The Sadian Chronicles: Book 2: From Mercury To Venus

Personal Search: Part 1

Chapter Five: Personal Search

The Rockies held a certain magic for Carla. Growing up in these rural surroundings gave her skills not found amongst city dwellers. She became more in tune to nature in many ways. She could hear the sound of the wind telling of an approaching storm. The bird's song became a second language to her as she eavesdropped on their private conversations. The morning air filled her with sadness for the girl she had taken upon herself to care for. There had never been in Marianna the free eyes and the bright spirit of innocence.

She reflected on the sunrise as Ty came to join her by the lake. "You're still worrying about her," Carla said, turning to see her companion.

"She's in danger," Ty said as he eyes dropped on the water. He threw a pebble in the lake and watched as it caused a series of ripples in the water. "The problem is she won't listen to me."

"Perhaps if you didn't preach at her she would listen," Carla said but at times she was guilty of the same thing.

"I can't help but feel that she's blinded by this man... this Marcus Hunter," he said and picked up a good sized rock and crushed it in his hands. "Carla, I can't get over this feeling in my gut that he's going to hurt her."

"I know you do," Carla said and reached for his hand. Her touch was gentle, something he only recently gotten used to. "I learned long ago to never tell Mary how to live her life."

"Even if those choices could end her life," Ty said trying to reason with Carla.

"Mary can take care of herself, but if you're so worried give her a call," Carla said and the suggestion made Ty perk up.

"Maybe I will," Ty said, walking back towards the house. He turned and gave Carla a smile which made her feel at ease.

"Wait," Carla called after a moment. "I'll come with you."

Carla dallied a little getting to the cottage, but when she walked in to find Ty with the television on and staring at the phone.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Carla asked, but still Ty refused to touch the phone.

"Maybe you're right," Ty said having second thoughts. Between the two of them, Ty was the one that never put pressure on Marianna, and now it seemed like their roles were reversed.

In their mock discussion, a news break came on the television with a picture of Doctor Brenda Dare in the corner. Carla thought it was a little peculiar, knowing she was Marianna's boss.

"Ty, turn that up," Carla asked, so Ty picked up the remote and raised the volume to a satisfying volume.

"Biology professor of the University of Michigan, Doctor Brenda Dare, was found dead in her home dead. The thirty-eight year old was apparently stabbed to death with multiple blows to the head. Top suspects conclude that her short-time assistant and former student, Marianna Benson. There has been no sign of the nineteen-year-old since the body was first found."

Carla turned off the television. "Oh, god, not again," she said, slumping her head down until her blond hair lay covering her face.

"What are you saying?" Ty asked in horror. "Mary wouldn't hurt anyone, much less a friend."

"You didn't know what she was like before," Carla said after raising head to look Ty in the eye. "She has killed, Ty, and in cold blood." He looked shocked at her revelation, and Carla felt she needed to explain further. "It wasn't her fault, but it's just the way she is."

"Did you ever think that maybe she didn't do it?" Ty asked, shocked that Carla would think Marianna was capable of murder. He was fishing, yes, but he had always been a loyal friend. "What if she were set up?"

"By who?" Carla paced back and forth, until coming to the only explanation that made sense to her. "Oh, this is all my fault."

"How did you come up with that idea?" Ty asked. He wanted to be angry with her, but Carla had known Marianna longer than him, and she had always told him that there were things about her he didn't know.

"Because I should have never let her leave home," Carla snapped at him, but was shocked he had asked her that question indicating that her reason was preposterous.

"Wasn't it you who was the one who said that no one tells Mary how to live her life?" Ty asked and Carla had to agree with him. "Whatever happened I believe that this Hunter character had something to do with it and not Marianna"

"That nice young man," Carla said, looking at Ty in shock. "You can't be serious. Ty, why would Marcus hurt Mary?"

"I don't know, but it has something to do with her past," Ty said and looked serious. "I'll find out what happened to her, and if the little twerp had something to do with it..."

"You're not thinking of going up there?" Carla asked interrupting his rant. "What if someone sees you?" Ty didn't answer that question, because he knew exactly what would happen. "You know what they'll do to you."

"Yes, I know, but that's a chance I'll have to take," he said and Carla could tell he was serious about his plans. "I owe her my freedom, and it's about time I returned the favor."

"Then you're not going alone," Carla said as she was slowly formulating a plan in her mind. She didn't like the idea, but she was not going to allow Ty to do this alone. It was apparent something was going on, and they needed to find out what it was. "If something has happened to Mary, I intend on finding out what."