Wayward Minds Project: Khione

[04] Avada - Diamond Earrings

Avada Kedavra.

Avada could never forget the time she had learned the definition of the spell, its effects, what it could do to a person, how extremely dangerous it was in the world of wizards and witches. It had altered her view on Abracadabra, despite the two being different from one another, but even so, Avada would slightly flinch whenever she heard a person say it or whenever it would leave the lips of a magician performing onstage. Of course, Avada never voiced out her discomfort, for fear of landing herself in an embarrassing situation, and nobody in school, even at home, had known. Avada had always avoided the spell, had always felt the twinge of trepidation whenever a character in Harry Potter would scream it out, and lots of characters that Avada had held dear lost their lives to that specific incantation. Sirius Black was among the list of names that had fallen to Avada Kedavra, and she hated how a mere spell could grab away the life of a person.

She applauded Harry for never using that spell, no matter how much abhorrence he carried for an individual.

But soon, Avada's detestation towards the incantation dwindled to a nothing, and she had come to realize that she and the spell were not so dissimilar after one unfaithful occurrence. It had never been her intent to rip a life away from its owner, to create an opening that would allow the soul to seep through and escape its host, and yet Avada could not bring herself to be rid of the agonizing guilt, its existence forever curled around her heart, heavy, afflictive. She had been horrified of her own actions, ashamed, as if some monstrous entity had possessed her for a moment to do the deed, before leaving with an aftertaste of guilt and sorrow. She was no better than the spell nor was she better than the conjurer; Avada was the result of both. Because she dwelled in reality and had no magical essence within her, when Avada casted the spell, nothing had happened.

Until she became the spell herself.

Nothing could save Avada from herself; an incantation to bring forth elimination, a thief whose fingers swiftly stole a life. She took all of her savings and ran. To where, in particular? She had no idea, but distance had been preferable rather than facing the consequences of her misdeed, of being Avada Kedavra. Yet no matter how far she managed to run, the looming remembrance of what she had done, what she had become, instantaneously caught up to her strides of escape, creeping up to her, inducing more than just disquietude and contrite within her troubled mind. Avada wanted nothing in the entire world but to be someone else, and she had decided that wanting would never increase her progress in achieving her desire.

Indications and details that linked to who she was back then were thrown and hidden, mannerisms and personalities were altered drastically, and, slowly, Avada started to transmute, her new self even more believable than who she had been a few cities back. The glasses she had on were snapped and pitched into the sea, her straight-as-a-board, golden blonde hair was dyed auburn with the aid of her savings, and the sickly pale skin she had been given since birth gradually turned tan with days intentionally spent suntanning in beaches. Avada had even went to the length of eradicating her quiet, gentle personality, switching it up with boldness, with fiery feistiness and a demeanor that suggested high confidence and bitchiness. But, of course, Avada was still a spell of death and, gradually, she had come to accept it, embrace that she carried the possibility of destruction, and when she had no name to carry, Avada named herself after the killing curse.

For I have destroyed as I spoke.

"Avada, where the hell did you get that?" A deep voice asked in front of her and, immediately, Avada released a string of expletives inside her mind, rushed to shove the earrings down into her skinny jeans' pocket, and feigned innocence and ignorance. Rick stood behind the diner's counter, apron on, hands on his hips, as he pinned a hard stare against Avada, knowing full well that a prey, once again, had fallen victim to Avada's thievery.

Her composure refused to falter. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I saw those diamond earrings." Rick lowered his voice, not wanting his words to enter the ears of his customers.

"Fine. I can't help it. They were just so beautiful. Besides, I didn't exactly steal it. That woman took it off from her ears and left it by the sink inside the bathroom, before she had forgotten it and went into the stalls."

"Avada, we've discussed this." Rick sighed, a disappointed countenance evident upon his face, and he brought his fingers against his closed eyes, lightly pressing. "You said you wouldn't do it again."

"She left it."

"The woman has short-term memory."

"I'd say. She looks like f*****g Dory."

"Avery," Rick glared at her, the trace of disappointment now covered with the expression of fury, and a few, curious glances were casted towards their direction, the customers' chatter evaporating as they focused their attention on the two in conflict. "How could you steal from her and insult her afterwards?"

Avada, feeling the emotion of livid growing within her as well, sputtered, "Wha─There's nothing insulting about saying she resembles a f*****g fish from Nemo."

