The Hidden Face

By Keerthana Jayaraj

Amy's confilict with the mean girl turns deadly when she becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Will she find the sly killer plotting behind the scenes or will she lose everything trying?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keerthana Jayaraj
• Release date: Jan 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393484967

Book preview

Chapter 1

It is seldom that a normal teenager seeks solitude and peace. If this was true, there sat an extremely unusual teenager in the auditorium of Lord’s Academy.

Amy shook back her short black hair and stared at the blood-red curtain that hid the stage. It was just an hour after the rehearsal. Just an hour after everyone had left. Not that she cared about being alone. She was always alone in the world of her thoughts. But today was especially unpleasant because the sneering face of her rival, Jolly, filled her head.

Jolly... Tomorrow her head will be more swollen than ever. The heroine in the play which I happened to write and her highness will open the talent show too. How grand. How absolutely grand!

Her eyes fell on her fake leg. Once her legs had mastered dance steps... once her legs had glided across the stage.

Working towards the future... how funny! All it takes is an accident. You can say goodbye to the future forever. The heroine has two legs. What a beautiful reason for our English teacher to let Jolly play the part. Oh, she’s an actress all right. She’d make the perfect devil!

But what about me? I mean everyone said that the script was grand! It’s my play. I made it a success. But Jolly... Trust her to crow over me.

Amy struggled to her feet, glad that there was nobody to watch. She hadn’t forgotten Jolly’s sneer.

Ah! The cruel hand of fate. Jolly had said in a singsong voice, as her gang roared with laughter The graceful swan has transformed into a one-legged beggar.

Amy hobbled out of the auditorium feeling a sharp pain piercing her stump.

One-legged beggar!

Tears blurred her eyes as the pain shot up her leg.

That just about sums me up. A one-legged beggar.

She walked on and on through the deserted road. Pain blinded her but she didn’t stop. Losing to that pain meant losing to Jolly.

After what seemed like a long time to Amy, she was home. Her mother, Lisie was waiting for her with a steaming mug of tea ready at the table. Amy sank thankfully on the chair. The pain drained out slowly. Thank goodness!

Amy, how did the play go? Lisie’s plain face was brimming with excitement. Amy could tell that her mother had probably waited the whole day to know this.

Why should I worry Mom? Let her think everything’s all right.

Fantastic! Amy said truthfully.

At least I wrote it well.

You’re not too pleased. Lisie’s smile faded a little. Her soft brown eyes were shrewd as they bore into Amy. Amy knew that look. When her mother wore it she could read minds.

Please think I’m alright...Please...

Amy pasted an artificial smile on her face.

Oh no Mom! I’m simply too pleased to talk, she said. Lisie frowned and looked up.

Something wrong, Amy?

Bad headache! Amy murmured hurriedly.

I can’t lie much more. I really can’t.

WITHOUT WAITING FOR her mother’s reply, Amy went to her room and locked the door behind her. She sat on her bed and stared at the framed photograph, of herself in a dancing costume, which mocked her, from the cold blue wall.

Maybe Jolly’s right. Maybe I was nothing more than a silly dancing doll. That’s enough of that beast! Now, where’s that book? I’ve got to take my mind off things.

Heaving a sigh she grabbed the library book from her neat desk. She sat down on the bed and began to read. Soon she was hooked. She didn’t think much other than the fascinating mystery between the covers of the book. Her quick mind pondered over the mystery, trying, as usual, to outwit the fictional detective.

Oh, come on! The killer can only be...

Amy! Dinner’s ready.

Her mother’s voice snapped her out of the book. Amy flung the book on the bed and got up. It was then the blurb caught her eye. ‘A fascinating tale with an unexpected finish.’

Unexpected! cried Amy What a joke! Anyone with half a brain can figure this out.

She gave an exasperated nod. Why are mysteries so predictable? She remembered reading books that others told were fantastic. She could always see through the mystery long before the hero even got a whiff of the truth.

Dinner proved to be a most unpleasant affair. Amy toyed with her food saying That’s right or I don’t know whenever her mother said something. She badly wanted to disappear to her room at the earliest. But it was after a long time that she heard her mother’s good night wish. 

But that night wasn’t good, at least for Amy. She lay in bed staring at the dark ceiling.

