DUSK by Esther Machethe (top books of all time txt) 📕

“You spoke out loud” he answered my mental question. Ooh, I did?

“Yup.” He answered popping the ‘p’. I should really stop talking out look, I know by now I look like I’m crazy.

“You definitely are munchkins” he said; his voice full of humour and amusement. I looked at him, my mouth probably on the floor.

“That’s the worst nickname ever” I muttered, still shocked that he knew such a word.

“Okay, then how about Princess, it suits you. That or Sweetheart.” He shrugged, thinking that it was a good choice but I only scoffed at him; none of those names were good enough but I prefer princess over sweetheart.

“Good, princess it is.” He exclaimed like a person who just discovered the cure for cancer. He looked comical and I found myself chuckling at the sight. I felt tired and really wanted to sleep. I felt the covers being raised to cover my whole body before the laptop was taken from my laps. The last thing I saw before I succumbed to sleep were a pair of bright green eyes that held a certain emotion I couldn’t comprehend. They looked a lot like the green eyes I often saw and for a minute I wondered if it was possible before I decided against it, I couldn’t possibly be Ash.

“Goodnight princess, soon all this will be over and we’ll finally let our true selves show.” He whispered in my ear in a soft velvety voice before sleep finally won me over. My mind was reeling all this information and I hoped to ask him what he meant when I saw him in the morning.

“You have to start training as soon as you’re out of here. We can’t let you rely solely on Dusk because you won’t even rely on your instincts. Dusk was created when you were born, there are some things she’s not aware of but you need to know everything if you want to survive.” Dad roared at me; his anger was evident and that fuelled my defiance even more. I’ve never had this urge to defy my parents’ wishes especially dad but hell, it felt great.

 “Are you trying to punish me? You know, heck everyone who knows me knows I can’t even run to save my life. I was and I still am not fit to do anything on my own. My answer still stands, I won’t train; not now, not ever.” I huffed.

 My dad stared at me; damn, if he was a cartoon character his face would be boiling red right now and steam would have been coming from his ears. That would have been a comical sight to see.

 “Ashton, talk to her and try to make her see our view. I’ve never seen her this way before but I don’t like it.” He muttered the last part under his breath but I heard. He huffed and angrily walked out of the room. Silence followed; everyone afraid to address the elephant in the room.

“I’ll just go talk to him and make sure he’s okay. See you kids tomorrow. I’ll be here by ten to pick you up Chloe.” Mom spoke up before she hurriedly left, not waiting for a response.

It’s been three weeks since I was brought to this place; I’m not sure if it’s a hospital since the nurses don’t wear uniform and I have never felt a stronger urge to go home than I had been feeling since I made a fool of myself last week.

You didn’t hear what happened? Well, too bad because I’m not telling. I looked at Ash but he was looking at everything but me, it felt like the plain pale-blue walls were more interesting than me which made me sigh in defeat,

 “You don’t have to be here too, you can go, I’m sure you have better things to do than stay here.” I murmured. Things between us had been awkward lately and I just didn’t want to deal with awkward right now. I honestly thought he was going to walk out but he walked round and sat at the chair next to my bed.

 “Look, I’m sorry about last week, I didn’t mean it in the wrong way when I said you were high on something. The doctor confirmed that the medication could trigger hallucinations or alter with your version of dreams and reality.” He tried to comfort me but the red tint on his ears was a tell-tale that he was supper uncomfortable talking about it, and so was I.

“Let’s just pretend it never happened because it is really weird for me.” I mumbled; ducking my head under my hands in embarrassment. In a very long time, probably a week now.

 I heard his low chuckle; “Agreed, let’s never talk about this again.” The relief in his voice was very noticeable but I couldn’t ask anything about it. “Sorry to rain on your parade but you still have to deal with this training issue with your dad. He has a point you know” he said all traces gone; damn, trust Ashton to be a real buzz kill.

 “I know, but I really hate doing anything physically, you know that.” I sighed “especially an old man who will only keep yelling at me.” I grumbled. The thought of someone yelling at me to run faster or punch harder made me cringe but Ash was only amused by this.

 “Anyone can be your instructor, even me but that’s if you want to...” he trailed of when he noticed my bright smile which I’m sure looked creepy as hell.

“I’d pick you over a grumpy and shouting man anytime” I exclaimed happily, that was the second greatest news I’ve heard the whole day.

