Chapter 6
Harlow
Ireallydidn’twant to go back to work but I needed the money. I lived in constant fear that work would fire me as soon as they had an excuse they could classify as lawful. Lucky for me ‘hatred’ wasn’t a legitimate excuse, but taking too many days off was.
Lisa sneered at me as I walked past her desk, and my hand twitched as I fought back the urge to flip her off. I knew people like her – she would go running to Mr Reynolds, my boss, the first chance she got. The middle aged man didn’t like me as it was, so I flew under the radar as best as possible.
My chair creaked as I sat down, my index finger trembling as I started up the computer. I looked around wearily, the room bustling with my fellow colleagues. My jacket was nowhere in sight and I tried my hardest not to ponder that thought.
I glanced around at the various offices and doorways, trying to figure out how he got in. It didn’t make sense but I brushed that thought aside with a deep breath and reached for my paperwork.
There were two piles again and I flicked my fingers along the edge to separate them. My name was on both and I realized that one was from yesterday. No one had bothered to help out and take my work when I was off sick. Not surprising. But the thought panicked me as I needed to get it all done today and I was desperate to make sure I wasn’t left alone again.
I immediately got to work, entering data and figures, trying to work fast.
It was going to be a long day. Who needed coffee when you were fueled by fear?
6 months earlier
Stepping over the broken glass I rushed past the swarm of people, heading in the direction of the scream.
The garden was a bit of a maze, hundreds of flowers of different types, shapes, colors and sizes surrounded you wherever you went. The pathway echoed under my heels as I rushed forward.
I didn’t know what was forcing me to investigate but a tugging feeling was sitting in my stomach, making me feel uneasy.
As I turned a corner, I nearly ran into Charles Maxwell. His shirt was untucked partially and he swayed, his glass of bourbon dangerously close to spilling. I moved around him and as I reached further along the path, my body tensed up with suspicion. Immediately I felt on edge, like I knew whatever I was about to find would be bad. It was like the air had been sucked out of the garden, and despite the noise of the other guests slowly making their way up behind me as well, I could have heard a pin drop.
Slowly, I moved around the edge of a rose bush, my feet only making the slightest sound. This was bad. I could tell. I could feel it in my bones.
My black dress hung loosely around me as I peered around a corner. Dark heels drew my attention as I spotted a body on the ground.
Rushing forward, I yelled out to the not-too-far away party guests that we needed an ambulance. As I approached the person laying on the ground, my body turned to ice.
Empty green eyes stared past me, not blinking or moving. Her hair was sprawled out around her in a messy heap, a puddle of blood soaking into the strands.
Panicked screams from guests sounded out behind me as the crowd reached us. Several people grabbed me pulling me back as a few familiar faces rushed to the victim on the ground. I could make out voices but it felt like I was having an out of body experience, the numbness spreading through me.
“There’s no pulse.”
“Too much blood.”
“She’s dead. There’s nothing we can do.”
I stared hard at her face, my eyes noticing a lingering tear on her cheek. Her mascara was stained down her face from the wetness but the contrast of empty, dead eyes would haunt me forever.
It was my mom.