VIOLET'S POV
After my 15 minutes bike ride, I arrived at the supermarket.
I'm glad I remembered before I decided to ride home with Ellie.
I get inside quickly as soon as locked up my bike, the store is almost closing time at 9 pm, and it's already 8:30 pm.
"I need eggs, sourdough bread, blue cheese, pasta and sauces, some king crab, salmon and reindeer sausage and... need some herbs and spices! Then, need to get some tissue rolls, organic shampoo, and yes, organic soap. Did I miss something?" I muttered to myself while checking the shelves and racks on its different aisles with a grocery basket in my hand.
This makes my shopping longer, keeping everything on the head. I forgot to make my grocery list last night.
First stop, I was able to find the eggs and sourdough bread then, the pasta and sauces, and herbs and spices.
Then I turned to the meat section. I found the frozen meat, kinds of seafood, and next, the cheese section.
And rushed me towards the personal care cleansing products section for my shampoo and soap.
I'm happy that I found everything in just 15 minutes, and I'm approaching the counter when somebody bumped on my back with a trolley.
I could feel the trolley wheel hit my ankles while the metal basket reached my butt.
"What the h**** are you doing?!?" I yelled on top of my lungs.
I almost missed my balance and lost my grip on the basket, it falls on the floor.
I quickly turned to face the culprit and saw Darcy and her minions licking some ice cream on their hands.
"Uh uh, our dear clumsy Violet needs help guys!" Darcy showed her best annoying smile, and her minions giggled while enjoying their ice cream. They were like watching a funny movie.
"You better back off Darcy! I have enough of you today. You better leave with your minions now! The CCTV was able to record with what you just did, and I warn you... Do not come near me or you will regret it!"
I turned to get the basket from the floor, picking up my groceries and check my eggs.
Lucky it was only one egg broke from the fall.
They laughed out loud and left me.
Then I proceed to pay on the counter, "Hey, Violet! I saw what Darcy just did to you. You can always have the eggs returned and replace them." Maria is at the counter today.
I have known her since my childhood, she was working as a saleslady at that time. I asked her for help when I was separated from mom while playing.
She's the kindest employee in Smithson Supermarket, the only supermarket in this small village.
I have known that she's the next-door neighbor of Nicole's family.
"Nah, it's okay Maria... I'll pay for it." Then handed my debit card.
She returned my card and quickly packed everything then handed me a huge disposable plastic bag.
"Thank you, Maria!" Then head out from the supermarket.
When suddenly, a car flashing its headlights like I'm at a party, it's hurting my eyes.
[Darn. Darcy again!]
I moved my way out, run towards my bike, and pedaled as fast as I could.
I know I could fight them alone but I do not want to be in jail after smashing their face out from their head.
They are following me with her pink car and I'm starting to sweat down to my toes.
I hope they will let go of me or else I know, I will not let them go without a good fight.
[Sh**! What do they want now?]
Darcy started to make things very difficult for me.
I guess I need to decide on my next plans if she will continue pestering my life.
My secret route is very new when the car suddenly changes its speed and stopped in front of me.
The front tire bumps hard on the trunk of the car. Lucky enough, I was able to jump off right on time before the impact.
My heart is clouded with hate, my muscles, my veins are very much alive. I feel hot like everything is boiling inside me. I am on the ground again for the second time today.
I took my phone from my pocket and tap the screen then turned on the voice recorder on the ground near me.
I heard them laughing as they disembark the car.
"Do you still wanna play Violet? or you will kneel in front of us and ask forgiveness? You better choose now! Or I will change my mind."
[I'm sorry mom... but I couldn't hold myself anymore. Enough is enough!]
I slowly stood up and positioned myself for my fighting stance.
"Oh? Are you sure about this? Do you want to fight me? Oh, my! How could a clumsy girl like you fight?"
The minions cheered in unison, "You go, Darcy!"
She moves forward to my position, she is very confident of herself to win the fight.
"How many times that I give you the warning Darcy? You better leave now! or you will regret it!"
She positioned herself in front of me, ready to give a punch.
I positioned my arms, ready for my blocking movement, raising them defensively in front of my body for a possible strike.
Then Darcy makes her first attack, aiming to punch my face, and quickly I left my blocking arm up, catch her strike, and redirect the force safely over the top of my head, and I strike back with a straight punch on her face.
And she yelled loudly in pain and seated on the ground.
"What did you do with my face? You poor imbecile!" She cried out like she will lose her beautiful face, wiping the blood from her lips.
Her minions helped her stand up and she continued, "You will never get away from this! You will rot in prison!"
"Let's go, girls! We need to get to the Sheriff's office. You are going to pay for this!" She is freaking out as she felt the pain on her face, then they left me.
I checked my phone on the ground and tap the screen to stop the voice recorder.
Then, I collected my grocery bag. I sighed and ride back on my bike.
Maybe it's already time to move on with the search of my search for my real family.
[I couldn't stay longer in Smithson if Darcy will continue being the queen of all small-minded selfish jerks!]
As I entered the house, I quickly check the grocery bag on the dining table, half of the eggs are broken.
[Ugh! What a waste! I know this is not good, if this continues.]
I took everything to the sink to clean it from the eggs mess, then dry them up with a towel and put it inside the refrigerator.
Then, I run myself towards the bathroom for a quick shower and I cried.
After 12minutes of draining my tears of longing and grief, I change myself into my favorite pajamas.
Then suddenly, a loud knock on the door.
"Miss Stern? This is Sheriff Moore. Are you in there?" He called out authoritatively.
