CHAPTER 24

After school, I went out of the building only to find that Aiden's car wasn't there. Kim and Oh-je had already gone, and even if they were here, I still couldn't ask them for a ride

After like an hour and some minutes, a car like his arrived in the parking lot. He stepped out

"If you were going to be like this, why did you tell me to ride with you this morning?" I asked him when he stepped out and came to me

"I thought you wouldn't want to see me, so I had to go take care of my fan club," he said with a smirk

He's clearly teasing me

"I really wonder who you resemble. Your parents and sister are so loveable, while you're so..." I trailed off, intentionally leaving my sentence incomplete

"While I'm what?" he asked

"No comment," I said and walked to the passenger door

"What are you doing?" I asked him

"Get it" I added

I opened the door and looked at him through the window

He picked his nose, I leaned back into the chair and smiled triumphantly

He entered the car and drove us, none of us saying anything throughout the car ride

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"You're finally back," Alexa said when we've entered the house

"I was beginning to wonder where you guys went to"

I gave her a small smile and Aiden a glare which he shrugged off

"You're leaving tomorrow, right?" Andrew asked

One thing I've seen is that although he's a major, he's a homey person

"Yes, tomorrow is the last day. He'll be coming over to my place" I replied

"We'll miss you," Alexa said

"Feel free to come back when you want. If Aiden doesn't bring you, just call any of us"

I smiled, while Aiden grunted

He really knows his son

"I'll be sure to do that," I said

"Why don't we watch a movie?" Sandra suggested

"Are you dumb? We have school tomorrow" Aiden said

"I think you're the dumb one. Did I say we were going to watch all night?" she retorted and I smiled at her

I've made my conclusion; either a normal family or, the family of a mayor, siblings will always be the same

"I think a movie is okay" I agreed with her

"See? She has sense" she asked Aiden

He rolled his eyes and went upstairs

"It's still early, but I'll get the snacks prepared. You go on up" she told me

Normally, I would have asked her if I could help even if I didn't feel like it, but I actually wanted to rest, so

"Okay, thanks," I told her and climbed the stairs

There was no work to do from school, so I just went to sleep before the movie time

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"Which movie should we watch?" Sandra asked me

I still had some sleep in my eyes, but I'll be able to watch without dozing

Although we were going to be the only ones, probably with Alexa, everyone else was downstairs

I shrugged

But just before she could choose, I suddenly remembered a movie

"I know!" I said

"What is it?" Alexa said, smiling at my sudden excitement

"The ghost and the tout" I suggested

I thanked my once Nigerian best friend

"Okay then"

Sandra searched it and when it came out, she scrunched her nose in confusion

"It's an interesting movie. We can understand what they're saying by the subtitles, but the way they are saying it is really funny. Really" I emphasized

"Well, there's no harm in trying," Alexa said as she looked at her daughter

Sandra went to bring the snacks and I was about to settle down when

"Dad, could you please off the light?" she asked her dad

My eyes widened, and I immediately became alert like an imposing danger was approaching

He got up and started walking towards it

"Wait!" I stopped him, and I could see that he was startled

"I'm sorry, but do we have to watch with the lights off?" I asked

It was already dark outside, and it was no doubt that the insides were already dark too

"Of course, that'll be more like it. It's also like we're in a cinema"

That's the problem

"Why? Is there a problem?" Alexa asked cautiously, the way a mother does

Hesitantly, and shakily, I shook my head

"No, it's okay," I said

I was surprised the way they didn't notice how my voice was shaking

Sub-consciously, I diverted my gaze to Aiden

Why did I do that? I have no idea, but I just did. I guess I wanted him to help me. I silently looked at him for help, my eyes ones of fear

I looked back at Andrew who was close to the switch. It was at the side of the door, and as the living room was quite a distance from the door, it was a while. I hoped, with each step that something would prevent him from touching the switch

My hope flew out the window when the lights suddenly went off. At that moment, I was very grateful for how big their living room was, I was sitting away from the rest of them

It was dark. The remaining lights were already off, so there was nothing

My breath became deep and hard to control. I turned my hands into fists, and closed my eyes, as the images started appearing

No, please no

My hand shook vehemently, and just as I was about to lose control, a hand covered one of my fists

"Shannon," a voice said before I could react

"Calm down," it said

I tried to do what the voice said, but he was coming near

I started shrinking back into the chair, while my breath became deeper

"Listen to my voice," the voice said

I could hear it, but I could focus on it

Help me. Someone, please, help me. Mom. Edward. Anyone. Please

He smiled

I whispered a small cry

I felt myself being lifted

"Control yourself, Shannon. I don't know what's happening, but right now, you're safe" the voice said

I close my eyes once again, urging the images to go, but to no avail

Then I felt something bright, and, after a while, myself being lowered. I opened my eyes a little, and the light was back on. With that, I covered them, once again, and griping what was under me, I brought myself back to reality. When I was okay, apart from my heavy breathing, I opened them and saw Aiden crouching, with a foot down, in front of me. I looked around and saw that I was in my room, on my bed

I'll deal with the how's and why's later

"Thank you" I rasped

He got up and put his hands into his pocket

"If you knew you couldn't handle it, why did you answer to watching the movie?" he asked

"How was I to know she'll want to put out the lights?" I asked

"Why won't you know? She's crazy"

I smiled, but he didn't see it, as my head was down

"You should have just said no when I disagreed with it"

"You're talking as if you knew what was going to happen"

"Of course I did, that's why I disagreed for you, but you had to agree"

I looked up at him, he raised his brow

"You're a nice boy," I said

"Do you want to go back downstairs?" he threatened

"And do you think I'm going to allow you?"

He lowered himself to make us eye to eye

"I carried you up here. I don't think it will be a hassle to take you back down"

He went back to his normal position

"Sleep. You need it" he said and left