Homecoming ((Harmony))

[Ariane Chan]

Ariane’s face was, even now, expressionless, as she sat inertly in the silent carriage, refraining from falling asleep by the gently rocking of the moving train. Its movements had already lulled a tired Harmony to sleep, and her head was leaning gently against the pane of glass which gave the siblings a beautiful view of lush green fields upon fields. Ariane gazed at her sleeping sister opposite her with worn out eyes, filled with regret and apology. It had been less than half an hour that they had boarded the train to return to London, where Aurora’s mother, Jenny, would meet them. Perhaps her husband would be there too. Ariane didn’t feel like facing her uncle and aunt. She was very grateful for what they had done for them so far, but… she had no desire to talk to them about this. Ariane had barely opened up to Aurora and Harmony, and having to face them would be even more difficult. They’d probably inspect her like a piece of specimen, making sure she was alright, and Ariane would have to drag out a friendly persona to keep them happy. She didn’t know if she had the strength to do that, because even in daily life it was difficult, but she had to, otherwise questions would be asked, and Ariane was adamant she would keep her thoughts to herself.

Folding her arms slowly across her chest, Ariane fought to stay awake as her drooping eyelids threatened to close every few seconds. She had barely gained enough sleep over the last two nights, almost earning herself a detention from a prefect the other night when she had wandered down to the Common Room. Ariane was a normal human being like everyone else, and she desperately needed to give her uptight body a good long rest, but she was refusing to do so. Common sense made no sense in Ariane’s whirring mind. Like Harmony, she let her head fall against the pane of glass, her falling long hair obscuring her plain view of the green scenery. She wasn’t in the mood for such beauty anyway, because everything in the world had turned so horrible and ugly for Ariane. Her gaze ran over Harmony’s peaceful face again. The two sisters had barely spoken to each other since that fateful morning; the last thing Ariane had spoken to the second year Hufflepuff was, “Ready?” earlier today when they were boarding the train.

”Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Finally allowing her eyes to close ever so slowly, Ariane felt darkness catch up to her in her dreams as she fell into oblivion, almost embracing the feeling of emptiness like she was greeting her own mother. The window felt so wonderfully cool to her skin, the icy touch running through her body as Ariane’s frown never disappeared in her sleep…

”I’ll see you soon.” Aurora looked at her best friend with sad eyes, her hands in Ariane’s as they watched each other with unsaid emotions.

“Yeah.” Ariane merely nodded; she couldn’t find it in herself to smile properly. In fact, she felt like crying. She had been feeling like that since two days ago, in all honesty. Aurora stared for a moment longer at Ariane, until the Gryffindor whispered, “c’mere”, before pulling Aurora into a tight embrace, knowing how lonely she would be without her best friend, but not admitting it aloud. Pulling apart after what seemed to be eternity, Ariane hesitantly let go of Aurora’s hands, severing that last connection for now as she stepped back. “Bye.”

Aurora’s smile was tight, anxious. “Bye.”

Suddenly a familiar voice echoed loudly from behind Ariane, and she spun around to see Aurora’s mother and father. They weren’t looking at her though, and Ariane found she was no longer in Hogwarts, but standing in Aurora’s home’s kitchen, her uncle and aunt sitting solemnly at the dining table. “Uncle George? Aunt Jenny?” Ariane asked uncertainly, confused and bewildered by her location. When had she gotten here? Wasn’t Aurora with her just then? Ariane spun around on the spot frantically, fear clear in her eyes as she discovered she her cousin was not by her side.

“They say they still don’t know if it was definitely him, George.” Jenny was speaking quietly, a sad glaze in her eyes. A mobile phone lay on the table, having only been used. “But it’s definitely an oriental man in his early forties. I’m sorry, but you have to admit… It sure sounds like him…” Her hands were tucked under her husband’s across the table, and a few full luggage bags were sitting by their feet, as if they were ready to go on a short journey.

“I… still don’t know what to say.” George was shaking his head in disbelief, surprise and anxiety written clearly across his aging face, “I was so certain Henry didn’t do it. It just doesn’t seem like him.”

“People change.” Jenny murmured unhappily, “Perhaps something just clicked in him when Lorraine left with the kids.”

