Finding Truth

Chapter 10

Trying to open my swollen, puffy eyes from crying so hard I realize I must have passed out because when I finally get them open I'm laying on the ground with Officers surrounding me. One I recognize as a guy named Justin that was three grades above me in high school and he's kneeling next to head calling my name. Moving my head looking to my other side I see Aden in the same position as the officer with my hand in his lap, tears slowly running down his face.

"What's- what the hell is going on?" I manage to get out in between deep breaths trying not to hyperventilate.

Justin and Aden help me sit up without saying anything. Just staring at each other. Like they're trying to figure out how to tell me the worst news of my life. I never thought I'd know what that expression would look like... but seeing them speechless like this... it says everything I need to know before tears start running down my face again. My mom is gone.

Justin finally speaks and as soon as the words leave his lips it confirms what I already felt, but it was worse than that.

"Your mom, she was killed Sammy. A neighbor called in screaming coming for the house yesterday evening."

Without hesitation I ask "Can I see her?"

"I'm sorry Sammy, but no. You don't want to see her in this state. It was graphic and she's with the county medical examiner now." Justin tells me slowly rubbing my back.

Silence falls over the three of us still sitting on the ground. I can feel the tension. Like they are just waiting for me to pass out again or start panicking. But nothing happens. I just sit there, tears continuing to slowly roll down my cheeks not able to speak, think, or move.

Aden starts to speak to break the silence looking Justin in the eyes again, tearing them away from me. "So where is Sammy's dad then? You said it was just her mom?" Aden asks

"We're not sure..." Justin pauses for a second before continuing "...based on evidence so far it looks like he had nothing to do with the murder but is missing. There's been a missing persons report issued for Mr. Wilkinson but so far we've come up with nothing."

"Fuck" Aden whispers under his breath.

"Aden, you should really take Sammy back to your place. If there's anything she needs out of the house, make a list and text it to me. Here's my number..." Justin hands him a piece of paper "...No one can go inside until the crime scene has been analyzed and we get a unit in to clean everything. I'll let you know when you guys can come back."

"Thank you." Aden says before turning his attention back to me. "Sammy, are you alright to get up and head over to my house?" He asks in a voice so soft and caring.

All I can do is nod my head, not being able to get a single word to come out. With that Aden picks me up and helps me back into the car. We sit there for a few minutes just staring at the house I've known my entire life. Covered in police officers, county sheriffs, crime scene techs and yellow tape.

_________

Laying in Aden's bed with him feels weird but oddly comforting. I've never been in his room. Which is crazy to think about when having known each other for so long but I never had any reason to be. We always hung out at my place because my mom would make us snacks and dinner. Yeah... my mom... who's now dead. I still can't even process why this happened. Why my mom? She's the most caring and loving person I've ever met. She would help anyone. No questions asked, no matter what the situation. And my dad? He's the most well liked politician pretty much in history, I swear to God. But maybe he wasn't. Maybe something happened at work and they were in danger.