The Devil's Game (On Hold)

Hidden Truth

Ray: *calling Chantel's phone again* Baby, where are you? I'm getting a little nervous. PLEASE call back. *hangs up*

This was the twelfth time Ray called Chantel's phone. It's been hours since he last heard from her, & he was becoming quite scared. He didn't know where she was at because she wouldn't pick up her phone. He texted her almost 40 times. No reply. This wasn't like her to not answer him back. He already went inside the mall & picked up Chantel's present: a 3 carat diamond ring with writing engraved in cursive. It said, "To my beautiful baby girl, Chantel Nicole Payton." He fiddles around with the box some, then decides to see if she went back home to get something.

Ray: *knocks on the door*

Charde: Why are you here?

Ray: Where's Chantel?

Charde: She left hours ago. I thought she was supposed to be with you.

Ray: Keyword-- WAS. She never showed up.

Charde: What you mean she never showed up?!

Ray: I mean exactly what I said-- she NEVER showed up. No call, no text. Not a damn thing, Charde!

Charde: So why did you come HERE?

Ray: I thought she came back home to get something. Guess not.

Gina: *coming in* What's going on, Charde?

Charde: Chantel's missing, Mama.

Gina drops the plate that she was holding in her hand on the floor, making it shatter into tiny pieces.

Gina: What do you mean Chantel's missing?

Ray: Ma'am, she was supposed to meet me at the mall earlier today. She called saying that she was 10 minutes away. I didn't hear from her since.

Gina: *becoming angry at him* You. You did something to my daughter!!!

Ray: What?! NO!!!! I love her too much to hurt her!

Gina: *not listening* You DID do something to her!

Ray: Ms. Payton, I swear I didn't do anything to Chantel!

Gina: I'm calling the police! *runs into the kitchen to call*

Ray: Charde, you gotta believe me! I wouldn't hurt Chantel!

Charde: How do I know you're not lying? You probably killed her or something, then "claiming" you haven't heard from her.

Ray: Why would I do that?!

Charde: Because you're evil. That's why.

Ray: That's what you think, huh? That I'm evil? Well if I AM evil, why the hell am I here right now? If I really DID kill her or anything like that, why am I here, at your house, telling you that I don't have a goddamn clue where she's at?! Answer that for me!!!

Charde: Because you--

Ray: Because I what? I'm a gang banger? Is that the fucking reason why? If you're as smart as you say you are, you would know, that if I DID do something to your sister, I wouldn't be here right now. I would be HIDING from both your family AND the fucking police.

Charde: Listen, I don't got to listen to a DAMN thing you say. You're going to jail; end of story. You did something to Chantel & you KNOW it!

Ray: Aight. Don't listen to me, then. I'm telling you the TRUTH!

Someone bangs on the front door. Charde opens it to see the Chicago Police Department. They rush in & grab Ray, throwing him to the floor. Gina comes in right when the police puts the handcuffs on him.

Officer 1: Rayan Lopez, you're under arrest for suspicious activity & foul play.

Ray: Suspicious activity? Foul play? I ain't did NOTHING!

Gina: *yelling* YES YOU DID! YOU DID SOMETHING TO MY CHILD! YOU KNOW WHERE SHE'S AT!

Officer 2: Ma'am, I'm going to need you to calm down.

Gina: No, YOU calm down! You don't have a 16 year old daughter missing!

Officer 3: Ms., um.....

Gina: Payton. Gina Payton.

Officer: Yes. Ms. Payton, we're going to need you to come down to the station so we can find out what's going on.

Gina: Of course. Let me go grab my purse. *heads to her bedroom*

Officer 2: As for you, Rayan, we're going to lock you up until this case is over.

Ray: WHAT?!

Officer 1: You heard him. I know the Commissioner & Judge Holmes aren't going to be happy seeing you again.

Officer 3: *to Charde* Miss, would you like to go to the station with your mother?

Charde: No sir. I have a meeting with a basketball recruiter from Chapel Hill tomorrow afternoon. I'll let my mom & the the court system deal with him.

The police puts Ray inside the back of the police car. He looks at Charde & continues yelling.

Ray: Charde! You know I'm telling the truth! YOU KNOW IT!

The police car speeds off, & Gina comes back downstairs.

Gina: I'll be back in a few hours. Just get some rest. Don't worry about this. I'll handle it, ok?

Charde: Ok, Mama.

Gina leaves the house & drives off, quickly heading to the police station. Charde heads upstairs & goes to her room, praying to God that Chantel was alive.