JULIE'S POINT OF VIEW

The passing wind made the trees outside the car window merge into one as it carried stories about the upcoming town. This town held no personal significance for me. No memories. No history.

From behind the wheel, Dad held the steering wheel tightly while readjusting his cowboy hat to reassure himself this move was no different from his usual whims. Christian spent his time next to him, staring at his phone while his fingers danced across the screen.

I could feel his actions without turning to see what he was doing.

"You're actually ending your relationship with Bianca through text messages?" I muttered, shaking my head.

He responded with a single word that lacked any emotion: "It's easier this way."

“For you,” I shot back. “Not for her.”

Christian sighed, locking his phone. “What do you want me to do? You should take a seat with her to share a meaningful conversation about her feelings. rolled my eyes. “That would be decent.”

“Decent is overrated.”

I pushed myself against the blankets that covered the bed while I huffed in frustration. The car contained every available space filled with objects just as our lives contained everything in this cramped vehicle.

We weren’t moving. We were escaping.

A YEAR AGO

The morning unfolded in its typical routine.

The kitchen hummed with Mama's voice while she prepared my lunch. Christian remained asleep beneath his heavy blankets as Dad prepared for his workday. The morning routine with its dishware noises and foot movements and Mama's soft voice created the musical background of our family home.

And then, it was gone.

During my last class of the day, my phone started vibrating inside my pocket. A call from an unknown number.

I hid under my desk to answer the unknown phone call with a soft "Hello?"

A pause. A shaky breath followed.

“Julie.”

It was Dad. His voice was thick and uneven.

My stomach twisted. “What’s wrong?”

“Come to Andrei Hospital. Now.”

I didn’t ask. I didn’t think.

I just ran.

I reached for my bag while looking at Anna, who was my only friend at school. “Pack my things.”

“Wait, what? Julie, where are you—”

I didn’t hear the rest. I was already out the door.

The hospital trip through the city lights turned into a hazy experience, as my mind was filled with overwhelming fear. My hands formed tight fists while I imagined all possible tragic outcomes.

I hurried through the hospital entrance while passing by nurses, the beeping machines, and the sterile white walls.

Then I saw them.

Dad knelt on the floor while his hands covered his face. Christian stood above him while appearing confused.

My heart pounded so loudly that I could hear it echoing inside my ears.

Dad raised his face while tears streamed down his cheeks. His lips trembled.

“She’s gone.”

The words struck me with the force of a physical impact.

Christian spoke in a barely audible tone. She returned from shopping at the store. A car—” He swallowed hard. “She didn’t make it.”

The ground beneath me tilted.

My body demanded to shout, but my voice remained silent.

AFTER MAMA'S FUNERAL

Days passed. Then weeks.

Dad stopped coming home. His alcohol consumption made him smell strongly of alcohol while he spoke in a slurred manner before passing out in the hallway.

Christian changed, too. He wasn’t just grieving. He was angry. I discovered him sneaking out of the house while he returned with the odor of smoke and remorse.

And me?

I kept my head down. Paid the bills. Cooked. Cleaned. We acted as though we weren't in danger of collapsing.

The act of pretending fails to prevent reality from destroying everything.

AUNTY LILIAN ARRIVES

Aunty Lilian arrived at our home one year after her departure.

She entered the house and immediately saw our ruined living conditions before making up her mind.

She cut through the room with her harsh voice as she declared, "This isn't a home." “Pack your things. You’re coming with me.”

Dad tried to argue.

Christian refused outright.

But Aunty Lilian didn’t care.

She asked in an angry tone, "Do you think this is what your mother wanted for you?" “She would be ashamed.”

Dad flinched. Christian’s jaw tightened.

We left the next morning.

THE LONG DRIVE

The twelvehour journey in the hot car without airconditioning pushed everyone to the brink of losing their temper.

Christian removed his hot and sweaty shirt from his body while emitting a deep groan. Christian threatened to jump out of the car because the journey was taking too long.

I smirked. “Go ahead. The idea crossed my mind that maybe Aunty Lilian would decide to bring me back home.

Christian shoved my shoulder. I shoved him back.

“Enough,” Dad muttered. “We’re almost there.”

The path extended forward as it curved between fields, which melted into one another because of the intense heat.

The car entered a lengthy driveway that led to the destination. The villa of Aunty Lilian appeared in front of us as the sun set behind it and painted the house with golden light.

The house exceeded my initial expectations. Warmtoned bricks. Large windows. In the distance, one can spot a pond. There is a garden located next to it.

Aunty Lilian waited on the porch with her arms folded across her chest. “Took you long enough.”

We entered the house through the doorway where refreshing, cool air welcomed us.

I remained uncertain about my feelings toward the place. But it felt different.

I experienced something beyond grief for the first time in a very long period.

ROOM WARS

Christian and I started a sprinting competition to reach the top floor where the balcony room awaited us.

“I got here first!” I grabbed the door handle.

Christian shoved past me. “Brothers first. Sisters second.”

“That’s not a rule!”

“It is now.”

I narrowed my eyes. I will tell your father about Bianca if you don't step away from the door.

His smirk vanished. “You wouldn’t.”

I arched a brow.

Christian displayed his frustration by throwing his hands up in the air. “Fine. Take it. You will face severe consequences if you ever discover someone entering the building without permission.

“I know, I know. End of him.”

Christian ignored my comment by walking into the adjacent room.

I dropped onto the bed while releasing a deep breath.

I experienced my first peaceful moment since the beginning of this long period.

But it didn’t last.

There was a sense of unease.

THE SHADOW

I awoke to hear a noise during that night.

There was a slow, deliberate creak just outside my door.

I held my breath.

The hallway was too dark. The darkness enveloped me in a way that felt different from empty darkness.

A dark figure appeared in the doorway.

My stomach clenched.

Someone was there.

I focused all my attention on hearing anything. The house made a settling noise that I thought I heard.

A gentle movement became noticeable.

A whisper of movement.

I swallowed hard.

Was it just my imagination?

A person could have been standing just outside my door while they watched me.