“Well,” George ran a hand through his hair, his visage weary and tired, as if he hadn’t slept much. “Let’s go. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

Suddenly, a child’s voice broke through the sombreness of the situation, and a boy about ten to eleven years old walked calmly into the kitchen, a serious, but sad expression on his face. Ariane recognised him as Leo, Aurora’s little brother. He’d probably be attending Hogwarts next year, and Ariane knew Aurora could barely wait. “Grandma and Grandpa said to tell you that it’s time for you to go now.” The little Chinese boy spoke quietly. He was dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a white t-shirt, hands stuffed into his pockets awkwardly.

“Okay, okay, we’re coming.” Jenny tried to smile through her tiredness and grief. Throwing her long hair up into a low ponytail, she grabbed some of the bags whilst her husband took care of the rest. Reaching out a free hand to grab Leo, Jenny smiled reassuringly at her youngest child as they walked into the living room area, Ariane following them suit with sad, sad eyes, tracing this perfect family’s every step. The living room was a bright area, and two elderly people were seated on a comfortable beige sofa in the centre of the room. They appeared to be in their sixties, but still looked quite agile and alive. Ariane guessed they were Jenny’s parents, who according to Aurora, lived down the road to the family, and had often cared for their grandchildren when their parents had been busy. Ariane and Harmony had never had that sort of a family. It had been them and their precious mum.

“You’re going to be late.” Jenny’s mother stated slowly, a small supportive smile on her face.

“Don’t worry, mum, George and I know what we’re doing. The police are expecting us at 2, and it’s only half 1 right now.” Jenny managed to give an amused grin before leaning down to kiss her mother on the cheek. Ariane would never see her mum in her old age. Whilst Jenny copied the action for her father, George following his wife’s actions, Leo was setting up the fireplace diligently. The only son of the family was a lot more quiet and serious than Aurora. Like Ariane and Harmony, brother and sister were exact opposites, despite their closeness.

“Fireplace is ready, mum, dad.” Leo spoke up finally as his parents had finished their goodbyes.

“Good boy.” Jenny released her baggage momentarily as she gave her son a tight hug, whispering in his ear softly, “Be good for grandma and grandpa now. We’ll see you soon.” Bending up and grabbing her belongings again, Jenny proceeded to give Leo a motherly kiss on the cheek with a sad smile, “Love you.”

Ariane felt tears sting her eyes. She didn’t know why she couldn’t stop them from welling up, couldn’t stop the rising sense of loneliness and misery. She was so envious of Aurora for the perfect family she seemed to have on the surface, so jealous that she had parents that were alive and ever so loving. But it pained her to the core rather than causing more resentment, because Ariane knew it wasn’t Aurora’s fault. This was what Ariane had always wanted, and she could never have it, and that was why it hurt more than anything. Leaning down against the wall, Ariane slid to her feet as she covered her eyes with her hands, the tears flowing freely down her cheeks, her shoulders heaving with the efforts of such laboured weeping. All sounds seemed to fade from her ears, leaving long deathly silence. Finally reopening her eyes and looking around in fatigue and fear, Ariane could see and hear nothing. The area surrounding her was plain darkness, no light, nobody. Stifling another rising sob, Aurora called out in hope that somebody would find her lost soul, “Hello?”

Suddenly, she could hear footsteps. Quiet at first, but they gradually increased in volume. Ariane looked outwards in hope of catching a glimpse of who it was. Finally, a figure emerged before her, the only thing visible in the darkness. Thankful, Ariane let her eyes travel upwards from the person’s feet, but as her gaze moved to their face, her blood began to run cold with absolute fear. This person seemed familiar. Very familiar. Actually, all too familiar. Eyes widening in terror, Ariane stumbled to her feet clumsily as she gasped out loud with recognition, her petrified eyes freezing on the man’s ghostly face, “Dad!”

“You’re next, Ariane.” The dark figure warned in a deep, threatening tone dripping with malice and spite as he took a couple of slow steps forward, “You and your stupid, useless sister Harmony will be next!”

“No!” Ariane cried out as her back touched the invisible wall behind her, preventing any escape. The tears had returned now, running endlessly down her frightened tear-streaked face, “No, I won’t let you! Take me, but you’ll never take Harmony! Just leave us alone! How could you kill mum? How could you?” Ariane was turning hysterical with fear as she cried to herself, struggling not to scream in terror as the figure advanced slowly but steadily on her panicking self. “We loved you, dad, we loved you! And what do you do? Go and make our lives hell and kill mum? Didn’t you love her? Didn’t you love me?!” Screaming in pain and agony, Ariane dropped to the floor once again, shielding her father from herself as she covered her arms over her head in a desperate bid to get rid of him from her life.

