THE OCEAN DEPTH ~ ELITE 04

Chapter 3

THE GOLD wreath shimmered in the ember light, clutching her throat, and choking her slowly. Her mother-in-law placed a finger on her chin, lifting her coyly shy face.

A smile broke on that woman's face.

"Mashallah! You're looking so pretty." She said turning back to Apana as if her aunt had a hand in her beauty.

"Thank you," Annie smiled meekly, holding back the urge to slam both of the women against the wall.

"Okay go and change now. The guests would be here by the dinner. Take a look at the kitchen" Apana ushered her, pausing the dress trial. She quickly helped Annie out of the heavy jewelry, sending her to the room. As soon she left, Apana turned to the woman again with a forced smile— "The Home Minister of the UK is my husband's friend. Their family is coming personally on our invite."

Mrs. Sherin Afsal nodded, a cruel smile inching her lips. "I heard that your family got mutual through Annie?"

"Of course not" Apana let a nervous laugh. "My husband met their Home Minister when he was still the British Ambassador in the Netherlands. They came to our place twice and Annie befriended the little Dutch princess."

Mrs. Sherin laughed as well, shaking her head in mockery. Liar.

Sprinting into her room, Annie peeled the red veil off her head, throwing it in some corner. She reached out for something under her bed and brought up the black bottle—rat poison.

Her hands trembled as she took the powders in her palm, and then dragging them close to her lips. Terror—and the dead faces of those she'd know came before. Once they were alive, they were walking, laughing, and talking, but from one sudden moment, they weren't. Would she become like that? Wrapped in a pale cloth and still looking plaguing others' memories.

A haunting melody began to fill the air suddenly.

At first, she paid little attention, her hands clutching the bottle tightly, but as the sound grew louder, more insistent, it settled in her mind.

"Allahu Akbar," the voice rang out against the backdrop of the sky painted with the soft hues of the dusk, echoing off the surrounding buildings. "Ashhadu Allah ilaha illallah."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she closed her eyes, allowing the familiar words to wash over her. Instantly memories began flooding.

9 Years ago—1984

"PAPA! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY ATARI?" Annie screamed at the top of her voice.

Aleksander halted. He was talking to some of his colleagues in the living room.

"Annie, shut up!" Her mother trailed after them in panic.

But it was too late. Their eyes were all on her—on the 11-year-old petite girl. Aleksander's face was falling red.

"Excuse me," he said, before walking into the next room and found his daughter fiercely glaring at him, face red with wrath. He crossed his arms, taking a look at his wife and then back at Annie. "Your teacher said that you're failing the exams and when she tries to talk about it, you get rude with her. I have been noticing it too."

"That's none of her business." She crossed her arms back.

"It's because of that damn gaming," Alizey said and Annie snapped head toward her mother.

"No! It's not."

"Ana please, try to understand. You can outside and try to play or use your time in the extra activities. Read books. Gaming wouldn't take you anywhere." Aleksander tried to explain to her softly.