The Abrams gathered in an empty room. What were they talking about? And The Past? What has been cleaned? What did they witness? Who targeted the wrong person? Do they mean my "attacked"? All the members are hiding something!
Silas, my father-in-law, and his siblings. I thought it was their women who were evil. No... no... I could have misinterpreted the circumstances. He's a good man. Perhaps I misheard.
Silas is the man who places a high value on family honor. Given their wealth, there's no way they have no enemies. Some of them try to take revenge.
Revenge! It makes sense now. The person who attacked me was most likely their enemy. I misunderstood my father-in-law. He couldn't possibly report it to the police if it was something unimaginable!
"Sarah, you up? Why are you sitting in the dark?", He gave me a sleepy-eyed stare.
"I... couldn't sleep, had a bad headache", I said.
"Lay down, I'll get you a painkiller", he said.
"I've had one", I said.
"Then, go back to sleep", he said.
I lay down, shutting my eyes. I'm close to falling victim to Abrams' enemy! What kind of disaster awaits me?!
When I opened my eyes, the first thing that came to me was the Abrams talk. Do they always discuss important issues late at night? Why was Luke left out? Was it because of me or was he not included?
My head spins just thinking about it. I need to unwind a little. I know where to go.
"Luke, get dressed", I said.
"Where are we going?", asked Luke.
"To The Home", I said.
He jerked up from his chair, "Which "Home" are we talking about?"
"Abrams Home", I said.
"You're insane! Did your mind clean forget about the attack?!", he said
"It is never forgotten. I want to play with the kids", I said.
"I'll bring the kids here", he said.
"No. I'm fed up with staying in the mansion all day", I said.
"I think you've already heard what the police have to say on your own. You can't go anywhere", he said.
"You must be joking! I've been caged up in your large mansion for three weeks! I need some fresh air", I said.
"It's a wiser choice than getting you slain," he remarked.
"If you're not coming, I'll go by myself", I said.
He grabbed my arm before I could leave the room.
"Do you not care about yourself? You're in danger, Sarah!", he said.
"I'm in no danger, the police are tagging along with us", I said.
"Talk to Josh, Luke", I said.
"You're such hot-headed!", he said.
He called Josh. Surprisingly; they gave us permission.
We drove to Abrams Home under police protection.
To Home, where I've my nightmare.
"Rolled up the window", he said.
"Nope, look at the view, it's very calming", I marveled at the lush trees, as if they welcomed my presence.
He pressed the control button on his side and shut the window pane.
"What's wrong with you?!", I said.
"Are you going to keep nagging?", he said.
"You're rude!", I said.
"If you want to see the kids, devout me!", he said.
I leaned back in my seat, Lunatic! I mumbled.
"What did you say?!", he hit the brakes.
"Nothing! Please... keep going," I urged.
Following the attack, many police officers were assigned to stand guard and patrol the area.
We got out of the car. The kids sprinted our way.
"Aunty Sarah... Uncle Luke!", they cheered with joy.
"Hi baby!", I said
"Hello there", he stroked their heads.
"Let's go in, we won't play in the yard", said the little boy.
"Why? I want to play outside", I said.
"No, aunty, you're under our protection", said Ayla.
"We'll take care of you", said the little girl.
"That's very kind of you!", I pinched her cheek.
"We've set a rule, rule number one, you're not allowed to leave this house," Ayla explained.
"Last rule, you don't leave our side and follow our rules," said the little boy.
Luke laughed. "You know what kids? She dislikes the "obey" word"
"He's right. Except for today, I'm all yours", I said.
"You better", said the little girl, and they ushered us in.
We chatted and teased each other.
They hauled me into their room, leaving Luke and the head custodian behind. They showed me their things, drawings, and their toys.
The little boy picked some books off the bookcase and handed them to me, saying, "Aunty... read us the stories."
"Your wish is granted, my prince", I said.
They immerse in the stories I read and become lost in me as they lean on my lap, my shoulder, and wrap their hands around me. As if I'm their mother. The best feeling I ever had.
Unwittingly, it was already evening.
"Sarah...", Luke shouted.
I strode out of the room, and peeked from above, "Yes?"
"Ready to go home?", he said.
Their faces turned downwards.
"Don't be sad, I'll be back", I said.
"All right, I'll let you go," Ayla said.
"Thank you, ma'am", I said.
I stood up, and when I looked out, my gaze fixed on the view behind the window. As I drew nearer and put my hand on the window bar, my breath became thick. My eyes were wide open at the surprise that lay before me.
"The walls are quite high, aren't they?" said the little girl (with heart disease).
"Enormous!", I said
"No one but Spiderman can get past that wall," she explained.
Who let him in?!
"I'm heading down, wanna come?", I said.
She nod.
"Bye kids, see you soon", he said.
How didn't I notice it? Nobody could scale a large, high wall. Someone helps him. He's not alone!
He grasped my shoulder, "Sarah...Sarah..."
I jolted out of my reverie and stared at him with fear plastered on my face.
"You good?", he said.
"The kids are in danger, Luke", I said.
He hit the brakes.
"Nobody could climb those high walls, someone got him in", I said.
"Disaster! I'll inform the police", he said
Josh happened to be our guide. Luke got out of the car and waved to him.
"Sir, is everything all right?", He approached Luke.
"Everything is a disaster", said Luke.
