Father and Daughter

Chapter 2

"Martha have you heard anything of Arthur? No I do not know where he is. He hasn't answered his phone in over a month. Yes I'm worried. Sure I'll tell him to have coffee with you. Bye now." Amy slammed the phone.

"Girl, you worry too much. Take another glass of wine that'll be good for you." Melanie said.

"I think it's strange. Mike said Arthur hasn't talked to him in a long time either."

"Who now?"

"Michael Ryan, one of his best friends I believe."

"I'm sure he's alright, he always manages right?"

"In a way yes. not always the easiest or best way but he does. I suppose you're right." Amy said. But Amy was in fact very much worried. Melanie however did not notice a thing. At most she had stopped drinking as much, but that did not stop Melanie from talking about her problems for the rest of the evening.

Later that night amy, even though she'd had a few glasses of wine, got inside of her car. She threw a quick gaze at her front mirror to check her makeup. Then she started the engine and looked behind for any pedestrians that might had been passing by. Praying there wasn't a cat or small dog laying behind the rear wheels she reversed a little too fast and then hit the brakes a little too abrupt. She mapped a mental layout of which path she would be taking to Arthur's house. She experienced a sudden feel that she was in a hurry. All night they had been wasting time but now it was as if something could go terribly wrong were she not to check on Arthur as soon as possible.

The front door of Melany's house opened. The slightly out of breath woman said:

"AMY, YOU FORGOT YOUR PURSE!"

"Fuck."

Leaving her car on the middle of the road she quickly retrieved it and then more or less dolvin dived back in to her seat. She hit the gas and disappeared over the horizon.

One eye on the road and one eye on her phone she texted Arthur. The sight of several unanswered messages only worsened her worries. "Where are you? Arthur answer your phone."

She then tried to call him, but only got his voicemail when no one answered.

The road to Arthur's house was quiet. After nearly driving to his old address Amy gave herself a refreshing slap in the face. Adjusting her course she hit the pedal and raced toward the familiar street which ended in a roundabout. Arthur's house was the only one who's lights behind the windows were not turned on. Since it too was dark outside Amy could not make up any shapes from behind its see-through curtains. It was 10 in the evening. She considered the fact that he just might be asleep. He's had a rough patch lately after all. He'll just need some time for himself, it was no big deal. When her father had passed away she couldn't bring herself to socialise much either. Although it was different, she felt sure Arthur's way of dealing with things was must've been not much unlike hers. She'd check on him to be sure he's alright. To ask him how he was doing or needed anything. The gate to his lawn was unlocked. After pushing it halfway open gravity took over and it flung away by itself. The grass was not looked well after and patched of weeds had already started to spurt in several places. A graveled path lead up to his porch. The bits of stone and sand jumped up and rattled with each step she took. The front door was locked. Amy took out the spare key that Arthur had given her from her bag. She stuck it in the keyhole and gave it a twist. The lock made a metallic noise and Amy opened the door. A dark hallway revealed itself to her. At the end of it was a glass paned door that lead to the living room. And it too was shrouded in darkness.

"Arthur, are you there?"

No answer.

Looking for the lightswitch she groped the wall on her right. After feeling around for a few seconds she flicked it. Yet it did not get brighter. The power must be off, she thought.