House 254, Ngong's Flora Estate
"Still can't believe they all absconded us," Miridald grumbled, setting the crockery in one of the double sinks. "I mean, should they all have gone at Jenny's?" She sounded a bit sad.
"Oh, Miri..." Renee sighed at her sister. She put the last of the décor that had been used to set the table into a cabinet. "Just say that you're upset about Edward leaving. It's not like the rest of those sweet brats LIVE here."
Miridald didn't deny it.
Renee walked to her, resetting her hair into the bun that had been perpetually untangling itself.
They were now in more homely attire—Renee in a pair of sweatpants and a casual T-shirt, and Miridald in a soft silk dress that reached her knees.
She reached Miridald and placed a hand casually on her shoulder, also leaning against the sink, but with her legs crossed. Her head partially rested against a cabinet door, and for a while, she stood there staring at the chandelier—though it was the ceiling lights that had been put on—looking obviously taller than her didi while in her sudden daze.
Seeing that Renee wasn't talking, or going to any time soon, Miridald reacted. "What's with you?" She asked, grimacing as she took Renee's hand off her shoulder. She felt cringy at Renee's sudden silence and idle gaping. "What? Did you suddenly get sucked into one of your daydreams?" Miridald smiled teasingly, then turned to the sink. "You are a maladaptive daydreamer, you know that?" she teased, setting herself ready to wash the dishes.
Renee rolled her eyes, then also turned to the sink. "First of all, sizi," Renee tapped Miridald's back in mockery, "I'm not daydreaming." She smirked. "It's night." She gestured toward a nearby window—its curtains still not drawn closed, and the sombre hue that had engulfed the house clearly visible.
"I was just thinking," Renee admitted.
Miridald put on a suspicious look. "Hmmm. Thinking, huh? ... Kuhusu nini?" She rubbed the soap against the sponge.
"Just stuff."
Miridald set the sponge aside and turned to Renee, more attentive now, a hand on her hip while the other helped her lean against the sink. "Hey, you're starting to scare me. What's wrong? Is it work?"
Renee scoffed. "Work? Seriously, Miri?"
"What? You love your job and are so prosperous in it. Matter of fact, I can't think of anything else that might set you off like this." She rubbed Renee's back. "So do tell, what's up?"
"Oh come on, Miri," Renee pulled back from her sister's hand. "It's not that deep, so chill," she said in a mocking slay-queen manner. "You are giving mommy vibes with grandma love sentiments."
Miridald burst out into a chuckle.
"I... I cannot with you." She had laughed to the point of tears welling up in her eyes.
"Guess who talks like that?" Renee asked, raising her brows and smirking.
Miridald wiped off the tears. "Gen-Z, of course. Speaking of which, have you heard from Dad and Mom?"
"No. I haven't been able to reach them. Maybe they decided to switch their cels off?"
"Yeah. Seems like Seychelles is treating them pretty well, to the point they don't want disturbance." Miridald looked up at Renee. "How long were they going to stay there again?"
"They didn't say, really, but I wish we could reach them. So much is happening here... they don't even know that Hallington is no more," Renee's tone saddened.
The atmosphere turned dull suddenly.
Miridald came closer and hugged Renee by the side, gently rubbing her arm.
Renee smiled at her sister in gratitude, then rested her head on her shoulder.
"I also miss them a great deal," Miridald began. "I'm sure if they were here, then things wouldn't be as chaotic as they are." Tears brimmed in her eyes. "They would have done an awesome job handling everything. Rather than the screw-up job I'm doing."
Renee instantly turned to Miridald and held her by the shoulders. "Don't you ever say that!"
"You, my sister, are doing such an awesome—in fact, super—job with how you are handling things. What? You think it's easy doing what you're doing? Blanketing Edward from all this chaos and pain?"
"But..."
"No!" Renee held up a hand. "You can't protect him from the truth of Hallington's demise. We couldn't, okay? But we can protect him from everything else and distract him from his pain. So if he decides to go to Jenny's place, it's good, it gives him time to heal. And besides, he's also distracted there. He didn't go because you aren't doing a good job—he did because you are. Imagine if you were also busy sulking and moping over Hallington—who would have been the one to keep him from locking himself in his room and depressing over his friend's death? Huh? 'Cause it ain't me. I would have failed—miserably.
"Miridald," Renee continued, "Edward and I might be the best of friends and aunty–nephew duo, but when it all comes down to who's the antidote for that little brat, I don't even come close. No one does. Okay? Now get that embroidered in that skull of yours. And don't forget it." She flicked Miridald's forehead.
