The Sheenite

Help me; I need your help✓

3:00pm

School was over. Sapphire could see Vanessa running to her with Valerie.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"Dad was meant to come pick me up today and he just texted that he would be late and you know what that means!"

"Fun time!!" We both screamed as we wiggled our hands in the air and gave ourselves a high five.

"Come on!" Vanessa said putting on a tinted glass and a hat.

"I got my best cover." We both laughed as we walked home.

"1....2.....go!" Vanessa shouted at the top of her voice. The kids clinged to the both of us as we crossed the road.

"Bye!!!" The kids chorused waving to us.

Bye!!" I and Vanessa said as we

waved back while Valerie barked.

"That's my girl." Vanessa said and we both laughed.

"Come on, let's buy some ice cream." She pulled me to the ice cream store.

Vanessa hardly leaves home, so whenever she had an opportunity to, she never jokes with it. We both came out of the store with an ice cream. Suddenly Valerie started running pulling Vanessa along with it's chain. I ran after the both of them, and we kept telling Valerie to stop but she didn't. Someone else was also excited of leaving home.

Valerie finally stopped and we both burst into laughter but stopped soon after in other to catch their breaths.

We were already by my house

"Home sweet home." Vanessa said as she looked at Sapphire's house from a distance.

"Let's go!!" She shouted and took Sapphire's arm turning to see, Mrs Hart, Mrs Johnson, Mr Jeremy, Mr Harry and Mr Caleb standing before her house.

'Whats going on in your house?' Vanessa asked

I froze.

Did something happen?

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me but stopped when I saw who was by the door.

The kids.

I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Darling Sapphire, open the door I know you are in there?!" Heather yelled as she banged the door.

"Baby, Sapphire isn't home yet." Mr Caleb consoled.

"That's a lie! Darling Sapphire closes by 3 and it's already half past 3!" Heather barked at her dad as she turned around but she caught sight of Sapphire just behind her dad.

"Darling Sapphire!" She screamed at the top of her voice and ran to me. I crouched to her height and we were locked In an embrace. The other pack turned at the scream of my name.

"Darling Sapphire?" They shouted and ran to me and we all locked in a group hug.

"You are late!" Pearl said just after we freed ourselves.

"I'm sorry, I was caught up with some things on my way home."

Gosh, this children always had a way to get to me. They just made me apologise to them.

"Hey look, it's Valerie!" Katie said and ran over to Valerie carrying her in her arms. The others admired Valerie rubbing her fur.

"Welcome home Sapphire, I apologise for the kids manners, they didn't even ask how your day went, but went about scolding you." Mr Jeremy said.

"It's nothing Mr Jeremy, I don't mind."

"Hey look who is here? Princess Vanessa!" Lori said

"Finally they noticed." She thought.

"How are you?" She asked as she gave Vanessa a hug.

"I'm fine Mrs Hart."

They released themselves off each other's grip.

"Wow, you still remember our names." Mr Harry commented.

"Why won't I? Everyone knows that asides my home, I consider here home as well. I know it's been a while, but that doesn't mean I would just forget your names Mr Harry. Here is my home, you all are."

I knew Vanessa was trying to impress everyone, mentioning Mr Harry's name at the end of the sentence wasn't necessary. Well atleast she got what she wanted, everyone nodded and smiled obviously impressed with her.

"Hey kids, look who we have here, princess Vanessa!" Mrs Johnson said to the kids.

"Hey." They all said void of emotions. It was obvious they weren't happy to see Vanessa.

"Hey." She said back and hid behind me.

"Okay then, we'll take our leave now, take care Sapphire and Vanessa." Mr Caleb spoke for the adults as they began leaving.

"Bye kids. Take care." They said.

"Bye!" The kids chorused.

I lunched under the doormat to get the key. Vanessa stuck to me like a fly even though the kids had all their attention on Valerie, she was still cautious.

"Upstairs!" I ordered and we all journeyed upstairs. I always avoided the kids staying in the living room. They could break things and sometimes hurt themselves with it all in the name that they are having fun, a wild fun. Yes, they were weird precocious kids and that's why everyone including their parents found it hard to control them. Everyone except me! So they were always conscious of not breaking anything whenever they were in my room. They wouldn't want to hurt their darling Sapphire and even if they did break things, I don't mind!

The kids sat on the bed all having their attention on Valerie admiring her. Vanessa took a chair while I dropped my bag in my cupboard.

"I wanna prepare something to eat..." I said closing my cupboard. "You have any special appetite Vanessa?"

"No anything will do." She answered not taking her gaze off the kids, their calmness was suspicious.

"Okay."

"Wait I'll come with you." Vanessa said bringing me to a halt.

"No you're not coming." I said and turned around to see Vanessa already on her feet. "I won't afford you getting hurt under my watch."

