CONSEQUENCES

Evie exhaled deeply as she heard the clang of the keys on the roof. With tears dripping from her eyes, she leaned against the wall and slid herself down. She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around herself. Placing her head on her knees, she began crying. Her stomach was hurting so much that she felt her intestine had been punctured or even cut.

But that was the least of her problems. She was scared and alone in a dark and cold room. If she didn't starve to death, she would surely freeze to death. And she knew she was at fault. She had sabotaged herself and she was certain that they wouldn't let her live. At this point she regretted everything. She regretted confronting Eloisa without a backup plan. She regretted agreeing to Isabel's request and even Joanna's wish to adopt them. She regretted ever meeting Joanna and wished that she could turn back the hands of time and never get into the mess she was in. But as always, wishes weren't horses so beggars couldn't ride.

"Evie!" A voice echoed in her head. "Evie run! They're coming to get you! You need to run!" The voices in her head continued, creating panic in her. She raised her head and looked around but instead of seeing the darkness as it really is, she saw silhouettes of monsters and beasts and giant spiders. Her panic grew fiercer and she tried to convince herself that she was only seeing things because it was dark and she was scared and hadn't slept for two days straight. Inhaling and exhaling slowly, she almost calmed herself until she felt something on her hand. Even though it was dark, she knew what it was - a spider. Her mind blurred and she let out a horrified scream. She shook her hand violently as she crawled across the room. Feeling nauseated and exhausted, she felt her mind black out.

****************

Mike glanced at the wall clock anxiously before placing his hand on Evie's forehead. The doctor had assured him that Evie would wake up anytime around 4pm but it was almost 6pm already and she had not done much as twitch her fingers. Even though her fever had gone down and her breathing had become relaxed, he was still worried about her. Maybe it was because she was his sister or his friend or maybe there was another reason that even he couldn't understand, but he knew he practically went mad when he searched for her and couldn't find her. When he finally found her in the cabin, she was bruised, cold and unconscious. He blamed himself for not keeping her safe. And at that moment, he promised himself that he would always protect her from everyone that sought to harm her.

A sudden touch on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts. He turned around and saw Isabel standing beside him. Her face was full with worry and guilt as she sat on a chair beside him.

"How is she doing?" Isabel asked as she felt Evie's forehead.

"Better than yesterday. Her fever's reduced but she's still unconscious."

"She'll wake up soon." Isabel muttered and turned to face him. "Mike, there's something I need to tell you."

What is it about?

"Uhm... About that... Uhm.." Isabel inhaled deeply to stop herself from stuttering. "After I showed the cops the doctor's report on Evie's condition, they concluded that it wasn't an accident. According to them, someone - an insider - after beating her up, locked her there to die. So they asked me if there was anyone who could do that to her and I.. I.. I mentioned David."

"You accused him of attempted murder." Mike said as he arched a brow.

"Mike, I'm sorry. I just did what I had to do. I know he's your father but if he really is the one who did this to Evie then he must be punished." Isabel felt guilty towards him. David was his father after all.

"Okay." Mike replied nonchalantly.

"You're not mad." Isabel was unsure. She had expected Mike to throw a fit but he was very calm.

"Do I have to be?"

"No... Uhm.. I don't know. He's your father, isn't he?"

"So what if he is? If he is innocent then I don't need to worry but if he as much as harms Mom or you or Evie or Caleb, that won't matter to me. Besides, justice must be enforced and criminals should be punished. Whether or not they are family." Mike said, his voice sounding indifferent but Isabel knew he meant it. She didn't expect him to be this impartial as she herself knew she would do whatever it takes to clear Joanna's name whether or not she was guilty of a crime.

"You've got a great sense of justice. I'd have made you a cop of only you were my son." Isabel said sarcastically and they both started laughing. They kept talking and laughing about what they would be if they were each other's children until the visiting hours were over.

***************

Eva sighed with relief as she shut the door to the house. She was exhausted from her part-time job and this was the only opportunity she had to rest. She took off her shoes and headed into the kitchen to get a glass of water - and hopefully some food. As she approached the kitchen, she heard the muffled sounds of quarreling. Her parents were at it again. She leaned closer, placing her ear on the wall in order to find out what they were arguing about. Then she heard it. It was because of her.

Her mom had found the hospital bills and payment receipts. She had lied to her mom about the bill, telling her an amount that was twenty times less than the actual. It was a very large amount of money and Veron knew they couldn't afford it so she felt Eva used promiscuous means to attain it.

Her father was trying to make Veron understand that whatever she - Eva - did was for her sake but Veron would hear none of it. According to her, Eva was no longer filial, she had become lawless, and disobedient. And she could not continue to shelter someone who couldn't be firm.

Tears flooded Eva's eyes and she tiptoed into her room. She shut the door behind her and curled herself up on the floor - crying. Her mom didn't even trust her. She knew how much her mother was against promiscuity and she would never engage in it no matter what. But her mom didn't understand.

Eva wanted to go straight to the kitchen to clear things up with them. But if she did, she would have to involve Evie, which she promised not to. So she just stayed there crying. Unable to say a word and afraid to harm Evie. Again.