"Ouww," Miridald winced. She started giggling, her hand still on her forehead. "What was that for?"
"So that you don't forget."
"Exactly," came Jarold's remark.
Stunned, the two women turned to him, seeing him walk toward them, already dressed for work and in his usual long black coat.
He set his briefcase on the island, then approached Miridald, cupping her cheeks.
Miridald looked up into his eyes.
"Renee is right," Jarold assured softly, rubbing his thumb gently on her cheek.
Miridald wasn't sure if they were in the same boat.
"I was leaning against the wall and listening the entire time," Jarold clarified lightly as he stepped back and took his briefcase.
The two sisters seemed more stunned, the doubt that had hovered over Miridald now gone.
Jarold sneered. "Relax," he held out a hand to them. "I wasn't eavesdropping on you or anything. I just happened to walk in when Renee was holding you by the shoulders. Whatever you said before that, I don't know."
Their hearts settled back in place.
"I'll be going back to work now, ladies. But, heart, when I return I'll be coming to help you with the situation at home. Okay? I've been busy enough. It's time I assume my responsibility and help you guys around here." Guilt etched his voice.
"Heart..." Miridald cried out softly. "Don't do that. Don't blame yourself. Everything seemed to have happened in a flash. No one's to blame, but we can try and understand how and why everything that's happening is happening."
"I can't try," Jarold said coldly. "I MUST."
Miridald's shoulders slumped.
Jarold came close and hugged her by the free arm.
He kissed her forehead. "See you when I come back."
He then turned to Renee and also hugged her. "Shemeji?"
"Yeah?"
"Kwaheri," Jarold bid, stepping back.
"Kwaheri," Renee bid back.
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Dhahabu Apartments
"Mama Anitaaa?" Edward cried out desperately as he trailed behind Jenevive, stomping his feet furiously like a spoiled brat.
Jenevive, indifferent to Edward's incessant pleas, stood firm in her decision. She wasn't about to waver just because of a childish tantrum.
She reached the bathroom door, opened it, and stepped inside.
Edward followed her in.
"Edward!" Jenevive shrieked after turning around to see Edward in the bathroom with her. Her eyes burned with frustration and shock. She hadn't expected him to actually follow her into the bathroom. He must have truly been desperate. Still, she wasn't changing her mind.
"Get out."
The words came out composed—yet sharp as a dagger.
Edward hesitated. "…"
Jenevive planted her hands on her hips, intensifying her glare.
Edward finally obeyed and stepped out.
Once he was gone, Jenevive rushed after him and shut the door, locking it frantically with shaking hands.
She leaned back against the door and let out a breath as she slowly slid down—until a realization struck her hard.
"Yes," she muttered. "Edward is terrifying."
She blew out another breath, shook her head, and pushed herself up.
------
"She said yes," Edward declared to the trio walking into the living room.
The twins were already asleep.
He flopped onto the sofa beside Anita, sitting in a rather unscrupulous manner: one arm on the backrest, one foot on the table's edge, the other calmly on the floor.
"I wouldn't mind if you helped me with the key to that study now, Nits," Edward said in a charming yet manipulative tone, scooting his arm closer to Anita's neck and wiggling his brows at her, his face plastered with a weird smile.
"I don't think so," Mdachi countered calmly, setting his phone down.
He adjusted his glasses.
Then looked directly at the bewildered Edward. "Anita's mom didn't really agree to your sentiments, did she?"
Edward was momentarily at a loss for words.
Anita stared at him with a blasé expression.
Jesse, meanwhile, looked among the three with sheer indifference, too wrapped up in his own world to care.
Uninterested in their squabble, he lifted the grimoire off his lap, placed it on the sofa, and walked off, disappearing into a corner.
"Why do you insist on doing this?" Mdachi asked.
"Doing what exactly, Mdachi?" Edward countered.
"Carrying on with the investigation."
"I'm not carrying on with an investigation, Mdachi. I'm simply gathering facts and clues."
"For what?"
"What do you mean for what?" Edward almost snapped.
"Why insist on pursuing something that's already being handled? Is it your forte to add yourself pain?!"
"Mdachi!" Anita called out, shock plastered across her face.
Edward giggled.
Attention snapped back at him.
"You don't even believe what you're saying, Dachi," Edward said calmly, leaning back into the cushion, arms resting freely on the backrest. "You're only saying that because you think you have to."
He leaned forward. "But think about it, Dachi. Don't you also want to know the truth first-hand and as fast as possible? As we do?"
He included Anita with a brief glance.
Anita didn't oblige—but she also didn't object.
