Unexpected Revelation

I hurry out of the hallway and into the backyard, my furrowed brows a testament to my confusion.

Before I can process what's happening, Faustina dashes past me at full speed, my mom right behind her.

"Mom!" I call out, but she doesn't break her stride.

She rounds the corner, her pursuit of Faustina relentless.

I spin back into the hallway, my feet pounding the floor as I race towards the entrance hall.

What's happening before my eyes doesn't make sense.

Faustina is already nearing the gate, her lead over my mom growing with every step.

"What's going on?"

"Faustina, come back here!" My mom's voice ring with annoyance.

But her call falls on deaf ears.

Faustina is long gone, vanished beyond the gate.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I yell, confused.

My mom stops running, her heavy breathing the only response.

She bends, hands on knees, her eyes fixed on me.

"Faustina...Faustina!" she exclaims.

I slip on a nearby rubber slipper and rush to her side.

"What happened?" I ask.

She straightens up, her chest still heaving.

"That girl... she has stolen a lot of money."

Her words pierce my chest like daggers.

My eyes widen in disbelief. "Stole? Faustina?" I repeat, struggling to believe the accusation.

"Did she steal my money too?" I ask, my eyes darting around her face in disbelief.

My mom shakes her head, her breathing slowly stabilizing. "Not just from you, she stole a lot of money from your grandma."

I cover my mouth with a trembling hand, my eyes still wide with shock. "Oh God!" I whisper.

My mom hurries off, "I'll call your grandma," she says.

I remain frozen, unable to believe this revelation.

Faustina, the girl I thought I knew, a thief? It can't be.

"I need to talk to her," I say, already hurrying out of the gate.

The door slams shut behind me, and I find myself alone on the empty street.

My breath escapes in quick gasps as I scan the surroundings, my eyes scouring around for any sign of Faustina.

The chill in the air sinks into my pores but I hardly notice. Where did she vanish to?

I take long strides towards the path I followed earlier to get water, my feet pounding the ground.

Where could Faustina be? Why did she betray my trust? I thought we were friends...

The disbelief clouds my mind, fueling my determination to find her.

There's a main road straight ahead, and as I approach it, my heart races with every step.

Vehicles whizz by, and my eyes lock onto a figure that looks a lot like Faustina.

She's standing by the pavement, her head swiveling left and right, waiting for a gap in the traffic.

My heart skips a beat as I quicken my pace, my eyes fixed on the figure. Is it really her?

I finally catch up to her, my trembling hands reaching out to tap her shoulder.

Faustina spins around, her eyes wide with fear, her chest heaving with rapid breaths.

Her gaze locks onto mine, and for a moment, we freeze.

"F-Faustina?" I stutter, my breathing slowing. "Why did you do that?"

A passing car whizzes by, unraveling my braids and sending my hair dancing around my face.

"Why, Faustina? Say something!" I demand, my voice rising.

But instead of answering, Faustina shoves me hard, sending me crashing to the ground.

"Argh!" I groan, wincing in pain as my elbows scrape against the pavement.

Faustina sprints away, leaving me stunned and injured.

My mind races with anger as I struggle to my feet, my brows furrowed in annoyance.

"Faustina!" I yell, ignoring my throbbing elbows.

I take off after her, my feet pounding the pavement.

"Faustina, wait!" I call out, my voice echoing through the empty street.

But she doesn't look back, and we continue our frantic race along the main road.

"Wait!" I shout.

But Faustina doesn't flinch. She vanishes around a corner, and I follow along, my determination rising.

"I must catch up to her. I will!"

A motorcycle zooms past, whipping my hair into a frenzy.

I battle to keep it out of my face, my frustration mounting.

"Stay away, you fool!" I yell, my anger boiling over.

But as I round the corner, my hair obscures my vision, and Faustina disappears from sight.

I spin around, my brows furrowed in annoyance, my hair slapping my face like a whip.

And then, I spot her, far ahead on the left road.

I take off in a sprint, my feet pounding the ground once more.

But before I can continue further, a vehicle cuts me off from behind, sending me flying forward.

My head slams against the tarred road, a sharp pain piercing my brain.

As I struggle to raise my head, my vision blurs, and I feel myself being lifted into the air.

Muffled voices converse in the background, and a gentle touch cradles my head.

I feel a warm wetness spreading beneath me, and my eyes shut tight as I surrender to darkness.