Experiment of Madness

60-Heavy Hearts -Dag

With calmness and tenderness, I watch as Dad calms Mom, guiding her gently to the chair. She sits beside him, their hands intertwined, a silent connection between them. His gesture is comforting, his hold holding a hint of love and protection. The room is filled with tense tension, all of us standing in the living room, waiting for the next moment, uncertain and anxious about what's coming next.

As I witness my father's emotional tears, it's hard to process the unfamiliar sight. The man who always appeared composed and strong is now showing vulnerability, his emotions pouring out. My thoughts race with confusion, my heart filled with a mixture of surprise and concern for this man who I always knew as strong and stoic.

I steal a glance at Fane, meeting his gaze. His eyes hold a silent question, asking what's wrong, an expression filled with shared concern.
My eyes meet Fane's, and I respond the only way I know how. I silently convey my uncertainty with a subtle shake of my head, expressing, "How would I know?"

Dad speaks gently, his voice cracking briefly as he tells the devastating news. "Winter, there was an accident..." His words are heavy, his voice filled with sorrow and a hint of vulnerability. "Octavia and Madden... they're gone," he continues, his tone breaking as he squeezes Mom's hand, seeking support.

Mom's voice breaks the brief silence, her words carrying a hint of disbelief. "Excuse me?" she whispers, her words carrying a mix of shock and denial. Her tone is soft, almost as if she's questioning her hearing, hoping it's a misunderstanding.

Dad's expression holds an intensity, his eyes filled with tears that he's barely holding back. His hand tightens around Mom's, a hint of desperation in his grip. He takes a deep, unsteady breath, preparing to deliver the rest. "There was a car accident. They... They didn't make it," his voice wavers, his words heavy with grief.

Mom's face becomes pale, her eyes wide with shock, the news sinking in and leaving her speechless. She doesn't respond immediately, her mind still processing the information, struggling to accept the reality.

"Mom!" I exclaim, my heart skips a beat as Mom faints. The room falls into a state of shock and panic. I rush to her side, worry etched across my face.

Dad's voice rings out, his plea filled with urgency. "Winter!" His words carry a mix of concern and fear. He gently shakes her, trying to rouse her from her unconscious state.

Fane, visibly shaken, loses his footing and falls to the floor, his emotions overwhelming him.

I quickly shift my attention to Fane, my heart throbbing. I rush to his side, dropping to my knees and reaching out to him. "Fane!"I call out worry clear in my voice, concern etched on my face. My hands gently shake him, trying to bring him back from his emotional state.

I call out to him again, my voice desperate and filled with worry. "*Fane! Hey, Fane!*" My trembling hands gently shake him, trying to bring him back, the fear creeping in as he remains unresponsive.

Aerra brings water to Mom gently, trying to revive her. Meanwhile, Sasha swiftly brings water to Fane, her hands trembling as she offers the water to him.

Fane finally responds, his eyes slowly fluttering open, his focus starting to return. His chest rises and falls with heavy breaths, his face pale. Sasha's actions begin to help, some color returning to his face as the water offers a grounding sensation. Mom, too, begins to stir, her eyelids fluttering as she slowly returns to consciousness.

Dad, his gaze still fixed on Mom, releases a relieved sigh as she starts to come to. However, his focus quickly switches to Fane, concern etched across his face as he sees him lying on the ground.

"Fane, are you okay?" he whispers, his voice filled with worry. His eyes are fixed on Fane, his brow furrowed as he waits for a response.

Fane stammers, his thoughts and emotions jumbled. "I...I..." His words are broken, the weight of the emotions clear on his face. He's grappling with the reality of the situation.

"What do you mean car accident?She...so she's not existing anymore?"I ask, my voice cracking as I feel Aerra's hand wrapping in mine.

Mom's voice trembles, her question loaded with sadness and grief. She's struggling to comprehend the events. "When did this happen? How did it happen?"Her words echo in the silent and somber room, the heavy air almost suffocating.

Dad's tone is somber, his words carrying the weight of the tragic event. He details the accident, his words conveying the heartbreaking reality. "Two weeks ago. They were driving. A car came across them. They flew off the bridge into the river along with the car," he says, his voice breaking slightly, the memory still raw.

Mom's voice rises, a mixture of pain and frustration in the air. Her anger is evident, her voice filled with tears as she scolds him. "And you didn't tell me sooner? You waited this whole time?" Her words carry the weight of her heartbreak, the emotional storm she's enduring.

 
"Why, Damon? Why did you wait two weeks to tell me? Two weeks! You let me go on like nothing happened, and now— NOW you tell me that our daughter is gone?!" she repeats, her words filled with heartbreak. She's angry, her hands trembling.  Her eyes fill with tears.

Mom is shouting, her voice breaking, the pain and grief overwhelming. The emotion is overwhelming as she voices her questions. Her frustration and heartbreak seep into her words.

Dad is calm-spoken, his tone steady, but his words tinged with a hint of irritation. "I told you when it was time, Winter. You wouldn't have been able to handle it any sooner. I did what I thought was necessary," he explains, his gaze slightly hardened as he pauses momentarily. "Sometimes, the truth is a burden. I wasn't going to let you suffer through that," he continues.

Her voice rose again, tears threatening to spill.
“Suffer? Suffer? Damon, you think this is about you? Do you think you’re the only one who’s grieving? Do you think I’m some fragile little thing who can’t handle the truth?”
She stands  closer, her voice filled with frustration and hurt.
“She was our daughter! I should’ve been the first to know! Not the last! Why the hell do you think I don’t deserve to grieve with you? Why does it always have to be your decision? Why does everything always have to be on your terms?!”

Fane's eyes have a far-off look, a hint of emptiness. His mind seems numb, his thoughts distant. He may not be entirely present, the grief likely overcoming him. I hold his shoulders, pulling him into the present moment with soft touch.

As I lead Fane upstairs, I feel the girls following behind, their footsteps echoing in the hallway.

Mom's and Dad's voices resonate through the floors, their argument still ongoing. Their words carry a mix of pain, frustration, and raw emotion, a testament to the rift that's been created between them.

A single tear escapes his eye.

I hug him tightly, holding him close, my own emotions simmering beneath the surface. I find myself holding back my tears, attempting to be strong .

My heart feels too heavy, the weight of the pain and grief almost too much to bear. The weight of the events is overwhelming, and the sadness that envelops me is profound.

The world around seems dark and the ache in my chest deep, a heaviness that seems to swallow all my emotions, and the intensity threatens to break me. Holding onto Fane, I find a semblance of support.

Octavia...

Sasha, full of care, takes her seat next to Fane as he sleeps, her presence offering a sense of support and comfort to him even in his state of slumber.

I catch a brief glimpse as I leave the room, seeing Dad embracing Mom as she sobs and hits him.

I quietly enter my room, the weight of the situation still heavy on my mind. I make my way to the bed and sit down, trying to regain some form of stability.

I feel Aerra's presence next to me as she sits.

Aerra's warm embrace surrounds me, her hug gentle yet grounding. A wave of tears threatens to overcome me, the emotions welling up and ready to spill. I brush my face on her shoulder, trying to keep the tears at bay, seeking solace in her arms, unwilling to let the tears betray me.

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