All Ariane knew next as the world went white and the darkness was chased away was that yes, she still loved the man she still called dad. But Ariane didn’t want to. Hatred. It was a good escape. A numbing escape. Snapping her terrified eyes open, Ariane couldn’t stop the ringing in the ears, and as the world refocused in her mind, she realised the noise was the sound of the train arriving at its destination. The first thing she saw properly was Harmony’s face, stirring as she awoke from the blaring noises.

Ariane finally registered something clearly in her head. They had come home.

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony’s eyes blinked open after a few moments of registering that the loud disturbing noises that had awoken her weren’t her alarm clock, but the sound of the train arriving in London; it wasn’t the early hours of the morning either, as instead of the usual dim rays of sunrise, bright piercing light danced on her face, shining through the open window that now showed a view of a bustling platform filled with mingling people rather than the fresh green countryside that Harmony had laid eyes on at the start of the journey. Groggily, Harmony shook her tired body to life and pressed her eyelids together to prevent the stunning light from hurting her unfocused eyes. Her short sleep had been revitalising, despite being fitful and filled with clouds of black nothingness. Turning her head, she reopened them fully to see Ari smiling nervously at her. Attempting to return the small but significant gesture, Harmony got to her feet steadily, mirroring Ari’s moves as her older sister began to grab their light luggage. Slinging a backpack quickly over her shoulder as Ari hoisted Atalanta’s cage up into her arms, the two siblings made their way in companionable silence off the gradually emptying train.

Harmony’s mind, fatigued as it was, was filled with spinning doubts and anxieties; all she could process properly was that they had yet to reach the place they had known for the last few years as home, Harmony was already frightened out of her mind. A huge part of her wanted to turn in the opposite direction and run away as fast as possible as she and Ari stepped gingerly off the train and onto solid ground yet again. For once, returning to dry land didn’t seem so relieving and reassuring to Harmony. It was as if she was stepping out into the unknown rather than a warm welcome home, and the events ahead didn’t seem promising. Breathing in deeply to stabilise her rushing thoughts and wild fear, Harmony focused solely on following Ari as her sister pushed through people carefully but swiftly. Harmony wondered how she knew where she was going; the station was surprisingly rather crowded for this time of year, and Harmony could barely make out anyone over the top of people’s heads, especially considering her height. Gripping her bag tighter, Harmony continued to follow Ari silently, taking in all the foreign sounds and faces in with a tired expression. In different circumstances she would have been excited, but right now she felt the exact opposite. Dread mingled with fear in her heart.

As Harmony pressed through the dense crowds, her eyes fixed on Atalanta now, who, despite the sudden chance into such a noisy environment, was still sleeping soundly with a black wing tucked over her head to prevent daylight from disturbing her. Harmony felt a pang of regret and sadness, remembering that she had left Dori at Hogwarts for Aurora to take care of, as it would not have been practical to bring her along. The only reason Ata was here was so they could easily keep in contact with Aurora if need be. Harmony suddenly realised how much she missed her bundle of black fur with her white tip for a tail and innocent green eyes. Dori was a comforting presence.

Swallowing the rising lump in her dry throat along with threatening tears, Harmony was very relieved when they re-emerged from the masses of people to a more secluded area. She had begun to feel small and claustrophobic amidst the crowds, the trapped sensation being the first time Harmony had ever experienced. Breathing in a deep breath of fresh air again, her eyes then landed on two familiar figures standing by a vending machine, small welcoming smiles on their faces. Harmony felt her face lift a little at the sight of her uncle and aunt, and greeted them as cheerfully as she could upon approach. “Hi Uncle George, Aunt Jenny.” Her outward happiness was not a complete lie, because it was true that Harmony was fond of Aurora’s family. Perhaps she harboured some envy towards her older cousin, but overall Harmony barely felt the little pangs of sadness, as they were being overridden by the simple joy of getting to know the caring relatives that she’d known. Harmony had survived her traumatic childhood with the uncles, aunts and cousins from her father’s side, however much she hated it, so meeting Aurora’s family had been much of a revelation at the time. It was wonderful to feel part of something instead of being neglected and ignored constantly.

