6 a weird turn of events

I reach home around a quarter past eight, my curfew slipping my mind completely. As I entered my house, Mother stand there, a long thin stick in her hand, tapping her palms rhythmically.

"Where have you been, young lady?", she says, her simmering anger visible on her face.

"Jess has been missing since morning and now she's back home, bruises covering her entire body. I was looking for her, for hours. I'm sorry Mother, but I believe what I've done is not wrong at the slightest.", I say boldly. This is the first time I had refused to be that innocent puppet Mother wants me to be. I'd be lying if I said if I was not proud of myself.

Or maybe, I am using Mother as an outlet to vent my anger whose root cause is that terrible man.

Either way, I'm not doing anything wrong. My boldness is overdue in my house, where my opinion doesn't matter in the slightest. That has to change at some point, no?

"Miss Whitaker, mind that attitude, this is not going to help you ease your punishment.", she says, her eyes almost popping out her sockets.

Expected this.

"Mother, I am sorry. I'm sorry that you lack an ounce of empathy for a living human, who by the way has escaped from the clutches of death. The said human, being your only daughter's best friend. I'm sorry, Mother, that you think that my "discipline" matters more than a human's life.", I say, my voice the clearest it has been. The years of suffocation within my own house, lead to this outburst, which I'm sure will bite me in the back later.

"Lena Whitaker! How dare you raise your voice in MY HOUSEHOLD?" Mother booms.

Yeah, she's a scary woman. [that'd be an understatement]

"Mother, I'm tired of being your little puppet. Maybe if you understood that I'm a living human having thoughts and emotions that might be different from yours, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.", I say, my chest heaving, voice cracking with emotion.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT! How dare you back answer your mother? I've fed you, clothed you, and kept you in this household, even if you're so undisciplined. Do you know how many sacrifices I made for you?" she says, tears forming in her eyes.

Ah, here we go again. The same spiel over and over is not going to work in her favor all the time.

"Mother, I'm tired. I'm going to bed.", I announce, and head up the stairs.

"Stop right there, you monstrous child. I'm not done with you yet.", she says, following me up the stairs and violently grabs my hand.

I shake her hand off and climb up the stairs when I feel sharp pain behind my knees. I turn around and see her whacking at my shin, with the thin bamboo sticks. That might leave a bruise, but my strong calves aren't going to budge with just that. I continue walking up the stairs, my legs burning.

"STOP RIGHT THERE, LENA!" she screams.

I say, "Mother, respectfully, please stop acting like a madwoman."

And with that, I slam my room door shut, getting a small glance at her appalled face.

Whatever the consequences maybe, I do not regret what I said.

*******************************

I wake up at some time during midnight, after a terrible nightmare.

Sweat dripping down my back, my lungs searching desperately for air, I recollect the dream. A man without a face. Taking Jess and almost killing her.

Shit, I need to calm down.

I need a game plan if I am set on finding that man. I need Jess's help with that, but I don't want to trouble her. She already went through enough for me.

Right, so what do I know for sure? I grab a piece of paper and begin making a list, trying to organize my thoughts. There's no way can I go to sleep with so much on my mind.

1) The man took Jess because of me?

That doesn't make any sense, to me at least. If he wanted to hurt me, then he would've taken me. But he didn't. Someone ordered him not to. So he took Jess. To hurt me.

The realization hurt, but I trudge on, determined to find who did this to her.

2) He has a beard. Long or short, I remain unaware.

3) He took Jess to a "dark dingy place".

From where I am from, there are hundreds of warehouses, sheds, and basements that fit her exact description.

4) He covered her mouth with a cloth.

That most definitely means that he has access to chloroform. [I used to be obsessed with Sherlock Holmes books] That means, he either works in a doctor's office, in a pharmacy, is a pre-med student, or any college/school that has to do with chemicals. Or, he must be influential and rich enough to get his hands on the chemical.

The latter sounds unlikely, but I did toilet paper a rich boy's house lately. But surely they wouldn't have known who did it? Valentine promised he wouldn't snitch, and he sounded genuine too.

Besides, I don't believe that their family would do something to this extreme over a lame prank. Sure, it must've taken hours to clean, but it's not something they can't afford.

5) This whole thing occurred because I chose to interact with someone from the opposite sex.

That would mean countless boys. Boys from my school, boys that used to visit Betty's, boys I had projects with, boys from the orchestra. There are so many, how could I possibly figure this out?

I need Jess's help to do this, else I'm stuck with nothing.

Wait, what if the motive is just men being men? The number of times we women get catcalled on the street is appalling, to say the least, but what if one took it personally to his heart and decided to take such an extreme decision? That sounds way too farfetched though. And why would he not abuse me but Jess? That's such a dick move and something that doesn't work for this scenario.

