In The Silence Between

He's Dead.

"How is he dead?"

"Why is he dead?"

"Who killed him and why would they kill him?"

These questions kept running in my head as I sat at the corner of my room holding up my legs together. I couldn't cry anymore, tears stopped flowing. I couldn't feel anything anymore.

I heard the landline ring by 9pm on Tuesday. I just got back from school a few hours ago and I wasn't expecting anyone to call. In fact, who even calls landlines when you can call my cell phone, I thought we didn't use it anymore.

My parents were on a business trip and they won't be back till next Saturday. They traveled to South Africa, they had a business contract to seal there. It was just me and Bun, my dog. I picked up the phone and waited for the person to speak up.

"Hello. Good evening, am I speaking to Mr. Daniels?" A lady asks. She sounded older, in her sixties or so. I wondered why she was calling this late in the evening.

"Good evening ma, Mr. Daniels is my dad and he's unavailable at the moment." I answer politely.

"My name is Mrs. Alexa. I'm calling from Saints College in Australia. I am the Deputy Chancellor in the college. Hmm... I don't know if I can tell you this information, I'm supposed to tell it to his father first," she responds.

At this point I'm a bit weary. His father? What happened to my brother?!

Why would someone call from his college?

Why would the Administration call?

My brother is the best in his school work and everything so what happened?

I spoke to him three days prior and he sounded okay. He even joked about his friends and told me what had been happening.

"Excuse me ma, what happened to my brother? Is he okay? Please tell me. I'll let my dad know." The words left my mouth in a rush. I didn't even think, a lot of things were running through my mind.

She hesitated before saying "I'm sorry but Samuel Daniels is dead. He was found inside a burnt building. The laboratory building caught fire last night and he was there working on a project with his teammates. His remains will be sent...."

She kept on talking but I wasn't listening anymore, I couldn't hear anything. The only thing I heard was enough to make me traumatized. Sammy is dead?! I couldn't utter a word.

"Hello? Can you hear me?" She asks.

"Yeah, I can. I heard you" I murmur.

"I'm really sorry" she said before she hung up.

My mum came into the room, seeing me sitting in the corner, she signed. She kept the black dress on my bed, the burial was tomorrow. The dress was knee length and long sleeved, it had simple designs at the front. She wasn't crying today, she had already cried her heart out and was trying to be strong for me and Dad. Dad had been silent, I guess he was thinking about losing his only son.

I couldn't believe he was really dead until I saw them lowering the remains of his body into the ground. It was an event I never thought would happen so soon. His life was over. I won't see him smile again, he won't joke about how he's a few inches taller than me. It just dawned on me that I won't hear his voice again. Tears slipped down my cheeks.

I don't know what I'm feeling, either rage or sorrow. I'm angry because I didn't know what happened, what could have possibly happened? I'm angry because my twin brother just died. I'm annoyed because of a lot of things. We were so close, even if we fought and argued most times, I loved him so much.

The event went well. Everything was okay, my friends came around. I'm so quiet, I was still processing things. I don't even know what to think nor say.

A week later my parents had to go back to South Africa. Our lives had to continue, I know my brother would want the best for us. I picked up my phone for the first time since the death and burial of my brother. I had 30 missed calls and some messages, from my friends, Katie, Dave and Chloe. I called Chloe and she picked up after the phone rang twice.

"Hi love, how are you?" she asks.

"I'm fine. Can we have movie night today?"

"Well... yes of course. I'll call Dave and Katie. We'll head over after school. We'll get your favorite snacks. Don't worry."

"Okay. I'll be waiting. Bye"

"Bye Darling" she replies.

I hadn't gone to school since the burial. My parents were patient with me. I just needed a little space but I was better than before. I went to prepare for my friends. I made Spaghetti and ordered Chicken wings from Wings ville, cleaned up the sitting room and kept blankets there.

It was around 4pm when I heard the bell ring. I opened the door and my friends were there. Dave walks in and gives me a big hug. He's wearing shorts and a blue hoodie and black Nike shoes, his black hair was a bit messy cause he had probably used his hand to run through it a couple of times. He has the body of a model and a dimple at the corner of his mouth. He is carrying a big white bag from Best Buy ShopRite. I guess they bought popcorn, drinks and desserts. I smile at him and hug him back.

