What Would Mummy Say?

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Present

It was my fifteenth birthday today, five years since my big sister, Melissa disappeared. When she left that night, I was waiting in the closet for her to come back, but she never did. I fell asleep. My parents came and found me screaming in my sleep because I was so scared about what would happen to Melissa. Every day and night, I would wonder what happened to her. The media flooded our house for weeks until the interest eventually died. The bullying didn’t though. When you’re ten and in primary school, kids would think you’re weird if you had someone in your family that disappeared. This really mean girl named Ashley even said she wished I disappeared with my sister. Sometimes I wish that I followed her that night too. At least we would be together, and I didn’t have to stay awake every night thinking about where she was, who she was with. But I had to be a coward and hide in that closet while Melissa risked her life doing something I know I never could.

When Melissa disappeared, I tried to become more like her. Like, I could fill in her position and become two people.   But I could never be like her. She was brave and fearless. Not like me.

“Time for school, Violet. You don’t want to be late!” My mum shouted, her voice tense.

I do, actually. School is hard enough without the bullying. I snatched up my backpack and headed downstairs. On the car ride to school, I saw a shadow behind the big oak tree that stood in front of the central park. It was a shadow of a tall, male hunched over, waiting for someone. It looked very familiar.

*Flashback*

I was walking home from school with Melissa when I saw a tall boy leaning against the oak tree. He looked about Mel’s age and he was wearing dark wash jeans with a black leather jacket. When he saw Melissa, he looked up and beckoned her. I couldn’t see his face because he was wearing dark sunglasses. Melissa left go of my hand and walked slowly towards the boy.  As she came closer, he slapped her face hard. I gasped as a red mark started to form on her face.

Melissa ran back to me, her face emotionless. She grabbed my hand and walked me all the way home in silence.

*End of Flashback*

I never found out why that happened. Melissa told me to not question her about it. I wonder if she’s still alive. We hadn’t heard anything about her for three years. It was a closed case.

My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I picked it up and scanned the message. My heart skipped a beat.

Hey Sweetie,

I’m still here, in Newtown. I’ll be watching, even when you don’t expect it.

Love you lots,

Mel xx