Chapter 3: Who is She?

The morning light filtered through the blinds of Kelly's small apartment, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. The silence was broken only by the gentle hum of the refrigerator and the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Kelly, a vision of golden blonde hair and delicate features, lay nestled in her bed, oblivious to the chaos brewing in the world outside her window.

She stirred, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she opened her eyes. The digital clock on her bedside table blinked 7:00 am in sharp, accusing digits. She stretched, her limbs still heavy with sleep, and reached for her phone, the bright light momentarily blinding her. A quick glance at the notifications confirmed the day – a new day, a new chapter in the mundane routine of her life.

She climbed out of bed, her bare feet making a soft thud on the wooden floor. A quick trip to the bathroom, the familiar routine of splashing cold water on her face, brushing her teeth, and combing her long, blonde hair. She then slipped into her blue shirt and white long-sleeved uniform, the familiar fabric a comfort against her skin.

The kitchen was a minimalistic affair, sparsely furnished, the only decoration a fading photograph of a younger Kelly with two people she barely remembered - her adoptive parents. The refrigerator held only a single carton of milk and a couple of slices of cake, remnants of a forgotten birthday celebration. She grabbed a slice and a glass of milk, settling onto the worn sofa, her gaze drawn to the television screen.

The news was on, the anchorman's face a mask of grim determination as he reported on the latest development in the missing children case. A new poster flashed on the screen – Anna Anderson, the CEO's daughter, her bright smile frozen in time, her eyes pleading for help. Kelly watched, her jaw slack, a knot of apprehension twisting in her stomach. It was as if the missing children had become a backdrop to her life, a haunting reminder of the fragility of their world.

The rhythmic thud of a knock startled her. She sighed, wondering who would be knocking on her door at this ungodly hour. She rose, her movements slow and deliberate, and opened the door, her heart jumping when she saw her friend, John, standing there, his face beaming with a contagious energy that she found both comforting and slightly irritating.

"At least, say good morning," John said, his voice brimming with a boyish enthusiasm. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him, and headed towards the living room.

John was a contrast to Kelly's delicate features. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a ruggedly handsome face. His dark hair, styled in a messy mop, framed his hazel eyes that sparkled with a mischievous glint. He was a whirlwind of energy, always ready with a joke, a teasing remark, or a mischievous smile.

"What are you doing here?" Kelly asked, her eyes still fixed on the television, her mind struggling to grasp the reality of John's presence in her small apartment.

"I came here because I want to go to school with you," John replied, his enthusiasm unabated. "I had a fight with my parents last night, and this morning they locked up all the food in the kitchen. So, I figured I'd come here and have breakfast with you."

He scratched his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. Kelly just sighed, a faint amusement playing on her lips.

"How many times do you have to argue with them? Every night? Every day? Don't you get bored?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of exasperation.

She rose from the sofa and went to the kitchen, returning with a glass of milk and the last slice of cake. She placed them on the coffee table in front of John, her movements practiced, almost automatic.

John accepted the offering, his smile widening. "Well, I'm growing up and they're growing old. It's hard to get along with them anymore. They always think I'm just going to leave them, even though I'm their only child. They think I'm still a baby and try to control everything I do. That's not fair!"

He sat on the sofa, his bag slung over his shoulder, his gaze fixed on Kelly. She sat beside him, picking up her milk, her eyes still glued to the television.

"It's because they love you, John," Kelly said gently. "You don't have to get angry over such things."

John shook his head, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "They just do it because they want to annoy me. Why would they lock up the food? Huh?"

Kelly had no answer for him. John's relationship with his parents was a constant source of tension, a constant source of exasperation.

"If you're not getting along with them well, why don't you find a small house and rent it? You could live there alone while you work," Kelly suggested, her voice barely above a whisper.

John stared at her, a mixture of surprise and disbelief in his eyes. "Are you kidding me? I don't want to live alone. It's better to live with my parents than live alone. I just can't bear it anymore. They keep arguing over little things."

He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. Kelly felt a pang of sympathy for her friend. His situation, though seemingly trivial, felt like a constant source of stress and worry.

"I'm just curious how you're living all alone. You can come to my house and stay with us," John offered, his voice softening, his gaze unwavering.

Kelly shrugged, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "Because I don't want to. Living alone has taught me a lot. I don't know, maybe it's impossible for you. But when I'm here alone, I really understand everything. Since my parents… well, they're… gone. I don't want to leave this house with all those good memories. I work hard, so I don't complain at all."

She let the words hang in the air, her gaze returning to the television screen, where Anna Anderson's face still haunted her.

"Well, okay," John said, his voice a tentative murmur. "But if you ever feel lonely, you can come over, okay?"

"Of course!" Kelly replied, her voice barely a whisper. She was lost in her thoughts, her mind replaying the news report, the image of Anna's face, the haunted look in her eyes.

