COLD REVENGE'S
Part 4's. The Butterfly Wing is Broken

“We can't file evidence to alleviate it, just based on your father's confession. If we can find proof..” Uncle Dench bowed with regret in front of me and Mom. “These jurors were probably mostly bribed by Herron people, otherwise how could we lose just by the evidence that was put just like that.”

“How could this possibly happen..” Mom's words were the same as mine. How could this happen to us.

Mom and I visited Dad at San Quentin State Prison, a maximum-security prison in Marin County, Calofirnia.

“Papa and Uncle Dench will find new evidence. Your aunt will help pay your tuition. Maria I have to apologize for bringing you into this situation, you might not be able to rely on just our savings.”

“Don't worry, I'll work. You should be back anyway.” Although my mother seemed to keep crying, she did not leave us and continued to support Dad until the end.

“Emma, don't ruin your school. You're two years away from getting into the union, if Papa can't get out yet, Papa's gonna make an effort, a scholarship will help you. Very helpful. Your mom is also worried that your school is falling apart like this. Papa and mama will fight for you, but you can also help us.”

“I understand Papa.” Ten years, ten years! I had to fight to be able to help Mama and not burden Papa.

I thought it was going to get better, the worst part was over, but it turned out that one day Mom and I received even worse hits. Three months after that. One night Uncle Dench came to our door.

“John found dead overdose.” Mom passed out in my arms. My world collapsed instantly, how could Papa have died to such an extent, he and Uncle Dench were still trying to gather evidence.  He promised to come back to us, there's no way he could kill himself with an overdose. But there was no explanation we got, as if everyone agreed to bury the case deeply.

“I dare not Maria, they threaten my family, my wife and children are terrorized by unknown people, my house is pelted, my car glass is broken, not I dare not go forward again, I fear my family is killed.” Uncle Dench doesn't dare to help us anymore. I sat limply listening to all that, Mama, not saying anything anymore. We were just two women who didn't have any power at the time.

As if my suffering wasn't enough. Mama wavers, her hope like it's taken out of her body. I saw him often pensively alone, rarely speaking to me. I remember my promise to Papa to take care of him. I tried to give him hope, that we could survive even if only the two now.

“Mama, there is still me, I promise I will replace Papa, there is still my Mama. We can go through this both.”

“I'll make you proud Mama, I'll be a famous lawyer like Papa, and will find a way to repay Herron's family.”

“Emma, don't be a lawyer like your Papa. You have to live safely, and happily, against the world means nothing to you, all you get is suffering. Don't be like your Papa, we can't fight the power of money.”

That was his last message that night. He left me for an overdose of sleeping pills. His gentle soul gave up on losing hope, losing Dad made his soul unable to hold on. His frail wings cracked, burning in front of the California sun.

In front of his grave I made an oath.

Mom, why don't you trust me. Why did you leave me here alone. I promised you. But you ignored me.

My tears fell as I myself saw the burial ground in front of me. My hope was crushed, burning with the wings of Mama's butterfly that left me. But no, I still have Papa's fresh blood running through my body. Mama gave up without daring to hold on, but I will continue to fight until the last blood point.

I swear to you.  I'm going to come back here and bring down everyone involved in this. My name isn't Emma Wright if I can't fulfill my vows. They will pay for both of you lives with their own lives, their lives will be as much as mine.

Since then I have sworn my oath. My sky has become gray. No sun can penetrate my heart. They're gonna pay, they're gonna have to pay for my mom and dad's life.

If hope can't make you live with me, then my father's grudge will keep me alive even without the sun.

I don't blame you for loving Dad too much, but I also don't forgive you for leaving me hopeless. If I manage to pay my vows, I'll just go back to Mom's grave.