BROKEN TIES

Warning: this chapter may contain abuse. Reader's discretion is advised.

Ticus' POV

As I hastily bid farewell to the mysterious stranger who had intervened in the chaos of my day, I felt a rush of gratitude mingled with regret. Gratitude for his timely intervention, and regret for not asking for his name or number. But there was no time to dwell on it as my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket.

With a sinking feeling, I saw it was a call from my dad. His voice, laced with anger, sliced through the air like a knife. I knew instantly that trouble awaited me at home. With a muttered thank you to the stranger, I broke into a run, leaving behind the scene of the altercation.

Sliding into my car, I revved the engine and tore off down the street. The wind whipped through my hair as I pushed the speedometer to its limits, desperate to reach home before things spiraled out of control. But even as I drove, my mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts.

Why was my dad so angry? What had I done this time? And why hadn't I asked for that stranger's name or number? I cursed myself for my carelessness, for letting the opportunity slip through my fingers like sand.

As I pulled into the driveway, my heart pounded in my chest like a drumbeat. The sight that greeted me as I entered the house only served to fuel the fire of anxiety burning within me. My dad stood in the living room, his face twisted with rage and the unmistakable scent of alcohol clinging to him like a shroud.

Without a preamble, he launched into a tirade, his words a barrage of insults and accusations. "Where the hell were you?" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls. "You're just like your worthless mother, always running off when things get tough."

His words cut deep, slicing through the fragile facade of composure I had managed to maintain. With a surge of anger, I lashed out, my hand connecting with his cheek with a resounding slap. The sound reverberated in the room, mingling with the tension that hung thick between us.

But instead of recoiling, my dad's expression twisted into something even more sinister. With a snarl, he swung his arm, the empty beer bottle in his hand connecting with the side of my head with a sickening thud. Pain exploded behind my eyes as I staggered backward, blood oozing from the gash on my temple.

For a moment, the world spun around me in a dizzying blur. But before I could regain my bearings, the door burst open and Hilda, my younger sister, rushed into the room. Horror etched across her face as she took in the scene before her, her eyes wide with fear and disbelief.

Without a second thought, she rushed to my side, her hands gentle as she tried to staunch the flow of blood from my wound. But my dad wasn't finished yet. With a savage roar, he grabbed her by the arm and flung her away, her small frame crashing against the wall with a sickening thud.

Anger surged within me like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf me in its fury. How dare he lay a hand on her? How dare he lay a hand on any of us? But as I opened my mouth to confront him, my words caught in my throat.

He stood there, a towering figure of rage and resentment, his eyes empty and cold as he stared down at me. It was as if he didn't even see us, as if we were nothing more than insignificant pawns in his twisted game.

Tears blurred my vision as I struggled to make sense of it all. "Have you ever been a father to us?" I choked out, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Or are we just... just burdens for you to bear?"

But there was no answer, only the deafening silence that hung heavy in the air like a suffocating blanket. And as I looked into his eyes, I knew the truth. He would never change. He would never be the father we needed him to be.

But maybe, just maybe, it was time for me to break the cycle. To rise above the pain and the hurt, and forge a new path for myself and Hilda. Because no matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried to break us, we would always be stronger together.

I had had enough. My sister and I exchanged a glance filled with shared pain as we ascended the stairs, our footsteps heavy with the weight of our decision. We packed our bags, ensuring we didn't forget our mother's picture – a precious memento of happier times. Standing together in the now-empty rooms, memories flooded our minds, each corner holding echoes of laughter and love shared with our mother. But we knew we had to leave, to escape the suffocating grip of our father's bitterness.

As we descended the stairs, ready to embark on our new journey, our father's cold gaze pierced through us. Without a hint of remorse, he spat venomous words at us, his anger palpable. "Leave like that promiscuous mother of yours," he sneered. The insult cut deep, but we refused to let it break us. With heavy hearts, we stepped out into the unknown.

Thankfully, I had saved enough money from my job as a nurse at Nova Haven City Hospital to provide for us. It was time to bid farewell to Nova Town and the traumas it held, including our father's cruelty. Our destination? Lumina Vista City, where our mother had once worked as a doctor. It promised a fresh start, a chance to heal from the wounds of the past.

Driving through the city, I marveled at the sight before me. Lumina Vista City was a breathtaking tapestry of vibrant colors and bustling energy. Tall buildings adorned with shimmering glass reflected the golden rays of the sun, casting a warm glow over the streets below. People from all walks of life bustled about, their laughter mingling with the melodic hum of city life.

Arriving at the apartment we had rented for the year, my sister and I set to work unloading our belongings. But as I carried a heavy box up the stairs, a sudden wave of pain crashed over me, sending me reeling. The world spun around me, and before I knew it, darkness enveloped me like a shroud. The only thingbi remember was the same pair of strong hands holding me again.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying on a soft bed, the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. Blinking groggily, I tried to sit up, only to be gently pushed back down by a pair of strong hands. Looking up, I met the concerned gaze of a stranger – a man with piercing blue eyes and a kind smile.

