Shadows of Revenge

Special Chapter

Freen sat alone in the quiet of their small living room, the soft rustle of the wind through the curtains calming her racing mind. The wedding was tomorrow. Becky was asleep in their room, her steady breathing soothing Freen’s heart. Yet, she couldn’t escape the memory of almost losing her—twice.

Her hands trembled slightly as she recalled Faye standing there, knife to Becky’s throat. “I could have lost her,” Freen thought, the cold realization hitting her like a wave. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she swallowed them back.

“Why did I take so long to realize what Becky meant to me?” she whispered to herself. Sarah’s ghost had haunted her for so long. She loved Sarah deeply, but what she felt for Becky... it was something more. She had mistaken her feelings, thinking Sarah was her forever. But now she saw that her heart had long belonged to Becky, silently waiting for her to accept it.

Yoko’s words echoed in her mind: “Faye is broken, Freen. She’s not the villain in this story. She just lost her way in her grief.”

Freen thought back to the times she had misjudged Faye. Faye wasn’t evil. She was lost, drowning in guilt and grief. Freen had been so focused on Sarah’s memory, she didn’t see the suffering of the ones still living. Faye, Yoko, even Becky—all were hurting in their own ways.

“I always thought Faye was wrong,” Freen whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. “But she was just as broken as the rest of us.”

Freen clenched her fists. She promised herself she’d never let Becky down again. Becky was more than the past; she was Freen’s future.

Faye stared at her reflection in the small mirror of her bedroom. Her eyes were red and tired, evidence of countless sleepless nights spent reliving Sarah’s death. How could she forget? How could she ever forgive herself?

Sarah had been everything to her. Her protector. Her best friend. Faye had spent years blaming Becky, convinced she could have saved Sarah. That anger had festered inside her, consuming her.

But now, after everything, after that moment where she nearly ended Becky’s life... she realized. It wasn’t Becky’s fault. It was never her fault. Becky was just as much a victim of circumstances, just as much a casualty of the same nightmare that had taken Sarah from them. Faye gripped the sides of the sink, her knuckles white.

Yoko entered the room quietly, standing behind Faye. She had been her rock, the one person who had seen her spiral out of control and had loved her through it all.

“You saved me,” Faye whispered, her voice barely audible. “I almost... I almost did something unforgivable.”

Yoko stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Faye’s shoulder. “You didn’t, though. You stopped. You’re healing. Sarah wouldn’t want you to carry this forever.”

Faye turned to Yoko, her eyes searching for reassurance. “Do you think Sarah can forgive me for what I’ve done?”

Yoko nodded softly, her eyes filled with love and understanding. “I know she already has. Now you need to forgive yourself.”

Faye felt the weight on her chest lighten, if only slightly. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to imagine a future without the chains of guilt and anger. A future where she could love and be loved—where she could be happy again.

“I’ll try,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “For Sarah. For us.”

Freen stood by the window of Becky’s condo, watching the sunlight slowly filter through the sheer curtains. She had been coming here every day for weeks now, bringing small gifts, flowers, or Becky’s favorite snacks, always careful not to push too hard. She could sense Becky’s hesitation—her reluctance to trust again after everything that had happened between them.

Today, though, something felt different.

Becky entered the room, her eyes still sleepy from the nap she’d taken. Freen watched as Becky moved silently to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. Freen knew she had been talking too much, trying too hard to bridge the silence between them. But Becky had stayed silent all these days, not uttering a single word. Freen’s heart ached.

“Becky,” Freen finally said, her voice soft. “Please, can you say something? Anything?”

Becky turned slowly, the glass still in her hand. Her eyes met Freen’s, and Freen saw the swirl of emotions—pain, hesitation, but also... something softer. Love, maybe?

“I don’t know what to say,” Becky finally spoke, her voice hoarse as if she had forgotten how to use it. “I’ve been silent for so long... I don’t even know where to start.”

Freen stepped forward cautiously. “Then don’t. You don’t have to explain anything. Just... stay with me. Let me take care of you.”

Becky’s eyes softened at Freen’s words. She set the glass down on the table, taking a few steps closer to Freen. Freen’s heart raced. This was the closest Becky had willingly come to her since everything had happened.

“I want to forgive you,” Becky whispered, her hands trembling as she reached for Freen’s. “But it’s hard. It’s like... I’m still scared. Of everything.”

Freen nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “I know. I’m scared too. Scared of losing you again.”

Becky hesitated for a moment, then took Freen’s hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. “We’ll try. Together.”

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