MY POUND OF FLESH

"Matilda! Come on out; you're taking forever in there"."Coming Dad! Let me get the last batch". I yelled as I kept wandering around the rooms like a lost soul, unable to leave the past behind. The memories I had made here were as if they were all yesterday. I couldn't believe how quickly time flies and how fleeting life is."I can't believe we are moving, with all the memories we made here, both sweet and bad, left behind". I murmured to myself. I could hear Mom's laughter as it echoed, the many birthdays I had celebrated within these walls, the many wars we had fought and conquered.I could give anything to bring the past back; how was I to face what lay ahead? No one prepared me for this; no one told me that things could take a turn so quickly. I couldn't help but shed a few tears. I sank to the ground as I remembered Mom's last moments at the hospital.She had suffered greatly and was in so much pain, looking all lean and fragile, but I still wanted her around. I prayed earnestly

"Shaving honey!"This is the first time I have seen Dad shave off his beard after we lost Mom."This is a good development" I whispered to myself. I work two part-time jobs with my best friend Grace; it hasn't been entirely easy, but I am having the time of my life. I know it wasn't what I had planned for my life, but I was kind of grateful that we kept taking one step at a time.Dad works as an accountant at a local shopping mall; the pay isn't much, and I don't know why he chose this small, unpopular town out of all the places in the county. I mean, we used to live in New York City, and my dad was a successful accountant before we sold everything to save my mom from cancer. I sometimes wonder why he chooses to live from hand to mouth when he can actually walk into any accounting firm and get a job offer immediately. I did not want to complain, but I couldn't help but pity my dad.I think he just needed a fresh start, to breathe new air, and needs a break from all the city hassle. W

Grace couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on, but she sure knew she wouldn't be seeing me anymore. I could see both of them on the floor, screaming and crying as they were held down.I kicked and hit the man dragging me away in vain. He opened the limousine car door and put me in there. I tried fighting my way out to help my dad, but he pinned me on the seat as he fastened the seat belt."Nooo!! ........., Dad...........!!" I kept on screaming. "Calm down, sweetie; I could think of many things I would like to do to you". He mocked me. I sat down quietly sobbing in the car with my mind running wild. I knew it might be the last time I ever saw Dad. I was more concerned about him falling into depression from losing Mom and me, Then I looked up and Mace had a bitter grin on his face. I kept on wondering what this devil wanted from me, how I could escape from him, and what he was scheming. What he said kept on playing on my mind and sending a cold shiver down my spine. I knew

He turned almost immediately, Ray and I looked at each other, and he continued feeding me."You have a hell of an appetite for someone who has been unconscious for three days," Ray teased me.All I could do was smile, and I laid down to rest.* * * * *"It has been one week now, and your healing is just fine, Tilda," Ray said, sounding so concerned."I don't know if I should be glad or maybe I should go into mourning," I replied, wearing a depressed look.Ray has never left my side since I woke up; he spends most of his time with me, telling me stories and trying everything he can to make me comfortable. It felt as if he wanted me to forget the real reason I lost consciousness, but how could I, when I knew the kind of fate that awaited me?How can I forge ahead as if nothing happened? I prayed each day that I should have remained unconscious or even dead rather than face the cross that Mace is about to dish out to me.Ray has been avoiding the topic, trying his best not to mention it,

I woke up early in the morning to the whistling and bustling of some birds outside my window. I rubbed my eyes for a while, as though to rub away any remnant of sleep still lurking behind them. I sat up on the bed and stretched myself for a while.I'm so happy this morning. I guess my dream the previous night was doing wonders this morning. I dreamt I was no longer in this house and I was free at home with Dad and Grace, having breakfast, talking, and laughing. It was my first dream in this God-forsaken house, and I loved every bit of it."Oh, how I wish it could be true, though." I glided off the bed and danced around the room for a while. I went to the window to open it, and I leaned on it, sticking my head out to take in some fresh air while enjoying nature. I danced back into the room, preparing to shower, when a knock came on the door. Before I could say a word, the door opened instantly. I sometimes wonder why they bother to knock since they would open the door anyway, even when