Sylvie Maradona: The Story Of A Monster

Chapter 17: Crossfire

{Life is like the ocean, it goes up and down}

   Crista was almost done with her shift at the hospital, when her secretary knocked on the door and got in.
"Dr. Morales, there is a patient that wants to get an appointment with you."

"Book them for tomorrow at 9:00 am." Crista answered tired and the young girl walked out. She went home and got in her bed without knowing what was waiting for her the following day.

  The next morning she got in her office, ordered her everyday coffee, opened her envelopes and when the clock showed 9:00 am her door knocked. An average height person walked in wearing a black sweater with a hoodie that was hiding their face. A patient who was refusing to show their face. This behaviour was kind of unusual. The person sat down and asked if it was okay to keep the hoodie on. Crista agreed with their request. This was going to make her job more difficult since she wasn't able to see her patience's expressions.
"So what's your name?"
"Bella."
  The voice of the woman in front of her was too low and soft. She did sound like she was either too shy or she didn't want her voice to be heard. Like she was trying to hide her identity.
"That's an extremely pretty name. May I can see your face?"
"I would prefer not, for now at least."

The woman's voice sounded kind of familiar but there could be countless people with similar voices. She decided to play along with the mysterious person in front of her.

"Understandable. So, Bella, what are you doing for the living?"

"I was working in the military."

"Really? Such an interesting choice. How this come?"
"It wasn't my choice. My family forced me. It was something like a tradition so I couldn't refuse."

  Those words sounded extremely familiar and specific as well. Deep down in her thoughts she recalled the day Sylvie announced her that she was going in the military. "My father decided it." She had said back then and when Crista asked her if she didn't want to go she answered "I'm not sure." She started thinking that no one actually wants to join the military. Some are forced by their county and some by their traditions and some others by their ideologies.

"What's the feeling that worries you, Bella?"
She could feel her anxiety. This person was covered from darkness.

"The problem, doctor, is not a feeling. I actually feel nothing and it's getting really scary. No matter what happens, big or small, good or bad, I don't have a reaction. Everything feels the same. I simply feel..."
"...empty." Crista finished the other's sentence.

"Exactly."
It was like she had heard these words before. The story of this woman was similar enough to Sylvie. This could be a chance sent from the universe for her to do the right thing. She had to do everything she didn't do with Sylvie. This could probably make her feel better and be forgiven.
"Have you ever thought about hurting yourself."
She hates asking someone this question. She could never forget the day she found out Sylvie was cutting herself in different places. Reasoning them as wounds from the training.
"From time to time."
She had try to kill herself from time to time.

"Have you ever search for a motivation in your life?"
Maybe a small light that will make you keep going. Another day looking at the sky is a good day no matter what happens!
"I have a child. He is the only thing that makes me feel more like a human. No matter what happens, he always believes that I am a good person. But...there is something else. There is a second motivation that keeps me alive." She took a minute before saying it "It's revenge."

"Revenge?"

  An empty human full of anger. People like them were desperate for something. Another chance maybe. Or they were trying to feed their anger. Maybe when they hurt someone else they feel like they are not alone.
"I have to make the person who destroyed me beg for mercy. I want her to see what it feels like to lose everything. Everything that you worked so hard for."
All these sentences sounded familiar. Only a person could be so busted with range. Crista suddenly realised that the voice she was listening to all this time was hers. She almost forgot her voice but there was a single thing that made everything clear. Sylvie never managed to get rid of her Argentinian accent especially in the word "want". She did stand up from where she was sitting and turned the chair the patient was sitting around, revealing her face.
Her mouth dropped open. She was sitting there, just in front of her, emotionless for another time. She ran back to her office and grabbed a sharp object.
"They were right! I can't believe this! You burnt alive!"
A small evil smirk appeared on Sylvie's face while she looked at her.
"No, Crista. You may be a psychologist but you forgot your own words. I am an excellent liar and one of the smartest people you have ever seen."
That moment from the court replayed in her mind. The moment she betrayed her. When she turned around, looked straight into her eyes and felt her screaming for help. She said those words. Even if she knew Sylvie was a person who had lost their mind long ago.
"Even you fell for my act."
"You set an entire building on fire just to escape?"
"You know that I always liked the high risk plans. Put that thing down." She said pointing at the object Crista was holding.
"I'm not going to hurt you. I could never do this to my best friend.
She looked at her with a sad expression
"I'm not the monster that you think I am."
Crista realised that Sylvie just wanted to be treated as a human. Especially from her. She put down what she was holding and walked again close to her and hugged her tight. "I'm so happy that you are alive." Those words were enough to make her heart melt. No one had ever said that to her. Everyone was getting scared when they were seeing her. But Crista...she was her family. More than her biological family.
"Where were you?"
Sylvie explained to her the entire situation with her and her family. She told her everything that happened this past three years. About the thoughts that were on her mind. Her mental journey, her travel and finally her relationship.

