Clarrisse's despair

<Clarrisse's POV --The real one-->

I walked home by myself while preventing my tears to come out. Out of all the things that could disappear in my life, why does it have to be one of my loved ones?

Ascrid is my only child, and I'm proud to say that he's my son. He's helpful, thoughtful, and caring. He cares about the people surrounding him more than his self.

Thinking that he's away from me is like stabbing me with a knife, it hurts...

Now I'm walking home by myself. My husband is still preparing to go back home and will arrive sooner or later. He already know what happened to his son, and he's very sad upon hearing it. I know that he's raging inside, but he tends to hide it away from me.

I arrived home and looked at a picture of me, Ascrid, and my husband standing beside a food stall together. I couldn't help but cry everytime I try to remember my son. I have high hopes that my son is still safe, but I don't know if he's okay or not.

As a parent, we will scold our child. Although, that doesn't mean that we don't regret it inside of our mind. Things like "I hope my child isn't affected too much, because of my words." And "He or she deserves it, but do I really have to go far on scolding him or her?" Those words bother our minds, but we tend not to show it for a reason.

I wiped the tears off my eyes, and headed to the kitchen. I started cooking, but I forgot something. I only remembered it when I finished preparing the food.

"Ascrid! Dinner's ready!" I called my son. Silence filled the kitchen as I waited for my son to say "On my way!"

I cried again after remembering what happened to him. I sat down the dinner table and ate by myself while surrounded by three plates.

A plate for me, for Ascrid, and for my husband.

"I miss them already" I said to myself while eating.

I finished eating and I immediately went to the living room. I picked up the vacuum and started cleaning the room. It was the only fun thing for me to do at that time. Ascrid and I usually watch the television around this hour, but I don't feel like wanting to touch the remote.

I looked around the room while I was cleaning it. Ascrid's medallions are hanged near the painting created by my father. I smiled while remembering the days that Ascrid cries everytime I leave him inside the room for the kindergarten grade level.

Kids grew up faster than we think. In a blink of an eye, they will become independent and starts to move on their own. It's sad but it's the truth.

"I'll bake you your favorite cake once you return home." I said as tears flew down my cheeks. "Eh?! Not again, why am I crying so much? Where are this limitless tears coming from?" I tried to joke around to stop myself from being sad.

Though, it wasn't enough. I was wiping my tears using my clothes, but then our door bell rang. "Clarrisse, are you there?" I heard a familiar voice. I approached the door and opened it. When I did, I saw Hannah standing in front of our door steps.

I told her to go inside, but she's in a hurry. She gave me a book to read and then she left after saying, "I know you're crying, but just don't overdo it."

Pfft... Always trying acting cool in front of me. I wish we could've properly talked, but she has a business meeting to attend. I was about to close the door when Hannah left. I reached the door knob, but when I looked outside, I saw Gaia heading towards here.

I decided to hold the entrance door open, until I could confirm that Gaia's destination is here.

She reached the doorsteps of my house and asked if she could come in. I allowed her to go inside and she sat on our couch inside the living room. I sat on a separate chair and our conversation started.

"Ma'am--" Gaia was about to speak up, but I interrupted her. "No need for formality, just call me Aunt, you and Ascrid are closed friends after all." I told her. Her expression changed when I mentioned my son's name. I gave off a sad vibe to match the surroundingm. She breathed deeply and opened her mouth.

"Auntie, are there any lead about Ascrid's case?" She said in a sad tone. I answered with "Sadly, None so far." "Are you not worried about him?" She added. I felt sad upon hearing her recent question. I looked at one of Ascrid's photo and sighed.

"Who wouldn't worry about their only child? How about you? You seem more worried than me about Ascrid" I answered her question. I saw Gaia's face fluster for a bit, but it immediately disappeared when she suddenly started to cry.

"I'm sorry..." She said while tears slowly drip out of her eyes. I was about to say something, but she continued to speak. "I couldn't do anything when that man stabbed him, I'm a useless friend." She said.

"It's okay, if you would've interrupted during that time... There is a high chance that you might get involved as well." I said it trying to calm Gaia down. I stood up from my chair, and sat on the couch her. I noticed that she was still crying, so I hugged her.

"Hush... Ascrid hates seeing his friends cry. I'm sure he'll be disappointed once he sees you crying for him. I know that he's somewhere, waiting for our help. That means we should move faster." I stated while hugging Gaia to stop her tears from flowing out of her eyes. It successfully stopped, and then she hugged me back eventually. A tear flowed down my eye for a reason.

That reason is, "I'm not the only one affected by his disappearance."

I told Gaia that I'll prepare coffee for her. She agreed so I started preparing one. After I finished preparing it, I went back to the living room just to see that Gaia is sleeping peacefully. I decided not to interrupt her and let her rest.

About the coffee I made... Since the one who's supposed to be drinking it is asleep, then I'll be the one to drink it.

After an hour, Gaia woke up. She apologized for suddenly sleeping during her stay. I said it was fine and gave her a smile. She left our house after some farewells. I closed the door of our house, and I went to my room.

Silence filled the house once again. I sat on my table and I started reading the book that Hannah gave me. After an hour of reading, I placed the book down. I slowly lay down my bed, and I closed my eyes. I will go to sleep, and hoping that once I wake up... my husband and my son will be back in our house.

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