Beckoned Through The Dark

53 // Lesego // Switched At Birth

I knew Abigail and Clay were probably freaking out wherever they were, because they were still trying to figure out where I was. I'd taken out my sim card and turned off my phone after calling Mrs Martins for her address when I left Clay's.

I was aware it was a risky move to leave Clay's without protection or security, for all I know, someone could have been watching me.

I thought getting away from the two of them would give me some peace of mind, but my world was turned into a nightmare.

I was having strange, recurring dreams about some people I didn't know, and they keep calling me with a strange name, "Thatohatsi."

Sometimes on broad daylight I tend to see people that are not there, one being the lady that gave me a dress at the hotel.

It had been over two weeks since I moved in with Mrs Martins, and even though I trusted her with my life, I'd been sick from the very first day I arrived.

She's been trying her best to get me help, she even called her friends in the medical field, and they ran tests, but they were not finding anything wrong with me.

I didn't understand, and it was getting worse with each day.

I wanted to call Abigail, but my pride wouldn't allow me.

Mrs Martins walked into the guestroom and sat on the bed. "I think it's time we looked at other options, this is way beyond Western medicine," she said with uncertainty in her voice.

"You know I don't believe in those things."

"Dear, how is it possible that you are sick, but the doctors can't find anything wrong with you?"

I kept quiet. She was right, a lot of things were happening, I'd even started sleepwalking.

"We need someone with expertise in traditional methods." Abigail popped up first, but I shrugged it off. Either she was a Sangoma or she knew someone who was. As if reading my mind, Mrs Martins said, "I already called Abigail, she'll be here in a few hours."

I quickly sat up straight, leaning against the headboard. "You what?"

She threw me a serious face. "Young lady, I've been watching you grovel around for two weeks because of your pride. You seem to have forgotten that this is not just about you, there are lives at stake here," she scolded. "Get up and get yourself ready, because you have a long day ahead of you."

That really hit home, I'd completely disregarded my family's safety because of my anger and resentment towards Abigail and Clay.

I got ready, and then joined Mrs Martins in the sitting room.

She was seated on the couch while knitting a scarf.

"Do you remember the last time I called you and said I wanted you to meet someone?" She asked.

I nodded; how could I forget? If I remember perfectly, that was the very same night my life took a deadly turn.

I waited for her to elaborate, but she did not say anything.

Finally, after two hours, Abigail arrived.

It was awkward seeing her for the first time in two weeks, especially after how things ended.

Surprisingly, she looked great. As a matter of fact, she was glowing.

"Hey," she greeted.

"Hi." I waved awkwardly. "You look great."

She blushed furiously and looked away. "Uhm...are we going to stand here all day?" She joked, and we all laughed.

Mrs Martins showed to the sitting room where we settled, but not even five seconds later, there was a knock at the door.

"Are you expecting someone else?" I asked Mrs Martins.

"Yes!" She said as she rushed to answer the door.

She walked in with a strangely familiar face.

"Bridgette?" Abigail said.

"Abigail," the woman said in a soft voice, a tight smile on her face. "I heard you were looking for me."

"What's going on here?" I finally asked, and all three sets of eyes turned to me, and the striking resemblance between Abigail and this Bridgette lady sent me into a minor stroke.

She was tall and slender, and had fair skin, almost the same complexion as Abigail. What baffled me the most was that she was the same lady I met at the hotel.

"Lesego, good to see you again." She extended her hand for a handshake, but I just stared at her.

With cautious steps, I made sure to keep some extra distance between us. "Who are you?"

"Right, guess I deserve that." She retracted her hand and placed her bags on the coffee table.

How long was she planning to stay here?

Before I could say anything, Mrs Martins stood by my side and squeezed my hand.

I frowned at her, wondering what was with the sudden move.

"Lesego, this is Bridgette, she's a Sangoma," she said, and Bridgette nodded.

I looked at her, then at Abigail. "I get that part, but what I don't get is why the two of you look so alike."

Abigail looked like she was ready to blow up, she'd been like that since Bridgette arrived.

The tension in the room shifted as Bridgette turned to look at Abigail with an apologetic look in her eyes.

"I am her mother."

I looked at her and burst into a full-blown laughter. What the hell? Does she think I'm an idiot?

"I'm sorry, say what?" I asked with my hand on my chest.

"I'm her mother."

I waved her off. "Yeah, right."

Abigail sucked in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. She threw Bridgette a look that made me choke on my breath. "She's my biological mother," she said before storming out of the room.