My hair was still wet and I swiftly open the doors, "Good evening, Sheriff Moore! How can I help you?"
"I am here to invite you in my office, Miss Stern for my investigation. I have received a complaint about you being charged with a misdemeanor. I have known you since you were young but you never had such records of trouble in our village."
"I understand Sir! I will go with you. Please give me a minute, I'll take my phone with me." He nodded.
I took my phone and followed him towards his sheriff's vehicle.
Then he helped me seated in the back seat.
My phone rang and I saw "Vaughn Calling".
"Hello?" I received the call, feeling numb.
"Hey, Violet! How are you? Are you okay?" I tried my best not to cry but a sob escaped from my mouth.
"Hey, what happens? Is there something wrong?" I dunno how to respond, I couldn't breathe.
I tap the end button, to avoid explaining to him.
Then, my phone's ringing again and I'm not taking his calls and I set it to silent mode.
After 8 minutes ride, we reached the Sheriff's office.
We disembark the car and I followed him inside.
"Miss Stern, I know that you have been through a lot lately after losing your mom. I know it's difficult for you but why did you punch Darcy's face earlier?" His stares are like daggers killing me silently.
I am seated in the wooden leather chair, in front of his wooden desk.
I couldn't help staring at the cell at his back.
The smell of tobacco lingers in the air.
"I'm so sorry Sheriff, but I didn't mean no harm. I am just defending myself."
"Darcy's companion said that you started the fight?" He raised his thick brows in a questioning look.
"That's untrue Sir! Please listen to this recording, Sir!" I tap my phone, open the voice recording, and let it play, then handed the phone to him.
After the recording ended. He sighed.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Stern about the misunderstanding. Do you want to file a complaint against Darcy and her companions?"
"No, Sir. But there's one favor that I would like to ask you... Please let them leave me alone?"
"Do not worry Miss Stern...
I will make sure that Darcy and her companions, will be notified about your request. I will talk with their parents about the incident. I'll promise you... they will not be bothering you anymore."
"Thank you, Sir!"
"It's already late, I will bring you back home." I nodded.
The incident earlier keeps rolling in my head while we are on the road.
I do not even notice that we're already in front of the house.
Then, he opened the car doors for me, "Good night, Miss Stern! Do not forget to lock up your house, okay?"
"Yes, thank you, Sheriff Moore! Good night!" I run towards the front door, quickly get inside, and locked it up.
Then, seated on the couch and I check my phone screen.
"What the... 30 missed calls from Vaughn?!?"
I tap his number to return the call, and it routed to his voice mail.
Then, I decided to leave a message, "Hey, Vaughn! Uhm... I'm so sorry about earlier. It's just that... I had a bad day today. I have just returned home from the Sheriff's office. I am sorry about not taking your calls."
Then, the tears brimmed in my eyes as I ended the voice mail.
I cried my heart out until my tears dried out. The feeling of pain and the void inside me makes me want to get out of Smithson.
The emerald gold ring caught my attention, and heard my mom's words, "Save this for your future..."
I stood up and look for my leather jacket to get the letter that was given to me by my mom.
After 5 minutes, it's in front of me, and repeatedly reading it.
I tap my phone, googled Amelia Stern De Fuller, and "no search found" showing.
[How will I find her?]
I rushed towards my mom's room then started searching for any diary or booklets or maybe, check her old phone's SIM card. There might be something in there.
I opened the bedside table drawers, cabinets and only found her old broken phone then, took it.
Then, I check her dresser, searching the drawers and under her piled clothes.
And after 30 minutes, I found a small booklet, printed in front "Phone book".
Then, I tried to search under her pillows and mattress, an old photo of her, carrying me and a trolley beside her.
The background place is not familiar to me.
There are big trees lined up. Does it look like in a park? Or was it on a huge lawn? The beautiful landscapes of flowers and a fountain make the photo perfect.
I returned to the couch, then started browsing the phone book, searching for the name Amelia Stern or Amelia De Fuller, and nothing was listed. Margaret is on the list with PM Baron Evans and others, all unfamiliar.
Then, I took the SIM card out of her phone, turned my phone off, then inserted her SIM inside it.
I quickly search on her phone book the name Amelia.
And finally, I have seen it!
I felt like the heaviness in my heart was removed and replaced with hopes and optimism.
Then, I check her messages and call lists.
And I saw Amelia's name again! It was recorded on the received call, dated February 20, 2018, at 8 pm for 30 minutes call duration.
[They talked on the phone? Did mom tell her about me? Or Did she mentioned my name? I hope she does.]
Then, I check on her messages.
I found a sent message for Amelia dated February 18, 2018.
The message reads.
Aunt Amelia, I hope everything is fine in Castle Quest.
How was the weather in Scotland? I have seen a bad weather report on heavy snowing.
I have missed my stay in Castle Quest.
Aunt Amelia, I will leave soon.
My body is already ill, and I will not stay long.
Lady Violet Rose needs your help! Please forgive me.
Please take her, when she comes to you, for her search.
She needs you. Please guide her, and let her real family know about her.
Please protect her at all costs! Do not allow the devil to come near her!
Take good care of yourself always.
I love you. You knew I always do.
Then, tears of joy. I feel my heart lightened.
My fingers are shaking as I typed, Castle Quest, Scotland in the google search.
Then, a beautiful brick castle on top of the mountains appeared on the screen.
It reminded me of the castle in my dream!
My mom is calling me to come.
She wanted me to go.
But, who is the devil that she is referring to?
I dunno if it's safe to go there but, I guess it's about time!
Time to start the journey, to find my real family.
[Mom, Dad... I will be coming soon!]