John noticed her preoccupation. "Kelly, are you okay? You've been quiet ever since the news came on."

She turned to him, her eyes filled with a strange mix of sadness and a deep, unsettling curiosity. "John, have you ever felt like you were just... misplaced? Like you don't belong anywhere?"

John's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? I mean, I don't like my parents but they're my parents. Where else would I belong?"

Kelly hesitated, her gaze fixed on the television, the image of Anna's smiling face still imprinted in her mind. "I don't know," she said, her voice barely a whisper, "I just feel… like I don't belong here."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with a hidden truth, a secret longing that seemed to defy explanation.

"Hey, you're not alone, Kelly. We're here for you, right?" John said, reaching out to touch her hand, his eyes filled with concern.

She smiled, a bittersweet expression that masked the turmoil churning within her. "I know, John. I know."

But as she watched the news report, a new thought began to form in her mind.

"Who kidnapped my sister?"

As John saw her zoning out everytime he speaks, he knew something was in the water.

After calling her name 3 times she finally responded.

"YES"

"hey, are you okay what's going on?"

"Uh... Um.. nothing exactly...."

She didnot know how to hide it.

" Hey ..tell me. What is it?" His gaze serious.

Uhh" she groaned. "Okay fine... But I don't know how ur going to accept it"

" Accept what?"

" Okay.... The girl on the screen..."

" Anna?"

"Yes!"

" What about her?"

" She.... She is my biological sister.!"

The flickering light from the television illuminated Kelly's face, casting long, dramatic shadows. John, usually the one with a quick wit and a ready smile, was now speechless, his eyes fixed on Kelly, unable to comprehend the truth she had just revealed. The weight of her secret hung heavy in the air, a silent accusation against the world they thought they knew.

"You... you don't have to say anything," Kelly said, her voice trembling slightly, as if she were trying to hold back a flood of emotions. "This is the truth. I knew it since I was a teenager. My mom told me about Anna, about my real parents. She told me they were alive."

The words echoed in John's mind, each one a blow that shattered the illusion of normalcy they had built together. He had known Kelly for years, seen her through thick and thin, shared her joys and sorrows. Yet, she had kept this secret, a piece of her identity that had been hidden away for so long.

"Why didn't you tell me?" John finally managed to speak, his voice hoarse with a mixture of shock and disbelief. "You and Anna were in the same college! And... does she know about you?"

Kelly averted her gaze, her hand instinctively reaching for a stray strand of hair, twisting it nervously. "I don't think she does. If she did, she would have reached out to me, wouldn't she?" she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"But if you know who your parents are, why didn't you go to them? Why didn't you tell them you're their daughter? And if they were alive, why did they give you up to an orphanage in the first place?" John's questions tumbled out, each one a desperate attempt to make sense of the chaos swirling in his head.

Kelly sighed, a deep, weary sigh that spoke of a lifetime of unspoken pain. "I don't know. My mom told me... they were young, very young when they got married. They were poor, living in a cramped, rented apartment. They didn't know how to support a baby. My mom said they were on the verge of getting an abortion when my dad stopped her. He convinced her to keep me, telling her they would find a way. They got married, but they were just kids, really. My dad worked hard, but they were always struggling."

John listened, his heart aching for Kelly. He pictured them, those young, desperate parents, clinging to hope in the face of adversity. He could see the fear in their eyes, the weight of responsibility that was too heavy for their fragile shoulders to bear.

"My mom told me that they borrowed money from everyone they knew. The landlord kept coming around, demanding rent. They were drowning in debt, and the pressure was getting to them. One day, my biological mom and dad decided to hand me over to the orphanage. As they didnot knew what could happen next.they might even be homeless so they were scared and gave up on me. My foster mom and my biological mom were friends. But they were unable to have a child with her father. And once they heard that I was in the orphanage, they rushed there and took me with them. And thus, I grew up with them. My foster mom told me this before they had an accident and passed away."

Kelly paused, her voice cracking with emotion. "

John reached out and took Kelly's hand, his touch gentle, reassuring. He could see the deep pain in her eyes, the unspoken agony of a life lived without the love and support of her own parents.

"I'm sorry, Kelly," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I had no idea. I never knew."

"It's okay, John. I never wanted you to know. I was scared. I was afraid that if I told you, I would lose you. You were the only family I had. The only person who truly understood me."

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words, filled with the weight of Kelly's secret and the realization that her life had been a tapestry of hidden truths.

"So what now, Kelly?" John asked, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and determination. "What do you want to do? Do you want to find your parents?"

Kelly's eyes flickered with a hint of hope, but a shadow of fear still lingered. "I don't know, John. I'm scared. What if they don't want me? What if they've moved on? What if..."

John squeezed her hand tightly. "We'll figure it out together, Kelly. We'll find your parents. We'll face whatever comes our way, together. We always have."

