BOUND AND ETCHED

Chapter4:SlippingDreams

Athena’s POV

Since two days, this is the moment I finally opened my eyes or perhaps regained consciousness.

That was what they told me. Because I don’t want to believe I had slept for two days straight.

The last I remembered was being in a large and white room with Harper and the other men. I might’ve passed out from the news. Or—

Anyways I’m not sure I was hit. Nobody did.

“Where am I?” The question that was supposed to remain in my head finally found its way out of my mouth. But since it’s out…I would be needing an answer.

“My house,” came from the voice behind.

I had never been to Harper’s house, until now. Even when I was little that I had always wanted to go for holiday and know more about our family.

But they had always been excuses.

“And dad?”

Nobody answered me…for a whole 60 seconds. I am not exaggerating when I say I counted it.

And just before I could talk again—

“Athena…” she cleared her throat. “Look you are family, so you can be here till you get better.”

I have never expected Harper’s wife—Quinn to say anything to me. And not now.

But that aside. She was answering a different thing, compared to what I had asked.

“Tena—“ Harper called as he slowly sat on the couch I laid. “We lost him. Not just you, but me.” He sniffed…I’m not buying the fact he cried…it must be pretense. I’ve never really liked him.

And if everybody should call me Tena, I don’t want them to—the Emrys

“I’m just fine with Athena,” I corrected him as I rested my head on the couch I now sat. Gripping the blanket tighter and closer.

“He was getting better before I…” unsure of what to call what had happened to me before now.

“No he wasn’t, I was going to tell you, but…you fainted.”

I tilted my head forward. I’m not sure how to react.

“Jovan is…we lost your father, he’s dead.” He confessed.

I didn’t say a word. I didn’t scream. I had sensed this omen earlier before now. So I only pushed my head backwards and shut my eyes…I saw my dreams slipping away. I know that this was the beginning of the end for me.

And if I managed to survive this…nothing else would kill me.

***

It’s been 4 months since I started staying with the Emrys. And all I can say is that I’ve been moving around the egg—walking on the edge.

Dad only shared a mother with Harper, so they shared different surnames—each from their father.

Maybe that was why he was different—Harper.

“Hi diary.” I scribbled in my diary.

This diary was among the most valuable things I took with me when Harper took me to our apartment to get my stuffs, since I wouldn’t be staying there anymore.

The rent was going to expire anyway.

“I don’t know how to feel today…today’s dad burial mass.” I penned down, exactly the way I felt.

“The tears in my eyes are exhausted.” I sniffed…fighting tears from coming out.

And with that I penned down the date. After all if I was going to do this newly found life mentally alone. I would be needing a companion.

And since it was the gift dad got me on my 15th birthday… it means that he was with me —spiritually or otherwise right?

Or am I being delusional?

“Athena?” A knock came on my door.

I knew it was time to leave for mass.

But when I opened the door…I wasn’t expecting who I saw there—and standing with a gift .

Boss.

“Good morning.” He greeted me, with what I call a fake smile. “For you.” Stretching out his hand gift to me. But instead I ignored him.

“Please. Accept my condolence gift.” He said.

And with that Harper surfaced. “Te... Athena.” I’m glad he corrected himself.

They joined to coax me more to accept his condolence gift. Which I did.

“Thank you.” Was all I muttered, with that I threw it on the bed and closed the door behind.

***

The burial mass went just well for everyone. Except for me who was the real mourner.

The sympathizers and friends came to sympathize with us. Some with condolence gifts and some with not.

Back in the Emrys house couldn’t be more draining.

Now everyone was out including the boss. It was just the Emrys and I.

It was at this moment I knew that things had changed and were never going to be the same.

I would have fought, would have escaped, but instead I felt the tigress in me dying. I could see all my agility and defense slipping away.

I would have to take the tantrums life threw at me. Because it was obvious I’m an adult irrespective of my age—my parents were dead.

Whatever I had to do to survive…I had to start now.