Lost in madness

Chapter 29

Chima

Weeks passed without a word from Dabe and worry gnawed at my insides. Dabe had never been the responsible one, but she's the one who called to check in even when life got hectic. This silence was unlike her.

As soon as my shift ended, I made a beeline for her new place. The new security guard at the gate eyed me suspiciously, but after I explained who I was, he waved me through.

The building loomed before me, all sleek lines and modern architecture. It was beautiful, but it felt lonely, cold, impersonal. Nothing like my warm, cluttered apartment.

"Dabe?" I called out as I entered. My voice echoed off the marble floors, met only by silence.

Anxiety thrummed through me as I made my way upstairs. What if something had happened to her? What if she was hurt, or worse?

The walk-up felt interminable. As soon as I got upstairs, I was practically running down the hallway.

"Dabe!" I called again, louder this time. "It's Chima! Are you here?"

Silence greeted me as I entered the room. Everything looked pristine, untouched. It was as if no one lived here at all.

"Come on, sis," I muttered, moving through her things. "Where are you?"

A faint sound caught my attention as I passed the bathroom. Was that... crying?

"Dabe?" I pushed the door open slowly. "Are you in here?"

The sight that greeted me broke my insides. There was my sister, curled up under the shower spray, her body wracked with sobs. She looked so small, so vulnerable.

"Oh, Dabe," I breathed, quickly grabbing a towel. I shut off the water and reached for her, wrapping the soft fabric around her trembling form.

As soon as I touched her, Dabe collapsed into my arms, her cries growing louder. I held her tight, murmuring soothing nonsense as I stroked her wet hair.

"It's okay," I whispered, even though I knew it wasn't. "I'm here now. I've got you."

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, Dabe crying herself out while I held her. Eventually, her sobs subsided into hiccups, then quiet sniffles.

"Come on," I said gently, helping her to her feet. "Let's get you dried off and into some warm clothes."

Dabe moved like a zombie, letting me guide her through the motions of drying off and dressing. Her eyes were red-rimmed and vacant, staring off into the middle distance.

Once she was settled at the dining table, I bustled around the kitchen, throwing together a simple meal. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and sizzle of oil in the pan filled the oppressive silence.

"Here you go," I said, setting a plate in front of Dabe. "You need to eat something."

But Dabe just stared down at the food, making no move to pick up her fork. The worry that had been simmering in my gut all day threatened to boil over.

I pulled out the chair next to her, reaching out to clasp her cold hands in mine. "Dabe, please," I pleaded with her. "Talk to me. What's going on? You're scaring me."

For a long moment, Dabe said nothing. Then, so quietly I almost missed it, she spoke.

"I-I'm pregnant."

The words were quiet but it hit like a physical blow. I jerked back, nearly toppling my chair. "You're... what?"

Dabe flinched at my reaction, her shoulders hunching as if bracing for a blow.