TEENAGE TRAUMA

Chapter 19-A discovery

       Later that day, Chloe and I were walking home together as usual when just as we were we about to take a final turn into our streets young girl suddenly hopped out of the other side of the junction and pushed us aback. She looked like she was in her mid-twenties. She was very skinny and had on just a causal pair of jeans with a blue top. Not very daunting physical appearance but the strength portrayed when she pushed us so easily made us panic. "Deborah, Chloe, whatever you're planing to do to Aunty, it better be worth it! You NEED to try your best to get rid of her because you're definitely a target of hers now. Defeat her before she comes for you. But I just want to warn you, I know of people who tried to deal with her before but failed.  And now, they're all dead! You'd better be careful". She told us sternly.
      "That means Aunty didn't send you". Chloe asked boldly. I turned to her and she didn't look scared at all. She just seemed skeptical. "No, she didn't", she answered.
"And why do we have to get rid of Aunty? Where trying not to have anything to with her because obviously it's too much drama. So this doesn't really concern us anymore. We don't have anything to do with her". Chloe informed her.
"Well that's not an option for you anymore, Aunty wants you", the young woman answered and took off running.
"What the hell" Chloe commented with a disagreeing nod, resuming her journey home. I on the other hand just stood there, shaking. "How are you so chill about this?", I asked Chloe, staring into empty space. "Because unlike you, I don't believe strangers so easily. Am I even meant to chase after her or something? Besides, you're not planning to do anything about it, are you? Aunty didn't send her anyway and why would Aunty want to come for you? You didn't do anything at all to her. She doesn't even know you. All you are is one of Tricia's classmates, that can't be enough to make you a target of hers. Just don't mind all she just said, relax and let's go" Chloe explained. Waiting for me to catch up with her.
   "But if Aunty didn't send her, who did?" I asked, now waking next to Chloe. But she didn't answer me. She just ignored the question, looking like she didn't want to talk about it anymore.

       When I finally got home, I of course told my mum about my encounter with that woman and she seemed just as confused as me. "But if Aunty didn't send her, who is she? And how are we expected to do something to get rid of Aunty?" My mum remarked with worry reflecting in her eyes, asking various questions. All I could think of at that moment was how to find something against against Aunty and get her behind bars for good. "This means we have to do something about her. You're sure she kidnapped your friend?" My mum asked me. "Yes, Tricia told me she also killed a young boy some time ago and that she's responsible for her foster parents' disappearance". I answered.

"Then why hasn't she reported this to the police or something".

"Because the police probably won't do anything if we don't have proof. They released her and lied to us all that she was in jail after she came to our school, trying to take Tricia".

"But Tricia is a witness. That's not enough?" My mum asked, getting confused. "Unfortunately not", I answered with a sigh.

"If it's evidence they need, it's evidence we'll get. What do you kids know so far? And DON'T say you don't know anything because I know you haven't completely stayed out of her business". My mum asked me.

I told her all we knew. From how we suspected the school of corruption, to how we knew Aunty went to my previous school every Saturday. I left out no detail about what I knew and we planned to go there the next Wednesday after school. With Kevin and Tricia of course, especially because Kevin was able to come with re-enforcements.

The next day, I informed Kevin, Tricia and Cristal about our encounter during our break time at school. "But why would Aunty want you as a target? You haven't even done anything" Kevin commented. "I don't know, but one thing I do know is that I'm going to try all I can to get her what she deserves. I can't risk it". I added.
        "Why do you trust that woman anyway? What if you actually aren't a target if Aunty's. And don't you think it'll be better if you just don't get involved anymore and let Aunty know that you wouldn't mess with her anymore. I mean, we all know understand that we're just kids, what could we possibly think of doing that others haven't tried before?" Cristal suggested. "Well maybe we could find out more when we go to Paragon's high school tomorrow after school with my mum" I informed them.
"Your mum?" Tricia questioned.
"I definitely couldn't leave her out of all these, especially after that weird young woman spoke to us yesterday. She wants to protect us all and she could", I replied with a shrug. Everyone else made an agreeing nod and some time after, classes continued.

