The Awakening

17 - The Diary

Dedication: @ChayAvalerias

It beckoned a constant tugging at her mind, encouraging her to enter its sphere. Perhaps it was the closed door that was usually left ajar.  Whatever it was; something drew Georgia back to Cassie's room again and again.

Georgia found herself continually routinely pulling the doors of the wardrobes to look inside and see if there was anything she hadn't checked.  Or going through each of the drawers to see if anything new could be discovered that would her solve her daughter's disappearance. Each time she came away from Cassie's room disappointed.  A heavy weight lay on her shoulders, as she continued to feel she was missing something and that she was letting down Cassie if she didn't discover the answer.  She had to find her.  She was her mother.  It was her job to keep her safe.

 Today was like the other days, leaving Georgia frustrated. The closet search had been fruitless. The same pile of disregarded shirts lay on the floor crumpled over her neatly lined shoes. Cassie's favorites were well worn red patent leather with scuffed heels.  As Georgia started to pull the door closed and hiding the clothing reminder of her daughter from view, she heard a thump as something fell to the floor.  She tried to open the door but it would not open completely. It seemed as if something had fallen in its path.

Georgia crouched, reaching her hand around the edge of the door.  There nestled on the thick carpet was a diary.

Tears hid in the ducts of her eyes wanting to make their presence known but Georgia held them as she hesitated. Once her fingers pulled open the first page, and her eyes gazed upon the words in the familiar handwriting. It was as though her daughter was standing beside her as the smell of coconut conditioner she used on hair mixed with her favorite perfume reminiscence of freesias filled her nostrils. She drank in the heady scent bringing the book closer to her. The tears fell down her cheeks in a quiet hum and she slid down the wall. 

Georgia reluctantly pulled the book away from her.  A sigh escaping her dried lips.  Should she read her daughter's diary?  Georgia had always promised never to read it when her daughter was younger. She could still remember a four-foot version of Cassie reading aloud the front inscription she had written on the page of her very first diary: "This is the PRIVATE journal of Cassie DeVira. If you read beyond this page your eyes will fall out of your head. You have been warned." A small laugh escaped her lips, as she bit her finger without even realizing as Georgia relived the memory. But that was then.  In fact, she had no idea Cassie still kept one.  Most people grew out of it.

She pondered the dilemma. 

Georgia closed her eyes.  There was nothing for it.  She would take the wrath and her chances if this might help her find her daughter.  Georgia knew wherever Cassie was, she was not staying there willingly.  

She sighed grabbing a pillow from her daughter's bed, propping herself back on the floor, positioning the cushion behind her.   Georgia turned the first page. They always say you should start at the beginning of a book after all.  She didn't want to miss any clue that might be contained within. 

Would the diary reveal any secrets to her daughter's disappearance?  Georgia prayed it would with all her heart, as she immersed herself in her daughter's world.