In the shower, while the water touches my skin. The dirt and blood washes away, I thought about what I did, I just killed a living human, and rob a dead body's possession.
Is this really, the right thing to do…? Robbing and killing? Is this what is the right thing to do now?
Elena, Alicia's mother look at me with a disgust in her eyes. Maybe to them… I'm a person with no heart. A person who will kill just because someone point a gun at me, who will steal reasoning "to survive"
I did all of those… to protect them. To not get them killed, I even… hah.. hah… "What have I done…?" I whispered to myself, grappling with the unsettling reality of my actions. The questions echoed in my mind, drowning out the sound of the falling water.
Inside the master bedroom, Elena and Victor were in the midst of changing clothes, their voices charged with tension.
"We need to leave, get away. Far away from that boy," Elena said firmly, her expression etched with worry and frustration.
"Why are you so angry about his actions?" Victor asked, his tone tinged with concern.
"Angry!?" Elena's voice rose in exasperation. "It's not just anger, Victor. It's fear! That boy is dangerous! Can't you see that? He killed my co-worker!"
"But he did it to protect us," Victor reasoned, attempting to calm the situation.
"Protect us? By taking a life without hesitation? He didn't even give him a chance to explain or calm down!" Elena's voice cracked with emotion.
Victor tried to interject, "But—"
"No, Victor! I can't believe you're defending him!" Elena cut him off, her eyes flashing with anger. "He's a stranger, Victor! We don't know anything about him! And yet, you're choosing to protect him!"
Victor's voice rose in frustration, "I know what he did was wrong, Elena! I know it! But he's just a scared kid who thought he was doing what was necessary."
Elena's eyes softened momentarily, but her worry remained palpable. "Why are you risking everything for him… Victor? Our safety, our family... is he worth that much for you?"
"Because he risked everything for us!" Victor's voice wavered as he spoke. "He trusted me blindly, Elena. He believed in my guesswork, and he faced danger head-on for us. He's the same age as our daughter, Elena. Can't you understand his fear?"
Victor continued, his emotions raw, "He told me about his plan in the clinic, Elena. He warned me about the danger inside. He was scared, but he didn't back down... And when he took action... I froze. I didn't know what to do."
Tears welled up in Victor's eyes as he confessed, "I watched him do it, Elena. I watched him take a life, and I couldn't stop him. I couldn't do anything... he is just a kid…"
Elena's expression softened as she realized the weight of Victor's words. The gravity of the situation sank in, leaving a heavy silence in the room as they both grappled with the complexity of their emotions.
Elena's anger began to subside, replaced by a mixture of empathy and concern for Victor. She approached him slowly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Victor, I understand now... I understand how difficult this must have been for you."
Victor nodded, wiping away tears. "I never wanted any of this to happen... I didn't know how to handle the situation, Elena. I was scared too."
"I know, Victor. We were all scared," Elena said softly, her voice filled with understanding. "But we have to remember that fear can make us do things we never thought we would."
They stood there in silence for a moment, processing everything that had transpired. The weight of their actions and the consequences hung heavily in the air.
Victor's voice was tinged with remorse as he confessed, "Have you ever wondered… why we were covered in blood when we got there?"
"…" Elena stayed silent
"I was the one who told him to do it." Victor added softly, reflecting on the young man's actions.
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. "Mom, Dad, is everything okay?" It was Alicia, her voice tinged with concern.
"Come in, honey," Elena replied, a faint smile on her face.
"We can hear you from downstairs," Alicia said as she entered the room.
"Everything is fine, Alicia," Victor assured her, offering a faint smile.
"How is Lucy?" Elena asked, shifting the focus to their younger daughter. "Can we go see her? I want to make sure she's okay," she added.
Alicia and Victor exchanged smiles, agreeing to visit Lucy's room together.
...
Inside Lucy's room, Elena reassured everyone, "She should be fine now, she just needs some rest."
Victor and Alicia sighed in relief, expressing their gratitude for Lucy's recovery.
After a moment of silence, Alicia broke the quietness. "So, what happened earlier? Why were you covered in blood?"
Victor and Elena exchanged a glance, silently communicating their readiness to share the events that had unfolded.
They told her, only the things she needs to know. They don't want to let their daughter know about what they did just to return alive…
Alicia listened intently as her parents shared the details they deemed necessary. They spoke of the dangers they faced, the close calls, and the relief of returning home safely. They omitted the darker aspects, the choices made under extreme circumstances, and the sacrifices that were made.
As they spoke, Alicia's expression shifted from concern to understanding. She could sense the weight of their experiences, the unspoken truths lingering beneath their words. She knew there were things they weren't telling her, but she also knew that they were trying to protect her from the harsh realities of their new world.
When they finished, Alicia hugged her parents tightly. "I'm just glad you're all safe," she said, her voice filled with genuine relief.
Victor and Elena exchanged a glance, silently grateful for their daughter's understanding. They knew that they couldn't shield her from everything, but they would do their best to keep her safe and ensure that she never had to face the horrors they had endured.
As they sat together, a sense of unity and resilience filled the room. Despite the challenges they faced, they were a family, and they would face whatever came their way together.
Alicia glanced at her parents, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. "So, what happens now?" she asked tentatively, breaking the silence.
Victor sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to figure things out, Alicia. We can't stay here forever," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Elena nodded in agreement. "Your father's right. We have to make some decisions about what to do next," she added, her gaze thoughtful.
Alicia frowned slightly, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. "But where do we go? What do we do?" she wondered aloud, her mind racing with possibilities.
Victor placed a reassuring hand on Alicia's shoulder. "We'll figure it out together, tomorrow I will discuss it with the other, for now we all should get some sleep." he said, offering her a comforting smile.
Alicia nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her at her father's words. "Okay, Dad," she replied, returning his smile. "I trust you to make the right decisions."
Elena stood up from Lucy's bedside, adjusting the blankets gently. "Yes, we should all get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day," she said, her voice calm and soothing.
Victor led the way out of Lucy's room, with Alicia and Elena following behind. They walked through the quiet house, the tension of the day slowly easing as they prepared for a night of much-needed rest.
As they reached their respective rooms, Victor turned to his wife and daughter. "Goodnight, Elena. Goodnight, Alicia," he said warmly, planting a kiss on each of their foreheads.
"Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Mom," Alicia replied, hugging them both tightly.
Elena smiled at her family, feeling grateful for their safety and unity. "Sleep well, my loves," she said before entering her own room.
Alone in her room, Alicia reflected on the events of the day. Despite the challenges they faced, she felt a sense of hope knowing that they were together. She said a silent prayer for Lucy's swift recovery and for guidance in the days to come.
With a deep breath, Alicia climbed into bed, feeling grateful for her family's love and support. As she drifted off to sleep, she held onto the belief that they would navigate through whatever challenges awaited them, united as a family.