Chapter Eight

(...Nora arrives home, drives her car into the garage, grabs her bag then walks to the door...)

Nora:(knocks on the door) Linda!? Linda!!?

(No response)

Nora : ( talking herself) " what's wrong with her!!? ( Pushes the door) oh my world!! she left the door open ( shakes her head)

(... She enters into the house, walks to the living room, reduces the volume of the television then drops her bag on the center table...)

Nora: Linda!? ( She calls out)

( No response)

( ...She makes her way to Linda's room upstairs and opens the door...)

Nora:( on seeing her) are you insane!!!!?

Linda: Hey! ( Trying to tidy up her room)

Nora: why didn't you pick up your calls? why is your room in a mess? and most importantly why on earth did you leave the front door open!!!!!!

Linda: well... I... Ha...

Nora: what's wrong with you?

Linda: ( takes a deep breath) nothing, I have been busy that's why and as you can see I am trying to tidy up my room

(... Nora stands there for a while, taking a good look around the room.

A lot of clothes lying around with her cosmetics products on the floor, the bed in a mess with Linda in  clothes worn inside - out..)

Nora: ( bends over to pick some of her clothes) what exactly happened here? ( looks her suspiciously)

Linda: Nora nothing happened to my room okay ( sits on the bed) I was really busy yesterday, I don't even know where my phone is ( passing her fingers through her messed up pink short hair)

Nora: Is that why your room looks like it was hit by a storm

Linda: whatever ( rolls her eyes)

Nora:( drops the clothes on her body) here!!

Linda: thanks

(...Nora stands in front of her for a while, just trying to figure out what was wrong...

Then makes her way to the bathroom...)

Linda: what..ar... are you doing?

Nora: ( holds the door handle) I'm feeling pressed!!

Linda: so!! ( quickly stands up from the bed and stands in front of Nora, preventing her from entering the bathroom) you have your bathroom in your room

Nora: ( takes few steps back) girls!! what the hell is wrong with you today? ( pushes her away, enters into the bathroom, and shuts the door behind)

Only God knows what happened to you today

Linda: ( bangs at the door) you are such a trouble maker !!

Nora: yeah! yeah!

(...Nora done with her business, moves closer to the washing sink to wash and hands. She sprinkles water on her face and stares at her reflection, while doing that she notices a basket behind the toilet.

Nora : ( talking to herself)" what is a waste bin doing behind the toilet? "( shakes her head)

(...She turns around, grabs gloves from the cupboard then wears it on both hands, and moves closer to carry them out. She pulls the bin out and sees something tied in black nylon inside the bin.

She pulls it out, opens it, and "lo n behold" she sees already used condoms ....)

Nora: Oh my Gosh!!! ( quickly drops the stuff on the tiled floor, removes the gloves, and washes her hands)

Linda: Are you okay in there?

Nora: yh !!( She yells back)

Linda: hmmm..

(...Nora stirs at herself in the mirror and she could see the fierceness in her eyes, she opens the door, walks out of the bathroom, and shuts the door behind her...)

Linda: ( looks at her) what did the door to you!!

Nora : ( walks few steps closer to her, stands upright with her arms folded) so tell me,

Linda: Tell you what? ( Sits on her bed)

Nora: I sent Andre to the house yesterday to check up on you, did you see him?

Linda: hmm..( coughs) I.

Nora: I just asked a very simple question

Linda: ( rubbing her fingers in between each other with her head bow down) I..I..hmmm.yea.

Nora: so what happened between you two?

Linda:( slowly raises her head) I... don't... know what you are talking about please ( gets up from the bed and tries to walk away but Nora pulls her back )

Nora: am not done talking to you

Linda: but I'm done!!! ( pushes her hand away)

Nora: now I see why you were acting weird. You slept with him didn't you?

Linda: ugh...hmmm...

Nora: don't you deny it because I just saw used condoms in the waste bin behind the toilet

Linda: ( takes a deep breath) well...yes I did, we both made love to each other last night and he just left this morning.

