21. SOMETHING GONE
1324 Words
{LUMIRA}
I fluttered my eyelids open as soon as I heard Gamma Vance close the door behind him.
Letting out a depressed sigh, my eyes traveled to the doorframe, and it felt like he took a part of me with him.
He was my savior.
If he hadn't come to my rescue last night, maybe I wouldn't even be breathing right now.
Throughout the night, he nursed me as though he were tending to a two-year-old. I have never had anyone care for me like that since my mom passed away.
He was so soft, so gentle.
"Sorry," he'd mutter over and over again whenever I sneezed or coughed.
At some point, I had to pretend to fall asleep just so he could get some rest, because I noticed he hadn't gotten any rest from the second he brought me into his room.
His brothers— Beta Kyro and Delta Jett were the bane of my existence, while he was my greatest blessing.
Last night, I tasted death on the tip of my tongue. I felt it coming, its sharp claw ready to snatch me away from the surface of the earth without looking back. But Gamma Vance stopped that from happening.
Because of his sacrifices, I was able to survive the night. He gave me painkillers, changed my clothes, brought herbal tea that soothed my burning stomach, and also cleaned me up after I puked three different times.
My feelings toward him deepened after last night. But sadly, I had already made up my mind.
Tara was right.
I ought to leave this Pack and start my life elsewhere.
That was why I decided, after last night's incident, that I was getting out of the Storm mansion today.
My muscles groaned as I shifted on the bed. Despite the soreness, despite the gnawing pain at the back of my head, I dragged myself out of his bed.
I needed to pack my things and leave.
While pretending to sleep, I overheard his call with a lady who informed him of a board meeting by 8AM. His brothers would be joining too since it was about their company. So if there was any chance to make a run for it, that chance was now.
As my feet touched the ground, a cold sensation struck my heels, making me flinch.
Memories of last night haunted me. It felt as if the scenario was happening right again.
That suffocation.
My muffled scream.
The way the water floated into my throat without restraint.
The struggle.
The burn in my eyes and nostrils.
Tears immediately stung my eyes, but I blinked them back.
"This is not the time to cry, Lumira," I said to myself. "Get your things and get out."
Bile formed in my throat as I finally got on my feet. The urge to collapse back into the soft mattress overwhelmed me, but I restrained it.
Staying meant welcoming their humiliation and cruelty.
And although I was still alive, standing...something in me died last night.
I noticed my purse and phone on the bedside table. Unconsciously, the items had slipped from my grasp as soon as Beta Kyro got his hands on me.
Thankful to Gamma Vance for getting them inside, I picked up my purse and phone and then left his room.
Outside his room, I darted my gaze left and right, checking to see if anyone was in the corridor. It was as clear as day.
So I quickly moved over to my room and began to arrange my things back into my duffel bag.
"You plan to escape," a voice rang behind me, making my shoulders tense.
I paused mid-way and turned in the direction of the voice.
It was Mirabel.
Her eyes watched me from across the room, intensely and purposefully.
"No," I managed an awkward smile. "I am not."
"I'm 15, not 5, Lumira." She pushed the door ajar, stepped into the room, and then shut it quietly behind her. "How are you?"
I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just nodded and feigned another smile.
"Don't be awkward around me, Lumira. I am not here to snitch on you."
Those words immediately eased my raging nerves.
I knew she was against what her brother had done to me, but that doesn't change the fact that he was her family. When worse came to worst, she would still choose him over a stranger.
Her eyes glistened with guilt as she crossed the little distance between us to stand directly in front of me.
"I owe you an apology, Lumira."
Air stalled in my throat.
"An apology? For what?"
She reached for my hands. "For lying. I had thought you were Vance's girlfriend that night, that's why I lied to them that you sent me to get a croissant for you."
Now I understand.
Emotions clawed at the back of my throat. If it weren't for her, the whole situation wouldn't have escalated this way.
"I need you to please forgive me, Lumira," She added again, her voice carrying the weight of remorse.
I exhaled sharply, suppressing every emotion battling to come up. "You left the house to get me a pad, so it's partially my fault."
She twitched her lips and peeled her eyes from me.
As she reached for something inside her cargo pants, I watched her every move. Eventually, she brought out a bundle of cash. "Here, take it."
My eyes widened at the clean notes, and as much as I needed money, I knew I couldn't take them.
"What? No, Mirabel. I can't take that from you." I refused.
"This is my money, not for my brothers incase you are terrified I got it from them. I know no amount of money can amount to the trauma you've been through, but I just wanted to do something nice for you—"
"You've already done—"
She took my hand and thrust the bundle in my palm. "Please take it. Refusing it wouldn't only mean you haven't forgiven me."
I was caught at crossroads.
Seeing how determined she was, made me realize she wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Thank you for the money."
She smiled, stretching her arms out. "Can I hug you?"
I hugged her briefly, and when we pulled apart, she smiled warmly at me. "Do you need breakfast? I can ask Ma'am Stella to pack up some for you."
"No," I politely declined.
A part of me wanted to let Ma'am Stella know about my plan of leaving the mansion, but trusting her with that information would only put her at risk.
"So are you done packing?" She inquired, her eyes roaming around.
I nodded, "Yes."
"Then I should help you get out of the house. Give me the bag."
I handed over the bag to her, and she beckoned for me to follow her.
We strutted toward the door, but I turned halfway through to be sure I hadn't left anything behind.
Satisfied with the empty room, I shut the door quietly behind me.
Mirabel walked through the corridor until she emerged at the living room, while I followed closely behind her.
Suddenly, we noticed Ama seated at the dining area, munching on a sandwich.
She hadn't seen us yet.
Mirabel quickly shoved my bag behind the couch, concealing it from Ama.
"Good morning, Ama." She greeted.
Ama looked over her shoulder at us. Her eyes darkened with contempt as soon as they fell on me.
"Hey, Lumira. Come here." She commanded with that bossy attitude.
Disgust brewed inside me.
I moved over to her like an obedient child.
A dangerous smirk appeared on her lips as I approached her.
“Lumira, I want you to get my dirty laundry from Ky—”
Before she could complete it, I threw my hand forward and slapped her hard.
Something really died in me last night. It was my vulnerability.
- Writer
