Mr. Charles approached four-year-old δákρυα sitting alone on a bench near Sebastian's mansion. He stood beside her, gazing at her with concern then straight ahead.
Mr. Charles: aren't you going to go in, it your brothers naming ceremony after all
δákρυα shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper
δákρυα: nobody want me in there, so I rather stay out of it all
Mr. Charles perplexed and concerned as he looked at δákρυα at such a young age she felt unwanted and alone, he bent down beside her.
Mr. Charles: why don't you play with those kids
He gestured to a group of children aged 3-7, laughing and playing together.
δákρυα looked at him as she forced a slight smile
δákρυα: they don't want to play with me
Mr. Charles: why do you think so
δákrya's response was heartbreaking.
δákρυα: I tried, am not exactly normal
Mr. Charles: what do you mean
δákρυα: I read books about human anatomy and my iris colour doesn't exist
Mr. Charles: δákρυα your eyes are beautiful, they are unique
δákρυα: but fear cloud's the eyes of men
She smiled and looked forward living Mr. Charles perplexed on the intellectual of this 4 years old
*****
Five-year-old δákρυα sat on a garden bench, her eyes fixed on the birds flitting about. Mr. Charles approached her, curiosity etched on his face.
Mr. Charles: what are you doing
δákρυα smiled at him, and replied
δákρυα: am bird watching
Mr. Charles nodding his head as he sat beside δákρυα. He pulled out a stuffed plushy - a smiley face - from behind him and placed it in front of δákρυα sight;
Mr. Charles: happy birthday, tear drop
As δákρυα looked up at him as there eyes met, taking the toy from his hand.
Mr. Charles: You should always do as the doll does.
δákρυα gaze fell on the plushy, a smile spreading across her face
δákρυα: it smiling
Mr. Charles' eyes crinkled at the corners.
Mr. Charles: it means you should smile more
δákρυα: (her voice thoughtful) I'll keep that in mind
Mr. Charles repeated her words, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Mr. Charles: keep that in mind, hmmm...
He stood up from where he sat,
Mr. Charles: okay, school time
stretching out his hand to δákρυα. She placed her small hand in his, and he led her to the car.
*****
Fifteen year old δákρυα
δákρυα at the garden bench
δákρυα: I don't want to do it any more
As she turned to face Mr. Charles, standing beside her
δákρυα: It hurts, they're draining me from within,
she whispered, her body trembling
Mr. Charles walked up to her and hugged her
Mr. Charles: You have to bear the pain, just a little while longer,I am her for you
δákρυα: am human to.
As they both deepened the hug. He held her tightly, offering a comforting silence, his presence a reminder that she wasn't alone in her struggles.
****
δάκρυα fourteen birthday
δάκρυα and her friend departing Tina and Theodore in the car will Maddie and Alexander were outside the car, Maddie was holding the door in the front side of the car while Alexander was holding the back door of the car;
Maddie: are you sure
δάκρυα: am sure, get in (looks at her driver) get them home safety
Driver of δάκρυα: yes mam
Mr. Charles, sitting in the car, gazed into the darkness, the headlights casting a faint reflection. As he struggled to see, lost in thought. He was drawn back from his thought, hearing δάκρυα and her friends final good bye
δάκρυα: you should go
Maddie: bye (as she entered the car)
Tina: bye
Theodore: bye
Alexander: take care, okay (δάκρυα nodded) bye (as he entered the car)
δάκρυα: bye guys (as the car accelerated as they were waving each other bye)
the group talked indiscriminatively
Mr. Charles drove the car as his head light shined on a figure as his mind raced with question, wondering if the figure he saw was who he thought it was, him wanting to turn back and confirm but the individual in the car made him think other wise
****
Mr. Charles paced back and forth in his modest room, his footsteps echoing off the simple bed and bare walls. He couldn't contain his disbelief, laughing out loud in frustration.
Mr. Charles: nope, nah, it isn't possible, right
he asked himself, his voice laced with skepticism. He shook his head, trying to rationalize his thoughts.
Mr. Charles: I must be seeing things. It can't be...can it?. why now?
The questions swirled in his mind, refusing to settle into a convincing answer.
*****
As δákρυα and Zane approached a massive tree, δákρυα's heart raced. She had been here before, but never with Zane.
As they approached a massive tree,the bench were δάκρυα and her mother once sat.
