A Rainy Night

“There was only one rule: don’t open the door.”

"Emma never forgets that Mommy loves you. Daddy loves you so much." Just then, her eyes flew open— caught in yet another nightmare.

She glanced at the clock; it was half past midnight, a reminder that the night was slipping away.

Outside, it was raining heavily, and thunder rolled in the sky. She walked to the window and stared at the rain with empty eyes.

Memories endure. As they resurfaced, she recalled the moment everything changed. It all hinged on that one unfateful night when she lost it all. Everything.

That night, the rain was falling softly. She always cherished the rain. "Mommy, will Daddy be home soon?"

Emma hadn’t seen her father in two months, and her questions were met with silence from her mother. On her birthday, she hoped Daddy would return, wanting to tell him that Mommy wasn’t okay.

My love, today we will play a game. Her Mommy smiles, and Emma feels a wave of happiness—it’s special when Mommy talks to her and plays games together.

Suddenly, an unsettling sound echoed from Daddy's room. she turned to her and said, Emma never forget that: "Mommy loves you, Daddy loves you so much."

"Emma, listen to me carefully. We are playing a game, but there is only one rule: don’t open that door. Promise me, my love."

"Mommy, I’m feeling scared."

"My love, everything will be alright after tonight."

Her mother comforts her gently. Emma has so many questions, but her mother is heading toward her daddy's room. Just last time, her mother gazed at her with vacant eyes and closed the door.