We proceeded with caution. For spies like us, there was nothing more dangerous than people finding about our secrets. Our house was like our safe space - the only place where we could relax and not worry about being caught. Hence, somebody breaking in was a huge matter to us.
The halroom was still dark- the intruder had not bothered turning on any lights. I turned on my phone's flashlight. The place looked exactly as we had left it, and there was no sign of any unrest anywhere.
I began climbing to mom's room, Leah following me closely. We both held our breaths. Despite of no light ( I had turned the flashlight off ), we walked at a good pace without bumping into any stuff. As long term spies, we were familiar with every inch of the house.
The door was slightly creaking, and I was afraid that the intruder might get alerted- hence, I opened it lightly to give the impression of wind opening the door. There was no one in there- nor was there any hint of burglary or any such ordeal. But instead of calming us, it heightened our panic. If it was a thief or a burglar, he/ she would have headed straight for the master bedroom.
Leah checked the locker, and none of the jewellery seemed missing. This appeared to confirm our assumptions.
I headed towards my room . As soon, I stepped in- I sensed something wrong. Someone had stepped in there. The stuff was piled out on the bedsheets and the floor, just as I had left it. The cupboards too showed signs of distress but I could not remember if it had always been like this or if it had been an intruder.
" There's no sign of anyone in my room", Leah claimed, stopping midwalk at the sight of my expressions.
" I think someone was in here".
Somebody rang the doorbell below. We both straightened up. It was past midnight.
Who could it be ?
We crept downstairs, carefully because we had not turned on the lights yet. The doorbell had stopped ringing. The person had probably sensed that there was no one in the house.
When we peeped through the keyhole- we saw blurred faces of two people. They did not appear suspicious .
We opened the door . On the other side, there was a handsome boy somewhere in his late teens. With him was a girl anout my age- disheveled, eyes bloodshot and very tipsy, holding the guy's arm for support.This lady was drunk as hell.
"Hello", said the boy , trying to sound as polite as possible.
"Hello", Leah said, in a tone I did not recognise.
"We are really sorry about the window pane. Actually..."
"Wait , you broke the window ".
"Actually, my sister did ", said the guy, raising the girl's hand ," We were having her coming- of- age party next door, and she hot really drunk and...
"Oh, Im sure that it's no problem. We all do stupid things when drunk....hahaha"
Was she trying to.flirt with him ?
"It is most certainly a problem ", he said , shaking his head ," Im here to pay you for all the damages ."
"I'm sure we can postphone it to tomorrow ", I said, eyebrows raised.
That is when the guy deemed to realise the time.
" Oh my god, Im so sorry for distress you this late ", he said, expressions changing.
"It's not a problem at all", I said, looking at Leah who was positively drooling . Was this girl serious?
"But what are you going to do about the window at night?", he enquired, a little worried.
"You can stand outside the window and guard it if you want to ",I said.
" Huh ".
'" Why are you being mean ?", came Leah, voice. Turning to him, she added ," Don't worry, you can come here tomorrow and then we can take out abouts the window, or anything that you want ".
" Seems like you are not the only one with a drunk sister, right now", I muttered,to the guy.
"Sorry again ", said the guy, preparing to leave. " I promise that we will not trouble you again ".
"Don't go ", I heard, Leah's dreamy voice.
The drunk sister took that moment to puke all over the doormat. She then smiled at her accomplished feat.
"Yeah, that was my reaction too " , I said, looking at Leah, " But I'm holding it in".
I felt a sharp kick on my foot.
" Im so sorry ",the guy said, his voice getting all squeaky, " I'll replace the carpets as well".
"Don't worry this was exactly what she wanted, a souvenir of your first meeting ", I said rolling my eyes.
I could see Leah's eyes turning into hearts as she continued to gaze at him dreamily. I swear I could hear her planning to elope with him on the spot.
"Go away, before she kidnaps you", I warned the guy.
He left immediately, with his smiling sister.
"At least, no one will try to enter through the front door ", I thought, sighing.
"You can enjoy the smell of your future sister- in- law's vomit if you please. My nose has suffered enough, tonight ", I said, as Leah continued to stare outside.
I closed the door.
"I ....uh..", Leah began.
"Save it for him ", I said, exasperated.
I had seen enough for tonight. All I was now in the mood of was a comfortable union with my linen sheets and my comfy pillows.
I retreated to my bedroom, thoughts still full of Amber and the pending investigation ahead, leaving a lovey- dovey Leah still at the door with a sigh.
A shadowy figure somewhere breathed a sigh of relief at the success of their plan, and dissappeared in the dark.