Untitled Story pt.2

Chapter Two1

A couple days passed by with nothing more than anonymous phone calls. I spent most of my time out with Pete, since there was nothing else to do around the house. My dad decided it was okay to go back to our own house, where Kitty had been left. The dog had eaten all the food that was left for him, so we had no way of knowing when he’d last had something to eat. My dad left the dog door open for him, so he’d go out to do dog things and not do it all over the floor, which would have been nasty if we’d been gone longer.2

Aiden refused to go outside and play in the snow after what we’d found, and I couldn’t blame him, but he was getting bored inside. My dad suggested that I take him out bowling or something. Pete was off at work, so I had nothing much to do either. 3

My brother was amazing at bowling, which was strange, because he weighed just about as much as the ball. I threw mostly gutter balls and received only hysterical laughter.4

“Rye, you should just let me win,” Aiden said.5

“How do you know I’m not?” I replied.6

“No one can even pretend to be that bad,” he laughed as he rolled the ball and knocked down three pins.7

“You suck, kid!”8

I took a ball and rolled it, of course, missing everything except the gutter. I went to a vending machine and bought two cans of Sprite and a giant Kit Kat. As I expected, Aiden hurried over to take half the candy bar and a can of soda. My dad was strict about soda, and didn’t like Aiden to have it. I never really understood what was so bad about it, but I never followed the rule. Every time I took Aiden out I bought him a Root Beer or something. 9

“What now?” I asked after I got sick of bowling.10

“I don’t know.”11

“How about we go say hi to Pete at the toy store.”12

“Can I get something?”13

“Like what?”14

“A new game.”15

“You have, like, forty games. I don’t think you need any more. Why don’t you get a puzzle or Lego set? How about a board game?”16

“Ok!”17

I rolled my eyes as the kid pulled on his puffy jacket and threw my black Denim one at me. He dragged me by the wrist to the counter and got our shoes back. I tied my Converse and then tied Aiden’s navy blue Vans. 18

I drove to the store Pete worked at and Aiden dragged me to the game aisle. He took almost half an hour deciding between Clue and Battleship, and when he did we walked to the check out lane where Pete was hanging some guy his receipt. Aiden stuck his game on the counter and asked for a candy bar. He picked out something slimy and fruity and put it on the counter. 19

“Hey Rye!” Pete said.20

“What’s up?”21

“Not much. Making excuses to come see me?”22

“No, Aiden’s bored.”23

“That’s what all the ladies say,” he smirked.24

“Oh really?”25

“Don’t worry. I like you best.” 26

Aiden was pulling on my jacket because he wanted to leave and play Clue. “Come on!” He whined.27

“Hold on Aiden. My God!” I gasped. Pete laughed. “You want him?” I asked.28

“No, I’d rather be an only child.” Something about the way he said only child was strange. It seemed like there was sadness in his voice. Maybe his mother had a miscarriage, or maybe he had a sibling and lost them, maybe he still does but they’ve disappeared from his life entirely. I didn’t ask. Instead I gave him a quick hug and said goodbye. He promised to call me when he was done working, and then Aiden dragged me out the door. 29

On the ride home, Aiden pushed buttons on the radio, but there was nothing on. I popped in a hardcore mix and turned it up. Both of us liked the same music, and it made Aiden the weird kid in school since everyone was still in the Sesame street phase and he ran around screaming System Of A Down songs. I could be considered a bit of a bad influence.30

My dad was gone when we arrived home. Out with Jen, the note said. I made Macaroni and Cheese for the two of us and played Clue with Aiden. At six, Pete called. He apologized for seeming angry earlier. I had almost forgotten what he meant, but he reminded me. 31

“It’s okay. I do it too sometimes,” I replied.32

“So how’s it going?”33

“Pretty good. Nothing’s happened still. I’m getting a little suspicious.”34

“I’d be glad.”35

“Yeah, but still. I think something’s going on. Thing’s are too quiet, if you know what I mean.”36

“I know what you mean.”37

“Do you have to work tomorrow?”38

“Nope, got the day off!”39

“Want to do something?”40

“Sure!”41

“Cool, why don’t you come by and we can hang out. I have to watch over Aiden for a little while.”42

“Ok.”43

I couldn’t talk long because I had to put Aiden to bed and then I took a shower and fell asleep early myself. 44

When I woke up, it was because Aiden was poking at my shoulder. “What?” I whined.45

