Twisted

The Dead Don't Speak

It was a typical family home, almost picture-perfect. With a beautiful wife and an adorable little girl, what more could a man ask for? Just for a moment, life was perfect. So how would it end in such a tragedy? 

Late at night, the phone rang. It was a typical occurrence in the family household. After all, Jeramy Clark was a well-known doctor. His job was one that could save lives, and more often than not he would. So the phone ringing in the late hours was common, although something his wife hated. She could never admit that though. Madison and Jeramy had met when Jeramy came to care for her older brother. Many doctors had seen him, and simply didn't know how to save him, there was no known diagnosis. That was until Jeramy. Like every other man Madison had ever known, Jeramy was immediately hooked on the beautiful young woman. Within months, they were married. After just a year they had a baby girl. Madison was not fond of their child, but she played the part of the loving mother very well. Jeramy on the other hand truly adored their daughter, she meant the world to him. Loving her more than Madison, something Madison could see. Her resentment building. This late-night call pushed her closer to breaking point. 

"I have to go, my love," Jeramy told his wife, looking into her sparkling blue eyes. Her disappointment glowed within them, but how could she refuse? Part of her beauty was her act of the caring, innocent woman who seemed to love her husband and child more than anything in the world. So, her mind scrambled for a reason to keep her husband in the house. 

"What if I get sick while you're gone?" Madison asked, projecting an aura of concern that wasn't really there. She knew the possibility was next to impossible. 

"Maddi, don't be silly. I'll be back in a day or two." Jeramy smiled brightly at Madison's desperate attempt. 

"What about Anna?" Madison asked, her fury rose as this actually made her husband pause and consider, but if it made it stay she would continue to push on this weakness of his. "It's not good for her if you're away so much, and for so long. She's still young Jer, and so very impressionable." Jermay combed his hands through his hair, he had to choose carefully, his job or his daughter? 

"What if I were to take her with me?" Jeramy suggested. 

"Out of the question." Madison snapped, fury radiating from her beautiful delicate form. She couldn't believe he would suggest taking their daughter and not her. Never her. Second best to a six-year-old. "How could you even suggest disrupting her routine like that?" 

"Your right. I know you are. I just can't stand leaving our little Annabella." Jeramy paused, his decision couldn't be taken lightly. But this was life or death after all. It wasn't as if he were willingly leaving his family. He would never do that. "I have to go, Maddi, I do hope you understand. The patient will die if I don't go." 

"Fine," Madison spoke through gritted teeth. "Choose your job over us again." Jeramy's heart cracked at his wife's words, but he said no more. Instead, he left, muttering one last 'I love you' before pulling the door closed behind him. 

That night Jeramy wouldn't make it to his dying patient, losing his own life on the journey. He had lost every drop of blood from his body and was finally left on a cold road, alone and lifeless. 

♡♡♡♡♡

Annabella grew up without her father. Lost in the world with her selfish mother. Madison would forever tell Annabella that it was ultimately her fault for her father's death. Keeping her shut inside the house, it was rare for Annabella to be allowed to even leave her room. Every day Madison would see herself grow older and her daughter become more and more beautiful. Despite her pale skin, Annabella managed to still grow increasingly gorgeous. Out of fear, envy and pride, Madison finally enlisted a witch. This witch would give her potions and cast spells in order to keep Madison beautiful forever. 

"Can't you stop it?" Madison asked the witch, looking at the fifteen-year-old Annabella through a magical mirror that the witch had gifted Madison. 

"Stop what?" The witch asked, distracted by Annabella's beauty, almost enchanted. 

"Her growing!" Madison exclaimed as if it were obvious. 

"A mother's desire to keep her daughter young. How touching." The witch smiled. Madison had never seemed the most attached mother, but the witch hoped that this would be a sign that Madison cared. She wanted to hold on to her daughter. The witch could clearly see why. 

"Not at all." Madison refused, she didn't want it to get confused. She cared little for her daughter. "I want her to lose her beauty," Madison stated. "As she grows older she only grows increasingly beautiful and charming. I can't kill her, so stop it." 

"I'm afraid that isn't possible." The witch shook her head, her heart longing to reach for the young teen and protect her from the wickedness that stood beside her. Madison made a sound of irritation. 

"I'll find a way." She declared. The witch just frowned and continued to watch the girl as she drew and read. "There just has to be away." Madison turned to leave, the image of Annabella disappearing. 

"Madison." The witch spoke. "Don't do anything you'll... regret." 

"Oh dear woman, I don't regret anything." Madison declared evilness filled her eyes as she finally left. The witch sat with her own mirror and watched Annabella grow every day. She watched Madison grow more irritated. She watched as the hope and love that once burned in Annabella's eyes dimmed every time her mother told her that she killed her father. She watched as Madison grew more and more insane. Until finally she decided enough was enough. It was time for Annabella to go free. Maybe one day, she would even find a way to tell Annabella the truth. Her father couldn't, after all, the dead don't speak.