Thank you for giving this poorly written version of a book a chance. This is being rewritten. There has been some major changes in the plotline, names of characters. If you're coming back and scratching your head in confusion, please stick around for a while. I've had writer's block even before I could pen down or type down a story. So once again, thank you for your time. Feel free to comment if you find any mistakes though. I'll gracefully accept all criticism as long as they're not hateful.

Sharp pangs of pain shot down my back, as my eyes fluttered open. I realised I was curled up in an uncomfortable and awkward position on the couch, my right hand almost grazing the carpeted floor.

The television was still switched on. I caught sight of the scattered papers in front of me. My English essay, I groaned inwardly, it's due tomorrow.
Or maybe today, since it was already three o'clock.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I stood up and gathered my still incomplete essay that I no longer care about. I tiptoed to my room so as to not create a commotion. Before I could step inside, I heard distinct murmurs from my brother's room. Brought another chick home probably. Only, there were not the usual moans and all sorts of inappropriate noises but whispers that seemed tense and curt.

I chucked my homework on my bed and slowly but carefully sidled up the hallway. I kept close to the wall and started inching towards Karl's door. It was opened. I heard footsteps as if he was pacing about. I was quite near.

The whispers stopped. I stilled for a second  with bated breath. After a moment of silence, Karl started talking again, this time loud enough for me to hear.

"Can't you wait? I'm trying for God's sake. Its too difficult to extract anything from her. She's my-"

I couldn't catch what he uttered next because there was a goddamned spider crawling on my left foot. A scream left my throat before I knew it. My chest clenched tightly and I felt the spider's legs on my skin leaving behind a ripple of tremor. I was left gasping, when the door burst open nearby and Karl ran up to me, his eyes wide assessing the situation.

I tried signalling toward my thigh, where the dastardly arthropod had made its way. My words came out garbled and my vision blurred. Was I going to faint?

My brother flicked the insect off me and I sank down the wall. My face was streaked with tears. So much for playing detective. I blinked repeatedly and when finally my vision cleared, I encountered a stricken face.

"You...you're alright, Victoria?"

My brother's words broke my reverie and I noticed he was touching my cheek. The question of my presence there in the dead of the night would hit me in the face soon. I winced when he helped me to my feet.

"Sorry for the trouble, Karl. I better get back to bed now. You do the same. Good night."

I had just turned back and taken a couple of steps thinking that I was off the hook for the time being when the inevitable happened. My luck had run out.

"Victoria, can I have a word with you?"

Grimacing, I returned back to where I was ambushed by a spider.

"Yes?"

He was in no mood to joke. He gestured me to enter his den. It was a poorly lit room with a dark blue wallpaper. It exuded sadness and impending doom.

"What were you doing outside when you should be safely tucked in your bed?", Karl tilts his head and slowly enunciated each word as if trying to make me understand. I was suddenly teleported to ten years back when he had caught me with my hand inside the cookie jar and a mouth smeared with chocolate. I let out a loud exhale.

"I was in the living room doing my essay. I decided to check on you when I heard a noise. Tell me, brother dearest did I commit a crime?"

"Eavesdropping isn't a crime. Its plain rude. You were going to commit an act of invading my privacy if the measly spider hadn't thought of having a bit of fun with you." He seemed furious. Why would he be angry? Did I interrupt something I wasn't supposed to know was happening?

"Brother dearest, why don't you tell me who you were talking to in the middle of the night when you should be sleeping too? And who was the she you were discussing about?"

His lips thinned as he scowled at me.
"That is none of your  business, sis. And even if I were to share a part of my personal life with you, you need to leave that attitude of yours at the door. Understood?"

I grinned. I walked to the threshold and flailed my arms about as if I was being electrocuted and then walked back to where I was. "There, I got rid of my attitude. Now can you please answer my question?"

He gasped at him with a hint of disbelief prominent on his face. Then he proceeded to blink rapidly as if trying to get hold of how crazy I am. "I can't tell you stuff you're not supposed to know. Do you even understand simple English? Do you even know what I'm being called at MCPHS these days, the brother of that crazy girl ? It fucking hurts me beyond measure. Had you not gotten yourself involved in the beastly mess, I could have been able to tolerate you. But this is--" he broke off his harangue and marched towards me. I'd never in my entire life seen him this angry.

"You'll keep out of trouble this final year, Victoria. Don't go around meddling in affairs that might end up in your imprisonment. Don't involve yourself in matters which don't concern you. I don't want history to repeat itself. For God's sake, try to stay under the radar. Promise me Victoria that you'll be safe. Promise me."

I gazed at him. This twenty year old boy's evident distress and haggard frame got me thinking. Had last year's events taken such a toll on him, that he was reduced to a worrying, cantankerous guy who jumped if anything was out of place.

"I promise you."

I had my fingers crossed behind my back. Karlos Emerson didn't have to know that Victoria Harris was a damn good liar.

The day hadn't dawned bright and sunny for me to scamper on my way to school, swinging my satchel. The sky was overcast with dark bellied clouds that were being chased by a howling wind. Something is just not right. Perhaps, this was a premonition for me to stay away from school.

Westside Academy came into view the moment I turned round the corner. It was a lone seven storied building with a radius of two miles of open land around it. It was located on the secluded part of the town and it was only fitting because the school's facade was highly unwelcoming. I doubt anyone would share my view but I always felt uneasy, maybe because of the scarring memories that was related to this school. How it has clung to me like a leech this past year and refused to let me be happy.
The students were tolerable and a few of the teachers were helpful too, but after the tragedy struck, I couldn't show my face anywhere without being mouthed off or spit at.

While walking down the hallway, the lingering students snuck glances at me. I was always focused at the distance where everything else faded away in the background. I chose not to hear them.

"Oi."

A/N: this is my first book on Wattpad. Updates will be late because I'm still trying to figure out where this story should head. Its like an impromptu thing- I just write whatever comes on my mind. There might be plot loopholes and of course I won't be giving any sneakpeaks because I myself don't know what's  next. Lol. Bye.

-a.b