"Get inside the kitchen. Right now." Rick's eyes became dark, tenebrous, and he pointed towards the door behind him that led to the diner's kitchen. Flipping her hair, having the sudden urge to turn around to the audience and shoot them the middle finger, Avada, instead, scoffed, standing up from her stool, the metal legs scraping the floor, before she sashayed around the counter to reach the other side, feistiness unrelenting as she pushed back the kitchen door, entering without sparing Rick a glance. He knew how much Avada hated to be called by her name, and hearing it being spoken fully, along with her surname, awakened a wrath inside her that made Avada even more bitchy than she usually was.

Rick Friedman was Avada's stepfather, more or less. With shaggy hair the color of copper, a round belly, and a kind demeanor, in complete contrast with Avada's intimidating one, he was a big, harmless man, who had an incredibly good heart, the type of person that would've sheltered all the stray cats and dogs found wandering aimlessly in the streets. Four weeks after Avada ran away, no longer the girl she had been, features and personality disparate, her money was depleting and all she had left didn't seem to suffice to allow her to survive for a couple of days. She had wanted to get a job, but, obviously, nobody would accept a 14-year-old girl with bedraggled clothes and eyes that were nearsighted. No options left in her table to choose from, Avada went on digging into dumpsters found cloaked in dim lighting by the damp alleyway, some with stench foul and nauseating, some bearable and forgiving, and with every hunt, Avada became more and more starved, helplessness clawing inside her, tearing whatever hope there was that had slithered into her foggy mind.

On the third day of searching inside numerous of dumpster and bins, Avada stumbled into an alley, determination and hope dissipating, leaving her in a state of emptiness, and she saw a big man crouch down in front of a black kitten, hand lowering a bowl of milk as the animal, then, proceeded to drink from it. Upon first glance, Avada had almost uttered Hagrid's name, because the man had strongly reminded her of the giant, though shrunk several sizes down, and when he turned, the man immediately asked if she was okay, before taking her to his diner after they exchanged a few sentences. From then on, Rick had took Avada in as if a daughter he never had, while she became a part-time waitress at his diner at her own accord. They've been with one another since then, feeding stray cats, running the diner, grocery shopping at supermarkets, and often visiting the beach every weekend, as desperately requested by Avada.

He was a wonderful man, frequently ridiculed by his looks, and whenever someone boldly did so in the presence of Avada, she would defend him and become the b***h she had built herself up to be. A year later after taking in Avada, Rick had anxiously suggested that she were to carry his last name, unofficially adopting her as his daughter without having the papers involved, and Avada had leapt up with joy, grinned, and hugged the big man, unable to cease sputtering the word 'yes' for approximately two minutes. Rick gave her the name Avery Mae and Avada did not protest, too much in delight, though he still called her by her nickname, only using her given name inside their apartment and when Rick was serious.

And today, he most definitely was.

Arms crossed, simmering annoyance and anger encircling Avada, very much like a wafting haze of red, she closed the door behind her, eyes sharp and menacing, and Carlos, the nerdy, part-time waiter, scrambled past Avada, avoiding eye contact by looking down, and he exited the quiet kitchen, leaving her alone. Not a moment later, Rick entered, heaving a deep sigh of disappointment. "Avada, the woman's husband just died three days ago. You can't just steal from her."

"How would you know?" Avada whirled around.

"She was here yesterday morning, before I even opened the diner. The woman was sitting on the ground, waiting for the diner to open. I asked her why she was here and she said she wanted to visit the last place her husband entered before he was shot while driving."

Avada may be a thief, greed running through her veins every now and then, and though her attitude may not be the outstanding segment of her qualities, one fact still stands and that is she is still human. Guilt managed to seize her heart, overwhelming and entirely uncomfortable, and Avada looked away, ashamed. "I─I didn't know that."

"We know not a lot when it comes to a person. They're going through numerous of things that is hidden from our eyes." Rick walked close to Avada, fingers gently lifting her chin up. "Let's not be a burden, okay?"

Avada remained silent.

Rick shook his head slightly. "Tell me you won't steal again, Avery."

"Fine."

"Say it."

"I won't."

"Alright." Rick planted a peck upon her forehead, the frown stubbornly glued on Avada's lips refusing to leave, and he stepped away. "Let's get back to work, Avada."

Without saying anything back, Avada nodded, clasping her black apron, which was lying atop an empty table by the wall of the kitchen, and after putting it on, tying the strings loosely from behind, she strode towards the door, momentarily glancing over her shoulder to gaze at Rick walking towards the stove. Before he could even notice, she stepped out, the heels of her boots clicking against the tiled floor, and the door behind her closed softly as she made her way around the counter.

