UNDERWATER

Grief Labyrinth

Luke, Alex, and Mia stand outside the hut, Alex is surprised at what she has seen. "Who owns this truck?" Alex said, Mia smiles at Luke. "It's my dad, I had finally come to the conclusion that family is everything irrespective of what might have happened, he had parked the truck for a while and I believe it was high time i let all of my grief and grudges go away".

"You are amazing," Alex responded. Let's get in. They all get into the truck and leave.

Alex stood outside her late dad's cabin, a mix of emotions swirling inside. She had avoided this place since her dad passed, unable to face the memories. But a cryptic letter from her dad's journal hinted at a secret, something about her mom, who would always come to the cabin if she was unable to get through to her dad in ten days.

Luke and Mia, his sister, stood beside her, offering silent support. Alex took a deep breath and unlocked the door.

The cabin was a time capsule, filled with memories of her dad and whispers of the past. Alex's eyes landed on an old trunk in the corner. Luke and Mia joined her, and together, they opened it.

Inside, they found a collection of letters, photos, and a map with a note: "For Alex and Mark, when you get here."

The map led them to an old lighthouse on the outskirts of town. Alex's heart pounded as they drove there, the landscape blurring past.

At the lighthouse, they met an elderly woman who introduced herself as Sarah, a friend of Alex's mom. Tears streamed down Alex's face as Sarah handed her a letter.

"Your mom wanted you to have this," Sarah said.

Alex's hands trembled as she opened the letter, her eyes scanning the words.

"My dearest Alex,

I thought I'd never see you again. I'm sorry for not coming with you and your dad, but it was the only way to let you know how much you both love and cherish each other. I'm waiting for you and your dad in a small town, near the old windmill. Come find me.

Mom"

Alex's world spun. She had so many questions, but one thing was clear: she was going to find her mom.

Luke and Mia exchanged a look, and without a word, they knew they'd be with her every step of the way.

The journey was long, the roads winding through towns and landscapes. They stopped at a quaint café, where Alex devoured every story Sarah had shared about her mom, Racheal.

As they neared the windmill, Alex's nerves buzzed. How would her mom take the news of her dads death? But then, she knew Luke and Mia had her back no matter the outcome.

The windmill stood tall, its blades turning slowly. Alex stepped out of the truck, her heart pounding.

A figure appeared at the door, hesitant, then rushed forward.

"Alex?"

The world melted away as Alex and her mom embraced, tears of joy and sorrow mingling. "What of your dad?" Racheal asked, Alex began to sob as she held her mom tight.

Racheal falls to the ground and begins to sob, Luke and Mia try to get her up, but she persists. Luke and Mia stare at each other, and both of them clearly understand the pain and trauma Racheal is going through. Alex tries to console her mom as they both sob.

"What happened?"Rachel asked, "there was a heavy storm. Dad tried to save me and lost his life in the process." "I want to see his body" Racheal responded, Luke hastily replied, "We're are still searching for his body, we haven't been able to find yet, but i assure you, we will find his body and bring him home for a proper burial"

Mia goes close to Alex and Racheal. She holds them firmly "its going to be alright", you will definitely get through this, she says. She helps Racheal and Alex up as they all go to the living room.

Mia goes to the kitchen and gets a glass of water for Alex and Racheal. Racheal is devastated "i would have been on that boat, I never said goodbye to mark", "you can't predict the future, I lost my brother to the storm also, it broke my family, i and my sister are still trying to get the pieces back, things like this you dont come out from it completely, but knowing you have someone who really cares about you, might just get you through it" Luke said.

"Who are you?" Racheal asked as she wiped her tears, "I am Luke, and this is my sister Mia, we found Alex at the shore, " Luke replied.

"Luke saved my life and took me in, mia has been an angel through out the crisis, mom, we could start all over here, we do not need to go back home, here is home, dad would love us to build a legacy here" Alex says.

Racheal stares at Alex, "I have lost my husband to the storm, I do not like this place, this place brings me nothing but grief, if you want to stay, I won't hold back, but I am not staying in a place that took the only man I have ever loved away from me" Racheal replied, she gets up and leave the living room immediately. Alex is dumbfounded as she sobs.

"Give her some time, She is grieving," Luke says.

Alex turned to Luke and Mia, gratitude shining in her eyes.

"Thank you," she mouthed.

Luke smiled, his arm around her shoulders and Mia. "We're family now."

"Luke, I am grateful for everything you have done for me, my mom needs me now, your dad also need you and Mia, and i don't want to be an hindrance, go fix things with your dad, if fate would have it, we will be together someday"

Luke and Mia look at each other. Obviously, they seem confused. "My dad will be fine. We want to be here for you," Luke replied.

"What's the point. Why do you always put me first? You have helped me through all, forgetting you have your own pain to deal with, I can't let you do that anymore, your dad needs you, fix things with him, I believe if we are meant for each other fate would bring us back together"

Alex sobs, she hugs Mia, and kisses Luke on his cheek. She leaves the living room immediately. Tears roll down Lukes eyes, Mia holds his hands "Lets go Luke."

Racheal is seated in her room, sobing as she looks at a picture of herself and Mark.