The Journal [A Sequel To Maya's Diary]

Chapter Thirty-five

I drove over to Annabelle's first to ask if she had a thing or two to do with the death of the mayor. The bushes that graced the entrance to Edward's house were overgrown and their leaves brushed my legs but for my jean trouser I had on.

"Oh great! Thank God you are here. We need to celebrate," she said when I pushed myself through the front door. Over the time, I stopped knocking.

"Why did you do it?" I asked walking towards the dinning table where she had perfectly arranged dinner plates. I assumed the extra two were for my twin girls as I was pretty sure she didn't have much friends.

"Do what?" She asked lifting two glass plates and placing one on the other. She walked back into the kitchen just behind and brought another smaller pair.

"Kill the mayor," I whispered. I stared around briskly affirming the fact that no cameras or suspicious monitoring was seen. Years of dating a detective sure does a number to one.

"The mayor is dead? Another cause of celebration... Or not," she said noticing my mood. "I thought this was great news, why are you so upset?"

"Because we figured out a way that didn't involve anyone dying. I've been doing a lot of reading and research lately and I realized that the cult doesn't just end by killing the current Archbearer, that position cannot be vaccant. That means, if we didn't kill the mayor... "

"...someone else did and we have to find the person. Arrghhh! Just when I thought this day couldn't get any worse. So much for my dinner," she replied tossing a napkin on the table.

"So what's the celebration for?" I asked while I walked closer to the table fixating my eyes on the giant plate of grilled chicken and scooping some of its cut skin into my mouth. The last action got me a slap on my wrist, "ouch!"

"I got distinctions in all the courses I majored!"

"You went to college?" I teased but with some seriousness in it. I never knew she did.

"Yeah please! That was what Edward wanted," she said shooting a stare at me.

"Sure. I need to get the kids from school," I replied and made for the creaky hinge. I delved into my car and with a slight twist on the key, made to their school.

It was a long night. The night I explained how they looked alike and still tried ever since to win Eva's heart. But she was unyielding and I understood.
Very rarely did she call me 'mom' so I tried to spend the time equally giving each attention. They were too innocent to be dragged into this mess and into the crazy world we are in.

                   **********

I drove into Hallmark and geared my car into a slot allocated for parking vehicles. Apparently, Hallmark did not only have a high school and I registered my kids into the school as it was well known for its competence and great teaching skills.

A whole lot of staffs were occasionally employed and rotated reducing dormancy, and boosting learning. It had been such a long time since I schooled there, but I set my eyes out always hoping I could see someone I knew.

I pushed the red button that kept the seat belt firm and soon the pop sound let the belt out and I was free. I stared into the mirror that hung down from the roof of the car and adjusted my thick brown hair. I removed some specks of dust I couldn't see but felt at the corners of my eye and reached into my bag for a red lipstick. For me, looking good was a habit.

I registered Eva that day and how her day was, was my greatest concern at that moment. I walked down the busy hallway with kids running in all directions and taking my left, I entered into the class.

"Hello!" I said, hugging Eva first while I reached out for Carly and drew her into the hug.

"Mrs. Anderson? Can I have a word with you?" A very young but elegant looking lady who was supposedly the teacher said to me. She was beaming with excitement but tried so much to hide it. "I'm a huge fan of your articles. I buy the Times Daily just to read your column. I think you are amazing and you have amazing daughters too."

"Oh my! Thank you so much."

"I have a concern though. It's Eva," she said with a lowered brow. She looked worried and I got scared immediately.

What had Eva done on her first day of school?

Did she faint again?

Whatever it was, I didn't know then and pressed further for a deeper explanation. My eyes darted towards Eva and Carly and they talked in very low tones pointing towards something I couldn't make out through the window. I slowly begun to recall how I had introduced Eva to Carly.

"Mom I woke up and saw someone who looked exactly like I did on my bed," Carly said wiping away the remains of sleep that stuck at the corners of her eyes. I dragged her to my side while I closed my Journal from the night before. I straightened her gown and her cheek glowed a slight red.

"Mommy thought she lost her other baby, your twin sister. But I was wrong and she has been found."

"I have a twin? That's great! I can't wait to play all those tricks twins usually play," she beamed. I was glad the concise explanation did the job. I expected lots of questions but got none.

However, Eva kept growing distant with every passing second. I felt I was loosing her just as I desperately tried to win her. She would cry occasionally and request to see Greta. I called Annabelle to help but she couldn't do much. She said that it wasn't her Vixen side effect, but a little child's cry.

The morning was a struggle preparing them both for school. Carly was the most excited, but Eva showed no interest. I hoped taking her to school would make her lighten up but I feared the news the teacher was about to tell.

"She engaged into a fight today with a boy. The boy was rushed to the hospital shortly afterwards. The kids are afraid of her. Please do something about this. Also, she kept doodling on her math book drawing some weird images," she said and handed over her book and I noticed the doodles.

Some with a pencil, others with a pen. Some with light shades, others darker. They all had the same pattern. The same circle inside a triangle, I knew immediately she had been sketching the image of the Arch.

"I'm so sorry about everything," I said clasping my hands and interlocking my fingers. "I'll talk to her," I pleaded.

I led the girls outside and they hopped into the back seat. I sighed and turned to my rear asking Eva about everything.

"I'm sorry. He got what he deserved," she said. I suddenly remembered the other complaint the teacher had made. I was less concerned about whatever the reason of their fight had been and more concerned about why she had been doodling the symbol of the Arch or better still how she knew it.

"I'm sorry but... The image kept coming into my head."

With interest, I inched forward releasing a slight squeak on my seat.

"What did you see?"

"Nothing... Just darkness... Oh wait! Ele mai rabasoki tus adan krup."

"What was that?" I asked.

"I don't know."

01:12 am