Shaken and messed

Chapter 2

The battered alarm clock pierced the morning like a knife, filling the room with shrill ringing.

Carrie heard a forlorn groan from Bonnie, then a sickening smash as the alarm clock was thrown brutally at the wall.

Carrie sighed – that was another thing on her long list to fix, holding the unofficial position as 'the smart one' of the group.

Bonnie was the tall, sporty, clumsy yet soft and compassionate one. She could really understand and read people.

Melissa was the feminine, beautiful, yet toughest member of their small circle of friends. She came across as intimidating and bossy, but was really willing to go any length for he friends.

Hannah, on the other hand, was the creative, dreamy, funny one. She was always in her own world, and had a talent for all the arts. She could also make just about anyone laugh.

Then there was Carrie – she was nice and smart. That was about it.

It sometimes bothered her slightly that her friends had such colourful and unique personalities, while she was the dull, boring one.

It was the first day of year 10, and all three of them had worked very hard to be able to afford the fees for that year.

As they approached the school gates,out of the corner of her eye, Carrie thought she saw a man dressed in black observing her from behind a tree. She stopped, puzzled. She blinked twice and the man was thankfully gone.

“Carrie, come on” Melissa beckoned her impatiently, her hands on her hips. Carrie stared at the spot for a few extra seconds before following.

As soon as they entered the school gates, Melissa was swept away by her persistent and charming boyfriend, Matt, with many disapproving glares from Bonnie.

“I hate him” Bonnie insisted stubbornly when they were both out of earshot.

Carrie ignored her. “Have you got swim practice after school?” She asked.

“Yes” Bonnie smiled, returning to her bubbly self. “If I train hard enough maybe I can get myself a sports scholarship”

Maths was first. As usual, the teacher was late, so Hannah resorted to absent mindedly sketching the boy she liked who happened to be sitting directly in front of her, much to Melissa's entertainment. Carrie rolled her eyes, surpressing a laugh. 

“Is this seat taken?” Carrie turned to see a boy with dark brown hair, gentle grey eyes and a cute, shy smile.

She was instantly rendered speechless. She smiled at him and gestured for him to sit down, then buried her face in her textbook to hide the fact her cheeks had gone bright red. 

All throughout maths, Carrie couldn't concentrate. This didn't bother her at all, because she was able to ask him for help, which gave her an innocent excuse to stare at him. By the end of the period, she felt like she had known him all her life. She left maths with her head spinning, and for the first time, not with equations. 

Both Hannah and Melissa had gone to the pool to cheer Bonnie on (Carrie suspected they were going to see Matt and Ben instead of Bonnie) so Carrie was walking home alone.

Carrie was lost in thought about the new boy Anthony, so she didn't hear the tall man's footsteps behind her. He ventured onto the footpath. He watched her walking for a few seconds, motionless, before making his move.

“Carrie Edwards?” Carrie felt like someone had attacked her with a bucket of cold water. She turned slowly, her breath held, and saw a shady man with brown hair and pale skin, with a pair of dark sunglasses on.

“Carrie Edwards?” He demanded a second time, his voice ringing with authority.

Carrie remained frozen to the spot. She was debating whether to run or not, though she doubted she could if she tried.

He seemed to conclude she wasn't answering without further information. He reached his slender fingers into his pocket, (for one heart stopping minute Carrie thought he would draw a weapon) pulled out his wallet, revealing a shiny, silver badge. 

“Ms Edwards I'm from the LPD – the London Police Department, and we have reason to believe you have something that could be extremely valuable to the government”

He paused, and when evident she was too shocked to answer, continued.  

“I worked along side your mother, Mrs Louise Edwards – she had been granted possession of a very important file, which we have concluded remains in your possession”

He paused again, and this time, Carrie was able to form words.

“Where is my mother now?” Carrie stuttered. 

“That's confidential” He replied curtly.

“Then I'm sorry” Carrie responded firmly, regaining her confidence. “I haven't seen the file”

She turned and started walking away briskly.

“There is a reward of a thousand dollars for your help to the Law enforcement department” He added.  

She stopped. They needed the money to sort out their school fees for the next month – that money could grant them proper meals every day.

“This also goes on your record for your assistance to the force. You will be allowed access to confidential information regarding this matter, meaning you will be granted permission to view your mother's confidential police records" 

"Really?" Carrie felt elated. She was finally going to find out something about her mother. Maybe, she would also be able to track down her sister. Her heart swelled at the thought of seeing Penny again. 

"I'll find your file" Carrie stated confidently. 

"I'll contact you"  The man replied indfferently.

He turned and walked away, yet to display any emotion.

Carrie watched him walk away for a few seconds, feeling bewildered and perplexed, before heading home.

She couldn't believe a few minutes ago she was thining about boys, and now... 

She was going to find her sister! 

So where was she? How was she? and most importantly, what was she?  

Carrie walked home elated, her steps springier than usual.

Everyone she saw on the way home seemed brighter and smilier than usual. She wouldn't be surprised if she sprouted wings and flew - how was it possible a single conversation had solved most her life's problems? 

She unlocked their worn down door humming lightly to herself, feeling life was too good to be true - 

The smile was wiped from her face faster than it had come. She felt like she was falling from a tall peak. 

She had been brough back to reality...

Cold, harsh reality.