School of Hell

Fox Lake Murders Pt. 4

Ben P.O.V.

It's been a few weeks now. I can't believe no one's found us yet! It's wonderful! I can tell Sarah misses her parents, and I do miss Andrew, but we knew this would happen eventually. I just wish we could've taken him with. Sarah convinced me not to, because Andrew is Drew's favorite and he still has so much opportunity. Let's just hope Drew won't hurt him or... I won't think about that. Like Ma said, be present, it is the only moment that matters. Sometimes I question that quote. Why not focus on the past or future? Sarah pulled me from my thoughts when she returned from the garden. 

"How's the garden?" I asked trying to make some comfortable conversation. "It's wondrous! I can't believe so much has grown over these weeks! Almost like magic!" After saying that her face dropped, losing her cheery smile. Something's wrong. 

"Hey, what's wrong? And please don't deny it. I can tell when you're upset." I said, the mood getting solemn.

"It-... it's just, well, do our parents really care? I mean, shouldn't they have found us by now?" She said, her eyes brimming with tears. Thinking it over, I said, "Well, that's a very good question. Here's another. Do you really want to be found? Why wouldn't we come? I understand you actually miss your parents, but what have they done for you? I'm the only one around to help! They're always gone!                     

I, I helped you convince Mrs. Anderson that you didn't write 'Mrs. Anderson is a bitch' on that paper! I took the blame! I stood up to those ignorant bullies, which resulted in them beating me up!" I said, my face flushed, finally getting this built up anger out, which I did not know I had built up inside. Immediately I regretted every word, when a few tears ran down her cheeks. 

I was about to repent when she said, "Ben! I didn't choose to have this life, okay?! I wish my parents were around sometimes, but you don't know how I feel!" Then I could tell she felt the regret. 

"I know exactly how that feels. Ma-..., she's gone. Drew's already to far gone to be the same dad. I- I can't go back. If you think you need to return to your parents, be my guest! I just don't want you to feel any worse than I do. Please, if you really miss them so much, go. I'll be fine." She walked up to me, and cupped my face in her soft hands. By now we both hands tears running down our faces. 

"I'll stay as long as you want me to. But I think it would be best to say goodbye in person to the ones I love. And if you want, I could give Andrew a message from you. Will you wait?" She said smiling sadly. I nodded. She's the one I love, and if this is her last request to her parents, I'll let her go. 

*******

It's been a few days now. She should be back. I sent her with enough food and water, why isn't she back? Maybe she got lost. Maybe Drew or Mrs. Anderson got to her. Oh lord, what if they did something to her? No. Stop thinking like that Ben. She'll be fine, don't you remember? She said to wait for her didn't she? A few more days wouldn't hurt anyone. Maybe she's just taking her time. Yeah, that's what she's doing. She'll be fine. 

*******

It's been a week so far. I know something happened, she wouldn't leave me like this. I've been trying to keep my mind preoccupied with some books, but it's not working. I walked over to the bookshelf, trying to find a different book other than 'Little House on the Prairie'. Maybe I should've brought my own books. One book in particular caught my eye. The cover had no words, but the color was dark navy with tiny stars dotting the whole thing. I feel like it I recognize this from somewhere. 

Opening it, on the first pages it said in cursive, 'Ben's Journal'. Oh. Yeah. Now I remember. 

I think it's time to update. 

*******

3 weeks. She's been gone for exactly 3 weeks. You may be wondering, why aren't you going to find her? Well, my mind is saying I shouldn't leave because I know her parents probably forced Sarah to stay, and if I run into Drew, he would do much worse. Including the help of Mrs. Anderson. 

But my heart is saying to find her, to hold her once more in my arms. Love is something you and I must have. We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it. We must have it because without it we become weak and faint. Without love our self-esteem weakens. Without it our courage fails. Without love we can no longer look out confidently at the world. Instead we turn inwardly and begin to feed upon our own personalities and little by little we destroy ourselves. 

I'm gonna go with my heart on this one, I mean it made a pretty big point. 

******

Somehow I had the courage to walk up right to her door in the middle of the night. I know her parents aren't home, because their cow Angus would be out of her pen and in the field. Maybe I shouldn't do this. But you're already here, you can't just leave. I know, but, but what if she hates me for not coming earlier? It'll be fine, just do it! Fine, but I'll throw rocks on her window (I'm so cliche) instead of knocking because her parents might be home. Just in case. 

Gathering a few stones, I lightly tossed them on the window, making little plink plink plink noises. After a few more tries, I heard the latch on her window opening, my heart fluttering at the meager sound. Her shining black hair poked out first, then her beautiful round face came out, illuminated by moonlight, her hazel eyes growing as wide as the moon. They were squinted at first, then widened at the sight of me.

"BEN!" She cried, then ran downstairs to greet me. I ran to the door and waited, hearing her light footsteps bounding towards the door. She burst through, and hugged me tightly. I felt her wet tears on my shoulder, feeling my own eyes water at the sight of her. Breaking the hug I grabbed her hands and stared at her until I could finally manage to ask the question on my mind. 

"Why? Why didn't you come back?" I said realizing how bad I must look to her. I could see purple bags under her eyes as well. 

"Oh, Ben I regret never running away back to you! My parents have been keeping an eye on me since I came! They said I was to never speak to you again! You somehow came at the perfect time! They had to go to the grocery store to pick up some supplies! You must hurry though! Drew's been watching me as well. I could tell because he just seems darker when I'm near him. Mrs. Anderson has the same effect. She's been giving me extra work and chores! It's a living hell here!" She finished with tears running down her face. I took her back into my arms, whispering calming words. Then something chilled me to my very core at that same moment. I suddenly felt the cold metal of a shotgun on the back of my head. Sarah must have noticed to because she became still. 

"Hold still boy. You move, I shoot." A familiar voice growled. 

"D-dad?"

Another update! I'm hoping to finish soon! But I don't know if anyone's still reading this :(. BTW the bold sentences are some quotes that I  ABSOLUTELY adore.