72 hours earlier.
"Sorry Chloe, got a hell lot of work. Can't make it in time."
Leo and I have been friends since 7th grade. Been together long enough to become each other's diary. We had known each other's vulnerabilities, desires, goals and what not. We had zinged at our first meeting at a mutual friend's birthday.
BIRTHDAY. Today was mine. And my best friend messages me saying she is can't make it. And so I cancelled the plans.
Leo has been acting all weird since she hung out with Crazy Patty and going on so-called night trips to the Old Mansion House. We have known crazy Patty for doing dark stuffs throughout the high school. And now Leo was all like her. A Goath. And it for sure creeps me out.
The Old Mansion House has a history of ghost sightings and people say, whoever spends more time there, becomes like the guard of the old mansion house. But Crazy Patty and Leo wanted fun, so they visited the Old Mansion.
I came home right after school and my phone beeped. "Hey, Chloe, I will be working late tonight. Sorry. Raincheck." "Ugh, mom!!! Not you too!" I literally shouted on top of my lungs. Since my dad died of cancer, me and my mom had shared a bond we never thought we would be sharing. And since he died, I could rely only on two people. Leo and my Mom and today both bailed on me.
It was past 10 pm, when the doorbell rang. I started to get up when a thought crept my mind. 'Who would be there at this hour?' a shiver ran down my spine. I grabbed the nearest object I had and went towards the door. I was about to close the door when I saw a packed box. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". I was happy that someone at least remembered by birthday but was wondering who would it be. Anyway, with a huge smile on my face, I picked up the box. Wondering what would be inside it, I darted into the house. "Light" I thought.
I settled the box onto the counter and tore the wrapping. A box inside a box? I opened the top and removed the newspaper paper shreds. I jumped a mile away and threw the box onto the floor. A finger. Someone's finger. I became numb. A senseless feeling cr0pt inside me. Click Click! "Whose there! Come out!" I shreak. I ran and locked the door and windows properly. "911, what's your emergency?" the operator asked. "T.. Th.. there is someone clicking pictures outside my window and… and there is a parcel with someone's finger inside" I babbled. I was crying. "Ma'am don't worry, our team is on the way"
I kept looking at the finger. Something was odd about it. The nail was painted midnight blue. Leo. "Hey Leo, where are you? are you safe?" I was hysterical and was literally screaming. "Woah Chloe calm down, I am with Patricia. Why? what happened?" She was unusually calm. "N.. Nothing. Just checking in" For one thing I was sure, Leo was safe. This finger didn't belong to her. Knock, knock! "Who's there?" I shouted standing in the kitchen with the baseball bat. "It's the CPD, you called about 10 minutes ago" I calmed down a little. I opened the door and showed the way towards the finger.
The forensics took the finger and one of the lady officer stayed till my mom arrived. My mom darted inside and hugged me asking was I okay, what happened.
Who knew this birthday would be the turning point of everyone's life and the last birthday I ever celebrated.
"Goddmanit Leo! Pick up the damn phone!" I was screaming on top of my lungs. "Language lady" Mom looked up from the newspaper giving me the old schoolteacher look. "What happened?" she asked, folding the newspaper and taking the coffee mug in her hands. "Leo isn't picking up the phone… oh, here she calls".
(On the call)
"What the hell is wrong with you Leo? Why weren't you picking my call?" I bursted. "God, Chloe I was taking the bath! Sorry got to go, Patty is waiting and yeah I won't be coming to school today. Have some work. doesn't wait. okay bye" she said briskly and cut the call. Woah. I was astonished and angry at the same time. Mixed feelings. One of my traits.
I reached school, and everything seemed alright. I was in my history class when I received a message from Leo. Sorry Chloe we can't hang out together anymore. Im sorry. Can't explain. Sorry. No explanation? Another shock. Tears streamed down my face. I hurriedly picked my bag and went out of the class. Why has my life fell apart suddenly?
I just wanted someone to just slap me and tell me it's a nightmare. I ran to the place where Leo and I used to go. Another mistake. Patty and Leo having snacks. Why?
I ran. Just ran. And I don't know why I ended up at the gates of Old Mansion house. The old guard running towards me with a wobbling stick in his hands. I sprinted off as fast as I could.