Chapter 14. Kill Her

"Xavier?"

"Levine?!"

"Xavier!" she yelled, her voice piercing the air with urgency and despair.

I awoke from my nap when I heard my mother's piercing screams. Even as a heavy sleeper, the echo of a strong banging on the door downstairs shocked me awake.

I stumbled out of my room, my eyes hazy, examining my surroundings. As I descended the steps, I witnessed a heartbreaking sight. My mother's leg was shackled, locked by an unbreakable chain that seemed impenetrable. Her blazing orange locks tangled and unkempt, she stood in her nightgown before me, her eyes wide with dread.

I dashed to her side in the living room, measuring the length of the chain attached to the wall. "How did this happen?" I inquired, looking for answers.

She remained silent, her gaze fixated on me, her eyes glittering with crystalline drops of tears.

"Who was it that did this to you? What's going on, Mom?" a sense of discomfort pervaded the air as I inquired.

I reach