Rumble
Splash
Lightning cracked across the dark, rain-filled sky as the day ended. People scrambled for shelter, dodging puddles and shielding themselves from the downpour. All except one woman, trudging along the roadside, her shoulders slumped with exhaustion.
"Nineteen hours in that hospital," she muttered under her breath, her voice edged with frustration. "And nothing good ever comes of it."
She shook her head. "Seriously, why am I always the one stuck answering the stupid questions new nurses come up with?"
"Nineteen hours in that hospital," Laura muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with frustration. "And nothing good ever comes of it."
She shook her head, her words dripping with sarcasm as she mimicked one of the new nurses: *"Do we treat monkeys if they have money? Should I help a patient with his boner?"* Her mocking tone echoed down the rain-soaked street as she trudged through the neighborhood.
"Haah, Laura! Rough day at work, right?" called Claire, the neighborhood gossip, leaning casually against her gate. Her voice was light but teasing. "Just know you've got another rough one tomorrow—with that troublesome brat of yours."
Laura's temper flared. "At least I have a son, you gossiping b***h!" she snapped, her anger bubbling over without reason.
Claire froze, her eyes wide in shock. Tears welled up as she stammered something inaudible before fleeing into her house.
Laura's anger dissipated just as quickly as it had appeared. "Ooh, Claire! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean—" she called out, but it was too late. Claire had slammed the door behind her.
Laura sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging as she turned back toward her own home. "Well, there goes my reputation," she muttered bitterly. "Not like it matters—I'm leaving this godforsaken city anyway."
Reaching her doorstep, she fumbled for her keys and pushed the door open.
The living room was in complete disarray. Furniture was out of place, and random objects littered the floor. Standing in front of the mirror was Andrea, preening as he admired his reflection.
"Mom! You're back!" Andrea exclaimed, spinning around in surprise. His eyes widened as he took in her drenched, disheveled appearance. "How was work?"
Laura stood silently in the doorway, her exhaustion mingling with the unbelievable mess before her: popcorn scattered across the floor, the TV blaring at full volume, and suspiciously crumpled tissues on the table. She stopped herself from thinking too hard about those.
Andrea glanced at her uneasily. *"Still feels weird talking to my new mom," he thought, "even though I fused souls with Andrea even when he was an orphan in my past life."* His eyes flickered with uncertainty as Laura remained silent.
"Andy," Laura finally said, her voice heavy with fatigue. "Come grab something from my bag." She sank onto the couch, too tired to deal with the chaos around her.
"Okay," Andrea replied, walking toward her freely.
BANG!
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SITTING ROOM, YOU BRAT?!" Laura exploded, her frustration boiling over as she delivered a classic *fist of love* to Andrea's head.
"OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Andrea cried, rolling onto the floor, clutching his head in pain.
"YOU BETTER CLEAN UP THIS PLACE AND MEET ME AT DINNER, YOU HEAR ME?" Laura shouted, pointing a commanding finger at him.
"Yes, Ma," Andrea whimpered, still wailing from the pain in his head. (A/N: image those amine expressions on character rolling on the floor with a big bump on their head
Laura shook her head and leaned back on the couch, muttering to herself. "Nineteen hours at the hospital and now this? What a life."
_________________________________________________________
At dinner, the tension in the air was palpable as Laura hesitated before speaking.
"Andrea, during my working hours, I received a letter from the administrator," she said cautiously, her eyes scanning Andrea for a reaction. She found none.
After a moment of silence, she continued, "I've been transferred. We're moving from Florida to a town named Havenline."
Andrea's response was a simple "Oh, okay," as he continued eating, much to his mother's confusion.
"Are you not going to miss anyone in the city? Friends, neighbors, or… your girlfriend?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Andrea lifted his gaze and replied with a sarcastic tone, "Mom, do you forget what happened?"
Laura froze for a second before sighing, "Oh...., that crossed my mind."
Flashback
High school hadn't been easy for Andrea. His introverted personality made him a target of isolation. The only bright spots were his so-called best friend, Johnny, and his girlfriend, Ella.
Ella was everything he thought he needed—caring, supportive, and beautiful. But her physical appearance was what truly captured his attention. Andrea had fallen head over heels, oblivious to the dark truth that would soon shatter his trust. (A/N: sick turn coming)
Prom night was supposed to be a magical evening. Andrea had plans for Ella—romantic and heartfelt. Instead, he stumbled upon her in the company of five other guys, including Johnny. The sight of them touching her so casually, with her smiling and enjoying it, was enough to make his blood boil.
"She's a succubus from the pit of hell," Andrea muttered to himself as he followed them to a nearby motel, his mind racing with anger and betrayal.
Fueled by rage, Andrea devised a plan. He called his Uncle Ben, a man with a penchant for weaponry.
"Uncle Ben, I need a favor," Andrea said, explaining the situation in brief. His uncle, though surprised, agreed to help.
Armed with a sniper, carbon steel bullets, and a gas cylinder, Andrea set his plan into motion. He rented a room at the motel and discreetly prepared a trap. Placing the gas cylinder near the door of Ella's room, he created a makeshift explosive using a condom and a cigarette butt.
From a nearby abandoned building, Andrea aimed his sniper at the cylinder. With a single shot, the motel went up in flames. The news of Johnny and Ella's deaths caused an uproar, but no one suspected Andrea. When his uncle later revealed the truth to his mom, she shocked him by saying, "They deserved it."
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Back at the dinner table, Laura snapped Andrea out of his flashback. "Well, we're moving tomorrow, so go to bed early," she said.
"Okay, Mom. Good night," Andrea replied still holding his head.
"Good night baby", replied Laura