SCREAM: Mother of All Secrets

Chapter 15

After an hour, Erik was released from the hospital. He and Phoebe left the hospital together. They took a few minutes to collect all of Erik's possessions and loaded them in Phoebe's car. The two climb into the car and Phoebe drives to Erik's house.

"I'm so glad that you and your mother reconciled." Phoebe says.

"Yeah, so am I."

"How are you feeling by the way?" Phoebe asks. "Between the bruise and the gash, you've got to be in so much pain."

"They'll heal." Erik says. "But what I saw today is just forever burned in my mind."

"So, is walking in on your parents having sex." Phoebe lightly jokes. "But what you saw is like a thousand times worse."

"What makes it worse is the fact that she may be my birth mother." Erik says. "I kind of don't want it to be her. I want my birth mother to still be alive so that I can meet her and have a great relationship."

"You've been going through so much." Phoebe comments. "Being outed on-line by a psychopath. Finding out you're adopted. Being buried alive. Watching a woman being brutally murdered and not being able to help."

"I don't know how much more I can take." Erik states.

"Well, hopefully you don't have to find out."

Phoebe pulls into Erik's driveway and parks next to his mother's car. The both climb out and head to the trunk. They each take a bag and walk to the front door.

When they notice the front door wide open, they drop the luggage and slowly walk inside. Nothing seems to be suspicious... until Erik sees the crimson pawprints on the floor next to the staircase that lead all the way to his cat that is now running up to him.

"Mom?!" Erik calls. No response. "Are you here?!"

"I'm going to call the police." Phoebe says and walks back outside. She dials the phone and presses the call button.

"911, what's your emergency?" the operator asks.

"Hi, yes, I'd like to report a break in at me friend's house."

Erik slowly follows the blood trail across the floor and to the stairs. He stares up to the second level of the house. He can't see anything. None of the light are on.

"Mom?!" he calls again and again there is no response. "Are you up there?!"

Phoebe runs up to Erik's side. "I just got off the phone with and operator. He said that a unit will be here in just a few minutes."

Erik starts walking up the stairs.

"He also said we should stay where it's safe." Phoebe says.

Erik doesn't reply. He ignores Phoebe completely. Phoebe groans in irritation and follows Erik up the stairs. They slowly synchronize their steps as the climb the staircase.

They follow the blood trail down the hall. They press their bodies against the wall and slide their feet against the floor. Both of their breaths are shaky and their hearts a racing a mile a minute.

Erik leans into the entryway of his bedroom and looks around. He gasps when he sees the body sprawled an his bed.

"Oh, my, God!" Phoebe exclaims when she sees the body. "Who is that?"

Erik approaches the body to examine the face. He doesn't recognize the woman. "I don't know. I've never seen her before."

"Why would the killer want this random woman dead?" Phoebe asks.

"I have no idea." Erik replies. "And I don't really care who she is right now. I just care where my mom is."

Phoebe eyes widen when she looks at the window. "Erik." she says and points toward the open window.

Erik follows her finger and notices and piece of glass intact still in the pane. What's a cause for alarm is blood staining the glass.

Erik slowly walks over to the window. The fear of discovering of what he may discover outside the window fills Erik's heart. He leans out the shattered window. He screams at the sight of his mother's body lifelessly laying on the yard below.

~END~