Chapter Thirty Nine

Kamila is a young college student. She had relocated to Atlanta from her home country to study law at Georgia State University.

As a freshman, the activities of the school weighed down on her so much that she had to visit the hospital for a quick check-up since she wasn't feeling very well. She was dressed in a black mini gown and black high-heeled pumps. Around her throat there was a leopard-patterned scarf, and her hand was full of bracelets, seemed like an extravagant adult teen. Her skin was very pale, and she was wearing dark glasses.

 She was the type of person that would sell their souls to avoid the hospital, but for the sake of her roommates who, feared she may have caught a virus. Fortunately, she only had malaria. She got her drugs and headed towards the door, though she met an obstruction on the way. A woman she immediately recognized, though not dressed well but in hospital pajamas. She had a big dirty teddy bear in her hands. Kamila couldn't believe her eyes, this was her role model, who was reported to have died. Annabelle Steele. This can't be her. She thought. The woman stopped in front of her and said,

"Did you help me find my daughter? My baby..."

She was blabbering. Kamila couldn't believe her eyes. This was Annabelle Steele, she was sure.

"Annabelle..."

Then a nurse came by and held the woman by the arm.

"She almost escaped again. Tsk...I'm so done with treating psychos!"She hissed and took the woman away.

That was rude! Kamila thought. But her little misunderstanding was cleared. It's not Annabelle, just a psycho.

*

Three days later...

My eyes blinked.

Lights on.

I saw stars.

Not really stars, but I woke up in pain.

It is still very clear in my memory. It might never go off. 

He was shot. 

It was all my fault.

I tried to move. An alarm buzzer rang and nurses rushed into my ward.

"She's awake. At last!" they announced. I wondered how many days I had spent in a comma. Though it meant nothing to me since I wasn't with Damien during that time. He was murdered right in front of me. I can't live without him.

My soul screamed:

Kill me

Kill me

Kill me.

After a while, my dad walked in, sat by my side. I didn't want to see him. I didn't have a choice either.

"Paige. I'm glad you're back. You know you're the only one in my life. I'd be nothing without you. Oh my..."

"Dad,"I said. "Where's Damien?"

"I know no one with such a name."He lied.

"The guy. That guy that was kidnapped with me."I decided to ignore him and explain. All I wanted to hear was something to give me hope about him. That he was rescued. That he had an operation and will be well soon. That he resurrected!

"His body was found at the beach."

I was numb. I would have cried more if I had the power to. 

"You should not worry about him. You still have me, you know."

"Shut up!"I gasped. 

"I'm done with the pity game."He hissed. "I asked you to be careful, didn't I? You still went out with him after my warning. Why do you think parents were made? I gave instructions and you disobeyed. You would have died."

I didn't have to say a word, there was a knock on the door. The police.

"We heard you'd be moving out immediately. We need to speak with Miss Paige before you go."

Where the hell are we going?!

"Sure, come in."He said. A nurse helped me to a sitting position.

"Paige, how're you doing?"

"Where's Damien?"I asked.

The policemen stared at each other, then at me .

"Ehm. Please go on with your question."Jude said.

"Can you remember where you got kidnapped?"

I tried to remember, my head ached. There was only one thing in my brain. Damien was shot dead.

I shook my head.

"Did you by chance see any of the kidnapper's faces?"

I shook my head.

"Do you know what happened to your partner?"

"He was shot. I saw it. He shot him. I saw it."I cried.

"Did they mention a reason? Anything?"

"He said he couldn't release the two of us. He was going to let me go. He killed him."

My tears weren't controllable now and my dad had to ask them to leave.

"You're wasting your tears." He said to me as soon as they left.

I swallowed. "Where are we going?"

"We're leaving this country. We're moving to Atlanta. I have a castle there."

"I'm not leaving."

"You don't have a choice."

He also left me. I didn't know what to think of myself. What would become of me? Damien was my light. He made me live a life. Now that he's gone, I'll be nothing but a worthless pet, the one I was some months ago. My birthday was just in a few weeks and I'd dreamt of a fairy tale with him. We were neighbors. We sang together and we had bigger plans. I couldn't be a singer without him. I looked around, how empty my life looked. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand it, I wouldn't survive it.

When I was nearly seventeen, I lost my heart. To the world, it's barely the start of my life, which is ironic because I only saw a brick wall and nothing to live for. I finally had reasons to give up on life. My fears of never being able to escape from my father's assault were assuaged. I could not care less, so long as I was leaving the earth. I was going to do it.

There was a wound dressing kit by my bedside. There were surgical scissors in it. I smiled. I was going to...do it.

"Damien, I know you'd be against this. But I really have something to tell you and I need to see you. I never told you how much I loved you and how much I wouldn't have lived without you. I'm sorry."

I slashed my wrist, blood gushed. No one would come in, and I'd be with Damien in no time.

When I was nearly seventeen, I paid justice for love just the way I could.