Not only making sure Runa already has a plan to escape, Mandy also ensures the clothes that Runa will wear at the beach party tonight. It did not satisfy her if she only received news by phone. Mandy came to Runa's house on Saturday morning and ordered Runa to unpack her wardrobe.
Runa has tried about twenty clothes, and Mandy is still not satisfied.
"I'm tired," said Runa. "Can't we just pick one outfit at random with our eyes closed?"
Mandy rolled her eyes and walked towards the wardrobe. "Runa, please. We're going to a beach party, not to go to college." She ran her fingers through the pile of Runa's clothes. "You can't just throw on some clothes, get all dolled up!"
After saying that, Mandy pulled a black lace bralette from the bottom pile in Runa's underwear section. "Wow, I didn't know you had stuff like this," Mandy said teasingly. She pressed the bralette to her chest and smiled mischievously with a wink. "It's perfect." Then she threw it at Runa.
Runa caught it and frowned. "You're telling me to wear this?"
"Hey, don't act like I told you to get naked!" responded Mandy. "Wear that or today will be the last day of our friendship."
Runa groaned. Sometimes Mandy can be very dramatic, but Runa knows Mandy's threat is not an empty threat. She would be really mad if Runa came to the beach party wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
Runa threw the bralette on the bed, then put her hands on her hips while looking at her reflection in the full-body mirror. "I give in to the bralette, but let me choose the pants and other clothes."
"Other clothes?" Mandy arched an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you want to wear a bomber jacket."
"No. Relax." Runa threw herself onto the bed and Mandy followed her. Now they were lying on opposite sides of the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"As for the path… are you sure it's passable? It is safe?" Mandy asked. "I know there's a road under the hill behind Crown's property… but it looks like the hillside is a bit—"
"I've been through there," said Runa.
Her statement took Mandy by surprise. She rolled over and was now closer to Runa. Both hands support the chin. "You've been there before?" Mandy asked. Her eyes were full of curiosity. "Why did you go through there?"
Runa laid her hands on her stomach. Her eyes darted over to her friend's curious face. There was a familiar sting of guilt in Runa's chest. This was another secret that Runa didn't want to tell Mandy or anyone else in the world. Because if she were to reveal it, then she would also have to tell her about her childhood's darkest times and about her father.
"Just curious," replied Runa after a pause. She looked back up at the slanted ceiling. "You know… kids with their curiosity."
Mandy sighed. She must have known that Runa was hiding something, and as usual, Mandy didn't push her.
Mandy rolled over again and was now lying down. "I wish I could be your best friend forever," said Mandy.
"Why?" said Runa, half laughing.
"Because it feels like you're the one who needs to be protected. I really want to protect you."
Runa was stunned, lost for words. She wondered what she was like in Mandy's eyes?
Mandy suddenly stood up and grabbed the bag she had placed on the nightstand. "Is all set, then. I'll be there at eight. Don't be late, okay?"
Runa didn't answer it. She still thinking about Mandy's words. And then she just nodded.
Mandy waved and said that Runa didn't have to walk her out.
As soon as Mandy left, Runa's house was desolate again. And she just lay quietly on the bed while looking out the window next to her.
Had she actually failed to hide her fears and weaknesses in front of people? Or was it that Mandy, who had been friends with her for so long, could see through the fortress of her perfection?
---
This is a bad idea.
Runa tightened the black parka jacket she was wearing. Her eyes wandered and her steps were taken carefully so as not to make a sound.
What was she really thinking when planning this escape? Runa hadn't considered how dark the woods in Crown's backyard were, and the fact that she had to pass through the family cemetery to jump over the broken fence and down the slope made her condemn her decision even more.
This is all for the sake of maintaining the friendship, Runa reminded herself.
She shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, her little bag crossed over her body, swaying slowly as she moved.
Runa couldn't use a flashlight because she was at risk of being seen by guards on patrol.
She pushed open the gate of the family cemetery. She stop for a while to make the sign of the cross, then stepped inside and closed the gate.
Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and light mist that slowly emerged as she walked the path that led her deeper and deeper into the cemetery.
There aren't many graves here and the place is actually quite well-maintained, but still, Runa feels uneasy when passing by. The image of the creature that almost ate her a few days ago reappeared, and she seemed to see the creature standing still in the distance. But every time Runa turned around, what she thought were demons were just dead trees.
Runa quickened her pace until she arrived in front of a grave shaded by a gazebo. There was a statue of an angel beside it, holding a sword held up in both hands.
Runa stopped and stared at the grave. It's her mother's grave.
"Hi, Mom," said Runa in a low voice.
It had been so long since Runa had visited her mother's grave. Her father forbade her to come here too often, because he said that reminiscing too much about the dead would only weaken her.
Her father had scheduled a visit that Runa could make here, and it had been almost six months since Runa had missed her visit.
As she stared at the grave, Runa promised to herself to visit her mother's grave tomorrow.
Having recorded the promise in her heart, she turned her gaze to the towering angel statue, which reminded her of the angel of death who had saved her. Runa's hands automatically searched for the cross necklace around her neck, and when she found it, she heard the sound of the gate opening.
Runa widened her eyes and turned towards her arrival.
Has anyone come? As far as Runa knows, the guards are not patrolling the cemetery.
Runa frantically looked around, looking for a place to hide.
She faintly heard people talking, and she tiptoed to the back of the angel statue. Runa crouched down, her back drooping to hide her head.
The voices were getting closer and Runa recognized them.
It was Sophia and her father.
They stopped in front of her mother's grave.
"Have you done it?" asked Chris.
"Yes," replied Sophia. "Don't worry, I never forget. I know what will happen if we are negligent."
"Good."
There was the sound of dry branches being trampled on and approaching steps. Runa's heart was racing behind her chest, sweat was soaking her body under her parka jacket.
Will her escape fail? Damn. Her father would definitely destroy Runa's house tonight if he found Runa hiding here.
The next time Chris spoke, his voice was so close it almost made Runa jump.
"The incident at Sunbrillo… involving Runa," said Chris. "I think it has something to do with her."
"I checked the CCTV in another building around the classroom building at the time of the incident, and all of them were also off. So I can't be sure, Sir. The only witness was Ms. Crown."
"Hmm," Chris mumbled. "She said she saw nothing."
"Are you sure?"
Damn Sophia, Runa cursed in her heart. She provoked Chris to raise suspicion in Runa.
"I'll call her again tomorrow," said Chris.
"Why not tonight?"
Runa covered her mouth and breathed short. She had a panic attack, and her heart wouldn't stop spewing curses at Sophia.
If her father comes to her house and she's not there, it will be the end of her life.