Chapter 31: Poison

Aurora's POV

A few days have passed and I am looking at myself in the mirror and my stomach is getting a bit bigger. I've been wearing baggy clothes lately in order to make my stomach not noticeable to my parents.

But I know that they will find out soon once my stomach will grow big in the next few months. I have a feeling that Mom is a bit suspicious of me, she even ask why I'm wearing baggy clothes all of the sudden.

I've been thinking of aborting the baby. However, I'm worried that all grow attach to the baby and I might change my mind of aborting it.

It's already 2 in the afternoon, and I received a text message from Eddie to meet up with the detective. I decided to walk to his house this time. I grab a black jacket and put it on. I grab my phone and walk out of my room as quickly as I can.

But as soon as I get to the end of the stairs, I quietly walk towards the door and open it as slowly as I can. I quickly yet quietly head out before closing the door. I pull my hood over my head and head over to Eddie's house.

Stefan's POV

I look down from the window and I spotted Aurora heading somewhere. I pick up my phone and call Steven.

"Yes?"

"How much longer do I have to keep this up?"

"Patience, Stefan. Don't worry, this won't last long. I just need you to do a small favour for me."

"When?"

"Tonight."

Aurora's POV

I have finally arrived at Edward's house. I spotted an unfamiliar car outside of Eddie's house. The door opens and Eddie lets me in.

"I hope you don't mind but I called the detective to come over here." He said.

"It's fine." I replied.

He lead me to the living room and I saw the detective, sitting on the chair.

"Miss Hills, good to see you again." The detective said and we shake each other's hands.

"Thank you for doing this. I really need your help." I said as I sit down.

"Now, let's begin. While waiting for you to come here, I decided to read these two journals. One of them seem to be connected to your case however it's sad to say that we're gonna need more evidence. I don't think the police will believe stuff coming from these two journals even though there are newspapers about the events happened around your neighbourhood. It should be accurately connected to your case right now." He said.

"How much more evidence that I need to prove myself in order to get rid of him?" I asked.

"More than these."

"But what about his journal? What can you say about that?"

"Disturbing." He said. "About Steven, he's your stepbrother, correct?"

"Yes." I answered.

"And he has a twin brother who he haven't seen in a long time. Where are they right now?"

"Steven has been in his room for the past days and it's scaring me. Who knows what he's planning to do. While his twin brother... I'm not so sure. I never had an encounter with him."

"That's gonna be difficult but I promise you we're doing what we can."

"So what am I supposed to do? Just sit and continue watching people around me dying? Just arrest him."

'KNOCK KNOCK'

"I'll get that." Eddie said.

"I'm sorry but we can't just arrest without a solid evidence." He said.

"What about this then? If I said that I'm pregnant with his baby inside of me and he raped me, will that be enough evidence?"

"Wait... what?" A familiar voice said out of the blue.

I froze and I slowly came face to face with Heather.

Her lips are shaking and she dropped her coat.

The detective clear out his throat. "I'm gonna need a blood sample from you. Let's go over there at the kitchen and I'll help you."

I nodded and we head over to the kitchen. I pull up one of my sleeves and the detective pulls out a syringe.

"Don't worry, I won't take much." He said as he took my arm.

"H-Have you done this before?" I asked nervously.

"I have experience similar cases." He said before doing his... business.

~Later~

It didn't take so long but he already gathered enough of my blood sample. We head back to the living room. I found Eddie comforting Heather, while looking up at me with eyes filled with worried but also somewhat, filled with betrayal.

"I should get going and do a test on this. Call me whenever something goes wrong." The detective said before he left the room and closing the door.

Silence filled up the atmosphere before I decided to break up the silence.

"Heather, look. We should have told you-" Before I get to explain myself, Heather stands up, clinching her fists as they shake.

"Honestly I knew that there is something off but I didn't expect it to be like... this. Aurora, I'm your best friend. You should have told me but no, you decided to keep your mouth shut, since you're always good with that shit. I know you don't want to hurt people by telling the truth but it hurts more when you just keep it to yourself and not tell anyone at all. And look what you got yourself into." Heather said with a different tone.

"I know but I was just looking for the right time and-"

"The right time? The right time?! Dude, in a situation like this... you should tell it to someone immediately but then again... you stay quiet and waiting for someone to help you."

My hands are trembling and she's right. I should have done better. But it was my fear that holds me back from telling. The fear of facing the consequences.

"I want to help you Ro, but since you rely on Eddie more than me. I might as well leave the two of you alone and work on it by yourselves." Heather said before leaving.

Without hesitation, I run out to call her back. "Heather, wait!" I shouted.

She keeps on walking towards her house and I just keep running to her.

"Heather, let me explain please!"

She starts running to her house and due to my situation, I don't run as fast as I used to.

"Heather!" I shouted and she climb up the porch stairs and before she closes the door, I put my hand on the door.

"Heather, please you'd understand." I said.

"Honestly, I really don't. Now, just leave me alone!"

She closes the door and my other hand got caught by the door and I flinch in pain.

"Ow!" I exclaimed, massaging my injured hand.

I caught a quick glance from Heather before she closes the door.

I let out a sigh and mumbled; "I'm sorry."

I walk down the stairs and head back to Eddie's house. I saw Eddie walking towards me and he saw my injured hand.

"What happened?" He asked, taking my injured hand onto his.

"Heather slammed the door and my hand got... slammed on." I said.

"Let's head back and I'll treat your hand." He said and I nodded.

We head back in his house and told me to sit down while he gets the first aid kit.

I look down at my hand and some of my knuckles are bleeding.

