I look out of the glass of the cab, biting my finger nails as the car moves past several buildings, not bothering to stop as other people try to hail it.
I had changed from Charlie’s big shirt to my old clothes again, which are somehow dry and warm, lord only knows how. I had left Charlie’s a decent ten minutes ago, on my way back to my own apartment. At first, I had just thought to go home and rest the night away, completely exhausted after all the things that had happened in one day. But the ambitious part got the better of me.
There is still a lot of work to be done, and every second is precious. I promised to rest once all of this is over, so I might as well finish this once and for all. Which means I have to call Grayson now and apologize. And that’s where the real dread comes in.
I had been biting away at my nails ever since I decided that, the phone in my hand. How am I to call him? Knowing how rude I had been?
I shake my head numerous times, n
13th September 2017, She finally called. Jos had finally called, but it wasn’t me or Kate. It was Ben. This was good because Ben had been getting lovesick ever since the incident. Jos really needed to calm him down. And calm him she did, but she also left us a task. She wanted us to visit Lara from her side. So far we knew Lara is was in Hospital and only recently she had escaped the worst. I don’t know if this whole thing was a good idea, or if Lara’s parents would even let us near their daughter. However, it was Jos wish, and her first genuine words ever since that tragedy. As told by our friend, the five of us, Kate, Ben, Joseph, Charlie and myself included, set out to visit the injured girl. I know how weird and awkward this sound, especially when Kate and I weren’t dating Joseph and Charlie anymore. But the truth was, Charlie and I never broke up. After that day, we had never contacted each other, at lea
"Here's your coffee ma'am." Said the lady at the counter, pulling me out of my trance.I stared at the cup she held out in front of me, gazing down at the dark liquid inside while my mind tried to register when have I ordered a coffee.Did I order this? When? Why don't I remember? Am I losing myself already?My mind would have gone back to its own world of thoughts had it not been for that familiar voice that spoke up."I ordered that. Thank you." Came the voice I had so much come to love, the voice of Charlie Wise as he finally took the extended cup from the lady with a polite smile and turned to me, holding out the cup."I bought it for you."Where did he even come from? Has he been standing here this whole time and I couldn't even tell? Wow...I stared up at his handsome face, his blond hairs in a tousled mess and yet he made it look like a trendy style.My heart beat accelerated, hands going clammy as this was the
"Where's Kate?" I asked Ben as we made our way downstairs and to the first floor, ready to leave this messed up Hospital.Ben turned his head backwards slightly but didn't stop walking before he said, "She already left. Didn't she tell you? I thought she came to say goodbye. "It was then I remembered that Ben was indeed right. Kate did come to say goodbye, only that I was so out of it, so out of everything to have noticed. My head was still processing the bomb Charlie just dropped on me.I nodded my head, and then realized Ben couldn't see me. "Yeah she did. I forgot."We had reached the main entrance, but for some reason Ben stopped walking and came to an abrupt halt, making me almost crash into his back. I steadied myself the same moment Ben turned around and stared at me, more like scrutinized me, assessing me."Rose, you okay? You don't look very well."I kind of knew he would ask that."You look really shaken ever
14th September 2027, The room was eerie silent and noisy at the same time. I could hear the muffled voices of my co-workers, asking for this file and that new version, for a new cup of coffee or whining. The continues beeping of the printing machine harmonized with the inhabitants outside my office, including the occasional ringing of phones telephones. Yes, it was noisy, but too quite in my own office. Way too quite. I could listen to my own breathing and heartbeat. It was too quite. Placing a hand over my chest, I listened to my heart beating erratically, before releasing a sigh and rubbing my temples. This won't do. I can't be like this. I know that the situation I am in is creepy and crazy, but this is my only shot. I have to make it work. No time to be nervous. Releasing a long breath, I steadied myself before pulling out the first file on top of the pile of files on my
15th September 2017, "Oh my god, Kate what's wrong with your face?" That was the first thing that left my mouth the moment I saw my friend standing beside her locker on Monday. I had come to school with the hopes of spilling the beans to Kate about the conversation between Ben and me, and my break up with Charlie. I wanted to do it right after I got home, but since Kate's parents and mine didn't really appreciate our friendship at the moment, I couldn't call, nor could I go visit. My only option was to come at school, but, looks like there was another thing that needs attention more than my broken heart. It's Kate's bruised cheek. Rushing to her side, I turned her towards me, pushing the curtain she had created over her face with her hairs and taking a good look at her face. I couldn't help but gasp. Even though Kate had tried concealing it with makeup, it still remained visible. The bruise was