"Hii big guy. How are you?"

"I'm fine Gabby. I hope you're better now. I miss the sarcastic you, you are annoying, you know."

I laughed "I'm okay now. I'm actually better. Things happen, I know he would want the best for me and I will start annoying you again." I said, poking his chest.

"Okay... As long as you don't pull my hair," he winced, his lip was tilted upward.

"I'll think about that, no promises though," I say.

Katie is wearing a brown crop top and black jean trousers and sandals. Her pale skin glows in the evening sun and her brown long hair is up in a messy bun. Chloe, our fashionista, is wearing a big pink shirt and black cargo pants with canvas. Her brown shining skin also glows as always and her black shoulder length hair is packed at the back. They both have beautiful bodies, you know, slim waist and small hips. We hug and enter the living room.

CHAPTER TWO

"Where's my little pea?" Katie asks.

She loves Bun, maybe more than me. Bun is sleeping in his corner on his little bed. He just finished eating a while ago.

"So how's school?" I ask.

"It's been stressful as always. Mr Adams, Physics lecturer, gave us an assignment of three pages.

Three full pages?!

We just resumed for the first semester and he's giving us so much. I don't know how the rest of this semester will be" Chloe explains. She was a good student though, always getting good grades and all. We study the same course, Radiography.

"Wow! I really thought he was cool! You know, less assignments and tests. Please forward it to me on WhatsApp '' I say. Just the beginning of the semester and there's this much work.

Wonderful!

Note the sarcasm.

"Yeah I'll do that. I'll also forward the notes we wrote today" she replies.

She had been sending them to me since I was absent from school. I'm reading because we would be having tests very soon, I need to be ready for them. I always love reading, it gets my mind off things and keeps me calm.

"We're practicing for a play we have next month," Dave says. Dave and Katie study Theater arts. They're so good at it sometimes I don't know if they're acting or being serious with me... Chloe gets angry at them because they like playing pranks on her.

"I'll go heat up the food and serve so that we can start watching movies"

"Let me help you while Dave and Katie set up Netflix" Chloe says.

We walk into the kitchen together and I turn on the microwave to heat the spaghetti and chicken. I knew Chloe wanted to ask how I was, she wasn't satisfied with the answer I gave before. She was like my best friend among them, I knew her since we were seven. We played with our dolls together, tea parties, fake weddings, it was fun.

"Chloe, I know you want to say a lot and you want me to cry on your shoulders but don't want you to worry about me. Today is Friday and I plan to resume school on Monday. I'll be fine, I promise." I felt her bright hazel eyes staring at my back as I spoke.

"I know you'll be fine Gab, you have to. Sammy loves you and wants the very best for you, okay?"

"Okay," I smiled and hugged her. She held me in a tight embrace. She was saying a lot by holding me. I know how much she cares about me.

The microwave made a sound to signal the food was ready to. I removed it and served it to each of us. Chloe helped to serve so it was easier and faster.

"Gabby, this is so delicious," Katie commended.

"I know, I taught her," Dave said proudly.

We started laughing cause we all know the only thing he could do is to boil noodles. Anything else would end up disastrous.

Dave turned off the lights, the only light illuminating the room was from the TV. We watched Elemental, the cartoon about fire and water. Then we watched Avatar, the way of water and other cartoons. This is what happens when we allow Katie to pick movies, she just prefers cartons. I think she's obsessed with cartons, I just don't know why.

After eating, I took the plates to the kitchen sink and dropped it there. I'll do the dishes tomorrow morning. The snacks were on the table, Katie had arranged them so that we could start munching on them.

Few hours later, they slept off, it was already 4am. I stood up and put the blanket on each of them, turned off the TV and slept beside Chloe. I didn't know when I drifted off. This night was different, I felt peace within me, I was just happy and calm.

