Chapter 11
Ed smiled to himself as he stared out at the still water. It was getting dark now, and colder. He shivered and zipped his jacket up and began making his way to the road again. He stopped as he saw something metallic glinting in the dusky August evening. He picked it up and smiled. It was Cain's phone. "That was lucky" he thought to himself as the screen lit up. He smiled wider when he saw the display "5 Missed Calls: Aaron" After a little searching, he found the text message option and wrote out a little text before sending it to Aaron and throwing the phone into the water. Temptation took over Ed and he jumped into the garage pick up truck. "See you soon, Aaron." Ed whispered as he hot wired the vehicle and began driving to the village.
eeeeeee
John and the rest of the Barton family sat in the kitchen, all seated around the table. It was silent. the only sound that filled the room was the low hum from the refrigerator, combined with gentle sobbing from Hannah.
Pictures of Adam were scattered on the table, some taken before they arrived in Emmerdale, some of him beaming into the camera, dressed in his school uniform. Moira sighed and picked up one of the pictures and stared longingly at it. She sighed and placed it back down as a tear rolled down her face, leaving a black stain on her cheek from her mascara.
A soft knock at the door disturbed him and John forced himself to answer it, bracing himself for a visit from Ashley or another villager offering their condolences. He quickly wiped his eyes and pulled the door open, and was faced with a tall young man.
"Can I help you?" John asked
"Hi. I...erm..I'm really sorry to drop by unannounced...I'm a friend of Adam's. We got talking at a pub when we were waiting to be served. I kept in touch with him for a while and I've only just heard the news. You can tell me where to go or shout at me if you want but..I brought these.." the man replied, handing John a bouquet of white lilies. "I've never lost a friend...well, not really lost anyone close to me since I was a kid so I wasn't sure of getting those..I hope they are ok?"
Joh nodded "Thank you. We really appreciate that. Would you like to come in?"
"I best not. You need to be on your own right now. Again I'm sorry for dropping by like this. I know it's a stupid thing to say but I hope you'll be ok..."
John nodded "I didn't catch your name?"
"My name's not really important. I just...Adam was a good lad. We met up a few times and had a good laugh, I'm gonna miss him."
"We all are mate."
"If it's not too rude...What happened?"
"He had an accident on his quad bike."
The man sighed and lowered his head "I best get off. I'm thinking of you all. I just want you to know that."
John nodded and watched the man turn and walk away. He had no idea he was just face to face with his son's killer.
eeeee
Aaron was sat on his bed, surrounded by several CDs. He had been asked by John and Moira to pick the song's for Adam's funeral. He got angry at first, and threw one of CD's against his wall, the plastic shattering on contact and landing on the floor. He pulled more CDs out or the drawer next to his bed and stopped as he came across the CD Adam had got him for Christmas. Justin Bieber. Aaron smiled to himself and shook his head
"You were such an idiot Adam..Remember the little argument that we had? I was pissed off Cause I wanted the One Direction album instead? You never did get me that for my birthday. I'd do anything to get it from you now you. I don't even like One pissing Direction but...anything to see you again. See that stupid grin on your face."
Tears filled Aaron's eyes and he gently dabbed at them with the sleeve of his hoodie. He picked up a CD and put it into his CD player just as his phone sprang to life, indicating he had a text message. A sigh of relief escaped the teen's mouth as he realised it was from Cain. His heart skipped as he opened the message.
"I need to go away for a while. Can't explain now. Dropped off pick-up truck. You're running things at the garage for now. You better not mess things up while I'm gone. Cain."
Aaron sighed and re-read the message. It was certainly worded like it was from Cain. He tried ringing his uncle and became more distressed as the call was unable to connect. He jumped off his bed and ran downstairs, appearing in the bar.
"Mum?"
"Love! How you feeling? Want a pint?" Chas asked
"No. Look at this." Aaron replied, holding out his phone for Chas to read the message. "And don't ask me to ring him cause I've already done it and the call won't connect."
"It seems strange he's just dropped things..He's done this before though."
"He has? And you're not worried?"
"Well yes, I am worried, but Cain's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself. I'm sure he's fine and he'll get in touch soon."
Aaron nodded "Fine. If he bothers ringing you, Tell him to not bother coming back."
"Aaron.."
"No Mum don't! I really need him ok? I'm a mess after what happened to Adam..He promised me he'd be there for me when I was in hospital. He's let me down. How can family do that to you? I'm upstairs right now planning Adam's funeral and he sends me that?"
"Aaron you know he loves you..."
"If he did he'd be here, like you are, like Cameron is. Helping me. He's put himself before everybody else yet again! He's nothing but a selfish, arrogant arsehole!"
"Watch your mouth, Aaron."
"Oh whatever. I'm going back upstairs."
Aaron raced up the stairs and into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him. He slid down the door, wiping at the stream of tears falling from his eyes. He rested his hands on the floor and felt a sharp pain travel through his hand. He lifted his hand in front of his face and saw a thin trickle of blood running from a cut just below his ring finger. He looked down at the floor beside him and noticed a small piece of plastic lying on the floor from the CD incident earlier. He picked it up and played with it in his hand, enjoying the feel of its jagged edges. He yanked up the sleeve of his hoodie, and gently ran the plastic across his arm, just below the wrist. His head hit the door with a hollow thump as he moved up his arm, applying more pressure with each cut.