Chapter 6: Scam
1791 Words
Amity picks up all the types of gummy bears in the sweet section after putting more candies after. In contrast to sweets, she also put veggie style snacks in the cart to make it look like she's not obsessed with all these toothaches.
She was planning to visit the nursery today, she received a call from nurse Eva that she'll close the clinic today for an appointment in the main hospital.
Amity passed the snack section, thinking of getting a few for home, she turned the cart and walked on the aisle while looking for her favorite snacks. Might as well grab different flavors of instant noodles, it is convenient when you're lazy to cook.
"Did you hear about the commotion the other night in the boundaries of the city?"
Amity slowed down a little after she heard the topic she's been curious about a lot. She intentionally took longer to choose what snack when the veggie sticks were right in front of her.
"Those who gate crash the boundaries and forcefully enter the Soleil?" the lady in a floral dress asked the taller lady towering over her. They look like sisters shopping for home together.
"Yeah. I just heard it from my friend, they went to a pub that night and heard the cops talking about it."
Why would city people want to come here? Amity asked in her mind as she carefully followed the flow of their conversation. She's obviously eavesdropping the whole talk.
"Don't know. But it was settled, just drunk guys having fun and they chose to enter at late night. Such a risky time." the taller lady told her sister while pushing the cart.
"Are city people really aggressive?" the girl asks innocently while holding on to the side of the cart being pushed.
"Who cares but they seem to be like that.."
The conversation ended and so was Amity's eavesdropping. She quickly grabbed her snacks and went to the line to pay for the items.
She was thinking about it the whole ride to the nursery, she couldn't just drop the topic and it's lingering in her mind. It was also stupid because if she wants to, she can visit the city but always opt not to. Penelope and Esther also didn't want to come so the idea had been pushed and buried down for years.
And what's to see in the city anyway? Tall buildings, cable cars, holograms — which is really not impossible at all.
"Miss Amity!"
The children ran towards her and hugged her legs as soon as she entered the room and steps on the soft floor covered with mats. And toys are scattered around the corner.
She greeted the children and showed them the sweets she bought for them. In an instant, they all became active and gullible about everything. Amity told them to fall in line so she can distribute the candies equally and they all did.
"Miss Ami, can you open this for me?"
Amity looks at Bryan, the little boy was having a hard time peeling off the plastic on his jelly and it might fly on the floor if he abruptly bite it.
"Sure, come here I'll open it for you."
"Ami, you're here?"
Amity gave Bryan his jelly and stood up hearing the voice and someone entered.
"Miss Mela, hi. I decided to visit even though I'm on leave. Just want to see the kids."
She greeted her co teacher. Amity filed a leave for 2 weeks when an urgent came in, she had to temporarily stop her other job and focus on helping in the clinic since there's really not much willing to learn medicine in their place. And it's not as if she wants to but she's willing enough to learn to help their public clinic to cure minors.
"Then, how's it going in the clinic? The kids were whining about you all the time, they miss you." Miss Mela said and was now sitting beside her watching the kids in their free time.
"I miss them too, but it's really not good in the clinic. The other day we just had a patient that needs thorough medical attention." she shrugged and didn't elaborate more information and divert the topic.
Somehow she forgot the city topic when she played with her students the whole day till it's time to send them home and wait for their parents to fetch them.
Amity is putting all the used toys back in the drawer and stuffed toys in the small crib meant for pillows. She receives a text from nurse Eva.
Nurse Eva:
Come to the clinic tomorrow afternoon instead of in the morning.
With a sigh of relief she replied a short yes and back to cleaning the small room. From arranging the rainbow chairs and small round tables to kids' art materials.
"Are you going home?"
Miss Mela smiled at her before waving goodbye and she left the school to catch a bus home. It's not a long day but Amity is a little tired trying to keep up with the kids' energy. She should've bought chocolates with alcohol to put some bull energy into the entire day.
She was riding the bus near the stop when Esther pops in her notification.
Esther:
Where are you?
She hasn't seen Esther since two days ago, it was Penelope who was looking after Cosmo and she mildly forgot Esther had been missing out. What is she doing anyway?
Me:
Bus. Going home. Why?
