Secrets of the river
"Lucy! Lucy! Lucccyyy!!!!!!!! There you are! Come, we have to go somewhere." The frail-looking girl emerged from behind the cupboard, her eyes wide with curiosity as she followed her sister downstairs. They moved stealthily, avoiding the heated argument brewing between their parents in the living room. Their father, Robert, towered over their mother, Diana, his lean frame radiating a sense of coiled power. His body was covered in a thick layer of dark hair, which seemed to ripple across his skin like a shadow. His face was twisted into a snarl, his eyes blazing with anger, and his jaw was clenched, revealing gritted teeth.
"You'll sell off one of our kids just because of your debt?" Diana's voice trembled with rage and desperation. "Rachel and Lucy still need you in their life. Is this how you want to spend the rest of your life? With regret filling your heart?" Robert's response was immediate and thunderous. "Silence!" he bellowed, his voice shaking the very foundations of the house. "We've talked about this far too many times! I've made up my mind. I'll go get some rest now. Lucy and I have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow." He stomped his foot and walked away, leaving Diana crumpled on the floor, her eyes worn down by the weight of her circumstances.
Diana's face was pale, her skin dry and tired, with deep lines etched into her forehead and around her mouth. Her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were stained and worn, a testament to the endless struggles she faced. Yet, despite the exhaustion and despair that seemed to cling to her like a shroud, there was a spark of determination in her eyes, a fierce resolve to keep going, to keep her family afloat despite the odds.
Meanwhile, down in the basement, Rachel opened a secret door that led to a river, the cool night air a welcome respite from the tension above. They dashed through the cold sand, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore a soothing melody. "Good thing Daniel always leaves his boat at shore," Rachel said, forcing a smile to hide the tears welling up in her eyes. She knelt down beside Lucy, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lucy, I need you to do me a favor, okay? I want you to take this boat and steer it until you reach the next town. I'll be right behind you, I just need to go get our things from the house."
Lucy's face scrunched up in concern, and she clung to Rachel's arm. "But why can't I come with you, Rach? I don't want to leave you behind." Her voice trembled, and Rachel's heart ached at the thought of separating from her little sister. Rachel's grip on Lucy's hand tightened. "I know, baby, but it's not safe for you to come back to the house. Dad...he's not in a good place right now. I need you to be safe, and this is the only way I can ensure that."
As Lucy hesitantly took the reins of the boat, Rachel's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a mix of sadness and determination. She knew this might be the last time she saw her sister, but she also knew that Lucy would be better off without having to face the harsh realities of their life paying their father's debt. With a final glance, Rachel watched as Lucy steered the boat away, her small figure growing smaller and smaller as she disappeared into the distance.
Rachel crept into the basement, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. She quickly climbed the stairs to her room, her heart racing with every step. She locked the door behind her, the sound of the latch clicking into place a reassuring barrier between her and the chaos that lurked outside. With shaking hands, she began to pack their belongings into a small bag, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and freedom.
As she stuffed clothes and essentials into the bag, Rachel's eyes darted around the room, searching for anything important she might be missing. She checked the dresser drawers, the closet, and the nightstand, her fingers trembling as she double-checked every nook and cranny. Satisfied that she hadn't forgotten anything crucial, Rachel slung the bag over her shoulder and made her way to the door.
Just as she reached for the doorknob, a loud bellow echoed through the hallway, making Rachel's blood run cold. "Rachel!!! Lucy!!! Are you in there?" Her father's voice was like thunder in her ears. He began to bang on the door, the sound echoing through the room like a death knell.
Rachel's body froze, her muscles locking into place as fear washed over her like a cold wave. Her mind went blank, the panic rendering her thoughts disjointed and fragmented. For a moment, she was paralyzed, unable to move or think, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum. But then her instincts kicked in, and a voice in her head whispered urgently, "Open the door, just a crack. Look at him, keep your face neutral. If he asks where Lucy is, act normal, don't arouse his suspicion. Tell him you think she's downstairs, doing the laundry, anything to keep her safe."
As she stood there, her hand hesitated on the doorknob, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and slowly turned the handle, the creak of the door echoing through the silence like a warning. She cracked the door open, just enough to see her father's face
The waves gently rocked the boat carrying Lucy, the motion lulling the little girl to sleep making her forget that she had to make a stop in the next town to wait for Rachael. She slept fitfully, her small body swaying to the rhythm of the water. Hours passed, and the stars began to twinkle in the night sky.
She was awakened by crack and bump her boat made. It had knocked something. When her eyes finally opened, she was disoriented and confused. As she looked around, she found herself surrounded by the cacophony of the big city of Alapak. The sounds of car horns, chatter, and construction assaulted her ears, and the bright lights of the city illuminated the darkness. As Lucy's gaze swept across the cityscape, her eyes grew wide with wonder, and her heart pounded in her chest, a thrilling mix of excitement and fear coursing through her veins. She'd made it to the big city, but the daunting question echoed in her mind: What now?
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