Sonia sprinted out of the school gates, her legs pumping furiously as she fled from the overwhelming anxiety that threatened to consume her. She was drenched from the cold sweat that clung to her skin, making her school uniform stick to her body like a damp shroud. Without a backward glance, she dashed to the bus stop, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She burst into the bus, and the sudden commotion drew the attention of the other passengers, who stared at her in a mixture of confusion and concern. As soon as the bus stopped, she leapt out, her school bag trailing behind her, and sprinted towards her house like a predator was after her.
She burst through the door without knocking, causing her father to jump in surprise, his eyes wide with alarm as he struggled to stand up from his chair. Her mother, emerging from the room, was initially shocked by Sonia's disheveled appearance, but her expression quickly turned to one of concern. Sonia's mother took a step forward, her voice firm but worried as Sonia was hastily walking to her room.
"Hey, young woman! Stand still! What's wrong with you? Who poured water on you!" Sonia stood there, shivering like a wet puppy, her eyes fixed on some point in space.
Her mother hastily set down the tray she was carrying, which held some medication and a cup of water, and walked closer to Sonia. "Are you deaf?" she asked, her voice a little softer now. "Mum... I..." Sonia's voice trailed off as she dropped her bag to the floor, her eyes still fixed on the space in front of her.
"Talk to me, my daughter," her mother coaxed, her voice filled with concern. Sonia's gaze snapped back to her mother's face, and she blurted out, "Emmy is dead, Mum!" Her mother's expression changed from concern to shock, and she exchanged a worried glance with her father before focusing back on Sonia, as if demanding more information.
"I killed her," Sonia whispered, her voice barely audible. Her mother's hand flew to her mouth, and she looked at her husband, who was watching the scene unfold with a mixture of alarm and concern. "Honey, this girl isn't in her right mind," he said, his voice calm and soothing, as he hobbled towards them on his crutches. "Let me take her to her room," shee suggested, and Sonia's father nodded, gently guiding Sonia towards her bedroom.
She helped her to the bed and went out .
"Honey. I don't understand what's going on or do you?" She whispered
"It's only Sonia that can explain better" He said ,his eyes glued to her door with surprise.
Her mother looked at the door and saw Sonia outside.
"Honey. Why are you outside? You should rest"
"I killed her"
"Sonia stop!" Her mother shouted.
" I killed her" she said her voice barely above a whisper with tears that strolled down her cheeks.
She had hardly finished her statement when she fell on her limbs. Her parents rushed to her.
"Sonia! Sonia!" Her mother carried her , shaking her gently
"Honey. Let's get her to the hospital first"
Her mother with the help of her limping husband carried her on her back and rushed out with her husband limping hastingly behind. They got to the hospital and she was immediately admitted. The doctor came out few minutes after.
"You don't have to worry too much. She's just in shock. She will be fine"
"Can we go see her?" Her father asked
"Sure. Though she's still sleeping "
They were out of the doctor's sight before he could even finished his words. They sat by her bed side both holding her hand as she lied on the bed lifelessly.
Her father was busy patting her hand when he realized they moved. He called out her name and she opened her eyes slowly.
"Sonia!"
"Mum! Dad!" She answered weakly, looking at them both.
She wanted to sit up but she moaned painfully as she tried to do so.
"Should I get the doctor?" He mother asked already on her feet
"I'm fine mum" she answered already sitting up
As if they doctor knew she had woken up, he entered with a broad smile.
"Sonia. How are you? How are you feeling now?"
Sonia only nodded and had to sleep back on her bed for the doctor to assess her. After checking all her vitals, the doctor hung the stethoscope back on his shoulder.
"We will discharge her today"
"Thank you so much"
"I'm only doing my job "
The doctor walked out and after few hours, Sonia was discharged. Every effort to make her talk about what happened proved abortive. Her parents had to give her time even thought were worried. The worry was however complemented by another event that happened a day after Sonia was discharged. He mother had told her to stay at home and rest since she would be going to a new school the following week. She went to her workplace being that she had to be the breadwinner before her husband would be totally back on her feet.
Sonia was in the sitting room with her father that afternoon looking gloomy as usual when her mother ran in, locking the door. She looked haggard with white substances on her from head to toes. It looked like she was washed with flour. On her clothes were raw egg yolk that found its way to the floor. The duo stood up with wide eyes and mouth opened.
"Honey! What's happening?"
She walked up to them hasteningly, almost in tears, dipping her hands into her bag that seems to look safer than her.
"Come look at our daughter"
She showed them the video of Sonia and Emilee's last argument where she slumped.
"This is really causing a buzz on social media. We aren't even safe. Look at me! I managed to escape"
"I'm sorry mum"
"This is not the time to be sorry my dear. We need to find a safe place"
"Go clean your body then we will sort it out" Sonia's father remained calm as the head of the family.
Few minutes after Sonia mother went inside, noises were heard outside and the door was almost broken. Sonia's father looked through the window and saw people with different dangerous weapon with Emilee's parents at the centre, crying profusely and holding their daughter portrait. They were all dressed in black. The bangs on the door became louder and the whole house shook to its foundation. Sonia's thoughts weren't even clear as she stood up with her finger in her mouth, walking to and fro.