This is a story that started with the kindness of one's heart
that led to the tragedy that struck suddenly, as harshly as lightning
that couldn't be accepted,
but you can't change what's set in stone-
even if the stone is destroyed or withered away.
Or else the realization
will hurt harder
when you stay in denial for so long.
⇝I update when I feel like itꐕ
that led to the tragedy that struck suddenly, as harshly as lightning
that couldn't be accepted,
but you can't change what's set in stone-
even if the stone is destroyed or withered away.
Or else the realization
will hurt harder
when you stay in denial for so long.
⇝I update when I feel like itꐕ
Chapter one: Bottle up all of my feelings and who I am
Germany, May 14,2000-
The window over the kitchen sink was wide open, letting a little sunlight in after a cold breeze. A tall, scruffy, pale woman with long, curly, chestnut brown hair stood in front of the sink, glancing at the clock every minute as she washed the dishes. There were only a couple of dishes left to wash, so she took her time when washing them, gently scrubbing them to ensure any grime would be cleaned off, then pat dry them and placing them in the cabinets where they belong.
Her hands and fingertips were wrinkled from washing dishes for so long- a gentle breeze flows into the kitchen,
The young woman, Mai, was only 22 years of age. She has her own home where she takes care of her 12-year-old little brother, Adam. He wasn't related to Mai, not at all. Adam was conceived by a friend Mai had- who was mortified to be pregnant at 14 years old, so mai told her friend that she would say that the child was hers- So at 12 years old, Mai was and she was soon disowned by her family to prevent any 'scandals' to their name. Mai was from a rich family and a child prodigy so she quickly found a way to get on her feet and provide a stable home for adam.
Though, Mai was in a good mood-
Today was her birthday!
Mai was excited to see adam. She knew that Adam wanted to give her something special and had been thinking and working weeks prior to get something nice. Mai looked at the clock again, snapping herself out of her thoughts. It was half an hour past school's dismissal, and Adam still had not arrived. The school was just around the corner from her house, but where was Adam? Naturally, Mai was worried. She trusted that Adam was a responsible boy, and since he often walked around the area, it was unlikely that he would get lost. So, Mai's worries were blown away, and replaced by the thought Adam was just trying to get the best gift he could.
Mai knew she shouldn't worry, so she decided to go watch television. It's not like she had anything else to do since she gets all of the work around the house done while Adam is at school.
So Mai waited around the house.
One minute.
five minutes.
Then 10 minutes.
And then 30 minutes.
An hour.
then another
Flowing into many more
The sun had fallen from the sky, its blinding light being replaced by the moon which flooded through every window with its dim, serene glare. It was 9 p.m
Mai glanced at the clock and was terrified at how late it was- but more so at the fact she was alone.
Adam wasn't there
Mai scurried off the sofa where she lay, her heart beating loud into her ears as if her heart was about to explode. She dashed to the door, her hands shaking, fumbling with the door locks, and hurling the door open. Her blood runs cold, as sweat trickles down her face as she breathes heavily- stopping at what lay before her.
a box
Mai handles the box carefully, picking it up and carrying it inside to the coffee table which lay before the sofa. She stays silent, while see examines the box- The box was wrapped in a thick tannish brown paper that was held together by thin strings with a tag labeled ''To Mai, Love Adam'' Mai's heart sinking even more
where was Adam
where was he
why isn't he here
Mai hesitantly unties the string as the box falls apart-- bubble wrap protecting whatever was in the box. Mai rummages through the bubble wrap to see..
‘a jar..?’
A green-tinted jar, filled with liquid, and after looking closer, Mai let out a gasp- ''No, no, no, no, no!'' Mai cried, her eyes watering, and her mouth opened- though no sound escaped her lips. Her body trembled as she saw the contents of the jar. Nerves connected to a small brain and dark bluish gray eyes, perfectly preserved. The eyes were unmistakably Adam's eyes - Mai knew that Adam was dead. Mai's hands trembled and shook uncontrollably - the jar slipped from her sweaty palms, plummeting onto the floor and rolling on the floor, stopping when it hit the incised lines on the sofa.
She was in shock, she couldn't process what she had seen. Adam was the only thing she had left - now his brain was before her in a jar. Mai sank to the floor- biting her quivering lower lip to the point it bled, tears daring to fall from her eyes, but they remained clouding her vision. Her breath was unsteady, and her chest ached - she couldn't... She turned to the jar, her body still shaking -grabbing the jar and holding it tightly to her chest, closing her eyes tightly.
+ Show Spoiler +
Just to clarify, by law Mai is technically Adam's mother though they refer to one another as siblings due to their 10-year age gap and Mai is seen more as a big sister to Adam than his mother.