As Emily and Jack left the mall, they found themselves on their way back to the house in silence as Emily kept to herself and wouldn't stop thinking about what had happened a few minutes ago. It is not like Jack and Emily talk whenever they are around each other, they still make little noises but it was more awkward than before.As much as she tried to take her mind off it, she just couldn't get it all… she couldn't stop it from rushing around. Her thought gets going back to it, all her other thoughts seemed blocked by something so she could only focus on what had happened with Stephanie.Far off, away on the other side, a figure… a shadowy figure found itself on a wide trail branching off from the main road. The path meandered through a serene landscape, trees and bushes were positioned on each side of the path. The ambient sounds of nature replaced the hustle and bustle of the city.Gradually, the trail narrowed, leading them deeper into the peaceful surroundings. The patterned rhyt
With purposeful strides, he moved towards a low bush where his bag was carefully hidden. The rustling leaves and the distant waves seemed to synchronize with the urgency in the air as he retrieved his belongings. The bag, weathered by the elements, revealed traces of previous journeys, each mark telling a silent story of the adventures it had accompanied him on.As he unzipped the bag, the contents revealed an assortment of tools and objects, each carefully selected for its unique purpose. Leonard's hands moved with practiced efficiency, selecting items that would help him grow at a deeper connection between him and the natural world."Time is of the essence," the voice came again, reminding him, urging a sense of immediacy.There was a groan from Leonard as he, acknowledging the urgency, took out a compact set of tools designed for environmental exploration and empowerment. There were vials filled with vibrant powders, a small book containing intricate diagrams, and a peculiar artifa
The car smoothly rumbled as it made its way along the familiar route, the engine humming rhythmically was calm as it filled the space between Jack the driver and Emily, the back passenger. Emily watched through the window as everyone went about their day with a smile and freedom or maybe not, as the car sped down the road. Who knows if they were truly smiling and free like they seem to be now!They continued down the road which seemed busy, it wasn't supposed to be this busy at this time of the day as everyone ought to be in school, at work, at home and all that. But this city isn't predictable, Emily who was lost in her thoughts but slowly got back as something crossed her mind. She suddenly broke the awkward calm silence in the car.“Jack, can you please stop the car? I need to branch off somewhere. There is a particular place I need to visit right now,” she said to him with a matter of urgency.Jack, puzzled and unsure of what to make about this abrupt request, turned to look at her
Jack, quiet and thinking, takes a deep breath and sighed before responding."Sir, I am currently on my way home but there is something I need to tell you. Well, Miss Emily suddenly insisted on branching off somewhere. She said she had to visit a place. I tried to persuade her otherwise, but she was adamant. She took a cab and left." He explained without breathing.There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, it was awkward and gravely. The weight of the revelation took a while to settle down. And when Peterson's voice came back on, it was usually composed but it was far from it. He tried to cover it up but his emotions betrayed him and a hint of worry, a lot, could be noticed."What? Why did she do that? Where did she go? What is she looking for? Why did you let her go? Jack, was this our agreement? Oh shit!” He muttered angrily and with worry.“Where could she have gone to? Oh no!” He continued.Jack, still driving through the city, knew it would be best for him if he knew ho
Emily approached the magnificent estate where Leonard resided, how beautiful it was, evident in the architectural detail of the house. The entrance showcased a porch adorned with an array of exquisite flower vases, each housing beautiful colorful flowers that added a touch of elegance to the house. From the porch to the sides of the house were beautiful ornamental plants.A particularly beautiful vase near the entrance held a secret, the spare key to Leonard's house hidden behind its petals, which had been deliberately hidden by Emily. Emily carefully retrieved the key, its presence breaking a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty that seemed to keep itself within her as she walked about the house.The front door swung open, revealing the richness within the estate. The living room, adorned with plush furnishings and intricate decor, bore the mark of affluence. However, a subtle layer of dust and an air of lifelessness was evidence in the absence of recent activity.Emily stepped furt
The weight of Leonard's absence sank in as Emily read the letter. She dropped to the ground with her heart in her hand and the letter in the other hand and a quiet tear fell from her eyes. She did not know why she teared up but she did. She sat for a while just looking at the letter before aggressively cleaning her face.Just looking around lazily with unspeakable sadness, Emily noticed a journal lying underneath the bed. Its leather cover had an intriguing craving and ancient writing that she couldn't imagine what it meant. Drawn to it unusually, she picked it up and, she opened its pages, revealing Leonard's handwritten thoughts.Slowly going through the pages, Emily read Leonard's words, a testament to his introspection and the journey he had undertaken and had to take. The entries spoke of inner struggles, the pursuit of self discovery, and the responsibilities he couldn't explain but had to take it on and somehow it had gotten him where he was.His vulnerability lay bare on the pa
He stared at his phone as it beeped, showing a message had entered into his phone. The knocking on the door distracted him for a while as he turned sharply to the sound but sluggishly walking towards the door. He rubbed his eyes open before opening the door to see the pizza guy.“Why are you just here?” He asked with a groan in his voice.“Sorry, I couldn't easily get the way to this place,” the young man said with a little fear as regards Jack's facial expression.“Just drop it and get off!” He snapped.The pizza guy stretched the pizza box and a paper bag containing a pet drink and some chicken nuggets to Jack who snatched it from him aggressively. He watched as the guy ran off on his lawn, hissing loudly, he slammed the door and clocked.With the pizza box in his hand and the paper bag in the other hand, he managed to get into the car.The wheels of Jack's car hummed beneath the road as he navigated the familiar route back to Peterson's villa. Martha, standing by the gate outside, o
Emily followed around, helping them to find their supposed position. But she kept looking at the girl who had commented on her skill with money.She kept having this strange feeling towards her. She followed her to the kitchen, not her precisely but there were about two to three of them that Emily employed for the kitchen. Almost getting to them, she turned back and decided to take another approach. She walked to the living room, on the wall around the corner was a switch which Emily pressed and it made a loud piercing sound. She was grateful that it was still working, it was similar to the one in Peterson's villa which he uses to beacon his staff for a meeting. She rang it again when there was no effect on the first ring.Slowly the working staff made their way to the living room, confusion written on their faces as they all looked at each other.She beaconed on them with her hands, urging them to move forward towards her without confusion, she smiled to the effect.“I never knew tha