Tears (Part 12)

"Hey man! How are you?", Luke responded.

"Am fine",

"What's wrong with Lana, she looks disturbed". Stark pulled Lana to himself, "don't mind her, she's just being naughty", he laughed. Lana wanted to pull away from his grip and tell Luke the whole truth, but his threat kept coming back to her mind, she feared for her life. She stayed mute and kept a face without expression.

"I just came to see Michelle, I’m going on a business trip and I won't be back for a while",

"Uhmmm! She's not in, she stepped out",

"When will she be back?, I can wait",

"No, no, don't wait, she would be put for a long time. Have you called her mobile",

"I've done that, but it's not responsive".

Stark looked at Lana, he saw her face and feared she might spill the secret. "Lana, go to your room", she obeyed.

Luke felt an uneasiness but didn't push to know what was actually happening. "I have to go now, guess I've to leave without seeing her. Just let her know I was here, I would keep calling her though",

"Alright, not a problem. I will make sure she knows you were here".

Luke looked at Stark intently, "are you alright, you don't sound like yourself, is everything okay?",

"Yea sure, am fine", Stark answered quickly.

"If you say so", he turned and left.

Stark sighed deeply, he wasn't breathing properly the whole time. He hurried back to the kitchen, he met Matilda standing, her hands folded. "I heard everything! How long would you keep up with this? Luke would definitely come back from that trip and would want to see Michelle, maybe that time you would tell him she travelled to the moon", she sounded pissed.

"I don't know what to do Mal. What do I do?”

"I don't know either, this is your mess, so fix it". She resumed cooking, "what are you cooking?” he asked,

"What's the time?",

"8:30am",

"So you should know am making breakfast, not for you, but for Lana. At least let her eat something. She hasn't eaten anything".

"Okay, I guess I should leave you now",

"You should".

Lana laid on the bed, feeling trapped and alone. Her thoughts were on her mom. Two knocks at the door distracted her but she ignored it. The door opened, she didn't budge.

"Lana, it's me", she turned to see Matilda holding a tray of breakfast, she took her eyes off. Matilda got closer and placed the tray on the bed beside her.

"Lana, you don't have to be like this. Don't get me wrong I know how you feel, but I want you to forget all that has happened and face life, I will be there for you",

"You can't take my mom's place" she said with a blank face.

"I know I can't"

"And I don't want to go to school again",

"Why won't you?, you have to, as long as you are in my house"

"Is this your house?",

"Yes it is",

" I thought it was for uncle Stark, but where do you go to every evening?",

"Well I go to take care of my business. Anyway, eat your food i'm sure your are hungry",

"I'm not hungry". Matilda ignored her and went out of the room. By the time she came back, she saw Lana sleeping, the breakfast cleared. She picked up the tray, took a glance at Lana before shutting the door carefully.

2 weeks later, by 6:00pm, Luke came around. Lana was quick to come down to get the door, she knew who would be at the door. She opened it and her expectation was meant. Luke stood smiling, "hey princess, where's mommy", he asked.

"She's not here"

"Arrrghhh! Againnn!", just then Stark came out to see who Lana was talking to, when he saw Luke, he almost lost his breath.

"You're back!",

"Yea I am, where's Michelle",

"He killed her", she answered and quickly moved behind Luke for protection.

"What are you talking about Lana?, who killed who?". She pointed at Stark, " He killed my Momma and threw her away somewhere".

Luke shoved his hands into his pockets and turned to Stark, "are you sure she's alright". "She is", Stark responded trying to maintain a calm composure. Lana tugged at the back of Luke's shirt,"uncle Luke, believe me, he used his gun to kill her, he raped me too. Take me away with you please", she pleaded.

"Hold on!, hold on!, what's going on here?", he started seeing some sense in Lana's words.

"2 weeks ago, I was here, you told me Michelle stepped out, now am back, she's not around again, Stark is this some form of joke or what, if it is, it's really expensive, stop it!",

Stark couldn't respond, his mouth suddenly went dry, one hand in his pocket, the other on his head. He didn't know what to say, all the lies he had cooked up in his brain vanished. "Look!, it all happened quickly, I didn't mean to kill her, and the rape i......i.....i... was kinda high",

"This is some kind of prank right! Okay fine, you got me! Please tell where Michelle is and stop this joke, it's not funny anymore",

"She's not here",

"Then where is she?",

"She might have decayed by now",

"WHAT!!!", Luke's eyes widened " you killed Michelle for real",

"I didn't mean to, I wasn't thinking straight. She was going to drag me to jail",

