Dark Goddess

>>>Chapter 4<<<

                                                             
Sadlyeen got out of her bathroom heading to the bedroom before pausing and going into her walk-in closet instead. She reached behind her shoe rack and retrieved a porcelain box from her well hidden safe. Returning to her bedroom Sade sat on the edge of the bed placing the breakable object beside her.
She had gotten back to the apartment she shared with her best friend, Kyle, after a long day at work but he was not home yet. She’d taken a light dinner, showered, changed into comfortable pajamas and brushed her teeth.

She opened the box and went through the items inside. Having done it so many times, it had become almost methodical but each time the effect on her didn't change. The same overwhelming sadness would engulf her followed by so much hurt and anger so pure her whole body trembled. Going into a trance she thought back to the day the box came into her life and became so precious to her.

It had been a month after the most horrific event of Sadlyeen’s life, and her siblings as well. Their parents' sudden death. The most gut wrenching, indescribable agony that left an abyss-like hole inside her created by the tragedy.

Their godparents’ took them into their house and plans were underway for their adoption into the family. As the most trusted relation by their deceased parents, their godparents were the listed guardians in case of their absence. They also did not have any children of their own.
Brad, her godfather delivered the package to her after a month of residence in their new home.

He’d admitted to have no idea what was inside sayings her father had given specific instructions to his lawyer that it be given to his first daughter, in the event of his death. His specific request it be opened by no one but Sadlyeen herself. Puzzled, she'd carried the box upstairs to her room musing about how light it was wondering what it contained. She locked the door behind her and placed it on her bed carefully unwrapping and taking of the lid.

The contents of the box had shocked and mortified her so much that she’d sat down on the floor for a while to absorb what she had found out. She’d then taken the box going through everything with absolute concentration disbelief welling up within her. Slowly the shock had ebbed giving way to pain as hurt clenched her heart and she sobbed silently. Those raging emotions had inspired her quest alongside her father’s letter which was part of the items in the rectangular container.

At thirteen years old, she had begun formulating a plan that morphed into a mission as she grew older. It turned into a quest that she swore not to veer away from until its purpose was  fulfilled. Why else would her father leave her the package? To carry out what he couldn’t from his grave. . .

Revenge, a dish best served cold.

However, Sadlyeen did not view her quest as a mad man’s scheme for vengeance; to her it was justice. Justice for the brutal way her parents lives had been brought to an end and they’d been taken away from them. The countless nights she had cried herself to sleep and Dale and she had huddled in Melanie’s bed as they tried to comfort her; each nursing wounds so deep in their hearts that would never really heal.

It had not been easy over the years, she had thought and rethought everything. Questioning even her moral compass and how far she was willing to go to ensure justice upon those who had brought about the tragedy in their life due to greed and malice. She was determined with an absurd passion to get it if it was the last thing she did.

“One of those nights, huh?”
Sade looked up at Kyle who stood leaning on the door frame.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You were preoccupied.”
He walked to the bed and sat beside her as she gazed at him.
“I know how this box makes you feel so lets put it back where it belongs and tuck you into bed.” He wiped the tears from her face with his thumbs, took the box back to the safe and went back to the bed.
He circled his long arm around her and she put her head on his shoulder, she hadn’t even realized she’d been crying. He knew all of her secrets and he understood why she did what she did. He supported her. Isn’t that what best friends did, encouraged each other to see through things that held a lot of meaning to them.

Kyle and Sadlyeen had met the first week after the Argent siblings had been enrolled into the new school after the move. Sadlyeen had been the quiet girl who let her hair fall around her face partly covering her grey eyes and dressed like a boy. The traumatic loss of her parents had relinquished any care for such trivial matters. She barely spoke except to her siblings and never said a word in class even when a teacher directed a question at her. A kid like that was easily a victim to bullying.

One of the school bullies had made the mistake of assuming her an easy target. Sadlyeen had been trying to put her books into her backpack from her locker when he’d hit them so they dropped to the floor scattering. She had looked up calmly and said emphasizing each word.
“Pick. Them. Up.”
The kid and his friends had laughed and jeered at her until she jumped at him straddling him when he fell and begun hitting his face. He had screamed and screeched not stopping even when Sadlyeen was lifted off him. She stood panting her fists curled chest heaving at the effort. She watched as the boy who had lifted her picked the books from the floor placing them into her backpack and put it on his shoulder. Closing her locker, he took her hand and led her outside amidst cheers from her classmates.

She followed him silently and obeyed when he illustrated she sit. He sat on the bench opposite her placing her bag on the table. Sadlyeen looked straight at him and asked,
“Why did you stop me, I wanted to teach him respect?”
“In as much as he deserves that, I didn’t want you to kill him. That was impressive, the way you stood up to him and punched him too.”

Sadlyeen continued to stare at him.
“Where did you learn to fight like that?”
“My dad.” Sadlyeen’s expression hardened
“I bet he’s proud.”
“I wouldn’t know. He’s dead.” Sade said bitterly.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Kyle Matthews.” he said extending his hand.
“Sadlyeen Argent.” She extended her fist instead of taking his hand and shaking it.

“Fist bump?” he asked and she nodded smiling coyly. Seeing her smile for the first time he agreed.
They hang out every day at school and after. They lived in the same area and their parents coincidentally knew each other. Kyle had been a breath of fresh air for Sadlyeen. He'd helped return her care for the small things.

Jenny, her adopted mother had been overjoyed when Sadlyeen had asked her to show her how to make herself presentable practically squealing when Sadlyeen had agreed to go shopping for ‘girl-clothes’ as she had put it. When Kyle had seen the changed her, he’d praised and complemented her to the point she’d blushed making him tease her.

Jenny had told Brad that Kyle was a blessing to them and with Sadlyeen finally moving on from the dark period in her life, they no longer had to worry as her siblings would too. She was their link. However, in truth Sadlyeen never really moved on. She just pushed it to the back of her head knowing that one day she would unleash those raw, dark emotions to steer her towards letting go and moving on.

Kyle rose from the bed stretching while Sadlyeen got in under the covers. He kissed her temple and said goodnight leaving for his own room. Sadlyeen was a mystery only he understood; one moment an independent woman who could face anything and the next she was like a child. That was however only around him. He was worried she would get one of her nightmares. It was why he had insisted they get an apartment with the bedrooms next to each other so he could hear her pained shrieks in the middle of the night where he would wake up to comfort her. He had not told her that though.

Sadlyeen Argent was a piece of work and his best friend; he loved her with all that he had and knew he was one of the very few people she really loved. His last thought before he got into the shower was he would always be there for her, always. 

                         *****
A/N Thanks for reading guys. I know the story is building up but good things lie ahead. It may seem abit slow right now however,it gets better. There is a lot of unanswered questions but everything will be revealed ahed. A little patience is all I ask. What do you think so far?