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ASHES OF THE LIVING
CHAPTER 2 :- HE TALKED

CHAPTER 2 :- HE TALKED

As Sydney emerged from the bathroom, memories of David consumed her mind, an unrelenting tide of fear and despair crashing against her resolve. The anguish she had buried for so long surged forth, an unstoppable wave that pulled her down to the cold, hard floor. Alone in the stark, empty room, her heart ached with every ragged sob, the echoes amplifying her isolation.

Eventually, she steadied herself, dragging a deep breath into her lungs like a lifeline. Gripping her phone with desperate hope, she prayed for a message from David. But frustration twisted in her gut as she unlocked the screen: no messages awaited her.

Rick and Tommy’s calls broke the silence, their voicemails brimming with promises of solidarity and unwavering support—commitments to leave no stone unturned in their search for David. They urged her to enlist the police in the morning, solid advice amidst her rising tide of doubt and fear.

Yet, even their reassurances couldn’t lighten the oppressive disappointment settling in her chest. Sydney set her phone down and leaned against the wall, eyes closing as she sought the elusive strength to carry on. Hope flickered within her: they would find David, and they would endure whatever storm lay ahead.

Just then, her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. Martha's name illuminated the screen, sending a rush of warmth through her veins. Sydney answered, her voice barely a whisper. "Hello?"

"Hello, dear," came Martha's voice, tinged with concern. "I’m so sorry to call you so late, but I’ve been trying to reach David. He hasn’t returned my calls. It’s not like him."

Emotions brimmed again as Sydney recounted the events of the day, her voice quaking with fear. "Martha, I don’t know what to do," she sobbed. "David is missing, and I can't reach him at all."

Martha’s reply was immediate and firm. "Don't worry, dear. I will be there as soon as I can. I believe in God, and I’m certain David will be safe. Please, no more tears. I’ll catch the first flight tomorrow."

Sydney clutched the phone tightly, a flicker of hope igniting within her. "Thank you, Martha," she whispered, her tears slowing as she clung to the belief that everything would somehow be alright.

The following morning, Rick and Tommy arrived at Sydney's house, concern etched on their faces. They were prepared to take her to the police station when she stopped them, a spark of anticipation in her eyes. Martha was en route, arriving shortly.

Eagerly, they waited as Sydney dialled Martha’s number, her heart racing with urgency. After brief pleasantries, she informed Rick and Tommy that Martha’s flight would take three to four hours. The determination in Rick’s eyes sharpened, and he declared, "Let’s head to the park and wait for Martha there."

Once at the park, Sydney’s restlessness intensified. Her hands moved restlessly, betraying the anxiety gnawing at her. Sensing her unease, Tommy placed a reassuring hand on her arm, his voice low and steady. "We will find David," he murmured, conviction radiating from him.

Minutes bled into hours as they sat in silence, a thick blanket of uncertainty shrouding them. Tension mounted when a nearby couple captured their attention, watching the news on their phone.

The man’s voice turned serious as he relayed the broadcast: "Breaking news from Boston. Massive military deployments are underway, with thousands of troops entering the city, and the government refuses to comment on the reasons behind this sudden escalation. Speculation runs rampant."

Sydney’s heart raced as the reality of the situation surged in her chest. She watched in horror as footage of armoured vehicles rumbled through Boston’s streets, the eerie stillness broken only by the sound of increasing chaos. Rick’s grip tightened around her arm, his jaw clenched with resolve, while Tommy's gaze remained fixed on the screen, his expression somber and grave.

The ordinary streets of Boston now resembled a battleground, cloaked in an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty, and communication networks had faltered, leaving only a void filled with speculation and fear. Panic clawed at Sydney’s insides as she scrolled through the news feeds on the couple’s phone, the urgency pressing down on her like a weight.

Every moment felt like a heartbeat lost, their reality fracturing as time stretched painfully thin. With each passing second, the desperation to find David intensified, drowning her in a swell of dread—as if the world outside was unraveling at the seams, mirroring her own spiralling fears.

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"David is in Boston," Sydney said, her voice trembling with urgency. "I have to get there. I need to make sure he’s safe."

Seeing her distress, the couple quickly handed her their phone, filled with messages from Martha. Sydney’s anxiety spiked as she scrolled through them, her heart racing.

"Martha, is everything all right?" she asked, clearly apprehensive.

Almost instantly, Martha responded, her words cryptic and unsettling: "Everything is not all right. The military has sealed off the airport, and all flights are canceled. They’re not telling the public anything."