Quit it, Amy! Tomorrow will end before you know it. Forget that beast and go to sleep.

Slowly her eyelids drooped and she entered the land of dreams. She was standing on the stage of the school auditorium staring at an empty row of seats.

What the heck am I doing here?

She looked here and there but could see no one else. A chill ran down her spine. She didn’t like this at all.

At the next moment, the whole place was plunged into total darkness. Amy felt a cold wind brush against her cheeks. She screamed but no sound came. The same bone-chilling silence prevailed around her. Amy could almost hear her heart beating faster and faster. The silence was broken by an ear-splitting scream.

Something fell at her feet-Something that was writhing in pain.

Help me. The faint groan made Amy kneel.

Who are you? What happened? Amy extended a trembling hand.

He killed me...killed me. The faint voice said. Amy looked around helplessly. If there was a killer in the darkness, she was well poised to become the next victim.

Where is he? She asked desperately. But the cold her hands felt told her it was useless to ask again. And then she heard it-A cold voice which sent a chill down her spine.

You want to know who did this to her, don’t you? My dear girl, you won’t find me. You’ll just lose everything trying. A strong hand clutched her neck. Amy gasped and sputtered. Life was beginning to ebb away when...

Amy opened her eyes to the semidarkness of her room.

I must have dozed off

She placed a shaking hand on her chest feeling the rapid beats of her heart. The realization hit her with full force.

THAT VOICE... I KNOW that voice.

Jolly...It was her.

Someone killed Jolly and tried to kill me.

She shook her head and said aloud.

That’s just a stupid dream. Me chasing Jolly’s killer? Fat chance!

Feeling a bit comforted Amy tried to sleep again. But she couldn’t. Jolly’s face popped into her head every time she closed her eyes.

Come on! Why the heck are you worrying? Good riddance to that pest!

THE NEXT DAY AMY DIDN’T wake till 7:00. She rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. It took her a moment to realize why she felt so uncomfortable. It was the day of the talent show. At the next instant, an equally unpleasant idea occurred to her.

The dream... the stage... the talent show...What if?

Hey, stop being a stupid girl. Dreams don’t read out the future like that.

Amy shook her head and went to have breakfast.

Someone has not been sleeping well. Anthony, her father, said as she sat down for breakfast. Amy glanced at her father and marveled at how neat he looked-His clothes were well ironed; his thick, black hair was neatly combed and his eyes twinkled behind his spotless, square-rimmed glasses.

Bad headache. She said Dad...do dreams-er I mean-do they tell the future-er at least do they- Amy wished she hadn’t spoken. The words that came out of her mouth sounded too foolish for her liking."

I’m not exactly an expert in dreamology. said Anthony, looking at her over his spectacles.

Amy blushed a bright red I just-I had a nightmare. 

The obvious. A mischievous smile lit up her father’s face What sort of wonderful future did it foretell?

It’s nothing. I mean it's just a dream isn’t it? Amy felt her voice falter.

You’re not too sure, are you?

Really? Anthony flashed a sly smile You are a terrible liar.

Oh come on Dad! Keep that smile for your suspects, said Amy.

Why did I have to bring up the stupid dream now? Why?

I keep it for my daughter too. Anthony’s eyes twinkled.

Where were you last night? You went off all of a sudden. Amy changed the subject.

Private investigator’s job, my dear, and that’s top-secret to a certain someone who keeps her dreams top-secret, said Anthony.

Amy had to smile. The cheerfulness that radiated from her father lifted her spirits like a tonic.

So when can I see this so excellent play of yours?

Last thing at the show. Amy said Everyone said the script was great. You’ll like-

The conversation came to a halt as Lisie came in, laden with the breakfast tray, her long hair swinging pleasantly behind her.

Arguing? she asked pleasantly.

Nice wish your mother’s got there, Amy, said Anthony, smiling.

Quite the duo aren’t you? said Lisie, her soft brown eyes twinkling as easily as Anthony’s. I wonder when it would break.

An unlikely thing to happen. said Anthony Much like Amy’s nightmare, now that I think about it.

Amy’s nightmare? Lisie sat down and turned to Amy, who blushed scarlet.

The wretched dream... Oh, all right I’ll go. I’ll go and see Jolly’s show.

Chapter 2

What a horrible mess .

