Aftermath

23

Meadow

When I woke up I could feel the restraints on my arms and legs. I was strapped to a bed. I could tell the restraints were old, they were brown and peeling. My body began to ache all over. I didn't expect the doctors to be so fast. I didn't even know where I was .

The room was a pristine white. Blinding even. It was so clean you could probably eat off the floor. When my eyes fully adjusted I realize the room was padded.

"Oh fuck, you guys think I'm crazy."

I let my head hit the hard mattress; my life is too much. I just want everything to go back to normal.

Exhaustion was threatening to overcome me but I willed my body to move, and my voice to scream.

"Let me out of here! I am not crazy."

I screamed repeatedly until my voice was hoarse. Until the locks clicked. Someone was opening the door but who?

"Meadow, what a pleasant surprise."

His voice was chilling, it made me quiver with fear. Why couldn't it be Anyone but him.

"Let me outtt! He's going to kill me." I yelled trying to get the staff attention. I started to fight knowing it was no use.

"Shut up, I'm not here to kill you bitch."

"Rodent what do you want?"

"I bet you thought that was clever. But, I am here because you brainwashed my son and made him kill my daughters."

" I didn't-"

"Listen carefully whore, Shiloh knows where you are because I may have let some information slip when Hazel showed up at the hospital."

"What do you want!"

"Kill Shiloh and I'll release your mother."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You think your mother magically fell back in love with me? Don't be dumb. I have her son, and to think what a mother would do for her kids."

He said looking off in the distance.

"There's no windows in here."

"Shut the fuck up and listen! She's the only reason why you're alive and to get out of your debt you need to kill him."

Why should I believe anything you're saying?"

"You shouldn't but you are. I know your secret."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I was nervous, my lips was shivering.

"You can act dumb if you want but do we have a deal?"

"Get me out of here and you have a deal."

"Perfect."  He smiled showing all his teeth.

                                 *

Looking up at the mental institution made me cringe. I shouldn't be going through with this plan. But, my body, mind and soul needed the tranquility. I was so exhausted and sleep deprived. My nightmares only got worse.

I was sixteen years old. Actually I'll be seventeen in a few days. Doesn't make me feel any better. I can't wrap my head around my grandmother being gone.

The heartbreak felt like I was trapped inside of a pool without the chance of me escaping and the walls were closing at a rapid pace. Sometimes I'll wake up out of my sleep because I couldn't breathe. Sometimes I'll be in public and break down crying. There is no room for me to care about anything, not even myself.

"Meadow."

I turned around to the familiar voice. My eyes registered the stranger to be Shiloh. My body flinched forward but I fought back. Knowing what I had to do next.

"Yes?"

"Baby I'm sorry."

"I can't take it anymore. Please just...just go away." I replied not putting up much of a fight.

I hated that I was playing the part so well.

"My father made me do it. I didn't-"

"Let me guess. You didn't mean to hurt me? Well you did, not only did you hurt me but I just lost my grandmother. I can't and won't tolerate anymore hurt from you." I snapped back.

I felt the vacancy. I was losing myself. I was about to become a killer.

"I need to do this, so don't try to stop me."

Shiloh

"Let me help you then." I said reaching out to her.

She stepped out of my reach.

"I need to be watched 24 hours around the clock."

" Let me take care of you."

She scoffed at me.

"Take care of me? I'm good."

I was losing her, I was truly losing her.

I was going to beg her until I heard another voice besides my own.

"Meadow baby don't do this. You're not sick you're just going through some tough stuff."

It was Hazel and by the look of Meadow's face I knew she wasn't pleased. She was frozen with shocked. All I know is I didn't want to be In the middle of this.

Meadow

I was playing the part so well Hazel decided to show her face too. I wasn't expecting it, I was truly conflicted. But all I could think about was how stupid of her to show that mug after what she's done.

"Mom?"

She looked puzzled.

"I need my mother."

She looked at me like she won the lottery, tears fell down her face while she began to take a step towards me.

I began to walk slowly, hesitating to make it look real. This was the moment I've been waiting for and I'm going to take it. I quickly hid the knife I took from my pocket in my left hand. Hiding it from her view

Her arms engulfed me, it was a warm and soft embrace that I missed out on my whole life. Making me pause I could've been getting these types of hugs instead of nightmares. My anger began to consume me, the knife in my hand burned with desire, with vengeance. She killed my grandmother and I was going to make her pay. I was going to make them all pay!

I couldn't control my self, as she began to hold on to me so tightly her nails were sinking into my skin. Her fingers ran smoothly through my hair and she couldn't contain her feelings, telling me over and over of how happy she was.

I hated her, my whole life I wanted my mom only to hate her. So I did the only thing that was plausible, I plunged the knife deep into her stomach. Twisting it.

I couldn't hear anything around me, I just saw her eyes and when they lost their light I let go. Her words got caught in her throat. I couldn't help but smile as she fell. The witch is finally dead. No coming back this time.

"Say hello to grandma for me mommy dearest."

I didn't hear the doors opening, the doctors closing in on me, I didn't feel Shiloh picking me up and throwing over his shoulder. Rushing me into his car. My eyes were glued to Hazel's. I wanted to make sure she was dead. They all were going to pay!

When the dust cleared I realized this is my only chance to kill Shiloh. I felt the cold steel in my hand. I started to lash out, hoping the knife will get him before I changed my mind.

"Meadow what the fuck!?" I could hear the hurt in his words but I was desperate and not thinking straight.
What I wasn't counting was Shiloh fighting back, pushing him to the edge he back handed with his free hand.

I felt the crunch, I think my nose was broken but all I could see is me falling into a Black abyss.