I tipped my head back and laughed. “Oof, Mother Dear. What’s gotten into you tonight?”
She clicked her tongue. “Nothing. I’m just a huge fan of my very talented baby girl.”
I grinned. “I love you, Mum.”
“I love you too,meri gudiya.”Merigudiya: my doll. Mum always called me that.
I smiled. “How’s Dad?”
“Busy watching those silly crime shows with the neighbors.” She sighed again.
I stopped in my tracks when I realized that I’d wandered off to the trailer section while chatting with her. “What is it? What’s that sigh for?” I asked.
“He misses you, your dad,” she said.
“Mum, I live five blocks away from you.”
She giggled, an action that was very unlike her. “I know, but you’re either always at work, or busy writing and sketching away on your computer. It’s been too long since we’ve had a family day.”
I released a long breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’re happy that you enjoy what you do.”
I smiled again. “This Sunday. You, me, and Dad. We’ll have an outdoor day. No work, and no writing or sketching. Just family bonding time. Sound good?”
“Yes!” she said a little too excitedly. “But dinner will be homemade. I’ll make your favorite biryani and kheer.”
My mouth watered on instant. “Me loves you. SO MUCH.”
Mum laughed. “Yes, yes. Of course you do.”
I smirked. “Alright, I gotta go. I still have a few things to check on before I head home.”
“Okay. Take care, baby. I’ll call again later.”
I chuckled. “I know you will. Bye, Mum.”
“Bye, love.”
I disconnected the call and slid my phone into my back pocket. I turned, and was about to head towards the studio when strong noises sounded from the trailer behind me. The hair on the back of my neck stood as fear gripped me immediately.
BANG!
CLACK!
THUD!
I swallowed and braved turning around, and wrapped my arms around myself when the noises grew louder. The trailer’s door was slightly ajar, and when I looked to the left – at the name plastered on one of the windows – I cursed and gritted my teeth.
Gallan Underwood
Of courseit was his trailer. It was the fanciest one among the dozen or so of them that were scattered around the open area.
“Fuck!” someone yelled from inside.
I gasped and placed a hand over my heart. I licked my dry lips and took a step forward, and then two backwards when something crashed inside the trailer. My heart and mind raced simultaneously. Scared – I was absolutelyterrifiedfor Gallan.
What if someone was attacking him?
Was he being murdered?
“Oh God,” I whispered, and then pulled my phone out of my pocket before running towards the trailer. “Don’t die, don’t die, don’t die.”
Thank the Lord I’d spoken to my mother a final time. At least now when I get shot or stabbed in the head, I could close my eyes in relief.
Until that very moment, I wasn’t aware that I was going to get brutally murdered in Gallan fucking Underwood’s posh trailer. Well, life – that bitch – had played me again, and this time, it wasmewho’d galloped straight towards my end.
Quiteliterally.
