Shattered Illusion

ACT I | ORPHIC

OUR STORY IS ABOUT A TOWN, A QUAINT AND SEEMINGLY idyllic small town, and the people who live in the town. From a distance, this town mirrors countless others all over the world… Safe, decent, innocent. Yet stick around long enough, and you start to realize how many of those veneers of smiles are really covering up a Narina-sized closet full of skeletons. Sure, while every small town has its secrets, get closer, though, and you start seeing the shadows underneath. The name of this town is Lockridge. And our story begins, I guess, with what the Tremont twins did that fateful summer. On the fourth of July, just after dawn, Soraya and Sohan Tremont drove out to Dead-man’s River for a sunrise boat ride.

“Are you scared Sohan?”, Soraya queried.

The next thing we know happen for sure is that Kenji Thomas, who was leading Lockridge’s Boy Scout Troop on a bird watching expedition, came upon Soraya by the river’s edge.

“Sohan…” She began.

Lockridge police dragged Dead-man’s River for Sohan’s body, but never found it.

Amid the gathered townspeople, a couple positioned themselves toward the rear. Among them, the wife, marked by an air of solemnity, voiced her sentiment, her words laden with a sense of vindictive finality. “If he is dead, Cal, I hope in those last moments he suffered. May Sohan Tremont burn in hell.” she declared.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Tremont family buried an empty casket and Sohan’s death was ruled an accident, as the story that Soraya told made the rounds. That Soraya fell from the boat, and Sohan extended his hand to retrieve her, only to lose his balance and inadvertently tipped the boat, panicked, and drowned. As for us we are still talking about the “fourth of July tragedy” on the last day of summer vacation, when a new mystery rolled into town.

“Now brace yourself. The apartment’s small, a pied-a-terre, but ‘quality, always.’” The mother advised her daughter, her tone filled with assurance. “Plus, it’s the only piece of property in my name and not your father’s.” With these words, the mother led the way into the penthouse apartment.

“Ms. Grange. Welcome home!” greeted a familiar voice.

“James. You’re a sight for sore eyes.” replied Ms. Grange, and a genuine embrace ensued between her and Smith, culminating in a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Arisa.”