Something Unexpected(ON Hold)

Chapter Two

I woke up around noon, the sun was high in the sky and I was still dead tired. I wouldn't have much to do other than running to the local store for some groceries.

A girl had to eat.

I got up and took a quick shower before I changed into another oversized piece of clothing and a ratty pair of leggings. Pulling my hair into a high ponytail, I studied my reflection in the mirror.

Haunted blue eyes stared back at me from a pale face surrounded by strawberry blonde hair. I wasn't much to look at, but I never had a whole lot of confidence issues. I had no time for boys, and the whole male race is made up of them.

No men to be seen.

Shuddering from old memories, I shook my head and turned away from my reflection. Grabbing my purse and the keys to the bar, I walked out, locking it up behind me.

The walk down to the local store wasn't a long one, and within twenty minutes I found myself staring at the worn out sign that was situated above the door. It wasn't much, but it got this town by, and saved an hour and a half drive to the next town over where they had a fancy Wal-Mart.

I shook my head and hiked my purse up higher on my shoulder before I walked to the door and pushed it open. The teenage cashier smiled at me from behind the counter, and said a friendly hello. She was a nice girl, and her older sister often came in to chat with me early in the night.

I smiled back and grabbed a cart, taking in all the people, I felt the air shift before I heard a shriek.

Abandoning my cart, I rushed to the next isle, and saw Jason's sister clutching a phone to her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Her husband was running her arm uncertainly from behind her, but it did nothing to stop her bawling.

"What happened?" I asked, kneeling down in front of her, rubbing her shoulder.

"Ja-Jason," she sobbed, and something inside of me dropped.

I looked to her husband for an explanation, but he just shook his head. "What about Jason, Marian?"

Shrieking wildly, she covered her face with her hands, "He's dead!"

Shocked, I looked behind me to see those of the store staring at us from the end of the isle. Angered, I stood and stomped my foot, "Do you people have no respect? Git! Scatter!" I threw my hands at them and didn't wait to see if they obliged before turning back to the couple. "Where is Laina?"

Her husband looked at me, "She is with my sister. It was supposed to be our day together."

I nodded, "Come with me then."

They both looked at me, but neither argued as I left my abandoned cart and let them follow me back to my home.

They entered hesitantly, having not been in it since I took over, and sat at the bar. Tears were still falling from Marian's eyes, but her sobs had slowed.

I poured them both a drink and set them down in front of them, "You don't have to tell me right away, but it helps to talk about it." I said it softly, before I sat beside them and rested my chin in my hand, elbow on the bar.

She sniffed, "I don't know what happened. They just called. I have to go identify the body."

I nodded, knowing how difficult that could be for them, "When?"

"As soon as possible, but I know I can't do it. I just can't."

Nodding again, I looked to her husband, "This is going to be a hard time for her, so you need to stand by her side throughout everything, you hear me?"

He nodded, but didn't reply, Marian did instead. "Will you go with me, Maya? I know we don't know each other very well, but something about you is just so soothing. I love my husband, and I know he is going to be by my side, but I don't know if he can help with this one. I know it sounds crazy, but I just need you. I feel it."

Taken aback, I scratched my head, "Sure, if that's okay with you, Kyle?"

"Yes, of course. Whatever helps my wife. You've been a good friend to her, even if you two don't know each other well. You took care of her brother when he was acting dumb here."

I sighed, "Alright then. We shall go."

Marian held my hand the whole time I drove her to the morgue where she was supposed to identify the body.

Police cars were parked outside, and a few officers stood around. They tipped their hats at us, and tried their best to keep their looks of sympathy from their eyes.

I followed Marian inside and grabbed her hand again as she talked to the officers inside. My ears perked at the details, and I felt somewhat guilty about it.

"We suspect it happened sometime last night Mrs. Kerigan. Or early morning. We found him off the side of the road, it was an anonymous tip."

She sniffed, "Why do I need to identify him then if you already know who it is?"

The officer avoided his eyes out of guilt, "It is just a part of the procedure."

She sighed, wiping a tear with her free hand, "Well what do you think happened?"

He shook his head, "We honestly don't know. We have never seen a murder like this before."

Shaking her head, she murmured softly, "Let's just get this over with."

He nodded before leading us down a hallway and into a room. The body was laying on a table, within a black body bag. The room was sterile, and smelled like a hospital and death. I had been in one of these rooms on more than one occasion, and none of them had been enjoyable.

"Well, here it is," the officer coughed, and the came into the room.

"He. It is a he, Mike. Do you not have any feelings?" the coroner growled, before coming to stand beside the table. "Are you ready, Marian?"

She looked to me, and I smiled encouragingly while giving her hand a small squeeze. She squeezed me back before looking to the coroner and nodding. "I'm ready."

He nodded, a grim look crossing his face before he reached out and unzipped the body bag.

I gagged at the sight before me while Marian broke down again. I tried to tear my gaze away but was unable to.

And that was when my eyes caught it.

It was small, and almost unrecognizable, but to me... to me it was burned into my brain. I had lived with that mark in my life for a year and a half.

Stumbling back, I let go of Marians hand out of shock. My hand found my mouth, and I thought I was on the verge of being sick.

They had found me.