"You're not going out today" Andra who was feverish on her bed said.
" And you. Sick? "
" I'll be fine. My doctor would be here soon. "
" You exposed yourself too much yesterday. I heard you went out with Liam. "
" And I heard Damien was with you throughout the day. "
" Not really. We both have gists then. You first. "
" Now I'm feeling like I'm not sick at all. " She smiled.
" Yesterday, I was so happy, I mean, excited. I had to catch up on a lot though. But it wasn't as hard as I had expected it to be. Then I met Liam. He asked me to go out with him. When I got back. Do you know what Paige? It was the first time a guy...oh my I could not reject it."
"You neglected your health for him?"
"C'mon Paige, I can't say "no, I'm sick. I'm scared I can't go out" Who does that?!"She paused. I felt like she was using too much of her energy to speak. "I can't do that if anyone would do that. My health can't stop me from livin
"you took your day off yesterday or what?" Liam challenged me after our usual morning lessons the next day."Andra was a bit down. I had to be with her."I saw his countenance change. I had to change the topic. "Did you guys have meetings yesterday?"The I saw Damien join us. I could not look good into his face. His expression was bland and when he talked, it was like nothing ever happened."We have just two weeks left. Let's go work on the song. Remember there's another.""Can I have a break, I need to see someone?"Liam asked."Andra's probably asleep. You can't see her now. "I said and then blamed myself for being too forward. I just read his mind."Oh well."He groaned."Shall we?"Damien led the way to the music room."What can we do with fifty dollars? "Damien began."Nothing. Obviously. That money can buy my socks"Liam said."That's why it's a test. Think!""Well, let me think." Liam arched his brow. "It
I stood by the window of the studio Damien got for us. I was in a baggy pink customer and my hair was plaited. I felt different, for the first time in my entire life I felt like I'd achieved something. We just completed the video shoot for our song and I was in tears. Tears of joy, maybe, maybe not. I haven't done something by myself in a long time, but this song, this whole show, I wrote it. I felt like I've just found a new Paige and I didn't know how to react to her. I knew I was going to love her anyways. Paige, that girl, that me, that musician. I never would have thought. And if someone had said that to me some months ago, it would have sounded pretty awkward, but here I am, feeling like the "eilish queen".I was too lost in thought to notice that someone had loined me."That was perfect Paige."I knew who it was without even taking a look at him. My teacher, the one who has been so unusually formal with me since I asked him to leave. It seems I'm the only
I had expected Davina's place to be a club house full of adults but I was awed when we walked into this graceful place, it was a full house of teenagers. I guessed immediately that they were out school mates. With the way they danced and cheered, it was obvious that everybody knew somebody.The big hall was packed with drunk and high teenagers. The dance ground was on fire as the song being played in the background bang through the wall. For a moment I wondered why Damien would have invited me to this kind of place. I was too lost in the environment that I didn't notice I had lingered too much at the door. I felt Damien squeeze my hands."I see it's your first time here. Don't worry, it'd be fun.""I forgot to tell you."I muttered. "I don't party. I can't... Stay here."That social awkwardness. Really, I thought Davina's place would be better"C'mon Paige, they're all our school mates. Our class mates. The party was organised by the school, c
" I wish so much that you wouldn't leave."Andra said. I was ready to leave. I could not respond because there was a knock on the door. She got the door immediately, Damien and Liam had come to say their goodbyes."Hey guys!"Andra shreikec as they walked in. She looked more excited than sad that I wondered if she really was going to miss us. Or maybe, she's just too happy to show her real feelings"You've come to say your goodbyes huh?"I said"If that's what you've come over here to say then you should leave right away!"Andra said. Everyone was awed. She noticed the tensed atmosphere and continued. "Sorry, I just don't wanna be pitied, okay?"Well, we're not saying any goodbyes."Liam said, winked at Damien and I"Whatever. Awwwwnn...I'll miss you guys."She hugged me Damien first"Thank you. You do not know what you did to my dreams Damien."She whispered in his ears. Damien hugged her back. Then, she hugged Liam. It was a sweet sight. I guess
Anabelle!That name...It'd be a disaster if it's my mum's name.This letter says so.I've seen that name appear once in one of my dad's chatrooms. I didn't have so much time to read through the chat but I knew the Annabelle in question was causing some trouble. Could it be?I shook the thought out of my head. Mum's dead. Period.A phone's beep got me out of my trance. Then I saw a smartphone on my bed. At first I was shocked, I've never had one. Then I guessed it had dropped from my luggage. I held it in my shaky hands. So strange. It had my picture on it. A WeChat message from Damien. What?!I could not breathe. He bought me a phone? Trouble! What if?!"Hey Paige. "He had sent.I didn't know what to think. Why did he get a phone?!On the other hand, my little subconscious blushed hard. He got it right. The pouch had a plain color, my new favorite color, purple. I remember I told him once that I loved