I wonder why the Smith family chose not to report this to the police. I mean I do think kidnapping and abuse are worth mentioning to the superintendent. But now that I think about it, it might seem like the Smith family is abusing Jess. Or at least they'd be a primary suspect. I understand their rationale, but if my child went through something like this, I'd report it to the cops. Maybe their family has something more to hide? Seems unlikely, but would make a lot more sense.

I need to get some sleep. My head is aching terribly and I have school tomorrow. I usually stay up late, but the adrenaline rush during the morning, left my body weak and tired.

Firstly, I'll start asking around where a person could find some chloroform.

But I have to go to work. I never managed to talk to Elijah and conclude a date to start working from. I should ask him, and maybe I'll even ask him to help me look for the man.

I really can't do this on my own.

Surely, he will help.

*******************************

11th September 1970

Friday

I love Fridays.

I mean who doesn't? It's the end of the week, and you get two days fully to yourself. However, that may contribute to my love for Fridays, this time it was for another reason.

Fridays mean Mother goes to meet with her church friends, allowing me to come home later than usual. This would give me enough time to check about the chloroform origins. Not only this, but I asked Valentine when I'll be starting work, and he told me that I ought to start on Monday at the very least. That means that I'm free this evening.

I did chicken out on asking Elijah for help though. I don't see the point. I'm sure I can manage well enough on my own.

Well, that is until I figure out a method to go through 254 pharmacies, without my parents questioning why the phone bill is that high.

I go looking for him during lunch, his brunette curls nowhere to be seen. Damn it, how do I through so many numbers without money?

I'm broke. Like literally.

I genuinely don't think I can feed myself lunch with my current wealth, disregard having enough coins to work the payphones.

I find him sitting outside, on a bench, on the schoolyard. His head bobbing to music from a small radio, reading a book. He doesn't look up as I approach him, lost in his world.

"Hey, Valentine.", I say, standing awkwardly in front of him.

"Um, hey, what brings you here?", he says, looking at me.

"I um need a favor.", I say, feeling some tension (?) in the air.

"No.", he says and goes back to his book.

"I'm sorry, what?", I ask, confused why he's being so cold towards me.

"I said, no, Whitaker. Now will you please leave me alone?", he says coldly, his eyes dark.

"Yeah I um, I am sorry.", I say, and walk away, recounting what I must've done to make him so angry. Did he take the loss in the Fest that bad? I mean he did seem like a good sport, and I'm pretty sure he's not the type to brood over a slight obstacle.

I walk back to the campus slowly, my stomach grumbling loudly. I check my wallet [Father's old one] and a fifty-pence coin glint in the sunshine. Disappointment visible on my face, I grudgingly walk.

Guess who's going to skip lunch today? This broke ass of course.

I need food though. Maybe I'll look through the trash? [hey food is always a priority besides I was starving] I glance back at the trash can, wondering if I really should stoop to that level. I mean it beats asking around for money, I'm not mentally prepared to look at the pitying looks of my classmates. AND Valentine is sitting there all grumpily, being a clear obstacle to my plan.

Oh fuck it, I'll ask him for the money.

"Hey, Valentine..", I say, tentatively, walking back to the spot near the dumpster.

"What do you want again, I said no, Whitaker.", he says, clearly exasperated.

"I am broke and I need you to loan me some cash.", I say, returning his cold tone.

"No. Ask someone else.", he says.

"I promise I'll return it to you, I'm starving.", I say, my desperation visible.

"If I give you money, will you leave me alone?", he asks, sighing.

"Yeah, I promise.", I say, nodding eagerly.

"Here.", he hands me two notes, his hands stuffing the notes into my hand hurriedly.

"Thank you, you can cut it from my salary.", I say in a monotone, trying my best to show that I remain unaffected by his coldness.

"Goodbye, Whitaker.", he says with a sort of finality to his voice.

I walk back to the campus a second time, confused with the whole interaction. It would be an understatement to say that this was weird.

I go to the cafeteria, wanting to order something before I die of starvation. I walk towards the cafeteria lady, eyes fixated on the menu. My mouth-watering, I walk determinedly, when my shoulders bump into Derek, his clones ["gang"] walking behind him.

Oh lord, I thought he had moved states.

"Oh look, it's our campus whore. Would you like to have a go with me, sweetie?" one of his clones say.

"I'm sorry, I don't sleep with blonde airheads.", I say, sounding unbothered.

"That's not what you told Derek that night.", another one of his clones says, laughing at their jokes.

I ignore them, walking past the crowd that had gathered, to leer at me. I don't understand why men are praised for sleeping around, while women get shamed for it. Disgusting if you ask me. I return my focus to the menu, my eyes scanning what I can buy with the borrowed cash. I ask for a hamburger when I feel a hand on my behind. The cafeteria lady smiles pleasantly and advises me to not listen to those jerks. I smile back politely, thankful that someone backed me up.

I walk back with my burger, opening the wrapper, absolutely ravenous. The moment before I bite into the delicious bun, a hand slaps my behind. I whip my head around, and the clone gang is back. I sigh inwardly, wondering what they had for me next.

