Episode 2

TRACY

“We haven't spoken in six months,” Justin said. “And I don't think that's alright at all.”

I cleared my throat before speaking. “Good thing we are speaking now.”

Man, I didn't know what to say. Over the years, my relationship with my brother worsened. I had only one issue with him: he was an unserious person. I guess he fitted the picture of a billionaire’s kid more than I ever would. He was living off Dad's money and living his life as though it was one big party. That was pretty much all it was though.

He was young so I didn't blame him for relying on Dad. That wasn't the issue— it wouldn't even be an issue to me if he was a grown man. The issue was that he was spoilt and having so much money and with no supervision whatsoever— let's just say it made a huge mess out of him.

“How are you doing?” He asked.

“I’m fine. What about you?”

He replied immediately though his voice was unclear. “I’m good too.”

We managed to speak on the phone for three minutes before I hung up. Those minutes felt like three days because we had very little to say. All he managed to get across was that he going to come and see me, so I should text him the address of my home. I guess he really wanted to see me. Couldn't understand why.

Justin should still be in school but he dropped out some years ago. Yeah, Dad found out a few months after he quit school, but well, Justin still didn't go back so you can guess how much Dad did to get him back to school.

Justin was fifteen while I was twenty-three. I remember very well how I used to brag to my classmates that I had the most adorable brother. He was a toddler then, and sadly, that was pretty much when he stopped being adorable. He grew to be everything that he shouldn't be. He was lazy, disrespectful, stubborn and annoying. He was also a heroin addict and had been in and out of several rehabilitation centres. Yes, he was fifteen.

We used to hear more from each other but he continued to draw away from me because he didn't want anyone telling him that his whole life was an ugly mess. I guess he was a changed person now. To some extent, I think.

I took Justin off my mind and concentrated on that farm where a cave had allegedly appeared. I took all my work stuff and put them in the trunk of my SUV and then relaxed in the back seat as my driver drove me to the farm. My driver was also my bodyguard and seemed fine to do both works. He was paid reasonably for doing both jobs anyways.

The farm was barely a fifteen minutes drive. In fact, I knew the farm though I had never been to it.

A tall woman spoke to me at the entrance of the farm. “Ma’am, we can't allow you into this farm, it's now government property.”

“I’m only here to inspect and take some photos. I can't cause any issues, can I?”

“I don't know how to answer you, Ma'am, but I would suggest you move so we won't have to move you.”

“Super nice," I shot at her, hissed and got back into my car.

She must be fun at parties! She didn't even give me a chance to fake friendliness with her so I can get in.

“Where to, Tracy?” My driver asked.

“Home,” I replied.

That woman was very impolite, I pondered. She kept calling me “Ma'am". Her mother was a fucking “Ma'am", not me. She didn't even consider hearing me out. I knew she was following orders, but that wasn't any of my business. Also, why did the government quickly take over the property and chase the farm owners out? Fishy, but I guess we will never know.

I phoned my agent and told him to offer money to the farm owners and see whether they can get us in. Even if it was for two minutes— that's time enough to take loads of pictures. Aidan, my agent, said he would do his best and get back to me later.

As I got home, I realized that I had nothing to do today. That wasn't a problem, was it? I brought a book that had been on my T-B-R list for weeks and found that I didn't enjoy the book. Since it was a very dull day, I also saw a horror movie for a good five minutes before turning it off and putting on a romantic movie I had seen five times before.

After seeing the movie, I saw that I had hours before evening would come. It took me two minutes of watching a popular comedian online making “jokes” to fall fast asleep. I woke three hours later and decided to take myself on a treat at a fancy foreign restaurant, not far away from my home. I was bored and that would liven up my day. Besides, it was five in the evening and the sky was beautiful— why shouldn't I get into a beautiful dress?

It took me less than five minutes to get into my green velvet dress that was strapped halfway with a black leather belt. And it took me two hours to get my make-up done.

I can't recall how many times I have been to this restaurant though I couldn't pronounce the name properly. It was a foreign name and I couldn't tell what language it was. The restaurant itself was run very well and the attendants were very nice and hospitable.

Tina, one of the waiters ushered me to a table. “Didn't expect you to be here today, what a pleasant surprise.”

“You say this every other day, you know?”

She laughed, almost embarrassed. “It is always good to see you, Miss Clarke.”

Stella, my closest friend, rang me up.

