I couldn't erase what I had seen in the kitchen — Grant's iron grip… Jessica's desperate screams. The memory played over and over in my mind like a cursed melody. I curled up behind the door, my knees tucked tightly to my chest, trembling with a fear that clawed at every inch of my body. Distrust settled like ice in my veins.
Then — a knock.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
The sound sent a jolt of panic through me, setting my heart ablaze with terror. I scrambled away from the door, breath caught in my throat.
What if it's Grant?
What if he came to finish what he started?*
What if I'm next…?
My hands locked together, shaking. I was frozen, trying to decide whether to scream, run, or hide.
Then — a voice.
Soft.
Familiar.
Breaking through the silence like a fragile thread of hope.
"Mia?"
It was Amilia.
I hesitated only for a second before rushing to the door. I pressed my ear gently against it. "Mia," she whispered again.
My voice cracked as I replied, and I quickly unlocked the door.
She stepped in and wrapped her arms around me, trembling. There were tears in her eyes — real ones. We stood there, clinging to each other, two broken girls searching for comfort in shared silence.
She shut the door behind her, locked it, and led me gently to the bed. I could barely recognize her — her eyes were hollow, her face pale and sunken. She looked like a ghost… like someone who had been through hell.
Whatever Grant did to her — it wasn't just pain. It was destruction.
"Mia… I'm so sorry," Amilia whispered, her voice trembling. "I couldn't give you the home I promised. I ruined your life…"
"Mom… what's going on?" I asked, my heart thudding.
"I have to get you out of here—before Grant hurts you," she said, rushing toward the cupboard. Her hands shook as she pulled out my clothes, stuffing them into my suitcase in a frenzy.
"Mum… what are you doing?" I asked, confused and afraid.
"Don't worry about that now," she snapped, panic flashing in her eyes. "I just need to get you to safety."
She grabbed my hand, clutching the suitcase with the other, and quietly opened the door. We moved silently toward the staircase, every step calculated, every breath held.
Then it happened—Grant's voice thundered through the hall like a beast stirred from slumber.
"Hey!" he roared.
Amilia's hands trembled as she gripped mine and hurried me down the stairs. Grant's heavy footsteps thundered behind us, growing louder with every second. My heart raced in my chest, panic choking my breath. As we reached the bottom, Grant caught up.
He yanked Amilia back, and the suitcase slipped from her grasp, tumbling down the last few steps with a loud thud.
"Where do you think you're going, woman? Have you lost your mind?" he bellowed.
"Let me go, Grant!" Amilia cried, struggling in his grip.
With a shove, he sent her crashing to the ground. Then his attention turned to me.
I backed away instinctively, heart hammering against my ribs.
"Hey, girly…" he sneered, stepping toward me. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Stay away from me, you monster!" I shouted.
I turned, desperate to escape, but his hand clamped around my arm and jerked me back. I thrashed in his grip, panic surging through me as he held me tight, invading my space with a sickening grin. He tore my shirt and then placed his nose on my chest, " Ah it's ripe..." He screamed with a satisfied smirk smile on his face, he lifted me above the ground and then carried me towards the guest room which was down the stairs, I shook and shook but at each resistance I made Grant tightened his grip. Then, just as he reached for the guest room door, a loud crack echoed behind us.
Grant froze—and then collapsed to the floor with a grunt, releasing me.
I stumbled backward, gasping. Behind him stood Amilia, her chest heaving, both hands wrapped around a thick wooden stick. She had struck him hard—right across the head. " You are a b*tch Grant, you are a b*tch..." she screamed.
Amilia rushed to my side, she quickly pulled me up and covered me up with a blanket that laid on the sofa. " I'm sorry Mia.., please forgive me.." Amilia said,
" Mum I am scared..., what was he trying to do to me..why did he rip of my shirt..." I asked.
" We have to leave now, before he wakes up..." Amilia said pulling me up from the floor as she attempted to move, Grant grabbed her legs.
" I was never asleep dearie..." he said.
Amilia pushed me forward, " run Mia, run.." she said. I stood in shock, as I looked at her, " RUN " , she said again, and this time with an aggressive push.
