Chapter 6 A Failed Hook Up

• Anita
• The news anchor’s voice still echoed in my head long after I’d switched off the television. The gruesome details of Mr. Phillip's death had been playing on repeat, the images of his lifeless body burned into my memory. A shiver ran down my spine. How could someone do such a thing?
• The creak of the front door broke my train of thought. Anna walked in, her steps light as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She had a small smirk on her face.
• "Good afternoon," she said, barely glancing at me before heading toward her room.
• I straightened up on the couch, my heart pounding. "I just finished watching the news," I said pointedly.
• She stopped abruptly and turned to face me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay. That’s cool, but what does that have to do with me?" she asked with a shrug, her voice dripping with nonchalance.
• I studied her, the tension thickening in the room. "I know you did it," I said finally, my voice firm, my eyes locking onto hers.
• Anna blinked. "Did what?" she asked, her tone light, almost playful.
• I didn’t flinch. "I know you’re the one behind Mr. Phillip’s death."
• Her mouth opened slightly, then closed. She let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand over her chest. "Oh my! What are you saying? I am innocent!" she exclaimed, her voice adopting a childlike quality as she pouted.
• "Cut the drama," I snapped. "You know you can’t fool me, Anna."
• Her smirk faltered for a moment. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she let out a sigh. Her posture relaxed, and she crossed her arms over her chest.
• "Okay, Mrs. Investigator," she sneered . "You’re right. I killed him."
• I felt my stomach churn. I’d been so sure, but hearing her admit it still sent a wave of nausea through me. My voice was barely above a whisper when I asked, "Why, Anna? And as if killing him wasn’t enough, you… you even removed his eyes. Isn’t that too harsh?"
• Her face darkened, her expression hardening like stone. "Harsh?" she repeated, her voice colder now. "No, it’s not. Those people made me cry rivers. It’s only fair I make them cry blood."
• There wasn’t a shred of remorse in her voice. My heart ached as I looked at the young innocent girl I’d once known.
• "Anna," I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady. "What are you turning into? You’ve succeeded in making that innocent woman a widow."
• She rolled her eyes, an exasperated laugh escaping her lips. "Oh, come on, Anita. Don’t waste your pity on people like that." She leaned in closer, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You know what? I’m just coming from their house.".
• "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice shaking.
• "I went to send my condolences," she said simply, as if discussing a mundane errand.
• I stared at her, horrified. "And that makes you happy?"
• Her grin widened. "Of course it does! So please, don’t ruin my mood with your lectures, okay?" Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked briskly to her room, upstairs.
• I sat there, frozen, the silence deafening after the sound of her door slamming shut. My thoughts raced, a whirlwind of fear, anger, and heartbreak.
• "Jeez," I whispered to myself, burying my face in my hands. "Why can’t she understand? She’s turning into a monster, all in the name of revenge."
• I was the one that introduced her into the world of assassin and I'll do anything in my power to stop her from losing her true self.
• "Have you ever thought of making new friends?. I told Mr Simeon about you" I called out, hoping my voice would reach her. "He's very interested in becoming friends with you"
• But there was no reply. I'm sure she heard me.
• “He’ll be here any moment,” I added, louder this time. “I invited him over for dinner.”
• The sound of her door opening was swift. She appeared at the top of the stairs, casually dressed in a black bum short and a brown hoodie.
• “What? I never said I needed friends,” she whined.
• “Everyone needs friends, honey,” I said, forcing a lightness into my voice. “Try to be nice to him. Who knows? You two might even hit it off.”
• She frowned deeply, clearly unimpressed. “Are you trying to get rid of me? Marrying me off, maybe? We aren’t in the sixties anymore, Anita.”
• I chuckled nervously, but her sharp glare silenced me. She crossed her arms. “Does this Mr. Simeon know who he’s trying to be friends with? Poor boy. I might end up digging out his bulging eyes and feeding them to the birds.”
• “Anna!” I snapped. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you talking like this?”
• She smiled, a slow, unnerving smile that chilled me to the bone. “Relax, Anita. I’m joking. Or… am I?” Her eyes glinted with mischief.
• I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “You’re not funny, Anna. And this isn’t a game. Mr. Simeon is a good person, and he deserves a chance.”
• She tilted her head. “Why are you so desperate for me to meet him? What’s your angle?”
• “No angle,” I said quickly. “I just… I want to help you. You’re spiraling, Anna, and you need someone who can pull you out of this darkness.”
