THE AFTERMATH

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ALINA

When did I start to be so scared of the dark?

Wrong question.

When did I last walk in the dark like this?

It has been too long I almost forgot the sound of darkness during the night when the bright glimmer of the moon beautifies the sky and outshines the darkness especially in the early hours of the morning.

The owls sound so loud and scary yet they only remind me how much alive I am to witness the dark. I had forgotten how easy it is to observe night predators as their hungry eyes shine brightly in the darkness as they slowly approach me in act to attack.

Back in the days, the only night predators I was afraid of were the humans. They knew to be precisely quiet that I wouldn't predict their coming. They reasoned to disguise themselves and match the color of the night so I wouldn't recognize them from afar.

I count my steps as I recollect myself going towards our cave in hope to meet Michael as he promised. My mind insists that I go back to the car and I comply. I quickly open the rear door and carefully pick Chael and strap him on my back with his towel.

I am desperately praying that he doesn't wake up and make unnecessary noise. It is so important to be as quiet as possible if you are to survive the night terrors. I also put my cellphone in the front pocket of my jeans. Finally, I hold the camp torchlight tenaciously in my right hand. I recheck to see if my car has locked and my heart rate eases as I now resume my walk of faith to 'Butterfly'.

The humming sound of the African pitta birds reminds me of the mocking jay in the Hunger games. I smile at myself as I equate my bravery to that of Katniss from that movie. I think I just heard a crawling sound in the bush so I pace up as I hurry towards the entrance.

Oh my word! Things have changed around here. The route is no longer as clear as I thought it would be but don't underestimate the things called faith and love. I keep searching and my torchlight eventually comes in handy as it lights the way until I see the entrance. I finally slide open the rock into the cave.

There is no one in here.

I curse, curse and curse but suddenly feel so defeated. I feel so tired and as I bend to sit down, I feel there is something else on the rock stool.

It is a cellphone.

It is locked.

My curiosity is immediately brought back to life. After checking again, I find a paper written in Michael's handwriting.

The day you died, I came to life

It is a clue.

I punch the date I attempted suicide as the pin on the phone and the hell it comes to life.

It is only Michael who finds humor in dangerous situations like these. He was like that from a young age and I used to like it a lot. I am lost briefly in my memories as I recall the good old days when we were young and so carefree in this very same place.

There is only one contact in the phone saved as 'Yours'

I dial it and it is picked on one ring

"I thought you wouldn't come"

I can sense a bit of some excitement in his voice

"You always came for me, so I came. I hope I am not too late"

I sound so relieved to hear his voice. I momentarily forget how angry I am with him for putting me through all this hustle and trauma.

"Alina, I need you to listen carefully"