Reasoning those mind games

Chapter 6

[DISCLAIMER: This chapter contains scene(s) containing act of violence/ assault]

Tracy softly opened the door and started to tiptoe up the corridor. She was exhausted from all the drama. Her head throbbing with migraine she had to take support from the walls around to balance herself. All she wanted was to take a sleeping pill and pass out for now.

As she passed by her mother's room, she steadied herself a bit to make sure she didn't make any noise so she didn't wake up her mother, but something made her pause. The door of her mother's bedroom was slightly open and the lights were still on!

Furrowing her eyebrows out of curiosity, Tracy walked closer to the room to check on her mother. She was talking to.. someone again. This time it was on speakers.

Sam? She thought and stopped to listen. This time she didn't want to interrupt, but listen.

" She's staying at Clara's tonight won't be coming back tonight" Said her mother to the person online.

This made Tracy even more suspicious. She hadn't told her where she was or who she was with. How did her mother know? And who was she talking to about Tracy. As far as Tracy knew they didn't have any relatives or close friends.

" Clara? Tom's friend?" replies a man's husky voice, except, it wasn't Sam's voice.

Tracy pulled out her cellphone, turned on the recording and slid her camera through the open slit in the door.

Now she could see her mother standing in front of the mirror wearing a silk nightgown, brushing her long blonde hair.

" Yes Robert.. I told you she is a danger. She might get to know something if we don't act soon." Her mother replied, still combing.

" You're nuts Laura ..." the man said.

Robert Steve,?? Tracy got struck. And why was he calling her mother Laura when her name was Wendy. Tracy had to cover her mouth with her hand to stop herself from making a noise.

"You had to save her at the wedding Didn't you? ..and lucky you I had Sam's voice recording I played yesterday or we'd have been dead!" Robert's angry voice boomed out loud, even making Tracy shudder. " Anyway (Robert continues) they have voided the evidence and her husband is GOING to get waived off charges at the court the day after tomorrow. I'm sending my people to kill him tonight .. just make sure you don't mess up this time ..We'll see what to do with that b***h Tracy later"

" She's my daughter Robert .. " her mothers voice became serious for a few seconds, and then sighed " and ok i won't mess up .. love you " she added in a haste, but Robert had already hung up phone.

Her eyes still wide open with shock, Tracy pulled back her cellphone and saved the recording. She could see her mother's shadow walking towards the door. Not knowing what to do in panic, she rushed to hide in the kitchen. It was the closest room to her mother's bedroom. Her heart sank in fear of what she had just seen. Barely being able to breathe, she leaned over the slab and slowly slid down to sit on the floor sweating.

While she was trying to sit down, Her sweater got hooked onto the cutlery rack. As soon as she pulled her hand off the slab .. the rack flipped over and spoons rattled and flew all over the floor around her.

The loud noise made her mother come running into the kitchen. She was as rattled to see her daughter on the kitchen floor as the spoons were.

Making her way through the spoons her mother came and picked Tracy up thinking she had slipped.

" If you were hungry you could just ask me love you didn't have to come to the kitchen yourself in this condition... and when did you return?" Her mother asked in a concerned tone .

" err an hour ago " Tracy made a random guess praying she wouldn't get caught. Her mother believed her. Sighs of relief.

" You didn't get enough sleep. you probably should be off to bed" her mother replied.

Saying that she pulled Tracy by shoulder, steadying her on her feet and escorted her back to her bedroom along with a big bowl of pudding. Took out a spoonful of pudding and raised it up to Tracy's mouth but Tracy grabbed her hand.

Now the shock on Tracy's face turned to a serious concern.

" You remember mama when you used to feed me and Sam ? and dad used to tell us stories of how ROBERT tried to ruin your wedding" ..She started pushing the spoon into her mother's mouth.

Now Tracy turned her neck a bit to look straight into her mother's eyes, which glistened with a mix of terror, fear and suspicion.

" I was thinking you wanted to ruin my wedding but if it wasn't for you I would have been dead.." Tracy quickly changed the topic. Her mother curled her lips into a faint smile.

