Samara
Watching everyone drive away made me sad. There had always been something about being alone that made me anxious, even when I was back in New York. I knew the feeling would only last for a while, just like my trip. I took a deep breath and went inside the airport.
I honestly couldn’t wait to explore Spain, meet new people, and, for the month-and-a-half trip, let my hair down.
As I stood in line waiting to check in, I heard my name being called.
The moment I heard those words, all I could do was shake my head. She waved her hand as she approached me. I shrank, feeling embarrassed.
“Stop calling me that. Why do you keep following me? I figured after I fought you, you would leave me alone,” I grumbled.
She bowed her head. “Samara, can I not see you off? Am I not still your mother?”
I nervously glanced at my phone, then at the few people in front of me, hoping the line would speed up. That was when an agent stepped forward.
“Anyone who is boarding flight 0806Z to Spain, there is currently an estimated four-hour delay. Please step to your left, and we will assist you here,” she announced.
I rolled my eyes while sticking my phone in my bag. “Fucking great!” I exclaimed.
My mother reached out and grabbed my bag. “Let me help you. How about we grab lunch? Allow me to say my final goodbyes, and I will bring you back in time to check in,” she offered.
I snatched my bag out of her hand as I moved out of the line. “No!” I shouted, causing everyone to stare at us. “Why won’t you leave me alone? It was easy for you to walk away from me all those years ago. Why is it so hard now?”
I could see her clench her stomach as my words hurt her.
Honestly, she should have been hurt because I had been hurting since she had been gone.
Now that I was in a place of happiness in my life, it seemed like she wanted to ruin it.
She and I had no relationship, and since she had joined the cult, there was no way we could ever mend what was broken.
However, a small part of me hoped she would change.
Since the day she’d arrived, I almost instantly regretted writing her. Had I known she would be this persistent and unwilling to accept my found family, I would never have written to her.
Her eyes began to water. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the best mother. I-I just want one final time with you, and I promise to leave you alone forever,” she whimpered.
My shoulders dropped in defeat as my forlorn eyes revealed I was going to give her a chance. “Fine. One hour and one hour only.”
She excitedly embraced me in a tight hug. “One hour is all I need,” she whispered in my ear.
I followed my mother out of the airport. Her feet moved quickly as she headed toward the car, which was parked only a few feet away. She tried to catch the officer putting a ticket on the car. By the time I reached them, she bowed and turned to me, holding the ticket in her hand.
“The wicked ways of Babylon,” she said.
“It’s called, you know, you've been parked there too long. I’m surprised you’re driving. Isn’t that against the cult rules?” I snapped.
She gave me a weak smile as she opened the back door to allow me to put my suitcase inside. I looked around, thinking maybe Dio stayed around, but I knew he hadn’t. I placed my things in the back seat and got into the front. Nervously, I pulled my phone out of my purse to text Dio.
While I waited for him to respond, my mother had now gotten in and started the car. She gave me a weird smile, and that threw me off.
“You know what? I changed my mind.”
She rubbed my leg. “No need to be afraid. I will take care of you.”
Ding!
Dio had sent a text. I glanced down to look at what he said. That was when I saw my mother pull something from her side out of the corner of my eye. I grabbed the handle to get out of the car when, suddenly, a piercing feeling followed by a light sting sizzled down my neck.
“What the fuck!” I shouted.
My heart began to race, my palms started to sweat, and my blinking became rapid as I searched out of the window for that officer. What was happening?
My mouth opened, then closed, and opened again. I let out a heavy breath. “Wh-What did you do to me?” I found myself slurring.
My body fell back, as I could no longer feel my legs or arms. My eyes fluttered while people walked by.
Meanwhile, I was in the car suffering. A tear rolled down my face because I should have known not to trust her and should have been smarter.
I sucked in another breath as my mother leaned in toward me.
“Relax, my child. You're just going to—”
Everything went Black.