The car came to a halt as I looked out the window at the unfamiliar dark grey building although the weather was bright and sunny which it usually isn't,the building gave off a dark dull aura which I wasn't expecting although it was my thing. The environment was unwelcoming, everyman for himself, people walked in groups of two's or three's, some of them giggling, some serious but all seemed to have a destination in mind no one noticed I was there watching, observing....
Khessa! Khessa!hello....a female voice called snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yes aunty " I turned to face the middle aged lady holding the car door ajar for me to step out. I hesitated before I picked up my back pack and headphone, this was the seventh school this month and I was already tired of it.
The prestigious Elmore High best school in the states,a school of both the science and arts, the best students were nurtured and groomed here even some of the country's leaders went to this very school. It was the seventh school out of the ten my my therapist suggested and I was already beginning to get irritated. The other seven schools were okay if you reasoned rationally; standard classrooms, music rooms, sports area, cafeteria,in all a standard environment but the only problem in all this is I just couldn't reason rationally not anymore ever since that faithful day.....
"So?,what do you think?",Aunty Becca said looking at me with mixed emotions and held breath. Aunty Becca or Rebecca the sweetest creature on earth always going out of her way to keep me comfortable but these days I think she's becoming tired . Why shouldn't she be having to deal with a headstrong teenager.
I turned to her as we walked down the hallway to the principal's office for registration"it's okay",I said putting my headphone on .
"No! No! No young lady you need to be on your best behaviour today we talked about this on the way here you promised to give it a try at least if not for me,for your mum she wouldn't"...
I stopped abruptly almost causing her to bump into a student,the mention of my mum hit a spot I always avoided and denied was there,she knew she just touched a spot which we both dreaded to bring up. I faced her and handed over the headphone to pacify her anger for the time being,at least it wasn't her fault I was here in the first place.
We walked a little while asking for directions to the principal's office before we were able to find ourselves in front of an office clearly written PRINCIPAL on the door. Aunty Becca knocked twice to fulfill all courtesy because left for me I would just barge an old habit which had gone far unchecked. Walking in we met a sturdy woman probably the secretary with tiny sharp eyes too sharp they could cut through one's clothes.
"Oh you must be Miss Rebecca Franklyn the principal is right inside". Nodding our heads in appreciation we walked inside a well decorated office,the building wouldn't have given the slightest idea of such comfort,it looked like Professor Dumbledore's office from the movie HARRY POTTER, it had a classic yet modern artistry with furniture's of soft cushioning. I couldn't deny I was impressed and my aunty saw it clearly written on my face, maybe it gave her a glimmer of hope.
Standing up to greet us was a six foot five woman,yes she was tall and looked like she was in her early forties,the ring on her left hand indicated she was married probably with kids of her own,she was pretty,she had auburn hair, straight white teeth to give off a dashing smile that could capture a paparazzi,her nose was crooked a little only if one looked closely,her stature was poise and firm. She was a woman of aura and authority and she exacted it in every movement and stride.
" Miss Franklyn I'm happy to have you in our fine institute today "she said with a cheerful smile
"The pleasure is ours"
"Actually we don't usually accept students at midterm but I was informed of the situation and I did a little digging of my own and found out missy over here is a prodigy that could fit in perfectly in our school without any hitches but I also learner that she had previously been to seven other schools which didn't accommodate her in less than one week,so should I be worried ?"
" I can assure you my niece over here is absolutely one of the best students you have admitted so far and all those other schools were just minor hitches, besides I believe Elmore High has been what we have probably been searching for "
"Miss Franklyn we are one of best schools that we can assure you but considering both sides I think it's best your niece stays on a two weeks probation before she can be fully accepted as our students. On this days of of probation we will access her skill set both in the classroom and in the field to see if she's wanting in any aspect,if then she sees any reason to drop in this two weeks she will be allowed to do so."said Principal Matthews all still maintaining her front page magazine worthy smile
"I'm sure such reason won't arise principal you said so yourself my niece is a prodigy and your school builds prodigy's like her "
"Considering her past miss are you sure your niece is mentally and emotionally stable for this"
"Of course she is her therapist even recommend she enrolls in an academy"
"Ok then if you say so then I see no harm in trying but she will still be under my watchful eyes"
"Thank you principal".
"Your welcome,now miss Khessa Elizabeth Franklyn, I'm I correct?"she asked as she turned towards me .
"Yes ma'am".
"Tell me what do you think about Elmore High since you walked in so far"
I was hesitant for a while looking at my aunt who pleaded with me with her eyes.
" I think it's okay ,I might actually like it here ",I said with one of my fakest smiles. I just wanted to give my aunt a little relief St the moment because I had a lot of awful things to say starting from the boring building to the colour of the uniform,God this school couldn't even compete with my formal school Prescott Valley High .
"Splendid,so when can you start? Monday or maybe in two days?...
