Devils Revenge

~Chapter Twenty~

When I was a child, I always had this irrational fear of growing up. It would keep me up at night and scare me to the point where I was in tears.

But she taught me that growing up is an experience. Even though I was twelve years older then her, she was a greater comfort then anyone I had ever met.

She was eight and comforting me in ways an adult couldn't.

She was eight and telling me how she saw the world.

She was eight.

And this year she would've been thirteen.

But she isn't. And it's because of me. Because of me, she didn't even make it to her double digits.

Because of me, she didn't get to grow up.

On days where my mind doesn't want to function, I usually stay in my room. I don't show for work and don't contact my family. I do one of two things:

Lay in my bed all day, doing absolutely nothing.

Or I spend the day doing ceramics.

I didn't have the motivation to do anything, so I decided to lay in my bed. I pulled the covers back over myself and stared through the balcony window.

I stayed like that for half an hour, both bothered by my responsibilities.

I then heard a knock on the door and turned my head slightly.

"Vincenzo, bambino," called my mothers voice. I rolled my eyes and sighed. I pulled the covers from my body and sat on the edge of the bed. I slowly stood up and walked over to my door.

Only my immediate family is allowed up here and they know to knock before asking to come in.

I opened it a crack, only letting her see some of my face. She frowned at me then sighed.

"Can I come in?" She asked softly. I didn't reply but opened the door all the way. She slowly walked in and stared around.

"Why is it so messy?" She asked me. There were unwashed clothes, mismatched socks and used towels scattered around the room. My work desk was messy and the bookcase was overflowing.

I shrugged my shoulders at her but she shook her head. She went to pick up and clean when I stopped her.

"Mama, I promise I'll do it later," I said. She rolled her eyes at me and stood straight.

"Okay fine," she whispered. I nodded and she exhaled sharply.

Something was up.

"What's wrong mama? Is everything okay?" I questioned.

"Why are you still up here?" She asked changing the subject. Again I shrugged.

"Are you not going into work?" She asked. I shook my head, no. She slowly nodded.

"Umm I was wondering if you could help me with something," she whispered. I furrowed my eyebrows. She wasn't looking at me anymore and was fiddling with her fingers.

"Mama? Mama, what happened? You can tell me," I assured. She let out a strained breath.

"Alora. It's Alora. I went to wake her up for school today but she wasn't in her bedroo-

"What do you mean she wasn't in her bedroom?" I questioned angrily. I went over to my closet and grabbed a shirt. I threw it over my head and quickly changed into a pair of sweatpants.