"You killed Michelle!!!" his voice became loud and angry. He moved closer to Stark, held his neck with both hands using all the strength he could muster. "You killed the one woman I love, you rape her daughter, and you don't sound remorseful, what are you if not the Devil himself",

"Luke you are hurting me", he tried to pull Luke's hands from his throat,

"I will hurt you more Stark". He released him and that left him coughing and gasping for air for some time. Luke reached out for Lana's hand " i'm taking her with me and I will make sure the police and everyone hears about this, I will not keep quiet",

"Don't push me Luke, that's what Michelle did, now she's dead",

"I am not scared of you Stark"

"You should be"

Stark yanked Lana's hand from Luke's hand." you are going no where with her".

Luke folded his hand into a fist, he took Stark by surprise as the blow landed on his nose, he fell to the floor, he touched his nose. It was bleeding.

"I won't take the law into my hands, would leave the law to take care of you accordingly. When i'm back this house would come down", Luke spoke with anger and firmness, his eyes were watery.

"I hope you live to see it come down" stark scoffed,

"I will Stark, I will", he looked at Lana, "am coming to get you soon", she nodded fearfully. He turned to go.

"Rest In Peace Luke!",

"No, it's Rest In Prison Stark!".




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‪#‎BarbraAustin‬

Tears (Part 11)

Lana looked at her mom lying lifeless on the floor. Blood spilled out from the back of her head, her head hit a glass stool lying carelessly on the floor. The side of her stomach was also bleeding from the bullet that hit her. Lana moved closer and rested her head on her mom's chest. "Mommy please wake up, please mommy, am scared, I don't want to stay here alone. Mommy wake up please." she cried so much.

Stark stood there, shaky and looking at the gun in his hand. He ran upstairs, came back with a grey bedsheet. He pushed Lana off the body. She struggled with him, “you’ve killed my mother", a slap sent her back to the floor. " you are lucky I didn't kill you too". He wrapped the body with the sheet and carried it on his shoulder. He pointed the gun at Lana, " follow me", she obeyed. He got to his car, opened the trunck and threw the body in. "Don't put my mom there" she sobbed, he ignored her and went to close the door of the house. He got back, " get in",

"Where are we going to?"

"I said get in" He spoke firmly. Scared of another stinging slap she got into the car and shut the door. He got behind the wheels, his hands shaky. He started the car and zoomed off.

For about 20 minutes he kept driving. His eyes fixed on the road. He ignored her sobs."Why did you kill mommy", she asked amidst her tears, " will you shut up! And let me concentrate". She kept mute but still sobbed.

Suddenly he stopped. He screened the environment before stepping out of the car. The route was usually  used by few people. He got to the back of the car, opened the trunck and searched for his flashlight he found it and flicked it on, then pulled out the body and slung it over his shoulder. He slammed the trunck shut.

"Come with me Lana!".

She opened the door and followed, her arms wrapped around herself, the evening breeze was chilly. So many questions were going through her head but she dare to ask any.

They went further and further, all she could see were trees and bushes. She heard sounds from different directions, she got scared and tried to keep up with Stark's pace.

He stopped and looked round to see if there was a sign of anyone, he flung the body to the ground and turned to go, she got closer to the body of her mom. " Lana let's go damn it!" she turned to him tearfully " I want to tell mommy goodbye",

"What's the point! She won't hear you"

"She will, I know she will",

"Okay, go ahead, let me do some good today".

She knelt down beside her mother,"mom, I don't know if you can hear me. I'm scared and I need you, i'm alone now, daddy doesn't like me, you are the only one that loves me, please come back mommy, I don't want to be alone, wake up please", tears trickled down her face as she spoke, she looked at the body and expected some sort of miracle, but nothing happened, everything was quiet. She decided to lie next to the body.

"What the heck are you doing?"

"I'm waiting for her to wake up",

"She won't, she's gone forever, now stand up and let's go",

"No, am not going with you, I'm staying here with my mom",

He got impatient and dragged her up. "Please, let's not leave mommy alone, it's dark and she's the only one here, please". He ignored her plea and dragged her till they got to the car. He pushed her in, slammed the door,got behind the wheel and drove away madly. His heart raced fast.

She didn't stop crying, her eyes were already red and swollen from so much tears. Finally they got home. He got out of the car. She didn't budge. "Don't annoy me further, come out!". She got out reluctantly, her hands folded all she felt at that moment was hatred for him. Immediately they got in, he pulled her by her ears towards himself.

