Oakbrook - The Portal

The Abandoned Car

The Abandoned Car

Just after midnight, he checked his watch, it was going to be a long day. His shift was over, and he was on his way home. At least Hallowe'en was over, and they could rearrange the shop again. But now it was all the Christmas stock waiting to fill the aisles, and then the people of Oakbrook would start complaining it was too soon, Christmas was happening too early.

"No rest for the wicked," he muttered, easing the car along the dark road, headlights slicing the black gloom cast by trees between the narrow pools of street lights. Slowing by the entrance to Beldam Woods, he automatically checked for any sign of activity inside. At this time of year there was often something going on in there, and it was usually local kids. He wanted to get home, and go to bed, but he couldn't help checking.

Something caught his eye. A glint of metal? Glass? A flicker of light?

Sighing, he pulled over and lowered the car window. The torch light danced along thick tree trunks, glistening on wet leaves. Orange and red reflected from the rear lights of the car parked neatly at the side of the entrance. Not odd in itself, but the car was dark and silent, with the driver door wide open. Normally, a torch shone into a car would produce a scramble of movement and embarrassed apologies. But there was no nothing.

Shutting off the engine, he got out and stood at the entrance, leaning one hand on the damp wood of the gate. "Hello?" he called, feeling foolish. His voice was swallowed by the dark woods. Torchlight swung back and forth a few times, but he could still see nothing. He unlatched and opened the gate, treading carefully towards the car. The keys hung from the ignition. Shining the torch inside, he checked there was no-one in need of help. The battery was dead. He left the keys where they were, closed the open door and went back to his own car. He could report it as abandoned after he got some sleep, if he remembered.

Dark hair tumbled round her face, scooped back as she ran a brush through to the ends. It needed a trim really, but she never found the time. A small hand gripped her trouser leg. "I'll do yours next, ok Susan?" She looked down at a young face, wishing she could promise everything would be fine. "Then some breakfast, and then school?"

The small girl nodded, uncertain. "Toast with jam?" she asked, so quiet her voice was almost a whisper.

"Sure." She pulled the brush through the girl's blonde hair. So like her mother's.

"Aunty Kate, when will Mummy come home?" The question innocent, and should be simple.

"I don't know." Kate believed in honesty, even when she ached to reassure with a lie. "But you can stay here until she does, as long as you need to." Any further conversation was interrupted by a tapping on the bathroom door.

"Can the boys have a turn yet?" A voice called from the landing.

"Just a minute, Jack, we're almost done." Kate laughed, tying Susan's hair back in a ponytail to keep it off her face. She swung the bathroom door open to find her husband, Jack, waiting with their son, Tom by his side, both sets of unruly dark hair in need of brushing. "Love you both loads! Don't be too long, I'm making toast for breakfast." She let Susan lead the way downstairs, and help make breakfast. Poor kid, she thought. A week after Hallowe'en and her mother was still missing.

Home alone, after dropping Tom and Susan at school, Kate was, as usual, watching the road as she did the housework. Every car passing by caught her eye. Every flash of light, every movement. She half expected Sam to come walking up the path to the front door. But she was also dreading the police visit that seemed more likely with each passing day. The sound of a slowing engine, and slightly squeaky brakes, had Kate at the window, pulling the curtain aside. She waved as the car door opened. No need to panic, it was just Lily.