The Other Side

CHAPTER [1]

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¬¬CHAPTER ONE¬¬

¬¬*IF THE SUN NEVER MOVED*¬¬

Fourteen Years Earlier

Yellow was its colour. A bright shining ball that resided in the pockets of an ultramarine sky, with crystallised clouds that seemed to be creating their own mini universe. Quite a delightful space anchored by the rays of its vessels.

Intriguing.

This bliss was just a temporary condition for a young boy and his mother. In a realm of non-realism, this was a vampire era for the two. Known to be a beauty at day time, she also revoked smiles through her transformation from bright yellow to warm orange-a ball hooked and pulled down to the pits of darkness.

Nature was an enchantress at sunset without question; making a duo sail a ship that no longer held fast by its anchor-it swung wildly.

Having been completely swallowed and made to taste the ends of the earth, it was time for the resurrection of gloom-a recipe well known by the two.

The night. A time respected dearly for the spine to rest in the cushions but for young Vincent and his mother Poshia, it was the complete opposite. A beam of light rays and a sharp high-pitched rumbling noise from a white van indicated a transmutation for them to nocturnal souls. It was Bernard, a beast residing in a human anatomy. A fierce man, tall and muscular with rage like bees set upon a tornado of smoke. In the eyes of the two, he was the devil's assistant.

Indeed, it was hell on earth.

One Thursday evening Poshia decided to prepare Bernard's favourite dish, macaroni and cheese hoping for sparkles in her dark night. This was the recipe she used to tame the beast in her youth and to capture his heart too. A shift in time phases, now she had to pioneer a venture into little-known waters; aim for the bullseye with her trusted arrow she used for years. Poshia knew she could not do it alone, "perhaps I will call my little charm to ensure perfection", she whispered in her inner thoughts.

"Vincent!" She called out in a sweet voice.

"Yes ma'! I am coming!" He answered as he ran down the stairs to the kitchen.

"Young man, how would you like to be a humble servant in the queen's palace today?" She asked as she drowned her smile in a pool of delight. Her words puzzled the young boy. "Mother! Please, speak English that way I can understand you." Vincent pleaded winding up his words with a grin.

"Okay! Okay! Umm I need you to help me out in the kitchen", Poshia explained politely. Drawing a prolonged quivering sigh, Vincent enquired what the special occasion was. Without any delays Poshia put it forward, "there is not any special occasion son", she said pausing as she gently caressed the young boy's cheek with her thumb. Seeing her son smile she continued with her simple yet complicated explanation. "I am preparing your father's favourite dish maybe it may make our night shine a little brighter", she unfolded as though it was a new paint to lighten up the dull atmosphere.

"Cook for who? That animal! You are on your own mother." Vincent burst out in a harsh voice webbed with anger and bitterness. His mind had switched to defence mode, not a word was going to change his perception. "Son! You have got to understand, it...," that was all she could say. Not a chance given to pronounce her statement, her speech was muted instantly. Sunk in awe, her eyebrows were in close association, and the forehead was wrinkled as a manifestation of confusion but that was not enough for him to refrain from his following statement.