The All-Seeing Eyes

Chapter 20

Six years ago...

"What are you doing, Dad?" Isabella asked.

She attempted to stand on her tiptoes to observe over his shoulder. He was dressed in all black. Light from a nearby window revealed his hands clenched protectively on a duffel bag, slowly filling it with something from under the bed. When John heard Isabella in the doorway, he quickly pushed the bag away from view and turned to face her.

"Isabella, go back to your room. It's none of your business," John replied, dodging the question.

He hated keeping secrets from Isabella.

"How much longer would it take for her to put the pieces together?"

Looking into her innocent, oblivious eyes and telling the truth wasn't going to get any easier.

"I'm not leaving you alone again. You've been distant lately and I deserve a reason."

"It's nothing. You're too young to understand," he declared, knowing full well she wasn't.

Isabella couldn't ignore this any longer. His secret was driving their family apart.

"Did John ever notice that his issues were affecting the people around him? No, he clearly didn't if he still left in the end, making Isabella and his wife wonder aimlessly about the possibilities."

At the start, Mom would become so frustrated of being left in the dark that she would cry. Isabella was the only one to console her. Picking up the pieces and being put back together seemed routine. She found her place in the home as easily as heartbreak brings people together. They let out all empty feelings of hope onto the shoulder of a loved one, barely comprehending their amount of internal strength or tears.

However, these situations strengthened Isabella and her Mom's relationship. Unanimously, it was agreed that John was beyond saving. Some wanted to take more action than others.

Isabella was determined to discover what lay buried. Truth is what everyone wants, but only few can handle it. This is why she followed Dad when he exited the house and turned into an unknown area. The answer wouldn't come believable at first, but Isabella thought she was strong enough to accept it.

Buildings loomed taller than the largest giants described in fairytales. They took hold of her small frame and made her disappear into the background. Rachdale's trading dock came into view a few blocks later. John walked among the metal crates, unfazed by the overhead crane.

Suddenly, he turned around to assess his surroundings and Isabella scrambled to hide behind a bin. She was able to seclude half of her body while watching from a distance. 

Two minutes later, a man in his mid-thirties with blonde hair approached him.

"Thanks for meeting me on such short notice," John said.

"What's this about?" the man asked impatiently.

"I can't keep working for you anymore, Seth."

"Why not?"

"Drug distribution has been weighing me down ever since I started a family. My wife and daughter deserve better."

Seth glowered at him before stating, "You can't stop. After everything I've done to get us some extra money, you decide to leave me in the dust?"

"I understand the sufficient pay-cut I'm taking with a legal job, but I never intended this to be permanent."

Metal glinted from underneath Seth's waistband and he swiftly brought the object to view.

"If that's your choice then face the consequences."

John's eyes widened when he realized a gun was pointed at him. The shot pierced the air and he collapsed, unclutching the bag. Without thinking, Isabella abandoned her hiding place and ran forward to help.

"Are you okay, Dad?"

For the first time in six years, excuses became defenseless. The truth revealed itself to Isabella when she looked him directly in the eyes. John was defeated and vulnerable. His guard had dropped completely and answers uncovered themselves at Isabella's feet. He couldn't conceal the grimace tugging at the corner of his mouth any longer. When John reached out a hand to block her, she found that both palms were streaked with blood. He tried to protect Isabella, but it was too late.

"This must be your daughter," Seth interrupted, roughly grabbing her arm and aiming the weapon at her shoulder.

She froze in place, scared to make a move.

"You wouldn't dare. I still have all the drugs from the last shipment. If I give you those, can we be done here?" he responded through gritted teeth.

Seth thought about the proposition for a moment and replied, "Alright. Hand over the product or my connections at the police department will have you in jail by tomorrow."

John picked up the duffle bag and unzipped it. Inside were a couple of shotguns and many containers of heroine.

"Everything I have borrowed or received is yours," he explained, kicking it over to him.

Seth admired the guns and counted the containers.

He smiled then stated, "Not bad. It was a pleasure doing business!"

Isabella and John turned away and left the crate dock.

"How did you know that bringing the drugs would make him leave us alone?" she questioned.

"I was prepared to retire from my position before you showed up. Seth put your life on the line, thinking that would be leverage over me. What he doesn't know is that: Survival thrives under the most difficult situations."

They returned home, meeting Mom in the living room.

"I've been trying to find you for hours, Isabella. Where did you go?" Mom shouted.

"Karen, she was with me," John spoke up.

"Great, first you disappear then her. I can't keep up," she said

"You don't have to anymore."

"What?"

"I quit my job today."

"Really?"

"Family will always be there for me. I can't continue this job if my absence is taking a toll on the two of you. I've come to terms with this fact more than a few times."

Everything seemed like it was coming together. Except for one thing: Seth got away with the money while John was back to square one. No matter how much Isabella tried to let it go, she couldn't. He needed to be locked up indefinitely. If Seth ever came back, he would keep controlling Dad for the rest of his life.

"If I call the police and explain everything then they will have no choice but to put him behind bars."

Night fell and Isabella decided to sneak into the kitchen. She picked up the landline, dialing 911. A policewoman answered and the story instantly spilled out of her mouth. Isabella thought she was helping to prevent future complications.

After speaking with Isabella, the woman called for reinforcements.

"A girl just accused you of multiple crimes. She gave the name Isabella Silvertree and I traced it back to 56 Brighton Avenue. Do you want to deal with her or should I?"

"I told John to give me the drugs and this would be resolved. Apparently, he didn't make sure his daughter kept her mouth shut. Go to the house and bring Calvin with you. I've got enough evidence to put him away for quite a while," Seth ordered.

They drove the patrol car to the designated address then retrieved their suspect. Isabella watched from the window while her Mom remained stone cold on the couch. A single tear dropped down both of their faces as his face faded off into the distance.