5.2 No Where to Be Found
Caleb could hardly see as he walked through the dark unfamiliar neighborhood. There were no street lights and not a soul in sight. Caleb looked down at his phone, the bright blue glare was the only thing keeping it from being pitch black and making Caleb nearly blind. A message was on the screen display.
"If you want to save your relationship go to 1669 Wallow Lane 8…P.S come alone"
The message wasn't signed with A's signature A, but he was sure it was A who sent the text. Caleb checked his back pocket making sure the pocket knife he brought for safety was still there. After finally approaching the address Caleb put his phone away and walked up the porch stairs. To Caleb's surprise the residence wasn't abandon building as he expected it to be. As he rang the doorbell he could see the beam of light from behind the curtains. Someone was inside. Cautiously he took a step back as he heard the door being unlocked from the other side. An old man wearing a blue button down and tan vest was hunched over struggling to give Caleb eye contact. "Hello" the old man said, more as a question rather than a statement. The look of confusion was painted all over Caleb's face. "Um, I think I have the wrong address, I'll just go." As Caleb began to turn around the old man's hand was wrapped around Caleb's arm. His hand felt cold, and his grip was a lot stronger than someone would think. "Come in, we've been waiting." The man loosen his hand and walked back into his house, not paying attention to whether Caleb was following behind. "We?" Caleb shouted still standing at the front entrance. Eventually he followed realizing the man would not answer. Taking a step inside, he shut the door behind him and scanned the room. The walls were a dark brown shaded wood, giving the house a cozy yet creepy feel. A small love couch sat in the middle of room accompanied by a white coffee and end table that clashed with the entire space. On top of the end table sat an open book and some kind of apple sensed candle. Up ahead and to the left there was an opening that lead to the kitchen. The old man went inside, Caleb right behind him.
"Do you want some water?" the man said reaching for a plastic cup that sat on the kitchen counter.
"…No" the old man's hand trembled, a few drops of water dripped to the floor as he brought the plastic cup over to the table. "Who are you?" Caleb took a sat across from the man.
"She said you were coming…you know I've been waiting. I'm quite tired though"
"She who?" the man took sip of his water as if it was an exquisite glass of wine. Caleb waited for him to answer but he didn't. The sound of small feet running down the stairs stopped Caleb from asking his next question.
"Grandpa, grandpa" a girl in a pink tutu and a dirty white tank top entered the kitchen. In one hand she was holding a hulk action figure, and in the other a plastic Barbie. "Play, Play" the girl shouted at her grandfather. She looked about five years old and had a full head of tangled brown curls. The old man yawned as he got up from his chair.
"I'll be right back" the old man said patting the little girl on top of her head. Caleb stood up, ready to leave. Coming here was pointless. "Sit, sit I'll be back in a moment son."
"Why am I here?"
The old man waved his hand up and down signally Caleb to sit. Why did A send him here? And what would happen if he left?