"Let her go or I'll shoot!" Hakim yelled.
"She's killing Grace shoot her!" Joana yelled.
"Stop it Uncle Kim," Cassandra said with her hand still pressing down Grace's neck. "We both know you won't shoot."
"Please, I don't want to hurt you." Hakim said in tears. "Veronica, please."
Suddenly, it seemed like Cassandra's mood changed, but Veronica was now awake.
"Kill me, please, I'm begging you."
"You heard her, shoot."
"No, d-don't." Grace said even as she choked. "We can help her... Put the gun down."
Hakim slowly lowered his arm as he with Margret and Joana watched in anticipation of what Grace meant.
"V-Veron-ica... li-sten to me..." Grace said. "She's got nothing on you, it's your b-body... You can take back control."
"I-I can't." Veronica replied in tears. Her hands were still strangling Grace, she couldn't stop herself. "She's stronger than me."
"That's a lie and you know it... You're one of the stronge
The atmosphere outside was gloomy in the aftermath of Hakim's death despite the huge relief everyone had that the girls were still alive. Two ambulances had arrived minutes later in addition to the five police cars already on the scene. They all went to work immediately, gathering pieces of evidence and tying up loose ends as Hakim's body was taken out on a stretcher. Joana and Margret were by the other ambulance, receiving medical treatment. Grace and Veronica sat by the stairs leading to the front door of the house as Officer James interrogated them."So let me this straight," He said. "Hakim was behind all of this? He was the killer?""Yes." Grace answered as she and Veronica stared at each other. Veronica tried nibbling at her fingers to keep her composure but it wasn't working, her knees were shaking badly and Grace could feel it."Is that true, Veronica?" James asked.Grace's eyes were sharply fixed on hers without blinking, warning and pleadi
A week has passed since Hakim's and the day every senior student at Ketu High finally came. Graduation. The four girls stayed in June's house that morning to do each other make-up and hair to look absolutely stunning for the event. Grace stared deeply at the small dressing mirror she sat in front of while June brushed her hair.Everything wasn't quite back to normal yet. They were still the talk of everyone in the town as well as in their school but they were not going to let it bring them down as they looked to put the event behind them and make the most out of the day."How is it?" June asked, admiring her masterpiece."I look like Barbie princess," Grace replied with a little sarcasm in her tone."You look beautiful, you mean." Joana said as she gazed at Grace, monetarily taking her eyes from Margret who she was helping with her make-up."Let me say what I want to say," She retorted then took a moment to look at herself again. Every other