SOLD TO MY ARCH ENEMY

CHAPTER FIVE

“Meet me at Rose children’s park by 3pm today”

That was all the second text read. My heart began pounding like a thousand drums in an African festival. No, I couldn’t tell officer Nagato.

This has to be off the police table to be something.

I ran to my phone to check the time. 7:14 am? How could it be just 7:am I could have sworn I sat staring at the computer for 10 hours.

I began to pace around.

Who could this be and what do they want?

It could be a trap…who knows, it could be the killer and they just want to finish off the other twin another voice In my head popped.

But this could be the answer. This could be all I need to know the truth and at least create a pseudo filling for the hole in my heart.

A quick rap on the door yanked me out from my thoughts.

The door opened and my mum walked in. She looked frail. A tray with pancakes and a glass of chamomile tea sat carefully between her pale hands, her grip a little too tight.

“Your lights were on throughout the night” she said, her voice a husky whisper.

“I couldn’t sleep” I replied while avoiding her intent gaze.

She walked to the table and placed the tray beside the computer.

For a second my heart skipped a beat, I was scared she would see the message

She couldn’t Jenn,calm down

Mum sat on the bed, right on the edge like it was the first time she was sitting on my bed. She placed her hand softly onto bed as if to smoothen it, still gazing at me she spoke.

“I know you’re hurting jenn…” she paused as if it was hard to complete the sentence. “We all are.”

She turned to the computer and then back to me then continued. “All this anger wouldn’t help you heal. I need you here Jenn. I and your father cannot lose you too.” Her voice ended in a trail.

It was the most words she had spoken to me at once since that day. A lump rose to my chest and tears welled up in my eyes… I turned to the computer.

And then I heard the door close softly…Only after she had gone did I regain my resolve.

The fear had evaporated when the tears dropped. I grabbed my hoodie and headed out.

It was already past 2 Pm and the air was damp. It had drizzled earlier while I willed away time at the Cafe.

I grabbed my phone and began to walk into the park. The park was almost empty because of the rain except for a couple who were jogging. And a teenager who looked homeless. I stared hard wondering if he sent me that message.

The couple had circled back and few more people could be seen sitting around. I looked around again ensuring I wasn’t secluded and could be seen in case of an attack, I was becoming restless.

Just then a saw a familiar figure walking briskly away, he/she has on a hoodie similar to mine, mine was a gift from Dennis and it had become a comfort thrown on for the past one year. I was still lost in my thoughts when a child walked up to me.

“Hello” he said shyly

I was startled and quickly glanced around to see if there was any adult with him.

He stretched his hand and handed me a purple leather bag.

“Oh”

He then turned in a slide and pointed in the direction of the hurrying figure, I looked up but he was gone.

“Did you see his face?” I asked my voice lower than usual as if to draw the little boy into my conspiracy.

But he shook his head in innocence and happily skipped off. I looked in his direction and noticed a worried mom with arms akimbo watching him return to her.

I felt the bag, trying to guess what was in it, my heart raced once again since the day began.

I need to be home right now

I half ran and half walked, my pace actively losing the race with my heart.

I Came out unto the road. Which was more busier than the park and steadied my gait.

I can’t run into anyone like this I said under my breath.

I was talking to myself. This truth hit like a bombshell and stopped me in my tracks.

If anyone I knew saw me at that moment it would solidify the rumors about my family.

Oh my God! I’m going crazy

I stopped a Cab and tried untangling my mind before I got home. The clouds were darker and it looked like it was about to rain.

The Cab driver was a local with a nice humour. But I couldn’t bring myself to smile or make small talk.

“You are so quiet, not like my usual tourists” his voice echoing the wrinkles that adorned his face and hands.

“You like Japan?” He said looking at the rear mirror. I nodded, my head bobbing up and down weakly.

Betraying a disinterest. I was Apologetic but couldn’t bring myself to interact any better.

His silence threw me back to my parcel.

I caressed the leather bag I was now holding to my chest like a teddy.

I sighed in relief when he turned to the gates of my home.

I sat on my bed and tore open the bag.

A bunch of papers. Research history. Everything I wanted to know on the M&M Gang.

I flipped open a page and a note fell off.

Dear Jenn,

Do not try to find out who sent this. But you should be aware of Mikel the Mafia boss who ordered the death of your brother and two others. They knew too much and were spies for a rival gang. ChIcago was too volatile so the hit was done in Japan. I am deeply sorry…