CHAPTER 1; the bed knows
Melissa feared the night more than darkness itself. Because every morning, the bed remembered what she wanted to forget. It was past 2 a.m., the house lay in heavy silence, broken only by snores drifting from the other rooms. But Melissa remained awake, staring into darkness. Sleep had become her greatest enemy. The room was hot and suffocating. Mosquitoes circled her ears. Sweat dampened her skin. She tossed from side to side, forcing her eyes to stay open. Tonight she would win. She had to. Then she heard footsteps, slow, deliberately coming towards her room. A thin beam of torchlight slid under the door. Her aunt, Melissa, quickly shut her eyes and steadied her breathing, her fingers gripping the sheet tightly beneath her. "Melissa, Melissa," she called her loudly. Melissa kept still. Mrs. Lizzy clicked her tongue in annoyance, straightened up, and folded her arms. "If you disgrace me again this morning," she clenched her teeth, pointing a warning finger at the bed, "I swear you will regret it,"She turned sharply and slammed the door behind her.
Melissa's eyes flew open. Her chest rose rapidly as she fought for breath. Tears gathered but did not fall.
That night, she made herself a promise. She dug her nails into her palms and sat upright against the wall, determined to stay awake. But exhaustion crawled over her body like chains. Little by little, her eyes closed.
Around 6 a.m. in the morning, a loud cockcrow pierced the silence. Melissa jerked awake and looked around wildly. Sunlight leaked through the cracked window.
Her hands trembled as she touched the mattress.
Wet.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, no, no."
She jumped out of bed, nearly stumbling. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she yanked off the bedsheet.
"My aunty will kill me," she muttered, dragging the sheet close to her chest.
She rushed outside with a bucket and soap. Her shaking hands dropped the bucket to the floor with a loud clang.
Immediately, a door swung open behind her. Melissa froze.
Mrs. Lizzy stood in the doorway, her wrapper tied tightly around her waist. Her eyes burned with anger.
"I warned you!" she shouted, marching forward.
Melissa fell to her knees and clasped her hands together.
"Aunty, please, I tried. I didn't mean to sleep."
Mrs. Lizzy grabbed her arm and yanked her up roughly.
"Tried?" she snapped, raising her hand. "Is trying enough after nineteen years?"
SLAP!
Melissa staggered sideways, clutching her cheek.
"You useless girl!" Mrs. Lizzy yelled, shoving her shoulder. "Nineteen years old and still wetting the bed like a toddler!"
Melissa sobbed quietly, lowering her head in shame.
Then suddenly, Mrs. Lizzy stopped moving. Her eyes fixed on the clothes in Melissa's hands.
"Ensure that you thoroughly clean all items, as I wish to avoid any unpleasant odours," she instructed, directing her finger toward Melissa. Afterward, she entered the building and closed the door behind her.
Melissa began the task of washing her clothing and bedspread with trembling hands. Every movement felt heavy with humiliation. She glanced around to ascertain whether she was being observed.
Then she froze.
She noticed a sleek black automobile stationed nearby, from which a tall, attractive young man emerged, dressed in an elegant suit.
Melissa’s breath caught in her throat. He fixed his gaze on her before shifting his attention to her dishevelled clothes, swollen eyes, and trembling fingers, at which point a slight smirk appeared on his face.
Melissa's face burned with humiliation.
Who was he? And why was he looking at her like that?
The stranger slipped one hand into his pocket and took a slow step toward her.
Then, in a deep, calm voice, he said,
“Interesting, I finally found you.”
