Morning was hell for me. I felt like I had a standoff with a truck that proceeded to dance on my body after its victory. My ears rang, my vision was blurry, my body ached, and, to top it all off, I felt like I was going to throw up. I wasn't even worried about where I was, because I know for sure I'm not at home.
For starters, the room was pink, mine was white. The bed was a king size and sat in the center of the room, mine was a queen and sat in the corner. There was a small window in the east bound wall, my entire west bound wall was a window. Stuffed animals dotted shelves on the wall. That's when I knew for sure where I was, the Directors mother's house, my ex-wife, Lucile.
She was the only Tesla that I was ever fond of. Despite her father being a complete asshole, she was sweet and loving even when I was wrong. I married her as soon as she turned 18, because she didn't want her father to know that she had gotten pregnant beforehand.
The director, Marie, was indeed my biological daughter, but if anyone knew she would kill me. I believe splitting up with her mother is the reason why she is always mad at me, but who knows it could just be her Tesla blood.
A loud noise, of something falling, came from outside the room. I very slowly got back on my feet. The room around me spun like it was on a top. My feet threatened to give out from beneath me. Taking steps was a difficult task, but I managed by holding myself up on furniture around the room.
I walked into the hallway. A window at the end let light in for a pot of flowers that sat in front of it. The hallway itself was blue with rose petals about halfway up the wall. It was a project we had started together, but never finished. About halfway down the hall there was a door that led to the bathroom. The sound of a sweet voice singing drifted through the air. I kept my pace moving forward, leaning against the wall as I went. As I got closer and closer to the bathroom it was clear that Luciel was in there. No one else had a singing voice like hers, not even Valentine. I got next to the door and slowly slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor. I listened to the sweet sound of her voice.
“Darling oh darling come back to me. The nights are cold and the days are lonely. Long have I sought for a love like yours, but nothing makes me feel the same anymore. Your troubles are worrisome I feel them to. I want you to know I'm here for you. Oh, darling oh darling come back to me.” Luciel sang softly. Her song carried more than just words, it carried her love, her pain, her struggles to move on, but all of it was because of me. It was all my fault. I left when I should have stayed and now she suffers because of it.
It was Valentine who ended up making me leave. Her return had sparked something in my heart that forced me to her. After she left reports of her death had me thinking she had died so I tried to move on, but one day I saw her sneaking around town. My love for Luciel was challenged by Valentine’s return. In the end, I left Luciel to chase the ghosts of my past. It was probably one of the worst mistakes I had made. I lost more than just a wife and child, but a piece of my heart to.
I fell asleep, next to the bathroom door, humming along to her song. A soft gentle voice that could put the worst of children to sleep. It was the last thing I heard at night and the first thing I would hear in the morning, something I came to miss very quickly.
I felt hit my legs followed by a loud thud. Before I could open my eyes, I heard Luciel sigh. When I looked she was just sitting back up. A beautiful blonde with blue eyes and long hair looked at me with frustration.
“Please tell me why you're lying in the middle of my hallway.” Luciel asked holding back tears.
“I heard a noise.” I had said. “I just wanted to make sure you were ok.”
I couldn't take my eyes off how beautiful Luciel has become. It’s as if time only made her more attractive., but her looks weren't the reason I was here. She did something dangerous by helping me.
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked breaking the silence in the hall. She didn't speak for a little bit, causing me to worry a bit.
“I couldn't just leave you to bleed to death.” Luciel said.
“I’m deathless. I would have survived.” I said.
“No, you're deathless, meaning your about as easy to kill as a cockroach, but you can still be killed.” Luciel snapped back.
“I've been through worse.” I replied.
“I can't do this right now, not today.” Luciel said.
“What's the matter Lucy?” I asked.
“It’s your daughter’s birthday, but you wouldn't care. You never bothered to show up.” Luciel said angrily.
“I never showed up because I figured you never wanted to see me again after what I did to you.” I said.
“I wanted you back from the day you left. Our daughter grew up without a father because you never came back.” Luciel cried. She ran off to her room and slammed the door.
