A LIVING NIGHTMARE

As the hall was gradually becoming empty, the Mayor made his way towards us with three authorities from the industry of magic.

When he got to us, his eyes dwelled on Luke a little longer before moving to each and every one of us.

"It is quite unfortunate Faith had to face that. But regardless, the six of you should know something since you move in groups. So, the authorities here will question all of you…. one by one," he stressed the last line.

When he stepped away, one of the authorities, who was a woman, came forward. She was very notable and stone cold.

"We'll question the boys, follow me," she instructed and they did as so without reluctance.

Now, we were left with one authority who was a young man since two authorities left with the boys.

"Frances, let's move this way," he said and I stood up and followed him after glancing at Rene.

We moved to a spot far from where Rene was so she wouldn't eavesdrop.

Well, if she had known we would be questioned, she would've brought her magic hearing enhancer.

"Where were you last night between the hours of 10:pm to 3am?"

"In my room," I responded.

"And what were you doing?"

"Sleeping." Isn't it obvious? But I refrained from including that.

"But you weren't in your room, neither were you sleeping," he said and color left my face.

"I was in my room." I insisted.

"But we caught footage of you leaving Rene's house at 12am," he said and I blinked in confusion.

I woke up in my bed so how come I was in Rene's house?

I knew I was dreaming but why was it beginning to feel like that dream happened.

As I parted my lips to speak, he dropped another question.

"What were you doing in Rene's house?"

"I don't know because I didn't go there," I truthfully said and he frowned.

"You're very bad at lying, you know that right?" He said and I frowned.

"I'm serious, I wasn't at Rene's house!" I nearly raised my voice in frustration.

How couldn't they believe me?

"Ask my mom, she'll tell you."

"We already did and she also said you were at Rene's house until past 12 in the middle of the night when you arrived home," he smartly said and I blinked in disbelief.

If that were true then I was screwed.

What exactly was going on?

Why couldn't I remember everything that happened?

Did someone mess with my brain?

Rene couldn't mess with my brain right? It would be against the law.

"Should I include Rene?"

At his question, I became hesitant but nodded anyway and he called Rene to come.

When she came over, she sat beside me.

"Rene George," the authority called her by her full name.

"Yes, sir."

"Did Frances drop by at your house between the hours of 10pm to 12am?"

"I didn't keep track of time but yes, she came over," she answered and I looked at her in horror but she refused to look at me.

"And why did she leave by 12am?"

"I'm not sure. One moment we were together and the next she was gone, like she was never there." Rene answered.

Now I was beginning to get more frustrated.

When did all that happen?

Facing me again, the authority became serious.

"Frances, if you keep lying we will have no other option but to confine you," he threatened.

"But I don't remember. I'm telling the truth."

"Alright then, as you say so. But you need to prove it."

He stretched out his right hand and in a blink of an eye, the magic ball appeared on it.

"Now place both hands on it," he instructed and I became scared as I slowly stretched forth my hands.

When I got close to touching it, I closed my eyes. And once I touched it, I tried to remain calm but couldn't.

When the silence stretched, I opened one eye just to find the authority looking at the ball in surprise.

When I looked down at it, I nearly cried in relief. It was yellow, meaning I was telling the truth.

Rene was more surprised than I was.

"Rene, place your hands on it," he instructed.

I took mine off it and watched her place both her hands on it and to our greatest surprise, it was also yellow in color, meaning we were both telling the truth.

But how?

I faced Rene and so did she.

"It seems someone must've cleared your memory of last night, Frances."