“Do you know how I clawed my way back from the pit of darkness and despair I fell into? One day at a time.I didn’t have a nosy old neighbor to make me dinner, which I probably am grateful for, believe me, but I wanted to live.So that he didn’t win.I isolated myself in the beginning, of course.Much like you do.Went to work at a local diner, forced myself to speak with people that I would never see again, until one day a handsome man asked me out.”
“Did you accept him?”
“Hell, no.Not that time and not the next twenty either.It ended up being a joke between us.I think when I finally accepted, not even he believed it at first.”She laughed, her eyes glazing over with memories.“And from there, we went to live thirty eight wonderful years together.”She sighed, seemingly contented.“But what I mean is that we need to give life a chance.Being cooped up in this house won’t do you any good.”She patted her hand and finished her wine.“Tanya is thinking of opening a gym in town, would you accept to go there and check it out?”
“What?Why?”
“Because she needs someone to help her around, she doesn’t know anyone here, and you need to leave this house before you get cabin fever.”
“She doesn’t even know me.”
“And she will never know if you don’t do something about that.Tell you what, she’s an early riser.She’ll come here tomorrow morning.If you want, you can go with her, if you don’t ...then at least you’ll get out of your head.”
Freya sighed and saw her neighbor leave the room.But before she closed the door, she asked, “Does it ever get any easier?”
“Of course it does, dear.Just not right now.Bye!”
****
Evelyn left, walkinggracefully along the path to her house.She had the feeling that Freya was standing at the window, watching her from behind the curtains, so she couldn't be anything more than an energetic and nosy old woman.Her small lies would catch up with her, eventually, but for now, she’d laid the path for her grandsons the best she could.
Now it was up to them...
Chapter Nine
She couldn’t standdarkness.When it was dark, all her phantoms would surface.It was as if he was still waiting, wanting to claw her, to bathe in her blood and revel in her screams.
So, the entire house was lit.From the living room to the bathroom, everything was lit as if it was daytime.No shadows where evil could hide.So, why was she on the sofa, her head in her hands?
She feared the next day.Feared Tanya’s visit in the morning.Would she find her odd?If she knew what she’d been through, she’d probably run for the hills.She didn’t think the old lady would tell her grandchildren about her.
****
In the backyard, silent, were the twins.Their eyes never left her, the distress clear in her posture.Their wolves were whining in their heads, pacing.They wanted to go to her.Make the pain disappear.Protect her.Instead, they had to watch her suffer in silence.
“I want to go to her,”mind-linked Ciaran.
