*CH*4*WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?*

        I walked downstairs slowly as though I was wearing heels and didn't want to trip as I went through how I could possibly track down who killed my family in my head, I thought about my friend Rachel, I'd have to leave her behind, I don't want anything to have to her too, I thought about school, about leaving, about my life, I'd leave my whole life, everything would end, no more parties, no fun and games, I had to be clear and level headed for this , but I couldn't leave my family here, if the police found them, they'd start an investigation and that'd chase the killer further away, I don't want to alert them about anything, I want to find the killer myself and when I do, I'm going to end whoever it was that did all this. I walked to the kitchen,opened the second to the last cabinet amongst the five cabinets lined up on the wall , and took out my dad's favorite bottle of wine 'château margaux' , I popped it open and toasted to no one in particular.

     "To a horrible life and a terrible new beginning"

Then I took a huge gulp from the bottle and put it down harshly on the counter in front of me, I took a good long look at it and I felt something stretch inside me, like two ends of a string of thread being pulled by two forces and just like that....it snapped.....I snapped and I viciously threw the bottle of wine to the wall,then I walked over to the gas and put it on, no fire, just gas , spreading all over the house ,slowly, then I took a lighter and put it in my pocket , I pulled out two bottles of cognac and walked upstairs to my room, I started there, I popped open the bottle and I poured it all over Idris  and the rest of my room ,as I walked out I poured it on the floor til I reached Taiwo and Kehinde, I poured it all over them too and as I walked downstairs ,I poured it on my mother, until it finished and then ,I threw the bottle against a wall, and then came my father, I stood towering over him.

       'I saved this one for you dad, I love you'

I opened the second bottle of cognac in my hand and I poured it all over my father until it finished then I flung the bottle away, I pulled out the lighter from my pocket and set fire to my father ,then I stood.....watching ,aware that the gas was filling up the house as the flames spread like wild fire.

      'Goodbye father, mother, Taiwo, Kehinde and Idris. I pray that once I find your killer and kill them, I'll die too ,so that I can meet you all, in the afterlife, if there is such a thing.'

Then I turned my back once again and I walked out of the house as the flames burned higher behind me ,the minute my foot left the threshold of the house , I could ,hear,smell and feel the explosion more than I could see it, the gas and alcohol had served it's purpose. 

     I didn't want to turn to look at the house burning because I knew I wouldn't shed a tear, so why bother.

      'Bother, because it's the right thing to do' My subconscious had spoken and she was right.

I turned to face the house , the burning house......my burning house, and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the flames were, they circled each other as though they were dancing, the colours blue ,red and orange ,illuminating the night sky.

          'The night sky? Who would've thought, I guess I spent more time in there than I realized.'

As I admired the flames against the sky, I saw , although briefly, what looked like a shadow watching me.

        'My family's killer?'

I started running after whoever it was, as fast as my legs would take me, and shadow ran from me as well, it stopped at the fence of the compound.

       'Ah hah, no where to go now'

Boy, was I wrong, the shadow jumped over the fence and then stood at the other side, looking at me,  watching, waiting?

       'Perhaps it thought that I was going to give up, well I was going to show that shadow a piece of my mind'

I sucked in a large breath, ran faster and made a clean somersault over the fence.

         'Oh my goodness, now I understand the use of those gymnastics class that my mum makes me take and for the first time , I want to thank her with all my heart, too bad she's dead.'

I smile to myself over the clean landing and I lock eyes with.....nothing?

         'Where is the damned shadow?'

I look around but I don't see a single thing.

         "You must have many questions."

I look around again. The feminine voice sounded so calm yet strong and it had a magnetic pull about it, it washed over me like a blanket but I wouldn't give in.

          "Who's there, show yourself, I know it was you who killed my parents."

           "It wasn't me who killed your parents , sadly I don't know who did but I want to help you find answers to your questions."

            "What makes you think that I'd trust a word you...you who just happened to be standing behind the house when I came out of it, say?"

            "I don't expect you to believe me but your belief over me and wanting to know who killed your parents, which desire is stronger?"

Total silence, I gave no answer to her question, for her to ask me that ,she knew the answer already.

           "I know a place where you can recuperate and also find answers, I can take you there ,if you choose to come with me."

            "But I can't even see you."

            "You don't need to for now , you will see me when the time is right"

             "I still don't trust you."

             "I know you don't, you don't have to, I understand your reasons."

             "If you try, anything, anything at all, I swear that I will kill you, even if I can't see you, I'll find a way to end you"

              "Shall we?"

I turned to look at my house one last time before it's burnt to ashes, I took a deep breath and turned back.

              "Where do we go from here?"