Fading Pasts

Chapter 2

(Above is a picture of Michael)

I didn't sleep that night, no one in their right mind would have been able to sleep that night. I sat in a chair facing the front door, the phone clutched in my hand with Drax snoring peacefully by my feet unaware of the day that was about to take place.

...

I realized that no one would be coming to the house that night as the first light of dawn shone through the window and warmed the otherwise cold room. I walked to the kitchen to make myself coffee. I needed to be awake if I was getting her back today. I took a sip of the piping hot coffee and as it touched my tongue it burned slightly, but I still kept drinking. There was a knock on the door, and I dropped to the floor with the coffee cup crashing down with me. Sneaking around the counter, I peered out the window to see Ann outside in her uniform. If I opened that door and this man was watching me, I could be risking her life. But knowing Ann if I didn't answer, she would break her way in. I decided it would be better to get rid of her, so a cop wasn't lurking around our property. The door creaked as it opened almost whining in protest.

"Good morning Ann."

"John. You didn't get a lick of sleep last night, did you?"

"No ma'am."

"You know that we will find her. I promise you that."

"I know. It'll be okay, just go find her please."

"I will do everything in my power."

I started stepping toward the door in an effort to push her out. I didn't need her here making things worse on my part. It may have been rude, but I shut the door without as much as a wave.

...

Seconds turned into minutes and then to hours. It wasn't until 5 when the sun was already set that the phone rang.

"Hello?"

The autotuned voice rang out in response.

"The cop, Ann, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"I know you followed my rules. I have eyes and ears on you, know that."

"What do you want from me?"

"John, I want you to find someone for me."

"Who?"

"Michael Oswald."

"What do I do when I find him?"

"Watch."

The phone call ended after that. My body went numb with the word "watch" echoing in my mind. I still felt the same numbness as I climbed into the car. I entered the name Michael Oswald into google, too many results to sift through. I narrowed it down and entered Michael Oswald in Lewisburg, VA. A news article popped up about a kidnapping that happened over a year ago. The husband, Michael Oswald, came home drunk one night and didn't realize his wife was gone until the next morning. It didn't list an address, but it did list a place of employment for the wife. I looked at the time, and if I rushed, I could make it to the office. I arrived thirty minutes later at an insurance company. The lights were still on, but only a janitor remained inside.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"I had a question about my friend, Danny Oswald. I went to high school with her and was looking to get back in touch."

The woman's face went pale and then she looked like she was going to be sick.

"Danny Oswald died a year ago. But I can maybe get you in contact with her husband though."