The House Up on Grimm

Chapter 16

Rick got out of the cab with Jade and Ken. Jade told the cabbie to stay parked there until they came out. She told him she'd pay him later. They knocked on her door. A small woman in her mid thirties answered the door.
She led them in the house. Another woman looking identical to the other handed the three coffee's. Ken sat down in a rocking chair, Jade sat on a one person sofa, and Rick sat in a love-seat. The woman who answered the door sat across from Rick.
"Hello. I'm Mara Lee." She spoke.

"Hello ma'am I'm Rick. This is Jade, and this boy here is ah... Ken. But he's not important." Rick chuckled.

"Uh... I'm Lilly Anne. Call me Annie." The other woman added shyly.

"Identical twins, eh?" Rick smiled.

"I'm here to speak to you about safety. The whole Barter family is deceased. I witnessed most if the deaths myself. I'm sorry for your losses. But I need you to at least come and stay at my place. I know it sounds like a lot but you might die otherwise." Jade chimed in.

"What? I can't just leave my life here! I have a boyfriend that lives with me and a job! Don't you understand that miss?" Mara stood.

"Miss, I came here from flipping California just to save your butt! Your sisters too! I need you to come with me. Otherwise I'll have to arrest you. Because if you don't want to come to California, you must be guilty about something. It's only until we figure everything out. Heck your boyfriend can stay at my place too!" Jade flipped.

"Guilty? No. I'm not. I'll come with you. Lilly has to anyhow since she lives there." Mara replied calmly.

"Thank you ma'am." Rick shook her hand.

"What's the problem back in town?" Annie frowned.

"Jakob Barter has gone missing. His sister Sylvia went to find him inside his home and fell to her death. I was crossing the street and Connor Barter hit me with his truck and died. His wife and other children died long ago. You two are the only Barters left." Jade explained.

"Sylvia? She's gone?" Mara had tears in her eyes.

"Sadly, yes." Rick lowered his head.

"She was my best friend. We send letters to each other..." Mara cried.

"Wait. How recent are these letters?" Jade squinted.

"Her last letter was from last weekend." Mara sobbed.

"May I see it?" Rick asked.

"Of course." Mara handed Rick the letter.

"Alright. Thanks ladies. We'll be back tomorrow to pick you up. Goodnight." Rick stood up.

"Bye." The twins said in unison.

Rick, Jade, and Ken got back inside the taxi. Jade told the driver to go to the Hampton Inn. The driver nodded and drove off. The three rode in silence the whole way there. Rick didn't open the letter yet. They all went inside the hotel. Jade got her own room, Rick got his, and Ken got his.
"Love you Ken. Bye. My room number is 234 if you need me." Jade kissed Ken.

"Bye babe. My room number is 236 if you need me." Ken smiled.

"Alright kids! My room number is 240 if ya'll need me!" Rick laughed.

The three went their separate ways. Rick sat down in his bed and opened the letter. It read:
Dear Mara Lee,
How have you been sweet cousin?
Everyone here in California misses you!
Love you! Can we see each other?
Please keep writing to me dear!
My back has been aching a lot!
Every time I stand it hurts!

Love,
Sylvia

Rick looked over the note six times. He kept looking and looking until he finally realized it.. It said help me! Sylvia coded it to say help! Poor Sylvia... It was too late for anyone to help her now. Rick jumped out of bed and ran down the hall to Jades room. He pounded on her door until he heard her walking around. She opened the door. She already knew it was Rick because she had looked out the peep-hole.
"Did I wake you?" Rick asked.

"I couldn't sleep. But if I was, you probably would've. I'm guessing you woke everyone else up too. Come in." Jade yawned.

Rick ran inside and sat down in a chair. Then he quickly stood because he couldn't stand sitting since he was anxious to speak to her. Jade switched on the lamp and sat in her bed.
"Sylvia coded help me into her letter! I've got proof!" Rick managed.

"Huh? Let me see that." Jade took the letter out of Rick's hands.

Jade looked over it. Then she saw what Rick had seen. She held her mouth and let tears fall down her cheeks. She shook her head.
"I can't believe this... She needed help and no one knew... But why would she code it into the letter? Why not call someone or tell the nurses?" Jade sniffled.

"I don't know. Maybe something was holding her back?" Rick replied.

"Like what?" She frowned.

"A person? Maybe they threatened to kill her if she told on him or her for doing something?" Rick shook his head.

"You know what! You probably think that I'm crazy but maybe she was being haunted by a demon.... I think that's what happened to Mr. Barter. Then he disappeared maybe?" Jade looked at Rick.

"Jade... I don't believe in them things. Apparitions I mean. You must be tired sweet-heart." Rick stood up.

"I'm serious Rick! No don't make that face! I'm 100% serious!" Jade told him.

"Okay. I just don't think it's accurate. It's my opinion, Kay? Good night." Rick waved goodbye and went back to his room.