FOR ORLA: A MOTHER'S REVENGE
condemning the ruling as a blatant failure of justice. His hands clenched into fist at his side, veins bulging from his skin as his body trembled
served had become a theater of anguish. Some people in the audience turned away unable to
y reacted. He adjusted his tie as if Alaric's outburst was nothing more
is voice cracking with emotion. "S
vement fueled by nothing but the need to make the man
m as they wrestled him back. His body strained against them, every fiber of his being screaming for vengeance.
ice hoarse. "He should pay for
courtroom doors swung open, revealing a long corridor. His shouts of a
. The courtroom noise faded into a distant hum, like she was submerged underwater, hearing muffled voic
gu
llow and meaningless yet carrying the po
ken, but the man respon
hest, as if her heart was
s digging into her dress. A tear slipped down her cheek, t
ments, she rose unsteadily to her feet. The walls of the courtroom felt too close, like
know what
city bustled around her, cars honked, people laughed, street vendors called out thei
hed from her body, until she found h
he scent of damp earth lingered in the air, mingling with the floral offerings left
r breathing hitching when
the headstone, left by someone else, pe
was now surging through her in full force. A strangled cry tore from h
letters carved into the stone; "Orla Ca
ry love," she whispered, her vo
. The ground was cold, unyielding beneath her, but she did not ca
you," she sobbed, "I sh
ustling the leaves in a melody that rem
ed to deep purple, until exhaustion n
. She reached for the framed photograph resting against the headstone and pull
hout consequence, and with her newfound d
hadows across the pavement. Liora drove through the streets with a
ithout a care in the world. Her finger
ontinue his life as if nothing had happened w
d then she got out. Her steps quickened,
collar, yanking him to face her. "Why?" she dema
f cold indifference. "Why was your child in front of my car?" he said flatly, "Do
ach hit fueled by raw grief. "Apologize to
much do you want
hed his face, hoping for a flick
of guilt. He scoffed and then with a shove he pushed her away wit
d, brushing and straightening his coa
or an apology to her child. He kicked her away, kept
came in shallow gasps as she clutched Orla's picture to her
etermination, she
gripped the wheel. Her foot pr
ed forward a