Out of Our Hands

Lincoln 2 (Out of order)

I felt a mix of emotions as I finished reading the diary entry. I was disgusted, I was sad, and I was disappointed. But most importantly, I was still worried about what happened to Tanner. I flipped the pages, hoping there was something else that he added. "No, No!" I told myself as there was no more writing to find. I got up and headed to my room. Amanda was sitting in the bed reading a book. She could tell something was up with me. 

"Lincoln, what's the matter?"

"I'm going out." I told her with no context. 

"What? Where?"

I went through my closet. I find a box that holds my pistol. I silently unbox the pistol and hide it in my sweatshirt.  "It has to deal with Tanner. I'll be back soon."

"Well do you want me to come with you?"

"No. I'll be back soon." After saying this I stormed out of the bedroom and made way to my truck. There was more that that Aden boy wasn't telling me. Now that I knew what he was part of, I was going to go get more answers for myself. But I wanted to do things my way, I knew the rest of my family might not agree with my actions. 

In what felt like a heartbeat, I was parked outside of Tanner's original dorm. I stared at the dorm entrance from the comfort of my truck. I rubbed my eyes and they were quite watery. In reality I had been staring at the dorm for quite awhile. I checked my phone and saw that it was 11:47 pm. I had been waiting outside the entrance waiting for somebody to open up the door so I could manage myself in. Without someones card access I had no way into this dorm. At least no way without letting off some alarm system. I was starting to regret my decision. Maybe it would be best to inform the rest of the family about the information I found. Maybe I was being too extreme. I went to start up my truck and head home. But before I started my truck, the door opened. And it was exactly who I wanted it to be, Aden. I doubted he would be the one to open the door. I figured it would be some other kid that I had to beg to for them to let me in. But instead the man I wanted was right where I wanted him. I opened my console where I had been hiding my pistol. I pulled out the weapon and stared at it while taking a deep breath. I then checked back near the dorm to see where Aden was at. He was still close to the entrance of the dorm. I then tucked the pistol back into my sweatshirt pocket. As I looked back at Aden it looked like he was taking the trash out. I went to open my truck door silently. But as I did this, I noticed that another man was approaching Aden. Not like they were also going into the dorm room. No, it looked like they were going right to Aden. I practically had one foot out of the truck and one foot still in. I pulled out my pistol, ready to sprint at Aden as soon as the other man left the area. But my personal thoughts were interrupted by the yelling match between Aden and the unknown figure. Even though it was a dark and rainy night, I could see the scene perfectly. After the yelling, Aden pushed the man. The man responded by pulling out a knife and stabbing Aden multiple times in the gut. 

"Shit!" I said to myself as I fully got back into the truck. I must've closed my door just a little too loud because as I did so, the man was looking right at me. I felt like a character in a horror movie struggling to gain control of my keys and start my vehicle. But luckily I started by truck as fast as possible and booked it out of Obion. I could feel the man's stare at my moving vehicle. Who was he? I was no better than Tanner described himself in his diary. I should have called the cops. But what if they asked why I was there? Would I have done the same thing that that man had done? Surely I wasn't capable of such a thing. I'm sure someone else saw what happened to Aden or they would find what happened to him. The situation would figure itself out. I knew I just needed to get out of there before that man came up to me. I was getting myself into something deeper than I knew about.

I got home and everyone was asleep. I definitely needed to tell Amanda about everything. I needed to tell everyone, but I needed to start with Amanda to get it all out. But now was not the time. I couldn't wake her up at this morning and dump all of this information on her. So I quietly got in bed with her and decided to forget this nightmare of a night. 

I woke up to Faith crying. I looked at my phone and saw that it was around 1:30 am. I felt like I had been sleeping forever. Faith was crying so loudly. I had been used to this routine by now though and it wasn't a bother. I woke up and made my way to Faith's room. As I got closer, the crying stopped. I got into the room and turned on the lights. And there he was. the dark figured man who killed Aden was holding my baby.

"Your baby was crying." The man quietly stated. He was fully dressed in black with a black mask on his face to cover his identity. 

I didn't know what to do, I was terrified. 

"What are you doing in my home?" My voice was shaking like a boy.

"What were you doing in Obion?" He asked, still holding my baby.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Please put my child down."

"I saw you. Why were you there?"

"I really don't know what you're talking about. You need to leave."

"Relax I'm not the authorities. I just want to know what you were planning on doing."

"Why did you stab that kid?" I finally gave in and asked.

"Oh! So you were there!"

"Why did you attack him?"

"Well let's make it clear, I stabbed him." 

I thought about rushing back to my room to grab the pistol. But I couldn't leave Faith with this man. What was he going to do to my child. Fear struck me even more so as I realized that I had left my gun in my truck. 

"Not much of a talker?" The man continued talking. "You were also there to hurt someone. Or does everyone just carry a gun in their passenger seat around a college campus?"

"How do you know that?"

"Do you really want to know how long I've been roaming around inside your home?"

"I'm going to call the cops if you don't leave."

"Mr. Richards, perhaps I'm not making myself clear." The man had my full attention. "I'm just wondering what you were doing outside that dorm. Or what you were planning on doing. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I'm a dangerous man. I have nothing holding me back from killing you child, your wife, and you right now. You won't have a chance to dial 911. You should be thankful that I've giving you the chance to talk to me right now."

"Who are you?"

"That's not what we're discussing is it?" After saying this the man pulled a gun and pointed it at me. He still held Faith in his other arm. 

I heard Amanda scream. Soon Amanda was pushed into the room with me by another man. Amanda fell on the floor next to me. The man behind her held a gun as well. 

"Okay stop!" I yelled. "I'll tell you! We're cool!"

"We're cool?" The man said sarcastically. 

"Yes!"

"Take her back to the room." The man said to his partner. The man grabbed Amanda by the hair and dragged her to the room. Her screams were painful.

"Amanda! I'm so sorry baby!" I was crying.

"Lincoln! I heard her scream."

"So, Mr. Richards?" The man wanted to continue our original conversation. 

"How do you know my name? How did you get in my house? How did your friend get into my house?"

"Perhaps sleeping with your windows open isn't the best idea. I mean at least get some screens. It's a cruel world. Bugs get in."

I just stared at the man.

"Listen," The man continued. "I don't have any issue with you. And my business does not concern you specifically. And you better hope that it doesn't. I'm not here right now to hurt you. And I'm not going to harm your wife or hurt your baby. I just want to know why you were there and I'll leave."