Belonging to Him

Seventeen- Discovered

Chapter 17- Discovered

      "Another teenage girl reported missing. The girl's car was found parked near Kalispell airport on Route ninety-three on June twenty first. She was supposed to be travelling, but in the end she never reached her flight. Her car was found with the driver's side open, the windows cracked, the seatbelt seemed to have been cut off and the front hood of the car seemed to be 'clawed' on" said the newscaster on TV "Suspicions lead to bears, but now officers are doubting and there could be a possible chance that this is a whole new different creature. The public is advised to be careful while outdoors and try to avoid woods and deserted roads as much as possible. Cindy Carey live, on your morning news"

Already hearing the footsteps behind me, I switched the television to mute and turned to face two familiar faces.

"Is this what you were talking about, Dad?" I accused my voice dry "Did you think he was a part of this?"

"We trust no one, Jaymes. He could be, he could not be" was his reply

"He isn't! I would know! He was with me!" I defended "That's why you asked him those questions? You thought he played a part in the kidnaps?"

"Don't raise your voice at me" he said firmly

"Will you both stop it?" Annie stepped in "It's too early in the morning to be doing this"

I flexed my jaw, "Where's Nat?"

"She's been very distant the past two weeks, honey" Annie offered, smiling sadly as they seated themselves at the dining table, Riley's eyes still hard on me "she's always lost in thought"

"She'll be fine," Riley said, placing his hand on hers since he was sitting on her left "she said her break up with Chad wasn't very...smooth"

I pulled in a breath, "Breakup alright," I said sarcastically, no humor in my voice

"Jaymes, how long have you known this boy? I don't trust him at all" Riley said

I was behind the counter, finding no energy in me to move forward or step back

Annie looked stressed again, Riley immediately noticed, squeezing her hand for assurance "Honey, don't worry"

"I'm fine, it's just that -" Annie stopped, standing up

I heard Natalie's feet descending from the stairs but kept my eyes on my mother. She had moved across the table from Riley, her eyes starry.

"Since people started moving in this town, nothing's been the same. Do you notice that, Riley?" Annie stated, looking at him; her voice hinting pain "They act differently, they move differently. The husbands seem to be more possessive than can ever be imagined, the children? They don't act like children. They don't seem to be normal-"

Riley had already come up to her and gathered her in his arms. She sobbed into his chest.  He whispered sweet things into her ear while lovingly patting her hair. Slowly Riley turned his head to us.

"Girls, I think it's time for us to pack" he said

My heart stopped. I couldn't even turn my attention away from Kael, much more leave him.

"We're moving out?" Natalie asked, her tone puzzled

"I think that's an appropriate action. We can't live like this" he replied gently, referring mostly about Annie's case

"Where will we go, dad? This is the place where Jaymes and I grew up" Natalie objected "and about where you and mom will work-"

"We're not moving out" Annie piped in, pulling from Riley's embrace, wiping her tears "look, I just need to adjust to everything, even though it's been months it isn't easy with what we've been through, with Jaymes being at the hospital and all of these sudden insane events. I'm stressed okay? I just need you to please- and you" she looked at Riley "This is our place, how could you even consider moving?"