Heavy thunders brewed outside the night a stranger called my dad asking for help. Mom and I were listening, terrified. Who could be calling now?
He wanted help, he told my dad. A cat was stuck in his car engine, hiding. Horrible thoughts invaded my mind and I began to imagine the worst – he’s being lured, only to be killed, we’re being held hostage, someone we know has died. Endless thoughts.
“Dad, please don’t go, it could be a prank. What if he wants to harm you?”
“She’s right, dear, you don’t even know that guy!” Mom was crying.
“Dad, I’m talking to you, it’s storming outside!” I was shouting at him.
But, my father didn’t listen to us at all, wasn’t even looking our way. He grabbed his black jacket, a small umbrella and went out – detached, unconcerned. Mom and I waited for more than two hours by the front door, counting the seconds until Dad returned. He had left his phone in the bedroom. I should have done something to stop him from leaving, I kept thinking.
Mom was staring out the window, while I was trying to read a book, anything that could distract me from those tormenting thoughts that visited me often, and were stationed in my mind that night.
Time became a death machine, haunting me with the clocks of despair. Then, the sound of footsteps. Dad finally appeared climbing the staircase calmly. He put down the umbrella and entered – nothing seemed wrong with him. He frowned at me.
“You’re still awake, my dear?”
“Yes, Dad, I didn’t sleep at all. Tell me, what happened? What did that stranger want from you?”
“What stranger? It was your uncle Edward. Your grandmother was not feeling well, so he called me to take her to the hospital. The doctor said she needs some rest. If you want, you can go with me tomorrow, she’ll be happy to see you.”
Dad’s answer to my worried mind struck me like one of those thunders raging outside. I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I felt as though I was drowning in a pool with no paying attention – left there to die. My head felt heavier than it’s ever felt, and my sight somehow began to weaken.
The illusions had returned. Or possibly, they had never left. I was riddled with bruises and infinite scars. Through all of the madness inside my head, I was looking for help, for someone to pull me out of the water, out of my nightmare.
I turned around to talk to Mom, but she wasn’t there anymore. All I could see was an old black and white picture of her, hung lonely on the wall. Dazed, I walked towards it in the darkness around me.
I reached out to touch her but my hands started trembling and tears trickled down my cheeks.
Then, I remembered everything.
