My Cursed Love

Chapter 5: This is home!

-Elena-

The detective followed us out of the police station. As we walked, the eyes that had followed me before now held a different look—sadness. I was their last hope, and I had nothing to offer them. The guilt was overwhelming, but I had no other choice.

Once outside, the detective called out to me. I turned around, and he held out a card. I stared at him in confusion.

“Thank you for coming down here, Elena. If you remember anything else that might help, you have my number,” he said with a reassuring smile.

I started to reach for the card, but my aunt stepped in front of me and took it from his hand.

“Thank you, but Elena has already told you everything she knows. If she remembers anything else, I will be the one to make the call, ensuring you don’t pressure her into discussing anything she’s uncomfortable with,” my aunt said firmly, her lawyer voice in full force.

She crossed her arms and met the detective’s gaze, refusing to back down. He responded with a smile, clearly enjoying the challenge. The intense staring contest made me uneasy. Was there something more going on between my aunt and the detective?

In the years I had known her, she had never had a boyfriend or a husband. This situation was getting strange, and if the detective became involved in my aunt’s life, he might end up entangled in something dangerous. I was the last person anyone would want to be involved with.

“Aunty?” I said, trying to get her attention.

She snapped out of her trance, realizing how this looked. Quickly regaining her composure, she said politely, “Have a good day, Detective,” and then turned to leave with me close behind her.

***

I couldn’t believe my eyes as I stepped out of the car with my aunt. The house in front of me was the one I had known for most of my life. It had white walls, a red roof, two floors, and a large lawn. I remembered playing tag on that lawn with my aunt, laughing so hard I almost cramped up, and how she always let me catch her even though she could easily outrun me. I looked at my aunt as these memories surfaced. She smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Ready to go inside?” she asked.

I nodded. We walked up to the white door, and my heart began to race. It had been so long since I had seen that door. My aunt opened it, and as we stepped inside, I almost burst into tears.

It was all here! Every little detail was exactly the same as before I disappeared. The stairway with its brown wooden railing, adorned with a touch of gold. To my right, the kitchen where my aunt and I used to eat together and talk about our days whenever she had the time. To my left, the familiar living room where we watched movies or cuddled by the fireplace on cold days.

I went up to the first floor and found my room to the left of the stairs. As I opened the door, I was greeted by the familiar scent of freshness. It wasn’t overpowering, but after being away for so long, it felt stronger than ever. My bed was still in the middle of the room, and my old posters and laptop were on my desk. I ran my fingers slowly over everything, struggling to believe I was really back.

After exploring my room, I fell onto my bed, giggling. I rolled onto my stomach, hugging my blanket and burying my head in it. The scent of the fresh, clean fabric was a welcome change from the rotten smell of the place where I had been held for five months. God, this is home!

I couldn’t stop smiling as I lay there, flat on my stomach. I was home—really home! Nothing would make me leave again. A soft knock on the door pulled me back to reality. My aunt stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She wore a small, sad smile as she looked at me on the bed.

“I haven’t been able to enter this room since you left,” she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness.

I sat up and stared at her. Had no one really been in here since I disappeared? It was a strange thought.

“Seeing you here now makes me both scared and happy,” she continued, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m overjoyed to see you home and safe, but part of me still doubts that this is real. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find you gone again.”

She covered her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs. I quickly got up from the bed and ran to her, embracing her tightly. I was afraid I might hurt her, but she hugged me back just as fiercely.

“I’m right here, Aunty,” I said, my voice steady. “And I’m not going anywhere!”

She nodded against me, holding me even closer.