Trails of Secrets

21. The Betrayal

The next morning, after a pitiful night of rest, Annalise prepared to head over to the house. Normally, they all searched the house at night, but she wanted to talk to Sara. And Annalise knew that she could stay hidden from nosy neighbors. 

I should be the expert. Annalise inwardly laughed. I am one of the nosy neighbors. 

As Annalise walked through her neighborhood, her eyes drifted over to the abandoned house that had started it all. 

That morning wasn't much different from this morning. 

Quiet, soft breeze, dog barking; The usual. It's crazy how such a normal morning can bring a life changing event.

Annalise tilted her head in thought. This really had been life changing for her. She had made three friends. Friends she felt like she could trust. Friends she could trust with her life. She had learned to take things seriously. Grown up a little. She found out how strong she really was. How creative she could be. 

Do I really want to be an author?

The thought came out of nowhere. Of course she wanted to be an author. It's been her dream her whole life. She went to school for this. Writing was her life. This was simply just a speed bump in her writing career. 

Though she really did need to get some writing done. The deadline for her article was this weekend. 

I'll work on it at the house once I get there.

                                                                           ~~~

"Hello? Anyone home?" 

Annalise had just arrived at the house and was at the back door trying to stay out of sight. She heard footsteps make their way to the door and was greeted with Chris's cheerful face. 

"Well, hello, Annalise. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I came to see Sara." Annalise answered as she walked right in. 

"Sorry. She isn't here. She went to get something for lunch." Chris followed her into the kitchen and they both sat down in the chairs. Annalise looked around the room. It looked just like most of the houses they searched- old, outdated, and dusty. But she did admire the colorful walls. 

"So, why did you need to see Sara?" Chris's question snapped Annalise's mind back to reality. She set her backpack on the table and answered, "No reason, really. I just wanted to talk. Thought that we could spend a little time together."

Chris narrowed his eyes slightly. "Sara doesn't really have the time to 'just talk'. She's busy finding messages to save her sister." Annalise pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and timidly said, "Yeah, I know, I just was kinda bored and I don't really have many people to talk to-"

"You can talk to me."

She flicked her eyes up to meet his. He displayed a kind smile and seemed to welcome a conversation. Annalise was a little surprised. Why did he want to talk to her?

"Oh, um, ok."

Chris crossed his arms and set them on the table, making himself comfortable. "We've never really gotten to talk and get to know each other. You are always talking to Sara or Liam. I just thought that maybe we could get acquainted." 

Annalise smiled cheerfully. "Sounds fine with me."

For the next thirty minutes, the two talked about everything. They talked about high school a few years back, about cars, about books, about pizza- everything. Annalise never realized how much they had in common. Chris was really friendly. And easy to talk to.