Chapter Six: A Past Relived

A continuation of Chapter Five: Lucia

The brief encounter brought many memories. Some were worth remembering.

You see, Lucia and I were buddies throughout primary school and high school. We did almost everything together: had lunch together, homework, dancing, fishing, running. Where I was, you could find her, and where she was, so was I. Everyone knew we were the best of friends. Inseparable.

At least that was how I remembered it to be.

The good old days have long gone. Gone are the days we skipped school for ice-cream, helped each other with homework, and planned pranks on the history teacher during class. I remember the one time we starved ourselves of school lunch for a whole week! We were saving up to buy one fighting fish just to beat the boys. A beautiful, red-tailed fighter. It was to be named Blazer- for its blazing red tail, and it was to be the champion of all fish. And sure enough, it was. We loved Blazer as it signified beauty and strength, something we desperately yearned for.

Lucia had everything- from a huge mansion to anything a girl could ask for in those days. She lacked nothing and was the envy of many. She was always well presented, showered with the most expensive of designer clothes and shoes and her own chauffer. But Lucia held a dark secret close to her heart and she wasn't about to let the cat out of the bag anytime soon.

A year passed. Then two, then three. Before we knew it, we were sweet sixteens and ready to explore the real world.

Then one day, my world changed in what seemed to be forever.

She was gone.

I still remember the night before she disappeared, we talked on the phone as always. We chatted about the usual things- boys, fast cars, and fashion. She seemed upbeat in fact more than usual. I was very happy for her as it looked as though things were going well in her life for once.

The next day saw a new beginning for us. Or perhaps the ending? I am still bemused. I bus-ed to her house as I did every morning- mind you it took me fourty minutes to get to her huge mansion from my shabby two-bedroom house in the suburbs.

"Knock knock!" I chirped as I pressed the oval shaped bell on the polished rosewood door. It was our signature greet.

No answer.

"I said knock knock!!"

Still nothing.

"Knock knock KNOCK!! AND still knocking!"
I remember thinking, " what trick has she got up her sleeve this time? " Although I was usually the one with more cheek.

"Knock? Wha...?"

A cold gust of wind sent a chill down my spine as it flung the door open with a loud CR-EAK!

And then I felt it. The same cold, eerie feeling I had right that moment. The house was as empty as empty could be, but in my mind I could picture the perfect mornings when Lucia kissed her mother goodbye and dashed out the door with enthusiasm. "It's going to be a lovely day,' was her favourite phrase before we took off in her chauffer-driven luxury car.

That day, there was no car. No girl, no mother, no furniture in the house. No floor to ceiling mirror, no smell of fresh flowers, no Mr Yappy nipping at my feet. (Mr Yappy was her mother's prized Pomeranian who also had good taste in fashion). Neatly placed on the mantel was a pink envelope. It was covered in soot. It looked like someone had written a perfect letter and changed their mind and decided to burn it, then changed it again.

The contents of that letter squeezed out all the trust I had left in my system. Drip, drop. I couldn't help it. What had I done? The next few years were questions I would later find out I had no answer to. Where are you Lucia? Why?

To be continued...

Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional and is not based on any real life situations or characters. You'll find out why at the end. Thanks for dropping by!