Maddison and I live in different directions, so we part ways at Ramona’s letterbox. “Don’t worry about those girls ok. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble again. It sucked when you were grounded last time.”
“Thanks Mads,” I tell her, giving her a quick hug before heading home. We all live very close together in Miranda, which is in the Sutherland Shire near Sydney, so it’s really easy to walk.
Just before I reach the driveway leading to my house, I check my watch, breathing a sigh of relief when I see that time. I made it home by 5:20. There’s ten minutes to spare.
Something sitting on the pathway catches my eye, and I stop, dead in my tracks. I don’t understand what it’s doing there.
My eyes drift upwards over the house. Everything seems so quiet. Slowly, I move up the driveway and head towards the path. Out the front of my house is a black gym bag. Sitting on top of that gym bag is a white envelope with my name on it – Paige.
Frowning, I reach out and take it. A sense of dread sits heavy in my stomach as I stare at it, unwilling to open it. I’m afraid of what’s inside.
As my heart beats faster and my breathing quickens, I force myself to turn the envelope over. Sliding my thumb into the small gap, I tear along the top and slip the contents into my hand. It’s cash, wrapped in a piece of paper.
My hands shake as I unfold the paper, written on it is a single line of handwriting. The moment I read it my eyes start to burn, and my throat feels as though it’s closing.
What the hell is going on?
Chapter Two
This isn’t your home anymore.
My hands won’t stop shaking as I count out the money in my hands. Four notes - Two hundred dollars.
Tears blur my eyes as I shake my head from side to side while I pull my keys from my pocket. This isn’t happening. I attempt to insert them in the lock, but I’m slipping and struggling. It won’t go in.
“Just slide in!” I cry to the key. I don’t know if it’s my shaking hand or if the key just doesn’t fit anymore. My chest burns as I squeeze my eyes shut and try to focus.
Blowing out a steady breath, I wipe my eyes on the sleeve of my shirt. No matter how I try it - the key doesn’t fit.
“No, no, no, no, no,” I sob, as tears start to flow more freely. “Mum! Dad!” I plea, pressing my forehead against the front door and knocking. I’m trying to stay calm. This has to be some sort of joke.
When there is no answer, I pound my fists against the door. “I know you’re here!” I yell. “The car’s in the driveway! Open the door! This isn’t funny!”
I start thumping harder and screaming, kicking at the door, demanding to be let in. But I don’t get a single response. No one even peeks out of the curtains.
Stepping back from the door, I look up at the second story. The lights are on, but I can’t see anyone.
“Mum! Dad!” I scream. “Don’t do this! Please! I’m sorry ok! I’m sorry!” I slide my hands up the side of my head and clutch at my temples. I feel like I might be sick. “Oh god. I don’t even know what I did,” I mumble to myself, trying to sift through my interactions with them over the last few days. I can’t think of anything. Surely there was something - there must be a reason for this.
“What did I do?” I screech.
Nothing. No response. No sound. I'm alone.
Dropping on the ground, my shoulders start to shake along with the huge sobs that are tearing out of my throat. All that's missing from this scene is rain. But the weather's perfect. My life is falling apart, and the weather is perfect.
This isn’t happening. Surely, this isn’t happening.
Reaching inside my bag, I pull out my phone and call my home number. With my phone next to my ear, I listen as I hear the ring on the line, along with the digital ring of the handset from inside the house.