Behind Unwritten Eyes

Chapter Sixteen

Kyle's POV.
***********

I sense Annika crying but I can't seem to move. We both know that's her on the screen,  and I feel sorrow for her. We're both starting to find out things, that sometimes I wish would get left in the past. For her sake though, I let her keep digging.

I turn back to the screen I see the woman screaming, pacing frantically about the room.

But that woman. She was so familiar.

When it snaps in my head who she is I scramble to my feet,  the air practically taken out of me.
I couldn't breath and my eyes widen, I know exactly who that woman was.  I knew where she used to live and what her little boys name was. I also knew how she died.

I had never seen her so angry. So upset. This is why I didn't recognise her. Her face was never this scrunched up,  she never had this many worry lines.

"The tape runs on like that for a while before it runs out. I don't think they meant to record this"

She looks back at me and I see the tears in her eyes and I panic even more. I have to tell her.

"Kyle...don't do this, not now. Please." She whispers, begging with me.

Sweat builds on my palms and I wipe them on my tee shirt, before trying to push words past my lips.

"No. No. Its not that." I say, hunching over, my head suddenly spinning.

"Then what?"

"I...I think I know who the woman is."

She bounces up and lurches toward me,  practically throwing me back. She grabs my shirt collar and attempts to lift me off the ground by it,  choking me in the process.

"Why the f*ck would you say that Kyle? That's not even remotely f*cking funny!" She screams.

My body tenses up even more,  my hands wrap around her wrist and I try to pull her off but it's no use. Damn she's strong.

"That woman! She was my moms best friend!" I practically cough out, "her pictures are all over my house."

Her eyes widen and she drops me, causing me to fall back on the ground. I lay there on my ass.
She just stands there.  Here hands out in front of her,  balled up into fists. Her jaw was slack and I could tell she was thinking.

"Show me." Is all she mutters and I knew there was no turning back.

I'm just hoping this won't be a mistake.

****

We had snuck out of her house immediately after.  We'll not so much snuck,  but went through her front door. We didn't even lock the door behind us. Annika had to leave right then. She wasn't having it any other way.

The whole walk over here she wouldn't let go of my hand. She had a vise like grip on me, almost as if she was scared. Maybe she was scared. She had no clue what to make of things. She was scared of what her future held.

She wouldn't speak,  wouldn't look at me, I had to remind her to breath a few times. But as soon as we got to the front step it was like a weight was lifted off of her shoulder.

And the moment she let go of my hand I realized it was probably broken.

She ran right through my front door, not even hesitating to knock, although I think she knew my mom would be asleep by now.  It is six in the morning after all.

"Where? Where are they?" She nearly screams.

I bite my lip and turn on the hallway light,  the area illuminating.  I walk over to the walls and begin to point pictures out to her. There was even one where Annika was perched on her mothers lap, a tiny toddler,  just happy to be there.

How have I not brought these up to her?

"What's your last name?" She says abruptly,  snapping her head away from the photo on the wall. Her eyes unfocused.

"What?  Why?"

"Just jesus Christ kyle what's your last name?" She growls yanking the picture of her and her mom off the wall,  clutching it tight to her chest.

"Hotchkins. Why tho-"

Before I could finish,  she cuts me off.

"Mrs. Hotchkins! Mrs. Hotchkins!"

Her screams pierce the air.  Her eyes we're wide and wild, she couldn't seem to focus on anything.

She begins to run from room to room on the lower floor, in search of my mom. Her screams continue to flood the area and I have to cover my ears.

Annika finally makes it back to me and clutches her sides.

"Mrs. Hotchkins please!" She screams and finally my mom appears around the corner wearing only her robe.

"Kyle what in the world-" she mutters rubbing sleep from her eyes but once she spots Annika,  they widen and she has to take a few steps back.

"Why!" Annika screams,  a raw guttural sound. "Why would you hide theses from me?"

She falls to her knees in front of my mom and waves the picture frame around and breaks into tears. "Why would you hide these from me?"

My mom chokes out a sob and falls to her knees in front of Annika, holding her tight.

I just stand back and watch all of this,  at a total loss of words. I have no clue what's going on.

"Why-" Annika whimpers but my mom shushes her.

"No honey shh.  I didn't want to. I thought you we're long dead.  Oh.  My precious Annika." My mom begins to rub her back and tears flow freely from her.

"Y-you knew her didn't you." Annika whispers.

"Yes. Her and I were very good friends. You we're basically my daughter too. Until- until him." My mom practically spits, but instantly calms again, "But before I get into that why don't I make us some coffee and get you into something warmer?"

My mother had moved back and cupped Annika's face in her hands. A hardly there smile on her face.  Annika just nods and her and my mother stand, heading hand in hand upstairs.

I knew no words we're going to be said up there,  but still I followed. Tonight is going to be a long night.

******
Hey guys!  Ohmygod so this chapter.
It's sumthin else I'll tell you what.
We get to see what goes on in Kyle's brain, eeeee.
Next chapter will be in Annika's POV though.
So much is going on gah.
Don't be a silent reader!
Until next time.
Lots of love,
Late.