The way I am now

Echoes of Silence

After turning off the shower, I let the hot water droplets fall over my face, providing a momentary respite from the turmoil within me. Ever since the tragic accident that took my mother's life, I have been burdened by an unrelenting sense of guilt and remorse. Despite the unwavering support of my loyal friends, I feel as though I am ensnared by the shadows of my past, unable to break free. Seeking refuge far from my hometown, I have assumed a new identity, complete with altered appearance to evade recognition. By enrolling in a school and taking on a job at a local homeless shelter, I am determined to carve out a new existence and seek solace amidst the storm of emotions within me. As I turned off the steaming hot water, and felt it slowly fall onto my toes. I knew I was safe, and most importantly I was home. Ever since my mom died, I've been living with regret, but now I feel at ease, but I still have dreams of what my life would have been if I didn't kill her.

~Time Passes~

As I diligently scrubbed the worn floors of the homeless shelter, the acrid smell of disinfectant filled the air. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead illuminated the weary faces of the shelter's inhabitants as they shuffled past, their eyes reflecting a mix of exhaustion and despair. Amidst the commotion, a woman approached me, her weathered hands clutching a crumpled piece of paper. "Excuse me, ma'am, do you know where the bathroom is?" she asked, her voice tinged with weariness. 

 "It's right there," I responded, pointing down the dimly lit hall. With a nod of gratitude, she shuffled away, her footsteps echoing against the linoleum floor. Before I could return to my task, another figure emerged from the shadows, her piercing gaze fixed upon me. "Excuse me, ma'am, are you Estella King?" she inquired, her tone firm and authoritative. "Depends on what you're asking. Who are you anyway?" I replied.

  "I'm Detective Carmen Alicia Luna Rivas. If you don't believe me, you can validate that I'm a detective," she stated, presenting her badge with an air of confidence. Though I remained stoic, a sense of unease crept over me. "What do you want?" I muttered, a wave of apprehension washing over me as memories of my mother's tragic accident resurfaced. The weight of my grief and guilt seemed to hang heavy in the air, overshadowing the dimly lit surroundings of the shelter.

"I wanted to ask you if you knew anything about the disappearance of Miss. Alexa Rae and Mr. James King? After all, you are the daughter of Mr. James, and.... Alexa so do you know anything?"

I wanted to yell in her face to get the hell out of here but I contained myself. "No I'm sorry but if I knew anything about the disappearance of my dad.......and.... Alexa, I would have told the police already, trust me! So leave me alone." My voice tinged with a mix of irritation and sadness.

I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on me, their eyes piercing into my skin as if I were a criminal.  It felt as though an impending catastrophe was about to unfold if that girl didn't make a swift exit. "You're very quick to defend yourself,  Ms. King. I can tell that your life is in disarray.   will be back, and next time, I want a clear and concise answer," Carmen whispers softly as she strides out of the room, her fingers tightly gripping the files she held in her hand.