"Watch your hand, airhead.", I say, a warning tone in my voice.

"Or what? You'll hit me?" he says, they laugh maniacally.

I glance at Derek, hoping he felt at least an ounce of guilt. He refuses to meet my eyes, somehow finding his shoelaces more interesting than his friends harassing me. Jess was right, I do have terrible taste in boys. Anger boils within me, barely managing to suppress it. Did he ask me to hit him that lightly? Is he underestimating me? Father taught me self-defense before I learned how to swim, I could break their elbows before another crass comment leave his mouth. Surely he's joking?

Again hitting people, especially for being jerks, and for no reason, completely goes against my moral principles. I ignore them, and walk to my table, grateful that Valentine was kind enough to lend me some money. Oh lord, I miss Jess so bad. She definitely would've ensured those jerks didn't lay a hand on me.

I sigh deeply, my mind beginning to wander to her kidnapper. The clone gang again comes and sits down at my table, clearly having nothing better to do than harass a woman. One sits beside me, his hands trailing up my skirt.

That was my breaking point. [terrible pun]

I snap his middle finger, so hard that it bends the other way, a perfect right angle. He yelps in pain, shaking his hand.

"Go to the nurse and stop shaking your hand, for fucks sake, you're making it worse.", I say.

The amusement in all the other clones' eyes vanishes, fright replacing it. Derek glances at me, his eyes apologetic. He can repent all he wants, but it never will change how big of an asshole he is. They try to get up, to run away like the cowards they are but are blocked by all the students that have gathered around me, ever ready for a fight.

Everyone slowly starts chanting, "Fight, Fight Fight..", desperate for some gossip to talk about later. I proceed to get up, grabbing my beautiful burger, glaring at the clones. A cold hand grabs my wrist, and I look up to see Derek.

"I..", he clears his throat.

"Got anything to say, jerk?" I ask, disgust oozing from my words. Did I lose my virginity to that guy? Man, I just want to talk with my sixteen-year-old self. What made her find this absolute womanizer attractive?

"I um, I am sorry.", he says, his voice trembling.

Glad to know I have that effect on him. Feels great. "For what exactly, Derek? For cheating on me? Or calling your clones to witness you rape your girlfriend? No, because I am curious, we all are.", I say gesturing to the crowd.

Sharp intakes of breaths, along with some appreciative whistles, go through the crowd.

"For everything.", Derek says meekly.

"Sorry I didn't catch that. Did you guys catch that?", I say, asking a chubby boy with spectacles. He shakes his head vigorously, pushing up his glasses.

"I said for everything.", Derek repeats, louder now.

All his clones look embarrassed, appalled that their actions are now scrutinized by our entire school. One of them sniffs, almost on the verge of tears. Are these the kids that act all that in front of women? Like, look at how pathetic they look right now. Laughter bubbles in my stomach, forgetting that my entire school is watching me.

"Okay, Derek, I appreciate it, but apology not accepted.", I say, my stomach aching from laughing so hard. I sashay out the cafeteria door, pushing away the crowds of people gaping at me open-mouthed.

I walk on furiously, down the hallways, needing a place to clear my mind. Adrenaline, anger, and frustration, owing to multiple events in the recent past, had led me to have such a huge outburst in front of the school. Usual me, would never in a million years, ever comprehend doing something like this. I find an empty classroom. I set my hamburger on the table, and let out a sigh. I look at the burger, suddenly remembering how famished I was. I gobble the burger up, my anger subsiding majorly. I have to admit, this was very out of character for me, something I think could've been avoided if I was in a better mood. However, I was not. [evidently]

I'm not sure how I'm ever going to face any of my friends anymore. Despite my having a friendship with almost half the school, not one person bothered to stand up for me. Not one. And that just goes to show how superficial "friends" are. It's just been a day, and I already miss Jess terribly.

All these overwhelming emotions coming at me at once led me to have a breakdown. Tears roll down my cheeks, slowly at first, then faster, turning into ugly sobbing. I hate school. I hate home. I despise Valentine, and I despise that man who kidnapped Jess. I hate how society works, and I hate Derek and his bunch of clones. I was busy sobbing, to not see Elijah walk into the room at some point amidst my sob session.

"Shh, it's going to be okay.", he says, standing there awkwardly.

He looks at me once, taking in my snotty blotched nose, and smudged kohl, looking "unpresentable" as Mother would say.

"What are you doing here and how long have you been here?", I ask him, furiously wiping at my tears. Embarrassed, I try to meet his eyes, and he keeps avoiding them.

"Here.", he hands me a chocolate milkshake, from the cafeteria.

"Wha-", I ask, confused at his hot and cold reaction.

"You said you were hungry.", he says. He turns on his heel and walks out the door, leaving me completely and utterly alone.

Never have I ever been so confused in my life.