C O M P L E T E - first draft.
7x featured story.
Undiscovered Gem, Romance Ambassadors, January 2025.
Ambys 2024 Favourite - Mystery & Thriller
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I don't register what comes first--Mum's screams and curses, or the searing pain that perforates...
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September 14th
C A R M E N
Somebody is crying downstairs, sounding almost hysterical. It wakes up from a restless night of sleep, the choked noises bouncing off the walls.
I pry my eyes open, squinting at the strain the morning light causes for a few seconds before I adjust to the brightness. I didn't sleep well last night—not that I have been at all as of late.
Another sob sounds and echoes up to my room, my battered door doing little to hush the noise.
Still sleepy, I lug my legs over the side of my bed and force myself up from the cocoon of blankets. I then grab my dressing gown from where it hangs on its hook and secure it around my pyjama-clad body before leaving my room to investigate.
Mum sits on the sofa with her head in her hands as she cries profusely. Still twisted in her hair are the rollers she sleeps in to achieve her signature curls, and she's not yet dressed for the day. This is unlike her. She's normally awake before the sun is up.
"Mum," I mutter timidly. My parents and I haven't spoken since the night Dad smashed my door down, so it's fair to say the thought of this conversation has me apprehensive. My mum is clearly beside herself, though, so it's a necessary one to have. "What's happened? Why are you crying?"
Still sniffling, she lifts her head up from her hands and looks my way. Her eyes are bloodshot and swollen, and her cheeks are wet from her tears. Something bad must have happened for her to be in this state. Not even the events of that night had her this upset.
My stomach sinks at that thought. Have the police found Cory? I ask myself, but Mum's next words put a stop to my theories.
"They threw me off the campaign," she murmurs, using her arms to cage her torso.
"I'm sorry... what?" I fight the urge to roll my eyes. It's something work-related that has her keeled over and sobbing her heart out. Of course.
Mum huffs, obviously frustrated. "The election, Carmen. They have thrown me off the campaign to be re-elected as mayor."
As little as we see eye-to-eye, I understand how she feels to an extent—especially after what happened with me and the college dance crew. Just like me, she is being punished for Cory's actions.
But the difference is, I have been actively seeking after my brother ever since that night. Mum and Dad? Not so much.
"Did they say why?" I ask, and Mum huffs again.
"Is the answer to that question not obvious?" she snaps back.
"I can't help you if you're going to bite my head off, Mum!"