I paced around the room as the floor boards creaked under my weight, but nothing stopped me still. Ben was sitting on the couch; his head resting in his hands while Charlie stared out the window in search of his friend. My parents were out, so I had called everyone at my place to explain the situation we were in. Joseph was taking too long, but that was understandable because he was looking around for the person in trouble. For Kate. Something was very wrong, and after what I just saw on the school parking lot, I couldn't be more sure. "But I don't get it. If she is being abused, why wouldn't she tell anyone? Why is she being so silent and protecting Dave?" Ben inquired which even had me in a dilemma. Why on earth was Kate protecting Dave? "We are not even sure if it's Dave." "It is." I interrupted Charlie, my eyes steely as I stared at him while the duo stared at me. "He didn't react to the wounds in Kate's body, and Kate's parents sa
"Hello Rose.It'sme Lara.Let'scatch up on our good ole times hmm?" Lara. Lara has called. Finally. I glanced at Kate, whose face read confusion. Without replying, I begin to pull the phone from my ear in an attempt to place the call on loud speaker, but just then, Lara's voice rings out. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Of course you wouldn't. I scoff, putting the phone back in my ears. "That is true. Because you are not me and I'm not you, Lara Ahdieur." The mention of Lara's name had Kate widening her eyes. Then she looks away, having that look in her face when she is trying to put two and two together. Soon she looks up at me again, this time alarm written all over her face. Lara laughs on the other end, while I keep a straight face although my teeth are hurting from how hard I'm gritting them. "Same old Rose, with her sassy yet cool atti
It seemed like time itself had no idea what on earth was going on, or why it didn't know whether to speed up or slow down. Everything seemed to be in a standstill, and yet in a roller coaster at the same time. I wanted to find her, but every single thought or idea seemed to freeze in my head at the same time I knew I was getting late. My whole nervous system was going into a panic mode. The only calm thing was the beating of my heart. How are you so calm at a moment like this? Our friend is kidnapped and missing and we don't have a clue as to where she could be. What's there to be calm now? And as if my heart already knew the answer, my eyes scanned the hallway once again, my sight turning blurry as another wave of tears flowed out. I was dead tired. My muscles hurt, and my bones felt weary. Exhaustion was getting the best of me and the health issue part of my brain was forcing me to retreat, to go back home and call the cops. But the
5th January 2028,Dust kicks out underneath us, the dried dead leaves crunching as the car comes to a halt, and I step out immediately.The warmth of the car disappears the moment I step down on the dirt path covered in dried leaves, my breath coming out in wisps of fog every time I exhale.From the other side steps down Kate, coming to join me as we watch the view together. None of us say a word for a long time, before I finally turn around, pull out the bouquet from the car seat and shut the door behind me. Immediately, the car speeds off, living the two of us on our own.Together we start moving forward, listening to the leaves crunching under our feet while the birds chirp rhythmically, more like arguing with each other for the freezing weather.At least it has stopped snowing.At long last, we finally reach our destination, stopping a few feet away while I move forward and place the bouquet of prim roses on t
03rd October 2017, Dave was finally in jail. Finally. How you ask? Hmm, let's just say, Mrs. Airam had had enough of that bastard. The reason he was let off the first time was because the elders wanted to save their reputation as well, thinking that making him fend for himself for the rest of his life would be the best punishment. Sure it was, but not enough for what he had actually done. His crimes did not end with attempted murder and abuse, it was way past that. Dave had sexually abused Kate, and had photographed it all. That was the reason why Kate hadn’t asked us for help earlier, because she feared what he would do with them if she did. Of course he threatened her as well, and Kate thought the only escape was to let him have his fun for a while until he got bored and left. Little did she know that he would get bored, but he wouldn't let her go when the time came. He would end her to get rid of evidence of his
19th September 2017, It was a fit. Kate had a fit. That is what the doc told us when Kate and had been examined in the hospital. When I woke up, my parents were present in my chamber, making a fuss to call the doc or the nurse to see what my condition was now. They had been so busy calling the doc that none of them heard my plea for water, until they were both already out of the room, and it was Charlie who had given me the water. "Thank you." I said with a hoarse voice, feeling the rawness itch my throat and making me want the glass of water even more. Charlie stared at me the whole time I drank, making me nervous to the core that I almost choked. But when I was finally done drinking and took a good look at his face, I notice the actual way he was staring at me. There was no hint of worry, or pain at seeing me in the state I was. If anything, he looked bored, like I was some kind of...burden, that he didn't want to be
