Chapter 9
959 Words
“Two hundred… three hundred … four hundred.” Denise muttered as she counted the wrinkled notes scattered across her bed. Every day after school, she repeated the same routine.
Day by day, coin by coin, she had been stashing away her lunch money, determined to buy a mobile phone of her own. She was just a few dollars short.
After her breakdown, she noticed the house phone was gone. When she asked about it, Aunt Lilian said it fell from her hand and broke, and that she’d taken it out for repairs. On any ordinary day, Denise might have believed that without thinking. But with everything happening lately, it all sounded suspicious.
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The days blurred into their usual pattern. School on weekdays, rarely going out on Saturdays, and Sundays remained strictly the Day of the Lord. Still no calls from her sister.
There was at least one bright spot. She had passed her latest test, not a huge improvement according to her teacher. But Denise was over the moon and couldn't wait to tell Aunt Lilian. So she decided to make dinner, eager to celebrate and make up for her recent shortcomings.
When her aunt finally returned from work tired, Denise served the meal proudly, placing her test scripts neatly on the table as they were part of the ceremony. Aunt Lilian's face lit up, genuinely pleased.
“Ask for anything,” she’d said.
It was tempting for Denise, there were so many things she wanted. But she chose money, buying her own phone remained her top priority.
Later that night, as the clock inched to 10 p.m., Denise curled up on the couch. It was Friday, so she got a free pass to stay up until eleven.
“Aunt Lilian, the show is starting!” she shouted, excitement bubbling in her voice.
What is she doing? Didn't she hear me? Ahhh she is going to make me miss the opening.
Grumbling, she pushed herself off the couch, walking to her aunt’s room. When Denise got close, she heard voices and realized her aunt was on a call. She turned to leave, but stopped when she heard a familiar name.
“I can’t… I can’t tell her that Agatha is missing… You have to do everything you can—give out posters, search the whole city. You have to… I know you’re trying your best. I’m aware. Just do anything you can to find her…”
The words struck Denise like a blow.
What? Agatha is missing!
Holding her chest, she leaned against the wall, as questions collided. How can this happen? When?
Fueled by panic and disbelief, she forced the door open just in time to see her aunt gasping, shoving the phone beneath the bed covers. She looked up at Denise, startled and unsure of what to say.
“Denise, when did you come in?” her aunt asked, smiling. Denise saw straight through the forced smile.
“How could you…” Denise's voice flatlered as she stepped back, her fingers twitching at her sides. “All this time, something felt off. You lied to me, telling me my sister was fine, that she couldn't talk to me because she was busy with school.” Tears gathered, blurring her vision. “I trusted you with all my heart, and you broke it with your lies.”
“ How long has she been missing?”
Silence. Her aunt’s eyes dropped to the floor.
Denise’s breath hitched.“Answer me. How long has she been missing? And please don’t lie to me. Not anymore.
“A month,” her aunt whispered. “Denise. The police are doing all they can to bring her back. I’m so sorry.” Her voice crumpled into sobs.
“A month…” Denise repeated, almost choking on the word. “A month since you started lying. All those times I thought my sister didn’t love me anymore.” Her hand clung to the door frame, keeping her shaky legs from giving out. “All those sleepless nights wondering what I did wrong and you…” her voice cracked. “You lied, I will never forgive you.”
Her anger built as she thought about her missing sister. She wanted her aunt to feel the same pain burning in her chest.
Her aunt reached toward her, but Denise flinched. “Don’t touch me.” She snatched a framed photo from the dressing table and smashed it, glass sliced her palms, blood dripping on the broken pieces.
“I will stab you if you come close to me,” she warned, backing away before running off to her room.
She yanked open drawers, stuffing clothes and shoes into her bag, but the more she packed, the faster her heartbeat climbed. On impulse, she dumped everything out again, and grabbed her savings, shoving the money into the bag.
She headed for the door.
“Denise, please you can’t go. I won’t allow you to walk out!” her aunt cried, blocking the doorway .
“Move,” Denise's voice was cold, her anger rising at the sight of her aunt. “If the police can’t find my sister, then I will. I’ll search every street, every corner, and even the whole country if that's what it takes to find her. Now get out of my way.”
“No, listen to me, you have to calm down. Don't make any rash decisions,” her aunt pleaded. Taking a step closer, she stretched out her arms to Denise.
“Don’t touch me!” Denise screamed, pushing her with all her strength.
Her aunt flew across the living room, striking the wall, her head connecting with a heavy jarring thud before she slid down to the floor.
- Writer
