IN THE REALMS OF REVENGE

PART THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Lillian wasted no time, she packed her belongings and was soon out of the house.In the morning when the Andersons had returned they searched everywhere and found no trail of Lillian. Livingston was very worried so he called Verissah who claimed that Lillian had come home.
Lillian sat on her bed and kept staring at the clock. Lillian whispered as tears flowed, “Why did I do that? I am so heartless. I thought it was Virgil that was heartless but it was rather me. But no one must find out this truth yes. I will just try and act normally. Let me just put the gun under the bed, I will throw it away yes”. Just as Lillian put the gun under the bed, something struck her, “Did I put on gloves before I shot Virgil? No . Oh no!!!! Why didn't I remember. But no one knows it was me so I can hide”. Lillian cleaned her tears.
“Why did you come home without telling the Andersons they were very worried” that was Verissah. “Virgil died at the mid night so I - I was scared so I ran and came home. Trust me, trust me mother”. As Lillian said this she bursted into tears and shivered like never before. Verissah had never seen Lillian that way before so as she cuddled her she said, “I trust you my dear Lucinda, I trust you”.
Verissah was worried sick about Lillian's reaction. She told herself, “Virgil was shot that time Lucinda came home. There is no relationship between Lucinda and Virgil that will cause Lucinda to be so affected by his death”. Verissah became confused and she decided to do some laundry so that she would worry no more.
CHAPTER TWENTY - TWO
In college after lectures Lillian walked timidly to the entrance of the college. Someone from nowhere shouted, “Lillian! Lillian!!!”. Lillian forgot about her identity because she was desperate and she turned and responded, “I am here!! What is it?”. Serafina and her friends who saw this chuckled and laughed, “Are you Lillian now?”. That was when Lillian realized she almost revealed her identity. Livingston who saw this chuckled, “Hey, young lady you look frustrated. Sorry for causing you fear that night. I mean when my father died”. Lillian pinched her nose and said, “No need. Sorry for your loss”. Livingston nodded and said, “I will drop you off at your house. Please don't decline”. Lillian nodded and limbed along. When they sat in the car and it sped off, Livingston said, “Lucinda, do you know that the police is still investigating on who shot my father?”. Lillian forced a smile and said, “Really? I wish them good luck”. No sooner, the car parked and Lillian waved at Livingston and went away.
When Lillian reached, she found Verissah standing at the entrance and holding a gun.
CHAPTER TWENTY - THREE
“You look surprised right? That I have found your greatest secret. Lucinda! I never anticipated that you will do this” Verissah waved the gun at her. “Where did you find this?” that was Lillian. Verissah chuckled, “I found this gun underneath your bed when I was getting out your laundry. What did you use this gun for?”. Lillian hesitated to speak and Verissah continued, “If I ever find out this gun killed someone I will never forgive you trust me. Just pray my thoughts are not true”. Verissah stamped her feet as she walked out of sight.The following day, Verissah did not speak to Lillian no matter how hard Lillian tried. Verissah went into her room and locked herself up. Verissah dialed a number and no sooner someone came on the line, “Hello, good evening mum. Is there anything wrong?” the caller asked. “Livingston I don't even know whether I should say yes or no. I found a gun underneath Lucinda’s bed and I am very scared for her” Verissah addressed. Livingston laughed in a desperate state and said, “I don't believe this mum. Please did you ask her about the gun?”. “Yes I did and she hesitated to speak and that makes me more afraid. And her actions have totally changed. Please since you are her close pal try to inquire about the gun for me”. Livingston offered, “I will do just that”.
CHAPTER TWENTY - FOUR
“So you mean this gun contains Lucinda's hand print?” Livingston emphasized. “Yes Sir this is the truth and I am very sure too” the investigator said. That day, Livingston didn't talk to Lillian. At midnight Livingston thought, “If Lucinda’s hand print is on the gun that means she probably used it. No, no”. When Livingston was thinking about all these his phone rang. Livingston muttered and rised up to pick the call and he whispered, “Hello, who is this”.The person responded, “Sir, please it is the agent you told to…”. Livingston continued, “Yes, the hand print man. What's up”. The agent confirmed, “Sir, there is a hand print on the book the police brought to me”. Livingston emphasized, “Really? I will come there tomorrow. See you”.
