The Anonymous

Chapter 27: Imagination

They say a child's imaginations are the most powerful thing. The ability to go beyond your dreams to create a world where anything is possible. A place where imagery transcends time. Where human abilities amplified through art in an unwakened space. I know this much is right, for I have dreamed of these dreams.

About three weeks passed since Ashon left high and dry. At first, I wanted to follow him and be with him. I didn't know it until he was gone but I couldn't stand not being a part of his world. I imagined a world where we could be together; I practically fantasized about him treating me better, and in my fantasies, Ashton was a different person less dominating more understanding and compassionate. Similar to the way he was treating me before he left. I saw the light and him a glimmer of what he could be like what we could be like, and I was addicted. It took everything in me to not call or text him. I didn't want to come off as desperate, but the distance and darkness was eating me alive. I deluded myself with these fantasies for days.

I thought about all the wasted time I spent being around him until to communicate how I really felt. Maybe that would've made him stay. If only I told him he would still be in America. I regretted my actions. I will grab it not being enough, and I beat myself up about it for days.

But then slowly but surely, my perception of him changed. My feelings towards him and vice versa; all felt like an elaborate lie. The past three weeks spent with his play on a loop in my mind, the conversations we had, the trips we took, and how he had every opportunity to tell me the truth. He refused to confide in me. I'm not sure where he got off, or perhaps he figured I was too incompetent and immature even to grasp the gravity of the situation. But he never also gave me a chance, the time of day. I was like an annoying little kid to him. That realization soon turned into hate.

Why did he keep this for me? As time past by, and I mean a month in that hotel room. I decided it would better for me to hate him. To burn that letter and rid me of everything that reminded me of him. I mostly stayed in the hotel, ordered in-room service, and did my best to run-up Ashton's unlimited pad. My family had gone back to their lives while occasionally checking up on me from time-to-time. I couldn't bring myself to tell them the truth about Ashton that he left me to go to England. I know this would make my brother Devin happy. He never trusts Ashton anyway. I knew if I told them about his departure, more questions would come. I just couldn't bring myself to admit that sickening fact to myself. How could he lead me on again?

Three months later, I decided to put my health; first, I finally moved out of that hotel room and into a small apartment in Brooklyn. My mother and Jérôme helped me with the move, and I told her everything. I used some of the money Ashton left for me to get the apartment. It was a one-bedroom apartment near downtown Brooklyn in a pretty pricey area. But I wanted to utilize the build-in gym, so why not spoil myself right. Plus the place had a great built-in security system. I preferred living alone. The thought of having my family members all under one roof annoying the hell out of me was out of the question. I loved them, but I needed my space to think and heel. During my time in the hotel, I managed to apply for online classes to complete my college degree at NYU finally. Life is more comfortable with structure; I woke up in the morning, made myself breakfast, jogged for 30minutes and, and then did homework or study. Hell, I even made friends with two girls from my online class. Sometimes we got together to study at a coffee shop in the city.

It's like my life had instantly gone back to normal as soon as Ashton left. But the thought of Asia never blew my mind. The fact that her family never called always left a weird place in my heart. I didn't hear from Jérôme or any updates about his cousin. The who thing was odd and arie. That person can just disappear without a trace, and no one cares. Ashton told me that he was working on it, but was he? Who is he? How could I believe him when he's another mystery as well. I stood in the kitchen in total silence before turning on the television to check the news. I never really cared to check the news, mostly because life got in the way. However, social media was also basically another new outlet. Someone must know something. What about my father his death ruled a homicide. Ashton told me he would say to me everything in due time. I'm not sure if I can wait that long, and I'm not sure if I can believe him. His actions have shown me nothing. His protection is not worth my sanity, and it took me being away from him to realize that.

Talk of the Town...News

Now for an Update on the Mitchell murders. Hey Trisha, I'm here in for the Mitchell residence out in Strongneck long island. The couple has been dead for six weeks. Their body was discovered after an unidentified neighbor who reported an odd smell.

Jasmine is there any leads on; No Tisha authorities are not releasing any new information either. The only possible lead, we can speculate on is the caller. That so odd why would the caller lie about knowing them.

StrongNeck Long Island suddenly rings a bell. I know that area well. I grabbed my iPhone and searched up the address 789 Ferry Lane over in StrongNeck. I have always been good at remembering numbers and faces. It's a handy skill. That is the same address we traced from my dad's phone. I remember Ashton telling me about this place; he needed to look into a house. But, when he returned, he never told me what he found. Did he see those bodies? More flashbacks ran through my mind. I remember him immediately going to the truck to change his clothing. And then, talking on the phone to someone complaining about a smell. Honestly, I thought he and Jérôme was being idiots again. I didn't think it was anything serious. But did he have something to do with the murders? "No," I instantly rejected the idea. The news anchor said, "they were dead for six weeks." Pacing back-and-forth in the kitchen, I felt so anxious. Why didn't he tell me what he saw? He saw those bodies and came out of that house with a folder. Is that why he was acting so weird the same night? or it could have been a number of things.

I've realized that I can no longer wait for Ashton; I need to find out what happened to my father. I took out a piece of paper and jot down the names of people that I wanted to solve Jessica Ford, Asia Smart, and Kevin Hall. It didn't have to be in that order, as long as, I find out what happened to everyone on this list. This is a reminder of what's at stake; I will not give up because actual people are missing. I've been playing house with Ashton thinking that he has my best interest in at heart; when-all-the-while he only cared about his own. Well, no more. I'm not going to get anywhere with this mystery if I don't figure it out myself.