"Easy there," he said softly, his voice like a soothing melody. "You took quite a fall. How are you feeling?"

Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to make sense of what had happened. "I... I'm not sure," I admitted, my head still throbbing with pain. "Where am I? Who are you?"

The man's smile widened, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "You're in Lumina Vista City, my friend. And as for me, I'm Dr. Elias Stone, the local physician."

Recognition dawned on me as I remembered our reason for coming to Lumina Vista City – our mother's former workplace. "Dr. Stone," I repeated, the pieces slowly falling into place. "Thank you for helping me."

His smile never faltered as he waved off my gratitude. "It's the least I could do. You're lucky I found you when I did. Your sister was beside herself with worry."

My heart clenched at the thought of my sister's distress. "Is she okay? Where is she?"

Dr. Stone's expression softened with understanding. "She's downstairs, waiting for you. I'll go fetch her."

As he left the room, I couldn't help but marvel at the kindness of strangers. Lumina Vista City was proving to be more than just a new beginning – it was a beacon of hope in the darkness that had clouded our lives for so long.

Minutes later, my sister burst into the room, her eyes red-rimmed with tears. "Ticus!" she exclaimed, rushing to my side and enveloping me in a tight hug. "I was so worried about you. Are you okay?"

Her concern touched me deeply, reminding me once again of the unbreakable bond between us. "I'm fine, Hilda" I reassured her, returning her embrace with equal fervor. "Thanks to Dr. Stone here."

Hilda glanced over at Dr. Stone, her expression softening with gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

He waved off her thanks with a smile. "No need to thank me. Just doing my job."

As we sat together in the warm glow of the room, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Lumina Vista City may have been unfamiliar territory, but with my sister by my side and newfound friends like Dr. Stone, I knew we would find our way in this new chapter of our lives.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city in a blanket of twilight, I couldn't help but feel hopeful for the future – a future filled with endless possibilities and the promise of brighter days ahead.

I paced nervously in the hospital corridor, my mind racing with fragments of memory from the accident. My sister, Hilda, sits beside me, her hand resting gently on my shoulder.

"Ticus, you need to relax," Hilda says, her voice laced with concern. "Dr. Stone said you're going to be fine. You just need to rest."

I nod absentmindedly, my thoughts consumed by one question that gnawed in me relentlessly. "Hilda, do you remember the man who held me before I fell? The one who disappeared when Dr. Stone came?"

Hilda furrows her brow, trying to recall the chaotic scene that unfolded earlier. "I'm not sure, Ticus. Everything happened so fast. But I think he left when he saw Dr. Stone rushing to attend to you."

I felt a surge of frustration. "But why would he leave? Who was he? How did he know what to do?"

Hilda sighed, her eyes reflecting my turmoil. "I wish I had answers for you, Ticus. Maybe he was just a Good Samaritan passing by."

But I can't shake the feeling that there was more to the stranger's actions than mere chance. I remembered the warmth of the stranger's touch, the firmness in his voice as he reassured me before disappearing into the crowd.

Days passed and I recovered in the hospital, my curiosity only grew. I spent hours combing through news articles and social media posts, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man who had intervened in his moment of need. But there was no trace of him, no mention of his existence anywhere.

Frustrated but determined, I turned to my sister once again. "Hilda, I need to find him. I need to thank him for what he did."

Hilda places a comforting hand on my arm, her eyes reflecting my determination. "I understand, Ticus. But how do you plan to find someone who vanished without a trace?"

I paused, contemplating my next move. Then, an idea sparked in my mind. "Dr. Stone! He must know something. He was there when it happened."

With renewed hope, I waited anxiously for Dr. Stone to make his rounds. When the doctor finally entered my room, I wasted no time in asking him about the stranger.

Dr. Stone hesitated, his expression guarded. "I'm sorry, Ticus. I can't divulge personal information about other patients or visitors."

"But Dr. Stone, he saved my life," I try to plead. "I just want to thank him."

After a moment of silence, Dr. Stone relented, his eyes softening with sympathy. "I understand, Ticus. But I promise you, the man who helped you is a private individual. He left before I could even speak to him. All I know is that he acted quickly and decisively in a moment of crisis."

I felt a pang of disappointment, but I refused to give up. I had to know this mysterious guardian angel, I dont know why but I feel the urge to meet this mystery man. "If we ever cross paths again I'll thank you."

Hilda comes back beaming with happiness," We can finally leave here, doctor stone prepared your discharge letter."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello fam 👋🏿 I felt for Ticus and Hilda as they questioned their father whether he loved them 😭😭the fact that he hit Ticus breaks my heart.

I hope Ticus finds someone to love him,,,,,,duuuh his guardian angel perhaps 🤭🤭

Its getting hot in here 😂 tune in for chapter 3. Remember to like, share, follow and comment. I love y'all