Chapter 43:
Colorado Airport.
2000.
"Are you sure that this is the right decision to make?"
Fallon nods, slowly wrapping a blanket around Alessio's body, before handing the baby over to her mother.
The vibrant light reflecting from the large windows of the airport shine boldly on the baby's head, showcasing the baby oil glittering on his forehead.
"It's the right thing to do"
Water causes her eyes to shine as she continues to nod, although her brain is convincing herself otherwise. "It's for his own protection. He's not right for me"
"He's not right for you, or he's not right with you?" Her mother raises an eyebrow. Her eyes land on the baby, who she smoothes his cheeks, before kissing him lightly. "Because, he's perfect for you. I couldn't picture it any better" Her eyes are still fixated on Alessio, who laughs, which causes her mother to smile. "He's got your eyes, you know? And your skin tone-
"This isn't the time, mom"
"If not now, then when?" The tone in her mother's voice sharpens, as she stares into Fallon's eyes. "You know what the real reason is, don't you? You just don't want to admit it"
Fallon shakes her head, water pouring down her cheeks. "I don't want to hear it"
"Because it's true. You know it is. You're afraid. You're afraid of what Damari might do to this child, that he may abuse him like he does to you-
"Damari doesn't abuse me, mother!"
"Then what are these?" As Alessio crawls up her mother's shoulder, she uses her free hand to grip Fallon's wrists, revealing areas of cuts and bruises.
"He just gets a bit angry, sometimes!" She snatches her arm back.
"A bit angry?" Her mother stares at her with concern. "I want you to stay with us here in Colorado, but-
"I don't want to. I want to be with my boyfriend, in Brooklyn. And I deserve it, anyway. The pain, I mean"
"Nobody deserves pain, darlin. I keep on telling you that-
"You know how I can be sometimes. I'm stubborn, let's admit it. And he puts me in my place, when I take things too far-
"Not like this! He hurts you, sweetie. And I don't want you to be with someone like him-
"He loves me, mother! He does. This is just his way of showing it. He's trying to protect me, to keep me all to himself, like I should be. I deserve it. I act up, all the time-
"Fallon, please" Water soaks her mother's entire face. She shakes her head, tired of this repetitive argument. One day, he'll kill her, she thinks, but stays silent.
"It was a one time thing, mother. Please, believe me!" Fallon screeches. Eyes of by passers begin to look back. "Listen,"
She pauses, lowering her voice. "All I ask is for you to believe in me, for once. Is that too much for me to ask? Just believe me. Believe that I'm telling you the truth"
Her mother takes a deep breath. She leans over, wiping the tears from her daughter's face. "It's just a lot for a mother to take in, okay? The situation just seems too good to be true, you understand? I know boys like Damari. Rich. Handsome. Good family background. There's always a catch. There always seems to be-
YOU ARE READING
The Darkness Within
Mystery / ThrillerIt's late. Very late. Sweat oozes from her skin as she strolls through the dark alleyway. She's weird. Unusual. Traumatised by her husband's death, she struggles to ignore his continuous hammering memories that float through her mind. His smile...