"I know you do, Dachi," Edward continued mischievously. "So there's no reason to go all saint on me."
He leaned back again. "After all, hata we unajua, ever since we learned about the supernatural, you haven't been able to hit the sack at night without reanalyzing, rethinking, and re-questioning your whole life—and ours."
Edward gave a cold smile.
"Now you're just trying to act cool," Mdachi retorted.
"Uhhh, I am cool," Edward said proudly. "Like duhh—blue powers and stuff." He held out his hand in mocking illustration.
"But it's not like you'd know," he added, inspecting something on his T-shirt before looking up again. "After all, you don't have powers… do you?"
Anita was speechless.
And so was Mdachi—though resolve came quickly.
He crossed his legs, leaned back, and looked at Edward over his glasses, smiling.
"Checkmate," he uttered proudly.
Edward wasn't sure he'd heard correctly.
"I said, checkmate," Mdachi repeated, arms crossed, smiling through his teeth.
And instantly, Edward felt like exploding. He'd expected Mdachi to throw something back, yes—but not beat him at his own game. Rats.
"You're right, Edward. I am curious—very much, in fact," Mdachi began. "You can't imagine how much. But… I'm not callous. So when my brother's emotional stability is on the line, I'll give up any curiosity I have to put him first. I'd rather die curious and know you're fine than chase answers that will do nothing but break you. No questions asked."
Edward rolled his eyes halfway.
But suddenly, the lights began flickering—unsettlingly.
Edward and Mdachi froze, stiffening as their eyes darted around as though searching for a ghost.
The flickering stopped.
Anita chuckled. "Come on, guys. Nothing to be scared of," she assured. "That normally happens when a Ktsi is channeling power. Jesse must be at it again." She glanced toward the corner he'd gone to. "No wonder he suddenly left. But it's a good thing the girls are sleeping, right?"
"Yeah," Mdachi agreed, easing up while still watching the lights. But then something dawned on him—his eyes widened. Alarm hit him.
"Wait! Tini and Tola are here!"
"Relax," Anita soothed. "Like I said: it's good they're asleep."
"You don't know them like I do," he retorted, rising quickly. "Especially Tola. I need to make sure they're actually sleeping."
Mdachi started off.
"Mdachi," Edward called, standing with his eyes fixed on the chandelier.
Mdachi stopped.
"You did delete the footage, didn't you?" Edward asked, finally tearing his gaze away. "You did… right? 'Cause I don't remember you filling us in on that."
The realization struck Mdachi like lightning. His heart clenched—he hadn't even seen the camera since leaving Edward's house.
"Um…" Mdachi's throat suddenly went dry.
"Umm…" He scratched his head aggressively, pacing around the room.
"Oh no," Anita tensed.
She stood and approached.
"You didn't misplace it… did you?" she asked.
"I… I don't think so. No."
Edward's heart eased. He let out a breath. "Phew! For a moment I thought something might have happ—"
"Edward, I lost the camera!" Mdachi blurted out.
Shock.
Edward froze, gaping at him with bulging eyes. His intuition had been right—Mdachi had lost the camera just as he'd feared.
"What do you mean you lost the camera?!" Anita exclaimed.
"What's going on?" Jenevive asked as she walked in, clueless. "What camera is lost?"
"Tigean's camera!" Anita replied.
Jenevive still looked lost.
"The granddaughter of Edward's neighbour, Mrs. Wanjiku—the one I told you about yesterday," Anita clarified quickly.
It clicked. "Right. Now I remember," Jenevive said. Her eyes widened. "Wait—did you say her camera is missing? The same one she used to record you all while Edward was using his powers?"
"Exactly!"
Jenevive rushed to Mdachi, panic filling her eyes. "Honey," she said, gripping his shoulders, "what do you mean you lost it?" Her voice trembled. "Please explain."
"Seriously, Dachi," Edward began scolding, sounding like he was about to cry. "I told you—nilikwambia—be careful with that camera. Don't let it fall into the wrong hands. Ona sasa. What are we gonna do? Do you even know where you lost it? Can you remember where you placed it? 'Cause one thing I know for sure is you lost it at my house. Isn't that right?"
Mdachi nodded slowly, guilt eating him alive.
But that just made Edward even more flustered. The confirmation that the camera was lying somewhere—unguarded—at his house was terrifying. If someone found it and watched its contents… catastrophe. Absolute catastrophe.
Overwhelmed, Edward tugged at his hair, pacing. He let out a long, exhausted, whistled breath, trying to calm both his nerves and his racing heartbeat.
