Chapter 2 TREMOR

Abigail gasp loudly, in the dimly lit room where all the windows and curtains were closed. She sat up on her bed, touching her neck to feel the streaks of sweat that had formed thanks to her dream.

What happened during her childhood was something that sometimes haunted. She hoped the nightmares would completely stop.

She closed her eyes, the disturbing image flashing through her head before snapped her eyes open.

A few seconds passed and Abigail finally regained her composure. She looked towards the window side. It was difficult to tell if it was daybreak thanks the curtains drawn. Abigail dismounted from the bed, she walked towards window, opening it to let the bright light in.

The sharp rays coming from morning sun hit her face that she closed her eyes with a small frown.

Abigail stared out for a while, she took in the scenery before her. Her eyes absorbing the movements of the few people that passed back and forth. It was a bright sunny day, she caught the excited smiles on their faces but sadly she couldn't fathom what it was about neither could she say she felt the same way.

After taking her bath, Abigail walked out of her room before stepping into another that was not to far away.

"good morning grandfather." she said after closing the door behind her. Her eyes fell on the old man that laid on the bed, he sheets were covered up to his chest and he was already in a state where he shouldn't be moving.

Abigail approached the old man "did you have a good sleep?" what came as a response was a low hum that was barely audible "it was peaceful, and you?"

"I'm not sure." she sat beside him on the bed , looking somewhat lost in thought.

The old man stared at her, although his eyes looked tired, one could tell he has had a lot of experience and possibly gained from them. He commented "you are worried."

"of course I am." she said and for a while,there was silence "you are all I have grandpa even though it seemed you popped out of nowhere into my life. I was thinking about what I'd do...I mean I'll be left all alone. there are also the people we have to settle."

Since she lost her mother and her father ended up in prison, Abigail had miraculously encounter this man that took it upon himself to raise her.

"you'll be fine." the old man said with certainty. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them.

Abigail nodded and after a while she said "it's time for your medicine."

"I have some errands to run." she stood on her feet "I'll be back in an hour or two." Abigail turned to exit the room when the old man said " I know you probable have a lot of dreams you hope to achieve but our problem has been an hindrance to you but trust everything would be fine."

Abigail smiled " I know." with that she left the room.

Abigail stepped out of the house, she stared at the streets and it was quiet evident that it had rained during the night. She walked out of the house but not before locking the front door.

It wasn't her intention though, if her grandfather could walk then there would be no means for such precautionary measure. She was also worried that some hoodlums would enter her home and steal a few valuable things and the old man wouldn't be able to do anything. Not to mention with the Dept collectors. Abigail didn't plan on staying out long though, it was still morning.

She walked past her neighbors house which was the one next to hers the only difference being the state each houses were in.

The distance between the buildings was at least four meters away.

Abigail heaved a sigh of relief, she was glad she didn't get to see Amelia, her neighbor. The latter was more of a rich brat only that she lived a lone with a huge amount of fortune left by her supposedly rich parents. She was an orphan but it didn't mean she didn't have her uncle who lives out of the country.

Amelia was Abigail's nemesis, she bullied and humiliated her with every Chance she gets. Abigail on the other hand wasn't a fool but she didn't always retaliate and the times she did only led to worst situations for her so she finds herself avoiding trouble as much as she could.

Opening the door of a small store, Abigail walked in accompanied by the bell ding.

At first there was silence, she stared at the quiet store. it didn't look like anyone has come to make their purchases.

She walked towards the counter only to be interrupted by a voice " what do you want?" came the words from a gruff voice.

"um, it's me miss rowley." Abigail announced.

From behind the counter, a chubby woman emerged. The expression on her face screams displeasure and frustration before transforming into a small scowl " oh it's you."

" I was wondering if there are any deliveries to make today." Abigail went straight to the point knowing the old woman wasn't in tune for any formalities.

" you are here early." she remarked before disappearing behind the counter. Abigail could hear some clattering noise making it evident that the woman was working on something.

"do you need any help." she inquired.

Miss rowley, reappeared putting a box on the counter. She came out and said " come with me."

The walked past the racks where miss rowley picked up a basket and began to stick it with different kinds of fruits and vegetables " here , deliver this to the market you'll meet man named Fred at the market's entrance he'll give you money in exchange for this fruits."

Abigail took the basket, it was odd she has never delivered fruits for this woman before , it was obvious she was looking to sell these things and at an extravagant price compared to the amount sold at the store itself.

"what if I don't find him?"

"make sure you sell them , I don't care how you do it." miss rowley deadpanned before returning back to the counter. At the same time, the bell dinged and another customer walked in.

Abigail stared at the fruit basket, lost in her own thoughts that she didn't pay any attention to the interaction between miss rowley and the newly arrived customer.

He was a man with neatly combed hair and a tattooed viper on his neck. He was adorned in a former suit but despite his decent appearance, he looked shady.

With a toothpick held between his teeth whilst he spoke to miss rowley who looked extremely pleased to see him. It was as if all her bad mood has been thrown out the moment he walked out of the door.

"it's good to see you Johnson." miss rowley greeted with enthusiasm.

" likewise, you did a great job yesterday o would commend you for that." Johnson said with a grin.

"with the right price, nothing is impossible to carry out. The whether was a little rough and with the securities scouting the area, making the deliveries was kind of a hassle."

Johnson then dropped a stack of cash on the counter making the old woman's eyes lit up. She took hold of the money, staring at it as if she couldn't believe her eyes.

Simultaneously , Abigail caught sight of this little exchange. She found herself dumbfounded. Those two had merely talked and yet it looked like he gave miss rowley a huge some of money without buying anything.

"you haven't left yet." came the annoyed voice of miss rowley who suddenly became aware of Abigail's presence in the room. She hid the money somewhere no one would find it.

"s-sorry." Abigail stammered ready to make her way out of there.

"what's your name?" Johnson asked making her halt in her tracks. Abigail looked at him, not sure if she was to answer him , pretend she didn't hear him or give him a false name. She wasn't very particular with interacting with strangers she wasn't familiar with. She preferred to remain in the shadows.

" I said what's is your name?" Johnson repeated assuming she hadn't heard him the first time. His words came out deliberate.

Miss rowley then chimed in " it's Abigail but you do not want to bother yourself with her, she's not up to your level."

"but you can't deny that she's a real beauty." Johnson replied with a smirk that made Abigail uncomfortable, she excused herself and took her cue to leave the store as soon as possible. Hopefully, she wouldn't see the man when she returns.