δάκρυα: were here, ma…
Before anything could happen, a voice echoed from behind her.
δάκρυα driver: δάκρυα
She turned to face the voice, her eyes narrowing. Mr. Charles, her driver, stood before her, his expression stern.
δάκρυα: Mr. Charles what are you doing here
δάκρυα driver: your dad request for your presence this instant, lady δάκρυα
δάκρυα's eyes widened, her mind racing. How did he find me?
δάκρυα : but?.. How did you.....
δάκρυα driver: forgive my intrusion, but I have been following you for quite some time
δάκρυα: (her face darkened, her voice firm)could you not do this again, I like my privacy
δάκρυα driver: understood, sir Zane (He nodded at Zane.)
Zane: Mr. Charles
δάκρυα driver: shall we
δάκρυα hesitated, her eyes darting to Zane, then back to Mr. Charles.
δάκρυα: very well
As they walked away from the tree, Mr. Charles paused, his gaze lingering on the tree for a few seconds,(He saw a glistening light as he sun hit a familiar bracelet on the half shown hand of a person) before he continued to walk forth.
*****
Mr. Charles walked into Sebastian study, Sebastian looked up, inquiring about her well-being.
Sebastian: how is she
Mr. Charles: she is fine (his tone measured)
As Sebastian blabs about the future plans on how to harness more fluid from δάκρυα Mr. Charles spoke droppeing a bombshell
Mr. Charles: I think shes back
Sebastian face etched with curiosity
Sebastian: excuse me...who are we talking about
Mr. Charles' eyes locked onto Sebastian's
Mr. Charles: I saw her charm bracelet
Sebastian's expression changed from curiosity to disbelief.
Sebastian: impossible
Mr. Charles: it possible
Sebastian: she is dead
Mr. Charles' voice was laced with conviction.
Mr. Charles: we never saw a body they claimed it was burnt to ash. but we… never saw a body
Sebastian's expression turned from disbelief to frustration.
Sebastian: it been 12 years Charles, I know her she can't leave δάκρυα for that long
Mr. Charles began to speak, but Sebastian cut him off, his voice tinged with sadness, anger and frustration all at once.
Sebastian: she gave every thing up for δάκρυα there no way she was alive and kept away
Mr. Charles: seb...
Sebastian forced a smile, his lips pressed together
Sebastian: just go, I want to be alone
Mr. Charles hesitated, concern etched on his face.
Mr. Charles: seb
But Sebastian reassured him, his voice strained
Sebastian: am fine, trust me.
*****
Sebastian got of the phone with someone, the phone slowly left his ear. Sebastian's helpless expression and the men bursting in, announcing
Sebastian looked up at Mr. Charles
Mr. Charles: what wrong
Sebastian: it a life for a life, Charles
As five men burst through the door
Man#1: shes here sir .
Mr. Charles stared at the man then back at Sebastian
Mr. Charles: what going in
Sebastian: a death for life.
****
χαρούμενο τέλος lifeless body hung motionless, her hands tied above her head, just like the gruesome echo of the scene, Sebastian's bat swung one last time, striking χαρούμενο τέλος stomach with a sickening thud that seemed to echo through the air, simultaneously Mr. Charles closed his eye, hearing the scream of δάκρυα through the air. He tried to hold his tears but the found a way to escape.
As chaos erupted and everyone frantically packing, Mr. Charles finding a way through the chaos walking to Sebastian. he struggled to come to terms with what had happened. He confronted Sebastian, demanding answers. Sebastian's justification
Mr. Charles: why did you do that
Sebastian: I had non choice
This words were met with skepticism by Mr. Charles, who countered
Mr. Charles: excuses, excuses. You always have a choice
Sebastian: and I made the right one
Mr. Charles: she loved you
Sebastian turned away to avoid eye contact with Mr. Charles.
Mr. Charles: regret is all I feel
This words hung on the air as Sebastian yelled back
As Mr. Charles walked away Sebastian yells
Sebastian: Life's hard
Mr. Charles: families worst
underscored the devastating consequences of Sebastian's actions.
*****
Sebastian's bat swung one last time, striking χαρούμενο τέλος stomach with a sickening thud that seemed to echo through the air, Mr. Charles saw a sinister smile spreading across someones face within the darkness revealing razor-sharp teeth that glinted with malevolent intent.Mr. Charles' eyes widened as he struggled to discern whose face it was, his mind racing with horror and uncertainty