I slammed my back against the door and slid down to the floor, sobbing my tears on my warm palm. If I had been sipping that coffee like I was supposed to, I would have been the one hit, not the mug. I heard a bang from the window. Whoever did this was coming for me.
"Help! Someone help!" I shouted as I burst out of the room into the open.
"Are you alright? I was just passing by when I heard you screaming. Are you okay?" Tina asked, cutting in immediately.
"There was a gunshot in my room. It started with wind blowing everything to the floor, then the gun went off," I cried out.
I began explaining, but Anna just stared, baffled. She lived next door, across the low fence. She must have heard the gunshots.
"You heard it, right? You must have heard that gunshot! It happened just few minutes ago, whoever did it is trying to break in," I cried out.
My heart beat so quickly that my words came out in an unstoppable rush. Anna's kick open the door.
I scanned my whole room and I was confused. The whole place looked normal.
I squinted hard, because the colour of the coffee looked far darker than what I usually made for myself every single morning, and I am sure I made no mistake in adding extra cocoa today. I always liked it light.
The coffee was still hot, drifting smoke enough to suggest it had just been prepared seconds ago.
I had made this coffee one hour ago and was thinking of ditching it in the washing basin.
I couldn't bring myself to touch it, much less take a sip, because who knew — it might have been poisoned.
I narrowed my eyes again toward the far side of the room, and I swear the papers that had been scattered all over the floor, were now neatly stacked on top of the wall cabinet.
The papers were not even skewed but lined perfectly, even the coffee was perfect as it is.
The window was not shattered.
But how could anyone have done all that within minutes? I was even in front of the front door and I didn't hear footsteps and didn't catch the smallest sign that someone had entered or left.
"Are you sure you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital or something?"
"I'm not crazy. I swear. I swear there was this wind and gun shot in my room."
Anna stared at me, perplexed. "Really? Wind? Gun? Look at your books. Even this paper is properly kept and the mug you talking about? It still has your coffee and it hot at that. And you say there was a mighty wind and a gun shot in your room? Are you crazy? Come on, I know you're lonely. Why don't you... You know what? If you need someone to talk to, just talk to me." she said with her hands on my shoulder.
I couldn't utter a word. I realized I sounded stupid to her. It was impossible for her to believe me. There was nothing I could tell her that would make her believe me.
"Yes, you're right. I'm crazy. I was too scared to be alone," I lied, and bent to observe the cup of coffee. I knew someone came here and pulled the through, I'm not stupid.
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Sorry I said that. You know what, I had a bad day too. Sorry I'm trying to act like an asshole. So sorry for that. So tell me. What did you see? Are you sure you saw that?" She asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. I know you're going to think I'm crazy, but I saw the gunshot hit straight at my mug, and watched it spilled all over the rug. I know I'm not hallucinating."
"Well, I believe you," Anna said, somewhat hesitantly.
"Whatever you saw, could be real or some sort of weather change. You know what? I'm going to stay with you tonight, okay? Have you called your parents?"
"No, doll, haven't seen my parent since I moved here. Gonna swing by this weekend," I lied.
"You'll be fine, Sandra. So, any fun school stories?"
"This week was Slum Week."
"Hey, welcome to my life," she said.
We cracked up, but my smile was nothing but a cover.
I appreciated her attempt to lighten the mood, but my ribs are already cracked from pretending to smile. I got lots on mind, and I kept thinking about that man.
"Things happen. Weird things. You can't always explain them, we just need someone to listen," Anna said. "Maybe there's an explanation, or maybe it's just one of those things. Either way, you're not alone Sandra."
I nodded, feeling a bit better.
"Thanks, Anna. It means a lot."
"Anytime," she replied with a smile.
"Now, tell me more about this Slum Week. What activity did you guys do?"
"Well, we had a lot of activities planned, but the highlight was probably the talent show. Everyone participated, even those who usually don't. It was fun seeing everyone showcase their lame skills."
"That sounds amazing! Did you participate?" she asked, genuinely interested.
"Yeah, I did. I played the piano. It was nerve-wracking but exciting."
Anna's eyes lit up.
"I didn't know you played the piano! You have to play for me sometime."
"Sure," I agreed, feeling a flutter in my heart that hadn't been there before.