x
I stared out of the window as a sigh left my mouth.
I trusted him...415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0yRrTtMKd
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I shouldn't have...
"Ready?" Leo asked pulling me out of my thoughts.
"For what?" Gina asked.
"To leave, of course, you crabhead" Leo chuckled.
"Where to?" I asked.
"You'll know. There's only one person who can help us" Leo said, his gaze fixed at road.
"This is soooo exciting!!" Gina shouted as I flinched at her high pitched voice.
I stared at her.
"Okay, maybe this isn't the right time" she mumbled.
"Let's go, girls" Leo exclaimed and pulled up the gear.
I could see the station and Aidan fading behind us. I messed up big this time.
The whole car ride was silent. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjTLpK6SCq
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Except for Gina singing some random wrong lyrics with a terrible rhythm.
"You won't stop until my ears bleed, would you?" Leo gritted his teeth as he pushed his hair backwards exposing his forehead.
I realised how handsome he was. Perfectly decent and attractive.
I couldn't help but stare at him.
"I know my visuals are breath taking but take a break, miss" he chuckled.
I shifted my gaze away from him, my cheeks turning red due to embarrasment.
He smiled at my gesture.
I smiled back.
"WoooOoOOoo-" suddenly Gina started hooting.
I flustered and so did Leo.
He took a magazine amd smashed it on her head.
"Pst- Shut up, crabhead!"
Gina gave him an irritated look. They were so mischievious together.
Looking at them enjoying each other's company, I was reminded of my own family.
I hope they are doing good. I didn't call them often. We weren't so close.
I don't know why, I was never close with my family. Though, we had love for each other but the warmth, it lacked.
And I found the warmth in Raya.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNByG99YNNs
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She treated me like I was her own sister. She understood me the best. She cared for me, made me feel comfortable in this strange city.
She meant everything to me. I won't be able to forgive myself if I failed to save her.
The thought was enough to send shivers through my spine.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4XGbncPBh
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I was still occupied in my thoughts when the car stopped.
"C'mon, we are here. Get out" Leo said.
I and Gina got out of the car. I was straightening my dress which had crumpled a bit.
If I am meeting someone for the first time, I shall look decent.
"Seriously, Leo? You really believe Aunt Grandilia would be able to help us?" Gina asked.
Leo nodded brightly.
He knocked the door and waited.
"Who's there?" A faint, cracked voice came from inside.
"It's me, Aunty! Your Leo!"
The door opened with a creak.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d2A3isY4C
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I short, bent figured lady with wrinkles all over her face, wearing a pale yellow night gown came out.
Even though she looked weak, her eyes had a spark in them which got even brighter when she saw Leo and Gina.
"Oh, my kids. How are you? What brings you here?" she asked as pulled them both in her embrace.
"There's a lot going on, Aunty and only you can help us" Leo explained.
Her gaze shifted to me.
I bowed immediately and introduced myself.
"Hello, ma'am. I am Carol. Carol Terrin"415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumUciOTL7e
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I spoke nervously.
She was staring at me.
"Do you know her?" She asked to Gina.
"Um- yeah. She is my friend and classmate" Gina spoke.
"Well, nice to meet you kid but I don't speak to strangers. You can wait outside or leave" she said sternly.
How rude.
"But, ma'am, I-"
I was about to say something but Leo shushed me and grabbed me by my waist.
"Aunty, she is my girlfriend. And this problem is concerning her only. Please allow her to come with us" he said brightly.
I stared at him in disbelief.
Aunt Grandilia's stern gaze turned soft.
"Is that so?"
She came near me and carassed my cheek. Her eyes contained love.
"She's got all that beauty which can make one's heart flutter. No wonder my Leo loves you" she replied slightly.
L-loves m-me?
Leo chuckled and looked at her hoping for an answer.
"Oh, come in you three! I have to know everything about my soon to be daughter-in-law" she laughed and ked us inside.
Leo turned towards me and pulled me into his chest, his lips were almost touching my exposed neck.
"What the-"
He cut me in between.
"Aunt Grandilia wouldn't have let you in if I hadn't lied. So, you better play along" he whispered.
I nodded.
"Well, she wasn't completely wrong either!" he smirked.
"Are these lovebirds coming in or not?" Gina shouted.
I freed myself from Leo's grip and fixed my hair.
He smirked and went inside. I followed him.
We settled ourselves in front of the fireplace as Aunt Gradilia gave us her utterly delicious Cinnamon Tea and Cookies.
Since I only had a bowl of oats in the morning, I was pretty hungry.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp8BEAiPiV
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I was munching onto the cookies while Leo explained her the situation.
She was listening carefully.
After a while, she spoke up415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtvWyarnJ6
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"You can't be sure that the sudden vanishing of this girl has nothing to do with this trecherous police officer. He could be involved"
"I agree" Gina said.
They looked at me. I realized I had to say something. I was so occupied in eating that I forgot that this case was all about me.
"Um- yeah. Ehe! Sorry!" I gulped.
They laughed.
I wiped my mouth and asked, "Ma'am-"
"Call me Aunty"
"Okay. Aunty, do you know anything about the infamous past of Winter Valley and the curse which is rumoured around here" I asked in one go.
The room fell silent. I could read Gina's eyes indicating that I shouldn't have asked what I did.
But I was desparate. Desperate to know.
"Why would you ask that?" Aunt Gradilia asked.
"Cause I believe Raya's disappearance is not just a case of kidnapping. It's more than that"
"What makes you so sure?"
"Intuition"
"Intuitions are famous for being wrong"
"And known for being right"
"These are just stories, kid. Myths which have no proof"
"Raya's case could be the first"
"You are bold"
"Circumstances made me"
This short session between us seemed forever. It was intense but I could tell by her face that she was impressed.
"You encountered something that night, didn't you?"
My smile disappeared as the flashes of my dream came across my mind.
"I did"
I recited the whole story. The dream, the message and horrible sight of Raya's dismantled figure.
"Seems like the rumours are not only rumours" she said.
I placed my hand on hers.
"Please, Aunt Gradilia. I need to know. I have to" I said with tears in my eyes.
"Fine. Follow me!"
"Sometimes, the darkest secrets can push you towards the brightest light."
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End of Chapter 7~415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqawF9VHpt
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