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

At school he hung out with the new girlfriend’ more than he did with the guys and he avoided me like the plague. I admit it hurt that he was blowing me off for a girl but then it was weird even for the twins. I tried to get him to talk to them and I even followed him one day to try and corner him until I heard him talking to a girl, a very familiar one at that.

“No, if you move in now my cover will be blown but we should stay put until they lower their guards down and it will be easier to take her. Look, I can even pretend that I want to apologize for treating her badly and ask to take her out then you can take her and I will say she was pushed into a moving van.” He said to the girl in a convincing tone. I didn’t want to believe it but it was him all along. That’s why he wanted to keep tabs on her every waking minute; it was all part of the plan.

“That might actually work; I will alert the others so that they can be ready.” The girl said in a cool sultry voice. I couldn’t figure out who it was exactly but I was lucky I had recorded the conversation.

I quickly walked away and headed to class since I was already late and I immediately went home after school since I had to put the plan into action. I knew he was distracted today but it wouldn’t last long. I sent the video to HQ and told them to try and find out who the girl was and I set everything up. After I confirmed everything was in place I called him up and told him I found something he should see and he agreed to meet me at my place.

He called again and asked me to pick him up and I did. When he came into my room, I had my best poker face on and showed him part of the video. His reaction told me everything I needed to know.

“Look, you don’t have to tell me now but I really don’t understand how your ex-girlfriend is able to do that to a huge guy, did you know anything about it?” I tried to sound confused and it must have worked since he said that he couldn’t tell me anything and that I shouldn’t mess with those guys; a sign that he knew everything. I complied and actually deleted the footage.

I was about to ask more when HQ called and I had to take it so I walked out the room.

“Is he an informant?”

“Yes sir, he knows a lot.”

“Good, then alert the others and make sure not to say anything else, we have reasons to assume they are onto you. Delete the footage and don’t ask more.”

“Done sir,”

“Be careful, you still are my son.”

“Yes sir” I tried to sound nonchalant but to him I was as much a son as he was a good father and that says a lot.

I walked out and before I could say anything, his phone rang, his reaction told me who it was but I didn’t show.

“She called me back, looks like I will get some action after all.” He tried to sound cheerful but I silently called out his bluff. He walked out and he didn’t know that I had heard his every word while he was still in this building, including his last words.

I sent a message to HQ that there was a high chance my cover was blown and I was assured of back-up from the others so I sat and waited.

^^^^^

 A tint of pink covered Ash’s face as we all stared silently at him and waited for answers. This was the most uncomfortable I had ever seen him as he stared back at us, thinking through the words he was about to say.

“Say it once and for all and get it off your chest! I’m tired of waiting for an answer.” Em finally spoke our words.

“It’s okay Ash, whatever it is, we’ll understand.” Sapph tried to sooth him but it only made the pink tint deepen. I was slowly starting to put two and two together.

“Holly crackers!! You like Sapph!!” I blurted out making Sapph’s face turn pink. A look of relief flashed across his face but it was gone as soon as it came and he just nodded. Em squealed with delight and Sapph’s face reddened. From the look of it I guess she liked him too. This was a perfect time to play a trick on them.

“If you want me to believe it, kiss her. “ I challenged him, his face widened in panic then he turned to Sapph who nodded lightly before he claimed her mouth in one passionate kiss. This one of my greatest achievement, I must admit but it wasn’t complete yet. Their special moment was interpreted when there was a knock on the door. We looked at each other silently asking if any of us was expecting company but blank looks showed no one was.

I walked up to the door with Ash behind me and opened it to find Alec holding flowers and a sheepish smile on his face. For a brief moment I was glad to see him then I remembered what Ash told me and a surge of anger filled me and I was about to speak when Ash beat me to it.

“What do you want Jones? You’re not welcome here.” He said in the coldest voice I have ever heard but Alec just ignored him.

“Can I talk to you alone, please,” he pleaded but I wasn’t going to fall for it.

