THE STRANGER

She was all wet covered in sweat, her bedding wet," it's usually hot tonight" she thought as she climbed out of bed. She opened the door to her bedroom after changing into clean pajamas, there was a smell familiar to her senses but not quit clear. She switched on the lights and there it was a pool of blood.

Jessica was an only child to Mr and Mrs Geo, the two were scientist who meet while working on a similar project. Love took it's course and in an year the wedding bells were an obvious expectation from friends and family but instead the two eloped. Two years later little Jess as they loved to call her was born in what seemed to be endless labour. The couple found joy in their little daughter raised her to be independent and self confident. She would then participate in numerous school activities did averagely well in her studies too.

Years had gone by and their once little princess was fifteen years old now. Melissa Geo and James Geo had their own marital problems but always found a way through them. On this particular night they had heard a wonderful night discussing projects at work and some of the things Jess had been doing to get attention.

Jessica walked around the blood took a quick glance at the wall clock that indicated that it was a little past midnight. She tiptoed to here parent's bed which was across the hall leading to the stairs. The house was unsually quiet, with just a mare touch the door to her parents' bedroom flew open. As strange as it was she walked in slowly only to find the bed well made as if it was never slept in. Her heart beat was at it's loudest now, it had never happened before, her parents always inform her when they go out and aunt Kathy always comes over to keep her company. It wasn't right, she checked the kitchen and all rooms but there wasn't a sign of anyone. Their phones were on the kitchen counter and both their carkeys too. Jessica run back to her bedroom and dail all emergency numbers she could recall until someone picked up. She was out of breath as she tired to explain to an officer on the other end of the line that her parents were missing and there was blood on the floor outside her bedroom.

The police arrived half an hour later,they went through each room just to ensure there was no one else there apart from the terrified teenage girl. The police chief couldn't make out what had happened, he sat next to Jessica not knowing what to say, it was clear in her eyes that she has alot of questions.

"Did you find them" she asked impatiently, the chief shock his head he hadn't quiet made up the words yet to give her an explanation. What happened next made things more confusing, an awfully old car came in through the drive way and Mr and Mrs Geo got off it. They were both in track suits and a pair of matching sneckers, Jess ran off to meet them and they were wrapped up in an embrace. They seemed as confused and as surprised as everyone else, their daughter was quick to fill them in but they were still in shock.

The chief was a rather tall man well built with blood shot eyes which appeared cold, what surprised people was how soft spoken he was. He now approached the couple and their daughter and introduced himself. 'Am chief Mambo of Central Police Department". He went ahead to explain the situation and why they were there, he also asked questions about insecurity cases in the area and the whereabouts of the couple that night. Melissa quickly said that they had gone out for a walk and got lost in the woods and when they finally got to the main road a passer-by was kind enough to bring them home.

The chief found it hard to believe that a couple would live their teenage daughter home around at night and not carry their phones. They were going to collect samples of the blood for testing and some officers cleaned up the rest.

The family was around back into their house almost dawn when the police were done collecting evidence. The chief still had his doubts but he could only wait for the test results.

Auntie Kathy arrived just in time and offered to take in Jessica while the investigation were under way, Jess was glad to leave the house she couldn't sleep in it while remembering what had happened. The couple now alone each stared at a different corner of the house, finally James broke the silence. " Who was that man and why did he want to see our daughter?. " He was almost inside her bedroom when I saw him.

Melissa was lost in her thoughts, James voice was a little echo in a distance. She remembered her weeding which was graced by strangers since it was in a different country. She was especially happy that day and over the moon, she was in love and everything was perfect. After the ceremony she had meant a man on the way back from the bathroom, he was intriguing, he approached her and complimented her looks and she walked away.

That had only been the beginning, during their stay at Mapotto they meant quite a free times and Melissa took it as a coresidence. This stranger was always kind with her and smiled at her, bn a newly wed didn't hinder her from getting attracted to him. One chilly morning at a coffee shop things got a little awkward. Melissa and James we're having a lovers conflict and she had left their room and settled on this cafe to relax as she had some breakfast. The stranger walked in as she ate and when their eyes met he came over to her table. Melissa expected him to sit across when she offered him to Join her but instead he sat beside her. She could feel his heavy breath on the side of her neck, he ordered and they stired up conversation one after the other. He was funny and Melissa enjoyed his company, he once put his arm on her thigh for a while but she didn't think it a big deal. A few days later Melissa and James had sorted out their issues and we're on the flight back home to give the happy news with everyone.