Nora: Wow!!.... ( Claps her hands) wow, look at how she said it ( mimics her) "yes we did, we both made love to each other last night and he just left this morning" how pathetic!!

Linda: Excuse me miss, you are not my mother!!

Nora: just listen to your stupid self, you just made yourself cheap for a man and here you are saying nonsense...

Linda: don't you dare ( points at her) call me cheap!!. I'm much better than you, at least I know how to love someone unlike you, all stuffed up and cold-hearted!!! ( She yells at her)

Nora: it's better than being a prostitute or a Lady who seizes any opportunity she gets to allow a man she claims to" love" to go in-between in her legs

Linda: How dare you!! ( She uses her right hand and gives Nora a very hot slap on her right cheeks), are you mad!! ( tears start flowing from her eyes). I did what I did because I love him, I'll give him my everything If I have to!!

Nora:( rubs her cheeks) wow love indeed!!, you love him but have you ever asked your stupid self if he feels the same way, have you!!?

Linda: ( sits down on the bed) when...when he came to the house yesterday, I was so happy..I...I...we chatted for a while, drank and before I knew what was happening, we were already in the middle of something and he said he loves me ( looks confused) I..I...

Nora: oh!! Please just shut up! ( Interrupts her).

You know someone told me this was going to happen but I told her no, there I was defending an animal I call a friend, I confidently said that I know Linda and she can be crazy but she has self-control but today after all these I don't think I know you anymore.

Linda: (trying to control the tears in her eyes while wiping her face)I...I.

Nora: This is all my fault, I could have just minded my business and be the lady who doesn't care about anyone apart from herself!! since people who show how much they care gets slaps ( still touching her right cheeks) in return

Linda: am..so...

Nora: save it!! ( Walks out of Linda's room and storms her way into her room and bangs the door behind her, removes her shoes, and enters into her bathroom...)

Nora: ( talking to herself) " this would be the last time I'd show an atom of care towards her, can you imagine!! ( looking at the mirror while touching her face) see what she did to my face, imagine I revenged this slap she'd be in the hospital by now ( hisses) "

( Continues to stare at herself ) hmm.. ain't gonna lie I did deserve the slap, I mean I called her a " prostitute" which was too much. ( sighs) I shouldn't have said that it was too much, oh well I think I need some shut eyes ( yawns) "

(...She comes out of the bathroom, undresses then puts on her shorts with a yellow singlet. She grabs a bottle of water from the small fridge next to her dressing table then sits on her bed, opens her drawer, brings out her sleeping pills, and takes six pills...)

Nora: ( talking to herself) " overdose!!! ( Chuckles)

(... She sits on her bed for about five minutes then lays down and closes her eyes...)

****

(Bell rings!!!)

Nora walks into a dusty room filled with mirrors, she looks around although confused, then turns around as she hears her name but sees a mirror behind her. She moves closer to the mirror and sees a reflection slowly transforming into a demon on a white long dress with horns on its head, the finger long and Sharp enough to pierce through the skin of a human. The demon face looks just like hers but with a black lens...)

Nora: wh...what.....

Demon:(in a deep creepy voice) you are scared of your refection ( laughs) how pathetic!!

Nora: n...no! ( Screams ) you're not me, I don't look like this (hurry walks to the door but it shuts close) open!!! ( uses all her power to pull the handle but the door won't open, she slowly turns around trembling in fear... )

What... d.. do you want from me? ( she ask)

Demon: for you to accept that you are nothing but a MURDER!!!

Nora: am not a murder!!!!

Demon: ( smiles mischievously) says the person whose refection is a demon and both palms are covered in blood ( shines its bloody, dirty set of teeth)

Nora : ( looks at her hands and screams out loud) Am not a murder!!, I didn't murder anyone!! ( bends over and places her head in-between her thighs)

Demon: yes you are and just the way you murdered him, you're gonna murder all the people that love you

Nora:( stands upright) No!! I'm not a murder!, Am not a murder!! ( She yells back, walks to the door, and forcefully opens it)

Demon: you can't hide from What's inside you ( laughs)

(... Nora runs out of the room, breathing heavily and trying to find her out of the house, each door she opens leads to a dead end...)

