The Power Of The Powerless Gambler

Chapter 10: Blank Story

She closed the bathroom door with a soft click, a final barrier between her and the outside world. The lock turned with a muted thud, sealing her in a space that felt increasingly like a sanctuary and a prison all at once. Yuna sat in the bathtub, her fingers trembling as she retrieved the button phone she had hidden.

"Did I receive a message from my family, Blake?" She spoke her tone barely above a whisper and heavy with an undercurrent of sorrow.

Yuna carefully gave Blake the mobile number she used to contact her family, a crucial detail for ensuring their safety. Despite the silence from their end—no calls, no messages since the day she had left their home three years ago—she maintained a ritual that had become both a lifeline and a solace.

Every day, without fail, Yuna crafted a message detailing her daily experiences. It was a carefully crafted narrative, a way to reassure them that she was safe and living well.

Her mother's decision had been difficult for her. However, her understanding of their intentions allowed her to temper her sadness with empathy.

"I forwarded their message to you." You didn't see?" Blake replied, his voice tinged with a rare hint of excitement.

For a moment, Yuna felt a rush of conflicting emotions. The very idea that her family had reached out, despite the silence for years, was both thrilling and overwhelming. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the phone tighter.

"How are the two cats you adopted, Sabel and Raven?"

As she read the message, Yuna felt relief and happiness. The emotional weight she had carried seemed to lighten, replaced by a gentle warmth that spread through her chest.

Yuna's fingers flew over the phone's buttons, her vision blurred by tears that had welled up.

"FYI: I didn't adopt them. THEY TRICKED ME!"

Quickly, she typed another message, her thoughts rushing faster than her fingers could keep up.

"I did not adopt these two obnoxious animals. They were cats, but living with them made me feel like I was in a lion's den. They're as cunning as a fox."

Her fingers paused on a sent button, unsure whether she'd transmit the next message she typed.

"Sabel is sick very severely. I don't know whether I should feel sorry for him or hope he suffers more."

Sent!

Sabel and Raven were metaphorical names Yuna created to cover for Victor and Zack. The stories she regularly sent to her family were framed around these 'two cats' to conceal the true identities and nature of her situation.

Yuna lay in the unwatered bathtub, the cool porcelain pressing against her back as she clutched her mobile phone tightly.

Then, out of the haze of her thoughts, a small, bright icon on her screen caught her eye—the envelope symbol indicating a new message. Instantly, her heart leaped into her throat.

Yuna's fingers groped with the phone as she hastily called Blake. She wanted to confirm if the message was a comforting gesture from Blake rather than a genuine reply from her family.

The content of the message:

"Do you think people's behavior towards animals always made sense to them?

PS: "You can curse and despise people or animals to your heart's content if they are hateful. And allow your heart to determine whether or not to continue with such behavior. If it makes you suffer rather than relieved, it's time to consider embracing them for what they are."