Into the story

SOMETHING STRANGE IS HAPPENING

The sound of the birds chirping happily woke her up, the sun peeked lovingly into her room, illuminating it with a heavenly glow . The gentle wind blew the linen on her face, she smiled as it tingled her . She turned and turned on the bed, the fabric was soft, the duvet was cozy….. wait, fabric? Linen? Duvet? Was she dreaming. Her eyes shot open immediately, she observed her surroundings carefully with those blue eyes of hers. This is not her room, she could not make out how she came here but one thing is sure, this is not her house.

She opened the window only to be greeted with a wonderful sight, lush greenery everywhere, the birds flew in unison. She looked down, the people down were working and washing different fabrics and cloths. They looked like maidens. She rubbed her eyes again to make sure she wasn’t dreaming but this looked surreal.

She turned and looked at the room again, her bed was designed pink , her favorite color. Her wardrobe was pink also. the room was clean, the marble tiles was also clean. There was a cute study table and chair at the far end of the room. Her room had this flowery scent, it made her feel like as if she was a princess.

“ Where am I? “ the confusion was vivid on her face. She was on the grass field opposite her house last night, she was crying last night. So how on earth did she get here, who was that blonde lady that talked to her? Where was her school bag that was with her? She was very confused, she massaged her temples as she searched for her phone. She couldn’t find it, she searched again and again but it was still not in the room. A soft knock on the door jolted her back to reality.

“ Rachel, are you prepared? “ An unfamiliar voice asked her

“ who are you?” She asked back

“ Excuse you?” The voice was so cold it sent chills down her spine. She moved towards the door and slowly opened it only to find a stern face looking down at her. The lady was taller than her, her black hair was permed up and her black gown was long and graceful. The black embroidery on it was top notch and classy.

“ It seems you’re being nonchalant, Rachel. I guess your parents have not told you about me “ the woman frowned deeper

“ My parents? I don’t have parents “ she said and the woman gasped

“ And now you lie about your parents. That, is highly not accepted here. Get dressed and ready in five, meet me at the grand hall . Do not be late “

“ She acts like lady Danbury in my book “ she laughed and suddenly paused. Her eyes widened afterwards

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

“ If L plus b square equals to five, then what is……. Nora” the teacher shouted loud

“ Yes , Mrs Robert “ Nora said jolting back to reality

“ Focus, you’re being absentminded in class. By the way, where your friend Rachel? “

Nora turned to look at where Rachel normally sits, it was empty and it was so unlike her to be absent from school. On a norm, she fought to leave her house so she can enjoy some peace and quiet in school .

“ The number you dialed is unable to connect, please leave a voicemail after the beep “ came the voice the other end .

“ She’s not answering, I’ll go to her house later “ Nora said after class. As she was packing her books, Brooklyn approached her

“ Hey cousin “ Brooklyn said

“ what do you want? “ she asked without raising her head

“ Nothing much, where’s your friend?”

“ Don’t know either “

“ You expect me to believe that” Brooklyn raised a brow

“ Believe it or not, it’s your choice “

“ Didn’t you see the video? “ Brooklyn shivered “ I was humiliated . Why are you following her anyway?”

“ That’s my business if I decide to follow her “ Nora finished arranging her books and zipped her bag

“ My mom wants to see you after school “

“ Why?”

“ You should be excited to meet your aunt “ Brooklyn frowned

“ Why should I be? We see every weekend at the family dinner “ Nora shrugged “ well, if you excuse me”

Brooklyn watched Nora go. She really wanted to hit that girl but her mom needed Nora’s parents.

“ I can put up with it, this dysfunctional family “ she hissed and also walked away.

Nora barely left the school’s gate when she got a call. She looked at the caller ID , it was Rachel. She picked up instantly.

“ Hey Rachel, where have you been? You had me really worried, where are you? “ she asked in one breath but there was no reply from her friend.

“ Rachel, Rachel “ The sound was faint, very very faint before the call was disconnected. Nora panicked instantly, what if Rachel had been kidnapped? Was it because of her? She made Rachel go home late yesterday

“ Oh no, Rachel must be so so scared “ she said running frantically towards her house

“For the umpteenth time, I don’t see any calls you received from her” Rachel’s dad furiously said after Nora barged into their house claiming to have received a call from Rachel

“Please check again sir, I’m pretty sure she…….”

“Oh, would you stop it “ her father snapped it’s not even up to 24hours, how are you so sure she’s missing?”

Nora was dumbfounded and speechless after that

“You don’t get it sir , Rachel is not the kind of person to not come home or miss school,she balances those two things very well, don’t you care about her?”

“She is my daughter “he stood up, of course I do, but I wouldn’t have a measly teenager like you dictate to me my parental duties “he hissed” if she ever comes to your house instead of coming home, tell her she should return within the next 48 hours or else she’ll end up like her mother “.

“End up like her mother?” Nora questioned, she thought her family was dysfunctional but she was just wrong, Rachel’s family suffered from love,her entire family lacked love.

On her way out,she with one of Rachel’s step sister, sally .

“Please tell Rachel to come home “ she begged and Nora scoffed

“Your pretentious girl “ Nora muttered under her breath “ I will “ she said out loud and walked away

Nora did not even know where she was going, she kept walking straight and her mind wandered far. Was Rachel’s father actually right? Was she being too forward? Probably Rachel went far away and only wanted to contact her. Nora shook her head,”Rachel does not miss school no matter what “ she kept saying that until she unknowingly crossed the road and was heading toward the field opposite Rachel’s house. As she got closer, she saw something all too familiar, it was Rachel’s bag!!. She snapped back to reality and races towards the bag.

“Oh, Rachel “she muttered. She ransacked the bag only to find a few things in it …Her water bottle,her phone and her story book, the one she wrote. Nora turned on Rachel’s phone, the battery was low. For Some reason,she decided to check her call records and she saw something that surprised her. Rachel had not even called her today at all,what in the world was going on? Why did she receive and answer Rachel’s call in the afternoon? Why is her phone also showing no records of that particular call?

“Something strange is happening “.