Obsession

Chapter 29

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I ran downstairs and greeted them all. "Heeey guys! You sure took your time."

"And with good reason. Replied Jennifer as she handed me a little teddy bear and a bag of chocolates. My guilt set in.
"Awe guys you really didn't have to I'm feeling much better." I said handing her the gift. She shook her head. "Its okay you'll enjoy them more now that you're healthy. I smiled.
"It really is a sweet gesture guys ,thanks I appreciate it." I said slowly not sure how to take the gift I didn't deserve.

I hugged Jennifer and the others then i suggested we all pack and have dinner before we head back to out houses so we could get to school on Thursday. A chorus of groans echoed around the room but in the end we all packed and were leaving by 6. After a few hours we were finally in town and decided to stop at the McDonald's drive thru. Calvin stopped at everyone's house to drop them off and then finally it was our turn to stop at home but instead he stopped at a small shop and bought a few things.
I was still tense and angry so i didn't ask any questions. When he stopped i realized we were at the same clearing he had taken me to when he beat up the creep from the warehouse party. He got out the car and walked off into the distance.
Just as I was starting to get antsy and worried about my safety he appeared again.
He took the key out the car and came around to open the door. He waited expectantly for me to exit the car. I just looked at him and raised my eyebrow.
"What?" I asked.
His whole body sagged as he sighed.
"Please don't make this more difficult than it already is." I rolled my eyes and just closed my door shivering from the draft gliding through my jacket. He opened the door again.

"Please get out. Ill be quick and your parents message me every five minutes and you have your phone."
I rubbed the side of my arms.

"I'll give you my jacket." He said sweetly.
I smiled remembering that moment in our previous conversation.
"Fine." I huffed and got out.

I turned on my phones flashlight and we walked.
Finally he stopped.
"Please turn off your flashlight." I wanted to argue but something told me now wasn't the time.
It must've been his facial expression. He was so sombre, it didn't feel natural on his face.

I turned off my flashlight and he turned on a red flashlight and then a blue one.
We walked a little more and then he started talking. It felt so detached.
He shone his light on a headstone. I gasped it was a grave.
Surrounded by a gate and filled with beautiful fresh flowers growing out of the ground.
The tombstone read:

Jennifer Susan Roberts
2002-2016
"Let your smile change the world but don't let the world change your smile."

"She was only 15 when they came and told me she had been killed." He sniffled. "She was kidnapped when she was 11 I was 15. Losing her was the worst thing that ever happened to me. She was all i had. He got down on his knees, he wasn't crying but he looked defeated.
"Jenny. I knew her as jenny. She thought of you always, she was so young." I wiped a tear and continued to speak as my memories slowly came back. The pain the sadness everything.

I wanted to tell him i was sorry ,that i blamed myself and that i shouldn't have tried to take her with us to our salvation, but that was one of the few choices i never regretted I couldn't blame myself or change my choice but I could mourn her in this moment like I'd never had the chance to mourn her. I kneeled down next to him and i hugged him. I'd never expected back then that i would ever meet Jennys brother.

"Its a bittersweet coincidence that we met huh." He shook his head. "I chose your file i knew everything about but i wanted to really know you. I'd heard you had saved everyone you could i wanted to know that kind of person."

"Its a pity you got stuck with all this chaos." He laughed. "Naw its okay. Your coping mechanisms are barbaric but i know you're still the same person deep down. A little scarred and beaten down by the world but the same none the less. You just have some long lasting PTSD but i thinl the fact that you can remember means your body and mind are ready to heal.

I nodded. "I want to heal" i lifted him up causing him to laugh as i failed. He got his two different colour light still in his hands.
"Why blue and red." He smiled. "The cops. I feel like it gives her peace knowing that she was running to the right place i shine the light to show she can relax ,to show she's safe and also to calm myself. My own coping mechanism."

I kissed the gravestone and we both walked back to the car, i got to the driver seat and drove us home.
We got out the car and i could see the sun rising. I left to my room and he left to his.

I was ready to go to bed and hell my body wanted it but my brain was inspired.

I went to my desk and opened the envelope from Owens parents again.

I put the cocaine in the dustbin and ripped up the envelope. I then went to level three, the storage centre. I looked through a couple of boxes and finally found one with my name. I'd never bothered to look at anything.

I looked at each picture none before I was 16. I sifted a bit more and saw a picture of a young girl around 5 years old standing with two parents. I turned it around.

Juliet, Bob & Maya Summers.