The Journals of Henry Dawson

Chapter 7

*Greta*

I quickly ran into the house calling for Eric so I could show him the page. We actually have something substantial to take to the police and are one step closer to finding Henry. I seen his phone on the table but not him. "Eric!" I shouted down the hall.

He emerged with a blush from the bathroom. Awkward. "Sorry, it was urgent. I've been following Connor all day I-" I held up a hand signalling him to stop. I really didn't need to know. "Sure, you're probably just hiding so I wouldn't hit you for that little stunt you pulled on the phone."

Confusion spread across his face. "What are you talking about?"

I huffed at him slightly annoyed. Now is not the time for games. "Stop playing dumb and look what I found at--" my voice fading as I search my pockets. Empty. How is that possible?

"The page. It was in my pocket and now.." realization hit me "It must have fell out of my pocket when I tripped." No. No. No. How could I be so careless? That was what we needed to prove Connor did something to Henry. All of this was for nothing now. I fell to my knees completely defeated.

Eric knelt down beside and placed his hand on mine. "What page?"

"I found a page from one of Henrys journals under his floorboard in his room." I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat and told him the worst part. "It was covered in blood."

He immediately sat upright beside me. "You think it was Henrys?"

I nodded. "I think something happened to him while he was writing because the sentence cuts off." I looked around the room suddenly feeling very sick. "It must have happened here. While he was writing an entry." My eyes stopped in the corner of the room at the writing desk that was here when I moved in. Could Henry have been hurt right here in this very room. I could feel my eyes filling with tears.

"Greta, don't cry. We can try again, there has to be something else that wold help us."

Then I remembered the trapdoor. "There is! I think. Look at this."

I showed him the picture and explained it was covered by leaves on the side of Connors house. As if he had tried to hide it. He stared at it for a few seconds and his eyes turned dark.

"Do you think that maybe.. Henry is down there?" his eyes closed as he spoke. I think we were trying to force the image of Henry underground, alone and hurt. Or worse.

"No. I dont think he is. I would have heard him wouldn't I?" Surely if he was trapped down there he would be banging or screaming for help. Right?

Erics eyes flashed with pain before he looked down into his hands. "Greta, have you thought of the possibility that Henry is de--"

"No!" I cut him off. "No. Henry is alive." He has to be alive. Please be alive.

I stood up and wiped away my tears with my shirt.

"What happened to your shirt?" Eric lightly tugged at the ripped garment, then he noticed my bandaged hand. "Greta?" he questioned.

"I cut my hand when I smashed his window open." I said bluntly.

Eyes wide he jumped to his feet. "Greta, what happened to sneaking into his house?" he ran his fingers though his hair as he paced the room. "He's going to know that someone broke in and your blood is probably still there. He could go to the police."

"I doubt it." i scoffed. "Connor did something to Henry and he is hiding it. I dont think he would draw attention to himself over a break in. Especially when he realizes the page is missing."

Eric relaxed a little but I could tell he was still on edge. "He may not go to the police but whos to say he wont come over here?" he stopped pacing now. "Greta what if he tries to hurt you. You're the only one whos been asking about Henry. He's going to know it was you."

"I dont care what happens to me. I'm not afraid of Connor." Erics face softened as he came closer to me.

"I care about what happens to you Greta. You know you are so much like Henry in some ways." he smiled. "You have such a strong heart." he reached out for my hand. "And you're so brave."

"Eric.." I let him pull me into a tight embrace and I let out the tears I was holding back. "You're wrong. I'm not as brave as you think." I sobbed into his shirt. "I'm scared."I admitted.

"You dont have to be scared okay?" he started to rub circles in my back. "I promise as long as i'm here i'll protect you." I didn't tell him that the reason I was scared was for Henry. I'm scared that maybe he's right. Maybe Henry is dead and i'll never get the chance to meet this amazing person who I have given my whole heart to.

I pulled away from him and walked over to the window. Its raining outside. Not too heavy, not to light. Just a perfect drizzle. I sighed. "Eric, we have to go check inside that trapdoor." I turned to face him. "Before he tries to hide anything."

*Henry*

I'm ashamed to admit that I had to leave the room when Eric held Greta in his arms like that. I could see it in his eyes that he starting to care for her. I'm happy that she has someone to comfort her in this and protect her but I wish it could be me. I frowned when I heard her say they were going to check the trapdoor. Could my body really be in there? Simply tossed to the side to rot away underground? Was I that meaningless to Connor?

I already knew the answer to that. Of course I was.

I stepped back into the room and I selfishly felt better when I seen that she was standing by the window no longer in his arms. I came up behind her and wrapped my arms around her resting my head on hers as we watched the rain together. A perfect drizzle. My favorite kind of rain. I miss the rain. The cool droplets running down my face as I looked up towards the sky. I sighed knowing I would never again get caught in a storm. Never again would I feel the touch of a woman I loved. Never again...I closed my eyes as the pain fizzled away. Like it always did.

When I opened them I was alone. No. Not again. I quickly checked the rooms for either one of them but no one was here. Why does this keep happening? I dont understand. I crawled into Greta's bed and just laid there. Listening to the rain hitting the rooftop like I had so many times before when I was alive. I laid there for what seemed like hours when I heard the front door shut.

Is it over? I thought as I rushed out to the living room. I made it just in time to see Greta and Eric pulling out of the driveway together. A sight I really didnt want to get used to. I glanced at the clock. Only a few minutes had passed although it felt like an eternity.

Maybe i'm being punished for that night..for the accident.

No. I have already come to terms that night was not my fault.

It had to be something though? I wont accept that this is the afterlife? Where are all of the other dead people? Where are my parents then?

I sat down on the couch and decided to watch the rain until Greta came back home, while wishing for answers I will probably never get.