I
"They made fun of our poverty, that too behind our backs, being our own guest! Ugh...only if we could make some money out of somewhere, we would be treated as human beings. Maybe this is our destiny." shouted Amelia Ainley being frustrated. "Maybe not Amy," consoled her husband, Edward Ainley.
"What do you mean darling? We have been struggling these many years to earn some money and lead a peaceful life but nothing has ever made a difference. Do we even have any chance left to earn the money that we couldn't earn even after living such a harsh life?"
"That's what I hinted you dear. You thought that these tiresome days are meant to be destiny but what if we design our own destiny!!!"
"Oh please, for God's sake open your mind to realistic thoughts than those fictious ones. I tell you! Your thoughts have made us end up in such a situation. Only if I could find the map... I had all my hopes on it and YOU ruined it all. If you really want to get out of this hell, then bring my map to me."
"Map of destiny, is it? Let's see, I'm quite busy lately. I'll search it when I'm done with my work." laughed Edward sarcastically.
"You're good for nothing! If you aren't going to search for it, I'll do it all by myself."
II
"All you do is sit and watch TV all day long. Can't you go and clean the attic?" said the old man to his grandkids. Alfred Cowell and Celia Cowell sulkily get up and make their way to the attic. Celia excitedly pulls her brother's hand and shows him a lamp.
"Is this the lamp where the Genie lives? If I rub it will a genie appear and fulfil all my wishes?" asked the 9-year-old girl with high expectations that her brother, who was 26 years old, would agree.
"He might! What wishes does our princess have?" asked the curious brother.
"Of course, to give us lots and lots of money so that you don't have to go early in the morning and come back home late in the night after finishing your work. I want to turn into the princess of our castle."
"All that is possible only if I can trace this map of destiny," says Alfred approaching a piece of paper stuck between two heavy boxes.
"Hooray! I will soon become a princess," Celia shouted with overwhelming joy and ran to join her grandfather, who was enjoying his cup of tea.
"It took me years to know about this map and grandpa never allowed me to talk about it. Will this journey, against my grandpa's will, be worth it?" thought the youngster in his twenties.
III
"Were you feeling lonely too? Just like me. Were you deprived of having a family? Just like me. Were you feeling lonely too? Just like me. Were you deprived of having a family? Just like me. Ouch!" screamed Ethan Ackert as the cat that he was singing to, scratched his arm. "That little bi..." he stopped as a piece of paper came and stuck itself to my face.
Ethan's POV:
"It must be lonely too," I thought as I almost ripped it off my face. "Oh...what is this? Route map to hell? I don't think so. It is too colourful to be a map to hell." I spoke loudly to myself as I stared at the white paper with black print.
"This is must be what people call a treasure map? Great! One more thing that I have to experience before I die. Will this piece of paper lead me to a treasure? A very stereotypical thought. Why would every map lead to a treasure? It is like expecting every woman to be a house-wife. The society should change its thoughts. This map may even lead me to a murder spot. HAHAHAHA. I am so funny!!!" I started laughing loudly.
My laugh soon stopped as I realized that my neighbors were staring at me. I see these neighbors more than I see myself in my mirror. I absolutely hate them. They are completely crazy. They sleep at least 8 hours every day. Like why? If I can survive with 3.5 hours of sleep every day, so can they. They still have the audacity to call me a psycho. What idiots!!" I thought as I went into my small room. I stared at the map for 17 minutes straight and decided that I must go search for a treasure, if there actually is one. I need the money to find the cat its family and to send my neighbors to the psychiatric hospital. HAHAHAHA." I laughed as I realized how funny I am and soon stopped laughing as soon as I realized how humorless this world is.
IV
"Fooled by her! Aren't you ashamed of your own stupidity!? This is nothing but just a piece of printed paper which looks like a real map." I shouted.
"But, Olivia, my love, she said that this would lead us to a treasure and would bring us lot of wealth!", said my husband, Joseph Plyen.
"What not did she tell to scam you? You fool! There's no way you are going to change your decision by listening to my words now!!" I continued.
"Exactly... This is known as the Map of Destiny. Paying for something that's going to help us doesn't mean we got scammed."
"Alright... alright... You win!! If the old lady has really scammed you, you will be the one to pay for it."
"Fine my lady, it's okay if you don't want to join me. I can go and return with the treasure all by myself".
"Return with the treasure!? You're way too optimistic. What if we get some stones inside it or something else. It may change our destiny for real and in the worst way."
"There's no loss anyways. Are you really not coming?"
"Are you going to leave me alone? I can't be all alone in this mansion. I'll join you but you must co-operate with me."
"Yes ma'am."
V
"By the time you all begin your first step towards my treasure, the path will disappear. HAHAHAHAHA!!!" laughed hysterically, the voice behind the closed door. I knew who it was. My boss. "I really aspire to be as smart as my boss. Or should I say, cunning?"
"Yes, cunning was the perfect word to describe my boss. Looks can be deceiving for sure. On first sight, no one can tell what kind of a person my boss is. Okay, I am done praising my boss." I thought as I entered the room. "May I know the reason behind your happiness boss?"
"Of course, my friend. They all are rushing into my trap just like how cows are rushed to the slaughter house. HAHAHAHA. I never knew life could be so exciting. What do you think about my plan?"
"You are an absolute genius. I barely doubt anybody having ideas those as yours."
"Who do you think will win this game of treasure hunt?"
"What game boss? Which win? By the time they begin the game, you will have finished it."
"This is why you are my assistant and my dearest friend. Now go check if everything is in position for the next part of our plan."
"Yes boss." I said as I came out of his room. "My boss is so friendly towards me. In fact, my boss is the sweetest person with a mask on. Really good towards people like me. Really smart in executing plans. Did I mention that my boss was cunning? All these just makes me admire my boss even more. I should complete my work fast if I want to remain my boss's favorite." I thought and continued praising my boss in my thoughts.
VI
"Anna, all you have to do now is start building up your future. Stop spoiling your youth for the sake of my health" said my mom as she sat on her favorite couch knitting the brown sweater which had my initials embroidered on it.
"And all you have to do now is stop advising me about my life. This is the best life I could ever get. My present youth is bright and cheerful just like you" I said, trying to push all the thoughts that tried to trap me."
"This is what you do each time..." She continued as the way she does each time. Though she knows all her efforts are in vain, she never leaves recommending me till the moment I agree to her.
"No more discussion on the same rotten topic" I said firmly moving into the lawn to get some fresh air.
Though I changed the place, my thoughts stayed the same. The thought of earning the money, that was needed for my mother's treatment, was never out of my mind. My only hopes laid on the treasure that I have always dreamt of grabbing someday.
"May be this is the time, and tomorrow is the day for me to begin my steps towards the treasure. But mom will never agree to my decision. I've got no choice, but just leave, without her knowing about my plans. It sounds like a wrong decision to me too, but, I'm just helpless." I whispered to myself as the breeze swept my face.
Author's note:
Where do you think this treasure hunt will lead them?
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