Camden Gates

Turning and tossing in bed and then the sudden screaming, I woke up panting and my whole body was covered in sweat. I had a terrible nightmare about my mother jumping down from a tall building and it wasn't the first time I had that dream.

"Honey, we have to go, something happened to your mother. Quick!" My Dad urged.

"What's happening Dad? How's mom?" I spoke with a stutter while contemplating his sudden announcement.

"Meet me downstairs." He said before walking out. I rushed to the bathroom and cleaned up quickly and before anyone knew it, I was yanking the car door open, joining Sara in the backseat.

"Dad, what happened to mom?" I constantly asked but I knew the answer was not forthcoming.

It was 3-hour drive to the mental facility and when we finally arrived. Dad was quick to dash out without waiting for us.

"Mom Carissa, what's happening?"

"I'm sorry dear but your father is the one to tell you everything, let's go inside." She pulled me closer and together we made our way to the facility.

"Why are the police here?" I asked when I saw four police vans parked at the entrance. There were reporters taking snaps and a crowd of patients outside the facility. My mind was in a haze and I ran short of breath. The nightmare was still fresh on my mind and I knew it wasn't just a hunch but the truth.

"Mom?"

"Honey, be strong." Dad pulled me into his embrace when I saw mom in a dilapidated condition. She lay lifeless with a pool of blood, barely unrecognizable. I peeked at her and sobbed uncontrollably as her body was taken away by the police officers. I lost all control and Dad had to strengthen his arms around me.

"You knew she was dying and you didn't bother telling me. What kind of father lies to her own daughter?" I retorted bitterly.

"It was your mother's wish to keep you out of this Azora. I didn't mean to hurt you my child, please forgive your father."

"Mom...why did you leave me?" I whimpered tugging my hands into my father's shirt. I couldn't believe that she was gone, without saying goodbye.

*****

"I'm so sorry for you loss Mr. Carson. It was too late when we realized that she had escaped after stabbing one of our staff members.

The psychiatrist apologized with immediate effect. It was too late for all of that, those apologies couldn't bring her back.

"Your mother left a letter for you. She had dropped it in my office some days back." She handed a folded paper to me and I thought it could be one of those goodbye note but I was greatly mistaken. It was a like a notice, written in uppercase.

[CAMDEN GATES, HIS MEMORIES ARE TREASURED IN THE GATES CEMETERY]

"I'm an orphan. I'm the daughter of the late legendary musician, Camden Gates."

"What!" My Dad exclaimed.

"Do you know him, my biological father?"

"That's your step-uncle. Your mother reigned from the Gates' family and had cut ties with them after we got married. Back then, I didn't know the reason why she hated all of them but now I know."

"So I'm the result of the forbidden affair?"

"Mhhm!" He nodded silently.

"And where's is that?"

"The outskirts of primrose."

"I'd wish to go there sometime soon."

"Okay, I'll take you there."

A moment of silence followed afterwards and I stood up to leave.

"Where's she going?" I heard Carissa ask her husband.

"She needs some space."

I walked down the hallway and came face to face with Fox's elder brother in a police attire.

"Azora?"

"Your family is full of secrets, I wonder what else I don't know about you guys." I snorted.

"Azora I'm sorry about last time. And for this, I'm an undercover police on a secret mission, that's why I didn't tell you all about it because my job requires me to do so."

"And you think I'll fall for that? I'm sorry but I don't care anymore, keep that to yourself!" I retorted back at him.

"Maxine lied to all of us, she was never pregnant. She just wanted to get back at you and we all fell for her tricks. Please, don't let him lose his mind, he genuinely loves you."

"I'm sorry I moved on and tell your fucking brother to do the same!" I sneered at him and walked away without turning back. I don't know why it seemed like I had missed that bastard even though I had convinced myself that I had moved on. Did I still love him? The fact that our love was put to test and didn't stand the test of time, made me believe we were never meant to be together. Our paths crossed but that was just it.