Red's Family Diner

Chapter 24

June 8th, 1971

Forbidden Webb –

The news of Nova's death was sudden and it brought a lot to the town. Everyone had decided it was Wilbur's "god-stricken" curse. Pinning the blame onto him but...rather the unreleased crime scene photos (Cara snuck me some of them) looked more like a work of...not a man with a purpose. It was sloppy and almost unintended.

"Hey Sam, you should work at the police station so I don't risk my job showing a member of the public this." She spoke, watching the rain fall outside as I sighed.

"Then why are you showing it to me like a prize?" I asked her, a sly grin unfolding on her face.

"It's fun. Plus Wilbur's an interesting character. I'm still shocked you never told me you worked for him underneath a different name!" She replied. I rolled my eyes as I chuckled.

"Uh-huh. And you like thriving off of broken old men?" I recalled as Cara only chuckled.

"He's a nut case! You'd also thrive off of knowing what the fuck goes on in his head!" She defended herself, glancing out of the window and spotting the tree's sway and rock against the horrific winds.

"Speaking of, it's getting nasty out there right?" She said changing the conversation.

"Well, yeah. It is–they did call out that there might be a bad hurricane season this year." I spoke, fixing us some tea before remembering a small dish for Liam. Picking a box of orange juice.

"Well still. I wasn't expecting you to be in Florida after everything that happened back home." Cara mentioned. I handed her a cup of tea as I walked away.

"And what makes you think that's fine? Of course, as the oldest, I have to take the strongest hits for the siblings." I spoke, knocking on the door, and watching Liam open it and take it.

"Well still. Whatever Dad did was pretty messed up." She said, taking a sip. Cara sat still for a while before sighing.

"Sorry for bringing it up, I guess the gloomy weather helps you remember the worst." She said, smiling softly and glancing at me.

"Doesn't it?" She repeated.

Wilbur Beloved –

Maddie's trailer became the hostility for me. I couldn't bear living in my own house. Sometimes it'd get so bad that I'd just have horrible mental breakdowns and attacks, making me want to rip and tear my skin off. I held the pistol in my hand as I sat on the empty and broken mattress. The broken bottles sat around it and cigarette buds clogged the floor. I turned the gun around and felt across the rims–watching the craftship and remembering my main reason. I clicked the gun, removing the safety as I continued glancing at it. The bliss and beauty that can come from it. Before I had the chance to place the gun into my mouth, the door across from the hall creaked slightly open. Pausing–I tilted my head to the side and felt my body grow nervous. Nobody should be here...that hurricane's coming and everyone's left from what I know... I got up and slowly approached, opening the door. Unironically–Drew's old room. And what stood in the lovely corner of it? Maddie! I paused, backing up rather quickly, as I stared at her. She seemingly grew larger than the room could fit. Twisting and turning as her mouth grew bigger and unhinged. I felt my breathing begin to panic as I backed out and found myself in the living room. But this time–Maddie's the one chasing me into it. "G-Get away you demon!" I cried, lifting the gun up as her head swirled and turned. Her neck moved in ways that couldn't be possible, but what was I expecting at this rate with my luck? The closer she got, the more frantic my thoughts screamed. I needed to defend myself–I had to.