THE ANGER

"They left after the blast. Was that why they came? Did they just want him dead? But why? Why were they hell-bent on killing him?" My mind was flooded with questions. Everything was so vague. I wanted to understand. My gut told me mom knew something. She was shaking. We all couldn't believe our eyes. We couldn't understand what was going on or what happened. Was dad really gone? Why did he have to leave us this way at this time?

We saw his burnt body. Mom fell to her knees. Her tears were uncontrollable. Debbie fainted, which scared us. Mom carried her to her room, and I stayed near dad's body. I couldn't shed a tear. It hurt so much; I wanted to just die with him. The pain turned to anger. I wanted them dead. They were going to suffer the same fate but much worse, I said to myself.

His body was dark. His clothes were tattered. I began to have flashbacks of our happy days. Daddy's joy and eagerness to hug us whenever he came back from work. He gave mom a sweet kiss each time he came. I always enjoyed seeing how happy they were. The love in his eyes for all of us was so evident in everything he did. I always had a feeling dad did love mom more than she did. Not that she didn't. Dad just had a unique way in his approach to things, which I found to be extraordinary. I wanted to be like him when I grew up. I was fourteen then. Debbie was just eight.

He was a strong man, no doubt, with quite some handsome features. He was tall, a bit muscular with six packs and beautifully toned skin. Oh, I loved my dad. His voice was deep but sultry. What I loved more about him was how he handled situations. He knew when to be hard and when to be soft. He defended us when we got into trouble but knew how to rebuke us when we were wrong.

We loved him dearly. The outings we went on. The vacations we spent together, the games played. All the laughter we shared. Everything was gone now.

The family wouldn't be the same without him. The thought hurt me to my core. Why us? We did nothing to deserve this. My heart was shattered. Nothing could explain how I felt. I laid my head on his dead body. Like I always did when we sat in the hall, hoping he would hold me like he used to, but he didn't.

Mom came back after making sure Debbie was alright. I needed answers. I confronted her.

The sadness turned to anger. Yes, I was furious.

"Who were those men, mom?" I asked. She was quiet. I asked again, this time at the top of my voice. She shook. I could see the shock in her eyes. This was the first time I had spoken to her at the top of my voice and with so much anger. I could see she was torn. Yet I wasn't moved. Nothing could move me at that moment. I felt my emotions leave me. All I felt was anger and bloodthirst. I was going to kill those bastards myself. It doesn't matter how long it was going to take; they were going to be served the same poison. Their lives were going to be as miserable as mine is right now.

"Tell me what the hell is going on, or are you just going to pretend like you know nothing, huh, mom?" I screamed. "I am sorry, Juno. I know we shouldn't have kept it from you, but you and Debbie are still kids. We couldn't bring ourselves to burden you. We did think of opening up, especially to you, Juno, since you were the oldest. Your father and I love you girls so much, and you know that. We decided to wait a while longer," she said. "Are you still going to wait, now that he is dead?" I asked. "I demand to know the truth, mom. Who would want to kill dad and for what reason? What wrong did he commit?" At this moment, I was fuming. I never knew I had this much anger within me. It was scary even to me, but I was too triggered to care. I needed answers. "Yes, I agree I am still young, but I'm not a baby, mom. I can handle it. For God's sake, just tell me already. What is the essence of keeping it away from me anymore? Dad is dead already. Are you going to wait till I die too, huh, mom? Is that what you want? Tell me, is that what you want?" At this moment, she was sobbing so hard it was deafening. "I...I will tell you, honey, just please calm down," she stuttered. "Come here, baby," she opened her arms for an embrace.

I couldn't take it anymore. This time the tears freely fell as I was in her arms. I wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon. She tapped my back as she cried with me. I have no idea how long we stood in that position. It seemed like forever. "Let it all out, baby, don't hold it in. Everything will be fine," she said

After what felt like an eternity, we finally broke the embrace. Mom wiped away her tears, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Your father was once part of a secret organization," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "They were involved in some dangerous activities. He left the group when he realized the extent of their crimes, but they never truly let him go. They wanted him dead because they feared he would expose them. Your father and I tried our best to protect our family, but we couldn't escape their grasp."

I listened intently, my mind racing with thoughts of revenge and justice for my father. As much as the truth hurt, it also ignited a spark within me – a determination to fight for my family and avenge my father's death.

"We will make them pay, mom," I whispered, my voice filled with newfound resolve. "Together, we will bring justice to those who took dad from us."

And so began our journey, a journey born from pain, loss, and a desire for retribution. Our lives would never be the same again, but we would face the darkness together, determined to honor the memory of the man who had taught us the true meaning of love and courage.