Dedicated to my sisters,Presh and @_dawrites.
Special thanks to @oneDark_D for the cover.

Chapter Two -

Her hands clung to mine as if it was the hard copy of her dear life and she had a smile plastered to her face, revealing her dimpled cheeks. Her yellow sequined dress matched mine and stopped a little below her knees exposing her gorgeous long legs and her feet were sandalled in gold, matching the clutch bag she held. Her -

"We can't spend the whole day admiring J.M.K."

The voice intruded my thoughts and I tore my gaze away from the photograph my shaky hands held.

I raised a brow weakly. "Is that her name?" l asked.

"You always called her that. Her name is Jumoke."

I nodded as I put the knife and chain inside the purse. I found it on the second layer of the shelf and was instructed to put my newly found weapons inside it. I took a last look at J.M.K and sighed, definitely it would haunt me for long.

I got up on my feet and cleaned my dirty hands on my already dirty cloth and started to leave when I asked.
"what's your name?"

The answer came almost immediately.
"F. As in Friend."

An unconscious smile spread over my face and I was grateful. Despite the uncertainty of my blur future, I've found a friend and that friend was in my head.

Home.

I hoped it would be simple house, probably a bungalow in a forbidden neighborhood that won't demand attention but the house was huge, more of a fortress and was perfectly hidden from public view by a tall iron gate and high walls.

"Focus Karl. Everything starts here."

F said firmly, spreading goosebumps over my body and I felt it - evil. I frowned and frowned and willed my senses to interprete what I felt but as usual F spoke.

"Evil, we don't know the real devil."

Well,I'm confused. Why do I feel like this is more than a murder case? J.M.K. Her face flashed across my mind. The agonizing look on her face, the cuts and bruises. I closed my eyes, begging the face to disappear yet it became more vivid, daring me till I saw something else.

I removed the foot shaped pendant from my neck with an enthusiastic smile and dropped it in the hands of an exhausted J.M.K who looked  like she was too scared for her own good. I watched slowly as the pendant rested contentedly on her bony neck. My phone rang almost immediately and I picked with gusto.

"Yeah. I've given her now. So why the..."

"Focus, Karleen. You can't just zone out like that," F shouted deafeningly, causing my eyes to open and the purse dropped.

"I saw it. I saw her.... Us. I had the chain on, gave her, no no no."

I opened my eyes wide, not wanting to see anything. I should not have closed them.
Despite the fresh cold air, I could not breathe. Why did I have the chain on? I felt a tight grip on my head, squeezing me, trapping me.

Pain. Excruciating pain. I blinked and my insides crumbled. More pain till I tasted my own hot tears.

"Karl. You're fine now. "

I felt a lightness I could not explain and I inhaled hungrily, filling my lungs.

" Don't force the memories. They'll come. Just focus."

I nodded and locked my mind away, refusing to think but focus.

"Ring the bell." F was getting impatient and I sighed as I drew near to ring the bell.

I was still caressing the purse when the front lights flickered on and an averagely old man came out dressed in only khaki shorts and a stick was in his mouth. He looked like I had just disturbed his sleep.

"who ar- "his voice trailed off as his gaze locked with mine and he suddenly inched away as he packed a handful of sand and threw it at me.

I was confused and tightened my grip on the purse, willing it to strengthen me.

"Chichi!!! Go and tell Madam that Aunty Karleen is here o. Fast fast. " he shouted, inching farther away from me.

A young girl with a wrapper tied around her chest came out of the house with a confused look on her face.
"Chineke (God),' she suddenly exclaimed as she saw me and reached for the ground also.

The man stopped her. "She's alive o, I poured sand on her too."

I exhaled, so the sand was sort of a test to know if I was alive.

Chichi nodded, her face still pale from shock. "Madam and Oga must hear this one o. Adolphus don't let her... Hmm hmm. "

She rushed back into the house shouting some incoherent words while Adol averted his gaze from mine.

Suddenly I heard shouts and I looked inside the house through the opened small gate.

Then, I saw her. She was dressed in a blue black chiffon gown that almost hid her blue flip flops and a white scarf was tied loosely around her head revealing her neatly braided hair.

As she ran towards me, I could see the tiredness in her eyes and the bags around them. She must have had frequent sleepless nights.

"Karleen!"
She exclaimed and pulled me into a suffocating bear hug. At least, this was a warm welcome.

I shifted. "C-cccan't breathe," I mumbled breathlessly and she released her grip on me. Her coal black eyes dug into mine.

"who are you? "
It surprised me that my question didn't shock her and she replied softly, her voice full of emotion and her eyes damp.

