The Dark Side of Introversion and other stories.

The Los Angeles International airport was completely filled with people from all walks of life, as usual. It was a very busy airport and Sylvia kept brushing and bumping into strangers as she made her way to the arrivals terminal.

"I'm sorry", she apologized as she bumped into another random person for the millionth time. It wasn't really intentional, but for the hoodie she placed over her head, and the constant eyes-on-the-floor walking style she maintained, which restricted her from properly achieving spatial awareness of her immediate surrounding. It was tedious for her, constantly bumping and apologizing to strangers as she made her way through the airport, but it truly wasn't intentional, for as her body subconsciously made its way through the sea of people, her mind was somewhere far far away.

She was here for a reason, the same reason why she lacked the confidence to raise her head and walk upright in public places. The same reason why she became introverted and antisocial. The same reason why she was depressed, for the past few years of her life.

Her Uncle Thomas, who made the biggest impact in her life. Correction; the biggest negative impact.

Technically, Uncle Thomas wasn't Sylvia's uncle. He was her mother's distant cousin, but either way, since her childhood, she always knew him as Uncle Thomas. Rich, generous Uncle Thomas who worked for a huge oil company and always sent gifts to Sylvia and her siblings during holiday periods. She had always admired him since she was a toddler, and looked forward to the day she would meet him in person.

One day, Sylvia's mum, Olivia, had barged into her room, clutching her phone in hand.

"Sylvia, God has finally answered our prayers", Olivia screamed excitedly.

"Mum, what is it?", Sylvia asked. Her mother's behavior had thrown her into anxiousness and she impatiently waited for an answer.

"Uncle Thomas has promised to send you to America to complete your education!"

Sylvia screamed excitedly, and so did her mother, and her younger sister Uriah, who also ran into the room after overhearing their conversation.

Phone calls were made and the arrangements were confirmed. Sylvia was to stay at Uncle Thomas' home in Lagos until her papers were ready, and after that, a one way trip to the States.

Sylvia arrived at her Uncle's home and she was welcomed by his wife and their children. She helped the family with the chores and errands, and patiently awaited the day her documents would be ready.

Three weeks after Sylvia arrived at Uncle Thomas's home, she noticed his demeanor had changed towards her. He stared at her for longer periods than usual and always tried to touch her whenever they discussed or when she served him food. He started addressing her as 'dearest', which was a title one would normally expect him to reserve for his wife. Sylvia noticed all these but she dismissed it, attributing it to the care he must have had for her.

One fateful day, after Uncle Thomas and his wife left for work, and the children for school, Sylvia was at home studying at the dining table, when suddenly the front door banged open and Uncle Thomas barged in, screaming her name. He ran into the dining room, and there he found her, confused and frightened.

"What's wrong? Did you forget something important?", Sylvia asked.

"My dearest, I can't resist this feeling anymore", said Uncle Thomas, as he gently walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, "I tried to focus at work, but all I could see was your luscious body, your small tender breasts, and your beautiful face."

"Uncle, you're saying stupid things, stop all this." Sylvia resisted and pushed his hands off.

"I want you, Sylvia. Right now!" he demanded and pinned her against the wall, while planting kisses on her face.