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

 I faintly heard my mom speak but I couldn’t make out the words. I was tired of how they treated me and I was going to go out to the world on my own. I locked the door to my room and walked over to my bed where I snuggled into the cold sheets and replayed my words.

I know I was a bit harsh to him but I was hurt, he only thought about his feelings and did not even consider how I was feeling.

“Chloe, can I come in?” Ash’s voice rang out and I considered ignoring him before I remembered that he was my only available best friend so I grudgingly opened the door for him. He looked sad but I didn’t let my eyes linger on his face for long before I dropped them.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly and I sighed, at least he cared enough to check up on me. I tried to smile but I’m sure I came out as a grimace.

“I’ll live, I’m just thinking of what I’ll do tomorrow.” He stared at me for a moment like he was studying me.

“He didn’t mean it you know, he’s been going through a lot lately and it looks like the stress was getting to him.” He tried to explain but I didn’t really want to hear it.

“He meant it, you don’t have to defend him and I get it. This is too much responsibility to a person that’s not really your child. I don’t want to be anyone’s responsibility except my own.” I explained myself and shook my head when he wanted to argue with me. I texted the number which Emma had called me with and asked her to get me a new passport and she told me she’d get me one. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want anyone to know what I was planning.

“What are you planning?” he asked, his tone had a slight warning and I snapped my head up at him, wide-eyed. Of all the times I spoke out loud, now was not really a good time. “Chloe, don’t you dare lie to me because you’ll make me really mad.” He warned and I gave up searching the bundle of lies in my head for a perfect one.

“I’m leaving tomorrow after we meet with Emma, I want to move to a new country, get a new job and try to live a normal life. I’m sick of being cooped up in here with nothing to do. I need to get away Ash, I really do.” I mumbled out the last part and willed myself not to breakdown in front of him, not again.

He walked over to where I stood and gave me a tight, warm hug that I happily accepted, “I get it and I promise I won’t tell anyone, not even your parents but you have to promise me that you’ll keep in-touch and you’ll stay safe. I need you to promise me that.” He commanded lightly and I nodded my head eagerly. 

“Are you sure this is the place? Maybe we got it wrong?” ash commented for the millionth time and I felt my wrist curl into a fist but I resisted the urge to hit him.

“We met here for the first time four years ago in 9th grade when she was having trouble with her phone and asked to borrow mine so that she could meet up with her friend. We got talking and before we knew it we were best friends.” I explained through gritted teeth, he must have noticed my irritation because he just shrugged and took out his phone.

We stayed silent for a few more moments watching as the kids played at the park opposite our bench. It was a warm afternoon and we sat at a bench and waited for Emma to come. Chances of her coming were growing thinner by the minute and I even considered the option of going back home and forgetting it and I was about to voice out my thoughts when a grey Nisan GTR stopped in front of us and the passenger door opened to reveal Emma who looked irritated as hell.

“Get in, it’s not safe and we’re out of time.” She rushed out the words and we didn’t wait to be told twice with Ash in the passenger seat and I in the back seat.

“I knew you were my best friend for a reason, this is my dream car.” Ash remarked with a giddy smile and Em and I shared a smile. A black double cab truck appeared behind us and Em cursed out loud.

“Who are those guys?” I asked, dreading one name but still curious about it. Em was quiet for a moment but the look in her eyes told me that she was intimidated by these guys.

“They are called SEAL labs and they want the chip.” She sighed but I was confused,

“Why are they after you, I mean I have the chip.” and her face morphed into one of fear, wait, was she afraid of telling me?

“I just found out something and I’m not so sure how you’ll react.” She explained slowly, earning both my and Ash’s attention.

“Spit it out already, it can’t get worse than that.” Ash tried to encourage her and she nodded.

“I also have a chip.” She stated before meeting my eyes briefly through the mirror. “I’m your fraternal twin Chloe, we were separated at birth.” She explained. I’m pretty sure my jaw was on the floor now and Ashton looked just as shocked as I was. No one spoke for a few minutes as we let the information sink.

