Chapter 6.
We arrived in front of the auto parts shop in what seemed like no time. Wow I didn't even notice the walk over. I wonder if that's how characters feel when authors just skip the walk and they just end up at their destination. Like when I'm driving. The old run down sign proudly proclaimed that it was indeed "GUS'S GARAGE." and miracle of miracles it had a little "OPEN" sign on the door.
I took a breath and glanced over at Sarah, "Ready for this Guido?"
She shook her head with a small smile, before glancing at me, "Yeah, let's do this."
Nodding, I stepped forward, casting a tentative eye at the grimy whitewashed exterior. I have a bad feeling about this. I pushed the glass door inward with a wince as my lower back twinged, spinning to hold it for Sarah to pass, tossing me a nod as she did.
I took in the dust coated interior, the low shelves, the smell of oil, tire rubber, and the sensation at the back of the throat that comes with breathing deeply in forgotten places. The prickling across my shoulders once again erupted. Well now I know how it would feel if someone wrote a horror story at a Pep Boys.
The yellowed lighting was doing the shadows in the corners no favors as I cast a look around, searching for the service desk. Although what kind of service they offer here might be up for debate. I started to walk down one of the isles, taking in the rows of car oil, anti-freeze, windshield wiper fluid and car floor mats? Who organized this?
As I made my way to the back, I saw the empty service desk and an old rusted desk bell. Oh yes. As I reached out to ding the bell It really is the little things Sarah's hand appeared out of nowhere to lightly tapped the little knob, sending a small, shrill echo through the empty shop. Did she just...
I turned to glare at her, taking in her shit eating grin .
"Fuck you."
Her quiet chuckle carried throughout the store, fading out as the sound of hinge scraped along my eardrums. I winced as footsteps approached. Its gonna be some fat greasy old guy and its going to be so awkward and he's going to hit on Sarah and I'm going to have to kill him for being a sleezeball and then we are going to get run out of town and have to flee across the border and take on new identi-
The young man who ended up rounding the corner effectively put a stop to my internal ramblings. Oh...well... this might not be such a bad thing after all. He was in his late twenties with sharp features and gentle eyes, with a friendly smile that he offered us as he walked up to the other side of the counter. HIs body was open and relaxed, although as he took us in as strangers, his back and shoulders straightened as curiosity flashed across his face.
"Good morning. What can I help you ladies with?"
Oh nice voice too.
"Morning," I answered stepping up. "The timing belt on our car just wore out and we were hoping that you might carry the same model so we could get a replacement."
He raised an eyebrow, "That's an unusual problem, are you sure that's what it is?"
Did he just-? "Yeah no I'm certain that's what it is." I managed to keep the sharpness in my voice to a minimum, but I could hear the irritation in my tone, and I was sure both the clerk and Sarah could to.
He immediately became apologetic, which surprised me. "Oh yeah, sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything. Just a little shocked that's all. But let me see if we have what you need in stock. What is the model of your car?"
Appeased by his peace offering, I did my best to regulate my tone, "Its a V8 on a '98 Ford Taurus." Watch- they aren't going to have it, and we are going to fucking stuck in this creepy little town with the nosey locals.
He nodded, "Let me run to the stock room." At my nod, he turned and left, his footsteps fading before the door hinges sounded again.
I turned to Sarah, expecting a reprimand form my self-proclaimed conscience, but to my surprise, she didn't say a word. She as looking downward and her eyes were unfocused, staring off into the middle distance. I noticed a sheen of sweat glistening in the dim light. What the?
A sliver of unease shot through me, making the itching across my shoulders spread, making the hair on my arms and the back of my neck rise.
"Sarah?" I asked quietly , and when she didn't responded, I carefully grabbed her shoulder. The physical contact seemed to bring her back to the present, and she blinked, her eyes refocusing on my face. She looks awful, like really sick. But she didn't say anything. It took me a second. She didn't hear me.
"You ok?"
She gave me a weary smile and a light nod. Right, she's fine and I can fly. But I let it go for the moment. Maybe it's a good thing we got delayed here.