It felt as if I was being stabbed all over again, but this time in the heart. I didn't know what to do. I was confused. Part of me wanted to fix everything I had done to her, but the other part of me wanted to leave, wanted to get Valentine back. So, I just sat there in the hallway, staring at my feet.
“You've been unconscious for three days and somehow managed to screw things up in less than an hour.” Marie said.
“I'm sorry.” I said.
“Sorry doesn't bring back the childhood I missed out on because you left.” Marie said. “You can forget about ever coming back to work.” She walked off to her room and slammed the door behind her. At this point I was really feeling the love. I thought it would be best for me to leave.
I got on my feet and the hallway started to spin. I used the wall to steady myself and guide me to the stairwell. The first few steps were difficult, the last six or so were easy when I fell flat on my face. There was no way they didn't hear me fall, but I got up and continued to the front door. As soon as I grasped the knob I heard Luciel clear her throat.
“What are you doing?” Luciel asked.
“Getting out of your hair.” I replied.
“Its negative ten out, you're not going anywhere.” Luciel said.
“Lucy.” I said before she cut me off.
“Don't Lucy me. My father told me that you were good for nothing, but I didn't believe him. I wanted to believe you were the one.” Luciel cried.
“We both agreed it just wasn't going to work out.” I said.
“No, only you agreed.” Luciel yelled. “You did to me the very same thing that Valentine did to you.”
“Well if it weren't for me you wouldn't have Marie.” I yelled back.
“If it weren't for me, my father would have had you locked up long ago.” Luciel yelled.
“Enough already!” Marie yelled from the top of the steps. She stood there, tears rolling down her face. “Please, stop yelling at each other.”
I leaned my back against the front door and slid down to a sitting position. I buried my head into my hands.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn't have yelled.” I apologized.
“I’ll go talk to her.” Luciel said.
“No let me. It’s about time I set some things straight.” I said.
“Please don't Piss her off.” Luciel said.
I managed to pull myself back up the steps and walk over to Marie’s room. It was hard enough trying to be around her at work and not tell her how I feel, but now I have the chance and I don't know what to tell her. Where do I even begin?
I knocked on the door with no answer. I waited a few seconds then knocked again. Still no answer. I sat down against the door waiting for an answer, but the only thing that came from her room was silence. It made me feel cold, all the gloom lingering in the air.
Glass broke on the other side of the door. My heart sank instantly and my mind turned to the worst. Jack told me he would destroy my family and I was afraid he had already started.
I got up and slammed myself into the door, knocking the door open. Marie stood there holding her hand over a pile of broken glass and blood. Glass shards dotted her palm. She looked at me with watery eyes.
I tried to pull her into my arms.
“Get away!” Marie cried, pushing me away. “Can’t you see this is all your fault.”
“My fault? This is all my fault?” I asked pointing at the broken glass. “Your bad drinking habits are not my fault.”
“If you wouldn't have left mom none of this would be happening.” Marie yelled.
“If I wouldn’t have left your mother you wouldn't be director.” I yelled back.
“I don't want to be director.” Marie said. “I just want a normal life...without you.”
“That's it, you want me out of your life for good?” I asked.
“Yes, I want you to go far away and leave me and mom alone.” Marie said.
“Ok then.” I said walking towards her door. I stopped at her dresser and took my arm band off. I ate it right in front of the picture of me and Luciel holding Marie after she was born.
“Ollie, you belong to Marie now. Keep her safe.” I said walking out the door.
Luciel met me at the front door with her arms crossed.
“So, this is it. You're not even going to try with her?” Luciel asked.
“I tried. She wants nothing to do with me. So, I'm leaving town.” I said.
“Where are you going to go? You have no family.” Luciel said.
“As far south as I can go.” I said.
“Just, be careful.” Luciel said hugging me.
“I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you.” I kissed her on top of the head and walked away from her hug. It was for the best that I left this time. I only brought sorrow with me. Maybe now Marie could be happy.
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