Chapter 237

Chapter 8 – Oakley POV There was a low buzz, “Pat – Pat I love you okay, don’t think I don’t – I’m sorry I thought – I thought I got away from them Pat, I thought I could have my happily ever after with you, I loved you Pat, you were everything I ever wanted and I didn’t think I would ever get a chance at love. I love you deep in my heart, and my secrets, I kept them to protect you and the kids, don’t forget that, tell them about me, love them, cherish them for the both of us you hear?” the recording, mixed in with three other heartbeats – two even the other racing – mine quicken, sadness overwhelming me as I inhale sharply, getting my bearings. Scents swarming – blending – with one another, Ben, Aunt Julia, Uncle Grant and mine the strongest but I do smell a trace of a few others. My eyes well up when I remember – when all events catch up to me – we were in the car then we weren’t. I don’t want to open my eyes, this had to be a dream, I didn’t want to face what was the truth, keeping your eyes closed doesn’t make this any less scary Oakley, it’s okay to be afraid but don’t let it cripple you, be brave, be that girl that just played the recording for everyone, that told everyone how she felt, the voice said. The smallest movement, causes shifting against me, thin arms hold me tighter, opening my eyes I realize Ben is huddled up between the back of the couch and me. Taking a breath I try to untangle myself slowly, not wanting to wake him, or Aunt Julia who is on the opposite end of the sectional. When I finally get to my feet, my legs feel so weak, shaky and my stomach has the sinking – uneasy – feeling. Swallowing I leave the living room, taking a look around, the stone fire place built into the wall, behind me the kitchen, I know Uncle Grant is listening to the recording so I follow that sound to the stairs, turning the corner and find him sitting at the dining room table. When he hears or feels my approach he looks him, red eyes enhancing sad blue eyes, brows bunched together in what can only be devastation, “Oh Oakley,” he says his voice rough, “Why didn’t you come to me with this?” I tried to read the emotions fleeting across his face, some making sense – overwhelmed, and hurt – while others – shame, and guilt – make no sense. I saw anger but somehow I knew that it wasn’t against me, my lips shaking I couldn’t – I just couldn’t – I looked away shaking my head, inhaling lethargically, “I – I didn’t – when I – after it happened, I was quiet just listening, then – then when daddy got home I left the space and the recorder there. I closed the space and I don’t know if I just avoided it on purpose but I feel like I knew it was there but to protect my – my mind I just,” I shrug, crying. “When dad brought Sarah and Amelia, I found it again and dad was changing the house with Sarah, throwing things away piece by piece I felt like I was losing mom, her memories, and it was the very last thing I had of her I just couldn’t lose that, so I kept it to myself,” I explained a bit of my self induced isolation melting away, and in doing so grief flooded over me. The emptiness inside – making me cold – surprised me, overwhelmed and left me in my place feeling defeated, “It’s okay Oak, it’s okay, I’ve got you,” Uncle Grant murmured as his arms wound around me, pulling me to him, centering me the tighter he held me, my heart beating wildly, while his beat calmly, my head on his chest easy to compare the difference. I couldn’t say anymore, had no words, just emotions I felt too young to bare, sadness that chilled me, hurt that broke me and hate that grew like poisonous weeds inside. Rocking me back and forth, I accepted the comfort, “This isn’t your fault Oakley, wherever we are, this isn’t your fault,” he whispered but in the silence of this place, it sounded like a scream. I calmed – Uncle Grant’s tone overall as well – easily, “Why aren’t you more worried?” I asked when the sobs turned to minor hiccups. Pulling away, he smirked at me; putting one around on my shoulders leading me back to the kitchen, “what do you see?” he asked a smile in his voice. How the heck could he be so nonchalant about all this? He believes that there is nothing to fear Oakley… voice said but I looked around. All appliances were in view, coffee maker, cooking utensils, seasons in the cabinet and – “Knives?” I pointed to the set; a large butcher type knife hung freely, “They gave us knives…” I said confused. “Look at the foods,” he said standing letting me explore. Opening the fridge I see soymilk like we had at home, as well as eggs substitutes. Ben is allergic to milk, while I was allergic to eggs… “I don’t know – I’m not all trusting but I’d go as far to say that whoever brought us here – wherever here is – has no intention of hurting us. All the food is sealed no puncture wounds in the containers, there are clothes – all our sizes – in the den,” he toys the note on the countertop. I turned back to Uncle Grant his eyes fixated on the note in deep thought, tilting his head to the side, “Have you ever looked up the people that your mother mentions on the recording?” my face heats, but I shake my head embarrassed. “What?” how could I explain without sounding nutty, I tapped my fingers like I did when I needed to focus, clear and order my thoughts. “I’ve been too afraid to look the names up, I thought – mom said not to trust anyone and I just, you know that people can hack your computers or see what you look up and I didn’t want to garner any attention, even though I was dying to look up. Once at the community college campus in the library I was so – so close to looking them up, but then I chickened out because, I thought it would be too obvious,” Uncle Grant pursed his lips, slowly shaking his head but he didn’t look at me as though I was crazy, but there was a hint of what I could only identify as pity. “You’ve been living in fear, I’m just so damn sorry that us – all the adults around you – failed you like this…” his voice begging for forgiveness that wasn’t necessary, in my opinion, because as he mentioned other adults, I thought of daddy. “Do you think Daddy is looking for us?” I was afraid to ask that question but only because I think I knew the answer. Who ever took us, had been planning this. Chelsea POV (November 28th 2014) We didn’t have much time, the Elders had come to Gabriel’s hotel and as far as everyone else was concerned we were flying to Italy but we had another plan set up. In and out, Logan got Oakley, Ben, Julia and Grant into the house on the island, after I left a note and supplies. When we returned to the hotel the biggest problem we really had was Dana, Darren, Nona and Vanessa. “I demand that we look for Amara,” Darren said while I was sitting on my hospital bed, feigning injury for the Elders sake, “Why don’t you ask the police to look for your sister? Right now we are dealing with grieving families, you remember? McKenna…” I said dryly. “Have you even checked on your wife? She was shot-” “I’ve made sure she was alright!” he said in indignation, shut him up, Aria thought. “She’s ready to fly to Italy to a funeral for a woman she barely knows, while my sister is missing!” he shouted Dana behind him, Rachel – McKenna’s mother – standing by her, watching Darren with pure disbelief and sadness. “Look why don’t you just go to the police,” I said again, knowing already they wouldn’t find Amara because Gabriel had already gotten rid of her, no trace would ever be found. My gaze met with Rachel’s, let him look for her, he’ll never find her… she thought to herself, but even the hunch she had that Amara was taken care of, didn’t bring her peace. She lost her daughter; Amara’s death wouldn’t bring McKenna back. Storming out of the room I called Logan, hey can you come to the hospital room. When Darren stormed off Dana finally spoke, “Cody and I will be coming with you, Darren and Vanessa want to stay here…” I was in awe of her, she loved her husband – Darren – however not more than she loved her child, she was willing to sacrifice that love for Cody and that alone made me respect Dana Evans. “That’s fine…” I replied smiling tightly, the two women leaving just as Logan came into the room, you rang? His voice full of humor.