The Deceased

Chapter Twenty Seven - Monster

Her home stood before me. Mother and Father roamed their house helplessly. They weren't all helpless, however, because the police were there.

There were two, and one was taking notes by the father while the other looked to be having a very intense discussion with a frightened woman. 

While I was very eager to continue tracking down Valerie, I knew when I found her she would have questions, most of them being of her family, and what would I tell her?

Being a newly deceased, my hearing is not as advanced as it should be, so listening to them would be near impossible, Getting too close could also mean my inevitable arrest, and that is the last thing that Valerie needs.

When the Police seemed confident they had all the information they needed, they then turned their attention to the woman I assume is Valerie's mother. The woman looked vaguely familiar, though I cant put my finger on where I had seen her before.

As soon as the Police turned to reveal handcuffs that they passively put around her wrists, that was when i knew. I had seen her television very recently. She had been the first mental patient to escape a high security asylum.

As they led her to the back of the panel van she became more restless, until she was locked and they said their goodbyes to a firm looking father. He looked very distressed and i wouldnt blame him, missing daughter, wife getting taken away, can't be easy.

The sooner I find her the sooner we can all relax.
That thought didn't last long before i was stopped by a sudden rustling in the bush next to me.

I pulled out my brother, who stood there abit shocked he was caught out.

"Rex, I told you not to follow me."

He wore a backpack I assume was full of water. "What are you doing?"

"Look," he tries to reason, "I know youre mad, as usual, but I need to find Jane. My girl is in danger."

I give a scowl. "You dont really know her. You just played piano infront of her once and she gave you a compliment. Thats not love."

"How would you know?" He challenges "you dont even act like you love anyone. How could anyone love someone so soulless."

"Theres no time for this Rex. Go home. Ill call you when this is over."

Suddenly, out of a rage ive never seen, he shoves me. It barely moves me but to see him so worked up was really a shock. "Listen. I say it alot i know, but I want you safe. Okay? I cant save them if im worried about you. If Vlad sees you he will kill you."

"Another thing," he complains. "Who is this Vlad guy? Is he the one that took them?"

"Im sure he did yes. And he is very dangerous, so please, listen to me."

Time was running out, as it seems it always is when my brother shows up and attempts to be a hero.

"Aren't you going to answer your phone?" He gestures impatiently at my pocket where the vibrating is coming from. I fish it out.

"Valerie."

"Ooh close," Vlad says "only difference is im not in a cell hallucinating."

"What did you do to her?"

"I think the question you should be asking is-"

"Is this that Vlad guy?" Rex grabs my phone out of my hand and turns around. I run my hands through my hair.

"Listen here, you give me Jane or i swear to god-"

"Anyway," I snatch it back and start walking away from him. "Why did you take her? She has nothing to give you."

"Was that your brother?" Vlad laughs. "Seriously, you got your brother to give me a stern talking to?"

"That doesnt matter. Where is she?"

He sighs "im a tad disappointed you havent figured it out yet.  Youve only been here multiple times and all of those times i believe you were traumatised. Anyway, you wont reach her in time. She's fading and she knows it. It wont be long now."

Rex takes my phone back from me. He hung up right after he said those words and Rex reflected the frustation I felt. In another fit of rage he simply drops my phone to keep from throwing it.

I pick it up. "Go home. Ill take care of it." Brushing the dust off, I run a finger over the new crack in my screen and shove it in my pocket.

He eyes me carefully, shaking his head. "I love her. Do i need to spell it out."

I couldnt help it. Those words ran in circles through my mind. I love her. I love her. It all crowded together until they couldnt escape. I was running out of time. I could just imagine the guilt. The words just came tumbling out in a row. I couldnt stop them. All i could do was mentally hit myself while Rex stood there with that look on his face.

"Shes...dead?"

In the end I had to accept those words had come out and there was no taking it back. It was time for the truth. "I found her blood in the alley they disappeared."

"Wh... how do you know it was her blood?"

I hang my head "because i could smell it."

His face almost seems to sink in on itself with disgust. I could see it. He hated what I was. "Rex-"

"You're a monster," he shouts into my face. "You're sick and youre just like him! You've never treated me like you care, and now I know why. Youre a heartless disgusting monster. I hope you get yourself killed."

Then he turns his back to me, before i could turn up everything ive already said to him that could make him change his mind. I dont know where he was going. I know it was away from me.

He was right. I am a monster. There's nothing that i can do. Up until now ive always entrusted Vlad to show me how to get my body back, and now im left to figure it out for myself. No matter what I do, i will still be a monster. A freak. I watch my brother walk away most likely for the last time. I dont imagine he will ever want to speak with me again.

I had to deal with it and i had to continue what I travelled so far to do. To save the one person who doesnt think I'm a monster.