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- Herausgeber: BookRix
- Kategorie: Abenteuer, Thriller, Horror
- Sprache: Englisch
Grace, a young woman haunted by a past of abuse and neglect, finally
finds solace in a loving adoptive family. But her happiness is short-lived
when a tragic accident leaves her deaf, plunging her world into silence.
As Eleanor, her dedicated mother, struggles to navigate the challenges of
raising a deaf child, a sinister figure emerges from Grace's past. Driven by
a thirst for revenge, this mysterious stranger targets Grace, seeking to
exploit her vulnerability and drag her back into the darkness she
desperately escaped.
With her ability to communicate compromised, Grace must rely on her
instincts and the unwavering support of her loved ones to unravel the
stranger's sinister plot. As she confronts her past demons and the terrifying
threat that looms over her, Grace must discover the true depths of her
courage and the strength of the human spirit.
After escaping a dangerous organization, Grace finds herself in a strange
library, offered a job by a mysterious librarian named Kenji Masatoshi. Torn
between suspicion and desperation, she must decide whether to trust
Kenji and embrace this unexpected opportunity. As Grace delves deeper
into the secrets of the library, she'll uncover a hidden world that could offer
her a chance at redemption and a new beginning.
Can Grace overcome her trauma and find the courage to protect herself
and her family? Or will the darkness of her past consume her, leaving her
trapped in a silent nightmare?
Das E-Book können Sie in Legimi-Apps oder einer beliebigen App lesen, die das folgende Format unterstützen:
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
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Eye of Grace
Can you hear the footsetps?
Table of contents
Start
From Ashes to Adoption
Behind the Glamour
Shadows in the Spotlight
The Silent Fall
Chronicles of The Void
Double Cross
Voices in the Dark
The day I met your Father
Late Night, Haunted Dreams
Late Night, Haunted Dreams
Late Night, Haunted Dreams
One Day too Long
I MET HER AGAIN
SHATTERED BLUES
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
THE EYE
About the Page
Start
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
EYE OF GRACE
First edition. October 19, 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Alishba Naveed Khan.
Written by Alishba Naveed Khan.
BY
Alishba Naveed Khan
Illustrated by Romeesa Naveed Khan
From Ashes to Adoption
It was a serene Saturday morning, filled with the melodic chirping of birds and the gentle swaying of trees in the breeze. Martha, a woman with a voice so mellifluous it could thaw solid ice, called out from inside the house.
“Honey, breakfast is ready!”
“Just a moment, Martha. I’m getting up,” came Victor’s reply from their bedroom.
Martha left the room to prepare tea, setting the table patiently while gazing at the rising sun from her front porch. Moments later, Victor, a man with a full beard dressed in a green sweater and cargo pants, joined her.
“The sun looks beautiful today,” he remarked, sipping his tea. “Almost as beautiful as you,” he added with a chuckle.
Martha smiled warmly, and they spent a pleasant hour reminiscing about their morning, daughter, and life in general.
“Martha,” Victor asked thoughtfully, “what's the most significant moment of your life?”
Martha pondered for a moment. “Just one? I’ve got it! The first time I met you, hearing our daughter’s heartbeat for the first time, watching her graduate and go abroad. Watching you go from a dashing navy man to a devoted father, has been momentous.”
“Wow, I wasn't expecting such a profound answer,”
Victor grinned. “For me, it's simply eating your delicious cooking every day.”
They lingered together a while longer before Martha began clearing the table. Victor prepared to go fishing.
“I’ll be back before sunset. If I call, bring an extra bag from storage,” he said.
Martha nodded, and Victor headed toward the pond near their house.
As he navigated through overgrown bushes, he glanced back at the roof of their home. Setting up his fishing gear, he noticed something odd about the water's current. Curiosity piqued, he decided to investigate further.
“MARTHA!” he suddenly shouted.
Martha, tidying up inside, heard the urgent call.
Startling nearby birds into flight, she dashed to the pond at lightning speed, finding Victor pulling a body out of the water.
