A blessing

My heart is racing, pounding as if it’s trying to break free from my ribcage, but there's nowhere to go. A crushing feeling of defeat settles within me.

I couldn’t even make it out of the forest. How was I ever going to achieve getting to Dalico? I’ve failed, and worst of all, I’ve betrayed Marx's trust.

"Looks like mommy rabbit caught her bad little bunnies.” Tuesday teased. Her cheerful nature is not to be confused by her sadistic aura.

"Now, which of you adorable kids go by Tom?" She added, her gaze piercing through our soul as she tried to identify the culprit.

I was afraid, the fear paralyzed my entire body. We were encircled completely, trapped in a world of snow, trees and the cold barrels of guns, all aimed at us.

The only warmth around me came from the children holding on to me, their small hands clinging desperately. I was their only hope, their only way out. The fear of letting them down devoured me from inside out.

But I felt helpless, clueless on how to get out of this mess. Tom turned toward me; his face was wet with tears, yet all I could read in his expression was terror.

What’s wrong with me? I thought, I couldn’t believe how useless I was. Any attempt to stand up sank deeper into the snow.

A single misstep and it was over; the weight of the pressure was suffocating. Tuesday stared me down as I finally stood up to face her.

“What’s your name little girl?” She inquired in a commanding manner.

I tried to steady my breath, my words trapped in fear. "R-release us!" I cried out, terrified.

“You want me to release you?” Tuesday asked as she mocked my tone. She lost her composure and burst into laughter. “I like this one!” She declared amid her amusement.

“Fine, I will let you go. But I only need 1 thing from you, can you get that for me?” she asked.

“NEVER!” I yelled while still being terrified. I knew she was referring to Tom when she asked her request.

My head felt empty, I was seconds away from fainting from the pressure Tuesday held over me.

“Then I suppose I can’t let you go.” She shrugged. “There’s no other way out of this you know.”

Her face hid behind her mask, but I could tell that she was enjoying this encounter.

Her playful tone only added to my fears.

“W-What did you do to Marx? W-What about the orphanage?” I asked stuttering.

Tuesday pulled her face closer to mine, we were only inches apart. “You mean the old man?” She asked with her annoyingly playful voice.

“Don’t look at me, I didn’t do anything.” She replied. She calmly pulled her face back.

“My partner may have killed him, or he may not have. Who knows? I’ll ask him later.” She smirked.

My heart got crushed by the thought, I fell on my knees. I struggled to speak, the weeping of the kids going through my head.

“I’m getting impatient here little girl. Give me Tom now before I order my men to shoot!” Tuesday demanded. Her tone changed in a second.

I tried to think of any way out of this. But my mind was empty. I didn’t know it yet, but I had already given up.

Tom glanced at me; his face was full of tears. I couldn’t bring myself to turn him in, even if it was the smartest decision on the table.

I shook my head, signalling him to not do anything stupid like turning himself in.

Tuesday grabbed my chin and pulled me closer to her. “Tell me your name little girl.”

My lips slowly moved on their own. “Liria, Liria Lime is my name.”

Tuesday let go of my face and pushed me into the cold snow. “Liria huh? What a strange woman you are.” She smirked. “It’s a shame to go out like this Liria.”

She squatted down to see me more clearly. “Now I will count to three! If you don’t give me Tom right now, I will order my men to fire!”

She approached and spoke calmly, almost motherly even. She put her hand on my cheek as she spoke. “Not everyone needs to die here Liria, their life is in your hands?”

I contemplated it for just a second, but I did not fall for her antics. I just stared into her eyes with both fear and confidence at the same time.

I had accepted my fate, we were doomed either way, even if I gave him up. These people have no empathy, they will choose the easy way out.

Tuesday sighed in disappointment. “Have it your way.” She stood back up and faced us all.
“ONE!” She yelled, starting her countdown.

I’m sorry Marx, I’m so sorry. Tears flowing through my eyes.

“TWO! SOLDIERS AIM” Tuesday ordered.

The children and I all huddled together, weeping at our last moment together.

Memories as my child self-flashed through my head. A flashback to my first day at the orphanage, watching my parents leave me behind.

In a final attempt I stood up straight. “Please, I beg of you! Don’t kill them, kill me instead! I pleaded.

“It’s too late, Liria.” Tuesday replied. “Men, FIRE!!!” I remember looking into her eyes, I saw them filled with twisted pleasure. It was… disgusting to see.

As I heard the bullet leave the barrel of their guns, I saw a strange blue light. It was bright and vibrant.

Everything went dark after that.


2 hours later

Complete silence, nothing but the sound of the wind going in and out.

Tom slowly opened his eyes. His head was pounding, and he couldn't remember anything.

Slowly he sat up, grunting as he did so. He looked around, confused and disoriented, trying to make sense of his surroundings.

He heard my footsteps approaching his way. He slowly turned towards me.
“How you feeling?” I asked, concerned.

"Huh?" Tom muttered, trying to shake off the fog in his brain. "Are we...dead?"

I let out a silent sigh. I sat down beside him and put my hand on his shoulder.
“You don’t remember?” I asked. “You saved us back there, in the forest.”

Tom looked at me confused; his eyes opened wide. “I don’t … what happened?” He averted his eyes from mine. He slowly started shaking in panic.

I held his trembling hand tightly. “Slow down Tom, it’s alright.” I said with a calming tone.

“I don’t know exactly what happened either, we just somehow ended up here.” I started explaining. Tom let out a deep breath to calm himself. “I think it was the result of your curse, Tom.” I added.

“My … curse?” He asked concerned. He looked at my hand holding his.

I nodded. "I am not sure how it works, but I think you have some transportation ability. Maybe teleportation even.” Some of the kids started approaching us concerned. Tom was glad to see everyone okay.

“That would explain Rick disappearing out of nowhere.” Tom added. “I… I don’t know what to make of this.”

“You saved us, Tom! Your curse saved our lives.” I said, hoping to lift his mood. Tom looked at me concerned “Come on hero, let’s get you some food.” I added, I stood up and extended my hand to help Tom up.

Grabbing my hand, Tom slowly got to his feet.

He looked around more clearly this time. He saw everyone huddled up. “Where are we?” He asked as he walked with me.

“We don’t know for sure; we found a small cave to rest for a bit, we deserve some.” I answered, I sat down near the rest of the kids and gestured him to sit down beside me.

“Come here Tom!” I urged. “We’ll talk about it later, let’s eat first.”