The Night Thief

Prologue

Summer of eight years ago.

The skies opened up, that night, I was cuddled up in my bed, hugging my teddy bear to myself. I was scared of thunders, I buried my face on my teddy bear refusing to look up. It rumbled again, with lightning. I tightened my grip on my teddy bear.

I was scared.

A night like this bad things tends to happen, mother always says, and I’ve come to believe it too. A rainy night, a lonely night.

It shouldn’t be so.

But it was to me, I was all alone.

The rain poured down heavily, and I held the teddy to my chest. Lifting my head to stare at the door if they were coming.

They.

My both parents.

Dad was optional, but I had hoped she would be here. But she didn’t, I prayed the door would open but it didn’t.

Instead, I heard their yelling voices. Shouting at each other on top of their voices.

I should have never hoped of them coming.

I went back to the position I was in with my teddy. Facedown. And wrapped my hands around it, though it couldn’t contain it, because it was huge and bigger than I was.

But I was still comfortable.

“Flower.. come down for dinner.”

I heard mom’s voice from the door.

“I’ll have my dinner in my room!” I yelled, raising my voice so she could hear. She opened the door and stroll towards the bed. I couldn’t hear her feet. As she walked, then sat and touched my hair. She stroked it.

“You need to come downstairs, baby.”

“I don’t want to. It’s still raining.”

“Come on, you shouldn’t keep your dad waiting.”

“Must I go? You could just eat without me.”

“We can’t do that. Now get up.”

“I’m scared..”

She pulled me up from the bed, taking me in her arms.

“You’re my little flower, you shouldn’t be scared, even when I’m there or not. Don’t be scared of anything.”

“But you said bad things tend to happen on a day like this.”

“Of course, but that doesn’t mean you should be scared of them. Flower. Listen to me, you need to be strong, a fighter. A strong lady. You’ll be smart because you’re a special breed but trust would ruin you.”

“Don’t cry, don’t show any sign of weakness. Don’t let them tremble on you. You’re my daughter. A rare gem. Be safe.”

“Mom,” I was getting scared.

“What’s wrong? Are you leaving?”

I panicked.

She caressed my hair. And hugged me for a couple of minutes. Then let go of me.

“You’ve to remember all I’ve said.”

“Mom,” my voice cracked. I was at the edge of crying.

“And don’t cry,” she pulled my cheeks.

“Listen to me, don’t you ever cry, not a spill don’t cry, ever again.”

“Mom.” I sob.

I was certain, something bad was gonna happen I was scared, I hugged her, there was nothing else I could do other than that.

She drew circles on my back.

“it’s okay, you’ll be fine. I trust you, you’ll do just great.” She whispered. In my ears.

"You don't tell me what to do!" Dad yelled at mom. They hadn’t even touched their meals.

We were having a late dinner. I fiddled with my spoon. Looking down at my plate. Reasons I didn’t want to come in the first place. I wanted a peaceful dinner.

"And so what if I...."

“Oh shut it, stop acting like a saint..”

“It’s my past. You shouldn’t...”

“Because you’re ashamed of your past and I’m ashamed of knowing you.”

“Dean!”

"You know what Ellen. Am out of here. I won't take this nonsense from you. I don’t even want to see your face.”

“What about our daughter.”

“She’s your daughter. She doesn’t even look like me anyway, what the waste.”

“You shouldn’t do this..”

He pulled back from the dinner and stood up, I hurried up to meet him and held his pantsuit. He glared at me with disgust. And slapped me on the face. He held me roughly on the hair and pushed me off him. I hit my head on the ground. Out of the corner of my eyes, I watched him walk away. Opened the door and into the rain.

"Come back.."

Mom's voice went faint. She collapsed back on the chair. Clasped her hands over her head. She looked at me with pity. Walked over to meet me.

“You shouldn’t have intervened.”

I sniffed.

Helping me off my feet, I hugged her. Crying on her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.”

I sustain an injury on the side of my head, there was a cut.

“I clean up your wound.”

I only nodded and sat down, waiting for her to come with an aide box.

She squats and began cleaning the wound.

I whimper when its stings.

Her phone rang. She lifts her head immediately. And ran to the dining table and

Picked the call. I just watched, running a finger to touch my injured head.

This dinner was a mess. This was our last dinner together as a family.

She ran out of hearing a shot. So I couldn’t hear what she was saying.

I stood up, tiptoe to where she was receiving the call, and peeked at her.

Then I heard mom muffled cries over the phone.

I lean closer.

So I could eavesdrop on her conversation.

"You can't do this to me..."

She wiped her tears off her face.

"Don't do this, just give me some time please."

"I've given you enough time Ellen."

The baritone voice replied.

"Please Scar...."

“A day or two, not now, I need to be here for her, just a night, please. She needs me.”

“I’ve given you enough time Ellen, time to pay up. For your sins..”

“Scar...”

I couldn't hear anything else. She ran past me, her face was puffy and red. Her eyes held so much regret and pain.

And tears won't stop streaming down her cheek.

"Don't follow me.."

She warned.

Running upstairs.

I ran after her. Climbing the stairs in haste to keep up with her.

"Mom talk to me!"

I yelled getting frustrated.

But she wasn't getting it.

"Is it because of Dad? When dad comes back we can talk. He’s just angry he would come back, he always does..”

"He isn't coming back!"

She snapped.

I froze. She never snaps at me or raises her voice.

“He’s gone forever, you should stop thinking about him because now, you don’t have a father anymore.”

“it’s just a misunderstanding.”

“It’s more than that. You’ll understand soon enough.” She sniffed.

She pushed the door to her room open.

I entered. And try pulling the handset to make a call through dad.

"Don't come close."

She pulled a stool closer and stood on it. Fixing the rope on the ceiling fan.

My lips quivers as I had an idea of what she was trying to do.

But my feet won't move.

Why

What’s wrong?

"Am doing this for you. I want my little flower to grow. I want you to live Aisling. I want you to live, well not on the run. I want you to be like your mates. I want you to live.”

She cried hitting her fist on her chest.

"You're just ten, I don't want life for you to end here.."

The rope was already on her neck.

"Don't cry. I'll always be there for you."

"Is this the only way mother?"

“It is.”

She cried harder.

"I won't cry, mother. I won't share a tear."

Mom nodded. Then smiled.

"Never."

I nodded.

"You promise"