After finishing the porridge, Darlynn transferred it into a pot and set it on the table. The two were still engrossed in conversation. Walking over to the kitchen drawer, she opened it and pulled out a small knife. She stared at it a moment. Then, taking two apples from the fruit bowl, she began slicing them neatly. She placed the slices in a dish and set it in front of her husband and son, then sat across from them with a smile.

Philip: Thank you.

 Zachary: Thanks, Mom! Gotta love these apples~

Zachary popped a few slices into his mouth, grinning, while Philip ate them more composedly. Darlynn giggled softly, watching them—at least for a moment.

Alexis: Zachary is always so cheerful. And Dad’s always calm. He doesn’t take after either of them, huh?

But Alexis could still feel something… off. Something crawling beneath her mother’s smile.

Alexis: Mom… what is this feeling? What are you planning…?

Her mother’s expression hardened. She stood, left the table, and headed to Alexis’ room. Nervousness cloaked her as she stepped toward her unconscious daughter.

Darlynn: It’s today, Alexis…

Alexis: Ugh again, Today? What’s happening today??

Darlynn sat down at the edge of the bed, quiet and still. Alexis could only watch in growing dread. Then her mother leaned in close, and in a hushed, venomous tone, whispered,

Darlynn: You are a curse, you wench.

She spat on her daughter’s face. Smiling wickedly at her daughter’s sleeping face.

Alexis: Mom… why are you acting like this…? This isn’t you…

Darlynn: Because of you, my husband doesn’t even look at me. Because of you, my son clings to his father. Because of you, I had to quit my job, my life—everything’s gone to hell! BECAUSE OF YOU, ALEXIS!

Her voice rose with each word, her face closing in.

Darlynn: I WISH I NEVER HAD YOU.

Alexis felt her heart tear apart. Though she couldn’t cry in this bodiless state, the emotional weight was unbearable.

Alexis: No… You’re not my mom… My mother is kind. Loving. Funny. Gentle. This—this isn’t her… Please let this be a lie…

Suddenly, Darlynn stood up, a wide, crazed smile spreading across her face. She began singing lowly as she walked out.

Darlynn: I will kill you when you’re sleeping, so you’d better try, try and keep awake~

Still singing to the lyrics, she went to the kitchen at a slow pace. Her husband and son still didn’t pay any attention to her as they continued their intellectual discussion.

Alexis: What are you singing?! Dad! Zach! Please,SOMEONE NOTICE HER!!

Darlynn: Keep your left eye open, and your right toe twitchin’~

She opened the drawer again and took out a sharper, larger knife this time.

Alexis: No… Mom… Please don’t…

Darlynn: ‘Cause I’m in the kitchen, with a knife that’s itchin’, for your red blood on those white sheets~

Step by step, she returned to the bedroom. Alexis’ heart pounded in her chest, though her body couldn’t move.

Darlynn: I will kill you when you’re sleeping~

Alexis: Please stop—please—

Her singing slowed down as she approached her daughter, and her smile grew wider.

Darlynn: So you better try, try-

She raised the knife high,

Darlynn: AND KEEP AWAKE!

-then plunged it into her daughter’s chest.

Alexis: NO!!!

Her scream echoed through her soul, but not aloud. The blade went deep. 

Darlynn smiled—until she realized she couldn’t pull it out. Her grin faltered. Alexis, though unable to feel the pain physically, felt her consciousness start to fade.

Then her eyes opened. She was in her own body again. Bleeding out.

Darlynn looked surprised. Her expression shifted into a mock concern.

Darlynn: Oh! You’re awake! Good morning, dear~

Her mother greeted her with a gentle tone, though she was wearing a creepy expression. She lets go of the knife and acts shocked at the sight of it as the stab wound started to bleed out.

Darlynn: My goodness! This thing’s such a pain, huh? Can’t even get it out~ Oh well.

She giggled.

Alexis: /Monologue/…She’s completely lost her mind…

Darlynn: How’re you feeling? Better?

She sat beside her, disturbingly casual. Alexis, struggling to come up with words to say, starts to cough blood. That was when someone appeared at the doorway.

Zachary: Mom…?

He slowly stepped in, his face frozen in horror as he takes in the scene of his mother being disturbingly casual and smiling at him while his sister bleeds out with a knife in her.

Darlynn: Hi, dear! I was just helping Alexis ‘open up’ to me. Like how you open up to your dad~ Get it? ‘Open up’? Haha!

Zachary stared in shock. Alexis turned her head slightly, blood seeping beneath her. Alexis, finally mustered all her strength, spoke up forcefully.

Alexis: …Zachary… Help… me…

Zachary: Why would you—what were you THINKING, Mom?! WHY?!

He shoved Darlynn aside to face Alexis. Darlynn fell to the floor with a thud—and started laughing manically.

Darlynn: It was a good pun! Hahaha, Come on, laugh with me!

Their father, startled by Zachary’s scream and Darlynn’s unusual laugh, ran to the room and froze at the sight of his daughter’s situation while Zachary panicked and Darlynn laughing hysterically on the floor.

Philip: What is going on??? Alexis!

Even their usually calm and collected father was now shaking but tried his best to think rationally as he ran up to Alexis, ignoring his wife, then turned to a now crying Zachary.

