06: THE DISTANCE
1238 Words
When they arrived home, Gabriel immediately got out of the car and ran upstairs without looking back.
Selene came out from the living room, her brows furrowed.
“What happened to him?” she asked.
George stood there, unmoving.
"I didn’t know that he didn’t want me there,” he said quietly.
Selene’s expression hardened. “It’s because you’re his father.”
George looked at her sharply.
“…Yes,” he said, his voice rising. “I am his father.”
“A father, that all of you believe that I am a murderer.. I already told you,” George continued, anger creeping into his voice. “I didn’t kill anyone.”
Selene let out a cold laugh.
“Then where were you for eight years?” she demanded. “Huh?”
George’s fists clenched.
“Do you even know what we went through?” she continued, her voice shaking with emotion. “I searched for you. Day and night, your son is looking for you..."
Selene becomes emotional to tell him this. "But.. you disappeared.”
“I didn’t disappear...”George insist.
“Then what?” Selene snapped. “Unless you were hiding!”
George’s eyes darkened.
“Unless…” Selene continued slowly, her voice turning sharp, “…you were involved in the kidnapping.”
The accusation hung like a poison in the air. George stared at her in disbelief.
“…You think I did that?"
“You tell me,” she shot back.
“Why would an innocent man hide for eight years?”
"Because I was taken!” George roared. “Because I was tortured! Because I was thrown away like I meant nothing!”
Selene didn’t flinch.
“Or maybe…” she said coldly, “you were just too guilty to come back.”
Something inside George snapped. “Guilty?” he repeated.
“Why would I be guilty? If I was guilty, I would’ve turned myself in!” His voice echoed through the house.
“Not come back here,” he continued bitterly, “and show this face to the people I loved.”
Selene looked at him, not with love but with concern. “You’re not the man I knew,” she said.
George let out a hollow laugh. "Neither are you.”
A silence picked up the two again. Not until Selene spoke again. Her words cut deeper than anything before.
“I wish…” she said slowly, “…you were the one who died eight years ago.”
The world seemed to stop for George.
“…What?” George whispered.
“I wish you died with those criminals,” she continued. “At least then… we wouldn’t have to live like this.”
The unsettled silences passed between them. George didn’t move, but the entire nerves inside his body were about to explode. He didn't speak, he didn't react, because he felt nothing..
Not anger and not the pain. He was just like an empty shell, standing in front of Selene. And in this home, someone else stood for them. And he started to realized.. that there was nothing left here to save.
Night came slowly, dragging silence along with it. The house was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a single lamp in the living room.
George lay on the sofa, one arm resting over his eyes. Sleep didn’t come easily anymore, it never did. His body was tired, but his mind refused to rest. Every time he closed his eyes, memories crept in. Their voices, pain and regrets.
The sound of the front door unlocking broke the silence. A soft click, followed by the footsteps.
George’s eyes opened slightly. He didn’t move. Didn’t sit up. He didn’t need to, because he already knew who it was.
Silvestry stepped inside, loosening his tie as if he had just come from a long day.
Selene approached him immediately.
“You’re late,” she said softly. Her tone was different. Something that George hadn’t heard directed at him in days since he returned.
“Working overtime,” he muttered under his breath, just loud enough to be heard.
Silvestry smirked faintly before pulling her closer. “Busy day,” he replied. Then without hesitation.He kissed her.
George felt it. Even without looking, he can feel it. Slowly, he lowered his arm. And his eyes landed on them.
Silvestry’s hand rested on Selene’s waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. It wasn’t just a simple greeting. It was intimate, and possessive.
George’s heart struggle to breathe. But he didn’t move. He didn’t speak, nor interrupt the two. Because what right did he have?
Silvestry’s eyes flickered open for a brief second. And he saw George watching them from a distance.
A slow smile formed on his lips. He pulled Selene even closer.
“Selene…” he whispered against her lips. His voice is softer now, and more intimate.
Selene didn’t resist. Instead, she responded. Her hands moved to his chest, gripping his shirt slightly as she kissed him back, more passionately this time.
George looked away. But not fast enough.
Silvestry noticed. And that only made him push further. He wrapped his arms around Selene tighter, resting his head briefly against her shoulder.
“…I don’t feel well,” he murmured.
Selene immediately pulled back, concern flashing across her face.
“What do you mean?”
“I think I’m getting sick,” Silvestry said, his voice is weak, almost fragile. “Too much work…”
George’s jaw clenched. But Selene didn’t know.
“You should rest,” she said quickly, her tone filled with worry.
Silvestry gave a small nod, leaning slightly against her as if he needed support.
“…Stay with me?” he asked softly.
Selene didn’t hesitate. "Of course.”
Their hands intertwined naturally, and comfortably. Like they belonged together. They walked toward the stairs.
George stayed where he was. Frozen in silence, but he could still hear them. Every step, every word and their laughters. It echoed in the quiet house. Louder than anything.
“…Come on,” Selene whispered gently.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
Their footsteps faded as they reached the second floor. Then the door closed.
He closed his eyes tightly. But it didn’t help. Because the pain wasn’t in what he saw. It was in what he heard.
And the silence returned. But this time, it was worse.
George sat up slowly. His movements were heavy, he felt his head become drained. He didn’t look toward the stairs. Didn’t allow himself to imagine what was happening behind that door.
Instead, George stood and walked away. Past the living room, and proceed to another hallway. Toward the small space near the kitchen. It was his space.
It wasn’t really a room. Just a narrow corner separated by a thin wall, enough for a bed and a small table. But it was the only place where he could breathe.
George stepped inside and closed the door quietly behind him.
Inside, the silence here was different. When his eyes landed on the table. His family photo lay there, but face down. He frowned slightly before stepping closer.
He picked it up. It was an old photo of him, Selene and a little boy, Gabriel. Both of the couple smiling, happy and complete.
His fingers trembled slightly as he traced the edge of the frame.
What happened from those eight years? he whispered.
- Writer
