Book 5- 1969 (Michael Jackson)

Chapter 6- Evil Doctors

                Chapter 6- Evil Doctors

                Date: Saturday, April 12, 1969

                Time: 2:25PM

                KAYLA'S POV

"We're going out today!" I quietly cheered. "In my Dad's truck!" 

Grandma chuckled nervously. "Yes, we are. A day before your birthday, too... Say, which stores do you want to head to? Your clothes seem a tad small for you now." She eyed my little skirt, which had become too short for school attire.

"Gee, I dunno," I said, smiling. "What kinda stores are there? Ooh, we could head to Sydney's, if it's not too far away. They offer little kid clothes."

Grandma's lips puckered unattractively. "You mean that store that sells that... androgynous clothing?"

My eyes narrowed. "It isn't androgynous, Grandma; it's hippie."

Opening the passenger door to the Chevrolet, she shook her head. "Whatever..."

Elijah, who had been ambling alongside us, spouted off in his own conversation. "Kayla, we've got one stop before we go out to grocery shopping."

"Mmkay," I absently replied. "I'm good with that." I opened the door to my own seat and stepped inside. There, I made myself comfortable, taking in the moment. I rarely ever got to go on fun car rides, so this was a major treat for me.

Plus, I got to miss an hour of practice today. While I thoroughly enjoyed being with the brothers and Johnny, it was certainly a relief to have a break once in a while. This is just what I needed from today, and I intended on making the most out of it.

Seconds later, the car pulled off out of the driveway, took a left, and headed out of our neighborhood and into town. It was real; we were on our way out of town. We were gonna go to a store, and we were going to have fun.

At least, that's what I imagined.

I generally enjoyed car rides. I didn't get carsick on twisting, winding roads, so back ways were also quite convenient while navigating through a certain town. Driving time took roughly half of what it would take with Joseph around, and I enjoyed that perk of being with Grandma and Elijah.

We came to a stop slightly earlier than I had expected, seeing how Sydney's was about fifteen minutes away from home. Being the oblivious soul that I was, I did not question this. Rather, I rummaged through the seats for change, wondering if I could get lucky enough to buy a pack of bubble gum with a purchase.

That was when I noticed what was wrong. When I opened the car door and poked my body outside, I did not find the warm, welcoming strip mall sign. Rather, I found myself staring at an old, run-down, dilapidated brick building with three cars out in the front. There were no windows in the building, and even though it was April, dead leaves flew along with the wind. 

It looked as though a funeral had just taken place there.

 "Ummm..." I backed my body back into the truck suspiciously. "Where are we? This isn't Sydney's."

Silence filled the car. Not even little Charles, who was sitting across from me, said anything. Everyone simply exchanged glances with one another, and for a seemingly endless time gap.

"Well?" I said, my eyes directly on the back of Elijah's head.

"You had a dentist appointment, that's all," he choked. "Just a little check-up."