The Fallen Shadow

When Avery heard the sharp creak of the front door opening, she quickly ducked. 

Though no one could see her there; she had to exercise caution. 

It was only when Fred drove his car away from the front porch that she went on her way to the bakery. 

On her way back home from the bakery, she ran into Mrs. Emma, the librarian, a middle aged woman with a firm but friendly disposition. 

"Good morning Mrs. Emma" Avery greeted. 

"Avery dear child. How are you today?" Mrs. Emma asked. 

"I'm fine, thank you ma'am" 

"Avery dear, I've been meaning to ask you. Why haven't you been going to school like the rest of your age mates? You are a bright and intelligent young girl and to get ahead in life, you will surely require more than just knowing how to read and write" Mrs. Emma said. 

Ava blushed from embarrassment "I don't really know what to say, Mrs. Emma. I used to go to school before my father died. After father died, mother said there wasn't any money and made me stop" 

"That's sad!" Mrs. Emma exclaimed "Would you like to be home schooled? If your mom permits, I could plan my daily schedule to come teach you for free at your house for some hours daily with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays of course" 

Avery was uncertain " I really don't know if mother will permit it" 

"Ask her when you get home and give me a reply when you come to the library tomorrow, okay?" 

"I shall do that and Mrs. Emma, thank you very much" 

"You're most welcome, my dear" Mrs. Emma smiled. 

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Whenever a major disagreement or quarrel occurred, Fred would always give Karen the silent treatment especially when he couldn't get his way. 

His silent treatment could sometimes run it's course for a day and sometimes a whole week long. 

During those times, Karen reciprocated in kind. 

The usually quiet house always became quieter than a graveyard whenever there was a cold war between Karen and Fred. 

Whenever he got tired of the cold war, Fred would call a truce by surprising Karen with a candle lit dinner and buying her a gift. 

They would talk at length, resolve their issues, amicably this time, find common ground and end the night in passionate embrace. 

Karen noticed that Fred always took advantage of her to get his way whenever she tried to call a truce first hence she will keep on with the cold war even when she was tired. 

But now the situation was totally different. 

She could hardly see a common ground in this case. It was either Fred accepted the baby unconditionally or she would divorce him. 

Pregnancy hormones were wrecking her emotions making her angry one minute, sobbing next minute and laughing the very next. 

Her head felt hot, her tongue felt parched and her throat dry. 

She kept pacing back and forth in the living room till she felt dizzy. 

This was the condition Avery met Karen when she arrived home from the bakery. She rushed to her mother showing false concern. 

"Mom!, mom, what is wrong?" 

"Avery, why are you just coming back? I told you not to waste time. Why are you strong headed like Fred? Why can't you just do as you are told?" Karen nagged angrily. 

"Sorry, mom. I got delayed at the bakery. The baker was so busy taking orders, he misplaced ours" Avery tried to explain. 

"Ha! You must always find excuses. Go and keep the bread loaves in the pantry and get me my daily medication now" Karen ordered. 

After Karen drank the medicine, she started feeling drowsy and clumsily laid down on the living room sofa. 

"Mom, do you remember Mrs. Emma, the librarian?" Avery asked. 

"Yes, why?" Karen yawned sleepily. 

"I saw her on my way back from the bakery. She was so kind to offer to home-school me" 

"Huh?" Karen's tired eyes flung open. 

"She said to ask your permission for her to come teach me at home. Pretty please mom?" Avery pleaded. 

"Avery, how do I pay her? I don't have the money for even home-school" 

"No mom. She's offering to teach me for free" 

"Really? Are you sure, I don't believe you!" 

"But it's true; all she wants is your permission. Mom, please don't say no, pleassse?"

"Let me sleep on it, Avery" 

"Okay mom" 

Avery seemed satisfied with the response; at least it was better than an outright No!. 

She was confident that Karen would accept Mrs. Emma's offer. After all, who could resist a free gift? No one, not even Karen. 

Avery sadly stared at the sleeping form on the sofa. 

Was this the person she actually called mom? Indeed if pigs could swim and horses could fly, she would never wish for such a mother in any lifetime. 

Avery left Karen to sleep and went to her own room. 

Karen tossed and turned in her sleep seemingly having a nightmare. 

Samson approached her drenched in blood from head to toe. 

A gasp escaped Karen's lips in horror at the sight. He looked so terrifying, she couldn't bear to look at him. 

She felt like running away but she couldn't move an inch. 

The feeling of a heavy weight on her shoulders pinned her down making her fall to her knees. 

She called out for help but even her tongue felt sawn to the top of her mouth. 

Her breathing was ragged; she couldn't even breath properly. 

She tried but couldn't chase relief in oblivion and even to close her eyes became an impossible task. 

She helplessly watched as Samson's ghost approached her. 

She felt precious life draining away from her body and with her eyes, she begged. 

She begged for forgiveness. She begged for dear life. She begged for another chance at life and she kept on begging. 

Samson's apparition starred at her for sometime before it turned away and left her without uttering a word. 

Immediately it was out of her sight, Karen woke up with a piercing scream!

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