Silent Waters: contos, #1

By jessica diogo

Emotions run high in Betty's world, where every moment feels like an eternity of uncertainty and longing. As she sits on the edge of her bed, a heavy sigh escapes her chest, echoing the weight of her fears and doubts. The words of her mother resonate deeply within her now, warning her about the dangers of holding on too tightly to something precious.

But how could she have foreseen this? The picturesque view outside her window offers no hint of the impending tragedy that would shatter her world. The serene lake, the willow-lined shore, the distant boats—all seemed like a tranquil paradise, the perfect backdrop for their idyllic vacation. Yet, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.

Stephen, her pillar of strength and discipline, had vanished without a trace after his morning routine. Hours stretched into an eternity as Betty's anxiety mounted, each passing minute intensifying her suffocating dread. She knew deep down that something terrible had happened, despite the reassuring words of those around her.

Desperation drove her to seek help from a hereditary clairvoyant, grasping at any semblance of hope to bring Stephen back to her. But even as she embarked on this desperate journey, doubts gnawed at her heart. Could magic truly bridge the chasm between reality and the unknown?

As days turned into weeks, Betty's world spiraled into chaos. Her once-steadfast resolve wavered in the face of uncertainty, her grip on reality slipping with each passing moment. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a flicker of hope emerged—a sign from an unexpected messenger, a beacon of light in the darkness.

Now, as she lies in her hospital bed, her mind adrift in a sea of confusion and despair, Betty's parents cling to the hope that their daughter will find her way back to them. They watch, helpless yet hopeful, as she navigates the labyrinth of her own mind, searching for the path that will lead her back to herself.

In this tale of love, loss, and the indomitable human spirit, Betty's journey unfolds—a testament to the resilience of the human heart in the face of unfathomable tragedy. And as she fights to reclaim her shattered reality, one thing remains clear: the power of love knows no bounds, even in the darkest of times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: jessica diogo
• Release date: Apr 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224822911

jessica diogo

Ricardo Almeida is a writer and journalist, graduated in the Brazilian city of João Pessoa in 2007. He specializes in investigative journalism. In addition to his journalistic work, he is a speaker and writer. It shares its knowledge at conferences, workshops and publications, with the aim of disseminating information about society. Your commitment is to help others achieve a balanced and meaningful life.

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Table of Contents

Silent Waters

Silent Waters

Betty timidly sat on the edge of the bed. A heavy sigh escaped her chest. Her mother had

been right. Holding on to something too tightly, you risk losing it. The full depth, the overwhelming

pain and injustice of that phrase, Betty only understood today. She looked out the window,

the view was breathtaking. Everything just as they had wanted. A picturesque lake. A shore

lined with willows leaning toward the water. Boats in the distance. Silence and grace. The

wise grandeur of nature. Nothing foretold trouble, not a single hint sign. Absolutely

nothing. For several days now she and her husband had been vacationing in a small family-owned

hotel 300 kilometers from the bustling southern city. Every morning, Stephen went for a run

and then swam in the lake. He liked the cold water, into which no one else would dare to

venture. Discipline and hardening were paramount to him, and he never broke his routine. It

was one of the qualities Betty appreciated most in her husband.

Stephen's morning exercise usually took no more than an hour, but today he didn't return

after one or two hours. She couldn't sit still, peering out the window every minute.

She even ran to the lake. But it was all in vain. Since his disappearance only a few hours

had passed just a couple or three, at most, four.

Everyone around said it was too early to worry, that a healthy adult man could go anywhere

after his usual morning swim. For example, her Stephen could have gone into the woods

just to wander and think. For a typical city-dweller, it's better than any therapy. It seemed too

early to involve the police. But what would she tell them?

My husband has been missing from the hotel room for four hours. Yet Betty didn't just

feel, she knew for certain that something terrible had happened. In the six months since

their wedding, Stephen had never given her a reason to worry. He even warned her about

minor work delays and reported all his movements. He was a very disciplined and educated man.

She had also gotten used to raiding to him several times a day, telling him where she

was going and where she was. At first, such behavior seemed a bit intrusive to her, but

her husband assured her that this was how it should be in their family.

"'I've been searching for you for too long, and now I don't want to lose you,' he explained.

Honestly, Betty felt the same way. Her first husband lived completely differently throughout

their marriage. He could come home from work after midnight without warning, ignoring

her calls. It was only later that she learned about his parallel life. She was needed by

him as a possession. And who voluntarily deprives themselves of property or status? So, Betty

was needed by Andrew as a status symbol for respect in society. There was never any extra

money, joint leisure time, or trust in their home.

Betty tried alone, setting an ideal frequency in the apartment. Timing Andrew's return so

that the dinner she prepared for him would definitely be warm.

Stephen, on the other hand, treated her feelings and everything Betty did with immense respect.

That's why he simply couldn't go anywhere without warning her. And Betty didn't like

surprises. And Stephen knew it well, so this version was also dismissed. She stood on the

hotel terrace, gripping the railing, gazing into the hazy distance. Nature seemed to

Echo her mood. The previous days of relaxation had been sunny, but today, low clouds covered

the gloomy sky, thickening and threatening to burst with sharp rain. Watch and wait.

There was nothing else left to do. Betty mentally promised herself that she would wait until

six o'clock, and then definitely sound the alarm. Although every fiber of her being was

already filled with an oppressive, suffocating anxiety.

Hasn't he shown up yet? She heard a voice behind her and flinched. It was Diane, the

hotel owner, who treated every guest as her personal guest.

'Not yet,' Betty replied in a subdued voice. 'I can't wait any longer.'"

"'Well, this is also unacceptable, suffocating the man with your care. He's been gone for

a few hours and you're already beside yourself.'

Diane's voice carried a reproach. "'But it's not about that, please understand,' Betty

replied. "'He's never disappeared like this without warning me, especially since today

we plan to explore the surroundings. Go to a restaurant with Stephen.'"

"'Well, if that's the case, you need to seek help,' Diane agreed with her.

Despite her warmth and friendliness, the owner clearly didn't want the police to come to

the hotel. Together with her husband, Jeffrey, they had spent many years meticulously building

a reputation for the safest and quietest place in the region. Their business relied on the

long-standing trust of the guests. The lake, by the shore of which the hotel was situated,

was very deep, right at the edge. Swimming in it was prohibited by the local authorities.

There was no descent or path to the lake from the hotel. But could that stop intrusive tourists

or fishermen who casually pitched their tents on the opposite shore and didn't care about

the rules? They swam, jumped off cliffs, fished, and often drowned. Unfortunately,

Jeffrey and Diane knew how deceptive and dangerous the lake was. That's why they always warned

their guests that it was better to admire its beauty from a distance. However, Stephen

brushed off the warnings, claiming that swimming in the mornings in a pool or any other body

of water was his long-standing habit, which he wasn't going to give up. Stephen was indeed

an excellent swimmer, so Betty wasn't worried that her husband was doing