“What happened?” she gasped.
“Help me get her to the house!” Victor exclaimed.
Together, they carefully carried the gravely injured woman inside and laid her on their bed. Drawing on her nursing experience, Martha promptly began tending to the woman’s wounds. Meanwhile, Victor cleaned the porch, now stained with blood.
“Should we contact the authorities or an ambulance?
She appears to be in bad shape,” Martha asked, concerned.
“No, let’s wait a moment,” Victor hesitated. “What if she’s...”
“Alright, we can wait,” Martha agreed, studying the woman’s scarred face and bandages, noting the tattoo on her upper arm. “I wonder how she got all those injuries...”
---
Meanwhile, in a distant place, a young girl sobbed alone in her room. Despite her tears, the sounds of children playing nearby were audible. Eventually, someone came to lead her to the cafeteria. Wiping her eyes, the girl picked up a tray and stood before the cafeteria worker.
“Look at me if you want your food,” the worker said curtly.
The girl glanced up, her face crimson and swollen.
The worker recoiled slightly, then handed her porridge and directed her to sit. As she ate quietly in the shadows, a group of children knocked her food over and began taunting her with hurtful names like
“Ghost” and “Psycho.”
The caretaker intervened, sending the girl outside the orphanage door to sit alone. She wore a shirt that read “Grace is a Psycho” on the back, but the caretaker chose to ignore it. With a conspicuous black eye, she observed a car arriving to adopt another child, knowing she wouldn’t be chosen.
Returning inside the orphanage, named “Marie’s Youth Orphanage,” she quietly helped herself to a chocolate before heading to the swings in the park, while all the kids were busy eyeing their potential future parents.
Watching one of her tormentors get adopted by a wealthy family, she ruminated sadly, “Life is so cruel.
What did I ever do wrong? Was I a horrible person in my past life?”
Grace’s life in the orphanage was a blend of longing and sorrow. Every night, she sought comfort in her torn blanket, crying until her pillow was half-wet with tears.
The dawn brought little relief, especially when the caregiver’s complaints about bonuses and Grace's age shattered her fleeting peace. Despite being just four, Grace endured the caregiver’s bickering in silence, staring into an empty wall with a heavy heart. Yet, today held a rare sliver of happiness: she finished her breakfast without anyone knocking it over.
Suddenly, children started running outside, and Grace, assuming it was another visit from a wealthy parent, continued eating her chocolate. Then, the caregiver grabbed her hand roughly, dragging her to the stage.
“Just like we practiced. Smile and make eye contact with the lady in the white dress,” she instructed while hurriedly dressing Grace in a pink outfit. “This time, I’ll make sure you get adopted!”Grace was put on stage with two other kids. The boy performed first, singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” adding a verse of his own that wowed the audience.
The girl sang a touching Mother’s Day song, making Grace feel sure she wouldn’t be picked. When it was her turn, Grace stepped forward and saw the most beautiful woman she had ever seen—the lady in white. She was everything Grace wanted to be beautiful, fabulously dressed, with stunning blonde hair.
Grace began singing:
---
How far away must I see, only to be close to the
Almighty,
How far away must I go, only to truly call some
place my home,
How far away must I move, only to hug the lady in
those white shoes,
How far away must I walk, only to have a mom to
talk,
How far away must I speak, only to have a dad to
speak up for me,
Only to have a happy, loving, and kind family.
---
Her song concluded with her eyes brimming with tears. Overwhelmed by fear and emotion, Grace fled the stage, sobbing. The lady in white followed her and, with a gentle voice, asked, “Are you okay, sweetie? Do you want a mom to talk to?”
Grace nodded, nestling into the woman’s comforting embrace.
“Well then, consider it done!”
Joy surged through Grace as she realized she was finally being adopted. The caregiver hastily packed her belongings, offering apologies for any past grievances. Grace, in turn, expressed her gratitude and apologies before leaving in a limousine with her new parents.
While the limousine trailed off, chaos erupted at the orphanage. Caretakers frantically herded the children outside, shouting, “Everyone, get out!
