The Purge: Savior In The Shadow

22 - A Normal Life

WARNING! This chapter contains language.

2 weeks later

"Hmm?" Rafi looked down as he felt a gentle tug at his pants, seeing Rowan looking up at him concerned, trying to grab his attention. "Daddy. Why are they burying Mommy?" he asked, concerned about the dirt piling up on her coffin.

It has been two weeks since the annual Purge took place. Normally, they would have been relieved that it ended, just like every year. In some way, they are relieved... but not completely. Instead, they were all suffering the loss of someone they love. Even the weather looks saddened by the fact it seems like it was about to rain.

The preparation for the funeral was stressful. But it didn't matter to Rafi, since he wanted to give his wife peace. His neighbors also helped him with the funeral, gratefully thanking them.

"Rowan..." he said in a sad tone. Rowan looked back at the coffin, seeing more dirt piling above her. "Mommy won't be able to get out with all that dirt above her. And she wouldn't be able to breathe inside that cramped, little coffin." Seeing her get buried made Rowan want to help her get out.

Frowning sadly, Rafi stooped down and picked Rowan up in the air, hugging him tightly. Imagining Emilia seeing black all around her while hearing the sound of dirt scared Rowan even more. Rowan reached out his hand towards the coffin, wanting to help her get out. "Hey... Mommy isn't gonna be able to b-breathe inside her coffin!" He whimpered, trying to wiggle out of his grasp as he reached out towards his mother. Slowly, Rowan felt tears start to come out.

"Stop! Don't bury my Mommy! Please stop!" He wailed, now fighting his way out of Rafi's grip. Unbeknownst to him, Rafi and even the people around him held their heads down and started to cry.

4 years later

It was another typical day in the Wanderton's house. Rowan was in his room, chatting with his best friend, Dan. Brian and Jake were playing cards in the living room (and Jake was winning as usual). As 4 years passed, the both of them got closer to Rafi, blooming a friendship. Rafi was scrolling through Netflix, trying to find a show that he can binge watch, although he failed to find like like usual. Nothing too eventful was going on... until they heard a lady's voice.

"Hey, guys, I'm here!" Melanie and Gaden called out as they walked into their house, holding a baby stroller and handling a silver bag made of crocodile skin on her shoulder.

"Melanie! Gaden!" Brian exclaimed in surprise, dropping his cards on the table. "What are you doing here?"

"And what's that?" Rafi asked confused, pointing at the stroller.

"I'd thought we'd drop on by to see you all," Gaden said, smiling. "What's up with you?"

"Me? I was just scrolling through Netflix." Rafi said, leaning his head on the arm of the couch, feeling bored.

"Well, to me, it's not fun. Jake keeps beating me at cards!" Brian whined, frowning as he pointed at Jake. Jake only smirked, seeing some opportunity to tease him. "Hmph. Not my fault that you're bad at cards, Brian-boy." Jake said, grinning as he sneered over him. Shit's about to go down. Rafi thought, glancing at them in amusement.

"Oh, shut up! If we were only playing wrestling, you would have bruises all over your body." Brian folded his arms.

Jake winced at the thought, remembering how a gnarly bruise formed on his neck after he wrestled with Brian. "Bitch," he said, slamming his hands together. "I'm still gonna confront you when you strangled me while we were wrestling and you left a big bruise on my neck. It's still here!" Jake said matter-of-factly as he pointed at his neck, showing a healing bruise, making Brian glance down, looking done with him.