Chapter 2

As time wore on, Lisa's face grew warm with concern. While Linda conversed with Vincent on the phone, she stood outside, waiting for her father's return. He had never stayed out this late before, so what could have possibly happened? She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully and let out a disappointed sigh.

However, her eyes held a sleepy look, but she fought hard to keep them awake, enough to absorb the events of the night. Moreover, it had become a habit for her to see her father's face before going to bed each night, almost like a ritual. But from the looks of it, tonight would take a different turn.

Her heart shook at the thought. She quickly dashed into the room to inquire of her mom, but as soon as she saw the distant look on her mom's face, she froze mid-step, and a wave of fear washed over her.

"Mom, what's wrong?" she asked, her heart pounding against her ribcage as she inched closer.

But all Linda could do was return a tearful look to her daughter.

"Mom, talk to me, what's wrong?" Lisa asked, her voice breaking with tears.

"It's your dad," Linda finally managed to say, struggling to steady her voice.

"What about him, Mom?" Lisa asked, her knees suddenly growing weak as she waited breathlessly for a reply.

Lisa was always ready to lend a listening ear as long as it concerned her father. However, this time, it felt different. As much as she wanted to know, she was also scared that her worst fears might come true tonight. Even though she didn't want to entertain the thought, she knew deep down that something had happened. How else could she explain her father's failure to return?

"He was involved in an accident," Linda confessed.

Upon hearing this, Lisa almost collapsed, gripping the arm of the couch to steady herself. She couldn't believe her ears. How? How was that even possible? These questions raced through her mind. She ran her eyes over the room, breathing heavily.

"No... no," she shook her head slowly in disbelief and then dashed out of the house instinctively, in search of her father, wearing a sleeveless white top and long black pants.

"Lisa!" Linda exclaimed, her voice thundering.

But she was already long gone.

Ignoring the wind slicing at her exposed skin and the cold seeping into her barefeet, Lisa ran even faster, pushing beyond her limits. When she reached a crossroad, she paused, panting heavily as she scanned her surroundings, unsure of which path to take next.

Lowering her head and clenching her knees for support, Lisa fought back tears. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, the evidence of her intense sprint. Swallowing the dryness in her throat, she gathered her courage and forged ahead.

Continuing her journey, Lisa stopped to question any passerby she came across, desperately seeking help. But none could provide any useful information. Suddenly, in the distance, she noticed a red stain on the pavement. Gasping, she clasped her hands to her chest and advanced forward, blinking back tears. Each step closer only intensified her trembling.

Finally reaching the scene, Lisa collapsed to her knees. With a quivering hand, she brushed a finger against the cold concrete and stared at the blood on her fingertip. Shuddering, she lowered her head, formed her hand into a fist, and with a loud voice, she lifted her head and shouted, "No!"

Her voice echoed through the deserted street.

After crying out her despair for a few minutes, Lisa made her way back home with a lowered head and drooped shoulders. She couldn't even locate the hospital where her father had been taken, despite her efforts. She wished, at the very least, she could have seen him one last time. But there was no means to find his location.

As she approached the house, her mother was waiting for her outside. The irony struck her — just hours ago, she had been waiting for her dad to come home. Now her mom was the one waiting. Lisa froze mid-step, feeling like a failure. "Mom, I couldn't find him," she whispered through the pain that enveloped her.

Broken by her daughter's tears, Linda rushed over to Lisa and embraced her tightly. "I love you more than anything in the world," she said, her eyes filled with pain, as she repeated Vincent's dying words. "Those were his last words for you."

Together, they stood there, offering each other solace amidst the heart-wrenching grief. Though their worlds seemed shattered, they clung to the love they shared, no matter how painful it might be.