~Alisa~

_ My deepest fear isn't death. I've died a million times, and seen a million deaths. But when I close my eyes, my greatest fear comes alive. And that's the fear of being alone. _

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Someone was out to get me.

I was paralyzed by that fact. I shivered, each time I recalled the painful way Mrs. Ekwegh had to die. I couldn't stop crying, because she was alive a few hours ago, and dead in the next. I couldn't get over the shock, of how brutally she was murdered. Each time I tried, I only found my self weakened by the thought.

Her corpse had already been taken away, and Mr. Ekwegh was finally home. I saw him crying, before they took her corpse away, and I felt pity towards him. He's currently lost two wives, and it's quite coincidental that they're sister. Twins, even. It was sad, and I wasn't sure what he must be going through.

I decided to lock myself in my room. I'd already soaked my pillow with my tears, and I wasn't sure I was ready to stop doing that. The trauma from Mrs. Ekwegh's death, was seriously getting the best of me, and I held onto the little hope that she was in a better place. But still, what I didn't understand was why someone would want her dead. And how come they killed her without anyone noticing? How was it possible that whomever it was, got into the house in the first place? I was well-aware that the mansion had such a really tight security. So my mind raced on how possible it was that they could've killed her so easily.

It just didn't sit well inside of me. My mind still had my numerous doubts, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was a mole in the house. Someone who leaked information, and someone who spied on everyone in this house. It could be possible, because I saw that as the only reasonable explanation as to how the assassin managed to make such a clean kill. And there were no traces left behind, besides the terrifying note which I held in my hand, even still.

'Alisa... Be careful. You're next.'

I wondered why I was even dragged into the picture. What was my business with all this? I didn't kill anyone, did I? I didn't even know what was going on. I was basically a helpless orphan, who simply wanted to have a family. It had been barely two months since my stay here, and I kept having slight paranoia that they might kick me out. Soon. But, I still found myself shoving those thoughts away. At the moment, I wouldn't even care if they sent me back. Because, right now, it seemed to me that there was something in this mansion that didn't quite sit well with me. I felt like being in this mansion meant my doom. I was definitely afraid, because I didn't even know when the so-called assassin would strike again.

I dreaded the nighttime, because I was afraid that would be the time when the assassin would strike. I suddenly felt like running away, but where would I go to? And how sure would I be that they wouldn't find me? All these thoughts drained all my energy, as I continued to rake my mind with these tiresome thoughts.

Again, I recalled the CD given to me by Mrs. Ekwegh, and my heart clenched in fear. She had said she trusted me. Those were her lasts words to me. And I would really hate to let her down, but what could I do? I didn't even know what was contained in that CD! And I knew that CD definitely had something to do with her death. I remembered how scared she was, when she came to me, last night. She seemed to have seen a ghost, and I couldn't stop worrying over the fact that this mansion had way too many secrets. Secrets that I just wished Kambili would tell me about. Or anyone at all. But it seemed like those secrets were too heavy on their tongue. It felt like saying them, would mean their deaths. It felt like it was hovering over this entire mansion, and haunting its members. But I just wished someone would let me know. I wished they'd tell me what was really going on in this mansion. Because I knew this mansion had way too many secrets, and lies had built up its whole walls.

The CD seemed like it was of great importance. And she had repeatedly warned me against letting Mr. Ekwegh know of its existence. Why did she even warn me against that? He was, in fact, her husband. And I just couldn't understand why she didn't want him to know about the CD. What was the man truly hiding? And why did it feel like he had so many secrets hidden under his nose?

Sometimes, I wondered if Kambili was aware of this, too. And I wondered if Kamsi knew, too. In all honesty, it finally made sense why Kamsi didn't want to come back. He probably knew this house wasn't safe. And his words to Kambili that day, on the phone, made me realize he was probably of aware of that fact. "... I'll make sure to come for you. I'll take you away from there. You don't deserve to be with them. You don't deserve to be with him."

