As I stared at the screen of my phone, my heart raced. My palms began to sweat and I wondered, what if she blocks me? I will lose my lead. 

The text on my phone changed from 'online' to 'typing'. Great! At least she hasn't blocked me. After a few long moments, a message from her side appeared. 'Who are you, and what do you want?'

I did not want to risk giving my name to her. She was likely just as dangerous if she had connections with the old woman. However, I couldn't look as though I feared anything from her by hiding my identity. I needed to go about this wisely.

'Will that matter once I put the money in your account?' I typed and took a pause. 'Just tell me whether you agree to the deal or not.' 

Hoping that was cryptic enough, I pressed send. Almost immediately after I did, a thought struck me. If she did accept, I'd have to tell her I was looking into the details of Irene, and when I do, she'll find out who I am anyway.

Don't think so far ahead, I scolded myself. 

Harley replied, 'Okay, what do you want and how much are you willing to pay?'

'I need you to get me a meeting with Carol.' I said trying to maintain my mystifying tone. 'And the money, well, that depends on how well you do your job.'

I wasn't sure how she'd react to the payment part. But I needed to be cautious as well. I couldn't splurge money on her if she didn't have anything useful. 

Her reply came soon, 'Give me an estimate.' 

Turns out Harley was cautious too, which made me more hopeful that she could help me. 'Anywhere between 25-50 grand'. I said.

'Carol doesn't wish to see anyone. Give me something else.' Harley said. 

Well, I suppose that means she wants to do it, but is unable to because Carol's being a baby. This was bad. 

I had two options. One, I could ask Harley to meet me herself and give me all the details, or I could increase the money. But I couldn't bring myself to do either. Despite how close Harley and Carol were, it was Carol who met me and bled my hand, so it was obviously her with the most information. And I didn't want to pay her anymore because fifty thousand to arrange a meeting with a lady she was already in contact with.

And most importantly, succumbing to her demands would make her doubt my crypticness and might cause her to walk all over me. 

'Figure it out.' I said and turned off my phone. If she had any care for money, she would talk to that hag and arrange a meeting. 

Feeling proud of myself I tossed my phone on my bed before walking out of the room and down the hall, brushing my fingers against all the portraits and wall hangings while humming to my favourite song.

"Feeling cheery, are we?" A cold voice spoke. I immediately stopped my little stunt and turned back to see my mom.

Shit, I thought to myself. That was embarrassing.

"Hey, how's your day been?" I asked, trying to look a little less awkward.

"Alright," she said as she walked to the railings and I followed. "Except I can't stand looking towards our living room. All I remember is the eagle sculpture and how it has been in your father's family for generations."

The air suddenly got caught up in my throat. My dad had forgiven me for the incident, but it appeared as though my mom was still salty about it. 

"I'm sorry, I was just having a rough day," I said. 

"Do you think all my days are filled with joy? Do you think I never come home stressed out by all my duties? Yet you don't see me throwing things around, do you?" She asked. I stayed silent, not knowing what to say.

"Do you?" she repeated which got on my nerves. She could be mad, I understood that, but there is no reason to be a bitch about it. 

I took a deep breath, not wanting to risk overreacting again.

"We're not the same person, I guess" I shrugged. 

"You haven't changed in the slightest," my mom seethed. 

"What's so bad about the current me?" I tried to get information out of her. She finally turned her face away from the living room and faced me. I gave her my best don't-mess-with-me-you-little-bitch glare, but I could tell she wasn't intimidated.

"You might've aged during your coma, but emotionally," she clicked her tongue "you're still the same"

I could feel it. I could feel my anger about to turn into an outburst. But I couldn't say or do anything, because doing so would make her right, and I couldn't give her that satisfaction. I eyed her from head to toe with a scowl on my face before walking away.

I tried to push her words out of my head. I told myself, 'She doesn't know what she's talking about', but perhaps she did. She was my mother, after all, she knew me better than anyone. I knew I was a dumb teenager and that I'd made some mistakes. Big mistakes, at that. My entire thing with Carol was conceivably a mistake. But it scared me to think that I hadn't changed. 

