As soon as they heard this, there was a moment of silence, followed by shuttering workers.
"Tha... thank you, thank you so much.", the workers said. That and other related shutter words with gratitude.
Mrs. Julie didn't seem too pleased about it, but she could only accept it. At least it's better than losses.
"Katie!", mom was the only indifferent one.
"It's okay mom, it's really not their fault.", I said in a cold manner.
My heart at this point in time was boiling. I only appeared calm and angel like on the surface, but what I really had in my mind was pure darkness and a plan building up for that demon, Kareen.
"Absolutely no problem Mrs. Monrow, thanks a lot, I'll make sure I we treat you better next time!", Mrs. Julie said flatteringly.
I nodded and was about to step out with mom when a young girl who was about 8-10 years old said politely: "Miss! Please have this.."
In her hand was a cap.
"For your hair..", she said shyly.
On seeing this, I was slightly moved.
The cap looked a bit old, but appeared neat.
What a thoughtful little girl? Giving me her face cap to reduce the shame.
"Thank you for saving my mom's job", she added.
At that point, I was moved to tears.
Just when I didn't know what to do or say, mom squatted in front of her and asked: "What's your name?"
On hearing mom's question, the little girl looked back and then at mom and said: "Chloe!"
"Who's your mom?", Mom asked her.
"No mom, just, sister." She said turning and pointed at a slim feeble looking girl just about my age, standing next to some stacked towels.
I've been seeing her walking around and handing the customers towel with a flattering tone, but it was obvious that she wasn't happy. She even got scolded by one of the girls laughing at Kareen.
On seeing her now, I felt more sympathy towards her.
"What's your name?", Mom asked in a calm manner.
"... My... My name...", She stammered in confusion.
"Yes dear, what's your name?", Mom asked again.
"My name's Courtney ", she replied.
"Can I please have your contact?", Mom asked.
"I... I don't have a phone ma!", She replied.
"You can use mine!", Mrs. Julie quickly interposed.
Mom subconsciously turned to her, and then turned back Courtney. Looking at her for affirmation.
Courtney hurriedly nodded.
After exchanging contact mom, mom took a couple of dollar bills from her bag and gave it to Chloe saying: " thank you cutie!"
While receiving appreciation from several workers there, I and mom stepped out in a sober mood.
Only to discover that the entire place which had over 20 to 30 constumers at the receptionist had gone down to less than 10. And the left overs were actually staffs. How sad.
Even if I don't press charges, I really hope these guys can rise back up.
That little brat doesn't know the trouble she's caused.
"Oh my God!!", we heard someone's scream from outside, sounding really shocked; kinda like an accident just happened.
"Kareen!", mom yelled terrified.
She rushed out, and I followed too.
We saw Kareen standing in front of the saloon and looking at the direction where a crowd was gathered.
Some went and left the place threwing up;
Others spat and walked away;
Others covered their mouths in shock.
"What happened?", mom asked Kareen now at ease.
She shrugged and said: "I don't know!"
Mom left us and walked to the scene to see for herself.
"Kareen, I know you were the one that did this to my hair and the hair of those girls.", I said looking at her with a stern face.
"I didn't, but it really doesn't matter! I think it looks good on you!", she said with a smug look.
"You!", I said about to grab her.
"Girls!", mom said with a somewhat sad and disgustful expression.
We stopped immediately.
"Mom, what happened?", I asked helplessly.
"A human was chopped into pieces and thrown into the trash can. When one of the staffs went there to drop the dirtbag, she found it there. It's still not certain who it is!", mom explained.
"My God!", I exclaimed in shock feeling quite sad.
I turned subconsciously to Kareen who now had a frown on her face.
"Why?!", She said immediately, as though she was arguing with God.
"Why what?", Mom asked confused.
She remained speechless for awhile and said stuttering: ".... Why... Why do people have to die young?"
On hearing this I and mom wore a sad expression.
Mom turned to the road and said: "we should head home now!"
……
Shortly after, Mom stopped a cab and we all got in.
While talking to the cab driver, I overheard her directing him to marilon hospital. So asked: "what we going to do there?"
"Sorry sweetie, we going to pick up a report from the hospital", mom replied.
As soon as her voice fell, I felt my tummy rumble.
F_ck! I am hungry.
I didn't take anything before leaving the house, because of this little brat and a little bit of excitement which has naturally died down.
The ride had begun, there was nothing much I could do now besides hold the hunger and hope mom's fast.
……
Marilon hospital, Marilon.
All three of us got into the hospital.
I and Kareen followed mom, who purposefully walked to the office section.
"Katie", I heard my name, so turned around to see who called.
On seeing Jimmy my heart leaped out of place.
"..Ji.. Jimmy? What are you doing here?", I asked.
"My mom and I were involved in an accident, didn't your parents tell you?", He asked.
On hearing this, I became even more nervous, as I scratched my head with my finger and said: "they did! We .. we even planned on coming over tonight. But I honestly didn't know that you were, I mean you guys were here!"
"It's okay. But, if we weren't the reason for your coming, why come?", He asked.
I turned and pointed: "Mom came here to get a report."
When I turned, I realize that mom and Kareen had gone, and it was just me and Jimmy, so I felt even more awkward. I didn't even notice when they left.
There was a moment of awkward silence.
"I... I got.. My mom's... ummm, I'll be with my mom, she needs me to.. to help her out, just be by her side when she wakes up.", he replied.
I too understood the akward situation we were in and so nodded and said: "Yeah, you do that, see you later!"
"Yeah, see you later!", he replied waving and walking away.
I was just about to turn back, when Kareen and mom came back. Mom held a file in her hand with a calm and quite pleased expression. Kareen on the other hand looked like someone who was walking next to an invisible person, giving unnecessary space while walking; which was quite normal.
So they both seemed fine. This was a clear indication that there was no bad news.
So I said: "So can we go home now?"
"Yes Young Mrs...", mom said with a smile trying to tease me with the polite and royal way those workers at the spa treated me; so I naturally began to smile.
"...Bell!"
As soon as she finished the sentence, my smile became a frown in less than a second.
On seeing this, she and Kareen began to laugh as we walked out of the hospital.
"It's not funny!", I said with high pitch.
......
We boarded a cab, and in a few minuites we were home.
Getting inside the house, we found dad in the living room, watching TV.
"Honey?!"
Mom said surprised.
"Hi girls!", dad greeted.
"I finished early, Mr. Niel had an emergency and for that reason, we had to postpone the meeting." he replied.
"Oh, what happened?", mom asked in caring manner as she walked closer to him.
"I don't know, but it seemed important", he said as they pecked themselves.
By this time, I and Kareen had already started walking upstairs to the room, we have long know about these behaviour.
As I walked up the stairs my tummy rumbled once again.
"F_ck!", I muttered as I touched my tummy.
I walked back down, getting closer to my parents once again when I overheard them talking.
"Honey look! Another death like the one we witnessed at the mall!", dad said.
"...We were actually at the scene of this incident as well." mom replied.
"You were what?!", dad said surprised and a bit scared.
"Yeah honey it happened near the spa!", mom replied.
"Oh my! It's her!", Mom said.
"It's who?!", Dad asked.
"One of the young girls at the spa!", mom replied.
"Oh my, she's a teenager like Katie! Why would the killer do such a thing to such a young girl... ", mom said and paused.
And then asked suddenly seemingly thinking: "... How did Kareen know?!"
"Know what?!", dad asked.
"Why do people have to die young?", mom said seemingly recalling.
As soon as I heard these words, I felt like one who was struck by thunder.
Really, how did Kareen know?
To be continued.....
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