Towards the Farthest Side: A Collection Of Sci-Fi Short Stories And Novelettes

"Abomination Part 7"

"Mum?" Ali's eyes wide in both confusion and surprise.

Slowly she reached for my cheeks and I felt the warmth of her palm. She retreated back, covering her mouth, her forehead tensed in trying to process everything, her eyes watery.

"How is this possible?" Alison sniffled.

She's not eager to trust what she's seeing, I can't blame her. I wouldn't trust me; someone who died and came back to life.

"Trust me, I am as confused as you are," I smiled, tears flowing down my cheeks.

"Ali, who is she?" the young girl beside Alison asked, her face terrified and confused.

"Abigail, this is mum, this is our mum." Alison said.

Ah yes Abigail. My Abigail, my second daughter, was too young when I left her.

Hearing this was enough confirmation that I am Loren Terona, I am their mother. I am who I am.

Alison threw herself to me in an emotional embrace and sobbed. I could feel her heart beating. In that moment I understand what my parents told me about life being that precious. I will trade everything for these girls.

I reached a hand to Abigail who reluctantly join us in a tight embrace. Mark was sniffling at the hallway, but I could see the joy in his smile.

---

I insisted for Mark to join us for dinner that night, but I sensed that Alison doesn't want him there, and Mark caught this, so he politely declined and told me that his house is a few miles across town and it would take him almost an hour of driving and it's already getting late.

When Mark was gone I asked Alison about Mark, why she's being rude to him.

For the record I am still her mother and I still have jurisdiction over her manners.

Alison said the young man was creeping her out at work, but Abigail said that Mark only has a crush on her elder sister.

That explains it.

I told her that Mark didn't give second thoughts on helping me out when I told him I was looking for her. Alison just shrugged.

I spent the night sleeping in Alison's room. Abigail was in her own room and is not that keen on catching up. Me and Alison spend the night hugging each other and talking about the things that transpired during when I was dead.

So Philip remarried five years after I died, but he died mysteriously.

I told Alison that it was a stroke according to Maybel, but she was doubtful.

"The lying bitch," she quipped. I had to playfully scold her. Alison said she was forced to take Abigail away from New Jacinto as Maybel was not treating them well, they ranaway with little to no money as Philip didn't leave them any inheritance.

"That oaf!" I exclaimed. This time it was Alison's turn to scold me.

I learned that Alison was 18 years old when they left the manor, with Abigail as 11. Right now Alison is 23 and Abigail is 16. Alison had to quit school and work odd jobs. Now she's working as a waitress in the busstop diner. Abigail is still in middle highschool, and has to drop from school several times due to financial concerns.

"Don't worry," I assured her. "I'll find a job, I'll make sure you return to school. I could apply for work, any job, I'll make sure you both will have a good future."

I never felt more determined, more than determined. Right now I felt more alive than before, my girls gave me a sense of purpose.

We spent some time silent, just hugging each other, relishing each other's presence. Then Alison asked about my return from the dead;

"What do you think was it, magic? A miracle? Science?" she asked casually.

"I don't have a single clue myself, for all I know it could be all of them," I told her.

"Maybe you didn't die, and it was just all a misdiagnosis," Alison said, pondering at my resurrection. I squared my shoulders.

"Do you know why I choose to settle here in Santa Briga?" Alison asked sleepily.

"Never got to ask, why?" I said.

"Because you were confined here, your last moments alive was in this town," Alison said before she completely dosed off.

I smiled and kissed her forehead.