"But what about you, you could also get hurt, yet you are going, so why shouldn't I?" She asked.

"I can take care of myself, don't stress yourself on this issue please. We both know you don't enter the kitchen, you are a princess."

"Are you really saying this to me right now, I'm in your house, we always do things together."

"I know, but not this time. I'll handle things myself. Stay here and have some rest or watch over the kids." I said and left the door even when I knew she wanted to say something. Vanessa fell back to her chair.

"How dare you?" Pearl asked in fury.

"How dare you come here on SPD!" Jennifer added.

"SPD?" Vanessa asked.

"Yes, Sapphire's pack day!" Heather said as she hit her hands on the bed with anger.

"We all know you stole Sapphire from us and no matter how I hated that we shared her with you, I always tried hard to keep myself put. Even her calling you best friend annoys me to my bones because, that was supposed to be our tittle! Yet, that wasn't enough, you also dare to come here on Sapphire's pack day! That is unacceptable!" Amanda yelled.

"Attack pack!" Katie ordered as she carefully placed Valerie on the drawer.

Heather and Jennifer pulled her by hand and pushed her to the bed allowing her to lie on her back with her arms and legs apart. They began hitting her with pillows while some, teddy bears. Valerie kept barking on and on while Vanessa tried to shield herself with her arms but it was of no use. The door opened.

"What's going on?" I asked feigning ignorant.

"Oh thank goodness." Vanessa muttered.

"Nothing, we were just playing with our princess." Katie answered.

"All over her?" I asked. I could see Amanda tangle Vanessa's hair around her index finger.

"That's not tr..." I heard Vanessa say but Amanda interrupted.

"Yes, darling Sapphire, we were just playing with Vanessa's hair just like we play with yours. Isn't that right Vanessa?" She asked pulling her hair.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Vanessa shouted to the pain she received.

"Okay, that's nice. Carry on then." I said and closed the door.

"So you wanted to tell on us huh?" Pearl asked.

Vanessa shook her head harshly.

"Attack people!" Katie ordered again and they pounced on her again.

With Vanessa's little strength, she pushed them away and ran. They chased after her around the room.

I smiled to myself as I heard Vanessa's screams. The kids and Vanessa never got along and I wasn't oblivious to that fact. They always argued about who deserved me more and ended up in fights. Even the almighty Vanessa was so scared of them that I wondered how she managed to save me from bullies at school and couldn't safe herself from little children. Still, I always wanted them to get along, that's the main reason I left her with them but it always ended up in mess.

"Ahhhhh! Sapphire save me! Help me!" She screamed running downstairs and hid behind a chair.

"Come out! They didn't follow you." I said preparing the table.

"Those tiny witches, they almost killed me." She came out of her hiding place panting while I handed her a glass of water.

"You didn't even safe me." She said dropping the glass after she took a sip.

"Safe you? Come on! From those tiny kids, it's something you can handle."

"Handle? You know I and those kids don't ever get along. And besides, children are not my thing. Imagine they say I stole you from them, they stole you from me! They are the thieves here!"

My room door opened and Katie's voice came ringing.

"Princess aren't you coming upstairs to play with us, we miss you."

"No thanks. Play with Valerie instead. She would love to play with you." Vanessa replied.

"Okay." Katie said and banged the door. She was disappointed. I laughed.

"Don't laugh, it's not funny." Vanessa said helping herself with the berries on the table.

"Matilda's case didn't end well. And her dad lost lot of supporters already." She added definitely to change the subject.

"Yeah it might get worse if the case gets stretched than necessary."

"How?" She asked.

"Someone has to take all the blame to suffer all the consequences, otherwise both of them are going to suffer loss."

"Your right. That's why it seems as if someone is firing it up as though there is something they are trying to hide, so they are trying their possible best to close the case so whatever they are trying to hide doesn't blow out. I feel there is a deeper secret that shouldn't be found."

"You are right about that."

"But what if Amanda comes to us for help, how are we going to help her." Vanessa asked as she helped me set the table.

"We'll look for evidence, visit the club of the incident, see if we can connect any dot."

"I doubt we'll find any, I mean the police must have turned that place upside down doing their investigations."

"You are right, but there is no harm In trying. And remember, the original video is still out there."

"Regina made sure to wipe that out of the internet."

"Yes, but someone other than me would have seen that video and maybe saved it."

"I hope so."

I Perceived a familiar scent and heard the footsteps of someone approaching.

"Mom." I blurted. Immediately, the door opened revealing my mom.

"Your instincts are always right Sapphire!" Vanessa said as she snapped her fingers.

Scent. Everyone has a scent and that's why Vanessa is sitting in my house so comfortable. Ever since we were little, she always comes to my house like this, but will always return to school on time without her getting caught. That was because I could smell and feel whenever someone was on their way to pick her. Of course I knew all their workers and their scent. Her and my parents called it 'high instincts', but only I knew what it was.

