Page 8

She sighed as he turned back around. Determined she would just say it without thinking next time.

“I’m sorry what did you say?” He asked.

“My name is Relaya Wood!” She said relieved that she had finally got it out.

The man stopped. “R… Relaya? Relaya Wood? Daughter of Linda Wood? My ex Linda Wood? My ex Linda Wood whom I… I might have left when our… our daughter was just born? Our daughter whom was born… 16 years ago?” He stammered. Pretty shocked.

Relaya nodded and he came out from behind the desk and hugged her. “So where’s Linda?”
“Um” She said unsure. “I’m afraid she’s… died.”

“Died? How did that… How did she die?” He asked, an unpleasantness was in his voice.

“Suicide I’m afraid… she suffered from depression.” Relaya said sadly, bowing her head down.

A smug grin covered his face. “I knew she’d die like that.” He muttered.

“Excuse me?” She said shocked, hoping she hadn’t heard him say what she thought he just said.

“I can’t believe she died like that.” He said, he looked at Peter. “So who are you? Cousin, boyfriend or something?”

“Friend, we’re both friends.” He said to him. Rather unhappy at the way this man was behaving. “Um Relaya, we’d best get back” He said to her sensing she wasn’t all too happy with how this man was speaking.

“Yeah… yes we’d better. You’re Dad’s doing that bible study later isn’t he…I can’t miss that.” She said edging slowly towards the door.

“Church!?!” He exclaimed. “Man, when I was your age I’d do smoking and get wasted. Where’s the excitement in church and religion?” He yelled laughing.

Angrily she snapped at him, “I used to but there’s not a kick in that stuff like God gives me!”

“HA!” He laughed. “You need to come with me!” She was really feeling uncomfortable now. She looked into his eyes. They were incredibly wide. He began running at them as they ran out the door. They didn’t have enough time to get into the door and he would reach them for sure if the ran down the drive so they ran around the back. It was what seemed to be the easiest route. But an employee jumped out and cornered them. They were trapped.

The man who’d caught them dragged them inside to a small room. He then locked the door and began to shout at Relayas father. They couldn’t hear him clearly, but they could tell he was upset. She put her head in her hands.

“It’s going to be ok.” Peter told her putting his arm around her.

“No it’s not!” She shouted as a gush of tears flooded her face. “Yeah God has helped… But can’t you see my lives a muck up! It’s not bad enough that…” She stopped the door clicked. It had been unlocked. The man and her father began to come into the room when they suddenly ran. Sirens.

“See it’s going to be ok.” Said Peter.

“NO! LOOK AROUND YOU PETER! LOOK AT WHAT’S COMING OUT OF THE SACKS! DIDN’T YOU SEE ME DADS EYES?” She panicked. They looked at each other. Then she ran out of the door. Peter followed after.

“RELAYA WAIT! CAN’T YOU SEE! OUR EYES ARE FINE, WE HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF!” He shouted at her. “Until now.” He muttered. They ran by a small brook before stopping underneath a little bridge to catch their breath.

“Darn it! Now they’re going to think we’re addicts for sure… and look who I’ve gone and dragged this stuff into.” She wept. “Why can’t I have an ordinary life?”

“Listen it’s ok. I don’t mind. God is with us. He’ll help us!” Peter reassured her.

“The car…” She then realised, “They’re going to know it’s us… the car! The number plate! They’ll know it’s us! Oh my word! Oh my word!”

“Hey, hey. Don’t worry! Don’t worry!” He said putting his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him.

“Why are you so calm?” She asked confused.

“Because we’re not in the wrong.”

“But the police don’t know that. I’m not ready to go to prison! I’m not ready!” She cried out and lent on his shoulder. “Please God. Help me please.” She whispered.

previous | next