Sirens were heard in the distance . She was standing numb in front of the crumbling building. She had known this would happen for a while now , but the impact on her was unfathomable.
"Miss. Excuse me miss. " Officer Brett asked the lady but got no reply. He wanted to know who she was while his men along with the fire crew tried to stop the fire. She had a blank look on her covered face. Her lips were set into an emotionless straight line as he wondered who she was standing in front of this abandoned house. Nobody visited this place since it was rumored to be haunted.
"Mi" , he began but was cut off. He could not have imagined the words the mouth a girl of this seventeen would utter.
"Officer. There are two dead bodies inside that burning house. I hope you will look into it." She knew his face would be one of disbelief.
Brett's face hardened after he had heard those words. "What are you implying miss ? Are you insinuating there has been a murder. " It was the only conclusion he could come with provided with the mystery of the house.
"No." She was firm in rejecting that notion from his head. "Not a murder officer but a suicide."
"How do you know this miss?" He asked incredulously but his question could not be sufficed with an answer as a fireman and his colleagues came rushing from the other side. Brett turned around to talk to them.
"Sir. There are two bodies in the house. The medics have identified one as male and the other as female. They were probably near their twenties and were holding hands."
"And I assume you would know about this little miss?" He turned to address the girl but there was nobody . Just empty air.
* MINERVA *
Tears were streaming down her face. They died . Oh lord, in the heavens above, why must you be so cruel ? Knowing this would happen did not make the hurt in her heart any less.
She had lived here long enough to know the deserted areas of this colony. She knew they had planned this all along not to leave any traces. She knew they loved each other to moon and back and she knew they would want her to live.
She broke down on the pavement of the alleyway.Her loud sobs were resonating. Chase and Rhea . Why could this not have been someone else ? Why them ! Why me ! Why did I have to be left alone ?
She was devastated at the loss of her heroes. The ones who brought her up for so long. Chase called her 'Drama Queen.' Oh ! If he could have seen her right now.
Rhea had told her to 'Be strong.' Wish i could be as strong as you were sister. She had nobody left.
Her mother had died some years before this. Rhea was the only one who was an adult and could work. She had been strong all through, so strong. Chase had fallen in love with his 'ferocious tigress' and had done his best to support them all through. She truly had the will of a tigress. No wonder he fell for her.
Despite being just her sister he had loved her like his own. Tears just seemed to never end.
Her mother had never been there before. She used to live at her uncle's before her death. Her father was just a fleeting memory. She never knew him.
After mother's death custody was given to the 18 year old Rhea. She had worked her hardest to support mothers legacy. Minerva never knew her mother was into illegal business. She was shielded her entire life.
Sleep was slowly and surely creeping onto her. Tears did not cease but her eyes were tiring out. Her brain was slowly shutting down. She had no more energy left in her. She was hoping no body would find her till sunrise tomorrow and she could leave this place in peace.
She knew she could not see them one last time or give their ashes a proper funeral. She knew they loved her. Sleep was creeping to her and her eyes were drooping down. She had no energy left after today.
'I love you both and thank you for everything .' She breathed this prayer towards heaven hoping they would hear her and gave into her temptation. It had been a long , long night for her. She wished she never woke up after this. She did not want to face tomorrow. Who knows what tomorrow might hold ?
***
She got out of the airport firmly clutching her suitcase in hand. She took a breather of fresh air. Her nerves were all over the place. It was after all her first time here.
She waved for a taxi which came screeching to a halt. She looked inside the window and saw a lady driver there.
"Morning Miss. Where to on this bright day? " Sasha said with a smile.
The lady's mood was contagious and Minerva could already feel her nerves easing. "To the Ennegrecido palace please." She replied breathless.
Sasha visibly stiffened. What business could this girl possibly have there? And she is going their on a taxi nonetheless. Her cheerfulness long gone.
"Who are you? State your business there?" Sasha spoke firmly. Nobody was allowed into the palace of the young master. The audacity of this girl asking her to take her there! It was due to the young master that she was able to drive a taxi so freely in the city without worrying for her safety against the male population.
Minerva bristled clearly not expecting such a reaction. She contemplated telling a mere taxi driver her purpose. She gulped in hesitation.
"Please. I can't give you a reason. I am a messenger from someone important. That is all I can tell you. It's urgent. If you know the Ennegrecido palace , please take me there." She pleaded.
Sasha contemplated. She does not look like a threat.
"Fine. Hop in." Sasha relented to her pleadings.
There were so many questions and so little answers. Minerva was so confused. The envelope and pendrive in her handbag was burning a hole in her as she got into her taxi. First that , her sisters and Chase's secrets she had to unfold, her not knowing anything about where she was going, the town and now Sasha's reaction all were playing ping pong in her brain.
She got into the taxi while Sasha took her to the palace. She had no idea what awaited her. So many questions and so little answers.
