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The Lone Girl (Chapter: 7)
TIME FLIES
I was so worked up that I nearly fell from my bed in excitement. “What’s wrong?” said Melissa sounding bored and a bit sluggish. “The bit of news you told me seconds before has got me all hyped up.” I mean how many times in life does such occurrences strike one’s reality. Am I right?
“You’re talking about Mrs. Agnes. But that’s old news,” said Melissa, declaring most apathetically. “Tell me all about it girl,” I said with inquisitive eyes. “Well then, I might as well get into the mood,” Melissa said sitting up. “As, this is an epic narration by Melissa.”
But then all of a sudden I heard the door creak open and muffled noises from the other side of the door. “Can’t sleep, sister? Oh, and by the way, sweet stranger, Melissa’s oration might be a bit far-fetched. Utter cock and bull tales.”
It was certainly neither Jeremy nor Collin. It sounded like a teenage boy. I looked closely and was shocked, “Who the hell is this?” “It’s my idiotic twin brother, Milo. Downright trouble,” said Melissa, glaring at the boy. The boy bore major resemblances to Melissa.
“Why did he come here?” I stammered unsure of what was going on. Melissa pointed at Milo and sneered. “My brother sleeps in another room. He comes here often to steal bonbons that I've stored in the cupboard. You should know he has a typical midnight sleep-eating disorder.”
“Oh well. It’s nice to meet you Milo, the… night thief.” I spluttered out. Melissa put on a wide grin, “Way to go.” Milo raised his eyebrows, “Is this how you tell nasty things about me to everyone Mel.” Melissa nodded her head vigorously, “Yup.”
Melissa turned her head to me, “Anyway, sorry for the distractions. Let’s start.” Milo felt snubbed but went on to open the cupboard, “Mrs. Agnes has a daughter named Felicia who you might not have seen. She was sitting beside you during the dine-in.” “Mm, I know. Proceed.”
“Well, she said to Mrs. Clarette that her husband used to torment her and Felicia. He was known for being violent. The problem is that it got a little OUT OF HAND as he was an alcoholic. You know, for instance, dragging by the hair, trying to smash glass on head, telling harsh, abusive words, slapping, kicking and so on.”
“And the results of such dreadful actions could lead to unintentional homicide.” I said spontaneously thinking of myself in the victim’s shoes. “Right, sister,” said Melissa in an affirmative tone.
“Ahem, hmm.....” came a deliberate cough from below. I peered down and Milo smirked, “As usual, a bit of overstatement for a final touch Mel.” said Milo, munching and enjoying the last bites of his biscuit.
“Well, you better keep eating Milo rather than putting on that smirk-face. “ I’m being serious. You need to bring the facts out so that the listener gets immersed. “Maybe so,” said Milo gazing as he finished the last crumbs. “Well, it was an act of self-defense I guess. Anyway I’m out.” He said and seconds later the door was shut, “So this is it?” I asked gawping in thought.
“Yes, it is.” said Melissa whose eyes were drooping heavily. She yawned loudly and went to sleep. In half an hour, everyone fell into a hush. I was about to fall asleep when my mobile rang sharply by my side.
It was vibrating and I bounced up and grabbed the phone not willing to cause disruption. It was Jason, one of my best friends from university. It had been quite a few years now. I, at first didn’t understand why he had called, “Hey Jazz,” I said clueless. He sounded annoyed and immediately I understood the matter. It dawned, “Oh Jessie, did you forget already? Plus where the heck are you? We were supposed to meet at Macy’s house at around eleven.” He sounded tensed.
“Jason, listen. I’m at the Primewood orphanage right now. I went there for a program but was not able to come back because of the rain. Ms. Clarette told me to stay in here. Don’t worry. I’m safe Jason. I’m with the kids tonight.”
Jason was relieved, “Thank Goodness! You’re nuts, Jessie. I was starting to get worried. I met at Macy’s house at about half past ten and few minutes later, Audrey came by whistling. We waited for half an hour but still you didn’t come. We didn't have a clue as to where you were. Audrey and I decided to check in at your house first. You might have been affected by cold. Who knows? but you were not at home.
Audrey was freaking out. I told her to calm down. I tried calling you but there was no signal because of the heavy rains. We wondered where you were. Audrey and I met back at Macy’s. I told them that you would come sooner or later or text us at least if you weren't coming. I tried to convince the girls, but they were getting all panicky and hysterical. You never texted back after the rains. I guess you forgot. Audrey was certain something bad must have happened to you. Your street flooded a bit.”
“I am sorry Jason. This won’t happen again. Where are you now?” I was starting to feel a punch of guilt.
“I'm at Macy’s house, duh! Audrey’s also here. Looks like some color has come back to her face when you finally answered my call, Jess. Want me to pick you up?”
“No. it’s okay. Have fun at the party. I caused you guys a lot of trouble. I’ll be fine here. I’ll catch up with you and Audrey later.”
“You’re sure you don’t want to turn up for Macy’s party.” He said in a calm and reassuring voice. “I’m sure.” I replied turning pale. “And by the way, I’ll always FORGIVE AND FORGET the mistakes of my close friends. Gladly,” he said laughing.
The phone went off with a click and I didn’t get much sleep after that. I felt like the phone was buzzing repeatedly. I lay there, completely still, hearing and conjuring up wolves howling pretty much the whole night.
