The Green Night

Chapter 7

Watching the news, my mind was blank. The people in there that had to see what they did. And the families of those people. All of them so young. All I could think about was Rachel, my mom, she would call peter and call for me to come back home. All I know is this town isn't as small as I may think. There are secrets here that the people like to keep. And I don't want to be a part of them. I now know I have to keep my eyes open for people staring at them to see my secrets. And that is something that will not happen.

Peter has his eyes wide open in shock, his palm cupping his chin and fingers over his mouth. His teeth are peering out from the TV light. He doesn't want to face what he has to for his job. And he doesn't want to look at the families of the children that have just died. Grandma sue has her coffee untouched. Her face is blank and has no expression, like she expected this to happen, and for it not to go this bad. The light from the TV shines on their faces.

"We go back to mike for more information..." she has a smile on her face like she just won the lotto.

"Thanks Marissa, the families are having funerals in two weeks for anyone to come. And the ask that all people who had known them come. For their children would want that. They also ask that you don't ask questions about the murder... thank you." He has a blank expression. He doesn't want to be talking about this but he thinks it is his job to do it right, " and for all you teens out there," he takes a deep breath, " school is still on for the day. Attendants is counted." And the screen quickly goes to commercial.

We sit in silence, like we do at dinner. But if you walked in now you would feel the tension that something was wrong, and that there was some kind of emergency. I look at the room and see that it has no life to it anymore. That life here isn't as exiting that it used to be. I look out the window above the door and the leaves are falling off the trees. And the trees look sad, like they want to die. And then peter stands,

"Elizabeth. Go to school and come home right when it is over. I will be home a little late so start dinner without me." He talks like it is an order and there would be consequences is it doesn't happen and I look at him with nothing on my face.

"Okay..." I say like I will try and make it happen, but I won't make him any promises. But he lets it go and leaves. I can tell he just wants me to be safe. But I am old enough to take care of myself so he doesn't need to worry.

"Grandma Sue?"

"Yes dear?" she days shaking her head slightly like I just woke her up from a nap.

"How do I get to the school?" I say with a smile

"Oh..." she says with a surprising tone. Like she expected something different, "Turn left out of the drive ways and head down for about a mile... you will find it." Her smile is sweat and sincere.

"Thanks." I say breathlessly

"Any time." She walks into the kitchen to start the dishes.

I walk out the door and the leaves are all over the ground. It is so beautiful I want to cry, but I make my way to the new car. The leaves are crunching under my feet and it is an all new sound to me so I take it all in. I open the door to the out garage on the right side of the house to see the new car. When I lay my eyes on the car I breath so calmly. It is nothing like I ever expected. The green paint looks so knew. And the tan leather seats look brand knew. Then I see the symbol on the front, it's a 2006 Volvo s40, and I love it.

I walk to open the garage door so I can drive the car out. When I open the door, new car smell over whelms me. And I start to climb in. there is all knew carpet to match the seats and it is so soft. I could sleep in here if I ever needed to. When I put the key in the ignition it purrs to life. The rumble of the car helps my nerves for school. And I close the door and lightly tap on the gas pedal. The car starts to move slowly forward. And then step a little harder. And the car lurches forward. I let out a small scream and step on the break so fast it scares me. The I shut my mouth so tight, my hand over my moist lips and I keep it there until my breathing slows down. I open the door and get out to close the garage door. It is really old, and made out of wood, with white paint pealing off, and vines covering the corners. It takes me a few hard pulls on the handle. Then come down so fast I fall on the ground. The old dead leaves crunch under my back probably scraping it all up but I don't care. I get up and brush off all of the leaves and hop in my car. I close the door and tap the gas lightly and head off the school with the directions that grandma sue gave me.