I followed closely behind the group, we passed through the kitchen before arriving outside behind the manor.
My heart beat nonstop as we walked past the building moving further into the dark woods, until we arrived in front of a small building.
Beautiful flowers surrounded the place, giving it a peaceful ambiance.
“What is this place?” I asked, glancing around the area.
“This is where you will find the answers that you seek,” Liam explains, before unlocking the door to the building.
Everyone stepped aside, they all watched as I slowly made my way into the building. The lights are switched on the instant I step into the place, enabling me to notice clearly where I stand.
For minutes, I attempted to figure out what this place was until I saw it. With parted lips, I stared at the picture of the only man I had ever loved covered in flowers.
My entire body trembled when I read the writings on the wall; in loving memory of our beloved son and brother, Derick Torres!
It was at this moment I realized I was standing inside a crypt all along. My Derick was dead? No, I refuse to believe this.
“This is a lie, right? It’s not real? Please say something!” I screamed as water gushed out of my eyes, yet they said nothing.
The gloominess on their faces hurt me even more, I fell to my knees as my legs became too weak to carry my body.
“All this time, I pushed on, striving hard to survive just to come to you, and you’re dead! You’re fucking dead! What do I tell your son? He doesn’t even know you…” I yelled at the picture, agony laced in my voice as I cried my eyes out.
I feel someone touch my shoulder, she holds me in her arms also crying bitterly,
“Macy, what do I do now, I have nowhere else to go…. finding Derick was my only hope for my child, but now he is__ he is dead!”
“It’s going to be alright, I promise you, Elaine, from now on, you and your child are safe.”
***
I woke up to the giggles of children, my eyes fluttered open as I reminisced where I was. The room was different from others I had slept in for the past two years,
The events of yesterday replayed in my head reminding me of my current location,
The last thing I remember was blacking out inside Derick’s crypt.
“Finally you’re awake!” a familiar voice calls out excitedly.
Macy strolled towards the bed with a cup which she handed over to me, “Here, you must be thirsty after that long nap.”
Indeed I was because I finished every drop in a go, my eyes searched the room for my son until they halted on three babies laughing and playing with toys inside a massive toy storage basket for kids.
My Daryl appeared much happier than ever,
“Are they yours?” I asked pointing to the other two; a girl and a boy.
Macy nods excitedly at me before settling beside me on the bed,
“They are only a few months older than Daryl. And as we can see, the children love each other, I’m sure they would be great friends in the future.” Macy’s words sadden my heart,
“Macy, do you believe we can be safe here? Because I’m tired of running and hiding, at least for the sake of my child. Daryl needs to live a happy life among other children, he deserves a normal life and I deprived him of this for two years.”
“Derick died saving mine and my children’s lives, and I swear with my life to protect you and your child from any harm. Waterfall is your home now, it is after all where Daryl belongs; he is a true Torres.”
The story of how Derick died saving Macy was indeed heartwarming, his heroic act is still celebrated even to this day in the Waterfall Pack.
After breakfast Macy and I sat together in the garden telling stories of the past, she explained to me in detail how Derick passed on.
Also, she talked about Mother and Father and how excited they both were to see Daryl,
According to Macy, they had gone out of the country for a vacation.
“On that night when he dropped me off, he promised to meet, he said he was only going to attend the shower of his brother’s wife, and then just like that he disappeared. Never knew he played hero leaving the world so soon.”
“It happened so fast, the bullet pierced his chest the doctors could not save him, I’m sorry, Elaine…”
“I believe the moon goddess made our paths cross for a reason; so my precious Daryl would be born, he is my blessing.”
“And he is the only memory we now have of Derick. I’m so proud of you, Elaine, for surviving and for finding us.”
Also, she talked about Mother and Father and how excited they both were to see Daryl,
According to Macy, they had gone out of the country for a vacation.
“On that night when he dropped me off, he promised to meet, he said he was only going to attend the shower of his brother’s wife, and then just like that he disappeared. Never knew he played hero leaving the world so soon.”
“It happened so fast, the bullet pierced his chest the doctors could not save him, I’m sorry, Elaine…”
“I believe the moon goddess made our paths cross for a reason; so my precious Daryl would be born, he is my blessing.”
“And he is the only memory we now have of Derick. I’m so proud of you, Elaine, for surviving and for finding us.”