vanished

CHAPTER FIVE

I stood in front of the house, Harry was still in his truck in the driveway. He had said nothing when I got out of the car and now watched me as I stood at the front door. I was torn between two choices and in the end one won out over the other. I walked silently over to his truck and said, “want to come in?”

In the blink of an eye, he was out of the car. The lawns needed to be mowed and the garden was in ruins. I could distantly remember a time when my mom and Casey would work in the gardens in the evenings, It was their favorite pastime. When my mom died Casey had tried to keep up the garden but it became too painful a reminder of the loss.

“That garden looks like it needs help.” Harry said wrily. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

“You up for some gardening?” I asked. Maybe it could be a surprise for Casey when she got home.

“I’m not much of a gardener.”

I shrugged. “You’ve got hands.” And went to the garage where the tools were. The last time I’d checked there, most of my mom’s things had been stored there. The least valuables of course. The valuables Rich had sold off.

Harry followed as I lifted the door, sunlight streaming into the dank and dusty room. A lot of things were here, piled up in cases stacked everywhere. The tools were where I last remembered them. They were dusty and cobwebs were hanging everywhere.

“This place looks like a scene from horror movie’s.” He was at a crate going through whatever was in there.

“Careful now, you don’t wanna upset the ghosts here.” I quipped.

He chuckled. And then I heard it. A faint thumping sound, like someone was walking quite loudly with boots and it was coming from the basement.

“What’s that?” he must have heard it too. The sound was getting louder and then I remembered there was a door to the basement in the garage and there was also one in the house. I checked out the door but it was locked with a chain and a lock. I’d never remembered it being locked.

Harry came over, “you think it’s coming from down there?”

I nodded absently. Something was odd. The chains looked like there were recently put here, and so did the Lock. I tried looking for something to break it.

“What are you doing?”

I found a hammer, I hit it but it wouldn’t budge. Harry gaped at me. I continued hitting it

Then a voice called out from the garage door. A voice that has haunted me since I was a kid.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

It was weird seeing Rich standing upright and talking normally, I always made sure to avoid him but thankfully he made it too easy.

Beside me, Harry was speechless. I didn’t blame him.

I stared right at Rich and said, “Why not?”

He narrowed his eyes, “Because I say so.” His eyes were bloodshot and even from this distance I could smell the liquor on him.

I smiled. “What are you hiding down there Rich?”

“Its none of your business.”

Icy, cold rage filled me and I said through clenched teeth. “Not when it isn’t your house.”

He laughed harshly and I fisted my hands. “And it’s yours?” he snorted. “Don’t delude yourself kitty.”

“Don’t you dare call me that.” I spat out.

“All bark but no bite.”

Harry grabbed my hand and called out to Rich. “we’re sorry for intruding sir. We’ll just leave.”

I snapped. “I’m not intruding.” Harry gave me a pleading look.

Rich smiled slyly. “New boyfriend kitty? A surprise given that you’ve always had poor taste in men.”  He laughed lowly. “But of course I’d expect no less from the boy who’ve always had a thing for you.”

Blood roared in my eyes. “What did you say?”

“I remember your face boy, bold move you took there years ago. You were so nervous, it was so funny to watch. A romantic gesture wasn’t it?” he smirked

Harry was still and I had no idea what Rich was talking about. “Explain.” It came out sharper than I intended.

“Why don’t you tell him to? Just to put you out of you misery boy, I did you a favor. She wasn’t worth a scrap of your time.”

“Shut up!!!” Harry screamed at him. “you piece of shit! You think I never figured it out. It’s no wonder you can’t stand her, she hates you so much and she’s not afraid to show it. You’re a fucking loser and Kat would be better off without you.”

I was the one now staring wide eyes at the both of them. What the hell was going on here?

Rich was staring hard at Harry now. Danger lurked in those cold eyes. I would always remember that expression. I held Harry’s hand and dragged him to the door. He held his ground, apparently ready for battle when I gave him a look and said, “lets get out of here.”

When I passed by Rich, he stared at me with a cold, calculating gleam in his eyes. A sick smile on his face. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

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