Dark Intentions

7: Television

Chapter 7

Once I don't hear Devon's footsteps, I throw off the blankets, rolling out of bed. I go downstairs, trying my best to act like I just rose from a nap; just in case I come in contact with Devon. When I get downstairs, I spot a lot of grocery bags. I poke through them, wanting to make myself something that I won't be sick from. I quickly take a loaf of bread and some cold cuts from some of the plastic bags and quickly put together a sandwich. When I'm done, I put the bread in a cabinet next to the fridge, the place where I put the cold cuts as well.

I sit down on the couch with a sigh and pick up the television remote, turning it on. I flip through the channels while taking small bites from my lunch. The feeling of relaxing and having some food to eat was so normal that I could almost forget that I was probably in a most wanted murderer's house. The thought brought a wave of sorrow and dread over me, making me wish my old life back. This was probably going to be my new life from now on, enduring the unbearable pains day and night as Devon put it.

When I'm about done with my sandwich and I don't feel like flipping through the channels anymore do to my gloomy thoughts, I pass the news channel. I quickly turn that channel back on where a woman with caked on makeup speaks. Her hands are folded over a couple of papers, a picture of me smiling right beside her.

" - police officials still search for Cole even after a week of fruitless findings. Stephanie Cole was last seen at a college party that consisted of minors and the use of illegal substances, said to be unconscious in the upper level bathroom by eyewitnesses Kayla Brandy, Aaron Schniber and Joseph Loadholt." the anchor firmly stated, sympathy laced through her words. The woman was cut off by another clip, a clip of a tear stained Kayla.

"I don't know, she was there. I remember laying there." Kayla sobs, holding Joseph's hand. His expression is concerned, worried and concentrated. He stares off into the distance as if trying to sort through some kind of puzzle.

"Did you see any strange characters present at the party Kayla?" a condescending woman's voice asked. She wasn't in the camera's view, probably listening intently to Kayla's every word behind the microphone and taking notes.

"No. No I didn't." Kayla answers, sniffing. She visibly squeezes Joseph's hand.

"If you could say one last think to Stephanie right now, what would you say?" the woman questions again, speaking softly. At this, Kayla cries a little more, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes to trail down her cheeks.

"I -" Kayla hiccups, breathing. "I would tell her that I miss her. I would tell her that I love her, that I love her for being my best friend, my sister and the person that I held dearly to my heart. You were the heart of the party Steph, the bright, weird one. We would always have fun, doing the most craziest -" Kayla pauses, trying to refrain from cursing. "things. And that no matter what happens," Kayla looks directly into the camera with her tearful eyes. "we will all remember you. I don't know it you're dead or not Steph, but I know that you're smart, and that you can make the right decisions. Just keep yourself alive for us," Kayla glances at Joseph and back. "for your family and for yourself. We all love and miss you Steph, and we will try our very bests to look for you for how ever long it would take." Kayla finishes. When she's done speaking, the clip ends and cuts to another one of my parents. Their eyes are both filled with tears as well.

"How are you feeling Mr. and Mrs. Cole?" the reporter behind the camera asks, tentatively. My parents take a moment before starting.

"We're okay. We just want to have our daughter safely back home." my dad speaks, his voice raw from crying. My mother sits beside him, sniffing.

"Do you approve of your daughter attending an illegal party?" the reporter continues.

"I certainly feel disappointed in her for making the wrong decisions." my father says. "But I can't stay angry at her forever."