Dedicated to @_dawrites for the shocking twist of #PicturePerfect. Thumbs up.

THE MANIPULATORS.

I was still on my huge bed when Mom walked in looking all dressed up. She was dressed in brown iro and buba (top and wrapper), black heeled shoes and her head gear was black, tied in steps. Her make up was light and she smiled as I got up.

"Good morning, ma. "
" Olufunke, how was your night? "
I shivered. I didn't want to think about it. " it was fine. You all are leaving now?"
"yes, are you sure you want to stay back at home? " she asked, her voice full of hope.
"I'll be fine. I don't want to go out for now."

She nodded and took my left hand, she caressed a scar between my second and third finger. "you were just six when you crashed... On a bicycle. Since then you have always suffered from memory loss. You'll be fine."
I stared at the scar, it was dark and so deep. "so you were the one that sent the report to the NAVE, right?"

Mom looked confused and shocked but she quickly masked her expression. "someone sent a report to them about what?"
"about the crash of course. "
She shook her head as if shaking off an impossible thought.
I frowned." you were not aware? "
She smiled forcefully." of course I'm aware. It's just that... Wait... I'll leave now. Something urgent came up. Joshua will pick you up later."

I stood there confused and watched as she left. Why was she acting weird just because of a medical report? I shrugged and locked my door before getting back to bed.
Mom, dad, Kelvin and Kath were going for a social function at the government's house. They didn't exclude me, it was my decision to stay and work things out.

I went to my wardrobe. There were clothes, a whole lot of them and I sighed in frustration when I didn't see anything that was out of the blue. I was about going back to bed when my hand struck a hard object. Shifting the clothes, I saw a big photo album.
I pulled it out and went to bed, balancing myself well on the pillow, I opened the album.

The first picture was of me. I was a small girl and I wore a pink gown. I looked pale, wires were connected to my small body and an oxygen mask was on me.
What happened?
I brought out the picture and I looked at it more carefully. I looked like I would die in the picture, my body was limp. I looked at the back of the picture and saw some words scribbled on it. They were two sentences, different handwritings.

After the crash.
September 22,2007.

Beneath it was a different handwriting, I figured it's mine.

A crash?! Must they lie? Isn't it obvious it wasn't a crash. Something is wrong, Karl. It went wrong September 22,2007. It wasn't a crash.

I trembled. September 22... The date J.M.K and I went missing. The date I crashed. Was it mere coincidence? What made old Karleen so convinced that it wasn't a crash? What happened ten years ago?
I picked a pen and circled September 22. Something had happened that day to clear my memory just like it did when I was six.
What was it? Why -

I dropped the picture. The why's and what's were driving me crazy. But something dawned on me, the adventure old me craved was finding what really happened to me on September 22.

A knock.
I must have drifted into a dreamless sleep. I scratched my eyes and opened them, I had slept on the photo album.

"who's it? " I asked sleepily.
" it's Joshua. Chichi told me you were in. "
Damn Chichi then. I rolled my eyes. Must he say his name? It caused enough chaos already and he was the only guy I knew that had a musical voice.
Damn him too.

Quickly, I packed the album back to the wardrobe and went to the mirror to see if I didn't drool.

I'm not checking myself because of Mr Hot Driver o. Who am I kidding?

F laughed in my eyes and I felt stupid. Whatever. I didn't even drool.

I opened the door. He looked different today, dressed in black Polo and black Jean. It want hot o... It was creepy.

He pushed his way into my room and smiled like he just won a lottery.
"I missed this room like die," he threw his hands in the air and inhaled.

"what are you doing? It's not even time to go to the NAVE," I frowned.
"Oh yeah. Your mom told me to get you a phone. See. "

He brought out a phone pack and opened it.
" it's Samsung. Touch screen. The camera is - "
I snatched the phone." it's fine. "

" it's got a polar bear pouch too, " F whispered.

So? What's wrong with a polar bear pouch? It's beautiful.

" your mom bought you a polar bear doll too. I'm not comfor- "

" aren't you bored? Karl darl never stayed at home. "
Joshua's sudden shout quietened F.
" I'm not bored. You shouldn't be in my room," I mumbled.

He looked surprised. "I don't like this Karl. I won't darl her. I'll Karl bear you instead."
I sighed. "your wish. Let's go to the living room."

I gave no room for objection and I dropped the phone on the bed, ignoring Joshua's shouts to charge it.The spiral stairs was unusually long today. I sat on the nearest leather chair and Joshua sat on the glass center table.

"ehn ehn I will watch that movie today. You didn't allow me to watch it last time. " he got up and went to the Television. He was still searching for the movie when the light went off.

I couldn't help it, I laughed so hard for the first time in days.
" ohhh down NEPA (electricity company). They like doing me strong thing sha, " he grumbled and jumped on the chair.
" Chichi!" he called.

Chichi came in, frowning. "ehn ehn brother driver," she asked, arms akimbo.
Joshua hissed. "my work is better than yours. Go and on the Gen for someone o."
Chichi clapped her hands. "for which someone. Who dash you authority to send me work. Nonsense sha."
Joshua shook his head. "hmm Chichi. You're daring me. Better go and on that generator while I'm still acting nicely o."

Chichi turned to face me, kneeling slightly. "Aunty Karleen, should I on the gen?"
This was the first time she would talk directly to me, I won't disappoint her.
"no. You shouldn't. Anybody that wants to on gen should on it themselves.

Chichi laughed and winked at me before going away. Perhaps we're now friends. I laughed, enjoying the moment.

"You this girls ehhh-" he started when his screaming phone interrupted.

"Hello Ma. Okay. We'll be there soon." He looked at me and pouted . "Madam Karleen, we're to be at The NAVE as soon as we can"

My smile disappeared.

*
It looked like an hospital and yeah it was. The NAVE's hospital. Mom walked beside me as we followed two white coated figures who held silver trays that contained hypothermic needles.
The needles were enough to scare the living daylight out of me but I tried to stay calm.

We entered a small white walled room and as Mom was about to enter, the lady spoke.
"Ma, you won't be allowed into this room."

Mom and I exchanged worried glances. "Why? "

"It'll  be better that way," and slowly she closed the door, separating Mom and I.

My heartbeat fastened and I played with my fingers nervously, watching as they moved and connected things.
They set the narrow bed and I was instructed to lay on it.

Now I had no choice but to obey. I laid like a specimen for experiment and slowly awaited my fate.

"We want to help. This shot will help you in bringing back your memories. Just relax and hope. Okay?" The guy explained as he connected a wire to my vein.

It stung.

Trust my voice to fail me this moment but I managed to nod in response. He continued. "Roses or lillies, which do you love more?"

Now, I don't know. I wanted to ask what flowers have got to injecting a patient but I really wanted this to work so I played along.
"Uhmmm I'll have loved roses."

He smiled as he looked up at the needle. He talked as he slowly injected it into the wire he had connected to my vein earlier. It felt evil.
" Yeah . Roses are good afterall but lillies..."

It took me seconds to realize that he was still talking, I could see his lips moving but all I could hear was my faint heartbeat. The fluid stung all my cells, paralyzing my muscles and bones. Everything was upside down.

"Doctor Ade! Neutralizer . Fast!!" That scream was enough to wake the dead.

"Why?"

"Someone switched the injection!"

I blacked out.

A:N
It's getting messier now.
Who switched the injection? I really don't know. Lol.

I love you. For reading this far . You've got my star with you too .
Much love.
Lhonesatrrh