There’s a fire in the kitchen!”
“Do you think—”
“No, I don’t—but did she?” a child remarked, glancing back at the burning building.
Inside the car, Grace watched the flames and smiled brightly. Her father’s face was etched with regret, but she was determined to win him over, just as she had with her new mother. Her thoughts briefly returned to the drastic steps she had taken with the gas pipes in the kitchen, wondering if it was enough retribution for the treatment she had endured. But soon, her mind drifted to the future ahead. She had sworn to herself she would get adopted this time, and she did.
---
* Hours Earlier *
Grace had overheard a conversation between her now-parents.
“Listen, we’re only here for my campaign. We’ll adopt a child after I become mayor,” Edgar said.
Eleanor, his wife, had responded, “I understand, but if a child looks at me with hopeful eyes, I won’t be able to resist.”
This exchange, caught by Grace as she passed by, set her plan into motion. She crafted a poem on the spot and performed it with heartfelt tears, knowing Eleanor wouldn’t be able to resist.
Grace's plan worked flawlessly, as Eleanor followed her, leading to her adoption. Unbeknownst to her new parents, the orphanage caregiver had hidden a crucial detail by burning a diagnosis that revealed Grace was a pathological liar and psychologically unstable.
Behind the Glamour
BEHIND THE GLAMOUR
"Yes, this is the feeling," Grace thought as she sank into her princess-like, light pink bed, relishing the warm pillows, cozy mattress, and the stunning view from the window. Finally, no more miserable nights of sleep. Her new mother gently tucked her in.
"This was supposed to be my daughter's nursery,"
Eleanor said softly, tears welling up.
"So, you have a daughter?" Grace asked, sensing Eleanor's sadness.
"No, she left me. But now you're here. I suppose God has different plans for us," Eleanor replied, her voice wavering as she smoothed Grace's hair.
Eleanor switched off the lights and quietly exited the room, her sobs echoing softly in the hallway. It was evident she had recently experienced a profound loss and couldn't help but reminisce about the moments she had imagined with her unborn child.
Edgar noticed her crying but walked past, leaving Eleanor to weep at Grace's door until a maid came to assist her.
The next morning, Grace was awakened by the maid opening the curtains. The first thing she noticed was the birds chirping and the fresh scent of water and plants from the garden, a stark contrast to the laughter of children and the smell of dirty laundry at the orphanage. "My life has really changed," she thought, marveling at the luxury around her. She savored the attention: the maids washing her face, helping her brush her teeth, and dressing her in a lovely outfit. After the maids tidied up, Grace eagerly explored the house she had only glimpsed briefly the night before when she fell asleep in the limousine.
She wandered through the expansive kitchen with its gold cabinets and admired the lush garden full of roses. Feeling hungry, she checked the kitchen cabinets, finding them empty. Assuming there must be another kitchen, she continued her exploration.
Climbing the grand staircase, she discovered a large door ajar on the top floor. Inside was a spacious room with a massive television and a tall bookshelf.
Curious, she heard faint sobbing and followed the sound.
Entering a vast walk-in closet, large enough to be three rooms, Grace found Eleanor quietly crying in a corner.
"Mom, are you okay?" Grace asked softly, stepping closer and noticing Eleanor's bruised lips, then stepping back hesitantly.
"You’re up early. You should go back to bed. This...
don't worry about it. I hurt myself while waxing. It just stings a bit. I'm fine. Have you eaten?" Eleanor said, wiping her tears, trying to compose herself.
Eleanor led Grace to the breakfast table where Edgar was already seated with a cup of tea and a newspaper. Grace observed Edgar closely, feeling a need to uncover his vulnerabilities, much like she had with her orphanage caretaker, whom she had once blackmailed over an affair with the counselor.
As she sat there, an idea struck her.
Excusing herself, Grace hurried to the closet room she had seen earlier. With a hammer in hand, she returned to the walk-in closet and smashed Edgar's Rolex in a bold move to get revenge from Edgar for making his wife and Grace’s mother cry. Calmly, she returned to her room. Edgar left for work, and Eleanor retreated to her room, still visibly distressed.
