Unrealistic Reality

Chapter 1: Unrealistic Reality

Like every day after school, Charlie sat in my room, comforting me. I am so angry about everything. My so called friends left me, all because they didn't want to deal with my shit. When I walked in the hallways, everybody looked at me in pity. It is disgusting. I don't want their pity, I don't need it. All I needed to do is release my pain. Getting answers. I wish I could go back to the time when everything was alright.

As for Charlie, he knew my dad. His dad Jonathan and my dad were best friends. They did everything together. That's why Charlie and I are such good friends. The murder doesn't only effect me and my family, but also his.

"Chloe, when are you going to stop frowning?" Charlie looked at me, his eyes searching my eyes for bit of happiness, but I know he can't find it. It is gone.

"I have an idea, but you have to help me Charlie. Only you and I." He nodded and I continue "We have to go back to where it all began." Charlie looked at me, totally confused. "We have to go back to the night my father was murdered."

"What do you mean, go back? We can't go back, it is gone. He is gone. It is over Chloe. You can't do anything about it, let it be. You might find something you don't want to know."

"That's the point Charlie, I can't let it go. I have to find my dad's murderer. I have to know what he did. I have to retrace his steps, and do what he did, but I can't do that alone. Please Charlie, I need you. More than everything right now. Don't turn your back on me." He seemed to think about it for a while but then he nodded.

"I won't. Let's do this, together." I smiled and pulled out my hand for him to grab.

"Let's do this"
~
"I think this is it, the lake." We were surrounded by trees and water. It was dark and the only light bull that we have is Charlie's phone. I had to admit, it is a beautiful place, but to think my father stood here, fearing for his life is too much to handle. I sat down, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Hey, don't cry. I know this is much to handle, even for you, but you have to do this. I know you do. If you don't, I know for sure you will regret it. Besides, we didn't drive for two hours to just give up. So be a strong girl like you always are and help me find something." I feel Charlie's hand on my shoulder and look up.

"What are we searching for?" I stood up and wiped the mud from my jeans.

"My father lost his ring somewhere, and I know the police didn't find it. It was a special ring though. My dad used to show me how it worked. There are two mini buttons on the side and if you press them, the ring will open. I know he hid something in there, we only have to find out what. You would think there is nothing that could fit in the place, but believe me, a whole letter could fit in there. His life was just as mysterious as the dark."

"Well, let's search for it then" Charlie said.

An hour later, and we still had nothing. Nothing. Unbelievable. We searched everywhere, on the ground, in the trees, even inside the trees, and still nothing. I think that is what I could expect. If I wanted to find it, I had to think like my father.

Flashback

"10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, I'M COMING" my father screamed. Every Saturday, we play hide and seek, and I always lost. He would find me immediately. "Where are you little monster?" He walked past me and turned around.

"I smell something here, I think it is Chloe" I sat as still as I could but he already had seen me. "Gotcha!" My father smiled as I came to him.

"How do you always find me so soon? It's unfair!" He kneeled so that he was the same height as me.

"It is all about the place. If you don't want to be found, then hide in a place people will never expect. That's the only way you can get away."

"Hide in a place people will never expect" "Charlie! I think I got it." He ran towards me.

"Where, where?" I chuckled at his excitement.

"We have to search somewhere you wouldn't expect." He thought about it but was still clueless. "We were too busy with looking at places you originally would think about. But what if he didn't even hid it?"

"Do you mean there isn't a ring?" I hit his head.

"No dumbass, I have it. All this time I had it. Don't you see it?" I wore the jacket my dad gave me a month ago. I opened it and searched the pockets.

Then I felt it, the ring. I grabbed it, and showed it to Charlie. "I found it!" I looked around to see Charlie texting someone. "CHARLIE!" He dropped his phone and smiled.

"I'm sorry, show me the ring." He walked up to me and I pressed the buttons. It opened with a click and there was a paper in it. A long paper. "It's a letter Charlie. A letter from my dad." Charlie's eyes widened and he took a step closer.

"I would say read it. But only if you're ready." I sighed a long sigh and noded.

"I'm ready."

"If you find this letter, I am probably dead. This I all my fault, but I did what I had to do. I protected you. My family. You know my life wasn't normal. It was too dangerous to understand. The first time I saw you Chloe, laying in the arms of your mother, I already knew you were special. You are one to understand, not to keep in the dark.

But some things shouldn't be known. I know you won't let it with this one thing and keep searching so I will help you.

Go back to the place me and your mother met for the first time. That's where you find your next clue. I love you to death Chloe. I want you to know I never meant to leave you, Jamie and your mom. But what happened, happened. I know it is hard to understand right now, but eventually, you will know everything.

Some things might shock you, but remember, never forget the dad who played hide and seek with you, or comforted you when you were afraid. Know who you trust. Nothing's as it seems"

Tears streamed down my face as I read the letter. He knew he was going to die. The thing that concerned me was the last sentence: "Know who you trust. Nothing's as it seems" What does that mean? Did he know something I didn't?

Or was it just an Unrealistic reality?