Samara's Story

It had all been so terribly easy. In the end, it wasn't as far of a leap as she thought it would be. She had imagined it for years now, her breaking point. The place where her thoughts and reality become so intertwined that it was impossible to tell them apart. She knew where she was, she knew what she had done, but she did not care. Her actions were those of someone else, a person whom she had since tucked away years ago. "Like staring in the mirror and looking into your soul." That's what the doctor had told her. She would never forget that day, the way he said it as if he knew then that this day would come. The day when Samara Owens would cease to exist, engulfed by the years of pain, neglect, and self-loathing, she was swallowed whole, and from the abyss of her mind, a new woman formed. It started as a tiny drop of water in the pool of her thoughts, rippling its way to the outer edges of her psyche. At first, she ignored the thoughts; actually, they were more like urges, only she didn't know it then. One by one, they came at random times while she was cleaning the house or prepping the boys for school. Never for more than a few seconds, and she would quickly dismiss them; her life was perfect, happy, and loved. It became her mantra and her only weapon against the thoughts that rose in her mind over time. My life is perfect; I am happy, I am loved. But she wasn't so sure anymore. Darin was rarely at home, and when he was, he was distant, cold, and not the man she fell in love with, but marriage is hard. It takes work, commitment, and sacrifice. They had been through so much together, and indeed they would get through this….this…….phase? It would all be ok, summer would be here soon, and the boys would be backpacking through Europe with their friends, and she and Darin would finally take that trip to Italy they had been planning for so long. Just the two of them, they would dine at the most peaceful places and spend the night in each other's arms watching the sunset and hopefully make love until the sunrise. It would all be ok… .wouldn't it? But why was he always working so late? Why would he go days without so much as a kind word? Does he even still love me? What did I do? Am I too nagging? Maybe I put too much pressure on him; he has so much on his plate; after all, the company won't run itself. I should be lucky to have such a good man; he's provided a life I could have never imagined. Three beautiful children, a magnificent home, and not a care in the world, she was the luckiest woman alive. Alive. That word seemed to hold new meaning now. She had felt the woman's life end in her hands, saw the fear in her eyes slowly turn to nothingness as each breath she took brought her closer to her last. It had been quicker than she thought and a lot easier, almost natural. She stared at the lifeless body beneath her feet, the blood pooling into a crimson pond around her. She bent down to close the woman's eyes; they were breathtaking. "I can see why he picked you," she said aloud. She placed the knife gently on the floor next to the body, careful to remove all traces of her fingerprints. She retraced her steps through the apartment, leaving the scene exactly how she had imagined it. She glanced at her watch, the kids would be home soon, and she couldn't miss being there to hear about Sabina's first day of high school. She double-checked her work and slid the door shut behind her. She took two steps as her phone rang, it was Sabina. "Hi, sweetheart! You aren't home yet, are you?" she asked. Surprised at the calmness, she managed in her voice. "Hi, mom. No, I'm not home yet; I'm getting on the bus. Lance wouldn't bring me home." "And why not?" Samara asked. "He said freshman aren't allowed in his car," she answered. Samara sighed. "Well, dear, you know your brothers love you.." "I know, I know, mom… it's ok. I like the bus". "Oh really, what's his name?". She could see the redness filling her daughter's face. "We'll talk about it when you get home sweetie, I'll see you soon." "Ok, mom." And with that, Samara Owens placed her phone in her purse, straightened her hair, and headed home to her kids, house, and loving husband. "My life is perfect, I am happy, I am loved."

On the way home, Samara was shocked at how calm she was. No shaking, no trembling, just a focused determination to get home to her children. The city blurred by as she sped along the highway. The business of it all seemed to fade away into nothingness. She slowed to a stop as the exit ramp light turned red. She looked out her window and noticed a man and his dog pacing under the bridge. The man seemed to be arguing with the dog about something; his movements were erratic and violent. But the dog showed no signs of fear. Instead, he looked back at the man and followed close by his side. Man's best friend indeed, Samara thought. She turned her eyes toward the stoplight just as it turned green, and in that instant, it all came flooding to her. The bright green of the light was the same hue as the color of the woman's eyes. Samara saw her face, her perfect skin, lips, and long black hair. Even in death, you couldn't deny her beauty. The blaring of the horn from behind her let Samara know that she had been thinking a little too long. She looked in her rearview to see the exasperated face of the driver behind her. She waved her arm and went through the intersection, snapping back to reality. She'd be home soon, and everything would be ok.