"Everything that happened here, don't tell anyone, if you do, I will kill you, if you run away, I will find you, do you hear me?" she nodded, " now go upstairs, clean up, sleep and forget about your mom, she's not coming back. It's her fault she's dead". She turned to go, her joy had left her, her laughter had gone, her childhood had been taken away from her, her head bowed as she walked towards her room.

He got into his own room, pulled out the gun from his pocket, threw it into an open drawer, got into his bathroom picked a little blue towel, got down stairs to the kitchen, filled a bowl with water. He got to the sitting room, to the spot where Michelle fell. He stood for a minute, her pleading face flashed through his mind eyes, he still heard her voice pleading. He shoved the thoughts off, got down on his knees and cleaned the stains of blood carefully. When he had finished, he flushed the bloody water down the kitchen sink,washed the bowl and kept it in it's position. He got upstairs to his room and entered his bathroom, he dumped the towel in his laundry basket. He looked into the mirror but didn't see his own reflection, he saw her pleading face again, he moved back and closed his eyes for many seconds, when he opened his eyes, his own reflection showed. He sighed, reached into his pocket and brought out a little bottle, poured all the powdery substance into his left palm and sniffed in everything, he coughed so much as he staggered to his gigantic bed and slept off, snoring loudly.

Lana sat on the bed, no tears came down again, but her heart still cried. She laid down and slept off. She woke up suddenly when she heard a knock at the door, she looked at the clock, it was 2:30am, she got scared. The knock persisted but she ignored it.

"Lana it's me", she recognised her mother's voice, she jumped out of bed, rushed to the door and opened it, she saw her mom holding her bleeding side, her clothes all bloody and dirty. "MOM", she was shocked to see her. "Mom! I thought you died" she reached out for her mother's free hand and tried to pull her in, Michelle smiled painfully "Lana, run away," her hand slowly slipped from Lana's hands, Lana tried to tighten her grip "Mommy please don't leave me", she slowly faded, Lana started seeing through her, "Lana, please run", she disappeared. "Mommy don't go" she screamed.

Her eyes opened, she looked round, there was no sign of her mother, she looked towards the door and didn't hear any knock. She realised it had been a dream, fresh tears came down. She felt empty, a huge void had been created. She cried till she slept off again.

8a:m, she woke up famished and thirsty, she got downstairs to the kitchen, but stopped when she heard Stark's voice, she listened carefully again and heard Matilda's voice.

"You shouldn't have killed her, it will raise questions especially Luke, what were you thinking?" she sounded angry,

"I was scared, I didn't know what else to do, everything in my head then was to kill her. She was going to put us into trouble".

Matilda gave a dry laugh,

"Us!, no, no, no!, I didn't rape Lana, neither did I kill Michelle, what you've have done is on you, there is no 'us' ",

"If I didn't my drug deals would be exposed and my link to you and your business would be exposed too, so you see I did us a favour by killing her", he sounded defensive.

Lana couldn't believe what she heard. She could barely breath. A knock at the door distracted her, Stark and Matilda seemed not to hear they continued arguing. She rushed to the door, opened it and saw Luke.

"What is wrong Lana?",

"Uncle Luke, I want to leave",

He laughed, "Why do you want to leave",

"Please take me away with you", he raised an eyebrow.

"Heyyyy Luke! You're here", she froze when she heard Stark's voice behind her, she didn't dare to turn back.

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Tears (Part 10)