"Tomorrow" , said Aunty Becca immediately,I didn't know she would have loved to have me out quickly.
"Oh wonderful,now miss Winters outside will take you to the bursar to make all the necessary payments and show you around,I would then continue tomorrow by introductions".
Fast forward back to the car my aunty wouldn't stop chattering about how if I would just give it a chance,how I would love the school and how I would totally fit in with the other kids and make friends and start life afresh putting the past behind me,but what Aunty Becca didn't know is that nothing was in the past all that happened and is still happening is in the present,my present no one just understands . Besides I have already planned to stay in the school for just one week then it's back to my home schooling at least till I turn 18 in a few months from now I can then live on my own.
Back at home the once sunny weather turned dim signifying a down pour although the rain made everything green it still made the mood dull, anyways it doesn't matter everything on planet Earth had become boring ever since.
The clapping of thunder sent the entire house to a black out maybe a temporary outage I guessed.
Putting on my phone's flashlight I made my way to the kitchen to find some candle sticks to light up the environment while waiting for the lights to come back on . Opening the kitchen cabinets I found no candlesticks in any of them so I had to proceed to the basement to see if there were probably some in the in the boxes . As I reached the basement door I could hear some thudding noises as if someone was down there looking for something at first I thought it was aunty Becca but I later realised she stepped out to run a little errand as the maid and the butler were ill and the cook was on leave. I decided to count to ten to make sure I wasn't imaging or hearing stuff . But before I could finish I heard the same sound this time but it was louder,I quickly armed myself with a screwdriver and proceeded to open the door leading to the basement . Scanning the staircase as I descended,the sounds became louder my heart thumped with every step I took, steadying my voice I managed to scream"Who's there!" The silence that greeted me was deafening helping fuel my fear. So many questions crossed my mind,who was it?,what did they want?,are they here to finish me off?,my heart raced as I reached the last stairs I flashed the light around,my screwdriver ready for attack, finding boxes scattered everywhere some of them my mum's the rest were aunty Becca's. I was greeted by a group of rats having a party . Breathing a sigh of relief I put the boxes away I found the candles and headed upstairs. On getting up I saw a disappointing look on Aunty Becca's face for not locking the doors but I just had to narrate to her everything anyways. She listened to me in silence maybe she too didn't have much to say.
The nights dinner went as usual,quiet only the clattering of forks could be heard but one thing changed I ate up all the dinner which was unusual since I rejected almost everything given to me, I was a picky eater. I could see the amazement and hope in my Aunty's eyes, finally her work of parenting is paying off or so she thought.
I did the dishes quickly before going to bed,the night was cold after the heavy down pour Mr. Snuggles was going to be of good use today . Reaching my room door I opened it,my room was what you would call a standard teenage girl room it had all the aesthetics from the lights to the bed covers, Aunty Becca always looked for ways to spoil me well,since she hadn't children of her own I was now her own. I reached out for the side table drawers taking out a black book and pen ,I went under my bed cover tying an old woollen scarf around my neck I began to write....
Dear mum,
It's me again,how are you doing today over there?I hope you had your night coffee or at least you are preparing one. Yes I'm actually doing great I'm in chapter Ten of the anatomy book I borrowed from the library two days ago.
Today went perfect for Aunty Becca I didn't make a fuss and she said I was on my best and I think the school is probably convinced I'm beginning school tomorrow. The school isn't what I call fancy but it's something,Aunty Becca is praying I make new friends or at least last till a term ends but anyway we both know the two ain't happening. The therapist says I should get into more social contacts asides from going to the park to let me heal,she recommended a sleeping pill to help with the nightmares but it won't just go away.
I'm probably keeping you up,I miss you mum
Love
Heaven.
Maybe tomorrow won't be so bad mum I'll try for you.
Switching off the lights and getting under the blanket,in one arm I held a photo in and In the other I arm I held a Woollen blanky with my initials K.E sweetly embroidered on it . I quietly drifted off to sleep my only peaceful place where I could see her my angel and brightest star.
Aunty Becca gently tapping at the door peeped in to see a quiet bundle of human flesh already fast asleep with her jet black hair covering half of her face. Shifting the hair back she could see a year on her cheek,she used her thumb to wipe it off and bent over and gave her a warm kiss in the forehead and as if feeling it Khessa gave a gentle smile. Aunty Becca reached for the photo in her hand gently taking it with her as she left the room. She set herself on the couch in the sitting room and stared at the photo she had taken from khessa,It was a spitting image of the girl but with a more matured look and green eyes. Rebecca cried silently although she denied it she too missed her badly but she had to be strong.
"I'm trying Jackie",she between sobs "I'm really trying my best but you are better at this; please help me I need you too ".
The night was cool and silent only the night creatures were heard, the world was asleep but not all was asleep not far across a shadow was secretly watching the sleeping child, they have been watching ever since that day but didn't come close. Today's incident was just a narrow escape the compass must be found even if it means taking a life.