I had barely got any sleep before I
was woken up by a very loud noise that broke through the house. It was a ready
loud scream. Whoever it was most seen something terrifying or just been through
it.
Can't people just be quiet?
I'd just spent hours crying over the
fact that although I'd woken up from the dream, I didn't wake up in a
time were my family was still alive. Nobody heard a sound and now this.
Footsteps could be heard walking towards
the place that was supposed to be my room. I wasn't in an hurry to get there, I
know all that's going on already.
I ever so slowly, got out of bed and walked
towards the bathroom to wash my face and rinse my mouth. I should have taken the
products I need and my toothbrush with me yesterday night. Now I have to witness
the scene.
I walked out of Serena's room and down
towards mine. The family was gathered in the front of my room and just as I got
there they all turned to look at me with eyes filled with so much malice.
Still in character, I walked towards them
like nothing had happened, asked them to excuse that I needed to pick up some
stuffs.
But before I could even blink, I was almost
attacked by what I thought was a dog I later realized was Serena had I not dodged.
She fell unceremoniously on the fall.
I've never seen her look this out of
place. She looked so bad. Her hair was a mess – it was like a bird's nest, her eyes
were swollen and she had hickeys all over her body. They was not even a single
clear patch of skin on her. Let's not even start with the starches. But in the
bright side, at least she doesn't look like a pale ghost for once.
"You! You did this to me. You did this
to me on purpose. What could I have done to deserve this?" She screamed self
righteously.
"Did what? Paint you? I'm not an artist."
I replied innocently.
Elise who couldn't take it anymore raised
her voice. "Nevaeh, all we tried to do was do you a favor. Be there for you since
you now have no one. You haven't even used up to a day here and you've done
this to my daughter? What could she have done to deserve it?"
"What exactly did I do. If you guys can
be more specific we wouldn't be in this dilemma. I only came here to pick up my
toothbrush and some other things I need to get ready for the day and all I'm faced
with are your accusations. And like you said, I haven't used up to a day here
and you guys are already showing me how you treat your family." I concluded
with heavy emphasis made on the family.
"You can't continue acting innocent.
Serena told us about how you contracted two men to carry her into your home and
rape her." Of course Micheal would jump in.
"What do you mean by… oh my God! What
do you mean rape? Two men raped her? She got raped how? She came to me
yesterday to ask me to switch rooms with her because she feels I won't be confortable
in a room as small as this." I said gesturing to the room the gave me. "I mean
it not even as big as my closet back at home. Even the room I had at school was
bigger than this. I thought she was just being nice so, of course I agreed.
"You're a liar. You knocked me out and
left me with those men." Serena fired at me.
"How would I be able to do such a thing?
I'm just an INNOCENT girl!"
That did it. She snapped. "You bitch!
This was supposed to be you. They were supposed to rape you not me. I set it
all up to put you in your place. You lofty black bitch putting up airs in my
house." She let it all out. All her brothers attempts to shut her out were futile.
I immediately acted so hurt… "ahhh …
how could you plan on doing this to me?" I gestured at her for emphasis.
"I just lose my family and you're here talking to me about this? I don't think I
can stay here. I would rather stay at my home alone nah this. To think that I
about to send my stuffs over. Thanks so much for your hospitality."
I walked pass them all into the room grabbed
my duffel and just as I was about to step out, took a minute to survey the room
then I noticed something unexpected – the camera is live.
That alone was enough to make me incredibly
happy. I just walked out of the room calmly without drawing their attention to
it. I figure Serena probably forgot. I wonder how they're going to do the damage
control this time.
Just as I was about leaving, Ethan
offer to drive my to my house but I refused. I need them all present for the
second phase. I'm sure they'll say some things after I leave. I don't want to make
him seem innocent.
I left where they were all gathered at,
went over to pick the key Micheal's favorite car then left their house. I wish I
could see the look on his face when he realized. He'd always been territorial.
Now that wasn't how I'd planned this.
I planned to stay over at their place
for quite sometime but Serena change the whole plan. I know staying at their
place with Serena in that state means I'm just trying to make things worse for myself.
That girl will get back at me. That I'm so sure of. She never lets go.
Getting home, I was bombarded with memories
all at once. I was prepared for that. But what nothing ever prepared me for was
the pain I felt and the void I feel and there was no one to comfort me and nothing
to fill the void.
I moved around the house, entered my brother
and sister's room, then my mom and dad's. I tried not to touch anything that maybe
they may come back. But they didn't stop me from going into their closet to inhale
and hug their clothes just to feel closer to them.
Then sat at the hallway crying and
hoping someone comes out to tell me it was all a joke or a dream once again.
None of it happened. Even though I know it's all real, it didn't stop the pain I
felt – the disappointment.
I'd gone through this in the dream
but then I didn't face the grief. I never had time to grieve. I'd just shut myself
out of my old life, never facing it and chased after the McKinley family's approval
and recognition. So it all seems new now. I've never felt such emotions before.
I didn't know how I slept off.
The next morning, I woke early. Not
from nightmares—I had those at the McKinley house—but from clarity. And a little
bit of body pain.
The House was quiet, the kind of quiet
that I never thought my house could afford. Although, we were just three children
my parents had, we were a noisy bunch. There was always one thing or the other
to talk about, fight about or argue over.
There was nobody in the house just few
security officers. Grandma must have let them off.
Grandma! Oh my grandma!
I should call her. No… I should probably
visit her.
She most be grieving all alone. I had
just one daughter which was my mother and that was her all. I wonder if she blames
me for all these. Maybe that's why she didn't get in tough with me in the dream.
Although, I didn't go to see her she could
have done the same. I didn't go to see her though out the four years dream. I was told she didn't want to see anyone including or especially me.
But I never actually confirmed. Oh how stupid I was.
Then I decided to see for myself whether or not grandma actually wants to see me.