He pinned her down. She pleaded and struggled. A stinging slap across her face made her to whimper, she shivered as hot tears rolled down to her ears. He tried to unbuckle his belt with one hand as he held her down with the other. His eyes were blank, they had no soul in them. Finally his belt came off, this time she got into a frenzy, another stinging slap landed on her face, but that didn't stop her from screaming. He got frustrated with her screams, he stood up, took his belt that laid beside her folded the buckle end around right hand then he went further to hit her on her thighs, twice and hard. She screamed! "If you don't keep quiet I would use the metal part of this belt and beat you silly", his eyes were red shot, she stopped screaming but still sobbed. She trembled from fear and from the stinging pain on her thighs.
"Now, that's good" He said smiling, he undressed her, unzipped his trouser, he was on fours above her, he held her face, "now would you allow me do what I want to do?” she nodded. He parted her legs and forced himself into her treasure box, stealing her innocence. She bit the bottom of her lip to hold back a scream of pain. First he was gentle then he became vicious, she couldn't hold back the pain any longer, she screamed, he moaned. Her cry of pain fell on deaf ears
After he finished his act, he stood up and looked at her, she trembled and sobbed. “Why are you crying", she didn't respond, "answer me!" He thundered, still no reply, he got angry, he took his belt and hit her so hard with the buckle of the belt, it landed on her back, she screamed and sprung up from the bed," where do you think you are going to?", "nowhere ", she responded tearfully. "Come back here and lie still on this bed". She obeyed, her arms wrapped around herself. He zipped his trouser, put on his belt then walked out without even turning back. She laid on the bed feeling resentment, pain, confusion and betrayal.
At the restaurant, Luke was able to comfort Michelle back to liveliness. They ate and talked. She brought up the issue of her securing a job instead of just staying at home. He welcomed the idea and promised to help her secure one.
She looked at her watch." we should be leaving now"
"Okay, yes ma'am"
As they stood up to leave he held her hand, "you deserve better, I promise to stand by you and support you", she squeezed his hand gently, "thank you Luke, I know you would". As they approached his car, he noticed a scratch. He got closer and saw that it was more than a scratch, a metal object was used to write a sentence which said ' DUMP THE WHORE, OR SHE DUMPS YOU- Mark-EX'. He clenched his fist, Michelle stood fixed to the ground, she couldn't believe her eyes and the extent Mark could go to humiliate her. She felt guilty. "Am sorry about your car" He turned to see her troubled face, he sighed deeply and got closer to her "it's not your fault, besides I can easily take it off, come let me take you home".
Hand in hand, they walked to the front door. He playfully pulled her close " I’m already missing you my pearl", she laughed " am still here Luke". "I know Mark treated you badly, but I want you to shake it off, you have someone who appreciates and adores you. You have me". She stepped inches closer, wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him Down to her lips. This time she took control, he gave in as his arms went around her. The kiss was brief but deep. She withdrew slowly "goodnight", "goodnight Michelle". He still lingered to watch her go in before he walked away.
She wasn't hungry or sleepy, as she walked to her room she reminisced on what happened earlier. She felt bad that Mark was Lana's father. The house was quiet, Mal was supposed to be with Lana. No sign of her or Stark. The house had an unusual stillness. She felt a bit uneasy but shrugged it off. She knew Lana would be sleeping or watching TV.
She got to the room to find Lana folded, naked and backing the door. She wondered why Lana decided to sleep that way. She took off her shoes and got closer to the bed. She saw her teddy on the floor, she picked it up and placed it on the bed. She noticed the dress Lana wore earlier in the floor, she got a bit confused. The uneasiness she felt came back.
"Mom is that you?" her voice was cracky. Michelle immediately got closer and pulled her to a sitting position. She noticed the redness of her eyes, "are you alright, why were you crying" she became extremely worried. Lana bursted into fresh tears. “Oh my God! What is it Lana?", "Uncle Stark hit me on my back and thigh". Her eyes widened "WHAT!". She examined her back and saw a huge mark there with dry blood, she moved to her thighs and saw marks there. She fumed, all she could think of was confronting Stark fiercely. "Come let me give you a hot bath". As she tried pulling her gently from the bed she touched something wet, she looked at her palm and saw blood, her eyes went back to the bed and sure enough the bed was stained with blood. Her heart raced. "Where is this from?" she asked. Lana parted her legs for her mom to see. There was blood stains by the sides of her thighs. Michelle parted her legs more to examine her genitals. Her hand went to her head. “No, No, No. It can't be, not Stark, it can't be Stark, I don't believe this". Everything around her seemed to spin, she fell, "NOOOOOO!" she screamed.
She couldn't think, she got up and rushed down to the kitchen, took a knife and waited at the door. She didn't plan on reporting the case to the police, she planned to kill him. Her eyes shifted to the furniture in the sitting room. She took the knife and started destroying what she could. She looked at the gigantic flat screen TV, she got a hold of a little glass stool and smashed on the TV. Lana heard the noise, she painfully slipped on her dress and walked with pain to see what her mom was doing. Just then the door opened. Michelle stopped immediately, turned round to see Stark looking dazed.
"You monster!" she walked towards him slowly, her eyes was blazing as she pointed the knife towards him.
"Why are you destroying my stuffs?"
"Why have you defiled my daughter?"
"I didn't defile her, she wanted it.didn't you honey?" He turned to look at the fear stricken Lana.
"You take away her innocence and joke about it" her eyes seemed as though they were about to spue fire. He stepped back a bit when she kept coming closer.
"Michelle drop that knife, or you would push me to do what I would regret".
She let out a dry laugh, " you've done enough already to make you regret, BEAST!",
"If you don't drop that knife, I would do the same to you and there is nothing you can do" she got really angry and charged towards him, he caught the hand that held the knife, he twisted it to her back firmly. The knife dropped.
"Now who is in charge! “He said with an hint of triumph. She managed to struggle free; she bent to pick up the knife. By the time she raised her head up she saw a gun pointed at her. Lana screamed and ran beside her mom. Michelle lifted her hands in surrender.
"Drop the knife" He commanded. She obeyed. Lana wrapped her arms around her mom.
"Stark let us go, I promise not to report this to anyone" this time her voice shook.
"No! I won't let you go, if I do, you would drag me to jail and I don't want that I like the air of freedom", his eyes darkened.
"You are supposed to be my brother, why are you doing this to me, why Stark?" tears rolled.
"I am not your brother, your mother married my father and that forced us to be siblings, now that they are dead, there is no tie between us",
"Stark don’t!",
"I don't want to go to jail ",
"Stark please don't do this ",
"It's already done!”
His thumb pressed the trigger! The sound wasn't loud but her scream was, as she watched her mother hit the floor with a heavy thud. Her eyes closed forever.
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Tears (Part 9)