“Wanna come over? Or should I?” Stella asked.

Stella was a single mother who worked five days a week and barely had anytime for herself— especially since, Devin, her little son was still very young.

“I'm not at home at the moment,” I said to her and then told her where I was.

“I will be there in five minutes,” she said.

Guess what? She was there in five minutes. Yeah, the woman was bored.

“See who's all dressed all?“ She joked as she sat across the table. “It's unlike you to stay alone at a table.”

“I’m just a little tired,” I said, my glass of martini almost glued to my lips.

“Well, it doesn't show at all— you look breathtaking, as usual.”

I crossed my legs and dramatically rolled my eyes at her. “You know I can't help myself.”

We laughed at that.

Stella was one of those people who had a great life but wasn't aware of it. I know being a single parent was demanding, but she seemed to pull it quite well. I understand that it was normal for us humans to complain about things, even ridiculous ones, but it was different in Stella's case. She never ran out of ideas to share why everything in her life was going down the drain. Meanwhile, millions will die to live the life of health and exquisite luxury she had.

Sadly, as her friend, I was obligated to listen to her banters. This wasn't what I signed for when we became friends.

“Don’t worry, the new designer will find a way to fix a chandelier in your kitchen,” I tried to comfort her. “Perhaps, Deborah can help you find one.”

“Deborah is too busy locking down the deal to get that beauty. The car will change her entire life.”

Uh …how? Never mind. I was beginning to question the kind of friends I kept.

Stella left a while later and I was alone again. Thankfully.

Aidan called and had some good news for me. Real good news! Somehow, he had gotten into touch with the owners of the farm and had learnt a few things— after greasing their palms, of course.

Aidan told me that the farm was owned by a large family of people of colour. They told him that they had been sleeping one night when a cave appeared in the middle of their farm. They were so scared and confused that they had called the authorities immediately. When the police got to the farm, they were just as confused because the cave looked so awkward …and it vibrated. And of course, it was strange because it wasn't there before.

“This is mind-blowing, or should I say a groundbreaking moment for people interested in poorly constructed fictitious stories,” I interjected, feigning seriousness.

“I haven't gotten to the part that's literally mind-blowing,” Aidan said.

Aidan told me that the farm owners were informed a few hours ago that the cave had disappeared. Yes, it disappeared! No one can understand why that happened. The family had gone back to the farm to get some of their things and they saw for themselves that the cave was no longer there. There was no explanation. Just like it came, it left.

I exhaled noisily. “I don't know what to make of this, it seems unbelievable. Even more now than before.”

“Why do you say so?”

“Well, for one the story screams stupid. And now, it has disappeared. Convenient …won't you say?”

“I spoke with the owners of the farm and they didn't …I don't think they are lying.”

“Aidan, so you're telling me you believe that a cave appeared out of nowhere and now it's gone?”

“I honestly don't know what to believe, Tracy.” He continued, “But even the kids who lived in the farmhouse said the same thing.”

“Did they take pictures?”

“Uh …pardon me, you said?”

“Did they any picture at all?” I asked.

“I asked the same question and they claimed they were too scared. The mother said it was like taking a picture of a shark that almost killed you.”

“That is not remotely the same, the cave allegedly vibrated, but didn't move, did it?”

This story was as fake as the “feelings” my first boyfriend had for me. A total waste of my time.

“One thing though … how could I forget? They told me that in front of the cave was a little wooden chest.”

According to Aidan, the chest was incredibly heavy though is only a few inches long and barely high.

“Why didn't they hand over the chest to the police?“I wondered aloud.

“They thought there were some treasures in it and that they could make a fortune off it.”

“So they couldn't find time to take a bloody picture, but they could hide a chest from the police?”

“Tracy, don't act like you don't how much people love money.”

This was true. Humans will do anything for money.

“What did they find in the chest?”

“They had been under constant questioning from the police so they couldn't get to the chest which they had hidden at a neighbour's home. Now that they're free, they are scared to even touch the chest because they have heard about the disappearance of the cave. They think it's cursed and won't touch it.”

What was this all about? I still wasn't buying any of this, but if there was a chest, I want to have it.

“Tell them that you want the chest and bring it to me.”

Aidan kept mute for a while before speaking. “What if it's cursed?”

“Aidan, are you for real? What are you, a child?”

“Of course, I'm not scared or anything. I will drop the box at your home tomorrow.”