while I'm out here. Alone. On my own with no one breathing down my neck. Wow. It's almost surreal. I guess good things do come with having kids. I should ask Nina if her cousin needs a babysitter tomorrow. I could make a few bucks out of this and it will actually benefit me in the long run. I clear my throat and pull the door open. The ring of the bell at the door of the café as we enter pleases my ears as the scent of freshly baked pastry fills my nose. James wants a light snack, that's why we stepped out in the first place, and this café is well versed in those. "Choose anything you want, aunt is here to fulfill your stomach cravings without
- ISOBEL - It's noon. I'm waiting for Nina to come and pick us up. James and I went to an arcade. He did loosen up more and I anticipate doing this a second time. Just with a charge of course. Whatever I spent today wasn't for free. Nina will refund every buck to me. That's my way of punishing her. Although, with her promotion, she wouldn't even mind doing that. I check my watch. Nina said she'll be here over five minutes ago. James and I are standing outside a sushi restaurant. That's where Nina agreed to pick us up. I think I'll use this chance to talk to her and get back to the café. I'm a hungry adult and the snack I crave goes there. The waitress said he's usually away at this time but I shall try my luck. A honk deafens my ears and I tighten my grip on James' hand. I've been holding onto him like a mother hen. I have been in a situation where a child under my care has gone missing before and it was not funny. I called a search party of course but the mother of that
- ISOBEL - He’s not here. You can’t imagine my disappointment when I waltzed into the cafè and realised he wasn’t there. I searched the whole place just to know if he changed seats but he didn’t. He was gone. I sip out of the straw dug in my iced tea, swirling the cup gently while sat in one of the double seater tables. Nina is sat opposite me. I can’t believe she made me babysit for an appointment she had in the spa while having a makeover. I mean I’m jealous, but that was not a solid reason to dump her cousin’s child with me. “I want to be a babysitter.” I finally blurt out. Nina chokes on the croissant in her mouth. I gaze at her for a brief second, checking if she’s okay. She is. I turn my gaze away once she drinks out of her cup of coffee. Coffee is not good for her. I’ve told her so many times to stop taking caffeinated drinks but her addicted ass won’t listen. “A... are you sure?” Leaves her mouth as she ask me carefully. Her eyes rest on me like a hawk. I nod, takin
- CAMERON - My alarm clock rings, waking me up. I groan, keeping my head pressed down my pillow as I stretch my arm out, reaching my bed table, to turn it off. It has been a long few days. Taking The Lawyer’s advice to have a few weeks off to clear my head is doing me good. I’m processing a lot of things. Plus, I’m finally coming to terms with father’s death. Those documents proved to be more for my healing than I expected. I’m glad he passed them on. I sigh, turning around so my body faces the ceiling. My room is dark. Every window is sealed shut by the curtains and the lights are off. I know it’s morning but I prefer to keep it this way. The grey painting of my room along with the grey sheets, tiles, bed stand, and every furniture aids with this darkness, giving my room a warm feeling. I discarded every worker at my home to enjoy my alone time to the fullest and I’ve got to admit, keeping myself busy with chores definitely aids to heal my mind. During these past few days, I
- ISOBEL -I squeal as I step into the bathroom to rinse my face. I’m sleepy but not too sleepy and since I’ll be on a bed for much longer, I know I’ll dose off but for now, I’ll do my best to stay awake as much as I can.He touched me! My heart dances in my chest.I can’t get over the fact that Cameron laid his hands on my skin. I felt his need. I felt the desire as he fondled my skin. My eyes close as the images of us together drops in my mind. I move my hand over my body, imagining his, and a smile forms on my lips. My eyes comes open and I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I turn the sink tap off, maintaining my smile.I guess some good does come from having no place to stay. Speaking of which, I need to start virtual apartment hunting, it’s urgent. I walk out of the bathroom and sit on my bed, pulling the covers open so I can lie down comfortably. Just the thought of Cameron funding my apartment gives me an unsettling feeling but I guess it’ll be alright. It has to be. Back
- CAMERON - My thumb flips over my lower lip. I’m in the cubicle, under the shower and warm water runs down my body. My decision shocks me sometimes, I had her right where I wanted yet I chose to be decent. I raise my chin up and close my eyes, letting water pour down my face. I have a lot of things on my mind. I’ve got so many questions about our dinner night and other things yet I choose to ignore finding the answers. Is this what we call fear? Is it possible I’m afraid of something that I don’t want to accept as a reality so I choose to bask in the moment rather than doing what the old me would do? I have no answer to this and it’s shocking. Who is the old me? The old me was a ruthless punk who preyed on weaker beings. Sometimes. Deep inside, there was a human who yearned to be seen and be free and now I’ve got that freedom, I guess part of me doesn’t want to ruin it by reading too deep into situations. I guess this is me trying so desperately to be normal. The ends of
- ISOBEL - I can feel my heart pounding ridiculously fast in my chest as he leans over me. Did I just ask that? How bold can I actually be? I feel my throat tighten as his thighs brushes over mine. He hasn’t laid his lips on me yet but his body movement is already playing mind games in my head. The sharp fall of the chair backwards makes me squirm. “For easy access.” Cameron mutters. As I open my mouth to speak, he slips a tongue in, closing the distance between us as he kneels in front of me. His hand holds my head to his face as he devours my mouth and claim my body in his arms like it’s his. I want it to be his. My eyes close voluntarily the moment my tongue tasted the spiciness in his tongue. I moan. Every movement, every suck on my tongue and bite of my lips leaves my head in a temporary distortion at how good I feel. Like I’m being revived into a whole new world through the feel of his tongue. I moan in his mouth, shifting back a little. “Cameron,” I breath sharply wi
