Innocent

Chapter 23: Alone

When I first met Aidan, I found him beautiful. The way a piece of a broken mirror is, when it can only reflect a single ray of rainbow. He wasn't the bright light at the end of the tunnel but the golden edges of that light or the soft illumination of a weak candle. I pegged him off as a loner, the really hot guy in high school who sits in the back of the class so quiet that no one really talks about how attractive he is but, in their minds they know.

Love is a really tricky thing sometimes. It's weird. Like here is this new person that suddenly makes me feel weak and vulnerable and I find myself telling them things I never told myself. There's different types of love. I think people forget to realize that. Sort of in the way someone can say I love you but you can never know how. I always think it's important to ask but no one ever does. Maybe it's fear or maybe it's assumption. Assumption is another weird thing. Kinda like the woman who has handcuffed me to her police car as she tries not to look like she's enjoying the song on her radio. Because enjoying something means happiness and happiness is something that strong people apparently don't have. "Agent may I know where we are going?" I can't help but add a sarcastic tone to my voice as I try to keep it together. The situation is just too funny. Matthew is sitting next to me looking back and forth anxiously holding onto every word.
She ignored me, and tapped her fingers slightly to the new Rihanna song. "Don't worry about it convict."
I rolled my eyes, "I was proven innocent, Delia. Tell me again why this drive has to do with team bonding."
She clicked her tongue and gave me a look through the mirror, "Agent Delia." I did not give a reply and just gave her one of my sly smiles as I tried to seem apologetic. Rubbing Matthew in the side, I muttered, "I can see why you dated her." He looked a bit taken aback and whispered back, "People make mistakes." I nodded and leaned my head against the window and I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

Agent Collins:
I flipped through the files again.
One, Two,Three,Four... One is missing for sure. I just know. I look at where the fifth one is suppose to be and I glance back at my log. This receipt said I was only delivered four files but I clearly remember 5. I shook my head. It must be old age.

I check my watch it's getting late, that team bonding road trip must be an overnight thing. I should call Isabelle's parents. I dialed Isabelle's Mother the number I have memorized by heart. "Hello?" Her soft voice sounds sleepy as if she just woke up.
"Hi." I say back nervously.
"Hi." She replies I can feel the smile on her face.
"Isabelle is going to be late, she'll probably come back tomorrow in the late afternoon."
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah she's fine." I assure her.
"Are you sure?"
"Well..." I paused,"I mean she's in the car with my son's jealous ex so no promises but I'm sure she can handle herself."
She laughs a little bit.
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Good night Agent Collins." She doesn't give me time to respond answer just hangs up the phone.
I just sit in silence listening to the sound of static and what could have been.