Not long after when her phone dimmed again with another text but it was from Penelope and she attached a picture of Cosmo looking innocently in the camera, she looks cute sticking her little tongue out as she blinks.
Penelope:
We're having a good time. Buy me ice cream! I'm being a good babysitter :D
She smiled a little and was planning what flavor of ice cream to buy when Esther text back again.
Esther:
Can you meet me?
She immediately replied where and the bus stop, Amity steps out and walks around the small streets to find a convenience store to buy an ice cream. She's still holding her plastic veggie snacks so it's a little hard for her to type out a reply.
Me:
Sure! Where have you been lately by the way? Haven't seen you around. Just text me where, I'll just drop something home.
Amity chose Penelope's favorite cookies and cream, she bought three regular size containers. The other two is for herself to stuff in the fridge.
She didn't take long before finally opening her gate and Cosmo welcomed her. She was licking her face and forcefully trying to get in her arms. Amity needed to put down the plastics so she could hug her fully.
"So thoughtful of you to buy three for me Ami—"
"I bought two for myself." she said, stopping Penelope's happiness and frowned. She went back kissing her pet. "Hi baby, I miss you hm!" and drops more kisses.
"Oh—you bought two cookies and cream and a mocha flavor."
Amity looks at her in confusion.
"I hate mocha." she said. "Did they get me the wrong flavor or I picked the wrong one?"
"Nah, I don't think you got it wrong. Must be replaced. You don't like mocha."
Amity sighed, even in cakes she hated mocha flavor. It makes her nauseous for some reason so she really prefers chocolate only, it's bearable for her.
"You can have the mocha."
Before she could open her mouth again, Penelope ran inside to get herself a spoon and scoop the ice cream immediately. Amity just looks at her dog funny before carrying the remaining plastic bags inside.
"Here, bring some snacks too." She placed them on the dining table while grabbing a drink.
"Vegetable snacks and instant noodles? It's like someone trying to live a healthy life but failing." Penelope scoop another spoonful of ice cream.
She rolled her eyes at her but didn't say anything. Her phone vibrated inside her pocket and read the notification from Esther.
"Pen, do you mind staying overnight? I'm gonna meet your sister,"
Penelope faced her. "Esther? Okay, I don't mind, it might be too late to walk when you come back. Will you be okay?"
Amity nodded, preparing to leave the house again. Why is she always leaving all of a sudden? "Yep. Esther might come with me. What is she up to by the way?"
"Don't know, dating someone?"
"Didn't she just dump your neighbor and now she's dating?"
Penelope shrugged, not really minding about her sister's whereabouts. Well, unless she was held by the cops and needed a guardian to get her out of jail.
"Text me if you two end up in jail."
Amity shakes her head. "See you later again baby, I promise to play with you next time."
Closing the gate, she read Esther's text and where to meet her but instead of an exact address, Esther sends her direction and a route.
Me:
This better be not a scam Esme or I'm gonna strangle you for real.
She texted back as she followed the path and turned in direction as written. It's also becoming hard since it's dark, not that it always became bright but the darkness doubled.
Amity can smell the pond not too long after walking, there were crickets and a few fireflies that helped her. She grew up in this place so it's really not a bother. Soleil still has places to explore and this small forest is one of those.
"Esme?" She calls her friend's nickname and stops near the pond to not get her shoes wet.
"Ami!"
Someone yelled from the other side of the pond and from a not very clear view, she knew the figure was her.
"Here!"
When Esther motioned her to come to the other side of the pond, she began her trip again while avoiding splashes of water when woods were falling accidentally.
"Where are you—"
"Come with me! Someone needs help!"
"A what?!"
Instead of answering, Esther draga her even more inside the forest towards the lake. They're ducking while walking to not bump their heads in low branches of trees or be hit with its big leaves.
"I happened to find them here and since you worked at the clinic, you might be the best call so I did."
"Who are you talking—"
"Them.."
Esther let go of her hand from not far, pointed to a small tent made by sticks and big leaf as roof, there were three unconscious people lying under.
"What the—Esme tell me you didn't—"
"I didn't! I just found them and they have bruises.."
- Writer
