Chapter 124
Forgotten Memories
***
Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.
***
Leila bit her lower lip as she tried to calm herself. She even closed her eyes however, that only made her memories became more vivid to her mind.
Her head was throbbing in pain but this time, it was as if her memories had triggered, and it was flowing in her mind like a river.
“Leila… Are you okay?”
She could hear Mrs. Black’s voice but the excruciating pain was just too much for her to bear, that she couldn’t even nod or open her eyes, just so she could assure her that she is fine.
“Stay with her… I will call Doc Fridger…”
Mr. Black said with his voice laced with concern making her heart tugged with warmth.
“He is still wandering… Just call Bob…”
Mrs. Black contradicted him before Leila finally let herself fall in the past’s embrace.
And she just wouldn’t let this thing escape her this time.
Because this time, it was coming clearly into her head now. Everything was all clear. This time, she could undoubtedly remember what happened that day.
The day of her fifth birthday…
*** Flashback…
“Happy birthday, my dear Leila…”
It was his father’s voice so gentle and loving.
Her little self tightly hugged him as she whispered her gratitude towards her own father. Her smile was warm and excited.
And she knew why.
Her father rarely goes home. At an early age, he explained his job and she was fine with it. She only wanted to treasure every bit of the moments she had with him.
Not until that day when they went to her grandparents’ house.
Her parents were quarreling over something that she couldn’t comprehend.
“Stop it… the child is here.” Her grandmother reprimanded the two of them causing them to stop.
Leila could feel that something was up.
Her mother seldom expressed her own devastation, fear, and anger. She was good at hiding her emotions. But not that day… And it surprised her.
When her mother was busy preparing for something or might have escaped her because she wanted to hide her real emotions from her, she saw her father go to the woods.
Her forehead creased as she saw his father running towards the woods.
She followed him secretly. She didn’t even know the possible misfortune that she might witness that day.
Despite the eerie and heavy feeling inside the dark woods, Leila couldn’t stop herself. Perhaps, at an early age, she was just so nosy and would love to discover new things.
Something that would lead her to a painful truth.
She was lost… She was calling her father.
The devastation and fear embraced her as she looked around.
She swallowed hard.
“Leila!” She heard a faint call of her name.
She looked around but deafening silence filled her ears.
No one was around.
She stood still with her entire body trembling in fear.
However, she could still remember her father’s words.
‘To stay calm at times of trouble and fear.’
And she did.
Not until a growling sound echoed at the entire dark forest. She was just so shocked and scared that she ran so quickly. She hid in the massive tree.
But it was right there and then, she saw her father in the verge of life and death. His blood splattered on the ground as the cold breeze was filled with its steely scent that cold reached her nose.
She was shocked, speechless, and stuck right there.
Then, she heard someone coming. Leila tried to hide at the nearest tree trying to drag herself out. She immediately covered her mouth as she felt her mind slowly being eaten by confusion, worry, and fear.
They were Hunter’s parents.
“What happened?”
It was a woman’s voice.
“He’s dead.” A man’s voice replied.
She peeked at the people who spoke.
Their faces… were etched into her mind, thinking that they have caused her father’s death.
But a loud breaking twig as she stepped away gave her in.
And there she saw a beast looking at her it was a huge wolf sneering at her, and before she was caught by darkness, she could hear those words clearly.
“Finally, I got you… Your father’s death is all worth it.”
*** End of Flashback…
It was all that she could remember after that.
However, there were still pieces of memories that were trying to get into her mind.
She could hear voices causing her close her eyes tightly.
***
“Hera and Hudson saved her. But they still couldn’t find who killed Lindon… I am sure that it might be from the Triad and-”
Her grandmother said but her grandfather cut her off as he shook his head.
“Stop mentioning about it. We must be careful from now on. We still have people to protect to.” His grandfather seriously told her.
It was something that she didn’t know.
And at that time, she was already suffering from a traumatic experience seeing her father’s death that she couldn’t say anything or even feel anything.
“Sheila didn’t know anything about this. She just thought that it was just an accident. And Leila… She is suffering the most… So, this is the best thing to do… At least we can still communicate with the pack to make sure that we can find whoever did this to Lindon.” Her grandfather stated darkly.
Then, her grandmother saw her as her eyes widened in shock.
It was as if she shouldn’t hear any of it.
“Dear Leila… What are you doing here?” She inquired calmly as she tried to act naturally.
***
Those things…
They were all forgotten memories.
Her forgotten memories.
And now, it just made her make the decision that she should have chosen in the past. And perhaps, none of this might have happened.
She slowly opened her eyes as tears blurred her vision.
Leila didn’t even know that she was already crying so much.
Mrs. Black was already in front of her looking so anxious of what was happening to her.
She took a deep breath to stop herself from sobbing painfully.
“Leila… Are you okay?” Mrs. Black asked worriedly.
She swallowed hard as she wiped away her tears.
This time, she managed to nod her head.
Mrs. Black let out a deep sigh of relief.
“Goodness, you made me so worried.” She uttered still, her voice was laced with concern.
Leila bit her lower lip as she tried to find her voice.
“I…” She said but it was just too low to even hear.
Mrs. Black looked at her, confused about what she said.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“I… I r-remember e-everything now…” She finally told her causing Mrs. Black’s mouth to slightly agape.
Leila clenched her jaw swallowing her own pain.
“I know what happened that night…” She uttered once again as her eyes turning into its darker shade.
Mrs. Black simply nodded her head like she understood her. Then, she held her both hands as if telling her that she was with her.
And it was enough for her to shed more tears again.
“Oh, dear…”
It was all that she could tell her before hugging her tightly as she continued wailing in her shoulder.