Amy stared around at the wild coloured banners that adorned the greenish beauty of Rose Gardens, their residential colony.

A particularly foul purple coloured one proclaimed loudly ‘TALENT SHOW’

Dreadful things! Amy exclaimed Why should the trees have them? They look good enough without decorations.  Of course, they would. Natural beauty was something inherent to Kerala.

Amy smiled at the amused looks of her parents and walked on.

She received the next shock when she walked into the auditorium. The usual untidy plastic chairs were replaced by wooden chairs, adorned with velvet cushions in a stunning shade of purple. The white lights were replaced by a dozen, colourful lamps. Instead of the damp dusty smell that usually filled the auditorium, the delicious smell of spicy chicken drifted from the dining area behind it.

Amy sat down with her parents in the back row, her heart warming to the melodious tune drifting through the speakers. But that pleasure didn’t last long. In no time at all, there were catcalls and jeers, demanding to stop the ‘boring’ song.

Talk about packed! There’ll be loads of money for that orphanage. Oh, who am I kidding! Half the money would go into our dear manager’s pocket.

Amy’s thoughts were interrupted as the music stopped. The commanding voice of Lekha, the principal boomed out of the speakers.

A warm welcome to a night of talents. Opening the show is the lovely Jolly Johnson.

The blood-red curtain lifted slowly as classical music drifted out of the speakers. Amy saw Jolly, positively glowing in her dance costume.

Stunning. If she wasn’t such an arrogant brat, I would say so. 

Jolly began her dance. There were plenty of oooh's and ahhh’s from the crowd as she glided gracefully across the stage. Amy heard them and felt sick.

Horrid brat! she muttered under her breath. Finally, the dance was over and there was deafening applause.

You don’t deserve it you double-faced shrimp.

Amy watched in disgust as Jolly took a graceful bow. Then there was a song by the tiny tots and then a maths skill exhibition...The show went on and on making Amy feel extremely stupid.

You’re a fool! Did you think a masked man would come and finish off that pest? Look at the time you idiot! It’s already 8:00. Now it’s just the play.

Amy, you idiot! Why the heck didn’t you come backstage? A friendly hand tapped on her shoulder. A tall boy with bright blue eyes smiled at her from the back of her seat.

Anto! Amy smiled I thought it would be better if I stayed here.

You aren’t afraid of our dear sweet Jolly are you?

Amy cast a wary look at her father, whose shrewd eyes were upon her, and whispered.

As if I care tuppence for that jerk. She joined Anto to walk backstage.

Jenny’s dying to get hold of you. He said, She thinks you want a bit of sense knocked right into your thick head.

Easy for you to say. said Amy You don’t have to listen to all the kind words that drop from her highness’s mouth.

We’re ready to stand by you any day idiot! But the great Amy doesn’t need us does she?

This was so near the mark that Amy went red. She had been pushing everyone away-even Anto and Jennifer, her best friends.

Cat got your tongue?

Anto, please... Just leave me alone.

Alone! To hell with you.

Alright, you win.

I win? cried Anto You’re impossible.  

Ah! Here comes the playwright. Jolly’s sneering voice made Amy aware that she was at the greenroom door.

Keep your fat tongue to yourself. snapped Anto Haven’t you done enough?

Ah! So that’s how it is. said Jolly, in a dangerously smooth voice I never knew you liked one-legged beggars, Anto.

You’re pathetic. Anto scoffed.

Pathetic? Your girlfriend is pathetic, not me.

Shut up! shouted Amy I’ll cut you’re tongue off if you dare spit poison.

I seem to have touched a nerve. said Jolly, with an infuriating smile on her face Did Anto ditch you for Jennifer, my dear?

Trying to poison our friendship? There was a furious voice at the doorway. Amy turned to find Jennifer, her usually twinkling eyes flashing with anger.

You’re one hell of a jerk you know that? Jennifer continued in a towering rage Most unfortunately we are not like you.

Really? I don’t see Amy seconding that, said Jolly

That’s enough. said Jennifer We ought to start setting the stage.

Don’t bother. Benjamin Sir has already seen to that.

Where is Benjamin Sir? asked Amy

Our dear English teacher went home early to tend to his sick mother. sneered Jolly

Fine then, said Amy and