The Scarlet Thread

Collab with Sienna:https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/2b1686/

I wrote Amabel aka Mabel's part and she wrote Faith's part.

Enjoy!!

Part 1

Faith

My strapless dark green dress flowed down to the floor, spreading out around my ankles. I adjusted the swan mask on my face and stared in the mirror. I looked so...done up. It wasn’t like me, but it suited me in a way. Playing with my red hair, I emerged from my room and out into the hallway.

My mother gazed at me in awe, “Darling you look-”

“Don’t,” I cut her off. I did not want anyone to know I liked being all dressed up.

“It suits you.”

“Oh, your hair...” My mother bounced my hair in her hands. “It’s a mess, Faith.”

I rolled my eyes. She was always like this. Pretending that she cared about me, saying how beautiful I was, then next minute she would be criticising my outfit and my makeup. 

“Much better!” She exclaimed. Then, my father walked out of his room in a navy suit and a pointed white mask. 

“Shall we? I mean, we are the hosts. We should be down there first,” He took my mother’s arm and together, we walked down the stairs, into the ballroom.

I gawked at the large space. Bright lights adorned the white walls that were covered in various pieces of artwork. Tables were scattered across the floor, all facing towards the dance floor. Flower arrangements were on each table, full of ferns, violets and white lilies. 

“Woah!” I exclaimed. “Who did all of this?!” 

“I know a guy who does heaps of heavy lifting,” Mother laughed.

I raised my eyebrow at her. She knows I’m a feminist but still mentions how men should be the people that do everything hard and requires muscle.

“Sorry darling,” Mother grimaced.

I rolled my eyes and took out my phone, “I’m calling Mabel.” I sighed. I scrolled through my contacts until I found her name and pressed “Call.”

Mabel

“Can’t I wear something else other than this, bro? Like something more casual and comfortable and less fancy?” I asked out into the phone I had in my hand, twirling around, showing the extravagant baby blue off shoulder dress in the camera.

I was facetiming my elder brother, Jack. He gave me his usual ‘you’re kidding, right?’ kind of look, “Mabel, first thing, this is not your dorky high school party. This is a masquerade ball conducted by your bestie, uh...what was her name again?”

I let out a puff of air, tired to say my besties name again, cause this is the hundredth time my brother is asking for her name, as if he has amnesia or something.

“Yes! Got it, Sarah, right?” 

“Faith,” I said plainly.

“Oh, yes, it’s conducted by Faith. Second thing, if you’re going for a party, you’ve got to dress according to the dress code, ” He continued.

I rolled my eyes and then, let out a deep sigh, “Ok, whatever.”

“Yes! That’s my girl!” Jack exclaimed in joy. “Where’s dad?”

“Dad might be somewhere....” I looked around and soon realized that Dad was standing a few feets away from me, “There he is! Found him!”

Dad looked pretty handsome in his classic black suit and right now, he was styling his blonde hair, spraying hair spray profusely.

I handed over my dad’s phone to him, “It’s Jack,” and walked over to the mirror in my room. I could feel dad’s and Jack’s voice faintly from the living room. 

I looked into the mirror and adjusted the silver mask on my face.  

“Perfect.”

My favourite band’s-Clean Bandit’s-song ‘Baby’ was blasting through my headphones. That’s when my phone chimed. I picked it up and a name flashed on the screen: Faith. I smiled to myself.

Without another thought, I swiped up, answering the call.

Faith

“Hey Mabel!” I exclaimed.

“What’s up?” She asked.

“Not much. Waiting for everyone to arrive...raging about the patriarchy. Normal stuff.”

“For you!” She laughed.

“When are you going to get here?” I groaned, “The only people here are us and a few family friends that are stuck-up idiots.”

“We’re leaving now,” I could almost see Mabel rolling her eyes on the other end of the phone.

“Ok! Great!” I was about to hang up but Mabel stopped me.

“Wait! What’re you wearing?” She asked.

