Character
23rd October 2013
Abby finished doing Luna's hair, laughing as she recounted a story from school yesterday. Luna left to brush her teeth, and Abby felt Samuel's arms gently wrap around her. He had returned from the kitchen, a tender smile on his lips, and embraced her in a hug that made her shiver with happiness.
- I love you more than anything,’ he murmured as he took her hand, his gaze locked in hers.
- I love you too, Samuel,’ she replied softly, feeling a wave of warmth run through her.
Samuel didn't want to let her go. His gaze had this intensity, something she couldn't quite define.
- Are you all right? Is there something you want to talk to me about?
- I just want to enjoy you,’ he said, his gaze still riveted on her, as if trying to capture every detail. You and Luna are all I need. I love you so much.
She smiled, touched by his words, though a little voice inside her told her something was wrong.
- I love you too, you know that. Are you sure you're all right?’ she asked again, looking deep into his eyes for an answer.
He kissed her again before whispering:
- Yes, I promise.
She smiled, thinking that they could talk about it calmly tonight, if he felt like it.
- See you tonight! she said, slipping her bag over her shoulder. I'm picking Luna up from school.
- See you tonight!’ replied Samuel.
As she was about to leave, Abby noticed scribbles on the message book in the hallway. She quickly cleaned it up before putting the crumpled paper away and throwing it away on her way out.
- You look lovely!’ Samuel said with a sincerity that made her blush.
She laughed, blushing, repeating her good day
- Daddy! called Luna.
- I'm coming, baby.
She continued to laugh as she closed the door.
That evening, Abby collected Luna from school. The little girl happily told her what she had done during the day. Abby listened, but her mind was still on Samuel's gaze this morning. He was always attentive, but this morning was... strange.
When she got near the house, the door was open, Samuel's car here. She opened the door, noticing immediately that items were strewn about on the floor. Panic gripped her.
- Samuel?’ she called, freezing.
There was no answer.
- Come on, sweetheart,’ she murmured, taking Luna's hand. We're going next door.
The little girl followed her without understanding what was happening. Abby knocked on the door of their neighbours, wizards they knew well.
- We're back home, can you look after Luna?’ asked Abby in a trembling voice.
The neighbour's wife came up behind her husband and said:
- I'll look after her.
- I'll be back soon,’ Abby promised Luna, who looked at her worriedly.
- Okay, Mum.
The husband insisted on coming with her, wand in hand.
- That... if you like,’ she said, half-absent.
They entered the house. Abby felt her heart stop when she saw feet sticking out from behind the sofa. She rushed over and found Samuel lying motionless. Her hands trembled as she checked for a pulse. There was nothing. Not a beat. She looked again, nothing.
- No, no, no...’ she murmured, panic rising inside her.
She began to massage, counting the pressures, silently begging.
- Come back, Samuel, come back, breathe, breathe...
The neighbour had gone to call for help. A few minutes later, they arrived. She stood back, her body aching, tears welling up, staring at Samuel. White.
- I'm sorry, ma'am. said an ambulance driver.
They weren't doing anything.
- Why is... this...
She rushed to him, resuming the massage, ordering them to do something. The paramedics pulled her back, but she continued, refusing to give up.
- Don't you touch me! He's coming back! Help him!’ she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.
- He's dead, it's too late. We're sorry for your loss.
- No! she resumed, hearing a crack.
They stopped her by force. One of the first-aiders declared Samuel dead. It couldn't have happened. Not... Luna... She leapt to her feet, running towards the neighbour's house, past the aurors. Luna was waiting for her, sitting in the living room.
Abby inside's cracked, but tried to stay strong. She hugged her, unable to answer, the words refusing to leave her lips.An Auror approached, warning her that he was about to be taken to St. Mongoose.
- No! No! Not Samuel!
Luna began to cry in panic and Abby held her close, trying to reassure her. The Auror said something about taking them to St. Mongoose. She nodded.Her vision cleared, the white glare, Luna in her arms, crying.
- Mum? Is Dad hurt?’ asked Luna, her voice trembling, not understanding.
Abby's heart broke at the question. She could feel the tears welling up, but tried to hold them back.She had to tell him.Abby sat down gently with her, holding her little hand between her own.
- Da... he's... he's dead, my baby,’ she said in a broken voice.
Luna froze for a moment, her eyes wide with incomprehension. Then, she threw herself into her arms, screaming:
- Daddy!
Abby, overwhelmed by pain, was crying too, but all that mattered at that moment was Luna. She held her close, telling her again and again that she was there, that she would never leave her.
The silence was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps. Draco came into the room, his face serious.
Abby could feel her heart beating too fast, her thoughts racing. The world around her was becoming a blur, as if everything was slipping away beneath her feet. She couldn't breathe properly. Her arms around Luna relaxed as her vision became increasingly blurred. Draco was calling her, sitting beside her. Luna moved from her lap and took refuge on Draco.
- Luna... began Abby, but she couldn't find the words.
Draco nodded, then whispered something to Luna. She forced herself to take a breath. It was suggested that Abby go into another room. She let herself be guided, her movements mechanical, as if her body were acting independently of her mind.
Sitting with her head buried in her knees, Abby tried to breathe deeply, but it didn't help.The tears wouldn't come, even though she desperately needed them. She stood up, sat down again and withdrew into herself. Images of Samuel kept coming back into her mind - his smile, his laughter, this morning, then... his lifeless body.
Draco came back into the room. He sat down beside her, announcing softly:
- Luna is with a nurse, Alice. She's staying with her.
Abby didn't react immediately. Her thoughts went round and round Samuel. Draco spoke to her, but she couldn't hear anything, overwhelmed by a pain so intense it took her breath away.
Samuel... Samuel... her Samuel... he...
She could feel nothing but the deep pain in her chest that paralysed her. Her vision became increasingly blurred, and Draco's calls seemed to fade into a distant echo. Then everything went black.
When Abby came to, she was lying in bed, her body numb, her heart heavy. Panic gripped her again.
- Luna ! Luna !’ she cried, desperately searching for her daughter.
Draco was there, on the edge of the bed, trying to speak to her in a soothing voice.
- She's fine, Abby. She's with Alice, the nurse. It's all right, don't worry,’ he murmured.
Astoria was there too, with tears in her eyes, watching over her.Draco's words should have reassured her, but all Abby could hear was Samuel's name echoing in her mind.She broke down again, sobbing loudly, as Astoria took her in her arms, crying in her turn.
- I... I need to see Luna, she's alone,’ Abby stammered between sobs.
- We'll bring her to you,’ murmured Astoria.
Abby couldn't keep her thoughts straight. Every time she closed her eyes, the image of Samuel's body returned.
She shook her head, trying to banish these visions, but the pain in her chest remained oppressive. A few moments later, Luna came in, her little eyes red from crying. Abby welcomed her into her arms, holding her daughter close, and they cried together.