Tracy hugged her mother tight and whispers

" Still love you.."

" Hmm.. I love you too my baby now go to sleep" Her mother replied straightening the blanket over Tracy. Lying down, Tracy closed her eyes and pretend to be asleep.

Her mother left her in bed again, half- closing the door behind her. She could still see her shadows outside the bedroom. She knew her mother was alert and suspicious and would not leave unless she was sure that Tracy had fallen asleep.

Suddenly a thought popped up in her mind. If Robert was sending men to kill Tom tonight, she only had a few hours to warn him. She had to get that video to the police as soon as possible. But how?

" Clara even warned me but I didn't even listen to her..Now I can't get out of this room .. oh Tom please take care of yourself" she whispered.

CLARA! Her mind screamed as he got up in a haste. A brilliant idea flashed in her mind as she picked up her cellphone and emailed the video to Clara , Her mother in law and Police. And immediately called at Clara's number.

" Hello? " said a sleepy voice from across the line.

Tracy glances out of the door to see her mother's shadow still there .. yup she's listening..

" Hey Clara .. What time are we leaving for that sale tomorrow? I was wondering if you could pick me up early. You know stock runs out like water on Sunday sales.." Tracy started speaking loud enough for her mother to clearly hear.

" What rubbish are talking about at this hour of night Tracy .. don't call again or I'll call the police.." Clara began but Tracy didn't bother to listen. Instead she continued..

" 6 40 am sounds good! Do watch the video I sent you. I want the exact same watch, ok? .. Aah thank you so much cya .. good night u2 babe"

Tracy hung up and deleted the video from her cellphone. Downloaded a video of Rado watch, pulled the blanket over and started praying Clara watches the video before it's too late.

She could see from the silhouette through the blanket that her mother had tiptoed to her cellphone and was scrolling through her phone book. She waited until the shadow placed her cell back and left.

" God Pl ease help us, '' Tracy whispered, pulling the blanket off her face ...

Clara's House

Clara tossed and turned throughout the night. Her house was silent all but the ticking of her clock. The irritating noise was driving her mad.

" Why in God's name did Tracy have to wake me up at this hour of night anyways?" She thought with a yawn sitting up.

She decided to brew some coffee since there was no way she was going back to sleep now. Sitting down at the table she took a long sip her coffee. The strong bitterness filled her mouth causing her to cough in disgust. A bit too bitter for her taste.

Exhaling a deep sigh she retrieved her phone and started to think.Her phone flashed with a new message.

"What in the world was she going on about? A sale we never made plans for? " She said in an irritated tone.

"Whatever Tracy, let's see what you want." ; Pushing play on video she sat back and watched.

Panic set in, taking all her strength to keep her hands from trembling. A sickening feeling filled her gut while hearing the man speak.

"How dare he use my dead husband in vain. And now he wants to kill Tom. Lord knows what he has planned for Tracy!"

She had to warn Tom and report this to the police!With this she stood up and began sending the video to Tom. But a squeak of her living window caught her attention.

"How long has that been open?" She thought to herself as she walked over to close it while the video uploaded.

Amongst the dark corners of the house a shadow lurked. Creeping closer with each step. Clara took one last sip of her cold coffee which she instantly regretted. She focused back on the text and hovered a finger over the send button. Before she could press it, a strong calloused set of hands grasped her face and squeezed tight.

Her phone dropped down and slid out of her reach in shock. Her mind started to race. Clara struggled under the brute strength, and managed to slam her coffee cup against her assailants face. Causing him to release his hold and curse her name. She fell to the floor in attempt to reach her phone. Her assailant casted a shadow above her and finished her with one quick blow. A pool started to form beneath her weak body. Her bloodied hand clenched her phone and pressed send.The shadow pulled out his phone

" sir it's been done."

" Excellent await for further instructions."

She lay cold silent on the floor. Wishing she could have done more. Time was running out. The room started to go dark. She could feel herself fade. All she could hear was that wall clock tick.

She could make up the shadow of a man holding dagger walking up to her whispering

" That's what you get for helping enemies of .."

A loud gunshot and Clara blacked out.