Dark Truth

"They say the best revenge is living well. I say it's acid in the face-who will love them now?"-Mindy Kaling

7 years ago...

She tried to peer outside for the night scenery but it was all a green blurred view, given how aggressively the rain drops were slamming against the car window. It looked terrible but all she cared about right now was that her parents were driving her to a place she still had yet to know. They kept her guessing and she protested how unfair it was, given that it was her 17th birthday.

As a matter of habit, the family driver was humming one of his old 80s love songs and his driving only matched the slow rhythm. Although she wanted him to accelerate from that slow forty-five miles per hour to something faster, she acknowledged that he was being cautious. Who wouldn't be? She looked outside again, feeling a chill.

Her father was amused as he checked on her through the rear-view mirror, knowing how impatient she was. He felt as if it had been a long time since he got to spend time with them. He had made an effort to put his work aside and celebrate her birthday properly. He wanted it to be grand, memorable, spectacular. "Henry, how long?"

The driver responded with a smile, "About ten more minutes, Mr Miller. We're nearly the--"

He was interrupted by a loud ringing which echoed throughout the car and seeing his work partner's name popping up on the small screen fixed to the dashboard, Andrew Miller instantly reached towards it, swiping a finger to answer the call, ignoring his daughter's protest. Work could never wait. A familiar and mocking voice spoke aloud, resonating around them, "Goodbye, dear friend. Now everything's mine! Finally!"

Before they could understand what that was about, a deafening horn was heard, two bright lights flashed, blinding them. The driver impulsively swerved, tyres screeching on the slippery surface as he tried to avoid that truck but a second later, it brutally crashed against the side of their vehicle, sending the car toppling over into the forest that bordered the road. It brutally rolled down till it banged against two large trees, the roof down, the tyres up.

Two men got out of the truck and looked towards the car. One of them grabbed an IED bomb and powerfully threw it right there, amidst the debris. Their job was done. No one would survive this fall. They had to go now before they were caught. They got into their truck and drove away. A safe distance where they could explode the bomb with a remote and no one would suspect them.

Inside the car, soft moans and groans were heard. Victoria winced in pain as she felt a burning on her waist, her shoulder throbbing acutely, her ears ringing sharply. It hurt. She tried to adjust her position, her hands pressing down against the roof, into tiny shards of glass and dark red liquid. "Mom..." She then froze, staring at her mother but in this darkness, she could only make out her form... she wasn't moving.

Her heart was pounding, tears already forming and in her dizziness, she was terrified.

In the background she heard her name being called incessantly and then the disturbing sound grew louder and more urgent, "Victoria, get out of here. Get out, sweetheart. I love you... I love you. Go and find help."

She was given a shove and she whispered, still shaken, still horrified, "Dad, I'm afraid. Dad, please!"

She then felt a warm trembling hand on her cheek before he pushed her again, "For my sake, go! I...I'll help your mom out. Go!" She heard the strain in his voice.

She scrambled through the broken window, her body shaking, her vision blurry as she hassled towards the slight slope. The moonlight was enough and the large trail the car had made was her way to the road. Her flesh scratched against the shrubs' thorns as she scurried out, slipping on the mud but she reached out, grabbing the cement, drawing herself onto the road on all fours. She caught her breath as the rain grew heavier around her. She vigorously stood and shouted for help as loud as she could. She was desperate. No one would hear her here. She again looked towards the car, "Dad! Come please!"

Dim lights approached and grew bigger. She ran towards it, waving her hand, hoping the driver would see her. Tyres screeched, stopping in time right before her. She banged her fist on its hood, "Please!" The man stepped out instantly, hassling to her, holding her shoulders, "Oh God, did I hit you? What are you doing here? What happened?!" She cried, tumbling in his arms, "My parents...there."

"Stay here." He immediately released her, rushing to his car to grab his radio before he swiftly descended into the forest, the girl following him. "Commissioner Hyland speaking. Car accident before the second roundabout of Morwick Road." Hardly did he put down his radio that the car exploded and he reflexively turned around to shield the girl.

Victoria watched as the flames enveloped the car, breaking down in tears as she furiously tried to go in there only to be restrained by the man who kept a firm hold on her.