29th September 2027,The first rays of winter are finally beginning to show their colors, with the breeze being slightly colder than the usual warm ones and a familiar fog settling down every morning.It isn't winter yet, but I can already feel the chill in my bones, or is it because today is the day?The doorbell rings, indicating that I have a visitor. Without checking who it is, I swiftly move to open the door and let the guest in, for I have already been expecting them."Are you ready?" Ben asks first and foremost, letting himself in while I dump the dishes in the sink that I had ruined during breakfast. "Y-yeah, just give me a minute."Then I went on to make my bed, stuff my used clothes in the laundry basket, clear the garbage in the kitchen and-"You are stalling, you know that right?" Ben's voice pulls me out of my trance, stopping me midway with the broom and dustpan in my hands.I stare at him wit
I lean back in the chair while assessing Lara's reaction, who, as a matter of fact, begins trembling in her seat, hands into tight fists and eyes bulging."So...you are telling me, that you did all this, with a child's code language?" Lara all but whispers, to which I shake my head in an unsure manner. "You can say it like that as well."I would have flinched if I didn't expect it, but I saw it coming sooner than it happened. Lara slamming her hands against the hard wooden table and rattling everything on it, which are her handcuffs.She glares at me with all the venom, while I stare back at her, an amused expression on my face. "You are lying. You are a liar. You-""It's unbelievable isn't it? Even I didn't know I could be this dumb and not think about something as easy as writing notes. But of course, my case was different. I needed someone to come see me to write a note, but you Lara, you were a real damn fool." I laugh at the last part, shaking my hea
12th September 2027, Three days ago:I stayed rooted to my spot, unable to bring myself to move a muscle as the whole news sunk in. Lara had murdered Joslyn, and not just that, but she had also been to my house, left this creepy note and the clothes here, in the room Kate stayed in.Slowly but surely, I sunk to the bed behind me, dropping the clothes and staring at my hands while the silence around me thickened, and yet everything around me felt too loud. The distant honking of cars, the sound of leaking water from a tap, and my own breathing. Everything sounded just…too much.The words from the note circled in my head, giving me a nauseous feeling and the urge to throw up.Miss me? What kind of note is that? And why to me? The silence grew thicker, and so did my breathing, which was turning haggard. I didn’t know why, but I felt the hairs behind my neck stand on edge, goos
"Are you sure she's okay to move doctor? Isn't there still something else?" "No Katelyn, Rose is perfectly okay to walk now. We have managed to stop the bleeding and save it from getting infected, and the blood clotting has already begun. She will feel slight itching while moving, but other than that, she is fine." This is the nth time the doctor has to explain this to a stubborn Kate, who isn't letting me out of the hospital emergency. She questions the doc about each and every single thing that every time a doctor turns to answer her, I internally wince at the look of impatience behind their fake tight lipped smile. And I can't blame them. Kate is getting quite annoying now. "Kate," I call out, my voice stern as she finally looks down at me on the bed. "I'm fine, okay? Now let's leave." "But-" "Kate." "Fine, let’s go." Kate finally admits defeat, walking over to me with a sigh while the doctor she had been literally murdering
It seemed like time itself had no idea what on earth was going on, or why it didn't know whether to speed up or slow down. Everything seemed to be in a standstill, and yet in a roller coaster at the same time. I wanted to find her, but every single thought or idea seemed to freeze in my head at the same time I knew I was getting late. My whole nervous system was going into a panic mode. The only calm thing was the beating of my heart. How are you so calm at a moment like this? Our friend is kidnapped and missing and we don't have a clue as to where she could be. What's there to be calm now? And as if my heart already knew the answer, my eyes scanned the hallway once again, my sight turning blurry as another wave of tears flowed out. I was dead tired. My muscles hurt, and my bones felt weary. Exhaustion was getting the best of me and the health issue part of my brain was forcing me to retreat, to go back home and call the cops. But the
"Hello Rose.It'sme Lara.Let'scatch up on our good ole times hmm?" Lara. Lara has called. Finally. I glanced at Kate, whose face read confusion. Without replying, I begin to pull the phone from my ear in an attempt to place the call on loud speaker, but just then, Lara's voice rings out. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Of course you wouldn't. I scoff, putting the phone back in my ears. "That is true. Because you are not me and I'm not you, Lara Ahdieur." The mention of Lara's name had Kate widening her eyes. Then she looks away, having that look in her face when she is trying to put two and two together. Soon she looks up at me again, this time alarm written all over her face. Lara laughs on the other end, while I keep a straight face although my teeth are hurting from how hard I'm gritting them. "Same old Rose, with her sassy yet cool atti