by B C Morgan
I look at him and see the future I could have. It would be beautiful and filled with joy and laughter. I can’t look at him any longer as I rush into the bathroom to get dressed, but when I come back out, he’s gone. All that’s left is a letter, one that I cannot open. All I can do is add it to Elliott’s and let it burn a hole through my glove box.
THREE
I CAN HARDLY BREATHE and it only gets worse as I make it to my car and find a message written on my windscreen, all it says is ‘backseat.’ It comes off easily enough but I’m petrified to look in my car, is there someone in there or I don’t know, a bomb. Okay, clearly I am overreacting. I just need to take a deep breath and tackle this head on. Please do not let anyone be hiding back there.
Here goes nothing, I pull open the door and find a phone lying on my backseat. Okay, was the message really necessary for this.
Screw this I’m not getting drawn into more mind games, throwing my bag on the backseat next to the phone I climb into my car and I’m off. Only things don’t go according to plan, I seem to be getting really lucky with the lights, hitting green after green until one turns red. I push down on the break and it goes all the way to the floor, no resistance. My brakes don’t work!
Shit, it’s my only thought as I run the light and try to ignore the blaring of car horns, and then I’m going head first into a wall. I’m just glad I wasn’t going too fast and aside from hitting my head on the steering wheel, I think I just had a lucky escape.
It doesn’t take long for the gavvers and paramedics to arrive, they take my statement and check me over and I can tell they don’t believe me when I say my brakes weren’t working. I’ve proved I’m not under the influence of anything, but they are still assuming I must be at fault somehow. I can’t wait for them to choke on their accusations, but I’ve had enough. They’ve offered to give me a lift back to Roxie’s but I’d rather get a taxi after the way they’ve been treating me. The only thing I am relieved about is the fact I managed to grab my letters from El and Eli before I left my car.
“Miss, you left your phone in the back,” a youngish cop says as he passes me the phone that had been placed in my car and it’s ringing.
I’m smiling politely as I put the phone to my ear and walk far enough away so I won’t be overheard.
“Hello?” It’s a question, posed as a greeting. What more can I say?
“You should get your car serviced pretty girl, the car brakes can really save your life,” the tone is smug but it’s lacking. It sounds...fake, like the emotion is being forced to come through.
“Thanks for the tip, but they were working fine this morning,” I say, sure I’m lying but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Lies are so unbecoming don’t you think, unless you were driving something of a different kind. But what could you have been driving up in that hotel room you shared with Elijah.” I’ve stopped moving and my breathing is becoming more shallow, is he following me? Or has he got someone to do that for him?
“Who are you and what do you want from me?” I ask, trying to instil strength within my words but I can hear the tremble and I doubt he misses it.
“Didn’t you get my letter, I’m Dante and I’m your judge, jury and executioner,” he laughs this evil kind of sound and it makes me feel sick with dread.
“Sorry, I guess I didn’t get it. Try again later,” I shoot back, letting my anger and frustration unleash upon him.
“Did you have a name for me, before you knew it?” his tone is low, almost gentle.
“I don’t know who you are!” I shout and freeze when I notice how many people are staring at me. I duck my head and turn a corner and my feet may as well be made of lead when I see Mr. Terrifying.
“Do you know me now?” He says through the phone, while his eyes drill through me. His tone is vitriolic but even from here I can still see how empty his eyes truly are.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask softly, fear overriding all my senses and my fight or flight has abandoned me, as I’m left frozen.
He doesn’t come any closer as we stand on either path, only a road separating us.
“Because Elliott is already dead, although if he was alive I’d still choose you. It would make his suffering all that more sweet,” again no infliction, what is going on with this guy? Is he a psychopath or sociopath? Those two always confuse me.
“You said you’d tell me why,” I remind him, and I’m wondering if I’m making a huge mistake.
“Yes but I also told you to get rid of your boyfriends and you failed. Didn’t you Henleigh?! I will say this though, why don’t you look into what else happened on that date. See you soon pretty girl, you’ll be wishing you listened to those bullies at Padstow and just ended it all. Next time I see you, I’ll end you,” a shark like grin cracks his face before he drags his thumb across his throat and walks away.
I can finally breathe again but I feel utterly wrecked as I bend over and rest my hands on my knees. I just need to get my bearings once more and then I’ll be good to go.
“I changed my mind,” his voice comes from right beside me and terror is barrelling its way throughout my body.
His hand clamps around my mouth as his other hand wraps around my chest, pulling me hard against his chest. He’s as hard as granite and I can feel the impact reverberating up my spine. No fuck this. He is not taking me! I bite down on his palm but aside from flinching slightly, it has no effect on this freak of nature. I slam my foot down onto his instep, before turning and slamming my shoulder into his sternum. He lets go, and I’m guessing it’s more to do with the shock than anything else, but he soon goes down as my knee impacts his groin and I’m running.
I know I shouldn’t look back but I can’t help it, why is he smiling?
