TWICE the HEARTACHE

Lucy

I wasn't happy. I couldn't leave the prison of my relationship. I needed to be around people who truly loved me, so I booked a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg-without telling Mike.

The silence on the flight was deafening. My thoughts were louder than the engines. I questioned myself, doubted myself. Am I running away? Or do I just need to see my family, to feel loved again?

A few hours later, I stood at my parents' front door. I rang the doorbell twice. Footsteps approached.

"My baby! Oh my God," my mom cried, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Hey, Mom," I said softly, hugging her back. God knows I needed that hug more than anything.

"Dan, come look who's here!" she called.

My dad appeared at the top of the stairs. "Hey sweetheart, come here-give me a hug," he said, arms open wide.

I held back tears. I just wanted to break down and cry.

I couldn't do it-I couldn't let them see me like this. I didn't want to break their hearts.

"Hey, Dad," I said, hugging him tightly. He held me for a moment, then gently pulled back and looked into my eyes.

"You don't look well, sweetheart. Is everything okay?" he asked, concern written all over his face.

I cleared my throat. "I'm okay, Dad. I've just been working a lot."

I hated lying to him, but I didn't have a choice.

"Go put your bags in your room and come down for a cup of coffee," Mom said.

"Mom, I just need to rest for a few hours. I'll come down later," I replied, offering her a tired smile.

She didn't push-just gave a small nod.

I walked to my bedroom, surprised to find it exactly the way I had left it. I dropped my bags on the floor, collapsed onto the bed, and sleep took me almost instantly.

Mila's Pov

I love Fridays-they're my favorite. We get to leave school early, and I usually stop by the library afterward. But just as I was lost in my thoughts, my phone buzzed with a message. I pulled it out and checked.

It was from Mom: "Hey Nana, your sister is home. Maybe come home early today?"

A huge smile spread across my face. I nearly jumped with excitement. Lucy was home! I had missed her so much, and I had so much to tell her. In that moment, I made up my mind-I was skipping the library today.

I said my goodbyes to my friends and headed straight home.

I got home and flew the door open. "Hey, Mom! Hey, Dad!" I called out as I ran upstairs.

I passed my own room and went straight to Sissy's. I opened her door quietly-she was fast asleep. But something didn't look right. Her face was pale, tense. There was something off... I could feel it.

I was about to step out when she suddenly she started shaking, hugging herself tightly. Then she whispered through clenched teeth, "No... please stop, you're hurting me... Nooo!" Her voice cracked into a scream.

I rushed to her side. "It's okay, Sissy. It's just a dream. I'm here-it's me. You're safe," I said, wrapping my arms around her.

"Mimi..." she breathed, her voice trembling as she held onto me like her life depended on it.

Her eyes fluttered open, wide with fear and confusion.