Adventures of the Deps: Book 1

Chapter Two

When they got home, Lea rushed towards the door, nearly making Ron topple over.

"Whoa, easy sis..." he hugged her in return and held on to her as they walked inside.

"Thank god you are okay..." she whispered. He could tell she had been crying so he led her to the couch and they sat there momentarily, letting her hold him.

Ron was still shaking, and both Jessie and Lea could tell.

"Are you okay?" Lea asked releasing herself from his embrace. She grabbed his shaking hands, and Ron looked away closing his eyes. Willing himself not to cry.

"I saw him..." Ron said quietly.

Neither of the girls understood who he was but they wanted to. Lea glanced at Jessie, but she only shook her head as she shrugged.

"I froze...I felt like I couldn't breathe when I saw him I don't understand-" he felt one tear fall down his cheek, and he covered his face.

"Who, Ron? Who was it?"

"Ben-" Ron took a deep breath, "He caused it. Everything He had a gun...he- I don't understand."

"What?" Lea tried to come up with a solution or reasoning, but nothing came up besides...it couldn't be him. The Ben they knew would never do this.

"Who's Ben?" Jessie asked gently. She focused the question on Lea, but Ron answered.

"He was our father's best friend. He disappeared after the accident and we never saw him again. If I would've known that the funeral was the last time I'd see him..."

"Hey- let's not...dwell on the past unless we have to. But are you sure that was him?"

"I'd know that face from anywhere. I got as close to him as Dad did. He was my friend too and after everything, he just-"

"Okay, okay. It's okay-"

"It's not okay!" Ron stood up in frustration, "We needed him. I needed him and he left us! He barely said 5 words to me at the funeral!"

"I know...I'm sorry," Lea said. She wanted to give him space, but she grabbed his hand and gently led him to sit back down.

"It's not you're fault..." he said, calming down.

"I know..."

"I'm going to find him. I'm going to his house. I'm finding out what happened," said Ron with sudden determination.

"What? Are you crazy, you can't!" Lea intervened.

"I'm going."

"Not alone..." Lea answered standing and looking him in the eyes, "I am coming with you."

"No. That's not happening! You need to be safe or I can't live with myself-"

"We will be safe. I promise, Ron. But I can't go through life without you. You're all I have left."

Ron sighed, "If anything happens- you run. If I tell you to do something- you do it. Do you understand?" Ron asked strictly. If Ben was after anyone it was him. After this night, what else could be going on besides him? If he had to fall behind to save them, so be it.

"It's a close enough walk for of us-"

"Promise you'll do as I ask."

"Okay," Lea agreed.

"I swear if anything happens to you-" Ron turned to Lea.

"It won't...and if it does- I know you'll save me. You always do. Always have."