Flawless

A Mother's Love.

I sank back into the chair, placing my hands flat on the table. I fought for balance, blinking profusely to hide the moist building up in my eyes.

"Father is the Dread. Why? Why is my life so fucked up?"

Her cold hands touched my shoulder, patting me gently. "I'm sorry, son."

I smiled, sadly. "Sorry for birthing me?"

She squeezed my shoulder tight. "Yeah, I guess."

"What's it going to change?" I kept my gaze glued to the wall but mentally I was connecting past events.

"Nothing. I tried to give you and Jenna a normal life, I know I failed. But, the eternity kingdom isn't that bad. We'll have all we want and power too. This is our chance."

I blinked back to reality trying to fathom how someone could be this insensitive. "Really? Are you even human? You know we can stop this together an-"

"What will you gain after stopping everything? Living is more than loving."

She walked back to her seat, her gaze resting on me. "We can't stop the Dread. No one can."

I balled my hands into fists and smirked. "I will, watch me."

Her eyes bored into mine and darkened. "Then, you'll have to stop me first."

Our eyes locked for seconds. Mine trying to search for the mother I lost inside this body and hers, they glittered in unapologetic devilry.

The buzz of my phone broke the death glare and I carefully brought out my phone from my pocket. It was Sarah.

I'm dying, Joshua. Come, let me see you one last time.

My heart replied before my brain did.

Where are you? I'll be right there.

Her reply came in almost immediately, I was glad but her reply only tore us further apart.

The Place.

The Place was the Dread's abode. My brain scorned my heart as I typed my reply.

I don't fall for such. Not anymore. Wish you a safe trip to hell.

"Who are you messaging?"

"A friend," I replied.

Ignoring the last buzz, I slid my phone into my pocket and sighed. "Where's Kathleen?"

Her eyes hovered over my face and she smiled. "Tell me about her. You like her, don't you?"

I got up and straightened. "It's not your business. Where's she?"

She winked at me before whistling. "Bring the girl," she spoke to no one exactly but minutes later, someone knocked.

"Come in."

A man of average height dressed in gray hoodie and matching sneakers walked in. Behind him was Kathleen who had confusion written boldly on her face.

"Shades, you can go."

The man nodded silently and walked out.

Kathleen's eyes scanned the room like she was searching for an impromptu escape route before settling her gaze on me and shifting to Mom.

She smiled, tight-lipped. "I finally get to meet you. You aren't overrated after all. I'm-"

"Kathleen," she completed for Kath, "you've grown."

Kath forced another smile and helped herself on the chair beside me. "It's necessary. So, are you helping us?"

Mom paused, staring at me. "No, I'm not."

Kath nodded, clasping her hands. "That's not surprising. Joshua?" she turned to face me, "can we leave now?"

Mom was taken aback by her actions, she laughed. "Yes, you can."

Kath tapped me on the shoulder, signalling we should leave.

"Some wrongs can never be made right, never forget."

I didn't look back at her even after hearing her shaky voice. "Bye, mom."

I held Kathy's hand as we walked outside the compound through the dark hallway. All my life, I had imagined how meeting Mother would feel like and this wasn't close to my imaginations.

In my head, it was perfect. Perfect timing, perfect emotions but what just happened was the worst ever.

"Lock the gates!"

We stopped dead in our tracks and turned back to see Mom and a bodyguard.

"Why?"

She walked over to us. "Please, stay few minutes. I have reservations and we ca-"

I tightened my grip on Kathy's hand. "We're leaving right away. We can help ourselves."

She bowed her head and sighed. "You don't understand, Joshua. The Place is in disarray now."

"That isn't convincing enough."

Mom exhaled heavily, frowning. "I got a call just now, your father's wife is dying. They think it's something you caused... Look, please just stay till everything dies down."

Kathy looked up to me. "Joshua?"

I stood still for minutes remembering the message to Tati about Kelvin, his mother and Karleen. "I got this, Mom."

"What exactly did you do, Babajide?" Beads of sweat formed on her temples and she was uneasy.

"I started it. I'll finish it, without you. Open the gates."

Mom licked her lips in defeat. "I warned you. But no, you have to be the stubborn idiot you are!"

"The idiot you trained me to be."

"Joshua, isn't that too harsh. Don't you think we should stay?" Kathy asked as we walked out of the gate.

"We'll be fine, trust me."

I helped Kath into the car before walking over to the driver's seat.

"What are we going to do?"

"You will turn this car around now and follow my instructions."

We stared at each other, Kathy was frozen on her chair with the seat belt still in her hand.

"Why should we follow your instructions?"

The voice was roughly masculine and distinct. "You won't want to die so uselessly."

The seat belt slipped out of Kathy's hand in shock. I slipped the keys into the keyhole. "Who are you?"

"Kelvin."

***