Nora:( panting) I can't do this ( sobbing) I just can't!!.

( Voice echoes): of course, you can't, you need blood to give you strength!!

Nora: you're just in my head! you're just in my head!!! ( Runs out through another door but this time falls into an endless pit)

No!, no!! ( Screaming...).

****

Nora:( falls from her bed) on my word! ( breathing heavily) it's just a dream ( slowly gets up from the floor then turns around). Are you kidding me!! ( Places her right hand on her chest)

Linda:( staring at her) what happened to you? ( chuckles softly)

Nora:( garbs a pillow and throws it at her) you think it's funny, What are you doing in my room? and how long have you been standing there?

Linda: I just came in a minute ago and I wanted to talk to you about something.

Nora: ( lays back on her bed) how long have I been asleep?

Linda: well you left my room at 7:30 and the time now is( checking her wristwatch) 9:30, so you were asleep for about two hours

Nora: ( sighs) thanks

Linda: you know for someone with a bed that's big enough to contain three adults comfortably, what's your business with the floor ( laugh s)

Nora: ha! ha! very funny. What are you still doing here?

Linda: hmmm( moves closer and sits on her bed) I wanted to apologize for my behavior towards you earlier today, I shouldn't have rise my hand on you it was wrong.

Nora: ugh!! Linda, I'm not upset okay, and I should be the one apologizing for calling you a prostitute.

Linda: so we're cool?

Nora: yea, now get out of my room ( points at the door)

Linda: wow thank you so much ( spreads her arms to hug her)

Nora: ( slaps her hand) get out of my room!!

Linda: okay! okay!! ( Gets up from the bed and walks towards the door) by the way, I made pancakes for breakfast in case you are hungry ( opens the door)

Nora: So you can poison me ugh!! (Covers herself with her blue blankie) leave, please

Linda: suit yourself ( walks out of the room and slowly closes the door behind her)

(... Nora sits up on her bed and uses her hands to rub her face, she takes a good look around her room and stirs at herself at her dressing mirror...)

Nora: "it's just a dream ( sighs)

( ...she lays down back and tries to sleep but couldn't. Rolling from one end of the bed  to the other trying to look for a nice spot but it was useless ...)

Nora: ugh!!! ( Throws all the pillows to the ground) I need some fresh air"

...She stands up from her bed, wears her blue tracksuit with a pair of white canvas, walks downstairs to the living room, and grabs her earphones from the bookshelf. She makes her way out through the back door into the street, slowly jogging by the roadside...)

....Thirty minutes later Linda arrives home, she parks her car then enters the house through the front door.

Loud jam music playing from the MP3 player in the living room, Linda enters into the living room, looks around then reduces the volume...)

Linda: Nora!!? ( entering into the kitchen) Nora!!!? ( She calls out louder) . Wow( opens the microwave) she hasn't touched the pancake, I guess she was serious about me trying to poison her( rubbing her chin)

Nora!!? (Walks up the stairs) hmm I guess she's still sleeping

( She moves closer to Nora's room and sees her shadow walking..)

Linda: nope she's awake, Nora!!?

( No response)

( She opens the door, enters into the room, and sees no one. She looks around and notices that the bathroom door is slightly open with water sounds coming from it...)

Linda: you could have just said you were in the bathroom

( ....sits down on the bed facing the dressing mirror. Through the mirror she could see Nora's reflection dressed in a white gown with wet hair washing her hands with her face bowed down..)

Linda: so( She continues) today was weird and guess what happened to me at the office!! ( Falls flat on the bed), I confronted one of my coworkers today, you know I feel like they have forgotten that I'm the brain behind the success of that fashion house ( sighs)

( Water sounds still coming from the bathroom..)

Linda: Nora!? , Nora!!? are you even listening to me?

( She gets up from the bed, turns around only for the bathroom door to be shut completely)

Linda: Nora!? (walks to the door ) Nora are you okay in there?

