I woke up in a different room, lying in a hospital bed. I recalled fainting in the morgue after Liam blamed me for my father's death. I wondered where he was now. Climbing out of bed, I shuffled toward the door. The hallway was silent and dimly lit. Glancing out the window, I noticed it was already night. I approached the front desk, realizing I didn't have my phone to check the time. The nurse informed me it was midnight. I inquired about my mom, and she said she was in the ICU and that I could go visit her.
Outside my mom's room, I spotted Liam sleeping on a bench, with Auntie Ellie sitting beside him. I approached her and asked what had happened after I fainted. She explained that Liam had thrown a tantrum and then demanded to see my mom. Once they arrived here, he cried himself to sleep. Auntie Ellie assured me that she had explained to him that it wasn't my fault. I felt grateful for her support.
Entering my mom's room, I observed her sleeping peacefully. I wondered if she even knew what had happened to Dad or how much pain she was in right now.
7 YEARS LATER...
Today is my 25th birthday, yet my mother remains in a coma. Liam, my brother, hasn't communicated with me properly for what feels like a year or two, though he did start opening up about two years after our father's passing. It seems like our ability to converse is slowly improving. Auntie Ellie, who stayed with us for two years following my father's death until I reassured her that I had things under control and she could move to Canada to be with her boyfriend, called to wish me a happy birthday. Despite her insistence, I urged her to go. Since then, I've managed to support my brother and myself by working part-time and occasionally full-time, while also saving money on the side. Life felt stable for a while, but things turned after Auntie Ellie left for Canada. Liam's behavior changed, especially after he entered high school. He became increasingly rude and distant, which I attributed to typical teenage behavior.
"Sissy, I got you a present," Liam slurred as he stumbled in, clearly intoxicated. Since turning 18, he's been drinking more frequently, but never to this extent.
"Why are you drunk again, Liam?" I couldn't help but express my frustration. Even from a distance, the stench of alcohol was overwhelming. Liam glared at me, his expression turning hostile.
"Dare to ask me that? After what you did to our parents?" My heart sank, tears welling up in my eyes. Liam hadn't mentioned this accusation in the past five years. What had suddenly prompted this outburst?
"What are you talking about, Liam?" I choked out the words, feeling nauseous with dread. Could he truly believe I had something to do with our parents' deaths all this time, without my knowledge?
"Don't play dumb, I know exactly what you did, you backstabber," Liam's words cut deep, sending me crumbling to the floor in tears. I couldn't believe that after all these years, he saw me as someone capable of murdering our parents.
"That's why I got you a gift, sissy. Pack your bags, you're leaving tonight. These gentlemen here will take you," Liam gestured behind him, my vision blurred with tears, but I could make out two men in suits standing at attention. They regarded Liam with disdain, mirroring the shock I felt.
"What the hell do you mean, Liam?" Anger surged through me, drowning out the hurt and confusion.
"You know exactly what the hell I mean. Pack your bags; I'm selling you to these idiots. It would be best if you were grateful I didn't do worse. I could've, but I chose to pawn you off to these people," Liam's words hit me like a ton of bricks. Disappointed and betrayed, I struggled to find my voice.
"Liam, I think you've had too much to drink. Let's discuss this in the morning," I pleaded, reaching for his hand, but he jerked it away.
"Boys take her she is yours, I will get you her stuff tomorrow," I stared at Liam, I couldn't believe, he fucking sold me? both the men stepped forward towards me, looked at them, and realized, I better obey their command, or else they would forcefully make me obey. I stood straight wiped my tears, and said, "Can I go and get some stuff, from my room? You know the ladies' problem" The guys were taken back, and they nodded. I ran to my room, locked the door behind me, and hurriedly took my bank book, in which I have saved money for the past 7 years, and all the important things. I went to the bathroom and opened the bathroom window, I was grateful that my house was not on the 19th floor, but still, it was on the 3rd floor which was quite high, but I am a werewolf, it's not going to hurt that much, I heard a knock on the bedroom door.
"Woman, we don't have all day. Hurry up," one of the men commanded in a stern tone.
"Please, just give me two more minutes," I pleaded, hoping for a chance to escape.
As soon as I spoke, I leaped out of the window, but to my horror, it wasn't just those two men; there was a whole group waiting below. Before I could react, two men seized my arms, their grip surprisingly strong. Then, when my guard dropped, someone bound my hands behind my back. Another man pressed a cloth saturated with a potent dose of chloroform against my nose. It was as if they anticipated my every move. Despite my struggles, I couldn't break free. As the chloroform overwhelmed me, I felt my consciousness slipping away once again, plunging me into darkness for the third time in my life...