Clues before Christmas
By Peony mira
Date: August 28, 2024
Ch. 4Regrets


Mia: No, I couldn't have imagined it. I heard the knock twice!
Narration: she stares at the dark empty hallway.
Mia: Why did they leave the place so dark?
Narration: She grabs the door to close it but stops as she feels watched.
Mia: Who is there?!! Show yourself! Stop freaking me out!
Narration: There is no answer but she still feels watched.
Mia: Hell, this is driving me nuts. Who is it? Stop your dirty games.
Narration: she turns to enter the room but freezes when she feels a pair of hands on her shoulder.
Mia: You finally want to show yourself, freak!
Narration: She hits the person in the face.
Andrew: Ouch! What did you do that for?
Mia: Shit, Andrew I'm so sorry. I thought you were...
Andrew: Who? You thought I was who?
Mia: That freak, uhmmm, person... God, how do I explain this?
Andrew: You can start by calming down first. Breathe in and out.
Narration: She does so.
Andrew: Now tell me what the issue is.
Mia: How long have you been standing there?
Andrew: huh? I just got here.
Mia: Did you meet anyone on the up?
Andrew: No, no one was here. They are all downstairs preparing for the prayer remember? And by the way, people hardly come here.
Mia: Then was I imagining it?
Andrew: imagining what?
Mia: Well, I heard a knock on the door, and when I asked who it was, there was no answer.
Andrew: You heard a knock? Are you sure?
Mia:  I am sure. Well, I think so.
Andrew: I don't think so Mia. No one was here.
Mia: But Andrew...
Andrew: Look,  this is all in your head. It must be all the stress from whatever has happened.
Mia: No, Andrew, I heard the knock twice. I think someone was here. Or probably still here. The hallway is dark. The person might be hiding there. Trust me.
Andrew: Okay, let me check.
Narration: He turns on the flashlight on his phone and heads to the hallway.
Andrew: See, there's no one here. It's empty.
Mia: But Andrew,
Andrew: No Mia, you are just stressed out. I think you should go get some rest.
Mia: Rest? Yeah right, like I have time for that.
Andrew: I'll keep investigating. Just go get some rest.
Mia: You are not the one who is about to get punished for someone else's deeds.  That's why you are talking about rest.
Andrew: Stressing yourself won't get you out of this either. Look, you are even hallucinating.
Mia: I'm not hallucinating... Huh, you know what Andrew? Let's not talk about rest or hallucinations again. Let's just focus on the important thing. Getting me out of this shit.
Andrew: Okay, fine.
Mia: Now, tell me you have a plan. Tell me you have a lead.
Andrew: Not really. But I did find out that Zachary was awake that night.
Mia: Do you think he might have left the house?
Andrew: I'm not sure of that. But I do know that he was on the phone around 2 am. It lasted for an hour. And after that. He made another call around 4 am.
Mia: That means he was awake most of the night.
Andrew: Yes. I assume. But these are all assumptions and won't take us anywhere.
Mia: How did you know all this? The phone call stuff.
Narration: Andrew pulls out a phone from his pocket.
Mia: You stole his phone?
Andrew: I wouldn't say stole.
Mia: Smart.
Andrew: really?
Mia: Yeah. Let me see.
Narration: he gives her the phone.
Mia: Hmmm, the calls are all from unknown numbers.
Andrew: Yes, that's what makes it creepier.
Mia: Did you check other things like messages?
Andrew: No.
Mia: You should have done that. Maybe they'll be something.
Narration: She opens his inbox and scrolls.
Mia: Andrew look.
Andrew: What does it say?
Mia: it says "I'll be there in a minute"  Zachary sent it to that same number. Around 3 am.
Andrew: Shit, that means he did go out.
Mia: We have to give Mike this piece of information.
Andrew: sure.
Narration: Andrew's phone starts ringing.
Mia: Who is that?
Andrew: My mom.
Narration: he picks up the call.
Mrs . Brown: where are you? The prayer is about to start.
