Teenage Antichrist Book One: A Journey of a Sister's Hatred 1991-1992

Chapter Fifty-Five: Natalie's Hidden Family Life

John had absolutely no memory of the memorial tree. All he knew was that Michelle was gone and he wanted her back. As Mr. Slater could see he was making no progress with John he drove him to the corner of Old Cleveland Road and Tilley Road at Chandler. Near the traffic light in the middle of the traffic island was a large gum tree that John had never seen before. Mr. Slater parked his car over on the side of the road and they crossed the road to it. John was horrified to see a stone with the words engraved "In loving memory of Michelle Anne Slater. 1975 - 1985".

"I picked you and Michelle up from swimming at the sports centre," Mr. Slater said. "You and Michelle were fighting about something in the backseat. I turned around to tell you both to shut up and that's when that blue van hit us. Now, are you honestly going to tell me you don't remember that?"

"No, because that never happened," John replied.

"Then how do you explain this tree? How do you explain this rock?"

"It's fake because it never happened! You just have no idea what's going on!"

"John, please stop! Michelle is gone and it wasn't your fault. You've got to believe that,"

"How can I believe that if it didn't happen?"

"If it didn't happen then where's Michelle?" Mr. Slater asked back. "Do you see her around? Where is she?"

"I don't know but I know she's not dead!" John replied.

They continued about it until it was time for them to go home. On the way home the argument continued.

*****

As John hadn't been able to reason with Mr. Slater he thought he would have a much better chance with Mrs. Slater. As they sat at the kitchen table for dinner Mr. Slater was still feeling the stress of the argument they had that afternoon. John knew that and didn't care as he just wanted someone to remember Michelle other than himself.

"Last year at speech night Michelle sang 'Dancing in the Storm' by Boom Crash Opera," John said. "The whole school loved her for it. Don't you remember that?"

Mrs. Slater started to breathe heavily and looked at John with a shocked expression on her face. Mr. Slater felt bad for his wife.

"John, please stop," Mr. Slater said.

"Last year Michelle played Rhonda in the musical 'Villains'," John said. "Can't you remember how great she was?"

Mrs. Slater couldn't take anymore. So she pulled her chair back, stood up and walked out of the kitchen with tears in her eyes. Mr. Slater slammed his knife and fork on the table.

"I told you to stop!" Mr. Slater said.

"I'm not going to stop because I know the truth and you've been forced to believe in a lie," John replied.

Mr. Slater felt a mixture of pity and frustration towards his son. John felt anger and frustration towards his father. With nothing else to say Mr. Slater pulled his chair back and walked out of the kitchen to be with his wife. As John sat in the kitchen alone he wondered if Michelle was alone or was the Stranger with her doing whatever he wanted with her. Both of those possibilities made John shake with both fear and guilt.

*****

Sleep proved to be nearly impossible for John. Michelle was all he could think about. Eventually, he did drift off to sleep but when he did he dreamt about Saturday night. In the dream, he was standing in her bedroom doorway and the Stranger had Michelle pinned down in her bed as he stabbed her to death. John was so scared that he couldn't move. Then the Stranger looked directly at him.