Tightening her grip on the phone, Sydney felt dread settle in her gut like a heavy stone. "Martha, have you seen what's happening in Boston?" she whispered, the fear palpable in her voice.

"Yeah, I saw the news. Don’t worry; I’m going to find another way home," Martha assured, her tone resolute.

While her words offered a sliver of hope, an undercurrent of fear gnawed at Sydney relentlessly. The situation in Boston was spiralling out of control, and the uncertainty surrounding David’s safety was suffocating.

Rick stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "Sydney, we need to go to the police now," he urged, his voice firm. "Sitting here won’t help us."

Sydney nodded vigorously, her mind racing through possibilities. Every second felt crucial, and she was acutely aware that time was slipping away.

They made their way to the police station, urgency propelling them forward in search of leads to find David. Upon arrival, the atmosphere was chaotic. Officers rushed about, their faces drawn with concern, the buzz of frantic voices drowning out reason. Sydney approached the desk where an officer was seated, shaking as she raised her voice, "Officer, I need to report a missing person!"

The officer barely registered her, his attention caught up in a phone conversation.

Frustration bubbled to the surface, and Sydney shouted, "Why won't you listen to me? My boyfriend is missing, and I need your help!"

Amidst the chaos, Maria, an officer with an authoritative presence, noticed Sydney’s distress. Cutting through the commotion, she ushered Sydney and her companions into a private office, gesturing for them to sit. Sydney's voice shook as she recounted the ordeal, raw emotion spilling from her.

Maria listened intently, her expression somber as the weight of Sydney’s words sank in. Once she finished, Maria replied with compassion. "I understand your frustration, but given the current situation in Boston, finding someone is incredibly difficult. The city is in disarray due to military intervention, and we’re struggling to keep up with the chaos."

Maria’s solemn apology deepened Sydney’s despair, tears brimming in her eyes. As the three of them exited the station, their hopes felt heavy and fragile. Standing outside in the cold air, Sydney resolved to reach Boston herself. Tommy cautioned against such a reckless move, constantly aware of the roadblocks and military presence that would obstruct their path. Rick, however, insisted, "It’ll be tough, but it’s not impossible."

After some debate, they donned their jackets, steeling themselves for what lay ahead. With determination fuelled by desperation, they set off on their perilous journey to Boston. Multiple roadblocks curtailed their progress, yet their resolve remained unshaken, aware that this was just the beginning of the obstacles they would face.

When Sydney entered her house, her hands trembled uncontrollably. The unsettling silence of the hallway wrapped around her like a shroud, and calling for her mother only heightened her sense of dread. As she moved toward the kitchen, a faint but growing smell of blood assaulted her senses.

Upon entering, she was confronted with a horrifying scene. Blood pooled on the floor, encircled by shards of glass and debris. A severed hand lay grotesquely close by. Her gaze was drawn to a man whose face twisted into a grotesque grin as he fed on her mother’s leg.

Her mother lay on the floor, her eyes wide with agony, pleading silently for help in a chaos that defied comprehension. Sydney’s mind reeled, struggling to process the unimaginable violence unfolding before her. Her loyal cat, frightened and bewildered, had retreated behind her, amplifying the surreal horror of the moment.

Feeling her resolve waver, Sydney instinctively backed away from the kitchen, and a dark memory surfaced from her college days—a crime so heinous it had left an indelible scar on her psyche. This memory propelled her into action, but fate had other plans. As she brushed past the entrance hall, her startled cat sent her heart racing, eliciting a scream that pierced the suffocating silence. The man—her former PT instructor—turned towards her, his eyes brimming with madness and desperation.

Time slowed as fear gripped her. She could only watch as he advanced, recognising her as his next victim. Just when all hope seemed lost, a loud crash erupted from outside, followed closely by shattering glass. Rick and Tommy burst into the kitchen, their faces reflecting the horror of the scene before them.

Without hesitation, Rick lunged, plunging a knife into the PT instructor’s brain. The man crumpled to the ground, but as he fell, he grasped Sydney’s leg with a desperate grip, whispering, "I’m sorry, I had no choice," before Rick delivered a final blow.

They stood in a stunned silence over the body, the weight of the night’s events settling heavily on their shoulders. Sydney’s mind whirled, desperately trying to make sense of it all. The oppressive quiet around them was broken only by the distant wail of sirens. As they awaited help, Sydney knew that the haunting memories of this night would forever alter the course of her life.

____________________ END OF CHAPTER 2___________________