“Your boyfriend’s here.”46

“Tell him I’ll be down in a second.”47

I got dressed once Aiden shut the door and I heard him hurry down the stairs. I pulled on some jeans, I wasn’t sure if they were clean or not because they were on the floor, a clean, white T-shirt, and a black studded belt. I didn’t feel like brushing my hair so I stuck a pink baseball hat over it. Before finally going downstairs I put on a layer of deodorant, no one wants a smelly girl, and sprayed some perfume.48

Aiden had dragged Pete into his room and made him play video games. I laughed, because they were both occupied with the game and didn’t notice me come in.49

“Are you into me for my little brother?” I asked.50

Pete turned around and kissed me on the cheek. “So you are alive,” he joked. “What do you want to do?”51

“I told Pete we’d show him where we found the dead body,” Aiden exclaimed.52

“Do you want to see that?” I asked.53

“Why not.”54

I shrugged. “All right, but I’m taking my dad’s gun.” I walked over to my dad’s room and opened the closet. I pulled out a small hand gun and the feel of it in my hands sent shivers down my spine. I knew no one would be out there, but my heart was good at telling lies.55

Pete looked at me like I was insane, but didn’t ask any questions. “I don’t want to take any chances,” I said.56

“Do you even know how to use that?” He asked. Aiden’s eyes were wide with amazement and fear at the same time.57

“Fine, I’ll put it back.”58

Pete put his arms around me. “Nothing’s gonna happen.”59

“Yeah? What if something does. You can’t be so sure.”60

“Would you rather not go?”61

“No, it’s ok. You’re probably right anyway.”62

The three of us walked out the door and started walking through the woods. Pete held my hand tight and I had a loose grip on Aiden’s wrist. We came to the place where Aiden found the body, well, the dog did. Pete didn’t say anything.63

There was nothing, not even a trace of something the police would have left after investigating the scene. It was strange, all of us knew it, so we started walking deeper into the woods. I saw something in the distance when we were almost three miles in. There was a small, broken down shack with a rotted porch and two plastic lawn chairs in front of it.64

“You know you’re in Maine,” I mumbled.65

“Huh?” Pete asked.66

“Talking to myself.”67

“Ok.”68

“Can we go home?” I asked. Aiden was quiet, and I could tell he wanted to leave too.69

“Let’s go.”70

We walked back and I could have sworn I heard rustling in the bushes, but when I turned around there was nothing. “Did you hear something?” Pete asked. He was getting worried too, and he kept looking back. 71

I shook my head. “No, it must have been a squirrel.”72

“Rye, I’m scared,” Aiden suddenly gasped.73

“It’s ok. I think we all are. This was a bad idea. Coming out here, I mean.”74

“It’s all my fault,” Aiden started crying.75

“Why is it your fault?” I asked, kneeling down to meet his teary eyes.76

“If I never followed Kitty up here you never would have found that dead girl. If you never found her those bad guys would never be after us. Now I wanted to come out here and show Pete because I wanted to play detective, but now I think someone wants to kill us.”77

“Hey, don’t ever think that way. We’ll be fine. Don’t worry. It’s not your fault. Those jerks have no friends and think that killing people will make them popular and famous. They’re sickos.”78

Aiden sniffed and I brushed a tear off his cheek. “Let’s go home.”79

Once we got back to the house, I made hot cocoa for all of us and we played Clue. Aiden liked the game, but it reminded me of the current situation. Murder. My stomach twisted at the thought.80

After my dad got home Pete and I went out to some local band’s show. I got a few bruises from being up front in the pit, but I liked having a few battle wounds to flaunt after a show. As we pulled into my driveway I saw flashing lights. I jumped out the door before Pete stopped the car, thinking the worst happened while I was out.81

I ran up the icy driveway and fell, tearing my jeans and scraping my knee. “Shit!” I yelled, but I got up almost as fast as I’d fallen and kicked open the door. To my surprise, I saw my dad and Aiden standing in a corner of the room.82

“What happened?” I gasped.83

“They broke in while we went to pick up some groceries,” my dad said.84

“Who?” I asked even though I already knew.85

“Who ever’s after us.”86

I swallowed hard. We shouldn’t have gone out in the woods. They were out there when we were, but they didn’t make any moves then. It didn’t make much sense. We were vulnerable alone in the woods. When we were here the neighbors could see, passing cars, anyone in the area.87

“Where did you get those bruises?” A police officer asked, pointing to my arms.88

“I went to a rock show earlier. I just got home,” I said.89

“Were you with anyone?”90

Pete had finally come in to join me and he put an arm around my shoulder. “Pete, my boyfriend. He’s the only one I was with.”91

