Chapter 128 - Caught and Clarity (1/2)

She felt uncomfortable, her body was aching and sore. Especially her head, it felt like she had been hit by a fast train. At this moment, she opened her eyes slowly. Luckily, it wasn't that dark nor bright. She was alone and tied-up. Her vision was hazy and blurry, even her eyes were hurting.

April didn't know where she was. She closed her eyes to remember the last thing that she remembers. As if on cue, flashes of images rushed into her head. Making her head that was already aching, ache some more. April gritted her teeth and even bit her lips. By a quick analysis earlier, it seems likely that she was kidnapped. So she tried to not make any noise despite the aching head. She could already taste the blood coming out from her lips. She really did bit herself hard to endure the pain.

As the images started to get clearer and clearer, April's eyes slowly teared up. It was like she woke up from a horrible dream. She remembered everything. Not only what happened to her recently, but also the past memories that her brain had buried from deep within. Memories that she and Jackson had shared from 10 years ago and half a year ago. Especially the one on the Island. She shut her eyes tightly, as those loving moments flooded inside her mind. Although this time Jackson was gentle with her, she still felt like she had cheated herself, Alex, her parents, the Smiths, Colm and her son.

She felt dirty and nasty. Her heart started aching with her head. It was like that time before, where she felt hopeless and f.u.c.k.i.e.d up. The times before Sky came into her life. The darkness that swallowed her up, making her wanted to take her own life. April shook her head vigorously, wanting to forget everything. She didn't want this life nor these memories. Kill me! Please, Kill me! She thought. At this time, she didn't want to meet her family. Not even Colm, Alex nor her son, Sky.

She wanted to run away as far as possible. Why?! Lord, Why me?! She silently asked as tears fell down on her face. Then she recalled who kidnapped her. Although she wasn't in her right mind yesterday, she saw and heard Francesca perfectly well. Francesca, no wonder. Everything was because of her. April tried to open all her memories despite hurting herself more. She wanted to remember everything!

Images after images flashed inside her head. Including the half-year that she had lost. She recalled voices, yes, people were visiting her. How her father was hating himself, her mother's endless crying, the Smith's, the Hawthorne's, Colm's support, Alex's guilt, and Sky's reassurance that he was okay as long as she was going to be okay. That kid, why was he so matured? Maybe because he grew up knowing that his mother needed him. My poor son, she thought. And then, she recalled another voice. Along with that warm voice, his countenance flashed into her mind. Hugh. Why was Hugh there?

”April, I'll always be here for you.”

”Don't force yourself. Stay calm and let time heal you.”

”No matter what happens, I'll take care of you.”

”I will never let you get hurt anymore. Not on my watch.”

”April, I'm so so sorry. I shouldn't have pulled a prank on you with Alex.”

”Will you forgive me, April? I hated that I wasn't the first one to meet you.”

”April, My name is Cefei. I'm sorry for not telling you my real name.”