Contract

Allison nearly doubled over in pain as she tightly grasped her stomach. Ferocious cramps completely crippled Allison, and they didn't seem to stop. Desperate for some form of relief, Allison sought out every solution; Ignoring it, working through it, using it to fuel strength; But nothing seemed to work; For a moment, Allison focused on the pain, honing in on every sensation.

Where it came from, how badly it hurt, and how badly Allison wanted it to stop.

Allison grunted, determined to block out the pain and ignore the mental voices begging Allison to stop.

But after a few more moments of pure focus Allison managed to block out the pain enough to make it nothing more than a minor annoyance.

It'll last a while, but they'll manage.

Allison had contractions.

Her husband came & tended to her, asking, "Are you in labor?" Slowly, her contractions died down, another false alarm.

Allison laughed, saying, "Just another false alarm, Brock."

Brock smiles & says, "Got to be more careful."

Allison looks at her mom, not even knowing it was her mom, saying, "So, who are you? This is my husband, Brock." She said, pointing to her husband.

Brock told her mother, "I think you need to leave."

Allison says, "No, he's so rude." Then she turns to her mother without even knowing it, & says, "I'm sorry."

Brock is perplexed about how she still can't recognize her mom.

Brock asks, "Wouldn't you know if she abused you?"

Allison was confused; she looked at him & asks, "Excuse me?"

Allison's mother seems different now. Age has affected her.

Allison asks, "Brock, are you okay? What's wrong with you?"

Brock asks, "You don't know?"

Allison says, "I'm confused. We know my mother is trying to get into our lives, but um, who is this chick?"

Allison doesn't know what her mom looks like now; in her head, her mom still looks young.

Brock asks, "You should know that's your mom!" In confusion, Allison

Allison says, "Who?" Then looks at the elder in front of her.

Allison says, "Oh my gosh..." Realizing that he believes this woman is her mother.

Allison yells, "Who are you?!" At her mother, Allison hasn't seen her mom in over 20 years.

Let me clarify:

Allison remembers what her mom looked like when her mom was a young woman, not an older woman; she's never seen her mom as an older woman before.

Allison had only thought of her mother as that scary young woman, stuck then since that was the last appearance of her mother she ever saw, the appearance her mother had when Allison was five years old.

Allison's memory of her mother's appearance also had to be deeply thought into & remembered, as it can get hazy; the more you don't think of her, the more you try not to, the more grow, the more hazy old faces become.

Allison's adoptive father, Rock, was investigating a crime scene.

From the outside, the Tavern looks crude, broken, and gloomy. Hard wooden planks and stone pillars comprise most of the building's outer structure.

Seeing through the large, stained windows is difficult, but the lethargy from within can be felt outside.

As you enter the tavern through the dirty, metal door, you're welcomed by watching eyes and thick air.

The bartender is lying in a chair, doing nothing, and makes no effort to acknowledge your presence.

It's as dreary inside as it is on the outside. Several walls support the upper floor and the light fixtures attached to them. If you can call it that, the walls are decorated with old paintings covered in dust.

The tavern itself is almost completely abandoned. The few people inside are eerily silent; you're unsure if all of them are even alive, but whoever they are, you begin to fear for your safety; it's probably best to find a different place.

You did hear rumors about this tavern; supposedly, it's infamous for something, but for your life, most people can't even remember what for. So, judging by everything in this place, it must be horrifying.

Guess what? Rock was going to investigate the infamous tragedy that occurred here.

To be continued.