Man in the Wall (Who is he?)

Chapter 40 - Seeking answers

Crap!... Reality smacks me harder than before as I realize I've completely forgotten about Vivian. I am certain that she's fine. However, she hasn't eaten anything all day and to leave the poor girl starving to death is certainly inhumane. I have to ask for help. The feeling of regret has never been this strong before, but right now I don't have a choice.

"Do you have Mike's number?" The question twists my gut.

Frank absentmindedly nods his head as he's far more focused on the road ahead. "As soon as we stop I'll aid to Steven should that be him. Call Mike to escort Vivian to her room. Which is all he needs to do," I state. He nods once again to indicate an agreement and I turn my head back towards the road with my eyes glued on the building.

"There's a medical kit on the back seat incase you need it," he announces and I whip my head around to see if it's there. He's not lying of course, but instincts cause me to check regardless. Better safe than sorry. Rightfully, the kit lies securely on the seat. However, there's an envelope lying next to it which pulls at my curiosity. I reach out and grab a hold of it before turning back in my seat.

To: Frank Porter

From: Budget Kings

"And this?" I bring the envelope high enough for him to see. His eyes switch from the road to the paper in my hand as he curses beneath his breath. He snatches the envelope from my hand and all but shoves it in his jeans pocket, "An insurance claim that needs to get sorted". 

The crumbled paper causes an oddly shaped bulge in his jeans.

"That much I can see. Why's it in your car? It has your name on it. You know Marcus will lose it with you if he ever saw that. Remember what happened to Steven?" 

Ah crap, Steven.

I truly hope that we aren't too late. Steven doesn't deserve to die like this. I know a number of people couldn't care less about his existence, Vivian included. The difference being Vivian's hatred for Steven is fairly understandable and rightfully placed given everything he has put her through. 

I have spoken to Steven countless times to put an end to his cruel ways towards her, but my words seem to fall on deaf ears whenever her name gets brought up. At first, I brushed aside his ignorance, but something told me there's so much more to it. A part of me believes that she reminds him of someone he once knew.

Someone he lost.

It was all because of his parents. They pulverized his caring heart and turned it stone cold. His voiceless screams were ignored for many years throughout his childhood and people would call him insane whenever he made those screams heard. It's a tragic and toxic mess. One would even think he made it all up.

You see, once you hear his story. You cannot unhear it.

"Yeah okay! I fucking remember. Now shut up and drop the subject, we have bigger problems to deal with." Frank's voice echoes throughout the car and I slump back into my seat. I take no offense to his words. His emotions are heightened, so I don't blame his outburst. Although he should be far more careful where he places his personal belongings.

He races to the side of the building. The car jolts to a sudden stop as he smashes his foot down onto the break pedal. A bloody body lies glued to the dirt road, yet the individual remains a mystery to the naked eye. 

"Please no, it can't be him!" I yell as I unlock my door. My hands trembling. 

With tears blurring my vision and threatening to spill, I blink a few hundred times before dashing out at the speed of light itself. I run up to the immobile individual, only for my feet to stop dead in it's tracks as I stand before the poor soul.