“You’ll have to wait and see!” I hung up on her. I walked around the ballroom and pictured myself waltzing around with another girl.

Oh. I’m Lesbian because I don’t want a man to tell me what to do. And since I’m a bit of a romantic, I’m not staying single. I’ve also found myself attracted to girls every now and then but it’s normal to be like this.

“Faith!” Mother called.

“Yes, mother?” I asked, my fantasy disappearing.

“Come say hello to Countess Laila!” 

‘Great.’ I thought in annoyance. This is what I’ll be doing the whole night. Greeting people that are rich and famous, talking to them while pretending I’m actually interested in the conversation.

I trudged towards the door, but stopped when I saw a familiar head of blonde hair.

“Mabel!” I squealed, running over to give her a hug.

I stared at Mabel’s dress in amazement. “You look amazing,” I said.

“I could say the same about you Faye!” She looked down at her dress. “Not that I really like this look,” She grimaced.

I smiled, “Don’t tell anyone...But I like this look on me.”

Mabel stared at me in astonishment, “Really?” She asked.

“Yes...?” 

All of a sudden, slow piano music started playing and Mabel’s eyes widened. “They chose slow music?” She asked incredulously.

“It’s a ball Mabel,” I blinked.

“So I’ve been told...Do you wanna go hijack the music and play some Clean Bandit?” She asked.

“Durrrr!” Together, we ran off towards the speakers, ready for anything that came our way.

“‘Drive’?” I asked.

“I was thinking ‘Baby’ ” 

Not everything.

Mabel

“How about Solo?” Or, perhaps, Mama?” I scratched the back of my neck, feeling awkward. I've been feeling something different lately when I'm around Faith that I don't feel around any of my guy friends or our family friend, Charlie.

I guess she was going to agree with me, but that's when someone interrupted ‘our moment’.

“Good day, ladies!” An unfamiliar voice exclaimed in a British accent, his voice full of excitement.

When Faith and I turned around, we were met by a good-looking coffee-brown-haired guy a few years older than us, more like 20 or so. He was dressed in a high-end suit that appeared to be quite expensive. His blue-grey eyes were visible through the silver mask, and he smiled proudly.

“Uh, hello?” I inquired, perplexed.

“Do we know you?” Faith inquired, casting a glance at me.

He combed his hair that had fallen on his forehead. “The chances of you knowing who I am are slim, Faith.” He gave me a look. “And you as well.”

Faith's expression was priceless when she looked at me. We had no idea who this dude was.

“By the way, I’m Ericson Relish, crown prince of Kylan,” he said, shaking hands with Faith and then with me, smiling sweetly.

He didn't let go of my hand even after a few seconds; he kept shaking it and looking into my eyes. I was doing everything I could to get him to let go of my hand.

Faith cleared her throat just as she needed to.

“Name?” After letting go of my hand and blushing furiously, he asked.

“Amabel Pierce,” I said, massaging my sore wrist.

“Lovely name for a lovely lady,” I tried not to roll my eyes at the flirtatious king-to-be, and guess what, it's actually pretty difficult not to.

“Where exactly is your so-called kingdom? Ky-Kylan, right? Does that kingdom even exist?” Faith rolled her eyes and expressed her annoyance, unconcerned about the prince.

“It is located in the Irish Sea. I guess you need to pay more attention in geography class, Campbell,” he smirked. Right now, I wish I could smash that lovely face of his. He already deserves it for how he treated Faye.

I looked at Faith, and she smiled back, assuring me that everything was fine.

“Mabel, may I have this dance?” He asked me as he held out his hand to me.

He drew me towards him, one hand on my shoulder, the other on my waist, before I could decide whether or not to dance. He grabbed my hand and led me to the dance floor. He snapped his fingers, requesting the DJ to change the song. The DJ played “All of Me”. 

Even in the middle of the school, I kept looking around for Faith, who was having a drink, right now. When the song was about to end, he leaned in, dangerously close to me, as if he was about to kiss me. But, before that could happen, I drew back, avoiding his manipulative gaze.

