Life is a Deception (sample)

And so, It Begins

7th December 2015

Samuel: (Lifts head up quickly) Wait!

Sarah: (Jumps) Jeez, you scared me. Can't you just wake up normally?

Samuel: What happened?

Sarah: You fainted while opening the capsule. The doctors said that you were sleep-deprived.

Samuel: Oh... Also, what's the date today?

Sarah: It's the seventh, why ask?

Before I could answer, I heard someone yelling Fathima's name, which worried me. I stood up and ran outside to the garden while Sarah tried following me.

Sarah: Sam, what's wrong?

I continued to run to the main house and searched every room for Fathima. She wasn't there. I turned to Sarah, grabbed her by her shoulders, and asked.

Samuel: Where is Fathima?

Sarah: She is in the baths with my mother... Why are you so edged?

Samuel: I just had a bad nightmare...

Sarah: (Giggling) Aww, don't worry kiddo, mama will get you milk.

Sarah: You haven't seen the capsule contents yet, so want to peek in?

Samuel: I'll pass.

Sarah: Huh? But this is something from your parents. Are you sure you wouldn't want to take a little peek?

Samuel: Yes, I'm sure. I'll go into town for a bit. I want you to be always with Fathima.

Sarah: Sure...

I left Sarah alone in the main house and asked Eli if I could borrow the van.

I drove to a small noodle restaurant, which was on the other side of town, and began my research. I know I've heard Chloe's name before, but where? I tried using my phone to search for her but found nothing. I've gone through the documents Father made listing everyone he made and found nothing. I even went through all the staff information and still found nothing.

The man sitting beside me was intrigued by what I was doing and asked.

Man: Are you okay? You look like a stalker trying to track someone down...

Samuel: (Looks at the man) Hmm...? Oh. Yes, yes, I am fine. And I guess you're right about me looking for someone part...

Man: Who is it that you're looking for?

Samuel: A lady named Chloe.

Man: Mind giving more information about her?

Samuel: I never knew her full name, but she is quite tall and chubby.

Man: Wait... Does she always wear black clothing?

Samuel: Yes, I guess.

Man: Then you're looking for the witch of this town.

Samuel: Witch?

Man: Well, she was not a witch, but the town considers her to be one. She was a talented doctor who studied dreams, which made her the odd one out in the town. After she published her research in the town, people started to get nightmares of her saying absurd things for whatever reason. Even I once had a dream of her choking my wife to death and telling me that it would happen soon.

Samuel: What happened to her since then?

Man: Chloe committed suicide. She couldn't bear the fact that she caused the town to have such a disease. Ever since she died, no one ever had another nightmare of her again. It may be hard to believe such superstition, but it did happen...

Samuel: I believe you.

I was facing the nightmares myself.

The man left me alone after I had asked about his wife's condition, which was odd because he seemed neither sad nor happy. I left the restaurant myself around five p.m. The man's words left me conflicted about whether I should believe a recurring nightmare. One part of me believed that Chloe was right and the other wanted me to simply ignore the nightmare.

Around five-thirty p.m., I found myself at the park and Sarah called me over the phone.

Samuel: Hello?

Sarah: Hi, umm... Oh yeah. Sam, I need you to come to the train station before six. We are returning home, and don't worry about your stuff; Fathima packed them.

Samuel: All right, I'll meet you there.

And now, I had to drive to the train station.

I reached it ten minutes before departure and spotted everyone waiting at the entrance of the station. I stopped the van in front of them and got off. Eli approached me, hugged me, and wished me farewell. He even offered me a few gifts before we left for the train.

8th December 2015

7:29 a.m.

The train had to stop mid-journey as a sudden cyclone came by. The train couldn't cross the bridge to the Southern Islands due to the wind carrying large debris and the rain creating a dense fog, which made it hard to see for the conductor.

Fathima and Sarah were playing with playing cards. I interrupted them from time to time, trying to ask something that I'd wanted to ask for a while until I finally got the chance to.

Samuel: Hey Fathima, do you feel unwell?

Fathima: No...

Now I had to remove the suspicion.

Samuel: How about you Sarah?

Sarah: Not really. Is something wrong?

Samuel: I just feel a bit lightheaded.

Fathima: It must be the low air pressure caused by the cyclone. You should get some rest and then you'll get better.

I trusted that Fathima was telling me the truth and that she was fine. I lay my head towards the window and slowly fell asleep. The rain took a while to settle, but we got home eventually, and nothing happened to Fathima.

9th December 2015

9:46 a.m.

I woke up later than usual, which made me wonder where Fathima had gone. The maids explained to me that she left to shop for groceries and do the usual girl stuff with Sarah. I felt mad that Fathima didn't inform me before leaving, which was unusual in my case. I hurried to get dressed and drive to the mall that they were visiting, but then I received a call from Dan...

Daniel: Hello there my precious Sam!

Samuel: What do you want...?

Daniel: Oh, nothing. I just want to check on how my future art is doing.

Samuel: I'm doing fine...

Daniel: You aren't feeling weak anymore, right?

Samuel: Yes...

Daniel: Good. I cannot have you faint during shooting.

Samuel: Wait, how do you know that?

Daniel: Of course, I would know; we are like brothers! SamUEL, DanIEL, our names match for a good reason.

Samuel: No, seriously. Who told you?

Daniel: Tch, Sarah told me... She was so worried that she wanted me to use her salary to get the best doctor I know.

Samuel: How much do you spend on doctors...? Anyways, mind telling me the real reason why you called me?

Daniel: What do you mean?

Samuel: We both know you called for a business-related matter.

Daniel: You know me too well brother. Fathima and Sarah are already here; the CEO wants to meet you today.

Samuel: What time should-

Daniel: Goodbye now!

Dan left the call and sent me a location of where to meet, which was the mall that the two had left. Another cyclone came by, less violent than the previous, as I drove to the mall.

I have a lot to worry about today...