Later that day, Eleanor invited Grace on a mother-daughter outing. Having never experienced one, Grace was eager to see what it entailed. They visited a painting shop, watched a movie, and had lunch.
Returning home in the evening, they encountered Edgar returning from his campaign.
Eleanor and Grace headed to their rooms, but a maid whispered something to Eleanor, prompting her to instruct the maid to lock Grace in her room.
Rushing to her own room, Eleanor's actions betrayed tension simmering beneath the surface.
Edgar's campaign had failed, damaging his ratings.
Locked in her room, Grace heard muffled thuds from upstairs.
"I told you not to!"
"Please, we'll figure something out!"
"You should've never..."
The altercation ended in an uneasy silence, followed by a heartbreaking scream. Grace attempted to leave her room but couldn’t.
The next day, only Edgar was at the breakfast table.
"Where's Mom?" Grace asked, hesitatingly.
"She went shopping, little lady. She'll be back soon,"
the maid replied, serving the table with a forced smile.
Edgar hastily left home, and Grace was enrolled in one of London's top schools. That night, Eleanor returned home drunk. She entered Grace's room while she slept, crying beside her bed.
"Mom, where were you? Did you enjoy shopping?"
Grace asked softly, concerned.
Eleanor, who had been stroking Grace's hair, suddenly started choking her. Overwhelmed by the pressure on her neck, Grace's vision blurred. The last words she heard were, "I want my child back!"
After a harrowing night, Grace woke to find Eleanor sitting beside her on the bed, apologizing profusely.
"How are you feeling? I'm really sorry about last night; I didn't know I was in your room!" Eleanor said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Grace comforted her, patting her head as they embraced. However, a thought nagged at Grace.
"If it wasn't my room, then whose room did she intend to enter?"
After the embrace, Eleanor excused herself. Grace took a moment, then changed into a new dress, determined not to dwell on the troubling incident, though the doubts still gnawed at her.
She ate a solitary breakfast, the quiet solitude accentuating her internal conflict. Her first day at school—a milestone she had once deemed unattainable—loomed ahead. A butler meticulously packed her belongings, while a maid attended to the final touches. As she settled into the sumptuous limousine, a mix of excitement and trepidation washed over her. This day, she mused, might be the second-best of her life, the first being the day of her adoption.
The limousine glided down the driveway, and to Grace’s astonishment, Edgar joined her, en route to the school for a charity event. The atmosphere grew thick with a protracted, uneasy silence. Grace stared out the window, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
Finally, Edgar broke the silence, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
“How are you feeling?” he inquired, his gaze fixed ahead, his tone neutral yet probing.
Grace hesitated, her voice wavering slightly. “I’m quite nervous, actually. You see, I’ve never been to a real school, and so—”
“I’m referring to the watch,” he interrupted, his voice taking on a sharper edge.
“Sorry—” Grace stammered, her heart pounding.
“How do you feel after breaking a limited-edition Rolex behind my back?”
Grace’s face flushed with a mix of fear and mortification. “But... how did you—”
“It’s simple when you’re affluent and have security cameras at every corner of your estate. I’m uncertain of your intentions,” he said, turning to fix her with a steely glare. His tone dropped, becoming cold and menacing. “Stop meddling with my possessions, and do not think that I’ll ever regard a mere orphan, particularly one as worthless as you, as my child.”
Grace was left speechless, her mind reeling from his words. The car came to a stop, and the chauffeur announced, “We have arrived, sir.”
Edgar adjusted his suit and exited the vehicle.
Outside, a swarm of paparazzi awaited, their cameras flashing incessantly. Edgar, unfazed, walked confidently toward the school entrance, knowing that this public appearance would bolster his political aspirations. Grace, still paralyzed by the encounter, was roused when the chauffeur opened the door, urging her to proceed inside.
The school day proved to be rather unremarkable.