Receiving a tight hug from Jenny, Harmony watched as George relieved Ari of one of her bags. Greetings were exchanged hastily, and once Jenny had taken Atalanta’s cage, the foursome set off exiting the station. “We’ll talk in the car.” Jenny smiled reassuringly at the girls as they walked at a brisk pace. Harmony realised absentmindedly that they probably looked like the perfect happy family to outsiders. Blinking furiously and inching a smile onto her lips, Harmony pretended nothing was wrong when her aunt glanced over anxiously at her. “Are you okay, Harmony?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, of course. I’m fine.” Harmony could feel Ari’s intense stare on her stiff back as she walked alongside Jenny with as much a happy face as she could possibly muster. She tried not to think of her sister’s expression. Harmony didn’t want her aunt or anyone else, especially Ari, to worry; Jenny and George were probably anxious and stressed enough with organising everything. Adulthood had never appealed to Harmony as it did other children of her age. Responsibility was a word she rarely shouldered, due to her fear of failure. Even the guilt of knowing she was causing more trouble would just pile onto Harmony’s back and overthrow her with its immense weight. Casting her look to the floor again and avoiding her aunt’s worried gaze, Harmony entertained herself by watching her every step, every inch of the floor she passed. Each centimetre was bringing her ever closer to her future.

[Ariane Chan]

Finally, after what seemed to be an eternal silence and an age of a walk, George unlocked their blood red Peugeot and beckoned Harmony and Ariane to fling their possessions in the boot. Shutting it with a defining click, the foursome climbed hastily into the car, as if they were running away from invisible ghosts, and George, who was in the driver’s seat, locked the door the moment the last was shut. The inside of the car was warmer than the outside air, and Ariane watched as Harmony shuffled her hands together gratefully. Ariane on the other hand could barely feel the encompassing heat; not only her hands, but her entire body felt numb. Whether this was due to shock or cold, Ariane couldn’t tell. She and Harmony occupied two of the three back seats, Atalanta’s cage placed in the middle to alleviate the distant gulf between them. Silence was quickly eradicated as George switched on the humming car engine and pulled away expertly from his parking slot. Finally he spoke up, breaking the awkward, nerving atmosphere trapped in the safety of the car. “It’ll take about half an hour to get to the hotel. We’ll drop your stuff off and show you around your room, before heading hom--” He halted there, as Jenny gave him a warning glance, before resuming conversation as thought nothing had happened, “Before heading to the house.” Ariane noted her uncle’s grim voice, containing under layers of sadness, but didn’t respond; what was she to say to that?

The car journey seemed to take forever; much longer than the supposed half an hour. Ariane took in everything Jenny droned on about in her left ear, but her eyes focused on staring impassively out of the window. She recognised the area they were in, knew exactly where they were going. Although London had never suited Ariane (too noisy, too busy, too populated), it was still home. But maybe this would be the last time they would be returning home. This home, anyway. Ariane tilted her head towards the glass window of the car, letting her passive gaze pass over familiar buildings. After this journey, Manchester may very well be her new home. That was where Aurora’s family lived, after all, and Ariane did not doubt that George and Jenny would not take them in as their own. Ariane knew that Manchester was a great deal quieter than London, which was good news for her, but at the same time she was apprehensive about going anywhere else. London had been all she knew since moving to England, and Ariane liked the feeling of security her home… or what was once her home, exuded. This place contained memories, precious memories. Now it was stained with blood. Although returning would only cause pain, Ariane did not want to let go either. It was the last thing that tied her to her mother. Ariane did not want to say goodbye.

Reaching the thought of her mother again, Ariane blinked rapidly for a few moments until she no longer felt the need to cry. This happened regularly, and she was used to it, but the frequency of it got on Ariane’s nerves. She rarely ever cried, always being in control of her feelings, and being so emotional unnerved and annoyed her. Weakness was not something she wanted to have right now. Ariane had to be strong for her mother, strong for Harmony. No tears would these eyes. Not yet. Maybe some people would have said she was unfeeling, insensitive. How could you possibly not shed even a tear if your mother had died? But just because you didn’t cry, didn’t mean you didn’t hurt. And Ariane was hurting very much.