(...She holds the handle and as she tries to open it, the doorbell rings...)

Linda: I'll go get it

(...she quickly walks down the stairs, to the living room, straight to the front door, and opens it but sees no one..)

Linda: I could have sworn I heard the doorbell... hmmm!

(... The MP3 player starts playing, she closes the door and walks back to the living room, looks around with a confused face then takes a deep breath and switches off the MP3 player again !! ....)

Linda: what on earth is going here? ( placing both hands on her waist)

( She hears footsteps coming from the passage, she slowly moves towards the direction, she sights Nora on the white dress but isn't able to see her face clearly due to the speed, with the fright on her face Linda slowly steps forwards

The artic ladder rolls down, she hears footsteps coming from there...)

Linda: Nora !!!!!!! If this is one of your pranks, just know it isn't funny, you are freaking me out ( passing her fingers through her hair)

(* No response*)

(... She climbs up to the artic, looks around but no one!!, just then the ladder rolls back up leaving her stuck in there...)

Linda:( screaming at the top of her voice) hey!!! Nora! Please is anyone there? , this isn't funny!!!

(banging on the artic door)

(...meanwhile, Nora arrives back home, enters the house through the back door, makes her to the kitchen grabs a bottle of water from the fridge, and stands upright...)

Nora: hmm( removes her earphones and places them on the table)

( Banging sounds continues)

Nora: I'm not alone in this house ( drops the bottled water back in the fridge, opens one the cupboard, and pulls out a butcher's knife) it's been a while I used this ( chuckling)

( ... the banging gets louder as she moves closer to the passage. Getting there she pulls down the ladder ...)

Linda:( looking down ) Nora !!?

Nora:( chuckles) Are you mad? What on earth are doing up there? ( Laughing)

Linda: ( quickly walks down the ladder) do you think this is funny!! ( Looking into her eyes)

Nora: girl!! chill, I thought someone broke into the house that's why I carried the knife ( tries to walk away)

Linda:( pulls her back and pushes her to the wall) I'm not referring to the knife!! (yelling)

Nora: you had a bad day at work!!?

Linda: oh please stop trying to play pretend with me, you tried to freak the life out of me, and.. and... how were you able to change so fast

Nora: And again what are you talking about? ( Looking confused)

Linda:( breaths in deeply) you were in a white dress when I saw you in your room and I was trying to talk to you but you didn't...

Nora:( just staring at her) what?

Linda:( stomping her feet) oh please!! Stop acting like you don't

know what am talking about...

Nora: did you forget to take your pills this morning?!

Linda: you know I don't take pills( yelling). Girl!!.. you..( pointing at her) were in the bathroom, I tried starting a conversation but you weren't responding rather you shot the close....then...I...heard the doorbell but when I got to the door no one was there!!. Then the MP3 player started playing after I switched off again, Nora I saw you go up the stairs but when I called you, you didn't turn back

I heard footsteps coming from the artic, so I went up there thinking it was you( pointing at her) unfortunately no one was there and the door...door shut right at my face! ....right at face!!

Nora: did you see my face?

Linda: hmmm...not really, I just saw your reflection and your shadow but I can clearly say that it was you...

Nora:( laughs hysterically) on my word!!

Linda: you think this is funny? I thought you said we were cool!

Nora:( places her hands on Linda's shoulders) of course we're cool

Linda:( frowns and removes her hands) you know I was freaked out but ain't gonna lie it was kinda cool

Nora:( smirking) so we're cool?

Linda:( shakes her hand) yes we are ( smiling at her)

(... They both made their way to the living room but Nora stops in front of the large rectangular-shaped mirror in the passage and

looks at her reflection ....)

Linda: Nora!!?

Nora: Am right behind you ( walks up to her)

*****

(... Later that day Nora drove off to Jones's school to pick her up. On getting there, she packs her black Benz in the parking lot and gets down.

Students and parents going in and out of the school premises, Nora shows the security officers her identification card then gently walks into the school premises feeding her eyes with the beautiful environment. She sights Jones from afar...)

