Life Full of lies

A night it is. It’s always night. Playing with people’s minds.

Some people got their heart broken, some got their mended and bandaged perfectly like there was no single shattered thing in it. Some people lost someone, some have gained someone. Some got life and a happy ending. Some got murdered and got a mysterious ending.

Another night, another union, another heartmend and other lives to live.

Four friends of highschool and all the way to college live their lives perfectly and with each other. Forgetting all the lies, betrayals, redemption, compassion behind them. They always put behind them. Their younger self would probably think that this wasn’t what I want to become but what your young self chooses to become you never become or people never want you too.

And it would always be what people want. Sadly, unintentionally. But whatever makes them happy would be peace for us and isn’t that’s all we want. Peace, even if it is full of lies.

Sophia Simon, Lily Colleen, James Bretons, David Duke, Sana Hendreson, Elizabeth Andreson. There young era has been closed. They are married, have children. And now their children’s story starts.

It is a lovely day for a reunion indeed. So when a citizen stops in front of a restaurant that may look shabby a few years ago but was anything but shabby. It has a luxurious interior making people gazes steal every time someone passes then why wouldn’t it. James Bretons, England’s infamous brat is smartest then any businessman at this time. He bought many restaurants and turned them into luxurious outlets. He gracefully stepped out of the car running around the civic to get to his wife’s door. Opening the door he held her hand and pulled her out of the car. ‘oh, what a couple?’ ‘Aww, I wish someone would this for me too.’ ‘oh they have a little kid too.’ ‘They are so beautiful.’

The whispers around them were so much or not they don’t know, they were just whispers, that’s what they all are. Lily held her baby boy as he pulled out the carriage to put him in and walk in the doors of the restaurant. They always swing by here when their school ends.

“It feels so refreshing coming here.” Lily said when James pulled the chair out for her to sit.

“Isn’t it?” He asked just to confirm that he’s not the only one who is thinking it and she nodded, smiling at him. Their little boy, Nicholas was playing with his toys when a woman stepped inside the restaurant, looking around confusingly, she had a pink carriage in her hand and when she spotted James and Lily, she looked up and smiled, waving at them to acknowledge her. Sofia Simon and now Duke.

“Hey.” She greeted and they all stood up to greet each other. Her little girl was staring at the boy who was frowning at the boy.

“Where’s David?” James asked, a little disappointed that couldn’t see his best friend and also being the only boy between two girls.

“Oh, he’s on a business tour. Believe me I, myself and tired he has to look at both of our companies. It’s exhausting.” Sophia complained after sitting. Lily flicked Sophia’s daughter, Nora’s nose.

“She’s cute.” Lily cooed at her, waving her little arm in the air, she giggled at that.

“Yeah she is. Took it from her father.” Sophia said, grinning ear-to-ear.

“Are you kidding?” James reared back. “She doesn’t look like David even slightest bit.” Lily glared at him and Sophia looked at him like he had grown another head. “I mean, I mean- she is not cute... like David is.” Sophia rolled her eyes at him and Lily chucked at him. “I would never forgive him for not listening.” He murmured as he leaned back and put a pear in his mouth.

“Hey, Sophia!” Lily called her softly, Sophia looked at her her smile fading as she saw the look on her face. “Are you okay?” James also looks at Sophia on this question. She look down at Nora, caressing her softly.

“Yes, I am.” She said after exhaling a heavy breath, looking at both of them. “David is a little mess but we both are coming out of it. And well he is very preoccupied with Nora, sometimes I don’t even know that he even feels that pain like how well he is good at hiding it. You know one time Dav-”

“Sophia,” Lily called again. “I am asking you, are you okay?” She pushed on you and as she looked at both of them. She couldn’t help but be grateful that she had great friends, even after what she did to them. She nodded, biting her lip.

“I am better, Lily.” She looked at Nora who was playing with her tissue. “Nora is the best thing that ever happened to me.” She said smiling and from that onwards, they ate, talked, and sang. They even called David and also talked with him but he had to leave for another meeting but he was coming back tomorrow and that was news for Sophia.

It was quite late when they all planned to leave. Saying, they’d have the best time of her life that couldn’t have been worse.

James and Lily were laughing and singing. But it changes into screaming, crying and then silence. The car was going to be hit by a truck, but James turned the wheel, the car hit the tree. As if Nicholas can sense that, that his life is tarnished before it has even started.

James got conscious, his forehead was bleeding but heopened his eyes forcefully, wincing. He glance at his side, his beautiful wife, who was all bloody, heads down and clutching Nicholas to her chest. James felt like his breath had ended there, pupils dilated in panic as he saw the blood dripping from her forehead. He raised his head, hit his head on the roof in the procedure but ignored that. His ears were ringing, he can’t hear Nicholas crying because his only focus was Lily. He was just looking at his wife who wouldn’t wake up no matter what he do. He shook her, shout at her but she doesn’t or maybe couldn’t respond. James looked outside, looking for help. Knocking his head again, he opened his door somehow and stumbled out of the car. Limping on the road looking for any help but no one came, the truck which got in their way also was gone. James run his hand through his hair.

