CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: SIPHONED!?

SIPHONED!?

I get out of trance from my memory. My alcohol has already cleared up. I don't hold a knife. I just fold my sleeves. I turn abruptly to face them. They seem on guard like they knew I'd be here. I take a moment to view all of them. To read all their expressions, did I fail at that? I have no idea.

They need a clearance. Something to indicate "it's go time". I give them that, clearance. I throw the wine glass in the air and as it was under gravity I push with my palms projecting it into their directions.

" It's time."

They assemble like they are the avengers and I take a step forward. This is it, the breaking of time.

Nancy is the first to advance towards me. I hold my breath not letting anything steal my attention. I pay focus to my stance --my feet and hands. I give them no hint of how I would fight. I stand chest relaxed, chin raised, eyes on the target, ears open. I listen to every sound present. To every thing alive. To every substance of soul. My heartbeat is the first. Anne has just come back.

I smile to welcome her presence. My long time friend that boy Nathaniel dared to delete. I let her feel through me. Letting her take control but I am still in control. Somehow I steer the two of us.

'Who's first?' They are slowing me down. We have to get this done once and for all. Nancy came forward pushing at me, her feet, amaturely. I get hold of it and twist it making her tarsals cry. I get a hold of her neck shortly after. I tilt my head to the right ascertaining her features, should I do it or not? Should I be a good niece or trash it?

I am struggling with my thoughts. Anne paid no obstruction to them. I am contemplating and I sure am likely to go for the good. I am on the verge of it. I am about to take the first step but she does it. She digs her grave, Nancy.

"So it was all for show?" I have foolishly thought she was unskilled. I have undoubtedly brainstormed that they were inefficient. I think through what I am thinking of with a reddened face. My veins pop up cos this isn't right. It is suppose to be the other way round.

I still hold Nancy by the neck. My grip is still firm on her. But just then, just amidst all of this, I have a knife stuck into my chest. Somewhere in close to the left side of it. Somewhere away from my trachea. Somewhere past my sternum. Somewhere in my heart. I can't believe it. "Aren't we related anymore?"

From what boy Nathaniel said they're my real relatives. "Don't they care?"

I think this is it. I can't breathe that well. I steal more air that I should probably have but my nostrils wasn't even letting it in. I feel a hand on my nose, suffocating me. I feel I should hold on for a bit but it was too much. Reality has set in. I was dying.

I let go of Nancy against my will. I fall to the floor near where the dust bin sat. I move myself to the wall of the cabinet propelling myself with legs backwards. I can't believe it. "Have I truly become weak?"

I shake my heads from time to time. But as time went on my actions became slower. I can feel everywhere getting cold. I can hear the ticks of the clock. I can hear my heartbeat slowing down. Anne is still there. At least she didn't leave me. We came together. We'd go back together I guess. I slow my actions down minimising the time I have left. It isn't much.

My eyes are closing by the second. I'm struggling to keep them wide open but I can't. I finally let go. I finally let go of the world. I took it lastly, my final goodbye.

Seconds passed. Minutes passed on. I still lay with my back to the cabinet. My aunties are curious. Dad is no different.

Norma approach me but can't come closer. I have no reason why. Wasn't I already powerless,? Why can't she? Nellie leaves where she sat all this time and comes to where I sat. She kneels on both knees over my legs. She sniffs me.

'Is she dead?' Natalie asked her. Others seem curious. I can't see dad.

Nellie replies. 'Yes.' Her tone sounds sad but she isn't lying I am truly dead. And now it stops, my heart.

WHERE'S MY DAUGHTER?