“Ok. Do you have any ideas why someone would break into your house?”92

“Have you been paying any attention?” Pete suddenly gasped.93

“Excuse me?”94

“Sorry,” he calmed down. “The murder, Lorietta. Rye found her body. A few nights later there were people here, but her father was warned ahead of time and got Aiden and himself out. Rye was with me.”95

“Why is she always with you when these thing happen?”96

“Are you accusing us?”97

“No, it’s just a question.”98

“I don’t know why she’s always with me at those moments. Probably because we’re dating and we like spending time together. We don’t know when these guys are going to come and wreak havoc on her family.”99

The officer stooped asking questions and most of them left. One squad car stayed parked in the driveway just in case something happened during the night. Pete went home and I took a shower then fell asleep. I didn’t sleep well, I woke up half a dozen times that night. I could have sworn someone was tapping on my window, but each time I looked there was no one.100

The next morning, I was awake at noon. I rubbed my eyes and put on some baggy, black yoga pants, a tight, black t-shirt, and my sneakers. I tried to make myself look decent. I brushed my hair and put a bit of make up on. I looked almost like I usually did and then went to greet my dad and Aiden.101

I poured some coffee into a mug and poured a bit of half and half cream into it. I dumped four spoonfuls of sugar into it, stirred it, and took a big sip. Then I poured some cereal and milk into a bowl and sat at the table. My dad and Aiden hadn’t slept at all either, but it looked like my father had aged about ten years. Something was going on with him.102

“What’s up with you dad?” I asked.103

“Thinking,” he replied.104

“About?” I asked.105

“Your mother.”106

“Why?”107

“I lied to you.”108

“What? I don’t get it.”109

“When I told you she died. I was never sure. She just.. She just disappeared of the face of the Earth. No one found her. I don’t know. She could be dead, or she could be a hostage somewhere.”110

“Why? Why would you lie to us?”111

“I didn’t know what to say. ‘Hey kids, your mom’s missing!’ isn’t something a twelve year old needs to hear. Your brother was only a year, so he wouldn’t get it anyway, but I knew you would. I couldn’t figure out what to do.”112

I stood up fast and sent the chair back. It crashed onto the floor and I felt tears run down my face. I pushed the door open and ran down the road. I didn’t know where I was going, but I couldn’t believe it. For almost two hours I walked down the road alone, trying to process what I’d been told. It just got worse, though, I somehow managed to convince myself that my mother was still alive. She was in some horrid place, dirty, with creepy men. More tears streaked my face. It had been five years, almost six, and I’d always thought she was dead. My dad wouldn’t let me go to the funeral, I wondered why, and I was angry, but I never questioned it. 113

I heard a car’s horn coming from behind me, but I kept on walking away. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. The car stopped and the window rolled down. It was Pete.114

“What are you doing?” Pete asked.115

“If they find me, maybe they can take me to my mother. I don’t even know if she’s dead, I was young. My father may have just given up.”116

“You think getting yourself kidnaped will bring your mother back?”117

I was silent for a moment and then burst into silent tears.118

“I don’t know what I think anymore.”119

“Rye, it’s not your fault she’s gone.”120

“How does anyone know she’s gone. No one knows if she’s really dead for Christ’s sake!”121

“That doesn’t mean you have to act like this and get yourself killed. Please, come back with me. Your dad’s been worried sick about you.”122

“He doesn’t care about me. He’s too wrapped up in his lies to care about what’s wrong.”123

“Come with me then. I won’t make you see him until you want to.” I knew he wanted to say that my father did care. I knew he’d tell my dad I was back, but I knew that he wouldn’t make me see him yet. 124

I got in the car and Pete held me tightly. I cried into his shoulder for a while, and then he started driving to his house. His parents were both at work, and we sat on the couch together and talked. I leaned against his warm body and he ran his fingers through my hair. He promised that he wouldn’t force me to talk to my dad, but he told me he was going to call and say I was ok. I was fine with that. 125

A day and a half passed and I decided to go confront my dad. Pete drove me to my house and followed me in the door. The house was empty. I called for Aiden or my dad, but no one answered. We went over to Jen’s house and no one was there either. There were no notes or anything. They were gone. I could have sworn I saw tire tracks beneath the snow, they didn’t lead to the car in the driveway either. My family had been taken away. Just like my mother.126

“Pete! They’re gone!” I gasped.127

“Maybe they went out,” he replied.128

“My dad’s car and mine were at home and Jen’s car is here. There are strange tire tracks. I don’t think they went out,” I was almost hysterical. “What if something bad happens? What if something bad already did happen? Pete, I never got to say goodbye or anything.”129