I fell to the ground but then stood up again as I hurriedly rushed towards the exit door, I turned back again and again hoping Amilia would catch up. Grant stood up from the floor in an attempt to catch me but Amilia held him back. He grabbed her neck and squeezed it tightly, I paused I couldn't run anymore. Amilia turned her neck towards me and said, " Go ! " , but I couldn't.Amilia looked at me, fear and rage burning in her eyes. "Run, Mia. Now!"
The scene before me played out like a haunting movie, the trauma unfolding all over again. Grant threw her with force, and she flew across the room, her head crashing against the wall as she hit the ground.Grant then turned his eyes towards me an then advanced towards were I stood, with a lustful look in his eyes, I made a run for it, my legs leading me into the kitchen, I rushed inside and shut the door behind me. I slowly sank to the floor, tears streaming down my cheeks. "Amilia..." I whispered, my voice trembling.As my hands touched the ground, they felt slippery. I looked down and whispered, "Blood." My hands shook uncontrollably. I slowly turned my head and saw Jessica... lifeless.Her body laid on the wall and blood rushed down from her stomach. I couldn't believe what I was seeing—was she really gone?
" Jessica... Jessica..." I called out but I got no response. I shifted backwards, and then I heard a loud bang on the door.
"Open up!" Grant screamed. "I said, open up!"
Was this all a nightmare? Something that would vanish the moment I woke up? Or was it real? Just days ago, everything felt normal. I thought I'd finally found a place to call home—a new mom, a new family. I thought I had nothing to fear.
So, what changed? When did it all go wrong? When did Grant become this… monster? Where did the darkness inside him come from? And where did the little light I once saw disappear to?
"I'm sure you've got a nice present hiding in the kitchen," Grant sneered. "I didn't want to kill her. I just wanted a piece of her… just a piece. But she resisted. What could I do, huh? Tell me, dear, what could I do?" He paused, voice dropping cold. "And Amilia—your mom—I always had to beg her before she agreed. But I don't beg. I ain't no f*cking beggar. So come out peacefully, and let's get down to business. Or you could end up like them… and I'm sure you don't want that."
My whole body went numb. Jessica's lifeless body flashed before my eyes—the blood staining the floor—the chilling thought of Amilia's fate, of my own death, and what Grant might do to me—wrapped me in a cold grip of dread. Then I heard it... again the same familiar voice in my head..., " Will you let him kill you, will you let him...murder you...you can't let that happen..bring out the inner you...KILL HIM.."
I covered my ears and shook vehemently, trying to shake off the voice but it was persistent, " KILL HIM....KILL HIM..KILL HIM.." .
Then I suddenly stood up, I removed the blanket Amilia used to cover me, a maniacal smile caught across my face, it was as if I had no control of my mind..., I slowly walked towards Jessica's dead body, I dipped my hands into the blood that flowed from her stomach and then put it into my mouth..., satisfied moan came out of me and it suddenly wanted more....more ...blood. I took a knife from the kitchen and then hid it behind me, my body moving to and fro like an auto pilot. I gently opened the door and saw Grant standing before me, his eyes widened with excitement as he saw me.
As he stretched his hands towards me,
I drove the knife into him—once, twice, over and over—until his body collapsed under the weight of my fury. Blood poured out, and his insides spilled onto the floor. Still, I couldn't stop... not until he lay completely still.
Then it suddenly felt like something left me, and then I had control..., my sanity returned to me and as I saw Grant's dead body, I jumped up to my feet trembling with fear. I moved away from him and scanned the entire room for Amilia, as I saw her, my heart sank.., she laid motionless...she was dead....., I moved closer to her, " Mum...Mum.."I called out but got no response.
I turned away, my feet leading me towards the exit door, what was I becoming, what exactly am I... , why does this darkness follow me everywhere I go.., why can't I stay happy.
A sudden stillness washed over me—as if whatever had taken control of me had finally let go. My breath caught in my throat. Sanity crept back in like a cold wind, and when I looked down at Grant's lifeless body, a wave of terror surged through me. I staggered back, my hands shaking. I scanned the room, desperate. Then I saw her.
Amilia.
She was lying still—too still. My heart dropped. I rushed to her side. "Mum… Mum…" I whispered, touching her gently, hoping for a response. Nothing. Just silence.
I stood up, numb, and turned toward the door. My legs moved on their own, each step heavier than the last. What was happening to me? What had I become? Why did ths darkness follow me no matter where I went, why couldn't I just be happy ?