Chapter-22
Grace dilemma
Mr. Collins gives us a photo to look at. Hannah and I look at the picture carefully and we recognize who was the man in the photo. We both were shocked and our mouth drops open. This is Nora’s ex-boyfriend Byron I literally shout. This dam bastard killed my best buddies. ‘Asshole’ Hannah also shouts. Ladies, He is a man whom we found in the footage of CCTV camera every time he was found nearby all of the three died. But we are not sure that he is a killer. Does he have a reason to do that? Yes, we had a fight few months back. Hannah tells every detail to Mr colins. All I can say is that Nora is also a suspect. Maybe they both are together in this plan. Mr Collins was clear in his thought. That’s not true, because Nora is a person who does not easily forgive or forget. I don’t think so she has any connection with this. This bastard is using her name. Grace still in anger. The point is she has not forgotten what you people did to her and she is now with Byron. No, unbelievable! we had a fight but she cannot go to that extent. Afterall we were together from high school. Hannah also takes Nora’s side. Truth can never hide. Our investigation is still going on. I have to call Nora and Byron, where are they? We don’t know, Byron is a past tense and Nora maybe in Texas. We lost connection with her. Once Nora told us that he works as a manager in some bar. Hannah brushes her memory. We will find out. See you soon! Mr. Collins leaves giving a puzzle look. Hannah also leaves for her bakery shop. My mother asks me about the conversation Mr. Collins and I tell her about Byron. She gets worried about me and asked me to take couple of holidays from school so that we can move to my father’s farm because it is far away from New York city.
I think a little and feels that she is right. I ask my mother to inform him not to come to our place because we will reach there tomorrow. I write an email to our school coordinator for taking leaves, one week is enough to solve this mystery because I have heard about Collins that he is a very courageous person and his determination to find out Joey’s killer. He will definitely find out that fucker Byron. I tell Hannah about my going to farm and she agrees with my point. I ask her to come along with me but she said that her dad has appointed security personnel for her. Cool! I reply and decide to call Gloria.
Hi, honey I am worried about us three.
Gloria, I have a news to tell you.
What?
Byron is involved in this. Then I told her about our meeting with Mr. Collins.
Really? I can’t believe this.
I must talk to her. We need to inform her. Her life is also in danger, few days back I called her but her phone was switched off. Gloria is also sounds tense.
Hope she is fine. I said in calm tone.
How’s your pregnancy going on?
I lost my baby months ago. Gloria voice choked.
Oh no! honey what happen?
His growth was not as healthy as doctor expected and he immediately asked for abortion. Gloria voice broken.
Why didn’t you tell us?
I was sad, we all are sad and depressed due to sudden death to our friends. I didn’t have a courage to tell.
What about Shane?
He is sad too.
Don’t worry, God bless you with another soul.
Thank you dear. I need blessings and Gloria again broke into tears.
Do come for Hannah’s engagement.
Yes, I will Definitely come. I am dying to meet you all.
Don’t talk about death. I am already afraid.
I am sorry honey. Take care.
You too! Tomorrow, I am going to my father’s farm house. Will call you soon till then bye.
Nora is found nowhere. If that fucker Byron had already harmed Nora or if Mr. Collins is right then what. No, how can I think of her like this she can never do this. Please Lord! give me a break. I feel suffocated. I pack my mother’s belongings with my stuff. I should sleep now because tomorrow morning we have to leave this city for a while. I take a deep breath.
It’s dark night nobody is on the street. Only dogs are barking and due to silence, all around their bark echo. I feel thirsty so I decide to fetch some water. I tie my rob and first checked my mother’s room. She was in deep sleep. I close her door quietly and move towards kitchen. I drink a glass of water and silently look at the ceiling of the kitchen area and think what life is showing I live in fear, dark and frustration no one can control the situation. It’s a terrible feeling that I am facing now a days a “fear of death”. Why that fucker Byron is after us? How Nora hooked up with this criminal? I again drink two glasses of water to absorb my anger. I Switch off the light and comes back to my room. When I open the door find Byron sitting on my bed. Hi! Grace, I horrified try to run but he holds me tightly and dragged me to the bed. I shout mom! mom! Please I have not done anything. I shout and he stabbed me with a big knife into my stomach and I shout and open my eyes. Oh no! it was a dream, oh gosh! please help. I drink water kept on the bed side and lock my bedroom tightly and decide to watch a movie on cell phone to feel better.
In the morning, I wake up and didn’t find my mother. I call her. Darling, I am in supermarket just coming in fifteen minutes till then get ready to leave. I put down my cell phone and then only I receive a message from an unknown number written hi. I got frightened as Mr. Collins asked us not to respond to unknown numbers. I send this number to Mr Collins immediately. Let him handle this. I go to bathroom to take a warm bath and to relax and come out in robe to find some suitable outfit from my closet but when I turned back someone was sitting on my bed, I shouted and run but he holds me tightly and throws me on the bed and locked my room, I hoped for my mother to come soon. His face was covered I could only see his eyes. Is it Byron? very familiar eye. I try to escape from him and fight hard but he slapped on my face and my resistant power slows down, then he ties my hands with a cloth and put my scarf on my mouth so that I cannot shout and he opens my bath robe and he also opens his jip and I knew what was he trying to do and within seconds my voice choaked in my mouth I feel his dick inside me. After few minutes when he was done, he opened my arms and i faint because my head hit on the bed wall during the struggle. But the moment I open my eyes, gathers power and scratch his face and to my shock, he stabs me with a long knife. I heard the voice of my mother and then everything turned dark and I feel lifeless.
