Revenge

Chapter 8 - Revelation

Riley's POV

Something was dripping from the chandelier onto the floor, causing everyone in the great hall to look up. Before they could decipher what was hanging on the chandelier, the lights went out.

Then there was the sound of the crystals of the chandelier jingling loudly and what sounded like a chain snapping. Followed by a loud thud and a sickening crack echoing in the hall and then the lights flickered before going on again.

Complete silence.

Then chaos erupted in the crowd. Most of the women started screaming while some of the men were gathering around the figure on the floor, their curiosity getting the best of them. The others were shielding their partners from the horrific display in the middle of the dance floor. The light and happy mood was now replaced with fear and everyone looked grim.

In the middle of the dance floor lay the mayor in his own puddle of blood. His skull cracked, a thick stream of blood flowing from it. His leg was completely broken, twisted at a 45-degree angle, his foot facing outwards.

He was dead as a doornail.

Then I saw Justin running towards the crowd gathered in the middle of the dance floor, trying to push through and stopping dead at the site of his father's mangled body on the floor. Then he looked up passed the chandelier. He staggered backwards, the colour draining from his face. He looked down at his father and a look of realisation dawned on him. He looked afraid and horrified. The other chains supporting the chandelier snapped one by one and before he could grasp what was happening, the chandelier dropped and landed on top of him. Droplets of his blood splattered all around the room landing on the inquisitive crowd still gathered around the now 2 dead bodies. Everyone was shocked and again there was silence. This time not out of curiosity but pure terror. Some even started to cry uncontrollably not knowing what was going on.

Suddenly everyone started turning around in a chain like reaction. a Woman walked through the crowd to the centre of the dancefloor. It was Evelyn Yarnold. What was she doing here? As she moved forward, everyone else started moving backwards looking at her with disgust, avoiding her touch at all costs. Her mere presence bothered them so much that they didn't even want to be around her. They even dared to shamelessly throw accusations at her. "Stop what you are doing Yarnold! You will be locked behind bars you criminal!" one shouted.

I turned around and left the balcony to return to the crowd. When I reached the hall, I started approaching the woman, determined to talk to her. I had to keep myself from doing so for 15 long painful years. She must've felt my presence, because she suddenly turned around, facing me. Her scared and horrified expression turned soft and longing. She looked sad. "What have you done?" she asked me grabbing my face softly, her beautiful big brown eyes full of tears. The crowd looked between the woman and I confused, whispers erupting as realization dawned on each of their faces. Their eyes widened, and the whispers grew louder. I placed my hand on hers which was cupping my cheek, happy to be near her again. I couldn't speak. The only word that managed to escape my lips was..."Mom".

Evelyn's POV

When Mark called me a while ago pleading that I come to the celebration, I immediately grabbed my jacket and ran out of the house. When I arrived, everyone was gathered in a circle in the middle of the room. Women were crying, and the atmosphere was mournful. I walked towards the crowd ignoring the glances and comments I received from the town's residents having grown used to their ways by now. When I reached the crowd everyone starting parting, not to let me through, but because they didn't want to be touched by me. I saw 2 bodies lying on the floor underneath the chandelier that was now broken. Glass lay shattered over and around the bodies. It was a horrific site. I heard footsteps coming closer towards me, so I turned around to see who it was. I almost fainted when I saw her. She was as beautiful as the last day I last saw her, wearing her exact same sheer maxi dress before it was ruined. She looked so sad. It was my River. Seeing her took me back to the very day that I lost her.