"Hey."Damien said as he joined my taboe at the cafeteria. From what I heard, our team had the highest score. I wasn't there. I was late to school. I had argument with Jude that morning and that was a huge turn off for me. I just wanted to be alone, throughout the day."Hey."I adjusted my glasses an fixed my gaze back on the good I wasn't eating."We made it. Why were you so late today? You should have been there.""Hm. Something came up."I tried not to sound as cold as I felt."Okay."He began to eat and I could not help but watch him. There's this hope I get when I look at his face, his words rings in my head, tels me I'm not worthless, that I am enough. I just could not take my face off him, like he was my source of life."Paige? Are you okay?""Of course I am.""You don't look like you are. You've been cold all morning, even now."I winced. "Shouldn't you be at the class teacher's office, collating results?""I've done
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." ✝ Psalms 23:4I wouldn't think of anything else. "The shadow of death." Was Anabelle in the shadow of death too or is she really dead. I was home alone again and I have a lot to clarify. First, I needed to get to my dad's chatroom again. I had seen it by chance the other day and I knew surely that Jude's laptops would be locked with a code. I was desperate. Who wouldn't be? I thought of asking my robot, I knew he'd report to Jude when he comes back, he's been programmed to be a parrot.I knew it was going to be very difficult because I haven't hacked before. Then I remembered I had a smartphone, thanks to Damien. I hurriedly retrieved it from the drawer I had hidden it. It had dozens of messages from Damien. Poor guy, he really cares and it's overwhelming. I still ask myself, even till now if I deserved it. I se
I had my journal in my hand, somehow I felt a new need to hold on to it everywhere I went. I was with Damien, though I was bruised all over, it was easy to hide the pain. Besides, I was used to being flogged.We were talking about something that made me laugh so hard. It was actually a comedy skit we watched. I almost lost balance, my journal scattered on the ground. I was embarrassed, more embarrassed because the name "Annabelle Steele" was written boldly on its front page."Thank you."I said to Damien, who gentlemanly helped me pack it up. I didn't have to bend, I wasn't in popsocks and I was pretty self popsicks. I can't explain why."Annabelle Steele?"He questioned.I was actually surprised, then I remembered who my mum was."I thought I was the only old school guy."He gushed. "Oh my God, you like her too. I have a book! I love her work."My mum has a book?! Wow!"Old school? It's not old school at all.""It is. In someway. She probably wrote that book when I was a toddler, or yet
”Are you sure Hope sent you to me?“???”Who else would send me to you if not her?“ He replied with a question, intentionally questioning her insecurities.”Are you sure she's okay? Or are you…lying to me?“ she asked.”She is fine. “ he forced on a smile. ”i'm curious though, why do you care so much?“”i might be hidden in this dark place but I still priorities and Hope is one of them.“Kyle pondered on that statement. It sounded strange coming from a stranger who obviously isn't a stranger anymore. How come? She even calls her by her most cherished name.”That's great.“ he smiled and she nodded.Kamila really did a good job.He thought. But where the hell is she now to complete it?!”Jude Kam was a successful business man so yeah, he had a lot of enemies. Just like you you guys, the cops, do.“She answered willingly.”we do?“ Kyle smirked.”i hate policemen. All of them!“ she spat.Kyle swallowed. ”Why, if I may ask?“Conspiracy. They're failed in a lot of ways. They always have a pr
He woke up with a kick, made by his legs. Another nightmare!He sniffed soberly and dragged himself to the bathroom to wash off the dream not only from his face but from his life. She might be missing now, but she'll be back. He told himself.He was on a compulsory leave and when he checked the time, he saw that he really needed the leave. At first when his boss asked him to stay off work until she is found he argued. To him, it was better that he was at work. He will be more miserable if he's alone without her. He and his team has worked so hard for the past two days, even at night. He settled in late the night before because he had visited a dead trail.It's always been a dead trail. He dragged himself down the stairs to the kitchen, but could not enter. Everywhere smells of her.He kicked a pillow on the rug and sat by the couch. The same way they sit every night. They prefer to sit on the rug than the couch. He sucked on a tear.“Shit…” he hissed, throwing away another pillow. He
“You're not going to say anything?” I said. “I saw a picture in her room. You both were in it. That's why you looked so familiar when I saw you. Or am I…”“You are right.” I gasped. “I should have told you earlier. I was just too… shocked.And hurt. I could tell“ She killed her uncle.I was silent waiting for his reply, maybe he also knew that he wasn't her uncle but her dad“Jude Kam.” He said, as if reading my mind. “She didn't.I winced. The truth gets so hard to believe. “Who are you to her?“ I can't say.” He gasped. “I don't know if I'm worthy anymore to be called by any title to her. She's not going to forgive me. I won't forgive myself, either. It's all my fault.“I'm lost, “I declared“Since we're here together, and we have all day, I'll explain to you.I sat by his side, putting on my only asset, the tape recorder“Jude Kam use to think he was a powerful man. Perhaps he was. His best friend, Brianne Hooke, killed him. He is the same person who have us here. And he's going t