"You look calm" the doctor said when Sylvie was done with her story.
"I am. But I want to ask you for a favour. I want to see Ahmed."

Crista couldn't refuse, of course. The same day they visited Ahmed in his room. The boy suddenly jumped from his bed and his entire existence was full of life again. He ran towards her and grabbed her tight while she did the same.
"I told you she was alive!"

The happiness in his eyes filled the room and sun light was brighter and warmer. Mother and son at there for a few minutes talking and explaining what happened.
"We are going back home, mom?"
"Not yet, honey. You will stay here so Crista will help you recover. And when you are done with your therapy then we will go home." Her voice was so different. She sounded like a real mom.

The boy did as he was told by his mother without saying any negative word and he later learn that there is a new member in their family. Ahmed met Bella and he was really happy about it. Sylvie was worried in the beginning but the boy made all her worries disappear.
"I like her! You look really cute together. So, I have two moms now, I guess."
Sylvie was scared Ahmed wouldn't approve her partner but the young boy was so proud and happy for his mother.
He also promised to her that he will never think about hurting himself again, no matter in what kind of situation he will get.
Things for Sylvie were going smoothly.

But for Rachel they were going the exact opposite.
She was sitting at the kitchen table, writing on her laptop when Dereck walked in.
"Did she fall asleep?" She asked, still half zoned from her work.
"Yes." Her husband answered her. She singed and turned off her laptop.
"I think I should get going to bed."
"Sit down. I want to talk to you." Dereck's tone was a lot different than his usual.
"What is it?"
She had started getting worried since he wasn't the type of usually having this expression.
"Rachel, you know how much I love you and how many things I have overlook all these years that we are together. But I'm tired. I want a divorce." Her heart broke into million pieces. She wasn't able to believe what she just heard.
"What? Dereck, you can't be serious!" She was trying hard to hold back her tears. She was thinking he might be joking. This is all a stage up.
"I'm 100% serious. You are sick, Rachel, and now you are a detective again. All this is not a healthy environment for Amelia."
"Dereck..."
"You are going to talk with my lawyer about when you are going to be seeing her."
He had prepare every sentence he was saying. He wasn't even looking at her while saying all these. She wanted to scream at him. Look me in the eyes when you letting our life fall apart. It's not only him. He takes Amelia away from her.
"You want to take my child away?"
"I can't trust you alone with her."
So this was his image for her. She was crazy. She was dangerous for their child. How miserable.
"That's at least offensive."
Was this all your love? Tell me! Was this all your love? The memories, the years, our wedding, my pregnancy. All  the things she wanted to scream at him but nothing was coming out from her mouth.
"Enough! We have nothing more to say."
That's all he said and walked out of the kitchen, letting her there sitting in her loneliness. She let her silent tears fall down, watering the wooden table. She could imagine every possible scenario but not this. Her world was falling apart. She was seeing her entire life turning into dust in front of her eyes and she was just there looking. All because Dereck crashed everything to the ground. She cried for hours and hours.
  The next morning she left for work letting a small letter to Dereck.
 
    I'm really disappointed from you. I thought I knew you. Don't bother waiting for me at lunch. I'm going at William's. You will talk with my lawyer. By the way, I'm just letting you know that I will be seeing Amelia three times per week, if you like it or not. I will inform you when I'll come to pick up my stuff. Have a good life.
                                                                                  Rachel.

  He couldn't say he didn't care. He just needed some space and peace but life with Rachel was a pure madness. He was thinking he might was too hard on her. But it wasn't the right time to think about that. He had to go to work.

  Maybe this was their biggest mistake. They were hiding their problems under the carpet. Like they never existed. Maybe some free space would be good for both of them. They couldn't lie to themselves. They were madly in love.