Chapter 23 : Disappearance

Marlin stood there not understanding what to think or do. More like she's scared by the fact what more is gonna come ?

She was more in a dire situation because she think what if she has to go originally to there she belonged and leave her precious family for good.

"No, I don't even want to believe it . I wont accept it.    No, no....please." She collapsed right in-front of the door which was half opened. She can still see the garden where she ran.

From a certain distance the house can be seen too.

"Judging by her parents and Loren's reaction it seems like they don't know anything about this or they would have confronted her about this thing ...", she thought.

Marlin took a deep breathe-

"Its still not over yet. I still have hopes...", she really hoped its all a lie that she doesn't have to go back to that shitty place .

But she cant actually wish for it to all end because she also has her dear person there and that is -

Her grandma.

Well now hesitating wont bring in any solution for now. It seems like there is no error in this world so i have to check out the original world.

Marlin then stood up determined not to let anything bother her . She took a breathe again then slide through the door then she closed it . Her worrisome face was still there. She looked here and there.

She then went near the home .

"Marlin....?", a voice came from behind her.

As she looked back in rush she saw Dina ; her youngest sister calling out to her . While Marlin was opening her mouth to answer she came running towards Marlin which startled her of course .

She grabbed her hair while making a total mess, "You trash, where you were since yesterday? Did you plan to escape from this place ..? As if !", she said angrily.

".....yesterday?", Marlin was shocked.

Dina added and said, "Yes, you idiot. You even forgot when you escaped . We have looked everywhere for you but we couldn't find you except checking the garden. Looks like you were hiding here all along?"

"Dina, at least release me, it's hurting a lot. Release me so that i can explain...", Marlin sobbed.

It was painful that she still holds her hair tightly in her grasp. She wasn't letting it go while she said.

Dina shouted, "Why should i ...? For you sister-

"Marlin?!", Madame Rosalia came rushing in.

"?"

"Wow, what a bother . I already am dealing with a troublesome person already now another stepped in ugh", Marlin thought while being pissed.

"Have some patience, Marlin", she said to herself.

Madame Rosalia had a scowl face . After seeing her mother ; Dina released her in a haste. She doesn't want to show her unsightly self but she knows very well what her mom would do .

As expected she was right.

After Madame Rosalia came towards her . Marlin wasn't mentally prepared what she was about to expected . That was a harsh thing to accept.

                                     *slaps*

Marlin was shocked from the action.

"You insolent brat..!", Madame Rosalia grumbled. "Looks like you were hiding here ...I'll decide your punishment later . Everyone is hungry go prepare the foods fast !"

"Yes....", Marlin said in a low voice . She was slapped pretty badly . Her cheek was swollen and she started rubbing it to stop it from leaving a mark...

She looked at herself in the mirror .

"It looks like its bruised a bit...", she said to herself.

After that , she went to the kitchen in order to prepare foods but it looks its been days she used to work like a hardworking maid before so while working in the kitchen she got badly hurt while cooking meat and such other things...

But habits are habits-

Her long term habits did not fade away. So she was able to prepare in the end .

.

.

.

.

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After finishing her task like she always do in the past. She finally went to look for her grandma. But what she saw was far beyond . Her face became pale seeing the scenario.

Her grandma was coughing up blood . Her face was haggard and she has become thin. But in that haggard face her face brightened when she saw Marlin.

Marlin in a crying state went up to her and hugged her.

"My dear...", she spoke in a sore voice . Her throat was sore so she couldn't speak properly . But she still continued, "Where have you been...? I was already worried sick for you..."

She started patting Marlin's head.

Marlin in a crying voice said , "You wont believe me grandma even if i say it . But it was a magical place . I trust you so i am saying you this , I've been happy with my new family. I truly am"

"I'll keep taking care of things at home so you don't have to worry about anything but recovery. Please just focus on feeling better"

"....."

Marlin's grandma kept quiet . She didn't replied anything but she nodded.

Maybe she wanted to say something to Marlin about that she kept it to herself rather she brought out a bad news to Marlin which made her an incomparable loss already in that spot.

"You know , Marlin. I wanted to say something to you; its not a good topic to be brought out but i cant delay it any further.

Marlin was having an early panic but she clenched her fist and asked , "What is it, Grandma. Tell me...."

The doctor came to check up today so he told the news to me and my family . Already everyone knew except you so-

"I dont have much time left..."

*Thud*

Marlin's heart felt like it was stabbed with something hard . She expected many bad news but this was out of her reach. She started trembling. She can already sense her Grandma's sad face while she was sad .

"From yesterday night and today I am haunted by my thoughts because of the pain I might cause you. I regret giving you tears instead of laughter. Please forgive me. I am sorry if i wasn't able to protect you from them", she told Marlin.

Marlin couldn't stop her tears then.

"Hey, grandma, you're the only person who

ever loved me for me. I know you would have defended me if you're healthy and well. I never got a fault in you. Your love and compassion was what made me alive in this cruel place honestly."

Grandma patted my hand. Her hand was slightly cold and rigid.

"I love you , gran...dma", i cried.

After both spend their time reminiscing about the past. They tried to avoid the talk to make their memories more memorable and meaningful. Marlin tried to suppress her sadness as much as she could.

After making her grandma sleep in her bed . She covered her with blankets so she wouldn't feel cold.

Marlin began to think, "If this was possible i would have brought grandma to my world. But what excuse i would say if i actually brought her to my world. But if any i can protect her there...", she started mumbling to herself .

But what Marlin didn't know she actually said those out loud.

"You can't...", someone said behind her .

"Huh...?", she looked back.

It was Aunt who is the host of the house. I was scared to what she actually heard not the fact to why she is here now . She looked at my grandma for once then shut the door for her to sleep peacefully.

She ignored me going here and looked back at me once saying -

"Whatever plan you are having at your mind forget it for your own good ..."

She left.

Marlin ;out of scariness forgot about her thought for now . It would be dangerous for her to take any actions now ....

She went to the kitchen to eat something.

But what she saw everyone was eating still now . They were all talking . Jack and his father was drinking and Dina and Madame Rosalia was talking too but -

"Where's Sina...?", I blurted out loud.

At this Madame Rosalia instead of shouting at me for talking between in them rather she looks disappointed. She had a sad and lonely face. Even everyone else was silent.

Dina rather shouted , "You took her i think!!"

"Pardon?", i was surprised.

Dina answered, "Don't you know , you filthy thing....

Sister Sina disappeared!"