Retribution

CHAPTER 1

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?" Keith shouted at Maddie, her girlfriend. Keith is a lesbian while Cassie is bisexual. They've been together for three years. Many people oppose their relationship, but they fail to comprehend it because they genuinely love each other, and no one can break their bond.

"All I want to say is that I think it's the right time for you to speak with your parents. It's been three years, and I think it's time," Cassie replied, facing Keith.

"Why are you pushing me to talk to them? They disowned me before. What's the point? I don't care about them anymore," Keith said, walking towards their condo's kitchen. They had lived there together for two years. Keith pushed a chair at the kitchen table and sat down, looking despondent. Cassie took a seat in front of Keith.

"They're still your parents, though. I understand you're still angry with them because of what they did to you, but why don't you try talking to them? They've probably become more accepting of your sexual orientation. At the end of the day, you are their only daughter," Cassie responded, resting her palms on the table's surface.

"You know what? That's probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard from you," Keith said, standing up and pacing around the table near the kitchen sink. She stopped and leaned on the sink with her hands.

"My parents are both narcissists. They will never change, okay? They won't accept me, no matter what I say to them. Their minds are closed off. I know them better than you, so stop dictating to me," Keith said in frustration.

"I'm only trying to help you because I know you're still angry with them," Cassie said. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Who's that?" Keith asked, looking annoyed. It was too late for visitors or someone knocking on their door. Cassie shrugged, also puzzled. Keith sighed and walked towards the door. She checked the peephole, but she couldn't see anyone except their neighbor's door.

"Who's that?" Cassie asked, standing behind Keith.

"No one," Keith responded, still looking through the peephole. "No one's there."

"What do you mean? Then who knocked?" Cassie asked, looking concerned.

Keith was about to open the door when Cassie stopped her.

"Hold on! What if it's a dangerous person?" Cassie suggested. Keith turned to look at her.

"Don't worry! I can defend myself, and our building's security is tight. It's impossible for an intruder to get in," Keith assured her. She took a deep breath before finally opening the door. As expected, there was no one there except for a red cardboard box in the middle of the hallway. She glanced on both sides of the corridor, but there was no one in sight. Keith slowly approached the box and, when she was in front of it, she suddenly froze. She remembered something upon seeing the object. Keith slowly knelt and picked up the box.

"Babe, don't!" Cassie cautioned Keith. "That could be a bomb or something dangerous! Don't try to open it! Let me call the cops or the security guard!" But Keith seemed not to hear Cassie due to the mysterious item in front of her. Keith carefully removed the box's lid, revealing something that widened her eyes.

Cassie moved closer, quickly sitting beside Keith.

"What the heck is that? A cellphone?" Cassie asked, her face showing surprise. "And not just any cellphone, but an old one?" She wasn't getting any response from Keith, who still stared at the box.

"Babe, what the hell? Are you okay? It's like you've seen a ghost," Cassie said worriedly, noticing Keith's fear and astonishment.

Keith suddenly jerked and quickly covered the box again.

"Hmmm, nothing. I-I just remembered something," she said.

"What is it? Is it because of that box? Do you know who left it here?" Cassie asked Keith.

"Y-yes, I know," Keith stammered while still looking at the box.

"Who?" Cassie inquired.

"I-it's my m-mom," Keith hesitated. She wasn't sure whether to tell her girlfriend the truth or not. But she decided to keep it from her.

"Y-your mom left this here?" Cassie exclaimed in surprise, quickly standing up. "She might still be around. Wait, I'll find her."

"NO!" Keith stopped her. "No need to! I'll go after her myself. Just wait for me here," Keith told her.

"But..."

"Please, babe? Let me handle this. I'll be back," Keith reassured Cassie.

"O-okay, babe," Cassie reluctantly agreed.

Keith picked up the box and walked down the hallway to find out who left it. Meanwhile, Cassie entered their unit, still concerned about her girlfriend's wellbeing.

Keith stopped walking as the box was opened. Her eyes widened even more upon seeing the caller's name.

MARIAH

She answered the call, placing the phone next to her ear.

"M-Mariah?" Keith stuttered. But there was no response from the other end.

"I-is it really you?" she asked, trembling uncontrollably.

"Hi, Keith," the voice on the other end responded, causing Keith to drop the phone in shock. She gazed at the phone, but the call continued. Out of fear, Keith stared at it until the call ended, signaling that it had been disconnected.

The phone vibrated again, indicating a new message. Keith hesitated but finally picked up the phone and opened the message.

"Go to the rooftop."

Keith didn't immediately consider following the instructions, as she was aware of the potential danger. The phone vibrated once more, and another message arrived.

"Will you obey me, or will everyone find out about what you did before? Make your choice!"

The sender followed up with a video message, and Keith, with widened eyes, pressed play. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched the video, overwhelmed by fear and guilt. Her phone rang again.

"Mariah! Is that you? I'm sorry! I regret what I did to you!" Keith pleaded, her tears streaming down uncontrollably. She wasn't sure if she was talking to Mariah or someone else.

Her plea was met with sinister laughter from the other end.

"Keith, you're as persistent as ever. Are you really not going to the rooftop?" The voice was filled with irritation. "Do you want to ruin your life further?"

"O-okay, I'll go," Keith replied, her voice trembling with fear but determination. She also wanted to find out who was on the other end of the line. Was it really Mariah?

"If you're not here within one minute, you'll know what happens," the voice threatened.

Keith hastily entered the elevator and pressed the top floor button, heading for the rooftop. As she arrived, she scanned the area, desperately trying to identify the person who had brought her here.

Her phone rang again, and she quickly answered it, placing it against her ear.

"Where are you? I'm here now. Show yourself!" she demanded, but there was no response from the other end.

"Speak up! You b*tch! Reveal yourself! I want to see your face"

"Who are you? Show yourself! Don't mess around; this is not a joke, whoever you are! What do you want me to do? You beast! You're insane--" Keith was interrupted when she felt a heavy object hit her head. However, it wasn't enough to make her lose consciousness. She turned to face it but couldn't make out the person's appearance due to the rooftop's lights being off, which was unusual, and the person in front of her wearing a hoodie. She was about to approach them when she felt something hit her from behind again.

Now, she realized that there was someone else with the person in front of her. She couldn't speak due to dizziness and the pain in her head, and she eventually lost consciousness.