BEYOND THE MASK
(Life of a fresher)
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My heart accelerated out a rapid rhythm. I stood in front of the bright red door to miss Tonia's apartment as i fiddled with the white envelope in my hands. Two knocks later, i was inside the colorful room which was filled with rays of sunshine streaming in from the open windows. Her design scheme perfectly matched her personality. "You really should keep your curtains closed." I winced as the sunrays assaulted my eyes. "And you really need to get a bit of sunshine in your life ". She tossed a playful look at me over her shoulder. "Yeah well, this is enough to last me a life time. " Have a seat ". I grabbed one of the soft throw pillows as i did so and settled unto the sofa for our session. Very soon they would be over and deep down i wasn't sure i was ready for them to come to an end even though Tonia said I didn't need them any longer. She had been my therapist for a year now we tolerate each other better. I daresay we've become sort of friends "is that it"? She tilted her head towards the envelope in my hands. "Yeah it is ".I nodded slowly and handed it over to her. "Congratulations, "she smiled. This is good news. "I guess so. I shrugged "Come on, Monica. Gaining admission into the higher institution is what every teenager at your age wants to accomplish at this stage of life. Don't waste this opportunity, be grateful ".I am, I sighed "I just don't know if I'm ready yet. " "You can't hold on to the past forever, you need to move on. You've waited for a long time to pull yourself back together. You're a smart, young and beautiful girl who deserves a chance to live the life you've always dreamed of. This is just the first step, so don't be scared.
"I already told my parents I've accepted the offer. They're happy. But you're not ?
I was silent for a few moments as i pondered this. "I'll learn to be. " That's good. Remember, if you need anything just call. "I will ".
For a few seconds, she stared at me with a slight smile. "What? I asked. "Nothing, it's just that you've changed alot in the past year. You still don't talk much but you've grown more confident in yourself. Don't let anything change that, okay? I knew I couldn't promise anything, not right then, so all i did was smile.
The Story has just began...

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A Month later, i was prepared to undergo the journey to the university of London to study physiotherapy. The journey from Los Angelos to London was a smooth-rough one but we finally arrived just as the sun was setting up. There was no way I could begin the registration process by that time of the day so, we decided to stay in a hotel for the night, me, dad, and mom. ''Can we get an en suite?'' Dad said to the receptionist. She smacked her bubble gum loudly and lazily blinked her mascaraed eyes at us, looking clueless. ''Have you got any room at all?'' My mom asked. Her eyes drifted over to my room before she turned to face my dad as if mom hadn't spoken at all. ''Yes, we have a very delightful room for all. I rolled my eyes and looked around. What we were expected from a hotel that looks breathtaking, the air smelt heavily of rose-scented air freshener. Just then, the door opened and a heavily built man walked in with two girls, one on each arm. I blinked twice in surprise; the girls didn't look much older than i. The receptionist's face brightened significantly as she ignored us to greet the man who i guessed was a regular customer. ''Good day sir! Welcome, your room is ready just as you wanted it.'' ''I know you won't disappoint me.'' the man said, taking the keys from her. ''See me later''. He whispered as he walked away with his companions. He didn't spare a glance.
My Mother ha a pinched look on her face as she turned to face the lady. ''Can you attend to us now, or are we not considered customers too?'' I spoke the words however, before my mom did. The Lady threw me a look but attended to us. ''There's only one room. It's $500 per night''.
''We'll take it''. Dad said. He counted a few notes out of his wallet and quickly set them down on the counter. The Lady recounted them before calling an at attendant t show us to our room. He was a young, lanky guy whose face was a map of zits and the lower region of his face boasted a very struggling beard. He wore sagging jeans and the official shirt hung on his bony frame. He inserted the keys into the door and held it open for us to go in.
When i passed him, I’m pretty sure my eyes weren't deceiving me when he winked at me. I nearly gagged.
''Enjoy your stay '' he said, leaving the key with my dad. When he was gone, my dad turned to us and sighed. ''It's just one night, first thing tomorrow morning we're heading to your campus and after that,'' He put his arm around mom. ''Darling, we're out of here''.
I shook my head and walked away from them. Sure, leave me in the strange land why don't you? We sorted out the sleeping arrangements first before taking turns to freshen up in the bathroom.
I lay awake long after my parents had slept and stared at nothing in particular, it wasn't long before i drifted off too, and the last thing that flashed my mind was the memory of a dark, hooked figure limping away in the forest.
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I woke up to the sound of dance-hall music, a result of party goers nearby. I glanced at my parents to find them unaffected by the noise. Groaning in annoyance, i checked the time and saw that it was just a little after dawn. I knew sleep was out of the question, so i silently and the only sound was that of my footsteps, until quite laughter broke the silence. ''I really have to go now''. A girl's voice was followed by a rustling sound. I froze in my steps and took off my slippers to avoid attention. I just hoped that i wouldn't step in anything disgusting. As i approached a corner, something soft squished under my foot and i shut my eyes tightly, trying to hold in my disgust. It was impossible to hold unto it when i beheld the sight that lay round the corner.
The very familiar shirt of the receptionist lay discarded on the ground and strange sounds came from behind her desk. A startled gasp escaped my throat before i could anything about it.
''What was that ?'' I darted back behind the wall. Oh dear Lord, don't let them find me and i won't creep about in a strange hotel hallways at dawn anymore.
''Clear this stuff away quickly''. The male voice sounded desperate. Something clattered to the ground as they scrambled away and it wasn't until long after they were gone that i ventured out of my hiding place. I had an internal debate as to whether or not i should just disappear back into the room or investigate.
my curiosity won me over. I walked over to the abandoned desk and looked around.
Papers and pens were scattered across the desk but something glinted on the floor and i bent to check it out. It was a used jack knife and even worse, it was stained with blood. I didn't need anyone to tell me something twisted was going on and i just wanted to be out of there.
immediately, I high-tailed it back to the room and remained there till it was time to leave.
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It was a great relief that we have checked out of the hotel by morning.
The receptionist bid us farewell with a smile while you didn't need a soothsayer to tell you it was fake. I noticed her eyes seemed dull and there was a hint of a bruise beneath the sleeves of her shirt which she kept tugging down.
''Glad to be rid of that place''. Mom scoffed as we got into the car.
''It certainly isn't going on any five-star lists anytime soon.'' Dad commented as he drove off.
Less than an hour later, we arrived at a huge iron gate to University of London where my parents ensured they saw me to the administrative building to begin the registration process. I felt awkward, thinking i wasn't quite ready for this. I'd been home-schooled for two years of secondary school due to the incident I'd tried hard to get out of my mind. It had haunted me ever since.
''Darling, are you okay?'' Mom asked, watching me carefully. ''I'm...fine''.
Dad grasped my hand tightly in silent support while we waited. I was directed to a waiting room where i was to submit all relevant documents for them to be assessed. I fought hard not to hyperventilate as thought of life away from the comfort of home and free from any form of danger took over. What if such an incident repeated itself? What if i was powerless to stop it again? What if...? ''Miss Monica Alex ?'' I looked up, started pulling myself together, i got up and smoothed down my skirt. I took in a deep breath and followed the lady into her office.
Few minutes later, we were through but i was asked to return to her office the following day to complete my clearance.
''Your Mom and I are heading back home, take care of yourself and if there's anything, just call''. Dad said as he tipped my chin up so he could look at me in the eye. Mom smiled and hugged me tightly and i returned the gesture, trying hard to hide the fact that i was crumbling inside.
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