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I was so worked up that I nearly fell from my bed in excitement. “What’s wrong?” said Melissa sounding bored and a bit sluggish. “The bit of news you told me seconds before has got me all hyped up.” I mean how many times in life does such occurrences strike one’s reality. Am I right?
“You’re talking about Mrs. Agnes. But that’s old news,” said Melissa, declaring most apathetically. “Tell me all about it girl,” I said with inquisitive eyes. “Well then, I might as well get into the mood,” Melissa said sitting up. “As, this is an epic narration by Melissa.”
But then all of a sudden I heard the door creak open and muffled noises from the other side of the door. “Can’t sleep, sister? Oh, and by the way, sweet stranger, Melissa’s oration might be a bit far-fetched. Utter cock and bull tales.”
It was certainly neither Jeremy nor Collin. It sounded like a teenage boy. I looked closely and was shocked, “Who the hell is this?” “It’s my idiotic twin brother, Milo. Downright trouble,” said Melissa, glaring at the boy. The boy bore major resemblances to Melissa.
“Why did he come here?” I stammered unsure of what was going on. Melissa pointed at Milo and sneered. “My brother sleeps in another room. He comes here often to steal bonbons that I've stored in the cupboard. You should know he has a typical midnight sleep-eating disorder.”
“Oh well. It’s nice to meet you Milo, the… night thief.” I spluttered out. Melissa put on a wide grin, “Way to go.” Milo raised his eyebrows, “Is this how you tell nasty things about me to everyone Mel.” Melissa nodded her head vigorously, “Yup.”
Melissa turned her head to me, “Anyway, sorry for the distractions. Let’s start.” Milo felt snubbed but went on to open the cupboard, “Mrs. Agnes has a daughter named Felicia who you might not have seen. She was sitting beside you during the dine-in.” “Mm, I know. Proceed.”
“Well, she said to Mrs. Clarette that her husband used to torment her and Felicia. He was known for being violent. The problem is that it got a little OUT OF HAND as he was an alcoholic. You know, for instance, dragging by the hair, trying to smash glass on head, telling harsh, abusive words, slapping, kicking and so on.”
“And the results of such dreadful actions could lead to unintentional homicide.” I said spontaneously thinking of myself in the victim’s shoes. “Right, sister,” said Melissa in an affirmative tone.
“Ahem, hmm.....” came a deliberate cough from below. I peered down and Milo smirked, “As usual, a bit of overstatement for a final touch Mel.” said Milo, munching and enjoying the last bites of his biscuit.
“Well, you better keep eating Milo rather than putting on that smirk-face. “ I’m being serious. You need to bring the facts out so that the listener gets immersed. “Maybe so,” said Milo gazing as he finished the last crumbs. “Well, it was an act of self-defense I guess. Anyway I’m out.” He said and seconds later the door was shut, “So this is it?” I asked gawping in thought.
“Yes, it is.” said Melissa whose eyes were drooping heavily. She yawned loudly and went to sleep. In half an hour, everyone fell into a hush. I was about to fall asleep when my mobile rang sharply by my side.
It was vibrating and I bounced up and grabbed the phone not willing to cause disruption. It was Jason, one of my best friends from university. It had been quite a few years now. I, at first didn’t understand why he had called, “Hey Jazz,” I said clueless. He sounded annoyed and immediately I understood the matter. It dawned, “Oh Jessie, did you forget already? Plus where the heck are you? We were supposed to meet at Macy’s house at around eleven.” He sounded tensed.
“Jason, listen. I’m at the Primewood orphanage right now. I went there for a program but was not able to come back because of the rain. Ms. Clarette told me to stay in here. Don’t worry. I’m safe Jason. I’m with the kids tonight.”
Jason was relieved, “Thank Goodness! You’re nuts, Jessie. I was starting to get worried. I met at Macy’s house at about half past ten and few minutes later, Audrey came by whistling. We waited for half an hour but still you didn’t come. We didn't have a clue as to where you were. Audrey and I decided to check in at your house first. You might have been affected by cold. Who knows? but you were not at home.
Audrey was freaking out. I told her to calm down. I tried calling you but there was no signal because of the heavy rains. We wondered where you were. Audrey and I met back at Macy’s. I told them that you would come sooner or later or text us at least if you weren't coming. I tried to convince the girls, but they were getting all panicky and hysterical. You never texted back after the rains. I guess you forgot. Audrey was certain something bad must have happened to you. Your street flooded a bit.”
“I am sorry Jason. This won’t happen again. Where are you now?” I was starting to feel a punch of guilt.
“I'm at Macy’s house, duh! Audrey’s also here. Looks like some color has come back to her face when you finally answered my call, Jess. Want me to pick you up?”
“No. it’s okay. Have fun at the party. I caused you guys a lot of trouble. I’ll be fine here. I’ll catch up with you and Audrey later.”
“You’re sure you don’t want to turn up for Macy’s party.” He said in a calm and reassuring voice. “I’m sure.” I replied turning pale. “And by the way, I’ll always FORGIVE AND FORGET the mistakes of my close friends. Gladly,” he said laughing.
The phone went off with a click and I didn’t get much sleep after that. I felt like the phone was buzzing repeatedly. I lay there, completely still, hearing and conjuring up wolves howling pretty much the whole night.
© All Rights Reserved