Nora: Hey Blondy ( waving at her)

Jones:( slowly walks up to her with her head down ) hmmm

Nora:( talking to herself)" I don't think she's okay!!"

Jones:( moves closer to her) hey

Nora: you're okay?

Jones: No am not....( In her British accent)

Nora: what happened?

Jones: I was bullied by Nicky today

Nora: who's Nicky?

Jones: the bully I was telling you about the other day ( shakes her head)

Nora: what did she do this time?

Jones: she took my tablet and gave me her assignments!!, she threatened to delete all my documents which include my assignments and notes if I don't do her assignments for her

Nora: yekks!!

Jones: the worst part of it is that I didn't back it up, to be honest, I'm tired of her, she's frustrating me ugh!!

Nora: Did you do want I told you to do?

Jones: yes I did but still... ( stomping her feet on the ground)

Nora: chill, let's go into the car

(...both of them made their way to the parking lot and enters the car...)

Nora: ( switching the key to start the car engine) which route did they take?

Jones: wait!! , Do you want to confront her?

Nora: which direction did she take?

Jones: oh no, I don't want her to hurt you please let's just go home...

Nora: shut up!!! Which direction did she take? , and if you don't tell me now I won't listen to you when you are being bullied again

Jones:(sighs) well they took the narrow path, that path is always lonely, do you want to go?

Nora: is it motorable?

Jones: yes but you have to be careful...

( ...Nora starts the car engine, fixes her seat belt, and zooms off. She drives into the narrow path, shaky but steady she continues to drive...)

Jones: there they are ( pointing at four sets of girls walking few meters away from them)

Nora: four of em?

Jones: yes, that's her geng, the tall huge one with shaggy hair is Nicky, I don't know about the rest

Nora: no worries

(... She puts the gear on the park and gets down from her car ...)

Nora: hey!! (calls out to them)

( The four girls turn around to see who it was..)

#girl 1#: you're calling us?

Nora: yes all of you including the big one!!

( They majestically walk up to her while jones comes out of the car and stands close to Nora..)

Nicky:( on seeing her) so you reported me to your grandmama, you're such a chicken

( They all laughed at her )

Nora: Wow that was a very "funny joke". So Nicky these are ya friends?

Nicky: yea yo!!

Nora: so girls ( looking at them) is she your friend? , Can you all show her to your parents? They say show me your friend and I'll show you who you are, and you guys are showing me, Nicky.

Nicky the bully, the nuisance, a tout, a young lady who has decided that she doesn't have a future, a girl who has low self-esteem and has decided to use her height and huge body to confront the little ones.

So tell me is she your friend?

( The three of them nodded their head at the same time saying no to Nora's question..)

Nora: as suspected, now go home, straight home!!

(..they all chorused "yes" and walk away leaving Nicky ..)

Nicky: how dare you? ( raises her right hand to slap her)

Nora: ( catches her hand and looks into her eyes) if you try that with your school teachers don't you ever try it with me ( twisting her hand) we might be age mates but I am not your mate!! understood?

Nicky:(groaning) ye...yes ma'am

Nora: And also don't you ever come close to Jones or any of her stuff ( twisting her hand harder)

Nicky:( groaning louder) yea.... yeah...yes!! I won't come close to her promise!!

Nora:( let's go of her hand) Very well then, we'll need our tablet back

Nicky:( sobbing) yea sure ( removes the tablet from her black school bag and gives it to her)

Jones:( quickly grabs from her) thanks

Nora: Now apologize to her

Nicky: Am sorry

Jones: yh sure

Nora: now go home and also tell doctor Nicole I said"Hi"

(.. Nicky slowly walks away, while Nora and Jones enter into the car and drives away...)

Jones: How did you do that?

Nora: ( driving)it's called having superior mentally and physically over your opponent

Jones: wow ( chuckles)

Nora: just don't tell Linda when we get home ( smirking)

Jones: sure thing and thank you

Nora: ( smiles at her) you're welcome

...