"Are you sure this is what you want?" Sir Aaron's voice breeched through the awkward silence in the living room. Although I'd already made known my decision, every member of his family hoped I'd change my mind.
It hurt me to disappoint them, but I had to return home. My stepmother needed me.
"That woman can suffer for all I care," Sharon said. "It's either her wickedness has finally caught up with her, or she's faking it."
"She's sick," I said. "Why would anyone fake a thing like this?"
"To get what they want," she said.
Although that seemed possible, my stepmother would never do a thing like this. Lie about her own health? Unthinkable.
"I have decided, sir," I said. "I must be by her side during this difficult time. You must think of me as ungrateful now. After everything you've done for me-"
"We don't," Mrs. Aaron said. "We just want to make sure you're sure about this. This is what you want? Really?"
"Yes," I said.
"Very well then," Sir Aaron said. "Go get your things ready. I'll drop you off."
With no attempt to hide her retort, Sharon stormed off. Vicky followed right after.
"They fear for you," Mrs. Aaron said. "They fear you're making a huge mistake and you just don't see it. Although I feel the same way, I cannot stop you from leaving. It is your choice. I just hope you aren't walking into a trap. May the good Lord be with you. Go well."
"Thank you, ma." I headed for the room and found Sharon arranging my belongings in my bag. Perched on the bed, Vicky hugged a pillow.
"You amaze me," Sharon said without looking up to acknowledge my presence. "How can you still think of that woman after everything?"
"She is still family," I said.
"Family my foot," she said. "I don't know what kind of heart you have, but this act of yours is something I'd never do. If I were in your shoes I'd leave her to die in her evil."
Done arranging my bag, she presented it to me. "As much as I don't agree with this, I can't stop you."
Tossing her pillow to the bed, Vicky sprang to her feet and crossed the room to meet me. She threw her tiny arms around me in a heart-wrenching embrace. "Don't go. Please."
"Vicky-" I said.
Sobbing, she tightened her arms around me. "Tell me you won't go, please."
"Vicky, my mum is very sick," I explained. "Wouldn't you do the same if it were your mum?"
"If it were my mum, I would," Sharon said. "But it's not your mum. It's your evil stepmother."
"Why are stepmothers so evil?" Vicky asked, pulling away from the embrace.
Sharon made an ugly face. "Because they are hideous creatures. They're ogres."
"Eeeew," Vicky said. "Like Shrek?"
"Yup," Sharon said.
Vicky's face contorted as though she'd smelled a decomposing rat. She cupped a palm over her crinkled nose. "Eeeew. She's so disgusting."
Sharon made a face and pinched her nose. "Yeah. Double eeew."
"Will you come back, Victoria?" Vicky asked. "Ogres are bad. They crush bones to make bread. Fi Fii Fo Fum. I smell the blood of a Nigerian girl. Be her alive or be her dead, I'll crush her bones to make my bread!"
"I'll come visit," I said. "I promise."
"No, will you come live with us again?" she asked. "You're only going to visit the sick witch, right? You'll return right after. You shouldn't eat anything she gives you. Not food. Not water. Remember what happened with Snow White."
"Are you ready?" Sir Aaron asked from behind us.
"Yes sir," I said.
"Well then, let's go."
"Wait," Sharon said. "I should come along so I'd know the house. I'd love to visit sometime."
"Me too!" Vicky said. "Perhaps there are other people to save from the ogre-witch!"
Sir Aaron grimaced. "Ogre witch? Sharon, what have you been teaching her?"
"Nothing, dad," Sharon said. "I'll go wait outside." Humming a tune, she made her exit.