Philip: Zachary, call an ambulance and the cops.

Zachary: B-but, Alexis-

Philip: NOW, ZACHARY!

Still trembling and crying, Zachary took his phone out of his pocket and did as he was told. Philip kept his eyes at his daughter while caressing her hair. For the first time, he smiled at his daughter with tears in his eyes.

Philip: Stay with us, sweetheart. Help is on the way. I’m so, so sorry… I love you, Alexis. Keep your eyes open, okay?

Alexis tried to respond, but only managed a weak smile. Philip kissed her forehead and turned toward Darlynn who was smiling eerily. Phiip then yelled,

Philip: You stabbed your own daughter? What’s wrong with you?!

Her eery smile turned upside down, frowning at her husband.

Darlynn: EVERYTHING’S ALWAYS ABOUT ALEXIS! What about me?! I’m your wife, and you can’t even look at me! Am I not worthy?!

Tears streamed down her face. Her body shook with sobs.

Darlynn: I just… I just wanted someone to see me. Just once. But now… Alexis… I—

Taken by surprise, Darlynn wasn’t able to continue her sentence when Philip suddenly wrapped his arms around her tight.

Philip: I’m sorry… I wasn’t there for you… I failed you. I failed all of us…

Though shocked at first, Darlynn then muttered inaudibly and tears formed in her eyes. Her cries grew louder but muffled as she dug her face into Philip’s chest, crying her heart out. Philip couldn’t help but cry along. Zachary, who was by Alexis’ side, held onto his sister’ cheek, caressing it gently as tears welled up in his eyes.

Zachary: You’ll be okay… The ambulance is almost here.

He looked at her with pained eyes choosing to ignore the fact that the blanket was now drenched crimson. Alexis smiled faintly.

Alexis: T-Thank you, T-Zachary…

While his father was holding on to his mother who was crying her heart out, Zachary tried to remain as calm as he could for Alexis, wiping off his tears, holding back his sobs and smiled for her.

And as much as Zachary wanted to stay positive, he knew deep inside that Alexis wouldn’t make it. Not with a wound that deep and with so much blood loss. He sniffed, and smiled,

Zachary: Hey Lex, feeling sleepy? I can tuck you in, if you'd like.

Giving her brother a nod, she turned to look at her parents, who were embracing each other, with a relieved expression. No longer having the energy to shed a tear, she shifted her gaze back to Zachary, droopy eyed. Zachary adjusted her pillow and blanket, then kissed her forehead.

Alexis: I'm sorry, Zach... But I’m gonna sleep…

Zachary: Of course... Sure…

He adjusted her blanket and pillow, gave his sister a kiss on her head, and caressed her hair.

Alexis: See you later, Zachary. 

Zachary: See you later, little sis. Rest easy, okay?

Giving her a warm smile, her lips curved into one final smile before finally, exhaling her last breath. Zachary cupped her cheek, and submitted to his dispair. Collapsed onto her, crying out in anguish. Then, her voice lingered:

Alexis

/Monologue/ I used to think my life ended the day I fell from that tree.

But it didn’t. It just… changed.

At first, I was angry. Trapped. Powerless in a world that kept moving without me. I thought pain was all I’d ever feel — that I was just here to endure it.

But somehow, piece by piece, person by person… I started to see more.

The quiet endurance of a mother doing her best — that was Dr. Hanson.
She faced cruelty from the one she loved most — but still, she showed up. Still, she stayed soft. That kind of love hurts… but it’s the bravest kind.

The strength it takes to smile when the world keeps knocking you down — that was Devin.
He taught me what it means to stand tall, even when everything feels heavy — and how deeply family matters, even when everything’s falling apart.

The ache of someone who’s lost so much, but still has love left to give — that was Nora.
Her sorrow never stopped her from being a lovely and understanding friend.

And the kind of love that gives until there’s nothing left — that was Mom. Darlynn.
She held me every day… even when she couldn’t hold herself anymore.

Through them, I lived a thousand lives I never thought I’d have. And maybe that’s what life really is — not just what we get, but what we come to understand.

Everyone’s hurting. Everyone’s healing. And if you look close enough, you’ll see that we’re all just trying to be okay.

So if you remember me…

Don’t remember the chair. 

Remember the girl who saw beyond your horizon; your soul — and understood it. 

Minutes later, the paramedics and police arrived. Philip, hollow-eyed, handed his wife over to the officers. Zachary, pale and shaking, led the medics to his sister’s lifeless body.

That day, they lost two family members:
One to death.
The other, to madness.

Hi dearest readers,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Beyond Her Horizon. This story was something I first wrote back when I was in college — during a time when I felt stuck, uncertain, and honestly, wishing I could live someone else’s life instead of my own.

It means the world to me that you gave this story a chance. What began as a personal outlet slowly grew into something much deeper — a journey of empathy, healing, and finding meaning even in the hardest moments.

I hope Alexis’s story resonated with you in some way, whether it made you reflect, cry, or simply feel seen. If it brought even the smallest bit of comfort or connection, then that’s more than I could ever ask for.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you for being part of this journey. 💙
Your support, your time, and your presence here truly mean everything.

With love,
Meg H.