Nick
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It was like everything just went by in slow motion. I guess I have a slow metabolism when it comes to digesting shock and other feelings relating to it. It alls feels surreal like a bad dream where ugly dolls talk and clowns eat small kids, try as I might I couldn't seem to make myself believe what my subconscious already registeted as a tragic accident that should have never happened to begin with. Albeit all that, here I am trying to believe that it's a mistake and although I can't exactly give the right formula for the events but I jist know this one is a mistake! Funny how I've always sat at the opposite end of the table and told people how to deal with grief, this is beyond myself! It is just unacceptable. I felt numb and my mind reeling with all sorts of scenarios that can explain what happened, I guess im still in denial but it just can't be! This must be the projection of all my worst fears manifesting right infront of my eyes. Maybe it's a trick of nature to test my mind endurance and yet the trickle rushing down my face is not from rain. I squeezed Salamina's left hand and she lifted her sorrow-filled eyes and stared right at my hollow ones. After she scremed to her heart's content there was no more voice left in her. The turmoil going on in her head clearly visible throurgh her eyes like a fresh tattoo. So unmistakably bright that it dimmed the flicker of hope that I still had in me. I felt like someone ripped my guts out for everyone to see them, the taste of bile so strong within the reaches of my taste buds, strange enough though was the fact that no other tear escaped my eye after that lone stray tear. My eyes burned with unshed tears and I just couldn't fall apart now. I don't know when or how people started flocking to the old Park but when I blinked we were fully surrounded.
I took Sally to our R172 SLK that we grabbed in a rush when we recieved the call from a girl who said she was worried about Dana without giving us much on who she is or how she knows Dana or the mere fact of how she knew where she was. We were quite sure Princess has never been to this place before or she would've told us, so the lady remained a mistry while our Princess remained an unsolved argonising X.
She got inside and started with soft whimpers as if any more sound passing through her esophagus is clawing it's way out or better yet, burning it's way out. More than not knowing where my Princess is or what happened to her, hearing my wife's broken sniffles made me want to tear my soul and sell it to the devil just so I can buy her happiness back. She held on to my arm and I moved my hand in circles trying to soothe her broken heart which honestly felt like im adding fuel to an inferno. Her whimpering turned to loud sniffles and then hoarse, strained and pained moaning. I can't do this.
It's not bad to hope but hpoing for her survival where the car was broken the same fashion an ice cube would break if it wasn't properly frozen, there was no hope for any survivors. There just wasn't!
There was not even a solid piece of the car that looked like it was made to completion. We were now sure that there had been another person with Dana but we didn't have the slightest idea of who the person might have been but at least I consoled myself by saying the person who called was female and right now that sounded just about eons ago.
We heard a commotion outside. The people's attention seem to have been captured by something else that I couldn't fathom from where we stood and it was clear to me that my wife missed it as she was still drowning in the pain.
"Let me go and see what is causing the commotion outside" I whisper-talked just enough for her to hear me through the raging storm in her head.
Sally : I am coming with you- she said still grabbing my arm if not harder
I am torn between not knowing what whispers will be floating in the air, wanting to protect her fragile heart from any senseless gossip and wanting her to stay in the car not trusting if her body can hold out much longer plus not wanting to raise her hopes only to bring them crashing down in a plummet. I do want her close to me but I'm not sure if she feels the same about clinging to fading light, hoping it brings the light to full view once you touch it.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked to indicate she can still decide to stay in the car
"I don't want to be alone Nick" she said and her lower lip trembled from her effort to formulate the words.
I gave her a half hearted smile and stepped out of the car to go and open the door for her. I let her cling to me and we approached the crowd. I saw a bulky man with hazel eyes that looked to be observing from a distance.
"Sorry Sir, hy. What is the commotion about?" I enunciated the words to ensure that she got it loud and clear while ensnaring his attention
"Apparently someone found a completely naked women in the alley shadowing the park so we are waiting for someone to-"
I couldn't let him finish as Sally had already bolted in that direction hoping to find our Princess there. Shit shit shit . . . how many people have seen her naked?! I started feeling something else rising to the surface. Was it anger! Indignation? Maybe, how could they but then as soon as I got the feeling, another overpowering feeling caught on to my tempestuous self 'better naked than dead'
*sigh*
My anxiety is raking my insides and I caught up to Sally before she reached the crowd of man poking sticks at something. We pushed through the men and if it wasn't for the dire situation I would've smiled when I heard Sally say "excuse me" in such a manner that her voice rebuked no argument.
My woman!
I saw her! My princess. Her body bare for all the prying eyes to see. I was wrong to assume the indignation has receded to whatever it had risen from. I felt it the moment I saw all the grown men shamelessly ogling my naked Princess. Fuck fuck fuck I am gonna-
"Nick!" She threw caution to the air. I guess im too transparent to my wife. She removed the knitted maroon and grey knee length coat she was wearing and draped it around Dana
"You are alive"
She weeped loudly with tears of joy this time and I couldn't help averting my eyes to the sky.
I cautiously took her unconscious body in my arms and adjusted the coat so that all her private parts are covered from the ogling piece of shits who are supposed to be helping us find her instead of just shamelessly ogling. Dear God, their eyes! We made the short walk back to where the cars are parked and people were already whispering. Typical bored town folks. We agreed that for Sally to focus she will have to drive back with Dana on the SLK and I will use the Kompressor.
We pray for our safe while hoping for the best. Our Princess is going home and yet, things are never going to be the same again. For everyone!