LOGINNATHALIE’S POV 🍃-With how fast Brianna ran, I almost forgot I was pregnant just to get to her.We had come a long way and far from the mansion.I don’t know where we’ve arrived, the path we took is a blur -- the only thing that matters is not letting her disappear from my sight in this throng.“Baby!”I jumped and gasped when I accidentally ran into someone coming from the coffee shop. Her iced coffee spilled all over me.“I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” I blurted out, apologizing in a panic.I was about to chase Brianna but the woman I bumped into grabbed me by the arm.“Miss, I don’t have any extra for my coffee. I work the night shift and I need my coffee.” she said with annoyance.“How much?”“My coffee costs eight dollars.”I reached into my bag for money, and by chance, I found ten dollars. I gave it to the woman right then, and she let go of me.I walked fast, keeping a scan on what was around me.I didn’t see Brianna anymore. It seemed like she had gone far away.“Baby!”I we
NATHALIE’S POV 🍃-We got back to the cemetery around ten in the morning.Now that I’ve made sure of what I saw.For a moment I couldn’t feel my whole body, standing blankly as I looked at my own grave.Within the crematorium lies my very own plot -- my name etched, a vase holding the ashes... My ashes?"Why... How come... H-How did I turn up de*d?"All of a sudden, I started having a headache and feeling dizzy.Now I know I’m pregnant, I didn’t take these feelings of mine lightly.I sat on the chair on the side near the entrance.Brianna sat next to me. She grabbed my attention by taking hold of my arm.Seeing how worried she looks, I managed a smile even though I had to try.“It’s alright, baby. What I’m feeling is pregnancy symptoms, it’s normal for me to suddenly have a headache. I’ll take a short rest, and I’ll be better soon.”Then the worry disappeared from her face and she smiled.I took her hand and averted my gaze from her briefly.I couldn’t think and figure out how... How
NATHALIE’S POV 🍃-I rubbed my eyes to check if I was seeing things right. If I’d read it correctly.Having wiped my eye, the guard blocked my way.“We should go out now, Ma’am.”“No,” I suddenly said, out of my mind.The security guard’s facial expression changed. It became stern, and the sympathy in his face was gone.“Sorry, I have a quick thing to confirm,” I begged for a little patience.“I’m sorry, ma’am. If we stay any longer, my job might be ruined.”“But–”“Let’s go, ma’am.”“Just a moment, Mr. Guard. I–”He grabbed my arm and turned me towards the crematorium gate, and pulled me out.When we left the crematorium, the security guard let me go and locked the gate and left.Holding Brianna’s hand, I couldn’t do anything but head out.“Thank you, and I apologize for what happened earlier.” I apologized again and then we left.When we had gone far away from the cemetery, I could not hold back my tears once again.I saw it clear as day, Mom’s name, one of the many laid to rest in
NATHALIE’S POV 🍃-In the end, I figured I’d take Brianna back to Sir Calix first.Beyond the dread of being imprisoned by them – that is what’s correct.Surely everyone is worried about Brianna’s situation and condition. Moreover, they have no update about what is happening and who is with her. I’ll try to call Sir Calix on his phone number once Brianna and I are on the bus.“Let’s go, baby,” I coaxed.As soon as we took one step, we stopped when someone came out of the funeral home and called me.“Excuse me, miss.”I looked at the male staff.He approached me and handed me a small paper folded in two.“The name of the cemetery where our two cremated fire victims were interred is written on that document. Also, the name you referenced belongs to one of our cremated deceased.”“What?! Why did you cremate the body without the family’s consent?” I almost screamed.I am the only one who should decide what to do with my mom’s body.“Someone came here who -- I’m sorry, I can’t say any mo
NATHALIE’S POV 🍃-I didn’t ask any more questions about what I heard and, went to the hospital was said to have taken the fire victim.As we got out of the taxi, holding Brianna’s hand, we entered the hospital and went straight to the nurse’s station.“Excuse me, miss. sorry to bother you.” I tried to get their attention when I saw they were busy, eyes fixed on the screen.The female nurse got to her feet. “Oh, I’m so sorry, ma’am! I was busy with something else and didn’t see you come in. Is there anything I can help you with?”“Were the fire victims brought here? Where are they, please?”“Yes. But, they were brought to the funeral home a while ago.”“W-wait, what?” I stammered out. “A funeral home? How come that’s where they ended up?”“The three were already de*d when they were brought here. After their bodies were autopsied, they were taken to the funeral home. Do you have any relatives there?”“Possible...” I said tremblingly. “May I know the address and name of the funeral ho
NATHALIE’S POV 🍃-I gently wiped Brianna’s cheek.“If you only knew how much I miss you, baby.”She wrote on the tablet. After a few seconds she turned it to me, ‘I miss you too.’“I miss you so much, baby.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ll call Grandma Margaret first. Then...” I paused in my speech.I didn’t know how to explain that I had to return her to he father or her grandparents.“Then, let’s eat a chicken sandwich.”She nodded in happy agreement.I stood up and went to the table.My hand froze in the air as I was about to pick up my phone, halted by the sound of voices talking behind the curtain by the adjacent hospital bed.“The fire early yesterday morning did massive damage. A lot of houses burned down.”My chest tightened. That fire... My waiting... Wasn’t all of that a bad dream?“Oh right, the mother and daughter who d*ed are really tragic.” “The biggest fire was in their house.”“It’s a pity the three people there d*ed in the fire.”“Look, the fire started in their house.”







