The Prisoner of the Devils'

Sadness

The cold weather in the city of New York really makes the residents plunged, unable to withstand the cold air that pierced to the bone. There is no heavy snow indeed, but the cold air is made worse by strong winds, enough to make many people who do activities outside the house wear thick clothes even in layers.

However, it was different from a woman who walked in the middle of that cold air. She was only clad in a shirt, a thick jacket and a knee-length black skirt that was perfectly attached to her petite body. The cold air that hit his bare calf did not make him stop, he still continued walking through block by block with a slow and relaxed pace, splitting the cold air that made his mouth smoky every breath. Every now and then the woman tried to tighten the knit sweater she was wearing.

His steps came to a halt when he had already reached in front of a flower shop. Once again, the woman took a slow breath, then galloped into the modest tavern.

"Hi, Star. This time as usual?" greet the owner of the flower shop after welcoming her arrival with a warm smile.

The woman named Starla and familiarly called Star smiled sweetly while nodding lightly. He had indeed been to the flower shop very often, so he did not have to bother anymore to order flowers what he wanted. Because the owner of this flower shop already knows very well what he wants.

"Are you late this time?"

The owner of the flower shop asked while preparing a bouquet of flowers for loyal customers who had been one month almost every day in a row to visit the flower shop.

Starla sighed softly and nodded her head briefly as she replied, "Yes, I just got home from work."

The shopkeeper girl circulated a glance, like she was looking for someone, making Starla frown when she saw the green iris move.

"Where's your lover? Doesn't he usually not accompany you here?"

The furrow on Starla's forehead deepened upon hearing the question the girl had asked.

A lover?

In the next second, Starla finally understood what the girl meant about her lover.

"Oh that, I asked him not to accompany me today. She was pretty busy at the office, and I didn't want to bother her" she explained later to the young flower shop owner. "Ah yes ..the man was my boss, not a lover," he continued, making the girl just nod, understood.

Starla slightly smiled awkwardly as her lips mentioned the word 'lover' earlier.

While arranging Starla's flower order, the girl spoke again. "It's very cold outside. Why are you even dressed like that?"

Starla chuckles. "I don't even think about the cold air out there, all I think about is visiting them immediately."

The answer succeeded in making the flower shop owner girl dumbfounded, the smile that had since been reviewed on her lips slowly disappeared as her gaze fell right on Starla's tired face. The look in the girl's eyes always radiated sadness, making her expression seem like someone who had lost the spirit of life. Since one month ago, when I first saw the arrival of the woman for the first time. The look in his eyes always radiated emptiness, really looking like he was carrying a huge burden of life.

"Yep! Two bouquets of white roses are ready."

The pretty girl's voice of the flower shop owner was blasting Starla's daydream. He then turned his head towards the girl who had been out of nowhere standing next to him.

"Ah yes. Thank you, Mya," he said softly while receiving the bouquet of flowers that had been handed over by Mia. His smile never left every time he spoke.

Mya hugged him. "Send my regards to them."

Starla nodded. "Surely, I will tell them. Thank you once again, Mya," she said, which made Mia nod lightly, then take off her embrace.

After nearly fifteen minutes of travel, down the sidewalk that has been covered with thin snow. The woman named Starla finally arrived at the main destination. He walked down the mounds of green-colored land even still there is a new look with a sprinkling of flowers on it. Until she reached the place she longed for so much, Starla stood between two mounds of almost green grass and a nearly flat tombstone with the mound.

Starla took a slow breath. "Sorry, I'm late this time!"

"How are you guys?" he sighed and glanced at the two tombstones in turn.

"My nephew? Is she okay?"

Silent.

Slowly, the beautiful woman squatted down and placed a bouquet of flowers on the tomb with the name Arlan Jhonson on her tombstone. His vision was blurry due to tears welling up in his eyes.

" Arlan, you take good care of them, don't you?" starla asked with a trembling voice.

Then a single tear flowed down both of her cheeks. With trembling lips holding back the sobbing, Starla again uttered in a raucous voice. "Do you know what, Arlan? I miss you so much. I miss you guys. I miss you all so much."

Back silence.

Starla wiped her tears, then turned her head towards a tomb similar to Arlan's. "Hi, Gabriella," she said softly. His lips gave a smile when he saw a flower on the tomb. "Did he just visit you? The flowers look much fresher and bigger. You're gonna like it, aren't you?"

"Oh yes, this is for you too, from me. White roses as usual."

Starla then put the bouquet of flowers that was purchased—right next to the large bouquet of flowers.

"I miss you, Gaby. You know, I can't find a friend like you anymore. I have no place to complain, I have no one in the world."

Starla fell on top of that mound of earth. His tears are falling. "You know that I love him. I need you to look after Arlan for me. Can't you?"

Silent.

Silent for a long time and only tears never stopped flowing, Starla reopened her voice. "I miss you guys. Did you guys hear me?"

"I miss you guys. I need you guys. I'm lonely here."

"I miss you all!"

The beautiful woman repeated her words again as the silence continued to swarm around her. Hoping that those who were not there could hear the pain he had just uttered.

Perhaps, anyone who heard or saw Starla as she was today, they might just assume that she was a crazy woman who spoke nonstop in front of a tomb. But really, the statement he just made really came from the recesses of his heart.

Since Arlan's death about a month ago, the woman had visited the tomb every day, never a day she was absent. However, for some reason, the cry and sorrow that Starla felt really could not disappear.

Starla is devastated by the death of Arlan, her brother, the only family she has in this world.