Lost In Her Shell

Chapter 4

I wake up to the sound of voices coming from outside my room.

"She must be going through a lot right now." They are talking about me. I turn to the direction the voices are coming from and try to listen to their conversation. Maybe I'll get some info about aunt Lucy.

"Of course she is. She just lost the one person that she considers family. I can't believe she passed out again though." They don't know that I can clearly hear them. I can recognise Mr Brunners voice but who is he talking to.

"That means she had passed out before?" says the other voice.

"Oh yes she did in the car, on our way here and she was out till this morning. She's is really stressed out and I'm worried about her. It's my responsibility to look after her since Lucy is no longer around and... " The voices trail off. No no no don't go. I need to know more. Why is it his responsibility to look after me? I'm starting to have this weird feeling about this place. I lift my weight off the bed and oh yhhhh I feel much better now. Let's stretch a little shall we. While stretching in look in the direction of the window and realises how late it is. Was I really out for that long? I'm still wearing the same cloth from yesterday and mahn I stink. I walk to the mirror and the image staring back at me is just horrifying.

"Oh my Gawd. What happened to me." This isn't me right?

"I look like s**t, damn I am such a mess right now." I scratch my bushy looking hair as I try to recollect the events of this morning. Screaming out of frustration I bend to the ground and pull my head into my knees. I can't believe I did that. Memories of me throwing up on that guy keeps replaying and I try to recall how I got to the room. Did he carry me? "Aaaaaaaa" I scream as I hit my forehead on the concrete floor several times and pull at my hair. I immediately run to the bathroom, turn on the shower to sit underneath it, allowing myself get soaked. I don't know how long I sit there until I finally decide to actually have a proper bath. The makeup on my face is too hard to get rid of and I keep yelling out of frustration. Finally stepping out, I notice a pile of clothes perfectly laid on the bed and my instictive self immediately looks around to See if there's anyone in the room.

"I hope this room isn't bugged" I say as I look around curiously. I run to lock the door and immediately get dressed. The clothes laying on the bed are totally my style. Sweet, they are just perfect. Its soo weird how he knows what I like. The pijamas I have on is sooo comfy. I bounce on the bed and then realise that the bed spread has been changed. Lucy's purse is placed at a corner next to my pillow and I pick it up. I wonder what she was trying to say. Images of her lifelss body laying on the ground appears in my head and I immediately seal my eyes shut. Tears begin to fill up my eyes and I clench unto her purse. Laying back on the bed, my upper body faces the ceiling and I feel warm tears slide down the corner of my eyes. What could it be? What was she trying to say? These questions keep popping up in my head until I hear my stomach rumble. s**t!! Realising I haven't eaten since the day before, I place both hands on my tummy as it rumbles again.

"I'm so hungry." I say out loud. Why do I feel guilty for being hungry? Of course I should. Food should be the last thing on my mind right now but my tummy keeps rumbling. I don't wanna leave this room. Closing my eyes, memories of aunts Lucys delicious pancakes pops in my head. I remember always begging her to make me her delicious buttercream pancakes. They are my favourite. I can't believe I'll never get to taste them or see her ever again. All thats left are my memories of her and this bag. The delicious smell of something familiar interrupts my thoughts and I leap off the bed. No way. Aunt Lucy!!! I can clearly perceive it. I'm sure I'm not mistaken. My legs are already in motion before I can even think of stopping myself and the next thing I'm in the hallway downstairs trying to trace where the smell is coming from.

"Oh there you are. I was just about to get you" Someone says and I turn to find a guy in a gray sweats. I think it's the same guy from earlier. Oh yeah I almost forgot the German accent.

"Are you German? Your accent I mean. It sounds German." The words come rushing out. Am I being too straight forward?

"Ummm no I'm not. I'm Swiss" ahhhhhh that explains..."but I lived in Germany half of my life" he laughs. Is he playing with me right now?

"I'm Nathan Brunner by way. We met before at the library." he says as he scratches the nape of his neck. Why does his name sound familiar though. I look at him as he stares at me and I immediately remember what happened this morning. Aishhhh what do I say? Ummmm do I like just thank him?

"Thanks for ealier." I say looking down at the concrete. "No no sorry. I meant sorry about earlier" I look up at him and sigh. This feeling of embarrassment is consuming me.

"Yeah that was nothing. My dad is waiting at the dinning. Shall we?" he says as he leads the way. Dad? Nate Brunner? Who is... Ohhh Mr Brunner. How did I not get that when he told me his name. No wonder his name sounded familiar. Mahn I must be loosing it. I look at him from behind as we both walk I silence. Well I guess he's OK with me throwing up on him.

"There are so many rooms" I murmur as we pass through a long corridor with different passages. I used to think I lived in a castle but this is just on a whole new level. The smell of the pancakes gets stronger as soon as we step into the dinning. The room is brightly lit with a crystal chandelier hanging just at the centre of the ceiling. Isn't this too fancy for a dinning room?

