Hide&Seek

Chapter 1- Promises&Plotting

Chapter 1- Promises&Plotting

I sigh to myself as I place the last few dishes away. I run my palm up and down the length of my face before letting out a deep breath. I lean against the cold sink as I take in what as now become my reality. Mom really has gone. I still haven't said it out loud because I'm afraid that I really will feel everything. A numb feeling has taken over my body, leaving me to feel blank; absolutely nothing.

As I leave the kitchen I turn off the lights. I make my way though the hallway and join Belle in the front room. She is currently wrapped up in blankets, curled up on the sofa watching Matilda. I join her and wrap my arms around her shoulders. I see her jump slightly before she looks up at me and relaxes. It kills me that my nine year old sister has to be on the lookout at all times because of the fear she is feeling. Mom's death has affected us in ways we never thought it could. She leans into my touch and rests her head on my stomach. I hold her tighter to me and kiss her forehead. Silence over takes us and we both silently watch the movie.

Half an hour later Belle's voice takes my thoughts away from my mother. "Reece?" She calls out for me, in a small whisper.

"Yeah?" She releases my body of her weight and turns to face me. The look in her eyes causing my heart so shake with ache.

"Why can't I be like Matilda?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion and she probably takes my silence as her cue to continue, "Why can't I be strong like her? She fights against the bad and is always happy. I want to be happy Reece."

I wipe the tears that escaped her eyes and kiss her forehead. "You are strong Belle. You are so strong, so much more than Matilda. Do you understand that? You are so beautiful and strong and I know mom would not want you to be crying. Someone as beautiful as you shouldn't be crying."

She nods but her tears continue to fall. "I just wish I could have saved mom."

You're not the only one. "Belle you can't be staying things like that okay? God was calling for mom. He needs her help that's why he called her."

"I'm not a baby Reece! I know it doesn't work like that! I know mom was murdered." Hearing someone as innocent as her say those words brought shock to me. How can someone so young understand that? "The police don't care do they? For them this is another typical case. Another case of someone being hung. I hate this place."

For the second time tonight I sigh. "They're working on it Belle."

"That is what they always say and years later nothing has happened."

Not knowing what to say I don't reply because I know she is right. My sister knows what kind of a place we live in. A place where murder is a common thing. A place where no-one cares. A place where you just forget and move on. I thought that at one point as well. I won't lie, but now I see how it's not as easy as that. It's nothing to what I thought it was.

"Sweet dreams beautiful." I kiss Belle before tucking her in properly. I turn to leave but Belle's timid voice stops me.

"They... they will find them right? Right Reece? They have to. She's..." her voice starts to face, "She's our mom... and- and we love her. They have to, and if not.... We'll find her..." Her eyes close and I see her body go limp. I stare at her in awe. Minutes go by as I stare at her. I push her hair back before stroking her cheek.

"Yeah... we will find whoever it is. I promise princess." I give her one last peck on the forehead before leaving her room. I shut the door behind me and I enter a room that brings back memories; mom's.

I take out all of her belonging and start sorting them into three piles: Keep, Bin, Charity. I turn off my feelings and start working my way through all of her belongings. I sort through them as fast I can, not wanting to cry anymore. I stop at a few things occasionally. I pull out a thick wooden frame and I realise it's the family picture we used to have up on the wall. I smile as I remember the day this photo was taken. I was about 14 years old and Belle was about five years old. We were going out for dinner at this fancy restaurant that mom wanted to go to. It was newly open; Buonissimo's. We all ordered stuff we had never heard off. After that night we all agreed to stick to our donner kebabs. I place the frame in the keep pile and move onto the next item.