Blood Secrets

CHAPTER 6

BEFORE

"Well... What do you mean? How has a bunch of missing people got anything to do with my... mum?"

"Everything" he answered."These people witnessed a staged car crash. Your mother was never harmed. Someone else was in the car believed to be your mother. The police told me the fire had made considerable damage to the body-it was unidentifiable."

"Then how did they know it was her? How did you not have doubts?" This was all too weird. If someone I loved had been assumed dead I'd investigate! Especially with so many gaps in the story.

"I did have doubts, of course I did. But I was overcome with grief, I'd just been told my wife was dead. Then I'm told they don't actually know who was in the car. I was confused, so confused. That little statement gave me so much hope only for it to be proved wrong.

The car was registered to your mother, the corpse was about her build and there were strands of blonde hair in the car-just like hers. After all this, I didn't believe it. I couldn't. I wouldn't believe that my wife could die so suddenly, so alone, leaving our beautiful baby girl behind. So I refused to believe it. I nearly lost my mind trying to prove it wasn't her. That my love wasn't dead. I began to neglect my responsibilities; I began to neglect you." My Dad sighed and wiped his face, almost looking pitiful. As much as I wanted to go up to him and hug him, tell him it was okay, that I understood why he left! That I forgave him, I couldn't. My common sense kicked in and reminded me that trusting him like that was dangerous and besides, he had explaining to do, it's not like we can waste time here.

I cleared my throat, signalling for him to keep going, but more to break the ice. "That's when Andy came in. He saw what was happening to me, what was happening to you. I was out all day and night while you were alone and hungry. You turned as skinny as a stick and so Andy..." Clearing his throat and adjusting his seating position, he looked around awkwardly.

"He what?" My curiosity growing, I leaned forward. "He's not here. You can tell me" I scrunched up my nose at my embarrassingly pathetic attempt at persuasion.

"Right, I know. So, Andy called social services and you were... taken from me." For the first time in a while, my Dad looked me in the eye, straight in the eye. He didn't look through me, but right at me, studying me. He was waiting for a reaction and he got one. My eyes widened and I stared and cocked my head to the side. I wanted to be angry, but that was my Dad. Right now, an odd expression of anger and excitement was plastered across his face. He was angry at Andy, I could tell, and he wanted me to be too.

Suddenly, I felt the need to defend Andy, the one man who stayed with me and looked after me when my own father left me. If he thought he could turn me against Andy, he had another thing coming.

The anger in me and the need to defend my uncle blinded me and set me off like a firework. "Don't you dare talk about him like that! Don't try and make me turn against him or make me believe it's all his fault because it isn't! My uncle stood by me and supported me for years! Most of my life! He looked after me, helped me, fed me and cared for me! It's much more than I can say for you, so don't you sit there smugly waiting for me to agree with you and believe your every word because I won't. You don't get the benefit of the doubt because you're my 'Dad'. That's just a title that means nothing to me. You remember that".

I huffed and sat down. I don't even remember standing up. I crossed my arms and tried to look as defiant as possible only see Andy in the corner of my eye. I looked over and tried to make sense of his facial expression. He looked proud but with a hint of sadness. I looked over at my Dad, my expression softening.

"I... I realise he was there when I wasn't and I'm sorry for that, I am. Andy helped me to open my eyes to what I was missing: you. He also helped me get some closure - the police showed me their strongest piece of evidence - your mother's wedding ring. It finally hit me, 2 years after her death and I faced facts. I sought help and saw a grievance counselor. She helped me get my life on track and when you were 5, I was granted daily visits. I remember the first day out, I was so nervous. I don't know why, I guess because I thought you wouldn't recognise me, but I was wrong. I knocked on the front door, my palms sweaty and my crisp, ironed shirt sticking to my chest. I had been overthinking this day for weeks,  whether you'd like to go to the zoo, or the park or if I should wear a suit or jeans. All that doubt left me like an irritating cold as soon as you opened the door." He closed his eyes and smiled as if remembering the image of 5-year-old me while Andy took a seat next to me and gave me a warm smile. Clearing his throat and snapping out of his daydream, he continued.

"You looked so different! Definitely tall for your age with the longest golden hair and green eyes, just like her..." He smiled at me then, a genuine smile that I returned with an awkward smile and the noise of me shuffling of my feet. "The her being your mother, of course" he said. "You ran up to me with the biggest smile in your adorable red polka dot dress. You knew me! I was so relieved and I knew from that moment everything would be fine.

I continued the visits for 6 months when I was granted full custody. We moved into out new home - the one you live in now- and all was perfect. Until the second people went missing."

"You mean the newly-weds?" I asked, remembering the chain of missing people.

"Wait, what newly-weds? The Johnsons?" Uncle Andy innocently asked. I almost simply said 'yes' before realisation hit me.

"The Jonhnsons? How do you know their name or..." I looked at Andy, then back to Dad and back to Andy. I scrutinised their behaviour - almost relaxed. How could Andy have known what we were talking about?

"Umm... Your Dad obviously hasn't told you..." Andy gave my Dad a questioning look. "Why haven't you told her? What in hell have you been talking about then?!"

"Calm down!" Dad put his hands in the air playfully. "I was getting there but now you've just confused her! She's got a lot to take in and she-"

"I am here you know" the annoyance felt from the way in which he was talking about me came out perfectly in my voice. Dad and Andy both smiled, amused.

"Right, sorry" Dad chuckled. "I think we've wasted enough time, I'll explain the most important facts now. Do you want me to tell you, or... your uncle?" Dad gave me a few seconds to decide and I chose.

"Umm... Andy".

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sorry I haven't updated in ages! been really busy but it's half term so I'll update more. This was a really long chapter, so enjoy!

ALSO, please please read 'Flip' by Oliviakerr3 ! vote and comment, it's really amazing and she deserves it! Thanks x

(the image is the character I imagine playing Emma - Rachel Mcadams from the notebook!)