Last (40)

Lost not Found

15. Lost not found

Edward wasn't there. Hallucinations. It might be some kind of illusion. But I saw him through the window, he stood and might be looking at me. But then, I stood alone seeing the lighted lamp that made the living room yellow by its light. I could feel my legs that ached and my head that throbs in pain. I wanted to cry and shout out loud but my eyes couldn't shed a tear and my mouth won't open. Numb. Chip's voice kept playing in my head. I want you to feel pain Skinny Boy, he said. I want to see you bleeding to death, break your nose and take away those teeth of yours. That would be nice, eh? he said. Put him inside the van, I'll continue later until he dies, he said.

My life turned into some kind of chess game. The King had its checkmate and might lose the game. The Queen didn't move even a square of the board. She was afraid, she had no clue.

I turned off the lamp and went home. I made a coffee and did not able to sleep even a minute. Morning came my eyes were wide open, very vigilant like owl from national Geographic Channel.

"Good morning Meg," Kippy said.

"Mourning Kip. Good mourning."

"What's wrong?"

"Everything is wrong. This family, my friends, I know I got none. Chip an d his friends...except for Ed. He's good, no no, he's the best thing in the world. He's my god, he's my religion. But, I guess, my god left last night. He was taken by the demons."

"What are you talking? You sounded like crazy and maybe more than crazy which is crazier. God? Demons? Are you getting holy or what? Religious enough?"

I chuckled, and then I cried.

I didn't tell Kippy about what happened on the that night. I kept my mouth shut until another day passed. A day passed without seeing him. His friend came and asked where's Ed. I don't know, I answered him. And then I wondered what Chip and the others would say if someone will ask the same question to them too? Would they tell the truth?

Then I decided to make a move. I'll go to the hyenas, on by one. But I don't know what to ask. I didn't know what to do. They might take me away like what they did to Ed, but at least I'll meet Ed to that place. But where's that place? I opened the door and saw a man, maybe mid 30's or 40's. He was wearing a black coat, grey pants matched with polished leather shoes. He looked smart, like all-knowing. The man cleared his throat.

"Mister?"

"Who owns that house there?" the man said looking at Ed's house.

"Er. That's my lover's house. HI name is Ed. Why?"

"By the way I'm Detective Mills," he told me, "is this your friend? Ed right? Look at this picture."

He showed me a picture of Ed, wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans with eye glasses. It might be taken two years ago. My body shook in unexplainable feeling, but I couldn't say if it was fear. I trembled. Detective with a picture of someone, asking a nearby neighbor means bad news. Someone might be dead.

"Is this Edward, the one that stayed in that house?"

"Yes," I stammered.

"Is he dead?" I asked.

He frowned and chuckled, "No, no, no but it's a bad news though. His uncle died two days ago and I just want to ask him something about his uncle if he knew or heard something strange. There might be a foul play."

I felt relieved.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked me noticing my tensed face.

"Ed is gone. I mean , I haven't seen him since...never mind, I know he'll show up today."

I smiled.

"Okay, just call me if you saw him," he said and gave me a piece of paper with his contact number on it.

Detective Mills left and I started to hunt the hyenas, first stop: Larry's house. I started to walk trying to remember where Larry's house was. Then, a cold wind blew at me, the same wind when I will see a ghost. I looked around and there I saw nothing but an empty street where no one walks in the early morning. I found Larry's house and knocked but he was not there only her depressed sister who just peeked at the opening of the door. There, I planned to go to Andre's house. I thought he was kind when I met him, but I was wrong. It took me several minutes before I came to Andre's little house. He lives alone just like Ed and he's kind of silent type too like he can never make a mistake or possess clumsiness. He let me in, looking tensed and afraid. He knew what I'm up to. And then, he broke in tears.

"Where's Ed" I asked calmly. He gave no response and wiped his tears.

"I saw you that night," he said, "I saw you Meg, behind the trash bin. I'm so sorry, I don't know what to do. I'm so stupid!"

"Tell me where's Ed, Andre," I said.

"I'm such an idiot to believe Chip. He told me that Ed won't get hurt but he did lie. I don't know where's Edward, i didn't go with Chip. We left him as he continue to take Ed somewhere. I'm so sorry."

"Will you be my witness?"

"I can't do that. I don't like to get in trouble."

But you are in trouble you idiot! Ed is in trouble."

"Ed might be dead, Meg."

His words were like a syringe that made me paralyze. I couldn't speak or react to what he said. It's possible that Ed is dead. There are countless possibilities and probabilities. Later on, I broke down in tears together with Andre who offered his shoulders to lean on. Chip can answer my questions, he knows everything and where's Ed. I wanted to see Ed alive, I wanted to see his smile, and I wanted to receive a kiss from him, from his mouth. Andre wanted to help me secretly to avoid Chip. But my heart turned hopeless and empty, and deep inside I knew he's dead but it's hard to accept. Ed is gone, I thought.

"Are you sure he's dead?"

"He never moved since we put him in the van, I'm so sorry."

Then Chip's mom called me and told me that Chip's gone and his clothes were gone together with him.

"Oh my god," I gasped, "we're dead!"

Later on, another phone call came and I thought it was Ed. (Even a knock on the door, I always thought it was him and even the voice of Kippy's friend Nathaniel seemed like his voice. And I was expecting that the newscaster's voice will turn into his.) I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hell-oh Meg," a familiar voice answered, Chip.

"Where's Ed?" I exclaimed, "tell me where did you brought him or I'll call nine---"

"Whoa! Are you accusing me for abducting Bones? You should know what you're talking about, Meg."

"You are such a---"

He laughed.

"I'll call the police if you kept on denying what you did!"

"Is that a threat? I'm not afraid of you, you tiny tiger," he sneered and chuckled, "and why would I? Do you have some evidences? Some witness that might help your accusation? Well, you don't have any so you should shut your mouth."

I hung up the phone.