"Miss Raymond welcome. Please join us" says Mr Brunner smiling.

"I am soo sorry about this morning. I shouldn't have left you in that room all by yourself." Why is he apologising. I was the one who went roaming around someone elses house. A pile of pancake is placed before me and I stare at them. They look exactly like hers. The top slightly brown, the butter at center, the syrup dripping from every side and the blueberries giving it the final look. I wonder if they taste like her too. Without wasting much time I immediately dig in and the sweet taste of vanilla mixed with the corn syrup melts in my tongue. I chew slowly and place the butter in my mouth. Like hers the butter isn't actually butter but fondant. I chew on a Berry and close my eyes. It tastes just like hers, exactly like hers. Opening my eyes I put another large chunk in my mouth and look up to find both Mr Brunner and Nathan staring at me.

"What!!! Yall never seen an hungry person eat before?"

"You must have been really hungry." Nathan chuckles as he put a Berry in his mouth.

"Hmmmhmmm" I reply while nodding "Who made these?" I ask looking directly at Mr Brunner.

"It tastes really familiar doesn't it. I believe Lucy used to make you these? " What in the world is he saying right now. "Its my recipe" he laughs "I taught your aunt how to make these pancakes. It's the perfect recipe isn't it” I am soo confused right now.

"Wait, whattt!!! Are you serious right now?" What's his relationship with Lucy other than him being her chauffeur. I stare at him in disbelief.

"Yes I am. Please eat some more. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow." he grabs a glass of wine and raises it to the air before drinking it.

"Tomorrow? Why not now. Who..." I notice the pile of pancakes in front of an empty seat next to Nathan. He must have noticed my eyes because he immediately speaks up.

"Ohh they're my bothers. He was here a while ago before I left to get you. I don't know what's taking him so long." Nathan replies.

"Ohhh!!!" but he should at least place a lid over it or something. I continue eating and almost immediately I hear the sound footsteps approaching.

"Yo where have you been. What took you so long?" Nathan asks. "Your food's already cold bro. Who the hell eats cold pancakes" I eat cold pancakes. What's wrong with eating cold pancakes?

"I had to take a quick shower oh and you of all people know how much I prefer eating my food cold." The familiarity of the voice instantly makes me stop my movement. I look up and the sight before me makes me choke on the pancake in my mouth. I try to reach for water but the fork on my hand drops to the ground instead turning everyone's attention towards me. Nathan immediately passes me a glass of water.

"Emma" Aidan calls my name as he takes his sit next to Nathan and gives me a quick smile. He doesn't look surprised to see me here but instead he just picks up a fork and begins eating. What the hell is going on here. Aidan and I have been classmates for years and... Aiden Brunner. Oh my gawd. How didn't I notice his surname. I'm still trying to comprehend what is going on until I finally ask.

"How are you all related to Lucy. " I ask as I get up from my sit in one swift move. Mr Brunner must have noticed the horror on my face as he immediately tries to calm me down.

"Miss Raymond Please let's have this discussion after our meal" he says

"Meal" I scoff "well I'm done with mine. You think I'm OK being here with you people and then him, he practically just shows up. Why the hell am i even here. Shouldn't I be with the cops right now giving statements or something about Lucys death. f**k I don't even know where her body is being kept because I'm locked up in this stupid place." I yell, running out of breath but no one is saying anything. Why is no one saying anything? I'm fuming with rage at this point.

"You know what, I wanna leave. Like right now. I wanna go. Please take me back to my aunts house Mr Brunner. I would rather be there alone than remain here with you all." I'm trying to catch my breath, I'm trying to stay calm but I can't. This is all too much for me to handle. My class mate since Jnr year is our chauffeurs son and I had no idea. Did Lucy know about this?

"I'm sorry Miss Raymond but..." I don't let him finish his sentence as I hurry out of the dining. I could explode if I stayed there for another second. Why did I even agree to go with him in the first place. f**k I couldn't even think straight back then and I just followed him.

"Emma wait." Nathan tries to stop me but I don't answer. I run to the room and lock the door. I need to get out of this place. I have to leave. I feel like I'm suffocating in here. I need space to breath. I rush to the window and immediately swing them open, sticking my head outside. Breath breath I keep repeating as the cold night air fills my face. After a while I stick my head back in and look at the beautiful scenery before me. Just as I imagined, the night view is really beautiful. Should I just jump but there are guards everywhere. Aishhhhh. I look at the surrounding and the view helps keep me calm. I stand there for a while deep in thought. Aunt Lucy, I need an explanation. Why did you have to leave soo soon and can I really trust these people? A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts but I don't move until I hear it again. Walking to the door I hesitate before opening it, and I frown at the sight of Aidan leaning by the door side. The smile that appeared on his face when he sees me makes me even more furious.

"I thought you wouldn't open up. Emma we need to talk." he says with both hand in his side pockets and a little smile on his face.