LIFE AFTER DEATH.

SIGHT SEEING

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

I walked into the library and as the smell of fresh books graced my nostrils, it took me to heaven and back. I missed being surrounded by books and the familiar smell made me remember home. I got teary. With pure joy, I walked past every shelf with my eyes fixed on each book, unsure of what to pick. I had many options, and for the first time in a while, I felt at peace with myself and the world around me.

My fingers brushed past each book, taking the author's name and book title in my head as I went. I felt the need to read murder mysteries, crime investigations, and thrillers. Those were my favorite genres. The need to dive into the extraordinary and question the psychology of human nature excited me.

Maybe it served as a desired escape from my extremely passive life.

My favorite crime authors were, Iris Johansen, and Lisa Gardner. I settled for the killing hour by Lisa Gardner. As I felt the mixture of warmth and cold from the book, I decided to read at the library instead. I wanted to pass the time and live the particular moment to the fullest. I didn't know when this joy too, would be taken away from me.

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

" You're here? "

I was startled to hear a familiar voice echo behind me, it was Melanie's. Before I got the chance to think of a reply, she brushed past me and made herself comfortable right next to me. I had no option but to make space for her.

I was bothered, I craved the loneliness and serenity I had a few seconds before Melanie came. The whole point of my reading in the library was to have some peace. I didn't know if that was a possibility now. The distressed look on my face vanished when I saw Iris Johansen's The killing game in Melanie's hands. My heart instantly skipped a beat, the book was close to my heart as it was my favorite crime book.

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

" You read crime too? " I was forced to ask.

" I live for crime! "

Melanie sounded happy as always, and to be honest, it was beginning to spread to me.

" You picked Iris Johansen. " I said that with a smirk. I was pleased.

" I love Iris! I figured it would be a good book! "

I could hold back the urge to spill, " It's an amazing book! Trust Iris to bring words to life! " I noticed my voice was high-pitched. It was unlike me to be noisy in the library.

" We both love Iris, that's so cool. "

She looked genuinely happy and I was thrilled, maybe her company wouldn't be so bad. I settled in next to her comfortably and watched eagerly as she opened the first page.

" Don't you dare do what I think you're about to do? " Melanie replied, looking at me funny.

" What do you mean? " I asked her.

" You're about to spoil it for me, don't you dare. " She playfully waved the book at my face and laughed.

I nodded, smiling, " Okay, okay, I'll let you read in peace. "

" Thank you. " She retorted.

" Although I doubt that you have the heart for it. " It looked like a tease, but I meant it.

" Excuse you, what makes you think I don't? "

I scrutinized her and sighed, " You love the color pink and you're always cheerful. "

Melanie laughed, " And so? "

" It's gonna traumatize you. "

I saw the smile disappear from her face, it was sudden but I felt the vibe change.

" Trust me, I've seen more than you think. " Her voice dropped.

We both exercised our focus on ourselves, and all the while we talked about our lives. Melanie did more of the talking since she had a lot going on compared to me, but I didn't mind listening to her. I would occasionally check to see if the librarian was coming. I couldn't afford her to catch me and to miss out on the story Melanie was spilling. My book could wait.

" It's always nice to be around friendly faces, Amaka, you should try it. "

" Yay, " I dramatically said, " Teach me how to make friends. " I was kidding.

" Of course! that's my specialty. " Melanie didn't get the joke.

" It was a joke. " I told her.

" You should really go to Scott's father's__

" Game shop opening... I forgot about that. " I was hoping she did.

" Doesn't look like you did. " She shook her head.

" I mean I didn't wanna go__

" Please... "

Melanie took me by the arm and probed more, using her puppy dog eyes to the fullest effect.

" So who else will be coming? " I played that off as though I was uninterested, but it deeply mattered to me.

" Basically everyone in the crew and half of the school, " She replied excitedly.

I arched my brow, " The crew? "

Melanie sat close to me, so I felt it when she trembled.

" Did I say, crew? silly me... " She chuckled, " That's just what I call my friends. "

" That's just weird. "

" So are you coming or not? " She hastily asked.

" Maybe tell that to Jojo? " That's right, I wanted to understand the friendship between the two. They say opposite attracts so that might be the case. But it would also be an interesting story about them and I wanted to hear it.

" Jojo is coming. "

That wasn't what I expected to hear, she wanted a friendship genesis story.

" She is? "

" I know you think Jojo is...

" Uninterested in social gatherings or interacting with people. " I smiled wholesomely, " I'm like that, so it's easy to recognize one of us. "

" You're right, but she's coming. "

I began to understand why things were happening the way they were.

" I get it, she's coming because you are, she's watching out for you. "

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

We spent a total of four hours in the library, I heard a lot of stories to write ten seasonal movies and I smiled regularly too. I think it was the Melanie effect. She had called her mom to pick her up and once again convinced me to hop along, and I agreed.

Melanie's mother was no different from her. Free-spirited, jovial, chatty, full of smiles, loved bright colors, and also possessed an attitude that concerned me, the need to please people. It took me a tad longer to pick it up and Melanie's mother made it easier.

I was taken home and I hugged Melanie goodbye, she promised to text when she got home and I knew she would keep to it. I was tired and hungry. I had enjoyed my evening and needed to rest. I had my earphones plugged in my ears as I entered my room, and one sight made me flip the earphones away in fury.

Not only was my window wide open, but the floor also had muddy footprints and some appliances tossed to the floor. I didn't need anyone to tell me that Tess had let Curly into the house through my window, but did she have to make such a huge mess?

I stormed out of my room in anger and headed to Tess's room. I had to put an end to it at an early stage. The sounds I heard as I approached the room made my speed reduce, my ears keener and my eyes sharper.

I heard soft moans and strong ones. I heard tapping sounds and sounds likened to wood hitting a strong surface. The whispers and silent talk that followed sealed the deal for me, but I moved forward.

I wanted more, I yearned for more information. As I got closer to my destination, my mood changed. It changed from that of an angry person to someone eager to see something familiar, something that broke my family. But the vibes were different from the sounds and my body tingled.

Lucky for me, Tess's door was open, as I expected, their positioning was also different. It was Tess lying down with one of her legs suspended in the air and Curly trapped inside it.

They were having s*x.