In a medium-sized bedroom, a young man in his twenties wrapped himself with multiple blankets, trying to tuck himself to sleep - it was 10:30 pm. He took the cover off his body and got out of bed. He walked to the window, opened it, and took a minute to appreciate the gush of air that hit his face hard, making him exhale softly. "This is one of the best feelings," He thought He leaned against the walls of the window with his palms as e poked out his head to look at the stars. "Just a wish! I wish to be free of this burden" He said in a whisper under his breath and walked to the bathroom. He took off his clothes and took a long and cold bath. He walked back to the room with a towel wrapped around his waist and water dripping from his hair. He walked to the mirror, stared at his reflection and huffed, and went back to bed. He sat at the edge of the bed, about to tuck himself in when his eyes fell on a picture - a family picture of himself, his parents, and his younger sister. He took it closer and looked at the two who had been missing for about five years now, his father and kid sister................

Chapter 1 The Family outing

It was a sunny Sunday and the family decided to go camping on the outskirts of the city.

A middle-aged woman by the name e Carina dressed in a mini yellow gown with a scarf wrapped around her neck and wearing a pair of black heels stood by the stairs, her left hand on the handle while the other firmly grabbed a travel box.

"Courtney, be fast. We're going to be late" she yelled up the stairs.

"I'm coming, mom. One moment." A child's voice responded.

Courtney raced down the stairs and met the families in the car. Omari went back to the door, inserted the key and locked the do, or and went back to the car, sat at the back with Courtney.

Omari's father, Andrew revers the car in motion and drove out of the compound at a fast speed and the kids shouted in excitement to cheer him up.

After a drive of two hours, they got to their destination and they all stepped out of the car. Rina and Mari unpacked the stuff from the trunk while Andrew and Court prepared where to set the tent.

"This should be okay, what do you think, Court?"

"Yea, dad. I love the view here" She said and looked back at her mom and brother as they approached them.

Andrew also helped in setting up the tent and in less than an hour, the tent was ready.

"This is going to be the best camping we've ever had," Mari said as he brought out a tripod and his phone.

"Let's take a family picture" He added and the others agreed.

"Sure!" Rina said

Mari set the phone on the tripod and went back to his family after setting a timer to capture the moment - they all smiled in the picture, not knowing it would be the last picture they would ever take together........

The next day.

Knock! Knock!! Knock!!!

The banging on the door woke Omari and he thudded on his feet as he walked to the door he opened the door, anddetheretood a familiar figure and voice that would wake him up every morning with the same routine.

"Get out of your room, sleepy head. You don't want to be late for your first interview" Rina wore a nightie, still had her sleeping mask over her messy hair as she spoke and walked away with waiting for a response.

Omari watched her as she dragged her feet down the stairs and slightly shook his head and let out a sigh, she had been like that since Andrew and Court went mission. Mari shut the door and walked further into the room when his eyes fell on the table clock beside his bed.

"Jess!" He cussed and rushed to the bathroom.

He rushed out t a few minutes later and rushed to his wardrobe, he ran his hands through it and settled for a pair of blue pants, a white shirt and a black suit to match. He raced down the stairs, to the dining room and there she was, Rina, setting the table.

"You should have some breakfast before leaving"

"I'm getting late, mom. I don't think I would be able to eat, I'll just grab something on the way"

"And get sick again? You are eating" She commanded and Mari had no choice but to do as his mom had requested.

He was served some slices of bread, fried scrambled eggs, and a cup of tea. Mari rushed his breakfast and was racing out of the dining room when his mom screamed.

"Your shoe lace!"

Mari looked downhill legs and cussed, "Shit! Not today!"

An eighteen-year-old lady fully dressed for work sat in front of a mirror as she added a lip gloss and smacked her lips. She ran her hands through her hair and snapped her fingers to a symbol of love. She grabbed an old rugged bag that sat on the edge of the mirror and gyrates in front of the mirror with it.

"Perfect! No man can resist me like this" She said in a narcissistic tone.

She retreated from the room and walked to the taxi she has order earlier before.

"To Goby Station," She said as she sat in the car and rode away.

A few moments later, the taxi pulled to a halt and the lady stepped out of the taxi - At the same time Omari alighted from the bus and they both headed for the entrance.

Mari grabbed the knob first, followed by the lady's and she glared at him.

"You should let, go," Her tiny voice said in a harsh way that contradict the calm look on her face.

"I grabbed it first so you should be the one to let go"

"Really?" She scoffed

"Let me show you how this is done............ properly" she took the last word slowly

"What do you mean by that? I got here first, you should respect yourself" Mari stood his ground and the lady slowly let go with a grin on her face.

She stood there for a few seconds as she watched Mari walk into the company, "I'll make you pay, somehow" She said and walked into the station too.

Omari walked to the receptionist, "Good morning, ma. I'm here for the interview"

"Oh! You're welcome. Please, have a seat. I'll let you know once it's time" She said in the sweetest voice Mari had ever heard

"Thank you" He mumbled as he went to seat.

He rolled his eyes as the lady from earlier walked in and turned out that she was also there for the interview. The lady sat done beside him and Mari moved few inches away.

"I'm human too, you don't need to run away from me. That's not so polite" She grinned as she spoke

"What is not polite was what you did out there"

"Oh! About that? I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted" He said in a rather deep voice, keeping his head straight but stole glaces at her through the corner of his eyes.