The following day, Livingston went to the agent. “Why do you look worried” Livingston questioned. The agent disclosed, “Sir I am sorry to say that the hand print of the gun you brought to me is similar to that of the book”. Livingston became frustrated and worried, because he wanted the agent to lose sight of his desperation he shrugged, “Don't worry. Don't let the police know I will deal with this myself okay?”. The agent nodded and Livingston went away. Livingston didn't want Verissah to know about his enquiries  because she would become worried. Livingston couldn't identify the connection between the gun and Lillian’s book. Livingston thought, “If Lucinda's hand print is on the gun and is the similar one on Lillian's book at the same scene where my father died. Then, what connection is between them? Moreover the way Lucinda acted when the name Lillian was mentioned makes me suspicious”.
CHAPTER TWENTY - FIVE
The following morning, in college Lillian didn't talk to Livingston. Lillian looked stressed and quiet. Livingston noticed that after his father died Lillian was always like that, so he didn't press on the matter much.
When college closed, Lillian had no choice but to go home with Livingston’s car despite how she wanted to avoid him. Livingston began, “Lucinda we have been friends for long if anything is bothering you don't be afraid to share”. Lillian irritatedly said, “Livingston with all due respect, have I told you I am feeling worried or anything? No! So leave me alone”. Lillian looked away immediately after she finished speaking. No sooner the car parked and Lillian exited the car. Then, Livingston told himself, “Now, my guess is right. Lucinda is hiding something grave. It might be related to my father I will make sure she tells me everything she knows”.
That night Lillian couldn't sleep. She whispered to herself, “Look at me now, I am not my normal self anymore. I feel like Virgil haunts me and makes me feel guilty. I need someone to tell me I did nothing wrong and I don't deserve anything bad”. Lillian broke into deep sorrow and when she felt a little consoled she recalled how Livingston saved her from dying and even when she got bad grades, how Livingston gave her courage . Lillian stood up in front of a mirror in a room. Lillian told herself, “It is either I trust someone or die silently”.
CHAPTER TWENTY - SIX
When closing was due, Lillian panicked because of the decision she had made. When Lillian sat in the car, Livingston jumped into the car by her. As the car was moving, Livingston pressed on his question again, “Lucinda , you can trust me with everything. Even a secret you cannot share with anyone”. Lillian innocently thought over this and told herself, “Livingston can never betray me. Moreover, I am tired and frustrated of feeling guilty and Virgil always haunts me. Telling Livingston will…”. “What are you thinking about?” Livingston noticed.Lillian responded, “N- Nothing”.Livingston pressed on his question again in a soft voice. Lillian didn't have time to think anymore in a haste she cleared her throat and said, “Livingston can I trust you?”. Livingston shrugged, “We have been friends for long. I can't believe you are asking me this. Of course yes, you can trust me with totally everything”.
“I- I…” Lillian shivered. Livingston wrapped his arm around Lillian and Lillian gained courage but asked another question, “Promise me that you won't tell this to anyone”. Livingston whispered, “I promise you with my life”.
CHAPTER TWENTY - SEVEN
No sooner the car came to a stop and Lillian bid Livingston bye and went away. Livingston was happy that Lillian was ready to confide in him.
At midnight Livingston woke and thought, “Now that I have been able to lure Lucinda into confiding in me I can find all the answers to Verissah's questions and mine too” a wicked smile formed at his lips when he thought of this. His smile subsided when he thought, “Lucinda and I have been friends for a very long time I cannot betray her even if she had committed murder”. Livingston sighed and took his recorder. It  was Livingston's habit to always record everything that bothered his mind. As he took the recorder he started, “Lucinda possesses a gun with the same hand print as the one on my father's book at the moment he was killed. Tomorrow Lucinda is going to tell me a secret she doesn't want me to tell anyone. I am worried what if she has a hand in Mr. Virgil’s death or there's something related to that? No!! no!!! let me just brush this thought away”. Livingston just off the recorder and slept.
On the other hand, Lillian was rest assured that telling Livingston would end all her guilt feeling.
CHAPTER TWENTY - EIGHT
The following day, Oliver who was sick and thereby didn't leave for college went to Livingston's room when he(Livingston) had left for college. When Oliver was helping himself with a football game, he found Livingston's recorder on the bed. Oliver who knew what it was thought, “What could my brother be worried about. I know he might have recorded his worries let me just intrude”. Oliver picked it up and listened to Livingston's last recording which occurred late in the night. After college, as usual Livingston jumped into the car beside Lillian however this time Livingston told the driver to take them to a cool place where they could chat. Livingston looked at Lillian and Lillian in turn gave a wry smile.
