Chapter 9: The Picture
(A/N) I only own my own OCs, Sorry about the delay in the getting this chapter up.
Disclaimer: See end of chapter
"Cody?" A familiar voice said.
"I think he's waking up, easy son." Another voice said. Unfamiliar, but he knew he had heard it somewhere.
Cody could hear other voices all around him as his feeling returned to him. He determined he was laying on something soft, which turned out to be a couch. A soft blanket was wrapped around him.
He slowly opened his eyes. Everything was blurred. Cody blinked twice, clearing his vision. He was surrounded by strangers he assumed to be people from the service. He looked to his right and over the couch back, saw a familiar face. "Hi Crystal." He said weakly, his voice just above a whisper. "W-what happened?"
"You fainted." She said, "When they brought the coffin by us. Mr. Pike was nice enough to bring us back here."
Cody turned his head, so he was looking down at the cream colored carpet, trying to remember what happened. He remembered seeing Theodore, Matthew's father…and murderer, walking up to the podium. He strained his memory a little harder. The last thing he was able to remember were the pallbearers walking Matthew's coffin to the back of the courtyard.
Cody tried to sit himself up using his elbows for support. He felt Crystal grab his right arm to help him up. "Easy there." A second voice said from his left as another set of hands grabbed his left arm. Cody looked over to see Theodore holding his left arm. Cody tried to wiggle his left arm free. Get off me. He thought, but he was too weak to free himself. "Easy there." Theodore said again. "We're just trying to help you."
With Crystal and Theodore's support, Cody was able to get to his feet. He shook slightly for a few seconds, but then was able to stand on his own. "T-thanks, I'm fine now." He said as they let go.
Theodore smiled, but something about it didn't look right. It was as if someone had taped his lips back in a smile position. "Your friend was really worried about you. She refused to leave your side."
"Thanks." Cody said as Theodore walked away to join the other people in the next room. Cody was then able to take his first real look at his surroundings. The wallpaper had a dark green pattern on it, then halfway up the wall, was a wooden siding. Above that, the wall was cream colored.. In the corner was a fireplace, cluttered with pictures.
Cody walked over to the fireplace, followed closely by Crystal. The pictures on the left throughout the center mostly featured a young boy. In some he was playing sports, in others he was smiling at the camera as if life couldn't get any better. That must be Matthew! Cody thought to himself. All the way on the right was another picture of Matthew. He looked slightly younger than the picture Cody had seen on the news. His hair was a little longer, but still worn in a mushroom cut.
Matthew's father was on his left and there was a woman on his right. She had long dark hair and pretty green eyes. Cody then returned his gaze back to Matthew and noticed something different. Unlike all the other pictures, this time he wasn't smiling. His lips were tightly pressed together and his eyes had a look of pure anger in them. "Hey Cody, look at this." Crystal said.
"Yeah?" He said looking over.
"Check out this cracked one in the back." Crystal said, picking up a small picture in a dull gold frame. The glass over the picture had a large crack down the middle of it with several smaller cracks in the bottom left corner. The picture was wrinkled and had several crease lines in it. It showed Matthew's father and a different woman holding a small baby with brown hair, dressed in a blue outfit. All three of them were smiling as if it was the happiest moment of their lives.
Cody noticed a small edge of yellow paper sticking out from behind the picture. Carefully he opened frame and pulled out an old newspaper clipping. It read:
Woman, 43, Dies of Heart Attack
(Boston) At 4:32am this morning, Kristen Pike, 43, died of
complete heart failure. Doctors believe she suffered a massive
heart attack and died instantly in her sleep. Genetic heart disease
was believed to be the main factor. The fact that she was also
a heavy smoker was a contributing factor. Kristen had
separated from her husband over a year ago. She leaves him and
one son (13). Though unconfirmed, it was believed they were in
the process of planning their second wedding. Services to be held
on Sunday.
"So, this must have been Matthew's birth mom," Cody muttered.
"And that must have been his step mother." Crystal finished, nodding over to the other picture. Tears formed in her eyes. Why didn't he tell me? Why did he just push me away? I could have helped him!
Crystal stammered back over to the couch, her hands over her eyes. Tears flowed freely now. Cody hugged her close to him. "I'm so sorry." He said softly, almost crying himself.
"Why? Why? WHY?" She said. The third "why" drew some looks from the other guests, but they quickly went back to their own business with a small wave of Cody's hand. Cody then brought his arm over her and held her tighter. "I could have helped! All I said was 'I never want to speak to you again.' That's why he changed. His mom died just before she got back together with his dad. Why didn't I try harder? I should have known it was something big."
"It's not your fault." Cody said soothingly. He looked up for a second and saw Matthew standing by the fireplace. Unlike before, this time his eyes seemed to have a hint of sadness in them. A split second later he disappeared. Cody turned his attention back to Crystal. "It's not your fault." He was crying softly now.
"I don't know. I…just don't…know"
Cody, looked directly into her eyes, and gently put is hand on her chin. "No it's not." Crystal just buried her face into his chest. sobbing softly.
The second time he looked up, Cody saw Theodore walking towards him and Crystal holding the picture and clipping. "Oh I'm sorry Mr. Pike." He said. "I'll put it back."
He sat down next to them. "She died two weeks before we were due to be wed again. Matthew was devastated. He was never the same after that. Even after I married his step mother, Marsha," he nodded to the other picture. "He became…angrier…full of hate. Marsha…died about three weeks ago. Well that's…done now."
"I'm sorry. I-I think we're gonna g-get going." Cody said, stuttering slightly. 'T-thanks for taking care of me."
"You take care now."
The tone in Theodore's voice confirmed Cody's thoughts. He was the killer. For what reason however, Cody hoped he wouldn't find out.
(A/N) I just chose smoking as a cause because it was the first thing that popped into my mind. Any opinions I have on his matter are completely independent of the story. Please Read and review.
