What Lurks in the Dark

Chapter 11: Through His Eyes

I opened my eyes and looked over to my left and noticed that Edythe wasn't next to me. I sluggishly sat up. "Edythe?" I called out but got no response. I sucked in a deep breath before getting out of bed. I walked toward the hallway and saw Mason walking around downstairs. "Hey, where's Edythe?" I asked loudly, leaning over the banister.

"She went in the yard. She was stressed out." Mason said hesitantly. I wondered why he sounded so reluctant to tell me, but then I stopped giving it any thought. He stuck his hands in his pockets and nonchalantly walked into the kitchen. He was clearly unamused by something. I walked down the stairs and threw on my sneakers. I went to the back door and saw it was slightly opened. I peaked through the screen door and saw Edythe's phone lying face down on the deck. That worried me instantly. I opened the door and rushed outside. A cigarette was burning on the ground. I thought I told her to quit smoking. That's why Mason didn't wanna tell me.

I walked around and analyzed everything but Edythe wasn't there. I picked up her phone and it was cracked. I unlocked the phone and on the screen was my contact. "Edythe?" I yelled. I walked down to the driveway and spotted one of her black converse shoes, there were scuff marks on it.. "Oh no. Edythe!" She wasn't here. She was gone. Her car was still in the driveway.

So many things were shooting through my mind when I realized that she had gone missing. Her one shoe made me think that a struggle was involved. There was too much happening and I didn't think I would be able to keep my shit together for much longer without blowing up.I ran into the house, jogged up the stairs, and swiped my phone off of Edythe's dresser. As I was dialing my boss's number I asked Mason loudly, "Where's James?"

"He went to work. Why? What's wrong?" I didn't want to startle the kid. He had a lot on his plate but he would find out sooner or later. Either way wouldn't be good so I just told the truth.

"I think Edythe was kidnapped," I said reluctantly. I regret telling Mason because of his fragile mental state but I told him nonetheless. I stopped breathing for a moment. What if I don't find her? What if I lose her? I love her and I didn't get a chance to tell her. "I'm going to find her. I have to." Mason came running in the room. He looked into my eyes and a tear slowly fell down his cheek. I pat Mason on the head. "I'm going to find her." I finally hit the call button and the dial tone began to ring.

"Hello?" Commander Lee answered, here voice monotonous.

"Commander, Edythe was kidnapped! I think it was our culprit." I was out of breath. I clenched my jaw. Commander Lee sent out dispatch cars immediately. Forensics came and took pictures of her shoe, the cigarette, and her phone but it was all useless. This frantic flailing around was doing nothing. I needed to get to her. I was going to find her myself.

Once James arrived back at the house he was informed of everything. He was distraught. His only sister was gone. All she'd done was go out on the deck and smoke a cigarette. And now she was gone.

I sat on the couch with my head in my hands. I tried to think. Where would Justin have taken her? I knew deep down, with every fiber of my being that he did this.

Justin tried to erase his existence, and it was evident when Edythe said that most of his information was gone from the database. But when I saw his mugshot on the monitor, I was brought back to our childhood; how I ignored the signs of his unhealthy mental state. I wanted to believe that he was normal.

When we were kids, Justin got into a lot of trouble. It started with simple things. He was an avid reader. I went into his room one day and found an anatomy book. Not that weird right? But it evolved. I found him reading crime books as well. Also not that strange.

One day I was looking for Justin because I wanted to show him a new game that I'd just received. Mom told me that he was in the backyard. I ran outside and peeked through the shed window that had a rotten wood frame. The run-down shed, that was his hiding spot. I saw him cutting into a dead animal. I ran back to the house and told my parents. He'd gotten in trouble and began to resent me. Things only got worse. He started getting into fights. But the fights were brutal. He permanently disabled one boy after stabbing his lower spine. Justin was only 14 at the time.