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