mixster

The mystery of Rose Thorne

Act 1 - Highschool
Chapter 1

Act 2 - Six years after highschool
Chapter 1 - Peculiar Reunion

'It's good to be back,' I sarcastically said to myself as I got off the train. Here I was, still back in my home town until I could find myself another job and I've already done a lot of searching. It could be worse, after all, at least I had a place to stay.

I walked out into the carpark, the sun dazzling me for a moment. Lunchtime already, it seemed. My car stood gleaming on its lonesome in the far corner as I walked over. A commotion of some sorts was picking up on the walkways adjacent, but I couldn't see what.

My bag fell into the boot, slightly sinking into the clothes-filled suitcase. I wondered how I would ever get the crinkles out of my shirts after they had been in there for so long. A problem for another day, as I needed to get 'home' in the mean time. Six years since High School and I was back with my parents. Humiliating.

On my way out, someone ran in front of my car. I braked hard, just missing them as they sprang passed. Looking at her, she seemed awfully familiar. Hearing a gruff voice, it seemed that she had taken something from him. It clicked into place and through the window, I called to her, 'Rose?'

She turned and nodded back. Instinctively, I reached over and opened the passenger door, beckoning her in. She didn't hesitate at all, even though it seemed like she didn't recognise me. To her credit, I'm sure I looked a lot more friendly than the bear of a man chasing her.

By now he was also just short of the car. I didn't dare wait for her to even close the door before I began to accelerate out of there. She struggled with the seatbelt as the door slammed. Under her arm was a well-worn, thick black book. She was panting hard, which kind of explains why she was so willing to jump into a car rather than keep on running.

I wasn't sure if the years had been kind to her or not. She looked so similar, but grown up. It sounds funny as of course she would have grown up, but I guess I forget that time goes on. Her face, though, was different. A thin scratch ran down the side of her face, curving towards her left ear. Was it a scratch or a scar?

Her breathing became shallower and she said her thanks to me.

'Any time,' I said with a smile. Classy. What to ask her? I guess it's best to start at the end. 'Why was he chasing you?'

'Was? He still is, silly!' she said with a little chuckle. I didn't like the sound of that.

'Please tell me he isn't following us.'

'Oh, I haven't seen him, but I think it likely that he won't leave me be.' I sighed.

'Okay, so why is he chasing you?'

'This book of course,' she said while holding up the book towards me, seemingly unaware that I couldn't really read it right now, driving and all.

'What is the book about?'

'I have no idea yet.' I sighed; did she really have to still be like this? I was hoping it was something she only did due to being young and all. There was something a little cute about it though.

She continued, 'He really didn't want me to have it, so I reasoned that it would be a good idea to keep it.'

Great reasoning. Keep the book that makes burly men chase you. Onwards went her explanation, 'Of course, I wasn't sure at first, but as he didn't start calling me a thief and just threatened to kill me, it must be something he didn't want the police seeing if I were to get caught for stealing.'

I glanced across and saw her staring out of the window, a look of boredom reflected back at me. It dawned on me that I wasn't actually sure where I was going. I didn't really want to take her back to my families place, especially as I'm sure it would end up deeply embarrassing me.

'Rose,' I prompted, turning her around, 'Where did you want to go?'

'Home would be greatly appreciated,' she said. I was about to ask her where exactly home is, but she seemed to realise I didn't know where that was for her. 'The parking lot opposite our old High School will do.'

I nodded and began thinking of what to ask next. It seemed weird to be asking about all this, but then again, it was Rose. Same old, yet different.

'About the book, where did you take it from?'

'Oh, erm, an antique shop.'

'What were you doing in it?'

'Why, following the man whom chased me of course.'

I sighed, thinking this would take a while. 'Why were you following him?'

'Um, I'm not sure. My notes at home will tell me, but I think it was because of his involvement in smuggling - that sounds familiar.'

What was I getting myself into...

Rose turned around, looking at the back. I flinched remembering the state of it, with the rubbish, odd clothing and general grime. She didn't seem to mind, but you never know with her. I disliked the silence as she stared at it all and found myself unable to think of any more questions.

'Was there anything you wanted to know from me?' I suggested, hoping she would take the bait.

'Not really - I don't think you're involved with anything of interest. Unless, where are you working?'

I'm pretty sure I cringed. I don't really want to admit I'm unemployed, but I also know I can't lie to her, well, I can't make big lies.

She read me, 'Ah, never mind then. I guess I don't have any important questions then.' At least she was back to staring out the window.

'Does that mean you have some less or unimportant ones?'

'Well, I always do. I guess I could ask where you're staying? I'm confident not at your own apartment.'

Obvious enough, I guess. No job and clothing in the car suggests as much. 'At, er, a hotel.' I hope she didn't care enough to poke through it.

I glanced over and saw her eyebrows furrowed. What was she thinking? 'Well, if that's true, I must insist you stay in my other apartment - I guess it's the least I could do after you saved me a lot of running and the possible loss of the book.'

She always managed to surprise me. 'Other apartment?' I questioned - may as well get some information before I politely declined. Though, she did seem to perk up a bit with where this was heading.

'I owned three adjacent apartments, but knocked them down turning it into two apartments with shared lounge, kitchen and dining facilities. Oh and a little library of course.'

I was a little stunned by this. 'How did you manage that?'

'Oh, someone else handled it for me. I think they got some kind of permission and then hired some builders and they did it while I was in Peru.'

She could be quite dense sometimes, well maybe not dense - literal maybe? 'No, I meant how did you end up owning three adjacent apartments?'

'You know, I can't remember. I think I inherited them through wills, or maybe they were going cheap due to a gruesome murder in one of them.'

Of all the things to not know... Oh, time to politely decline. 'Anyway, as nice as it is, I'm fine in my, uh, hotel.'

I glanced across and she looked a little hurt by this. 'No, I insist! It won't be a problem at all, after all it will be like you're in a completely separate apartment and you know I'll just be off reading or tracking people down. Not to mention I doubt you would be able to live in a hotel for long unless you saved up an awful lot.'

I knew that lie wasn't going to keep me safe. 'Fine, I'll have a look and we'll see where that goes.' I wasn't sure, but I think I heard her give a little cheer. Of all the people, no one confused me more, yet made more sense.