Shadow of Death (SOD)

Chapter 44

FOUR DAYS LATER!

It wasn’t easy for the Reid family these past few days.

After the death of Jack, Clara was struck with immense grief, so much so that she could barely do the things she used to do before.

She could no longer cook the way she used to, nor could she talk like she used to.

Now, she was mostly silent, sitting with either Asher or Jesse in the living room.

The two siblings had decided to put a hold on school to take care of their mother, making sure she didn’t do something as rash as what Jack had done.

If not both of them, then at least one of them had to be with her every single time.

...All except when she went to the bathroom, though.

So far, Asher’s remedy wasn’t working, and they had already taken two pills.

Since Jack hadn’t used a single one of his pills, they had been split among the others.

Earlier, everybody had four pills to themselves.

Using two so far left them with two each, and with Jack’s pills added to what remained, everybody now had three pills each.

They were trying their best to get by, and it wasn’t easy anymore.

Though the pills helped fight the urge to sleep, they still couldn’t completely erase their need for it.

Their bodies needed sleep, but so far, the anti-sleep pills had helped fight that need enough to allow them to function almost like people who had gotten their eight hours of rest.

Their eyelids were getting heavy, and the bags under their eyes were becoming more prominent and deeper with each passing day.

Still, they didn’t care.

As long as they were alive, that was what mattered.

Jayden hadn’t put a hold on his factory work, though.

He still kept going.

And at night, he was always on his phone, chatting with the girl at work.

Even though they were all saddened by Jack’s death, the kids tried their best to remain strong.

If not for themselves, then for their mother, who almost looked like a walking zombie.

She was the most affected by the situation.

After all, she had just lost the love of her life.

The man she had promised to spend the rest of her life with.

It was disheartening.

She had known Jack first before she ever knew the kids.

As usual, it was already nighttime, and everyone had gathered in the living room like it had become some kind of ritual.

The lights were all on and stable.

They had just finished dinner, and Clara sat between Jesse and Asher.

Jayden sat across from them with his phone in hand, his eyes glued to the screen as he replied to the girl’s texts.

Every now and then, he giggled like an excited girl.

Asher, on the other hand, had his gaze fixed ahead with a tired look on his face.

’One week. We have been battling sleep for one damn week.’

His head felt heavy.

A kind of headache he had never experienced before.

It felt like being hammered directly in the brain, like a blacksmith striking a piece of steel.

He had taken medication to combat it, but it wasn’t working anymore.

He knew it.

Only sleep could solve his problem right now.

Without sleep, he was done for.

How much longer could they last?

He had no idea.

His mind was about to drift again when—

"Sigh...."

Clara breathed out for the umpteenth time that night.

Asher immediately turned his gaze in her direction.

"Mum, is everything alright?"

Clara blinked for a second but didn’t give a reply.

’As expected.’

She would always sit down like a statue while staring at the empty space in front of her.

Then she would sigh every now and then.

It seemed like she was going through her memories of her and Jack.

If it wasn’t for her promise to the kids that she wouldn’t cry anymore, she would have broken down right now.

Jesse shifted closer and hugged the woman as tightly as she could.

Clara’s lips cracked open into a crude smile that definitely didn’t reach her eyes.

"It’s okay. I’m fine."

Jesse shook her head as tears began to form in her eyes.

"Mu-Mum, please stop thinking. You will make your blood pressure shoot up. We can’t afford that right now."

Clara heaved a tired sigh, her eyes glistening with fresh tears that she didn’t allow to fall.

’I wis-I wish there was something I could do to distract her. Is there like a game or activity we can do to take her mind off things?’ Asher wondered, his eyes darting left and right in deep thought.

Then—

The laptop in front of him lit up.

’Huh?’

Looking closer, he saw a text.

And it was from none other than Jayden.

’Huh? Why would he be sending me a text?’

Deciding to open it, he read:

{I have been thinking these past few days about how to distract Mum from thinking all the time. And I came up with something.}

Asher’s brows knitted immediately as he continued silently reading.

{.... You know how Mum is always excited whenever we have visitors? She’s always running around to make sure they are comfortable. She says; Visitors are like deities and must not be uncomfortable no matter what.}

’Yeah?’

{... Which is why I invited my beloved over. She’s basically going to pass the night here, and I’m sure Mum wouldn’t want her to be uncomfortable. So she will definitely try to please her, and in the process, her mind will get distracted.}

’Beloved? Wait.... Coming now? Isn’t it already nighttime?’

Asher quickly typed the message and sent it.

Jayden read it, and within moments, a reply came up.

{Yes. It’s nighttime. But she said she would be able to make it. Anything to make Mum happy, she said she would do it.}

’But that’s just a temporary solution and for this night alone. I’m seeking something permanent.’ Asher sent the message.

"...."

{She’s entertaining. Don’t worry, you will see in a few minutes when she comes over. Mum won’t think ever again. Just you watch.}

And right at that moment—

The doorbell rang loudly.

Jayden immediately jumped off his seat with a wide grin on his face.

"She’s here."

"Huh? Who is?" Jesse asked with a raised brow as she watched her brother run toward the door.

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