Andrew: I'm kind of busy mom, I don't think I can make it.
Mrs. Brown: You just lost your fiancee and now you are too busy to attend prayers organized for her? Plus the priest needs everyone there so he can ward off all the evil eyes.
Andrew: Mom, there's no such thing as evil eyes. Please.
Mrs. Brown:  say whatever you feel. I want you here this instinct! No excuses. Oh and bring Mia too.
Narration: She hangs up.
Andrew: Shit.
Mia: Let's just attend the prayer. I'm sure it won't take too long.
Andrew: we don't have time.
Mia: let's just go check it out. We can leave when no one is looking.
Andrew: fine.
Narration: They leave for the prayer.
Narration: 1 pm.
Narration: Everyone was present downstairs. Mia and Andrew join them.
Janice: Look who's finally here.
Angela: Andrew, I don't understand you. Whatever you are up to. Just know that it's wrong, plain wrong.
Ryan: Can you guys just cut it off already?
Janice: Of course, you'll support him, he's your brother isn't he?
Sophia: Just shut up Janice.
Mrs Brown: Kids, please, Be calm, for Clover's sake.
Narration: They all sit, surrounding the priest who was about to begin the prayers.
Mrs. Brown: The prayers that will be conducted are normally done in my hometown in Asia.  You are not familiar with it, so just follow the priest's instructions.
Priest: Let the deceased's father come forward so we can pray for his daughter's soul. And also his family's safety.
Narration: Mr Derrick does as he was asked and the prayer begins.
Priest: The rest of you close your eyes.
Narration: They all do so.
Narration: Mia feels that she is being stared at again. She opens her eyes.
Mia: Is someone looking at me?
Andrew: What? What did you say?
Mia: Oh, you heard that?
Andrew: yeah, you were a bit loud.
Mia: I feel like someone is watching me.
Andrew:  hallucinating again? You should go get some rest.
Mia: No I'm fine.
Priest: Silence, please.
Mia: Sorry.
Narration: She closes her eyes but opens them again.
Mia: what?
Narration: Just as she felt, in the farthest corner of the room, a pair of blue eyes staring intently at her.
Narration: Mia screams loudly.
Janice: What the heck?
Andrew: Mia are you okay?
Narration: They all leave the prayers and go to Mia.
Mrs Abigail: Baby what's wrongs.
Narration: Mia point at the far end of the room.
Kevin: Mia what is it?
Mia: staring at me!
Kevin: What? What are you saying?
Mia: Someone there is staring at me.
Narration: Andrew walks to the direction and raises the curtains.
Andrew: There is no one here. Are you sure you saw something?
Mia: Yes! I did. Someone has been keeping an eye on me, watching me. I could feel it.
Kevin: But no one is here. It's all in your head.
Janice: Mrs Brown, can we continue the prayer. This bitch can't have enough attention now can she?
Mrs Brown: Sure dear. But first, What is wrong Mia? I hope you are fine.
Mia: Yes ma'am, I'm fine. But I swear, someone is staring at me.
Andrew: You know what, I'm going to take her upstairs. She's probably stressed with all what has been going on.
Janice: You can't leave, this prayer is for your late fiance. Remember?
Andrew: But Mia needs help.
Janice: isn't that what her family are here for?
Mrs Abigail: I'll take her upstairs. There's no need to worry.
Janice: Good.
Narration: Mrs Abigail and Kevin take Mia to the room.
Kevin: Mia? What is wrong with you? What were you talking about downstairs?
Mia: Kevin I saw it. I saw it. 
Mrs Abigail: What did you see baby?
Mia: Blue eyes. Those eyes have been on me. Staring at me. That person have been keeping an eye on me since when I returned from the station.
Kevin: sis, that's it, you've lost it.
Mrs Abigail: Be serious for once in your life Kev.
Kevin: Sorry.
Mia: I knew it. I knew I shouldn't have come here. All this wouldn't have happened. I told you I didn't want to come Mom!



Comments
SettingsX
Font
Font size
Font color
Line spacing
Background color