Charley's Innocence

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

The remaining time we had together was spent by me chatting away aimlessly about the town here; explaining that there is plenty to do around here. “So, how did your girlfriend take you moving here?”

“She dumped me.” He stated, bluntly.

“Did she not handle long distance or the moving?”

“Both, I think. She was never one for travel outside the city and her big adventures were that of shopping. And I believe, in essence, her last words to me meant something like; “if you’re not physically here with me all the time then you’re not here at all.” He looked kind of sad, it made me want to hug him, but at the same time run in the opposite direction.

Do you ever get the feeling of pleasure and being terrified all in one moment? That’s what my next moments with him were like. “I forgot to ask before I even let you in, what’s your name?”

“Oh! Right, sorry. My name is Aydin, Aydin White.” He had an apologetic tone to his voice, like he just did something he shouldn’t have done. I shook my head slightly, pretending I didn’t hear the tone to his voice.

“May I inquire what your name is?” He questioned.

“Sure, I don’t see why not.” I fiddled with a book in my hand while I answered his question. “My name is Charley Reynolds.”

He looked genuinely surprised by my name for some reason. Aydin had this look on his face like he couldn’t believe that this was my name. “Okay, so what did I say wrong? You look like you’re about to pop a gasket up there.” I tried to cheer him up because his facial expressions just took on the look of pure horrification.

“Umm… well…. You see…”He kept trying to start. “Alright… the reason I’m kind of horrified and shocked right now is that I’m trying to figure out whether or not you’re who you said you are. And if you are, you’re in a shit-load of trouble.” Aydin finally explained; not totally clear, but an explanation.

“Alright, this is getting a little weird, but I have the feeling you have a few questions. So, shoot.” I tried to sound calm because my heart was pounding like crazy and I had the strange sense that he could hear it.

“My first question is: Are you the girl who was attacked and left for dead by your boyfriend during the winter of ’03?” Ay looked strained when he asked that particular, first question.

I answered as best I could. “Yes, that was me. And I still have the scars to prove it but I would rather not go into detail, if you don’t mind.”

“No, that’s fine.” He shook his head. “My next question: Where were you 10 nights ago, on September 5th?”

“I was here, to be honest. I stayed until probably 11, sorting some of the newly returned books. Why?” I was morbidly curious because even the people that knew me knew that I don’t do much in lou of a social life.

“There was a murder here about 10 nights ago. I can’t disclose the victim’s name, but---“ I cut him off.

“Are you talking about the little girl that was killed about a football field’s length from here? Sandy?” That little girl came here every day, always wanted me to read the children’s books with her and explain words she didn’t understand. Sandy was my only friend beside the librarians that I work with. I cried for 3 days after I found out who it was.

“I can see that you already know who the person was. Now, tell me, humor me really, and answer this next question. What were you really doing that night?” He had a tone in in voice, telling me that he didn’t believe what I had told him before.

“Are you accusing me of killing Sandy?” I was shocked. What reason, what evidence did they have that would make them think I killed her? I loved her like the little sister I never had. Where was my motive? I was fastly moving past shock and was starting to simmer with anger. I clenched my fists and shoved them into my pockets, so I wouldn’t be compelled to hit anything at the moment.

“No, I myself can’t accuse you, but the police can. Luckily for you they aren’t, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t start questioning you like I just did.” He looked almost smug, and my hand itched to slap him. Hard.

“Then may I ask why would they be questioning me at all, if they aren’t accusing me?” I was so confused.

“The Police are going to question you because they are questioning those that were close with the little girl. People around here, from the statements I’ve read, said that you both were very close.” He was eyeing me suspiciously, and at that moment I knew that they weren’t just questioning me. They were looking at me as suspect numero uno for her murder. What the fuck was wrong with people?

“So, essentially, what you’re telling me is that even though they are just questioning me I should be on guard because what you’re trying to ‘discreetly’ imply is that I’m the first suspect on their list?” I asked this and he suddenly got very tense.

“I’m trying to take a stab in the dark here. Tell me. Have I hit anything yet?” I gave him a smart ass tone because I was sick of where this questionnaire was leading us, and I didn’t want to go down that path. I was also sick of how he was looking at me like a kid who was too stupid to understand anything.

Aydin’s face changed from tense smugness, to that of someone who just got their ass handed to them, and to be quite honest I was enjoying the sight. I had already learned my lesson with men overpowering me. That wasn’t going to happen again; I knew how to stand up for myself. Verbally and Physically.  I wasn’t afraid to use either one, but I did prefer to use my verbal defense rather than my physical, unless provoked first. A long pause was ensuing after what I had said, and I wasn’t going to be first to break it.

With a small sigh he said this, “You better watch your choice of words, you might just end up saying the wrong thing.” There was an evil something in his eyes and I couldn’t figure out what the hell it was, it actually irritated me really.

Because my annoyance and irritation was starting to build and tower inside of me, I just blurted out the first thing that my brain could process properly, not caring that I said this to a judge. “Get. The. Fuck. Out of. My. Library…. NOW!!” I yelled the last because anger finally caught in the mix and bubbled over the fastest.

He scampered out of the library, not giving me a second glance as he left. I sighed. The adrenaline was leaving me, making me feel drained.

I checked the time and it was about 6: 45 in the morning. Mornings start out so great don’t they?