A M N E S I A

Chapter Two: [insert number here]

It’s been three days since Rosemary posted Alyssa’s bail. Alyssa’s been cooped up in her apartment with Bear to avoid the townsfolk. On this particular afternoon, Alyssa was lounging on her bed reading The Shining by Stephen King for the millionth time. 

“No don’t do it!” she yells at the book as if they could actually hear her. 

The ringing of the phone causes her to jump. After calming her breathing, she answers it.

“Lyssa Lynn! I’ve missed you!” her grandmother exclaims.

“Hi Nana.” she smiles, sighing a breath of relief.

“Rosie phoned me yesterday. And I must admit I’m rather worried.”

“There’s nothing that concerns you.” 

“Gosh darn it Lyssa Lynn. You gone done it again.” 

“Nana, what on earth are you talking about?”

“You getting in trouble over a boy again. Just like when you was a teenager. Lying, hiding things.  Well, I maybe old but I still hear things. I know the cops think you murdered that family, but you don’t ‘member nothing.”

“Nana, this has nothing to do with a boy. I swear it. But I really don’t know what murder them cops think I did. I ain’t a murderer.”

“I know sweetie. Stay strong. I’m on your side. I love you.”

“I love you too Nana.” 

Once Alyssa hangs up the phone with her grandmother, she decides to get out of bed and stop moping around. Granted she was just convicted of murder, but she was still a human being, and innocent. So why was she acting guilty? She takes a quick shower, throws on clean clothes, and heads to the coffee shop.

“I heard that she’s going to kill kids next.” a young boy whispers.

“Kyle, she’s a teacher moron. She’d kill adults over kids.” a girl says.

“Teacher or not, didn’t stop little Betty from dying with her parents.” Kyle retorts.

Alyssa stops in her tracks. There was only one young girl named Betty in this town. Betty James. Six years old. Only child. Lived with her moms and their dog Rocky. Betty was the sweetest little girl, with perfect manners and although she was shy at first, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself or her friends. Taking a deep breath to gather her thoughts, Alyssa continues to the coffee shop.

“You ain’t welcome here.” the barista says.

“I’m innocent, and a member of this community.” Alyssa objects.

“You’re a murderer. Get out of my shop.” the barista replies.

Keeping her head held high, Alyssa leaves the coffee shop, her heart dropping on the inside. Did everyone see her as a murderer? With this thought in mind, she made her way to the grocery store to pick up food for herself and Bear. 

“Lyssa! Long time no see!” the store owner Brian exclaims happily.

“Well being arrested does that to people.” Alyssa jokes. 

Brian chuckles and shakes his head. Alyssa grabs a basket and heads off to do her shopping, humming along to the stero, content with the world at the moment.

M E A N W H I L E   . . . . . .

“Boss, I know how it looks, but let me investigate.” Jessie pleads Sherrif Kane.
“Jes, we have a million other cases, this ones open and shut, why won’t you let Jack take it?” Kane asks.

“Jack?! All he does is sit on his ass eating doughnuts like a TV cop. Come on boss.” Jessie tries again.

“Alright. You get two weeks. Thats when the trial starts. And I expect updates Jes.” Kane sighs.

“Yessir.” Jessie smiles. 

He leaves Sherrif Kane’s office, case file in hand. He heads to his desk and starts reading it over, taking notes when needed, and writing down missing pieces. After a while he decides to call Miss Alyssa.

“Hello?” she answers timidly. 

“Miss Alyssa, its Office Jessie Maxwell, I am reviewing your case, and was wondering if we could meet up and discuss a few things.” he says.

“Of course. Does my house work? We can talk in my office." she offers.

"Sounds perfect. Six okay?”

“Six sounds great. See you then.” And with that she hangs up the phone.

~~ nadia writes ~~

685 words

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