Rick never mentioned to return the item Avada had stolen from the widowed woman, leaving her in a state of choosing whether to side with goodness or greediness. Avada had never been accompanied by greed's existence, never have been jealous enough to take action in eradicating the feeling through stealing, but over the months of being away from her family, she had done deeds that her own father would've been displeased about. If her family could see Avada now, timidity, kindness, and generosity defunct, they wouldn't think twice of disowning her, claiming that she was not their sweet, little girl anymore, the girl with askew glasses, a shy character, and the unequivocal lack of backbone.

The first item Avada had stolen from a stranger was a wallet, which was a very common object to be targeted by thieves and thugs. Avada can vividly recall the rush of adrenaline, the nervousness and disquietude, hundreds and thousands of scenarios playing inside her mind like clips of a movie that was made to showcase everything that might go wrong to someone who wasn't particularly skilled in theft, and Avada had forced her trembling fingers to remain stable, anxious that it might bring the prospect of the plan to a fail. The person Avada had robbed was, no doubt, a nerd and when she deliberately stumbled in front of him, her body against the awkward nerd as he held her with shaking fingers, Avada slyly grabbed the protruding wallet from his pocket. Quickly, she stuffed it inside her ankle-length boot, the nerd too busy with helping Avada to stand properly as he sputtered and stammered, and he became even more distracted when Avada started crying, claiming that one of her ankles was sprained.

Thank God for good looks, Avada had thought, quelling down the urge to triumphantly smirk, tears rolling down her cheeks as the nerd, blushing heavily, gently lowered her on the ground, so that he may examine one of her ankles. Avada had made sure that she chose the booted foot that did not contain his wallet. When Avada voiced out that she was finally fine, tentatively standing up, the nerd insisted to accompany her to wherever her destination was, which, Avada swiftly chose, was the mall. They parted ways once they came in front of the mall's entrance and Avada rushed to the girl's comfort room, sitting atop the closed toilet as she took her time in calming her rapidly-beating heart. After that voluntary exploit, Avada had gotten quite comfortable with the idea and act of stealing, as if a harmless habit that will not land her in juvenile detention, and, she must admit, Avada became even more skilled compared to her first theft.

Stealing had, somehow, became a part of her and the world of the juvenile delinquents would not have known her name if it weren't for her exploits of thievery. And it all started when Avada wanted to purchase a necklace with a Snitch pendant. It would be crazy talk to say Avada hadn't been caught, and her persuasiveness and ability to harness pity allowed her to dodge charges. But of course, Avada can't have herself constantly rely on pity, persuasion, and her looks, so she was determined to take her skill to another level. The last time Avada had been taken in for theft was seven months ago, and during those passing days up to now, she had accumulated a number of valuables and trifling items.

Once Avada listed down the orders of table 6 on a Post-It Note, which she brought out from the front pocket of her apron, she sashayed towards the back of the counter, aware of the stares directed at her, where a tiny window was found beside the door to the kitchen. Poking her head in, Avada stuck the Post-It Note on a small bulletin board, which was hanging on the wall next to the window, before alerting Rick of a new order.

"Aren't you hungry?" Carlos asked behind her and Avada turned around to find him seated on one of the stools like a regular customer. He had an identical, black apron on, its color popping out against the plain, white shirt he wore underneath. His usual, combed, black hair was tousled today due to the amount of times he had ran his fingers through it, though it always managed to reach his eyes.

"It's still 11 A.M., Carlos." Avada replied flatly.

"Wanna go to the arcade after lunch?"

Avada smiled, something she never did frequently, preferring that her resting b***h face remain, and Carlos, being an inexperienced oaf when it came to girls, blushed. "Hell yeah. You promised to get me a prize."

"I will. After my hands are destroyed because of the amount of arcade games I've been playing to get tickets for your prize."

"You know," Avada moved to the counter, elbows propped against it, "if you were this sweet to Stacey Sallina, you'd get a chance."

Carlos scoffed incredulously. "The only chance I'll get is being beaten up by Lucan and Travis, whom she's in love with."

Quixote, Avada thought, remembering him fully well as one of the delinquents in Everhill City, a guy who was secretly a part of an infamous gang. "Lucan's a chill dude."

"By 'chill', you mean cold as fuck."

Suddenly, the glass, double doors of the diner burst open, a loud ting! emitting from the bell that hung atop, and a woman stumbled in, cheeks wet with tears, hands curled into fists against her chest as she sobbed. Everyone snapped their gazes towards her in confusion and astonishment, stares tracking the crying lady as her trembling legs brought her to the counter, where Carlos glanced apprehensively at a grimacing Avada, contrite arising within her.

