Rumor Has It

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Three | Home

He pulled up to the curb in front of my house behind my father's cruiser, I glanced at the time. 12:15 pm.

"Your old man is gonna fucking shoot me," Reagan whispered. And I wasn't going to deny the facts, my father was already outside on the porch. From afar I could see his hand twitching over the holster of his gun, preparing to shoot if given the opportunity.

"I'm really sorry, Reagan."

A couple of seconds passed in silence until he spoke up. "You don't have to apologize."

A knot stuck in my throat.

"Alright," I replied. Fidgeting with the door of the truck. "I'll see you around."

With a grimace, he nodded before driving away after I shut the truck door.

"Colleen!" The shout of my father had me gingerly creeping closer to him. "Where have you been? The school called me."

That surprised me. A student could be absent for a whole week and the school wouldn't call. But it's understandable with the recent events occurring around town.

My dad wore his usual detective attire, gun in the holster, and handcuffs on the other side.

His thick brows gnarled together, and he escorted me into the house. He put a hand on his hip when I gave him my blank stare. Just answer him, Colleen!

"I didn't wanna go."

"Go where? Talk to me, honey." He coaxed me, bringing my head to his chest.

"To the vigil, it didn't feel right," I muttered into his shirt.

"Where did you go then?" He asked again. "Who was that person?"

"A kid from school, his name is Reagan," I answered. His face held different expressions before he responded.

"Colleen, I don't approve of you skipping school with some boy for dessert," he scorned me. "You scared me, I thought I—nevermind."

He kissed the top of my hairline, rubbing my back. "I'm sorry I won't do it again."

He eased away from me. "I've got to go call the station, let them know you're safe."

Afterwards, I could still see the pain in Reagan's face. I didn't know who to blame for today, him for picking me up in the first place or myself for getting in the vehicle with him. I couldn't fathom what had drawn me to him to begin with.

I settled in my room, shutting the door behind me. In my mind, I still wondered about Ruby and her death. The idea of something or someone lethal enough to kill without much evidence really threw the case out.

"Colls, I'm putting the movie on." I heard from behind the door.

"I'll be right out."

When I got out, I almost didn't recognize the man on the sofa in the thick pajamas. I was so accustomed to seeing him in his officer's uniform, that I forget he had another life other than sleep and work.

"I ordered some Chinese food while you were in changing," my dad said slumping into our suede black couch. He had the two windows aside from the television, shut and the curtains drawn. The television radiated brightly across from him as he browsed through the streaming selection. "I fixed you up a plate."

It was about five in the afternoon after my dad called the station they had released him from his duties today. According to Sergeant Astride—whose conversation I had eavesdropped over—my father had other priorities and shouldn't forget I was one of them.

And then I thought to myself, can parents forget to care about their children? And can the child forget what it felt like to be cared for, the feeling was foreign? Because as I sat snuggled next to my father, I imagine it could have been another man and I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.

We commented a bit during the film, laughing at some of the more humorous parts. I haven't had this experience with anyone else in quite some time. And yet, I wasn't dreading the experience as I presumed.

Our time came to end once the movie had concluded, the credits vanishing as the television was shut off. He gave me a hug with a tight smile tugging on his face. I left him sprawled out on the couch drifting to sleep and I followed in suit.

I was near my own slumber when I felt it. In the stark darkness, my body grew heavy weighing down on the mattress.

There was no denying the panic that paralyzed me, the weight becoming heavier with each breath. Attempting to scream out, I found my throat flooded with pressure. I realised I was choking and talking wasn't an option to save myself.

Withering in pain, the sensation began to numb my body. Slowly, I drifted off.

~ ~ ~

My dad shook me awake and the familiarity of his uniform surprised me.

"I got called in," he told me.

"What time is it?"

"Around four in the morning," he answered, he grabbed his keys and wrapped his belt around his waist.

"What happened?" I tried to hide the fact that I knew why—or, felt why.

He stared at me grimly as though he didn't want to tell me. "They found another one."

I swallowed, clutching my chest. "Dead?"

"Yeah, just like Ruby Tolken."

Unfortunately, it was a boy this time. Samuel Eden. Not many knew him, however, I recognized him from the marching band for the last 3 years and stood out sharply with his staggering height.

There was no telling how he died since his death was identical to Ruby Tolken. He simply dropped dead. Not enough evidence to pin a suspect either.

And today was Saturday, giving the town enough time to grieve. I didn't grieve, I couldn't even bring myself to feel anything remotely emphatic.

All I could feel now was pity and confusion. The mixture twisted deep within my soul. It's how I felt around anyone lately.

It was now noon, my father was still at work as expected for the detective on the case. I slipped on some sweats and a hoodie, grabbing a pair of snow boots as well. I didn't have a car so I began to walk. Past Reagan's house. Past the pizzeria. There wasn't any destination in mind, I just knew I needed air and tons of it. Before I could comprehend where my legs were taking me, I appeared to be in a graveyard.

It was as if the universe was toying with me, mocking me as if I would be here next. The thought didn't frighten me, I wandered through the stones before finding a large tree to sit against.

Tranquillity eased through me as I settled against the rough bark of the tree. It was no doubt I needed this peaceful moment in all the chaos. I'm able to breathe without thought, fear, or worry.

One ruthless, measly little thought flooded my mind again. And she's wont let me forget it.

Because this is where Ruby Tolken is buried. By next week, Samuel Eden will join her. What if they weren't the last? And the thought scared me shitless.