Chapter 42 Dream
It felt foggy, but everything was strangely vivid. I walked around, my eyes shifting from side to side, scanning the unfamiliar place I have no idea how I got to.
"Where am I?" I whispered, still glancing around.
"Erica, over here." A man’s voice called out. I turned quickly, but no one was there.
"Hello!" I called out but there was no response. It seemed like I was alone but I know I’m not alone. I heard someone’s voice around so I can’t be alone.
"Hello, are you there," I called again but still nothing.
Confused, I kept walking through the hall. I don’t know where I was going or why. All I knew was that something deep inside me told me to keep moving.
The alley ahead was dark and cold. I should turn around and find a way out but somehow I found myself walking to the front.
At the end of the path, a door appeared. I could swear it wasn’t there before, it just appeared but I didn’t hesitate to reach to it. As I opened it, I saw my real family there.
They were arguing, voices sharp and angry, rising over each other in waves. The Ore Code was at the center of it all. I could hear it in the words they spat like venom.
I stood at the doorway, silent, eyes locked on Susan who is my mother. I looked so much like her. Same hair. Same eyes. And she looks so lovely that I couldn’t help but wonder why…. Did she really put me up for adoption just because I was a girl?
I know it doesn’t matter because the deed has been done but it still hurts so much. She’s my mother, she didn’t even care about me, not even to check on me or to protect me from all of this. She just let me stay there.
As I kept looking at her, her gaze moved to me. Anger fueled her eyes as she snarled "There she is."
Mario turned. Everyone else around turned and Mario stepped forward. He wasn’t holding a gun at first but now suddenly, a gun appeared in his hand.
He marched toward me full of anger but before he could do anything, I ran.
He chased me down the hall but I kept running. Screaming out Carlos’s name, desperate for help but no one came.
Mario eventually caught up to me, eyes full of contempt. He raised the gun.
"I never wanted you as my child," He said coldly as he pulled the trigger.
I screamed so loudly my chest felt like it would split open.
~~
I shot up in bed, gasping for air, heart hammering in my chest. Just a dream. A horrible, vivid dream.
I collapsed back on the bed, covering my face with my hands as I tried to stabilize my breathing.
It felt so real. I thought it was real but thank god it’s not. I can’t handle this…. I really can’t.
As I attempt to recover, the door bursts open. Carlos rushed in. "Thank God you’re awake. We have to leave." He said hurriedly
"What?" I asked, still groggy and disoriented.
"We need to go now." His voice was tight with urgency as he moved quickly to the closet.
"Why? What’s going on?"
"They’re here." He walked back into the room holding a bag.
My eyes widened. "How? I thought this place was protected?"
"Yes, but I guess they found a way in. We need to leave." He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door. "I’ve packed everything you’ll need. It’s going to be fine."
As we stepped into the hallway, a wave of noise crashed around us. Shouting. Crashes. Screams. People were fighting.
Carlos is right. They are here.
Carlos stopped at the top of the stairs. "Wait here," He said firmly.
"Where are you going?" I asked not wanting him to leave my side. Carlos is my only hope of survival, I can’t handle them alone
"I just need to check if it’s safe. I won’t go far, just wait a little." He said
I gave a small nod and watched as he quietly walked down the steps holding a gun in the direction he was heading.
I held my breath, heart pounding in my chest. Hoping that nothing will happen to him.
Pretty quickly, he returned, speaking in a low voice. "There are too many people downstairs. We’ll have to take the other way."
"Okay," I said quietly.
He took my hand again and led me down the hallway. I had never seen this part of the house before, but clearly Carlos has because he’s moving around as if he knows every part of it.
We came to a rusty staircase tucked behind an old storage door. Carlos paused, peering through a crack to make sure it was clear, then guided us down.
The metal creaked under our weight, but we made it to the ground floor. From there, we slipped outside where a car was waiting for us. Papa was there too
"We’re leaving now," Carlos told him.
"Good. Make sure you keep her safe." Papa said and walked over to me. A small smile tugged at his lips as he held out a book.
"Take this," He said. "It’s going to be a long trip. You might want something to read."
I took it from him. "Thank you."
Carlos opened the car door and helped me in. Papa got into the second car just behind us.
The drive started off smooth, but as we pulled away from the mansion, the scene outside became clearer.
Chaos.
One part of the building was in flames and the other part felt completely disrupted. I didn’t need to ask. I knew who was solely responsible.
The Menendez…. My family.
Carlos glanced at me, his hand gently resting on mine. He gave me a small, reassuring smile. "It’s going to be okay. You’re safe now."
I smiled back even though I wasn’t feeling it.
Everyone thinks what I care about most is being safe. But that’s not it. I can live with being unsafe. What I can’t live with is being the reason someone else gets hurt. And unfortunately, I already am.