BLINDED

1

My shift was finally over and now I could go straight into my room and sleep under the comfy blanket. I increased my pace as it was getting darker. The cold wind blew across my face and I felt at ease. Life was never easy for me particularly when fate decided to leave me orphaned in this cruel world but at least I had Suzy who treated me like her own sister.

Within no time I reached the flat that I shared with Suzy. I saw her peacefully sleeping and a small smile crept on my face. Suddenly my eyes fell on a photo frame from our childhood and my mind traveled back to ten years. Suzy had introduced me to her friend named Jenna who then became my best friend. I wonder how is she doing now. The last time I saw her was before she left for the United States along with her family. She had given me a locket as a sign of our friendship but unfortunately, I lost it. I remember crying my heart out.

I came back to reality when I heard my stomach grumble. I had my dinner and went to sleep. I woke up with the sweet smell of food hitting my nose. "Lia, go freshen up. The food is ready" I heard Suzy yell from the kitchen. After breakfast, I immediately left for the café, where I work.

"Good morning Jessica" I greeted my co-worker. Apart from Suzy only Jessica was my friend. I've had a lot of friends before, but one by one they all left, it hurt me in the beginning, but now I'm used to it. "Wassup Lia" she responded with a smile. Soon our shift started and we got busy.

"Are you free tomorrow afternoon?" Jessica asked. I knew if I agreed, Suzy would be mad. She never liked Jessica and when I asked her the reason, all she said was "She gives off negative energy". I came back to reality when Jessica snapped her fingers right in front of my face. "Sorry, I'm not free tomorrow. I gotta go grocery shopping with Suzy", I replied rather immediately. She seemed disappointed but not surprised. Jessica did not like Suzy either, she also said some ridiculous things about her that I didn't believe. Soon the shift was over and I went straight back to my flat.

I was met with a worried Suzy. "Lia, I'm scared, I feel like someone is following me" she said anxiously. "Okay calm down first and then tell me everything in detail". After her breathing became steady, she spoke once again. "I was coming back from the office and I could hear footsteps behind me, but every time I turned around, there was no one. I increased my pace but the sound of footsteps did not stop. This continued until I reached home." I was perplexed as to why would anybody follow her. I advised her to carry pepper spray as a measure of self-defense. Soon both of us went to sleep.

The morning came and as usual, I got ready for my work. Before leaving I told Suzy to stay safe and call me if anything goes wrong. Soon I reached the café. In a short time, I was done with my shift and instantly went home. I made lunch for Suzy and me, as she had a half day too. It was already 2 but she wasn't home. I tried calling but her phone was switched off. Panic rushed through me. I immediately called Suzy's colleague and asked about her whereabouts but what she then said made my limbs go numb "Suzy didn't come today".

Negative thoughts rushed through my head. I decided to go in search of her and ask neighbors if they had seen her. Soon it was evening and there was still no sign of her. Suddenly I remembered what she had told me once, "If one day anything bad happens to me it's probably because of Jessica. She has always been my rival since my college days. Her crush had confessed to me in front of the entire college. Ever since then, she has made it her motto to ruin my life." I decided, if Suzy wasn't back by today then I would confront Jessica tomorrow. Soon it was night but there was still no sign of Suzy.

Soon the sun rose, I rushed to the café and encountered Jessica. "Where is Suzy?" I straight away asked her. "What are you talking about?" She responded acting dumb. "I know you have done something to her. She is missing since yesterday. Drop your act, if you do not tell me where is she, I wouldn't think twice before going to the police " I said furiously but it didn't seem to affect her. "Then go ahead. Why are you standing in front of me? Maybe she is in hell for her wrongdoings". That's it, I couldn't take it anymore, I slapped right across her face. "You are the one who should be in hell" saying I walked towards the police station and filed a missing report while I also gave them a clear detail about Suzy being followed by someone the day prior.

Days passed and I started losing hope. I never felt this lonely and broke. I felt a sudden urge to go through our childhood pics. I searched for a while and found it inside the drawer. As soon as I opened the album, a small key fell out of it. I closely observed the key and it had a very familiar design printed over it. Then it hit me, the same design was printed over Suzy's secret diary book. I exactly knew where she had kept it so I immediately rushed and brought the diary in the hope that I'd find some clue. I slowly inserted the key and opened the lock. I flipped the book open and started going through the pages. I was terrified by the sight in front of me.

The book was filled with pictures of my ex-friends and a cross mark on their faces. I felt a pang in my heart as soon as I realized that she was the reason why they left me. I felt betrayed, hurt and dumb. Why would she do this to me? was the only question that ran through my head. Suddenly I heard a knock on the door, my body froze and I could hear my heart pound. With wobbly steps, I headed toward the door and unlocked it.

There she was, standing with a smirk plastered on her face. "So you found out," she said nonchalantly. All I could do was stand there and cry, I felt my heart break into tiny pieces. She slightly pushed me aside and entered. "W-why did you do this?" I asked her faintly. "You're asking me why? Isn't it obvious that I hate you? Oops! Did poor Lia think that I love her and that she is the most precious thing to me? You are wrong sweetheart. I've hated you since we were kids. Do you remember Jenna? My best friend whom you stole from me? I introduced you to her because you didn't have many friends but then I ended up with no friends. I could never forgive you for that and that's why I decided to take all your friends away. When she left for the US, she gave you a locket and nothing to me. Don't tell me you still think that you lost that locket, I crumpled it under my foot and threw it somewhere far."

I fell to my knees and cried hysterically. She stood there enjoying the view. "Then why did you lie about someone following you?" I asked. "Because I knew the dumb you would go to the police and file a missing report about me. And if I was missing, your murder blame would never come on me. Okay now enough of your drama, it's time for you to leave the earth so that I can live peacefully" saying this she walked towards me with a knife in her hand. Just when she was going to stab me, the door opened with a loud bang. Jessica came along with the cops for my rescue.

Flashback
While I was going through her diary my eyes fell on a red light that sparkled behind the flower vase. I immediately knew that she was watching me through the CCTV and would come and hurt me, after all that's what psychopaths do. I straight away texted Jessica and explained the situation.

The cops then arrested Suzy and took her along with them. I hugged Jessica and burst into tears. I repeatedly apologized to her and she willingly forgave me. The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies but from your dearest ones. What a plot twist you were.