I looked away from her to let my eyes meander of the store, trying to pretend to be interested in what I was seeing so that she didn't feel the need to converse with me. I happened to notice a small frame on the corner of the counter and actual curiosity got me to move over to it. In the picture, it was the lad we had spoken to, a young blonde woman around the same age, and they were looking at a pudgy baby cradled between the two of them.
Of course, gay or taken. I let a small sigh as I took in the adoring smiles of the two adults as they regarded what was clearly their child between them. They looked so proud.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket in the middle of class. As slyly as I could, I slipped it out of my back pocket to see who had texted me. It was from my mom, and I unlocked my phone to see the full message. It was a picture of my parents bundled up against the winter winds, and my brother in his dress blues between them. My parents were beaming on either side of him and my brother, towering above them, had an small but smug smile on his face. The text beneath it read-
Just finished his induction ceremony! Our (not so) little soldier boy. SO PROUD.
I breathed in sharply as the memory, feeling an ache in my chest. Almost without a thought, I brought my hand up to press lightly at the spot just above the ache, right above my heart, to try and ease the sensation as I turned away. Stop thinking about it. It won't do you any good. Worry about Sarah. That is a problem you can fix.
I allowed my eyes to wander back over to her, the silence of the store pressing on my ears as I took in her hunched shoulders. Before I could delve further, however, I heard the door open, and rather than say anything, I returned to my spot next to Sarah, rubbing her arm briefly, watching as she breathed deeply and straightened. Like she was trying to disregard her exhaustion. What a pair we make.
The footsteps heralded the clerks approach, and moments later he was back in sight. Empty handed. FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKKK.
He had an apologetic smile on his face, "Yeah unfortunately we don't have it in stock, but I've taken the liberty of ordering for you?" I nodded. What else can we do? The car won't run without it. He continued, "Right so it should be here in about three days."
THREE?! "Yeah ok, that's fine, I guess."
He nodded, "Ok then, I'll ring you up when it gets here." I nodded again.
"Alright then we'll get out of your hair. Thanks for your help, we do appreciate it."
"Yeah of course. Where should I drop a line to let you know when it arrives?"
"Oh, right. Um, here I'll write down my phone number and you can just call?"
"Perfect. One sec." He ducked out of sight and popped back up moment later with a sticky note pad and a pen, which he offered me.
I jotted down my number, reciting it in my head 310-92 WAIT what if there's a mind reader? can't let them know my number! Wait... God I'm a fucking idiot before pushing the pad back, "Thanks again. We'll wait to hear from you."
He nodded and tossed a "Have a good one!" over his shoulder as he rounded the corner. I turned to Sarah, tilting my head to meet her eye, then nodded toward the door with a raised eyebrow. She gave a quick shake of her head then nodded and we began to make our way back to the door. I lagged just a little bit to allow me to observe her for a moment. Her feet are dragging.
We got to the door, and I stepped around her, pulling it open, before following her back into the sun. We both stopped just outside the threshold. Ok so what next?
I looked at her, and saw that she seemed a little more aware than she had in the store. Maybe it was just the building. I can't say I would be surprised if it was, the place was fucking creepy, even if the technician is bangin'.
Sarah took a deep breath next to me and I watched from the corner of my eye as she straightened and sort of wiggled herself a bit, stretching out her back, before she turned to me.
"So... battle plan?"
I nodded a bit before casting a look around. So we are stuck here for three days. We need a bed, place to eat, and my car is parked illegally. And who the fuck is watching us?
I felt that sharp sense of someone hovering on the periphery of my sightline again, and I casually took another glance around, shooting a quick look up to the sky, but again there was no one. The prickling across my shoulders sharpened. BAD.
He smiled at me as I dug in my heals, amused by my absolute refusal to get in line for the free-fall ride. He gave another tug on my arm, trying to get me to follow him.
"Come on you big chicken, what are you afraid of? It's perfectly safe."
I scoffed, "They say the same thing about driving cars and flying in airplanes. Perfectly safe until the damn thing has crashed."
He laughed, "But you aren't afraid of those now are you? Nah I think you are just scared."
