Call Me Twice

Prologue

Prologue
Nothing's ever as strange as you think it is. Always remember that.
"I'll admit, I was intrigued by your manuscript. It is—unusual to say the least," the man walks behind his desk, idly, the glow of the Tiffany lamp soft on his face and the mahogany desk.
"Your people offered me a deal. For the story, of what happened," I say, leaning back in the chair a little.
"Yes, Mr. Brenner. However we did except that your account would be true," the man chuckles, lightly, as he taps some papers on his desk back into place.
"Who's to say that isn't true?" I say, cocking my head.
"It's—more than a bit far fetched. Allegorical would be kind. After all these years, do don't you believe the people deserve to hear, what really happened?"
"Who's to say this isn't what happened?" I half smile.
"This is the story you're sticking with?"
"You've got to admit. It isn't a bad one," I say, shrugging a little.
"The end left something to be desired."
"I think it ended where it needs to. We often, don't want the answers we seek to find."
"Is that what this is? Your rebellion, your refusal to tell the world, what really happened all those years ago?' He asks.
"It's whatever you want it to be," I say, standing up, "Nothing more or less. It's not my story anymore. It's yours now. Because it's in your head. And no matter what. It's not going anywhere. Maybe it means something. Maybe it doesn't. Not for me to say."
"You don't wish to clear your own name? Your father's?"
I laugh a little, "We don't deal in truths. Only what we make of our own truths. This world is—pretty simple. Something that happened to four kids, thirty some years ago. Not that mysterious."
"And we're still talking about it."
"Yeah, guess we are," I say, walking over to the manuscript on the desk, "You asked for the story. You got it. Here it is. Make of it what you will. I don't really care anymore. That's not going to bring any of them back."

Pine Hollow Gazette
Link Brenner becomes the fourth teen to disappear with no apparent trace. His grand parents reported him missing this morning after he reportedly did not return from a friend's house on time. Lia Swallow is also missing, although her family has yet to make a statement at this time. Brenner' s family reports they have no reason to believe the teens were together. The Miller's two sons disappeared earlier this month, with Harper Miller failing to return home from a party and Josie Miller disappearing from his bed a few days later. There are no new leads in the case, although the Miller family is demanding action. The police have yet to confirm that the teen's disappearances are in fact connected. Currently plans are under way to drag the reservoir in search of remains of the children, after search parties have turned up no evidence in the forest preserve. Authorities maintain that the disappearances are likely unconnected,