No one spotted me when I slipped past the school halls and climbed over the fence.
I ran as fast as I could, skipping traffic and bumping into strangers. Not a single word escaped my lips.
If anything, I had to find that storybook. And fast.
I had to correct EVERYTHING.
The lights were turned off when I stepped into the dining room through the back door. It was mid-afternoon, so vision was still possible even with the drawn-down curtains.
No one was home yet. Perfect.
"You're early."
I eeped on hearing Nula's voice. She was on one of the couch, reading.
Typical her.
"I don't enjoy snitching. You can hyperventilate some where else." Nula said bluntly.
I heaved. Not like she had ever done me any wrong to begin with. Mom had to find that report card sooner or later. And I'm glad she found out through Nula.
"Um.." I didn't know how to spell it out without sounding weird.
"I may have sort of... misplaced.."
"Oh. Don't bore me, Sis. If you're looking for your novels just say it! Jeez." She slammed her volumnous book shut with an angry thud.
" Mom had them all donated out to orphans this morning."
Nula's expression softened as she leaned back into the couch which made a squeaky sound as her back pressed onto it. "She said they were 'inspiring and bleh bleh blehh'."
" You shouldn't be tensed up. At least mom supports your blurry vision."
Right. I shouldn't be tensed up. That a freaking world of magic guised as a harmless storybook is now in the hands of a little kids!
I tried to recollect myself.
Maybe if I can track the location of the orphanage mom sent them to--
"You're not planning on stealing them back? Now are you?" Nula's suspicious look caught me.
" Eight blocks down from your school road. You probably passed it on your way here."
I paused.
" Why are you telling me?"
Nula had that final boss vibe as she smirked dauntingly,
"Cuz I want to watch you try and get caught." She opened up her book again.
What an evil genius she was. What was more scary was how she knows me inside out. Of course every sister should, but her case is Creepy.
Focus, Nirit. I have to get that book back. No matter what it takes.
"What time did she leave?" I asked my sister as I sprinted up the stairs.
"Uhh.. this morning? Obviously."
I grabbed a pair of winter socks and long black hoodie, hurriedly putting them on as I ran back downstairs.
Nula rolled her eyes on seeing me, "Wish you bad luck!"
"Thanks, Nula!"
***
A woman stood outside a tall building, her arms crossed and eyebrows twitching from impatience. Apparently, she had been standing there for quite awhile now with no one attending to her.
Her gaze shifted, evolving around the building, admiring it's features.
Its exterior walls were a mix of ash and black, the hibiscus plants arranged in rows gave it a contrasting look of pretty and humid.
Finally, what looked like a cyberpunk camera emerged from a space between two pillars. It extended itself down to the woman and after certain analysis, it beeped green.
"Mrs Yuna Zarin, we welcome you to our Orphanage Home. Enjoy your stay."
Albert & Lisa Orphanage Homes XYZ, was boldly displayed on the threshold to the main building.
Yuna found her way to the reception where Witni White, the receptionist greeted her.
"Miss, unfortunately, we can't access the books you donated unless the original writer is in company with you."
" You mean my daughter?" Yuna huffed, she really should've informed Nirit to begin with.
But that would defeat the whole aim of making her grow out from the whole childish nonsense.
"She's.."
"Right here!" Yuna turned around.
_______
I yanked my hands off from the security guards and sprinted towards my mom, hugging her tightly.
Never have I been so relieved to see my mother.
" A moment ago, they were about to kick me out of the orphanage and even called security on me!" My acting skills were really playing out well. Though.. I was being so overly dramatic.
Everyone watched us like we were clowns. A sign that my plan 'B' was working. Just that now, I owed mom an essay of explanation..
Mom patted my back and whispered,
"What did you do this time, Nirit." She sighed. It sounded more like a fact than a question. I was always up to no good.
"And why are you back from school so early?"
My eyes widened, I didn't sign up for this. A lot had already happened today, how was I supposed to talk my way out of this one. This wasn't part of my plan.
Worse was that mom would throw a bull fit if she ever finds out that I was put in detention and skipped.
"I--" I started stuttering on my own words.
She huffed instead, "Whatever it is, but it better not be legally unacceptable."
Ditching boring After-school prep was legal. Right?
Anyway, mom let that one slide and we went on ahead without any hard feelings.
Mom, I'd say was in her brightest spirits all the way. And for a reason I didn't understand.
We made for the Director's office as instructed by the receptionist.
The wards at every turn were locked up, steel doors and fine bolts. The walls were pretty. A mix of yellow and green to what looked like bright lemon.
I was so caught up on the beauty of everything, I didn't notice I'd wandered off into a completely different hallway were mom wasn't.
Great.
So much for being a bemused observer.
"This part of the hallway is only open to Staff. What are you doing here?"
I turned around with caution. The voice behind me was strangely familiar and yet.. odd.
She walked up to me and glared straight into my eyes through her oversized silver glasses, analyzing me like I was some shape-shifter.
"Cecee speaking, and.. you happen to be nameless?"
"Emily," I lied, stuttering.
Cecee walked on ahead of me, hands clapped behind her.
She stopped.
" Emily."
Cecee moved her head backwards slightly enough to meet my gaze.