The Trap

Officer Springs: Chapter 10

I pull into the parking lot of the park where Toby was last seen. The park is filled with little kids and small groups of teenagers. There's got to be someone here who's seen Toby. 

I shut down my car, and slowly get out of my car. 

I survey around the park to see if there are any kids here that might have watched Toby and Tyler become friends. After about two minuets I spot a group of kids about Toby's age gathered around a big sugar maple tree. 

As I walked over to the kids, one of the boys in a maroon T- shirt, looked up from his phone and saw me coming over. His face showed fright at first but then he swallowed hard and controlled his face to make it look like everything was normal but I could still see it in his eyes. He was scared of me.  

"Excuse me." I said to the group

When I talked, I saw the boy in the maroon shirt jump a little. 

"Is something wrong officer?" Said a boy in a black and white T- shirt that looked like static on a Television screen. 

This boy didn't look as nervous as the other boy in the maroon T- shirt but he still looked a bit nervous. 

I slip Toby's picture out of my inside jacket pocket and show everyone it the group. 

"Has anyone seen this boy?" I ask the group 

Everyone in the group goes silent and I see everyone's eyes go to the ground. 

I break the silence first. "No one knows this boy?" 

Silence. 

"You know, if you guys don't tell me what you know I could have you arrested." I say, sternly 

A Girl in a navy blue T-shirt looks up at me and says, " We know him, He goes to our school." 

" Great, now that that's settled, was anyone here on the day Toby went missing?" I ask

The girl answered again with, "Everyone was here that day. We were all invited to see Toby and Tyler become friends."

"Who invited you too see it?" I ask

"Tyler." The girl answers

"Did they become friends?" I asked

"Tyler sure did make it look like they did but after they became friends they went to get something but never came back, at least, not Toby." 

"Do you know where they went?" I asked, knowing wherever they went there's got to be security cameras.

She bit her lip and looked away for a moment before returning her focus to me. 

"They... I think they were going to...." She says, before her head slowly goes down to look at her feet, obviously trying to avoid eye contact. 

" If you know something you need to tell me, there is a kid's life in our hands." 

"Tyler told Toby that they were going to the alcohol store." Said the boy in the black and white T-shirt, speaking for the girl. 

There's only one  alcohol store within walking distance of the park, so I didn't need to ask where it was, but I did need to ask this, "Why the alcohol store?" 

I could tell no one wanted to answer that question either but like my other questions someone eventually did answer, but who said it surprised me.   

"It's what he thinks is cool... well that's what we think is cool..." said the boy in the maroon T- shirt, shyly 

"You guys are not old enough to drink alcohol, and it most certainly isn't cool. Alcohol is deadly and can have a real bad impact on the development of your brains." I said, sternly 

I studied their faces and I could tell that they already knew that so I said, "I could also arrest you for underage drinking." I said, pulling out my handcuffs from my belt and showing it to the group to intimidate them. 

Tears started forming in their eyes. 

"Everyone who has alcohol on them right now, turn it over to me, or these cuffs will go around your wrists." I said 

They were reluctant at first but soon enough they all grabbed bottles of beer and tequila  from secret hiding spots, that were in bushes around the tree and behind the tree. 

After all the alcohol was gathered and given to me, I resumed my mission to find Toby. 

"There's one last question I have to ask before I leave," I said. " Anyone know where Tyler's house is?" 

"He lives across from the cemetery." Said the boy in the black and white T- shirt. 

"Thank you." I said, before I turning around and leaving with the alcohol 

******

After about 10 minuets, I pull into Tyler's  driveway. His house is white with a big outside porch on the second floor with big white pillars holding up the porch. There are two big windows on the first floor with red curtains covering them up, preventing me from seeing inside.  

I step out of my car and walk up to the door. 

The hairs on the back of my neck stick up as I knock on the door. 

After about a minute, the door opens and a white man in his fifties opens the door. 

"What can I do for you, officer?" said the man in a scratchy deep voice

"Do you have a son named Tyler?" I asked the man. 

"Yes I do. What's this about?" Asked the man with confusion on his face

"I believe Tyler is the last person to have seen someone who is missing." I reply 

"I'll go get him." Said the main before closing the door on me

After about two minutes, the door opens again and the man is standing there with a revolver. 

I reach for my gun and pull it out from my holster but before I can get a shot out the man shoots me in the chest and I can feel my body draining of life as I slowly fall into darkness.