When Luke elaborated on the new find, I remained inside the car, listening to their talk.
"My thoughts exactly! We inquired about them, and it came out that they were not as we suspected," Josh remarked.
"We'll intensify our investigation," Josh said.
"You must go over to the CCTV room. I found some oddities there", said Luke.
"We will, sir", said Josh.
They returned to their vehicle.
"You didn't tell me about the CCTV", I said.
"Do I have to tell you?", said Luke.
"I share everything with you", I said.
"I don't share everything with others," he explained.
"Oh. You will!", I said.
"We'll see", he said
You'll tell me everything, Luke. I'll make you reveal all the secrets.
We waited for days for the result. Luke's phone rang.
"Sir, bad news, they passed the polygraph test", said Josh.
"The good news?" Luke
"The test can't prove anything." Josh
"The CCTV room?", asked Luke.
"Yes, someone has been tampering with the CCTV. We couldn't figure out who," Josh said.
"This doesn't sound like a small matter to me. You have to catch him and his gang as soon as possible," Luke replied.
"Yes, sir. Before I hang up, did you guys get any terror?", asked Josh.
"No, not yet", said Luke.
"They passed the test", said Luke.
"It can't be!", I said.
"I'm positive as hell! One of the workers was involved with him," I said.
"Easy Sarah, the test is not reliable" Luke
"Things like this are very common in criminal cases", said Luke.
"Perpetrators cannot be apprehended in an instant; there must be twists and turns." Luke
"Besides, there's nothing we can do; let the police handle it," Luke remarked.
"As long as they don't take much time", I said.
"By the way, I'll be back at work tomorrow," Luke added.
"I thought you'd stay longer", I said.
"Some of my projects are still in the works," Luke explained.
"In that case, I'll let you off," I said.
After he left for work the next day, I returned to Luke's studies, filling out my journal with the latest findings. I examined the paper. Things grew wilder with so much blurriness in this case.
The past, the attack, and the secret room, I hit a dead-end. I sagged my shoulders and inhaled deeply. My phone buzzes. I looked at the unfamiliar number that appeared on my phone screen. Who the hell is this? I answered the call as my curiosity grew.
"....", I gave no response.
"Hello..."
Female voice?
"Sarah, are you there?",
She knows my name! Who's she?!
"Who's this?", I said.
"Have you forgotten me? You hurt me, Sarah", she said.
Creep!
"Who the heck are you?!", I raised my tone.
"Come on, Sarah, you know me, baby", she said.
"I'm not your baby! Creep! I'll call the police", I said as I pressed the number.
"Wait! it's Chelsea!", she said.
"Chelsea?", I searched my mind.
"OH MY! CHELSEA?!", I shouted in joy.
"It's me! Sarah", said Chelsea
"Wait, how did you get my number?", I asked.
"I used my modest hacking skills to find you. It was a piece of cake. Furthermore, now you're Silas Abrams' daughter-in-law", said Chelsea.
"Craziest greatest friend I've ever had," I exclaimed.
"Be proud of it, honey", said Chelsea.
"I'm still upset at you, you almost put me in jail," Chelsea added.
I chuckled. "Sorry..."
"You're forgiven", said Chelsea.
"So, why did you call me?", I said.
"Can't I call my best friend? I miss her, girl!", she said.
"You never change", I said.
"Btw, I'm in town, looking forward to hanging out with my bestie", she said.
"Really?! Where are you? Let's meet up!", I said.
"I'm in the airport, waiting for my cab. I'll let you know as soon as I get to my apartment," she promised.
"No way! I'm picking you up", I said.
"For real? Don't play around Sarah", she said,
"Yes! Cancel the cab", I said.
"Goodness, such an honor to be on the ride with you, Mrs. Luke Abrams", she said
"Shut up! Wait for me there", I said.
"See you in an hour, bestie", she said.
We got off the phone. I dressed up in my street-style clothes.
I hastened out of the door with joy, as I bumped into Delores.
"Where are you off to?", Delores eyed up and down at me.
"None of your business, mother-in-law", I said.
I passed through her, I hopped in the car, "To the airport."
The driver started the engine, and we drove away.
As we reached the airport, "Sarah...!", she dashed my way and leaped on to give me a bear embrace.
"Chel! I miss you", I said, flinging my arms around her.
"I miss you too!", said Chelsea.
She drew back. Her gaze concentrated on the men and women standing a few feet behind me.
"Do you know them?", she asked.
I looked briefly at them.
"Seems like they're following you," Chelsea said.
"They are", I said.
"Huh?", She arched her eyebrows,
"They're police officers", I said.
"What? Why... I mean what's goin' on?", she looks puzzled.
"Why don't we discuss this in the car?" I said.
We get inside the car while the driver places her bags in the trunk.
"What happened?", she asked.
"Someone attacked me in Abrams Home", I said.
Chelsea gawked, "How's it possible?! You're in a safe place."
"I dunno, Chel, weird right?", I said.
"It's even weirder when the incident isn't in the news. Abrams is adept at keeping secrets," Chelsea added.
"What do you mean by that?", I furrowed my eyebrows.
"It's... I just compared it to the old issues". She avoided my gaze.
"Old issues?", I asked.
"Yeah, business issues, you know they're... the wealthiest family", she said.
"Sarah, stop staring at me! I'm here to chill out with you, so let's get off the Abrams subject," she replied.
She knows something, under my breath.