THE DARKNESS IN ISABELLE

CHAPTER 15 - SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS

RYDER

SUNDAY, 08:30 AM

2022

We sat across the old man who was sipping from a tiny cup. He put it down slowly and looked at Bella.

''All of us were really shocked at the news. She was a bright student and disappeared during every semester holiday to travel. She was quite cheerful that no one can imagine what was going on with her that she had to kill herself. Quite a pity.''

''Do you have a certain impression on her during her last days, sir?'' I asked him.

''Yes, she would never be late during classes but that one day, she rushed into my class about an hour later. She looked really tired so that I assumed she had stayed late night completing assignments. After that, she didn't attend any of the classes anymore.''

''May I ask you when was that, sir?''

''Five to six days before she came to school? Curse my memory, I'm sorry I don't remember!''

''It's fine. We were just curious.'' I laughed it off. Bella touched my wrist lightly and gestured to the door and I nodded slightly.

''I need to use the rest room.'' She informed us, walking out leaving me behind with the man.

''So, how long have you been with her?''

''Hmm, what?'' I turned towards him.

''How long are you two in a relationship?'' He repeated.

''One year?'' I told him thinking about that day when I kissed her.

''Strange. Bella never stays in a relationship more than two months. I guessed she often got bored with the men.''

So, she was a player.

''She must really like you.'' He smiled teasingly and I smiled back not sure what to do.

''I forgot to ask, what is that girl doing now?''

I didn't feel it was right to tell him the truth since she lied about me being her boyfriend. She must be something she wanted to hide.

''She err.. Is a psychiatrist at a hospital.'' I scratched my head, anxiously.

''You mean, as an intern?''

''Yeah''

''That's good, I thought she would give up on medicine when she quit my classes.''

''She quit?''

''Yes, after a year of training for surgeon, she quit, claiming she didn't feel easy looking at blood. Such a waste, she could do well with training.''

Feeling uneasy with blood? Isn't that what she is doing right now? She doesn't even seem to flinch at the sight of it.

There was a lot of things about her that didn't make sense and might just be curious if this goes on.

''Ryder, It's time. We have a movie to watch!'' Bella's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, still not used to her sweet behaviour. I shook my hands with the man and I walked towards Bella, linking my hands with her. She looked up at me and I gave a slight grin.

What? If we are going to pretend, we might just do it perfectly.

''You've changed Bella. It's nice to see you like this.''

She smiled and made our way out. As soon as we were out of his sight, she tried to pull her hand out of mine. I held it tightly, amused watching her struggle.

''Let go, Ryder.''

I did but grabbed her wrist instead and pushed her against a car, my hand at her back, so it wouldn't hurt her. I caged her in my arms and she had looked up at me, nowhere to go.

''Do I look like an easy person to you? You could make me your boyfriend anytime and then abandon me like this?''

She looked into my eyes and I knew what she was thinking. Didn't I do this too?

I reached up to her face, twirling her hair that fell on her beautiful face around my fingers and slowly guiding it behind her ears. Her cheeks were flushed due to the cold making her look an angel. I wanted to tell her that I missed her and that I didn't mean to leave her like that. She looked away and pushed me away and I didn't like it one bit.

''Back to business.'' She walked away and I followed her.

''Her roommate admitted she did see some guy around her. It seemed like he loved her, but one sided. Maria firmly told him there was no chance between but that didn't stop him from stalking her.

''So, this is all about love! Did you investigate that kid too?''

She stopped in her tracked and turned to face me, ''The thing is...he is missing too.''

**********************

''Noah, I need you to find a kid,'' I slapped his back.

''How old is that kid?''

''19?''

''Name?''

''Sherlock.''

Bella raised her eyebrows at me and looked at Noah, ''Shayne''

He typed some shit furiously on his computer and finally gave a triumphant smile.

''Shayne Blackwood, 34th house to the south, Manhattan Street. Lost his mother 4 years ago, Dad's a full-time worker at a delivery company.''

''So, is he our next destination?'' Taylor asked.

Char slammed her fist on the table. ''Where did you guys go?''

''We need to leave.'' I announced ignoring all of them.

His house wasn't any different to what we imagined, in short, it was a pig sty that had been abandoned since the last few months. With things scattered everywhere, I doubted if we could find anything.

''Noah, to the bedroom. Char, kitchen, Jeff, have the toilets checked and Bella, check the outdoors. I'll take a look at the streets. And, check the ceilings too. I pointed looking above, which was way too short. Bella followed me out, walking towards the little garden.

I turned abruptly when a voice whispered closely, ''Excuse me, who are you, people?''

''Just police checking. Don't mind us. By the way, how long has this house been left unattended?'' I nodded towards the building.

''This one is Rang's. He rarely comes back home, It is his son who takes care of this shabby place but I saw him that hurriedly pack his things up and go somewhere.'' The old woman spoke, rubbing her temples lightly.

''Pack up? To where?'' I asked a little louder than necessary and gave her a guilty look when she jumped at it.

''Do you think I have a good eyesight, young man? I just don't know. There were a  group of men waiting for him by the main road. I don't know anything else.''

I nodded and muttered a thankyou as she passed by me. I let out a sigh and before I could continue, she came back, scaring the shit out of me.

''What is it? Did you remember anything?'' I looked at her expecting some information.

''Are you married?'' The f***? ''I have a granddaughter.''

''Umm...I have a grandchild too, so, please.'' I walked away as fast as I could before she could follow me.

******************************* 

Hiyaaa!

How y'all doing?!