The Drafted Reality and Dreams

CHAPTER 19: MR. FRANCIS

When I came back home from the grocery store I saw Clarence sleeping at the breakfast table. I knew that she hasn't been sleeping these past few days and even if I tried telling her that she needed rest she just wouldn't listen. I walked towards her and shook her gently.
    "Clarence?" I said, shaking her some more. She eventually woke up, stretching out her arms while yawning.
    "Ted? When did you get here?" She asked with sleepy eyes.
    "Just now." I said, "If you're tired you can go in our room and take a nap." I told her, putting a single bag of groceries on the kitchen counter.
    She nodded her head, getting up to go upstairs. I waited for her to go upstairs before meddling with the mug that had coffee inside it. I put away the small amount of groceries right after I put the mug inside the dishwasher.
    I sighed, going back out to the car to get my phone which fell out of my pocket. I know because I remember putting it in my pocket before getting out of the car when I returned. I first checked the driver's seat, I looked beside the seat and even underneath it, almost hitting my against the steering wheel as a result. It wasn't there, my phone wasn't on the drivers side so I checked the other side but it wasn't there either.
    Where the hell is my phone at? I asked myself, questioning my memory. I checked the back seat and there it was. My phone was on one of the seats. I don't remember putting it there, I thought. I never went in the back seat nor did I put the groceries there.
    I grabbed my phone and went back inside the house, I put the phone onto the kitchen counter by the sink. I then went upstairs into the bedroom seeing Clarence looking out the window.
    I pretended to accidentally replace my phone and asked her if she saw it.
    "Have you seen my phone at all? I swear I had it." I sighed.
    "Didn't you put it in your back pocket?" She said, "I saw your phone sticking out of your back pocket."
    I looked at her dumbfounded, "It was?" I said, just to get a nod from her.
    I went back downstairs. In my back pocket? I patted my back pockets down before remembering that I put it there. If I put it in my pocket then why was it in the car? I went outside into the front of the house and looked around for anyone but there wasn't anyone. There were a few people walking their dogs or going jogging and a few cars going by, but other than that there wasn't anyone.
    I went back inside the house, into the kitchen. I went towards the kitchen sink to get my phone. Hold on, where did it go? I asked myself. I put it on the counter after I came back inside the house the second time when I went to check the car. I put it on the counter by the sink and went to ask Clarence where it was when I knew where it was. So where is it?
    I looked around the kitchen but there was no phone in sight. I then felt a breeze against my arms. I looked at one of the windows; it was right above the sink and it was also open.
    "Clarence, did you open one of the windows in the kitchen?" I yelled loud enough for her to hear me.
    Clarence came downstairs into the kitchen, "Which one?" She asked.
    I pointed towards the window that's open, "This one. Did you open it?"
    She went over to the window and closed it, "No, I didn't open this window. I don't usually open the windows on the first floor since there aren't any screens on them."
    I sighed, "What's wrong?" She asked me to turn over to face me.
    "My phone is gone, again." I said, covering my face with my hands.
    "Didn't you find it?" She said as she put her hands on my arms.
    "I did and I put it close to the sink. I didn't know the window was open."
    "Was it open when you first came home?" She asked me before going to the front door.
    "No, it wasn't. Wait–where are you going?"
    She opened the door and went outside, "Ima go look around. Maybe ask anyone if they saw anyone acting strange. You go find your phone."
    I was at the front door putting my shoes back on. I went outside and towards the car while holding the car keys. I first looked through the car windows and saw a letter in the back seat. I unlocked the car and opened the door. I grabbed the letter, closed the door, and locked the car.
    I went towards the end of the driveway to look for Clarence before opening the letter.
   
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Francis,
You have lost something, no? What you miss is what you were given before the death of the beloved. Right Mr. Francis? Your former wife Ashlyn, your beloved. It's a tragedy, no?  If I were you I would go in the back of the yard. There is where you might find it. Hope you like digging.
   
                                Sincerely,
                                The man with the melted skin

In the backyard? Why there? And what's up with the digging–whoever wrote this note is dead, especially if they buried my phone in the backyard. And talking about Ashlyn–wait, Ashlyn? How do they know about her? And Why talk about her? Well she is popular here and there back in our old town. But bringing her up out of the blue after a while since she died is unnecessary. It took me a while for me to get over her, even took some therapy for a little bit.
    I went into the small backyard, I started to search for a spot that was messed with. I eventually found a shovel that was covered in some dirt, in one of the corners of the backyard. I grabbed the shovel that was leaning against the fence. Where the tip of the shovel was, there was a small pile of dirt. I cursed underneath my breath as I put the shovel to the side and used my hands to dig it up.
    And there it was, the phone that I bought for myself, the same kind of phone that the kids have. The screen of the phone was covered in dirt along with a crack right in the middle of the screen. I crouched down to grab the phone and as soon as I stood back up, it was almost as if someone was watching me. I went towards the backdoor and I found another note–taped on the door–I grabbed the note and unfolded it.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Francis,
Congratulations on finding the phone. But before this treasure hunt ends, how about a cup of coffee? A cup that isn't too sweet or too bland. I recommend going inside Mr. Francis, otherwise you're looking for a fright. Look to your left, look to your right. Don't find me staring and I will let you fly. A fight isn't necessary, right Mr. Francis? I know you know what you found that day, the syringe that was stuck to your thigh. It wasn't the brightest idea to tell the police officer. Only time I will warn you. Don't find me staring and I will let you fly.

                                Sincerely,
                                The man with the melted skin

What the hell? Warn me my ass. I ripped the note into smaller pieces and threw it to the side. Once I grabbed the doorknob I saw something in the corner of my eye. "Don't find me staring and I will let you fly." Does that mean he's watching me right now? I slowly turned my head to the left. I gulped harshly as I started to tremble.