Waves Of Crime
Chapter 1- The First Crime
"ELLI!" My name rang out across the Clinic as my best bud Mary burst in; tears welled up in her blue eyes.
"What? What's wrong?" I ran around the mahogany receptionist desk, to comfort her.
"Someone broke into our house last night and stole Mother's pearls and diamonds!" She cried, flinging herself at me. I gasped. Who had anything against Mary's family? They had never been vengeful or cruel.
"That's horrible!" I replied, patting her shoulder gently.
"And, Rod's back." I gasped again. No way! Rod had left a while back, the drunk he was. The burglar could easily have been that cruel man.
"No way!" If Rod was already attacking innocent families, who knows, Grandma could be next. "Thanks. Need anything?" I asked hurriedly, as Doctor peered through the divider to see what all the ruckus was.
"No." Mary sobbed. "Just stop by later." With a final dramatic sob; Mary left the Clinic, trudging back to the Library. This was such a tragedy. Poor Mary.
"Elli take this box to Lillia." Doc said strictly, snapping me back to reality, handing me the heavy box.
Just as soon as the door to the Clinic shut quietly behind me, a strange pit feeling in my stomach advised me not to go.
Don't go! It begged. I shook my head vigorously; this was my job, and I was to do it.
I set off down the road, tucking the small wooden box under my arm. I passed a few gossiping townspeople, and they were all mumbling about the burglary.
"That's what I heard!" Manna said defiantly to Sasha, who both happened to be in Rose Plaza as I cut through.
"No way! Anna's family has no enemies! Who could be behind such a cold hearted crime?" Sasha questioned. Manna shrugged.
"They say it might be Rod." Sasha shuddered.
"That man is nothing but trouble. Lillia deserves better."
Manna agreed. "Well, I suppose it's better than that fool of a doctor that plays down on his emotions. Both him and Zack." Manna joked. Both women hooted with laughter, and I quickened my pace.
I found myself standing on the doorstep to Poultry Farm, and I knocked softly, afraid that Rod might answer.
Instead, it was Rick. He was nerdy, but bearable. "Hello." He said softly. "Do come in."
Popuri bounced down the stairs behind him. "Daddy's home!" She bellowed.
Rick cringed. "All these years I've hoped he would come back a changed man, but no, he comes back worse than before." He shook his head sadly.
A ragged looking young man stood in the hallway upstairs, with haphazard blond hair and these dull gray eyes. He might have been more attractive if he didn't swagger as he walked down the flight of stairs or hiccup every few moments.
"Hello there." Rod said, adjusting his plaid button up shirt. Rick mumbled something about feeding the chickens, and bolted for the door.
Rod's breath smelt of alcohol, and I was getting dizzy just smelling it. I couldn't help but wonder why he and Duke weren't such great friends.
"I came to give this to Lillia." I said politely, coughing on the stench.
"Oh, my wife." He said, as though just realizing why Elli had shown up at their doorstep.
"Oh, Lillia, dear! There's a package for you!" He yelled up the stairs, leaning on the dining room chair for support.
When Lillia came down the stairs, with rosy cheeks, I felt terrible for her. She looked so happy to see her husband that I felt guilty believing he was responsible for Mary's misfortune.
Lillia opened the package greedily, and inside, was a bottle of Turbojolt XL, and a small card wishing her a happy birthday.
Rod was peering over her shoulder, and his expression darkened after reading the small card's message.
"You've went off and cheated on me!" Rod accused. Lillia seemed stunned.
"No. He's been giving me treatment for my disease." Lillia explained. Rod didn't look too convinced.
"I don't believe you. You're in love and just won't admit it! I won't permit you to leave this house until I get a full explanation!" Rod barked, and I cowered into the corner.
"GET OUT!" He barked at me, and I scurried out the door, but Rod blocked me.
"Don't you ever come back either." He said, giving me a forceful shove out the door, tripping me.
I lay sprawled in the dust as the sound of the door slamming reverberated around me. I waited a moment, before realizing that Rick was standing over me.
He extended his hand, and I accepted his help getting back to my feet. "I'm sorry. I never realized that my father was such a terrible person. Elli, don't come back. I'll take care of this."
Bravely, Rick went back into his house, and I left before Rod blamed anything else on me.
I ran the way back to the Clinic, shoving past a startled Doc, and locking myself in my upstairs room, next to Doc's.
I could still feel the rhythm of my pounding heart and the noise of Rod's careless yelling. I stood with my back to the door.
Rod was a terrible person. He had to have Anna's jewels. But there was no way to get them.
Even though it was only noon, after I explained, Doctor allowed me to stay upstairs until I felt calmer.
I knew I would never forget his haphazard appearance, and his horrible alcohol breath.
And the sound of his voice and his mirthless yelling was something I would carry with me for life.
My heart beat faster in my chest.
I was just being overly dramatic, right?