In an urban region called Belgiumine, the sun followed its everyday cycle by once again gracing the city with its glorious light. The day was a calm and steady one, the sun had just risen up so the city wasn’t that bustling.

Hours passed and the city became very busy. Flying Motors flew over a housing scheme. The rumbling sound they gave off was enough to wake someone from their slumber.

In the bedroom of a two-storey house, a young girl was wiping out her eyes and yawing while undoing her covers. Her morning breath encompassed a fly which was passing by, it fell flat on the mattress, stunned with a mephitic aroma.

“Aww, it's morning already?” The girl got up out of bed nonchalantly without even noticing the fly which got stunned by her morning breath. She scratched her ass while making her way to the bathroom. After a while, she came out looking fresher and well-kempt. Her long tresses billowed behind her and part of it draped down over her forehead to conceal her birthmark which resembled a bad scar.

“What time is it?” She looked at the digital clock in her room; seeing that it was almost noon.

“Huh, I overslept again. I got to adjust my body to get used to the nightlife. Being a Tomb Rider is really exhausting.” Changing out of her clothes, she heard a woman’s voice coming from downstairs, it sounded like she was speaking on the phone.

“What are you talking about Jessie? You know that I don’t like watching that barbaric stuff. If you ask me, they should shut down that event altogether.” Said the mature woman through her earpiece.

The person on the other side of the phone call replied, “I’m telling you that it was epic last night, girl. You should have seen this new Tomb Rider, she was so flashy and ruthless. She also came in at first place. Can you believe it? I’m sending you a photo of her right now.” The woman’s phone beeped then a photo started appearing on her device. It depicted a figure of a young lady wearing a helmet; lasciviously riding a motorbike with her cleavage exposed and her garment all torn apart.

Eyeing over the image, the woman felt a bit jealous. “Who is she, a porn star or an exhibitionist? Why is she dressed like that? She looks like a slut to me who just desires attention.”

“Hey, Maria you shouldn’t say that about her. You weren’t at the race so you didn’t see what happened.” Protested Jessie. “This young lady was dynamite and yes most of the men were drooling over her, I admit. Even my husband was but…”

Maria interrupted Jessie’s speech. “But nothing Jessie. I don’t care how skilled this person is. These young ladies are too despicable nowadays. Always seducing men, I bet they’re even drinking more semen than they do water.”

Jessie was shocked at her best friend’s speech. “Maria! I never expected you to say such things. You really have a hate for these types of women don’t you?”

“Not all of them, I just dislike women who have no proper etiquette is all.” Answered Maria.

“And what about your stepdaughter, what is she up to these days? I heard she graduated from high school not so long ago, is she planning to go to college?”

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“Uhm, Angelina is…” Maria paused for a blink. “Ever since her father disappeared she’s been…”Maria was about to answer her friend’s question when she heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs behind her which seemed intentional. She hung up her phone call and looked at the damsel in distress.

“Angelina, you're finally up I see. I thought you were going to sleep through the entire day.”

Angelina yawns again. “Sorry about that Maria. I was busy last night.”

Maria seemed a bit upset by her step-daughter’s reply. “Angelina, how many times do I have to tell you to call me mom? When you call me Maria I feel like you don’t accept me as part of the family.” Maria took a deep breath before continuing. “Listen, your father is gone now and your little brother and I are all that we...”

“Okay, I get what you’re trying to say, just stop.” Said Angelina coldly. She didn’t want to be reminded about her father’s disappearance, especially not from the tongue of the woman who was trying to replace her biological mother. Besides, she overheard what Maria was talking about over the phone. The young woman who she had called a slut and a porn star was none other than herself, so obviously she would be upset.

Angelina walked by Maria; went into the kitchen; opened the refrigerator and took out a containment of juice. She pulled the cap and drank her fill. “Ahh, refreshing.”

“This little girl is a piece of work.” Sighed Maria, she didn’t like Angelina’s dejected attitude. She followed behind her into the living room. “A.J despite what you might think, I really do care about you and God knows that I am trying my best so that you and your little brother can live happily. But lately, you’ve been so distant that I don’t know what to think anymore. I know that you miss him, I do too. If there was a way that I could help I would but you need to face the facts. He’s gone to a place that normal citizens like us could never venture much less survive in there.”

Maria walked closer to Angelina who was leaning against the sofa and gently pushed back the clump of hair which was covering her forehead. “Please don’t distance yourself from us okay?”

Angelina stared back into Maria’s emotionally filled eyes and felt a sense of warmth which moved her internally. She lowered her head and said remorsefully. “I am sorry for worrying you and Brad. Where is he by the way? When I came in last night I heard him in his room playing videogames.”

Maria pulled back her embrace from Angelina; walked over to the coffee table where she took up a brochure and handed it to her. “He’s gone to this new summer project that they are having in Westville with his friends. I heard that it is supposed to be educational and quite fun.”

Angelina looked over the brochure and was startled by its entertaining contents. “Wow, they offer such an intricate course in Ghoul Biology. How come he didn’t tell me that he was going on a trip?”

“That’s because you’re hardly ever around.” Replied Maria disappointedly. “Where do you go these days? You’ve been spending so much time away from home and when you do come back it is mostly late at night. I hope you are not getting yourself in anything shady.”

“I’m not getting into anything shady, Maria. Trust me.” Angelina took another sip of her drink, moreover, she tried dodging further questions from Maria by rushing to the front door. “I’m heading out.”

Seeing this, Maria was a bit alarmed. “A.J where are you going now? You haven’t even eaten any breakfast yet.”

Opening the door, Angelina answered: “I’m going to visit my grandmother and don’t worry about breakfast. I’ll buy something along the way.”

“Wait, I’m coming with you. I’ve been meaning to visit your grandmother as well.” Maria already picked up the keys for her vehicle, moving towards the front door but Angelina stopped her.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll go by myself. I’ll tell her you said hello.” After that, Angelina ran outside and disappeared among the mass of people.

Maria watched her step-daughter vanish which caused her to sigh again. “I can’t figure out what’s going on in her mind.”