        Finally, the day came. On Wednesday after school, Kevin, Tricia, my mum and I were on our way to the Paragon's high school as planned. Cristal and Chloe of course didn't come, they wanted nothing to do with all the drama anymore. But they were still quite helpful. Chloe remained on call with me, which she was recording, just in case anything went wrong they were to go to the police with the recording. My mum parked the car outside the school compound and we tiptoed inside, led by two of Kevin's security men. The same ones who had gone with us to Aunty's house some time ago. We were walking very slowly behind them. I followed quietly behind everyone else, clinging on to Kevin's arm fearfully. We were walking through the gate of the school when one of the men suddenly stopped us with his hand stretched out. He was pointing into the building. I peeped through to look at what he was pointing at and I was shocked to see Aunty, discussing with someone else. The sight seemed too important to not have evidence of so I immediately snatched Kevin's phone from his back pocket and took a picture of Aunty and--hold on! The person she was talking to looked very familiar. I was still trying to figure out who she was so the second she turned around revealing her face, I took the multiple pictures of them and we all found ourselves fleeing. "Get to the car guys", My mum whispered to us and we all compliantly rushed into the car, making as little noise as we possibly could. In seconds, we were already speeding out of the scene, all panting very heavily and trembling in the fear and belief that Aunty had spotted us.

Minutes later, after we were quite far away from the school building. "Are we going to talk about the fact that we just saw Miss Ope speaking to Aunty? What the hell!" Tricia exclaimed. "Relax, I don't think they saw us. If they did, we wouldn't be on our way out of there right now" Kevin answered her.

"Oh my gosh. We should have been there with a policeman or something. Who's ever going to believe us when we say we saw those two discussing?" My mum questioned.

"They'll believe us when we show them some photos I took". I said, showing the picture around to everyone in the car. My mum took the phone from my hand and couldn't stop smiling, staring at the picture I took, clearly showing Aunty and our school counsellor exchanging a small, black briefcase.

"Deborah, you genius!" Kevin exclaimed happily, as he threw his arms around me and pulled me in for a hug. I hugged him back tightly, feeling very proud of my action. I was getting completely buried in the comfort of being so close to him when I was snapped back to reality by the sound of my mum clearing her throat. That was an obvious sign that it was time for us to separate. From there, Kevin and his escorts dropped me and my mum off at our house and left for theirs, not waiting for even a split second. My mum and I took a long nap and I woke up to the aromatic smell of dinner, peeking into my nose all the way from the kitchen. I swiftly hopped on my feet and rushing into the kitchen. "Hmmn it smells like heaven in here. What are you making?" I asked curiously, taking in a deep breath with a smile plastered to my face.

"Just spaghetti. But that's not what we're having for dinner though. I got chicken and chips. I know you like that very much" My mum answered.

"Wow, thanks mum! But you barely get me that, you say it's unhealthy. Is there any particular reason you decided to get it today?"

"Not every 14 year old is able to casually act this way knowing there's a murderer or kidnapper looking for her. I really love that about you"

"Thanks. I just hope you're not too freaked out by this..I'm really sorry I got myself involved with Aunty in the first place" I apologised to her guiltily.

"You didn't do anything wrong. I guess it's just fate because you couldn't have done anything to prevent it. Except choosing to NOT go to her house with your friends but we're over that now" She teasingly answered with a soft chuckle.

"So..that Kevin guy. You knew him before you got to the school?" My mum asked.

"No, why?"

"Nothing, you just seem very close" she commented with a wink. "Oh no, don't wink at me like that. You don't even know how to wink well" I told her, laughing, "And no. I know where this discussion is going and I'm not having that kind of conversation with you, mum. He's just a friend of my friend; Tricia". I added.
 
"Whatever you say". She agreed with a shrug.