MR. TERRIFYING IS IN KENT, I know his name is Dante but Mr. Terrifying suits him better in my opinion. Roxie doesn’t know how to react to this news but I can’t stay here. Clearly someone is following me, although I do doubt he’s doing the leg work himself, I’m just going to cause trouble for her if I stay. I leave once everyone is asleep and I don’t even leave a note. All I leave is the bracelet the girls got me and my box of treasured memories. I hope she will keep them safe for me, even if I am sneaking out in the dead of night without so much as a goodbye.
I climb into the taxi and it takes me to the train station, I’m going back to Cornwall so I at least have somewhere to sleep. I’m still sticking to my guns though, this will only be for two, three days at the most and then I’m gone. Where? I have no idea. I just need the truth and to stay alive long enough to figure it all out.
I fall asleep on the train and luckily the conductor wakes me before I can miss my stop, he’s a sweet old man. Probably in his sixties and he has a grandfatherly look about him that melts my heart.
I get a taxi and go straight to my temporary home, my dad’s way of making himself feel a little less guilt. Nope not going there, I need to get a proper night sleep and then I need to get myself another car. Hopefully this time it won’t be as easy to break into.
I’m making myself a hot chocolate before I have a nice relaxing bath and then hopefully that’ll relax me enough. I burn my tongue as I throw back the drink, not patient enough to let it cool down fully and then I climb into a bath with a lavender scent infused with the water. I let the heat wash over me. A sigh of relief falls from me and my eyes drift closed. So relaxing.
“Pipsqueak, you know I love you don’t you?” Elliott sounds so serious and I don’t like it, he doesn’t do serious. He’s always fun when he’s with me, unless he’s trying to protect me.
“Of course you do, you’re my El and I’m your Pipsqueak,” I reply with my sweet smile, that he’s never able to resist.
“You know you’re seven now kiddo, you are getting so big. You won’t even need me soon,” he’s smiling but his eyes are pinched and his mouth looks grim, why isn’t my El happy?
“I’ll always need you, you’re my big brother and my guardian. You always
keep me safe, nothing bad ever happens when you’re around,” I reply innocently, but why aren’t my words making him happy.
“Of course it doesn’t, I’ll always put you first. This isn’t coming out right, look Henleigh you won’t understand this now but I need to say it,” he’s speaking so fast it’s hard to keep up and he keeps chewing on his bottom lip and making sure mum and dad aren’t around to hear us.
“I may not always be here, even though I will do my hardest to always be around, but know that whatever I do… I do for you and me. No one else matters, you’re going to have the best life and never be sad or alone, I’ll make sure of it.” He pulls me into his arms and rocks me back and forth. He never holds me like this and it makes me feel strange, it makes me...worry.
I FIND A NICE FORD FOCUS, second hand but in great condition and it doesn’t cost me an arm and leg which makes it even more perfect. Now all I need is to go back home, boot up my laptop and get my research on. First things first though, I need some bloody food. I haven’t eaten anything in at least twenty-four hours and my stomach is growling like a beast. I don't have it in me to make anything, I think I’ll stop in at a cafe and then I’ll get on with my task for the day.
I sit down and order a cappuccino and a bacon and egg sarnie, I’m hungry but I don’t think I can handle a lot right now. Not with everything that is going on. The waitress wanders off and I rest my head upon my forearms while I wait for her to come back.
I’m not paying a lot of attention as a shadow falls over my table. She can just place it down and I’ll leave a nice tip to make up for my sour attitude.
“Henleigh?”
I shoot upright and stare at Harrison with my mouth open wide in shock, I was not expecting to see him here. What is he doing here? What if he’s spying on me for Dante? Paranoid much!
“What are you doing here? How did you even know I would be here?” I ask, failing to hide my suspicions, I sound as though I’m accusing him of something and his eyes are narrowing at my tone.
“I wasn’t looking for you Monterey, why would I ever want to seek you out?” He asks, his voice harsh and like a lash to my nerves.
“I’m sorry, alright. I’ve had a really crappy last couple of days,” I huff out as I fold my arms and stare out of the window. Just watching the world go by around me.
He sighs loudly as he folds himself into the chair opposite me, there’s no need for him to stay so why is he putting himself out? Clearly he wants to get away from me as quickly as possible. His body language is all wrong, closed off and he’s leaning towards the exit, just waiting for his escape.
“What’s going on?” He sounds bored as he asks this and it's starting to aggravate me.
“None of your damn business, and don't put yourself out for my benefit,” I bite out, my voice cutting through him like acid and he arches his brows in response to my tone.
“Fine be like that, but you're sitting at my table so I’m not moving.”
“Are you kidding me right now, you’re pulling this shit again,” I say loudly, disbelief filling me and I ignore the dirty looks I’m being given by the other patrons. There're no kids in here, so if I want to swear, I bloody well will.
“I guess we may as well talk to pass the time, what do you say Monterey?” His eyes are sparkling and daring me to get up and leave. Well, I refuse to give him what he wants, he’s stuck with me until I finish my sandwich. If it ever arrives.
“I got a cryptic lead on the mystery that is my brother’s life, I need to look into other things that happened on the same day of his death. I just don’t know what I’m looking for,” I say morosely as I start tearing at my napkin until it's nothing more than confetti.
“That’s what has put you in this mood, no I’m not buying it,” he shakes his head and reaches his hand out before snatching it back.
