“Lillian is dead. She killed herself because of how alone she felt. So, thanks a lot, Mom. Thanks for kicking her out when she needed you the most!”
“Oh gracious,” she murmured, holding her head as if to steady herself. She staggered back, her balance wavering.
I crossed my arms, glaring at her with venomous intensity. Itwas her fault. All her fault. Someone had to take the blame; someone had to face the wrath.
“Are you sure she’s gone?” My mother’s voice was a whisper, her pupils darting around, her focus slipping away.
“Yes, I’m sure. I found her body.”
“It couldn’t be,” she mumbled, her words not directed at me but rather lost in the labyrinth of her own mind. Tugging at her hair, she wandered off toward her room, trapped within her muddled thoughts.
Through the walls, I could hear wailing, distant and pained, like a wounded animal. I couldn’t bear to stay there any longer.
The house felt like it was spinning, Lillian’s room too close for comfort, memories pressing in around me like a suffocating fog.
Before I could think clearly, my feet darted out the door. I ran until my lungs burned, until I reached the edge of the neighborhood by the woods.
A nauseating sensation twisted in my stomach, and I doubled over, retching onto the pavement. My body shuddered; my thoughts raced uncontrollably, a feral creature intent on tearing me apart.
Nobody could be trusted. Nothing felt safe anymore. The world around me felt barren and icy, dark and isolated, clawing at my ashen face.
Despite the grief that drained my energy, I continued to run. My legs carried me deeper into the woods, twigs snapping beneath my feet as bushes snagged at my clothes, nearly tripping me with each frantic step. My head throbbed from the branches scraping against my scalp, but I pressed on, each breath a desperate gasp.
Eventually, I stumbled upon the park, just beyond the tree line. I collapsed onto the grass, laying there as my chest heaved. My glazed eyes stared blankly at the colorless sky, the world around me fading into silence.
I closed my eyes, longing to slip away from the weight of it all.
A voice pulled me from my deadened trance.
“Amelia? What are you doing?”
I opened my eyes slowly. The voice was familiar. After a few seconds, it registered in my mind.
I sat up and squinted against the glaring sun. “Hi, Dante.” My voice came outraspy and weak.
He knelt in front of me, lifting my chin gently with his fingers, forcing me to meet his concerned gaze. A single tear fell down my pallid cheek, and I could see the concern etched on his face.
“What happened?” His voice was soothing, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. It was intoxicating, a blissful dreamscape amid my turmoil.
“My sister is gone. Forever.” The words felt foreign on my tongue. I had never imagined I would be speaking such a painful truth so soon in my life. Was this a nightmare? If only I could wake up.
“Gone?” His voice trailed off, but I could see the understanding glimmer in his eyes. He wasn’t naive.
“Dead,” I stated bitterly, unwilling to elaborate further.
“Amelia. I’m so sorry. I wish I could take your pain away.” His somber tone matched the air around us. Grief hung like an infection, quietly spreading, infecting everything.
He rubbed my arm comfortingly, and this time, I didn’t pull away. I let his touch envelop me, not stinging or repulsive, but rather a soothing balm amidst the chaos. But it wouldn’t bring my sister back.
Before I could fully absorb the moment, a voice erupted nearby, shattering the fragile calm.
“Uh oh,” Dante muttered, standing abruptly, as if caught in a forbidden act.
My entire body ached as I attempted to rise, screaming at me to collapse back down, to give in to the exhaustion. A new presence loomed beside us, and I turned my gaze toward it. Hues of red ignited within my vision, my veins pulsating with anger.
Caiden had found me. And I was ready to unleash hell upon him.
Immediately, I became possessed by someone else, a different version of myself. One that was bloodthirsty, vengeful, and consumed by hatred.
