Blood Remembers

The room was still. Too still. Every eye followed Haley, frozen in fear. Silverware clinked faintly on the table, but no one dared move.

Michael’s voice trembled. “What… what’s going on?”

Haley lifted the Ghostface mask, holding it in the air. “You don’t remember this, Mike?”

One of her daughters, sensing her mother’s rising anger, whispered, “Mom… are you okay?”

Haley’s eyes blazed. “Go to your rooms!” The girls grabbed hands and bolted down the stairs to their grandmother’s room, hearts pounding.

Damika, still in bed, hesitated. Concern sharpened into resolve. “What’s happening?”

One of Haley’s daughters answered softly, “Mom’s upset… she’s yelling at Michael’s dad.”

Damika’s chest tightened. She knew she was the only one who could calm Haley now. Slowly, she sat up, determined to make it upstairs in time.

Upstairs, Andrew tried to regain control, glancing at his children and grandchildren. “Let’s eat. This is Mike’s party.”

Haley slammed the mask down on the table. The sharp crack echoed through the room. “This is my house! You will not tell me what to do!”

Andrew laughed nervously. Michael stepped forward. “Haley, stop talking to my dad like that… or we can take it there.”

Haley turned, cold as ice. “Take it where, little brother?”

Tia tried to change the mood. “Can we… cut the cake now?” She gathered the twins and sat at the table, but the tension was suffocating, like the air itself had thickened.

Haley’s voice rose, trembling with grief and fury. “Admit it! Admit that you abused my mom, in front of everyone! That’s all I want!”

Tears welled in her eyes. Her heart felt shattered by decades of lies and deceit.

Andrew crossed his arms, smirking cruelly. “Yo mama was a whore that needed taming. I never put my hands on her, though.”

Michael shook his head, voice tight with sorrow. “I already know you didn’t.”

Haley’s gaze pierced him. “So you’re going to defend him again? Who was beating our mother then?”

Diana’s voice cut in weakly. “Just leave it alone, Haley. Damn.”

Haley’s glare snapped to Diana. “You’re cursing at me? Get out of this conversation.”

Andrew scoffed. “It’s all a lie your mama planted in your head.”

Haley’s voice shook with fury. “My mama didn’t have to tell me—I was there, bitch!”

Tia’s confession cut through the room like a blade. “Andrew raped me! The twins are his. He’s given me STDs…I’ve been scared to speak up because he threatened to take the girls and stop sending money. He’s a monster.” She starts crying.

Haley froze for a heartbeat, shock flickering across her face. Then she looked at Michael, who was now shaking, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Andrew stood, tense, ready to strike—but Haley didn’t flinch. Slowly, she reached behind her and pulled out a metal bat.

The first swing hit. Andrew stumbled, groaning in pain. Haley didn’t stop—she swung again, again, until he dropped to his knees, the bat striking like justice itself.

Screams erupted around her. Family members tried to intervene, but Haley swung with cold precision, keeping them back.

Andrew collapsed to the floor, groaning and struggling to breathe. Damika burst into the dining room, heart racing, and grabbed Haley’s arm. Haley yanked free, kicking Andrew until he no longer moved.

Michael whispered, horrified, “You’re so fucked up in the head.”

Haley stepped back, breathing heavy, chest heaving, sweat dripping down her face. The room was silent except for Andrew’s ragged gasps, then nothing.

Damika held Haley down on the sofa, trying to calm her down. Haley jerks free, moving toward Michael, and punches him. “You remember what happened, you bastard!”

Tia sat frozen in terror, staring at Andrew’s bruised and bloody body.

Haley’s eyes swept the room. “The world is a better place because he is no longer in it. If I ever hear about this again, I will hunt you down myself. This night… never happened. Understand?”

Everyone nodded, wide-eyed and trembling.

Haley turned to Michael. Her voice softened just slightly, a quiet edge of release. “Your wish came true. All is forgiven now… and I… can finally move on.”

The silence was shattered as she screamed, “GET OUT!”

Chaos erupted. Family members bolted, scrambling into cars, engines roaring, tires screeching as they sped away.

Damika knelt beside Haley. “Do you feel better now?”

Haley’s gaze returned to Andrew’s lifeless form, blood trickling from his mouth, bruises darkening his face. Her lips curved in a grim, satisfied smile.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I do.”