The Summer of Fighting His Enemies (COMPLETED)

Chapter Eighteen

(PARENT'S POINT OF VIEW)

"Alright, we've scouted the park?"

"Three times."

"And the school grounds?"

"Five times."

"Where to next?"

"I don't know Becca, we've been at this since three this morning. I don't know where else to go." Tom said, placing his elbow on the table as he laid his chin on his palm. Becca threw her pencil across the table and sighed heavily.

"You're right. We were up early. Want another cup of coffee?"

"That would be nice." Tom said, nodding his head. He grabbed the map from the end of the table and spread it out. He began to look at the city map as he circled the places they had been.

"What about the library?" He asked as Becca set the mug down

"You think she would go there? I mean she has no ties to it."

"I'm just trying to cover all our bases."

"I know. And that's good of you I just thi-"

"I'll put an X through it." Tom said as he drew a giant one over it.

"Now what?" Becca asked as they glanced at the map.

"Do you know I'd there were any special places the girls liked to go to?

"Not that I know of." Becca said as she sipped her coffee

"You know where I want to look?"

"No. Where?"

"Stones house."

"Really? Why?"

"I don't know, I just have an odd feeling."

"You think he did something?"

"Not him per say but the house has been dark since Taylor disappeared."

"I hadn't noticed."

"Mhmm I noticed it yesterday and again today. There hasn't been any activity."

"But how would you know whether there is a lot or not? We are at work."

"Taylor. She mentioned that she usually sees him once or twice walking back and forth between the house and garage. More so on the weekends."

"So what do you want to do? We can't get into his house?"

"Or can we?"

"Babe no we are not going to break in." Becca said with a worried expression

"We may not have to. A window or door could be open."

"Are you sure you really want to pry? I mean what if he's in there? Or he comes back?"

"I'm sure. You don't have to come in. You could keep watch." Tom said with pleading eyes. Becca sighed

"Okay."

"Thank you." They left their mugs on the counter and locked up the house. Then they quickly walked over to the front door."

"Babe we should do this at night." Becca said, gripping the back of his t-shirt with clenched fingers.

"No, because then we'd have to use flashlights and it would be more suspicious."

"But what If someone comes?"

"We'll just tell them he asked us to check in the house." Becca tapped her foot

"I don't like it. Not one bit." Tom ignored her as he walked around back and checked the windows and doors. The back door was open. He pushed it open and went inside, he found himself in the mud and laundry room. With soft steps he walked into the kitchen which was spotless, nothing was out of place. He went into his bedroom and opened up his closet, because if you're trying to hide something, that's where one would do it. There behind the clothes was a tag board filled with pictures. A couple were Taylor, by herself or with her friends at school. A photo of two olderish men, one with a missing eye. A string of weird marks on a paper. And the name Alina Ivanov. He backed away quickly stumbling over his feet unsure of what it meant. He knew there was a basement so he went down there. He flicked on the light and stared in utter shock at what lay before his eyes. A room filled with knives and guns on a wall. A target practice area with a picture of the man with one eye with several holes in it and a knife sticking in his forehead. He flew out of the house and grabbed Becca's arm.

"What's wrong?" She shouted, stumbling along the way.

"Just go, go! Get out." He said as he shut their door, his chest heaving.

"What happened?"

"I saw things Becca. Things that no one should have." He said with crazed eyes.

"Like what?" Beccas asked as she brought him to the living room.

"Photos of Taylor. Some through her window, pictures of her at school."

"That's creepy."

"It was. Then there were these two old men. Some weird markings but that's not the half of it."

"What is then?"

"H-he has weaponry."

"So? You're allowed to if you have a permit."

"Yes but he has guns, knives, a target practice area and a photo of the man with one eye. He had a knife in his forehead." Becca gasped

"Oh my gosh. So do you think he has something to do with Taylor?

"One hundred percent. I wish the police would hurry."

"Well now so do I!"

"I want to do some more digging, but we will go in the cover of darkness."

"Can I come?"

"Yes. I will need all the help I can get." Tom rose and went to the window. He stared hard at the house across the street. Stone Reeks was not just a simple man. He was dangerous. But how dangerous? Was he a bad man or did he just have those things to pretend to be? Did he have his little girl? Was he going to hurt her? Kill her?