In a blur, I'd reached the bottom of the staircase and I made my way to the door. I sat on the cushion placed by the shoe stand, tying the laces to my sneakers. I glanced up to see my mother, still standing by the railings, with a look of uncertainty and a hint of guilt on her face. I scoffed. I couldn't deal with her bullshit right now.

I walked out of the door, resisting my urge to slam it shut. 

"Can I start the car for you, Ms Henderson?" my driver asked, making my way towards me.

"That won't be necessary," I replied. "I'm just... going for a... walk" 

I walked out of my house and then stood on the gravel, unsure of where to go. Suddenly, I felt a light tap on my head. I gasped as I turned around and saw a crushed ball of paper on the ground. I picked it up before unwrapping it and saw 'Guess Who' with a creepy smile drawn on the paper. It didn't take me long to realize who that terrible cursive belonged to. 

I whirled around, trying to spot Axel. From the corner of my eye, I saw a silhouette duck under a bush. I walked toward the bush and swung my leg at it, which he caught causing me to shriek in surprise. 

He emerged from outside the bush with leaves and twigs stuck on his head. 

"You suck at hiding," I said.

"You suck at kicking," he countered to which I rolled my eyes.

"So, were you just waiting outside with paper balls hoping I'd show up?" I asked as we began walking together.

"Not really. I saw you walking out, and since I am an expert in drawing and also stealth, I thought I'd put it to good use" Axel chuckled. 

"Maybe I should hit the gym with you," I thought out loud "It could come in handy"

"You'll actually come?" he stopped walking and turned to me in surprise.

"Is it so hard to believe that I'd work out?" I asked.

"Well, yes!" he said. "You complained so much just to go on a hike with your little girl gang" 

"Ok, yes," I admitted. "I was a lazy kid, but I've changed. And also, circumstances have changed."

"How so?" he asked.

"I may or may not have a meeting with Carol, that's the old lady, sometime shortly," I said. I know, my initial plan was to not tell him anything. But it appeared I was bad at keeping secrets. Also, I needed Axel to spot any flaws in my plan.

He looked taken aback, and raised his eyebrows "How'd this happen?"

"Well, I followed your plan-" I started. "Off with that smirk! I could've very well done it myself."

"Can't a man smile?" he asked. 

I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, I bribed one of the people there to get me a visit with Carol. She says that Carol is a little resistant to meeting me-"

"Or maybe she's dead," he muttered.

"Seriously?" I asked. "What is your obsession with her being dead?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I just feel like she's one, too old to be alive and two, she seemed to be in a lot of suspicious activities." 

"I see where you're going with this" I caught on. "But I have a feeling that Harley, that's the girl I'm bribing, is telling the truth."

Axel didn't look convinced.

"And if she is dead, then I'll have the meeting with Harley instead. It won't be ideal, but she might also have some useful information" I shrugged.

"Look at you," he said. "having back up plans and everything"

I blushed. 

"Anyway, tell me when you go to meet the woman," he said "I'll come along for backup.

"That won't be necessary," I said. "But sure, I'll let you know"

"Great," he smiled. 

We continued walking as he told me about some drama going on in his office, but my mind wandered off somewhere else. 

I couldn't take Axel with me to meet Carol. This was something I wanted to do alone. Plus, after hearing from Carol, I could figure out if Axel had been lying all along. 

However, I had a feeling that he would insist on coming along. So, I'd just have to leave without telling him. 

Soon, it got dark and I was beginning to feel hungry. I needed to back home. 

"You're always welcome to come eat at my place," he offered. I admit, that offer was tempting. I could get away from my home drama and Axel was pretty decent at cooking. But I was expecting Harley to contact me again to discuss the details of the deal and I couldn't do that with him around. 

"I'd rather starve than eat your food," I lied. 

"One day when there's a zombie apocalypse and you have no food, you'll regret being so harsh towards me." he pouted. 

"Sure," I rolled my eyes. "Good night, Axel." 

"Good night, Irene." he paused "You'll tell me when this Harley replies, right?"

"Yeah bro, don't overact," I said and ran away before he could sense that I was lying. I entered my house and placed my shoes back on the shoe stand. I hid behind my curtains and opened a small path for me to look outside. 

Axel stood there for a few seconds, looking confused before he shrugged and walked inside his house.

Sorry, Axel, I thought as I closed the curtains completely, but you'll have to sit this one out.