He knew that this revelation would change their lives forever. Their bond, forged in shared laughter and tears, would now be tested by the weight of this secret, the lingering mystery of her parents. But as he looked at Kelly, her face etched with a mixture of hope and trepidation, he knew that their friendship was strong enough to withstand any storm. And he wouldn't let her face this alone.

The television continued to drone on in the background, the news anchor's voice a distant echo of the real world. But for John and Kelly, the world had shrunk to the space between them, a space filled with unspoken emotions, unanswered questions, and a shared determination to unravel the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

The school bus rumbled to a stop, its doors hissing open, releasing a wave of chattering students into the crisp afternoon air. John and Kelly hopped off the bus, their footsteps echoing against the pavement as they walked towards the school entrance.

"I'll wait for you in the green area this afternoon, okay? I need to go back with you. I can't stay at my place tonight, so, can I stay with you? Just one night?" John asked, his eyes wide and pleading, a hopeful smile playing on his lips.

Kelly chuckled, a warmth spreading through her. "Of course! Though it's not your first time staying the night with me. It's okay. Meet me later! Bye."

She waved goodbye and turned towards her classroom, the hallway bustling with students, the air buzzing with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The news of Anna's disappearance had spread through the school like wildfire, turning the hallways into a symphony of whispered gossip and anxious speculation.

"Oh my God, did you hear what the news was saying?" one girl exclaimed to her friends, her voice barely a whisper. She was surrounded by two other girls, their faces pale, their eyes wide with a mixture of shock and horror.

"Yeah! It's so pitiful... Yesterday night, I saw her at the party with Maria and Joanna. How could she disappear just like that, after one night?" the girl said, her voice tinged with a sense of disbelief and dread.

Kelly watched them, her gaze flitting from one to the other, a strange sense of familiarity tugging at her heart. "So, she went to a party last night," Kelly murmured to herself, a faint echo of John's voice in her ear.

She reached her classroom and sat down, her gaze sweeping over the room, taking in the familiar faces, the chatter, the buzz of activity. But the news of Anna's disappearance cast a long shadow over the room, a palpable sense of unease permeating the air.

The bell rang, signaling the beginning of the first lesson. Students shuffled into their seats, their whispers gradually subsiding. A young woman, her face etched with the weary lines of a dedicated teacher, entered the room, her presence bringing a semblance of order to the chaotic scene.

Kelly's gaze fell on Maria and Joanna, two of Anna's closest friends. They were huddled together, their heads bent over a piece of paper, their expressions tense and guarded. They were scribbling furiously, passing the paper back and forth, their whispers hushed and frantic.

"What are they talking about? They must be talking about Anna. They were her closest friends. Maybe they know who kidnapped her," Kelly muttered, her fingers tapping nervously on her desk.

She watched them, her mind racing, her thoughts spinning in a vortex of suspicion. The class was a blur, the teacher's words a distant murmur, as Kelly's focus remained locked on Maria and Joanna, their whispered conversations, their frantic scribbling.

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted the lesson. The teacher, a woman with short, fiery red hair, stood up, her expression a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. She walked towards the door, her footsteps echoing in the silent classroom. The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside.

Kelly's breath caught in her throat. She recognized the figure immediately. It was Detective Noah.

He was a man of imposing presence, his black hair neatly combed, his face framed by a neatly trimmed black beard. He carried himself with an air of authority, his sharp eyes scanning the classroom, taking in every detail.

"Excuse me, class. My name is Detective Noah. Sorry for interrupting your schedules, but I need to ask you some questions about Anna. Can you please stand up when I call your name? Maria!"

Detective Noah's voice, though firm, held a hint of weariness. The room fell silent as Maria, her face pale, her eyes wide with fear, hesitantly stood up.

"Joanna," Detective Noah continued, his gaze fixed on the girl as she stood, her hands trembling slightly.

The room was filled with an oppressive silence. Students stared at the two girls, their eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and unease. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the air heavy with the weight of the missing girl's disappearance.

Detective Noah continued, calling out names, each name a sharp jab at the students' nerves, each name a reminder of their involvement in the events of the previous night. Kelly watched, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing, her intuition screaming at her that something was amiss.

"All of you come with me. We need to talk," Detective Noah announced, his voice a commanding presence that left no room for argument. He turned and walked out of the classroom, his footsteps echoing in the silent room. The students, who had been named, followed him like sheep to the slaughter, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and resignation.

Kelly wanted to follow them, to hear what Detective Noah had to say, to get closer to the truth. But she was trapped in her seat, a captive audience to the unfolding drama.

She waited, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and dread. The class continued, the teacher's words a distant hum as Kelly watched the empty space where Detective Noah had stood, her mind racing, her heart filled with a growing sense of urgency.