7a:m and her eyes are shut. She feels something on her ear and sleepily shoves it off, a continuous tap on her arm made her groan, she opened her eyes slowly, "mommy", "Lana, what is it?", "Am 11 today", her eyes widened, “how on earth did I forget!" she thought. Michelle sat up, rubbed her eyes, she felt a pang of guilt, she didn't get anything for Lana.

"Oh! My baby is growing up" she said as she pulled Lana to her bossom and sang her the birthday song. "So am I getting any present", "yes you are my darling", "yipeeee" she screamed as she got into the bathroom. She sighed, she didn't feel like going anywhere, she just wanted to be indoor, now this was going to make her step out. She cracked her head on the perfect present for an eleven year old.

Two hours later, she got ready to get a present for her pearl, she still felt reluctant but she had to. Her hand barely touched the door knob when it opened. Stark and Luke had presents with them. She wasn't surprised that stark remembered Lana's birthday, but seeing Luke with a huge present made her wonder. They exchanged greetings as they got in. Stark called out to Lana, she came running, knowing she was about to get something special from her treasured uncle. She stood in front of him grinning." I want you to see Luke's present first honey", she nodded happily. Her eyes popped at the size of the present he was holding, "happy birthday Lana" Luke said, she barely responded as she pulled it from his hand, her hands were impatient as she unwrapped it. Out came a huge white teddy bear, it was almost her height; she shrieked and jumped on him. "Thank you Uncle Luke, I love my present", "Am glad you do princess".

“now, Luke don't steal my niece" He feigned jealousy. He handed her two boxes, she opened the first and saw a box of chocolates, she grinned from ear to ear. She opened the second box and pulled out a black glittering dress, she jumped with glee, then hugged her uncle. Michelle stood feeling left out; her shoulders slumped at each present she opened. She turned to Michelle "mom, where's my present ", "errrmmm, I didn't......", "mom has a present for you", stark interrupted.”I do?" Michelle looked confused. Stark handed her another box, she opened it and saw a red shoe, she hugged her mom tightly "thanks mom", Michelle returned the embrace and mouthed the words 'thank you' to Stark.

Just then Mal came in sight with a cake, "happy birthday little one", Lana beamed. "How did you know?" Michelle asked, "Mr. Stark told me", "oh!

They all sang the birthday song for her, then the candles on the cake was lighted. She closed her eyes for few seconds then blew.

Luke became a constant face in the house; Lana got fond of him and was always happy when he came around. Stark was seen less and less in the house. He was always busy and refused to tell Michelle what kept him busy whenever she asked.

She was already getting bored of staying at home, basking in luxury. She wanted to get busy and earn her own money. When she was married to Mark, she never worked for a day, she was a stay home mom. Now she wanted more out of life, she wanted to earn her own. She had a date with Luke in the evening, she would bring it up and hear what he had to say.

He came around at about 6:15pm looking Very casual, she was also casual in her appearance but still looked stunning.

"You always look beautiful ",

"Thanks"

He stared at her deeply, it got her uneasy.

