Berceuse for The Suffering (Complete)

10. {Double Homecoming}

Lyli sat under a gnarled oak tree, shrouded by the dark canopy of the forest. The silence that surrounded her was an eerie contrast to the racing of her heart. Her mind was consumed by the endless possibilities of danger that lurked in the shadows. The trees seemed to close in around her, pressing her closer to the ground. Her eyes darted back and forth until she felt a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

She had ran after Cindy but she couldn't find her. Exhausted she once more sat under a tree.

Then, in the distance, she heard the sound of footsteps. A shudder ran through her entire being as she realized it was the captors who had held her prisoner for days. They had finally caught up with her.

Lyli tried to stand, but her limbs seemed to turn to lead. Her eyes grew wide with terror as she saw the forms of her captors emerge from the darkness.

Two hulking figures moved towards her, their faces were indistinguishable in the shadows. Lyli could feel their breath on her face as they grabbed her, their strength overwhelming hers. She struggled and kicked with all her might, but their grip did not loosen.

The captors dragged her towards a small cabin, and Lyli's desperation only grew. She twisted and writhed, using all her strength to pull away. The captors snarled and growled at her attempts, yet she refused to give up.

Finally, with all her power, she managed to break free from their grasp. She ran towards the forest, her heart beating so fast it felt like it would burst. But the captors were relentless. They pursued her with all their force, pounding through the forest behind her. Lyli screamed for help, but no one came. She was alone in the dark, terrified beyond comprehension.

The captors lunged at her, their hands reaching for her ankles. Lyli kicked and fought, using every bit of strength she had left. But it was not enough.

The captors dragged her back to their cabin and threw her back in the dark basement they had kept her previously. She thought she'd be alone, but she was startled when the lights went on and she saw a figure in a corner. It was a young boy. She recognized him as Billy.

***

Two decades ago

As Martin stood frozen in the doorway of his home, the air around him grew thick and heavy, as if the very atmosphere knew the gravity of the situation. Martin's mind raced, trying to make sense of the impossible sight before him. His thoughts, that was moments ago so clear and lucid, returned to a jumbled mess of confusion and terror.

What is...

He stared at the two Lylis, both so identical that he could not tell them apart. The chill that ran through his body was like a thousand icicles piercing his skin, as he realized that he was living a nightmare. His soul seemed to freeze, and his heart pounded with a terrible rhythm as he tried to comprehend the impossible.

What is this? He wondered.

His body once more shook involuntarily as his mind went blank. He felt numb as if his very being had been drained of all emotion and feeling. He was lost, trapped in a world where two Lyli's existed, when he knew in his heart that they only had one child.

What is this?

The scene before him was like a grotesque painting, with no clear meaning or purpose. Martin stood there, cradling his version of Lyli in his arms, unsure of what to do. The horror of the situation was so great that he could not even scream, as if his very voice had been stolen from him.

As Martin took a step inside his home, cradling Lylibeth in his arms, his entire being still shaking in terror, he felt the weight of the world bore down on him, and every muscle in his body turned taut with fear. His eyes darted around the room, trying to make sense of the impossible scene before him.