Aurora : Temptress Of The Dusk

Chapter 5

              I don't know how many minutes pass by while I'm reminiscing my old nightmares. There are too many things to be done but first I need to know what happened after the accident. It's a little bright outside and the sun is yet to set. Before I know it, I'm scribbling something on a sticky note for my mom and I rush out of the door. I start my car but I don't really have any idea where to go or what to do. So I go to the only place I can think of. His house.

              The drive to Davin's house is long, so throughout the drive I keep thinking about the past week. I have absolutely no memory of the entire week. I keep trying to remember something, anything at all literally. Before I know it, I'm pulling into his driveway. His house seems awfully strange. Something is different about this place. As I step through the porch, I spot it. Little pots of flowers are placed on both the sides of the stairs in a decorative fashion. There's an artificial vine of leaves hanging across the border of the door. There are some boxes here and there and I can hear loud jazz music coming from the other side of the door. What the hell? Is this a bloody party? I ring the bell because knocking over such loud music is useless. Why is this place so bright and cheerful instead of being depressed and mournful? The door opens and there's a lady behind it. She seems to be in her early twenties. She is extremely pretty but also a little intimidating. She's wearing a black dress and it hugs her curves. Her face is slightly covered by a Victorian style mourning fascinator.

"Yes? How may I help you?"

She smiles at me.

"Um, I'm looking for... for... "

What am I here for again? Who am I looking for? I just now realize that I don't even know his last name. Seriously?

"Hey? Are you alright?"

She seems a little concerned now. Of course she does. I'm here and I can't even explain why. Wait! This is Daven's place. Who is she?

"Who are you?"

Okay I'm definitely crazy. I am here looking for clues regarding Daven and his mother, and when this woman greets me I ask her who she is.

"I am Davina, the realtor of this place. I'm here to make sure the house is ready for its new owner. Now may I know who you are?"

She is too young to be a realtor I guess. But that's none of my current concerns.

"I am Aurora Evans. My boyfriend used to live here. He passed away just last week. Do you happen to know anything about his mother?"

My voice comes out in a squeaky urgency.

"I'm sorry to hear that honey. But I'm just a realtor. I have no information on the whereabouts of the previous owners." She gives me an apologetic smile. Sympathy clearly dripping off of her jet black eyes. I thank her and run back to my car. 
        
As soon as I put the seat belt on I latch on to the facts. What happens after an accident? The cops! I call the local sheriff's department at Augusta and wait for someone to pick up.

"Sheriff's department. How may I help you?"

"Hello, I want to know about the accident that took place last week near Portland road."

"We can not give out information to strangers ma'am."

"I'm the girlfriend of the victim. I just want to know if it was registered."

"As per the records, no accidents have been registered in the past 10 days."

"What?Are you sure?"

"Yes."

             I end the call and let it sink. Why wasn't the accident reported? Where is Daven's mother? How can she just leave? My head is pounding. I can't seem to think straight as the confusion is settling in my head like early morning dew. I need to go home. The entire ride back home seems like a time lapse. I reach the same turn near the tamarind tree and pause for a second. I have so many questions. I need to know. I reach for the door and as soon as I swing it open, I see Evelyn in the hallway. Relief fills my body like fresh air to the lungs. I can finally breath with liberation. She's on a call with someone and has a little parcel in one hand. As soon as her eyes meet mine, she keeps the phone and walks towards me with a silent hiss.

"God damnit Aurora, where the hell were you? I've been worried sick. I sit by your side all week and you don't move but here I leave you for an hour and you vanish?"

She looks angry but her voice is full of solace. She is walking towards me but she is too slow for my liking. I run towards her and jump into a bear hug almost tackling her on the ground. She holds her balance and returns my hug. Evelyn's warm embrace pushes me over the line and I start sobbing.

"Aurora are you alright? Tell me what happened? Please stop crying and tell me where were you?"

I try to compose myself and say the words out loud but I don't think I'm ready yet. I dont think I will ever be. How can anyone be? But I try.

"Evelyn... Daven is... Daven... He..." I'm weeping in her arms and I feel her hands running up and down my back to soothe me. She shushes me and tells me to calm down. I do just that.

"So where were you?" Evelyn hands me a glass of water. And sits by my side placing the parcel on the table. I drink the glass of water and place the empty glass back on the table. There's a hanging silence between us. That's when I remember she asked me a question. I'm supposed to answer but I can't even begin to comprehend my situation. Where do I start? What do I leave out? I can't keep sulking over it all my life. So I finally ask her what I've yearned to know all this time.

"Evelyn, do you know about Daven?"

Her expressions harden immediately.

"Yes Aurora I do know and I'm so, so sorry."

"What happened after the accident?"

"What? You don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

"We went to his funeral Aurora. He was cremated. I knew you were out of it but I thought you'd atleast remember what happened."

"Funeral?" Funeral? What is she talking about? More importantly, why can't I remember? My entire body goes rigid as  the knowledge sinks in. I go entirely numb.