SAGE novel Chapter 6

Sage Miller

Hell isn't where the devil lies but sometimes hell is the house you're are afraid to be alone in.

I have a fear that almost told loosing Eve and that is being left alone in this house.

My demons are a few feets away from me, demons I can't out run.

My eyes kept glancing at the basement door like she'd gonna walk out any minute.

Maybe burying her in the house I live in wasn't the smartest choice but it was the only choice I had. It guaranteed that she's never be found.

But every time I was alone in this house I felt like she'll dig herself out and walk out of that basement.

But that's impossible right? How could she when she's buried under concrete. Hard concrete.

I tried keeping up the conversation listening to her as she explained her worries. I couldn't even sympathize with her because I hate the woman they were looking for even if she was my mother.

"I haven't seen her since last August or something." I lied poorly but the woman barely noticed my lack of patience or my jittery movements.

"This is so unlike her. She hasn't been to work too. It's been months. I've checked all her normal spots and she hasn't been to any of them in months. The last time I spoke to her she was coming here."

She was pacing. I realised that even if Clara was horrible, she still had people that cared and loved her. People as horrible as her but they did care about her.

But that didn't suddenly make me feel guilty for what I did. I would do it again if it meant getting her out of our lives for good.

"She never made it I guess. I haven't seen her." I lied again playing with nails.

She immediately snap out of whatever spell she's been under and my eyes widen, my heart pounded even harder than I thought was possible.

I stepped back afraid that she has caught on. I was paranoid.

"I'm going. If she comes back tell her I'm looking for her." She declares and pull herself together. She walks out the door not telling me her name but she didn't need to.

I already knew her. I've seen her too many times right here whenever Clara was here.

Hearing that I calmed down and my heart beat returned to normal. I then released the breath I've been holding.

Even though that was a close one but it's over and I couldn't let the fear that's been lingering around me get to me now.

Clara is dead and no one will ever find her. Only two people know where she is buried and Styles would never tell a soul.

I don't know why I trust him after he betrayed my sister but I do. I have this feeling that him and I are very much alike.

I try to avoid my paranoia most of the time but I'm afraid of someone finding out what I did. It's not possible right? I try to tell myself that but I still fear it.

The whole morning I tried shaking the feeling but that woman shook in me. People are gonna ask question, this is just the beginning and I'm scared I'll give myself away.

I showered and got dressed. I drove down the familiar road. The relief I felt driving down the road was unlimited.

I parked next to the floral shop and got out the car.

"Mrs Bell." I grinned at the old lady.

"Sage." She beamed at me. "I haven't seen you in so long, what happened?"

Mrs Bell has own this floral shop for as long as I've known her. I use to come here one every three months but over time the visits got fewer and fewer that I only come here on days like this or on dad's death anniversary.

"Nothing Mrs Bell. Just been busy." I explained vague.

"I'm glad you're finally visiting him. I thought you've forgotten him." She frowned for a moment.

"I'll never forget him." I told her and she gave me a sympathetic smile.

"She still refuse to visit." It was more of a statement than a question but I nodded nonetheless.

"She'll come around." She said and I nodded sadly again.

"The usual right?" She asked to lighten the mood.

"Yes Mrs Bell." I replied again.

"Coming right up." She said and we made small talk while she was preparing the flowers.

"She graduated last week you know." I told Mrs Bell.

"Really." Her face lit up at that.

"Yes. She was even valedictorian." I gloat at her. "She's smart."

"I'm so happy. I knew she'd do it. Now you also have to graduate." She said and I smiled.

"You'll have to wait two years for that." I told her and left out the part of me not sure if I want or will graduate.

She handed me the bouquet of white and pink carnations and one sunflower.

I bid Mrs Bell farewell.

"See you around Mrs Bell." I did a little wave.

"Be good Sage." She waved too. "Don't be a stranger."

I smiled and drove away. I like Mrs Bell, her persona has a way of calming me. She's a calming person herself, always down to earth.

I was much more calm than I was ten minutes ago. My nerves has settled down.

I walk up the road I've memorized too well over the years. My eyes travel over each stone as I mentally read the names until I found the one I was looking for.

Mike Peter Miller

A loving father and a loving husband.

I heaved a heavy sigh letting the trouble of this morning got through a sigh.

My tense shoulders relax a little and everything seems to be blown away by the morning breeze.

I knelt down and placed the new flowers on the pot. I smiled as memories of dad and Eve played in my head like a movie.