BROKEN PROMISE

As the sun dipped below the horizon in the rural village, Sophia's uncle, Patrick, and aunt, Diane, seethed with a mix of shock, anger, and desperation. They just figured out that Sophia had escaped

Patrick, a rugged man in his late forties, paced outside his humble abode, his weathered face etched with worry. "Where could she have gone?" he muttered to himself, his mind racing with the possibilities. He knew Sophia had no acquaintances, no friends to speak of, and no money to her name. The thought of his niece, alone and vulnerable, sent a shiver down his spine.

Diane, on the other hand, was a cauldron of rage. "This is the girl you raised with so much love, and this is how she repays you?" she spat, her voice venomous. "She's thrown away her future, and for what?"

Patrick shot her a stern glance. "You're more concerned about the marriage you arranged than Sophia's safety, aren't you?" His tone was laced with accusation.

Diane's face twisted in a scowl. "What a convenient time for her to run away, just before her marriage to Lord Martin!" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "I swear, she's brought shame upon our family."

Patrick's expression turned grim. "You're worried about your own interests, not Sophia's well-being. She was your ticket out of poverty, and now she's gone." The truth hung in the air like a challenge, and Diane's face darkened with anger.

As Patrick stood there , he remembered the promise he made to his brother.

It was thirteen years ago, a certain cold night . Henry was infected with a sickness which had no cure thus he was bedridden. All he could do was eat and lay on the bed. He had hated seeing his brother in such a state and he hated himself more for not being able to do anything to help his critical state. That certain night Henry became more vulnerable, he wasn’t able to move his body like he used to, he wasn’t able to eat .It was just as if he guessed that it was his time, his time on earth was over .

He beckoned on the small Sophia who stayed with her father day and night , swearing not to ever leave his side

“ What is wrong Daddy?” She asked innocently

“ Daddy is fine “ Henry replied feigning a smile. “ Now daddy needs one of those sweets of yours , will you get it for me Baby ?

“Yes of course daddy “ the child replied as she hurriedly ran to get the sweets .

When she left the room , Henry turned towards his brother Patrick” I don’t know how much time I have , I want you to promise me something Patrick “his eyes teary

“ Anything for you brother “

“ Promise me your going to take care of Sophia, take her as your own and treat her very well “

“ I promise brother , Im going to take good care of my niece , you needn’t not to worry “

“ Thank you “ Henry replied hissing a sigh of Relief

Few seconds later , Henry began to cough , the cough was getting worse within a second “ Henry “ take this Patrick said as he poured water into his mouth

He continued to Cough while holding his chest .

“Daddy I’ve brought the sweets “ Sophia said but dropped it on the floor when she saw the state her father was in “ Daddy “ she called out with tears in her eyes

“ Uncle , why is the cough not subsiding ? “ she questioned

“ I don’t know Sophia , water isn’t stopping it “

“ His drugs are in the parlour, let me get it “

“ No Sophie her father spoke his voice silent like a whisper “ It’s my time already Baby “ Uncle Patrick will take good care of you and promise me your going will be of good behaviour

“ Uncle Patrick doesn’t need to take care of me while your still here daddy “ the child replied defiantly

“ I don’t have time Angel”.Just then he slid a necklace into her tiny hands “ Whenever you miss daddy talk to this necklace “

“

Henry's coughing fit intensified, his chest heaving with labored breaths. Sophia's eyes widened in terror as her father's gaze locked onto hers, his voice barely above a whisper. "I...love you, Sophie..." His eyelids fluttered shut, and his body went limp.

Sophia's world shattered. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the desolate landscape. She shook her father's lifeless body, pleading with him to come back. "Daddy, please! You promised you wouldn't leave me! You promised to take me on a ride through the woods!"

Patrick stood frozen, his eyes welling up with tears. He had known this day would come, but he hadn't prepared himself for the anguish that gripped his heart. Watching Sophia sob uncontrollably was a dagger to his soul. Losing a parent was a brutal blow, but witnessing their final breath was a pain that cut deeper.

As Sophia's cries pierced the air, Patrick felt helpless. He didn't know how to console the shattered child, so he stood there, silent ,as the storm of grief ravaged her tiny frame. The only sound was Sophia's heart-wrenching sobs, echoing through the stillness like a haunting lament.

The memories of that fateful day came flooding back, and Patrick's eyes burned with unshed tears. The weight of his failure crushed him, the promise he made to his dying brother still echoing in his mind like a haunting curse.

"Forgive me, Henry," he whispered, his voice trembling with anguish, as if the ghosts of his past might hear his plea. The air seemed to vibrate with his regret .

Patrick's despair deepened as the sun dipped below the horizon. A poor man's resources were limited, and he couldn't afford to launch a search party. The village grapevine was notoriously efficient, and if anyone had witnessed Sophia's escape, the rumors would have reached his ears by now - especially through his wife's well-connected network.

His mood was a dark, foreboding storm cloud, casting a shadow over his every thought. Self-doubt gnawed at his soul, as he repeatedly branded himself a failure. The question that haunted him was: why had Sophia fled?

"She was treated like family here," he muttered to himself, his voice laced with anguish. "Why would she abandon the only home she's ever known?" The rhetorical question hung in the air .