"Oh my goodness! Is that my princess?!"

"Yes! mom!" She squealed grinning.

"Come here!" My mom said with her arms wide open. Vanessa met her halfway and they were locked in an embrace.

"How are you?!" Brenda asked.

"I'm fine mom." She answered as they both released themselves.

"Yeah I can see that. it's really been a long time. I missed you."

Awwwn! your gonna make me escape from home more often." She said and the both of them laughed.

I cleared my throat, the both of them were acting so sweet. If someone told me that was an action of jealousy, God knows I wouldn't believe.

"Welcome mom."

"Baby how are you."

"I'm fine."

"I see the kids are home."

It was obvious. They were arguing at the top of their for only God knows what.

"Yeah, mom can you help me call them downstairs, so they could have something to eat."

"Okay.." She agreed leaving but stopped halfway.

"Is that necessary? I mean Vanessa rarely comes around, now she's here, you two should have fun together. So just eat and go out while I take care of the kids."

"You sure?"

"That's very lovely of you mom, thanks." Vanessa cut in as she took a seat.

"So Sapph, are we eating?"

"Yeah." I smiled and took my seat.

I creaked the door open and peeped to see how the kids were doing. They all had their attention on Valerie as they tried to lure her to sleep. They always loved doing this as though they would receive an award for it. But still thanks to Valerie, they were as quiet as ever. I quietly shut the door.

"Let's go." I said and beckoned to Vanessa. We both went to our backyard. There, we had a flower farm. I and Vanessa started the farm when we were little, but I had to take care of them since she was barely around.

"Oh my gosh, the sight is so beautiful." Vanessa said as her eyes grew wet, the tears never seemed to drop. That was a way to show she was impressed.

"Yeah isn't it." I concurred nodding my head.

"You've really done a lot of work without me."

"Hey, whatever I do, I do for both of us."

Vanessa breathed in the sweet scent that surrounded us. I knew what that could feel like, it makes one feel new, refreshed, reborn, and I could see that satisfaction all over her face.

"Okay, who wants to go biking?!" I asked. Trying to relieve the dull atmosphere.

"I do." She answered raising her hands.

"This time around, I get to seat in front, since the idea of biking was mine."

"If that's what guarantees this biking, then I can give you the front seat just this once." She said and we burst out laughing.

I and Vanessa always rode on a couples bike. She was always the leading lady as she always sat in front while I, behind her. This was my first time leading. I fetched the bicycle and we rode into the street.

Vanessa kept behaving like a kid. I didn't blame her, as in someone who has just been let out of a home prison, it wasn't easy for her to keep herself put. Sometimes this makes me wonder if she is indeed a princess, because she always acted plain, simple like an average person will. But I knew she did all that because of me, she didn't want me to feel belittled before her.

Suddenly my phone vibrated. I carefully fetched it from my back pocket so I won't loose control of the bicycle. I shouldn't have a first front bike riding record.

"Who's that?" Vanessa asked

"Matilda..." I could hear Vanessa catch her brakes and I immediately caught mine. "She texted me." I continued as I placed my legs on the floor to balance the bike. Vanessa did so too.

"What did she say?"

"Help me, I need your help." We just stared at each other.

We rode to school.

"Good day papa." I greeted our school's gate man who was in his late fifties.

"Good day Sapphire and Vanessa."

"We aren't late, are we?" I asked just to know if Vanessa's dad was there already.

"No you aren't. By the way, someone is here to see you. I let her in when she said she was her for you, but locked her up just in case." He said. I could see a key in his hand.

"She's here for us papa." Vanessa said.

"Okay then, have the keys." He said and stretched the keys to Vanessa who opened her hand while he dropped it in.

"The next room after my apartment." "Thanks papa."

"Hmm." He nodded and sat on the bench.

Our school closes the gate immediately all the students leave school, it was a rule, but the school gate has never been closed to us because of papa, we were his exemptions. We developed a relationship when I began greeting and referring him as papa. I guess he loved it and that was why he grew fond of I and Vanessa. Well, it could also be because we showed respect to him than other students at school. Which ever way, I don't know. Vanessa opened the door and let Matilda out. I could see her swollen eyes it was obvious she had been crying.

"I'm sorry I disturbed you girls, it's just that I didn't know who to turn to, and you are the only ones who believe me." Matilda said and silence fell.

"It was the first time he raised his voice at me, the first time he looked at me with so much hatred. My dad. I guess I deserved it, I didn't know when to ruin his career but at this crucial time he decided to do something so little for himself."

"Matilda, you didn't do it, someone else did it, so don't blame yourself."

"Yes I didn't do it, but no one believes me."

"And that's why we are here, so everyone could believe you, so everyone would see the truth." I added.

"How do you plan to do that?"