- CAMERON - I’m sat outside on an open street bench, waiting for her. She said she was coming. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been here in this freezing cold night, yet I’m still waiting. I hold my phone in my hand and exhale slowly. I can see the steam formed due to the hotness of my breath in contrast to the weather. I’m putting on my suit jacket and a long, black coat yet my skin still feels the effect of the cold. Another sigh leaves my lips as my eyes peers lower at my phone screen. I’ve gotten no text since the last time. I raise my head up. Parked in front of me is my car with the front lights on. Apart from that, no one is in sight. I dip my hands in my pocket, leaving my phone on my thighs. The only reason I’m not in the comfort of my car with the heaters on is because I want her to see me when she arrives. But that is taking forever. She sure has a nack for making people wait. It’s cute but not that comfortable. “Cameron!” Someone calls my name. From the faintn
- ISOBEL - Benjamin, my step father, is infuriating and mom just stood there watching him degrade me! Like she didn’t meet me first, love me first, live with me first. Like I’m not her daughter. I called her name. I remember yearning for her to step up to him when he called me names but she didn’t say a word. I would’ve believed it was due to the tiredness caused by the gasoline and oil mix up accident if this was her first time, but it’s not. She always does this. He blamed me for wanting to harm HIS family, like I am not part of it. He blamed the for the fire the moment those men left. I mean, I’m guilty, but in that house, I’m the least person to be suspected of doing something devious. His son is a master at it. Both of them are basically devils in human form. I huff, staring out the window in Nina’s room in the comfort of her bed with my legs folded to my chest and arms crossed around it. I’m crashing here for a while but not for long. I resume the thoughts protr
- CAMERON - ‘Please wait in the car’ The text from Isobel glares at me from my phone. I’ve been here for over half an hour since a group of people waltzed out of her house yet she’s still inside. If I choose to calculate how long I’ve been out here in total, I’m sure it’ll be nearly an hour or a few minutes past an hour. I sigh. I wanted this so I’m ready to wait, just right now, I’m torn between going in there or waiting. Her message does tell me to wait in the car, not sure if that entails actually staying in the car. I run my hand through my hair and let out an exhale. The last two days were insane. I couldn’t think. She severed a serious injury while alone with me and I couldn’t help but be worried. I felt uneasy and just then, I forgot everything else. This woman is really amazing. I don’t know anything about her yet she’s on my mind twenty four-seven, occupying my thoughts. She’s definitely an intriguing character and has my restraint hanging on a thread. The next time I
- ISOBEL - “Thank you! Please wait in the car.” I breath out loud to Cameron, getting out of the passenger seat while heading to my phone. My heart is beating fast against my chest. My house looks normal. It’s not ash as I expected but since my mom was home when everything happened, it is a good thing, right? It means Nina probably had to stop the fire which I still can’t process how. I look back for a second. Cameron is out there waiting for me. Good. I may need to run away from this place soon. I knock on the door. I have my key although I’m not sure my mind is at the right place to remind me to search for it. I left my purse in the hospital and I never thought I’ll be coming back to this place. My fingers scratch each other as I wait for an answer. I got none. This time, I ring the door bell. I am anxiously eager to meet someone. I want to see mom. I wonder if she’s in a hospital or if anyone’s home. I got no message from either of them. Cain is probably in jail, so th
- ISOBEL - Guilt. I’m laying down on a bed with people by my side pushing the bed I’m on forward. My vision is blurred and I can’t make sense of my environment but all I can see is white and so many lights. What happened? I hear the sound of my breathing. It’s loud. Almost like my mouth and nose are enclosed in something I can’t wrap my head around. I want to move but I can’t. My hands feel glued to the moving bed even though I know they’re not. I may be partially out of touch with my environment and my body but one thing I can tell is there’s nothing binding my body to anything. Where’s Nina? Where’s Cameron? My eyes close. They slowly open. I’m not moving anymore yet the lights are still as blinding as ever. I squint, trying to block excessive light from reflecting on my face. Why is there some kind of guilt eating me up like something bad happened to them and it’s my fault? My head turns to the side. Someone’s standing by my side. I try to move my fingers out
- ISOBEL -My ears buzz from the noise. Laying on the floor, with my side pressed hard on his chest and his arms around me and palm pressed around my ears, is my traumatised self.My body is quivering and the continuous sound of gun shots gives me a reminiscing trauma of what it felt like seeing Cain murder someone in cold blood. It was night as well and I was just coming back from work when he killed my colleague.That was the main reason I quit my job and the scenes are replaying in my head. I feel my chest heave and my breathing quicken as a panic attack hits me like a wave. “Are you okay?” Cameron’s voice comes as comforting as he clenches his arm around me. I try to raise my upper body and feel a prick on my shoulder. This makes me wince. Glass.Broken glass pieces are dug into my skin. I shake my head ferociously, trying to breathe. “Panic attack.” I manage to murmur.He leans his chest forward and raises me up. The moment his hands rests on my arms, I shriek. He takes them o