HER KIND

The Last Visit

'Chapter 10'

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The name of the street she had to cross was MelainreinStr. In order to board the bus that passed by the prison, she had to reach that specific stop. The bus was typically empty, with only a few seats occupied by grandmothers or mothers visiting their loved ones behind bars.

As the bus stop approached, she joined the others getting off. The looming prison walls cast a shadow and a heavy sense of foreboding over the area. The walk towards the prison gates filled her with a sense of dread. The watchful eyes of security in the towers above scanned the visitors, and she could feel their scrutiny as they examined her from head to toe.

The gate creaked open, allowing them to enter the prison compound. A thorough pat-down and bag search followed, and her phone and belongings were placed in a box. She was then escorted to a waiting area within the facility, where she would await her visit with him.

She occupied a small cubicle with cold, iron seats, separated from the convict by a thick sheet of glass. Her gaze wandered aimlessly around the room, trying her best to avoid eavesdropping on other people's conversations. Her mind meandered, contemplating the purpose of her visit.

Thoughts drifted back to her twins, to Kane, to her uncle, and to all that had transpired since her last encounter with the man she was here to see. She recalled the promise she had reluctantly made, a promise that now weighed heavily on her conscience, unsure if she would ever fulfill it.

A tap on the glass jolted her from her reverie, and her eyes met the weary expression in his. He settled in front of her and picked up the phone. She did the same, placing the device against her ear.

"Bambi," a hint of emotion welled up in her eyes as she returned his faint smile. "You've grown so much," he complimented her, eliciting a soft laugh from her.

"And you too, papa," she replied, her voice warm with affection. He chuckled, running a hand through his once jet-black hair, now adorned with silver streaks.

"Don't let the hair fool you, Bambi. Your papa can still charm the ladies," he boasted, shaking his hair with a sly grin on his face.

She chuckled at his joke, her gaze lingering on him. It had been a considerable amount of time since she had last laid eyes on her father, and a profound sense of regret coursed through her. She should have come sooner, she thought, as she observed the exhaustion etched into his features. He appeared worn down, as though slowly fading away.

"I'm sorry, papa," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with remorse. He met her gaze, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"I've been gone too long. I should have come sooner," she confessed, her regret palpable. He shook his head gently, his large hand pressed against the glass that separated them, and she mirrored the gesture. Although she couldn't feel his warmth, she imagined it.

"It's okay. Bambi, I know how hard you work, how much pressure you put on yourself," he reassured her. "I know, baby, I know. It's okay. What matters is that you're here now, okay?" He nodded, and she reciprocated with a nod of her own, understanding the sentiment.

A silence enveloped them, allowing her to perceive the profound weariness he carried. She noticed the slump in his shoulders, as if they bore a heavy burden. Dark circles under his eyes gave his face a sunken appearance, while his eyes seemed vacant and hollow. It hadn't initially registered, but he had also lost weight.

"Papa, are you okay?" Her concern seeped into her voice, and she couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

"Can't get anything past you, can I, Bambi?" He chuckled, shaking his head with a warm smile. His attention briefly shifted to the guard, a silent message passed between them. She understood; there were more important matters to discuss.