Birds Of A Feather

Chapter 7

Monday, September 30th

It was 10:13 pm when I got back to The Rabbithole. I spent the rest of the day at the diner, getting to know the locals.

Now, sitting in my car, I've started thinking about my childhood town. Everyone here seems to have such a tight bond, just like when I was younger. Everything was good before—no. I shouldn't think about that anymore.

Just as I'm getting out of the car, I notice something out of the corner of my eye. It's the note on my dashboard from when I left the motel in Fort Layton.

"Oh yeah, that," I say to myself as I grab the paper to read it.

"I enjoyed our walk together this morning. Let's do it again soon.

- Jane

Ps. My number is 555-8907"

"That's cute." I think to myself. I take out my phone to dial the number—wondering if she's up.

The phone rings but eventually goes to voicemail.

"Hey it's Jane, I'm probably sleeping so, leave a message."

Hm, I figured.

"Hi Jane, it's Autumn from the motel. I just read your note, this is my number. Call or text me whenever."

*hang up tone*

"I should probably shower," I mutter as I head inside.

*doorbell jingles*

When I enter the main lobby, all I hear is yelling from behind the reception desk.

"I just don't understand why it is that you can't help me!" says an unfamiliar voice. "Jason I cannot keep supporting these habits!" I hear Esme's voice reply.

"Mom I haven't gambled in months! This is just a one-time thing and all of my friends are going!" A short, young man complains loudly while waving his hands in a frustrated manner.

"Well then you need better friends Jason! I'm not letting you fall back into these habits!" Esme yells as she struggles to catch her breath. "I can't do this! I- I-" She stutters then collapses onto the ground and without thinking, I rush over behind the desk to try to help.

"Mom? Mom! What's wrong!" Jason yells out from behind me and starts to panic.

"Call the ambulance!" I yelled at him whilst trying to wake Esme who is now unconscious on the floor.

After about 3 minutes, I hear the ambulance approaching us and Esme still isn't gaining any consciousness. I helped Jason carry her belongings as the EMTs lifted her into the ambulance, and we drove off behind them in my car.

"Shit shit shit!" Jason starts freaking out. "What did I do?!" he says as I reach what pretty much feels like my last nerve with this boy.

"Boy calm down before you make the both of us freak out," I told him which made him instantly quiet and a bit shocked.

"I'm sorry, it's just I've never fought with her like this before." He says as if I cared right now. "Not to mention this bitch keeps calling her phone! Mom always liked her better, and she's not even her real daughter."

"Someone's calling?" I asked as I snapped out of my trance and heard the phone ringing. I snatched the phone from Jason's hand and accidentally answered the call.

"Hello?" Says a female voice.

"Hi," I answered. "Esme is being rushed to the hospital. She collapsed at the B&B and hasn't regained consciousness as far as I know."