The Goddess Sisters

Chapter 6

I woke up to the sound of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air playing on the television. I had dozed off on the couch waiting for my family to come home. I noticed that the house was pitch dark at this point because the sun had set when I knocked out.

What time is it? I picked my phone off the coffee table and the bright screen blinded me for a second.

It was 7pm and they weren't back yet. I didn't even get a text or call back. This wasn't normal.

I got up off the couch and turned the lights on. I tried calling them all again one after the other and still no response. I called Lilian again and didn't even wait for her to say hello.

"Hi Lilian. I'm sorry but has Maia gotten back to you at all since I called? They haven't come home and I'm starting to worry."

"She hasn't replied, Athena. I'm sorry. I'm also kind of starting to worry. She always has her phone glued to her. We had agreed to FaceTime today at 6:30 to study for our biology quiz tomorrow and she would never skip on studying for it. Are you home alone still?"

"Yeah, I'm home alone but I'm not scared about that. I'm just worrying because none of them came back and no one is answering. Something might have happened and I don't know how to find them. I think I'm gonna head to the mall before it closes to see if I can find them."

"Do you want me to come with you? I can help you look for them."

"No no, you need to finish your studying since it's a school night. I'll call you once I find them." If I find them.

I got up and headed outside to my car again. I ignored the gnawing feeling in my gut. It was telling me something was wrong but I didn't want to think that because I was scared.

*****

I got to the mall in 20 minutes because there was barely any traffic at this time of night in Arlington. I parked my car and went in looking for the help desk or security. I had remembered during my drive here that they were always calling out names of parents to come pick up their child who had wandered off and was found crying in the middle of the mall through the intercom. So I decided it would be easier that way than me trying to search through the massive shopping complex.

I walked into the nearest store and asked the first employee where I could find mall security. She gave my instructions on how to get to the help desk.

I finally spotted the help desk and saw a tall man with an exhausted look on his face sitting behind the counter.

"Hi sir. I was just wondering if you could help me out? I lost my family and can't seem to get any of them on their phones."

The man looked up at me and I could see the look of complete confusion. He probably didn't get many 17 years olds looking for their parents.

"Uh, yea, hello. You've tried calling them?"

"Yes, I tried my parents and all my sisters multiple times. They came to mall earlier today and none of them are back yet. Nor have any of them contacted me, which is not normal. So could we please try calling out for them on the intercom?" I begged him and held back the tears I could feel starting to pool in my eyes.

The man must of noticed that I was on the verge of breaking down in front of him. He gave me a nod and picked up a piece of paper and pen.

"Write down all their names here for me please."

I nodded and wrote the names down then pushed the paper and pen back to him. He picked up a landline and started talking.

"Excuse me, could Jacob, Penelope, Rhea, Hera or Maia Linnester please contact mall security or come to the help counter on level 1. Once again that's, Jacob, Penelope, Rhea, Hera or Maia Linnester. Please contact mall security or come to the help counter on level 1. Thank you."

He put down the phone and glanced back up at me.

"Thank you." I said and gave him a small nod.

"Of course. Would you like to have a seat while you wait?" He pulled out another chair behind the counter. I nodded and went to sit by him.

The man started making small talk with me while we waited. I could tell he wasn't really bothered to but was only doing so to keep me sort of distracted.

Thirty minutes had passed.

Nothing.

Forty five minutes had passed.

Still nothing.

At this point, I could tell that the guy was also starting to get concerned because he kept telling me to try calling their phones again.

An hour and a half had passed and the mall was about to close in thirty minutes. The guy who had eventually introduced himself as Ryan turned to me with pitiful eyes.

"I'm sorry Athena. The malls about to close and the only people who are lefts are the retail workers."

"Maybe they'll show up if we call their names one last time? Please?"

I knew the chances of them showing up now where much slimmer since it was 9:30. But I had to try again because I didn't know what else I could do.

"Okay. I'll try once more." Ryan proceeded to pickup the landline and repeat the same statement he said earlier this evening when I first came to him.

15 minutes had passed and Ryan started turning off the computer on the desk and pulled out his bag.

"I'm sorry Athena but I need to start packing up and locking up the counter. I'm sorry they didn't show up. You might find them at home?"

I stood up from my seated position and gave him a nod.

"Thank you for trying to help me. Could I just leave my number in case you hear anything? Since this is the last place they informed me they would be at."

Ryan nodded and gave me the notepad I had written on previously. I jotted down my phone number and handed it back to him. Then headed out towards my car. I noticed that most of the stores had their doors shut and were about to lock up as I was walking out.

When I stepped out into the parking lot. I noticed something weird.

*****
Authors note:
Yes I ended on a cliff hanger! Sorryyy but I had to do it. At least this chapter was a good length (I'm aware I have quite a few short chapters).

Also I know I said that this chapter would pick up the pace of the story but I lied. I decided to add this scene in late because it just made more sense that she at least attempted to find her family.