And suddenly his amusement with my very real nerves sparked the kindling the adrenalin in my system provided. I ripped my arm free from his grip. "I. Am. Not. Getting. On. That. Ride."
His smile slid off as he realized I wasn't joking around or being stubborn just to pick a fight, which was my usual ploy for getting what I wanted. He seemed to realize I was actually afraid.
"Ok ok fine, you go grab ice cream from the stand over there," he gesture to the stall a little ways away. "I'll ride this one, and then we can go to the Log Ride, ok?"
He hated the Log Ride, though it was one of my favorites, and I saw the apology, but for some reason my fear refused to abate. I managed a nod, and he moved back toward the line. And it was like someone had poured icy water down my back.
"Wait!"
He turned around, that stupid eyebrow raised at me, clearly challenging my intelligence.
"Ok I know this sounds really, really stupid, but please don't get on that thing." I cast a glance at the ride and the passengers getting set for the next round. "I just- please don't. We need to get going soon anyway. Just ..." I petered off as I realized how pathetic I sounded. But he was looking at me with a considering expression.
"Just please don't get on that ride."
He continued to look at me, before bringing his hand up to scratch at his beard, if it could be called that. He was never able to grow the damn thing in completely.
"And is there a reason I shouldn't?"
I took a deep breath, trying to get my pulse to slow, "I just have a bad feeling about it is all."
He regarded me for a moment longer, before he nodded, "Alright." And he started to move off.
"Wait that's it?"
He tossed a wry smile over his shoulder as I took a few hurried steps to catch up to him. Then he answered, "All throughout basic, along with other things, one point they hammered home again and again is to trust your instincts. You are often observing more than you are consciously aware of, and your gut feeling could very well save your life. No matter how dumb it may be, always trust your gut. Its why they still use fighter pilots rather than drones. Because man has an instinct that no machine will ever be able to match."
The farther we got from the damn drop ride, the calmer my body became, and I felt a wash of appreciation at his words.
"And besides kid," he said, his tone turned humorous, "you have some of the best instincts I know of, although sometimes I wonder if you just ignore them on purpose just to see how much shit you can get yourself out of."
I snorted, grateful that was all he was going to say on the matter. I pulled out my phone, checking the time. "Ok it's 14:00 now, to get going anyway if we want to be on time to meet Mom."
"14:00? Really?"
"What? I'm trying to learn the lingo."
He just rolled his eyes as he walked on, and the fear of the day was forgotten, until after we had made it back to the house, and Dad had left the news channel on.
"Following the breaking story from this afternoon, three dead and five others critically injured after a ride at Knott's Berry Farm collapsed under mysterious conditions. The ride, Supreme Scream, inexplicably collapsed at around two o'clock this afternoon. The park has offered no public statement at this time. We will continue to follow this developing story."
I stared in horror up at the screen , and didn't notice him coming in until he said from directly behind me, "See kid. Trust your instincts."
Sarah was still waiting for my answer. It's probably nothing...yeah see lying to myself just doesn't work the same way lying to everyone else does.
"OK so," I clapped my hands together before rubbing them, trying to pump myself up. "This is the battle plan. I'm going to go down to the police station and talk to the lovely Sheriff ..."
"Swan."
"Swan. And tell her about the timing belt, and let her know the car's parked illegally but it's out of the way and we can't move it right now. You are going to go back to the diner. Find out if there is an inn or B&B place we can snag something at. Text me where it is. You are going to go and see if you can get us a couple of rooms, or at least a couple of beds-"
"You don't want to share your bed with me?" She gasped.
"Fuck that," I scoffed.
She smiled, "I think you'll be singing a different tune soon enough. But sounds good. Onward! To the diner!" And with that, she marched off. I took a moment to take her in with a quiet smile. What an idiot. Then I followed her down the street, wincing as my back gave another twinge.
The road took us back up toward the diner we had eaten at and Sarah dipped her head, "This is me." She turned and walked back up to the entrance and disappeared inside. I have no idea where the station is. Idiot.
I mental gave myself a slap upside the head as I cast about for an indicator of where to go when I was passed by the police cruiser, driving up the road and pulling into a spot not too far up the street. Well three guesses why the cop car is parking there. So I made my way up the street, my shoes clomping noisily.
