Are you sure you are only seven

I started to act like someone who was feeling dizzy and asked if I could sleep along the way. He smiled and picked me up and I rested on his shoulder pretending to sleep.

When we got to the car, he handed me to someone else and went to drive. I frowned a little like someone who was uncomfortable in her sleep and then found a comfortable place on his shoulders and continued pretending to sleep.

"Everything went easier than I expected" the person carrying me said.

"Yeah she was not as tough as Kevin made her out to be. I think he exaggerated a lot. You won't believe she asked me for the food herself." The man who initially carried her said and the last one laughed and added "I guess her old woman is too poor to provide food for her." The trio laughed and I was angry.

I hated it when someone insulted my mom but I could not do anything about it.

Soon we started moving.

After we passed the state that we used to live in and two other states, I started to feel bad and regretted my earlier actions.

I would have run away or hidden myself somewhere when I knew those people were kidnappers but instead, I gave myself freely to them. A lot of people called me smarter than my age group but there I was not knowing what was going to befall me because of my foolishness. What was I even thinking when I did what I did- that I was a super woman? I asked myself. I tried so hard not to cry but a tear still escaped from my tear lid. I finally gave up. I was going to lie in that place again and lose consciousness of my surroundings. They kept chattering and laughing as we moved.

We got to the Chinese restaurant miles away from the beach and one of them suggested going to grab some Chinese meal. The one driving accepted and complained that he had not been allowed to do anything of his own since he joined them. He said that he hadn't eaten any chinese food since he left his country and would not miss the opportunity now it came. The third one, however, objected thinking I was going to disappear or something. They mocked him, calling him timid and he finally agreed and joined them.

He rechecked again to be sure that all corners of the car was locked. They finally left.

Nora listened keenly to hear how she managed to escape the locked doors.

Annabel continued.

I stood up and looked at them through the glass of the window to be sure that they were already inside before escaping so that they wouldn't hear any sound or something. I couldn't risk this chance that have been given to me.

The third man came back after walking a short distance.

I was scared and immediately lay back in the same position I was left.

The third man looked into the car for a while and finally joined the others.

The man who laughed at my mom was so stupid and dull. He was the one that suggested going to eat and I guess the most stupid of them all. He kept laughing at this third man and I guess insulting him as well.

Finally they entered the restaurant, I knew that I had to be quick at least before they would get seated probably beside a window to watch me. I jumped over the backseat into the trunk of the car. I then pulled the emergency trunk release lever and like magic, the trunk of the car opened. I rushed out and closed it back so they wouldn't see that I had escaped and start pursuing me on time.

I did not forget what my friend told me so I opened the fuel tank for the car gas to pour.

I knew that running into or looking for a nearby police station was a no no so I ran forward until I saw the beach. I tried to mix myself up with a family and go in but I almost got caught so I started trying to sneak in when the security officer looked away. I think you know what happened from there." Annabel concluded her story.

Nora took a deep breath.

"How old are you?" She asked.

"I'm seven and half."

Are you sure you are only seven.

Annabel understood and smiled.

She let Annabel stay in the room Rose used to leave in.

It was Monday again. Nora thought about her schedule for today. She was going for lectures from 10.am till 3PM

After which she would go to teach Ivy's kids and return home to cook for Annabel and herself. Thankfully she had some groceries at home and wouldn't have to worry about stopping to buy them.

She was going to see her mom in the morning.

"Good morning."

Annabel greeted interrupting Nora's thought.

She was preparing ravioli, tomato sauce and meatballs for breakfast.

"Good morning" Nora greeted back.

"What are you cooking, It smells nice." Annabel said stretching her head to see what was in the pot.

"Are you just waking up. Do you sleep like a pig? you also haven't brushed your teeth." Nora said and Annabel hung her head low.

"I'm sorry ma, it would never happen again and there is no toothbrush in the room.

Seeing her sorry look, Nora could only stop herself from laughing.

"I was joking, you did nothing wrong. I'll try to get you toothbrush on my way back. You seemed to have just taken your bath."

Annabel nodded

Nora looked at the sauce and found out that it was done so she put the stove off.

"Let's go and eat." She said and they both left to eat.

While they were eating, Annabel kept looking at her.

Is there anything on my face? she asked.

"No ,I'm just thinking. Are you normally kind to everyone."

Nora looked at her.

"What would you have me do?

Throw you into the streets or send you directly or indirectly back to them?"

Annabel was quiet.

After eating, Nora gave Annabel instructions before leaving.

"I will be going out now, you can put on the television if you are bored but don't destroy anything. I'm not used to having my lunch at home so l will order lunch for you in the afternoon but I won't be coming back. I also have little story books that you can read. Stay busy and stay safe okay?"

Annabel nodded and Nora finally left.

When she got to the hospital, she saw her dad sitting beside her mom. Her mom's physical appearance seemed to have improved and it was obvious the hospital paid more attention to her mom than before.

She was happy for the improvement. She gave her dad the food, she brought for him from home and resumed talking to her mom as she did anytime she visited.

When she was done talking to her mom, she discussed some things with the doctor and left afterwards. The doctor told her that her mother won't live longer than two weeks if the operation was not carried before then. He went further to inform her that the hospital did not have the necessary equipments to carry out the operation and she  would have to be transferred to another hospital. Nora was distressed after leaving the hospital. She had finally decided to ask Ivy for help. Due to the burden in her heart she listened more attentively when the lecturers and instructors were teaching  and finally she was at Ivy's home.

While she was teaching, Ivy called her.  She gave the children an exercise and excused herself.

She was taken aback when she saw Ivy's angry face

'Has she done something wrong unknowingly. '

"Where is your mother?" Ivy asked

"She is in the hospital." Nora replied calmly

"And why hasn't she been operated on?" Ivy asked trying hard not to overreact due to her anger.

Nora hung her head low.  She knew that Ivy have found out already.

She didn't want to owe anyone any favours and planned to save money to pay for the operation even though it meant getting chased out from her apartment but after hearing what the doctor said today, she knew saving up was impossible so she decided to let go of her ego and borrow money from Ivy today but it seems Ivy have already found out.

"Do you even consider me as friend?

You would rather have your mom die than ask for help from me."

"I'm sorry,I..." Nora did not know what to say.

"Just go"

Ivy said sending her away so she will have some space.

When Nora went back, she was no longer in the mood to teach so she gave them more assignments and watched them master what they already knew. giving them corrections where necessary. Soon  it was six, she had initially informed the kitchen that she would not be eating here.