Silent Secrets ||A Byler Story||

Chapter four

Questioning took hours.

William had never been more bored doing anything in his whole life.

They didn't question him to much, mostly due to the fact that Jonathan and Joyce both told them that he didn't talk. 

He waited mostly in the main room, looking around for entertainment.  Once Jonathan was done being questioned he sat next to William.  His cast rested on the arm of the chair.

"I was so worried he caught up to you."  Jonathan whispers, "he never came back to the house.  That's why mom called the cops.  We both thought...we both thought he might have killed you or something."  Jonathan says quietly.  He didn't want to admit it but he was scared.  He had always been scared, but he didn't like to show his fear.  It made him feel venerable. 

William didn't know what to say so he just nodded, thinking about everything.  It all happened so fast. 

"Hopper seems nice."  Jonathan comments.  "The cop." 

William nodded.  Hopper had given him a doughnut and talked to him for a little bit.  Not about anything to serious.  Just about his daughter, Jane Hopper.  He talked about how she was eighth grade as well.  He also talked to him about how everything happened while he was away.

"I think we'll be out of here soon.  The person who was questioning me said that they only had a few more questions for mom."  He explained.  William nodded and picked at his fingers until the door open.

"Byers are all set."  Jim had told the lady at the front desk who just nodded. 

"Come on boys.  We can go home now."  Joyce says with a smile.

The two boys jump up and race out to the car.  William smiles once he got there first.

Jonathan sat up front and William sat in the back by himself.  They drove back home in a comfortable silence.  Joyce humming along to the radio and Jonathan tapping his foot on the bottom of the car floor.

Once they arrived home it was almost as if all three of them tensed up at the same time. 

They all got out of the car and walked cautiously to the house.  Joyce opened the door quietly and stepped inside. 

Of course, Lonnie wasn't there anymore.  He had left to God only knows where.  But it was still weird for the Byers to have a house without being scared all the time. 

"This is weird."  Jonathan comments.  His mother nods in agreement. 

"Well um...I'll make dinner I guess."  Joyce shrugs and makes her way to the kitchen.

"Well I guess we can start by cleaning up the living room."  Jonathan shrugs as he shuts the front door.  "William, wanna help?"

William nods and grabs a few garbage bags. 

The two boys clean up the living room as Joyce makes dinner.

***

Word Count: 483
Date Published: 11/26/22