Chapter-21
Grace
I am afraid, very afraid. I feel like I am forced to live in fear. I go to school but not in a mood to teach or unable to enjoy my profession as I always did. Deep inside I realise that what all happening is something called revenge or any serial killer behind the murders whose target is we friends. Nowadays, I am reading so many thrillers and Sherlock Holmes novels. My mother advised me to see a therapist to come out of this situation. Will this be helpful? or I need think of something else to overcome the circumstances, I am really confused. I see every stranger with fishy eyes. I am no more interested in talking to people. I am not only the one to feel this way or suffer, Hannah and Gloria also feel the same way. I am glad that Nora and Gloria are not in same city. I really want to talk to Nora so that I can alert her, but Hannah is right that she disappeared from our life as if she never existed. We have never been to her aunt’s home. We met her only once when she came to New York city to meet Nora. One day she offered us to visit her aunt in Texas, as usual we all were busy so we denied. Yesterday I met Ariana Joey’s girlfriend, she was very sad, upset and shattered. They dreamt for their upcoming life and planned a happy married life but everything is broken by some asshole. I can understand her pain. I use dating app to search for someone special in my life. My cell phone pings I was happy to see the invitation from a handsome and rich guy. What all happening from past eight-nine months the fear of losing life or die like a shit and become the news of some fucking newspaper. I refused the invite of the guy and simply wrote ‘No’ and that I am having trust issues because I have lost four friends. I include Nora too.
One sunny day, I was checking my students’ assignments in school. Suddenly, I get call from Mr Colins, an officer and uncle of Joey, who is investigating our friend’s murder mystery. I see his number and immediately pick up his call.
Hi! Mr Collins,
Hi, Grace, how are you?
As you now, I am in danger and in fear of losing life anytime.
Don’t worry! this time we will catch that fucking bastard.
How? Is there is any hope?
Yes, I want to talk to you and Hannah personally, so come to my office tomorrow around 5pm.
Mr. Collins, if that killer is following me, he would come to know that I am with police and will kill me.
Mr Collins smiles and says okay dear, if you don’t want to come then I will come by 5pm at your place tomorrow, just think if he sees me at your house then what will happen and he laughs.
Oh! Mr. Collins please don’t try. Bye I hang up his call and wonder how he could manage to crack a joke in this situation.
I close my assignment work, pick my bag and reach parking lot to my car. I look around carefully and start my car to drive to home. Every time before getting into my car I always check around carefully it has become a habit now.
I called Hannah, while laying on bed to overcome lassitude. Yes! Grace, Mr Collins wants to meet us he has something important to tell. Please come to my place tomorrow. Okay honey! I will be there. Tomorrow Victor is going to Sydney for business, will drop him to airport and then come to you. No issues, I will wait for you. I hang up. Hannah is happy with him then why Nora created so much problem? May be ruined career or job lose made her do so. I try to understand her. But still, you don’t have the right to ruin friends’ life. Anyways I get up and sit with my mother who was watching some stupid reality show as she is fond of television. Mom, Tomorrow Mr. Collins is coming to us. That’s good! maybe there is some progress in the case. She cares my cheek and I rested my head in her lap. The safest place in the world is mother’s arms.
Tomorrow evening, Hannah, Mom and I wait for Mr. Collins and he was on time. He is a man in fifties, dark coloured, tall and impressive personality like of an officer. He belongs to Nigeria, but is residing in America for so many years now. Good to see everyone! he greets. My mother goes to kitchen to bring something for him. Where is your father, Grace? He is at farms he only comes on weekends. I explain him. He should be there with you when things around are so disturbing. He is coming this evening. I look into his eyes to give a hint not to talk much about my father as he is a careless man. My mother heard this but said nothing and put coffee mugs on the table and leave us with Mr. Collins. So, Grace and Hannah I sent this file to Joey also. While taking his name I could see the little pain in his eyes and it is obvious. Look at the picture of this man and see this number from which he got the messages and when I checked the details in cyber cell department, I found that both your friends Aaron and Marlin also got the messages from an unknown number, which is different but they got from the same person Nora. Nora! Yes, do you know her? Of course, I tell him the whole story of our friendship. Where is she now? I think she is in Texas but I am not sure. But the last location of these numbers was New York only. Maybe she is here, Hannah sees me suspiciously, just have a look at this picture. This is blurred. I reply seeing the picture. Joey also wrote in an email which he sent. Mr Collins takes a sip of coffee.