Anita moved toward him to help—
"It's not Mdachi's fault!" Jesse declared, appearing out of thin air. Literally.
Everyone was too stressed to even be startled. They just stared blankly.
"Mdachi didn't lose the camera. I did," Jesse continued—shockingly serious, and genuinely guilty.
Jenevive marched up to him. "Explain yourself," she said coldly.
It was the first time Edward and Mdachi had ever seen Jenevive that stern with Jesse.
"Now," she added.
"I… I… I wanted to… it was supposed to be a prank… I didn't—"
"Jesse. Speak."
Jesse gulped.
"I stole the camera from Mdachi's pocket while we were taking the chairs from the basement. I just wanted to taunt him… I didn't mean to lose it… or forget about it… I'm really, really sorry," he rambled in one breath.
"I don't even want to know why you did that for now," Jenevive said, still stern. "I just want to know where the camera is, honey. Okay? Just tell us—where is it?"
-------------
House 254, Ngong's Flora Estate
The alarm went off.
Renee picked up her phone and switched it off. "Spa time!" she declared joyfully, quickly rising to her feet.
She looked down at Miridald. "Wanna join?"
Miridald grimaced. "As if."
Renee's shoulders slumped. "You have always been a buzzkill for spa time," she pouted childishly.
Miridald remained unbothered.
"Fine," Renee gave up. "But in case you change your mind, you know where to find me." And with that, Renee blew a kiss to Miridald and hurried off to the stairs, squealing like some deranged slay queen.
After she was gone, Miridald paused the TV and walked to the landing, staring up at the stairs.
"If you change your mind, you know where to find me," Miridald mimicked Renee in a mocking manner as she walked toward the kitchen. "Tch. As if I would like those inordinately expensive mud stuff on my face. I like my face just fine."
But just as she was about to enter the kitchen, she noticed three of those retractable chairs standing in a corner.
"Ughhhhh," she exhaled in frustration. "Now who left these here? Like seriously, who would do such a thing?"
She put her hands on her waist and stared at them. "Man, I am so exhausted."
--------------
"I left it in the storeroom," Jesse answered.
Miridald heaved as she carried the chairs to the storeroom.
"I placed it between two boxes on the shelf, and pulled one box a bit over the edge to remember."
Miridald descended the stairs, desperately heading for the corner where the chairs were normally kept. But on her way, she bumped into something.
"Don't worry though," Jesse assured. "I put a temporary cloaking spell on it. It can't, and won't be seen…"
Miridald set the heavy chairs aside and stared down at the fallen box in exasperation. She set her hands on her waist again and sighed in exhaustion before leaning to pick the box up.
"Unless touched or moved."
Picking up the box, Miridald saw a small pink cuboid object with jade green stripes at its edges beneath where the box had been.
Jesse chuckled nervously. "But we all know the odds of that happening, right? No one usually goes down there. Right, Edward?"
Edward didn't respond.
Miridald reached for the object.
"And even if they did, what are the odds that they will run into it?"
Miridald picked it up only to realise it was a camera.
"Right?"
She smiled in fascination as she looked at it.
"Right?!"
"This must be Anita's from when she was young," Miridald assumed as she looked around it for a button to turn it on. "Must have fallen from inside the box when I bumped into it."
"You screwed up Jesse," Anita remarked flatly, stepping foward and staring straight into Jesse's eyes.
Finding the button, Miridald turned the gadget on. She fumbled for a while before being able to find the gallery.
"You really did."
Replaying the previous video, Miridald watched with a beaming smile as she anticipated seeing which memories had been treasured in the device, but her abounding smile slowly crumbled as she watched the video, and her gaze intensified into a squint.
Her eyes widened in shock, and by reflex, she found herself throwing the camera away from herself. Her breathing quickened and rigged as she stared at the broken gadget in disbelief and horror.
"Jesse... Just pray that no one really runs into it," Anita added. "Because if they do and see the previous footage on that camera, then we are all screwed."
"No," Miridald whispered, tears at the brink of her eyes. "Such a thing cannot be. No, it's impossible. It's impossible. It can't be…"
----------
But just as Anita finished speaking, they heard a thud come from the corridor.
Though, surprised, they acted quickly and rushed to the corridor.
"Ouch," Tola winced painfully as she sat up, her hand on the back of her head.
She looked under her foot and saw one of Jesse's mini-model cars. She had been tripped by it.
Kicking the car away in frustration, Tola looked behind her only to see everyone there and staring at her, panic as clear as day.
"Tola?" Mdachi called out, his voice laced with both concern and anxiety.