It was Sunday today and we all just got back from church service, It's supposed to be everyone's day off but the food company Dad works for now always does this special deliveries on Sundays to it's special customers.
It's like a bonus for those frequent buyers and since Dad is the current delivery man, he has to go and do his job, And that's why he left immediately after we all had lunch together.
Grandma usually holds this little Bible class with both me and Drew on Sundays by 2pm after lunch and I never for once liked it, I always bring up excuses as to why I can't sit for the class but she never believes me and will always force me sit down and listen to her, "No one ever complains but you all the time" she'll tell me referring to my brother who's always more than happy to sit down with her, I sometimes doze off when she gets too explanatory. It's not my fault though, it's just that my body can't handle sitting down for two straight hours just to study the Bible!.
Today was the limit as I was having a terrible headache and I had too excuse myself, She didn't want to believe me at first due to my constant headache excuses but when I added to my excuse that I was having menstrual pain she finally let me go, Well she wasn't as adamant as usual and it was because Mom was joining the class today. When I got to the room, I sighed happily as I laid on my bed, "At last" I said to myself enjoying the peace and quiet of the room.
I was about to sleep off when I suddenly remembered Mr Steve, "Oh my gosh, I haven't gotten to thank him since that day, oh what a fool am I" I said hitting my forehead with my palm. I was about to go out of the room, when I suddenly remembered that my Mom won't let me go anywhere without her following me. Ever since that day, she doesn't let me out of her sight, not even the slightest, So it'll be difficult to convince her to let me go.
Our family had always been an introverted one, we don't go out frequently despite us living in one of the most Urbane and busiest part of America, We only go out during the holidays to the park, Church on Sundays And school during the weekdays, Before we started living here. Both Andrew and I don't really care if we're indoors all-day, And that's because we are already used to it.
I was sitting on my bed still thinking of a way to leave the house when someone from the outside threw an empty canned drink at the window, I got furious as I remembered the trouble Dad went through while helping us fix the window frame the last time, I stood to go check who threw the can, And as expected they were some kids in the neighborhood, A boy and a girl. "You really need to find something more better to do, YOU IDIOTS!" I screamed at them, They started laughing and one of them showed me the "Fuck you" hand sign while running away, "Fuck you too!!" I said to them showing back the sign.
"Dummies" I said closing the window angrily, "Is everything okay there Aki" my grandma called out from the living room, "Yes granny, it's nothing just some dumm-" I was saying as an Idea crossed my mind, My eyes widened as I strolled back to the window, When I got there I opened it back and looked downwards towards the floor outside, "The height between the window and the ground isn't that much, I could jump down easily from here." I said to myself smiling.
It was my first time doing this, I was never the sneaky type, except for when I went out unnoticed twice to go get those junk foods from those trashcans which I only used the front door, But now my Mom is keeping an eye on me, I have no other choice than to pass through the window.
I went to check on them at the living room to see if they were still busy with their Bible study before executing my mission, When I saw they were still immersed in the lecture grandma was giving them, I silently went to the refrigerator to take one of those canned drinks that Dad had brought yesterday, I wanted to give it to Mr Steve as my gift of appreciation for helping me that day.
As soon as I grabbed one drink, I silently head back to the room to put on my shoes, As Soon as I was done with that, I went to the window and flew it opened, But then I thought "What if Mom came in and didn't find me inside the bedroom?", "Then I'll have to be extremely fast, Just to give him the drink, Thank him and hurry back ASAP." I told myself.
I looked back to see and listen if anyone's coming, When I heard no one, I steadied myself and got ready to jump, And when I did...."Ouchh!!" I silently screamed in pain as I had twisted my ankle, As if that wasn't enough I had also broken one of Grandma's flower pots at the small garden beside our bedroom, I knew I would be in trouble for this.
The height of the window is deceiving when viewed from up there, and I wondered how I was going to get back in, But since I was out now I will come back to worry about that later, Right now I have to hurry, I gave my leg a quick massage before running and limping at the same time down the street.
I walked quickly passed the buildings and shops, Where Mr Steve lives is two streets away from my Street and I will have to pass a shortcut to be able to get there faster, I know it's not safe but it was the only way I could reach there faster.
I held the canned drink with my two hands against my chest and walked faster as these corners were dangerous and I wouldn't want to land in any trouble again.
As I got close to the building, I saw that Mr Steve's garage/workshop wasn't opened just like that day too, Or maybe today's a Sunday because most people don't go to work on Sundays.
I decided to go up to the first floor of the building where his apartment is, When I got there I saw the door was locked, "I guess he isn't around then" I say as I turned back to leave, Then I remembered that he's the owner of the building which also means he's the owner of the topmost floor of this building also.
So he might be there. I ascended the stairs to the last floor but when I got there it was still same thing as the door was also locked, That made me gave up as I started descending down the stairs immediately, Because of the limited time I had before getting back home, "He's definitely not around" I told myself.
As I got to The previous floor, I sighted a man Walking towards the Workshop, He was wearing a blue jeans, Black jacket and a black face cap, But he wasn't Mr Steve as I had remember him, It was another person.
I quickly descend down the remaining stairs to catch up with him so he can tell me where Mr Steve is. But immediately I got outside the building I couldn't find him anymore to my utmost surprise.
What was alarming to me the most was that the workshop was still locked, I looked around to see if anyone else noticed the man's disappearance but the few people on the street were just walking past minding their businesses as usual, Confusion and panic hit me at the same time as I started walking home thinking it's best for me to go home now.
While I was walking away from the building I decided to look back to see if anything was odd about the building or it was just me hallucinating.
But as soon as I looked back I took noticed of a door beside the building at the rear end which I immediately thought might lead to the garage, "Might be for special visitors." I thought aloud.
I decided to go check if it was opened as my hopes of meeting him got high once again, I walked towards the door as I was also thinking this might be the place the man that I saw earlier entered.
When I got to the door I pulled it opened, Immediately I did so I taken aback by what I saw.