We Began With Silence

Prologue

It was a pleasant morning, 10 am and Natalie still lay in her bed. Well it was a Saturday morning and it was all she did on Saturdays. Beam of summer-morning light reflected on the large rectangular window of her room yet it was soothing. She stared at the ceiling of her room with her eyes wide open. Her hands stacked one on the other as she was engrossed in the several voices in her mind. She stretched and she felt her height had grown-may be an inch or so.

Stretching for the last time, Natalie left her bed and headed towards her washroom. Doing her morning chores were a little lengthy job for her- she wanted to have crystal clear teeth for a perfect smile. Checking on herself for the last time in the mirror, she stepped out of the washroom and changed her night dress, pjs and a t-shirt.

The house was full of chaos. ‘’Huh, Saturdays!’’, Natalie rolled her eyes while getting a bowl of cornflakes ready. Her phone beside her flakes’ bowl buzzed. A new text message waited for her. Sliding the unlock key on her seven inch phone screen, revealed to her was Jazmine’s text.

‘’Party at Joseph’s tonight. Fit in the best dress by 7pm and I will be there to pick you up. Jazzy!’’

It was no way she wanted to stay at home dying of boredom. Typing a positive reply she ran to the lounge where her mother sat. ‘’Mom, Jazzy wants to take me out tonight since t is Saturday, so I will be going with her. Any objection?’’, Natalie informed. She noted the expressions on her mother’s face change, ‘’as long as it would not be till late.’’ Giving a smile full of disloyalty, Natalie headed to her room.

She searched for an outfit worth Joseph’s party but there was nothing she had except for her typical jeans and tops. Getting tired of searching for something fancy, she finally picked out a pink tank top and a pair of white stockings with baby pink flip-flops. Then she went to the bathroom to take a shower until she waited for seven.

………………………………………………

The car horn beeped across the huge front yard of Natalie’s house indicating of Jazmine’s arrival. Kissing her mother good bye with her lips covered with gloss, for the first time though, she stepped out of the premises of her house. As she looked at Jazmine, her eyes went wide. She looked stunning in her thigh-length blue frock which hugged her body perfectly. ‘’Tell me you won’t change in any part of your life!’’, Jazmine squealed as she pointed at Natalie’s dress. It did not puzzle Natalie, it never did. She never liked being in the spotlight, it only meant people of all ages judging her. Unlike her, Natalie’s best friend, Jazmine was more of a party animal which automatically made her popular. There was not even a single weekend when she would not come home drunk after partying with the loved guys of her college.

Natalie hated it and may be that was the reason she was safe until now. Sometimes Jazmine would complaint about her shyness so Natalie would not argue and attend parties but only if Jazmine promised to not get drunk.

…………………………….

The night began as usual- wasted bodies, drunken people, loud music, boys and girls. Natalie found a corner for herself in the huge mansion of Joseph; it really was a dream house. Noting the flirty boys was all she ever did on parties, except the fact many would ask her out despite of her shyness. Since she had nothing to do, she rather thought of thinking of the typical stuff going around these days.

That dream. It was odd one, she never dreamt of being killed before. I am very funny. I know someone can kill me. I am the daughter of a business man who rules over the business industry, she thought to herself. Engrossed in her thoughts, she was completely unaware of what was waiting for her. In the flash of light, something deadly flew towards her direction.’’ Duck!’’, went her reflexes. As she looked up she found a couple of people staring at her. ‘’He went that way.’’, a sober man said.

Her hands became shaky and her heart had stopped beating by now. She needed to get out and fast. But where was Jazmine. She had no time, she had to run and save herself. The nightmare had come to life.