"Karleen. Karleen... Olufunke omo mi (my child). I'm your mother. I'm mommy. "

A lump grew in my throat and I didn't know what to say as her hands searched my body and I flinched when she touched some parts that hurt.

"You're home now. You'll be safe."

I nodded cluelessly and followed her lead into the white house. Yeah, it was painted snow white. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Adol and Chichi look at me like a forbidden person and I moved closer to Mom.

"Kelvin! Kathleen! Can't you see that your sister is back?!"
Mom barked as we entered the living room, it was large. There were several brown leather chairs, a very big television was hung on the wall, the curtains were black and gray and a huge chandelier hung low from the ceiling, illuminating the room. I shut my eyes as the bright light stung them and opened it when I felt my feet touch something cold. Then I realized I was bare footed and the floor was tiled.
Kathleen kept her gaze glued to her phone while Kelvin looked at me with a sadness I could not explain.

"Like she's back from her mission? I always knew she never had an innocent bone in her," Kathleen blurted, shooting me a look of damnation.

I swallowed and Mom's hand tightened on my shoulder. I stared down at the floor, wondering if Kathleen has always hated me or if this was just sudden.

"Be nice, Kath."
I marveled at how weak Mom's voice sounded and Kath stood up.

"it's all over the news, everywhere. She killed her best friend. Sorry mom but I can't be nice to a murderer. "
Her high pitched voice was laced with so much venom that I decided she must have hated me with passion from the start.

I saw how she looked at me, it had more to do with something of the past than what's happening now and my heart fell as mentally hated myself too.
No one said a word after Kath sashayed up the stairs. It felt like eternity and Kelvin finally spoke.
"She needs to shower, Mom. I'll take care of Kath and inform Dad. He called hours ago that Jummy's body has been found," he shifted his gaze to the floor before continuing "it's been on the news since then."

Mom nodded incisively beside me. "I understand. Okay. "
As I followed Mom upstairs with shaky legs, I could feel Kevin's gaze on me. One thing was certain, he didn't hate me. I smiled inwardly.

"He doesn't believe you either. "

My smile faded at F's words. True. He pitied me, he didn't hate me at least not like Kath yet his look gave him away. He didn't believe that I didn't kill her and my heart sank.

I had only mom. She sat beside me on the cozy bed and drew the covers over me as she sang a sweet, soft song but sleep didn't come. My room was big too, painted pitch black and was illuminated by soft pink coloured bulbs. It was beautiful. Mom had called Chichi to arrange my scattered bed and Mom joked about how I was fond of emptying my box and wardrobe on my bed any time I had an outing. She had hoped for me to laugh but my mind only registered one thing - the last time I did that was when I went out with J.M.K.

"Mom? " I called softly, it still felt weird calling her Mom.
" Yes dearest" she answered, stopping her song.
'how long was I gone? '
She looked sad. "Six days."

I nodded languidly. Six days? What had happened in those six days? Where did we go? What were we searching for?

"You loved adventures since you were young. It was supposed to be an adventure to someplace. You never told us where. You kept saying you've finally found it. It's okay that you don't remember a thing. I'm here. "

I frowned. What? I never told her I had no memory.
" how do you know I can't rem- "

The door suddenly flung open and a man in his late forties entered with an irritating scowl on his face. He was dressed in a white shirt and blue fitted pants. Mom jumped to her feet and went to hug him but he pushed her away. He must be my dad and from this small display, he wasn't my fan too.

Well...
"Stella, have you called the Minster? " he yelled
Mom sighed and shook her head. "I was about... "
" About? It's bad enough that it's on the news. You know the implication of this. The election is near and that thing thinks she can ruin my political career, ehn? "he yelled more, pointing at me like I was some filthy rag.

Mom's head shot up.
"The election? That's all you can think of right now, ehn Ade? Your daughter is... "
He interrupted her for the second time, he must have an affinity for cutting people short.
"Don't lecture me, Stella. Call the minister. Lara is mad enough to involve the police and it will only get worse! "

Mom was silent for a while. She picked up her phone beside the draw I had hidden the purse and punched some numbers. She finally spoke up, her voice was so calm.

"Hello Dele... Yes we've found her... I understand but... Hmmm... Hmmm... We can sort it out without the police and the press... Uhn uhn... Lara is only doing what every mother would have done but you should understand the political effect of this... E Pele sir (sorry sir), we'll do all we can do... Hello? Hello?"
The line went dead.

"Dele is still shaken. He wants justice for his daughter too, we can't..."

Dad was impatient, he cut her short again. "Spare me the details. Is he involving the police or not arghhhh"

Mom exhaled. "He won't but he said we should come over tomorrow morning. Lara snatched the phone, apparently she's not happy with his decision."