I guess he forgets for a moment how much he hates me and then, he remembers. That’s the only explanation I can think of.
“There’s some other stuff going on, but I don’t want to talk about it. Not to people who like and care about me and certainly not you,” yes I’m still being harsh but I don’t care. Let his feelings get hurt, why should that make me feel worse?
“Fair enough, so do you want some help?” He sounds as surprised by his offer as I feel, but he isn’t taking it back.
Harrison was never threatened by Dante, He isn’t a threat to his plans for me and he did mention H’s name to me at least twice. Maybe I should keep him close, just for a couple of days. I’m leaving anyway, so what could it hurt?
“Sure, why not,” I say with a smirk and he looks a little worried but he also looks intrigued, looks like we’re studying together again. Just like Padstow, but this time it’s to help me.
HE IS NOT IMPRESSED by my car, he thinks I should have bought new. But what’s the point if Dante does something else to this one, I’m not wasting my money this time.
“Have you had this checked out?’ He asks, looking at it with utter disdain curling his lip.
“No, but I can do that later,” I reply absentmindedly, and he tuts. Seriously?
“Bring it to the college when it starts up, I can check it over and get my tutor’s opinion while it’s there. It’ll be free as well,” he says and how can I refuse. I may have money, but I’m not in the business of wasting it. It can’t last forever.
I drive us back to ‘my place’ and he wastes no time in climbing out of my car and walking over to the front door. I can’t help but shake my head as I open it and he strolls in like he owns the place, arrogant arsehole.
“Sure, make yourself at home,” sarcasm is never a waste of breath, but maybe it is wasted on him as he smirks and continues to wander around the living room.
“I thought I was, don’t worry Henleigh I won’t get too comfortable,” he says with his own sarcasm before throwing himself down on my sofa and putting his feet up, boots and all.
Can I throat punch him? I mean, do I really need his help?
“You’re only making me hate you more.”
“Good, wouldn’t want you to start liking me now, would I?” He throws back as he sits up and leans his arms across the back of the sofa.
Guess I’ll be taking the chair, but first I better grab my laptop and tablet so we both have something to search with.
I sit down and put my earphones in, blaring REM’s Losing My Religion, and throwing myself into the day that made everything good in my life turn into shit.
I’ve been at it for an hour, but I can’t find anything. I don’t know what I’m doing, there isn’t anything that could tie into Elliott. Unless...I’m too close to him. I can’t see him as someone that could do something wrong, myself sure but not my El.
“I think I have something, but I don’t know if it's what you’re looking for,” H says and I don't think as I drop beside him on the sofa.
I’m sitting close enough that he doesn’t need to adjust the laptop on his lap and our thighs are pressing together. He looks at me with a question in his eyes that I can’t decipher, but he doesn’t try to move away.
I stare at the screen but I don’t understand what I’m looking at, what has this got to do with why Dante wants to end my life?
“You need to read the article but before that, I need to ask you something?” He says, looking at me with gentle eyes and its freaking me out. He should not be looking at me like this.
“Ask away,” I reply worriedly, as anxiety reins free.
“Where did Elliott’s accident take place and the exact date, I know you did tell me but I need to make sure,” he is being so serious.
“South London on the twenty first of August 2009, want to tell me why?” I ask, the anxiety is bubbling away and mixing with the curiosity.
“A guy was injured on that exact date in the South London area, it doesn’t say a lot about what happened but I have a feeling he was injured either by someone in the car or when your brother’s accident took place. I could be wrong but I doubt it, all
we need to do is find out who the guy is and maybe we can figure it out,” he says, and his eyes are lit up with excitement. I think he’s getting a kick out of this and I don’t know if I should be amused or offended, maybe both is appropriate right now.
“I can’t ask Mattias, he’s friends with Noah and he could let it slip to him. And if Noah finds out, he’ll soon be on my trail,” I’m thinking out loud, and I do not expect him to give me an answer.
“I could always ask him, no one would expect us to be together. I doubt they’d connect it to us, what do you say Henleigh. Fancy drawing me in further?” Yes, his eyes are definitely sparkling.
“What could it hurt, you may as well stick around for a little longer,” I mean really, what could it hurt?
MATTIAS RELUCTANTLY AGREES but he makes it clear that he’s only doing it because they have a friend in common. They do? Oh shit. He’s on about me. Since when did me and Harrison become friends and when did I become so dense. I mean in a weird way, I guess we are now. We helped each other and he’s been there for me, I think even our joke of enemies for life is our code way of saying we’re mates now.
This is getting so confusing, but it is nice not being alone and Harrison is good company. As long as we’re not talking too much, otherwise one of us gets aggravated. I wonder why we rub off on each other so much?
“He’s looking into it, we should have a name within two days,” he says looking smug as he disconnects the call.
“Two days, I wasn’t planning on sticking around that long,” it just slips out and I register the surprise before he shrugs his shoulders as if to say, what are you going to do?
“Where are you going?” He asks but I don’t know if he wants to know or is just being polite.
“I have no idea, I just know I can’t stay here,” my tone is low and my voice is raspy, I really don’t want to cry in front of him.