The sun fully set. Bright calmed down but was still processing how his life was going to be without his mom. Philly was doing her best to cheer him up. She made small talks, jokes everything that came to mind. All she wanted was to take him of his thoughts.
"Where we going aunt Philly?" Bright finally spoke first without Philly's initiative. She couldnt mess this up, she had to cook up something exciting to raise his spirit.
"We are going to my house. But first were picking up groceries. What you craving for Bright?"she said in her head knowing she nailed it.
Bright responded his tone heavy and dump.
"Am not really that hungry. I just feel super sleepy. Can I just a hotdog?"
Philly could relate. Seeing her sister's body in the state it was in was something that needed time to get out of her system.
"You know what,yea, I'll buy ya a hotdog. I think I'll have one myself also. We'll be hotdog buddies, right?" Philly replied in a jovial tone.
Bright nodded yes which was followed by a soul sucking, divine level, heavenly smile.
Philly did it. She made her smile amidst all the shit that happened. She suddenly felt something drip down her cheek.
"Auntie,why you crying?" Bright asked looking cute as a button.
Am crying? Philly though to herself.
"A...am just happy to see you smile bright. Auntie is so happy she put a smile on her face." Philly said mixed up with emotion as she both cried and smiled.
Bright leaned in close and used his thumb to wipe away the tear.
" Am happy you came for me auntie. I thought I was going to be alone forever but you came for me. I promise to be with you forever and protect you auntie. Cross my heart hope to die." Bright said which seemed to make Philly cry even more.
She pulled over to set her emotions straight. Bright's. Words were so sweet and caring it felt unreal. She layed on the car wheel and cried her heart out as Bright tapped her back gently whispering" there there auntie. Its gonna be alright."
This lasted for a couple of minutes. Philly after calming down raised her head and looked outside. To her luck there was a Walmart just a couple blocks away. She whipped her eyes and looked at Bright.
"Wana go with me to buy some cereal?" She asked her eyes glimmering from the tear that was still in them.
"Mmmh,am all yours " Bright said his mood jovial.
The two then got of the car and walked to the mart. Philly notice Bright's hoody was in bad shape. She remembered she had some clothes she outgrew back home which would fit him well. Philly pulled the door back Bright entering first then her. The guy at the counter waved at them Philly waving back. Philly grabbed Bright's hand and walked to the food ile. They grabbed a trolley they found in the ile for putting their items in it. Philly asked Bright if his favorite brand was there on the shelves. He didnt see it but grabbed another brand. Philly grabbed her favorite box, marshmallow mayhem. They then moved to another ile. Though Bright found it weird aunt Philly holding her hand yet he was fourteen,he kind of enjoyed it. Her hand was so warm and soft it felt like touching a cat's fur. Philly grabbed several milk cartons and an ice cream bucket.
"Gotta have desert after a good meal right?" she said looking at bright smiling in a cheeky way.
"Definitely gotta have that" bright said smiling back at her.
Once they got all they needed, the two pushed the trolley to the counter. The guy did his duty and summed the total.
"That'll be a hundred and fifty bucks please." He said scanning the lady item.
Philly took out her card giving it to the dude. He scanned it waiting for the payment to process and once it did gave it back to her.
"I'll help you with the bags auntie." Bright said taking the two filled bags. He looked kinda of overwhelmed but still pissed on managing them.
"Not bad, he has the spirit to do what he cant fully accomplish yet. He's definitely going to be a good learner." Philly though as she followed behind him.
The two arrived at Philly's condo. It was huge enough to fit seven people and looked well maintained. Bright unloaded the groceries from the trunk of the car. Philly was already ahead unlocking the door. She entered first as Bright took of his burned worn out shoes. The house smelled freshly painted. The walls had this nostalgic felling towards Bright like it was a part of his memory at a point.
" Now you go take a bath while I ready up our hotdogs. Is that fine with you?" Philly said taking of her overcoat.
"Yes auntie." Bright replied still captivated by the looks of the house.
"Once your done go to the room at the far end on the left. I'll leave you something to wear there. Don't stay in the water too long, I don't want you catching a cold." She said heading to the kitchen.
Bright then walked up the stairs. Once at the top he jumped onto the hallway skipping one staircase. He could see the bathroom from his point. He walked towards it and grabbed the knob twisting it and opening the door. There was only a tub and the toilet at the far end of the room. The tub was huge enough to hold about two of him comfortably.
He walked over to it twisting open the hot and cold water knobs. He know the exact minutes it took to drain water if perfect temperature so he stood there ready to close his hands still on the knobs. The countdown in his head ended and he immediately closed them. What followed was taking off his clothes. He did so in an instant only remaining with the bandages covering his wounds. He looked at them intrigued.
"I kinda look like a mummy." He though laughing in reality. He then carefully unwrapped them off. They looked disgusting. Their white color faded leaving blood and puss battling it out to dominate which produced a dark red color. He threw the bandages on top of his clothes and submerged his body into the tub. The felling was indescribable. Though his wounds didnt heal completely they didnt sting like he thought it would once he dipped into the water. He was then sucked into his own world I his head. Everything went silent as only his head remained above the water.
Its black. Everything. I see darkness, one that I never has something nasty the deeper I look.
He tried creating some scenario but nothing generated into his fantasy, well nothing that could hide the grief he felt.
"Mom,what should I do. I know you and dad weren't on good terms but is he this despicable? I Wanna know the truth and see if I can do something about it. I Wanna know what you didnt tell me cause you claimed I was still too young. Mom, I feel so lost right now....I wish I could talk to you one last time to ease this burning pain I fell in me... guess I'll just keep on wishing until the day I meet you again." He though as the black void filled up with the precious memories he held and stored in his heart.
Philly grabbed he phone as she microwaved the hotdogs. She knew that Josh had already got news that his son is still alive. He knew how he would react to a mission half done all too well thanks to working for him for five damned years.
She had to prepare and she knew just the people to turn to.