Sudden and Terrible Change

Meredith's life changed for the worse when her mother called her the next morning after her return home to announce that she was to visit her uncle who lives in the city of Douglas.

"Mum, I can't go there. You know the kind of life they live there… I am not ready for that. Uncle Gibs and his wife are always not at home and they would leave the whole chores to me. I need to rest after coming back home, besides his wife doesn't like us. I don't want to be where I would be uncomfortable"

"I want you to be happy and comfortable too but it will do all of us good if you go to the big city and find a good job. He called yesterday to promise he would find you a very good job"

"Just like that?" Zara interjected as she walked into the sitting room. "Our uncle has always never wanted anything to do with us. So why did he remember us suddenly? I don't think Meredith should go anywhere. She can find a job here!"

"Shut up your mouth! What do you know?" Her mother barked at Zara even though she was right. Her uncle's sudden desire to look after her was very unlike him.

"Mum, I have no interest in going to stay with my uncle. And I don't like that large city or whatever job he has to offer. I can find something doing here to help you" Meredith answered while trying to avoid her mother's stern gaze.

"The last time you came home, you said the same thing but when you searched for a job you didn't find any. And I had to use my last card to pay your fees and prepare you for school. Don't you understand that getting a job will not only help me but boost your resume for a job when you're done with school" Her mother said in a touching tone.

Her mother was right. Life was indeed difficult for them and the least she could do was help them by going to stay with their uncle and finding a good job.

"But mum, I still don't want her to go! Why is Uncle Gibs suddenly interested in seeing us survive? Since father died years ago, he has never sent us a dime while he enjoys a lavish lifestyle with his wife in the city. Meredith, don't go. I don't want you to go!"

"Will you shut up? If you don't keep shut, I would send you along with your sister just as your uncle had initially requested" Her mother yelled at Zara.

Zara was about to say something else but her mother raised her slippers and dared her to say another word. While this drama continued around her, Meredith couldn't stop thinking about all she had heard about the shiny and Dark Douglas city. Wasn't it where Mercy had gone missing? She wanted to tell her mother about the missing girl but she knew it would only seem like she didn't want to go to her uncle's home.

"It just seems like you don't even want her to spend time with us, her own family? It's not just fair!" Zara had said in a sad tone.

"Stop it now! She is only going to be there for some months before going back to school. Your uncle is not a monster"

"But what if he is?"

Zara replied but their mother simply glared at her while Meredith was still lost in thought.

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Meredith left for Douglas city two days after since her uncle wouldn't stop calling for her to come down as soon as possible. She just couldn't understand why he was so eager to help them? Zara had said the same thing the last day she spent in their house and she had made her promise to always call and let them know how she was doing since she didn't trust their uncle's motives.

"I will be fine. It's just a job for goodness Zara and I will be back after the holiday is over. I will be fine too. It's uncle Gibs, he won't harm me."

"I don't know! I don't trust him and this so-called good motive." Zara had stated strongly but Meredith refused to dwell on her fears and doubts about their uncle.

She was now in front of his beautiful building after her tiring journey from her city, waiting for the gigantic iron door of her uncle's home to open. Her gaze swept through the clean and elegant neighbourhood. This was Douglas city and she must learn to adapt to the glamorous life in this bubbling city. Butcan she fit in? It was so beautiful unlike anywhere she had ever been to. No wonder girls got lost here! Not her kind of girl though, she would focus on…

She had barely finished her thoughts when her uncle opened the door and hugged her joyously.

"Welcome, my dear welcome" he repeated, helping her lift her plain old bag.

Meredith's eyes opened in amazement when she saw the glamorous home. In her amazement, she failed to see her aunty who was perched on the chair, painting her nails and pretending not to see Meredith. She greeted the woman but she merely nodded and continued her painting.

 Her uncle didn't give her the time to worry about her unconcerned aunt as he showed her to her room.

"Thank you for coming" he smiled as he stared at her from head to toe like she was some alien before excusing himself. "An answered prayer" he murmured to himself on his way out. 

As soon as he left Meredith moved to the door to eavesdrop and she could hear them arguing. The aunt was furious about her coming to stay with them but the Uncle simply replied.

"I have my reasons, dear. I have my reasons. Everything depends on her being here. In no time, we won't have to worry about her presence in the house"

Her aunty simply hissed but Meredith began to wonder about the true meaning of her uncle's words. She thought about calling her sister to tell her about it but she brushed it off as nothing. 

Meredith got to know the true meaning of her uncle's words when a nun arrived at her uncle's home very late at night the next day. She had seen the headlights of the vehicle shining through her window as the Nun's drove into her uncle's home. Out of curiosity, she had run to the window to see who it was and the elegant nun she saw arriving at such an odd hour took her by surprise. She threw something on the floor and for a moment Meredith thought she had seen a stick of cigarette. But the compound was not lit well enough for her to see what it was.

The next thing she heard was a soft knock on her door and Uncle Gibs walked in when she uncloked the door to inform her that someone was there to see her. Someone? She had wanted to ask but se had remained mute as she walked to the sitting room to find out who knew her in the city of Douglas.

"This is her?" the nun had asked, her gold teeth flashing as she spoke. There was something strange about how both the uncle and the nun looked at her, like they were sizing her up for some reason but she said nothing. Where was her aunt? And why was she needed here? She wanted to ask but she remained quiet as both uncle Gibs and the strange nun smiled politely at her. However, her life was about to change for the worse and she had no idea.