[Harmony Chan H6]

Back in the car again. Harmony was already missing the presence of Ata’s cage from beside her, joining her and Ari together. Now it seemed they were so far away from each other, Ari existing in a place where Harmony simply couldn’t reach. Her eyes flickered nervously to her older sister, who, like before, had her forehead pressed against the window pane, blank eyes staring at the outside world. Up front, Uncle George was driving again, aunt Jenny in the passenger seat. All was silent. All was still.

Harmony and Ari had already dropped off their stuff in the hotel, along with Atalanta. Ari had let out the caged owl to roam freely before they had left their large, spacious room they were to share for the next few days. Ari had barely even glanced at their accommodation before exiting again, as if desperate to return home. Return to their mother. Their dead mother. Harmony had, of course, followed suit, in worry, in confusion. She felt she was suffocating under… under what? Grief? She just didn’t know what to do, who to turn to. If Ari couldn’t be there for her, who could?

“We’re here.” Jenny’s nervous voice broke Harmony’s reverie, before realising that the semi-detached house her and Ari live… or lived in… was right before her eyes. How long had that car journey been? It had felt like two seconds, but it was meant to be at least half an hour. Staring up at the house in fright, Harmony closed her eyes momentarily, emotions washing over her pumping heart and racing blood. There was the same white front door, the same blue floral curtains in the front living room. Harmony felt her breathing hitch, increase along with the tears that threatened to spill already. ”Damnit, Harmony get yourself together! No crying. Not now.” Calming herself, steadying her shaking hands, Harmony sent one more scared glance at Ari, who was also staring past her head, at the looming house. Finally, their eyes locked, brown against brown, identically dark and moist. Harmony could feel it, see the fear in Ari’s eyes, all her emotions spilling over the edges in a messy heap. And this frightened Harmony so much, her strong, in control sister, her guardian and protector, crashing before her. But one blink and it was all gone, their connection severed as Ari turned away.

“Harmony.” Harmony sought, struggled, for control, for stability, as Aunt Jenny called her name softly from outside. Finally, she managed to climb numbly out of the car, all the time her gaze fixed on her home. Nervously, her shaking hands flew to her short locks of hair, stringing it subconsciously round her thin, slender fingers, hugging the coat around her tighter, to conserve her leaking warmth. It was like she herself dying, sucking her dry of her youth and vigour. Well, that was really what it was, at the end of the day, Harmony certainly felt like her mother’s death had killed half of her, if not all of her.

“Let’s go.” Harmony was startled out of her trembling by the sudden announcement by Ari, who seemed to have found her voice again after an hour or so of set silence. Glancing up at her older sister, Harmony tried to make eye contact again, but her attempts were in vain. A yet again silent Ari followed Jenny and George into the house, as if she was ready to see the scenes, witness the truth, accept the pain. Steeling herself with an aching expression, holding both hands to her mouth, Harmony hesitantly, fearfully, followed through past the threshold of her home, her arm closing that very same white front door.

”I’m not ready. I’m not ready.”

[Ariane Chan]

Sick. That was how Ariane felt like now. Completely and utterly sick. She could sense that Harmony felt the same way too. But Ariane fought to keep all her emotions down, bottled them up in a cage and buried the thoughts in the back of her mind. ”Weak. Weak.” The whispers followed her every move as she stepped out of the car; Ariane tried to ignore the silent hissing in the drumming of her ears as she stared up at her home. What to do now? What was to be her next move? Aunt Jenny and Uncle George’s movement towards the front door pulled Ariane away from freezing herself up, and with a tight, taut voice, she ordered Harmony to keep up. Her little sister, like her, seemed to have the same reaction at the sight of the familiar house. Lips shutting up tightly again, Ariane moved with rare stiffness towards the door, struggling to keep everything down. She was barely aware that Harmony was hesitating behind her. She was leaving her behind.

But there was the familiar tapping of footsteps behind her again. Ariane didn’t breathe easy. Past the white front door. Through the threshold of the porch. Feet against ageing red carpet. Soft. Light. Ariane’s eyes scanned the comfy sitting room, which had been stripped of all comfiness now. White sheets were lined everywhere, for what reason, Ariane did not know or care. Even the TV in the corner had been draped with cloth, blocked from sight. It was like the house had died and this was the funeral, the time to lock it away and forget it. Ariane’s eyes blurred. Refocused. Hands skimmed gently over an inch of navy sofa exposed, a chip in the white blanket of snow. They moved on, no time for memories, for grief. They neglected the kitchen, and moved upstairs, but Ariane could see the familiar worktop and the dining table, remembered previous Christmas evenings.

