CHAPTER FIFTEEN: DANS LA MAISON DE FELINE

DANS LA MAISON DE FELINE

My mind rummages through the pages of Feline's book. What page? I flip through it in my subconscious. Looking at every line more of assimilation than glances. I close my eyes in my subconscious mind.

"What is it? What did he mean ?"

I let out a puff of air through my nostrils controlling my heart's race. 'Tis too fast.

***

FELINE'S HOUSE

'Nothing's here. I thought this was some book of secrets or spooky stuff but there isn't. Hhh, what a waste of my sight.' I put the book back on the wooden ancient shelf. It wasn't dusty. That means she uses it regularly.

I let my fingers feel through the lines, stacks of shelves, and no single one was dusty! Does she have someone to clean for her? This house is gigantic for a person to clean. Hmm.

I got to the oven, took out the chicken, took a glass cup, poured myself milk, got a chair to sit on. My legs ache. To cut the story short, I stayed in Feline's house longer than I planned not switching on any lights. I used the fridge's light leaving its door open. I couldn't be caught. Feline wasn't home and everyone knows that. She doesn't turn off her lights in the house when she's around. I do not know the reason why, maybe she's not human. She doesn't sleep nor eat? Who knows. No human is sane, so...

I look around in the dark. Sitting on a wooden stool in the kitchen. It is of great design of expensive taste. To be honest, Feline has a nice taste, expensive taste. Everything here was either an artifact or one of the few things manufacturers made. Crazy right? Magnificent.

As I looked around, I heard a noise. Is anyone around. Have I been caught? Hmm...might just be a prey I was bored anyway. Laylah's far from me so having a plus one will not be a headache now. I sipped the milk till it remained one-quarter(1/4) of what was there before. One-quarter(1/4) of the full glass. I smelt something. I looked at the oven to be sure I didn't leave it on. It wasn't on. I was sitting right in front of it so I would have known, wouldn't I have?

Anyways I almost ate all of the chicken too leaving only some pieces left. About twenty (20) pieces it was. I counted it as I put it on the oven tray. I got to where I think the sound came from; Feline's library.

'Hmm?'

"Who did I...who was..."

I'm serious I just saw someone. The person's wearing black all through. What I could only make out was the person's face, pale white. Feline? Did she get a tone? No, that can't be. It's not even her stature. This one has a build. A boy? A man?

I stay behind a shelf peeking from the left side of it. I learned breath control so I hardly even heard my breath.

I was entwined in thoughts. Solving puzzles no one sent me. I just came to eat chicken and now this. Hhh, no peace. I was about to back out. My legs tire. But something stopped me - someone, people about two. I tilted my head to the right immediately and a rush of headache came in. I'm hungry plus stressed. Why now? I came to relax!

I leaned closer carefully not to shake the shelf. It seemed grounded but I was careful still. I leaned in more maybe thinking my body will lend me my ear. I need absolute quietness. Stop interrupting! My thoughts won't listen. My mind is all I have, my friend, my insane friend. She quieted.

"Finally, peace."

'What are you doing here?' The voice was shaking. It was as if it wanted to cry but held it in. It sounded familiar. That's how it sounded. I leaned in for more.

'Nothing, I just...I wanted to cos I missed you. Did you miss me?' The voice sounded frank. I don't think I have heard that one before. Or maybe I have? I don't know. It felt thick. Still. Calm. Lovely.

"Her boyfriend? Husband ?"

Feline's in a relationship? I can't think of...wow. Really? So she's not coldhearted? Feline's voice was the one heard before the latter spoke. This person has a huge build. I can't see the person's feet. But two thing's for sure; he's tall and he's not supposed to be here.

She sounded scared earlier. Her voice trembled. "Why would her husband want to hurt her?"

'Have you gotten the job done? Hmm?' He's waiting for her to speak. To reply to him. She stared at him confused, trembling. He was holding a book. The one I held before. The moon shone its light and I could see that it was the book I held before and that...he has nice fingers. I just had to say it. Don't think what I think you might think. I'm just saying.

He dropped the book down. On the floor. The same thing boy Nathaniel did with Laylah. He yelled now as if he's losing it. He was frightening, not to me, to her. The all-cold Feline is breaking.

'Didn't you hear me? I asked you a fucking question. Give me a fucking answer !' He's sure not joking around. I tiptoed to the kitchen took my chicken and milk back to the spot I was in. The library. It's a shame I can't sit but this is fun. What's next. I can't wait!

I ate my chicken slowly to enjoy the moment and the food while he still waits for her to speak.

'Have you given deaf ?' I couldn't see his face. I bet he was handsome seeing his voice is. Hmm.

'I...I...I'm trying. She's not responding. She's stubborn! You know that. Ehn, why give me all the responsibility when you're closer to her. Just take out of her what you need.' I was still eating the chicken. Sipping the milk from time to time. I don't have much left.

So they are discussing someone mutual. Who could that be? Feline hardly leaves her house. But I can't know anyways. I didn't even know she was married or is dating. So all can't be ruled. Feline's a variable, x. And I have to solve it. The solution is to keep listening.

'Oh, dear. Don't cry.' He gets close to her pulling her in his arm for a hug. A tight hug. Romantic. Hmm. Lovely. Then he whispered something around her head. Caressing her hair softly. The winds brought it to my hearing.

'Do whatever it takes or else I'd just use you. It's that simple. She leaves opposite you for God's sake!'

He pushed her away from his arms forcefully making her hit the wall. She hit her head, softly. Hahaha. Wait I shouldn't be laughing....out loud. I laughed hard inside of me. He turned to face the direction I was in. I am holding the glass of milk. He couldn't see me but I see him. I was starting to make out his features owing to the moon's light.

"Who's he?"

"Walk towards me a little so the moon can have its full cast." He did as I told him to not that he heard me. His veins were prominent probably cos of the shouting. He had pale white skin. His eyebrows were thick. His lips were pink. He has an abridged nose. He looked like dad.

I reached for the glass of milk then it rang. Dad! I let go of the glass I held looking towards him. It shattered. Dad. Nathaniel! What's he? What the...?

Did he see me? I didn't care.

***

I stood up jerking forward. "Father!"

'I am up, let's go !' I say to boy Nathaniel.

WHERE'S MY DAUGHTER?