We woke up by 1pm on Saturday. Dave had to go home and babysit his little brother, Candel. Candel is five years old. He has short jet black hair and chubby cheeks, he is so cute. Dave is the eldest, he has three siblings. It was just us girls. We went shopping to get some necessities. There's a shopping mall five blocks away from my house. We walked down because no one was in the mood to drive my car. Katie needed tampons and some other things. Chloe and I also bought a few things we needed like stationary and other stuff.

After shopping, we walked down to my house. Katie's phone rang and she picked it up.

"Hello Mama, good afternoon. How are you" she said. I knew she was talking to her mum. They're so close, probably because she's the only girl and has three older brothers.

"Yeah. I'll be home this evening. I was wondering if Gabs can come spend the rest of the weekend with us?" She asked.

I was surprised because she never said she wanted me to come over.

"Okay mum. Thank you so much" she said happily as she hung up.

"So Gabs, I hope you're coming?"

"Uhm.. I think I'll decline today. Tomorrow is Sunday and I have to go to Church and prepare for Monday. I'm really sorry but I'll take up the offer some other time. Thank You My Baby." I said politely.

"Okay, I'll be leaving now. I have to head home before my dad calls. Bye" she said as she hugged me.

"Bye," I replied. It was just me and Chloe now. Her house was blocks after mine, 10minuites walk away from mine.

When we got to my doorstep, she said

"Gabrielle Daniels, I have to go home but I don't want you thinking of anything. If you need someone, you can come over or call me, I'll come and get you, okay?"

"Yes ma'am. Please greet your parents for me." Whenever she calls my full name I just know she's serious. If not she prefers to call me Gabby or babe.

"I'm serious, you know. Okay, bye My Babe" she said as she pulled me into a hug then she started walking down to her house.

I'm fine actually, I was just thinking, I was thinking of transferring to my brother's college. They have radiography, my course. I really love my course. I'm in my second year, the process might be hard but I need to know what really happened. I couldn't tell my friends now if not they'll give me an ear full. I'm really curious at this point.

I slept early with so many unanswered questions on my mind.

I wake up early for Church, I wear a white off shoulder top and a high waist black skirt with silver heels. I wear silver accessories and carry my black Gucci bag. I climb into my Silver Ford and drive down to Saints Church, my Church. The service was awesome and really amazing, from the choir ministry to the word of God and everything. It lifted up my spirit, I felt so blessed.

I drove into the driveway and parked my car, my parents' cars were parked there because they're not around. My dad drives a Lamborghini Aventador while my mum drives a gray Lexus. The car my brother drove is also there, a Bugatti Veyron. I unlock the door and step inside. There's pizza in the fridge so I heat it up in the microwave. I walk upstairs to change to something more comfortable. I wear a black singlet and pink shorts with my flip-flops. I hopped downstairs, I used the kitchen napkin to bring out the pizza from the microwave and bring out fruit juice from the fridge. I put it on the center table in the living room and turn on the TV to watch Netflix. I like watching action and thriller movies, the one with guns, they must have guns. I don't like horror movies, it gives me goosebumps. I don't want to admit that I get scared by them. Sunday passed by so fast and today is Monday.

CHAPTER THREE

I wake up with new-found confidence and a bit of drool at the corner of my mouth, not everyone sleeps like a princess in a castle, okay?! I feel very prepared, I don't know how to explain but I'm ready to take on whatever the world throws at me. I wear a white long sleeve net-like shirt with black and white check short gown. I wore my black flats and silver accessories. I really love silver jewelry. I grabbed my black Zara bag, locked it up and drove to school.

I park beside Katie's BMW and hop out of my car.

I look at the school and sign. I walked in and went straight to the administration office. I thought of it and decided I'm going to process my transfer to my brother's college in Australia.

"Good morning ma'am" I smile and say to her.

"Good Morning Miss Gabrielle Daniels, How are you?" Mrs Yang asks.

Most lecturers and students know my name. My parents are rich and I'm a top student in my course, why won't they? I'm not Queen Bee or anything, I'm kind of a teacher's pet.

"I'm fine ma, thank you for asking. Please, I want to process my transfer to another university in Australia. I want to know how long it'll take to transfer."

"Okay... Why do you want to transfer though? Is something wrong? What school do you want to attend and in what course do you want to study there?"

