Today Felicia doesn't have any university lessons - it's Friday. Normally she knows what she wants to do, but today she has no idea. Maybe she should go to the shops? As boring as that sounds. All of a sudden Felicia hears knocking at her door. She goes to open the door, but then immediately frowns when she sees the person standing in front of her. Rude girl.

"Hey, your name is Felicia right?"

"Glad you've finally noticed!" Felicia snaps back.

"I'm really sorry for being rude to you, Felicia. I don't know why I was like that. Would you be able to forgive me?" Felicia stares at the girl in shock - never has anyone apologized for being rude. And there's a number of people that have been rude to Felicia throughout her life.

"Thank you for apologizing. What's your name?" Felicia questions.

"Sarah - my friends and I have no university classes today, like every Friday. And I'm guessing you don't have classes either?"

"Yes, you're correct."

"Well, we are planning on going for a hike through the gumtree forest. There is a mountain we want to head to. At this mountain you'll be able to see the view of the suburb. Do you want to come with us Felicia?"

"That sounds great - you really want me to come?"

"Of course. You deserve some kindness," Sarah says with an unreadable smile.

***

As Felicia follows behind the girls, she feels like they are up to something. None of them wants to talk to her so far, only sometimes Sarah would ask 'how are you feeling?' or 'do you need a rest?'

"Oh, look there's some old house!" Says one of Sarah's friends - sounding too eager.

"Yeah Hun - can I talk to you for a second?" Replies Sarah to her eager friend.

The two girls walk away and start to have an 'in-depth' conversation. Felicia can't make out what they are saying though.

"Hey everyone," Sarah says and ushers all of the girls to come over.

"Let's check out the old house! It looks so vintage."

"But why?" Felicia questions.

"It'll be fun. Let's have a vote. Who wants to see the house?"

Before anyone puts their hand up to vote, Felicia says, "What if we are not allowed in there? Someone could live there?"

"It'll be okay Felicia - just some fun," Sarah snaps in response.

"So, vote - who votes to go into the house?"

All the girls put their hands up, while Felicia reluctantly puts hers up.

"Right - house it is. You ok with that Felicia?"

"I guess," replies Felicia.

The girls start walking in the direction where the house is, Felicia, again follows behind them. Never has she felt fitted in and right now she is nowhere near fit for this crowd.

Once the group gets to the house, Sarah determinedly opens the door.

One by one the girls walk in; lucky last is Felicia.

"Ew, look at all the dust," says a girl with blonde hair.

Some girls go up the stairs and others stand around in the lounge room. Felicia just stands near the front door - waiting for the crowd to be done with this house.

Finally all the girls head back to the door. One by one they walk out, pushing Felicia in the shoulders.

As soon as Felicia is about to walk out too - the door suddenly slams shut. And then Felicia hears a click of a lock.

"Let me out girls," shouts Felicia.

She hears the girls laughing, while running away.

Felicia starts combing her hair with her hands frantically. She's really in shock of the group's behaviour. But Felicia should have known. People always mistreat her - manipulate her.

"Oh no, what am I going to do!? I don't have my mobile. The doors, windows - I have to find a way out."

Felicia runs up the stairs and notices the windows. She tries to pull them up, but they are stuck. She then tries to break one window with the knuckles of her hand, but the window is too hard because it is vintage. A sudden burst of anxiety comes onto Felicia - she has never been in this situation. The house is in the middle of nowhere. She has no family and no friends. Nobody cares about her. The hostel manger won't even notice Felicia is gone...

"What do I do!?!" Felicia shouts with fear.

***

It is now 7pm - the time when Felicia normally feels at peace, but at the moment she is not. Her body is shaking from the bitter cold. She's worriedly humming to herself to ease her anxiety.

In the meantime, Jaffa is trying to find Felicia. He hasn't seen her all day. The feeling of worry consumes Jaffa. He suddenly sees a bunch of girls - maybe Felicia is with them, he thinks.

"Where's Felicia?" Jaffa shouts to the girls.

They don't reply, but only laugh.

"Sarah, where is she?"

"Your precious girl locked herself up in some house," Sarah laughs. "She'll be back."

Jaffa looks at Sarah with disgust and immediately sprints out into the gumtree forest.

© 2014 by stars_are_MAGIC. All Rights Reserved.