A new me

Selina stood in the grand foyer of the luxurious mansion, taking in the opulence that surrounded her. She admired the exquisite details, the rich textures, and the vast space. Her satisfaction was evident as she made her decision.

"I like this one. I'll take it," she said with finality.

The seller, a man in a sharp suit, looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "Are you paying in cash?" he asked.

Selina nodded confidently. "Sure, why not? Do you have a job?" she inquired, her tone casual.

The seller raised an eyebrow. "Estate management. Why?"

Selina's eyes narrowed as she offered him a deal. "Why don't you be my messenger for a month? I'll pay you double what you earn at your estate management job."

The seller hesitated, his unease palpable. "Ma'am, I don't want to get into any trouble, and besides, I love my job."

Selina's voice was smooth but firm. "You won't get into any trouble. When you work for me, your protection is my priority... unless you tell the police where I am."

The seller's resolve crumbled. "Fine, I will work for you."

"You made a good choice," Selina said, handing him a list. "Here's what I need you to buy: groceries, makeup, wigs, and dozens of SIM cards."

The seller took the list and nodded. "I will do just that, ma'am."

Selina gestured for him to leave.

"Yes, ma'am," he said, exiting with a sense of relief.

Selina sank into a plush chair, her mind racing. She stared at the list of items, contemplating her next move. "I have a gun, but I'll also need chemicals, dangerous chemicals," she murmured to herself.

Her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Selina, what have you done? Is everything okay?" Jake's voice crackled through the line, filled with concern.

Selina's reply was calm and detached. "Everything's fine, Jake. Why are you asking?"

"There are rumors going around. People are saying you're involved in something serious," Jake said.

"You know nothing about me, Jake," Selina retorted.

"Yes, you're right, but I know everything about my friend," Jake insisted.

Selina's voice grew colder. "Sorry to break the news to you, Jake, but your friend died in the mental hospital and was reborn to take revenge. Your friend would have been too pathetic to escape or stand up for herself and would have rotted in that hell."

"But this isn't the solution," Jake said.

Selina's response was unwavering. "You don't know that."

"We can talk about this," Jake said, his voice filled with desperation.

"I prayed and hoped for a solution for years, but I didn't get one. But now, solutions are too late, and I'm done hoping for solutions," Selina said.

"Selina, tell me where you are," Jake pleaded.

"I wish I could, but I can't. Thank you for everything, Jake. Please do not get in my way. Goodbye, Jake," Selina said, ending the call.

She sighed deeply, the weight of her mission settling heavily on her shoulders. "Everything is going as planned. I can't let anyone ruin this for me." She destroyed the SIM card, a symbolic gesture of severing ties. "I must complete my mission, and no one will stop me, not even the police."

The seller re-entered, carrying multiple bags.

"I got everything you asked for, ma'am," he said, placing the bags down.

Selina handed him a wad of cash. "Here's your payment, as promised."

At the police station, Officer Roberts stood by his cluttered desk, his frustration evident as he sifted through a pile of papers.

"I was transferred here to catch that girl and lock her up, but I need your help," he said, his voice tinged with exasperation.

James, leaning against a desk, sighed. "Locking her up five years ago wasn't enough. Gosh, kids these days."

Kevin, seated at his desk, agreed.

Roberts shook his head. "I got her mobile number but no traces of her. We've got ourselves a smart criminal; this isn't going to be easy."

James nodded. "We know, Officer Roberts. She is a smart, crazy criminal."

"A psychopath even," Kevin added.

Roberts straightened up. "Keep tracking; we might find her." He left the room, determined.

James leaned back, shaking his head. "How did she even pull this off? No one has ever escaped a mental home. That place is more secure than the police station."

Kevin shrugged. "Maybe she has allies."

In an unexpected twist, Selina entered the station, dressed as a police officer. Her demeanor was professional but masked a dangerous intent.

"Good day, officers. My name is Rose. I am the newly transferred officer to help Roberts with his case," she announced.

Kevin looked up. "What do you need?"

Selina played her part smoothly. "His phone number."

James's response was guarded. "Why don't you give us yours first, as an exchange?"

"Sir, please..." Selina began to plead.

At that moment, a messenger arrived with two cups of coffee.

"Your coffee, sirs," the messenger said, handing over the cups.

"Thank you," Kevin said, accepting his coffee.

The messenger left, and Selina seized the opportunity. "You like coffee, huh?"

"Our favorite," James confirmed.

Selina's offer was strategic. "Why don't you give me Officer Roberts' number, and I'll treat you to coffee?"

"It's a deal," Kevin agreed.

"Thank you," Selina said, noting down the number before leaving with a satisfied smile.

At Helen's house, Helen stood by the window, her face a mask of shock and anger.

