Beneath The Mask(sotto la maschera)

PREMONITION

Camila opened the door and walked in, smiling when she smelt the scent of cookies being baked. For as long as she could remember, her Nana had lived with them, and that brought so many delicious treats to her stomach.

She wanted to head to her mother’s room immediately after the phone call, but her mother had told her not to panic and that she was just checking up on her since it was getting late. She didn’t believe that at all, but she had to maintain her emotions, so her mother will not worry about her.

She went to the kitchen where she knew her Nana would be and kissed her cheek, "I'm home."

Nana smiled at her,"Go and wash up and come and eat. Food will soon be ready."

Camila stole one cookie that had been placed out to warm and ran out with a laugh, escaping the slipper Nana had thrown at her.

"Dinner will soon be ready, don't eat the cookie."

She went to her room, taking her time eating the cookie, and washed up the sweat of the day's work. After dressing up, she went to her mom's room, surprised to see her awake. She had told her she might be asleep.

"Mama." She whispered, pleased." How are you feeling?"

"Sweetheart, I must have worried you, didn't I? How is work at the hospital."

Camila didn't miss the evasion, but she let it drop." Tiring but fulfilling. Have you eaten yet?"

"Yes. I ate not long before you came."

Camila patted her mother’s hands,” Why exactly did you call me Mama?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I just wanted to know when you were coming home.”

“This is not the first time I’ll be arriving late. This is actually pretty early.”

Her mama sighed,” I was just worried about you. I suddenly remembered I’m your mother and wanted to hear your voice.”

“You are worrying me, it’s obvious that you are hiding something from me. You are not even looking into my eye.”

Camila, I just wanted to check up on you. Have you noticed anything strange lately? Why are you so obsessed with his?”

She sighed,” Because you never call me. I only associate you and Nana’s call with emergencies, and you both know that. Your calling me meant you wanted to tell me something important.”

Her mother patted the bed and Camila sat gently, still staring at her.” I felt a little stronger today, so I went to the porch to get some air, and it felt weird. Thinking on it now, it was possibly because it had been a while since I had gone outside, that was why I didn’t want to tell you. I just instinctively called you, which I’m regretting now with how much you are worried.”

“Mama, I also feel like something is wrong when I go outside, and I go out every day. You and Nana should stay inside for now, and you don’t have any business outside for now, there is a cold going around, and we cannot have you catching it.”

Her mother had a very weak immune system which meant she was mostly inside and with her getting old, she was more susceptible to falls and weaknesses.

Her mother nodded,” I’ve heard you. My mother doesn’t suspect anything, so you will have to tell her to limit her going out.”

“I can do that. Just focus on getting stronger for now, nothing is going to happen. We’re both just being paranoid. Haven’t you been binging your crime shows lately?”

“That’s probably why we both feel like this. I’ll try not to worry, but you also have to be very careful.”

“I know, Mama. I can take care of myself.”

Camila hugged her mother until she heard her Nana calling for her. She smiled at her mom and ran to the dining room. Her grandmother could be scary when she got delayed.

*****************************

Camila removed her scrub and screamed when she felt eyes on her. She turned and saw some nurses also changing for their shift and immediately apologized. She groaned when she saw one of her surgical nurses among them.

“What’s going on, Dr. Camila? You’ve been acting strange these past few days.”

Camila smiled apologetically,” I’m so sorry for startling you. I’m just jumpy because I’m not getting enough sleep.”

The nurse shook her head,” I don’t think that’s the problem. It’s been getting worse this past few days. Maybe you need a break.”

“Maybe.” She finished changing and turned to her,” I have an appointment soon so I have to run.”

The nurse continued looking at her with pity and nodded at her,” It may be your body asking for a break. You are working too much. There are other doctors around, you don’t have to kill yourself.”

“I know. Thank you so much.”

She excused herself and went to her office. Since her mom had told her about feeling someone watching them, she had been feeling jumpy and frightened at every sound. It really felt like she was being stalked, but nobody else could relate to her and nothing suspicious had been found even after going to the cops.

Her phone rang at that moment, startling her from her thoughts, and her heart jumped. It was her mother calling again. She took a deep breath and picked it and felt her heart stop beating.

“If you want to save your mother and grandmother, come to Piazzale Roma. I give you twenty minutes. Come alone and don’t call anybody else, I have people watching you and any funny business will be taken out on your family.”

Before she could gather herself, a video was sent to her of her mother and grandmother blindfolded and in bonds. That triggered her, and she ran to her car, trying her best not to panic. As she fumbled with her keys, a shadow moved across the driveway, and she froze, heart pounding.