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Don and I spent the night in deep conversation, the hours slipping away as we unpacked everything weighing on our minds. He recounted the events of his meeting, not skipping even the smallest detail.

As the conversation shifted, he shared the unsettling news about the email regarding my mom’s body. We found ourselves engulfed in a long discussion about her funeral, navigating through the logistics with a mix of sorrow and joy.

Today, we’re set to make the necessary arrangements for her cremation. I know it feels almost too fast, but with Don’s experience in the industry, we both agree that prolonging the process serves no purpose. It’s time to let her rest in peace.

This morning, I dedicate my first few hours to reading to my dad, his frail form nestles under a blanket as I struggle with the unsettling reality of his condition. Despite my fear, I know I can’t allow it to overshadow the precious moments we have together. When he drifts off, I quietly slip away to lend a hand to Don.

I find him in his office, the soft glow of a desk lamp illuminates the pile of papers around him. He’s on a phone call, his voice steady but emotional. Wearily I take a seat beside him, allowing my head to rest lightly on his shoulder, seeking comfort in his presence. The conversation comes into focus, as I pick up snippets of his sister wanting to meet him. Reluctantly I try my best to respect his privacy, though the curiosity tugs at me, especially since I can be nosy at times. I decide to wait patiently for him to share the details once he hangs up.

As soon as he hangs up, I look at him with eager anticipation. His eyes sparkle with emotion as he goes over the details of the call. Jeff has successfully located his sister and spoke with her just last night. The excitement in his voice is palpable, revealing how much he longs to reconnect. She plans to come here, along with her two bodyguards or boyfriends, Jeff couldn’t work out which. Either way, the three of them are on their way. I notice Don’s nerves bubbling beneath the surface, so I cuddle up to him for comfort. “Penny for your thoughts?” I mumble into his chest. He wraps me warmly in an embrace, directing me to straddle him.

“It’s just...it’s been so long since I last saw her. Fifteen years, to be exact. She was only five when I last saw her. I’ve spent my whole life fighting for her. What if…”

I cut him off. “No ‘what ifs.’ Let’s just agree to take everything as it comes, okay?”

I pull him into my chest, running my fingers through his hair, feeling his tension slowly dissipate. We stay cocooned in this moment, but I wish it could last forever. Reality comes crashing back, reminding me of the tasks still awaiting us today.

We rise from the comfort of his office, but part ways once outside. He heads to the back rooms to ensure everything is perfect for my mom’s arrival, and I venture to the front of the house. I want to see how the place is shaping up, to make sure it meets my mother’s expectations. When I step into the expansive room, I’m completely awestruck; it’s breathtaking. The floral arrangements are a feast for the eyes, and I’m certain she would be overjoyed. As I admire the intricate placements, warm tears unexpectedly spill down my cheeks. A lump tightens in my throat, making it hard to breathe.

Panic surges through me, and I flee outside to the garden. I take slow, deliberate breaths, inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth. I manage to take small, tentative steps among the towering sunflowers, hoping nature will soothe my racing heart. I pause midway through the garden, feeling calmer, and consider returning inside. But just as I turn, something suddenly envelops my head. A rush of panic grips me, and I instinctively claw at it, desperate for freedom. Someone seizes my arms, pinning them behind my back with an iron grip. I try to scream, but the pressure forces my head down into the dirt, suffocating me. Panic escalates as I struggle for breath, darkness closing in, until just when I think I’m going to pass out, my head is lifted, and whatever was covering me is yanked away. Gasping, I whirl around, searching frantically for my assailant, but I find nothing but emptiness. What just happened? I glare down at the ground for the item that had covered my head, but there’s nothing there. Seriously, what is going on? Fear binds me in place, my eyes scanning the surroundings, but I’m all alone.

I pull out my phone and text Don; there’s no point in calling him. I can’t wrap my mind around the words to make sense of what just happened. I stay rooted, waiting for his arrival, glancing nervously around me. Am I losing my grip on reality?

Moments later, Don bursts into the garden, his voice ringing out as he calls my name. Panic etches his features as he rushes toward me, lifting me off the ground and carrying me back to the house. I struggle to articulate everything that just transpired, but the words jumble in my mind, the shock overwhelming me. Holding me tightly, he takes me upstairs into his room.

Once inside, he gently places me on the bed and pulls out his phone, pacing back and forth as he speaks. I struggle to comprehend his words, the shock still ricocheting through me. When he finally hangs up, his face is ashen, the weight of his news pressing heavily on his shoulders. He sinks down beside me, running a hand over his face in disbelief. “Jack escaped.” A jolt of fear races through me. “Was that him in the garden?” My voice trembles, bracing for the answer.

“Most likely,” he replies, standing up and pulling me into the safety of his embrace. “We will find him, Sweetheart; I won’t let him hurt you.” I bury my face into his chest, sobbing as despair washes over me. Will this nightmare never end? Today was meant to be about my mom; a day for mourning and reflection. Instead, I find myself consumed with fear, constantly looking over my shoulder for a vengeful psychopath. My heart aches at the thought of him hurting anyone else I care about. I know he’s capable of anything. I just don’t understand it; he got his revenge. What more could he possibly want?