Never an Ever After

Missing in Action

SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER:

IT’S YOU-SEZAIRI

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ELLORA

That morning, I woke up to the air coming in inside the window, I opened my eyes to see my white curtains is flowing along with the winds. I am sure I closed my window last night. But the sun, the wind and the sky are looking so pretty, so I didn't get up right away from my bed. I would first think that nothing bad happened. That this is just my normal day.

It feels so heavy when you know a life has been lost because of you. But how many times did I think last night that the man didn't think of me either when he thought of me stabbing me with a knife and touching me everywhere. Just by thinking of it, makes me shiver. I struggled to get out of my mind what his hands felt on my body, and even his stale smell. But what happened last night seemed to be imprinted in my brain for the rest of my life. Not only because I witnessed a murder but also, I confirmed my suspicions of what kind of person my former friend is now. Never in my wildest dream did I picture Ronan being like that, but he did. I need to stop myself from finding my lost friend in Ronan now, because he’s really gone.

But still, I owe him my life. And I know sooner or later he wants my payment.

No matter what it cost.

I sat straight and saw that it was seven in the morning and I had to prepare breakfast for Papa because he was still early for the missionary. He's pretty busy lately, and it's fine by me. Because somehow, I'm having time for ballet, but I don't know if I'll be able to go back to the ballet studio after what happened.

I cooked some eggs and bacons, Papa is outside watering the garden. Yes, the garden but it’s never the same again. I had a hard time planting new Black Dahlia eight years ago, and I have never tried to plant again.

“Papa, breakfast is ready!” I called out to him as excited I tried to be.

“Coming!” he answered.

I prepared our dishes and food and sat down. When Papa came in, he was holding a newspaper and his face was grim. He sat down in his chair as I start eating, but his focus is still on the newspaper he’s reading.

“Papa, what is it?” I asked.

"A body was found in the river. He was brutally murdered." Papa replied.

I swallowed hard, my vision starts to blur and my insides twisting. It is him, I know it’s him. I drink water instantly as my palms become colder.

“Hey, are you okay, darling?” Papa asked.

I coughed up my food “Yes, Papa. Just wrong pipe.”

He nods “Slow down eating.” He sighed and started eating too. "Murder is on the rise here in Pennsylvania. The last time a man's body was found, he's brutally murdered too."

Then flashes of memories came through me, like a snap of camera in front of me. Ronan’s bloody hands last time. I almost wants to gag but I tried my best not to. Not when Papa is here.

“Could it be a serial killer?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” He took a deep breath "So I want you to go straight home after school. You know the rules, Ellora. School, Church and Home. Is that clear?"

I nod “Yes, Papa.”

"And you understand why I'm restricting you, right? It's for your own good. I just want to protect you." He smiled sadly at me.

I smiled at him and hold his hands reassuringly “Yes, Papa. I understand.”

He kissed the top of my head “Thank you, Darling.”

He’s protecting me from the ugliness of this world without knowing I have witnessed some. He’s protecting me from evil, when he’s oblivious that the devil is living the house next door.

Once I’m inside the school, I thought I am safe from eyes of those judgmental people who thinks they are better than anyone here. When in fact, we are all the same.

Demi is walking beside me telling me stories about her weekend trip in Hawaii with her parents, I don’t want to shrug her off because she looks happy so I tried my best to absorb all her stories as much as I can, even if my mind is drifting far away.

Once we reached our locker, I opened it for me to see used condoms once again.

It has been like this every day since the night in Saint Mary’s and I'm used to it.

I sighed as giggles were around me, I learned that I should no longer pay them any more attention. The more reaction they get from you, the more they will press you.

"Aren't they still tired of it?" Demi sighed beside me as she helped me clean up my locker.

“They will, eventually.”

“Hey, you look stressed. Is this about your audition?” she asked worriedly.

I nod, denial is better than her knowing the whole story “Yeah.”

"You know, you're the best ballerina I've ever met. I am sure, you're going to kill that audition effortlessly."

I chuckles, appreciating her comfort “It’s because I am the only ballerina you knew.”

She chuckled too “Debatable.” She sighed and fix the strands of my hair “All I am saying is that you don’t need to stress yourself into it.”

I nod “I’ll take that advice, thank you.”

“There’s a party later at Brad’s. come with me.”

I cringed “I don’t think—”

“Please.” She pouts her lips and batted her eyes at me “You need this.”

I sighed and smiled “Sure.”

I went on to my classes as soon as possible and I wanted to make the time faster than before, maybe Demi’s right. Maybe I need to loosen up my nerves by this party. And Papa is at another town once again for tonight. One party wouldn’t hurt, right?

Fortunately, the whole day passed without having to bump or see Ronan at all. It seems like he didn’t even go to school today. What happened?

I shrug the curiosity once again, he’s none of my business.

When the night comes, I wore my old Sunday dress for the party, I'm more okay with wearing this, I'm comfortable with this. Than not to enjoy the night because of what I'm wearing. It’s a halter dress on the part of my boobs, it's yellow with a little white daisy around it. There's a lace in front of the dress and the length is justifiable, just above my knees. I partner it with my yellow heels, and I just let my hair down.

As soon as Demi’s car stopped in front of our house and she sees what I am wearing, she shakes her head and bump it into her steering wheel. Both of us laughing “What? You don’t want me to come?”

She shakes her head “Come inside, it’s fine. You’re beautiful anyway.”

I chuckle and hop onto her car while she drives "Even if I look like an old lady?" I teased her, Demi couldn't stand my taste ni clothes. She always says that I'm wasting my beautiful body behind all these clothes I am wearing, But as I said, I'm not like everyone else.

She is shaking in laughter “Yeah, maybe you’ll find someone at the party and f**k your brains out.”

I blushed instantly, I am not used to talking about s*x and everything about it.

Yes, I am virgin. And it will stay that way until I get married to someone I love.

Hoping it’s James.

“f**k, I forgot that you’re still a virgin, mother Mary.”

I laughed "When Papa hears you include the name of Mother Mary and that s*x in the same sentence, you won't stop hearing Papa’s sermon and maybe he’ll let you kneel inside the confession room." I joked, but I know Papa is willing to do just that.

“But the lucky part is; Reverend is not here.” She said playfully as I laughed.

For once, I forgot everything that happened. I hope this night went very well.