Chapter XIV - Concern

In Severn Family House

Pamela was preparing for the snack for Rebecca and her youngest son. They had been staying at Doran's room for a while and she thought that they must be enjoying each other's company. Grabbing the correct ingredients for the cookie that Rebecca would like to have.

She hummed as she started baking the food. She hoped that Chelsea was doing fine, her problem must be serious that made her own daughter stay at Pamela's household. The old lady was happy that Chelsea trusted her family to look over Rebecca.

Pamela knows to herself that when she got to know more about Chelsea, it made her feel like a mother to the young woman. Talking and connecting in different aspects of topics that they discussed. She was also happy to see her oldest son, Michael, have interaction with Chelsea. Having another person to talk to other than a family member.

She saw how her son grew, he was a bit individualist and alone at some times. Mocked by his former classmates for being a nerd, loner, and rude on some occasions. Pamela knew that Michael wanted a companion that can fully understand him, in the field of intelligence, humor, and experiences. It all changed when he met Chelsea and made her son have a bright face every morning and not the dour face he always displayed before he met Chelsea.

Pamela noticed that it was a few hours had passed and Michael is still not back. Getting worried about Chelsea and Michael, she went to continue focusing on baking her special cookies.

Rebecca and Doran were conversing about a different topic they want to share every opinion. Despite Rebecca being younger than Doran, she was smart enough to talk about her surroundings, which relate to what's happening around her. She was not blind to not paying attention and was aware of her family. She was glad Doran was here to talk about her concern and have her friend's opinion or comment about this matter.

They were sitting on the floor in Doran's room and have a great distance away from each other. Facing one another as they play monopoly, Rebecca knew this game due to her mother teaching her in the last few months and was aiming to win as much as possible.

"Oh come on," Doran said disappointed at the result of the rolled dice, which ended him up in jail. Rebecca giggled at his comment and continued playing by taking her turn. "You sure you didn't start playing this when you were a baby?" he asked shocked that he, 16 years old was beaten by 9 years old in monopoly when they started playing it.

Rebecca giggled again after finishing rolling the dice. "I told you, mommy just thought me this last November," she said with an amused tone, glancing at Doran to say that it was his turn now. He just glared at her that made Rebecca confused. Doran pointed down at the game board and Rebecca followed his eyes, earning a laughed from her. "I forgot!" she exclaimed after she saw that he was in jail. He just rolled his eyes and watched Rebecca take her turn again.

"Yeah yeah," he said with sarcasm and looked that she got another house to buy.

"You know..." She drifted her words with a light tone then leaned forward to Doran to indicate that she wanted to tell a secret. He also leaned sideways, his right ear positioning forward, wanting to hear what she will be going to say. "Mommy always beat Michael," she whispered then went back to her original position. Doran also mirrored her actions and looked shocked at her smirking face.

"Did you just pointed out that Severn generation is bad at playing monopoly?" He said still shocked at the girl in front of him. Doran didn't expect that Rebecca's a petty, also genius girl. She didn't reply and still wearing a smirk on her lips. They continued to play silently and just loving the quietness of their surroundings until Doran suddenly spoke.

"Is your mommy downstairs?" he asked curiously, wanting to know if his mom was teaching Chelsea about the special cookies.

"Nope, I came alone with Michael," she said honestly and looked at him. "I don't know why I'm here," she continued and furrowed her eyebrows. "Michael said that mommy was busy and he said that mommy told him that I will be staying here for a while," she added. Doran face lit up about hearing this, knowing that he will have company.

"That's great!" he exclaimed happily about the news. "We could play video games, chat, and watch cartoon movies together like... a slumber party!" he added, not hiding his excitement about his planned activities. Rebecca smiled at him but it was obvious that her smile was a little bit restrained. Doran saw this and change his mood from joy to worry. "What's wrong?" he asked looking directly at her and Rebecca frown, seemingly bothered with something. "Did you not enjoy my company?" he continued now nervous and sad. "I'm sorry i-," he started explaining himself about his attitude and ducking his head, embarrassed but he was immediately cut off by the girl in front of him.

