Nobody Said Life Was Going to be Easy. And I, Should Have Known Better

15: Who Could've Done This, and Why?

My heart was pounding and I started to cry uncontrollably

~*~

I watched as Annalise shut the door. I headed towards my truck, still feeling her soft lips upon my own. I looked up and saw her light in her bedroom come on.

'Good, she's safe.' I thought to myself. Somehow I felt as if something was not right. That's when I heard a blood curdling scream, my fears were confirmed. I shot out of my truck and sped up her stairs and stopped in the doorway. Mr. Jones stood with his hands on his hips looking royally peeved while Mrs. Jones was hugging Annalise. My throat tightened when I saw Anna's crying and fragile form. I wanted so badly to hold her, to make her crying stop.

"What happened? I was just about to drive away when I heard Annalise scream?"

Mr. Jones moved out of the way. That's when I saw it, her room was destroyed. Her dresser was open, clothes everywhere, bookcase tipped over, resulting in books and things everywhere.

"Someone must have came in and looked through her things. I better go check on the rest of the kids and call the police." Mr. Jones left to go look around.

~*~

Mrs. Jones was still hugging me as a million questions filled my mind. 'Why did this happen, who would do this?' Mrs. Jones rubbed my back soothingly but I wished Todd was here, I felt safe with him. I heard his voice and my eyes snapped open to see his blurred form standing in the doorway.

"Todd, what are you still doing here?" I asked shakily. I tried to smile at him, but more tears just fell.

"I heard you scream, I was worried."

"Todd can you stay with her for awhile, at least until the police leave?"

"Of course Mrs. Jones."

Mrs. Jones kissed my forehead and walked downstairs.

"Come on, let's go downstairs." Todd grabbed my waist and steered me towards the stairs. We sat down on the couch in the living room. He pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around me.

"Thanks for still being here." I whispered.

He lifted my chin gently so he could look into my eyes.

"I promised you, I'll never let anything happen to you."

I kissed him gently and rested my head on his chest. He started rocking me gently which was comforting. I was on the border of unconsciousness when someone knocked on the door. Mr. Jones answered and was met by two policemen. They were led upstairs by Mr. Jones. Todd's hold on me grew tighter as he rubbed my back. I sniffled, I was being such a baby about this but it's unnerving when you know someone had broken in without anyone knowing about it. I feel so violated. About fifteen minutes later the two officers entered the living room. I crawled off of Todd's lap and sat down next to him.

"Miss, we have a few questions to ask you. Can you tell me what happened when you got home?"

"Well, Todd walked me up to the door, we said our goodbyes and I entered the house. The door was unlocked which I found to be odd. the door's typically locked at night. I figured though since I was expected home, they left it unlocked. I walked up to my room and turned on the light. That's all."

"Your room was the only one touched. Do you have any enemies? Or someone who was looking for something you have, perhaps?"

"No enemies, I don't think."

"What happened to your wrist?"

"I got pushed in gym. --Craig! He could've done this, though I don't know why he would."

"Craig who?"

"Craig Latier."

The man wrote something on a pad.

"Thank you Miss. If we find anything we'll let you guys know. If you remember anything else or find out anything we urge you to call us."

"Thank you."

The policemen left and Mrs. Jones brought both Todd and me mugs of hot chocolate.

"Since it's the weekend and under these circumstances, Todd you may stay however long you want. Annalise, I'll help you clean your room tomorrow. Night you two."

She winked at us before following Mr. Jones upstairs. I cuddled up next to Todd who wrapped his arms around me. I feel so safe in his arms, like he wouldn't let anything happen to me. I looked up at him.

"Do you really think Craig went through my room?"

"It's possible, but what would he be looking for?"

"What if he just wanted to scare me?"

"If he did this, he's not going to get away with it. Let me deal with Craig. Don't worry about it anymore 'Lisey. You'll worry yourself to death."

He hugged me tightly and I relaxed in his arms.

"When do you have to leave?"

"My curfew's 1am but I'll stay with you for however long you need me."

I Glanced at the clock that read 12:30.

"Can you stay until I fall asleep?"

"Of course babe."

He kissed my forehead and laid me down on the couch so that my head was in his lap. He ran his fingers through my hair soothingly and soon I was asleep.

~*~

I gazed down at Annalise's calm, sleeping face. I gently pushed the hair out of her face and outlined her features with my fingertips. She unconsciously smiled which made me smile in return. She was so beautiful. It made my blood boil to know her parents were such scum that they didn't love her. How can anyone not? I quietly pulled out my phone, 12:49. I somehow managed to get off the couch without waking her and drove home.