Chapter 5 Face To Mask

I munch on the delicious soup my mom had prepared for us. It is so tasty that I wish for it not to finish. Well, I'm sure it tastes better than the pancakes she made for our new neighbors.

I gulp the food I have in my mouth down my throat.

I had finished taking a shower and finished dressing when my mom had called me saying breakfast was ready and that it was my favorite.

Ohhh! It is delicious.

When we are all done eating, Max is forced to do the dishes while I prepare the pancakes. I am still kind of nervous knowing we will be going to visit Ralph's family which reminds me of what I did yesterday.

I was crazy, I know but that can't stop me from finding out about my sister's death. I know I sound silly.

" Are you guys ready?"

Mom yells from the living room and quickly I round up packing the pancakes and dash into the living room with them. Max is not done yet and I wish he could just spend the whole time in the kitchen.

" Come out Max,"

My mom calls out as Max makes his way out of the kitchen cleaning his hands with a napkin before throwing it on the couch. How silly!

" I'm ready,"

He speaks and grins staring at me like he is up to something no good. I sigh. Max is a hell of a brother, so grumpy and annoying but still very intelligent with the highest grade in his class. Yes! He's in college but hasn't resumed.

" Let's go,"

Mom says and we begin to make our way there, I am feeling a little anxious. All events from yesterday night start flooding in my head. The club... Ralph with Khalid... The chief... The body, and the girl, the mystery Jones... I remember them all and they make me cringe.

It's a good thing those guys didn't see me or else... I don't know what would have happened.

" Good morning,"

My mom's voice shakes me back to reality. The door of our new neighbor is already open revealing a young girl who has this sort of look on her face. Jessica! I think that's her name.

" Good morning?"

She says but it sounds more like a question. Now, there is a brief silence, I am short of words, I don't know what to say to the girl neither does my mom, and my brother seems not too interested in whatever is going on. He simply stands still with an expressionless face.

" Jessica?"

A faint voice calls from behind the girl as she moves aside, giving way to an old man. I remember him, he is the same man I first saw... the one that was struggling with the boot. He looks like he's in his fifties.

" Can I help you?"

The man asks, his voice is relaxed and my mom gives a smile.

" My name is Cynthia Brooks, and I'm your new neighbor. My kids and I just came to say hello and welcome you into the neighborhood,"

Now that's better. The man's eyes travel from my mom's to mine before moving to Max and back to Mom. He nods a bit looking quite impressed. The smile he has on his face doesn't reach his eyes as he speaks,

" Oh! That's nice!"

" Thank you, I'm Mr Blake, a retired soldier,"

He says and stretches his hand out for a handshake. For a second, my mom stares at his hand before accepting it.

" It's nice to meet you,"

She says and immediately draws her hand away from the handshake. Ah! I can see how nervous she is.

" You sure have beautiful kids,"

" Thank you, Mr Blake,"

"Oh, and before I forget, I made these pancakes as a gift to you and your family,"

Mom says collecting it from me, a small frown spread across my face.

" Wow, thank you,"

Mr Blake says collecting it. I scoff silently. I guess we should leave already.

***

Ohh! Finally, We are done buying things for the day. I'm so exhausted from all the buying from the store. We walk steadily towards our car with goods in our hands as we proceed to keep it in the boot.

The car we have is not at all a fancy one. It's so old that most parts of the car have peeled off. It's a good thing the engine still works, I can barely recall the last time my mom serviced the engine.

We finished arranging the goods inside the boot and I gently closed it. Just as we are about to enter the car, my eyes unconsciously scan through and fall on a familiar eye that is staring at me. My eyes widen as I recall who it is, Jones! the night party guy I met.

But, What's he doing? He is standing across the street, a cigarette is stuck in the corner of his mouth, his hands are shoved in his pocket and his daring eyes stare at me.

Wait a minute! Is he following me? Or does he live somewhere around here? What if he's stalking me? could he? wait! What if he's planning to kill me and feed me to Mr. Strange? What if he's Mr Strange...

Okay, I must be overthinking things.

I don't know why but something seems...off with this man.

" You guys go without me, There's something I need to get,"

I lie to my surprise and knowing I sound stupid, they both stare at me like I am crazy or something.

" And what's that?"

Max asks, seeming curious but I remain quiet, I can't tell him.

" What else do you need to get? You can just go get it while we wait for you,"

Mom says and I sigh. Oh! How do I get rid of her now? My conscience won't stop bugging me to meet the Jones guy that he has something to say... Or maybe I'm overthinking?

" Don't worry about me Mom, I'll be fine, it's just that I might take a long time and I don't want to keep you guys waiting, just head home without me,"

My mom frowns.

" No way young lady, it's either you come in or you go get what you want to get while we wait,"

What a mother she is.

" Mom..."

" Don't worry Mom, she can look after herself,"

I hear Max say. I guess he's trying to help me out but still, my mom refuses to listen and it gets me a little annoyed.

***

I quietly stride through the street. Going to where he stands. His back is facing me and I see him let out some amount of smoke from his mouth before throwing the cigarettes on the floor and smashing it with his leg.

I walk further but quietly. I know he realizes I'm here the moment he lets out a small chuckle even before I get the chance to say anything.

" We met again,"

He says it... Jones says as he turns around facing me. I give him a nonchalant look.

" Sure,"

My voice cracked. My heartbeat increases, and I feel a bit anxious. Why? I don't know. I hear him chuckle again but quite briefly this time.

" Like to grab a cup of coffee?"

" No,"

I answer simply, my eyes looking around for any suspicion but I find none. Maybe I am just overthinking, maybe he's just a normal guy who smokes and goes clubbing all night.

Maybe, just maybe my thoughts could be right.