Samantha really has been acting off lately since I asked that question.
The air around us filled with uneasiness as we strolled through the city.
She gave me subtle glances but never uttered a word.
"Is something wrong with my face?" I fully glanced at her and asked.
She stared back like she didn't expect me to really speak out my thoughts.
"No, why?" She acted like she had no clue.
I gave her a quizzical look. "Look Samantha…you've been acting strange since I asked you about that school incident." I let out.
She sighed, her face contorted to that of guilt. But why?
"I can't really tell you..I'm sorry." She glanced away from me. "But I promise to explain everything to you."
Explain what?
What exactly is she hiding?
Well if she thinks it's for my safety then I guess it's alright.
Besides I didn't leave my house just to be in a sour mood later.
"No problem, I trust you." I said, giving her subtle glances as we continued on our way.
She turned back at me, with a slight chuckle she lightly shoved my arm playfully as we continued.
The town had more beautiful places than I thought they'd have.
I checked the time on my phone and it wasn't quite a nice sight.
I quickly dropped it back in my purse, and listened to Samantha and her rambling.
Mum and dad won't really mind if I come back a few minutes late.
"There is this place I would like for you to see…that's if you wanna go?" She asked, waiting for my reply.
"Girl I won't be standing here if I didn't wanna come watch the town with you. Of course I would love to." I replied, already dragging her arm playfully.
"Fine, hold up." She giggled following me.
The evening weather was really chill and the sunset here was even more beautiful than ever.
At this point home wasn't even on my mind, what I wanted was just to stay out longer and enjoy the view.
As we strolled longer, the moving cars lessened and the trees began increasing in number with less people.
My heart was hammering at this point because anything can happen. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face and my palms clamping together at this point.
Samantha didn't break a sweat, she was just humming along the way.
I began slightly regretting a lot at this point.
"Samantha…where are we going?" I finally found the courage to ask.
"Don't worry we're almost there." She stepped not glancing back at me.
As we continued,we reached a spot blocked by many trees and bushes around.
There was no way around or to pass through. But Samantha had other plans as she crawled through a small pathway I hadn't noticed earlier.
"Follow me." She whispered back at me as I was still hesitant to move.
Crawling through that small pathway was not something I ever imagined to do in my adventure list.
Samantha was more enthusiastic than I was.
Finally out of that tunnel, my mouth hung open.
The sight in front of me was beautiful if not an understatement of what I was actually seeing.
I didn't even know how I ended up here on this marvelous hill.
There was a mighty waterfall at the open end, it flowed with ease and carried a comforting energy.
The sunset was directly beside it shining ever so warmly above the sky.
The little birds flying around chirping, like they were paid actors or something.
The cool breeze swept my hair in a nice flow.
As I looked below the hill I found myself on, there was a small stream connected to the river with fresh green plants and flowers.
I was beyond surprised. Everywhere had that warm orange tint from the sun that made it more magical.
I looked around for Samantha just to find her laying on the field smiling brightly.
I walked towards her direction to join her.
"This is beautiful." I whispered. She hummed in response.
"How did you even find this place? It looks so unreal." I praised more.
She let out a small contented sigh, "magic."
I subtly glanced at her and chuckled. She is hiding something for sure.
She would tell me at her own pace.
We spent some time till I finally decided it was time we started heading back.
Reluctantly we stood up, dusted ourselves and left.
"Wow, that place was really beautiful, I'm just dazzled." I continued rambling along the way back.
Samantha kept on smiling as I kept on with my rambling as we trudged back home.
I didn't even realize how late I was till I saw my mom's face at the door.
She wasn't happy.
"Good evening Mrs Drevan." Samantha greeted clearly not reading tension in the air.
"Evening dear, would you like a snack before you go back?" Mum asked not waiting for an answer, she brought some warm cookies and gave her.
Samantha thanked her on her way out and promised to call me later.
While me?
I was terrified.
The courage I had then had melted away with just a look from mom.
As she closed the door, she faced me.
"What did I tell you??" she snapped.
"Mum I forgot the time and didn't know it was already that late so –
"Save it. Just go change and have your dinner." She interrupted me and left.
Seeing this, I was more than happy because mum didn't overreact the time.
Awesome.
After having a quick shower, with my stomach stuffed.
I lay on my bed, head down, with my phone in hand, chatting with Samantha about today and how my mum didn't give me an ear full.
As I was about to sleep.
'Creak!'
That sound came from my window, I turned on my lamp but saw nothing.
A sense of dread filled me as my skin crawled with fear.
I climbed down and carefully walked to my window pane but saw nothing.
I heaved out a sigh.
It must have been the tree in our backyard.
Or my mind just playing stupid tricks.
Without having much thought about it, I collapsed back on my bed getting knocked out immediately as today had really drained me.
****