The Bear House

Act 1. Chapter 4: The Mystery of the Bear House

Act 1. Chapter 4: The Mystery of the Bear House

A drunk angry man has been called out of bed at 10:00 am in the morning, making him even angrier than possible. He's carrying a bottle of cheap beer and sporting a raggedy clothes that consists only of a t-shirt that was once white and boxer shorts that were once... definitely not holed.

Beside him is a woman who purposely stood three metres away. She is in sharp work clothes, expensive designer bag, and a costly-looking Rolex. The man beside him has asked for some change for several times now, and the last thing she wants to happen is have people associate her with the likes of him.

"Mr. Meyers, Ms. Keller, good morning."

"Good morning." Ms. Keller greeted professionally.

"Aye." Mr. Meyers greeted groggily, not even looking at the police officer's way.

Ms. Keller rolled her eyes.

"Are you the parents of the missing boy, Colin Meyers?"

"Yes." They both said simultaneously.

The officer looked at them incredulously, his stance shifting to shock. "Do you even know your son has been missing? None of you reported about it, his friend did. Now, at least tell me you cared."

Mr. Meyers stepped forward, wobbling his way to the officer. "Look, sire." He started with his obvious copy of the English accent. "He's a big boy, he's 17! Sometimes he just goes out with friends, have fun, aye? He comes back nice and clean, after um... two to three days... yeah? He'll be back in no time!"

"So Colin goes out for two to three days, and you never thought that was improper?" Said Ms. Keller, with a voice that says she could not be bothered. She stared at her Rolex, quite irritated of the ticks wasted.

"Oi! Don't act like you cared. You never even visit."

"I'm busy with my job, a job that I have to feed my son, and his leech of a father."

"Don't act smart with me, ey? We followed you here in England so he could meet you, and what did you do? Shooed him away! If my son is a druggie, it's all because of you!"

Ms. Keller rolled her eyes yet again. "I did no such thing! I wanted him but you said you'll have to be there, too. And excuse me, but I'm not letting your stupid dirty arse in my home!"

As Ms. Keller was about to leave, the officer took her attention. "Ms. Keller, we called you both here in regards to Colin's custody. It has been clear that Mr. Meyers is not taking care of the boy, and we would like you to have him."

"That's perfect!" Ms. Keller said enthusiastically. She suddenly became soft and sweet from her earlier stance. "Mr. Officer, you have no idea how much I wanted my son, but this bastard right here wants to bleed me dry for drug money just to have him. What do I do, officer?"

Mr. Meyers has gotten red from anger, and before he could even express his disbelief, the officer stopped him. "I believe you will have to sue."

"DON'T YOU DARE! My son is my world, you bitch!"

"You're just keeping him because I give him money, you bastard. See you in court, now I have enough evidence of child neglect."

As Ms. Keller enters the police station, Mr. Meyers shouted "Cunt!" and staggered his way towards his own smelly apartment. Colin is his son, and the only reason why he's in England. He needs to find him, explain his position to Colin, and have him say that he will want to be with his father.

*

Jacques was behind some officers while trekking through the forbidden forest where the Bear House stands. He is full of worry and wonder for his lost mate, thinking about the old legends in the small old country that he usually questions if true.

One rookie officer from London was more than excited on tackling a mystery case. He's young, only a few years older than Jacques, his eyes are open like it holds a child-like wonder, despite his tall and muscular stature.

"So what's this Bear House Legend you lot were talking about? Is it ghosts? Is it medieval? Ey?"

Jacques is not in the proper mental state to feed the rookie's curiosity, but no one in the group was interested of repeating the same mystery every time this case happens. Besides, the rookie was looking down at Jacques.

He sighed before starting. "It's not medieval. It's just eighty years ago, during the great depression. There was a manor owned by a rich couple before the white-stoned cliff. The couple was on vacation in Italy and left their only son alone with a butler. When they came back, their son was dead, mauled by a bear."

"Dang. And the butler?"

"Killed himself."

"Ouch, mate. Probably scared of the parents' wrath, eh? So what's the mystery there?"

Jacques shrugged. "I never take the rumors seriously, but they say the butler's spirit, Noah Goldie, is taking in boys 17 years of age, to act as his young master. If they're perfect enough, they never come back."

The Londoner was respectful enough not to speak what's on his mind, for example, Colin Meyers is far from being a perfect young master, if so, why was he taken? Was Colin just an unlucky soul?