by Ink Blood
“I need to find a light. Something would find me, grab me and drag me to a pit.” Martin mumbled frightened.
He opened the back door.
There too it was dark, the moon hid behind a blanket of heavy dark clouds. The light had found him unworthy. The wind was cold and wrapped around him, he gasped for air. He was alone and his resources of alcohol had dried up. He had nothing and now he must face the demon that had come to claim him without a wall to protect him.
Martin was breathless.
“What if she finds me? She will take me. I didn’t get far enough. I had only given her time to call out for help and draw attention. What if Andrew figured it out? What if he knew what I’ve done?” Martin called out and paced nervously.
Martin returned to the lounge and sunk into the couch.
A giggle broke the silence, coming down the stairs, bare feet tapped on the bare wood.
At the bottom it skipped across the carpeted passage then stopped.
He focused on the sounds, searching for an image, hoping to could see the boy alive and well.
Martin pleaded hard, gasped and then wept.
“Please forgive me... please take me now and stop the suffering. Release me, take me into the light, reunite me with the ones I did wrong. It’s not my fault.”
Martin sat on the carpeted floor, kneeling and clutching his hands. The giggle surrounded him, above him, filling his every being.
Martin felt relieved. At least the suffering came to an end. Christopher came to take him into the light. Where was he hiding? Why wasn’t he showing himself?
The house fell silent. The giggle vanished. The lights flashed and restored the house to sound and lights.
*~*~*
*V*
Andrew awoke to the sight of city lights in his eyes. “It looks like we’re getting close to Ohio.”
He wiped the tiredness out of his eyes and watch buildings as they rushed by. He shuffled in the passenger seat. He opened the window slightly to let the early morning air into the cab. Helen was still driving and making the most of the soft music playing in the background. She was humming cheerfully although she had been driving for more than six hours straight.
“There’s a rest stop up ahead. I just need to get gas then we can hit the road again. I hope we can make it there before noon.” She informed chewing on a stick of dried meat.
She had felt the cool of the early morning past and slipped into a light green sweater. She had kicked off her slip on shoes and tied her hair into a rough ponytail. Her make-up refreshed clearly she had stopped while Andrew was sleeping.
Andrew said. “Would you like me to take the last shift? I’m sure you’re tired by now. We don’t have that far to go.” Andrew yawned and stretched the tension out of his neck and body.
Sitting and sleeping wasn’t as comfortable as he had hoped, but at least he’s not tired anymore. Hopefully he would get to Martin without falling asleep again.
“When we stop you can take over. I’m fine for now. I just had an energy drink for a boost. I think you should try one of these. They are really tasty and good.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“You’re still going to tell me why you divorced your husband.”
“I think I just had enough of taking the blame for everything. He’s more of a control freak. I married too young I think.”
“So he was you high school sweetheart?”
“Yes, talking from experience, when you’re young, you should first test the water before you jump right in.”
“Good advice I think.” Andrew said smiling.
“Well the only good thing that came from the marriage is Olivia. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he didn’t have all his money. I mean if he only had an average job. I probably would’ve stayed with him just for Olivia’s sake. If I did she still would’ve had a home and meals. I know I’m one of the very few lucky women. So many women put themselves through hell to keep their children happy.” Helen replied still chewing on the stick of meat.
“It does more damage than good. Children are never happy in an unhappy situation. If parents split up and struggled to pay bills, it would still be better than having children around constant fighting.”
“Yes, and then you split up and battle to put food on the table. You work two or maybe three jobs and the children starts acting out because they don’t get enough attention. Although you break your back because it’s better for them, you can’t win. So you stay in the marriage so the children suffer under the stress but they still get attention, or you leave and they hate you for not being home.”
“Olivia seems fine.”
“Because I don’t have to work, I am home with her all-day. I feel sorry for single parents.”
Andrew nodded at her. Clearly he was developing a liking for Olivia.
“She’s a little angel. I can see why Christopher has attached himself to her. She doesn’t like to see another child suffer. It’s not in her nature to turn a blind eye. She’d rather give the last of what she has to make someone feel better, no matter what she’s going through.”
Helen pulled into a garage with a small shop and rest rooms. Andrew grabbed his wallet out of the clove compartment and opened the door.
Helen left the vehicle and said. “Would you like some coffee for the trip ahead maybe something to eat? This one’s on me.”
“That’s great, thanks. I’m feeling a little skinny around the middle.” Andrew joked.
“I’ll have a look at what they got and let you know.”
“Its fine, get whatever you’re getting, I’m not fussy.”
Andrew walked to the pump and started to fill the tank. Moments later Helen came out of the shop and placed the food on the hood of the vehicle.
“They don’t have tables in there. I got ham and cheese, chicken and mayonnaise sandwiches, some chips and coffee.”
“Sounds like a feast.” Andrew said and replaced the nozzle of the pump.
