Moonlit Waters

Chapter 21

The doorbell rings early in the morning. So early that I'm still asleep, despite having gone to bed early the day before.

I know Mum will open the door and I don't really have to get up, but as I turn around and pull the thin blanket up to my chin, I get curious.

Who would ring at our door at this time? It must be nine in the morning. It might be Alex. He might've come over to take me out on a picnic to the waterfall.

The thought makes my heart beat faster with joy and I put back the covers. I'm no longer tired.

But it isn't Alex who knocks at my door minutes later. It's Mum and her face isn't kind, she doesn't even wish me a good morning.

"There's a woman downstairs," she says with worry in her eyes. "She says she's with the government and would like to talk to you."

The government? What? But... why? What would they want with me of all people?

I didn't do anything wrong, there's nothing special about-

Oh. Right. But still, I'm not dangerous, am I?

I haven't showered yet. My hair is a mess. But I doubt it's a good idea to make the woman downstairs wait.

Unceremoniously, I put on a fresh T-shirt and normal skinny jeans. Mum watches me, that worried crease in her brow still there.

I try to appear confident and give her a small smile. They haven't sent special forces so it can't be that bad, right?

I head downstairs without brushing my teeth. I'm the first on the stairs, Mum's a little behind.

My heart is racing. I feel sick. I try to smile again, but it won't work this time. I'm scared. Genuinely scared.

The woman sitting at our kitchen table looks... professional. I'm sure, if she were standing, she'd be taller than me. Her dark hair is tied back in a tight bun without even the smallest of strays left behind. She's wearing a black suit without a tie and her features are sharp and delicate. She's young. There's no way she's older than thirty.

She gives me a friendly smile when I enter her field of view and gets up to meet me halfway.

"My name is Reyna Morris," she says evenly, extending her right hand. "Honoured to meet you."

My brain's still stuck at when she got up when I entered. Nobody ever does these things for me.
I shake her hand reflexively, but I doubt it's a very good handshake.

"Hi," I manage to press out.

There's a flash of sympathy in her eyes and she steps back.

"I would like to have a little chat with you, if that's okay with you?"

Her eyes are firmly trained on mine. I get the strong feeling that there's nothing I can hide under her gaze, so I break eye contact and nod.

"Yeah, sure." My voice still sounds a little weak, but the stupor is broken.

I nod again, trying to make myself believe my words, then pull back the chair that's usually Mum's and sit down with my back to the door. Reyna takes the seat opposite from me.

"Can I get you anything?" Mum asks from behind me.

I flinch at the unexpected sound of her voice, but Reyna flashes me a reassuring smile.

"Selena, what do you usually have for breakfast?" she asks then.

Her eyes are a warm shade of brown. I'd probably instinctively like her, if it weren't for her being here as a part of the government.