A Lifetime Ago

Chapter 15

As I rushed to the car, the antique shop was crumbling down. There was no other car or soul in sight. The smoke had spread to the surrounding making it difficult to breath properly.

I rampaged through my backup trying to scoop the car keys...
Whoever was there was definitely after me.

The front window of the shop burst open with a nasty force of flames bellowing through it. Through the flames I could see a glimpse of a shadowy human still walking through the shop!

How was that even possible!!!!

I was so spooked out. I found the key and sped down the road. The book sat in the next seat as if trying to tell me something.

I bunked class and went straight home instead. Mom & Dad had left for work by than. My new puppy Hunter greeted me as I stepped in the house with those mesmerizing human-like eye. It came with a woof, wagging its tail excitedly to have seen me.

Hunter stared at the book I was carrying. He started barking loudly & fiercely. Than as astonishing as it may look he jumped with an angry glare and pulled the book with all its strength out of my hand as it fell to the floor.

Hunter whimpered. I stared at him his eyes seemed saddened. I gently patted him.

"You ok boy."

The book had strange language written in the cover. The hard cover had carving which looked like a serpent wrapping its body and glaring with its eyes.. I touched the cover, feeling its essence seep right through my body. It seemed to ooze power.

Hunter growled next to me but this time he sat still.

I went upstairs and locked the book in the drawer....

"Just in case," I took a deep breath and sighed.

The door bell alarm rang.

"What"! I was surprised who could it be in this time...
Mom & Dad definitely had no idea that I was at home.  Than who could it be...

The doorbell rang again.

Hunter gave an angry woof.

I looked through the door peephole.

"Sarah!"

I opened the door surprised to have her home.

"Hello, Kiara. Are you alright," Sarah said hugging me.

There standing at the door was Jason smiling brightly at me.

"Jason... hi," I was more surprised to have Jason at my house.

Hunter started barking angrily.

I patted him. They are my friends it's okay buddy.

"Who is this new member you have," Sarah asked.

"Oh forget to introduce you. His name is Hunter. I got him from the last road trip I had for the weekend," his a good puppy I said still patting him.

"So sweet you got a pet after you lost poor Wilson tragically. Poor dog".

I shivered from the loss of my poor dog Wilson. It still bought tears in my eyes...

Hunter growled...

"Well we thought as you bunked class so thought to come and see you as your location in your phone directed us straight to your house... how boring", Sarah said.

"Oh you tracked me down with your phone once again", I said.

"Just making sure you not in any sort of trouble or anything my darling bestie. As Jason seemed to have been missing you throughout class I thought to drag him alongside too," Sarah said with a chuckle.

Jason blushed.

"What's up with you nowadays. You seemed to be lost and mostly have distanced yourself from me .. did I do something wrong," Sarah spoke timidly.

"Um ... no ... it's just nothing"

"Ok aren't you attending class today?"

"Hmm yea..  just the last two classes this afternoon"

"Ok let's go"

"Just let me quickly go freshen myself"

I went to the bathroom in my room whilst Jason & Sarah were waiting in the living room. Hunter sat by the sofa staring at both of them...

I washed my face still thinking about the morning incident. Poor Mr Brad he lost his life because of me. I felt terrible about that. My life is becoming a total nuisance with all going on. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and a trickle of tear fell on the sink. I heard a thud in my bedroom. Than voices. It certainly didnt sound like Hunter. I just brushed of the thought. Maybe the mornings incident was still fresh on my mind that I was imagining sounds.

After few minutes I got out of the bathroom and entered my room. I looked around. Something didnt feel right. The books at my study table were scattered. The bedsheet on my bed was lying on the floor. The wind chimes near the window were laying on the floor!

My heart pounded. The first thing that shook my mind was to check the drawer where I have kept the mysterious book! I slowly opened the drawer my heart thumping loudly and I was praying that it was not stolen...
My hands were shaking...
To my content the book was right there. The lock hadn't been broken...

Hunter whimpered at the doorway. I looked at him.

"Who came here boy"

Hunter just came to me wagging its tail and licking me triumphantly.

I thought if someone entered my room they certainly didnt seem to have taken anything... in this daylight can a thief break inside house. But the window were all closed and the only way to enter the house was from the front door.

If someone entered my room than I certainly didnt hear Hunter barking and what about Jason & Sarah didnt they hear anything.

I rushed downstairs. Both of them were still sitting where they were minutes ago and glued to there phones.

"Hey, did you guys hear anyone breaking in my bedroom," I asked bluntly.

Sarah & Jason exchanged confused looks.

"We didnt hear anything " Sarah said with a perplexed look.

"What happened. Is everything alright,"  Jason asked with a knot of concern in his voice.

How come nobody heard anything and I never heard Hunter barking even!

I shook my head and said let's go to class...