3| Missing person

Doing the chores alone in the house was not a problem for me. I have been used to it, infact, it's my thing and a part of me already.

The girls passed the night at my place again. What should I do? I don't want to chase them out but at the same I feel like this is not right.

They're somebody's daughters. Their parents- I mean to say their father or close relatives, if possible the entire family. Might be worried. Super worried right now.

They haven't set eyes on their daughter since yesterday. I don't know why but something inside of me, didn't made me to believe the girls when they first told me that they'd contacted their grandma concerning their whereabouts.

For that case, isn't it right if one relative come over to see the person they've been lodging with?

Like seriously, I'm getting freak out and confused about this.

I don't want whereby someone barge into my house and arrest me over somewhat kidnap that I knew nothing about.

I'm just trying to be nice.

Just then, my door opened without a knock at first.

Who the fuck barged into my apartment without a single knock?

Maybe my hallucinations are coming to reality.

Mia?

She shut the door quickly, locking it with the three bolts. One up, another at the middle and last one below.

I jolt and feared for my life. What did she see out there? Who's after her?

"Did you see a ghost?" I asked out of my panic state. I'm the most frightened person alive, trust me.

Mia facepalm her forehead. I know, whenever she does that, I know I'm freaking her out with my dumb questions.

I'm such a jackass.

"No, Mabel." She growled and pointed at the already closed door, "There are bunch of cops out there. Hovering all over the entire neighborhood."

"Cops?" I muttered, my brows furrowed. "Maybe they're just securing the environment or something." I absentmindedly spoke like an illiterate and went back to my chores.

There are cobwebs at the ceiling. I haven't done that cleaning for weeks at it looked like months.

Mia ran to me again and took the broom out of my hand. Stopping me from doing my chores.

"I know you're way more worse than me when it comes to cleaning." Ouch! Think I'm pressing her against the wall.

Mia rolled her eyes and growled loudly. She's freaking. I can smell that.

She placed the broom one side and turn towards me with arms crossed. "Gurl, wake up from your sleeping slumbers."

I sat and didn't say anything.

"From the view outside, I think there's an ongoing kidnap going around in the neighborhood." She spoke volubly. Arms still crossed.

"Kid- what?!" I jolt and stood ASAP! Where? How? Here? Around? How come I never found out about this all these while?

Who must that be by the way? I, Mabel Hernandez, will personally hand that person over to the police. I swear.

I foolishly unlocked the bolts and slide the door open wide. I must go out today to get that person's ass kicked.

Wait, come to think of it, what am I? Black widow? White Canary? Black Canary? Or wonder woman?

No, I think I must be cat girl.

Go save the day, jackass.

"Mabel, what are-"

"Oh sh*t!" I slammed the door shut as soon as my eyes fell on the number of policemen, littered around the environment.

They had started searching houses nearby. Mine was gonna turn out to be next.

A policeman was walking towards my direction before I slammed the door.

Mia looked at me, I looked at her. I never blinked but she did and nod her head once to get my attention.

"What happened now?" She asked me? Her brows raised.

I took a deep breath, my back still resting against the door. I shook my head, "Nothing." I answered.

She nudged me to move aside so she could spy on what's going on outside.

"No!" Did I just exclaimed loudly?

My eyes widened, I don't want trouble. If someone finds out I'm at home, it means the policemen will search my apartment too.

"No." I shook my head and was about to bolt the door when a sudden knock came interrupting.

(☉｡☉)!

(☉｡☉)!

I froze. Mia stunned.

"The cops..." She whispered.

I'm not a mathematical teacher, but yet I can tell you that my heart beat rate went faster than the number of distance from planet earth to sun.

The knock went on again for the fifth time.

"Let's-"

"Shh!" My palms covered Mia's mouth. Stopping her from uttering a single word.

Eyes bugged at each other.

"Good morning, Au-"

"Shhh!" I snapped at the girls who just woke up with sleepyheads.

Mia turned at me with a weird expression and then she slowly took my palms off her mouth. "Seriously, you kept them here again?" She whispered.

I wanted to whisper back but then a male's voice interfered, "We know someone is in there, please open the door."

My eyes bugged again and I looked back at Mia.

"Who's that?" Ava asked, still confused about I and Mia's awkward expression.

"Can you open the door? Someone's knocking, Aunt." Aria added with arms crossed.

I guess she's too tired of I and Mia's drama.

I never moved an inch, neither did Mia. Though Mia wanted to but I still held her wrist, stopping her from crossing the limit with a serious expression on.

She swing my hand off her wrist. "It's just a search. We aren't bad people, right?" She said.

I couldn't do anything at the moment, I stood there and watched her unlock the bolts.

My heart's still beating faster than I could count. I don't know why but something tells me I'm gonna end in a very big pot of soup of trouble today.

Guess I woke up to experience a horrible day. Not ready for anything crazy yet. Yesterday's was already enough for me.

"Good day, ma'am," The police officer greeted Mia and I.

I couldn't spoke because I'm still shivering. The inside of me is already getting frost. I only tried hard to put on a forced smile which seem awkward.

I don't want the police officer to see me as guilty.

"Good day Sir, how may we help you?" Mia spoke on my behalf like she owned this resident herself.

Just then, another police officer approached him. He gave him something and he showed it to us.

It's a picture. A very familiar picture.

"Have you seen these kids?" He asked. "They left home since three days ago, and haven't returned yet."

I gulped down a huge saliva down my oesophagus. Mia slack jawed and slowly turned her head toward my direction.

We were both speechless at the moment. No words at all.

Of course we do know them, Mr officer.

It was Ava and Aria on the picture. And both missing persons are right here in my house. Standing on the stairs and relaxing comfortably on the handrails like they owned it.

I prayed in my heart, even though it skipped a beat several times. I wish for none of the girls to speak yet.

I'm not ready for jail.

I've never been in there once. Besides, what do I tell my son? That I was just being Mrs goody too shoes? Or a good Samaritan?

Bernard won't forgive me for this, I swear.

"...um...." I cleared my throat and put on seriousness. Even though I'm not that confident and bold enough. "I...we haven't seen such persons, officer."

Mia glared at me again, this time, with a corner eye.

Hmm, girl, you must have gone through the college of lying. That's the meaning of Mia's glare towards me.

I accepted. I don't care at the moment. I will deal with Ava and Aria later but right now, I have to save my ass first.

"Well, madame, if you don't mind, we'd like to search your apartment." The officer said.

I jolt. My spirit almost leaving my body. "For what? But I just-"

"For verification, ma'am." The second officer answered. Tuckling his hands into his pockets.

What is there to verify? I just lied and defended my household. "No one's stepping into my house without my consent or approval." I spoke volubly. I didn't stammer nor break at my words.

I bet Mia won't believe this is me speaking. I never lied but today I just did to save my reputation, if only I still have one to keep.

"This is against the constitution and law! You people can't just-" I stopped at the sight of someone I had last saw since sixteen years ago.

Mrs Jasmine Snyder?

(☉｡☉)!