Kamsi knew more than he was saying. And I really wished he'd just tell me. For some reason, I felt he knew what was going on here. He knew this house wasn't safe, and that was probably why he was trying to get Kambili out of here. He didn't want her getting hurt. And that meant one thing, he knew everything. Right from the start. And he was right, that day. I wasn't sure if he was right about Mrs. Ekwegh, as well, but I knew he was definitely right about his father hiding something. I felt like calling him, and just letting him know the threat note I'd received. But I also knew he wouldn't tell me anything. I knew he hated me, because I never seemed to keep my stupid opinions to myself. I just kept butting into his business, all the time. And I was sure he hated that about me. I wouldn't blame him.

I sighed, and crumpled the paper in my hand. The blood on the note had already dried, and some had dried on my palms. I wanted to discard the paper, but decided against it and shoved it under my pillow. I felt it would come in handy, somehow.

Lazily, I forced myself out of my bed, and walked into my bathroom. I turned on the tap, and washed the blood off my hands, in my sink. But then, I heard something fall down, in my room. Something which fell, with a loud thud. Hurriedly, and fearfully, I left my bathroom and walked into my room. I was shocked to see my chair, which was next to my vanity table, on the floor. I wondered how that was possible, and I felt fear creep into my veins.

Shakily, I picked the chair off the floor, and put it in its rightful position. I walked back into my bathroom, to wash off the rest of the blood on my hands. As I turned on the tap, and got to washing off the dried blood on my hand, I saw a note written with red ink, next to the tap. It had my name on it, and I wondered if I was to scream, or to pick it up. How was that even possible? It wasn't there before I left for my room.

I took a deep breath, and let it out. And I shakily reached for the note. I unfolded the crisp white paper, which had my name on it, and discovered the note left inside of it. In bold letterings, the words: 'WHERE IS THE CD?' were written on it. I gasped, and wondered what was going on. My head began to pound with worry, and I felt like my heart had been torn open with a blade. A repeated thud in my chest, and consistent drumming in my head, filled my entire being, and I shakily walked out of my bathroom.

I didn't understand what was going on. I wished I did, but I didn't. I sighed, and suddenly wondered if someone was in here with me. My door was locked, and I was sure no one had been in my room, after the incident with Mrs. Ekwegh's brutal death. This was all strange, and highly frightening.

I was too afraid to do anything, so I simply hugged my pillow, and cradled my head in my palms. Startled, I heard the sound of my phone ringing. It took all my willpower, to not scream. As it were, I was already terribly scared.

"Hello?" Came Dub's voice, and I sighed in relief as I tried not to cry.

"Alisa, are you okay? Is Kambili okay? I've been trying to get through to you both, what's wrong?" He asked, oblivious of the traumatizing event that had just taken place.

"Nothing. And I'm fine... Bili's fine too." I lied through my teeth, and tried masking the shakiness in my voice.

"You don't sound fine. And Bili hasn't even been answering her calls. Do I need to come over?" I drew in a sharp breath. It was already really late, and that idea wasn't the best at all.

"No. We're both fine." I said, trying to sound as normal as I could be. But I was failing, miserably.

"I really hope you both are okay. You sound like a ghost." He stated, and I sighed.

"I'm fine." The lie rolled off my tongue, with ease.

I heard his sigh over the phone. "Okay then. Take care..." He said, and I wearily nodded my head, even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Goodnight." He added.

"Goodnight." And with that, he hung up.

I was barely able to get that entire episode off my mind, when I heard something fall off again. It felt like I was being watched. I gulped, and turned to the direction of the noise. This time, it was my school bag, which was on my vanity table, earlier. I sighed, and picked it up. I suddenly felt a wave of determination fill me. I had had enough of these stupid games. Someone was definitely in my room, I was sure of that.

Angrily, I dumped my bag on my vanity table, again, and pulled my windows open. I always loved sitting on my window pavement, with my legs kicking to and fro, outside my window. It was something I did, whenever I felt the need to clear my head. With ease, I got on my window pavement, and let my legs kick back and forth, as I lazily stared at the starry skies. Dub's words suddenly came into my head, "when it's dark, search for the stars."