As I marched down the hallway to make the briefing in time, the resounding clack of my shoes echoed up and down the marbled walls, completely covering up the sound of my shadow by my side.
"You walk really loud kid," he said. I just shrugged it off, checking room numbers as I marched past.
"I'm a loud person," was the feeble comeback that I managed to muster.
He snorted, "Really? I hadn't noticed."
That drew my attention enough to give him a sharp smack, which he only barely tried to avoid.
"You are an asshole sometimes, you know that?"
"Who? Me?" he tried to sound affronted, but the smile in his face ruined his minimal acting skills. I rolled my eyes at him.
We marched along and right as we got to the door of the briefing room, he put a hand on my shoulder.
"Kid," and his tone had me pause, suddenly disregarding the time and why we were there. "I like how you walk. It tells everybody that there's a storm coming, and they can either decide to get out of the way and stay dry, or step forward and enjoy the tempest that you'll bring. And the day you cease your storm will be a sad day indeed."
Why is it so hard to forget?
I continued up the street, letting the sensations of the wind and the sun and the noise of my shoes and the breeze to try and drown out what I could of my thoughts. Taking in the colorful store fronts, I again noticed the emptiness of the town. There were no families out walking or people loitering. It was still.
Because everybody is at the religious orgy...Fuck off oh my god. I finally made it to the station, and after yet another deep, reaffirming breath, made my way through the door. And down a hall way. And through another door. I feel like it should be a little more difficult to just walk into a police station.
As I rounded the final doorway and looked into the bull pen, I heard a curt and clipped voice order in a low, almost melodious tone, "Find out, Ms. Swan. I don't want them here if we aren't sure." Then a woman in a sharp black skirt suit and blood red silk blouse nearly ran into me.
Chin held high, shoulders back, spine straight but relaxed, she had a sort of arrogance to her that comes with being accustomed to people agreeing with you. Her makeup was as flawless as the sculpted eyebrow that jumped up her face as she took me in.
To be fair, a two day old flannel shirt, jeans, and high heeled boots isn't the most glamorous of outfits by any stretch, but the scorn I observed in her silent assessment of my person had me a bit more irritated that I probably should have been immediately prior to having a conversation with a sheriff.
I was fuming around the corner from where the rest of the guests were assembled. Fucking family thinks they can just say whatever they want and that it's ok? No. I didn't want to say anything I would regret, so I had left. When I heard steps approach, I was instantly ready to be berated for my rudeness. I wasn't expecting my mom to come around the corner with a soft expression on her face.
"I know," she headed off my explanation before I could even open my mouth. "And quite honestly I agree with you. What she said was way out of line. But that is still no excuse to be rude."
"But why should I be polite to her if she can just be as rude as she wants?"
"I have always looked at it this way. Being polite means you are winning?" I popped a skeptical eyebrow.
"Any person can be rude, and any person can be ungrateful or unthinking. But just imagine this- people are rude because they want to make you mad because they know they have the low ground. Or, " and here a sly smile crept up onto her face, "they are too dumb to realize it. And if you are polite, you will always have the high ground, and people will never see you as dumb."
"Mother!" I mimicked the line from the Pride and Prejudice. "Did you just call your own mother stupid?"
She gave me a cheeky grin. "Now when did I say that?"
I managed a polite smile and a quick, "Excuse me ma'am." Then I stepped around her and into the bull pen, with all two desks and a single now-non-leather-jacketed sheriff.
She raised an eyebrow at me, but straightened from where she had been lounging against one of the two desks. There was paperwork strewn everywhere. Efficient filing system I'm sure.
"Can I help you?" she inquired as she sauntered over. I noticed how much more at ease she seemed here, like the walls were giving her moral support or something. I know how that feels.
"Sheriff Swan," I greeted, "I've come to ask you not to give me a ticket."
Her eyebrow almost disappeared for a moment it moved so quickly up her face. Fucking idiot, think how that sounded. Good lord woman. And why is my butt vibrating? Oh phone. Guido must have found a place.
