Forgotten memories // Finney Blake

Chapter 5

Saturday November 9, 1978

"Alyssa!" I heard my dad call from downstairs. "Yeah?!" No response. "Yeah?!" I groan as I get up and go downstairs. "Your friend Robin is calling." He says as he passes me the phone which I hold up to my ear.

"Hello?" I ask waiting a few seconds before I hear a response. "Do you think you can come over?" The voice on the other end of the line asks.

"Uhm yeah, but what for? You need help with history?" I furrow my eyebrows a bit. "Yeah, I don't really get this assignment." I could hear him sigh lightly.

"I'll be there in 10" I say before hanging the phone up again. I ran upstairs and grabbed my bag while slipping on my shoes and tying them. I grabbed my locket that was sitting on my nightstand and clipped it around my neck.

I opened the locket for a few seconds to get a look at the photo of my mother that was in there, I smiled as I closed it and sprayed perfume on me. I put on some chapstick before I made my way downstairs.

"I'm going to Robin's i'll be home at 7:30!" I yell as I head for the front door. "Ok honey!" I hear my dad yell from the kitchen. Robin's house was a bit of a lengthy walk from my house so I pull out my headphones and click play on my walkman.

"And I'm kissing you, lying in my room

Holding you until you fall asleep

And it's just as good

As I knew it would be

Stay with me,

I.. don't want you to leave."

I can feel a lump in my throat forming as I get this strange feeling bubble up. I stop to look around in every direction and that's when I noticed it.

The black van.

It was hiding behind a bush a few blocks down. I breathe deeply trying to settle my nerves. It's nothing Alyssa, it's just a van.

I continue walking until the van is out of sight. I walk a bit faster so I can get to Robin's house sooner, something is really suspicious about that van. I have been seeing it a lot lately. What if they're stalking me? Nah, no way. I'm just overthinking things.

I finally get to Robin's house so I put away my headphones before I knock on the door. I hear his footsteps get closer until the door swings open.

"Come on in Ally." Robin says with a smile as he steps aside, holding the door open for me to walk in. He shuts the door and leads me to his room.

I sat down on his bed and he sat down next to me while facing me. "You brought your whole backpack?" He laughs. "It's a satchel" I roll my eyes, "and yes these textbooks are heavy. I didn't want to carry them in my arms the whole way here." I say as I cross my arms. He just shakes his head laughing.

"So what did you need help on?" I sincerely ask as I pull out my binder. "Okay look, I lied I don't need help with homework." He sighs as he looks down a bit.

"Why did you want me to come over then?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"I just didn't want to be home alone, I didn't know who else to call." There was a hint of fear in his voice. "Why don't you want to be alone?" I ask as I shift around a bit.

"I've been feeling really paranoid lately, I just have this feeling like..." he says before I finish his sentence. "You're being watched.." We both lock eyes, I can feel my palms get a bit sweaty.

"Y-yeah, you feel that too?" Robin asks still maintaining eye contact. I nod in response not really sure what to say. "I'm scared Robin. I think there's more to my mother's death, but I just- I don't know what it is and I'm worried someone is trying to make sure I never find out." I shift my vision from his eye to his other as my voice cracks a bit.

He puts his hand on my shoulder "whatever it is, you'll find out. I'm sure of it." He smiles a bit empathetic. "Yeah" I sigh as I try to avoid the memories of my mom resurfacing.

"Can we like watch a movie or something?" I try to change the conversation. He nods and we go to his living room.

>after the movie<

"I have to go home Robin, I told my dad I would be home an hour ago." I sigh as I get up from the couch and grab my bag. "Okay I'm gonna go to the store anyway, I could use a snack." He says as he gets up and walks outside with me.

"I'll see you Monday, be safe" I smile as I begin splitting ways with him. "You too" He returns the smile before heading off.

Little did I know that today would be the last time I would see Robin Arellano.