The Dark Night Whispers (The Whispers Series #2)

Chapter 1

1

‘Authorities in California are searching for 23-year-old Niamh McDonald, who was abducted from her home in San Francisco. The police have issued a statement pleading for any witnesses to come forward. They are speculating that one man knocked on the door of the family home on Thursday, around 9:30 a.m., to take Niamh; however, the authorities are still unsure as to what has exactly happened.’

I increase the volume on the TV whilst staring at the face of a young pale girl that the news presenter is talking about. I narrow my eyes, thinking that her dark hair doesn’t suit her.  I should sympathise that she was kidnapped, but instead I worry more about her looks, rather than what’s happened to her. In the picture that was presented to the media, Niamh looks bored. Even from a distance, I notice her perfectly applied makeup and her light blue eyes. I take another spoonful of cereal and force it into my mouth. I chew mechanically, wondering if the presenters will be revealing more about this odd kidnapping in America. I sigh because Natasha walks into the kitchen and increases the volume on the TV. As soon as this story appeared on the news, Natasha cannot seem to stop following it.

‘The police are still investigating the details. They believe that Niamh is still alive, as the kidnapper is said to have demanded millions of dollars from Niamh’s wealthy parents for her release,’ continues a young blonde journalist. 

I focus on the TV, hoping that the news will end soon enough and I can watch my favourite comedy show, but instead the TV continues to depict the wealthy house somewhere in California. From that point my mind wanders off, while Natasha is still staring at the TV, looking very intrigued.  I try to take another spoon of my soggy cereal, but I change my mind instantly. 

‘This is unbelievable. She is so young, almost the same age as you,’ says Natasha and looks at me, probably hoping that I will agree with her, but instead I ask:

‘How do you know?’

‘This story is all over the papers, Ania. Her father is some kind of famous politician in America,’ she shrugs impatiently.

I give her a stiff nod.

‘Anyway, it’s not healthy to start talking about such horrific stuff in the morning. What are you going to do today? You haven’t left your room in weeks; it’s time that you go out and do something with yourself. It’s summer for heaven’s sake.’

I stare at my cereal, wondering why I decided to go back to London to the woman who isn’t my real mother. Then I look at her for long moment, trying to choose the right words, but nothing relevant comes to my mind. I haven’t left my room since I came back and Natasha is still pretending that everything is fine, dissolving everything that has happened between us.

‘I am going to see Gosia today,’ I say, because she is expecting me to act normal and then she can finally leave me be.

‘Well, there you go. At least you won’t be stuck at home while I am at work,’ she murmurs, leaving the kitchen and switching off the TV. 

This is what our interactions appear to be like these days. We don’t see each other often; Natasha is at work most of the time and if she has a spare minute, she visits Dmitry. She is not interfering anymore. Almost a month ago, my whole life stopped; within a year, I lost my mother, my best friend and the man I loved. My heart was ripped apart and even though time has resumed, it’s still in pieces.

After everything that has happened I couldn’t stay with Gosia; there would be too many unanswered questions. Natasha is trying to work things out between us, but our relationship is a pretence. She doesn’t want to admit that she was the one who lied all her life. I still haven’t forgiven her. I don’t want to fight with her. I have just accepted that she isn’t my mother any more. I put my bowl into the sink and ditch the idea of watching my favourite comedy.