“Don’t be hard on yourself, Rye. We’ll find them. I promise.”130

I didn’t want to let myself believe that, because I was scared to death of what could happen. We drove to the police and reported Jen, Aiden, and my dad as missing. The police were getting more suspicious of the two of us because we were here while my family was gone. They weren’t supposed to jump to conclusions, but they did. In their eyes, Pete and I were perfect suspects since I was gone both times the house was broken into and then I left and everyone went missing.131

I knew they thought we had something to do with it when they didn’t bother asking where we were the past couple days. Neither of us bothered to say we weren’t guilty. We knew it wouldn’t matter. All we could do was take care of ourselves.132

The two of us went back to his house. Sure enough there was a message on the answering machine. Somehow, they knew where I was staying, and now Pete was involved in the situation. We looked at each other once the message ended.133

“What now?” I asked.134

“Find a new place to stay and figure this out without the police.”135

“How?”136

“A friend of mine’s brother is a cop a few towns over. He can help us I bet.”137

He packed some clothes into a black Adidas bag, took me to my house so I could quickly pack, and then started in the direction of his friend’s house. Pete used my cell phone and called ahead to be sure the guy was home. Luckily, he was around, and was willing to help.138

It took only half an hour to get to our destination. Pete knocked on the door, since there was no doorbell, and we waited. A few minutes later the door opened and a guy who looked no older than his late twenties welcomed us in. He had a blue baseball cap on with light brown hair escaping the bottom. He didn’t look like a cop. He wore jeans, a white collared t-shirt, tan work boots, and a navy blue Carhartt jacket.139

“This is Rye,” Pete said to the guy.140

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jeff.”141

I shook his hand and he then motioned for Pete and I to take a seat at the table. He poured us each a glass of Coke and then sat down along with us. He asked what was going on, and I told him, while Pete added the little details. Jeff didn’t say anything for a while, but then he told us he’d do some research. I had a feeling that he’d be crucial to finding my family, and I hoped he’d find something soon.142

Jeff tossed some blankets and pillows on the two couches he had in the living room and then disappeared into the basement for a little while. When he returned he held a laptop computer under his arm.143

“I’ve got a few buddies over at the station. They might be able to find something now,” he told us as he typed on the computer. 144

He stared at the screen and typed more and didn’t say a word for almost twenty minutes. “They have some guys working on it. They found another body and they found evidence of rape on it too. If they can find the DNA they might just find out who’s guilty, or at least get a good idea.”145

My heart sank at first. “Do they know who the person is?”146

“Yeah, Carolyne Peabody. She’s from Kentucky or something. My guess is that she was visiting relatives up here or something.”147

I was relieved that it wasn’t Jen or Aiden or my dad, but something didn’t seem right. “I don’t get it. So far, all the bodies were girls, but now they have my dad and brother. What would they want with them?”148

“Who knows. They probably don’t want them to run free, so I bet your family knows something that the killers don’t want anyone to know. They probably want you now because you found the body and they might even want Pete because he’s involved with you.”149

“What about the shack?” Pete suddenly asked.150

“What?” I asked.151

“The shack, in the woods. Don’t you remember it? With the lawn chairs in front of it?”152

“Oh... yeah, what’s that have to do with anything?”153

“The body was near there, what if they use that as a hideout or something?”154

“Maybe, but that wouldn’t explain why every body was found in a different place,” I got an idea. “What if there are other little buildings where the other bodies were found. The one we found was almost three miles away from the dead girl.”155

Jeff typed everything we said and dialed a number on his phone at the same time. He told whoever was on the other end to go search the area Carolyne was found in for a small building. He hung up and told us they were looking.156

I told Jeff about what my dad told me about my mother and he remembered her name from a previous case. I could piece it together. When she disappeared we still lived in Ohio.157

“She was on a business trip, wasn’t she?” Jeff asked.158

Everything came back together and I remembered how she was always off somewhere on business. I knew why my dad moved us here. He wanted to find her without drawing too much attention to what he was doing. He didn’t want us to know. If he found her, though, I had no idea what he would have done. I imagined him coming home one day with her saying “just kidding.” If he weren’t missing, I’d be completely disgusted with him, but it wasn’t the time for anger. I knew it for sure.159

The phone rang again about forty five minutes later. There was a barn out in the woods. It had burned years before but it still worked as decent shelter. The police hadn’t checked it out completely, but it was there.160