Necessary Evil

3

I know being in this kind of business isn't for everyone. You wouldn't believe the amount of people I've hired only to have them quit a few days later because some of the items we sell freaked them out too much.

I get it though. Some of the stuff we get in would probably freak me out too, if I wasn't a strange guy and love this kind of thing. I guess that's one of the main reasons I got along with all the guys when I was in Motionless. I mean, did you catch a look at all of us? Yeah, the most normal out of all of us was Ricky. And even he had his freaky side.

I arrived at work around 30 minutes before I usually opened to get things ready for that couple again. I already bought 4 human hearts from them, and they promised their next delivery would be something they knew I'd be interested in as well.

I had to admit, I was curious to see what else they were bringing me.

I couldn't explain this weird feeling I got every time I walked by the hearts. I didn't know why I got this feeling, but I pushed the thoughts out of my head. They'd be here soon. I needed to get ready.

I grinned when I heard a car pull in the parking lot and heard two car door shut. They were here. I walked to the door and opened it when I saw them once again carrying a huge box toward the door.

"Good morning, guys" I said as I opened the door, allowing the couple entrance in the shop.

"Good morning, Josh. Hope you are doing well this morning" They said, setting the box down on the table.

"I'm doing good, how are you?" I asked.

"We're doing good." They said, smiling. "I think we have something you're going to love even more than the hearts." Trica said, pointing to the box.

"Alright, lets take a look" I said, opening the box and pulling out a skull. My eyes widened and I grinned, looking at the two. "Are these real?" I asked.

They nodded. "Yes sir. They're from the same people we got the hearts from." They informed me.

I raised my eyebrow, that same strange feeling taking over me once more. "These are awesome." I began, observing the skulls.

They seemed to be in good condition, as far as I could see anyway. No big cracks or anything like that.

"How much do you want for them?" I asked, looking up at the two.

"We were hoping for $1,000.00" She said.

I knew these would bring in a pretty penny, but was I really willing to pay $1,000.00? I bit at the corner of my lip before looking at the couple once more. "Alright," I started "You've got yourself a deal." I said as I opened the safe and counted out 10 one hundred dollar bills.

The woman smiled and told me to have a good day before turning and hurrying out the door.

I couldn't help but think that had to be the oddest couple I'd ever met in my entire life. I shrugged it off and took a seat at my desk.

Have you ever had a bad feeling? One you just couldn't explain? I'd had this feeling for a few days now, and no matter what I did, I couldn't shake the feeling.

I sighed and grabbed my phone, deciding to shoot Ricky a text.

'Hey, call me. I miss you guys. Let's get together sometime soon.'

I sent the text and sat my phone back on the table in front of me. I couldn't figure out why none of the guys would answer me. It had been days since I'd heard from any of them.

I could understand if we'd ended things badly, but we didn't. We ended on good terms and had hung out several times since then. Now, it seemed like they had vanished off the face of the earth.

Maybe I had done something to piss them off. Maybe they just didn't want to talk to me. Who knows. All I knew was I didn't like not hearing from them.

I took a deep breath and picked up my phone once more. TJ had been filling in for them recently, maybe he could tell me why none of them were answering my calls. I dialed TJ's number and waited for the bassist to answer. He didn't answer.

"Okay, this is bullshit." I said outloud, dialing Craig's number. If anyone would know where TJ was, it would be Craig.

After the third ring, the singer picked up "Yeah?" He said, clearly out of breath.

"Hey, Craig. It's Josh." I said.

"Hey man." He said softly.

"Listen, I'm sorry to bother you, I'm sure you're busy but do you know where TJ is?" I started. "I've been trying to get a hold of one of the guys for a few days now and can't get an answer."

Craig sighed and was silent for a minute before clearing his throat "Josh, no one has seen TJ in days. I've called and called but never get an answer. He was supposed to be back the day before yesterday, but he hasn't been back," He said.

Okay. Now I was even more worried than I was to start with.

I swallowed hard, "Do you think something has happened to them?" I asked.

Craig took a deep breath "I'm honestly not sure. I don't know why TJ wouldn't answer me. We've talked every night."

Craig and TJ had been a couple for a little over 3 years now. The two were pretty much always together. If Craig hadn't heard from TJ, something must be wrong.

"I'm worried, Craig. What if they're hurt and can't reach out to us?" I asked, my breathing picking up as I looked around the shop.

"I know. Robert's been looking for him since yesterday, but no one has heard anything from him. Or seen him for that matter."

I sighed.

"Hey, are you busy right now?" Craig asked. "I'm in the neighborhood. Maybe I could come by and we could think of something."

"Nah, I'm at the shop but not open yet. Just come here." I said.

"Alright, I'll be there in a bit." He said before hanging up the phone.

I sat my phone in front of me, hoping that between the two of us we could figure out this mystery.