Crimson Eyes and Family Lies

My Family's Coming!

"That was the best movie ever!" Exclaimed Valerie as we left the theatre. Vivi nodded in agreement. "I have to say that was a good movie. I never knew Emma Watson had such an amazing voice!"
I took my final sip of my water before I threw it away in a nearby trash can. "I'm pretty sure she is a superhuman. She can do anything!"
Vivi and Valerie agreed. We moved to the parking lot, where we went to our separate cars. We said our farewells and promised to meet up tomorrow before we went our separate ways. As soon as I jumped in my car my phone had gone off, but it was a number I hadn't seen in a long time. I smiled as I put it to my ear. "Hey Aunt Heather!"
"Hello Natalie! How have you been? How is your parents?" My aunt answered. She sounded just as bright and cheerful as ever. She is my mother's sister, who is two years younger than her. She lives all the way in Massachusetts, so we don't hear from her very much. She works at a camp for kids, which is open all year.
"They are doing good, mom has less work hours so she can spend more time with me."
"Aw well that's good. Hey listen, when do you think is a good time to come over and visit? Darrell and I are here and we want to come say hi. Plus I have to talk to you about something."
I frowned. They were here? Why did they come all the way down here just to say hi? There isn't even a holiday coming up. "I think we should be around at five. I can call mom and ask just to be sure."
"Okay kiddo sounds good! See you at five!"
I smiled and said goodbye, but wondered what she had to talk to me about. The last time I had heard from her was two years ago, and they had just opened their camp after gaining enough money throughout their lives. They didn't have any kids of their own as far as I knew, but I remembered Aunt Heather talking about wishing she had her own kid during christmas.
I sighed as I turned on my car and started to back out of the parking spot, wondering what I was going to do for the rest of the day. Suddenly the figure of a blonde kid rushed behind my car, causing me to slam on my breaks. The kid stopped and glared at me as if it was my fault I almost hit him. The kid was a boy that maybe looked eight years old. His dark eyes shone with hatred, black and blue rims could be seen under them. His soaking wet gray t-shirt and khaki shorts were smudged with mud and grass stains. He looked like someone had dragged him across a grass field and then shoved him in muddy waters.
I hopped out and made my way to the back, but the boy has disappeared. The only thing left was wet sneaker prints in the pavement. Strangely, they lead to the bushes close by, but didn't appear after them. I frowned, puzzled by this new development. Maybe he is just hiding in the bushes? But why would an eight year old be wandering around in wet clothes?
I shook an uneasy feeling away as I went back to my car and drove home. When I had arrived my parents were home making dinner. "Welcome home Nat, how was the movie?" Asked my father, who was setting the table. I slipped into the fridge and poured myself a glass of juice before I answered, "It was good."
Mom noticed my change in tone and stopped stirring the pasta. "Did something happen?"
I didn't want to tell her about the strange boy, but maybe she knew something about a missing boy. I set my cup down and explained, "I was backing out of my parking spot and almost ran into a boy. Don't worry he is fine, but.."
Father frowned, narrowing his eyes with concern before he asked, "But what sweetie?"
I sighed, took another swig of juice before I went on. "Well, I think something bad happened to him. He was covered in grass stains and mud, and his clothes were soaking wet. And he glared at he as if he hated everything in this world."
Mother came over and sat down next to me, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry Nat, do you want me to ask around the hospital? Or even call Detective Brooks?"
I shook my head, knowing better than to start looking for trouble. It could be nothing, but even so I couldn't just ignore this feeling of dread sitting against my stomach. I've seen eyes like that before, but it wasn't a memory I wanted to dive back into.
"It's okay, it's probably nothing anyways." I started. "Anyways, I also wanted to ask if you had heard from Aunt Heather? She called me as I was leaving the theatre asking to come swing by."
Mom smiled, returning to the stove to check the pasta. "Oh really? I left my phone upstairs so I don't know if she called. Did she say when she wanted come by?"
"I told her that we should be home at around five."
Dad smiled as he stared at mom, as if reminiscing on old memories. "That's good then, we have two hours to tidy up the house."
Mom scoffed as she turned him with a wooden spoon in her hand. "Tidy up? This place should be as clean as a whistle!"
I giggled. "Mom no one says that anymore!"
She frowned and stared at her spoon. "Really? I use it all the time though."
Dad and I laughed, causing my mother to frown at us in confusion. So she chose to ignore us and finished making the pasta, while commanding us to make sure that the dining room was set. During this time I had received a text from Nathaniel.
Did Brooks tell you about my father?
I typed back, yes he told me. Did he tell you that the letters to me have been forged to look like your fathers handwriting?
He immediately responded. Yes he told me. It doesn't make sense though. I don't know anyone who would want to pretend to be my father.
I turned my attention to the door, where I heard a slight knock. I carefully looked through the window and found my Aunt Heather and her husband Darrell standing patiently by the front door. I smiled and opened the door, greeting the two with hugs. "You have gotten so big! Stop growing!" Exclaimed my Aunt as she brought me into a hug.
"Well I am going to be a senior in the fall." I commented, which caused her to inhale sharply. "You have to tell me when you're going to have your graduation party, I'll bring a bunch of food!"
I laughed, imagining my Aunt pulling in with her Jeep, the back full of wrapped up food. My mom must have heard us talking because she came around the corner and brought her sister into a hug. It's been so long since we had seen them, but it was like they picked up right where they left off.