Tremble

Chapter 7: Questions

The sweet warmth of early June took a turn for the worse and became a boiling sauna of death and despair. Days had gone by and I had been left once again by my busy parents. My hand lay limply off the wooden swing on the back porch, swaying back and forth gently gathering wind to rid the sticky sweat lathering my body. A single blue bird stayed perched under a large leaf staring at the cloudless sky.

Life for that bird must be so simple.

A wind started to pick up and deep, dark clouds rolled in over the trees and my vision over the hills became obscured. I grabbed my water and slipped inside. The storm was coming faster than I thought and branches began scratching the windows.

I settled down, lost in thought, and most utterly bored.

The incident the other day had been constantly ringing in my ears, begging to be answered. Answers that is what I most despretly need. I never got the Chiefs name, and that kid from the stream hasn't come back. I half wished he did, unanswered enigmas are about 80% of my problems right now. I decided I should make use of myself and find some answers.

I blew the dust off the unused phone book and flicked through for the non-emergency number of the police department. Three rings went by and I was worried they were too busy.

"Hello, Mc. Milligan police department, this is officer Blake."

"Hello, I was wondering who is the current police chief there?" I said softly.

" Chief Jefferson, would you like to speak with him?" Officer Blake asked.

"Him?" I replied bewildered.

" Yes, may I ask who is calling?"

" I encountered a person last week who said they were police chief, they wanted to know about the 2007 disappearance of Mark Preston." I declared.

" We haven't touched that case ma'am do you know the persons name?"

"No, she left before I could ask, but thanks for the information."

" No problem, but if she comes back you call us okay."

" I will thank you sir."

I hung up the phone and worry settled in. Why would they impersonate law enforcement personnel, and poorly at that. What is so important about Mark, and why would people think I knew anything, I can't remember breakfast, let alone second grade. Maybe that kid form the stream knows something, if so how do I contact him?" A almost unnatural quiet settled and the sun rose out from the clouds, chasing the storm away.

" Matches?" I called.

The Tabby came running

" I'm going out, don't leave the house okay?" I commanded.

About 15 minutes later I arrived at the grime covered banks. My eyes scanned the area for habitation, or even signs that the kid was even here. There were non. With a sigh I sank down and leaned against an old oak, swimming in my own thoughts.

" Hey!" Yelled a voice to my left.

I jumped in surprise and faced the source. An older gentlemen, about in his late 40s, stood next to me, rifle in hand.

" Hey, hey it's cool what's wrong!" I said blatantly panicked.

" This here is private property, and you need to get off it!" He said inching the guns barrel closer."

" Sir, no one has ever owned this land, besides my family whom own it now." I said trying to stay calm.

He stayed silent and eyed me suspiciously.

" Do you want to hunt here, because my folks don't mind if you do, just avoid pointing that thing towards people please." I said shifting back.

" I don't want to hunt!" He said obviously angered.

" Then what do you want?" I asked.

" May I speak to your parents?" He asked still fired up.

" Sorry they are out of town, but I'm sure I can help you what do you need?"

" I need to speak to your parents, in person."

" They aren't here, and won't be for another month, so please get off the property, or I will have to call the police."

The corners of his mouth stretched unhappily and the gun's barrel stayed put. Annoyed, and scared, I put down my raised arms and walked past him towards home.

" Hey!" He said.

I continued picking up the pace and dialing 911 on my phone, until I realized I had no service. I turned to see if he was gone, but he stood there staring.

" Go, go hunt or whatever, just leave me alone." I said as load as my nerves allowed me too.

" Okay, but can I ask you a few questions first." The man asked suddenly changing his tone from angry to diplomatic in seconds.

" Sure." I said letting the annoyance creep into my voice.

" Has anything weird happen lately?"

" By that what do you mean?" I asked.

" Anything out of the ordinary?"

"No." I lied.

" Are you sure?"

" Yes." I lied again.

The man lowered his gun and stalked off. Until he turned abruptly.

" One last thing, don't call the police, or this." He raised his rifle, " Will be fired! And I will know I if you called them, or told anyone about today!"

I blinked in shock, and ran as fast as my shaky legs could. After I got home the kid from the streams warning kept replaying itself. I can't tell anyone about the day on the hill, with the ground and the trees, and I know if I did, something very, very bad will happen.