The woman was certainly the same woman whose diamond earrings Avada stole in the bathroom earlier. Sorrow had scarred this woman too badly, Avada noticed. It was apparent that the woman had been a gorgeous lady, with dark brown curls, a pointed nose, and captivating eyes, but grief had shifted her looks to one that suggested weariness, woebegone, and lifelessness. Her thick hair was a mess atop her heart-shaped head, held forcefully together into a bun with an elastic band, and her eyes were flowing with tears, a gateway to a melancholic soul who has lost its partner.

Seeing the woman in this state, Avada was harshly slapped by remorse.

"You─You must he─help me." The woman sobbed upon reaching the counter, her voice panicked. "I─I─I lost my earrings and I just─I just took it off for a second because it─because it was making my ears itch and it's─it's gone! Ple─please, help me. It was─it was given to me by my husband."

Rick's voice rang in Avada's ears. Let's not be a burden, okay?

Unexpectedly, his head poked out from the window, drawn by the woman's sobs, "What's going on here, Avada?"

Avada immediately turned around. "I've got this, Rick."

"Are you─"

"I've got this." Avada pressed and Rick stared at her for a few seconds, his mind flipping over numerous of thoughts, but in the end, he nodded and retreated inside. Taking her apron off and tossing it right into Carlos' face, Avada heaved a deep breath, walked around the counter to place her hand upon the woman's shoulder, and gently led her outside the diner. "I know where your earrings are, Ma'am. Just... follow me."

"Thank you so much!" The woman cried out as Avada grimaced mentally, pushing the doors open, the two ladies stepping out into the sunshine. It was such a beautiful day, despite the shortage on clouds, only a few puffs of white found on the sky with an incredible distance between one another, and the fresh breeze allowed the woman to calm down, wiping her tears using the heels of her hands. "Thank you so much. What's your name? My name's Tianna."

If I said it was nice to meet you, I'd be lying.

"I'm Avada."

"What a strange name." Tianna opined, the tip of her nose still evidently red from crying. "Yet, somehow, beautiful. It's quite familiar, actually."

Hoping that Tianna will not pinpoint the origin of Avada's name, she nodded, watching the woman take out a pack of cigarettes from the shorts she had on beneath her black dress, before offering one to Avada. "Thanks, but I'm trying to quit."

"For your Dad, dear?"

"Uhm... I guess you could say that." Avada shrugged, the memory of Rick calmly talking her out in quitting smoking flashing in her mind as she and Tianna stood near the trashcans, a few meters away from the entrance.

"Oh, your Dad is extremely kind. What a wonderful guy. He allowed me to enter his diner before he was even ready to open. An amazing listener as well. When I'd forget what I was talking about, he'd remind me and then I'd continue what I had been saying. Since you have such a benevolent father, I'm pretty sure you're the same as him." Tianna spoke, a cigarette hanging between her red lips, returning the pack inside her pockets, before producing a lighter from another.

Avada said nothing. Goodness or greediness?

The woman puffed on her cigarette after lighting it, blowing the smoke through her lips. "Your father reminds me so much of my husband. Copper hair, kind, a good listener, he has always been taking care of me, even before we married, as if he felt responsible for me during our time at the university. I was always crying, because I couldn't remember anything clearly if I got too stressed, so he often offered stress relievers, like ice cream, taking a stroll. He was just... so beautiful."

Goodness or greed?

"Look, Tianna─"

"What is it, dear?" The woman had obviously forgotten why she came back, crying her eyes out, and Avada immediately pulled out the pair of diamond earrings from her pocket. Tianna instantly grinned and squealed. "Oh my! Thank you so much!"

"The thing is..." Avada sheepishly trailed off as Tianna excitedly began to put on her earrings.

"You stole it, didn't you, dear?"

"Yeah. Sorry."

Tianna laughed, surprising Avada. "Oh, it's quite alright! Quite alright! If I saw these myself, I would've snatched it, too. No need to apologize."

Avada was about to smile when, suddenly, she heard the screeching stop of wheels. Trepidation freezing her entire body, Avada's eyes widened in horror, watching four police cars halt right in front of them, acting as a barricade to prevent Avada from fleeing, and eight police officers stepped out, two directing their pistols at her.

"Avery Mae Friedman, you are coming with us!" One of them yelled. "From direct orders of the Chief of Poli─"

"What is going on?!" Rick ran out of the diner, followed by an anxious Carlos, and he gazed at the police officers in affright, transferring it towards an equally perplexed Avada. "Avery, what did you do?"

"Wait, Sir," Tianna attempted to persuade the officer, "she returned my earrings. There's nothing wrong here. I'm not pressing any charges."

"With all due respect, Ma'am, but this matter is much more crucial than the return of your earrings."

"Dad." Avada's eyes were wide with fright as she and Rick locked eyes, his visage momentarily consumed by shock at what she called him. "I didn't do anything."

I swear.