He asked after the song ended and adjusted his suit, “What’s wrong, babygirl?”

I tried not to cringe at him for calling me that and said, “Nothing,”

“Mabel, will you make me the happiest man in the world by being my girlfriend?” He asked, almost on his knees.

“I’m sorry, Eric. I can’t,”

He thought I was joking, but I was being completely serious about it.

“You’re joking, right?”

“No, I’m not, Eric. There’s someone out there way better than me for you,” I said.

“Why?” He raised his voice.

“Can’t you understand? I just can’t!” I exclaimed, tears brimming in my eyes. I don’t know why I’m crying right now. It shows others that I’m weak.

“Yes, you will be my girlfriend!” He roared, grabbing my wrist forcefully.

I pulled my hand away gathering all the strength I had. I ran out the house, ignoring every call. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. I felt Faith’s voice grow faint as I ran through the streets.

Faith

I spun around and my hazel eyes flashed murderously. Eric stood there, fuming. 

I uppercutted him and stomped on his foot. “Call my best friend that again, and I’ll do a lot more than punch you in the face. Oh. And...” I punched him again and he held his nose in pain.

“You’re a girl!” Eric yowled.

“Excuse me?” I glared.

“You’re a girl! You punch like a boy though! You’re just supposed to dress in skirts and crop tops. Wear high heels and make-up,” Eric’s demeanor changed.

“You know what high heels are useful for?” I nodded my head.

“What? Being beautiful like girls are supposed to be?” He exclaimed.

That. Was. It.

“For roundhouses!” I grinned.

“A wh-” Before he could finish his sentence I kicked him in the head and took off my heels.

“Do me a favor and leave. Leave my life, better yet, leave the country, or the universe!” I turned and walked onto the street.

I found Mabel sitting in a small, dusty alley down the side of a bakery down the road. She was playing with her silver mask, tears dripping down her cheeks slowly. That didn’t surprise me. What surprised me is that she could run all the way from my house to the next street in heels.

“How did you-” Mabel held up her bare feet silently and looked away.

“Got it,” I murmured. I sat down next to her, on a small brown crate. “Are you ok?” I asked.

“What do you think?” Mabel cried softly.

Normal people would have just kept going with the conversation. Not me. 

“That you’re just annoyed at yourself because you’re eighteen and couldn’t handle that on your own?” I offered.

“How did you know?” She whispered.

“Mabes. You’re my best friend. I know you.” I was slightly offended but I let it slide.

“Now. You’re going to come back to the ball with your head held high, you hear me?” I widened my eyes.

“I don’t want to,” Mabel mumbled.

“You will want to after I tell you what I did to Eric. It can happen to you as well.” I cracked my knuckles.

“What?!” Mabel jumped onto her feet.

“C’mon,” I said. “I’ll show you.”

We were laughing while we walked down the street, singing along to Clean Bandit and Jonas Brothers at the top of our lungs. We skipped down the pathway like four year olds, giggling and chattering all the way to the mansion.

But when we got there, everything grinded to a halt. The happiness and the sunshine. The fun and the excitement. Everything.

The grand hall was a mess. People were crying and they looked like gaping idiots with their mouths hanging open. “They look stupid.” I laughed.

“Oh my god!” Mabel pointed at Eric sitting down in a cushy loveseat. “Did you do that?”

“Maybe....” I grinned. But then, I saw my mother standing by the wall. She looked petrified and extremely pale. 

“Mother?” I asked slowly. “What happened here?”

“We were giving a tour of the house and were showing the guests the game room. It was the last room so afterwards, we went downstairs. When we reached the hall, the painting was gone!” My mother cried.

I stared at the empty space on the wall and had a realisation that where that space was, a painting that one of the first people in my family painted. 

“Where did it go?” I asked.

“We don’t know. And since it hasn’t fallen, we have to assume it’s been stolen.”

