Withering Rose

Chapter 3 - Cutaway Drywall

April looked out the window of the car as other vehicles passed by in a blur that ranged from various shades of blues, reds, black, and grays. Once she even saw a bright lime green sports car that passed them at least forty feet away on the street. A few people passed by on foot but no one really took notice of her, if anyone did come relatively close to the car she would pretend to be on her phone and looking down.

Which she supposed was somewhat right. Looking at the phone as the time passed steadily and yet so slowly it seemed. As if a minute had gotten another sixty seconds.

It had been essentially more than fifteen minutes since she was discharged from the Lain Hospital. Thomas and Isaac being the ones to pick her up of course after being in the hospital for two and a half days. But had stopped with another eight to go to a convenience store to pick up some things. And April offered to stay in the car in case someone tried to hijack it as a joke but the two men looked at each other concerned before accepting her answer and going to the doors.

Isaac pushed open the door as Thomas followed closely behind, letting his hand stay on the door for two seconds longer before letting it fall back into place.

"I don't think Ap's gonna be okay."Isaac blatantly said, walking into the first aisle where colorful arrays of sugary treats and candies laid on racks in packaging.

Thomas stayed quiet for a moment, watching others silently as he also gazed over the snacks. Not really having a sweet tooth himself but he occasionally got something. "Healing takes time, Isaac. I mean... You're still trying to figure out what happened to your parents, no?"

Isaac paused as soon as he picked up a bag of sugary gummy worms in his hand. Eyes widened a little before they solemnly narrowed down with a sigh. "...That's a little different."

Isaac sounded defeated as he spoke, turning the package around for an expiration date and shrugged at it before turning to Thomas.

"My parents left nothing but their IDs, cards, and a recording on their computer, right? It doesn't seem like they wanted to be found but... I always felt like there was something more to it, ya know?" Isaac said with a light shrug to his shoulders.

Thomas hummed, taking a few steps to the side as he looked at the racks. "The police ruled out foul play even with how many people your father had wronged in the past and no one could make a connection. But yes, it is possible something else was going on that your father never told me about..."

Thomas felt something get stuck in his throat as those words left his mouth, sympathy running on his face as he thought. Had Scarlett or Jake, Isaac's and April's mother and father, actually mentioned it to him but had he brushed it off or downright forgotten? Or had those two really just never wanted to be found ever again.

He thought back to that day of their disappearance. The hushed voices of coworkers as they realized their boss hadn't showed up, the distress in voices as they weren't able to get a hold of him or his wife, most fearing for the worst. And so, having been Jake's best friend and advisor, he took it upon himself to check in on Philip's household.

He had pulled up in his car on the driveway and immediately something fell off. Both cars were gone and the only thing that indicated that they were even there was a small puddle of gasoline near the garage but that was it. Thomas had made his way to the door but no answer from either of them. He knew April or Isaac would answer either as they were at school.