The car sped off and no sooner they reached the popular pub known as Vena Cruza. Livingston led Lillian into a nearby seat while the driver waited.
CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE
“I - I am…” Lillian panicked. Livingston encouragingly, “Lucinda do you trust me?”. Lillian nodded and Livingston continued, “Then tell me everything and I will protect you. Trust me”. Lillian began, “I ran away from my home because Susan whom I called my aunt told me that my father was a murderer. That day when my father got to know that Susan told me this Susan died. I thought my father killed Susan so I ran away in order to avenge Susan and my biological mother's death. Verissah adopted me and I found out my father and his wife were still alive in order for vengeance to prevail I shot my father. Later I found out he wasn't my biological father he adopted me when I became an orphan and all what I thought of him were all wrong. He died anyways I wasn't able to apologize to him. Look at how ungrateful I am” Lillian burst into sorrow and loud cries. Livingston consoled her and asked, “So you mean the gun Verissah found you used it to kill?”. Lillian nodded and couldn't console herself anymore and in a teary voice said, “Yes I feel so guilty”. Livingston still consoled, “Don't worry I will protect you. Just tell me who you killed and where you ran away from?”. Livingston wrapped his arm around Lillian and Lillian said confidentially, “ I ran away from your mansion.I am Lillian Anderson. I killed- kill- killed Virgil Anderson”. Livingston unwrapped his arm and cleared his throat and he ran his hands through his hair.
For some time which seemed like years no one spoke. Livingston continued to keep his head bent and Lillian kept mourning. Lillian spoke out, “Livingston I am sorry for killing your your guardian. I asked you whether they were your parents so that I could protect you from my rage attack. I thank God Virgil is not your father”. Livingston shouted in anger, “ He is more than that!!! He gave me hope when all hope was lost he gave me life I never had now I am so famous and I have extreme riches now!!!”. Lillian started to cry and Livingston who sensed this felt sorry for yelling at Lillian and said in a husky voice, “Let's go”. Before Lillian could say yes Livingston was seated in the car.
No sooner, the car came to rest and Lillian alighted and walked straight into the house without looking back.
CHAPTER THIRTY
When Livingston went home he spoke less and Oliver was the first to visit him in his room. Oliver didn't wait to be admitted in and he badged into the room and said, “I listened to your recording yesterday”. Livingston shouted, “Wait wait you mean you searched through my things how dare you. No shame of guilt bathed you after you listened to my recording and you are here bold without apologizing. Leave my room this minute”. Oliver retorted , “You can't sack me now. At least make me finish”. Livingston replied, “You have only five minutes to get done”. Oliver agreed and said, “Remember the good things Mr. Virgil had done for us. Even though we are not his children we still enjoy benefits as his children. You can't walk away from this can you?”. As soon as Oliver finished speaking he went away.
That night, everything Oliver had told Livingston earlier kept haunting him(Livingston). Livingston thought, “Mr. Virgil took care of my brother and I when we had no one at a tender age he paid all our bills and gave us our share of his properties as his sons. I cannot walk away from his death like that while I know who killed him. I cannot betray Lucinda I mean Lillian that way”.
CHAPTER THIRTY - ONE
When one day Lillian spluttered out, “Mother I won't come home with Livingston again”. Verissah inquisitively asked, “Why I thought you loved to come home with him. Why the change?”. Lillian irritatedly said, “The less you know the better if you want me to continue coming home with Livingston then be aware that I will walk home”. Verissah sighed and replied, “Okay I will send a driver to come pick you up”.
This was when Verissah was alarmed that there was something wrong. It was either Lillian was hiding something from her or Livingston was rather hiding something from her(Verissah).Verissah decided to plan an action to find the reason. In accordance with this Verissah planned a meeting with Livingston the following day without the notice of Lillian. When Lillian went out, Verissah called Livingston and invited him into the house. Verissah started, “Livingston I invited you here just for us to have a chit chat”. Verissah was very cautious of her words as she knows that Livingston won't tell her anything when he gets to know her intentions. Verissah stammered and said, “Am sorry for making you puzzled. I just invited you so that you can enlighten me on the activities of your class since Lillian does not really talk to me about them”. Livingston shrugged, “Don't worry I will give a detailed explanation”. Verissah smiled and they proceeded.