Mabel

Faith appeared upset and was having a conversation with her parents. I was standing a few feet away from Faith. I don't want to meddle in her family's affairs or invade their privacy. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell appeared terrified and pale, as if they had seen a ghost or something. Even though I couldn't hear what they were, I had a feeling something was wrong based on the way the guests and the great hall looked.

I moved closer to Faith, ignoring Eric, who was badly injured and still massaging the bridge of his nose.

“What's the matter, Faith?” I inquired, placing my hand on her shoulder.

“Do you remember a painting we used to talk about?” she asked as she turned around.

“Do you mean the one your ancestors painted?”

“Yep. It's gone missing, and we believe it was stolen,” Faith nodded.

While Faith continued to speak to her parents, I began to wonder who might have stolen it.

“I think we should call the cops. I don't think it's a good idea to take things into our own hands,” Mr. Campbell suggested.

Mrs Campbell agreed with him, saying, "You're right, Frank."

“Um, I understand it's not fair to intrude on your privacy, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell,” I shrugged. “However, do you have security cameras installed in the mansion?”

“You are my best friend. So, my family is also yours, Mabel,” Faith said, a little offended.

“Yes, Amabel, we have cameras,” Mr. Campbell confirmed.

“How about we look at the surveillance footage? We might be able to figure out who is behind this.” I proposed.

"It's...a good idea!" Faith's pupils dilated.

We all made our way to the surveillance room. I sat in one of the rotating cushioned chairs and accessed the CCTV monitor. “This is the one in the hall where the painting was, right?” I asked, pointing to one of the many cameras.

Faith nodded.

I opened the footage and rewinded it. I focused my attention on the video as it played.

“Smart!” I let out a yelp.

“Who's smart?” Mrs. Campbell inquired.

I rewinded again and clearly showed them the footage, "The thief. At one point, all of the cameras lose their signal at the same time,”

“How?” Faith inquired, perplexed.

“Using a jammer,”

“And, after about seven minutes, all of the cameras are back to normal, and the painting is gone,”

Mr. Campbell remarked, "He—I mean—the person might be tech-savvy."

“You don't have to be tech-savvy for that. These days, purchasing a jammer is fairly simple. They are easily available overseas or through e-commerce websites. Even you, sir, could learn to set up and control a jammer in half an hour by googling,” I explained.

Faith

“Who didn’t come with you, Mother?” I asked.

“Everyone came darling. I have no idea who stole it!” She cried.

I glanced at Mabel, but she wasn’t looking at me. She had pursed lips and was staring at the computer screen. “I’ll solve this,” She said.

“Amabel, sorry but no. You are far too young,” Mother lifted her head.

“Please Mrs. Campbell?” Mabel asked desperately.

“No,” Mother turned around and slowly fingered the empty space on the wall.

“Mother, give her a chance!” I exclaimed. “She figured out how the thief blocked the security feed. She’s a natural sleuth!”

“Faith Campbell! Do not encourage this!” Mother scolded.

“I will Dominique,” I glowered. “I have read every mystery novel there is! And Mabel...She’s a genius!

“No,” Mother said simply.

“Yes!” I shouted. “And you know what? I’m going to make a deal with you.”

Everybody stared at me peculiarly, like they were curious puppies.

“And whatever could that be?” Mother asked.

“You let me and Mabel solve the case at the same time as someone else. If we solve it, you’ll let us start a private detective agency of ours including Mabel, Charlie, and me and if the other person solves it...the person can decide what they want.”

Mother stopped for a moment, most likely pondering on my deal. “Darling, what do you think?” Mother turned to father and he tapped his foot on the ground.

“I would say no. But knowing Faith, she would go off and do it anyway. So...yes,” He sighed, exasperated.

“Yes!” I high-fived Mabel excitedly.

“And it just turns out we have a detective in our midst.” Father smiled. “Who?” Mabel asked.

“Me.” A familiar voice said.

“Noooooo.” I sighed.