Maeve's one fleeting high

6. Text messages & a sudoku challenge pt. 2

We drive in silence, which is what we needed. Our minds are crammed with too much stuff and there was no place left for mindless banter. After twenty minutes Blake drives up Lemon's driveway. 

The view of their gigantic house is less magical. Recollecting the fact a baby lost his life there and that the murderer is still a free man does that. 

''Thanks, Blake. I'll text you guys later,'' Lemon says before swiftly exiting the car. 

''Wait for me,'' I plead with Blake seconds later and get out too. I sprint up to Lemon, grab her elbow and spin her around. The look on her face told me she expected this to happen. 

''Maeve, please. I'm tired and I don't want to talk about this.'' Her voice reflected her words perfectly as well as her eyes. They were tear-brimmed. She must feel an immense amount of pain and anger after being reminded of the whole situation again. 

I attempt to hide the concern on my face but my hand doesn't let go of her. ''Okay, okay. That's fine and understandable. But promise you will tomorrow. To anyone besides us. How about Kai?'' I suggest wishfully. ''He knows just as much as I do, minus the last few events.'' 

She shrugs her elbow free, then pinches the bridge of her nose. ''Maeve, I know you want to help me but please don't tell me what to do. How I handle this doesn't concern you. Good night,'' she snaps. 

Her tone made me freeze in my spot. This time I simply watch her go. After she's let in, I turn around and shuffle back to the car. Blake was following me with her eyes till I got into the passenger seat. I exhale deeply and drop my head to the dashboard. 

''I guess it didn't go like how you wanted,'' Blake whispers, stroking my back. I tilt my head to the side. 

''Her reaction isn't the problem at all. I can take a hit. I just don't like that she wants to solve this on her own... Blake-uh,'' I groan and proceed bonking my head repeatedly. ''We-are-dealing-with-a-murderer!'' I shout. 

''Omg, don't go crazy on me now,'' Blake panics and pulls me back against the backrest. She twirls my head using her hand so I'm facing her. ''Obviously''— she emphasizes—''we're not letting her do this alone. We're just giving her one day or more to process this, okay? That's the least we can do.'' She slowly retracts her hand from my head and plops herself straight in her seat.

I rest my head against the headrest and keep my eyes glued on Blake's profile. ''We're just giving her time process this,'' I mumble. 

''Exactly,'' Blake confirms and starts the car. ''For now, we just go home and rest. The person might send another text tomorrow. Depending on that, we'll decide how we go on about this.''

Blake is right. It's too much to do everything tonight, let alone do it right. Even though I still don't want to leave her alone, I'm helpless in this case. I can't force her. 

After Blake dropped me off, I went upstairs and took an extensive shower. I walk out in my bath robe and check my phone for time. It's past 8. Time flew by. In my robe I sneak over to Madd's door and knock on it. Her lights are out and no sound is made. I wanted to chat with her but I guess she's already gone to sleep. 

''Maeve? Don't disturb her, she's really tired.'' I spin around and clamp my heart. It was mom, coming out of her bedroom in her pajamas. Come to think of it, no one was in the living room. 

''I'm sorry, I didn't know. Has everyone gone to bed?'' I ask, scratching my head. I always get an eerie feeling when everyone retires to their bedrooms early to sleep. 'Hm, yes. Everyone got tired somehow so we just went up. Kai's still at work though. He must be''— she checks her watch— ''still at work. He said he had to catch up on work, so you better not wait up for him.''