He shouted in the air, stomping his foot. Running his hand through his hair again. He wanted to cry. He wanted to run. He wanted to save her. He wanted her to live. But maybe it was already down. Close to breakdown he stood straightly and wiped his eyes. Now’s not the time, he realized.

He heard Nicholas crying. And as if he realized that he also has son, he turned towards him and pulls him out from Lily’s arm. All the while crying and also trying his best to cook them. Tears still streaming down his face, he checks Nicholas for any injury but there were none. Just some blood of his own mother. Going back to Lily, he again shook her up but it was hard he felt he was devastated.

He can feel his soul out of his body as he tries to shush screaming Nicholas and stare at dead silent Lily.

He felt so lost, and didn’t know what to do. James put Nicholas on the back seat and moved his mother a little, he jumped back seeing her face and threw up. Tears were endlessly running through his eyes. Shaking, wiping his mouth and some tears he stood up. Balancing himself on his dizzying feet. He should pull himself together.

A large piece of glass was stuck on her head as windshield was in shreds. Blood dragged itself from her head dripping on her hand where Nicholas was. James closed his eyes and pulled Lily out, cutting the seatbelt. He laid her on the road. James didn’t heart for this but he can’t see her like this. So he tried to pull the glass out of her head but he couldn’t do it, he threw up again and again. He broke down crouching beside Lily, running his hand down his face he saw her soul leave her body.

She wasn’t alive, he knew that. Know that.

Sense slammed into him, he started to find his phone in his pockets but couldn’t find it. Cursing he ran towards the car, hitting his head in the process. He crouched down and stretched his hand, Nicholas was still crying.

“Just wait. Wait, nicholas. Please.” But he was just a child, he couldn’t hear his pleading or understands them. He grasp his phone and relief sigh escape his lips. He stood up and open his phone calling someone but it came no-signal. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” He screamed and Nicholas cried harder. Grasping the back of neck he pulled himself together. He called helpline, stammering over the words. Telling them everything.

“Ok, sir. Please calm down and try to stop bleeding. We will come to you as soon as we can.” The lady on the other side spoke, her words were hurried but James stared at his dead wife, he can hear Nicholas crying in the back seat.

“I think it’s too late. She’s dead.” His voice breaks at the end of the call as he hangs and puts his head between his hands. Crying. Beside him someone else was also crying. He wiped his eyes going towards him. He carried Nicholas and pulled him in embrace to shush him as he cried silently.

There was the cruel truth in his mind. The harsh reality. They were so happy and laughing and now... She’s dead. James closed his eyes,clutching Nicholas to his chest. Mybeloved wife. The love of my life. Mother of my child. Silent tears streamed down his face.Oh Nicholas!

Sophia was scrolling through her phone, in the back seat with Nora in her arms, she was sleeping and Sophia was texting David. She put the phone beside her and stared at Nora, her eyes couldn’t go anywhere else only to see this beautiful, fragile girl. The car came to a halt, The driver hit the brakes hard Sophia was pushed head but caught herself. She glances at Nora and in a split moment.

Someone famous said that, ‘everything crashing down in a split second.’

She looked up, ready to give an earful to the driver but the driver was nowhere to see. Something hit the car roof, pushing the roof down and shattering all the four-windows. Breathing heavily she tried to straighten up but couldn’t, crimson liquid came in front of her eyes. She touched her head and glanced at the hand which got blood now. Sophia was bleeding from everywhere and her head got bruised. But she was breathing, alive; dizzy but she could get out.

Sophia pushed the car door, Nora was still sleeping and she was very very grateful for that. She was wearing heels but she still pushed the door with all her might. She barely got out of the car in one piece but with several bruises, with her daughter clutching to her chest. She glanced at Nora before looking around for anyone on the road. Sophia called the driver, called his name but he was nowhere to be seen or heard. Removing the sweat from her forehead, she crouched inside the car to find her phone.

She heard a voice and she was damn sure that she was in trouble.She wouldn’t do this, would she?It’s her, isn’t it?The thought came and she shook her head hard.She wouldn’t.She told herself firmly.

She pat her self from one hand and she didn’t have a phone. She heard a leaved rustle. She was on the other side of the car where the forest start. She look behind but there was no one. Panic surged in her heart, tears welling in her eyes. A sob was coming out of her mouth but she held in her throat. Turned around and another step, another rustle of leaves, another voice. Adrenaline kicked in. She stood up ready to run but she was slumped in the ground, her grip was loosened on Nora as she fell on the ground beside her. Sophia cried.

“I am sorry. But I can’t do anything.” It was a man’s voice, a man she doesn’t recognize. Before she realised his words she felt a cold yet sharp thing on her neck. Her eyes went wide and she stopped protesting. “I am really sorry.” He kept saying and from his voice it looked like he was on the verge of crying.