“That energy tonic really works, I feel like I’ve slept for more than eight hours.” Andrew remarked before collecting a chicken and mayonnaise sandwich.
He opened the top of the coffee and sipped at it slowly. It was hot and sweet. Clearly Helen added sugar and creamer and stirred it. The little shop didn’t offer much but at least the bread was fresh and the lettuce still crunchy.
“I’m glad you like the tonic, there’s more in the car.” Helen offered.
“Great, it makes me all jumpy inside. I can take on the whole world at once and it wouldn’t even bring me down.”
“Ah.”
“The chicken isn’t too bad either, I expected less from it. How are you ham and cheese?” Andrew asked.
“You can try it now, I bought two of each. I hope the coffee isn’t too sweet, had to guess on the sugar.”
“Smooth like honey on the tongue.”
Andrew finished his ham and cheese sandwich and excused himself before heading to the restroom. Moments later he returned and got ready to take on the rest of the journey without any further stops. With the gas paid and a full stomach he felt less tired and refreshed. He had another three hundred and twenty miles to go. He might get Martin around midday without incident. The journey from Hazy View was long and hard, at least now the end’s in sight.
“So what do you think we should do first when we get there?” Helen asked.
Andrew pulled out of the gas station and headed for the highway leading to Dayton.
“I’d like to keep my choices open, just in case things aren’t what I expect once I get there. But most of all I’d like the sheriff or some of the law enforcement officers to escort me for the first time I see Martin. Things might get out of hand, something I don’t really want.”
“Do you expect him to put up a fight?” Helen asked nervously.
“Maybe, it would be a shock if I suddenly and unexpectedly arrive at his doorstep, don’t you think?”
“Maybe he would
feel too intimidated.”
“He’ll feel intimidated only if he has something to hide. But your right, maybe I should keep the officers close but not too close. You see that’s why I thought of bringing you along. You have a sharp mind, but I’m afraid mine had been taking a beating lately.”
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere.” Helen said smiling.
“No punt intended.”
The road slipped by with music playing a little louder and small conversation revealed more about both of them. Helen has interested in forensics but not in actually doing the work. The things people found by testing the smallest of particles interested her. It amazed her more than interested her. If you considered all that a computer can do these days alone. Twenty years ago a person would never have dreamed that a small molecule could distinguish truth from fiction. It would be amazing to see what people would do next.
Buildings dwindled into nothingness and trees became closer together. Fields with long grass and untamed played in the breeze. The sun was hiding behind small cotton like clouds. The road opened into four lanes and snaked across the country heading North with fewer and fewer traffic to slowed them down. At this rate they might reach Martin long before noon.
They drove in silence, listening to the music.
Helen changed the CD in the player and waited for the music to start playing. She grew tired as the energy tonic had evidently worn off. The music started to play softly. The golden oldie brought back memories from ones youth and rebellious days. It played through the cab. It made you smile after recalling the simple things you’ve done as a child.
She yawned and tucked her head into the side of the seat, between the window and the headpiece. She adjusted a pillow they had brought with and got comfortable. She was still moments away from sleep.
The silence started to mount.
She kicked off her shoes again and pushed the blanket off her as the sun shone through the clouds, warming her through the closed window.
Andrew opened the window and lit a cigarette. She didn’t complain about the smell, her husband also smoked. She only asked that the window was open a little to allow for fresh air.
After finishing his cigarette Andrew turned to Helen. He started an idol conversation but soon realized that she had already fallen asleep and he didn’t want to wake her. He turned the music down and hummed softly to a tune.
Miles passed and his hums grew silent his mind started to wonder.
*~*~*
*VI*
Martin woke up and called for a home delivery of beer, food and painkillers. The rain had stopped and the sun started to brighten. All the doors and windows remained closed.
Martin hid under a blanket when the courier knocked. He ignored it.
“Hello, is anyone home?” The courier called through the door.
Martin stood up.
“Hello I’ve got your delivery.”
Martin’s relieved and moved cautiously and slowly to the door. “Wait just a minute. What time’s it?”
“It’s nine-twenty.” He replied.
“What do I owe you?” Martin asked.
Martin moved to the window and looked through the corner of the lace curtain.
“You can leave it right there, thank you.” He commanded.
“What about the money?” The man called, more annoyed than worried.
“Here, I’ll push it through the mail slot. I can’t find the key right now.” Martin lied.
Martin folded two notes and pushed it through the mail slot and held it. He felt the courier taking the notes and released it. He heard the courier putting down the paper bags and footsteps led off the porch. He stood for a moment and listened through the door.
“Freak…!” The man called back as his voice faded.
Martin opened the door a crack and grabbed the bags before slamming the door shut again. He grabbed a beer and emptied it into his mouth in one sip. He opened another and found the painkillers. He popped four into his mouth and swallowed it down with another warm beer. Finally he relaxed.
