LUCIFANA

VERNON

It was raining heavily.  A surprise downpour in the middle of August, New York. The walk from the hospital I worked in wasn't that far from my penthouse, so I preferred to walk back and from work. I let the rain soak me wet. It's been three months. Three months ever since the plane was bombed. There has been a lot of rioting, increased hate on the government, extra security all around the states pertaining all means of transportation. Be it a bus, train, subway, ships and planes.

The hospital gave me a month to grieve, that was all they could do since I am a vital doctor in the hospital. A month to grieve the loss of my wife and child. A month that I  was  drowned in my own tears. Pain. Suffering. Loneliness. I knew I would do something bad if I holed myself in my house. So after two weeks, I joined back to my work. To save people. To counsell people even as I kept my demons at bay. Am a doctor, the lives of my patients come first before my own feelings.

I have been drowning myself into work that coming late to my empty house has been my routine. So when I step out of the elevator and meet a young woman standing beside my door, I stopped.

The young woman turned and I felt all the air leave me, then rush back in. Old feelings of protectiveness, love, betrayal. All these feeling were overpowered by one. Coldness. I frostily passed by her and entered my passcode.

" Vernon."

" Leave." I lowly said, yet I was not surprised as she stepped into my house with me, ignoring me.

" Your drenched wet, what if you catch a cold!" She spoke in a worried tone, trying to help me out of my coat. I huffed, eyeing her down. " Now you care?"

" I... I will always care for you" she defended lowly. Lacking all the confidence and for a good reason.

" I will not be a gentleman when I repeat myself after this. Get out!" I growled out in anger, raising my voice while at it. Her eyes widened, yet she made no attempt to step out.

" Brother, am sorry. I was repulsive and_"

"Repulsive?! Do you know the consequences of your actions Anthea? Our father is tormented with health difficulties, his heart is failing!"
I shouted at her. She covered her mouth as she choked on her cries. I couldn't dare to look at her any longer as I walked to the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea.

" Mother passed away. We didn't deal with it properly. When he brought home a woman who restored his broken heart, we hated her. We thought she was replacing mother."

" But we were going to go through it together. I was nineteen years old, trying to take care of my fourteen years old sister. It's been eleven years, you ran away. Do you know what kind of hell that put us into?" I asked her ,knowing she has no way to answer me. I turned towards her, staring at her coldly.

" Excuse yourself out of here. Leave."

Anthea stared back at me and I could see it. The dark circles under her eyes, the fidgety self. My professional side told me something was not right but I ignored it. She made no move.

" I wanted to find you. I...I was a coward and there was no way of knowing that_"

" How did you find me then?" I rudely interrupted her and she took a shaky breath. " The girl. The girl you brought to the hospital from the airport."

I recalled the girl in graduation robes. Memories of her cries made me wince, bringing the horrific memories of that day. This was neither the time or place to start this conversation. I crossed the room towards her to guide her out and to my utter shock she fell on her knees, releasing the most heart wrenching cry. Last time I heard it was when mother passed away. She clinged to my legs,unwilling to let go.