No. Oh, no. I didn't just do that, did I? I couldn't have. "Help!" I scream as loud as I can."Mum! Mummy! I'm having a real bad dream! Mum!" An old man on a bench notices me and grumbles. Then he sees the gun that's still in my hand. He slowly walks away, digging out his ancient Nokia and dialling a number. 911. The police will be here soon and I'll be in a mental institute. I should be in a mental institute. Why me! Why did this happen to me?
Run, Roza. Run.
I drop the gun as my feet pound the ground running to the bus stop. I get on the first bus there and get off at the last stop, then head for the nearest cafe I can find. "A hot chocolate and a ginger nut cookie please," I ask the waitress, who grabs some Nescafe instant packets out of the cupboard. I pick a seat by the window and slump into it, shaking my head in denial that this is all really happening. Every time a police car drives by, I panic and duck my head down so they can't see me. When the hot chocolate and biscuit come I ignore them and start doodling on a cheap yellow napkin, but my heart's not in it. Then I realize that I've still got my locket. I take it off to see Mum and Dad and Lucas and the twins all beaming in the garden, Charlotte with chocolate sauce around her mouth and Nellie snuffling into her muslin.
A big fat tear rolls off my cheek and lands with a splash into my drink. Come on, I think. Don't cry. Roza Darling never cries. I hate my name. I always used to get bullied for it in school. "Hey, darling," they used to tease. "Mummy's little DARLING." They all used to taunt me except Annie. Annie's the opposite of me. Blonde. Pretty. Pale complexion. And really, really friendly. Well, she was. She went missing last year, presumed dead. Can't they presume me dead, too? Then no-one would ever find me again and I could dye my hair, change my name - especially the DARLING - and get a new life. But I know that's never going to happen, seeing as Aunt Frances has just parked right outside the cafe and is walking in this very second.
YOU ARE READING
Devil's Daughter
FantasyWhat if your whole life had been fake? What if your purpose was to do evil? What if you weren't you.. Just a replacement?