*~*~*
*VII*
Rain fell on the windscreen. The clouds hung heavy. Trees at the edge of the highway swayed wildly. It picked up from a light breeze to a strong wind. It looked cold and unpleasant. A signboard passed read seventy four miles to Oakwood, their destination. Andrew was still driving. Helen awoke after a two-hour nap.
“I wonder if it was deliberately or an accident?” Andrew said softly.
“I thought you’re so angry at him and you’re convinced he did this hideous crime.”
“I’m angry, and I still believe he did it, but I don’t believe it’s premeditated.”
“What made you think that?” Helen asked confused.
“He couldn’t handle what he’d done.”
“Why didn’t he say anything?”
“No. Because I think he’s scared.”
“Scared of what, going to jail?”
“No. I think he feared the people in town would judge him, or maybe he wasn’t thinking straight.”
“Do you really believe that?” Helen asked after a brief silence.
“Maybe, being the sheriff was his whole life. If he lost that it would be like he lost his whole life. Some people get weird about their jobs. I just don’t know.”
“What changed your mind?”
“I was sure he did it deliberately, but I think the trip have given me enough time to think. Martin and I had been as close as two men could get, without it being weird, there’s no way he would’ve done this in cold blood.”
“Now what, do you feel sorry for him?”
“To a degree, there’s nothing natural to the way he broke down.”
“I don’t think so.” Helen said coldly.
“Why you didn’t have a chance to know him?”
“The times I saw him he was fine, normal.”
“Your right, there was moments that he was his old self. Even on the day he left, smiling and joking.” Andrew admitted thoughtfully.
“Maybe he was pretending.” Helen suggested.
“Make us believe he’s suffering. Trying to get everyone feeling sorry for him, then when the truth comes out they’ll take pity on him.” He fell silent and kept his eyes on the road ahead.
“He could’ve done it deliberately.”
“I still can’t understand why.” Andrew paused.
“Everything he did was to keep us from wondering. He was thinking clear enough to cover his tracks. His supposable brake down, using Janet’s credit cards, making everyone believe they had left town, getting someone else call the office pretending to be Janet. People don’t go to that extend if it’s an accident. They do that when they know they did something wrong.” Helen pointed out.
“I use to be able to read his mind, look into his soul. I could’ve finished his sentences and he mine. Lately we’d grown apart. He blamed me for everything. I thought he was trying to get rid of me. Meanwhile he was trying to get away from me because I knew him so well. Everything‘s starting to make sense to me now.” Andrew said with more clarity.
“But you still don’t believe he planned it.”
“No.”
“It might’ve been an accident.”
“Maybe… Maybe not, it’s hard to say at this moment. I don’t have enough evidence to suggest otherwise.”
“Do you think he did it himself?”
“Most likely, I can’t think he would’ve hired someone to do the dirty work.”
“So what’s your theory?”
“My theory…?” Andrew asked shocked.
“Yes, police usually have one during an investigation.”
“I didn’t really think of it like that, but maybe I do.”
“So let’s hear it. I promise I won’t laugh.” Helen turned in her seat to faced Andrew.
“Let’s see. Martin sometimes went to the bar after work. He didn’t drink that much, just a couple of beers to relax after a long day. Nothing like he’s drink
ing now. He sat drinking and meeting with the wrong kind of people. Gossip starts to fly around and after a couple of these days, a person starts thinking.”
“That’s normally how rumors start.”
“Some people including Martin believed that drunken people don’t have the mind-set to make up a lie or to keep it up.”
“So you think someone in the bar said something stupid and Martin believed it.”
Buildings appeared on the horizon, small houses and some cornfields passed by lazily. Rain started to fall a little harder and wind ripped through the open window on the driver’s side. Andrew closed the window, the wipers swept softly across the windshield.
“It’s more than likely.”
“What do you think was it?”
“Come to think about it, there might be something I didn’t think of.” Andrew said recalling a drunken man’s accusation.
“What happened?”
“A drunken man said something in the office before we left something.”
Helen couldn’t stand the silence again. “Are you going to tell me?”
“Sorry, just thinking. A drunken man said that I’m not the sheriff.”
“So, maybe he didn’t get the memo.”
“No, it wasn’t that.”
“What else would he could he mean, he’s drunk.”
“He was very upset and drunk. He said that I was messing around with Janet and stole Martin’s job.”
“Did you?”
Andrew looked sharply at Helen in surprise.
“No, I’d never dream of it.”
“I just needed to ask.”
“Martin knew it would never happen. We weren’t close in that way. We’re more like family.”
“So if you’re not messing around and he knew that, then he wouldn’t believe it.”
“Something must’ve convinced him.”
“Maybe it’s something completely different.”
“No, I don’t think so.” Andrew insisted.
“Could it have been that Martin thought he knew something you didn’t?”