Contract Marriage: A monster is made

Tessie groaned softly, her head pounding like someone had dropped a brick on it. She blinked, squinting at the bright overhead lights. “Ugh… my head,” she murmured. Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. She looked around the sterile room, the smell of antiseptic stinging her nose; this seemed to be a hospital. “Where am I?” Her heart raced as she tried to piece things together. Memories fluttered just out of reach like scraps of paper caught in the wind. “Mom… Mom!” She called out weakly, her voice cracking. A nurse, who had just entered the room to check her vitals, froze for a moment. Her face lit up in surprise before she rushed out, yelling, “Doctor! She’s awake!” Moments later, a middle-aged man in a white coat walked in, a stethoscope slung around his neck. He had a reassuring smile, but Tessie wasn’t comforted. “How are you feeling?” he asked gently. “I’m… fine, I guess. Doctor, where is my family? We, why don't you calm down? A bit we'll know more when the police are done with their investigation. Do you remember anything that happened, maybe before, during, or after the accident, it might help with the investigation. She was silent for some time... Her voice wavered as she sat up slightly, ignoring the sharp pain that shot through her back. “We were riding together when…” The memories came flooding back. --- Four Days Earlier “Are you ready, Tessie?” Mom asked, her tone cheerful but a little hurried as she zipped up a suitcase. “Yes, Mom!” Tessie chirped, bouncing down the stairs. “Wow, I can’t believe we’re going on vacation! It’s been forever!” She sighed dramatically as if the family’s last trip three years ago had been during the Stone Age. Tessie dear, call your brother, mom said. “Jamie! We’ll leave without you if you don’t get your a** downstairs!” Tessie hollered up the staircase. “Tessie!” Mom scolded, frowning. “Language!” “Sorry,” she muttered, grinning sheepishly. Good morning Grandma. Hello Tessie, you've been clamoring to travel out and now I bet you are very happy. Yes, Grandma, I am just so happy, but Mom, will we spend the New Year holiday in Queensland? Yes, honey, and then we can come back to our beloved home, Honey City. Cheesy mom, Tessie smiled. Alright everyone let's go, Dad yelled from outside Jamie appeared moments later, his face a perfect canvas of teenage misery. “I don’t care,” he mumbled, shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets. Are you still angry Jamie? “Who wouldn’t be Mom? You guys made me cancel all my plans, you didn't even give me a heads up.” Jamie grumbled, slumping onto the couch. “Oh, stop sulking. Before you know it, we’ll be back,” Tessie said with an exaggerated eye roll. “SHUT UP, TESSIE!” Jamie snapped. “Oops, he’s mad, I better go out. Okay, Jamie, we'll sort it in the car. After all, we'll be driving for twelve hours max, Mom said. “Whatever,” he muttered, dragging his feet toward the car. --- On the Road Four hours into the trip, Tessie was squirming in her seat. “Dad, can we stop at the next fuel station, I need to use the bathroom.” “No, Tessie,” Dad replied firmly. “We need to keep going so we won't be behind schedule.” “Please, Dad! I promise it’ll be quick!” “Okay, okay,” dad said. After another thirty minutes, we are here, Tess; you promised to be quick, so get on it. Tessie got off and headed inside the gas station. A group of scruffy and menacing-looking men were outside. Man one: “Should we rob them?” they look rich Man Two: Let's follow quietly, then ambush them; turns to man three, Hey, what do you think?? A third man grinned. “Let’s kill them, make it look like an accident.” Man 2: Is it because of them that you brought us here? Man 3: Yes, so let's lean in to give them instructions, he smiled devilishly. Oblivious, Tessie returned to the car. Tessie, you spent quite some time in there, Dad said. Sorry, Dad, I was talking to Gloria on the phone; you know she's my bestie, almost like a sister. Is it with just Gloria or with your pompous boyfriend? Jamie added. JAMIE, Tessie yelled. Hopeless Romantic, Jamie added. We won't be stopping till we get to our destination. Is it okay by you, love, Dad asked Mom. No problem dear. What about me, Grandma asked. Oh, Grandma, we all laughed. You all are bullying me because my lover is over the rainbow right? But no problem, I will soon go and meet him, Grandma said. Not now ma, The parents replied in unison. Tessie and Jamie just smiled. Why Did you choose a road trip, Dad? Jamie asked. Because we haven't been together in one space like this in a long time. Yeah, because you are always busy, right Dad, and Mom is even worse than you, always traveling, Tessie said. Sorry Love, but what do you expect as one of the top families in Honey City? Mom replied. Don't worry, when you and your brother eventually take over our legacy, you will understand, Dad said. --- Later That Day “Dad, that car’s been behind us for over an hour,” Jamie said, glancing out the rear window. “They’re probably just going the same way,” Mom replied, dismissing his concern. Another hour passed, and the road grew steep and winding. The tension in the car was palpable. “Why is this hill so steep and sloppy at the same time, it's quite dangerous,” Tessie said nervously. “That's why I need to focus because any slight mistake and we are going down. “DAD, WATCH OUT!” Jamie screamed. The car behind them rammed into their car with a sickening crunch, almost pushing them to the edge. What the heck, Dad said while panicking. “They’re coming for us!” Mom shrieked. “Who are they? What do they want?” Tessie cried. They rammed into the back of their vehicle but this time it was twice as hard, then the vehicle fell downwards. Tessie opened her eyes with great difficulty and struggled to come out from one of the broken windows. Immediately she crawled out and turned back the car exploded, sending her flying some few meters backward, with her back ramming against a big rock. Her back and legs were on fire with a deep cut on her chest, bleeding excessively. She struggled to put off the fire before fainting from severe pain and blood loss. --- Present Day Tessie’s chest tightened as the memories ended. She blinked back tears. “Doctor… where is my family? Are they okay?” Do you remember anything from the time of the accident? The doctor asked kindly Everything happened too fast; my memories are a bit fuzzy, and I don't remember everything for now. How did I get here? She asked after calming down for a bit. “You were brought here by some good Samaritans that were going to Queen Land by road; they saw the flames and hurriedly looked for ways to climb down and administered first aid to you before bringing you to our hospital. As for the rest, just try and get well then you will know, the doctor replied, but sadness was evident in his voice. “How many days was I out?” Tessie asked. “Five days,” he replied. “Now, please relax let's check your vitals.” Tessie nodded weakly, tears streaming down her face.“I just hope they’re okay,” she whispered to herself, clutching the hospital sheets tightly, but deep down, she knew the truth.