A smile spread across Dad's face for the first time and he raked his hand through his neatly cut hair.
I'll handle the press."  And with that, he walked away as sudden as he entered.

*

"Focus, Karleen. Don't sleep, don't miss a thing. It has started. "

F's soft voice cut short my dreamless sleep and my eyes flung open. The soft orange light from the morning sun poured into my room and kissed my face. My body still ached as I stood up to stand before the standing mirror.

I stared at the mirror. My face was pale, some cuts were still on my face and my eyes looked tired. My almond shaped eyes looked like they would close soon without notice but I kept it wide open. I had to focus. Not to lose the tiniest bit of anything.

Kon. Kon. Kon.
I froze.
Footsteps.
My body shook and I could see my lips tremble from the mirror before me. The footsteps were becoming closer, closer.
Silence.

Suddenly the door flung open and I fell,shielding my head with my hands. I waited for it but nothing happened, I steeled myself and was about raising my head when I felt it.

A cold touch on my arm.

"Karleen. It's me, good morning. Don't be scared. "
Slowly, I looked up to see my grinning Mom. She looked so worn out, I pitied her.

Oh goodness. Such bad timing, Mom.
I forced a smile and got up.
" I need to prepare you for breakfast. It's in few minutes time. "
Yes. Food. I needed it.

Dad, Kathleen and Kelvin were already seated when we got to the dining room. I took my seat beside Kelvin and noticed the scowl on Dad and Kathleen's face. Mom sat opposite Dad and everyone was silent again.

I didn't need a prophet to tell me the silence was because of my presence as they had been talking before my arrival.

"Kath, pray. "

Kath shot Mom a death glare before joining her hands together to pray."Lord, we thank you for this meal. Amen. "

We all still had our eyes closed when we heard the sound of a fork against a spoon. Our eyes shot open to see Kath who already had a mouthful of stewed rice. No one told us then to eat.

The sound of screeching tires stopped our breakfast and Chichi ran in. My heartbeat quickened.
"Madam minister is here with some people o. Chai."

She had not left the room when a woman entered. She looked like she was beside herself. Dressed in different pattern silk top and Jean skirt, her hair was untidy and one look at her face told me who she was.

J.M.K's mother. The resemblance could not be mistaken despite the worn out on her face and I instantly wanted to enter the ground.

Mom got up. "Lara, good morning."

Lara waved mom off. "Stella, keep your greetings. You have your daughter now while mine is in the mortuary and you sit there eating and mumble a stupid good morning to me. Ehhh?"

Everyone's cutlery dropped and Dad got up too.
"Calm down, Lara. We'll sort it out. We can-"

Lara shouted and cut Dad short. Dad has definitely met his match.
"Ade shut up there uhn just shut up ni. Nonsense, arrant nonsense. " She walked over to me and my insides squirmed.
"Here comes the little adventurous murderer. You should never have taken Jummy with you. You should have died. You should ha-"

Mom moved closer and soon they were all shouting. It took me minutes to realize I couldn't hear them. My head pounded and I became deaf. I couldn't hear a thing except F's soft whisper.

'Focus, Karleen. Focus and breathe. '

And then I saw.

I dropped my phone inside my bag and laughed at nothing. I was happy he would give me the gift today.

'To you, Karleen. My Barbie.'
I felt his firm hands on my neck as he hooked the chain.
'open your eyes and see!'

I opened my eyes to face my reflection on the mirror and my gaze fell on my neck. The chain was indeed beautiful but...
'what do you think? '
I smiled.' it's indeed beautiful but... ' I caressed the pendant and added ' why is the pendant foot shaped. It's weird. '

He laughed. ' someone once told me weird rules the world, remember? '
I nodded.'my exact words, Mac. Still, it's creepy.'
'just like the tattoo on my back, Barbie '
And he turned me around to face him. I was going to see his face. Yes, I woul-

"I didn't involve the police. I involved the NAVE. "
Lara's harsh yell jerked back to reality and my eyes flung open.

"NAVE? " Mom and dad asked in shock. Mom slumped on the nearest chair.

Who's Mac?

"Focus Karleen."

F's voice shook all thoughts of the recall from my head and I focused.
"What's the NAVE? " Kelvin asked, voicing out my question.
"The National Agency of Villainous Evildoers."

And I died, literally.

A:N
Okayyyyyyy just focus and breathe uhn and don't miss even the tiniest bit. Everything counts guys. You have to do that for Karleen too. Well, I'm wondering who Mac Is too. And who knows what the NAVE will be like 😱 Thanks for reading and going on the journey with Karleen, just get ready for the NAVE too. Comment, share and click on that little star. I promise to update soon.
Fortunately, you've still got my star to calm you.
Much love,
LHONESATRRH. 😘