DARK OBSESSION

SEPARATION

He continued to run through the dark night as Derrick chased him from behind.

I'll kill you tonight!! Derrick yelled from behind him. He continued to run as fast as he could and then he saw Mrs Sergio's house not far away from him. Halfway to her doorpost, he stumbled on a stone and fell to the ground panting heavily. He looked behind him and saw Derrick with a knife running towards him like a maniac

Haha!! I got you! Derrick rejoiced as he got to him and lifted his hand upwards with the knife

No!!!!!! Eden screamed and woke up from sleep. He sat up on the bed panting heavily. He looked around the small room and everywhere was bright with the sunlight penetrating through the window.

This isn't home, he thought as he continued to look around. His eyes caught someone lying close to him on the bed

Juli..us.. He tried to call when he felt an acrid pain in his head. Ouch!!! He screamed and placed his hand on his head. He noticed that a bandage had been placed on his wound and that was when he recalled the dramas of last night.

Eden!! Julius screamed excitedly as he got up from the bed

Julius.. Eden muttered inaudibly

You're awake!! He giggled excitedly and hugged him tightly

Ouch!! Eden screamed as his body ached

Sorry, Julius said excitedly. Let me call mom, he added and rushed out of the room. Eden placed his head on the pillow and fixed his gaze on the ceiling. He thought he wouldn't make it to this day as his thoughts flashed back to Derrick and how he had stabbed him on the stomach that night. It felt good, he said with a smile on his dry lips. What if he dies? He reasoned again and he became alarmed at the thought.

Son, Mrs Sergio cried happily as she walked into the room with Julius. Eden forced a smile on his lips as she sat close to him on the bed

How are you feeling? She asked and he nodded

I just came back from your house now.. She said

How's Derrick? Did he die? Eden panicked

Calm down son, he's at the hospital right now, she said with a smile and his nerves relaxed.

What happened last night I heard you stabbed him.. Julius said

A tear escaped Eden's eyes as he tried to relate the dramas of last night

He slammed me against the wall and shove me in the water closet....He cried with his lips trembling. Mrs Sergio drew him closer to herself and made him lean on her chest while she cuddled him.

He hit my head on the bathtub.. And tried to grab me again... Then I stabbed him with a knife.. He continued with quivering lips

Mom we need to report to the police! Julius cried

Calm Down son, Eden I've spoke with your mother and I guess Derrick lied to her that he was trying to make you stop playing with a knife when you stabbed him

No.. He's lying.. Eden cried

We know, come on it's fine ok.. She comforted

I'm scared Derrick might come back for me he might come back to hurt me ... Eden sobbed

You're safe with us now Eden, Julius comforted while patting his shoulders

Don't leave me.. I don't wanna go back home I wanna stay with Julius.. He cried again

Julius looked up at his mom and she nodded with a smile

Yes you ain't going back home, I'm here for you.. Julius assured

Come here son, Mrs Sergio urged to her son and the three of them were locked in an embrace

Mrs Sergio prepared soup for Eden after giving him a warm bath and tending to his wounds again. She gave him a massage too and some medications.

When I saw your body in front of the door last night, I thought you were dead and gone forever ... Julius said as they both sat down at the couch while Eden ate slowly

Thanks for being there for me, Eden said smiling

I couldn't sleep all through last night, I cried my eyes out.. Julius said again and Eden chuckled

You ain't going back home.. You're staying with us.. Julius added with a smile

Thanks.. Eden muttered and they both smiled

***

He stayed at the Sergio's home for two days. And those were the best moments in his life. He played around the house with Julius, they go to school together, sleep together, bathe together and even wear the same clothes. Mrs Sergio took them to the park and they also went shopping together. Eden felt like home with the Sergio family. He hadn't heard from his mother and he doesn't care either. He wished she would never show up in his life again

That night, he sat on the field with Julius gazing at shooting stars

I miss my dad, Julius said and Eden turned to look at him in surprise. He haven't asked about his father ever since they were friends.

he travelled? Eden asked and Julius shook his head in response

He's late, he replied.

Oh.. I'm sorry. .. Eden muttered

He died after a surgery.. Just after we arrived mexico.. He said and Eden kept silent

What about you, do you have a father? Julius asked

I don't know, Eden replied.

What? Julius chuckled turning to look at him. What do you mean you don't know? He asked

He doesn't act like a father to me, and I guess he doesn't want me.. Eden said.

Sorry, Julius said with empathy

Having you and your mom is enough for me I don't need a father.. Eden said and Julius smiled

I'm scared Julius.. I'm scared.. Eden burst into tears at once

Why? Julius asked curiously

Every night, I keep having this dream about Derrick coming to hurt me. Every night in my dreams I see his terrible face and the small knife in his hands piercing through my skin. I can't seem to get him off my head.. I'm scared he might come back to hurt me...he cried

You're safe with us Eden... And I'll protect you... Julius assured placing his hands around Eden's shoulders.