"No!" Rebecca exclaimed, interrupting his apology. "I quite enjoyed staying here," she explained timidly and shyly, not meaning to abruptly interrupt him while he spoke. "And... You don't need to apologize," she continued looking at him. "I just... I'm worried at mommy," she added and divert her eyes away from him.

"Oh..." Doran whispered to no one not knowing what to say about her statement.

"I know that she was sad about daddy and hide her emotions from me," she said looking back at him.

"What happened to your father?" He asked carefully, wanting to know the reason for their sorrow.

"He had been missing for years," she answered. "The only memories that I remembered were blurred," she continued with a sad tone in her voice. "It was unclear and I'm afraid when I got older, it will disappear," after she said her last phrase, her eyes started to water from the emotions she felt. She can't bear to lose a part of her life. The memories of her father, singing to her every time she was sleepy and the amused tone he wore when talking to her. It became muffled in her mind and she doesn't want that, hearing her father's voice unclear.

"Your heart will always remember your father," Doran said, having himself changed his mood to seriousness, knowing that the girl was sad about her family and needed support. "It knows the very deep memories that hid from every corner of the mind," he continued looking at her with determination. "So, don't be afraid, ok?" he asked her if she agreed to his message.

Rebecca nodded and wiped all her fallen tears that were sticking from her cheeks. "Thank you, Doran," she sincerely said and looked at him, appreciating his effort in comforting her. Doran simply nodded in response.

"Is it my turn?" he asked her about the game they were playing and changing the topic to create a light atmosphere around them.

"Yup," Rebecca answered as she looked down at the game board.

After a few more minutes of Doran's many defeats in their game, Pamela shouted for them to go to the kitchen and eat her special fresh baked cookies.

"Coming!" they both shouted, excited to eat the prepared food for them. Before they came down to the kitchen, they cleaned their area and then walked towards their destination. When they arrived, a glass of milk and many cookies were presented on the table making the children drool at the food.

"That looks delicious," Rebecca muttered to herself.

"Not just looks, I'm sure it's delicious," Doran replied at her comment. They sat patiently on their respective chair and started to eat.

"Don't rush," Pamela warned the two, noticing that they were eager to eat her baked cookies. The two followed her and silently enjoying the delicious food.

"Where's Michael?" Doran asked his mother after he swallowed the cookie he ate.

"Ummm..." Pamela thought of an excuse for her oldest son's sudden leave. "Your brother assisted Rebecca's mother about work," she said looking casual to her son but inside she was nervous. Rebecca seemed to be busy eating her cookies and drinking the milk, ignoring others, and not paying attention to them.

"What work?" he asked, curious about it.

"I don't know her current project but Michael said that it was an emergency," she told him. "She seemed busy these days," Pamela continued, commenting on Chelsea. Doran just hummed and nodded, having nothing to say about it.

They finished their snacks and were happy with the result of their tummy being full. Pamela cleaned their mess and told the children to have fun and enjoy their day. The two followed Pamela and came back to Doran's room to find another game to entertain themselves.

In Chelsea's House

Michael was still sitting on his chair waiting for his friend to move a single muscle. It had been 10 minutes past and she was still not moving from her position. He was contemplating if he was going to speak or go near her then talk to her. He had tried calling her two times earlier and he received nothing in return. Michael decided to try again to call her name but then she started talking.

"M- Michael?" she said weakly but remained in her position.

"Yes?" He said with a medium volume of his voice, looking at her with anticipation in his eyes, wanting to know what she needed.

"Is it really my fault that Esmond died?" she said faintly without stuttering but she sniffed after her statement.

"Of course not," he said sternly. "Don't blame yourself, you didn't do anything wrong," he continued, changing his stern tone to soft.

"Yes, I- I did," she said silently, not agreeing to Michael. "I ignored him and let him go," she continued. "t- to the danger waiting for him..." she added.

"Listen to me Chelsea," Michael said seriously. "Can you answer my question?" he asked waiting for her to reply, then a nod from her was granted. "Did you know what will happen to Esmond?" he started asking her.