“Ho—how? I never knew that I had a sister.” I commented in a low tone.

“No one knew about me, and the lab where we were born kept me and never told your father. They created a replica of your chip but I didn’t get the control once I turned 18. That’s why they want me because they can control me and can use my chip to replicate others.” She concluded her story and waited for us to react.

“Well, I’m glad I have you as a sister, you were basically one but now it’s better that we’re related by blood.” I sent a smile her way wand I saw her visibly relax.

^^^^^

“You girls need to find a way to get out of this vehicle before they start shooting.” I chose to break the silence that had enveloped us. No one had formed a reply before bullets started flying our direction and hit our car a few times.

“You just had to jinx it didn’t you.” Emma shot out almost immediately but I only sent her a smile. I had missed her snarky remarks. “Which road has the biggest rate of traffic jam right now?” Emma asked making Chloe turn to her briefly before answering.

“If we take the north lane we’re likely to get stuck in traffic but its fast enough that they can’t get out looking for us.” She explained to which Emma only nodded and stepped on the gas making the vehicle to fly. Sure enough, we got stuck in traffic and Emma smiled before turning to Chloe, no doubt she wanted to show off something.

“Feres, activate camouflage mode.” I almost laughed at Chloe’s dumbfounded look as the car changed from a cool Nisan to an ugly looking beetle.

“Camouflage mode activated.” We watched silently as the truck appeared behind us for a few seconds before it took a turn to one of the subways.

“Don’t forget to keep in touch, I need to know that you are okay and let me know when you’re in danger. That applies to both of you.” I found myself saying it again, probably for the hundredth time.

“Yes dad, we heard you the first three times you told us and it’s not like you don’t know where we’re going and you can visit any time, especially on weekends.” Emma explained and I felt a satisfied smile form on my face.

“I promise no one else will know and just keep in-touch.” I said. In reality, I was afraid I would lose them but I didn’t let anyone know that. They both took turns to hug me before they jumped in and drove away to their new life.

As I watched them drive away, my heart fell to my chest, I missed her already but there were other matters to take care of, far more important than what I was feeling. I placed the phone to my ear and listened as it rang,

“What?!”

I had to chuckle before responding “Always so rude, anyway, I wanted to tell you that they are on their way. Chloe and Emma are headed to the new location and I know it’s time you got your free life back.” I explained but he only let out a bitter chuckle.

“Free? How is it free when I’m still confined under your and her shadow?”

“You get to go to college like a normal person, get a temporary job and a life. It’s pointless telling you this but you know your orders, I was just informing you what I have to.” I said before the line went dead.

I wondered why he was always so grumpy, what was it that was eating him up and he couldn’t tell me. I finally walked up the stairs and let myself into the large McJaeger house where Mr Elroy was waiting for me patiently in the living room.

“They are gone, they took the passport and new identities and they headed off to the direction we wanted sir.” I explained calmly and watched as his face broke into a contented smile.

“At least we know they are safe. Did Chloe buy the story?” he asked a bit hopefully making me smile at the memory

 “Yes sir,”

“Good. Have Jared fly there too and enrol into their school too. Give him a believable cover story.” He carried on and I almost groaned, why not me? But I didn’t dare say it out loud.

“Sir, do you think it’s a good idea to let Jared go, after all, the girls were not in good terms with him.” I tried to shed some light on that situation but his eyes only hardened.

“Make sure you handle that, Chloe needs someone who’s well aware of the technology around like Jared, I know you prefer yourself to go instead of him but I need you to manage one of the most important missions ever. You’re the only one capable of that and you’re the only one who I trust enough.” He explained and as much as I wanted to argue, I couldn’t disobey the orders given. I nodded and walked out of the room.

I needed enough rest before going through the trouble of convincing Jared that he was going away too. I stopped by Chloe’s room on my way to mine and decided to venture in and see what she left. Maybe I would uncover secrets or something I can tease her about. I went through her drawers secretly wishing I could hear her mortified voice at the door screaming at me to get out of her room but too bad fate was really against me because I found