Everything Was Perfect

Chapter 8

(7:43 p.m.)

It took us quite a while to make our way back. We had gotten pretty lost for a moment and Jake wanted to make sure to avoid the savage rabbit. We all stuck pretty close together. Kylee stood in between Jake and me for most of the journey home. By the time we saw the wood of the house peeking through the trees, we had walked probably half the island. The sky had changed color and the sun was touching the horizon. Everything was lit with an orange glow. We made our way across the yard and up the porch steps somewhat hastily. Jake quickly pushed the door open and his voice rang out, filled with hope and relief.

"Mom! Dad! We're back!"

Silence filled the air. No one came to greet us, just silence. No footsteps or a holler back. Nothing.

"That's weird..." I said as I followed Jake inside with Kylee trailing behind me.

"I'm sure my dad is just in the kitchen cooking or something... you know my parents, busybodies!" We followed Jake past the fireplace and the dining table, into the kitchen to find it as empty as the previous room. "Bedroom! They're probably pretty glad to have some time away from us kids! Maybe we should just head up to the loft...not bother them..." Jake seemed to be trying to convince himself more than anyone else.

"Jake, wouldn't they have said something? Or would be out here by now? Just let us know that they're here?" Kylee looked down at the floor as she slowly spoke, her eyes moving as if she were tracing the grout in between the tiles.

"Let's go knock. We can leave them be, we just need them to know that we're back." I chimed in before Jake had the chance to respond. I then immediately left the room, once again not leaving any room for discussion. Back passed the table and the fireplace, around the stairs, and back to a closed door that was Jake's parents' room. Kylee had followed after me and Jake along after, he moved stiffly and seemed generally uncomfortable. I knocked on the door, half expecting to hear something fall over in the room or the panic of people. Nothing. I looked back at them, "Guess we go in now-"

"Don't!" Jake hissed at me in a quiet whisper.

Kylee sighed and motioned for me to try again. I did, but this time a bit harder, making the sound louder. Still, there was nothing. "Okay, now I'm going to open the door, no if's or buts." I twisted the knob and swung the door in to see the light off, the room cleaned and intact, and no parents.

"No way.." Jake walked in and surveyed the room. His fist tightened and his eyes became wide. He began to run around the room; opened the closet and ruffled through what was hanging there; dropped to the floor and checked under the bed; he even swung the long curtains out of the way. I watched as his breathing became labored.

"Jake, calm down for a second," I started to walk towards him but he snapped back at me causing me to stop where I was.

"Don't tell me to calm down right now. Your parents aren't missing, are they Lark?" He was only looking at me out of the corners of his eyes, but I felt his anger, his fear, his panic.

"Jake! Shut up! We still have more places to check! You can chew each other out another time! Just stop fighting for an hour! Please!" Kylee stepped in between Jake and me. She was done being quiet. She had been rather out of character for a while now, quiet, in the background, level headed. I thought it was because she was freaked out, but I'm thinking now she was just observing... or that something has been bothering her. "I'll check the backyard, Jake you make sure the car is still here, and Lark you check for cell service." She tried to steady her voice before leaving the room. Jake scowled at the floor for a moment before leaving the room. Once they left I dug into my pocket to find my cell phone.