“What’s the first?” ash asked, amusement dancing in his eyes and his tone.

“What?” I asked, startled by his question.

“You said me being your instructor is the second best thing, I want to know the first.” He answered curiously.

Crap, I said that aloud again,

“and you’re doing it again.” He added, trying to smother a smile.

“Sorry, I tend to do that sometimes.” I tried to chuckle but I was sure it came out more like a croak. “By the way, how is school?” I tried to change the subject and it worked when he looked at me like I was demented. “What?” I was getting scared and confused, what if I had been here longer than three weeks?

Ashton’s sudden laughter brought me from my thoughts and I looked at him like he was crazy; “What’s so funny?” I asked again but he could only show me his phone where there was a photo of the four of us.

My face heat up in embarrassment when I saw the photo of me, Ash, Sapph and Emma with our graduating gowns on and goofy smiles, well I  was the only one with a goofy smile, Ash and Sapph were staring at each other while Em was looking at something behind us, a small frown was visible on her face. So we were done with high school? How could I not remember?

“I think being punched, a concussion and being shot are very good reasons to forget.” Ashton answered for me. I looked at him quizzically. Is he psychic?

“Spoke out loud…” he trailed off as if he was explaining to a small child. I could only groan before I found new interest in Ash’s photos, there were so many pictures of us, when we were all together; at my house, at school and some at the park. We were always smiling and no one could tell that one of us was a back-stabbing bitch, the other would go missing, the other ending up in hospital and the final one would be heartbroken; we all looked like we were enjoying each other’s company.

 “Any news on Emma?” I suddenly asked throwing him off-guard before his face fell and I knew the answer was no even before he spoke it. I really missed her, but I wouldn’t rest until found her.

“Finally! I am home!” I cried out in happiness when mom opened the door and ushered us in. I had missed my home and it was the best form of comfort for me especially now that Emma wasn’t here with me. Thinking of Emma dampened my mood and I found myself sulking.

“Would you like me to search for any possible sightings of Emma?” A robotic voice echoed in my voice and I would have jumped if it wasn’t for the fact that I knew it was Dusk.

‘Where have you been?’ I mentally inquired knowing that I hadn’t heard from it since my birthday.

“I was inactive since you were recuperating. I am only active if you are conscious.” She answered immediately.

‘Can you locate her?’ I asked curiously; hope was starting to build in me and maybe for once I could save the day.

“Searching any possible last location for Emma Brentwood.” Dusk announced and I let her do her work. I turned to find everyone staring at me.

“What?” I asked, confused as to why everyone was staring.

“Your father said that your training starts tomorrow. What do you think?” Ashton spoke up trying to break the silence. So my torture was to start tomorrow, I wonder how it will work out because I’m completely hopeless when it comes to physical fitness.

“No you’re not, plus, you have Dusk’s enhanced strength and speed.” Mom countered as if she red my mind.

“You spoke out loud.” Ash clarified it to me and I lowered my reddened face to look at the floor. This was so embarrassing.

“Are you okay with tomorrow or do you need some time?” Dad asked, speaking up for the first time since we arrived.

“Tomorrow’s fine, I might as well get it over with.” I muttered, thinking of the dark times in form of training sessions that lay ahead.

“Great, Ashton will be here to pick you up at ten, be ready.” He said before walking off in the direction of his office. Yeah my dad had an office at home that was not in his bedroom and was always locked, whether or not he was in it.

“I’ll go and make something to eat, you guys can go ahead to your room, I’m sure you have a lot to catch up on.” Mom commented before she walked off to the kitchen.

“Let’s go, there’s something I need to tell you.” Ash whispered in my ear before he walked of and started ascending the stairs. I followed but not too fast because it still hurts a bit when I walk or run which makes me wonder how I will survive training for the rest of tomorrow. I walked into my room and found it sparkling clean and not like the way we left it on that day. Ash was sat on my spin chair and was twirling round waiting for me.

“So, tell me.” I almost cheered. He pointed behind me and I turned to find nothing there but the door. I turned back to him; my eyes silently asking my question and he motioned for me to close the door and take a seat on my bed. “I’m getting impatient here, what is it?” I complained.

He looked hesitant at first then opened his mouth. I waited anxiously but nothing came out. I was about to say