THE TASK

Welcome to the game of murders or secrets, Hannah Dobson! 

You have been enlisted to do THE TASK. 

Remember, you need to do the task, or something will be done to you. 

TASK - Freddy is secretly from a butcher's family. Expose him! 

The message ended with a few pictures of a boy with his family in a slaughterhouse. 

"What is this stupidity?" I said, emphasizing each word as anger and surprise encompassed my voice. My eyes kept staring at the message. 

"I don't know. I thought it was a prank. After all, I didn't want to embarrass someone for no reason. So, I ignored it," Hannah said before pausing and taking a deep breath. "I know this might sound crazy, but I think it has to do something with my whole accident thing," Hannah added suspiciously. 

I looked up at her and noticed her terrified eyes. My tense expressions loosened. I knew whatever was going on was dark and crazy, but right now, my friend needed me. 

I switched off her cell and placed it back on the table. Sitting beside Hannah, I ran my hand softly through her hair as a smile showed up on my face. 

"Don't worry. We'll figure things out. Together!" I assured her, patting her shoulder. "But right now, you really need to get better. So, throw out all these absurd thoughts and theories from your mind and focus on your health and recovery. Okay?" I instructed, and she nodded, smiling at me. 

"Good! So,--" My phone rang just at that moment, cutting my talk. 

I stood up and reached up to my handbag placed on the side table. As I dragged my cell out of it, the glowing screen revealed the caller's name. 

Grace calling… 

"It's Grace," I said excitedly before sliding the green button. 

"Hey. What's up? Where are you?" I asked as soon as I heard Grace's "Hello." 

She said something on the other side, and my smile faded away. Instead, worry took over my expressions as she continued speaking. I didn't utter a word during the enter time except saying "Okay" before hanging up the call. 

"Is everything alright?" Hannah inquired, studying my expressions. 

I turned towards her with a dull face and worried look. 

"Grace's crew is changed." I disclosed with a heavy heart. 

"H-why?!" Hannah asked in surprise. Fret took over her expressions too. 

"The HOD, aka Ms. Penelope, thinks it is best in the interest of all students that a few changes should be made in the groups. Especially OUR group, considering your accidental injuries." I stated unhappily. 

It wasn't like we couldn't work without each other. But groups meant a lot. If you're in a group, you need to dedicate your entire college time to them, which means we couldn't see each other as often as we used to. 

And the cherry on top was that the new crewmates for Grace were solely different from her. They were more like Zendaya. Not at all Grace's type. 

I'm worried about how Grace will survive amongst them. So is Hannah. 

I sat near a chair beside Hannah's bed, holding my forehead in my hand. A few moments sunk down in silence and tension.

"Hey, guys! Sorry, it took more than it should have, but…" Martha's speedily working steps and tongue paused. 

"Guys? What's up? Is something wrong?" She asked, suspiciously glancing at our faces. 

She approached me taking small steps and stood beside my chair. Placing a hand over my shoulder, she bent down so that our faces were on the same level.

She raised her brow in question, looking straight into my eyes. 

"Grace's crew is changed," my lips moved, but I wasn't sure if I was audible. 

At that moment, I felt devastated. My eyesight blurred due to the accumulation of tears in them. 

It wasn't that big of a deal. Grace wasn't a toddler. And so weren't we. She can take care of herself. I don't know, but something felt wrong. 

Why am I going crazy? Why do I feel like crying out loud? 

"Emily?" Martha inquired, giving a slight shake to my shoulders. 

I washed off all the thoughts from my brain, swallowing the ball of tears that choked my throat. I noticed Martha's worrisome eyes focused on my changing expressions as I decorated my face with a fake smile. 

I instantly got up, avoiding any further questions from Martha. 

"Okay! I guess I'm overreacting," I declared, moving and picking up my purse from the table. I tried to ignore Hannah's stare filled with worry. 

Only this time, I knew it was not for Grace but for me. Obviously, due to my weird and abrupt mood swings.   

"Hannah! Focus on your health. Don't worry, I'll keep in touch with her. I hope she will be alright." I added, throwing a bright and energetic smile at Hannah. 

I wanted to overdo the news and drama that has overshadowed the room. And I saw my attempt gaining success as a faint smile slipped over Hannah's lips. 

"Good!" I praised while nodding with a happy smile. 

"Where are you leaving?" Martha asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes at my hand stripping my purse. 

I traced her eyes staring at me and explained, "Oh! Me? I guess I should go check out on Tania. It's been a while since they left. I hope th--" 

"Someone called my name!!!" Tania entered the room dramatically like a genie, and then laughed out loud. 