• She lets out a brief laugh. “Darkness? Oh, sweet sister, I’m not in darkness. I am the darkness. And no amount of friendship or pep talks is going to change that.”
• Before I could respond, the doorbell rang, the sound cutting through the tension like a knife. Anna’s eyes flicked toward the door, her lips curling into a smirk. “Well, well. Speak of the devil.”
• I hesitated, glancing between her and the door. “Promise me you’ll behave,” I said softly, pleadingly.
• She shrugged. “No promises, but I’ll try not to scare him off. Too soon, anyway.”
• My heart sank, but I didn’t have time to argue. I hurried to the door, my palms sweaty as I reached for the handle. Mr. Simeon stood on the porch, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a warm smile on his face.
• “Good evening, Anita,” he said, his voice gentle. “I hope I’m not too early.”
• “Not at all,” I said, forcing a smile. “Come in.”
• As he stepped inside, Anna appeared at the top of the stairs. Her gaze locked onto him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, the room was silent.
• Mr. Simeon turned to her, his smile unwavering. “You must be Anna. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
• She descended the stairs slowly, her movements deliberate, almost predatory. When she reached him, she extended a hand, her grip firm and unyielding. “Pleasure’s all mine,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
• I watched nervously as the two of them stared at each other up. I hope Simeon doesn't get intimidated by her icey demeanor. Anna needs someone that can tame her.
• “Anita’s told me a lot about you,” Simeon finally broke the silence. “I was hoping we could get to know each other better.”
• Anna’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing. Instead, she turned to me, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “This should be fun,” she said softly, her tone laced with an edge that sent a shiver down my spine.
• That moment, I suddenly had a sinking feeling that inviting Mr. Simeon over might have been a terrible mistake.
• Anna’s smirk widened, a glint of mischief sparking in her eyes as she turned back to Mr. Simeon. "So, Mr. Simeon," she began, her voice light and airy but with an unmistakable undertone of menace. "What exactly did Anita tell you about me?"
• "Oh, just that you’re intelligent, strong-willed, and… unique."
• "Unique, huh?" Anna tilted her head, her gaze sharp. "That’s an interesting way of putting it. Did she also tell you that I have a bit of a… dark side?"
• "Dark side?" Simeon chuckled nervously, his fingers twitching slightly around the bouquet. "I think everyone has a bit of that in them."
• Anna leaned in closer, her expression shifting to something more sinister. "Oh, but mine is special. You see, I have a hobby. I like collecting things. Unusual things."
• Simeon’s smile faltered, but he tried to maintain his composure. "That’s… nice. What kind of things?"
• "Eyes," Anna said, her voice low and deliberate. "Human eyes, to be specific."
• The room seemed to grow colder as the words hung in the air. Simeon’s face froze, his eyes darting toward me for reassurance. I opened my mouth to speak, but Anna beat me to it.
• "Don’t worry," she continued, her tone casual. "I don’t take them from just anyone. Only people who cross me. Or bore me. Or… sometimes just because I feel like it."
• "Anna!" I interjected, my voice sharp. "Stop it. This is not funny."
• "Funny?" She turned to me, feigning innocence. "Oh, I’m just being honest, Anita. Don’t you think honesty is important in a new friendship?"
• Simeon took a small step back, his grip on the flowers tightening. "You’re… joking, right?"
• Anna’s smile turned cold. "Am I? You tell me." She stepped even closer, her eyes locking onto his. "What color are your eyes, Mr. Simeon? Blue? Hazel? They’d make a fine addition to my collection."
• "That’s enough, Anna!" I shouted, stepping between them.
• Anna shrugged, backing away with a lazy smile. "Just having a bit of fun, sis. No harm done. Right, Mr. Simeon?"
• Simeon didn’t respond. His face was pale, his jaw tight. Without a word, he turned and handed me the flowers. "I think I should be going," he muttered, his voice strained.
• "Wait," I said desperately, but he was already heading for the door. He paused briefly, looking over his shoulder. His eyes met mine, I could swore that I saw fear in them.
• "Take care, Anita," he said before stepping outside and disappearing into the night.
• The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. I turned to Anna, my fists clenched, my eyes burning with anger.
• "Why would you do that?" I demanded, my voice trembling.
• She shrugged nonchalantly. "He wasn’t my type."
• "This isn’t a joke, Anna!" I yelled. "You’re driving people away—everyone who cares about you
• !"
• Her expression hardened, her voice cold as ice. "Good. That’s exactly how I want it." With that, she turned and disappeared up the stairs.