The Drafted Reality and Dreams

CHAPTER 22: MR. FRANCIS

Someone called the wired phone which we had–but never used. They said that they found a phone, the screen was cracked and there was a sticky note on it. It said, "call this number to return" with an arrow next to it that was pointing downwards. It was strange how all the notes back at home were written from the man with the melted skin. So I kinda took it as a prank call, until they said the address that was below the phone number.
And right at this second, I'm heading back home on foot. The person who had called was only a couple of minutes away from the house. They gave me the address to meet up with them, and the address led me to a house whose household was having a garage sale. There was an elder sitting on a camping chair on the driveway, holding the phone with the sticky note.
The elder gave me the phone and told me that a tall man whose face was all messed up told them to give Mr. Francis,me, the phone. The phone was broken and it needed to be replaced.

Once I was back home, I went into the kitchen and put the, now broken phone on the counter. Edson came downstairs and told me that Clarence was at the grocery store. I didn't think we needed anything from the store since it hasn't been that long since we last went there.
I sat in the living room–on the couch, my head felt like it was sinking into the headrest. Edson came into the living room, sitting down beside me.
"I have a bad feeling." Edson said.
"About what?" I said, turning my head.
"I don't know. But I don't think she is gonna come back." Edson fiddled with his fingers as he looked down at the ground.
"What do you mean?" I lifted my head from the couch as my eyebrows furrowed.
"I got a text saying that she won't be coming back tonight."
"From?"
"Her, from her."
I stood from the couch, stepping away from the couch towards the fireplace.
"You didn't tell me sooner because?" I turned around, facing him.
"You weren't home when I got the text."
"You could've called–"
Oh, that's right my phone doesnt work anymore..
"How could I call you? Your phone is broken, ain't it?"
"Well–" Edson interrupted me.
"Maybe the bad feeling I'm getting is nothing. It is just a feeling after all, right?"
I nodded my head, "You're right, but if she doesn't end up back home then." I paused, "I don't know. We've been going through so much already and–I don't think that man will ever leave us alone."
"But he has though, he's not bothering us right now is he?"
I shrugged, "I don't know anymore, but–" I paused again. Maybe I shouldn't tell him, I told myself.
"But what?" He said.
"It's nothing, okay? She must be alright." I told him, walking towards him to pat him on the shoulder as a way to assure him.
Edson nodded his head before walking away. I sat down on the couch and pondered.
Maybe she has business that she needs to attend to.
Maybe she went to the store and the car broke down and–yeah..
Maybe, just maybe–