James' parents were especially happy for being an introvert they were worried that he would never master the courage to approach a lady leave alone getting married. Melissa's parents on the other hand were free spirited people who spent most of their time traveling.

They have congratulations dinners with friends and family, each better than the other. Life started off fine and each day was an adventure, they discussed work projects and shared ideas. During one of her work seminars outside town Melissa saw a familiar face in the audience and during lunch break the same guy from Mapotto appeared. It had been over an year and out of excitement Melissa hugged him over joyed. They had lunch together and made dinner plans that evening for she was going back home the following morning. Dinner was at a very private venue all picked and arranged by him. After having a tasty meal, Melissa ordered more wine, she wanted to relax after a busy week. After a few drinks the two got rather close and he leaned in for a kiss, at first she hestiated but soon kissed him back.

When morning came Melissa quickly got out of bed dressed up and took one more look at the mistake she had just made, he was still sleeping soundly she cursed herself as she walked out of the room not wanting to wake him. On reaching her hotel room she took a shower parked her bags and left for the airport. Melissa hated driving for long hours taking flights seemed to be a more convenient way for her to travel which she did alot.

On the other hand James' week wasn't that full of activity he had missed his dear wife and friend alot. He prepared a fruit salad that morning, arranged the house and drove to the airport to pick up Melissa. She seemed a bit off but he assumed it was just fatigue, she slept for a few hours and work up just in time for lunch. James had never been good at the kitchen so he ordered some takeout which they enjoyed and later made love for the rest of the afternoon.

James was a man of few words but this didn't mean he wasn't observertive, Melissa seemed distracted in the weeks that followed. She was quiet and upset over things that didn't affect her before. Melissa woke up one morning and realized she had missed her period, it had been three days now according to her calendar. The news didn't shock James he now knew why Melissa had been acting strange. She was pregnant! Yes and though they had not planned for a baby yet he was excited. Melissa seemed shock but after the first trimester she was happier, they worked on the baby's room on their day off making sure everything was in order.

The baby came and the resemblance between her and her father was undeniable, this fact made Melissa jump with joy. Days passed and then years and she never saw the stranger again until this fateful day. First he showed up at her office, seeing him made her heart beat rise, she was terrified. " What did he want now, did he come to expose her to James?" Years had passed but aside from a wrinkles or two he still looked good as handsome as she remembered. He smiled at her when Melissa's secretary left, she forced a smile too so as not to appear rude. "I don't think I ever introduced myself properly am..., "Sorry, what can I do for you "Melissa cut him short. He explained he wasn't there to cause trouble just that a former coworker of Melissa who was now working in Matoppo mentioned that Melissa had a fifteen year old daughter. That statement made her regret introducing this strange man to her colleagues during lunch break fifteen years ago. She could almost guess what his next question was going to be and she quickly answered" no! She is not your daughter". The words seemed to affect him greatly but still he asked if they would get a peternity test just to confirm. Melissa stood and walked towards the door making sure it was locked, this man had brought her trouble in the morning.

She sat on the chair beside him and looked in his eyes and assured him that Jessica was not his daughter. He tried to enquire and explain himself more but she asked him to leave and gave him no choice. The rest of the day went on smoothly with no unexpected guests but Melissa couldn't stop worrying she wondered why she was so unlucky. After work she went home and prepared dinner as usual and James brought up funny topics to discuss and it took her mind off for a moment. Jessica felt sleepy and had gone to bed early, the couple watched a movie till later that night. James flew out of the couch and Melissa almost dropped the bowl of popcorns, "are you okay Jimmy" she asked rather concerned. He answered while walking towards the stairs "I almost forgot I bought you something today, I will go get it".

She had expected James to ask about her visitor that morning, but he didn't, she was relieved. She eventually dropped her bowl of popcorns when she heard a gun shot from upstairs. Her feet felt numb but she walked up the stairs playing out her worst case scenario in her mind. It wasn't what she expected, James was holding his gun trying to catch a breath. Looking at the corner where her daughter's bedroom door painted pink with her name Jess' carefully crafted, she saw a man. He was lying there bleeding, Melissa called her Dad who had been a military doctor once before he retired, she had always been an intelligent girl quick at making decisions.

James was still standing in the same position as before " put on your track suit and hand me some clean sheets from the drawer". Melissa ordered, James did as he was told.