The side road lamps in the distance were parallel of a firefly flicker every time a car passed by. For a moment it adorned the reticent moonlight before it turned dim again into preserved.

Albeit the sight may be complementing beauty, once I looked closely, the flashing piqued a particular ugly memory. Of what I had been through wherever I was taken after getting apprehended from my failed escape.

Horrible couldn't even carry the burden of what to call it. I was drugged, strapped to a metal bed with blinding lights blazed on my face.

"Pod men can't move. Can't talk. Can't feel."

Counting how many times they repeated those words were impossible. It was even recorded and continued to torment me even in my sleep.

Again, my eyes were filling up tears. I was reminded of a demise I was certain to have already fallen upon my Alfie. Even how much I tried to convince myself he was alive, the connection I used to feel was long lost; insisting he was gone.

Yet what had the world became during my absence? Suddenly the pod men now broadcasted widely to have the ability to kill?

"That pod man had murdered two innocent life," the woman next to me said with a sigh.

"I thought they can't move," I replied, fighting a sly tone to shatter my fake shock response.

Deep down, I was curious why such news was even aired and went public when HEROIN had been telling the world that they were no more than a lifeless seed.

"Oh sweetie. We could only wish that now. It turned out, if they could, they turn into a monster."

The latter had shocked me for real.

Probably noticing my appal, she extended one hand to me and patted my shoulder. "It's alright. In the neighbourhood, FOS are increasing their guard."

I could feel her well intentions. However, it wasn't precisely fear that garnered my mind; it was confusion.

Could it be that pod men can really be dangerous?

Still, I set the matter aside after thinking about my newly liberation. I couldn't fight against HEROIN, in fact, not with anyone in my current state.

With it, I simplified, "Yes, you are right." I wrapped the subject and turned my head to look outside. I had no idea where I was, and the sudden realisation made me sit straight and looked around for any road sign.

Dutchess Bless was written on one of the boards that I managed to get my sight on. It was the district name written on the map that my mom had given me; where the barn was supposed to be. All along I was held so close.

Awhile later, more lights started to glimmer ahead, but this time it came from houses. We had reached a town.

"So sweetie, do you need anything before I drop you off at your house?" The kind woman started, slowing in speed as we passed by buildings with signboards on their front.

In truth, I was hungry, and there wasn't a certainty my destination could even offer much to my stomach. But I had no money.

"I..." I hesitated to let her in the information.

A convenience store came into my view while the thought lingered. The woman sitting next to me put her car into park and stopped the engine. "It's okay, sweetie. I'll pay," she said with a look of understanding.

I tailed her behind as she exited the vehicle then closed in the sliding door of the shop. She took an empty cart and passed it to me. "Buy anything you like, sweetie. Don't worry."

"I'll pay you back—"

She shook her head while a warm smile still decorating her ageing face. Howbeit, a hint of sadness was blending her look. "You don't have to. I just wish someone would have been this nice to my daughter."

"I'm sure people will treat her nicely," I said.

"Society could be cruel," she muttered.

I opened my mouth to talk, but she put a hand on my back and ushered me towards the aisle. "Now don't swell on my deed and fill up this cart!" she chuckled. The slight gloomy air instantly shifted to content with her happy demeanour.

"You will need this... this..." she said, picking a lot of canned food and putting it into the rolling cart.

"Where's your daughter now?" I asked her, feeling obliged to make conversation.

"In a better place. Heaven," she answered.

A pang hit me at her words. Without thinking further, I instantly hugged her. "I'm so sorry," I exclaimed. Truthfully, I felt sad for her.

"Don't be. Don't dwell on the past and start anew. I'm glad I could help you."

Bewildered, I released her from my embrace. "You knew I just got out of—"

"They gave this outfit to the people they discharge from that place," she cut in, eyes bearing on my clothes for a second before resuming her shopping spree.

I sighed, too late of knowing the reason why I was a repellent to everyone on the road. My feet were bolted to the spot before the woman who didn't seem to care of whatever crime I had done, pulled me along. She put in more things she said would be a necessity. The cart was filled to the brim even after I continued arguing with her it would cost a lot.

"Hello, how was your business trip aunty?" The cashier said as she registered the goods. She seemed to know this nice woman. Although, once her eyes landed on me, her smile wavered.

"It's pleasant as always."

Smiling bitterly, I ignored the cashier. I wouldn't blame her for the injustice expression. I just came back from jail, and people wouldn't exactly be there for being nice.

"I don't need this... and this... " I mumbled, grabbing some of the stuff from the cart and putting it aside. It was just some hair conditioner, mouth floss and snacks that I could survive without.

She chuckled and put everything back into the cart. "Sweetie, where you are headed, there's no store around. Don't argue with your mother."

She enunciated the word mother out load, earning a puzzled look on the cashier face. I was as much as moved by it and speechless.

The fact she had touched my heart put me in a silent parade. She reminded me so much of my mother. As I sat in the car with her concentrated on the road again, the dam in my eyes broke, and tears finally rushed its way down.

From the enormously reign of lights, we were back to somewhere scarcely inhabited. I continued to drown in my emotion until the car halted. My silent cry forcefully ended with it.

"Here we are. Are you sure about this sweetie? It looks empty."

I briskly wiped my tears and looked ahead. A large gate door was in front of us. From afar, I saw a decent size house enclosed with the fences. When I scanned around, there wasn't any other building near the property, not even a single light in the distance to say the least.

Rummaging into my backpack, I fished out the deed that I only managed to skim my eyes on five years ago. I looked at the lot number, and it couldn't be wrong, the same one was written on the side of the mailbox.

"Yes, this is it," I uttered.

"Okay then, open the gate and let me send you inside sweetie," she said. Worry invaded her expression.

I got out to inspect the gate and found out it wasn't locked. I pushed it open, and the car slowly entered, giving light towards the house.

The wooden patio squeaked as I foot in. I walked up a small stoop before reaching the veranda. There were vases of dead plants on the railings and a wooden bench placed next to the door. Everything was dusty of course, the side of the walls was covered with dried vines.

"You can stay with me if you want sweetie. This place is creepy."

For a second there, I forgot the fact that I still had company. I spun around to look at the kind woman standing next to her car. Although her offer was more than enticing, I couldn't let myself burden her more than I already did.

And there was this thought.

"Thank you, but my mother asked me to come here. Maybe she would come back."

Whatever the odds, I still hoped my mother would be out there, and if there were such a chance, she would find me here.

I gripped the door handle then turned it, as expected, it wasn't locked. Once the door swung open, the whole property came to life with illuminating lights as if I just clicked on a switch. I was struck with awe.

The living room was furnished, yet cobwebs were hanging here and there, suggesting a long absence of presence.

"Okay, then. It's very late, and I really should be going."

I rushed outside and grabbed all the grocery bags she was about to carry for me. She smiled as I juggled with it and placed it on the bench.

Before she got in her car, I hugged her again. "Thank you for everything. I'm Charis." I finally introduced myself after being convinced I could trust her.

She stroked my back gently then said, "Nice to meet you, Charis. I'm Peyrel."

Instantly, a tinge of recognition appeared in my mind. Could it be? She was...

To be continued...

***

Thank you for reading everyone. I appreciate every one of your comments and votes.

So does anyone have any idea who the kind lady was?