Kyle got home that night sad and distressed. It was the second night that he was going to spend without her. He had searched all the places he could think of. He had been to that address she sent to him the umpteenth time. Yet, she still was missing. He took a bottle of wine from the fridge and gulped in it. Hoping that it would ease his tension. " She's not dead. "He told himself. "It's not two days yet. I'll find her."He blamed himself severally for allowing her take up the case when he knew what danger was in it, blamed himself for ignoring his phone beep while at a rescue mission. Of course, it should have been switched off but he didn't because of his gut feeling. Yet he still failed her.The landline hung on the wall beeped and he reached for it immediately. There was an unfamiliar ID and he wouldn't have picked it if it was not for Kamila's disappearance."Hello."He rasped."Hello, Miss Dickson. I finally tried your home number today. How's everything?""It's her husband speak
I wasn't dead. My eyelids were heavy, and I was cold.it was all too dark, and I could barely see. I moved my hands, and it moved, and my legs moved too. The last I remember was that I was pushed into a vehicle, and that seemed like an eternity ago.I grunted in pain as I pushed off my bruised knees. I was an idiot. I should have waited. I should have called Kyle. He warned me not to go anywhere without him. Paige warned me too. Now I've failed her. I'm caged in here by God knows who, and I won't be able to help her out of there. What is a disaster?!Once I was on my feet, I ripped off the tape on my mouth. Did they expect me to sleep forever? Tch...I took in my surroundings. I was in a cage at one end of a closed basement, and a dim lantern on the side of the space cast just enough light to see dark walls.“Shit!” I gasped. The heat the lantern created was just too unbearable, and I thought that it was the intended torture by my captives.Someone moaned softly. I spuned and gasped w
After that short meeting with Paige, I could not control my nerves. All my being told me to get on with it with or without protection. Besides, Kyle is always busy at work and I can't afford to bother him with mine. Maybe, this is for me. I should do this myself. I wasn't hurt when I visited the villa. Why should I be so scared to visit a college student's house?And i need all the information I can get as soon as possible. There's a lot at stake here, obviously.I parked my car at the entrance of this small cottage gate. I knew immediately that the estate has assured its occupants adequate safety because almost every house has this short cottage gate. I got down from my car, my phone, a polythene bag and some gloves in hand. I was hoping to see something. I just didn't know what exactly.The gate wasn't locked and there was still a car in the lot, probably hers. In the world where tinted car windows showef wealthiness, I hoped someday I'll make enough to get mine tinted and maintaine
"She's my mum and... You don't have to believe me."She stopped and I was quiet too. Thinking."Can we..."She said. "I wanna be alone. I... Can you come tomorrow? I'll talk to you tomorrow. I don't feel alright anymore."She winced."Did I say something wrong?""No, I'm just tired of this conversation.""Okay...but!"I remembered something. "Do you... hurt yourself in there?""Do I look insane to you?"She said, then yelled. "Warder! Get me out of here!"Time to go. I told myself."Okay Paige, thank you for speaking with me."The warder appeared and unchained her. Before I was done packing up she was gone. That was... breathe taking. I needed some sleep. When I got into the car, my phone beeped. It was then I realized I have spent hours in there. It's noon already, past lunchtime. Little wonder, I'm so exhausted."Kamila."He said on the other end. Whenever he calls my name on the phone I get that he is quite serious. Actually, he rarely calls during the day."Hey."I yawned."I found some
“Good to see you today.” I said, while she just nodded. I prayed that she would be in a good mood, but her silence spoke otherwise. I took some time to observe her before talking further. Her hair was unusually packed today, and it gave me a full view of her distressed yet stunning face. She is the real definition of beauty for ashes. Though she still had some scars on her left cheek, the redness of those scars only complemented her beauty. She didn't have any blood stain today on her body, and I wondered why.She looked…good, and that gave me enough hope.“How're you doing today?”“You've only been gone for some hours.” She said, more like a whisper, and with time I realized that was the highest she could go. Life in the prison has taken her voice, and her soul, probably. I just can't imagine…“Hope,” She called me.“Yes, Paige.”“Do you…know my mother? Annabelle Steele?” She asked and I answered immediately.“Who doesn't? I do. I loved her…very much.”“Do you believe me? That she's
"Leave?" I said. "No, I won't. What is wrong with you Paige? Isn't it obvious enough that you don't belong here? You called the police on yourself. Which criminal does that...""The one who wants justice Hope!" She yelled at me."You're crazy."I sat without thinking.When I realized what I spewed out, it was already too late because she had gone immediately cold. I wanted to apologize but i changed my mind. You don't always have to talk. I told myself.This isn't the right time to pity but to speak truth. She's really crazy."Your friends are worried about you. You think everyone in this world is against you? Well, You're not the only one who thinks that. We all have been in a cloudy weather before. What about God, Paige? I heard you were a worshipper. Is this His plans for you? Did you suddenly forget him because of a single mistake?""I killed him."She muttered like a hurt bird, seeking mercy, full of regret and pain."Or did you suddenly forget that david who you represent in our a