The Night They Went Missing

Tanisha

7 days before she went missing

21st April 2018- later that day

Taking my shoes off, I placed them by the door next to Elijah's miniature blue and white shoes. My eyes felt heavy and all I wanted to do was curl up on the sofa and sleep. As I walked into the kitchen, I grabbed a bottle of wine from the fridge, the bright light blinding my drooping eyes. The slushing sound of wine being poured into the glass broke the silence that filled the house. 

 Slouching down on the sofa, my mind went back to Elijah. I couldn't help it, after all, life wasn't the same without him. Usually, the house would be filled with toys and cries from Elijah that was being rocked in my arms. His green eyes gazing into my own. His small fingers wrapped around my own with a smile on his face that brightened the room. From the moment I saw him, I promised to protect him with my life, for a mother's love was one of the most powerful forces on earth. I broke that promise. The promise I made not only to myself, but my family, my husband and to Elijah himself was broken. Now, the house was filled with utter silence and regret that both me and George carried on our shoulders.

 Sipping my wine, I turned the TV on to try and make the house seem alive once again. As I watched a character on the TV receive a text, my mind went back to the book store. Who sent that message? I didn't understand who would want to send me a text. The people involved in my life was a very small circle and none of them would have wanted to send me a message about how I looked in a top.

 Grabbing my phone again, I looked at the message that was sent to me while taking another sip of wine. The number was anonymous and I had no idea who sent it. At first, I was tempted to text them back, asking them who they were and what they wanted, but thought better of it. After all, I had no idea who sent it and sending a message back might have made them think they got under my skin – which they had.

 A few hours had passed and in that time, I must have fell asleep as the wine glass had slipped from my grasp and landed on the rug near the sofa. That was going to be a pain to wash out. 

 Suddenly, a loud thud came from upstairs. Staying motionless on the sofa, I listened intently to the sound. Nothing. There was no more noise and maybe I was imagining it all. I had drank a lot of wine.

 Sighing at the sight of the wine on the rug, I slowly moved to the kitchen while anxiously listening to sounds around me. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. The sound of the clock grabbed my attention, making me feel like I was seconds away from something bad happening. It was already 07:00pm and soon George would be home.

 As I went to grab a cloth and a jug of water, another loud thud came from upstairs. This time it was as clear as a bell. Someone was upstairs! My heart was pounding and for a moment, I thought the person upstairs would be able to hear it. 

 Slowly placing the cloth and jug of water back onto the kitchen counter, I crept up the stairs. I knew this was stupid and that I should have either waited for George to come home or to call the police, but I had to be sure otherwise I wouldn't be able to relax again. 

 As I reached the hallway, I slowly edged closer to mine and George's room. The door was slightly ajar and a shadow was cast on the walls from the small crack in the door. I didn't leave the door open. When I left this morning, this door was closed among the others.

 Looking back through the hallway, the door to the spare bedroom was closed and so was Elijah's. My trembling hands reached for the door handle and slowly pushed it open. 

 The bedroom was empty and looked the same as it did when I left. All my possessions were in the same place and nothing seemed to be taken. The room felt colder than normal and the howling of the wind made my eyes dart to the window that ... was open. I didn't leave the window open and I doubt any one else would either. Someone was in here!

 Slowly looking around the room, no one was lurking in the shadows from the dark sky, but something was here. A grey box layed on the bed with a red bow tied at the top. The box had no note tied to it and the only way to find what was inside was to open it. As I did so, my mind went through all the possibilities that could be inside the box. Was it a bomb? Or a stuffed toy?

 As I lifted the lid off the box, inside was a red material of some sort, and it was only when I took it out of the box that I found it to be a red lace dress with straps that looked beautiful. Who would give me this and why wouldn't they give it to me in person? My mind spun back to the anonymous text I received and how he complimented me when I was wearing the red top at work. I had no idea who gave me this, but maybe ... 

 Then, I heard a car pull up to the driveway and looking out of the open window, I saw George step out of his car and walk towards the front door. Quickly, I placed the red dress back into the box and hid it at the back of the wardrobe under piles of clothes where George wouldn't find it. Until I find out who sent me this, I don't want him to know.

 "Tanisha? Are you home?" he shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

 "Yes, I'm home. I was just closing the window after letting some air in." I lied, but I didn't want him to worry about this.

 After all the person was gone, right? As I thought about that, I realised that they might still be in the house. 

 "Well, I'm going to order some pizza. You want any?"

 "Yes, the usual please." I answered as I checked the en suite, finding no one inside.

 Quickly checking the spare room, no one was in there either and now I stood in front of the room I haven't been able to go inside since the accident. Elijah's room. His name hung on the bedroom door in funky and multicoloured letters. Grasping the handle to the room, I urged myself to open it, to face the music, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I couldn't open the door and see it all.

 "Darling, are you alright?" George asked as he looked at me from the top of the stairs before standing at the entrance of the hallway.

 Shaking my head, he walked over, placed his hand on my shoulder and kissed my forehead as I rested my head on his shoulder.

 "I miss him too." he muttered under his breath, staring at Elijah's door.

 Guilt overwhelmed me and soon tears were streaming down my face as my mistakes haunted me.