"She did what? That daughter of yours needs to be stopped for good," she exclaimed.

Richard was troubled. "Tell me about it."

"Do you know where she is?" Helen asked, her voice tense.

"No one knows where she is. The police are still looking for her," Richard said, concern evident in his voice.

"Seems your good daughter has turned bad over the years," Helen observed.

"I guess so, but I'm worried she is going to come for us," Richard admitted.

"Us? We'll deal with her if she shows up," Helen said firmly.

"I hope you're right," Richard replied, his anxiety clear.

At the judge's house, the judge was preoccupied with a phone call, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Another case? Alright, I'll be there in an hour," he said before hanging up.

Selina, now disguised as a lawyer, entered with an intense demeanor.

"Your lordship, my client committed murder, but she isn't sane. What will her judgment be? Will she face charges for murder?" Selina asked, her tone urgent.

The judge responded calmly, "Of course. She'll be sent to a mental hospital for evaluation and then to prison for life."

Selina's expression hardened. "What if she decides to kill you?"

The judge's confusion grew. "What? What do you mean?"

Selina pulled out a gun, her voice cold. "Hi, I'm the 'crazy client.' My mother tried to get me out of that hell, but you insisted on keeping me there for five years. I'm not insane, but I endured that mental hospital because of you."

The judge's eyes widened in fear. "Please, Selina…"

"I didn't tell you my name," Selina said, her voice steady.

"Your mother did, and I know it's you. She wanted to help you, but you needed treatment," the judge said, his voice pleading.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" Selina asked.

"You didn't need to," the judge replied.

Selina's gaze was unyielding. "Well, you'll need help soon." She called the hospital, her voice cold. "Doctor Henry, the judge has been shot in his heart. You need to come quickly." She hung up and turned back to the judge. "Since you lack a heart, why do you need one in your chest? I'll remove the black one filling that space."

"Don't do this," the judge begged.

"At least I'm not like you. I called for help. If they arrive in time, they might save you. Otherwise..." Selina trailed off, clicking her tongue.

"Don't do this! I have a family!" the judge pleaded.

"I had a family when you refused to let me out," Selina said.

"I'm sorry," the judge said, tears in his eyes.

"It saddens me to see you go, but apologies come too late. I'm sorry, too," Selina said before shooting him in the chest.

"I hope they can revive you," she said. "I can't watch you die, Judge. I'll leave you in peace. Goodbye." She exited, leaving the judge gasping for breath.

At Frances's house, Frances anxiously tapped her legs, her worry palpable as Roberts spoke to her.

"The doctor received a call earlier. My guess is it was from Selina," Roberts said.

"So you're suggesting...?" Frances asked, her voice trembling.

"Yes, ma'am," Roberts confirmed.

"No, no, Selina couldn't have done this," Frances said, shaking her head.

"Do you know where she might be? Any idea at all

Frances hesitated, her eyes darting around the room. She finally met Roberts' gaze, her expression torn between fear and resignation. "She was here yesterday," Frances said, her voice trembling. "She was looking for her diary. She had a gun."

Roberts' interest piqued, he scribbled notes in his pad. "Her diary? Did it contain any useful information?"

Frances nodded slowly. "Yes, but she didn't finish writing in it."

"What did she write about?" Roberts asked.

"About how everyone tormented her," Frances replied, her voice breaking. "But Laura and the judge… they didn't make the list. She wasn't around to include them. She was in the mental hospital. I was trying to get her out, so I told her everything… about the judge. I didn't want her to think I abandoned her. She told me not to worry and smiled at me. It's all my fault. I wasn't there for her."

"Don't blame yourself, ma'am," Roberts said, his tone gentle but firm. "Can you recall any other names?"

Frances hesitated again, the list of names coming back to her slowly. "There were so many names…"

"May I have them, ma'am?" Roberts asked.

"She wrote Mr. Joe, Miss Lizzy her teacher, her father Richard, the nuns in the church, two police officers, James and Kelvin, Doctor Henry, Helen, my husband's mistress, some bullies in her school, Michael, Sophia, and also Mia," Frances listed.

Roberts nodded, jotting down the names. "We'll do our best to question them and reach them before Selina does."

Frances' tears flowed freely now, her face etched with anguish. "Please don't harm my daughter. She wasn't always like this."

As Roberts stood up, he took one last look at Frances, his expression softening with sympathy. "You have my word, ma'am. We'll do everything we can to find your daughter before it's too late." He handed her his card. "Call me if you receive any more information."

Frances nodded absently, clutching the card tightly. "Okay," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Roberts gave a final nod before exiting the house. The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving Frances alone with her thoughts. The silence of the room was heavy, filled with the weight of her regrets and fears.