Shadows of Love: Healed

PROLOGUE

HAZEL

"I'm so excited for tomorrow," I thought to myself as I quietly slipped out of my room and tiptoed to my brother's door.

Giving it a light knock, he groggily opened it, asking, "Why are you disturbing me at this late hour?"
Suppressing a giggle, I slipped into his room and settled onto his bed. He pulled up a chair, sitting opposite me.

With bubbling excitement, I shared the news: "Pa is coming tomorrow!"

His eyes sparkled like stars, knowing Pa would likely bring him the latest phone and gaming sets.

Though he'd surely miss Pa, he wouldn't show it. Instead, he offered a big, bright smile and said, "Good night. Now go and sleep."

I wondered where his sleep had disappeared to as I left his room and returned to mine. Setting my alarm for 6 A.M., I eagerly anticipated the day ahead.

❁❁❁

I woke up early in the morning, eagerly getting ready for school, when I heard my mother's voice calling out to me.

"Hazel, come down!" Mom's voice echoed through the house.

I bounded down the stairs with enthusiasm and excitement, my heart fluttering with the hope that Pa had returned. But as I reached the bottom, disappointment washed over me. No one was there.

Frowning, I asked, "Mom, did Pa come back?" With her gentle voice, Mom replied, "No, dear. He'll be back by the time you return from school. Now go, eat your breakfast get ready."

Her words, though comforting, couldn't dispel the longing in my heart for Pa's return. With a sigh, I turned to prepare for the day ahead, clinging to the hope that he would indeed be home soon.

"I love going to school, studying, and chatting with my friends, but today, I feel more excited than ever. Pa is returning from Italy, and I can't wait for him to hug me and twirl me around. I'm so happy."

Throughout the day, I listened attentively in all my classes, anticipation bubbling inside me. When the final bell rang, signaling the end of classes, I hurriedly packed my bag.

As I dashed out of the class four, I spotted our driver waiting for me. Without a moment's hesitation, I sprinted over and leaped into the car, my excitement palpable. Today was going to be special-I could feel it in every fiber of my being.

It usually takes 20 minutes to reach my home, but today, it took much longer. Many police cars sped past ours, and I even saw ambulances. When I finally arrived, I leaped out of the car.

Despite my height, the car seemed too big for me. If I mentioned this to my brother, he'd surely laugh. Why people forget my age? I am 8 YEARS OLD!! I am not a small kid, you see. Hastily, I rushed inside, only to find the house filled with red.

Spotting my brother, I dashed towards him and enveloped him in a hug. Breathlessly, I asked about Pa. Slowly, he turned towards me, his eyes red and cheeks wet, tears streaming down his face.
I don't know what happened but I reassured him "Don't worry, my little Mags, everything will be fine."

In response, he grabbed me tightly, his hands trembling. "Nothing will happen to you. I will protect you until my death. You're my only family, the only person I care about. If anyone dares to lay a hand on you, I will cut it off and gift their family the person's head."

Though I didn't quite understand, he pulled me into another hug, holding me close.

He lifted me, carrying me out of the house, and as I stared at him and the surroundings, everything started to make sense. People who are closest to me, or whom I love the most, will eventually leave me, or they will be taken away from me forever..

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Thank you guys for reading this.
" I realized that perhaps the greatest fear of all is not the fear of love itself, but the fear of losing it."

See you all after 11th march starting with our new book and a new chapter, Shadows of love: A Tale of Fear and Redemption.

BYE. TAKE CARE!!