What if you leave someday,Eden sobbed

I'm not leaving you, we ain't leaving each other.. Julius assured

Hey I have something to show you, he added and brought out two silver necklaces from his pockets. Here, I bought it from the jewelry shop earlier with my savings.. He said handing over a necklace to Eden

Wow, it looks nice.. Eden said receiving the necklace from him. Julius smiled

This is for friendship.. He said wearing the necklace around Eden's neck

For friendship... Eden smiled as he wore the necklace around Julius's neck. They both shook hands together and hugged each other tightly.

The next day, they were playing baseball together at the field when a car drove in

My mom!! Eden screamed

Really? Julius asked and before he could turn, Eden dashed out to the backyard.

Emilia walked out of the car tiredly. She knocked on Mrs Sergio's door. The door opened after the second knock

Hey Emy, Mrs Sergio smiled as she opened the door

Good afternoon, Emilia greeted

Come in, Mrs Sergio urged

I'm sorry I haven't called to check on you for sometime now, I've been quite busy with the kids.. Mrs Sergio said smiling as she sat on the sofa opposite Emilia

It's, fine.. Derrick is back home now, Emilia said

Oh ok.. I hope he's fine? She asked

Yeah.. A bit better. Where is Eden? She asked

Playing outside with Julius I thought you might have seen them outside.. She replied

Oh no.. Um..., I'm here to get him.. She announced. Mrs Sergio's countenance changed at once

Any problem? Emilia asked

Oh no.. She laughed. Um.. Would you mind if he stays here with us, he's really fond of Julius you know, she said with a smile

Um.. His father wants him back, he gave me an ultimatum to return Eden back to him.. Emilia said sadly

Oh.. Um.. The problem is if he would agree to go with you, she said

He won't disobey me, Emilia smirked

Um... Ok, I'll get him, Mrs Sergio said as she got up on her feet.

Eden peeped through the passage with Julius listening to their conversations. On hearing of him going back to his father's house, his heart skipped

I'm going nowhere he cried and tried to run away. Julius held him back

Wait.. I don't think mom's gonna consent to that.. Julius said

She's coming to get me can't you see? I need to run away before she gets me!! Eden cried

No Eden, you can't do that.. Julius said holding him against the wall. Mrs Sergio walked in on them

Eden.. She called in a sad tone. The boy turned to look at her with tears in his eyes

I can't go back to meet my father... I want to stay here with you! He cried

Your father wants you back, we can't keep you here forever.. She said leaning closer to him

You promised you ain't gonna let me go, you promised to keep me... He cried

Mom, we can't let him go, there is no way I'm letting Eden leave! Julius screamed with tears flowing down his cheek

I'm sorry son but you have to listen to your mother.. Mrs Sergio cried

Eden? Emilia called as she walked into the passage. Eden flinched and hid behind Mrs Sergio

What's all this rubbish about! Go into your room now and get your bag!! She thundered

I don't wanna go with you, I want to stay here.. Eden cried

You wanna disobey me huh? She asked walking towards him

He wants to stay with me.. Please ma'am let him stay . Julius cried

I told you they are so fond of each other now, please talk to his father so he could let him stay, Mrs Sergio pleaded in tears

I'm sorry Mrs, but his father is a ruthless man and he won't spare me if I don't bring his son back to him. Now get your things Eden! She barked at him while he stood reluctantly behind Mrs Sergio. Emilia tried to grab him but Mrs Sergio stopped her

I'll get his bag for him, let him be.. She said and went into the room with Eden while Julius followed behind

Eden listen to me.. She said to him but he kept on crying

You have to go home to your father, I promise to keep in touch with you..

Mom Eden's going nowhere! Julius slammed

If you don't go now, your father will still come here by himself to get you.. She explained to him

We could run away together far away from this place.. He cried

No, it might land Julius and I in trouble. Please listen to me and go with your mother, from time to time I'll bring him over to see you, she promised and he shook his head in disapproval

Come here son he said locking him in a warm embrace. You have to go, she said trying to hold back the tears in her eyes

Mom I can't believe you're letting him go.. Julius cried

It's beyond me.. She cried and went to pack his bag

Let's run away.. Julius whispered to him and he nodded. Before she could turn, they both dashed out of the house

Julius!! Mrs Sergio screamed

Emilia was still standing in the passage waiting impatiently for them to come out. Just then, Eden ran out of the room with Julius and they bumped into her

Where to boy? She asked furiously while he began to fidget. He tried to turn back but she grabbed his shirt

Leave him alone!! Julius cried hitting her vehemently. She ignored Julius and dragged Eden out of the house while Julius ran after them crying.

Mrs Sergio rushed out of the room with Eden's bag, she saw Emilia dragging him out of the house and she followed suit.

Mom!! Do something!! Julius cried as he watched Eden being dragged into the car. Emilia flung him into the car and shut the door while he continued to bang the windows from within.

Eden!! Julius cried trying to rush over to the car but his mother dragged him back and he wriggled with all his strength to get free.

Thanks Mrs, I'll keep in touch Emilia said collecting Eden's bag from her. She nodded in tears as she watched her walked away

Julius!! Julius!!! Eden screamed from the car as Emilia drove away

Eden!! Eden!!! Julius screamed and broke free from his mother. He ran after the car screaming Eden's name, While Eden watched him through the back screen of the car. He wept and wept till Julius was out of sight.