Masked (#Wattys 2016)

Chapter 7

Nina walked towards her home, turning back once in a while to make sure Matt has gone. She pulled her coat closer to her body as the winds became even more bitter. She took small steps, observing every movement that was going on inside their house. She increased her pace as she got closer to her home, she pasted a worried look on her face. Darting through the front door, she scanned the whole room.

"Oh thank heavens, you're back Nina"

"Ma, what is wrong?"

"Nina, these police officers wanted to investigate your dad, but you dad is missing since the past few hours" 

Missing? He can't be missing. He's probably hiding somewhere.

Nina was unable to join the dots and make a connection out of this. She anticipated the arrival of the policemen, but she never anticipated this news. 

"How can he just go missing?"

"Ma'am we're trying to locate him" 

"Trying to? He's my father, and he's missing!" Nina had a tone of authority in her speech.

Nina's mother interrupted their heated conversation. 

"Officers, what is it that you wanted to investigate my husband for?"

"Ma'am we have evidence to believe that your husband may have been involved in a bank fraud"

"Bank fraud, this is not possible. My husband is a very honest man."

"Ma'am this is why we wanted to investigate him, but now he is missing." 

Nina looked at the trio in astonishment, she could not believe what she was hearing. Nina hated her dad for that fateful night, but she still cared for him. No matter how he is, he is still her father. The news of her father missing rattled her. 

No, i know dad. He cannot do something like this, he's not even capable of doing something like this. 

"Ma'am if you would excuse us, we would be leaving. If you have any news about your husbands whereabouts, please let us know"

"Yes officers" Nina's mother fell to the ground like a heap of flesh as she heard the front door close. 

"I've known James since the last 12 years, this is not like him"

"I know ma, i know"

Nina helped her mother to her room and made her lie down on the bed, stroking the hair out of her face she murmured to herself.
I wished for dad to go to jail or something, for choking you ma. But i never wished for him to go missing. 

Nina turned off the lights and went upstairs to her room. Her phone was beeping in her pocket, it flashed Matt. She knew he would want to know why there were police cars outside their house. She didn't want him to know about any of the things going on in her home, she cut the call and messaged him

Hey Matt, I'm feeling very exhausted. Everything's alright. I'll see ya tomorrow. Pick me up, usual spot. 

Nina waited for a reply, but there was none from the other end. She thought Matt to be asleep, she set her alarm right and went to bed. Sleep engulfed her quickly.