Sick.

Stairs. Fuzzy, hazy stairs. One step at a time, the plodding echoing in the sensitive ears of Ariane. But somehow the rhythm of the fall of multiple footsteps were dull in her mind, barely heard. Up and up they went. Ariane heard in the distance Aunt Jenny saying that “they” were in their bedrooms. They? Her mother? Nevertheless, they continued walking automatically. Ariane heard Harmony’s quickened breathing behind her. Felt her own hitch in sync. They went past one closed door, one which Ariane knew she knew well. The bedroom she and Harmony shared. Part of her felt like extending a hand out and opening it, entering her memories. But she didn’t.

Stop. In front of the threshold of her mother’s bedroom. The door was open. Ariane was aware of the masses of forensic scientists milling around, and felt her throat tighten uncontrollably. A trembling hand clenched into a stabilised fist. “Ariane? Harmony? Are you ready?” Jenny’s strong, supportive voice. Ariane felt herself nod in response. And in they went, to meet death and misery head on.

[Harmony Chan H6]

A seven-year-old Harmony was sitting on the bed, their mother next to her, leaning against the wall. A book was in Lorraine’s hands, and she was reading aloud quietly to her younger daughter, whose head was tilted on her mother’s shoulder, her passive eyes staring at the pages of the book. Suddenly, a much younger Ariane, about the age of nine, with shorter hair but the same cold, calm face, entered the bedroom almost timidly. Looking up, Lorraine smiled brightly and beckoned her older daughter to the bed. Obediently, Ariane sat down on the other side of her mother, preferring not to snuggle up close, but silently stick by Lorraine’s right arm.

“Mummy, are we really not going to go back to America again?” Little Harmony suddenly piped up with wide eyes, filled with slight fear.

“No, we’re not going back there again, are we, Mum?” Ariane spoke tensely before Lorraine could, a passionate fire ignited within her dark eyes. Her usual blank face was contorted into determination and resolution, and a hand was clenched into a fist. “Never again.”

“No.” Lorraine agreed softly, using a hand to smooth down Harmony’s short hair with a gentle smile. “Never again. Do you like it here, Harmony?”

“Yeah.” Harmony grinned cheerfully, head back on her mother’s shoulder again, and mumbling into cotton material. “Yeah, I do.”

“Ari?” Lorraine turned to her older daughter questioningly.

“It’s noisy.” Ariane half grumbled, muttering under her breath. “But it’ll do.”

“We don’t have to see Da—“ Harmony suddenly stopped, and looked away worriedly once seeing the expressions brought onto both her mother and Ari’s faces. “I mean…” She tried not to stutter. “We don’t have to see him again too… right?”

Ariane remained characteristically silent this time, cold eyes glaring at the duvet spread over her legs. Instead, Lorraine gave a steady reply, sureness reflected in her eyes. “No, Harmony. Never again.”

What met Harmony’s eyes caused her almost to faint. Blood; it was everywhere. On the ceiling and on the walls, splashed in careless drops similar to rain, dark with time. Maroon colour draped across the fluffy beige carpet, spread across the bed under where Lorraine lay; white, cold, dead. Something rose in Harmony’s throat, her wide eyes starting to fill uncontrollably with tears. “No.” She could see exactly what had killed her mother. Her still body was cut up, had been obviously bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds. They were everywhere; in her chest, neck, arms. Harmony barely noticed Jenny asking her worriedly if she was okay, couldn’t comprehend why so many white-clad people were scurrying around not only Lorraine’s body, but something else behind the bed. “No.”

Harmony felt the need to scream at the crowds of people pushing in on her and her mother. The claustrophobic feeling surrounded her everywhere, causing her head to rush with dizziness. So many people around Lorraine, staring at her, pointing at her, examining her. She wasn’t some sort of doll or model they could look at, not just an object they could cut open. This wasn’t a game! ”Get away from her!” Words choked on Harmony’s tight throat, found breathing more difficult than before. Although her vision blurred from tears, her hearing only filled with buzzing noises she couldn’t understand, her sense of smell jumped in to fill Harmony will even more horror. Blood. The scent of blood. Everywhere.