"What is it Luke?”

"I want to say something"

"Go on"

"Okay, ermm I don't know how to put it"

“put it anyhow I would understand"

"You know we've been seeing each other for a while now"

"Yes"

"Well, I want something more concrete, I want to be the only man in your life, I can't ask for a better woman, you're perfect for me and I’m in love with you",

She took his trembling hands, “Luke I can't say I’m in love with you, but I like you a lot, I love hanging out with you and I know we've a connection but then I want us to take things slow",

"No, am not taking things slow, I want you in my life, I want you to be the only woman in my life, solely you. Can't you understand?"

"Luke don’t be......   " before she could finish her statement his lips covered hers, she gasped, he put his hands on her hips, sliding them slowly to her back as he drew her closer, she tensed!. In her head she was screaming 'NO', but in reality she was giving in. His cologne overpowered her, it seemed to draw her closer to him, her shaky hands dugged into his shoulders, a shudder ran through her as his mouth explored. Suddenly she pulled away and put a hand across her mouth. "Christ! What am I doing?" she looked flustered, his vision was blurred "am sorry, but I couldn't help it"

"Can we just go now?"

"No, we can't, Please Michelle give this a chance"

"But Luke, it's too sudden", she looked indecisive.

"I know, but let's try, I said try because of you, but I know what I want, I want this, I want us".

She placed her palm on her forehead and paced. She really liked Luke but she didn't want another Mark, sweet in the beginning then bitter in the end. He got down on one Knee, pulled her close,

"Michelle, look at me please, we are not leaving this place until I get a yes and I mean it"

"Luke stand up"

"No, am not going to"

"Lana may come down and see this"

"I don't care, I only care for a Yes"

"Arrghhh Lukeeee! Okayyy, fine, just a trial"

He shot up and embraced her "thank you", his face beamed, he felt lighter. Deep down he treasured her. "Let's go", he shut the door behind them.

They got to a restaurant and were already seated when a waiter came to attend to them. Luke spoke to the waiter as her eyes scanned the place. Her eyes rested on a familiar man, her heart skipped, she wasn't expecting to see him anytime soon, her throat suddenly became dry. He saw her too and gave a devilish smile, he got up and walked towards them, her hands trembled, there was fear in her eyes.

"Are you alright” Luke asked

"Behind you"

He turned to see a good looking man approaching, "who is he?"

"Mark"

"Who is Mark?"

Before she could respond he was there. "Hello whore Michelle, one of your clients I presume",

"Hey watch it” Luke felt insulted and angry at how he spoke to her

"Luke please don’t respond" she visibly trembled, "Michelle talk to me, who is he?"

"Well, let me do the introduction myself, my name is Mark Benjamin and I'm her husband"

"Ex" she corrected with a hint of anger.

"Who cares to know whore"

Luke was loosing his cool but controlled himself “watch your words mister" He stood up to show his irritation and seriousness. Mark was a bit intimidated by his physique “whoa! Okay big man I’m gone. Enjoy" He blew a mocking kiss towards her and walked away. She sighed deeply but still shook. "How the hell did you get involved with him “his voice almost raised, she just shook her head words couldn't form, she blinked rapidly trying to stop the tears from trickling down, but no matter how hard she blinked it came pouring. He felt awful seeing her tears and drew closer to her to comfort her.

Back home, Lana laid on the bed, beside her present. She admired and stroked the furs of the teddy. She felt hungry, dinner was supposed to be for 7:00pm but it was 7:15pm she wondered why Mal delayed. A knock on the door,

"Come in", Stark got in

"Uncle Stark",

"Yes hun"

"Mal, has not called for dinner and I’m a bit hungry"

"Oh my poor baby, I told her it's okay for her to leave early, you were fast asleep then, but I would make something for you"

He got closer and sat at the edge of the bed close to her, she laid back, drew her teddy closer.

"You came home early today”, he had a thin lipped smile” I came to spend time with my baby". She smiled. He got closer and ran his hands lightly on her arm lightly. “I love your gown", thanks, mommy got it for me",

"Oh really, it's beautiful. Lift up your gown let me see the colour of what you wore under"

"Why?" her eyes narrowed, her smile slowly turned to a question look. She knew what he asked was wrong. "Lift your gown up" He voice hardened this time, she wrapped her arms around herself and the teddy as she shook her head. He suddenly got angry, yanked the teddy from her, threw it to the floor, he pulled her roughly as she tried getting away screaming.