The Neighbor

Correcting the Problem

"What the-," Ben cut himself off and turned sharply to the door, swinging it open with a bang! against the wall. Brian, Patricia, and Sarah all jumped and Michael started crying from the intrusion.

Ben ignored his son's cries for help and started charging at Sarah with a blaze of fury in his veins. Detective Foster caught Ben by his shoulders and hauled him back. Ben didn't fight it, but Sarah had stood up and backed towards Cassie as if her unconscious form were some sort of protection.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" He shouted at her. "You've ruined her! You killed my child, you almost killed my son!" Sarah looked to Brian and Patricia who were staring at Ben with fear and confusion. But Sarah knew exactly what he was talking about. She knew he'd figure it out.

She looked over to see where her sister was and why she was there. The sudden wave of guilt hit her like it never has before and she suddenly started crying. Detective Foster was about to go up and say something, but Ben beat him to it.

"Chuck killed my parents, Sarah. He killed them and you welcomed him into killing my wife and children. You succeeded in one of those tonight. I hope you fucking rot in prison." Sarah's head snapped up at the word "prison".

Foster walked up to her with hand cuffs and the file. "Mrs. Sarah Hansen-Kramer...you are under arrest for a Class B Misdemeanor by hiring a convicted felon to stalk Mr. and Mrs. Carlton." Sarah scoffed, while Brian and Patricia stood up and tried to argue. Ben was watching with tired and angry eyes.

"You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?"

Foster arrested a sobbing Sarah that tried spewing off apologies, but of course it didn't work. On her way out of the room, Ben asked Foster if he could look at the files. He was given the files and left with Sarah. Brian and Patricia left with them to go down to the police station with her. Ben took Michael in his arms and sat down on the chair next to Cassie.

He opened the file and looked through all the information. She found Chuck on Craigslist. Apparently, she posted Ben's picture up with his full name and Chuck obviously came across it. Ben read the e-mail's they shared back in forth, how Sarah told him about the empty attic and what-not.

Ben sighed and looked over at his wife. If the news about the baby wasn't bad enough...there was always this news.

***

Cassie felt empty. She wasn't sure where she was or what was going on, but for some reason...she felt empty.

She started reaching for...what? She didn't know. Anything at all to get her out of this darkness and into some world of her own. It was then that she felt something cover her hand. It was big, rough, and enveloped her entire hand.

Ben. She would recognize his touch anywhere. She could hear him calling her, and then calling someone else, but who? That's when she felt something stick in her arm and she suddenly opened her eyes to a very bright light.

She winced at it, but it was gone in an instant and a man in a white coat was in front of her holding a flashlight. That explained it.

"Mrs. Carlton? I'm Dr. Andrews. Do you know where you are?" Cassie squinted at the man, then croaked out, "Obviously in a hospital by the look of you." She heard that sinfully deep laugh beside her and looked over to see Ben hiding his smile behind his hand.

Oh Cassie and her snarkiness.

Dr. Andrews smirked, then looked to Ben. "She'll be just fine, Mr. Carlton. I'll be back in a minute to give her a check-up." Ben gave him a nod, and then sat on the bed. Cassie gave him a warm smile and asked, "What happened?"