Chapter 3

"May I ask now?" I asked them.

"What you want to know?" asked Dad.

"What did you argue with Mr. Alfonso?" I repeated the same question.

"There is nothing," he answers.

"But Father, I have answered all your questions. Why don't you answer my question?" I protested. I am no longer a child that can be lied to by them just like that. I'm nearly sixteen years old. I'm not a kid anymore.

I saw my father sigh slowly. It is a sign that he is holding back his emotions. I don't even mean it. Why does he have to be emotional at a time like this?

“Father only discussed work with him. No more!" he replied.

"If it's only a matter of work. Why are you so emotional?" I asked. I tried to get an honest answer from them.

My mother walked closer to me. Suddenly he hugged me tightly. I became increasingly suspicious of their attitude. What the hell is going on?

"What's wrong mom?" I asked her.

She wiped her tears that suddenly dripped just like that.

I'm getting confused by the situation

"Not now!" said Father to Mother. I looked questioningly at him.

“Meghan, hurry, and sleep. Lock your windows and doors tightly! ” said Father. If he has given orders, I can only obey him. Although, I'm really curious about what's going on with them.

***

I went upstairs. The place where my room is. I immediately went into the room. Close the windows and lock the door according to the father's orders. Then I lay my body on the bed.

Slowly I heard them speak. I gasped when I realized that my hearing was too sharp. How can I hear their words from the second floor? This is so absurd.

I looked out the window. The wind was blowing very hard. Along with my father and mother debate. The tree branches near my room rubbed against the shutters. I'm scared. It's like scenes in horror movies that I usually watch.

"We have to tell her now!" I know this is Mother's voice.

“No, not now. We have to prepare a way out first,” said Father. I know very well his raised tone. If he disagrees with a suggestion.

“But, Meghan will be in danger! Accountants don't want anything bad to happen to her,” said Mother. I'm getting scared. What bad thing did you mean?

"No, there is still me. She will be safe! " argued Father.

"How? In what ways can we protect her? We are only human,” said Mother. Wait a minute, ordinary people? Is there anything unusual about humans?

“Don't think too badly. We still have an uncle, Hary. We can ask him for help to look after Meghan for a while.” Answer Father.

"Until when?"

"Until everything returns to normal. Until they leave and give up on Meghan!" replied Father.

I heard he was very sure of what he said. His tone of voice can always make other people obey his words. I salute him. But, I'm still curious. What happened exactly. Why do they debate? Why do they want to protect me? Protect me from what?

"Argh," I shouted. I squeeze my hair and groom myself. Why am I always considered a child by them? Why don't they ask me to discuss this? If this has anything to do with me. 

***

I tried to close my eyes, but I couldn't. I still keep hearing them argue. The movement of the branches on the window made me curious. I got out of my bed. I walked over to the window. I wanna see how bad the weather is out there. I walked slowly, the closer I got to the window. The louder the movement of the branch got. Fear got over me. I stopped my steps. Sighed, and started to come closer again. As I got closer, the movement disappeared. I'm getting more and more curious. I peeked outside. There's nothing out there. However, when I turned around. Suddenly there was a very loud crash. Something hit my window.

"Meghan!" I heard my father screaming. Then stabbed with the sound of footsteps outside my room. Father and Mother entered my room without knocking on the door first. Their faces looked very worried. Father immediately pulled me away from the window. She closed the curtain roughly.

"What are you doing Meghan?" dad asked me.

I was scared to hear his tone. He sounded really angry. I looked at Mother, she nodded her head. It was as if she said, 'just say it'.

"I heard a voice outside, I saw it from the window. But, there's nothing out there. When I turned around, then the voice was heard, "I said. I explained everything to Dad.

"You didn't open the window, did you?" asked Dad.

"Not." I shook my head. After he heard my answer, his face turned calm. I see, he feels relieved. Apparently, my decision not to open the window was correct.

Meghan, don't ever go out of the house. Don't open the door for anyone. And also Don't open the window! " said Father.

"Why Dad?"

"Just go with everything. Dad doesn't want anything to happen to you. Do you understand?" said Father. He said it with great emphasis.

"But Dad, I still have to go to school," I argued to him. How could I not go to school? I've moved houses many times, even schools. I'm sick of having to change places of residence again.

“You don't need to come to school anymore. For now, just stay home. Do you understand?" said Father. He holds my shoulders. Look into my eyes with the hope that I will obey his words. I can only nod my head. Even though I really wanted to oppose it. But, I don't want to see you angry. Even though I still don't understand. Why are Mom and Dad doing all this? What is their real purpose? The sound of objects hitting the window was heard again. I immediately hugged Mother. Father's face was restless again.

“Don't mess with me. I'm not afraid, I have everything you don't. You are not allowed in! " he shouted at something outside the window. I don't know who.