𝗡𝗢 𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗬, 𝗡𝗢 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘 : 𝗉𝗂𝗉𝗉𝖺 𝖿𝗂𝗍𝗓-𝖺𝗆𝗈𝖻𝗂 ੭

͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏𝗈𝗇𝖾

By some quirk of fate, Pippa had seen more than once her targets getting off that exact same bus at that exact same time. It was an accident, the brunette usually frequents the nearby coffee shop and saw it happen, but now would be the time to turn this accident into the most important part of her project.

Since she couldn't talk to Cairo Singh, her research hasn't been going well. She had two interviews, with Angela Johnson, from the Missing and Abducted Persons Bureau, and Stanley Forbes, the journalist responsible for Andie's case. Nothing made sense in her head. No matter how smart she was, no matter how high her grades were, investigating was perhaps not her strong suit.

But that wouldn't make her give up. Not at all.

The bus stopped right in front of the stop, causing Amobi to take steps backwards as a few people got off. Only two of them caught her eye, walking unnoticed by her.

Her eyes were like magnets fixed on the two, following them with her gaze and then with her whole body, walking right behind them.

The younger girl was wearing a soccer uniform, a gray T-shirt and dark blue shorts, along with a jacket that probably belonged to the team she played for, complemented by her light blue kanken backpack. The older boy was wearing jeans, a black T-shirt and a black jacket with white details, complemented by a headset around his neck.

Next to Barney, Pippa followed behind them, keeping a certain distance so as not to overhear what they were talking about.

  ──── No, Ravi, you have to listen to it on the record player, I promise it will be better! - Insisted the shorter one for possibly the thirtieth time.

  ──── All right, I can think about it! But I don't think it's practical, how am I going to listen to music on the bus? - The boy retorted, then laughed.

  ──── You got it! - She said, ending the discussion.

Ravi was the first to notice a shadow following them, along with a dog and muffins, but all he did was ignore it as he watched his sister walk ahead. A few steps further on, he was forced to look at her again, frowning and analyzing Pip's whole face.

  ──── Hi... Do I know you?

And only then did Cairo realize it, turning back and giving an involuntary smile to the familiar girl behind them.

  ──── Hi, Pip - She greeted softly, receiving a nod in response.

Her attention returned to Ravi, who kept a look of confusion on his face, distributing his gaze between the two girls.

  ──── No... - Pippa answered his question, looking away.  ──── I'm just taking a walk... With muffins!

Singh let out a laugh, looking at her older brother, who also laughed.

  ──── Okay... - Said the boy, following the path.

The three of them continued along the narrow path, Cairo letting Ravi lead the way so that she could follow by Pippa's side, her brown eyes focused on the dog in front of them. Even in the silence, the thoughts of the two girls were loud, only drawing more attention to the brunette.

He glanced briefly at them both.

  ──── Are you sure you don't need help?

  ──── How do you know this isn't my way home?

He stopped walking, almost bumping into his sister.

  ──── I remember you from school, you were the girl who presented herself dressed as Florence Nightingale.