GABRIEL
She hunched down to collect the cracked iPad. I’m done for. She murmured. I warped and grappled her hand so that she could stand and face me.
What do you mean there’s no one by that name? I asked. Do you by chance know the person I am looking for? Before she could respond a woman in her age range approached us. What is going on here, Maureen? She asked as she darted her eyes between me and Paige to the cracked iPad, and to where I grappled her hand. You’re always bringing trouble. She added. How many names does she have? The last time I heard she was called Paige. I thought.
Sir, did she give you a hard time? She asked, drawing my attention.
No, she was trying to help me but I accidentally knocked her down. I replied. She gave me a dubious stare. Alright then. Maureen, you can go. I will attend to him- I want her. I said curtly.
Delia, Maureen, what’s going on over there? An older man’s voice said through a walkie-talkie. Come on girls and get to work. Delia, head to table 4. Right there. Delia responded before turning to Paige or Maureen. “Count this as your last day here and him as your last patron.” She said to her and walked away.
As I began to saunter to the table to sit, Maureen stopped me…
Those tables are all reserved. Since you don’t have a reservation allow me to show you where you’ll sit. I obliged and followed her. I pulled out my phone and scanned their QR code and went through their menu. Their food menu is quite good but I don’t have an appetite for food since it’s not the thing I came to do. Can you just get me a black Russian? I’ll just have that. Is that all? She asked, giving me a look.
When she went off someone yelled at the waitress to increase the volume of the TV. Looking up at the screen was the news of the men’s bodies I murdered last night, in black and white. The blue-haired creep was narrating the story. The police warned the people to be careful of the stray wild wolf that came into town. I didn’t realise Maureen’s presence until the sound of a breaking glass that drew attention from other customers.
The news must got to her because of some connection she must have with them because she stumbled backwards before taking off.
Is she alright? We’re murmures from customers.
I stood up to go after her but my legs broke when catriona caught my eye. She was in deep conversation with an unfamiliar lady. My heart jammed a bit before racing in beats, an euphoric filled me. My breath accelerated. “Catriona!!” I spoke out her name as my favourite prayer. As on cue, she raised her head past the lady she was conversing with over to me, with that smile that drives me up the walls. The smile on her face dried up, her face conveying with worry and fear.
No, no. She said continually. I advanced to see what might be the problem but she didn’t let me reach her. “Don’t come near me.” She bawled at me and hurtled out. I followed her out but the more I got near her the more frightened she became.
Please Gabriel don’t come near me. She pleaded but I couldn’t just be here when I see she’s not alright. Pushing her pleadings I charged over to her and held her in my arms.
What’s the matter? Why are you so scared of me, pumpkin? It’s me pumpkin, you know I can never hurt you. Why are you running away from me? I asked but the only response I got from her while shaking her head was, “this can’t be real.” She escaped from my embrace and tried to run away again but tripped on her feet and crashed down.
You’re scaring me now. I whispered. People from the restaurant were now flocking one by one.
Jayden emerged from the throng knocking multiple people down as he rushed to Catriona and curried her in his arms.
Are you alright, baby? He asked. Just get me out of here. She replied. Jayden regarded me with a death glare. You’ll have to explain this to me. He mind-linked me before taking Catriona out of the people and into the parking lot to his car.
I hung in one place stationary, haggard and in despair while people throwed me all kinds of stares. Pulling myself together, I headed for my car. I collected Maureen’s scent using my powers and followed it to where she went off. Her scent trails led me to an old apartment flat that looked like it was abandoned in the ancient days and would collapse any time soon.
I knocked at what seemed to be her apartment door. It’s where her scent strongly comes from, mixed with a child’s. I continuously knocked but there was no response. I leaned on the door and spoke out, Maureen or Paige? Open this door before I break it in. I know you’re in there. No response. Alright then, I’m breaking your damn door. You gave me no choice. I said and stepped back a little to kick it down but it squeaked open. She opened a little and peeped through it.
I told you I am not Christina. What do you want from me? She said.
I leapt for the door and held it before she slammed it in my face.
You never told me you’re not her. I said. What does it mean? Are you that woman Christina? I pressed.
Who are you, really? What do you want from me?
Does it mean you are Christina?
There are some answers I am looking for from you regarding my stepmother. I mean no harm to you and the child you’re hiding in the closet. She gave me a perplexed look and was terror-stricken.
What answers are you looking for from me?
Zale told me you know something about the woman, Cora. How do you know her, and what do you know about her?
What I know is that she brutally killed my mother, surmising her for cheating on her husband which wasn’t true. She didn’t let me mourn for my mother because she sold me as a sex slave to the man that traded me to his partner’s son that turned my life upside down. That woman ruined lots of people’s lives for her selfishness and her pleasure. If she aims for something she makes sure she accomplishes it.
Is that blue-haired creep and his gang the reason you’re in this situation? I asked. She nodded. Is he the father of your child? I don’t know who the father is. She replied, her eyes glistening with tears. So, how do you live in such a place with a child? Don’t you have any other family members?
She bucked her head up to look me in the eyes.
Why are you so concerned about how I live my life? What is the real reason for approaching me? She asked.
“What’s wrong with me for acting so caring and concerned toward this woman? What is this feeling of wanting to help and protect her? No. That can not be me. The only woman I can go beyond extremes is Catriona. She’s the only one that gets my attraction. Now, what is this that I’m feeling?