I smiled, at that thought. I really wished I was in a better mood, because I would've enjoyed stargazing much better. The night was young, and beautiful. The skies seemed to call out to me, and I felt a certain heaviness pool at my chest. I was sad, no doubt.

I sighed again, and didn't even realize when my tears began to roll down my cheeks. I remembered the first day I came to this house, I had felt all alone - although I had people all around me. And even now, I still felt that way. And I hated the feeling, more than anything.

Knowing that you have got so many people's backs, and yet no one seems to have yours, was really sad. I felt like no one really cared, because they never stay with me. Even though I'd felt like I'd found happiness, in less than a month, all that happiness was gone. And now? Now, I felt way worse. Because I'd let myself get attached. It hurt even more now.

I recalled the last time Dub and I were here. Kambili wasn't talking to me, then, and he had tried assuring me that she didn't hate me. And although I know she doesn't hate me, and wasn't mad at me anymore, I just couldn't help the feeling of loneliness that came over me. I felt so alone, because I felt no one was actually telling me anything. I felt like I'd been buried in the dark, and no could spot me because my dark skin seemed to have become one with the darkness. It didn't help that I didn't really have close friends. My life felt like sand. Like it could get blown away by the wind. I was tired. Both mentally, and physically. I just didn't have the strength, to keep on hoping for anything good. If someone was out to kill, then I felt now would be the best time for that. I had had enough of life, anyway.

Again, I heard my phone ringing. I reluctantly walked to my bed, and retrieved it. I felt it would be Dub, again, since I barely had any contact - besides his - on my phone. But then, it was a private number. I huffed, and answered the phone, although, hastily.

"Hello?" I said, and awaited the reply from the person at the other end of the line.

Still, no one said a thing. "Hello?" I said again, and awaited the reply of the unknown caller. I settled in my mind, that I would hang up if I still got no reply.

And finally, a reply came. "Where's the CD?" A gruff voice echoed into my ears. I shut my eyes, and took a deep breath. I wasn't going to be afraid anymore. I'd already gone through enough shock, for one night. If he wanted the CD so bad, then he could come have it.

"I trust you, Alisa. I really do... So please do not let me down."

Those words tortured my thoughts, and I felt like I was betraying Mrs. Ekwegh. She did ask that I kept the CD safe. And she asked that I made sure no one knew about it's existence. But then, how then did this unknown person know about it? And why was it suddenly of so much importance?

"Who are you? And why are you asking me such an absurd question?" I didn't know when such confidence embraced me, but I was glad it did.

Across the line, the unknown person - who I presumed to be a man - laughed at me. "Alaye, no dey form rubbish for me, jare. Where's the f*cking CD? Don't play games with me." I gulped at the sound of the extremely deep, masculine voice. It felt like salt had been poured on an earthworm, and I began to feel all my confidence waver.
["My friend, don't form rubbish for me"].

I felt my palms become sweaty, instantly. "I- I don't have it." I lied, and felt my heart race within my chest. Who was this person? And why was I even replying him? And how on Earth did he get hold of number? I only got this phone yesterday.

"Lying will be the worst thing you could ever do. Right outside your window, there's a skilled gunman who's aiming a sniper at you. Tell one more lie, and that man will empty all of the sniper's bullets into your f*cking head." The minute I heard that, I froze on the spot. My friggin window was still open!

Shakily, I rushed towards the window and shut it. I heard the man laugh at my attempt. "I can see you, Alisa," how did he know my name? "So don't fool yourself. Just answer the question, hand me the CD, and go scot-free." He said, and I seriously began to ponder whether or not it'd be right to hand him the CD. I suddenly didn't feel like dying anymore. I had a lot to live for... I hoped.

"Uh... Uh, um... I-"

"Five seconds, on the clock. You have only five seconds, Alisa. Tell me where it is!" He demanded, and my heart began to pound, erratically, within my chest.

Should I tell him?

Fear slid under my skin, once again, and I immediately ducked underneath my bed. I felt like hanging up on the mysterious man, but I knew that wouldn't save me, either.

"Where is it?" He demanded, and I tried stabling my breathing.

"I don't have it." I claimed, and I began to hear him count.

"5?"

