Duskwood: And Beyond

16. Dead Man

Jake

Oryn was upstairs. I assumed this was hard for her, me being here. I was also in my room, glued to my computer, as usual. I had a lot to catch up on and there were still many unanswered questions. I left the door open just in case one of them needed something. Being here felt different. I was used to working alone, hiding alone... Now I had two other people with me.

At some point, Anabelle brought me some snacks. I trusted Anabelle simply because Oryn trusted her. Anabelle stayed for a bit watching me.

"And your fingers don't fall off?" she asked. I laughed and shook my head.

"Do you want to join us in the living room for an analysis?" She asked. Anabelle was trying to include me. I wanted to be around Oryn so I accepted yet again. We talked about Phil and his arrest. Jessy mentioned that someone gave evidence against him but who and why?

"I believe it's Dan," Oryn confessed. We both remained silent.

"Think about it guys, h was the only one we know the police contacted. He was also very passionate about 'leaving it to the police'" she continued. It made sense in a way.

"I'll visit him tomorrow," Anabelle said. Oryn looked like she was about to argue but she stopped. I assumed she thought it was wise.

We also discussed Jessy's request to leave Duskwood. All three of us were here now and it would be safer for them to leave. Richy offered a cabin in the woods not far from Duskwood. It seemed acceptable.

After our discussion, we all returned back to work, but we all remained in the living room. After an hour or so, Oryn got up and started to walk back and forth.

"You are doing that thing again..." Anabelle stated.

"I am literally not doing anything," Oryn countered.

"Exactly, what's up?" Anabelle smirked. It was obvious that she knew Oryn well.

"I have a bad feeling about all this. And my head feels like it is about to explode." Oryn responded. I looked up from my computer, only to meet her gaze. She really did look exhausted.

"You can sleep for a bit, we will be fine," I said. She dropped on the sofa and closed her eyes. I watched her for a few minutes until Anabelle started laughing. I turned to her and gave her a look that said "What?". She didn't respond. I got up and took a blanket from my room and covered Oryn. She was fast asleep. She must have been really exhausted. She looked so peaceful. I turned to return back to my computer when Anabelle waved me to follow her and we made our way upstairs.

She went out to the balcony and took a cigarette. I joined her for both.

"I am worried about her," she said.

"Why?" I asked.

"She reorganized her closet for the fifth time today. She yelled at a bird for flying. She is not saying anything other than the bare minimum..." she was about to continue listing but she stopped.

"I have seen this before Jake," she whispered. I knew Oryn had issues in the past. That was how she met Anabelle, but Anabelle worrying meant that it was really severe.

"Could you maybe elaborate a bit?" I asked.

"First couple of months when we first met, Oryn was sad. It was around the time when she lost her family. But one day, she stopped. It was as if she just turned off her emotions. She was numb and tired all the time. It lasted for a week before she lost it. Then the nightmares started. I don't want to share much but it took her a while to recover. I feel like she is going through that cycle again." Anabelle talked calmly but I noticed her voice was shaking occasionally. Which meant that the time she was referring to was very difficult on both of them.

"What can I do?" I asked.

"Be there. She will need it. We should get back to work. I have to pick up some groceries. Are you going to be ok?" She ended the conversation. I nodded.

"Well, text me what you need or want," she said. I only then realized that I never asked her about the rent. It was obvious that this house cost them some money. I assumed they were not making fortunes back home.

"Do you... Can it be my treat?" I asked. She smiled and nodded. I handed her some cash and she left. I smoked one more cigarette and returned back inside.

Oryn was still sleeping, so I decided to continue my search. The group was preparing to leave. Lilly texted Oryn and told her about Ted. I tried to find why Hannah might have wanted to visit him but nothing came out. Anabelle returned with some groceries and started to cook us dinner. Oryn woke up eventually and went upstairs to freshen up. She was also texting with Richy. I was still able to see her conversations. They were having small talk when suddenly Richy said he heard screams. It caught my attention.

"Anabelle, you should also see this," I said. Anabelle joined me as I read along with the conversation. Oryn told him not to go into the forest but Richy didn't listen. He said someone was calling his name and it was female. He thought it was Hannah. He called Oryn and turned on his camera. The forest looked silent and calm. He was running around when suddenly he fell. Oryn screamed. Anabelle and I rushed upstairs. She was yelling at Richy, trying to talk to him. Richy was no longer on the screen. The camera was filming the sky. Anabelle took the phone out of her hand and ended the call.

"We have to save him!" Oryn cried.

"Oryn, it's not safe. We should call the police." I said but she barged out of the room. I looked at Anabelle. She was already informing the group.

"Lilly will be calling the police," Anabelle said. I nodded and went after Oryn.

I was sure she was out of the house and on her way to the forest. I was wrong. I exited the house just to find her crouching on the ground. She was crying hysterically. I crouched in front of her and hugged her. She pulled back.

"Get away from me!" she yelled, her voice cracked. I was shocked and confused, so I froze as she went back to the house. I took a few deep breaths and returned back.

"Thomas will go into the woods and try to find him." She said it in a monotone but it was obvious she was holding her emotions back.

I never really cared that much for Richy. I even found him guilty for the most part but now that he was attacked, a part of me felt sad and guilty. I guessed Anabelle was also feeling the same way. But it was different for Oryn. She not only witnessed the attack, but she also felt close to him.

Jessy informed us that three police officers went to the forest and that she was in the junkyard. The wait was the hardest part. Oryn was talking to Jessy, Anabelle was drinking and I just stood there thinking about the situation. Then Thomas called. Anabelle rushed to Oryn's side. I stayed a bit further away, close enough to see but far enough to hide. When Thomas found the cap Oryn hung up.

"I was the only one he had," Oryn said. Both Anabelle and I stayed silent. It was more because we didn't know what to say.

"It's our fault, you know" she continued.

"You are angry. I understand that." I said.

"Angry? I am fucking furious Jake." Oryn responded. I told her that Hannah's destiny was at our hands. I told her that we are closer to Hannah. She stopped for a second.

"I can't be around you right now," and with that, she left. I heard the water running upstairs. Anabelle gave me a forced smile and followed after Oryn and I returned to the one thing I knew well, my computer.