"We have to gather evidence some how."

"Maybe visit the club of the incident see if there is anything we could find."

"I'm sure we wouldn't find anything, Regina wouldn't be foolish to leave any clues behind. And besides, the police investigated already but didn't come out with anything reasonable."

"Still, we have to try..." I consoled despite the fast that what she said was true, Regina wouldn't be foolish to leave any clue behind after such a long time.

"Knowing fully well that the real video is out there?"

"Real video?" Matilda asked.

"You didn't know? The original clip that contained Regina dancing drunk in the club was uploaded first before it was replaced with yours." Vanessa answered.

"But I haven't seen a video like that."

"That's because she wiped it out of the internet."

"But, that doesn't mean it's not still out there." I said.

"You are right, that video will still be out there and we have to find it." Matilda said with her eyes suddenly lit with hope but was soon covered with a frown.

"What if we don't find it, we don't have much time."

"I know, that's why you and I should meet tonight, so we could go to the club."

"Good, so where do we meet?" Matilda asked.

"we'll meet at MS tower."

"Wait.." Vanessa interrupted.

"Aren't I part of this plan?"

"No you're not. I won't have you risk your life for this. I'll take care of this myself."

"Don't you dare! Sapphire I won't have you deny this from me. We are talking about our department here and you are saying that to my face?! I can take care of myself. I know what danger is and I can stay away from it. I won't have you do this. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not." Vanessa spoke. I could feel the authority in her, the royal authority. Now she acted like a princess, but she still sounded to me like she was trying to convince me.

"Okay, I won't stop you, but you have to promise to stick to me. I don't have the strengths to defend myself before Great Britain." I said and she nodded.

"We'll meet at MS tower, 7:00pm, don't be late Matilda, and if you can't come Vanessa don't push yourself too much."

"Don't bother about me."

Just then, I heard the screech of tyres and I tilted my head to the direction of the sound. Vanessa noticed.

"What's wrong?"

I remained silent. I took off her glasses and hat and walked in to fetch her bag from where we left it and I handed it over to her. She knew what that meant. She looked at me sternly expecting me to leave, but I just stood there. I didn't know why, maybe I wanted her to open up to me, I just had mixed feelings I couldn't understand. Matilda stood there confused. The cars were almost close to us that was when she decided to speak.

"Um.. I guess you'll have to take care of Valerie." She said yet I just stood there that wasn't the answer I was looking for.

"Um.. Sapphire..."

"Don't bother." I said and took Matilda's hand and went to a corner to hide.

Vanessa stood there covered with guilt.

"Hey darling, I'm sorry I'm late." Mr Scott said as he ran to embrace his daughter. Vanessa fell into her dad's embrace.

"You would have just sent someone to come fetch me." She said.

"I know, but I didn't, I promised that I was gonna come get you, and I don't like going back on my promises." He said and they released themselves.

"I'm sorry, come on, let's go." He said and ushered her into the car.

Vanessa heaved a sigh of relieve. Her dad didn't talk about Stacy, Sapphire was too close, she would have heard. They drove out.

I and Matilda came out of our hiding place as we left.

"Why were you hiding?"

"Don't ask me Matilda, it's complicated."

I pushed the bicycle to the gate.

"Papa, please permit me to drop this here?"

"Of course Sapphire, you can come for it whenever you need it."

"Thank you Papa, bye." I said and left the gate.

"Bye." He retorted as he closed the gigantic gate behind us.

"You call him papa?" Matilda asked.

"Yeah, I think he likes it." I answered and she nodded.

I could feel papa's gaze on us and I don't know why, soon I couldn't feel it again.

"I could drop you off." Matilda requested as she opened her car door.

"No, don't bother."

"I insist."

"Please, don't. Thanks." I said about taking my leave.

"Thanks." She said bringing me to a halt.

"Why?"

"For believing and listening to me."

"You shouldn't Matilda, that's our duty now. Support the truth. Still, you are welcome..." I said and took a few steps.

"Drive safe." I said and she nodded. She entered into the car while the driver drove away.

The streets were so lonely. Just then my thoughts ran to the kids. I began to wonder how they were doing. I took quick steps, I needed to get home as soon as possible, when suddenly I had this strange feeling. I stood for a moment. Maybe I walked too fast. But this feeling didn't stop it became worse.

My heart began pounding in my chest, so hard that it gave me an excruciating pain. I held my chest to see if it could relieve the pain but it was of no use. I opened my mouths to breathe I was suffocating, panting yet air seemed not to get to my lungs. Suddenly, this weird feeling stopped.

It stopped, why did it stop? What made it start in the first place?

Maybe something is wrong? Maybe this was a Sheenite way of getting a message?!

I have to get home as soon as possible. I thought and began to walk as fast as my legs could go, but the walk wasn't enough, it was like I was standing on a spot. I ran.