After talking for hours, Verissah thought it was time to inquire from Livingston about what was bothering her. “Livingston nowadays you don't come home with Lucinda anymore why?” Verissah inquired. Livingston coughed and replied, “Lillian oh sorry I mean Lucinda. I- I don't know”. Livingston who knew then that Verissah noticed his flaws and might not take it as mere mistakes. He said, “I mean I don't know what is wrong with Lucinda”. Verissah knew there was something wrong somewhere. In order to ease the tension she did Livingston a favor.
CHAPTER THIRTY - TWO
“Okay let's forget about Lucinda. Tell me whether your father's death there is any clue about the murderer?” Verissah said softly. Verissah sensed how tensed Livingston was so she asked, “What's wrong? You know the culprit? Don't get scared of telling me is that why you haven't been close with Lucinda because you think she is the culprit? I heard the hand print on the gun was the same as that on your father's book at the time he died”. When Livingston heard this he knew the amount of enquiries Verissah had made before inviting him. Without any awareness Verissah who knew what she said had a probability of being true she intentionally broke into tears and spoke through, “Livingston please brief me about everything don't hide anything from me. Lucinda is my daughter I have to know everything. Please”. Verissah did this multiple times and eventually knelt down and Livingston who did not know all what Verissah was doing was a trick surrendered, “Mum, I will tell you everything. Please don't just say this to anybody”. Verissah replied tearily, “Okay I promise I won't say this to anybody”. Livingston then said to Verissah all what Lillian had told him.
Verissah after knowing the truth hugged Livingston and said, “When you heard this you weren't able to do anything despite all what Virgil risked his life to do for you? You still kept your promise to my daughter”. Verissah sobbed and continued, “With regards to everything Virgil had ever than for me I never thought my daughter could ever kill this same man. I owe Virgil my life ”. Livingston kept shooking his head and he bowed down and wept till he was fed up.
CHAPTER THIRTY - THREE
Later, Livingston regained his composure and with courage he stood up and began to quickly walk away. Verissah called onto Livingston, “Where are you going in this anger”. Livingston replied, “I want to make justice prevail”. Verissah shook her head and said, “Please don't do this, please”. Verissah couldn't catch up with Livingston but she stumbled and fell down and began to mourn bitterly.
No sooner, Lillian arrived and was shocked to see the view that welcomed her. “Mother what is wrong why are you crying?” Lillian asked . Verissah in turn slapped Lillian and said, “You murderer and a person made of no heart”. Lillian wrapped her hands around Verissah. However Verissah pushed her hands away and spluttered, “I am disappointed in you. After murdering Virgil you still have the audacity to come here to deceive me again? Lillian or Lucinda?”. Lillian was shocked at this revelation and she knelt down and began sobbing. Lillian thought, “So Livingston betrayed me after deceiving me? I shouldn't have ever believed in him. No!!”. Before Lillian could utter another word, intruders badged into the house. Lillian was afraid to death and shouted, “Mother what is the police doing here. No please!!!”. Verissah spluttered tearily, “Please leave my daughter alone”. When Verissah said this Lillian came to hide behind her. Suddenly, Livingston entered the house and told the police, “This is Lillian Anderson popularly known as Lucinda Vanderpuye she murdered Mr. Anderson and I have prove”. The police chorused, “Show it to us then”. Livingston pulled a recorder out of his pocket and gave it to the police. After the police listened to the audio the commander said, “Miss Lillian Anderson you have been arrested for committing murder kindly follow us”. Lillian called onto Livingston severally but Livingston didn't even turn and went away. Lillian spluttered, “So Livingston tricked me into believing in him and in my foolishness I told him everything. I even allowed Susan to deceive me. No!!!”. The police dragged Lillian away.
CHAPTER THIRTY - FOUR
“The life I had initially should have been the first perfect life I ever had. But I destroyed it and now the people who care for me are the same people I hurt. They refuse to give up on me they still think I can heal from my emotional anxiety. No that can never be possible I deserve it. If I had let the past go and I had seek counseling at that tender age I won't have grown to be like this. Verissah always looks at my face and says that stop blaming yourself you did nothing. You got the wrong information. ‘Just believe that you can change so that you can heal and leave this place you don't belong here’ It is impossible I have stayed here for ten years now I couldn't heal. I am very remorseful about Virgil's death” Lillian lamented to herself. Years went by Lillian was being diagnosed with autism Lillian was dying quietly not ready to forget everything she had done until one day she had a visitor. This visitor was Livingston . Livingston passed through all processes and got Lillian out and healed her, despite everything. Vera learned to love Lillian.
Thereby,Verissah, Lillian, Livingston, Oliver and Vera became one big family.