“Whatever you want to say Ash can hear it too.” I countered, crossing my arms and putting on a stern face.

“Please, I just want you to hear me out and give me a chance to explain everything. “He said in a low and deflated tone that made me almost feel sorry for him; Almost.

“Okay, you have two minutes but Ash and the others have to hear it too.” I caved in a bit. A grunt came from Ash but I chose to ignore it. However, I couldn’t help the fear that trickled in my spine when I saw his cold face with eyes full of hatred. It was then that I knew he was family, no matter what happened to us.

Alec led the way to the living room where after few minutes of silence I heard Em’s angry voice “What the hell are you doing here!?? You’re not welcomed here!” she yelled in frustration. This attracted everyone’s attention including my parents who came rushing into the room while I watched everything unfold in silence. My dad turned towards me with inquisitive eyes and I gave a slight nod. He turned to Alec and spoke in a stern voice.

“You have two minutes son, make it quick.” He mirrored my statement earlier. Everyone fell silent and waited for him to speak.

“I just wanted to apologize to Chloe for the way I have been treating her this week. I understand she had no idea what happened on Saturday and it is okay. I just wanted to invite her to dinner or lunch this weekend that is; if she will accept so that I can make everything right.” He said in a calm yet determined voice.

“What about Angeline?” I found myself asking. Everyone’s eyes turned to me and I would have shrunk back at Ash’s stern look if not for the burst of confidence I felt now. Alec’s voice faltered when he spoke the next few words; he was lying.

“Angeline has nothing to do with this. It will be just you and me, after that, I will never bother you again.” He said in a somewhat sad voice. The room fell silent again and my thoughts were jumbled up, I couldn’t think straight.

“No Chloe, you shouldn’t even be thinking about it after everything he has done to you. He played with your feelings and embarrassed you in front of the whole school. Don’t even think about it, for the sake of your dignity.” Em tried to convince me. She had a point though, after everything he put me through, he couldn’t possibly expect me to agree to this.

“Who knows, maybe he just wants to embarrass you more.” Sapph piped up for the first time. Everyone turned to look at her but her eyes were locked on to Alec and the hate I saw in them was moving.

“Go, Alec, I need to think about it first. I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.” I kept my tone empty of all emotions. I already knew the answer but I didn’t want them to know that. Alec hesitated for a while before he sighed and walked out. All five pairs of eyes met mine in a curious glance.

“Can I?” I asked my parent for the permission.

“Are you sure you’re ready for that?” mom asked me and I nodded. They turned to each other in a silent conversation before they turned to me and dad nodded.

“I’ll make dinner since it will be a long night.” Mom said as she walked towards the kitchen with dad trailing behind her as I ushered everyone to sit and relax.

Three pairs stared at me; two looked shocked while one had a sense of knowing. Em was the first one to snap out of the trance she was in but she started laughing like a maniac.

“That was one of the best stories I have ever heard. How did you come up with that one?” she asked after calming down from her laughter. I stared blankly at her before deciding to do something that was so unreal to them. I called dad and when she came I looked at him in the most serious face ever.

“They don’t believe me. Prove it to them.”

“I’m sorry Chloe but I can’t activate Dusk because you want to prove it to them, it’s too risky.” He tried to talk me out of it.

“Please dad, just for two minutes.” I pleaded. A smile crept on my face as I watched him nod. He turned to me,

“Dusk, activate search for weapon in immediate surrounding code 19511838E.” he said in a cold tone. I suddenly felt my legs stand and I knew Dusk was at work. I had to admit; knowing I could do something like this was so cool. My vision was like night glasses and I could see every metal in the house, even in upstairs.

“Search complete, there are a total of 20 knives, three guns upstairs and three in this living room. There are three armed people in this house, two men and one lady. There is one pocket knife in the blue purse and one pepper spray in the pink clutch.” My voice sounded robotic, so different and weird.

“Thank you Dusk; you may resume inactive code 1851920E.” Dad’s detached voice rang through and suddenly I could move my hands again. He silently walked out of the room. Em only stared