"There's nothing wrong ma, everything is okay. I want to transfer to Saints College in Australia and I want to study Radiography"

"Well, you're pretty lucky Miss Daniels. There are some people transferring there and the transfer forms will be sent out this afternoon. Just take this form and fill it now," she said as she handed me a transfer form.

I filled the form and did as instructed. She said I should come back on Wednesday to get the documents.

I missed my first class but I was on time for the next.

After classes I met with my friends and we talked a bit then I drove home.

On Wednesday, I went to get the documents and I applied for a visa. By Friday, everything was ready. It was easy because my dad is rich and many people know us. I had used a large sum of money from my savings account and my allowance to pay for everything; the ticket, the visa, transfer and all that.

My flight is booked for Sunday. I had just finished packing up my luggage when Chloe called.

"Hey sweetie, how are you?" She asks

"I'm fine, thank you. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. I'm worried about you. I think there's something you aren't telling me. You haven't been coming for classes. I don't think you've been coming to school. What's up? Tell me the truth, Gabs."

I huffed. "Uhm.. I know I can't lie to you....."

"Keep talking, Jones," she said.

She likes that line, especially when she's interrogating someone. She got it from Crime Time, we love the series. It's always interesting.

"Okay.. okay.. I'm traveling tomorrow. I transferred to my brother's College in Australia. I'm studying Radiography so we'll still be radiographers."

"What?!" She screams.

"Tomorrow?! And when did you plan on telling me? Did you even want to say goodbye? Do you know how much I care about you?"

"I guess you didn't tell the others?" She says lightly.

"Yeah. I planned on calling you guys when I get there cause you'll stop me from going. I just want to find out what happened," I reply.

"Okay, I'm coming over now. I'll drive you to the Airport tomorrow"

"Okay, thank you. Bye." I hung up. I know she always has my back.

I don't even know how to call my mom and dad to explain that I'm traveling tomorrow. My mom will be upset but I just need to tell them.

We were wearing matching outfits, a light blue shirt that had Mickey mouse design, black jean trousers and white sneakers. Mum loved dressing us in matching outfits, she would boast about having twins. We were celebrating our tenth birthday. It was an indoor event. It was time to cut the cake. My brother held my hand on the knife, we smiled at each other and we looked at our parents. My dad held my mum and they smiled at us as they sang the birthday song with the invited guests, waiting for us to cut the cake. We blew out the candles and cut the cake. Laughter and music echoed. It was a very happy day.

The doorbell rings, bringing me out of my thoughts. I open the door to see Chloe dressed in a v-neck body hug top and baggy jeans with sandals. She hugs me immediately when I open the door.

"I'm so happy to see you," she says.

I let out a little laugh as I replied "I'm glad you came. I hope you're not upset though"

"No, I'm not. I was thinking of reasons why you would want to take the risk and I understand that half of you left without saying anything, not even goodbye. I also don't think it's a possibility that he wasn't the one that died. He didn't have the Yang necklace on."

I touch the Ying necklace on my neck. Chloe bought it for my brother and I for our 18th birthday two years ago. We wore it everywhere, some people that didn't know us thought we were dating. We had a funny experience one day.

"Thank you Chloe. I have to find out so that I can understand what really happened and catch the culprit if there's any."

I carry the last bag and put it in the boot.

"Is that the last?" Chloe asks.

"Yeah, I just need to get my hand back. I'll be back," I sniffle. The dust made me uncomfortable.

I grabbed my bag and hopped downstairs. I lock the house and enter Chloe's Honda Accord. She offered to drive me to the Airport.

Last night we played board games and watched movies then I made pancakes for us then she helped me clean up the house.

Chloe and I rolled my luggage to the checkpoint. The Border Protection officers asked for my passport and ticket. I'm taking a flight to Thailand then to Australia.

"So this is where we say goodbye" Chloe says with teary eyes.

"Yeah... I'll come visit when I have the opportunity. I'll call you when I get there. I love you Chloe baby" I say as I hug her.

"Good luck Gabs," she says. A tear slides down her cheek as she waves goodbye.

I take a deep breath as I walk past the checkpoint.

They say curiosity kills the cat but guess what?

The cat has nine lifes.