I gulped, fear lurked in my eyes, and sweat began to smoothen my skin. I was so scared, that I almost forgot to breathe. He'd shoot me, the minute he gets to one.

"4?"

I said a quick prayer in my heart, and asked God to help me. I didn't want to let Mrs. Ekwegh down. But would giving them the CD save me? Would giving them the CD ensure that they never bother anyone in this house again? Right now, I was thinking not only of myself, but of the others in this house.

"3?"

Dear God, help your child. Please.

"2?"

I shut my eyes, and felt like my air was being drained from me. My shoulders slumped, and I slowly got out from under the bed. I had to face whatever was going to happen, if I would die today, at least I'd die while trying to save a few lives today.

"1-"

"I have it. Come take it." I shut my eyes, feeling like I had let Mrs. Ekwegh down. I refused to let the tears fall off, because... What use would they be of to me? They wouldn't stop these people from taking the CD. And they wouldn't protect me, either. There was absolutely no use crying, when I knew it'd never change a thing.

"Smart girl," he deep voice bellowed, and I clenched my fists, as anger filled my entire being. "Bring it out, and slip it under your window pavement. Now." He ordered, and I sighed.

I'm really sorry, Mrs. Ekwegh. I really wish you hadn't given me this. I'm letting you down.

But then, an idea came popping into my head. I could give him the wrong CD. After all, how would he know if it's the original?

I felt my idea was smart, so I began to search for a CD I had earlier seen, which was stacked amidst the numerous books on my shelf. Finally, after digging through all the books, I got the CD. And fortunately, it looked just like the one Mrs. Ekwegh had given me.

"Good," his voice came, and I gulped. I tried not to show my fear, as I tried standing firm. He bought it. He actually believed this is the real CD! Amidst all that commando behavior, he's a real idiot. "Now, slide it underneath your window pavement." I did as told, and the CD was collected from an unknown person, whom I just couldn't see, although my room was bright lit.

"Nice doing business with you." Before I could fully grab what he had said, he hung up. I was about walking to my bed, when something flew into my window, shattering the glass, and a sharp pain settled at the pit of my stomach.

When I stared down at my tummy, I was bleeding. I gasped, and felt excruciating pain overwhelm me. I watched as blood oozed out of the bullet wound, and I began to wheeze in pure pain. I felt another bullet penetrate into my stomach again, and I suddenly began to feel dizzy. Blood splattered onto the floors, and the crimson red fluid stained my feet and a part of my wall. I heard screams, and heard footsteps approaching my room.

"Alisa?!" I heard Kambili yell. "Alisa, what happened? I- I heard noise from your window. Are you okay?" I tried speaking, and slowly slid to the floor. Blood had covered my entire hands, and I could barely make out my surroundings.

I watched as my own blood slid to the floor, like a melting ice, and I watched as it stained the sheets, as well. "Alisa, open the darn door!" I heard Kambili yell. I heard another footstep, and tried crawling to the door. I tried keeping my eyes open, as well, and struggled to get to the door, with blood staining the floors, as I crawled towards the door.

I tried. I really tried. "Alisa, please open the door." This time, it was Mr. Ekwegh.

Slowly, I made it to the door. I watched as the floors got stained by a map of my own pooling blood. "I- I-" I tried saying, but before my bloody hands could come in contact with the door handle, everything went pitch black. And all I could hear, were the faint pleas from the ones outside my room. But I was grateful for one thing. And that was; even if I died from this, at least I'd die, knowing I hadn't let Mrs. Ekwegh down. Those people, whomever they were, didn't have the original CD.

"Alisa!" And it seemed like I was floating on air. All the pain seemed vague, all my emotions seemed plain. And the voices; gone. Darkness welcomed me into it's cold hands, and I embraced it... Wholeheartedly.

*
Dun dun dun! *Cue the dramatic effect*
So... Who expected that to happen?

What were your thoughts on this chapter?

As for me, I feel like the mystery gets juicier and juicer by the minute.

Who are your suspects? And why, please?

I really look forward to getting your reply. Can't wait!❤️

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Till my next update, which might come sooner than you think...
Bye!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️