Chapter Six

THIRST FOR VENGEANCE

I had nothing on my name. No cash meaning no food, no shelter no clothes as our previous place was burnt down by the anti-narcotic police. So Hazel was kinda heaven sent.even though I didn't know her, I certainly needed a place to stay as I figured out how to survive. So I accepted her offer.

She lived alone in a small town nearby. She had come to see a patient she had been following up in the rehabilitation centre where I was discharged. So we soon aboarded a bus heading to her house. It was small but comfortable two bed roomed house. She took me to the guest bedroom, showed me to the shower and went for clothes from her room. Fortunately we were almost the same size so they fit me perfectly well.

After showering and changing clothes food was ready and we sat and ate silently. A mixture of beef stew and ugali.

"So, Mercy where have you been all this time? I thought since you were the best in class I imagined you would be working in the top medical facility in the country" Hazel finally broke the silence.

"My name is Alexa and not mercy. I think you are confusing me with someone else. Besides I have never been to a med school." I told her in an amused tone.

"I can bet on my life that you are Mercy," she shrugged carelessly, " I knew Mercy so well to believe you are not the one" she added.

We finished eating and I proceeded to the kitchen to clean up.

Hazel was a nurse in the nearby county hospital as per what I found out, she had been working for a year now. He family was far away that's why she lived a lonely life.

We got along so well. She used to bring medical books home and I could read them. I was a natural intelligent student so I studied well and understood while hazel went to work. The medicine and nursing books were very interesting it helped me pass each day nicely. Soon I began getting bored so I wandered in the streets look I for a job. I needed to do something for myself.

One sunny day, while I was out in the streets someone grabbed me and was so happy to see me. But did a mistake, she called me Mercy!!!

THIRST FOR VENGEANCE

EIGHTH

I look at her sternly and obviously pissed off.

"I am not mercy. My name is Alexa and I don't know who you are," I told her as I turned to leave.

"Come on Mercy. Don't you remember me Sheryl? You were my competitor in med school. I was always your second. Remember how we used to fight over books in the library and competed on who got there first?"she said.

I turned my head towards her. Confusion written all over my face. She noticed this and she registered more confusion.

"Sorry, I really thought you were Mercy. That girl disappeared after the last paper you know. And went missing. Every day I hope she is fine. Her parents were devastated" Sheryl said and then walked away.

Who the hell is this mercy? I really need to understand what all this theory about her being like me is. I can't have peace with strangers calling me names I had no idea about. Its irritating being confused with someone all the time especially if that someone is a stranger to you. I have to find out more about mercy. And I know exactly where to start. Hazel.

In the evening I prepared dinner early so that when Hazel comes she won't have to get busy in the kitchen. I need her to tell me about Mercy. What she looked like, what she loved, her birthplace, her parents and siblings... Just anything and everything about her.

I sat around the table waiting for her to come. Her shift usually ends at eight in the evening. So my eyes were fixed on the clock. It was 7:30pm some thirty minutes to go before she gets off duty then approximately ten more to get home. I sat there waiting patiently hoping she wasn't too tired to answer my questions.

Hazel is really an interesting person. She helped me out despite telling her am not the Mercy she so much wanted to know.

Soon I heard the door opening, she is here.

"Wow! The sweet aroma is killing me and making me hungry. Alexa what do you have for us?" She smiled sweetly at me as she came to peck my cheek.

"Well its just minced meat and chapatti" I replied.

"Are you sure no neighbours have passed by? Coz the smell hit me straight from the gate" she replied dramatically and I laughed my heart out. She must be exaggerating. It was just a Normal meal no biggie.

"You seem to be in a good mood today Alexa. Did father Christmas pass by while I was away?"she asked.

"No its actually a bribe for you to assist me get a job" I told her, "and maybe find out more about Mercy".

There! I finally said it.