Eddie came back with the first aid kit and he started to treat my hand.

"I don't understand. I mean, I knew Heather would be pissed off but I didn't know that she would react like this." I said.

"Well, to be honest Ro... she has a point. It's best to tell someone even if it means to get hurt. But I get it since this is a different case and your stepbrother is a big threat and you don't know what he's really capable of." He said.

"You didn't think I didn't know that? I really want to tell someone immediately, I really do. But maybe... it's because of my fear to face the consequences. If I do tell someone, he might hurt my family, including you guys. I don't want that to happen to any of you guys all because of one mistake that I'd do."

"Ro, you have your own rights. Remember that." He said, while wrapping my arm with a bandage. "Alright, done."

"Thanks Eddie. I should probably head back. I don't want my parents to find out that I'm not inside the house."

"Let me take you there." Eddie offered.

"Eddie, I think you've done so much for me."

"I don't think it's enough. Just please let me do this. It's not safe walking back all by yourself." He said, taking some keys from a bowl.

I nodded. "Okay."

We went over to his garage and he pulled out a motorcycle bike.

"Still in pretty good shape. Hop on." He said, handing me a helmet. I put it on and while he put on his helmet as well.

I hop on to the motorcycle and wrapped my arms around his body.

"Hang in there." He said before starting the motorcycle and drive off.

~Later~

We finally arrived at my house safely. I get off the motorcycle and take off my helmet and hand it to Eddie.

"Thanks for the ride, Eddie." I said.

"It's no problem really. Anything for my girl." He said and I smile.

"I should head back inside. Bye." I said before turning around. But then, I felt his arm wrapped on mine and he pulls me back before our lips touch.

"I love you. You know that." He said.

"And I love you too." I said before sharing a kiss again.

"I'm heading back inside now." I said before taking a few steps back and walk towards my house.

Once I'm at the front door, I turn around and we wave at each other before Eddie starts driving back home.

I quietly head inside and try to walk up stairs as slowly as possible. However, I came face to face with... Steven. His dull eyes looking back at mine, filled with fear.

"Mom said it's dinner time." He said. His voice sounds a bit deeper though.

I gulp. "O-Okay." We head down the stairs and walk towards the dining room.

"There you guys are. Sit down, you don't your food to get cold." Mom said.

I sit down on my seat next to Dad since Toby is taking my seat next to Steven.

Then we dig in. I poke on my food before taking a small piece of it. I take a look on the porridge and it doesn't look appetizing to me so I decided not to eat it.

Then I hear coughing from my right and realized it was my Mom coughing.

"Mom, are you okay?" I asked.

She waved her hand, saying that she's fine but continues coughing.

"Mom, drink some water." I said, pushing the glass of water towards her. She takes the glass of water and her hand is shaking. She take a few sips but then spits the water out before vomiting a bit.

"Mom! Mom?!" I approached her then she falls to the floor, vomiting.

"Call an ambulance, quick!" I shouted. And Dad pulled out his phone.

"Mom, stay with me! You're gonna be okay!" I said, holding on to her.

"They're on the way as fast as they can! Wait for them outside, I'll take care of her." Dad said.

But then I look at her spot and I saw her spoon, that was dipped into the porridge, on the plate. I then head outside and wait for the ambulance.

It didn't take that long as the ambulance finally arrived.

"They're here!" I shouted.

The paramedics carefully took my Mom and place her on the wheeled stretcher and we head out. Since I was the last one to head out, I close the door and catch up to them. I hop on before they close the door and they drive off, on the way to the hospital.

~Later~

Some time passed and we've been in the emergency room for what it feels like hours.

I was pacing back and forth, biting my thumb, hoping my Mom will be okay.

"Doctor." Dad began and I turn around to see a doctor coming out if the room. "How is she?"

I quickly walk towards the doctor. "Is my Mom okay? Can I see her?"

"You'll see her soon. I'm gonna have a talk with your father for a while."

"But I can't just leave the kids here, they're probably tired." Dad said.

"Steven, why don't you take Aurora and Toby home? Just take a taxi." Dad said, handing money to Steven.

"But Dad, I don't want to go home. I want to see Mom." I said. "Please, I just want to see if Mom is okay."

"Sweetie, we might talk about a sensitive topic so it's best if you stay at home and get some rest." Dad responded.

"Why can't I just see her?!"

"Aurora, please don't make a scene here. Now just go home! The three of you, go home now." Dad said sternly.

"Fine." I mumbled. I pick up Toby and head outside of the hospital as Steven follows behind.

We waited outside of the hospital as Steven tries to look for a taxi.

Toby yawn and he rest his head on my shoulder.

"Found a taxi." Steven said.

A taxi stopped and we hop inside. Steven tells the address of our house to the driver before driving off.

~Later~

We've arrived back at our house and I decided to wake up Toby.

"Toby, wake up. We're here." I said.

Toby rubs his eye before opening them. The taxi stopped and I open the door. Toby gets off and I follow.

We waited for Steven, who's paying the taxi driver. All of the sudden, I can hear a door creak. I turn around and I saw the door slightly open.

"Let's get inside." Steven said.

Toby run towards the door but then, we saw a figure coming out of the door.

Just as Toby is about to runaway from the figure, the figure caught Toby and cover his mouth with a white handkerchief.

"Toby! No!"I was about to run and save Toby, Steven grab my waist, pulls me back and cover my mouth with a handkerchief.

"Just breathe it in. Breathe it in." He whispered in my ear as I struggle. Then my eyes suddenly begin to feel heavy and the last thing I saw was a blurry image of the figure carrying the unconscious body of Toby before I black out.