Simpler Things

Part 8: 221 B

                 We finished dinner at 8. I washed the dishes as Charlie cleared the table, depositing them next to the sink. As I scribed the dishes, Kyle and my mother went to the living room. I could hear my mother giggling from the other room. Charlie and I both sighed simultaneously. I guess we both didn't want this to happen.
                After the dishes were done, I resided in my room. Slowly today's events sunk in. A ball of led sunk my stomach. I sat on my bed. This... this isn't happening. But I was sure it was. I layed the crumpled note on my thigh. This... insomniac had targeted me. Why? Did he kill James because I use to know him?
               Three thuds on my door made me jump. My brother's voice came from the hall,
"Hey, Alyson? You in there?"
"Yeah... come in." I said, trying to hide my fear. The door slowly pushed open. He smiled when he saw me.
"Listen, I know it's hard, especially since it happened when you were so young, but-"
"I know." He looked at his feet and said,
"We just have to get use to mom seeing other people. Dad, too."
"What're they doing right now?" He laughed and leaned against the door frame.
"Watching a movie."
"I bet you it's a rom-com."
"No way."
"5 bucks says it is." He walked over and shook my hand.
"You're on."
I was 5 bucks richer by the end of the night.
              Later, I video chatted Megan.She didn't answer so I sent her a text,
What's up?
She responded a minute later,
In the car, you?
I didn't know how to respond. Luckily she sent another text.
I found something.
Intrigued, I responded,
Oh, really?
She continued,
Yeah. It's about James.
I stopped breathing. She sent another text.
He use to go to this gay club. I found the address. I got pictures of the people who knew James >:)
A gay club? I realized how little I knew James. She responded,
It's address is 221 baker street. Next to some warehouse.
I sent a text back,
I'm gonna Google it.
I switched to my laptop. Typing into Google maps, I found the location. It was on the pier. A 20 minute drive from my house. My phone vibrated,
It's on west church road >:(
I responded,
That's a long walk
She didn't think twice before sending,
correct me if I'm wrong; doesn't your brother have his license?
My hands flew over the keyboard.
No.
She pleaded,
But, doesn't he owe you one?
I practically cut her off,
No.
She sent,
:(
I sent back,
>:|
After 5 more minutes of censorship,  she gave up,
Fine. I'm going to bed.
I texted back,
Goodnight, sweet dreams, sailor.
I checked the time. 9:45pm. Early for Megan. I guess I tired her out. I flopped onto my bed. Maybe I could convince Charlie tomorrow. Setting the thought to the side, I went to bed.
                     The next morning, I did the usual. Roll out of bed, change out of your pj's, go downstairs to eat breakfast. I passed my desk. The small yellow paper lay there. I grabbed it and slipped it into my pocket, i had to show Megan. The one thing I wasn't expecting was Kyle to be sitting in my spot. Drinking coffee out of my mug. He raised the large white cup. Showing off its multi coloured cup. I scowled. My mother was reading the paper, across from him. I grabbed my lunch bag from the cupboard, and quickly made my lunch.
"Good morning, sweetie." My mother chimed.
"Morning." I said. Kyle said,
"Good morning indeed," between sips of coffee, he smiled. Packing an extra power bar, I grabbed my now finished lunch, and walked back to the front entrance. I slipped it into my bag. I checked the time. 8:15am. We wouldn't leave for an extra 15 minutes. My brother hopped down the stairs, startling me. He stopped at the bottom and began to say good morning before I cut him off,
"I will give you my extra power bar if we leave right now." He looked confused. I glanced at the kitchen. He turned around and understood,
"Give me my 5 bucks back and we'll get there 5 minutes early."
"Deal, you drive slow anyway."
             20 minutes later we pulled into the schools parking lot. Over half of the parking lot was free, but my brother still claimed his usual spot. I walked to my side of the school, Megan waited for me at my locker. I walked up as she looked up from her phone.
"Hey," she said, smiling.
"Hi." I responded. She flicked her phone's screen up at me.
"Wanna go to a club tonight?" I said,
"Tonight?" She scolded the screen down, revealing business hours.
"9pm-2am. I've been working on my dance moves." I rolled my eyes,
"Really? How can someone that bad get better?"
"Oh shut up. Like your any better." I smiled, putting my hand in my pocket absent-mindedly. My hand hit the small crumpled piece of paper. My brain felt numb. Megan's voice brought me back to reality,
"Alyson?" She stared at me. I handed her the note. I watched as shock slowly spread across her face. I knew she was as scared as I was. Her facial expression grew dark. she said,
"Let's catch this son of a bitch."