The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the lesson, the start of their freedom. Kelly rushed out of the classroom, her eyes scanning the hallway, hoping to catch a glimpse of Detective Noah, to hear his words, to understand what was happening.

But he was gone.

She continued her way to the bus stop, her mind churning, her intuition whispering in her ear.

As she boarded the bus, John's smiling face met her. "You said you would be waiting in the green area," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, but I changed my mind. You changed your mind," John replied, his smile widening.

Kelly looked at him, her mind still reeling from the encounter with Detective Noah. "I know what you're thinking, Kelly," John said, his eyes meeting hers, a hint of understanding in their depths.

"Tell me," Kelly whispered, her gaze fixed on John, her mind eager to escape the turmoil within.

"You want to investigate by yourself? About the kidnapper who kidnapped your sister, right?" said John, his voice a little too loud.

"Shh!" Kelly hissed, her finger pressing against his lips, silencing him. "Talk low, okay… and yeah, I was thinking about it. Can you help me with that?" She had no one else to ask for help but John.

John looked at her, his confusion evident. "Are you crazy or something? You know, only both of us cannot do anything. I just don't know what's rambling inside your head?"

"I just want to save my sister, that's all!" she shrugged, her gaze shifting away from his worried expression.

John fell silent, his mind struggling to make sense of her determination. He couldn't understand why she was so fixated on helping a sister who hadn't even acknowledged her existence.

"John, come on! Are you angry?" Kelly asked softly, her voice laced with a hint of concern.

"I'm not angry, Kelly. I'm just scared about you. You know what the rumors say about that man."

"Which man?" Kelly asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"The kidnapper. Who else?"

"What did they say?"

"You never heard of him?" John was surprised.

"I never heard about him, John. Tell me what did they say?" Kelly was genuinely eager to know.

"Well, I haven't heard too much about him, but all I know is that he's very dangerous, scary, and really frightening. And that he always walks in the dark!"

"Walks in the dark? You mean at night?" Kelly asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes!" John affirmed.

Kelly's heart skipped a beat. Who the heck is this guy? John expected her to be scared, to drop the crazy idea of rescuing her sister, but instead, her response left him speechless.

"John, please. Help me. I need your help. This only means my sister is in grave danger and I can't do anything but help her out!"

John sighed deeply. He couldn't refuse her, not when she was his best friend, not when she was so determined. He nodded, his voice heavy with a mixture of fear and reluctant acceptance.

"Fine! I'll help you. But I'm scared that the kidnapper might know about you and kidnap you too, along with your sister." John tried to frighten her, but the fear in his voice was genuine.

"Don't worry about that. I'll be more careful. I just want to gather some evidence. And there's only one person who can help me," Kelly said, her gaze fixed on a specific person in the bus.

"Who is the person?" John asked, trying to see who Kelly was pointing at.

"She's right there. Her name is Maria," Kelly said, pointing at a girl sitting a few rows ahead.

"Oh, so you want me to go talk to her? Or you want to talk to her?" John asked, still trying to understand.

"Nah, don't worry… just look after my bag, I'll be right back," Kelly said, pushing past him and heading to the front passenger seat.

Maria sat alone, staring out the window, her face etched with a mixture of sadness and anger. She felt a presence beside her and turned her head to see Kelly. Their interactions were minimal, confined to school assignments, but they had a cordial understanding.

"Oh, hi Kelly," Maria said, a forced smile gracing her lips.

"Hi Maria. I'm sorry about your friend," Kelly said, patting Maria's shoulder gently.

"No need to say that… it's all her fault, by the way." Maria's voice was laced with sadness and anger.

"Ah, what do you mean her fault? What did she do?" Kelly asked, trying to understand.

Maria fell silent, her eyes downcast. Kelly knew she wouldn't speak, so she waited patiently, letting the silence stretch out, giving Maria the time she needed. Finally, Maria spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

"Well, we were partying, and she was too late to go home. We told her to go home early, around 11:00 pm, but she refused and kept drinking. She left from the bar around 11:45 pm. It was too late for her." Maria's voice trembled slightly, as if she were about to break down.

"Where were you guys partying?" Kelly asked, her voice a gentle murmur.

"We were partying at the bar in the middle of the city, Life and Death Bar," Maria said, her gaze fixed on Kelly.

"Which road does she always take when she goes home?" Kelly asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, she always goes by the same road. But I guess, that night, she took the wrong road. Or maybe thinking she could get to her home in a hurry, she took the shortcut way. The one that takes down to the cenotaph of the city. Her home would be much closer by that road." Maria's voice wavered, tears threatening to spill over.

Kelly nodded, her mind racing, piecing together the clues. She knew this was a chance to uncover something, to get closer to the truth. The mystery of the missing children was no longer just a news report, it was her sister's story, her responsibility. And she wouldn't rest until she found Anna.