Sealed In Blood

Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

"If Joseph behaves like a dog who's seen his owner come home, I'm out." Mom took us to a huge door made out of teakwood, with Nathaiel now carrying the body bag on his shoulders.

She swung open the door dramatically, and it felt like I travelled back in time. The whole interior screamed vintage in our faces while we gaped at the intimidating heads of a lion and tiger on the walls of the room we just entered.

"No more housekeeping! I told you I threw away the tissues in the dustbin!"

We heard a masculine voice from the corridor inside the hall and saw a man in a wheelchair accompanied by someone who looked like a butler from a classic novel, coming towards us. He stopped in his tracks when his eyes fell on mom.

"Ayven...is that really you?"

"The one and only."