A teenage girl with a rare medical condition seeks the help of a specialist doctor. The veil between reality and reverie evanesces as she sinks deeper into the clutches of an ethereal abyss.
My novella is complete!! I am doing final editing, but by...
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It is early on Thursday morning when Varaidzo, Philip and Domina are at Lomagundi College, waiting for the bus. Varaidzo and Philip sit in the car. Domina stands outside in a parka with her shoulders hunched as a crisp breeze whistles through the tall trees in the car park. Leaves shed from the trees rustle on the ground as cars pull up one by one. The scene is soon thronged by several excited school children lugging around huge bags. Unexpectedly, a shiny, new twin cab truck pulls up next to where Philip is parked. Out steps a tall, broad shouldered man: Lungile, much to Varaidzo's chagrin who gets out of her seat.
Domina runs to Lungile and they coalesce in an embrace.
'Dad,' Domina says as she pulls away from him. 'What are you doing here?'
'Yes, Lungile,' Varaidzo says frowning, 'What are you doing here?'
'How hard can it be to remember just one birthday?' Lungile smiles at Domina. To the girl's mother, he says, 'I spoke to Domina's principal and he said there was no problem with me coming along.'
'What do you mean by, "coming along"?' Varaidzo quizzes him.
Lungile is unfazed by her.
'I'm driving Domina to Sunset Meadows.'
'Don't be silly, Lungile,' Varaidzo snaps, 'this is a school trip!'
'Several parents decided to drive their children themselves,' Lungile says calmly. 'I'm surprised you didn't choose to do the same.'
'Philip and I are busy this weekend,' Varaidzo says. 'Besides, there is a school bus for this trip.'
'Vari,' Lungile shakes his head, 'one hundred kids and only one bus. Moreover, they're in groups that are all going to different places.'
'Don't stand there and pretend you care so much about this girl. Where were you when –'
'Mom,' Domina grabs her mom's hand and says through gritted teeth, 'my friends are looking this way.'
Philip puts his arm around Varaidzo's shoulder. The woman manages to compose herself. Nobody speaks for a moment.
'So, Lungile,' Philip breaks the silence. 'How is the tourism going?'
'I'm not a tourist, Philip,' the lean man says to the fat one, 'I'm a professional hunter.'
'Well that's what I meant.' Philip laughs nervously.
'It's quiet this time of year,' Lungile tells him, 'which gives me the opportunity to spend time with my daughter.'
Lungile gently clasps his large hand around the back of Domina's neck.
'How is ummm,' Lungile rolls his eyes, 'whatever it is that you do?'
'You know that Philip is a writer,' Varaidzo interjects.