"Uh sorry, what I meant was, right now my car's parked illegally down at the gas station, but the timing belt is worn through, so we can't move it. And we went down to the auto parts shop, and the guy" You didn't even ask his name you moron. "said that it would take a couple of days for the new belt to come in because they didn't have any in stock." Just word vomit all over her, its fine.
But she seemed sympathetic, "Yeah it's no problem. Do you guys have a place to stay?"
I blinked That wasn't what I expected, "Um I think so. My friend is looking into it and she just texted me, so I am pretty sure she's found a place. Actually, if you'll excuse me for a second..." I reached toward my back pocket, but waited, eyes on her until she nodded.
Quickly I pulled my phone out and read the message of the lock screen. Short and to the point, as always.
Granny's a BnB. Got room 108. Leaving door open. Come join me lover.
I only just managed to bite back a snort. Ahhh Guido. I glanced back up to see the sheriff still watching me. Hastily I clicked my phone off and shoved it back into my butt pocket. Her eyebrow crawled even further up her face. Didn't think that was possible.
I cleared my throat, feeling my ears sting ever so slightly, "Um I guess the diner is also a Bed and Breakfast, and she managed to snag us a room."
"Well I am glad to hear it. I was going to tell you that if your friend hadn't first." How am I supposed to respond to that?
"Oh. Well, thank you for the almost advice" Smooth, you idiot. "and for not giving me a ticket, at least for the car." Oh god can you be any more of a bumbling buffoon? Fuck you, can it McGonagall. Her lip quirked up. Great and now the sheriff thinks I am an idiot.
"No problem," she answered, offering her hand. Relieved at the return to normal social interaction, where the likelihood of me fucking u was minimal, I grabbed her hand and gave it a shake. As I did, I felt the disquiet that had been so stealthily creeping up on me since we arrived settle its full weight onto my shoulders. SOMETHING IS WRONG.
I pulled my hand away, and managed a "Have a nice evening then, sheriff." Then I was making a mad dash out the door. With every step back up the black, the pressure on my shoulders mounted, and the prickling made almost every inch of my body ache with painful sensitivity, so each pounding step, clopping heals and all, jarred my bones. But I didn't let up until I had turned the corner of the gat and jumped the stairs, landing on my toes with practiced ease before stepping forward with my whole foot.
None too gently, I yanked open the door. Be cool, if anybody's there to see you, you don't want them asking questions. And sure enough the couple from before was still in their booth. I grace them a tight lip pull that should have been a smile, before glancing around, catching the sign on the back wall that noted the rooms from the inn were accessible up the stairs. I quickly made my way over. The silence.
The morning I had left, some part of me knew. It was too quiet. I couldn't hear the planes from the airport or the cars from the nearby thoroughfares. It was just too silent. Like creation itself was holding its breath, waiting. The plane ride was a dull one and once it touched down, I took my phone off of airplane mode before watching the runway workers out the window, waiting for the others in front of me to get off so I could get back to school. So I was shocked when it suddenly vibrated nonstop in my hand. I looked down surprised, reading through the notifications.
Missed Call: Mamá (7)
Missed Call: Padre (8)
Missed Call: Nana (3)
Missed Call: Unknown Number
And one final text message loaded after all the others, from my mom.
Catherine. I need you to call me.
She never used my first name in a message, unless she was about to start yelling at me. Without a thought I unlocked the phone and called, my whole body shaking with apprehension. It rang once.
"Mom, what the fuck is going on?" The fear made me coarse, but I couldn't find it in myself to care when the only answer I got to my question was a sound the likes of which I never wanted to hear from a human being ever again.
I took the stairs two at a time, powering up to the row of rooms on the landing above me. The room right across from the stairs was 101. Of course it would be the last room in the hallway. Not caring about appearances, I ran down the hallway. Evens on the right.
I got to the last door, decorated with a faded brass 108, and noticed it was slightly ajar. No it's a door. I pushed it open, feeling like my skin was trying to peel itself away from my flesh. Like a scene from a movie, it swung open with a light creak. Sarah was laid out on the floor. And for a moment all my mind could register was how the room smelled and what an awful color the carpet was.
Please God not again.