Sophia fisted her hand and pursed her lips.She can do this. She was taught for this. She was ready for this.She kicked the man in the back, the man got flustered and his grip loosened for a split second. Sophia uses that split second and grants the man wrist, gripping it and twisting the hand so he would drop the knife. The man shouted, grabbed fistful of her hair. She put her arm under his leg and pulled it up so now he was off of her. She grab the knife and turned the tables. Placing the knife on his neck. “You should be sorry.” She said her voice low and breathy. Sophia lips were closed his ear when she whisper. “Because you can dosomething" She sat straight and slit his throat as Nora screamed could be heard from far away from the man. Well now dead.

Sophia took a deep breath, look over at Nora and smiled at her despite she was crying. But how much time this smile can last she doesn’t know that. But when she felt something pierce through her head. She was still looking at Nora, her smile faded and breath halted. And she fell to the ground, right beside the man’s body she just killed.

Nora cried while being in the middle of two dead people. Not knowing what resurrection is upon her.

She was still crying when a woman, in dark brunette hair walked towards her. Her red lips were pulled up in a smile, a gun was in her hand. She stood upon the dead bodies, looking over to them. Clicking her tongue she nudged Sophia’s body with her foot.

“I would pity you but you don’t deserve my pity, Sophia Duke.” She spoke, biting her lip she turned towards the crying baby and knelt down. Putting the gun on the side of her forehead she looked at the poor girl and licked her lips. Then glance at Sophia, her both hands on her knees as she tilt her head. “Don’t worry Sophia, Nora would be the exact girl you don’t want her to be.” She said and giggled. Then laughed hard. Her rich laugh could be heard by all the animals in the forest but no animal dared to come and tore her from limp to limp. ’Cause she is worse than an animal, leaving a baby girl on the empty road, alone, as she cries over her mother’s head. She walked the same direction where she came from. Pulling out a phone she called an ambulance, “There are bodies on th-the subway side. P-Please c-come hurry. P-please there is also a li-little girl, p-please.” She cut the call before acting like a crying, sacred lady and smiled. Pocketed her phone and turned around from where she had shooted. From the back.

Maybe she forgot or maybe she doesn’t mind but firing from behind came in cowardice.

Soon the road got over the barrier, two ambulances came and several police cars were there. Nora was in a nurse’s hand, now had stopped crying but she might’ve caught a cold.

David Duke was there. He slammed his car door and walked straight towards an officer who said that he should be with her daughter, the officer pushing him so he won’t go to the crime scene but David didn’t budge. He was a mess, clothes wrinkled, hair messy like he ran his hand through his hair several times. He stared at the scene in front of him, tears rolled down his eyes to his cheeks making all the way to his chin and neck.

“Sir, you shouldn’t be here. Please stay back.” David lost it. He pushed the officer. Grab everyone in this way and slam them against the other person. He was angry, frustrated. He screamed asking people who were surrounding him, who did this to her? Who killed his beloved wife? Who killed Sophia this brutally? In the end, he got exhausted, fell down to his knees and cried. Rubbing his eyes like a little kid as he cries and mourns the death of his wife, his love. “Sir, I am sorry but your daughter.” The same officer came to him, putting his hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked at him. The officer thinned his lips and squeezed his shoulder as if to tell him that everything would be alright.

But as he took his daughter, Nora in his hand, clutching her to his chest and looking at her mother whose eyes were now closed, a bullet hole punctured in the middle of her head. He cried and shook his head thatnothing would be alright. Nora slept in his arm and he cried helding her. His eyes tracing the stretcher where Sophia’s lifeless body was laid and nurses were putting in the ambulance, he closed his eyes and tears escaped from his eye.

John Ford said, ‘Revenge proves its own executioner.’

His father, James, holding Nicholas watching nurses to get his wife Lily to the ambulance, they laid Lily on the stretcher. James doesn’t let Nicholas touch anyone so they give a blanket to him. James couldn’t even look at Lily; he turned his gaze away toward Nicholas; a tear escaped from his eye. He watches Nicholas sleeping peacefully, he doesn’t even know his mother died at a young age. Just sleeping after crying so much. James hugged him and cried silently, glancing at Lily’s lifeless body going in the ambulance.

Coretta Scott King said, ‘Revenge and retaliation always perpetuate the cycle of fear, anger and violence.’

David and James were heartbroken after what had happened. They didn’t have anyone beside them except their child. They were broken, devastated, messed up and alone. They drifted apart after a terrible accident. Lily’s death was considered an accident and Sophia’s death considered mugged murder and the case was closed.

David went against it many times, saying to detectives that there was nothing that had been stolen, it can’t be. But no one listened to him and he eventually gave up on his life and gave in to the alcoholic world.

Both of them are living different lives now. Away from each other. But married.

Marriage. They both get married. Only to make their own children’s lifehell.

The torture of bad conscience is hell for a living soul. John Calvin had said that, and he said it was true indeed.