“I… I can’t see.” Harmony began to stutter to nobody in particular. She looked around frantically, eyes wild with fear and shock. “No… I can’t see, I can’t hear, I can’t smell, I can’t feel… I can’t!” Her last words were wrenched from her in an agonised cry, high pitched and strained. With that, Harmony bolted from the room, without acknowledging surprised calls coming after her. They only spurred her on, the feeling like she was being chased, being hunted down by some predator, spurring on the adrenaline. Her father was the enemy, the killer, and she, Harmony, was his next piece of prey. Perhaps she too would be killed, like Lorraine. ”No!” Harmony ran past several more incoming professionals, flew down the stairs and burst out into the open sky, leaving the house behind her without a second glance. She darted down the road, not caring that she had no idea where she was going. She just had to get away from everyone, from her mother, from everything.

Houses flew past her eyesight. Harmony continued running despite her body sending signals to her brain that she couldn’t keep on going like this. But she couldn’t stop. She had to be somewhere else. Anywhere but home.

[Ariane Chan]

Ariane stared. That was all she did. Stared. Her expression was unreadable as her eyes locked with the still body strewn across the bloodstained bed. That familiar black hair, warm hands gone cold; Ariane longed to touch them again, shake her mother and tell her to stop playing games, it was time to wake up. But it just wasn’t true, and she knew it. Lorraine had gone. Forever. And she wasn’t planning on coming back again any time soon. Ariane almost took a step forward, feeling the need to touch her mother anyway. One last time. Even if it was a goodbye Ariane wasn’t prepared to say yet, wasn’t ready to say yet. Grief consumed her insides like wild fire eating her up, a disease spreading so fast it was unstoppable. Though her eyes were devoid of tears, Ariane’s hands were curled up tightly into unforgiving fists. She could accept, now, that Lorraine was gone for good. She could see for herself.

The stab wounds only reminded of Ariane who exactly had committed this crime. Him. Her father. Her despicable, evil, loathsome father. The sight of the blood, the display of multiple violent injuries, caused Ariane to also stir with flames of anger, and her eyes burned with not sadness, but rage. How could he? How could he come here and ruin their lives one last time?! Suddenly, all the anger suppressed by the sorrow came flooding back, and Ariane couldn’t stop it. That man knew exactly how to destroy every shred of happiness created. Just because he could never be happy, he had to take everyone else down with him. Ariane cursed him over and over again in her head, her wrath mixed in with thoughts of wanting to kill him herself. Ariane was actually sure if he had not already committed suicide, she would’ve vowed to hunt the man down and murder him herself, with her own bare hands. Screw the law, she didn’t care. Not when this man had taken everything precious in her life away from her.

But Ariane knew he was dead already. Lying on the other side of the bed, on the floor, where more scientists were dotted, examining his body, presumably. Ariane didn’t envy their job. At the same time, she wished they would leave her mother alone. She should be able to rest in peace. Ariane had no intention of walking over and having a good look at her father for herself. He could rot in hell. He deserved to die. He deserved it, that… Ariane swore several times in her head, pretending she had a bat in her imaginary hands and was hitting her father over and over again, until he turned away, until he left her alone. She was stronger than him. But somehow, Ariane knew without a doubt her father would come visit her again. He would never leave her alone, not for the rest of her life. He’d be in her dreams. And he would, with his presence, turn all her dreams into nightmares.

“Harmony!”

Suddenly, Jenny’s cry caused Ariane’s head to snap up to see what was going on. Where Harmony had been standing, there was now an empty spot. She was gone. Paling even more, Ariane instinctively gave one last glance at her mother, before pushing out of the room forcefully, ignoring Jenny and George’s frantic calls. Although Lorraine was dead, Ariane still had a job to do. Harmony was her responsibility, and because of her emotions, she had let herself forget about her little sister. How was Harmony feeling right now? Ariane didn’t even want to know; she was probably in more turmoil than ever. She squeezed past several people trouping into her house as if it were their home and they were very welcome to come in without an invitation. But Ariane ignored them, desperate on finding her runaway sister. Finally managing to dash outside with impatience, Ariane glanced frenetically around the quiet area, hair flying with her rapid movements. Where had Harmony gone? How could she run away so quickly? There was no sight of her petite figure, no splash of short black hair and wide sorrowful eyes. Ariane had lost her.

”Harmony, where are you?”