The lock was a joke.
I don’t know why I haven’t tried entering this house before today. Shaking my head, I go through the darkened room to a chair. I am prepared to wait as long as it takes.
This evening, Reana is going to receive a surprise.
A faint, scratching noise wakes me from my half-sleep. The thought of seeing Reana’s tall, fine self brings a faint smile to my lips.
The door opens.
The light flashes on.
My smile turns into a frown as my hope dies. ‘You are not Reana.’
She jumps with a startled yelp from the door. Her wide eyes glance at the door.
‘Don’t bother running. Or can you outrun a bullet?’
‘Please,’ her voice trembles. ‘Take whatever you want. Just don’t hurt me.’
Silently, I get up from the chair and move to her. She looks nothing like Reana. They have similar complexions, but that’s where the resemblance ends. Where Reana is tall and fleshy, this one is short and slim. This won’t do at all.
Her head is down. Her body is trembling.
Silently, I will her to look up. When she does not, I raise my free hand and backhand her.
She yelps. Blubbering, her hand goes to her cheek to rub. ‘Pleeease. Whaaat d-do you waaant?’
The way she cries is very funny.
‘Raise your head. What is your name?’
She glances at me and looks away again before answering in a tear-filled voice, ‘P-Priyé.’
‘Priyé, where is Reana?’
‘She-she is not here. She l-let me use the house, b-but I can leave if you-’
‘Shut up. Can you reach her?
‘Reana?’
I land another slap on the same cheek. ‘No, your grandmother.’
Crying louder, she sniffs. ‘Yes, I c-can call her.’ When I remain silent, Priyé fishes out her mobile phone from her giant handbag. With trembling fingers, she taps the surface of the phone a few times and holds it to her right ear: the one I haven’t slapped yet. ‘He-hello, Reana?’