13 September 2012
I ran in to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Sure enough there staring back at me was a girl, hardly noticeable as myself, with little droplets of blood all over her face. Then the stinging began. Sandra walked in after me with her arm around Annie's shoulder. " Does it hurt Alice?"
"Oh.....um no, no it doesn't hurt. Just a little sting. No harm." I replied with a fake smile on my face.
"Well I'll go call the police. Can you please mind Annie? Just bring her in to the sitting-room and sit her down on the sofa. Now are you sure your alright Alice?" Sandra asked worriedly.
"I'm fine don't worry."
She then ran of to call the police.
I walked Annie down the stairs and in to the siting room making sure she didn't fall. She sat down on the edge of sofa and I sat beside her.
" Who do you think threw it?" Annie asked shakily.
"Oh I, I don't know maybe a stupid boy or somebody like that. What do you think?"
"A panther!!!" Was her immediate answer.
" Sorry what?!"
"A panther. It could have escaped from the circus or the zoo and is roaming the streets in search of food. Any type of food."
"Oh Annie what put that idea in to your head!"
"There was a missing monkey in France."
"Annie 1. There are no panthers in Ireland 2. That was a monkey. In France! And 3. How could a panther throw a stone?"
"Oh maybe your right Alice. Actually it does sound a bit far fetched now that I think about it. Yes of course it sounds far fetched what was I thinking?. Now would you fancy some tea Alice?"
"Oh Annie!" I laughed " you sound so English!"
"Fine how's this; Would you like a cuppa and some potatoes? Oh did ya see the match yesterday Donegal v Mayo? Oh it was a brilliant match that was! So what do you think?"
"I think it needs a couple of tweaks here and there and your vocal cords were a bit of so I'm sorry to say it's a no from me." I answered laughing. " I'll just take some forest fruit tea if you have any."
Annie left for the kitchen and I took my chance. I took the note out of my jumper pocket and quickly flattened it out on the coffee table. I tried to read it but it didn't make sense. All the letters were scrambled they looked as if they had been flipped over like a pancake or something. That's it: flipped over!
"Alice how much sugar do you take?" Annie shouted from the kitchen.
"Three tea spoons please. I just have to go to the bathroom. Ok?"
"Oh yeh sure. First door on your left"
I got up, walked out of the sitting room and in to the hall. I opened the bathroom door and looked in. There was a mirror over the sink. Perfect. I went in and closed the door behind me. I held up the note and everything made sense. I began to read: Please, meet me at the corner of your street tonight. I have something you might need for your journey.
That's all it said. No explanation of why it was written back words or anything. I looked at myself in the mirror and decided that I would go. Well if I had nothing else to do then why not. Anyway I've got long legs I can run if I need to.
Chapter 6: The Note • Opuss № I