Painful Smiles

Claudia wished she hadn’t woken Clara up. Maybe the extra rest would have rested her brain into something better. It’s not like she got any information related to Michael from her.

She just kept talking about some peaceful farm and how she hated the world full of cars, tall buildings and noisy and bright helicopters. Like she had ever seen a helicopter before.

“Honey dear, you are sure the man dropped you there. He seemed really sure you were his target” Mrs. Larabee tried asking Clara but she stared blankly at her mother.

The doctor registered that she may be stressed and having some traumas but she’d be okay.

When her parents left Clara to rest, Claudia crawled back into her ward.

“It is actually scary being in a hospital right? Without your minions?” she teased her.

Clara rolled her eyes and for a second Claudia wondered if she was back to her normal self or was still stressed.

“You should leave me to sleep. I got involved on a lot of things today. My memory is bunked up” she sighed and rested her head.

Claudia stayed back in her room.

The kidnap case surely had a hole. Her kidnapper her was saved to have been with a picture of her meaning he knew who he was after. Then he suddenly dropped her off to safety?

He didn’t even ask for a ransom in the first place. But settled?

“Meaning, he wasn’t after her for a ransom but for something else. And that something else might have been settled with someone who wasn’t our parents”.

Claudia spoke out loud as those thoughts came to her. Was it the too much detective movies she was watching? Though everything thing seemed to make sense.

Clara sat up and glared at her. “I was the one kidnapped right? Why are you so bothered!” she yelled at her.

Claudia flinched. Was this her real self or stressed self again?

Their parents rushed back to the ward and looked at the girls confused. Claudia looked thrilled. Why was she shouting?

All she was having were possible ideas on the details of her kidnap. Why did she look… threatened?

“Is there any detail you aren’t telling us, Clara? Like didn’t the kidnapper say something to you while you were his hostage? You don’t expect me to believe he just released you. He didn’t even ask for a ransom mom” she turned from her parents to Clara.

Paul eyes widened, “Yeah, in movies. Kidnappers ask for a ransom or some favors. What favor did you do for him?” he added a little quirky tone.

The whole Larabee family was staring at Clara for an answer but she stayed shut.

“What if I can’t remember anything?” she muttered after seconds of silence.

“We will bring back the police when you are better, dear. Try to remember something” her father said clammy and left the room. Their mother followed and soon after Paul.

“The bottom line here is that I am safe. With no major injuries. The incidents there were traumatic. I don’t know what you gain by making me remember them over and over again?” Clara looked like she would eat her sister up as she spoke.

“You’d gain justice. Your kidnapper would be punished. That’s what you get by being open. Also I get to feed my curiosity. Traumas aren’t bad, you seem good at giving it. Why not have some for a change” Claudia smirked and walked out of her room.

Mr. Larabee had called the police immediately he left and it was just a matter of minutes before they arrived.

They have even added extra information saying that some of the soil found on Clara’s feet were linked to an abandoned wood factory where lots of murder has been done.

The murderer was never caught and said to be more than one. If Clara’s kidnapper had taken her there, it only means he had intentions of killing her. What changed his plan?

Claudia was really amused as the police tried getting information from Clara but she remained stiff.

Why in the world would she hoard information that would implicate the man who supposedly traumatized her?

Her thoughts of Michael being involved began resurfacing and she wondered if she trying to defend him.

“Clara, this isn’t about you now. Lots of people have been killed at that site. Don’t be an accomplice”.

Clara’s eyes shone when she heard Claudia calling her an accomplice. The police seemed startled too.

“Claudia, what do you mean by that!” her father thundered.

“What I mean? Did the kidnapper not talk to you. What did he say?” she looked Clara right in the eye.

“He said he wouldn’t kill me. That he only needs something. He didn’t say what. I suppose it was given to him and he released me. It had nothing to do with my family cos my family was never mentioned I no nothing else” Clara said as tears began tickling in her eyes.

Their father glared at Claudia furiously.

“How did he release you. Did you know how you got to that place?” Claudia asked again.

“Will you shut up and stop doing the police job!” Mr. Larabee slapped Claudia before he could hold himself.

The police immediately rushed him and dragged him out of the room. Coming back, he saw a smirk on Clara’s face.

“Young lady, better be the victim here or you’ll be tortured for answers. This is a murder case” he said as she sat face to face with Clara. Claudia walked our of the room and Paul followed her.

Mrs. Larabee was now clenching her fists with the level of violence going on around her.

“I really can’t remember much” she started. She further narrated how The man had rough handedly her and since she was so tired, she passed.

She felt like a helicopter had rescued her cos she remembered sounds and lights but it could be all an illusion. She said something about her being in a farm as well.

Her kidnapper seemed dangerous but solely she deduced he only wanted something not involving money and not involving her parents.

The police accepted her statement and left while she hoped they’d basically make nothing out of it.

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