Chapter 1.Valentines Day in Georgia
Don walked through the hallway of the small apartment building and pressed the key into the awaiting crevice then turned it waiting to hear the awaiting click. He turned the handle and stepped into the apartment hearing the faint sound of running water and TV commercials. Don has a secret…
It was warm and dark on this early Sunday morning and 18 year old Don Flack was standing out on the deck to his grandmother's home in Georgia. He had been sent out in the middle of the school year to help care for her while she was sick. That's when he met Haley Elizabeth. She was vision in red with light brown curls and piercing blue eyes. He had fallen for her. She was now the reason Don hated and loved Valentines Day. Valentines day was the day Don found out the most life changing news he ever had. It had been nine months since then and they had managed to stay together through it although she had been missing for 12 hours now. Hearing soft cries Don stepped of the deck and looked around the grounds. He spotted a pink blanket and lifted the light bundle to feel it move squirming and turning.
Flack shut the door behind him trying to shake the memory. He walked to the bathroom and shut off the trickling faucet. He turned grabbing the remote and shut off the TV. Walking to his room he began to gather his clothing.
The top floor was where Don had lived for ten years. It was gorgeous and close to work. Walking back to the living room he tripped over a package that had been placed out side of his room. That's what he had received that fateful night.
Don grimaced as the bundle squirmed around in his arms. What it was he had no idea. He gently placed it back on the ground deciding not to disturb it. Flipping open his notebook he began to study for a calculus test he had next week. Concentrating was a problem with the bundles lungs straining for air as its cries turned to screams.
Shaking the memory again he placed the laundry hamper next to the front door and looked around at the cleaned apartment. Turning his head he saw a plate of cookies strategically placed to hold the cookie stabbed with a toothpick note holder. The note read for you and Don smiled to him self. He remembered the smell of the fog from that night…
Don placed a pencil in the notebook and closed it. He hesitantly walked back to the bundle and gently picked it up brushing off the dirt. His hands shook as he tried to open the front, which was tied with twine to keep it closed. Finally he opened it and quickly inhaled rushing towards the house.
Don closed his eyes remembering Haley. He hated her now for everything she had done to something so innocent. Whirling around at the sound of the front door closing Don smiled at the figure before him. It walked to the kitchen lifting a cookie to their mouth.
"Hi Daddy"