Chelsea moved her curled body and slowly position herself by sitting on her bed and face Michael, not looking directly at him. "No..." she answered. "Bu- but he gave me signs," she added, looking at the floor. "his eyes, actions, a- and emotions," she explained, holding her hands and began fidgeting.

"And when did you realized that there's a sign?" he asked slowly. "Did you know that he was giving signs at the moment when he left?" he added wanting for her to know that it was not her fault, who started the unfortunate situation that happened to her husband.

"At first I'm clueless b- but as the time goes by I began to think of 'why's'," she answered. "Why did he left me? Why did he leave us?" she continued. "Then, Tom said that he might be missing. So, we called the police," she informed him.

"Now, did you see why that you are not whose at fault?" he asked looking at her softly even if she was not returning his stare. "You were clueless, you have no idea of what will happen," he pointed out, wanting her to realize that it was not her fault. "So please... Don't blame yourself," Michael said with emotion, encouraging his friend to stop torturing herself from the permanent past that hunted her until today.

Now, Chelsea looked up to her friend to discover the soft and sincere eyes he's wearing. "I- I will try, Michael," she said with a hoarse voice. "It takes time for me to recover from this," she tried to manage a small smile gracing her lips which the man in front of her returned the gesture.

"I understand," he shortly said. They stared at one another for a minute then Chelsea darted her eyes away from him. Michael blinked and thought of things to prevent the thickening atmosphere around them. "Chelsea?" he started by calling her name. "Could you tell me what happened in your dream?" he finally asked.

"I- it was a nightmare," she said, obviously willing to share the sensitive information about the things she experienced inside her head. "It started in my old house," she began. "I was in my and husband's room then a sudden noise was made in the kitchen. I went there to discover a very much alive Esmond. His aura changed, more menacing and dark. I- It was like a different Esmond, he started taunting me and blaming me for his d- death," she paused for a moment and swallowed, remembering the vivid dream. "I became numb, then someone called me, making me came back to my senses. He hurt my wrist by holding me tight then, I pushed him with all my remaining force. We broke apart and I darted back to the bed, getting as far as I can from him," she continued. "He tried to come inside the room but I blocked the door and I said that he was not the husband I knew, he's not Esmond. After I said those things, an endearing silence came but it was followed by a large booming sound came from the door," she paused. "Then I witnessed a horrifying form of Esmond, a man bu- burnt from his upper part body, and wounds, cuts, and bruises were all over his body. It was the perfect illustration of Mr. Larson's description of Esmond's body. The body that they had found and identified that it's Esmond," she finished looking at the floor.

Emotions came rising again, the feeling of fear and pain, mixed inside her. Making her tremble slightly and an aching heart to feel. All of her tears were all gone and all she can do was cry desperately without tears flowing down her cheeks. The choking and hiccuping she made was a clear message that she had suffered enough in her life both in reality and in dreams.

Michael watched her sadly, it made him cry but he needed to be there for Chelsea. He stood up and went beside Chelsea's right side. He hugged his friend which was returned by her.

"Shhhh, shhhh," he whispered near her left ear. "I'm here," he continued. "No one will hurt you again," he added and started to rock her from left to right as he caressed her back, up and down to get her to calm. "I know that you will get this through," he said, giving her motivation to move on in her life.

They stayed for 15 minutes hugging, Chelsea broke the hug then looked at Michael with a sparkle in her eyes. She was happy to meet a friend like Michael, an understanding, caring, and supportive man to her. Chelsea was blessed to have him here and comfort her in a nerve-wracking situation. Michael returned her gaze and smiled faintly at her.

Michael suddenly thought something and furrowed his eyebrows. "Have you eaten yet?" he asked, concerned about her health. Chelsea replied by shaking her head, saying that she didn't. Michael frowned at her. "I will prepare food for us," he declared.

He immediately stood and left her alone in her room, not wanting to hear her protest or argue about his decision. He went to the kitchen and find some food that they will eat in the meantime. Chelsea just left hanging in her bed, then for a moment, she decided to join Michael after she fixed her bed and cleaned herself up.