A slight chuckle was let out by all of us. So carefree and light-hearted was this blonde girl who almost resembled her elder sister.

"Stop your goony activities, silly girl! Tell us what you've got and where are your friends? Also, what took you so long?" Hannah lightly scolded Tania on her goofish behavior. 

"Sister, dearest! I have your favorite pretzels and much more for all." Tania sounded like Santa while saying those words. 

"Also, my friends ditched me and went on a Vancouver tour." She said, rolling her eyes as she approached the food table near Hannah's bed. "But what's the worry when you have Tania, the fairy!" She added in a skittish manner. 

I hit her on the head playfully while laughing at her foolish yet cheerful acts. She received my slap with a giggle and stuck her tongue out, winking. 

We had a hearty meal, and the air was filled with the sweet and salty smell of food and cheer. The darkness and fright that overshadowed the room a few moments ago had now disappeared. 

After wrapping up the leftovers and settling Hannah back on her bed, I noticed Martha packing to leave. I raised a questioning brow towards her, and she gestured to me to meet outside for a moment. 

I excused Hannah and went outside the hospital room. We stood in the corridor where people were moving back and forth into different rooms. Some had tiffin packs in their hands while the others carried prescribed medications. Nurses carrying trays filled with syringes, cotton, and empty bottles could be seen occasionally. 

In the middle of the commotion, we stood near a wall facing each other. Martha held my palms into her hands and squeezed them gently, her eyes fixed at mine as they carried warmth and solicitude. 

"I wanted to invite you to dinner tonight. There are some people I have been longing for you to meet." She said with hope and cheer. 

Her invitation was welcoming. And I knew if Martha wanted me to join her in dinner, the dinner might include our old acquaintances. I would love to meet everyone. But…. 

I turned back to see the door that I just crossed. The door behind which my best friend was lying wounded and in pain. 

I can't leave her here and enjoy a dinner party myself. 

As much as I wanted to say yes to Martha's invitation, I couldn't help but turn her down. 

"Martha, you know what Hannah has gone through. It would be best for both of us if I spend time with her. After all, I can't leave her here, all alone." I excused. 

"She is not alone, dear. Tania will be here with her. And it will be just for a couple of hours." She pleaded. "Also, I seriously think you should have an outing after whatever you faced at your dorm room." 

Martha had won almost all the debate competitions she had ever participated in since I knew her. As for me, I was the worst at presenting my point even when the whole world knows that's true. 

Stupid me!

I sighed. I didn't want to disappoint Martha, but I wasn't sure to leave Hannah either. I needed some time to think. 

"Okay, I'll try if I can get there. I'll call you." I said. 

The words had just escaped my mouth and entered Martha's ears, and I could already see her expressions cheer up. 

"Great!" She chirped. "I'll pick you up from your dorm room. Also, I'll drop some clothes for you as I know you don't have any formal dinner dresses. Please don't dare to wear your casuals." She concluded with a bright smile, and I simply nodded. 

I haven't really agreed yet, but Martha was all excited already. I smiled as she left cheerfully and waved back at her.  

Sighing, I re-entered Hannah's room to see Tania and Hannah talking to each other. As soon as they noticed me coming, their talks halted, and their eyes fixated on me. 

I was stuttered by their expressions, but I tried not to react. I sat beside Hannah as both of them threw silent stares towards me. 

I already had Martha's invitation to talk about. And now they are making me even more nervous with their weird behavior. Amazing.

I thought to myself. 

"What's up?" I finally asked, sounding casual when their stares became unbearable. 

"Nothing," Hannah replied plainly. "Did Martha leave?" She asked.  

"Yeah. She had some stuff to complete. So she left." I replied, scratching my arm nervously. 

"Oh, I see." She said coldly. 

A wall of silence stood in between us. I couldn't dare to open my mouth. The incredulous, cold stares of Hannah and Tania kept making me anxious to the point I started fidgeting my fingers. The silence made me uneasy, and I finally decided to break it. 

"Hannah I---" 

"I know about your talk with Martha. About that dinner party you wanna visit."

*******
Hola, my sweet readers!
So nice to see you again :)
I'm sorry I didn't update earlier. But you know college and stuff can be very hectic sometimes. :(

Anyways, how was the chapter?
Did you like it? Or you love it?
Any guesses what Hannah's gonna say next? 🤔

See you at the next chapter with a new character intro and much more surprises.

Till then,
Keep reading, keep smiling, keep investigating 🔎😀

~Toodles ;)